Best of 2009: April

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. Some of these may have actually been released earlier in the year, but are in this months set because this is when I got my hands on them.

April Edition

1.
Shark Speed -
Sea Sick Music


Local bands are a dime a dozen. We have all been to so many small local shows that go something like this: 1. Music starts. 2. We think to ourselves, "Yeah - these few opening chords and riffs sound great . . . these guys have a great sound . . . " 3. Then, invariably, the singer opens his mouth and ruins the whole thing. SO many local bands with great musicians are ruined by horrible vox. Well, when I came across Shark Speed - a band from Provo, UT (go Cougs!), a place I spent a few years, I was excited. Here's how I happened upon them: 1. Former Before Braille guitarist Hans Ringger pops up on the "people you may know" feature on Facebook. 2. I send him a note to see if he is still playing music. 3. He replies, Yes, and directs me to Shark Speed. 4. I listen, am impressed and then find the added bonus that they recorded their debut album, Seasick Music with none other than Bob Hoag of the Flying Blanket Studio in Mesa, AZ.

Long story short, when I hit play on the album, I was blown away. They had a great sound - somewhere between Minus the Bear and the Long Winters - and the singer could sing! YES! The Long Winters comparison is apt not only because of overall tone, instrumentaion and style, but the guy's lead vocals are VERY reminiscent of The Long Winters. If you had given me the album and said, "Here's the new Long Winters album," I would have believed you. Hooray for freaking awesome local music! Top tracks are And You're In the Band, Cast off Dance Off [download mp3] and Deep South Detox.




2.
Art for Starters -
Drugs Made my Favorite Bands/Drugs Ruined my Favorite People


Coincidentally, this album comes from my same penchant for local bands and again, Bob Hoag's Flying Blanket Studio. After the demise of Before Braille a few years back, lead singer Dave Jensen started doing some songs on his own and in some crazy late-night sessions with Bob, recorded them. Then he went to Korea. Eventually he made his way back to AZ and finally released his new material as a 2-CD set. Dave was kind enough to send me quite a few of these songs a couple years back in their demo mixes, and it is great to hear the fully polished versions. The 1st disc - Drugs Made My Favorite Bands is largely electric and the 2ns disc - Drugs Ruined my Favorite People is mostly acoustic. It is similar to his previous Before Braille work, but distinct. The math-rock and heavy guitar noodling of Rajiv Patel and others is gone. More pronounced are thick layering of Jensen's vocals. Complex harmonies with various vocal tracks and lines interweaving pervade the songs. As a music snob, its good to have the fully polished discs in my collection. Self-released on his own record label - Sunset Alliance. Top tracks include I Hope Ants Crawl Under Your Eyelids (On a Saturday Night) [download mp3], You Deserve a Disease, Pinprick by Prick [download mp3] and Diction.

3.
Jimmy Eat World -
Clarity Live

Clarity (1999) still ranks high on my favorite albums of all time. To celebrate the 10th year anniversay, Jimmy Eat World did a short tour where they played the album straight through, plus an encore. This is a live CD of the last show on the tour at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ. As good as it ever was! Top tracks include . . . well, just take your favorite from the originals and listen to its live version.




4.
The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice -
Moon Colony Bloodbath EP

Yet another Mountain Goats EP. I really like John Darnielle. I really like John Vanderslice as well, but am increasingly thinking that his music is a somewhat hit and miss for me. This is a good solid EP that deserves a listen for fans of both artists. My top tracks are Darnielle's Satori in Denver [download mp3] and Surrounded.





5.
Iain Archer - To the Pine Roots


Iain Archer has been way off my radar for quite sometime, and it was a somewhat random coincidence that I even stumbled across this album. I'm glad I did. His stripped down indie sounds are straightforward and presented with a marked degree of earnestness. I know that sounds like really schticky reviewer nonsense - "earnestness" - but it really is fitting. Top Tracks are Black Mountain Quarry, Everest and Frozen Lake [download mp3].





6.
Lateef the Truth Speaker - Truth is Love mixtape
Oh Quannum! Lateef, why do you keep on teasing me with mixtapes?! I want a full length, full production album of new material! I want Lateef & the Cheif's follow-up to Maroons: Ambush - I want Ashe! Well, this will have to suffice for now. There are some great tracks and bumps that I had yet to collect from disparate sources, some new takes on things I already had and a few brand new tracks all together. Some great collaborations with Headnotic, General Elektriks / Herve Salters and Fat Boy Slim. The mix blends together well - better than many mixtapes do. Top



7.
Dark was the Night Compilation

I'm sure we've all heard more than enough about this indie compilation to end all compilations - ad naseum almost. I think it fine and all. A good number of the artists are ones that I don't care for. And, even with some of the artists I do like - (The National, Sufjan Stevens, Spoon) - I wasn't impressed with their contributions. I did like the Andrew Bird track The Giant of Illinois, but already had it from his Daytrotter session. Conor Oberst's reinterpretation of Lua was interesting, but not needed. Iron and Wine's Stolen Houses (Die) was phenomonal - but only 1:07 long.

