2012 Music Thread

[Ron Brand]

Any of you NYC types, be on the lookout. This sounds great.

JG Thirlwell will appear at a concert at a performance recreating Brian Eno's seminal album "Here Come The Warm Jets" at Joe's Pub in NYC on Jan 8, 2012. The album will be lovingly performed by such luminaries as Joan Wasser (Joan as Policewoman) and Jim Sclavunos (Bad Seeds, Grinderman) with support from Vernon Reid (Living Color) and Travis Morrison (The Dismemberment Plan),Sohrab Habibion (Obits), Paul Duncan (Warm Ghost) and many more TBA. The already sold-out evening will be hosted by John Schaeffer from WNYC. The evening is produced by Rob Christiansen, who transcribed the album and will also perform. JGT will provide a small electronic link at the end of the song Dead Finks Don't Talk.

[Ebby Calvin]

Got a few to start the year off.

Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur
I guess it's kinda country, but I'd say it's more folky than anything else.  Also, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is her boyfriend/producer, so I guess it's kinda serious.  She has a beautiful voice.

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Produced by Aaron Dessner from The National, features the guy from Beirut on one song and the girl from Wye Oak on another.   It's a dark, broody album and really, really good if you're in the right mood.

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar
Swedish sister folk duo.  The title track is outstanding, but the rest just blends together.  Some great harmonies, but nothing else stood out to me.  Much like their first album.

Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
Seemed like paint-by-numbers indie music, but I've only heard it a time or two.

[HudsonHawk]

Van Halen has a new record coming out in a couple of weeks.

[hostros7]

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Produced by Aaron Dessner from The National, features the guy from Beirut on one song and the girl from Wye Oak on another.   It's a dark, broody album and really, really good if you're in the right mood.

Thanks for reminding me of Van Etten.  I've enjoyed a few of her tracks, but haven't checked out the full body of her work.  If you enjoy Van Etten and the female lead singer/songwriter in general, Sarah Jaffe might be of interest. 

[Ty in Tampa]

Van Halen has a new old record coming out in a couple of weeks.

[HudsonHawk]

Good thing Sammy doesn't have an axe to grind or anything.

[NeilT]

Went to see the Civil Wars at the Wortham Friday, and they had a terrific opening act, the Staves.  It was like seeing the Roches 30 years ago.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Went to see the Civil Wars at the Wortham Friday, and they had a terrific opening act, the Staves.  It was like seeing the Roches 30 years ago.

Y'all were there too?  Great show.  I feel like the Civil Wars could've played unamplified in that theater.

[Bench]

Y'all were there too?  Great show.  I feel like the Civil Wars could've played unamplified in that theater.

Couldn't make it at the last minute, but I'm glad it was a good show.  The HP raved about the Staves.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Couldn't make it at the last minute, but I'm glad it was a good show.  The HP raved about the Staves.

Brubaker just has a crush on all three of them.

[NeilT]

Brubaker just has a crush on all three of them.

NTTAWWT.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm really enjoying the sometimes Alejandro Escovedo collaborator and perpetually underrated, Chuck Prophet's new album - Temple Beautiful - It's a bit of a San Francisco centric album, not quite a concept but more about his roots and influences living in SF  30-35 years ago. Pretty fucking good album, favorite cuts so far, Museum of Broken Harts, Who Shot John, Willie Mays Is Up at Bat, and the title cut.

Also for Beatle fans or Roberta Flack fans, she has a new album covering some Beatles' classics. Some are pretty well done, some not, at 72 she still has an amazing voice.

[austro]

Also for Beatle fans or Roberta Flack fans, she has a new album covering some Beatles' classics. Some are pretty well done, some not, at 72 she still has an amazing voice.

I noticed her birthday this week, and I was surprised that it was her 72nd. That was immediately followed by another thought: "Crap, how old am *I* getting?" Graham Nash turned 70 last week, too.

[strosrays]

I'm really enjoying the sometimes Alejandro Escovedo collaborator and perpetually underrated, Chuck Prophet's new album - Temple Beautiful - It's a bit of a San Francisco centric album, not quite a concept but more about his roots and influences living in SF  30-35 years ago. Pretty fucking good album, favorite cuts so far, Museum of Broken Harts, Who Shot John, Willie Mays Is Up at Bat, and the title cut.

Also for Beatle fans or Roberta Flack fans, she has a new album covering some Beatles' classics. Some are pretty well done, some not, at 72 she still has an amazing voice.

Love Chuck Prophet since Green On Red.  Thanks for the heads up on the new album.

[Ebby Calvin]

Check out Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and The Roots play "Perth" on Fallon (web exclusive).

Spoiler Alert: Auto-tune throughout and an epic jam at the end. 
Worth watching if you have an interest in either band.  Or, you know, good music.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm really enjoying the sometimes Alejandro Escovedo collaborator and perpetually underrated, Chuck Prophet's new album - Temple Beautiful - It's a bit of a San Francisco centric album, not quite a concept but more about his roots and influences living in SF  30-35 years ago. Pretty fucking good album, favorite cuts so far, Museum of Broken Harts, Who Shot John, Willie Mays Is Up at Bat, and the title cut.

I really like this, Sphinx.  Thanks!

[drew corleone]

The new Dr. dog and Ben Kweller are both solid.

[Ron Brand]

Good lord. Anybody heard of Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra? I hadn't, until I heard this track on Sirius this week. From their latest release, MTO Plays Sly, check this out...Stand!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

It's an odd commercial tie-in, but the Converse-sponsored collaboration between Gorillaz, James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) and Andre 3000 is a lot of fun.  Reminds me of an electro remix of Bombs over Baghdad.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Good lord. Anybody heard of Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra? I hadn't, until I heard this track on Sirius this week. From their latest release, MTO Plays Sly, check this out...Stand!

That was good. If you had said it featured Bernie Worrell and Vernon Reid and Bill Laswell remixed it, i probably would have listed when I first saw this post the other day.

[Ron Brand]

That was good. If you had said it featured Bernie Worrell and Vernon Reid and Bill Laswell remixed it, i probably would have listed when I first saw this post the other day.

I was hoping that someone would discover that and remark on it. Thanks, Sphinx!

[Ebby Calvin]

It's an odd commercial tie-in, but the Converse-sponsored collaboration between Gorillaz, James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) and Andre 3000 is a lot of fun.  Reminds me of an electro remix of Bombs over Baghdad.

13-minute version.

[Guinness]

Thought some fellow music geeks might get a kick out of this (stolen from a music forum):

“C, E-flat, and G go into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat.

F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, "Excuse me; I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight."

E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "You're looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.”

[EasTexAstro]

Thought some fellow music geeks might get a kick out of this (stolen from a music forum):

“C, E-flat, and G go into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat.

F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, "Excuse me; I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight."

E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "You're looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.”

I rarely get anything out of these music threads as my tastes and interests are far less refined than most people postin here, but this was fantastic.

[Ebby Calvin]

Current rotation:

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP
He's the guitarist/vocalist/pianist/songwriter from Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles, and one of my favorite artists going right now.  This is his first solo EP and honestly the first thing that's captivated me this year.  Only five songs, but definitely worth a listen if you like his other bands.  Truly amazing guitarist.

Andrew Bird - Break it Yourself
Another personal favorite, this album is good but not his best.  Favorite tracks are "Near Death Experience Experience" and "Orpheus Looks Back."

White Rabbits - Milk Famous
They're kinda breaking out right now.  Their last album (It's Frightening) was produced by Spoon's Britt Daniels, and this one picks up where they left off.  Really good indie rock.

The Shins - Port of Morrow
First listen was pretty good.  It's just Mercer now (all other bandmates are replacements).

Jay Farrar, Jim James, etc - New Multitudes
Woody Guthrie tribute from ex-Uncle Tupelo, current (?) Son Volt singer Jay Farrar, My Morning Jacket's Jim James and a couple other guys I didn't bother to look up.  If you like Farrar's voice (I don't mind it in small doses), you'll like this.

A few more that are decent:
Julia Holter - Ekstasis
Dr. Dog - Be the Void
Lambchop - Mr. M

[Ty in Tampa]

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP

I'm really liking this, too.

[drew corleone]

Nice bump... I need to sort out all of my SXSW stuff... really liked the new Dr. Dog and Fanfarlo, though both were a little jarring at first. Still haven't heard the new Delta Spirit enough to have a strong opinion.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Nice bump... I need to sort out all of my SXSW stuff... really liked the new Dr. Dog and Fanfarlo, though both were a little jarring at first. Still haven't heard the new Delta Spirit enough to have a strong opinion.

I'm a fan of the Delta Spirit's new one, but it also doesn't quite grab me by the short and curlies.  Sorta like how I feel about most Spoon albums.

[Ebby Calvin]

Fanfarlo

Forgot they had a new one.  Worth getting?

[drew corleone]

Yeah, but it's quite a bit different from their debut. It took 3-4 listens to get used to it.

[Guinness]

Anyone getting the new Paul Weller?  I listened to some extracts from it and wasn't really impressed.  I'll probably get it and let it grow on me.

As an aside, I'm positive that John Cougar and Pat Benatar were nowhere near as popular as Sirius channels 8 and 25 would have you believe by the amount of spins they get.

[HudsonHawk]

Anyone getting the new Paul Weller?  I listened to some extracts from it and wasn't really impressed.  I'll probably get it and let it grow on me.

