Top Ten Albums 12-05-08

1. Right Away, Great Captain's "The Eventually Home" The more I listen to this, the more I find this album climbing into "favorite albums ever".  Every. Single. Song. Is. Great.  From beginning to end this is a fantastic example of great songwriting and musicianship. Father Brian Finn is the standout this week, strange story, but awesome.
2. Akon's "Freedom" - I don't know why, but I enjoy Akon a lot. Oh yeah, every song here is singable.  Plus he has grown up from that whole "wanna **** you" thing.  The songs are expressive, and deep.  From love songs to his past there is a surprising amount of heft to this CD.  He got me with every hook.  Line and sinker too..."Freedom" and "Sunny Day" are my favs.
3. We Shot the Moon's "Fear and Love" - The album starts off with the phrase "Hope, is all that have". A very piano heavy album, but it is done such a way that the piano is the carrier of the mood. From poppy to melodrama to sad, it is the backbone. Forgive the corn here, but this is one of the most hopeful albums I've heard in a while.
4. The Cab's "Glitz and Glamour EP" The first "special connection" pick on the list.  I saw them 3 times in 6 weeks this spring and was even let on stage to sing the bridge in "This City Is Contagious". Yes I almost peed my pants, but that part was meant for my bro...he didn't go. I'm sure it is on Youtube somewhere.... This is a self-released EP, done when they were 16!!!!  "Getting Old" is so classic. "Hold on to your youth cause soon you'll be old too"
5. Go:Audio's "Made up Stories - Ever what Hellogoodbye would sound like if they went all British on your ass? This. "He's Changed" is pure brilliance, a song about how famous people grow. Listen to "Woodchuck" and try not to think of "Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn" I DARE YOU!!!!! 
6. White Tie Affair's "Walk This Way" - This was in my car's CD player for the better part of April-August.  Fell out of favor because I found so much new music in August.  Back because I'm seeing them in concert again on Tuesday.  Very dancy, lots of synth here....and we know my synth love.
7. Motion City Soundtrack's "Even If It Kills Me" - This album holds a special place (and time) in my heart. It came out at a difficult time in my life, and it felt like it was written FOR me. But then again, Justin and I were going through the same situation.  Plus they have an advantage what with the touring with them and all. And the backstage antics at this years Honda Civic Tour were priceless!  FYI Ryan Ross loves the Coke....like Pacino in Scarface.
8. Dustin Kensrue's "Please Come Home" - "Pistol" is still genius "I follow your cool gun powder glare/Honey, you lay me bare. " Enough said. I really hope I get to see the "Where's the Band?" tour.  If you don't like crooning then you wont like this album. And after given a more thorough listen it survives.
9. Owen's "At Home With Owen" Dropped mainly because of my mood.  Other than that how did I not hear this in 2006? I am always amazed when such truly great musicians fly under my radar for years.
10. Cute Is What We Aim For's "Rotation" - Even though they lost the "gift of one liners and the curse of curves". "Hollywood" and "Navitgate Me" are good.  The album only has one weak song. But alas, that is not enough for this list.



You guys get one more week of new stuff after this, then comes the hard part.  I will be making a year end top 25. I'm waiting so late for a few reasons, I find new music in bursts and its been a couple weeks so I should be due. Second, the new Fall Out Boy album is coming out. Heard 8 of 13(14-bonus) and I can tell it makes the list, but where....

Last, my music says I have 127 albums with 1291 songs totaling some 75 hours of music.
It is an endeavor, since this isn't based on my mood, so only the really good stuff makes the cut.

There will be 20 released this year and 5 released earlier I only just heard this year.