Best of 2009: March

Best Albums of 2009

Rather than compiling a huge list at the end of the year, not having enough time to do a good job, and simply throwing something together really fast, I'm going to start compiling my thoughts on albums over the whole year - month by month.

March Edition

1.
The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

This album had a lot to live up to. The Decemberists have long waxed towards the epic - consider some of their Loooooong songs. So, when I heard that The Hazards of Love was one big long epic story of love, deception, treachery, suffering etc . . . my curiosity and anticipation was piqued. Lyrically, I was not disappointed. It is Decemberists to the core. Soncially, I liked a lot of what I heard. However, there were some serious disappointments. 1. A few songs feature female lead vocals. I have nothing against female vocals per se, but its just not the Decemberists to me. If that was the entire album, I probably wouldn't buy it. My palatte for the Decemberists is very much oriented towards Colin Meloy's vox. 2. Since the album is one long story, there are quite a few melodies and refrains that are recycled throughout the album. While holding the album together sonically, there are a few sections that got a bit stale. "Didn't I just listen to this a few minutes ago?" Top tracks include The Hazards of Love 1, A Bower Scene, Annan Water [download mp3] and The Hazards of Love 4.






2.
Dent May and his Magnificent Ukulele - The Good Feeling Music of Dent May


This album came out in February, but I didn't find it until now. Holy out of left field Batman! Dent May sounds something like a combination of a Time-Life best-of collection of "Your Favorite 1950's Jukebox Ballads" with lots of Ukulele. I can't get it out of my head. Check out the following videos for a glimpse at his uber-dorky fashion styling: "Howard" video, "Oh, Paris!" video, "Meet me in the Garden" video. Top tracks include Howard, God Loves you Michael Chang [download mp3], and You Can't Force a Dance Party.



3.
Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels

I took my Ph.D. comprehensive exams with a lot of Great Lake Swimmers playing softly in the background on my iPod. This new release is a bit more up beat and rawkus, if you could ever consider the Great Lake Swimmers "rawkus." Good indie-acoustic-folky goodness. Top tracks include Palmistry [download mp3], Pulling on a Line, and Unison Falling into Harmony.



4.
Common Market - The Winter's End [EP]

According to their press releases, this album signals things looking up for Common Market. Last year's LP Tobacco Road was dark, brooding and raw in its accounts of poverty, domestic abuse, etc . . . The cold dark winter though has come to an end for RA Scion. There are some great horns on this 5 song EP and well worth checking out. Check out all 5 tracks, including Slow Down Moses [download mp3]



5.
Death Cab for Cutie - Open Door [EP]


What a treat! 4 more songs from the sutdio sessions that brought us last year's Narrow Stairs. One of the tracks, Little Bribes, has been kicking around for a while on solo Ben Gibbard under the monicer "Big Casino." The tracks are all great, but try out A Diamond and a Tether [download mp3]



6.
Vetiver - Tight Knit


I'm not totally sold on this band yet. It is promising though - some good folky acoustic indie-rock. We'll see if it grows on me. Top tracks include Everyday and Through the Front Door.


7.
Peter, Bjorn and John - Living Thing


I really liked Writer's Block (2006). I didn't like Seaside Rock. The Swedish bands lastest is ok and worth a couple listens to see if it sticks for you. The jury is still out for me. Top tracks are . . . well . . . I'm not sure. Try I Want You! Also - Nothing to Worry about has one of the best videos ever made!