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. Shark Speed - Sea Sick Music (April)
6. Art for Starters - Drugs Made / Drugs Ruined (April)
   
7. The Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels (March)
8. Say Hi - Oohs & Aahs (February)
   
9. Coconut Records - Davy (January)
10. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity Live (April)
    
11. Iain Archer - To the Pine Roots (April)
    
12. The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha (February)
13. Peter, Bjorn and John - Living Thing (March)
14. Lateef the Truth Speaker - Truth is Love Mixtape (April)
    
15. Vetiver - Tight Knit (March)
16. General Elektriks - Good City for Dreamers (February)
17. Dark was the Night compilation (April)
    
18. Ben Kweller - Changing Horses (January)

Running EP List

1. Common Market - The Winter's End (March)
2. Death Cab for Cutie - Open Door (March)
3. The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice - Moon Colony Blood Bath (April)
   

Jazzercise

Now THIS is bebop jazz!

Attn: All Arizonans

Be a pal. Support local music.

Full General Elektriks Concert Video live in Paris

I dare you to find a more awesome keyboard-ist!

Go to the Grand Crew website to watch the entire concert.

New Mighty Underdogs Video - Science Fiction

You NEED this stuff on your iPods!


The Mighty Underdogs




Blackalicious




Gift of Gab Solo




Lateef & the Chief



Lateef the Truth Speaker

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)

Napoleon Dynamite + Flight of the Conchords = Gentleman Broncos

Dr. Ronald Chevalier from Gentleman Broncos

New Common Market Video - Escaping Arkham

From the aforementioned "The Winter's End EP"

Zia Mohajerjasbi strikes again. This time equipped with just 4 hours, 2 tapes, 1 MC/DJ duo, 0 crew and New York City as a backdrop. For the track “Escaping Arkham” (free download here) off the new Common Market digital EP “The Winter’s End.“

from Prometheus Brown

Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Blue Scholars (same DJ, different MC)

New Great Lake Swimmers Video

Pulling on a Line

New Common Market EP

Common Market

Winter's End EP

But it on iTunes

These guys have yet to make a serious misstep in my book. They continually impress me and keep me excited about the new places their music is exploring. 206, Represent!

Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Blue Scholars (same DJ, different MC)

An Open letter to "Alternative Rock" radio

Dear so-called "Alternative Rock" radio stations,

Its not 1996 anymore. For that matter, its not 2001 anymore either. Nobody wants to turn on the radio to hear the Offspring, Hoobastank, Creed, Limp Bizkit, etc . . . Arguably, nobody wanted to hear it back then either, but I digress. I understand that this music came out during your "musical prime," and holds a great deal of nostalgic value for you. But come on!

Over 10 years have gone by and you're still stuck in the late 90's?! And, if you actually are playing something current, it is still some horrible post-grunge alternative rock . . . or even worse rock/rap band whose sound is equally stuck in a late 1990s genre that stunk even when it was fresh.

Because really, "The best alternative rock of the 1980s, '90s and present," which you purport to play, is actually "the worst alternative rock of the 1980s, '90s and present. Mr. DJ, would you please accept the fact that you're in your 30s or 40s now. Just deal with it. That doesn't mean that you can't still be into music. As a matter of fact, I am begging you to be into music - but please, update your music. The rest of us have moved on, and the independent music scene has as well. There's a lot of good new (and old) music out there. Would you please play some of it?

Hugs and Kisses
-Music Snobs Anonymous

ps - enough with the shock-jock overly distorted and reverb-ed announcer voice for your station and/or radioshow promos. Ugh!

pss - college radio and real independent radio stations (KEXP) are exempted from my ire

Best of 2009: February

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.

February Edition

1.
The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha

I went through a pretty big Appleseed Cast phase about 3 years ago - listening to their then fairly fresh and new Peregrine [2006]. There is a distinct picture in my head of driving south on I-25 in Colorado, passing the Cuerno Verde rest area, then turning West on 160 on our way to Pagosa Springs - listening to both Peregrine and Mare Vitalis [2000] while the wife slept in the passenger seat. It was good driving music. Good for long stretches of road with no conversation. For some reason, they dropped almost completely off my playlists since that trip. I was pleasantly surprised to see this new album pop up this month and have happily consumed it while riding around town for the past few weeks. It rings familiar - long instrumentals - sparse lyrics - alternating complex and starkly simple compositions. Very much in the indie-emo-whatever we're calling this now vein of music that the Appleseed Cast emerged in about a decade ago. I think this one will stick with me better than any of their previous releases. Top tracks are As the Little Things Go, The Summer Ends and South Col [download mp3].