As an aside, I'm positive that John Cougar and Pat Benatar were nowhere near as popular as Sirius channels 8 and 25 would have you believe by the amount of spins they get.

You mean *the* Paul Weller...from The Jam?  The Modfather himself?  Frankly, I'm surprised he's still alive, let alone has a new record out.  Shows how out of touch I really am.  Perhaps I'll give it a spin.

[strosrays]

You mean *the* Paul Weller...from The Jam?  The Modfather himself?  Frankly, I'm surprised he's still alive, let alone has a new record out.  Shows how out of touch I really am.  Perhaps I'll give it a spin.

I liked his post-Jam stuff with The Style Council quite a lot.  But, hell, even that was 25 years ago.  I guess I haven't kept up, either.

As an aside, I'm positive that John Cougar and Pat Benatar were nowhere near as popular as Sirius channels 8 and 25 would have you believe by the amount of spins they get.

Well, JCM might have been, but I get your point.  For awhile Ch. 33 played The Smiths so much, you'd have thought they were as big as . . . Pat Benatar or JC Mellencamp.  I harbor a strong indifference toward that band, BTW.

I used to listen to 33 (First Wave?) once in awhile as a sort of guilty pleasure - Smiths aside, they've always played it dance-floor heavy, and  bit Eurocentric.  But one day I was listening and one of the DJs, a bloke named Richard Blade, I believe, for some reason was rattling off what were in his opinion the five greatest bands of all time.  And he promptly, blithely listed Depeche Mode.  Straight up.

I can't listen to that channel anymore.

[Guinness]

You mean *the* Paul Weller...from The Jam?  The Modfather himself?  Frankly, I'm surprised he's still alive, let alone has a new record out.  Shows how out of touch I really am.  Perhaps I'll give it a spin.

The very same.  He has a few solo records out;  Stanley Road is a fantastic album.
Lately I've been listening to Elvis Costello, the Jam, and Squeeze.  The 80s are gonna be awesome.

I harbor a strong indifference toward that band, BTW

I like the Smiths a lot, but in small doses.  I guess I feel a little stronger than indifferent.  I think Morrissey's pretty funny.

[HudsonHawk]

I liked his post-Jam stuff with The Style Council quite a lot.  But, hell, even that was 25 years ago.  I guess I haven't kept up, either.


Well, JCM might have been, but I get your point.  For awhile Ch. 33 played The Smiths so much, you'd have thought they were as big as . . . Pat Benatar or JC Mellencamp.  I harbor a strong indifference toward that band, BTW.

For the record, I really like some of Mellencamp's stuff. I think Human Wheels is a really good record, and Sweet Evening Breeze might be my favorite Mellencamp song.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

For the record, I like The Jam, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Style Council, The Smiths, even Depeche Mode, but I never cared much for JCM or Pat Benatar. JCM and Pat Benatar have their strengths and talents but they just never worked for me. I didn't think they were all that great when they were getting over exposed in the early 80s. I do think JCM has written a few really good songs and he seems like a caring dude who is tuned in to helping others.

[Ty in Tampa]

Paul Weller's first solo disc and the follow-up "Wild Wood" are two of my all-time favorites.

[Ron Brand]

You wanted Jandek, you got him. 4pm Sunday at Big Star Bar.

[chuck]

You wanted Jandek, you got him. 4pm Sunday at Big Star Bar.

I saw this elsewhere and became very excited. If it's an April Fool's prank someone is going to get their ass kicked.

[Ron Brand]

That funk footage in the story is remarkable. People dancing? Close to him? He SMILES?

[chuck]

That funk footage in the story is remarkable. People dancing? Close to him? He SMILES?

I know. It's like he was abducted by aliens at some point over the last five years, reprogrammed and returned. It's the first known case of an alien abduction resulting in someone's returning more normal than before.

[Ebby Calvin]

Punch Brothers cover The Cars' "Just What I Needed" on AV Undercover

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Punch Brothers cover The Cars' "Just What I Needed" on AV Undercover

I almost got whiplash clicking so fast.  I'm deathly afraid that one day Mrs. GBB will leave me for Chris Thile.

[Ebby Calvin]

I almost got whiplash clicking so fast.  I'm deathly afraid that one day Mrs. GBB will leave me for Chris Thile.

Well, he does look like Jude Law, and you look like, um, not-Jude Law.

[Ty in Tampa]

I almost got whiplash clicking so fast.  I'm deathly afraid that one day Mrs. GBB will leave me for Chris Thile.

We saw Punch Brothers in New Orleans last year's JazzFest. I thought my girlfriend was going to climb up on the stage.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Sharon Van Etten/Shearwater cover of Tom Petty's "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" was really good too (couple weeks ago).

[Ron Brand]

I saw this elsewhere and became very excited. If it's an April Fool's prank someone is going to get their ass kicked.

Did you go? How was the show?

[chuck]

Did you go? How was the show?

I went. It was three guys with keyboards and computers making a hell of a racket that one might have confused for experimental dance music and one guy who can't play the guitar playing the guitar. I left after half an hour or so. There's a video up on youtube if you dare.

Let's just say I'm more a fan of his acoustic work.

[drew corleone]

Of Monsters and Men, My Head is an Animal - debut album from this euro band... saw them at SXSW and have been listening to their 2011 EP a lot on a co-woker's recommendation... enjoying it a lot

[Ebby Calvin]

Of Monsters and Men, My Head is an Animal - debut album from this euro band... saw them at SXSW and have been listening to their 2011 EP a lot on a co-woker's recommendation... enjoying it a lot

Really liking this, drew.  Thanks.

[BizidyDizidy]

Of Monsters and Men, My Head is an Animal - debut album from this euro band... saw them at SXSW and have been listening to their 2011 EP a lot on a co-woker's recommendation... enjoying it a lot

To me, it sounds just like Mumford and Sons but with a female singer too. Not that that is a bad thing.

[drew corleone]

I don't think they're as formulaic as M&S.

Also checked out the new Great Lake Swimmers, new Wild Everywhere, and Justin Townes Earl, Nothing's Gonna Change. The former is pretty all over the pace (not necessarily in a bad way), and looong - 20 songs. I thought only Will Johnson wrote that much music anymore.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

It's a 2011 release, but I've been listening to Grouplove (Google at your own risk) a lot lately.  Perfect spring music.

[BatGirl]

we're enjoying the mastersons cd "birds fly south"
they're a husband and wife duo currently playing with steve earl's dukes and duchesses
saw them a few weeks ago at cactus and the mucky duck and they are outstanding

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth fame, has just released a solo album that pretty much kicks ass. Between Times And Tides is a guitar driven album that doesn't stray too far from his work with Sonic Youth. Nels Cline is one of the guest musicians. So is Jim O'Rourke. Xtina As I Knew Her.

[drew corleone]

Going to see Delta Spirit tomorrow. I've listened to the new album about 17 times this week. It just keeps getting better.

[Guinness]

For them what live up in South Dallas, Graham Parker is playing the DOSIE DOE COFFEE HOUSE in the Woodlands on May 18th.

Also watched the movie It Might Get Loud over the weekend.  Pretty entertaining.

[chuck]

I've been listening to Nada Surf's The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy a lot lately. It doesn't display much range and doesn't try to but it's tuneful and punchy and very good at what it is.

[Bench]

Tupac's new tour seems pretty ground-breaking. 

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Tupac's new tour seems pretty ground-breaking. 

The inevitable Elvis tour will be bigger.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I like the Dandy Warhols new album -This Machine, a whole lot.

Saw the Punch Brothers tonight at Antones, really good show, those guys are bad mother fuckers.

[NeilT]

We went to see Esparanza Spalding last night at House of Blues.  Incredible band, but the one thing that seemed mildly off was the guitarist.  He was good, but he played 70s funk jazz on a stratocaster when everything else was pretty acoustic.  I kept wanting a more traditional sound.

[drew corleone]

So had a few new ones in rotation lately:

Beach House, Bloom: Wasn't nearly as high on their last album, but this got me from the start. Just great songwriting. Right now it's the leader in the clubhouse for my favorite 2012 album.
Best Coast, The Only Place: I dig this chick's voice enough to get past some of the lo-fi monotony and the vapid lyrics. The title track is a perfect little summer song... catchiest pop song I've heard since Of Monsters and Men's "Little Talks."
Memoryhouse, The Slideshow Effect: I saw them compared to Beach House... maybe because of the "dream pop" label, but it seems forced to me. Love the lead chick's voice (yeah, where have you read that before?) and their easy, laid-back melodies.
Father John Misty, Fear Fun: I've heard a lot of people rave about this, and I like quite a few of the songs. But there are a few that I just don't like at all.

[Ebby Calvin]

Current rotation:

Trampled By Turtles - Stars and Satellites
Reminds me of Punch Brothers/Avett Brothers, with a heavy focus on straight bluegrass.  Really good stuff.  Been on repeat for me ever since I got it.

Sigur Ros - Valtari
Less epic, more serene, but every bit as good as their other stuff.  If you like them, you'll like this.

Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Thought their first one was ok, but this one is a big step forward.  Kind of a mix between Fucked Up and Hold Steady, but without the intentionally shitty vocals (I like those bands a lot, too)

Moonface - With Siinai, Heartbreaking Bravery
Spencer Krug teams with Swedish (?) shoegazers Siinai.  It's really good, and really out there.

