Ok Friends Here we go with the mid-year's best of. I am gonna try to keep it even keeled as I don't want to give away too much for the end of year salute to '09.
Top 5 albums of '09 (in no particular order):
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone - An eye opening piece of work that overshadowed all my previous knowledge.
Dark Was the Night - More hits than Mike Tyson's Punch Out
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion - Basically if they only put out My girls and Brothersport it would still have made everyone's top 10 ... amiright?
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart-Self Titled - Have to admit that half of this is the fact that I saw them at Bug Jar and it SOUNDED amazing, but they kind of blew my effing mind that night.
Tie: The Thermals vs. Japandroids - The familiar versus the the familiar ... Basically both albums are kind of awesome and yet comfortable. Not a fucking thing to complain about top to bottom on either ... but not earth shattering. I went through personal situations where "I Quit Girls" AND reached a point where "You Dissolve"
I was late to the party but fucking ecstatic that I showed up:
Akron/Family - Love is All - Indie meets Classic meets Emo meets Tony
The Beatles - Abbey Road - I know them all but it's basically mixed in a way that I never heard before, like a really sweet late Beatles mix ... thanks guys.
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue - Dear Jenny, when will you fudge me?
Amadou and Mariam - my life = changed
Animal Collective - Feels AND Sung Tongs - I kind of actually like both of these more than MPP ... but which more only time will tell.
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha - I AM STILL LOSING MY SHIT TO EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM... p.s. remember that time he randomly rocked Cataracts at Bonna ... quote of the weekend "that was completely random"
The Let down list:
Camera Obscura - fuck fuck fuck, i love them, i love them, but my heart is not quite right yet.
Cymbals Eat Guitars - I need "the hook" still
The Black Lips - 100 Million Thousand - shit dudes, you are epic, but this was a pile, you fucking literally had retreads on here.
Mastadon - Crack the Skye - How do you recapture Leviathan - a post unto it's own.
Announcements:
Ra Ra Riot is ok because they are my new emo band that I don't give an eff if you like or not.
Menomena became my 2010 band. Find the festival, join me. I promise they will be AT LEAST as good as the shit show that was Band of Horses. Which ... coincidentally was only partially better than seeing radiohead from a mile away a year prior.
The Mars Volta are on my radar again. Omar does his best. Cedric is a bag o trix and pretentious as ever.
My Bloody Valentine in August.
... hope you liked it
2009-06-25
2009-06-24
dinosaur jr. - farm: a first look
the last time I paid much attention to Dinosaur Jr. I was 13 and really into MTV and the Soundgarden Black Hole Sun video. Which, lucky for me was on pretty much once an hour at the time. This period coincided with Dinosaur Jr.'s closest delving into mainstream when their video for Feel the Pain was also getting significant airplay.
Fast forward 10 years. I'm 23 and starting to get into "influential" indie bands. Names get drooped, pixies, joy division, sebadoh, and dinosaur jr.?? From there on out time and time again this band's been mentioned numerous times. Having no more than Feel the Pain to go off of I for whatever reason decided to skip by their work.
Come with me now to the present day: At the moment there aren't any brand new exceptional albums out, which means good luck for DJ. They happen to have released the most buzz worthy album. So I decided to check them out. Some of the things I'm finding out about them:
1. They seriously don't mess around with guitar rock. If you like guitar rock. Listen to them. I can't describe it really any other way than that.
2. To me it kind of sounds a lot like more Feel the Pain. Perhaps I am missing the point.
3. I like it. The songs are catchy. But i'm not being moved by it. My only hope here is to pass it along to someone who comes back and explains how they fell in love with the album. To me it's somehow coming across as bland. How is that possible? The guys are rocking the shit out of this music, but to me all I hear is boring boring boring.
This of course is quite the same way I felt upon first listen to In Rainbows. So as usual it always comes back to Radiohead. Dinosaur Jr. now owe R-head a debt of gratitude because I have decided not to give up easily on this one. Can I get a God Bless Thom?
