2010 Music (split off from 2009 Music)

[Trey]

Having now had a chance to spend some time with Spoon's Transference, I like it a lot.  Particularly "Trouble Comes Running".

I also downloaded the new Patty Griffin the other day but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.

[Ebby Calvin]

Besnard Lakes - Are the Roaring Night is very good.  Rock with a little shoegaze thrown in.  I didn't like their last album but this one sounds pretty damn good after a few listens.

First Aid Kit -- The Big Black and the Blue is also very good.  Think Fleet Foxes/Bon Iver but with female vocals.  The harmonies throughout are worth the listen.

[Bench]

Having now had a chance to spend some time with Spoon's Transference, I like it a lot.  Particularly "Trouble Comes Running".

I also downloaded the new Patty Griffin the other day but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.

Great album.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Ron Brand]

Limey, I think there's a new She and Him disc coming out in March.

[drew corleone]

MY favorite recent discover was Surfer Blood. I really like "Floating Vibes," "Catholic Pagan," "Neighbor Riffs" and "Fast Jabroni"

[Ebby Calvin]

MY favorite recent discover was Surfer Blood. I really like "Floating Vibes," "Catholic Pagan," "Neighbor Riffs" and "Fast Jabroni"

I've been meaning to check this out.  Now I will.  Thanks.

Can't wait for the new National album in May.  Sufjan Stevens collaborated on a track or two.

[Limey]

I'm looking forward to the new Milk Kan album sometime in the early part of this year, although I already have pre-release copies of about half of it.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm looking forward to the new Milk Kan album sometime in the early part of this year, although I already have pre-release copies of about half of it.

Never heard of them.  What're they like?

[Limey]

Never heard of them.  What're they like?

They're in a genre they call "anti folk".  It's folk music in the same way that psycho-billy is country.  Here's their breakout hit on YouTube.  There's other stuff from them on there, and they have a MySpace page, are building up their Facebook page and are available on iTunes.

They use a lot of samples in very interesting ways, including one song which is actually billed as a duet with Dolly Parton ("Here You Come Again"), and another that samples, I believe, Rosemary Clooney.  They do a fabulous track called "Call Me", sampling Al Green (these last three will all be on the new album).  I was gobsmacked the other night watching "Casino" when I heard one of the soundtrack songs which was sampled for "What You See Ain't What You Get".

Please give generously as my Evil Twin is a part-owner of the label to which these guys are signed (which is how I get the advance copies).  The label's called "Blang" (more music on this site), and they've tried to corner the market on anti folk bands, including David Cronenberg's Wife and Sergeant Buzfuz (although I still think they're struggling to figure out a way to release his multi-part epic "Here Come the Popes", in which he lists, and insults, every Pope in chronological order.

[drew corleone]

I've been meaning to check this out.  Now I will.  Thanks.

Can't wait for the new National album in May.  Sufjan Stevens collaborated on a track or two.

FYI... Surfer Blood is $5 at Amazon right now.

[drew corleone]

Another one I'm listening to a lot is Beach House.

[Ebby Calvin]

Yes, it's a 2009 album, but I just listened to:

Mumford & Sons -- Sigh No More

Wow, what an album.  For all of you Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes, Calexico fans out there, try it out.  It's hard to define the sound - it's mostly acoustic, has some bluegrass elements, but on the whole it's a really BIG album.
I highly recommend it.

[Matt]

Not new music by any means but I just saw The Buzzcocks(for the first time) and The Damned(second time) over the weekend and they both put on a hell of a show.

[Ebby Calvin]

Another good one:

Titus Andronicus - The Monster

It's good, sloppy rock.  They have a Hold Steady feel to them, but it's much looser and a bit, well, sloppier.
It's been a great year for music so far.  My regular rotation includes:
Spoon
Beach House
First Aid Kit
Mumford & Sons
Titus Andronicus
Hot Chip
Yeasayer
Retribution Gospel Choir
Moonface
Future Islands
The Besnard Lakes
...and a few others.

Looking forward to the new She & Him and The National.

[Trey]

The new Spoon album can be downloaded for $5 from Amazon this month.  Other notables available at that price are Patty Griffin's Children Running Through and Creek Drank the Cradle from Iron and Wine.

ETA: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=btech_csw_dm_100for5?ie=UTF8&docId=1000371251&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-stage-1&pf_rd_r=187GJAFH0GZ0T36JQDKZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1038351022&pf_rd_i=163856011

[drew corleone]

Lately I've been going back and forth between the Shout Out Louds and the Morning Benders.

Thanks for the heads up, Trey! I missed it the first time around, when it was $3.99.

[Ty in Tampa]

For those who may be interested, John Hiatt's newest is $3.99 at Amazon right now.

[Ebby Calvin]

My new favorite:

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Good, polished Scottish indie rock.  It's about all I listen to lately.
Their MySpace page has the new single "Swim until you can't see land" streaming, but nothing else from the current album.  Their last one, Midnight Organ Fight, was pretty damn good, too, if not a little rough around the edges.

[chuck]

My new favorite:

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Good, polished Scottish indie rock.  It's about all I listen to lately.
Their MySpace page has the new single "Swim until you can't see land" streaming, but nothing else from the current album.  Their last one, Midnight Organ Fight, was pretty damn good, too, if not a little rough around the edges.

I heard a piece about this band on the radio yesterday (maybe you heard the same one?) and was most impressed.

[Ebby Calvin]

I heard a piece about this band on the radio yesterday (maybe you heard the same one?) and was most impressed.

Nope, haven't heard them on the radio, but a buddy of mine told me he heard them on a Dallas-area indie rock station.

If you liked what you heard at first glance I highly recommend you check out the whole album.  It's solid from start to stop (my favorite song has changed five times - no joke).  It's creative and robust without being depressing or smug.
It's easily my favorite album of the year so far.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Soft Pack from San Diego are pretty good. Their debut album just came out. Good hard-charging hook-laden lo-fi garage-pop. All the songs clock in at 2 to 3 minutes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

She and Him free SXSW show at Auditorium Shores March 20th 8pm.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Oh yeah, my current new short term personal favorite band is Descartes a Kant from Guadalajara Mexico. They are an amazing mix of surf, new wave, experimental, avant garde, noise, motion picture soundtrack, lounge, bossa nova and math rock.

[Ty in Tampa]

...an amazing mix of surf, new wave, experimental, avant garde, noise, motion picture soundtrack, lounge, bossa nova and math rock.

Man, is that what it takes these days?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Man, is that what it takes these days?

They're also kind of theatrical but not like Genesis or Bowie were. Also art rock and glam. And indie college rock too.
They're like the opposite of a GWAR and Captain Beefheart lovechild.

[Ron Brand]

A Mexican Man or Astro-Man?

[Bench]

She and Him free SXSW show at Auditorium Shores March 20th 8pm.

Zooey!

[chuck]

Nope, haven't heard them on the radio, but a buddy of mine told me he heard them on a Dallas-area indie rock station.

If you liked what you heard at first glance I highly recommend you check out the whole album.  It's solid from start to stop (my favorite song has changed five times - no joke).  It's creative and robust without being depressing or smug.
It's easily my favorite album of the year so far.

I'm on it, don't worry. Everything I heard in the piece was very, very good.

[chuck]

Oh yeah, my current new short term personal favorite band is Descartes a Kant from Guadalajara Mexico. They are an amazing mix of surf, new wave, experimental, avant garde, noise, motion picture soundtrack, lounge, bossa nova and math rock.

I'm picturing a Mexican Yoko Ono atonally singing Wouldn't It Be Nice over a sampled bossa nova beat. And strangely I'm sort of warming to that.

[chandler44]

My new favorite:

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Good, polished Scottish indie rock.  It's about all I listen to lately.
Their MySpace page has the new single "Swim until you can't see land" streaming, but nothing else from the current album.  Their last one, Midnight Organ Fight, was pretty damn good, too, if not a little rough around the edges.

I agree.  I actually logged on the forums tonight just to recommend this album to everyone and I see you beat me to the punch. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

A Mexican Man or Astro-Man?

Yes, mixed with Esquivel, The Polysics, and Hawkwind. Okay maybe not Hawkwind.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm picturing a Mexican Yoko Ono atonally singing Wouldn't It Be Nice over a sampled bossa nova beat. And strangely I'm sort of warming to that.

Yes, kinda like that but better. They got several songs on Youtube.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

My new favorite:

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Good, polished Scottish indie rock.  It's about all I listen to lately.
Their MySpace page has the new single "Swim until you can't see land" streaming, but nothing else from the current album.  Their last one, Midnight Organ Fight, was pretty damn good, too, if not a little rough around the edges.

They've got a really good sound in spite of their animal name. Listened to a bunch of their stuff on youtube, the new single is infectious. Here's a short Q and A with Scott Hutchinson from the SXSW site. Their main showcase is at The Parrish, tomorrow night at 12am.

[Ebby Calvin]

They've got a really good sound in spite of their animal name.

Glad you liked them.  Really wish I could make that show at the Parrish.

Other good bands in spite of their animal names:

Grizzly Bear
Wolf Parade
Department of Eagles
Andrew Bird (yes, it's his real name but it counts)
Phoenix
Band of Horses
Wolfmother
Frog Eyes
White Rabbits
Animal Collective

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Glad you liked them.  Really wish I could make that show at the Parrish.

Other good bands in spite of their animal names:

Grizzly Bear
Wolf Parade
Department of Eagles
Andrew Bird (yes, it's his real name but it counts)
Phoenix
Band of Horses
Wolfmother
Frog Eyes
White Rabbits
Animal Collective

Really, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately one less, Mark Linkous of Sparkelhorse (and earlier The Dancing Hoods) killed himself last week and that is just a bummer. Poor bastard was a troubled soul but a great artist.

[Ebby Calvin]

Really, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately one less, Mark Linkous of Sparkelhorse (and earlier The Dancing Hoods) killed himself last week and that is just a bummer. Poor bastard was a troubled soul but a great artist.

Great call, couldn't agree more.  That DJ Dangermouse/Sparklehorse album last year was pretty darn good.  I also liked his few collaborataions with Radiohead. 

[drew corleone]

Glad you liked them.  Really wish I could make that show at the Parrish.

Other good bands in spite of their animal names:

Grizzly Bear
Wolf Parade
Department of Eagles
Andrew Bird (yes, it's his real name but it counts)
Phoenix
Band of Horses
Wolfmother
Frog Eyes
White Rabbits
Animal Collective

Nice. I would add Deer Tick and Dr. Dog.

[Ebby Calvin]

Dr. Dog.

Nice.  Think he has a new one coming out pretty soon.

[Ty in Tampa]

That DJ Dangermouse/Sparklehorse album last year was pretty darn good.

I like what I've heard so far of Broken Bells (Danger Mouse/Shins' James Mercer).

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Good, polished Scottish indie rock.  It's about all I listen to lately... the new single "Swim until you can't see land" streaming, but nothing else from the current album.  

Five days ago I'd never heard of these guys, now they're popping up everywhere. I watched the TV show Chuck last night and in the closing sequence the background music was "Swim Until You Can't See Land."

[Ebby Calvin]

Five days ago I'd never heard of these guys, now they're popping up everywhere. I watched the TV show Chuck last night and in the closing sequence the background music was "Swim Until You Can't See Land."

Cool!  It's good to hear they're getting some commercial exposure.

I know it's the "hip" thing to declare that a band's single isn't your favorite track on the album, thus implying a deep, personal connection with said band and/or album, but really, I like three or four songs better than "Swim...."  "Foot Shooter," "The Loneliness" and "Skip the Youth" all sound fantastic to these ears.
Which isn't to say "Swim..." isn't a great tune -- it most certainly is.

[drew corleone]

Nice.  Think he has a new one coming out pretty soon.

May, I think. They're back in Austin in May for a full set at Emo's. You can probably find the first leaked track from the new album, "Shadow People," out there on the Intertubes.

[Trey]

On a slightly different vein, the soundtrack from Crazy Heart is excellent.  The new stuff on there is great, and there's a ton of older stuff that's great, as well.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Broken Bells is pretty fantastic; Danger Mouse has yet to make something that I didn't completely love.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

NPR.org is down-streaming Broken Bells SXSW show at 11pm cst. They've got Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings on now

[Ebby Calvin]

...the Morning Benders.

I'm really liking this, thanks for the heads-up.