Running LP List

1. J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues (January)
   
2. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love (March)
   
3. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast (January)
4. Dent May and his Magnificent Ukuele - The Good Feeling Music of Dent May (March)
5. The Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels (March)
6. Say Hi - Oohs & Aahs (February)
   
7. Coconut Records - Davy (January)
8. The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha (February)
9. Peter, Bjorn and John - Living Thing (March)
10. Vetiver - Tight Knit (March)
11. General Elektriks - Good City for Dreamers (February)
12. Ben Kweller - Changing Horses (January)

Running EP List

1. Common Market - The Winter's End (March)
2. Death Cab for Cutie - Open Door (March)

New Great Lake Swimmers Video

Pulling on a Line

Belated 2007 Albums rundown

Ack! I have been so busy that I failed to offer my Best albums of 2007 list to the deluge of other lists that have been circulating around the blogosphere. I have a tough time ranking albums, so I am going to base my decisions largely upon the following questions:

1. What is the album's play count in my iTunes?
2. How long has my excitement about the album lasted?
3. Does it work as an "album," or are there just specific songs that I like?
   

Top 5

• Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
• This album got me more excited about music than anything has in a long while. I had sampled their Everything All at Once last year, but for some reason, it didn't stick. I must have played Cease to Begin 10 times through, back to back, when I first got my hands on it. I have subsequently come to enjoy their previous release as well. I love the indie-croon, I love the harmonies that remind me of something off the O Brother Where Art Though soundtrack. The beard frightens me, but I can get past that.
  

• Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
• Along with the Four Winds EP, Connor Oberst has again impressed me with Cassadaga. I can even forgive the country twang on a few songs due to the overall strength and musicmanship of the rest of the album. I LOVE the strings on the album, am still impressed with Oberst's poetry, and am very glad that his vocal skills have improved yet again, as with each previous succeeding album. My wife still says he sounds like a Billy goat, but thats fine with me.
  
• Radiohead – In Rainbows
• I hope all of the hubbub about this album doesn't leave a bad taste in peoples' mouth. When Radiohead is "on," I love them. When they are "off," I can't stand it. Kid A didn't do it for me. In Rainbows takes what they do best and projects it down fresh and new paths. It is an odd album in that respect. It all feels very familiar, but doesn't smack of repetition. It doesn't feel like they are simply repeating tired formulas. With each listen I like it more.
  
• Domo – Baby Mercury
• Why hasn't anyone heard of this band? I have readily admitted my penchant for indie-punk-pop. This Tempe, AZ 3-piece packs a mighty punch! Guitarist and main vocalist Captain Advantage - AKA Jason Sukut (previous keyboardist for fifteen minutes fast) has an unbelievable talent of consistently writing some of the most catchy hooks I have ever heard. Their previous 2006 self-released Sweet Creepy is equally impressive. I hope this band breaks big. I also hope that Sukut's membership in the Source Victoria doesn't distract him from giving us some more Domo albums!
  
• Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice
• This album was a pleasant surprise. I liked their Menos El Oso, but I didn't love it. However, I love Planet of Ice. It features the best parts of the pre-Menos El Oso era, and incorporates the good innovations from Menos El Oso. It seems like a reconciliation of two styles - like the band was trying to sort through and come to terms with the various sounds they have been toying around with. However, in being such, Planet of Ice fails to break much new ground. Thats fine with me though, because it rocks my socks off! Also, I don't know what it is about the albums title, but it perfectly fits the feel of the music. Weird, I know, but true.
  

Close Runners-Up

• Iron & Wine – Shepherds Dog
• I can't decide if I like where Sam Beam is taking us. I like this album a lot, but often find myself returning back to his more stripped-down, acoustic recordings.
  
• Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
• Holy Musician! Always amazing, but never at the top of my list.
  
• Lifesavas – Gutterfly
• Spirit in Stone took a long time to grow on me, and I think the same holds true with Gutterfly.
  
• Maritime – Heresy and the Hotel Choir
• I loved their previous releases. This one holds up well, and might hold together better as an album than the other 2 did.
  
• Dear and the Headlights – Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
• Another band that everyone should know. These guys are just fun.
  
• Galactic – From the Corner to the Block
• Funk + a bunch of the Quannum crew = awesome.
  
• Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
• I don't like all of the songs on this album. But the ones I do like are among my top tracks of 2007.
  
• Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara
• I have clocked a lot of hours studying to this album
  
• The New Amsterdams – At the Foot of my Rival
• SOOOOOO much better than Story like a Scar. SO much better!
  