Fast forward 10 years. I'm 23 and starting to get into "influential" indie bands. Names get drooped, pixies, joy division, sebadoh, and dinosaur jr.?? From there on out time and time again this band's been mentioned numerous times. Having no more than Feel the Pain to go off of I for whatever reason decided to skip by their work.
Come with me now to the present day: At the moment there aren't any brand new exceptional albums out, which means good luck for DJ. They happen to have released the most buzz worthy album. So I decided to check them out. Some of the things I'm finding out about them:
1. They seriously don't mess around with guitar rock. If you like guitar rock. Listen to them. I can't describe it really any other way than that.
2. To me it kind of sounds a lot like more Feel the Pain. Perhaps I am missing the point.
3. I like it. The songs are catchy. But i'm not being moved by it. My only hope here is to pass it along to someone who comes back and explains how they fell in love with the album. To me it's somehow coming across as bland. How is that possible? The guys are rocking the shit out of this music, but to me all I hear is boring boring boring.
This of course is quite the same way I felt upon first listen to In Rainbows. So as usual it always comes back to Radiohead. Dinosaur Jr. now owe R-head a debt of gratitude because I have decided not to give up easily on this one. Can I get a God Bless Thom?
2009-06-23
An error in judgement
Recently something has come to light that I feel i need to publicly apologize for. Anyone who knows me is aware of my affinity for Neutral Milk Hotel's stellar piece of work In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. This album has influenced me, and my public life in ways that at the moment would be difficult for me to describe. Listening to album typically can bring me close to tears. It is probably the album I hold most dear to me.
However due to my deep appreciation of this work I also have made public claim to be a Neutral Milk Hotel fan. The truth of the matter is that I was really only a ITAOTS fan. Upon a previous attempt to delve into earlier NMH work I first listened to Invent Yourself a Shortcake. I don't recall how much of an effort I made. I do recall hearing a lot of noise, and finding out they were effing around with making noises with a cassette tape during recording.
I soon lost interest and chalked ITAOTS up to being a single rare miracle. An album so powerful it caused it's creator to run into seclusion. Which is also where my interst in his other work lay. Until recently. A small series of events transpired. First, budding interest in ITAOTS from a friend. When this typically occurs I instantly jump head first back into NHM because I want to try and show the person how amazing I find the work, and would love sharing it with others. During this renewed vigor I also caught a live showing of Mr. Mangum performing many of the songs from ITAOTS.
It was a stirring event for me. One that left me empty and unfullfilled. Wanting nothing more than to find a way that I could try and relive past events. From this I came away with two decisions. 1. Find live NMH because he was brilliant live. and 2. Find out about the songs that were not from In the Aeroplane, because they were just as good. My findings led me to one very important discovery. When I cast aside Invent yourself a Shortcake I also subsequently did the same to On Avery Island. In my defense I know I had listened to it at least once but the sour taste from IYS must have been around.
One of the songs on the live video was a track called Baby For Pree. This song hit me hard, and I found that it was recorded in On Avery Island. Cooincidentally that same day I was sent a text msg of a friend holding the album in a record store, to which history will show me still at the "meh, i can take it or leave it" level.
However, because of that chain of events I have learned of a new, amazing album. On Avery Island does lack the epic cohesiveness of In the Aeroplane. It does not contain any self defining moments like Oh Comely, or triumphant gestures in solidude like King of Carrot Flowers pt1. But one thing Neutral Milk Hotel was never wanton for is eery madness. Spooky organ drone peppered with sad yet catchy lyrics.
On Avery Island gives the listener an ear to what Mangum was really all about, and any fan of ITAOTS should find near equal appreciation here. I consider myself lucky to have found myself in this position. I suppose I wanted to share this with the world because I feel like I need to make penence for my past ignorance. Though nothing may compare evenly to In the Aeroplane listeners will not be unfamiliar with the songs on On Avery Island, and I believe can come to a deeper and more open understanding of how imporant ITA really is. I know I feel that way.
