Saturday, April 09, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Top Ten Records of 2011 and more...
Top Ten:
1 Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
I’ve been on board with this band since the beginning, but this was the first record to resonate from top to bottom. Gorgeous and melodic, a great live show at the Independent, too, cemented this one for the top slot.
2 The Love Language – Libraries
Directed to these guys via a friend on Postcard, thanks Corey. A big sound, echoey lo-fi goodness.
3 Eels – End Times
Mark Oliver Everett is on a hot streak. Three records delivered in little over a year, this second of the trilogy is beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking. A great live show at the Fillmore.
4 The Pernice Brothers – Goodbye, Killer
Joe Pernice can write a hook with the best of ‘em. If you’re looking for smart pop songs this 32 minute record will deliver in spades.
5 Through the Sparks – Worm Moon Waning
Echoes of Bowie and late period Wilco, this Alabama band is one to watch. I was completely oblivious until an eye-opening afternoon showcase at SXSW.
6 The Parting Gifts – Strychnine Dandelions
Greg Cartwright of the ferocious Reigning Sound teams up with Coco Hames of the Ettes to deliver a dose of Cartwright’s melody heavy garage rock and roll. Sloppy and fun.
7 The Black Keys – Brothers
I’d paid only scant attention to the Black Keys until I heard them do “Tighten Up” on Letterman, which really caught my ear. Sultry, sexy and groove inducing.
8 Dr Dog – Shame, Shame
These boys from Philly keep churning out harmony-laden poppy chestnuts one record after another. This one is as good as anything they’ve done.
9 Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues
Not yet 28 years old, this third full length record shows Earle to be maturing at a rapid pace. If he can keep his personal shit together he’s destined for greatness.
10 Bruce Springsteen – The Promise
A 2010 release by technicality only, The Promise as a complete song cycle was just too good to ignore for my top ten. Springsteen furthers his reputation of having the best "throwaways" in the history of rock and roll.
Worthy of mention (in no particular order):
Glossary - Feral Fire
The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Superchunk - Majesty Shredding
Codeine Velvet Club - Codeine Velvet Club
Title Tracks - It Was Easy
Sam Quinn - The Fake That Sunk A Thousand Ships
Yukon Blonde - Yukon Blonde
Ghost Shirt – Daniel
Pink Nasty – Pink Nasty
Best Coast – Crazy For You
Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
Joey Kneiser – The All Night Bedroom Revival
Futurebirds – Hampton’s Lullaby
Peter Wolf – Midnight Souvenirs
Elvis Costello – National Ransom
Miles Kurosky – The Desert of Shallow Effects
Dylan LeBlanc – Pauper’s Field
Pete Molinari – A Train Bound For Glory
Best EPs:
Bryan Cates – Crystal Ball EP
Frank Turner – Rock and Roll EP
Songs of the Year:
Laredo - Band of Horses
Heart to Tell - The Love Language
Shine – The Parting Gifts
More songs, just for the fun of it:
I Still Believe – Frank Turner
Buddy Holly's Gun - Through the Sparks
Reste Avec Moi - Codeine Velvet Club
Goodbye, Killer – The Pernice Brothers
You Are Not Alone – Mavis Staples
Baby Lee – Teenage Fanclub
Johnny Utah - Futurebirds
Every Little Bit Hurts - Title Tracks
Planters – Pink Nasty
1000 Years - Yukon Blonde
Crazy For You – Best Coast
Unraveling – Bobby Drivers
Little Bird - EELS
Sun Is King - Laura Veirs
Swim Until You Can't See Land - Frightened Rabbit
Excuses - Morning Benders
Shadow People - Dr Dog
Strange Wave - Sam Quinn
Big Wave – Jenny and Johnny
Southern Girl – Ghost Shirt
It’s On Me Tonight – Bryan Cates
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
2008 Top Ten
1 Centro-matic/South San Gabriel - Dual Hawks
The most anticipated release of the year for me and and this double shot more than delivered. Will Johnson has to be the most underrated songwriter working in music today.
2 Dr Dog - Fate
Every record from this band has been better than the last, this one is no exception. The best three part harmonies in the business and damn great live, too.
3 The Heavenly States - Delayer
Local boys (and girl) make good. Nice mix of rockin' and quiet tunes. I look forward to their next effort.
4 Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
Still in the blush of new love for this band, not a weak song in the bunch. Another great live experience.
5 Calexico - Carried To Dust
Initially underwhelmed, this record gained steam after a Postcard rave forced a re-listen and its place was cemented in the top ten after witnessing their live show at the Fillmore.
6 Paul Westerberg - 49:00
A sloppy, glorious mess; all for forty nine cents.
7 Al Green - Lay It Down
It sounds like 1973, but for now it sounds like heaven. Reverand Al is timeless.
8 Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Tons of hype surrounding these guys and well deserved. This band has legs.
9 Tift Merritt - Another Country
A quiet, mature, and assured record from Tift.
10 Magnolia Summer - Lines From The Frame
A late in the game arrival, I've just been listening to it too much to have it not make the top ten.
Bubbling under; on another day any of these records might've taken the number 9 and/or 10 spot:
Spiritualized - Songs in A&E
Giant Sand - Provisions
Dexateens - Lost And Found
Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard - Northline
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Paul Weller - 22 Dreams
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
Roger Bryan and The Orphans - Recovery
Raconteurs - Consoler of the Lonely
Top Tracks
1 From - Dr Dog
A beautiful melody backed by glorious harmonies
2 Lost In The Light - The Heavenly States
Rock and roll at its finest
3 Lay It Down - Al Green
Could've been the follow up single to "Tired of Being Alone"
4 Lie Down Here (And Be My Girl) - Nick Cave
Ferocious.
5 Soul On Fire - Spiritualized
Soaring, and the closest I ever come to religeon
###
6 All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You) - Paul Weller
7 Pop Lie - Okkervil River
8 Great Expectations - The Gaslight Anthem
9 Emma Jane - South San Gabriel
10 Northline Main Theme - Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard
It just wouldn't be right not to at least mention these great songs:
Slowness - Calexico
Well Enough Alone - Howe Gelb
Weatherman And Skin Goddess - Robert Pollard
Strychnine, Breathless Ways - Centro-matic
The Modern Leper - Frightened Rabbit
I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory - Kathleen Edwards
Kid - Dexateens
Thank You Too - My Morning Jacket
Broken - Tift Merritt
Sensitive Boys - Alejandro Escovedo
Soon When I'm Gone - 13ghosts
If We Fall - Roger Bryan and the Orphans
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