Still listening to a lot of Daniel Rossen and Julia Holter, too.  Looking around for the new Tallest Man on Earth and any news relating to a new Frightened Rabbit, Phoenix or Grizzly Bear album.  I got the new Walkmen and Lumineers albums, but haven't made the time to listen.

[Bench]

I really like the Lumineers' album. 

[EasTexAstro]

I never have anything to contribute to the music threads, but Trampled by Turtles...I'm going to have to listen to a little more of them. Good stuff. Thanks.

[NeilT]

I'm going to see Gillian Welch tomorrow night at the opry house.  I really like that someone decided to use it for a low-key venue.  The chairs are comfortable.

[drew corleone]

That new Walkman album has done nothing for me. I just listened to The Lumineers for the first time and I can see that being in rotation for a while.

[drew corleone]

Looking around for the new Tallest Man on Earth and any news relating to a new Frightened Rabbit, Phoenix or Grizzly Bear album. 

From Paste earlier today: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/06/grizzly-bear-announces-new-album-album-title.html

[Ebby Calvin]

From Paste earlier today: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/06/grizzly-bear-announces-new-album-album-title.html

Praise you, drew.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Alejandro Escovedo's new album, Big Station, has him teaming up again with Chuck Prophet and Tony Visconti but this time with the best results so far. A really nice recording.

[drew corleone]

Praise you, drew.

Loved the timing. Finished SnS, went to check out Google Reader, realized I hadn't checked my Paste feed in a few days, and saw that was the 6th or so entry.

[chuck]

If you like Mexican-tinged garage rock/power pop bands from San Antonio (and let's face it, who doesn't?) you will be happy to know that Amazon is offering a Krayolas compilation free. Gratis.

http://tinyurl.com/d4d89gf

Slide THAT into your puffy taco.

[Ron Brand]

If you like Mexican-tinged garage rock/power pop bands from San Antonio (and let's face it, who doesn't?) you will be happy to know that Amazon is offering a Krayolas compilation free. Gratis.

http://tinyurl.com/d4d89gf

Slide THAT into your puffy taco.

Thank you!

[Ron Brand]

I really like the Japandroids and this new one is terrific.

[Ron Brand]

Mr. Quintron and Miss Pussycat at the Scottish Rite Theater June 16, if you're in the area. I may break out the fez.

[NeilT]

When we went to see Gillian Welch last night, there were 3 guys in the audience and one on stage with hats on.  I thought it was probably ok for the guy on stage, but for the other three I kept wishing HH were there. 

David Rawlings is one fine guitarist.

[Ebby Calvin]

When we went to see Gillian Welch last night, there were 3 guys in the audience and one on stage with hats on.  I thought it was probably ok for the guy on stage, but for the other three I kept wishing HH were there. 

David Rawlings is one fine guitarist.

Very jealous. Hope it was a great show.

[Ron Brand]

Just back from an impossibly great show by Mr. Quintron. He's on a big tour, supported by Dent May. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just back from an impossibly great show by Mr. Quintron. He's on a big tour, supported by Dent May. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I was wondering if you made it or not.

[das]

Current rotation:

Sigur Ros - Valtari
Less epic, more serene, but every bit as good as their other stuff.  If you like them, you'll like this.

Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Thought their first one was ok, but this one is a big step forward.  Kind of a mix between Fucked Up and Hold Steady, but without the intentionally shitty vocals (I like those bands a lot, too)

Awesome re: Sigur Ros.  I'll have to give it a listen.  I heard they are now touring again after a long hiatus.  I just can't get into Japandroids, for some reason.  Latest fav is Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe.  Good daytime and nighttime listening; perceived differently depending on mood and time of day.

<<edited to add>>
If you are thinking, "Santi-who?", think a mashup of Siouxie and the Banshees, Missing Persons and any number of afro-caribe street bands.

[drew corleone]

The new Tallest Man on Earth is good, but it starts to get repetitive after about 6-7 songs.

I never really got into Keane before, but their new album is solid, and I love the new Metric. Emily Haines just does it for me, even is she is Canadian. I was pretty disappointed in Rhett Miller's latest solo effort, though that is often the case (Old 97s are my all-time favorite band, but I tend to like only a handful of his solo songs per release). Finally, for those that enjoy the indie-with-a-twang stuff, River City Extension just released a new album. I saw them at SXSW and they put on an incredible live show (if you subscribe to Paste and watch their SXSW set video, look for the dbag in the backward Astros hat), and their albums do a pretty good job of capturing that.

Semi-related, God bless Spotify. It makes it so easy to find new music, and all for $10 a month.

[NeilT]

I'm a sucker for Fiona Apple, and am about three songs into her new cd, which sounds like her last cd, which in my book is impossibly good.

[hostros7]

I've been listening to Nada Surf's The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy a lot lately. It doesn't display much range and doesn't try to but it's tuneful and punchy and very good at what it is.

They are playing at Fitz in a couple weeks.  I may check it just because I haven't seen a live show in a bit, and it's a Saturday night. 

[chuck]

They are playing at Fitz in a couple weeks.  I may check it just because I haven't seen a live show in a bit, and it's a Saturday night. 

I'm still really into that record. If Doug Gillard is still playing with them I would consider it a must-see.

[hostros7]

I'm still really into that record. If Doug Gillard is still playing with them I would consider it a must-see.

I've enjoyed it as well and think it would translate into a highly enjoyable live set.  

This leads me to believe Doug Gillard is not playing though.  http://www.douggillard.com/

Doug Gillard on tour NOW w/Tommy Keene, Doug Gillard Electric, & Sally Crewe (& the Sudden Moves):

[chuck]

This leads me to believe Doug Gillard is not playing though.  http://www.douggillard.com/

I saw that, too, but I didn't get the impression that the site's kept up-to-the-minute.

[subnuclear]

I've been listening to Appetite for Destruction all week due to general cultural degeneration on my part. This should probably be listed in a 1987 music thread, but I don't want to read anything about Joshua Tree or INXS, so deal with it.

[chuck]

This should probably be listed in a 1987 music thread, but I don't want to read anything about Joshua Tree or INXS, so deal with it.

I want it in writing.

[Ron Brand]

Outside of Social D doing Prison Bound, 1987's highlight was this.

[Ebby Calvin]

I had an all-day business meeting last week, and this one unkempt dude dressed in black kept talking about things totally unrelated to the subject at hand (patents): touring with a band, producing artists, etc. I kept asking myself, who is this guy? Why is he in this meeting? How did he get here? How does he work this? Where is his large automobile?

Turns out I had been sitting next to a member of the Talking Heads all fucking day and didn't know it.

[Ron Brand]

I had an all-day business meeting last week, and this one unkempt dude dressed in black kept talking about things totally unrelated to the subject at hand (patents): touring with a band, producing artists, etc. I kept asking myself, who is this guy? Why is he in this meeting? How did he get here? How does he work this? Where is his large automobile?

Turns out I had been sitting next to a member of the Talking Heads all fucking day and didn't know it.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.

[austro]

Turns out I had been sitting next to a member of the Talking Heads all fucking day and didn't know it.

So what was he doing there?

[Ebby Calvin]

So what was he doing there?

Yeah.  Still not sure.

[Ron Brand]

So what was he doing there?

Not conversing about the Talking Heads, Modern Lovers, CBGBs or John Cale with Ebby, that's what. Probably wondering why no one seemed to know who he was.

Shit. SHIT.

[chuck]

Turns out I had been sitting next to a member of the Talking Heads all fucking day and didn't know it.

This is when you were in the Bay Area, yes? A friend of mine was a nanny for his kids oddly enough. I have another friend who was Art Garfunkel's kid's nanny.

Fifteen years ago when I was living n New York I was sitting in my office one day minding my own business and this weird dude walks in, a customer, and he started to complain about Verizon (our mutual enemy). He had a sort of pinched voice, very New York accent, a shock of gray hair, overweight, weird sort of bleached skin. He's saying, Yeah, these fuckers, they're fucking me on my phone shit and then I turn on the TV and they're playing my fucking song! What? I ask. Yeah, I'm in a band - Blondie - anyway these fuckers need to fix my phone shit.

I realized with a jolt that Chris Stein was standing in my office.

[Ebby Calvin]

Not conversing about the Talking Heads, Modern Lovers, CBGBs or John Cale with Ebby, that's what. Probably wondering why no one seemed to know who he was.

Shit. SHIT.

Hey - I was pissed when I found out, too.

Quick, there's this guy sitting next to me named Jerry.  He doesn't dress like he belongs in this boardroom, but we're in California so that may be normal.  Think he's famous?  Maybe a great musician?

[chuck]

CBGBs

I used to play there with some regularity. Now Biz goes to the block to eat $16 sausages.

[jbm]

Cool story.  

[Ron Brand]

Hey - I was pissed when I found out, too.

Quick, there's this guy sitting next to me named Jerry.  He doesn't dress like he belongs in this boardroom, but we're in California so that may be normal.  Think he's famous?  Maybe a great musician?

Dude. Ain't no way Jerry Harrison sneaks by me.

[Ron Brand]

This is when you were in the Bay Area, yes? A friend of mine was a nanny for his kids oddly enough. I have another friend who was Art Garfunkel's kid's nanny.

Fifteen years ago when I was living n New York I was sitting in my office one day minding my own business and this weird dude walks in, a customer, and he started to complain about Verizon (our mutual enemy). He had a sort of pinched voice, very New York accent, a shock of gray hair, overweight, weird sort of bleached skin. He's saying, Yeah, these fuckers, they're fucking me on my phone shit and then I turn on the TV and they're playing my fucking song! What? I ask. Yeah, I'm in a band - Blondie - anyway these fuckers need to fix my phone shit.