However due to my deep appreciation of this work I also have made public claim to be a Neutral Milk Hotel fan. The truth of the matter is that I was really only a ITAOTS fan. Upon a previous attempt to delve into earlier NMH work I first listened to Invent Yourself a Shortcake. I don't recall how much of an effort I made. I do recall hearing a lot of noise, and finding out they were effing around with making noises with a cassette tape during recording.
I soon lost interest and chalked ITAOTS up to being a single rare miracle. An album so powerful it caused it's creator to run into seclusion. Which is also where my interst in his other work lay. Until recently. A small series of events transpired. First, budding interest in ITAOTS from a friend. When this typically occurs I instantly jump head first back into NHM because I want to try and show the person how amazing I find the work, and would love sharing it with others. During this renewed vigor I also caught a live showing of Mr. Mangum performing many of the songs from ITAOTS.
It was a stirring event for me. One that left me empty and unfullfilled. Wanting nothing more than to find a way that I could try and relive past events. From this I came away with two decisions. 1. Find live NMH because he was brilliant live. and 2. Find out about the songs that were not from In the Aeroplane, because they were just as good. My findings led me to one very important discovery. When I cast aside Invent yourself a Shortcake I also subsequently did the same to On Avery Island. In my defense I know I had listened to it at least once but the sour taste from IYS must have been around.
One of the songs on the live video was a track called Baby For Pree. This song hit me hard, and I found that it was recorded in On Avery Island. Cooincidentally that same day I was sent a text msg of a friend holding the album in a record store, to which history will show me still at the "meh, i can take it or leave it" level.
However, because of that chain of events I have learned of a new, amazing album. On Avery Island does lack the epic cohesiveness of In the Aeroplane. It does not contain any self defining moments like Oh Comely, or triumphant gestures in solidude like King of Carrot Flowers pt1. But one thing Neutral Milk Hotel was never wanton for is eery madness. Spooky organ drone peppered with sad yet catchy lyrics.
On Avery Island gives the listener an ear to what Mangum was really all about, and any fan of ITAOTS should find near equal appreciation here. I consider myself lucky to have found myself in this position. I suppose I wanted to share this with the world because I feel like I need to make penence for my past ignorance. Though nothing may compare evenly to In the Aeroplane listeners will not be unfamiliar with the songs on On Avery Island, and I believe can come to a deeper and more open understanding of how imporant ITA really is. I know I feel that way.
bonna non story
Sadly my time has been tied up in real world events lately so I have not yet had a chance to unleash upon the interwebs my full review of Bonnaroo.
However I do have enough time this morning to share my favorite "non story". By non-story I mean that I actually had no part in any of this and all of the information is word of mouth from other sources.
Anyone heard of the band Cage the Elephant? Yeah, me either. Apparently they were good enough to have their "stage stormed" at bonnaroo.
A.) who the hell storms a stage at a hippy music festival?
B.) dillinger escape plan didn't play till sunday.
Anyways, I checked around to find some reviews of their latest album trying to harness an idea of what music was so overwhelming it caused an uncontrollable urge to bro down with security just to have a chance to get close to the band ... here's my favorite quote so far:
"It’s a fatal flaw that rears itself again and again as a bastardised version of blue-collar Americana is force-fed a mass-produced strain of bland modern rock throughout all eleven tracks."
- The Guardian
Guess I'm not all that upset that I missed what was described to me as the most important thing that happened at Bonna this year. Are you kidding me?
However I do have enough time this morning to share my favorite "non story". By non-story I mean that I actually had no part in any of this and all of the information is word of mouth from other sources.
Anyone heard of the band Cage the Elephant? Yeah, me either. Apparently they were good enough to have their "stage stormed" at bonnaroo.
A.) who the hell storms a stage at a hippy music festival?
B.) dillinger escape plan didn't play till sunday.