Just added to the library:

We Were Promised Jetpacks - These Four Walls (2009)
Another great Scottish indie group (same label as Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad).  After a listen or two it's really good stuff.  Pitchfork's SXSW report said they killed on stage.  Their songs aren't as tight as the Rabbits' are, but it's still a great sound.  Worth a listen.

She & Him - Volume 2
Haven't listened to it yet, just wanted to let all the Zooey admirers know it's "available."

[drew corleone]

I just got the She & Him album last night.

SO I had the opportunity to see Frightened rabbit on Friday and they delivered. It made me like their album even more.

[Andyzipp]

I haven't listened to OTA radio in a while, and my satellite listening is limited to a few minutes here and there on channels where I typically already know the songs.

So the last two "new" albums I've purchased and really liked were the Avett Brothers - I and Love and You and Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing. 

Of the things that have been mentioned here, what is most like those two that I should be checking out?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I haven't listened to OTA radio in a while, and my satellite listening is limited to a few minutes here and there on channels where I typically already know the songs.

So the last two "new" albums I've purchased and really liked were the Avett Brothers - I and Love and You and Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing. 

Of the things that have been mentioned here, what is most like those two that I should be checking out?

If you liked the Avetts, definitely get Mumford and Sons.  For Manchester Orchestra, I suggest The Whigs and a Houston band called Holy Fiction.

[Andyzipp]

If you liked the Avetts, definitely get Mumford and Sons.  For Manchester Orchestra, I suggest The Whigs and a Houston band called Holy Fiction.

Holy Fiction on iTunes? (can't check at work)

[Ebby Calvin]

If you liked the Avetts, definitely get Mumford and Sons. 

Also Fleet Foxes.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Holy Fiction on iTunes? (can't check at work)

I believe so. If they're not, let me know.  I have some extra copies of their cd.

[Ebby Calvin]

Good folk:

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

[hostros7]

Check out The Tins.  They don't have a CD yet, but I'm really liking what I hear.  This is a good starter http://prettymuchamazing.com/mp3/the-tins-the-green-room but check out their myspace page.  Some hits and misses, but I like where they're going, particularly is you're Krug & Co. sound type fan.

[Ebby Calvin]

Two more:

Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend of a Friend
Absolutely amazing singer/songwriter stuff.  Has a classic feel to it.  They actually reference, unabashedly, "Cortez the Killer," and it's a pretty damn good reference.  A live, four-song video set can be seen HERE.  "Ruby" is probably the best track.

Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
I'm ashamed to admit it, but this is too good to ignore.  I haven't liked any of her previous albums, but this is worth the listen.  "Good Intentions Paving Company" is a good track to start with.  Keep in mind it's a 2-hour, 3-CD album from an indie harp-player (harpist? harpie?).  So, uh, if that's not your thing, move along.

[Ebby Calvin]

Check out The Tins.  They don't have a CD yet, but I'm really liking what I hear.  This is a good starter http://prettymuchamazing.com/mp3/the-tins-the-green-room but check out their myspace page.  Some hits and misses, but I like where they're going, particularly is you're Krug & Co. sound type fan.

Haven't checked out their MySpace yet, but the single you linked to was very, very good.  Not as harsh as Krug, et al, but I see the comparisons.

[chuck]

OK. I'm listening to the aforementioned Frightened Rabbit record and am way, way the fuck into it. As I'd mentioned my introduction (or so I'd thought) to the band came from a piece I heard on the socialist mouthpiece NPR. I loved what I heard. What I didn't catch por la radio is the obvious Andy Partidge yelp in Hutchison's vocals. There's a definite Scottish lean to the yelp, too, which I love. It's been ages since I was nutso about a Scottish band and it's about time.

So. I saw Echo and the Bunnymen in St Kilda, Victoria - Melbourne suburb - back in February. In searching around for video of the (fucking great) show I realized, much to my chagrin, that also on the bill was, you guessed it, Frightened Rabbit. This is why they made up the word "chagrin." I don't know about you but I am way, way too cool to go in and see some Rabbit band when I could be sulking disaffectedly outside somewhere. So I stood in the pleasantly ornate foyer drinking beer with the nutcase who'd sold me my ticket, dude named Graham, janitor at a local surgical museum, as he regaled me with stories of his various arrests. Apparently sometimes you just get so drunk that you wake up in the chokey. Happens to all of us, right? Well, it hasn't happened to me in at least a couple of years, not since back when I was 50 or so, says Graham. Now, I'm not counting that time recently when I was drunk and my car broke down, mind, they got me again for that one.

For the record, Graham and I took the streetcar from the show back to the CBD and he walked home from there.

Anyway, my new favorite band was playing a hundred meters from where my dumb ass was standing listening to Graham tell me that although he didn't have a ticket he was only traveling ONE STOP and the bastard ticket inspector just could not see the sense... Oh, I could hear them alright, and if I needed a technicality I could say that I'd attended a concert of theirs.

But. I don't expect to need one because I just this evening discovered that our heroes are playing in Houston, Texas, on the 21st of April, 2010. That's right, San Jacinto Day. Frightened Rabbit. Houston, Texas. 21 de abril. See you goons there.

[BudGirl]

But. I don't expect to need one because I just this evening discovered that our heroes are playing in Houston, Texas, on the 21st of April, 2010. That's right, San Jacinto Day. Frightened Rabbit. Houston, Texas. 21 de abril. See you goons there.

Ummm, I just heard on the news that Frightened Rabbit is having problems traveling because of the ash from the volcano in Iceland.  But they may just miss their date in California and not the one in Houston, Texas.  For your sake, hope so.

[chuck]

Ummm, I just heard on the news that Frightened Rabbit is having problems traveling because of the ash from the volcano in Iceland.  But they may just miss their date in California and not the one in Houston, Texas.  For your sake, hope so.

What the hell newscast do you listen to?

[BudGirl]

What the hell newscast do you listen to?

Yeah, I was shocked also.

abc13 happened to be on the telly.  i don't usually even watch the news.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So. I saw Echo and the Bunnymen in St Kilda, Victoria - Melbourne suburb - back in February. In searching around for video of the (fucking great) show I realized, much to my chagrin, that also on the bill was, you guessed it, Frightened Rabbit. This is why they made up the word "chagrin." I don't know about you but I am way, way too cool to go in and see some Rabbit band...

If only they had been named Frightened Rabbitmen...

Yeah, he do sound like Andy Partridge.

[Bench]

What the hell newscast do you listen to?

The show is cancelled, Chuck.  Cancelled.

[BudGirl]

The show is cancelled, Chuck.  Cancelled.

Can't say I didn't warn you.  Sorry.

[jonbloozy]

The Soft Pack from San Diego are pretty good. Their debut album just came out. Good hard-charging hook-laden lo-fi garage-pop. All the songs clock in at 2 to 3 minutes.

Good call.  My brother left this CD in my car and I was impressed.  Then I found out what their name meant.

[Ebby Calvin]

What I didn't catch por la radio is the obvious Andy Partidge yelp in Hutchison's vocals. There's a definite Scottish lean to the yelp, too, which I love. It's been ages since I was nutso about a Scottish band and it's about time.

Help me out here: Who is Andy Partidge?  Been racking my brain and I can't place the name.  And I'm too lazy to Google right now.

Also, the Scots are putting out some great music lately.  Check out The Twilight Sad (a bit darker than the Rabbits, but a great sound) and We Were Promised Jetpacks (I think I mentioned them on this thread before).  They're all on the same label and from what I've read each band has influenced each other in one way or another.

I've been giving Frightened Rabbit a rest for a bit (don't want to burn out), and have been listening to new albums from:
Ruby Suns
Matt Pond PA
LCD Soundsystem
Dr. Dog
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Roky Erickson
Broken Social Scene
Josh Ritter

All of which are good (if not great), but I expect the new National and Band of Horses to take priority when they leak.

[Guinness]

Help me out here: Who is Andy Partidge?  Been racking my brain and I can't place the name.  And I'm too lazy to Google right now.

Singer and general creative force behind XTC.  Great band.

[chuck]

Singer and general creative force behind XTC.  Great band.

Don't forget the Dukes of Stratosphear. 

[drew corleone]

All of which are good (if not great), but I expect the new National and Band of Horses to take priority when they leak.

It's out there. It's really good.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Singer and general creative force behind XTC.  Great band.

Yes, but don't forget singer and major creative force Colin Moulding.

[Ebby Calvin]

It's out there. It's really good.

Awesome, thx.  Look forward to it.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The Hold Steady has a new one coming out this year, too.  Supposedly more guitar driven, since their keyboard player quit to become a full-time moustache model.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

 Supposedly more guitar driven, since their keyboard player quit to become a full-time moustache model.

 I hear it's not all it's cracked up to be.

ETA: I mean moustache modeling, not the new Hold Steady.

[drew corleone]

I found two tracks off of the Hold Steady... wasn't really too enthusiastic about either of them. But I'll be honest... between Dr. Dog, She & Him, and now Band of Horses, I haven't devoted much time to any of the onsie-twosie tracks I've downloaded.

[Ebby Calvin]

Just found Band of Horses and The National.  I honestly don't know which to listen to first.  I think they call that a "good problem."

[drew corleone]

I couldn't find The National when I tried the other day... probably better to stay one at a time, but damn, it would be nice to have another album available for my drive to South Texas this afternoon.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Have no fear: The National is streaming today on the NYT website: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html

[HudsonHawk]

Also, the Scots are putting out some great music lately. 

Whenever I hear "Scots", I think of THESE SCOTS

[Guinness]

Have no fear: The National is streaming today on the NYT website: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html

At the risk of sounding like an old man, I listened to these tracks and they sound pretty monotone, except for Little Faith and Afraid of Everybody.  The singer seems to have only one voice.  They also remind me of an 80s band but I can't quite place who...the article mentions Tom Waits and Nick Cave, but I'm not familiar enough with either of them.  Maybe a sort of P-Furs vibe? 

[drew corleone]

What am I missing? I don't see where to stream it.

ETA: Nevermind... I'm guessing the blank gray bar at the top means the stream is blocked by our company Internet settings.

[matadorph]

At the risk of sounding like an old man, I listened to these tracks and they sound pretty monotone, except for Little Faith and Afraid of Everybody.  The singer seems to have only one voice.  They also remind me of an 80s band but I can't quite place who...the article mentions Tom Waits and Nick Cave, but I'm not familiar enough with either of them.  Maybe a sort of P-Furs vibe? 

You're not familiar with Tom Waits or Nick Cave? Man, you've got some catching up to do.

[Guinness]

You're not familiar with Tom Waits or Nick Cave? Man, you've got some catching up to do.

I said not familiar enough.  But I can't say that Tom Waits was terribly interesting to me in the past, and Nick Cave, while I'm familiar with who he is, never really crossed my path musically. 

[matadorph]

Nick Cave is the motherfucking man. A week doesn't go by without me listening to something from his sweeping collection of brilliance.

He went from making badass 70's post-punk music like this with The Birthday Party (a heavy influence on Austin bands like Scratch Acid, Big Boys, and the Jesus Lizard btw) to beautiful love songs like this and and piano-based ballads like this. He is one of my all-time favorite song-writers and the Coolest Man Alive.

Check out Let Love In and go from there.

[Guinness]

Hey, thanks, I'll check him out.  Appreciate the links

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Nick Cave is the motherfucking man. A week doesn't go by without me listening to something from his sweeping collection of brilliance.

He went from making badass 70's post-punk music like this with The Birthday Party (a heavy influence on Austin bands like Scratch Acid, Big Boys, and the Jesus Lizard btw) to beautiful love songs like this and and piano-based ballads like this. He is one of my all-time favorite song-writers and the Coolest Man Alive.

Check out Let Love In and go from there.

Yes. And the 2nd best version of Stagger Lee ever.

[Ebby Calvin]

Great music video from OK Go.  Worth a click:

Link

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Corinne Bailey Rae's new album - The Sea. Go ahead and make fun of me, but I am really enjoying her latest effort. The song The Blackest Lilly is really nice.

[Ebby Calvin]

Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away
One of the best songwriters out there right now, and his latest does not disappoint.  I really don't think he knows how to write a bad song.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Hoodoo Gurus - Purity of Essence - First new album in 5 years.  Sure their old and cranky but hooks still ooze out. After nearly 30 years in the business, the Hoodoo Gurus still combine melodic power pop and garage rock with a bit of psychedelia, and "Purity of Essence" finds them in top form. A rocking good time by Australia's most underrated and second greatest rock band. Probably can't find it in a record store near you. I had to order mine online. Official video for Crackin' Up.