I realized with a jolt that Chris Stein was standing in my office.

Instead of moving to NYC in 1981, I got married. Death sentence either way.

[Ebby Calvin]

This is when you were in the Bay Area, yes? A friend of mine was a nanny for his kids oddly enough.

Yep.  He was a really cool guy, very friendly and clearly very smart, too.
And of course you know his nanny.  In my mind, you had drinks with Lou Reed late last night, brunch with David Byrne this morning and roasted a bowl with Donald Fagan a couple hours ago.

[Ron Brand]

So he has patents too?

[chuck]

Yep.  He was a really cool guy, very friendly and clearly very smart, too.
And of course you know his nanny.  In my mind, you had drinks with Lou Reed late last night, brunch with David Byrne this morning and roasted a bowl with Donald Fagan a couple hours ago.

When I lived in New York I'd encounter reasonably famous people pretty often. Famous musicians, anyway, since I have no idea about actors. Plus, my bands rehearsed in some places that famous and more importantly good musicians rehearsed, too. Since then not so much. I shared a plane to Panama with Carlos Lee a couple of years ago. Another time from Panama to Houston I sat next to Carlos Lee's Wharton-based cattle consultant. I saw Irving Saladino in Tocumen. Oh! Best of all I was on a plane from Ezeiza to Tocumen with Cafe Tacuba. That was great, actually. I got to pester them in the airport in Buenos Aires and then again in Tocumen. I was in a Cuban restaurant in Barranquilla a year ago and sat next to Pibe Valderrama. I just HAPPENED to recognize him.

I used to have a girlfriend in San Francisco and would go out there all the time. One day I was walking up Masonic through the Panhandle at Oak and Fell. I have no idea what I was doing over there because my girlfriend lived on McAllister at Baker and there's not a hell of a lot going on at Masonic and Fell. Anyway, a friend of mine got a call from Lexie the nanny. She told him, You know, I just had the strangest experience. I was driving along Masonic and I saw a guy walking down the street that looked JUST like Chuck.

[chuck]

Yep.  He was a really cool guy, very friendly and clearly very smart, too.
And of course you know his nanny.  In my mind, you had drinks with Lou Reed late last night, brunch with David Byrne this morning and roasted a bowl with Donald Fagan a couple hours ago.

By the way, Lou Reed doesn't drink and I don't smoke but I COULD do brunch with David Byrne as long as we both rode our bikes. I used to see him around a good bit, too. I was friendly with a band that was on his Luaka Bop label. He's about .85 Altuves.

[strosrays]

This is all so fucking weird. I was listening to Casual Gods for the first time in forever this past week, to hear the song "Rev It Up" again, which I really liked, the guitar part, anyway; which a friend had randomly reminded me of, in a bullshit throwaway conversation we were having about fucking nothing at all.

Then you guys start going to meetings with Jerry Harrison, and nannying his kids and shit.  Fucking weird.

[chuck]

They are playing at Fitz in a couple weeks.  I may check it just because I haven't seen a live show in a bit, and it's a Saturday night. 

And by the way I'm a recent convert. Like many people my first introduction to the band was their execrable song Popular, and like anyone with any sense I wrote them off entirely. Believe it or not they became clients of mine around the time Chris Stein was randomly showing up in my office. But I never lost hold of my initial revulsion.

I was browsing around on Amazon and saw the record I have recommended. Its title interested me and I listened and much to my surprise I've been hooked ever since.

My own new-found appreciation for the band was vindicated once I realized that they cover Love Goes On by the Go Betweens. I love that band, I particularly love the album that song's on (16 Lovers Lane), and Grant's songs have always been my favorites.

Studio version of the cover here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2TuK7eQE24

Excellent informal acoustic cover of the song here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30gkxY-4qMQ

Original version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq8ZH-Z59hQ

Poor Grant.

[Ebby Calvin]

Really enjoying Here We Go Magic - A Different Ship.  Produced by Nigel Godrich (longtime Radiohead collaborator).  Like it better than their previous two.

Just got the new Tallest Man on Earth, too.  Haven't listened yet, but if it's anywhere near as good as The Wild Hunt or his EP I'll be pleased.

Also in the queueueue:
Edward Sharpe
Hot Chip

Along with some Nada Surf and old GBV (thanks chuck)

[Bench]

The new Edward Sharpe is good but not as captivating as the first album.  Still an enjoyable listen, and I've had "That's What's Up" stuck in my head for the last couple of weeks.

[Ron Brand]

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby have launched a Kickstarter program to get their new album mastered and released. If you're interested, you can participate (or just watch the intro video) by going to wrecklesseric.com or their Kickstarter project page.

[chuck]

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby have launched a Kickstarter program to get their new album mastered and released. If you're interested, you can participate (or just watch the intro video) by going to wrecklesseric.com or their Kickstarter project page.

That reminds me, the dB's have reunited for a new record. I've heard a couple of songs and was seriously underwhelmed. If anyone's dug deeper and likes it please let me know.

[Ebby Calvin]

Really cool video for Kalle Mattson's song "Water Falls."  Love the ending.

Also, Patrick Watson - Adventures in Your Own Backyard is very, very good.

[Ebby Calvin]

So I got the new Dirty Projectors album, read all of the glowing reviews, even heard it at Anvil tonight - but I just can't seem to get into it.  I recognize that it's well-crafted music, but it's just not...enjoyable to me.  Anybody heard it that can tell me what I'm missing?

[chuck]

So I got the new Dirty Projectors album, read all of the glowing reviews, even heard it at Anvil tonight - but I just can't seem to get into it.  I recognize that it's well-crafted music, but it's just not...enjoyable to me.  Anybody heard it that can tell me what I'm missing?

I somehow ended up with a copy of Bitte Orca and did not get it at all so I doubt that I can help.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I have not heard the Dirty Projectors' new one but I did like Bitte Orca. I kinda got a thing for Angel Deradoorian though, and I understand she is not on the new album.

[Ebby Calvin]

Wilco kicked ass on Fallon last night, playing "Art of Almost" and "Laminated Cats" from Tweedy's Loose Fur side project.

[MRaup]

So I'm sure I'm late to the party, but I've been on a Warren Haynes kick for the last few days. Damn that guy is talented.

[Ebby Calvin]

So I'm sure I'm late to the party, but I've been on a Warren Haynes kick for the last few days. Damn that guy is talented.

If you're late to the party, I wasn't even invited. Never heard of him, but I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ty in Tampa]

One of (and I want to stress one of...I realize there are many) the best rock guitarists alive today.

[MRaup]

If you're late to the party, I wasn't even invited. Never heard of him, but I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2burpTQSDMA

A couple of my favorite musicians along with Warren.

Ridiculous.

[drew corleone]

So I got the new Dirty Projectors album, read all of the glowing reviews, even heard it at Anvil tonight - but I just can't seem to get into it.  I recognize that it's well-crafted music, but it's just not...enjoyable to me.  Anybody heard it that can tell me what I'm missing?

I just finally gave this a listen yesterday and I am right there with you. Not sure what resonates with others, because it did nothing for me.

[Ty in Tampa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2burpTQSDMA

A couple of my favorite musicians along with Warren.

Ridiculous.

That's probably the most subdued I've ever seen Derek.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm really enjoying Two Wounded Birds debut album, Two Wounded Birds. They're a young band from Margate England. They sound a little to me like I imagine the Beach Boys would have sounded if they were from Queens in the 70s, or maybe what the Ramones would have sounded like if they were from L.A. in the 60s, though occasionally more dreamy or atmospheric. Or if the Scientists were from Memphis in the 50s...

[Ebby Calvin]

Glen Hansard (Once, Swell Season), Lisa Hannigan & John Smith cover "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

[hostros7]

For the Spoon, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs fans among ye

http://www.pitchfork.com/news/47336-watch-spoonwolf-paradehandsome-furs-project-divine-fits-make-live-debut-in-austin/

[Guinness]

For the Spoon, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs fans among ye

http://www.pitchfork.com/news/47336-watch-spoonwolf-paradehandsome-furs-project-divine-fits-make-live-debut-in-austin/

Interesting to see that post, as today I bought my very first Spoon album, Transference, and it's a seriously kick ass album.  At least after 2 listens.
Also, rec'ed above, I picked up Nada Surf's The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy and that too is pretty damn kick ass.
Since my daughter just got married and I've been really busy at work, I've been in kind of a music void lately, so it was good to get some good leads in this thread (Nada Surf)and one at the Steve Hoffman forums (Spoon) so I think I'm out of the funk.  I'm also on a kind of 80s kick still, but who wouldn't be?

[Ebby Calvin]

For the Spoon, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs fans among ye

http://www.pitchfork.com/news/47336-watch-spoonwolf-paradehandsome-furs-project-divine-fits-make-live-debut-in-austin/

I can't wait for this album.  The first single is pretty great.

Interesting to see that post, as today I bought my very first Spoon album, Transference,

Gimme Fiction is also really, really good.

ETA: The Beast and Dragon, Adored song from Gimme Fiction

[Ebby Calvin]

Also, the new single from the St. Vincent/David Byrne collaboration is great.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Spotify added the Mastadon/Fiest split today.  There was much rejoicing.

[Ebby Calvin]

Sigur Ros plays two-hour set for Celebrate Brooklyn.  High quality, free stream/download at NPR All Songs Considered.