Anyways, I checked around to find some reviews of their latest album trying to harness an idea of what music was so overwhelming it caused an uncontrollable urge to bro down with security just to have a chance to get close to the band ... here's my favorite quote so far:
"It’s a fatal flaw that rears itself again and again as a bastardised version of blue-collar Americana is force-fed a mass-produced strain of bland modern rock throughout all eleven tracks."
- The Guardian
Guess I'm not all that upset that I missed what was described to me as the most important thing that happened at Bonna this year. Are you kidding me?
2009-06-22
July July
Loooks like round 2 of music month is coming up ...
7-15: Yeasayer
7-19: Wilco and Conner Oberst
7-23: Neko Case
7-30: Cursive
7-31: All Points West
8-3 : Gang Gang Dance
7-15: Yeasayer
7-19: Wilco and Conner Oberst
7-23: Neko Case
7-30: Cursive
7-31: All Points West
8-3 : Gang Gang Dance
2009-06-19
sunday morning
I'm a little late posting this news. Frankly because a) i'm not really a huge Beck fan any longer and so I feel like news about Beck is on a take it or leave it basis. B) This blog isn't really a "news" oriented medium, but rather a forum for me to post in regards to interesting information.
Anyways the point here is that a news article came out a few days ago that basically described a new project in which he was going to record a cover of some albums all within one day, without rehearsals or retakes. He is then going to release the recordings via his newly remodeled website.
I didn't realize how soon any of this was going down but it looks like the first album (Velvet Underground and Nico) has already been completed. Here is track 1. If nothing else Beck can still swing a damn fine cover. Nothin fancy here.
Anyways the point here is that a news article came out a few days ago that basically described a new project in which he was going to record a cover of some albums all within one day, without rehearsals or retakes. He is then going to release the recordings via his newly remodeled website.
I didn't realize how soon any of this was going down but it looks like the first album (Velvet Underground and Nico) has already been completed. Here is track 1. If nothing else Beck can still swing a damn fine cover. Nothin fancy here.
2009-06-18
2009-06-17
2009-06-09
The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Look Ma, I did it. Two album reviews in two weeks. An even more impressive perspective is that this one actually coincides with the release of the album I'm reviewing! This is of course was unbeknowst to me until last week when while perusing a publication it listed Bitte Orca's release date. Well shit, thanks to the power of internewbs I've actually been listening to the album for well over a month now. So I guess fate had it that this day would come and so without further delay...
The chronology of my experience with Dirty Projectors goes something like this:
1+ years ago: I was mistaking them for DFA, the Brookyln based production team whose hands are all over a bunch of great albums. Where this miscommunication stems from, lord know. It's t typical me though. The same guy who thought Broken Social Scene was punk metal, and that Deerhunter and Animal Collective consisted of the same band members.
6 months ago: I got my hands on the Dark Was the Night soundtrack. The first track on the album is the collaboration between David Byrne and the DP's. Immediately drawn to this interesting and charismatic ditty I began my journey into learning exactly what the dirty projector's were all about. Yes, brooklyn based as well, but much much different. I ended up checking out Rise Above. I found it ... weird. I would say almost so weird it was bad. But one thing I understood was that there was some serious creativity behind it. My desire to embrace the creativity led me to persist. During this time dirty projector's released their first single off Bitte Orca.
2 Months: Upon my first encounter with lead single Stillness is the Move I nearly fell out of my chair. The song carried everything I personally need in a personal theme song. Ridiculous rhthym structure: check, Lyrics that not only are fun in content, but also delivered in quirky and off tempo precision: check, Loud and Beautiful: check.
Immediately this track was dubbed "my summer song" . Throughout this blog you could find at least 2 other entire posts devoted to how awesome that song is. So basically, this album was going to get a good review if it were just that song.
However, come to find out there was a lot more work to do. Having only my tedious experience with Rise Above, and the two fleeting examples of dirty projector's pop embrace I initially had some strong doubts about the rest of Bitte Orca. The songs again seeems long, and misguided attempts at proving creativity, rather than great song writing. But something entirely different exists here. Sticking with the album was important, because the epiphany occured. Yes, some of the songs sound like 4 songs in one (useful chamber i'm looking at you). However the difference being the pieces are more carefully executed with an eye on embracing the pop psyche.