[Ebby Calvin]

Hoodoo Gurus - Purity of Essence - First new album in 5 years.  Sure their old and cranky but hooks still ooze out. After nearly 30 years in the business, the Hoodoo Gurus still combine melodic power pop and garage rock with a bit of psychedelia, and "Purity of Essence" finds them in top form. A rocking good time by Australia's most underrated and second greatest rock band. Probably can't find it in a record store near you. I had to order mine online.

Wow - I'm gonna check this out for sure.  Never heard of them.

[chuck]

Wow - I'm gonna check this out for sure.  Never heard of them.

They were an odd band at the time. Live they were monstrous, may still be for all I know, and their singles were great. But I could never get into any of their albums. Every great song seemed to be promptly followed by a dud. But do yourself a favor and youtube up the videos for I Want You Back, Bittersweet, Death Defying, What's My Scene and Come Anytime. You'll find some really cool songs and some hilariously bad videos.

[Trey]

Yes, it's a 2009 album, but I just listened to:

Mumford & Sons -- Sigh No More

Wow, what an album.  For all of you Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes, Calexico fans out there, try it out.  It's hard to define the sound - it's mostly acoustic, has some bluegrass elements, but on the whole it's a really BIG album.
I highly recommend it.

$4 on amazon mp3 today

[Ebby Calvin]

I've done this too many times to count.
Link

[chuck]

I've done this too many times to count.
Link

Yeah, you go ahead and listen to Mars Needs Guitars! as much as you like and let me know how it goes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yeah, you go ahead and listen to Mars Needs Guitars! as much as you like and let me know how it goes.

I love that album.

[Ebby Calvin]

A rocking good time by Australia's most underrated and second greatest rock band.

This got me thinking...Australia's second greatest rock band?  Who's #1?

[Bench]

This got me thinking...Australia's second greatest rock band?  Who's #1?

Like you don't know...

[Ebby Calvin]

Like you don't know...

Ugh.  Let me rephrase then.

Surely there's an Australian band who's released something worth a crap in the last 25 years (aside from Hoodoo Guru), right?  Midnight Oil?  Where's Lurch/das with that Google thingy when you need them....

[Ron Brand]

AC/DC.

[chuck]

Ugh.  Let me rephrase then.

Surely there's an Australian band who's released something worth a crap in the last 25 years (aside from Hoodoo Guru), right?  Midnight Oil?  Where's Lurch/das with that Google thingy when you need them....

Well, I could write a thesis on this but I commend to the listener especially to:

You Am I, equal parts literate and snotty Mats-style rock, start with Hourly, Daily or #4 Record.

The Underground Lovers, sleek but earthy, New Order meets a modern Velvet Underground, start with Rushall Station.

The Go Betweens, tragic, partly cloudy pop (two singers!), start with 16 Lovers Lane.

Also:

The Easybeats, Australia's Small Faces; the Saints, punk rock progenitors; the Died Pretty, gloomy jangle; Youth Group, deft indie rock.

[Ron Brand]

Radio Birdman.

The Lime Spiders.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Beasts of Bourbon
The Scientist

[Ron Brand]

Wolfmother.

Aren't at least Spaceman 3 or We Are Scientists from Australia?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

... And the previously mentioned early Nick Cave projects, Boys Next Door/Birthday Party.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Hard Ons
The Cosmic Psychos
The Dvinyls

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Now-a-days the big bands are, I think, Jet, Powderfinger, and Silverchair

I always liked Midnight Oil
INXS not so much but they did put on a good live show.
I didn't hate much on the Little River Band, or Men At Work, while cheesey, both bands had a few catchy tunes. I really hated the crap out of Air Supply, the kind of Elvis like hate that would make one more inclined to put a bullet in a radio than changing the station.

Split Enz and Crowded House don't count since they are New Zealand bands...

But yeah, AC/DC is the greatest.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Radio Birdman.

The Lime Spiders.

Yes, Radio Birdman is fantastic. I love those guys too. And the Saints (Chuck mentioned) Know You Product was one of my first Punk Rock purchases.

[chuck]

Yes, Radio Birdman is fantastic. I love those guys too. And the Saints (Chuck mentioned) Know You Product was one of my first Punk Rock purchases.

I've seen Ed Keupper's band relatively recently and although I can only take so much of his records (and he releases tons of them) I really liked his live show. On record his voice really rubs me the wrong way and I have quite a high tolerance for that sort of thing given a few of my favorites include Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen. But live it's all a blur and I really liked what they were doing. I can't imagine he'll ever come to the states and I seriously doubt a Saints reunion is in the offering although Saints contemporaries Radio Birdman did get together for a few shows a number of years ago.

In my list I avoided mention of bands I know everyone's heard of and in so doing I failed to mention the Church. I've had a fairly torrid relationship with this band over the years but can happily say that I've really liked just about everything the band's done over the last ten years or so. None of it has received any airplay in the US that I know of. Actually, I'm not too sure if there are any commercial radio stations left in the US that play rock music sung in some form of English or another but if so they sure aren't playing the Church.

[austro]

Now-a-days the big bands are, I think, Jet, Powderfinger, and Silverchair

I didn't realize Jet is/are from Australia.

[Ron Brand]

Anybody here like Billy Childish?

[Andyzipp]

Not a band, but Paul Kelly is a pretty solid artist from Australia.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Made a haul at Cactus on Friday, picked up new ones by The Hold Steady, The Dead Weather and The Whigs.

The Hold Steady album is really different from their previous, but I like it.  It's like the transition U2 made with Achtung Baby (not in terms of where they went musically, just in that it's a curveball)

The Dead Weather have finally figured out what they want to be as a band, and it's a more esoteric, chick-fronted QoTSA.  And that's rather nice.

Haven't gotten to the Whigs yet...

[Ebby Calvin]

The Hold Steady album is really different from their previous, but I like it.  It's like the transition U2 made with Achtung Baby (not in terms of where they went musically, just in that it's a curveball)

This sounds interesting.  I've hesitated getting their new album because I've always thought they were a one-trick pony, even if they perform that one trick extremely well.  I really liked Boys and Girls in America but didn't give their last one many proper listens.

I'm finally getting into the new National album after a dozen or so times through it.  The first four tracks don't do much for me, but things really get good at "Afraid of Everyone" and it doesn't let up.  "Bloodbuzz Ohio," "England" and "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" are the other standouts to me.  Here's a clip of the National and Sufjan Stevens playing Letterman a few nights ago.

Either way, I suggest giving High Violet a couple more listens if you didn't like it the first time.

[Ebby Calvin]

In other news...

Wolf Parade - Expo 86

...is available.

[Guinness]

This sounds interesting.  I've hesitated getting their new album because I've always thought they were a one-trick pony, even if they perform that one trick extremely well.  I really liked Boys and Girls in America but didn't give their last one many proper listens.

I'm finally getting into the new National album after a dozen or so times through it.  The first four tracks don't do much for me, but things really get good at "Afraid of Everyone" and it doesn't let up.  "Bloodbuzz Ohio," "England" and "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" are the other standouts to me.  Here's a clip of the National and Sufjan Stevens playing Letterman a few nights ago.

Either way, I suggest giving High Violet a couple more listens if you didn't like it the first time.

Their drummer looks like some kind of John Lennon/Mick Fleetwood love child...
Nice clip, good stuff.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've seen Ed Keupper's band relatively recently and although I can only take so much of his records (and he releases tons of them) I really liked his live show. On record his voice really rubs me the wrong way and I have quite a high tolerance for that sort of thing given a few of my favorites include Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen. But live it's all a blur and I really liked what they were doing. I can't imagine he'll ever come to the states and I seriously doubt a Saints reunion is in the offering although Saints contemporaries Radio Birdman did get together for a few shows a number of years ago.

My understanding is that Ed has no intention of ever playing with Chris Bailey again. I have seen the Saints twice. Once in the mid 80s and Chris had abandoned any pretense of punk and had taken the band into singer/songwriter territory, with good results, I might add, but a complete 180 from the original Saints. The album All Fools Day is a good example of that era. The second time I saw them was in 2007 at SXSW as a three piece unit, and they were back to the original punk roots, greasy and stinky but missing Ed's guitar. Chris isn't close to the guitarist that Ed is.

[drew corleone]

I've listened through High Violet about four or five times and it hasn't done as whole lot for me, but I'm not done trying.

I downloaded Expo 86 yesterday and finally got a chance to give it a spin this morning... not bad at all. It'll no doubt be in rotation over the next few weeks.

I would also recommend the Nas & Damien Marley collaboration for those that dig rap.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Upon further listening, the Dead Weather have become the love child of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Zepplin.  Or, put another way, a version of Yeah Yeah Yeah's worth listening to.

The Whigs caught a case of Kings of Leon, after their first two albums suggested that they were the southern rock Foo Fighters.  Oddly, they're a better Kings of Leon than Kings of Leon.

[Ebby Calvin]

Or, put another way, a version of Yeah Yeah Yeah's worth listening to.

Nice (although I kinda liked It's Blitz!)

Also, anybody with a Spencer Krug tolerance should definitely check out the new Wolf Parade.  It's fantastic.

[Ebby Calvin]

Continuing the Aussie rock conversation:

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
Pretty great psychadelic rock.

Non-aussie music:

Anais Mitchell - Hadestown
It's a folk opera that retells the story of Orpheus.  It features Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) on many tracks, and is overall a beautiful album.  Don't know anything about Anais Mitchell, but after a few listens I really like this.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The National added some Texas dates around ACL.  Just grabbed my tickets for the 10/6 show at House of Blues.  Anybody else going?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

And another couple of animal bands.

Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo - A group of barely out of high school kids, who if they didn't sound so great, I would hate. 

And Just released yesterday. New music by Unbunny - Moon Food - the new album from singer/songwriter Jarid del Deo’s, Unbunny and the songs within continue to balance hopefulness and a deft sense of humor with dark, crushing despair.

[drew corleone]

It's kind of, well... gay. But I'm really digging the Matt Pond PA release, The Dark Leaves.

Also been digging Together from The New Pornographers.

[Ebby Calvin]

It's kind of, well... gay. But I'm really digging the Matt Pond PA release, The Dark Leaves.

Dude I really like this album.  Nothing gay about it (NTTAWWT).

[Ron Brand]

Jesus, what a bunch of fruits. In my day, we stole money to buy albums of Lee Marvin burping, spitting and farting and we were happy to do it.

[loganck]

The latest album from The Black Keys is excellent.

[drew corleone]

Dude I really like this album.  Nothing gay about it (NTTAWWT).

Ha!

Not gay is Delta Spirit's new release. There's nothing quite "rocking" like "People C'Mon," but it's damn good. I've listened through it four times today already.

[Lurch]

Them Crooked Vulters streaming live in Germany, right now!

[Ebby Calvin]

Punch Brothers - Antifogmatic

I got this album based on a review that called it "Radiohead with bluegrass instruments."  Don't know if I agree with that description, but it is a really, really good album.  It's kinda, I dunno, abstract bluegrass?  Here's a live clip of my favorite song on the disc.  One of the bonus tracks is actually a Radiohead cover, so maybe that's where the comparison came from.  Either way, it's good.

Also, I think GBB talked about the new Hold Steady earlier in this thread.  That album KICKS ASS.  "Hurricane J" and "A Slight Discomfort" are the standouts for me.

[drew corleone]

Man, the Hold Steady's new one did nothing for me. But I loved the Tallest Man on Earth's release, The Wild Hunt.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Had no idea that Punch Bros. had a new record coming out.  I always thought that they were a one-off, post-Nickel Creek project for Chris Thile.  Then again, that's what I thought about The Raconteurs, too.

Anybody heard the new Gaslight Anthem yet?  I haven't had a chance to get over to Cactus to get a copy yet.

[Ebby Calvin]

Anybody heard the new Gaslight Anthem yet?  I haven't had a chance to get over to Cactus to get a copy yet.

I haven't, but I've read many good things about it.  I've actually never listened to them at all, maybe I'll check it out.

[drew corleone]

Looking forward to hearing the new GA... their last one was hit and miss for me, but the hits were damn good. For whatever odd reason, I've associated them with The Hold Steady for a few years now, and on their last releases I thought the HS was much better overall, but I don't like the new HS.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Roots - How I Got Over
Fantastic.  Better than the new Big Boi in my opinion, even though they're worlds apart.  I don't listen to much hip-hop, but this has had my attention for a few weeks now.  Interesting collaborations with Monsters of Folk and Joanna Newsom, among others.

Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void
Has more of a 70s feel than their previous albums.  Pretty good.

Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street (reissue)
Anybody ever heard of these guys?  Easily my favorite album of theirs, and the reissue only makes it better.  The additional tracks are every bit as good as the others.  I don't think I'll ever tire of Sweet Virginia, Let it Loose or Loving Cup.

New Arcade Fire in a week or so!

[remy]

Yes, it's a 2009 album, but I just listened to:

Mumford & Sons -- Sigh No More

Love their music so much, I strongly second your recommendation. I was lucky enough to see them live last when they came to Austin, what a blast.

[Bench]

Love their music so much, I strongly second your recommendation. I was lucky enough to see them live last when they came to Austin, what a blast.

I listened to the Mumford album last night.  They seem to use "heart" as a primary rhyming word in every song.  I was enjoying it until I realized that, and then just kept waiting for them to say "heart" again and again and again. 

[Ebby Calvin]

I listened to the Mumford album last night.  They seem to use "heart" as a primary rhyming word in every song.  I was enjoying it until I realized that, and then just kept waiting for them to say "heart" again and again and again.  

Dude, you're totally missing the point.  They're a great band and a great drinking game.  Pay attention.

ETA: And if anybody hasn't played the "Roxanne" drinking game out there, get thee to a liquor store and download that annoying little repetitive song.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Way Out, new album by the Books. Awesomely twisted. A bit challenging but a beautiful album. Cold Freezing Night. Beautiful People.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Wow, this is really, really good.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Line-up for the Fun Fun Fun Fest announced. Some really good bands, spanning most genres and a couple of generations. DEVO, Mastodon, The Hold Steady, GWAR, MGMT, Os Mutantes, Weird Al, the Vandals, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more!!!!

[Gizzmonic]

Line-up for the Fun Fun Fun Fest announced. Some really good bands, spanning most genres and a couple of generations. DEVO, Mastodon, The Hold Steady, GWAR, MGMT, Os Mutantes, Weird Al, the Vandals, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more!!!!

Holy shit!  Who wants to buy me airfare back to TX?

[hostros7]

Holy shit!  Who wants to buy me airfare back to TX?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you loved you some Weird Al back in the day.

[EasTexAstro]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you loved you some Weird Al back in the day.

Back in the day? I like it now.

All Hail Al!

[Bench]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you loved you some Weird Al back in the day.

Who doesn't?  Weird Al kicks ass.

[Gizzmonic]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you loved you some Weird Al back in the day.

Yeah...Weird Al, the Vandals, DEVO, MGMT...it's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!

[Ron Brand]

DWARVES!

Gories, Bad Religion, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Peelander Z and GWAR on the same stage? Yow.

But no Thor?

[Ebby Calvin]

Current playlist (not all 2010)

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP
The Roots - How I Got Over
Junip - Rope and Summit EP
Abdullah Ibrahim - Blues for a Hip King
El Michaels Affair - Enter the 37th Chamber
Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises

And if nobody knows who Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) is, he's the dude who starts singing in this.  Incredible acoustic guitarist, too.

[drew corleone]

Thanks for reviving this... I'll have to check out some of that. Arcade Fire has been in the rotation, along with some of what I have found from Of Montreal.

My most recent discoveries:

Best Coast, Crazy For You
Land of Talk, Cloak and Cipher
Future Islands, In Evening Air

[chuck]

And if nobody knows who Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) is, he's the dude who starts singing in this.  Incredible acoustic guitarist, too.

Neil Young on cough syrup with a strange eye for cover material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAcJrPQwaH8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJU_qjdShgc

Gizz'll hate this, too, I bet.

[Ebby Calvin]

Neil Young on cough syrup with a strange eye for cover material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAcJrPQwaH8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJU_qjdShgc

Gizz'll hate this, too, I bet.

Yep, his voice is definitely not his best attribute.  He also has an entire album (Tiny Cities) devoted to Modest Mouse covers.  Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon, Mark Kozelek, whatever name he's using - it's cool drone music with some amazing guitar work mixed in.

[Ebby Calvin]

Thanks for reviving this... I'll have to check out some of that. Arcade Fire has been in the rotation, along with some of what I have found from Of Montreal.

My most recent discoveries:

Best Coast, Crazy For You
Land of Talk, Cloak and Cipher
Future Islands, In Evening Air

Really like that Future Islands album.  Been meaning to check out the Best Coast one.  Never heard of Land of Talk - what's it like?

[chuck]

Yep, his voice is definitely not his best attribute.

I like his voice a lot. Of course my favorite singers are Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed.

[matadorph]

Duk Koo Kim is a great song, if not his best.

[JimR]

Duk Koo Kim is a great song, if not his best.

i think i had a bowl of that at a dim sum place in SF.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Duk Koo Kim is a great song, if not his best.

Is it about the South Korean boxer who died after a boxing match against Ray Mancini?

[Ron Brand]

Is it about the South Korean boxer who died after a boxing match against Ray Mancini?

Hurry home early. Hurry on home. Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon.

[Limey]

Totally random music hijack.

My Evil Twin™ has a long history of hanging out with musicians, despite knowing nothing about the discipline of music, the technicalities, or even reading it.  Now he is a part-owner of a record label.  However, he has just this week discovered how to post Youtube clips on Facebook, and has been digging up blasts from his (and my) past, much of which involves personal acquaintances.

I'll reproduce some here, without personal comment or recommendation, for your honest assessment:

Spaceman 3 - "Revolution"

The Perfect Disaster - "Go Away"

Throbbing Gristle - "Discipline"

The Perfect Disaster - "Time to Kill"


Our friend - Martin Langshaw (drums and inverted pyramid hair for both TPD and Spaceman 3) - used to work in a record store in London (he was that good a drummer).  One time, they were robbed at gunpoint for the meagre amount of cash in the register and as many CDs as the thieves could carry.  The thieves tied up Martin and his manager, and made them lie face down on the carpet.  They told them that if they moved within 15 minutes, they'd be shot dead.  They knew that this was bullshit, and the robbers had legged it within seconds of cleaning out the till but, at the same time, neither wanted to risk moving in case the robbers were nutters and just hiding in wait to kill them.

After a few minutes of terror/boredom, Martin ventured "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with 'C'".  "Carpet", replied the manager.  "Right!  Your turn" said Martin.

[Bench]

Throbbing Gristle? 

[Limey]

Throbbing Gristle? 

It does mean what you think it means.

[chuck]

Throbbing Gristle? 

Anyone remember the Record Exchange on Westheimer? It's now an antique store. Anyway, when the store got busy the staff, much to my admiration, would play Throbbing Gristle to sort of shake out the weak hands. I employed a similar tactic with much success using a heater while managing a map store later in life.

[Ron Brand]

Throbbing Gristle. Big fan.

I've got almost all of the live performances and firing those up really clears the room in a hurry. Sometimes I'll take it easy and nudge them with some Pere Ubu but when the Stark Fist is called for, either TG or Foetus can't be beat.

[Limey]

Anyone remember the Record Exchange on Westheimer? It's now an antique store. Anyway, when the store got busy the staff, much to my admiration, would play Throbbing Gristle to sort of shake out the weak hands. I employed a similar tactic with much success using a heater while managing a map store later in life.

When ET was over here last year, he spent a lost afternoon in Cactus Records on Shepherd.  There's a couple of other record stords around there that he plans to explore on his next trip.

[drew corleone]

Really like that Future Islands album.  Been meaning to check out the Best Coast one.  Never heard of Land of Talk - what's it like?

Best description I've read is "early Metric."

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

My brother Philo, is a big fan of Throbbing Gristle and the various spin offs. He had collected some really shocking (at the time) videos of some late 70s early 80s live shows. One I remember had a film of medical students removing sex organs from cadavers. I think if I saw Genesis P'Orridge walking in my direction, I'd turn and run. That is one weird dudelady. I'm a bit of a fan of industrial music, but my tastes lean towards melody. If I'm looking for something different to listen to I prefer noise rock, avant-garde, or free jazz.

[Ron Brand]

I don't know why, but I've never been able to get into free jazz. I did go through a Jandek phase, which is as close as I can think of.

For me, TG is all visceral and spark of emotion. Emotion to me is the most critical element.

Those videos are pretty rough though. I can't watch anything like that now. I topped up on pain, suffering and death a while back.

[matadorph]

I know Beach House has been mentioned somewhere in this thread, but I'll echo the sentiment as I cannot stop listening to their latest. I am a sucker for all things Cocteau Twins/MBV/Mercury Rev/Big Star and this record hits all those organsmic notes. Fantastic album.

[Ebby Calvin]

...free jazz.

This interests me.  I didn't grow up listening to much jazz, so when I initially explored the genre I hit the obvious ones (to me) - Miles, Coltrane, etc.  I loved the music, but nothing ever really sank in with me.
The only two jazz albums I know and love, top to bottom, are Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse and the Les McCann/Eddie Harris Swiss Movement record.  Both were recorded in live settings, so maybe something doesn't translate from the studio for me.  Regardless, I'm always looking for new (to me) jazz, hence my recent Abullah Ibrahim listens - got any recs?

[chuck]

This interests me.  I didn't grow up listening to much jazz, so when I initially explored the genre I hit the obvious ones (to me) - Miles, Coltrane, etc.  I loved the music, but nothing ever really sank in with me.
The only two jazz albums I know and love, top to bottom, are Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse and the Les McCann/Eddie Harris Swiss Movement record.  Both were recorded in live settings, so maybe something doesn't translate from the studio for me.  Regardless, I'm always looking for new (to me) jazz, hence my recent Abullah Ibrahim listens - got any recs?

What Miles and Coltrane records did you familiarize yourself with? For me, anything that Miles did with Columbia is worthwhile (that's a massive catalog and I certainly have my favorites), and anything Coltrane did with McCoy Tyner is well worth knowing. I'd love to know what you've spent time with. For example, if you sat around listening to Bitches Brew and A Love Supreme you wouldn't really have a great idea of what lies beyond.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This interests me.  I didn't grow up listening to much jazz, so when I initially explored the genre I hit the obvious ones (to me) - Miles, Coltrane, etc.  I loved the music, but nothing ever really sank in with me.
The only two jazz albums I know and love, top to bottom, are Grant Green's Live at the Lighthouse and the Les McCann/Eddie Harris Swiss Movement record.  Both were recorded in live settings, so maybe something doesn't translate from the studio for me.  Regardless, I'm always looking for new (to me) jazz, hence my recent Abullah Ibrahim listens - got any recs?

Well, when I think of free jazz, I think more along the lines of some of the older guys like, Sun Ra, Ornette Colman, Pharoah Sanders, or Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Also there's avant-garde jazz which is like free jazz's bastard child. Coltrane, Parker, Dizzy, Miles and the like were jazz superstars who like to get outside and improvise but mostly within a groove. Their superstar status made it alright or acceptable to expand the definition of song and music.

You might want to check out John Zorn if you are not familiar with him. Zorn has done some very interesting and some amazing work over the past 30 years. His work with Bill Lasswell (Painkiller) is a bit of a challenge and borders on noise rock. And his "rock" band Naked City features Fred Frith on guitar and Bill Frisell on bass was organized to test the limits of rock and has a strong grindcore influence.

This kind of music is not nice, you can't hum along to it. It's unconventional with no commercial potential. There are no pretty chords strummed or harmonies sung. Like Throbbing Gristle, it's not for everyone. But Zorn is a very interesting character.

[Ebby Calvin]

For example, if you sat around listening to Bitches Brew and A Love Supreme you wouldn't really have a great idea of what lies beyond.

Exactly.  And that's where I started because I had no jazz influences beyond what I read were quintessential albums.
For Miles, I've been through Bitches Brew, Kind of Blue, On the Corner, Birth of the Cool and In a Silent Way.  For Coltrane it was A Love Supreme and My Favorite Things.
I realize I barely skimmed the surface of the two jazz greats, but I kinda got lost with so many albums/tracks to sift through.

[Ebby Calvin]

Well, when I think of free jazz, I think more along the lines of some of the older guys like, Sun Ra, Ornette Colman, Pharoah Sanders, or Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

You might want to check out John Zorn if you are not familiar with him.