[hostros7]

Sigur Ros plays two-hour set for Celebrate Brooklyn.  High quality, free stream/download at NPR All Songs Considered.

Thanks for this.  I've enjoyed going back and listening to a lot of shows in the archives as well.

[Ron Brand]

Leaving in the morning when the sun is still cold and dark for Red Rocks. Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

[austro]

Leaving in the morning when the sun is still cold and dark for Red Rocks. Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

That will be fantastic. I'm jealous.

[Ron Brand]

Los Straitjackets are touring - August 30 in Houston, August 31 in Austin, September 1 in Dallas.

I have it on good authority that the big rumor is the True Believers will reunite to play a memorial for Brent Grulke sometime soon. Don't know where, don't know when, but it is being discussed. The line of groups wanting to participate is long and supposedly includes a reunited Wild Seeds. We'll see.

[chuck]

I have it on good authority that the big rumor is the True Believers will reunite to play a memorial for Brent Grulke sometime soon. Don't know where, don't know when, but it is being discussed. The line of groups wanting to participate is long and supposedly includes a reunited Wild Seeds. We'll see.

Ask them to wait until October.

[Ron Brand]

I have it on good authority that the big rumor is the True Believers will reunite to play a memorial for Brent Grulke sometime soon. Don't know where, don't know when, but it is being discussed. The line of groups wanting to participate is long and supposedly includes a reunited Wild Seeds. We'll see.

Grulkefest, September 8 at the Moody Theater in Austin. Doctors’ Mob, Fastball, Glass Eye, the Reivers, Sixteen Deluxe, True Believers, the Wannabes, Wild Seeds and more. Doctors’ Mob, Glass Eye, the Reivers, True Believers and Wild Seeds are all reuniting for the first time in several years specifically to play this show.

Tix on sale Monday at 5pm.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'll be in my bunk.

[Ebby Calvin]

For the Spoon, Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs fans among ye

http://www.pitchfork.com/news/47336-watch-spoonwolf-paradehandsome-furs-project-divine-fits-make-live-debut-in-austin/

Just got this album today.  Really liking it on my first listen.  It'll tide me over til the new Grizzly Bear comes out.

[Andyzipp]

Any word on the new Mumford & Sons album?

[geezerdonk]

Any word on the new Mumford & Sons album?

Mum.

[Ebby Calvin]

Any word on the new Mumford & Sons album?

'Babel' to be released on September 24th 2012.

That's all I've seen.  Also, banjos.

[Trey]

Just got this album today.  Really liking it on my first listen. 

Ditto

[drew corleone]

Any word on the new Mumford & Sons album?

It's going to have a lot of songs that start soft and slow and then get very fast-paced and loud toward the end.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

It's going to have a lot of songs that start soft and slow and then get very fast-paced and loud toward the end.

A buddy of mine describes a sort of PTSD when listening to M&S.  He's always anticipating/fearing the banjo explosion.

[NeilT]

Fiona Apple is in Houston September 21.  I have Astros tickets that night, so of course I'd never miss the Astros.  They're playing Pittsburgh, so it's a sure win.  For somebody.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fiona Apple is in Houston September 21.  I have Astros tickets that night, so of course I'd never miss the Astros.  They're playing Pittsburgh, so it's a sure win.  For somebody.

What they need is a good defense.

[Ty in Tampa]

What they need is a good defense.

Thanks...not.

[chuck]

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/08/worst_hipster_bands_all_time_c.php

[Ebby Calvin]

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/08/worst_hipster_bands_all_time_c.php

Several of my favorite bands in there.  Do I need to go buy skinny jeans or something?  Maybe wear a scarf around Houston?

[strosrays]

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/08/worst_hipster_bands_all_time_c.php

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

BTW, that is pretty much the entire playlist of non-blogger Sirius XMU 35.

I don't abjectly despise every artist on that list, but fully 90% of those bands deserve the negative reviews, and then some. It got lost along the way somehow, but the truth is pretentious poseur pussies don't generally make good rock 'n' roll. At all.

Whether they try to call it "indie" or "alternative" or whatever.

And it is fitting the most pretentious, vapid act of all of them grabbed the #1 slot.

[chuck]

And it is fitting the most pretentious, vapid act of all of them grabbed the #1 slot.

You know, I tried to like that motherfucker. I really did. And I tried some more.

It's the same with many of the other bands on the list. I tried. I couldn't. And now I know I'm not alone! I feel empowered! I am empowered to dislike Death Cab! I am empowered to shave off my beard and give my scarf to Goodwill. Wait, that's where I got it in the first place.

I'm going to go have a glass of carrot juice.

[Ebby Calvin]

It got lost along the way somehow, but the truth is pretentious poseur pussies don't generally make good rock 'n' roll. At all.

If it's too quiet, you're too old.

Seriously though, the majority of those bands aren't rock 'n' roll bands.  They're lumped into the "indie rock" genre because, independent label or not, it's too complicated to classify each and every new band.  You won't hear any screaming guitar solos from any of the acts in the article.  And if you're (not you, DS) judging the music by the way they dress or act, you're doomed to think their pretentious poseur pussy music is crap, too.

I have VERY little in common with any of these bands, but I do enjoy a lot of the music in that article.  And I don't enjoy their music because it makes me feel cool or it might get me laid.  I'm about as uncool as it comes, and I'm married, so I don't get laid.

And I write all of this while listening to the new Grizzly Bear album.

[chuck]

And I write all of this while listening to the new Grizzly Bear album.

About 80% of the reason I posted this was to tweak you, you know.

I'm going to be in LA in October and our boys Frightened Rabbit are playing at the Troubador but I go to buy tickets and it's sold out. Very unhappy making.

I guess instead I'll have to go to Largo and listen to a bearded, scarfed dude play a Casio keyboard and sing about his favorite set of Legos.

[Ebby Calvin]

About 80% of the reason I posted this was to tweak you, you know.

Oh I know.  Probably the same reason that was published in LA, of all places.

I guess instead I'll have to go to Largo and listen to a bearded, scarfed dude play a Casio keyboard and sing about his favorite set of Legos.

I liked his older albums better.

[austro]

"the Charles Manson of twee."

That's an inspired phrase.

[subnuclear]

I guess their list of 20 greatest musicians is a prank or made in a hurry right before they had to go to lunch.

[strosrays]

About 80% of the reason I posted this was to tweak you, you know.

I'm going to be in LA in October and our boys Frightened Rabbit are playing at the Troubador but I go to buy tickets and it's sold out. Very unhappy making.

I guess instead I'll have to go to Largo and listen to a bearded, scarfed dude play a Casio keyboard and sing about his favorite set of Legos.

Go see the Allah-Las, instead.

If it's too quiet, you're too old.

Seriously though, the majority of those bands aren't rock 'n' roll bands.  They're lumped into the "indie rock" genre because, independent label or not, it's too complicated to classify each and every new band.  You won't hear any screaming guitar solos from any of the acts in the article.  And if you're (not you, DS) judging the music by the way they dress or act, you're doomed to think their pretentious poseur pussy music is crap, too.

I'll admit to an overall bias against navel-gazing. I mean, a little bit is okay, but then you've got to put it away, and go kick out the jams.  Everybody knows that.

Like chuck, I tried to like BI. I read about them here, saw swooning posts about their latest LP or performance ... I really tried. But it did nothing for me. Beyond that, the more I listened, the more I found it irritating. The bit in the Top 20 article about every other generation but this one raising hell and having fun with the music instead of taking it so morose and seriuously is pertinent, I think.

Or, to put it another way, the one thing I remember about Towlie, beyond her monumental uninformed-ness, was that her avatar was a picture of Thom Yorke, I believe. And remember, the funniest thing about her was she came in here trying to save us all from something we all had long ago found out about and dealt with.

By way of disclosure, the bands on the list I would've excused are the Black Keys and TV On The Radio (and maybe Arcade Fire, a little.)

None of this is/was personal against you. The one subject I am overly opinionated about is semi-popular music, I guess.

[Ebby Calvin]

None of this is/was personal against you. The one subject I am overly opinionated about is semi-popular music, I guess.

I know that, and there was nothing personal intended in my response.  We share strong opinions on semi-popular music, even if our preferences differ.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Quite a range of music in that there list. I only care for 5 of the 20 though.

[austro]

Quite a range of music in that there list. I only care for 5 of the 20 though.

I was happy (or maybe not) to *recognize* five names.

ETA: And I'm glad to learn that I'm not the only person who listens to BI and asks "what's the big deal?".

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I find nothing either offensive or captivating about BI. It's pretty music played and sung well but the melodies and tempos don't hold my interest. It would likely pain them to add a backbeat and inject some humor.

[NeilT]

I like the black keys, think thevdecembrists brilliant, think that arcade fire did one of the best austin city limits sets ever, and see nothing but good things in Justin Vernon. I'm so old.

[strosrays]

I like the black keys, think thevdecembrists brilliant, think that arcade fire did one of the best austin city limits sets ever, and see nothing but good things in Justin Vernon. I'm so old.

Other way around.

You're young if you get into that sensitive stuff, wax dramatic over Bon Iver on Letterman, get choked up thinking about the new Grizzly Bear release, etc.

You're old if, after awhile, you just want to go lay in the middle of the living room floor with a giant Pioneer speaker on each side of your head and, you know, crank it up.

[NeilT]

Other way around.