• Okkervil River – The Stage Names
• Growing on me, quickly.
  
• Grand Archives – Grand Archives CDR
• Though only 4 songs long, this self-released CDR is giving me VERY high hopes for their upcoming Subpop full length.
  
• Blue Scholars – Bayani
• I liked their self-titled and Long March EP better, but I still spin this one a lot. I especially like playing the opening sample of "Still got Love" really loud to annoy the Mrs.
  
• Adam Panic – Wonderful
• This album has been a long time coming - I am glad it is finally out, but hope it picks up
  
• Jose Gonzalez – In our Nature
• Why hadn't I heard of this guy before? Amazing.
  
• Lateef the Truth Speaker and Z-Trip – Ahead of the Curve
• Oh Lateef - how you tease us! I have been waiting for a full length Lateef album for a while! This is getting there, but I'm ready for a full album of 100% new tunes.
• Viţa de Vie - Egon
• I hesitate to mention it, because its Romanian and no one I know but me speaks Romanian. But, this is Viţa de Vie's best album, hands down, by leaps and bounds. Too bad no one but me enjoys it.
  

Good enough to get significant play-time in my iTunes

• Pinback – Autmn of Seraphs
• Pinback never stuck with me before, but I like this one.
  
• Saves the Day – Under the Boards
• "Can't stay the same" is among my top tracks of 2007. There are some other gems on this album, but some not-so-good ones too.
  
• John Vanderslice – Emerald City
• A few phenomenal tracks, a few lackluster ones.
  
• Jeremy Enigk – The Missing Link
• The new songs on the EP were great - I wish there was more.
  
• The Weakerthans – Reunion Tour
• Awesome! I thought these guys were done for.
  
• The Mighty Underdogs – the Prelude EP
• The LP will be highly anticipated. The Gift of Gab + Lateef = classic. It has a very early '90s vibe in the sample choices.
  
• The National – Boxer
• I didn't like it on the 1st listen. I have no problem with mumbling, but this album bored me. After a couple more listens, it is growing on me.
  
• Lyrics Born – The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season 2
• I liked Season 1 a lot better, but still good.
  

OK, but disappointing

• Rogue Wave – Asleep at Heaven’s Gate
• Some great tracks, but a bunch of ho-hum ones that didn't resonate with me.
  
• Jonah Matranga – And
• Lackluster.
  
• Angels & Airwaves – I-Empire
• An embaressing admission. Tom is SO pretentious and it shows in the music . . . but . . . I thought it wasn't 1/2 bad. Not great, but I haven't deleted it.
  
• Matt Pond PA – If you Want Blood
• Meh.
  
• Matt Pond PA – Last Light
• This album was ok, but bored me. Not many stand out tracks
  
• Dashboard Confessional – the Shade of Poison Trees
• Better than the last 2 releases. MUCH better. I still yearn for the Swiss Army era though.
  
• The Thrills – Teenager
• I had high hopes for this one. Maybe too high - and thats why it didn't impress me.
  
• Rocky Votolato – The Brag & Cuss
• Rocky! You're killing me! I just can't handle this much country twang!
  
• Jimmy Eat World – Chase this Light
• Oh Jimmy. How you've fallen! Here's what I think the problem is. The band is no longer teenagers or even 20-somethings . . . but they still try to sing about teenage angst. It doesn't work anymore. Plus, too many of the songs smacked forced over-the-top-anthem-ness. Too polished - over produced. I'm not feeling the sincerity in the music like I did with Clarity. This said, there are a few really good tracks. Big Casino is a standout.
  
• Classic Case – Losing at Life
• Boring. I liked Dressed to Depress, and I loved Blankface. The band broke up in any case, hopefully their next ventures will be better.
  
• Saul Williams – The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
• Meh. Give me more "Twice in a Lifetime." Give me more "Black Stacey." However, do check out the AWESOME cover of U2's Bloody Sunday!!!