It is true that at points I felt that bitte orca drags a bit, delves deep back into the randomness. This however is at the benefit of the consumer. For without the creative process how would we ever evolve? If we do the same thing over and over, how do you learn? And so on Bitte Orca the listener is handed some material that allows their mind to expand in comfort. To grow, almost seemingly alongside Mr. Longstreth and company.
Share and Enjoy a sense of freedom...
The chronology of my experience with Dirty Projectors goes something like this:
1+ years ago: I was mistaking them for DFA, the Brookyln based production team whose hands are all over a bunch of great albums. Where this miscommunication stems from, lord know. It's t typical me though. The same guy who thought Broken Social Scene was punk metal, and that Deerhunter and Animal Collective consisted of the same band members.
6 months ago: I got my hands on the Dark Was the Night soundtrack. The first track on the album is the collaboration between David Byrne and the DP's. Immediately drawn to this interesting and charismatic ditty I began my journey into learning exactly what the dirty projector's were all about. Yes, brooklyn based as well, but much much different. I ended up checking out Rise Above. I found it ... weird. I would say almost so weird it was bad. But one thing I understood was that there was some serious creativity behind it. My desire to embrace the creativity led me to persist. During this time dirty projector's released their first single off Bitte Orca.
2 Months: Upon my first encounter with lead single Stillness is the Move I nearly fell out of my chair. The song carried everything I personally need in a personal theme song. Ridiculous rhthym structure: check, Lyrics that not only are fun in content, but also delivered in quirky and off tempo precision: check, Loud and Beautiful: check.
Immediately this track was dubbed "my summer song" . Throughout this blog you could find at least 2 other entire posts devoted to how awesome that song is. So basically, this album was going to get a good review if it were just that song.
However, come to find out there was a lot more work to do. Having only my tedious experience with Rise Above, and the two fleeting examples of dirty projector's pop embrace I initially had some strong doubts about the rest of Bitte Orca. The songs again seeems long, and misguided attempts at proving creativity, rather than great song writing. But something entirely different exists here. Sticking with the album was important, because the epiphany occured. Yes, some of the songs sound like 4 songs in one (useful chamber i'm looking at you). However the difference being the pieces are more carefully executed with an eye on embracing the pop psyche.
It is true that at points I felt that bitte orca drags a bit, delves deep back into the randomness. This however is at the benefit of the consumer. For without the creative process how would we ever evolve? If we do the same thing over and over, how do you learn? And so on Bitte Orca the listener is handed some material that allows their mind to expand in comfort. To grow, almost seemingly alongside Mr. Longstreth and company.
Share and Enjoy a sense of freedom...
2009-06-06
If I am lost ... it's only for a little while
I am alone. I am happy. I am lucky. I am.
What if the Band of Horses set list looked like this:
1. The first song
2. The General Specific
3. Monsters
4. Funeral
5. Cigarettes, Wedding Bands
6. Is There a Ghost
7. I go to the Barn Because I Like
8. Ode to the LRC
I need to see Neko Case do The Pharaohs.
I need to see Andrew Bird sing Cataracts
I need to see Animal Collective do Banshee Beat
I have a working playlist called "the lovely tones" which is currently causing uncontrolable emotional sensations. So far it is an opus. But it's very much in it's infancy. I could see myself tearing every time I listen. I just thought of a new song. "The baby maker" ... oh man, gotta have the baby maker. Maybe I'll re-title the playlist "the baby maker"
I just channeled Jeremy Hanson a la the "I think I'm making my move" epic crash moment. < this is proper twitter fodder.
What if the Band of Horses set list looked like this:
1. The first song
2. The General Specific
3. Monsters
4. Funeral
5. Cigarettes, Wedding Bands
6. Is There a Ghost
7. I go to the Barn Because I Like
8. Ode to the LRC
I need to see Neko Case do The Pharaohs.