You're young if you get into that sensitive stuff, wax dramatic over Bon Iver on Letterman, get choked up thinking about the new Grizzly Bear release, etc.

You're old if, after awhile, you just want to go lay in the middle of the living room floor with a giant Pioneer speaker on each side of your head and, you know, crank it up.

Maybe it's the same part of me that liked cat Stevens 40 years ago.

[HudsonHawk]

I listened to ZZ Top's Tres Hombres on the drive back from the ranch today.  As loud as the speakers in my old pick up would go.  I suppose that's decidedly unhip, but it's still one of my favorite Texas driving records.

[Ebby Calvin]

You're young if you get into that sensitive stuff, wax dramatic over Bon Iver on Letterman, get choked up thinking about the new Grizzly Bear release, etc.

It's a constant effort to expand my musical boundaries.  I'm always looking for more.  I still go back to my classics, yet I know there are plenty of gaps for me to fill from the 50s onward.  But I refuse to listen to the radio, and the local live scene doesn't cut it for me because I'm too busy.  So, rather than revisiting stuff I've heard hundreds of times, I grab whatever's new.

Bon Iver and Grizzly Bear and Beirut and The National and Phoenix and Radiohead and Real Estate and Spoon and Sigur Ros and The Decemberists and Spencer Krug's bands are among the few current acts worth putting any amount of time into, in my opinion.  I try to look for earnest, well-crafted music, regardless of genre or how hard they rock.  It just so happens that there are NO bands out there that make me want to sit in the middle of the room and crank it up to 11.  Nobody makes that kind of music anymore (at least well).  If I want to rock out, I turn to something I've already heard.  But if I want to listen to something I've never heard before, the bands I listed above (and their ilk) rarely do me wrong.

But yeah, the new Grizzly Bear is awesome.  Does this rock?  I know I turn it up as loud as I can.

[NeilT]

I listened to ZZ Top's Tres Hombres on the drive back from the ranch today.  As loud as the speakers in my old pick up would go.  I suppose that's decidedly unhip, but it's still one of my favorite Texas driving records.

Lagrange came out my senior year in high school.  I finally saw zztop this year at the rodeo. Fuck David Bowie, there's never been a more stylish band.

[NeilT]

It's a constant effort to expand my musical boundaries.  I'm always looking for more.  I still go back to my classics, yet I know there are plenty of gaps for me to fill from the 50s onward.  But I refuse to listen to the radio, and the local live scene doesn't cut it for me because I'm too busy.  So, rather than revisiting stuff I've heard hundreds of times, I grab whatever's new.

Bon Iver and Grizzly Bear and Beirut and The National and Phoenix and Radiohead and Real Estate and Spoon and Sigur Ros and The Decemberists and Spencer Krug's bands are among the few current acts worth putting any amount of time into, in my opinion.  I try to look for earnest, well-crafted music, regardless of genre or how hard they rock.  It just so happens that there are NO bands out there that make me want to sit in the middle of the room and crank it up to 11.  Nobody makes that kind of music anymore (at least well).  If I want to rock out, I turn to something I've already heard.  But if I want to listen to something I've never heard before, the bands I listed above (and their ilk) rarely do me wrong.

But yeah, the new Grizzly Bear is awesome.  Does this rock?  I know I turn it up as loud as I can.

I dunno, the black keys are a lot better band than grand funk railroad, or deep purple.

[Ron Brand]

I dunno, the black keys are a lot better band than grand funk railroad, or deep purple.

You may be half right. But probably not.

[HudsonHawk]

You're old if, after awhile, you just want to go lay in the middle of the living room floor with a giant Pioneer speaker on each side of your head and, you know, crank it up.

I almost always listen to Pink Floyd while lying on the floor. And Whole Lotta Love.

[Guinness]

It's a constant effort to expand my musical boundaries.  I'm always looking for more.  I still go back to my classics, yet I know there are plenty of gaps for me to fill from the 50s onward.  But I refuse to listen to the radio, and the local live scene doesn't cut it for me because I'm too busy.  So, rather than revisiting stuff I've heard hundreds of times, I grab whatever's new.
[...]
But yeah, the new Grizzly Bear is awesome.  Does this rock?  I know I turn it up as loud as I can.

Sounds kind of like modernized ELP or Yes, at least that song does.  Pretty cool.
Do you listen to Muse?  I just read an article on them in Electronic Musician and decided to check them out, and iTunes had all 5 of their studio albums for 40 bucks so I bought that...some good shit there.  Very Radioheady with some nice Queen influence mixed in.  Might be nerdy or hipster for all I know, but it's really good stuff.

[strosrays]

Sounds kind of like modernized ELP or Yes, at least that song does.  Pretty cool.
Do you listen to Muse?  I just read an article on them in Electronic Musician and decided to check them out, and iTunes had all 5 of their studio albums for 40 bucks so I bought that...some good shit there.  Very Radioheady with some nice Queen influence mixed in.  Might be nerdy or hipster for all I know, but it's really good stuff.

"Super Massive Black Hole" isn't nerdy, at least.

[Ebby Calvin]

Do you listen to Muse?  I just read an article on them in Electronic Musician and decided to check them out, and iTunes had all 5 of their studio albums for 40 bucks so I bought that...some good shit there.  Very Radioheady with some nice Queen influence mixed in.  Might be nerdy or hipster for all I know, but it's really good stuff.

I have two of their albums - Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations.  I liked them enough, but as a Radiohead nut I could never get over how much the guy's voice sounds like Thom Yorke (or at least Bends-or OKC-era Thom).  Not the guy's fault, or even his intention maybe, but that was my immediate take from it.  They seem to have had a good string of albums though, and they have a pretty fanatical following, so clearly I'm missing something.  Just an admitted bias on my part from the start.  I do love that song "Apocalypse Please" though.  I'll give them a proper listen.  Any favorite tracks/albums of yours?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I listened to ZZ Top's Tres Hombres on the drive back from the ranch today.  As loud as the speakers in my old pick up would go.  I suppose that's decidedly unhip, but it's still one of my favorite Texas driving records.

The new Texicali EP that they put out this year is particularly good.  Working with Rick Rubin isn't a cure-all (I'm looking at you, Avett Bros.), but it seems to have worked for Billy & Co.

[Ron Brand]

For some anti-twee, the new Bob Mould is out, Silver Age. I've only heard four songs so far, but they rock like hell and there's none of that shitty autotune/electronica crap yet either.

[strosrays]

For some anti-twee, the new Bob Mould is out, Silver Age. I've only heard four songs so far, but they rock like hell and there's none of that shitty autotune/electronica crap yet either.

For whatever reason, this reminds me -- and yes, I realize if I were really serious about this I'd need to start a whole new thread -- I've been listening to the Elevators again lately, and I am about convinced that the greatest song ever, in the history of mankind - all genres - is "You're Gonna Miss Me".

Goddamn. They should etch that fucker onto a gold disc and launch it into space.

[Ron Brand]

Roky and the Elevators were some kind of weird blessing to us all.

[chuck]

Goddamn. They should etch that fucker onto a gold disc and launch it into space.

And one day, perhaps, it would reach Roky.

[Guinness]

I have two of their albums - Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations.  I liked them enough, but as a Radiohead nut I could never get over how much the guy's voice sounds like Thom Yorke (or at least Bends-or OKC-era Thom).  Not the guy's fault, or even his intention maybe, but that was my immediate take from it.  They seem to have had a good string of albums though, and they have a pretty fanatical following, so clearly I'm missing something.  Just an admitted bias on my part from the start.  I do love that song "Apocalypse Please" though.  I'll give them a proper listen.  Any favorite tracks/albums of yours?

I can't say that I have a favorite yet, because I haven't been able to stop listening to their The Resistance album.  When I picked up the 5 pack, I just arbitrarily decided to listen to that one first and haven't turned it off yet, it's a very compelling listen.  To me it's must be what it's like if someone never listened to Radiohead before and picked up Kid A--pretty mesmerizing, multi-layered, interesting and quite different.

I get the Thom Yorke thing, tho, but it's not as noticeable album-wide, it's more a here and there thing.

[chuck]

For whatever reason, this reminds me

There is a very real reason why I have Bob and Roky linked in my mind and perhaps this same reason exists for you, too. There was a lengthy interview with Bob back in the mid 90's in one of the national music magazines such as Musician or Spin, something like that. He was living in Austin at the time and a fair amount of the piece as I recall centered on his life there. He had a house in Hyde Park, drove over to Waterloo to buy the newest Guided By Voices, etc. Anyway, at some point in the interview Bob told a story about hearing some sort of commotion outside one evening, looking out the window and seeing Roky wandering around in his bushes. I don't know whether Roky was seeking Bob out specifically or whether this is something all Hyde Park residents get to enjoy of an evening. But that's why I have the two connected.

I'm sure I've mentioned that the AA sponsor of a close friend of mine is Roky's tour manager.

[Guinness]

I'm sure I've mentioned that the AA sponsor of a close friend of mine is Roky's tour manager.

Do you know anybody who isn't the babysitter/sponsor/producer of somebody we've heard of?

PS, Jules and Jim is a fantastic song, innit?  One of my very favorites.

[chuck]

PS, Jules and Jim is a fantastic song, innit?  One of my very favorites.

A laconic 12-string gets me every time. I would love to know exactly what they used to record it because it does not sound like a 360-12 through an AC-30 which is plainly the best way to do it. It sounds more like one of those solid-body Rics through a Twin.