Thanks! I'm going to check all of this out pronto.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Thanks! I'm going to check all of this out pronto.

One thing regarding what I was referring to with free jazz, I meant loosely structured improvisational and often aleatorical performances. This is not meant to discount the greatness of classical jazz, bebop, fusion, or and other genre of jazz. Music really doesn't get any better than, Monk, Mingus, Miles, Trane, Bird, Dizzy, Tyner, Hancock, Shorter, Sample, Zawinul, Jaco, Chick... etc. You might also want to look back into the 70s bands Weather Report or Return To Forever, for some really kick ass music. Some bands from that great era were as much rock bands as jazz bands, like the Mahavishnu Orchestra who fell somewhere between King Crimson and the Miles Davis Group.

Medeski, Martin, and Wood, are a modern jazz band and are excellent groove masters and also get outside and do the free jazz thing as well as space jams.

[Guinness]

Thanks! I'm going to check all of this out pronto.

this my be a Cabrera rec but you should check out Dave Brubek's Time Out album as a real classic;  not freeform, just really groovy.
Also check out Thelonius Monk, very melodic and fairly unstructured.

Edit to add: listen to Blue Rondo à la Turk on Time Out and then listen to Rush's Natural Science...

[subnuclear]

I like John Zorn's The Big Gundown a lot, but its sort of studio-based avant-garde.  Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch is also another free jazz album I like, but totally the opposite of Zorn. 

[chuck]

Well, when I think of free jazz, I think more along the lines of some of the older guys like, Sun Ra, Ornette Colman, Pharoah Sanders, or Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

He quoted a response talking about free jazz and then said he'd started with Miles and Trane so I assumed he wanted to discover jazz in general. But yes, Ornette Colman's The Shape of Jazz to Come is a logical beginning point if, god help you, you really do want to get into free jazz.

And if so, I really like saxophonist Albert Ayler. He died young but left a substantial body of work that is all over the place.

[chuck]

By the way, as far as I'm concerned the best jazz radio station in the world is Columbia's WKCR. The DJ Phil Schaap is a walking encyclopedia of the music. He hosts a daily show dedicated to Charlie Parker and he's heavily involved in their traditional birthday broadcasts of important artists.

And guess what? You're in luck because this weekend is a Lester Young and Charlie Parker birthday broadcast featuring 72 hours of music.

http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/wkcr/

[matadorph]

Sonny Stitt/Gene Ammons - "Boss Tenors"

Can't recommend this enough.

[HudsonHawk]

By the way, as far as I'm concerned the best jazz radio station in the world is Columbia's WKCR. The DJ Phil Schaap is a walking encyclopedia of the music. He hosts a daily show dedicated to Charlie Parker and he's heavily involved in their traditional birthday broadcasts of important artists.

And guess what? You're in luck because this weekend is a Lester Young and Charlie Parker birthday broadcast featuring 72 hours of music.

http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/wkcr/

Just a random sequitor, but you can listen to WKCR, or any other station that broadcasts over the internet, on your iPhone via any number of apps.  I'm listening to WKCR now using WunderRadio.

[chuck]

Just a random sequitor, but you can listen to WKCR, or any other station that broadcasts over the internet, on your iPhone via any number of apps.  I'm listening to WKCR now using WunderRadio.

Cool, good to know, thanks. I'm listening through iTunes.

It's amazing that they will program 72 hours of Prez and Bird and not get anywhere close to broadcasting any significant portion of their work.

[austro]

For those so inclined, Ornette Coleman will be playing at the Bass Concert Hall in November.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

If you haven't yet seen it, this Arcade Fire "video", done in HTML5 is pretty stunning.

[Ebby Calvin]

If you haven't yet seen it, this Arcade Fire "video", done in HTML5 is pretty stunning.

It really is.  Don't know how they did it, don't really care.  I especially like the part at the end with the sprouting trees.

[strosrays]

He quoted a response talking about free jazz and then said he'd started with Miles and Trane so I assumed he wanted to discover jazz in general. But yes, Ornette Colman's The Shape of Jazz to Come is a logical beginning point if, god help you, you really do want to get into free jazz.

And if so, I really like saxophonist Albert Ayler. He died young but left a substantial body of work that is all over the place.

James Blood Ulmer

[Bench]

If you haven't yet seen it, this Arcade Fire "video", done in HTML5 is pretty stunning.

Wow.  I've never seen anything like that.

[chuck]

If you haven't yet seen it, this Arcade Fire "video", done in HTML5 is pretty stunning.

That whole video experience is pretty nuts but I have to say, I really don't get that band. I want to like them, I really do, but I don't.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That whole video experience is pretty nuts but I have to say, I really don't get that band. I want to like them, I really do, but I don't.

I haven't seen the video but I am really unimpressed by the band's songs and befuddled as much by the critical praise as the popularity. I don't find them emotionally moving at all. I chalk it up to being an old guy. I don't think I'm allowed or supposed to like the younger generation's music. That's what rock-n-roll is all about. I can't grok a lot of the new shit. For instance, I can't figure Kings of Leon, either. That stuff leaves me cold.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

James Blood Ulmer

And Sonny Sharrock. I like to cite those two as guitar influences.

[Ebby Calvin]

I can't figure Kings of Leon, either. That stuff leaves me cold.

Agree with you here.
And as far as The Arcade Fire are concerned, I liked them fine until I saw them in Dallas at a small bar a few years ago. I liked them a whole lot more after that.  They put on a really energetic show, a really tight performance.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Agree with you here.
And as far as The Arcade Fire are concerned, I liked them fine until I saw them in Dallas at a small bar a few years ago. I liked them a whole lot more after that.  They put on a really energetic show, a really tight performance.

I love their energy, their attitude not quite as much.  I have a hard time with bands that lack even the faintest sliver of self-awareness.

[Ebby Calvin]

I have a hard time with bands that lack even the faintest sliver of self-awareness.

Probably because the lead singer's from The Woodlands.

[Ty in Tampa]

That whole video experience is pretty nuts but I have to say, I really don't get that band. I want to like them, I really do, but I don't.

It's a Canadian/French thing...

[drew corleone]

That whole video experience is pretty nuts but I have to say, I really don't get that band. I want to like them, I really do, but I don't.

Sounds like me with LCD Soundsystem, except that I don't want to like them.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Walkmen - Lisbon

Is very good on the first listen.

[MusicMan]

The Walkmen - Lisbon

Is very good on the first listen.

The Walkmen cover "Driver 8"

[Ebby Calvin]

The Walkmen cover "Driver 8"

That's actually what got me to download Lisbon.  That whole Undercover series from the AVClub has been fun to watch.

[Guinness]

The Walkmen cover "Driver 8"

What a weird thead convergence.
Great song, poor cover.

[MusicMan]

What a weird thead convergence.
Great song, poor cover.

The opening drums made me think they'd go in a different direction.  Trying to echo Stipe's delivery is always a risky move.

[Guinness]

The opening drums made me think they'd go in a different direction.  Trying to echo Stipe's delivery is always a risky move.

True, and to fully conflate it with the other thread, a good example is Stipe trying to do Bono on One...some singers can't be imitated or successfully covered.

[Limey]

True, and to fully conflate it with the other thread, a good example is Stipe trying to do Bono on One...some singers can't be imitated or successfully covered.

Bono(r)

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If anyone is interested NPR is, for a while, down streaming the entire new Robert Plant album Band of Joy.

[Ron Brand]

If anyone is interested NPR is, for a while, down streaming the entire new Robert Plant album Band of Joy.

I'm gonna have to Wikipedia that to see what dinosaur band you're referring to...

[chuck]

I'm gonna have to Wikipedia that to see what dinosaur band you're referring to...

Toothless and boring. It's a waste of time. If I wanted to listen to some weird old long haired dude sing soft rock I'd go over to Astroholic's house and listen to his Whitesnake records.

[Astroholic]

I'm gonna have to Wikipedia that to see what dinosaur band you're referring to...

you don't know who Robert Plant is?

[Astroholic]

Toothless and boring. It's a waste of time. If I wanted to listen to some weird old long haired dude sing soft rock I'd go over to Astroholic's house and listen to his Whitesnake records.

Wait.  What is wrong with Whitesnake?



Really, wouldnt you rather I crank some Waylon?

And drink some Pearl, or maybe I will bring out the Sunday drinking beer..the King of Beer.

[Ron Brand]

you don't know who Robert Plant is?

Somehow, you weren't included in Alkie's post.

[Astroholic]

Somehow, you weren't included in Alkie's post.

That post was too Noe-ish for me to read.

[Ron Brand]

That post was too Noe-ish for me to read.

Brevity is king. Like this.

[Ron Brand]

Or maybe for Chuck...

[chuck]

Or maybe for Chuck...

I LOVE Wire and I especially like Pink Flag, I mean, obviously. I even really like their mid-period stuff, Ideal Copy, A Bell Is A Cup, etc.

[Ron Brand]

I LOVE Wire and I especially like Pink Flag, I mean, obviously. I even really like their mid-period stuff, Ideal Copy, A Bell Is A Cup, etc.

Yeah, great great band that never hit over here.

[Astroholic]

Yeah, great great band that never hit over here.

And here I thought I was obscure with my Sucidal Tendencies and Dead Kennedys and Angry Johnny and the Killbillies.  You guys really are snobs.

[Andyzipp]

And here I thought I was obscure with my Sucidal Tendencies and Dead Kennedys and Angry Johnny and the Killbillies.  You guys really are snobs.

The Dead Kennedys are obscure?

[Ron Brand]

And here I thought I was obscure with my Sucidal Tendencies and Dead Kennedys and Angry Johnny and the Killbillies.  You guys really are snobs.

That's ok, we'll let you in the club. Unless you really WANT to join, in which case you'll be denied. I'm sure you understand.

[Astroholic]

The Dead Kennedys are obscure?

to some, like my kids and wife.

[Astroholic]

That's ok, we'll let you in the club. Unless you really WANT to join, in which case you'll be denied. I'm sure you understand.

nah fuck you and your club!

[Ron Brand]

nah fuck you and your club!

Hey, cool! Glad to have you as a member!

[Astroholic]

Hey, cool! Glad to have you as a member!

NO NO NO, I really want to be in.  Please!

[Ron Brand]

NO NO NO, I really want to be in.  Please!

Yes, we really can't do that.

[chuck]

And here I thought I was obscure with my Sucidal Tendencies and Dead Kennedys and Angry Johnny and the Killbillies.  You guys really are snobs.

I don't know how obscure a band can remain if R.E.M. is covering their songs.

[Astroholic]

I don't know how obscure a band can remain if R.E.M. is covering their songs.

So obscure that I did not even know that.  I had to Google it, to see which song.  Lame.

[Alkie]

So obscure that I did not even know that.  I had to Google it, to see which song.  Lame.

Nazi Punks, Fuck Off, right?

[Astroholic]

Nazi Punks, Fuck Off, right?

Too Drunk to Fuck...what else?

[Alkie]

Too Drunk to Fuck...what else?

Right.  That was my third choice.   Right after REM covering DK covering Viva Las Vegas.

[Astroholic]

Right.  That was my third choice.   Right after REM covering DK covering Viva Las Vegas.

Viva Las Vegas/ Too Drunk to Fuck/ followed by Everybody Hurts..






Sometimes.

[MusicMan]

Viva Las Vegas/ Too Drunk to Fuck/ followed by Everybody Hurts..






Sometimes.

Insert "You Can Keep Your Boots On" before "Everybody Hurts".

[Alkie]

Viva Las Vegas/ Too Drunk to Fuck/ followed by Everybody Hurts..

Oooooh.  REM does DK Medley (13:06).

[Astroholic]

Viva Las Vegas/ I fought the Law/ Too Drunk to Fuck/You Can Keep Your Boots On/ Everybody Hurts..






Sometimes.

[chuck]

Nazi Punks, Fuck Off, right?

Let's Lynch the Landlord, duh.

[Ron Brand]

I don't know why I put it off for so long, but all you pendejos need to check out Los Lobos' Tin Can Trust. Another fantastic album from a great band, full of soul, tone, virtuoso chops, aching lyrics and beautiful vocals.

[Ebby Calvin]

I also endorse the new Los Lobos.  Solid stuff.

Also,
Junip - Fields

It's the side project/original band of Swedish folk singer Jose Gonzalez (I guess you'd classify him as folk).  I think I like it better than his solo stuff, and that says a lot.  Great rainy weather music.