I need to see Andrew Bird sing Cataracts
I need to see Animal Collective do Banshee Beat
I have a working playlist called "the lovely tones" which is currently causing uncontrolable emotional sensations. So far it is an opus. But it's very much in it's infancy. I could see myself tearing every time I listen. I just thought of a new song. "The baby maker" ... oh man, gotta have the baby maker. Maybe I'll re-title the playlist "the baby maker"
I just channeled Jeremy Hanson a la the "I think I'm making my move" epic crash moment. < this is proper twitter fodder.
2009-06-03
off topic
It has been observation thus far in my short time in the business world that:
Men who have success rely on a personality that is generally personable, sincere, and well liked.
Women who are successful are generally ruthless, pushy, and feared, and probably not all that well liked.
It goes without saying that both groups are motivated individuals.
I'm interested in why that difference exists. I would discount the claim that "women have to be this way because men run everything". That excuse no longer holds water.
Men who have success rely on a personality that is generally personable, sincere, and well liked.
Women who are successful are generally ruthless, pushy, and feared, and probably not all that well liked.
It goes without saying that both groups are motivated individuals.
I'm interested in why that difference exists. I would discount the claim that "women have to be this way because men run everything". That excuse no longer holds water.
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Having only experienced Neko Case's work via her efforts in the New Pornographers my expectations going in to her latest solo effort was that of poppy electronic tracks filled with tongue in cheek references and off beat lyrical deliveries.
If you too have the same notions regarding this, then I would suggest leaving those at the door. What one finds on Middle Cyclone is instead a collection of love lorn and moody tales. The title bares the theme as the listener is guided through Ms. Case's emotionally charged storm pop. Opening track This Tornado Loves You does what every great album opener should do by setting the tone. Airy (read: not eery), yet fervent, soft, but direct is the manner in which this off beat love song is cascaded.
But Tornado does not end the wreckage. Case carries on with a number of cavernous tracks that could be misconstrued for sadness but upon closer inspection present confidence and hope. Highlights also include the title track, Never Turn your Back on Mother Earth , Case's homage to the power of a sure handed woman. Pharaohs, much like the opening track gives the listener a beautiful ride through the heart's storm of emotions. While Vengence Is Sleeping is a simple yet beautiful message.
Let there be no doubt Case most certainly has the pipes to carry her own solo work. Allowed here to test her entire vocal range leaves one no less than impressed. A unique vocal style which marries sultry soul with indie twang. Something new and beautiful to be found on every song.
This album ranks as one of the best of the year by far. Top to bottom each track present a new and beautiful perspective on the whirlwinds of love and it's messages are powerful enough to lift the listener and give them an hour long ride around in this harmonious Cyclone.
If you too have the same notions regarding this, then I would suggest leaving those at the door. What one finds on Middle Cyclone is instead a collection of love lorn and moody tales. The title bares the theme as the listener is guided through Ms. Case's emotionally charged storm pop. Opening track This Tornado Loves You does what every great album opener should do by setting the tone. Airy (read: not eery), yet fervent, soft, but direct is the manner in which this off beat love song is cascaded.
But Tornado does not end the wreckage. Case carries on with a number of cavernous tracks that could be misconstrued for sadness but upon closer inspection present confidence and hope. Highlights also include the title track, Never Turn your Back on Mother Earth , Case's homage to the power of a sure handed woman. Pharaohs, much like the opening track gives the listener a beautiful ride through the heart's storm of emotions. While Vengence Is Sleeping is a simple yet beautiful message.
Let there be no doubt Case most certainly has the pipes to carry her own solo work. Allowed here to test her entire vocal range leaves one no less than impressed. A unique vocal style which marries sultry soul with indie twang. Something new and beautiful to be found on every song.
This album ranks as one of the best of the year by far. Top to bottom each track present a new and beautiful perspective on the whirlwinds of love and it's messages are powerful enough to lift the listener and give them an hour long ride around in this harmonious Cyclone.
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