2.
Say Hi - Oohs & Aahs


I still have a large chip on my shoulder concerning Eric Ellbogen's Brooklyn-Seattle based band, Say Hi. Why? Because before shortening his name to Say Hi, he had, arguably, one of the greatest band names ever - Say Hi to Your Mom. Oh well. Maybe he's matured or something - I obviously haven't. That quip aside, Oohs & Aahs is probably my favorite album of his to date! There is a lack of lyrical content about robot girlfriends, ghost and vampires . . . but it is catchy! Top tracks are Elouise, Hallie and Henry, Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh [download mp3] and The Stars Just Blink For Us.


3.
General Elektriks - Good City for Dreamers


I have made mention of General Elektriks before. The brainchild of R.V. Salters - keyboardist extrodinaire that is featured on a host of Quannum Records releases - Blackalicious, the Lifesavas, Lateef and the Chief (Maroons), Honeycut, etc . . . I even posted a video of him once. He is one of the funkiest keyboardists around, and had some made dance moves to boot. I've never been fanatical about his vocals, but the beats and grooves are top notch. Top Tracks are Take Back the Instant [video], You Don't Listen [download mp3] and Mirabelle Pockets.

New Death Cab for Cutie video - Grapevine Fires

Grapevine Fires

Grapevine Fires


Here's some Death Cab for Cutie to purchase



Or, hows about some Postal Service?



Or solo Ben Gibbard?

Blue Scholars KEXP promo

Blue Scholars from KEXP RADIO on Vimeo.


Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Common Market (same DJ, different MC)

New General Elektriks Video

New J. Tillman Video - Firstborn

Awesome Song. Boring Video

New Fleet Foxes video - Mykonos

Get yourself some Fleet Foxes NOW!

Best Albums of 2009: January

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.

January Edition

Not much to report yet.


1.
J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues



Oops - did I jump the gun and put this on my 2008 list? I guess I got it early. Let me reiterate what I have already said about why I like this album. And I quote from my premature 2008 posting: J. Tillman has been putting out some great solo, singer-songwriter material for a few years. I found him via his current gig as the drummer for Fleet Foxes and form my bro-in-law McGreggor. His 2^nd release of the year, I like this one better than Minor Works. The production value and sound quality isn’t quite as good as Minor Works, but thankfully, he didn’t lay down the countrified slide guitar as much. Top tracks are Firstborn, James Blues [download mp3], Barter Blues and Master’s House.


2.
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast



According to my wife, the cellist, Andrew Bird should be put into a different category of band, because unlike all of us run-of-the-mill musicians, Bird is classically trained in a "real instrument." Namely, the violin. And boy can he play! He also can lay down a mean whistle. Noble Beast is standard Bird. I don't see much here that departs too drastically from his previous releases - other than slight evolutions in his sound which came with Armchair Apocrypha as well. And, as with his other albums, I think it is fantastic, but only a few songs ever really stick with me. In this case, they are Oh No [download mp3], Nomenclature and Souverian.


3.
Coconut Records - Davy



I like Jason Schwartzman. I wish that he had never left Phantom Planet though. Not necessarily because I don't like his solo gig - Coconut Records - but because Phantom Planet took a turn for the worse once he left. That said, I like his sophomore release as Coconut Records. It follows closely in the footsteps of Nighttiming and has come catchy fun tracks. Take note of Drummer, Any Fun [download mp3] and Wandering Around.


4.
Ben Kweller - Changing Horses


Oh Ben, Ben, Ben. I have such a love and hate relationship with you. I love one album, hate the next, love the one after that and now hate this one. Bummer. Why have you gone the way of the countryfried indie rocker trying to get in touch with his country-bumpkin roots?! As far as I'm concerned, here's how I rate my Kweller catalog:

Hello and Dizzy (Radish) - he was 13 years old, what do you expect?
Restraining Bolt (Radish) - a good start
Discount Fireworks (unreleased Radish material) - CRAZY AWESOME!
Melange - good
Bromeo EP - fair
Freak Out its Ben Kweller - also good
Sha Sha - Holy Delicious Batman!
On My Way - blah!!!
Sundress EP - a good recovery
Ben Kweller (s/t) - a good return to goodness
How Ya Lookin' Southbound ? Come In... EP - ugh
Changing Horses - double ugh

The few tracks that I will keep on the album are Gypsy Rose, Things I Like to Do and Homeward Bound [download mp3].

Andrew Bird Does Letterman

Be a pal and by some of Mr. Bird's music!

Fleet Foxes do SNL

Get yourself some Fleet Foxes NOW!