[Ebby Calvin]

New video from OKGo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs&feature=player_embedded

[Ebby Calvin]

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Amazing that this is the same guy who put out Illinoise five years ago.  A lot of the core elements of his music are there, but on a whole it's completely different.  Sounds like he ditched the banjos and trumpets for a ProTools suite (as evidenced by his Dark Was the Night and BQE projects).

It's still incredible.

[Guinness]

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Amazing that this is the same guy who put out Illinoise five years ago.  A lot of the core elements of his music are there, but on a whole it's completely different.  Sounds like he ditched the banjos and trumpets for a ProTools suite (as evidenced by his Dark Was the Night and BQE projects).

It's still incredible.

Isn't this the guy that wanted to do an album for each state or something?  Not bad stuff, a bit self-conscious maybe.  Maybe I'm getting old, but I tend to distrust earnestness nowadays...
The OKGo video sure had a lot of dogs in it...

[Ebby Calvin]

Isn't this the guy that wanted to do an album for each state or something?  Not bad stuff, a bit self-conscious maybe.  Maybe I'm getting old, but I tend to distrust earnestness nowadays...
The OKGo video sure had a lot of dogs in it...

That's the guy.  He later admitted it was too ambitious and scrapped the idea.  He did Michigan and Illinois (plus a one-off NPR track for some small town in Arkansas).  He also went through the obligatory questioning-of-the-music-industry "what is an album?" phase a few years ago.  Glad he pulled his head out and started making good music again.

[Guinness]

That's the guy.  He later admitted it was too ambitious and scrapped the idea.  He did Michigan and Illinois (plus a one-off NPR track for some small town in Arkansas).  He also went through the obligatory questioning-of-the-music-industry "what is an album?" phase a few years ago.  Glad he pulled his head out and started making good music again.

I recall that phase, although it's probably more relevant now than a few years ago.  What does a record company offer?  Publicity?  Access to a studio?  Access to retail outlets?  An artist can do all of that without leaving his office.  And gets to keep a lot more of the profit.

[Ebby Calvin]

I recall that phase, although it's probably more relevant now than a few years ago.  What does a record company offer?  Publicity?  Access to a studio?  Access to retail outlets?  An artist can do all of that without leaving his office.  And gets to keep a lot more of the profit.

IIRC, Sufjan was questioning the completion and release of an "album" in its artistic sense.  I think he was burned out from his work on Come on! Feel the Illinoise! and subsequent The Avalanche projects and was toying with just releasing EPs and singles for awhile.  Of course, one month ago he came out with a 60-minute EP (announced and released the same day digitally) and now follows it with an entirely different LP.

I get your comments about the industry, though.  Radiohead has been asking similar questions lately, even after releasing In Rainbows on a "pay as much as you want for this" digital download a few years ago.  They just finished recording a new album and have said they're now trying to figure out how to get it to the public.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The All Delighted People EP is pretty fantastic, but then again I'm enough of a Sufjan partisan that I'd listen to him humming along to a xylophone and be happy.

[Ebby Calvin]

The All Delighted People EP is pretty fantastic, but then again I'm enough of a Sufjan partisan that I'd listen to him humming along to a xylophone and be happy.

Same here.

[chuck]

I have a bad habit of buying a shitload of music and then not listening to it. For a while, anyway. I mean, I almost always stick it in iTunes right away and I always get around to it eventually.

I bought Go by Jonsi a while back. He's the Sigur Ros vocalist. I LOVE Sigur Ros. I've just started listening to Go. I don't LOVE Go but I do like it a lot. One thing I've always really appreciated about Sigur Ros is the space they leave in their songs. There's often such sparse instrumentation that the vocals get plenty of room for their electrifying weirdness and the guitars and other instruments are that much more present. Go is not spacey at all. It's not dense, but the vocals are most definitely contained within the music, and there are lots of heavy drums. Several Sigur Ros records are favorites for me when I'm flying, especially at night, because they are so spacey. I doubt I'll listen to Go on airplanes very much, but I will listen to it a lot.

Julieta Venegas finally released another record and apparently I was the last to find out. It's a logical extension of Si and Limon y Sal - very good songs, good instrumentation, hair-raisingly good lyrics. I've been listening to this pretty much nonstop since I got it. I'm not sure it's as good as Limon y Sal top to bottom but the high points are awfully high. Julieta offers everything I'm looking for: great lyrics, smart, very smart lyrics, fun songs and a weak voice. Not a bad voice, just a weak and limited voice. I find that a singer working with very limited range and depth is for me almost always more evocative than someone with an extremely gymnastic voice.

She's not touring because she's pregnant or has been pregnant. She also quit playing the accordion during her pregnancy. Some people quit drinking or smoking. Others quit playing the accordion.

[Ebby Calvin]

I bought Go by Jonsi a while back. He's the Sigur Ros vocalist. I LOVE Sigur Ros. I've just started listening to Go. I don't LOVE Go but I do like it a lot. One thing I've always really appreciated about Sigur Ros is the space they leave in their songs. There's often such sparse instrumentation that the vocals get plenty of room for their electrifying weirdness and the guitars and other instruments are that much more present. Go is not spacey at all. It's not dense, but the vocals are most definitely contained within the music, and there are lots of heavy drums. Several Sigur Ros records are favorites for me when I'm flying, especially at night, because they are so spacey. I doubt I'll listen to Go on airplanes very much, but I will listen to it a lot.

+ infinity to everything you said here.  I don't like it near as much as many of the Sigur Ros albums, but I still like it enough to keep it in the rotation.  Favorite Sigur Ros albums: Agaetis Byrjun, Takk, (), Hvarf/Heim.  Their EP Saeglopur is fucking fantastic, too.

[hostros7]

Either of yall seen Heima?  I've had it in my netflix queue for quite some time.  I can't imagine how it wouldn't be awesome.

[Guinness]

+ infinity to everything you said here.  I don't like it near as much as many of the Sigur Ros albums, but I still like it enough to keep it in the rotation.  Favorite Sigur Ros albums: Agaetis Byrjun, Takk, (), Hvarf/Heim.  Their EP Saeglopur is fucking fantastic, too.

Pretty interesting stuff, even if I don't know exactly what "post rock" is...possibly the best rec on this thread, at least to my ears.

Thanks chuck and Ebby

[Guinness]

Julieta Venegas finally released another record and apparently I was the last to find out. It's a logical extension of Si and Limon y Sal - very good songs, good instrumentation, hair-raisingly good lyrics.

Her voice is reminiscent to me of Harriet Wheeler and the Sundays.

[Ebby Calvin]

even if I don't know exactly what "post rock" is...

Me either.  I've always liked "Shoegaze" as the label for bands like Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, MY Bloody Valentine, etc.  But yeah, not bad for an Icelandic band who made up their own language to make the lyrics even more indecipherable.

[Ebby Calvin]

Either of yall seen Heima?  I've had it in my netflix queue for quite some time.  I can't imagine how it wouldn't be awesome.

I've seen bits and pieces online, but never all of it in one sitting.  Iceland is so picturesque, and their music so epic, that I can't imagine how it wouldn't be awesome, either.

[Bench]

+ infinity to everything you said here.  I don't like it near as much as many of the Sigur Ros albums, but I still like it enough to keep it in the rotation.  Favorite Sigur Ros albums: Agaetis Byrjun, Takk, (), Hvarf/Heim.  Their EP Saeglopur is fucking fantastic, too.

I love Sigur Ros.  I saw them once at the Avalon in Boston.  The show was so quiet I had to whisper my drink orders at the bar in the back of balcony.  All I could do was shrug at a confused and horrified Boston cop who was watching a girl silently weep along with the music.

[Ebby Calvin]

Julieta Venegas finally released another record and apparently I was the last to find out. It's a logical extension of Si and Limon y Sal - very good songs, good instrumentation, hair-raisingly good lyrics. I've been listening to this pretty much nonstop since I got it. I'm not sure it's as good as Limon y Sal top to bottom but the high points are awfully high. Julieta offers everything I'm looking for: great lyrics, smart, very smart lyrics, fun songs and a weak voice. Not a bad voice, just a weak and limited voice. I find that a singer working with very limited range and depth is for me almost always more evocative than someone with an extremely gymnastic voice.

Just got this on your rec, hadn't heard of her before.  I can't speak to the lyrics (I no speak no spanish), but I really like everything else about it.  It's a bit "poppy" for my usual tastes, but the instrumentation and melodies are interesting and refreshing.
I guess I now have to hunt down the rest of her catalog....

[chuck]

Just got this on your rec, hadn't heard of her before.  I can't speak to the lyrics (I no speak no spanish), but I really like everything else about it.  It's a bit "poppy" for my usual tastes, but the instrumentation and melodies are interesting and refreshing.
I guess I now have to hunt down the rest of her catalog....

Wow, strong move, nice work. Which did you get, the newest, Otra Cosa, or my favorite Limon y Sal? I think that Limon y Sal is a nearly perfect pop record. Whichever you got I recommend you get the other. As for her other, previous albums, I don't know... Si is OK, the others are really just documents of a songwriter finding her way. I wouldn't really recommend her first couple of records but if you find yourself needing to hear them I can certainly help you out.

[Ebby Calvin]

Which did you get, the newest, Otra Cosa, or my favorite Limon y Sal?

I got Otra Cosa, but it sounds like I'll need to pick up the other one, too.  I read somewhere that she won a Grammy for Si?  I thought they only gave those out to no-talent ass clowns.

[chuck]

I got Otra Cosa, but it sounds like I'll need to pick up the other one, too.  I read somewhere that she won a Grammy for Si?  I thought they only gave those out to no-talent ass clowns.

It was probably a Latin Grammy, for whatever that's worth. Most every year bands or artists that I like a lot take home Latin Grammys.

[Ebby Calvin]

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Great psych-rock album.

Moondoggies - Tidelands
As their terrible band name suggests, Americana (Dad-Rock, Folk-Rock, Wilco-without-Tweedy, etc).  Good stuff.  Don't know a thing about them.

The Tallest Man on Earth - Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird EP
More great Swedish folk.  "The Dreamer" might be my favorite song of the year.  First time I've heard him play an electric.

Neil Young - Le Noise
Didn't like it.

[chuck]

Any of you goons going to see Frightened Rabbit in Houston tomorrow?

[Ron Brand]

Anyone here listen to Foetus?

Just picked up his latest, 'Hide.' I've only gone through it once, without the lyric sheet, but it's staggering. It's an opera. A freaking opera, fully voiced, fully instrumented. Listening to it, you can imagine it on stage in that fiery Thirlwell idiom. I don't know how you get from 'Nail' to here, but it is an incredible accomplishment.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I've been listening to a lot of How To Dress Well lately.  Think Sigur Ros, but more soulful, and in a real language.  Check it out.

[Ebby Calvin]

I've been listening to a lot of How To Dress Well lately.  Think Sigur Ros, but more soulful, and in a real language.  Check it out.

They remind me a lot of Bon Iver, but more lo-fi.

[Ebby Calvin]

Any of you goons going to see Frightened Rabbit in Houston tomorrow?

Dammit.  That's right next to my office.  Are you going?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

They remind me a lot of Bon Iver, but more lo-fi.

I get that, too.  But it's not lo-fi in an "early Iron & Wine" way as much as an indie hip hop/neo-soul way.  At least that how I'm hearing it.

[chuck]

Dammit.  That's right next to my office.  Are you going?

I'm in Panama. You'll realize that that means I'm going to miss Jonsi, too.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm in Panama. You'll realize that that means I'm going to miss Jonsi, too.

Yeah, I saw he's coming on the 27th.  Too bad.  I just checked for FR tickets online and it appears there's none to be found.

Hey GBB - did you go to the National back in early October? How was it?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Hey GBB - did you go to the National back in early October? How was it?

The band was fantastic.  Hit all the high points (Mr. November, Fake Empire, the surprisingly killer England) with ease.  The crowd, less so.  The Wife and I kept getting bumped into by this drunk Montrose resident who mistook the show for a dance party, and when they closed the encore with an unplugged version of Vanderlay Crybaby Geeks, the crowd wouldn't shut up enough for it to be effective.

Overall, it was enjoyable.  I'm still on the fence about House of Blues as a venue; not so much from an acoustics/layout standpoint, but just the preponderance of douchnozzles who always seem to be there.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm still on the fence about House of Blues as a venue; not so much from an acoustics/layout standpoint, but just the preponderance of douchnozzles who always seem to be there.