[Ron Brand]

Dunno if anyone else is going to Grulkefest, but here's the running order:

6:00 Wannabes
6:45 Sixteen Deluxe
7:30 Fastball
8:15 Wild Seeds
9:00 Reivers
9:45 Doctors’ Mob
10:30 Glass Eye
11:15 True Believers

[Guinness]

A laconic 12-string gets me every time. I would love to know exactly what they used to record it because it does not sound like a 360-12 through an AC-30 which is plainly the best way to do it. It sounds more like one of those solid-body Rics through a Twin.

You might find this article interesting.

Basically, he seems to have used a Fender Deluxe Reverb and a couple of custom built amps.  No mention of a 12 string in the gear section, but there is a Guild F-50 mentioned that is specifically listed as being strung for Nashville tuning, which could explain the 12 string sound.

[chuck]

You might find this article interesting.

Basically, he seems to have used a Fender Deluxe Reverb and a couple of custom built amps.  No mention of a 12 string in the gear section, but there is a Guild F-50 mentioned that is specifically listed as being strung for Nashville tuning, which could explain the 12 string sound.

Awesome find, thanks. I KNEW it was a Fender-y sound. I'll give the song a headphone listen later and see if I can figure out what he's doing because in my memory it certainly sounds like a solid-body Ric 12-string.

[Guinness]

Awesome find, thanks. I KNEW it was a Fender-y sound. I'll give the song a headphone listen later and see if I can figure out what he's doing because in my memory it certainly sounds like a solid-body Ric 12-string.

Thanks, it was a case of good timing;  I subscribe to the print version of that magazine and it just so happens that I read that issue very recently.  It's a good magazine.

[Ron Brand]

Grulkefest doesn't seem to be nudging the meter any around here, but so what? They're going to stream it live, this Saturday night the 8th, beginning at 6pm.

The live stream, presented by ACL Live, SXSW and the Graham Grulke Education Fund will stream live from 6pm until midnight on SXSW.com. The show will feature Doctors’ Mob, Fastball, Glass Eye, the Reivers, Sixteen Deluxe, True Believers, the Wannabes, Wild Seeds and more.

[chuck]

Grulkefest doesn't seem to be nudging the meter any around here, but so what? They're going to stream it live, this Saturday night the 8th, beginning at 6pm.

Well, it nudges my meter and I would love to go but sadly I cannot. I'm elated that they're going to stream it. Hopefully they'll record it and release a video.

[Ron Brand]

Well, it nudges my meter and I would love to go but sadly I cannot. I'm elated that they're going to stream it. Hopefully they'll record it and release a video.

They are recording it. Not sure if they'll be able to sell it or not, but we'll see what happens.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I might end up going.  I was living in Missouri and Oklahoma during the '80s and early 90s, so I didn't get exposed much to most of those bands. When I moved here in 94 my then girlfriend was pals with Kathy McCarty and we hung around for a while and I got to know her band, Glass Eye. I really love it when Kathy sings Daniel Johnston songs.

[jbm]

I love her voice.  Kind of haunting in a beautiful way.  I had never heard Glass Eye and the first time I saw them, she was wearing some baby blue sweater.  For whatever reason, I wasn't expecting that voice from that person on stage. 

[chuck]

They are recording it. Not sure if they'll be able to sell it or not, but we'll see what happens.

So the internet to basically the entire country went down tonight thanks to some snafu in a Miami data center. I managed to see the final song of the Believers' set. The video quality was awesome, I have to say. Anyway, it looks like they'll upload performances to youtube so I'll get to see whatever they upload. I certainly hope they upload full sets.

[Ron Brand]

So the internet to basically the entire country went down tonight thanks to some snafu in a Miami data center. I managed to see the final song of the Believers' set. The video quality was awesome, I have to say. Anyway, it looks like they'll upload performances to youtube so I'll get to see whatever they upload. I certainly hope they upload full sets.

I know they recorded it, and there's talk of making it available. Releases were distributed and signed, but that's all I know for now.

[roadrunner]

American Aquarium needs to be heard more.  These guys are fucking great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc_9BmCfqMM

[Ebby Calvin]

Given the recent discussion about the worst hipster bands, I hesitate to bring this up again, but fuck it that's what this thread is for.
The new Grizzly Bear album, Shields, is ridiculously good.  I've been playing it non-stop for the last few weeks - it's a grower.
There are a couple downer tracks for sure, but "Sleeping Ute," "Yet Again," Half Gate" and particularly "Sun in Your Eyes" (7-minute album closer) are all epic.

[Ron Brand]

"Epic?"

You hipster.

[hostros7]

Any of you seen the Walkmen live yet?  They are playing Fitz on Friday.   

[chuck]

Any of you seen the Walkmen live yet?  They are playing Fitz on Friday.   

No but I heard their live performance on NPR and it was pretty good. I don't know whether that qualifies me as a hipster or a grandfather.

[Ebby Calvin]

Any of you seen the Walkmen live yet?  They are playing Fitz on Friday.   

Only via the internet, which doesn't account for much.  Wish I could go, but Minneapolis calls.

[Ebby Calvin]

No but I heard their live performance on NPR and it was pretty good. I don't know whether that qualifies me as a hipster or a grandfather.

Grandhipster.  Congrats!

[drew corleone]

Listened to the new GB a few weeks ago and thought it was a mixed bag, much like their previous one. They can write some good songs, but some of what they do just doesn't resonate with me.

The new Band of Horses is very good and the new Avett Brothers, though top-heavy and not quite up to Emotionalism or I and Love and You, has probably already cemented itself among my top 10 favorites of the year.

I'm just glad to have some new music I enjoy... the summer months were a doldrum for me.

[matadorph]

Any of you seen the Walkmen live yet?  They are playing Fitz on Friday.   

Looking forward to seeing them tonight with Beach House at Stubb's. Heaven is great.

[Ron Brand]

Grulkefest clips are starting to show up on YouTube.

Looks like this page has what they've posted so far.

[chuck]

Grulkefest clips are starting to show up on YouTube.

Looks like this page has what they've posted so far.

If they don't upload Foggy Notion someone's going to pay dearly.

[Guinness]

Bought some things on iTunes this past weekend:

Galaxie 500 -- Today and On Fire
Grizzly Bear -- Veckatimest
Band of Horses -- Cease to Begin
Monsters of Folk -- s/t

I'm enjoying them all, really, even with the pic in wiki of Monsters of Folk being the most hipster pic I think I've seen of a band (at least lately).  I picked up Band of Horses and MOF based on a song from each I heard on the radio over the weekend.
Grizzly Bear I first heard of upthread and bought their latest and enjoyed it, so I thought I'd go with their last one (which seemed to be well received) and I'm finding it pretty good.  I enjoy their music.
Galaxie 500 have a great vibe to them.  Don't know where I was in the late 80s, don't know how I could've missed them...

[drew corleone]

Dude, you're three years late on the 2009 Music thread.

Seriously, though, the BoH and MoF albums were really good. As stated before, GB is hit or miss with me, but I caught their ACL set not long after Veckatimest was released and got to hear a few of the ones that I liked. I'm not familiar with Galaxie 500, so I'll have to Spotify them this afternoon.

[Ebby Calvin]

This aired last month, but I just found it today:

Los Lobos perform "Kiko" in its entirety in KCRW studios (video).

[Ty in Tampa]

This aired last month, but I just found it today:

Los Lobos perform "Kiko" in its entirety in KCRW studios (video).

Man, thank you for this. I've been wanting to see them do "Kiko" since I found out they were doing it live. Not like seeing them at a venue but still cool.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's a bit challenging but I love it. Quirky, disjointed, cacophonic, and sweet.  DeerHoof's new album Breakup Song. Kind of sounds like Cibo Matto merged with Descartes A Kant but more herky jerky.

[Ron Brand]

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby

Tonight, in San Antonio, at The Mix

Friday, in Austin, at JAX Neighborhood Cafe, 29th and Rio Grande

I won't make the SA show, but I'll be at JAX tomorrow night.

[Ebby Calvin]

Shovels and Rope - O' Be Joyful

For all of you Civil Wars fans (GBB, NeilT).  Not as "pretty" I guess, but really, really good.

Lay Low YouTube link

[NeilT]

Shovels and Rope - O' Be Joyful

For all of you Civil Wars fans (GBB, NeilT).  Not as "pretty" I guess, but really, really good.

Lay Low YouTube link

  Great chorus.   Not as pretty, in lots of senses, but I like that.

[Ty in Tampa]

Speaking of The Civil Wars, their 2013 tour dates have been cancelled. No reason yet given.

[Ty in Tampa]

Interesting announcement from The Civil Wars facebook page:

"We sincerely apologize for the canceling of all of our tour dates. It is something we deeply regret. However, due to internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition we are unable to continue as a touring entity at this time. We thank each and every one of you for your amazing love & support. Our sincere hope is to have new music for you in 2013."

- Joy Williams & John Paul White.

[NeilT]

That's pretty strange, given that it basically says we aren't getting along well enough to appear on stage together but we'll try to get into the studio later this year.

Hey!  It's just like the Beatles!

[HudsonHawk]

That's pretty strange, given that it basically says we aren't getting along well enough to appear on stage together but we'll try to get into the studio later this year.

Hey!  It's just like the Beatles!

Well, they don't have to be in the same room to record together.