That's a problem at all of them, even the New Orleans venue. I saw Wilco at the Orlando HoB and Tweedy stopped the show mid-song to berate the twats in the back who thought they were just at a club and couldn't hear themselves talk over the music.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

That's a problem at all of them, even the New Orleans venue. I saw Wilco at the Orlando HoB and Tweedy stopped the show mid-song to berate the twats in the back who thought they were just at a club and couldn't hear themselves talk over the music.

I also saw Drive By Truckers there recently, and that show was much more pleasant (and sparsely attended).  Maybe bands with a more hard-core fanbase thrive there, and more broadly popular bands bring in the douches.

[hostros7]

I also saw Drive By Truckers there recently, and that show was much more pleasant (and sparsely attended).  Maybe bands with a more hard-core fanbase thrive there, and more broadly popular bands bring in the douches.

I saw sunset rubdown in the golden peacock room or something like that, and it was pretty awesome.  However, probably only about 20 people there were familiar with the band's work.  Fortunately, there were only about 100 people there. 

[Ebby Calvin]

I saw sunset rubdown in the golden peacock room or something like that, and it was pretty awesome.  However, probably only about 20 people there were familiar with the band's work.  Fortunately, there were only about 100 people there. 

That sounds fantastic.

[chuck]

I saw sunset rubdown in the golden peacock room or something like that, and it was pretty awesome.  However, probably only about 20 people there were familiar with the band's work.  Fortunately, there were only about 100 people there. 

Hey! What a coincidence! I had a sunset rubdown in the Golden Peacock Room once, too. Of course, it was in Bangkok, not Houston.

[Guinness]

Hey! What a coincidence! I had a sunset rubdown in the Golden Peacock Room once, too. Of course, it was in Bangkok, not Houston.

were you familiar with the..ahem.."band's" work?

[hostros7]

That sounds fantastic.

It was pretty great.  It was intimate enough for on stage discourse with the band.  The highlight of which was Spencer Krug asking what he should play next.  Token wasted faux-hipster girl screams "Snake's Got a Leg!!!!" to which Spencer replies something like "No thanks, I am so fucking tired of that song."  Good times.  

If there is ever a show in that room that you're interested in seeing, I recommend.  Pretty cozy quarters and a walk up bar with no lines. I think it mostly serves as a spot where bands travelling between Austin and New Orleans play when they say fuck it, might as well stop in Houston.

[Ebby Calvin]

It was pretty great.  It was intimate enough for on stage discourse with the band.  The highlight of which was Spencer Krug asking what he should play next.  Token wasted faux-hipster girl screams "Snake's Got a Leg!!!!" to which Spencer replies something like "No thanks, I am so fucking tired of that song."  Good times.  

If there is ever a show in that room that you're interested in seeing, I recommend.  Pretty cozy quarters and a walk up bar with no lines. I think it mostly serves as a spot where bands travelling between Austin and New Orleans play when they say fuck it, might as well stop in Houston.

I'd love to see "Up on Your Leopard, Upon Your Feral Days" live.

[EasTexAstro]

Old guys playing guitars.

Seriously, this has gone on for 14 pages and I still don't know what language you guys are speaking. Get Off My Lawn!

[Ebby Calvin]

Seriously, this has gone on for 14 pages and I still don't know what language you guys are speaking. Get Off My Lawn!

It's easy to join in the conversation, ETA:

1) Pick an animal
2) Pick a plural noun
3) Combine results of 1) and 2)
4) Use hyperbole
5) Be condescending

Seriously, this new Llama Flags album is mindblowingly good.  You guys probably wouldn't like it, though.

[Ron Brand]

I'd nominate that one, but it doesn't appear to do anything.

[austro]

I'd nominate that one, but it doesn't appear to do anything,

Ouch.

[EasTexAstro]

It's easy to join in the conversation, ETA:

1) Pick an animal
2) Pick a plural noun
3) Combine results of 1) and 2)
4) Use hyperbole
5) Be condescending

Seriously, this new Llama Flags album is mindblowingly good.  You guys probably wouldn't like it, though.

Something like:

The Squirrel Nuts were awfully big at the Oak Grave Park Saturday. If you haven't seen them, you are missing the night of your life..

Something like that?

(Edited to be a little more condescending.)

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Buddy's the Sun, Eric is Jupiter, B.B. is Saturn, and Jimmy is Pluto.

[Ebby Calvin]

Something like:

The Squirrel Nuts were awfully big at the Oak Grave Park Saturday. I'd like to see them again soon.

Something like that?

Man, I love the Squirrel Nuts!  I expected more from them on their last LP though.  Can't believe their Keytarist quit the band.

See?

[EasTexAstro]

Man, I love the Squirrel Nuts!  I expected more from them on their last LP though.  Can't believe their Keytarist quit the band.

I don't think he could keep up with the flow, though. He'll never make it solo. I'll keep him on the shelf and pull him out for guests to see what they aren't missing. Everything else seems to work just fine.

[drew corleone]

I saw Frightened Rabbit at SXSW and they put on a great 45-min set. I know quite a few people that went last night and really enjoyed it.

I haven;t listened to much new stuff lately, but I'm actually enjoying the new Old 97s album... much much more than the less-than-impressive release from two years ago. It's not Too Far to Care good, but quite a few strong tracks.

[Guinness]

Buddy's the Sun, Eric is Jupiter, B.B. is Saturn, and Jimmy is Pluto.

With Gilmour, Lifeson and Howe as the Trinity.

[Andyzipp]

Something like:

The Squirrel Nuts were awfully big at the Oak Grave Park Saturday. If you haven't seen them, you are missing the night of your life..

Something like that?

(Edited to be a little more condescending.)

I'm going to blame the medication here...but the Squirrel Nut Zippers?

[hostros7]

I don't think he could keep up with the flow, though. He'll never make it solo. I'll keep him on the shelf and pull him out for guests to see what they aren't missing. Everything else seems to work just fine.

I'd stick to condescending faux-allusions like "The Squirrel Nuts keyboardist reminds me of the guy from the early Frog Metrics limited release before they signed an independent deal and focused their musical identity.  I felt as though his limitations as a keyboardist prohibited the bands transcendance from mid-aughts post-indie folk band to the timeless post-punk French New Wave lo-fi duo that they would eventually come.  The song "From Infinity's Expansion" is the musical equivalent of the long-take."  

It doesn't matter if the band doesn't exist because for hipsters the slim chance that said band exists would negate their ability to claim omniscience on all obscure bands and would be far more embarrassing and risky than just enthusiastically agreeing, even if they may be silently skeptical.

[EasTexAstro]

I'd stick to condescending faux-allusions like "The Squirrel Nuts keyboardist reminds me of the guy from the early Frog Metrics limited release before they signed an independent deal and focused their musical identity.  I felt as though his limitations as a keyboardist prohibited the bands transcendance from mid-aughts post-indie folk band to a timeless post-punk French New Wave lo-fi duo that they would eventually come.  The song "From Infinity's Expansion" is the musical equivalent of the long-take."  

It doesn't matter if the band doesn't exist because hipsters the slim chance that said band exists would negate their ability to claim omniscience on all obscure bands and would be far more embarrassing and risky than just enthusiastically agreeing, even if they may be silently skeptical.

Damn. Good stuff. I didn't understand a word.

[Ron Brand]

Buddy's the Sun, Eric is Jupiter, B.B. is Saturn, and Jimmy is Pluto.

And Buzzo is Uranus.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'd stick to condescending faux-allusions like "The Squirrel Nuts keyboardist reminds me of the guy from the early Frog Metrics limited release before they signed an independent deal and focused their musical identity.  I felt as though his limitations as a keyboardist prohibited the bands transcendance from mid-aughts post-indie folk band to a timeless post-punk French New Wave lo-fi duo that they would eventually come.  The song "From Infinity's Expansion" is the musical equivalent of the long-take." 

*ferociously googling "Frog Metrics"*

[EasTexAstro]

I'm going to blame the medication here...but the Squirrel Nut Zippers?

Damn...googled. They exist. Wow.

ETA: Not bad!

[hostros7]

I didn't understand a word.

Precisely.  You have to cater to their deep insecurity and profound need to feel intellectually superior.  It creates a beautiful detante of meaningless musical banter.

[Ebby Calvin]

Precisely.  You have to cater to their deep insecurity and profound need to feel intellectually superior.  It creates a beautiful detante of meaningless musical banter.

Now you're just making fun of me.

[EasTexAstro]

Now you're just making fun of me.

Hayseed Dixie.

[EasTexAstro]

A little Snoop Dogg.

I'm getting into this....

[hostros7]

Now you're just making fun of me.

I promise I'm not.  We shared a Sunset Rubdown moment back there (nttawwt?).  If anything, it just stemmed from my own insecurity from not knowing Frightened Rabbit.  But, now, thanks to wikipedia, I can now make comments like, "I think Frightened Rabbit made significant strides on The Winter of Mixed Drinks, but I still prefer the entire body of work from Sing the Greys.  I know it sounds contrived, but I just had a more intimate listening experience from the debut album. Perhaps the local record label release platform allowed for a more personal, relaxed, direct connection with the listener, but I hate to surmise."  Thanks for saving me from potential embarrassment/loss of street cred at Poison Girl.

[Ebby Calvin]

I promise I'm not. 

I know.  I was making a really funny joke about insecurity and taking what you said personally and, well, I'm not funny.

[EasTexAstro]

I know.  I was making a really funny joke about insecurity and taking what you said personally and, well, I'm not funny.

I'm still lost in this thread, aren't I?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm still lost in this thread, aren't I?

THE DREAM IS COLLAPSING!




BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMM!

[chuck]

I promise I'm not.  We shared a Sunset Rubdown moment back there (nttawwt?).  If anything, it just stemmed from my own insecurity from not knowing Frightened Rabbit.  But, now, thanks to wikipedia, I can now make comments like, "I think Frightened Rabbit made significant strides on The Winter of Mixed Drinks, but I still prefer the entire body of work from Sing the Greys.  I know it sounds contrived, but I just had a more intimate listening experience from the debut album. Perhaps the local record label release platform allowed for a more personal, relaxed, direct connection with the listener, but I hate to surmise."  Thanks for saving me from potential embarrassment/loss of street cred at Poison Girl.

NOW YOU'RE TALKING! I swear, as the second most condescending person on this board I was planning to give you guys some lessons by saying, Look, you need to play down The Winter of Mixed Drinks in favor of their older stuff which all the REAL fans know is better. But fuck me, you beat me to it! Nice work!

[chuck]

were you familiar with the..ahem.."band's" work?

Not previously, no, but in the end there was an encore involved.

[austro]

Not previously, no, but in the end there was an encore in the end involved.

FIFY.

[Ebby Calvin]

Hayseed Dixie.

One more thing, ETA.  I watched this atrocity last night once I was firewall-free and it was the most painful thing I've ever seen/heard in my life.  And I immediately forwarded the link to all of my friends.  So...thanks?

[EasTexAstro]

One more thing, ETA.  I watched this atrocity last night once I was firewall-free and it was the most painful thing I've ever seen/heard in my life.  And I immediately forwarded the link to all of my friends.  So...thanks?

Never doubt my musical obnoxiousness....

You're welcome.

[Guinness]

Anybody here like Nektar?  I only have Remember the Future, and am curious if anyone is a fan...would love to hear some more of their stuff, but not sure what to get.

[Astroholic]

I'm still lost in this thread, aren't I?

Just wait until they start talking about beer.

[VirtualBob]

Just wait until they start talking about beer.

What?  Did someone say beer??

It is Friday ... time to break out the Shiner Oktoberfest.

[Astroholic]

What?  Did someone say beer??

It is Friday ... time to break out the Shiner Oktoberfest.

Saint Arnolds Oktoberfest and I am in!

[austro]

Just wait until they start talking about beer.

Just wait until they start talking about music after drinking beer.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just wait until they start talking about music after drinking beer.

Or start dancing about architecture.

[Andyzipp]

Or start dancing about architecture.

Or wearing hats into restaurants.

[JaneDoe]

Or wearing hats into restaurants.

God forbid the waitress should sit down....

[Ebby Calvin]

Just wait until they start talking about music after drinking beer.

Wait...people post in this thread sober?!?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

"The critic lives at second hand. He writes about. The poem, the novel, or the play must be given to him; criticism exists by the grace of other men's genius. When he looks back, the critic sees a eunuch's shadow. Who would be a critic if he could be a writer? Who would hammer out the subtlest insight into Dostoevsky if he could weld an inch of the Karamazovs, or argue the poise of Lawrence if he could shape the free gust of life in The Rainbow?" - George Steiner

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture; it’s a really stupid thing to want to do." - Elvis Costello

[chuck]

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture; it’s a really stupid thing to want to do." - Elvis Costello

You know, the funny thing is, he writes very engagingly about music.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

"Rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, in order to provide articles for people who can't read." - Frank Zappa

"A composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules, often with the assistance of unsuspecting musicians." - Frank Zappa

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

You know, the funny thing is, he writes very engagingly about music.

Yeah, he does. There was that time when he just said shit to piss people off.

[HudsonHawk]

Listening to XM 40 exposes you to lots of cool shit.  So there I was, driving down the road in the Jeep with the top off, enjoying this beautiful weather, when what comes on; the new album by...wait for it...Tom Jones.  Praise & Blame, very stripped down, raw Delta blues/gospel covers.  His version of the John Lee Hooker tune "Burning Hell" fuckin' rocks.

[chuck]

ATTENTION ALL HOUSTON MUSIC FANS WHO ARE NOT IDIOTS:

Os Mutantes plays TONIGHT at Fitzgerald's. If you have the ability to go to this show and do not go you are an idiot. Os Mutatntes is without a doubt among the greatest bands of the last 40 years, and they have been playing for 40 years. Sergio Dias is the Brian Wilson and John Lennon of Brasilian Tropicalia. I cannot overstate how great a musician he is and what a privilege it is to see him at all, much less in a tiny spot like Fitzgerald's.

[Gizzmonic]

OH shit, Thank you chuck for the heads-up.  My local venue's website doesn't even mention Os Mutantes on their schedule, just Ariel Pink.

[Gizzmonic]

Well, shit, no mention on Mutantes' website either.  Maybe they're taking that night off.

[Ron Brand]

Here's a little head start on 2011 - Pulp are reuniting for some shows in summer 2011.

A refresher, the closer from Glastonbury 1995.

[Ebby Calvin]

Been kinda out of the loop lately.

Thieving Irons - This Midnight Hum
Good rock, with all of the necessary indie soundscapes - bad "I don't give a shit" voice, organs, chunky acoustic strumming, ethereal overtones, not edgy, not boring.
You've heard it before, but it is good.

[Ebby Calvin]

Los Lobos Tiny Desk Concert on NPR.

Good 3-song set.

[Limey]

Milk Kan's latest single / vid - "Junkshop".

A Columbian collaboration of brass and big beats and Milk Kan's distinctive folk-hop infused story telling entreat us to enter the Junkshop.

[chuck]

A Columbian collaboration of brass and big beats and Milk Kan's distinctive folk-hop infused story telling entreat us to enter the Junkshop.

CO-LOM-BIA => CO-LOM-BIAN

Se lo agradezco mucho.

[Limey]

CO-LOM-BIA => CO-LOM-BIAN

Se lo agradezco mucho.

(sic)

[drew corleone]

So my computer's USB ports decided to stop working a month or so ago and since I couldn't update my iPod I fell off the music wagon. This week I said F it, and just went old school, burning CDs.

Stuff I'm listening to now:

Old 97s - My favorite band of all time, and I think the new Grand Theater is about 10x better than the piece of garbage they put out a few years ago. Still not their best work, but I'd say about half of the tracks actually do feel like a 97s record.

NERD - Only through a few listens... not really feeling it so far.

Cee-Lo Green - Has kind of an Outkast feel... more upbeat and light than his Gnarls Barkley material. I'm really enjoying this one. He actually covers a Band of Horses song, and I started laughing when I caught on to it.

Kid Cudi - I burned this in reverse order, and I'm hoping the beginning of the album is better than the end, because I didn't really much in the second half of it that I liked. It has 17 tracks, and I just got tired of it before I completed my first listen-through. I'll get back to it this weekend, but my initial impression is I liked Man on the Moon Vol 1 much better.

Also, finally got around to getting Mumford and Sons, but I'm just now listening to it.

[Ron Brand]

Today's playlist:

Bob & Ray
Kiss Alive II
Gary Numan
David Bowie Serious Moonlight rehearsals with SRV
Stooges Fun House
Barbecue Bob Chocolate to the Bone

Can't even sniff the 90s from there, let alone 2010.

[Ebby Calvin]

Great new Iron & Wine single streaming at his MySpace page.  Looking forward to his LP early next year.

[Ty in Tampa]

I have (or will have) 2 tickets to the Avett Brothers show in Houston on 4/14/11...

Thanks, y'all!

[drew corleone]

FYI... Amazon has a great sale going on right now with a ton of $5 albums from last year... a lot of good stuff, much of which has been discussed in this thread.

http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=2577697011&ref_=pe_130840_18246060

[hostros7]

FYI... Amazon has a great sale going on right now with a ton of $5 albums from last year... a lot of good stuff, much of which has been discussed in this thread.

http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=2577697011&ref_=pe_130840_18246060

Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer to buy an actual CD and then upload it to iTunes.

[Limey]

Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer to buy an actual CD and then upload it to iTunes.

You're old fashioned!

I used to prefer the hard copy, but a period of having to move 4 times in the space of a year taught me the value of having all one's media on a hard drive, instead of in boxes and boxes of CDs and DVDs.  Just make sure to back that shit up...

[drew corleone]

Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer to buy an actual CD and then upload it to iTunes. Get off my lawn!

FIFY

Seriously, though, the last CD I bought was from a local rapper that happened upon my tailgate in September. The last one before that was at a SXSW show in 2009. I much prefer the digital purchase.

[Ebby Calvin]

The last CD I bought was in 1998.  Can't remember what it was.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The last CD I bought was in 1998.  Can't remember what it was.

There's no need to be coy about liking Third Eye Blind.

[Limey]

There's no need to be coy about liking Third Eye Blind.

Doo doo doo.  Doo d' du doo.

(Fuck You - you put it in my head so I'm putting it in yours)

[Ebby Calvin]

Also, FWIW, I've finished my Best of 2010 list.  PM me if you want to see it.  I know the bands on it have been eagerly awaiting it.

And yes, Third Eye Blind is STILL #1.  I just can't move them.

[Ty in Tampa]

Also, FWIW, I've finished my Best of 2010 list.  PM me if you want to see it.

Why don't you post it here? Do you not want to accuse any of the bands of using PEDs by leaving them off your list?

[Ebby Calvin]

Why don't you post it here? Do you not want to accuse any of the bands of using PEDs by leaving them off your list?

I didn't want to indict any of the bands with my favor.  I also didn't want to presume that a bunch of people want to see it.  But twist my arm....

2010 Music List

Top 20 Albums of the Year (Favorite Songs in Parentheses)

1.  The National – High Violet (Afraid of Everyone, England, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16)
2.  Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks (Swim Until You Can’t…, The Wrestle, Footshooter)
3.  Arcade Fire – The Suburbs (The Suburbs, We Used to Wait)
4.  Titus Andronicus – The Monitor (A More Perfect Union, A Song to Friends Old and New)
5.  Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (Little Lion Man, Winter Winds)
6.  Junip – Fields (In Every Direction, Without You)
7.  Yeasayer – Odd Blood (Ambling Alp)
8.  The Hold Steady – Heaven is Whenever (Hurricane J, Heaven is Whenever, A Slight Discomfort)
9.  The Roots – How I Got Over (How I Got Over, The Fire, Walk Alone)
10.  The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt/Sometimes the Blues… EP (The Dreamer, King of Spain)
11.  Jonsi – Go (Animal Arithmetic, Boy Lilikoi)
12.  Beach House – Teen Dream (Silver Soul, Norway)
13.  The Walkmen – Lisbon (Angela Surf City, Blue As Your Blood)
14.  Spoon – Transference (Written in Reverse, The Mystery Zone)
15.  Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record (Texico Bitches)
16.  Matt Pond PA – The Dark Leaves (Specks, Remains)
17.  Wolf Parade – Expo ’86 (In The Direction of the Moon, Pobody’s Nerfect)
18.  Ryan Bingham – Junky Star (Depression, Halleluiah)
19.  Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard (The Orchard, Boy)
20.  Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest (Desire Lines, Helicopter)

Honorable Mention

Vampire Weekend - Contra
Minus the Bear – OMNI
Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening
How to Dress Well – Love Remains
Sun Kil Moon – Admiral Fell Promises
Moondoggies – Tidelands
Thieving Irons – The Midnight Hum
Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
Future Islands – In Evening Air
First Aid Kit – The Big Black and the Blue
Kanye West –  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Menomena – Mines
Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
Sufjan Stevens – Age of Adz
Black Keys – Brother
Julieta Venegas – Otra Cosa

Top 5 Songs of the Year

1.  Joanna Newsom – Good Intentions Paving Company
2.  The Tallest Man on Earth – The Dreamer
3.  Menomena  – TAOS
4.  The National – England
5.  Arcade Fire – We Used to Wait

Disappointing Albums

Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
Midlake – The Courage of Others

[drew corleone]

I was wondering if we should do a "Best Of..."

This is my most recent updated list I did on Shaggybevo.

Favorite Albums

1. Black Keys, Brothers
2. Cee-Lo Green, The Lady Killer
3. Dr. Dog, Shame Shame
4. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
5. She & Him, Volume Two
6. Delta Spirit, History From Below
7. The Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt
8. Best Coast, Crazy for You
9. Surfer Blood, Astro Coast
10. Old 97s, The Grand Theater Vol 1

HM: Future Islands, Broken Bells, Matt Pond PA, Harlem, Two Door Cinema Club, Belle & Sebastian

Favorite Songs (I limited to one per artist):

Black Keys: Unknown Brother
Delta Spirit: Ballad of Vitaly
Dr. Dog: Shadow People
Old 97s: A State of Texas
She & Him: Home
The Tallest Man on Earth: Troubles Will Be Gone
Arcade Fire: Sprawl II
Frightened Rabbit: The Loneliness and the Scream
Harlem: Faces
Jonsi: Animal Arithmetic
Morning Benders: Excuses
Of Montreal: Enemy Gene
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Critical Drain
Surfer Blood: Floating Vibes
Sleigh Bells: Rill Rill
Matt Pond PA: Specks
Best Coast: Boyfriend
Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside
Bun B: Trillionaire
Cee-Lo Green: Love Gun
Galactic: Cinemaramascope
Kid Cudi: Revofev
LCD Soundsystem: Dance Yourself Clean
Kanye West: Power
Future Islands: Tin Man

[chuck]

We're fixin to end up with our very own Pazz and Jop poll.

[Ron Brand]

No love for The High Dials or School of Seven Bells?

[Ebby Calvin]

School of Seven Bells?

Dammit, I always forget one or two on these things....

[drew corleone]

Not familiar with The High Dials. I liked School of Seven Bells.

[Ron Brand]

Not familiar with The High Dials. I liked School of Seven Bells.

I loved The Secret Machines' Ten Silver Drops, and School of Seven Bells is sort of a skewed continuation of some of that with Ben Curtis' music. The High Dials are chiming, jangly guitars and nice harmonies, not quite power pop but edgier than Britpop.

[Lurch]

Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer to buy an actual CD and then upload it to iTunes.

I still do.  I can by used CDs for less via Amazon and burning/storing them isnt that big of a hassle.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Ebby and Drew, I've been listening to your 2010 song picks. I'm so out of touch with indie rock so I really appreciate you guys making these lists. All the songs are very pleasing to the ears but almost all lack power chords and histrionics. This lack of pretense is in itself a bit pretentious.

[Ebby Calvin]

This lack of pretense is in itself a bit pretentious.

Thank you.

And thanks for the Avi Buffalo rec earlier this year.  I'm really looking forward to what they can do on their next album.

Power chords and histrionics.

[Taras Bulba]

As some/all of you know, I have some issues with technology.  Can someone PM me for problems in loading playlists from computer to ipod thingy?  Specifically, not all of the songs on the playlists are showing up on the stupid ipod contraption that those smug bastards in Palo Alto in their smart eyewear and fucking hybrids are coming up with.

[hostros7]

If a free taste of some of this music interests you, I offer the following:

http://musicisart.ws/best-songs-of-2010-mixtape/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+musicisartws+%28musicisart%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

There is a downloadable zip that can be uploaded to Itunes.