[Ebby Calvin]

Tame Impala - Lonerism
Fantastic throwback 70s psych-rock.  Every bit as good as their last album.  Dark Star may even like these guys.

"Elephant"

Also, Lawrence Arabia - The Sparrow is great chillout music.

"Early Kneecappings"

[drew corleone]

EC... do you use Spotify?

[Ebby Calvin]

EC... do you use Spotify?

Nope.  Everybody I've talked to who uses it loves it.  Do you like it?

[drew corleone]

Yeah... I rarely buy albums anymore (just the bands I know I want to support, or anything Amazon may have on sale). There's a pretty cool feature, too, to subscribe to people's playlists.

[NeilT]

I went to see a pretty good Beatles cover band last night at MMPUS.  The old lady who fronted looked a lot like Paul McCartney.

[Ebby Calvin]

Beachwood Sparks - The Tarnished Gold
California country-rock group (read: buncha hippies), good stuff.

"Forget the Song" YT Link
Worth a listen.

Also, just got tickets to Sigur Ros 4/9/13 at the Bayou Center.  They go through Dallas and Austin in early April, too.  Can't wait.

ETA: Early review of Spotify's Premium Subscription (free trial) is pretty good.  I don't know if I'll keep up the $10/mo after my 30 days are up, though.  No Beatles, and there's isn't any real depth to a lot of the older stuff.  If I could go free and still listen to what I want, went I want on my phone or iPad, I'd be sold.  (thanks drew)

[drew corleone]

Glad you're enjoying it. And the lack of older stuff is definitely the biggest minus. I put together a playlist of old 90s stuff a while back and couldn't locate a few no-brainers.

[toddthebod]

Thanks guys for all of the music recommendations.  I really liked Nada Surf.  Can't believe I haven't heard them before especially since I live in New York and I guess they come from here.  Also liked the Japandroids and White Rabbits. 

[NeilT]

Who was that masked man?

[strosrays]

I know this doesn't fit into the Bon Iver/Grizzly Bear/Sigur Ros dynamic, but ...

My ex lives in NC now, and through channels was able to get tickets for Megadeth tonight at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC. I should say my 16-year-old is a huge Megadeth fan. My ex set all this up for him. She went all out and even got him backstage access so he could meet his hero, Dave Mustaine. He flew out there Thursday, and brought his guitar with him (a Jackson flying V, I think), so he could get it autographed.

The ex's husband was drinking in the bar of their hotel in Myrtle Beach this afternoon, and found out the band was staying in the same hotel as they were. He somehow wrangled it so my son got to sit down this afternoon with Mustaine privately for a casual conversation about music and playing guitar that lasted 45 minutes. I'd read that Mustaine can be a little prickly, but the ex said he was as nice as he could be to my son, and seemed genuinely interested in talking to him.

My son is on Cloud 9 now, needless to say; and he hasn't even been to the concert yet. I am very happy for him - he has had a rough time lately, and he could use an upbeat experience or two about now. The ex said he was giddy after the sit-down. You'd have to know him, but he is never, ever giddy. Ultra cool.

I'm not a big fan of thrash metal or whatever the category is, but I kind of equate my son getting to meet with Dave Mustaine like it would be if I had somehow been able to sit down with Keith Richards, and shoot the breeze. "Hey, Keith. Show me that open tuning you used on "Gimme Shelter" again. And, can I have another swig of the Jack Daniels, please?"

Thankful.

[Ebby Calvin]

Very cool, DS.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Awesome story.

[strosrays]

A Day in the Life of a Fan

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That made me smile. What a thrill it must have been for him. I've heard Dave is a great guy since he quit drinking but was total ass-wad back when he was getting drunk all the time.

[Craig]

A Day in the Life of a Fan

Awesome

[EasTexAstro]

I have never been a huge fan of the hard metal stuff, but back in 1988, I think, my roommate and some other friends came in to my dorm room while I was studying for my biology quiz that evening at ACU. They needed a ride to the Reunion Center for a Savatage/Megadeth/Dio concert that night.

So...I find a scalper and get a ticket. Crazy concert. Savatage booed off the stage, Megadeth was one of the most entertaining bands I have ever seen, and the main show, Dio, was a big letdown. Drove back to Abilene in a sleet storm after the concert and decided that 4 am is a good time to make the 8 hour drive back to Lake Jackson...since I was up and didn't think they would miss me in my Friday classes.

It will always stick out to me how good Megadeth was without the whole light show/main billing. Just straight talent.

Congrats to your son, DS.

[Ebby Calvin]

All Songs Considered posted a video from The Lone Bellow today that's really good. New album early next year, produced by the Civil Wars' producer.

Really great video:
Two Sides of Lonely

[NeilT]

I've been trying to think of my favorite music of 2012, and have a pretty limited list:  Cat Power's Sun, Black Keys El Camino, Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel, Regina Spektor's What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, and Father John Misty's Fear Fun.  What did I miss?

[drew corleone]

Looking forward to Best of 12 lists

[Ebby Calvin]

Looking forward to Best of 12 lists

AV Club and All Songs Considered released theirs this week.  It's been a down year for me, but I'll still do a list.  Still need to listen to a few more albums though.

[Ron Brand]

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby, A Working Museum
Bob Mould, Silver Age
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra, Theatre Is Evil
Museum Mouth, Sexy But Not Happy
Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Psychedelic Pill
Japandroids, Celebration Rock
Los Straitjackets, Jet Set
Ty Segall Band, Slaughterhouse
Swans, The Seer
Tame Impala, Lonerism
Dum Dum Girls, End of Daze
Raveonettes, Observator
Iris Dement, Sing the Delta

[Ebby Calvin]

2012
Favorite Albums (songs in parentheses)

1.  Grizzly Bear – Shields (Yet Again, Sleeping Ute, Sun in Your Eyes, The Hunt, A Simple Answer)
2.  Divine Fits – A Thing Called the Divine Fits (Like Ice Cream, Would That Not Be Nice, Flaggin a Ride)
3.  Tame Impala – Lonerism (Elephant, Music to Walk Home By, Feels Like We Only Go Backwards)
4.  Patrick Watson – Adventures in Your Own Backyard (Into Giants, Morning Sheets)
5.  Moonface – With Siinai: Heartbraking Bravery (Quickfire I Tried, Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips, Heartbraking Bravery)
6.  Japandroids – Celebration Rock (The House that Heaven Built, Fire’s Driveway)
7.  Julia Holter – Ekstasis (Our Sorrows, Monie Mon Ami
8.  Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful (Birmingham, Lay Low)
9.  Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory (Wasted Days, Stay Useless)
10.  Great Lake Swimmers – New Wild Everywhere (New Wild Everywhere, Think That You Might Be Wrong)
11.  Trampled By Turtles – Stars and Satellites (High Water, Walt Whitman)
12.  Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur (A Soft Place to Land, Empty Threat)
13.  Sharon Van Etten – Tramp (We Are Fine)
14.  Andrew Bird – Hands of Glory (Three White Horses, If I Needed You)
15.  Lawrence Arabia – The Sparrow (Early Kneecappings)
16.  Alt-J – An Awesome Wave (Breezeblocks, Fitzpleasure)
17.  Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (Mladic, We Drift Like Worried Fire)
18.  Here We Go Magic – A Different Ship (Hard to Be Close)
19.  Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal (Little Talks)
20.  Sigur Ros – Valtari

Favorite EPs

1.  Daniel Rossen – Silent Hour/Golden Mile (Up on High, Return to Form)
2.  Frightened Rabbit – State Hospital (State Hospital, Boxing Night)
3.  Antlers – Undersea (Drift Dive)

Favorite Songs (limit one per artist)

1.  Grizzly Bear - Yet Again
2.  Tame Impala - Elephant
3.  Divine Fits - Would That Not Be Nice
4.  Moonface - Quickfire, I Tried
5.  Japandroids - House That Heaven Built
6.  Frightened Rabbit - State Hospital
7.  Shovels & Rope - Birmingham
8.  Tallest Man on Earth – Wind and Walls
9.  Beachwood Sparks – Forget the Song
10.  Patrick Watson – Into Giants


Didn’t Make Time to Listen

Fiona Apple
Cat Power
Mumford & Sons
Avett Brothers
Band of Horses
Titus Andronicus
Frank Ocean
Any Hip-Hop Album
Café Tacuba
Jack White

Other Good Albums

Hot Chip
Lower Dens
Lotus Plaza

[drew corleone]

Thanks! Definitely some stuff on there for me to check out. Hope to have my list this weekend.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

In no particular order:

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods
Band of Horses - Mirage Rock
Mountain Goats - transcendental youth
Aimee Mann - Charmer
Jimmy Cliff - Rebirth
Bobby Womak - Bravest Man in the Universe
Lee Renaldo - Between the Times and the Tides
Redd Kross - Researching the Blues
Nada Surf - The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Deerhoof - The Breakup Song

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Well, there's my Spotify playlist for the next day or so.

The only things I'd add would be:

Big Boi - Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Propaganda - Excellent
St. Vincent & David Byrne - Love This Giant
ZZ Top - Texicali EP
Death Grips - The Money Store

[HudsonHawk]

OK, finally got around to checking out Grizzly Bear.  I'll cut to the chase...ummm...no.

[Ebby Calvin]

OK, finally got around to checking out Grizzly Bear.  I'll cut to the chase...ummm...no.

I'm not trying to persuade you or get into the hipster arguments again, but I am interested to know why you disliked it so much.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

OK, finally got around to checking out Grizzly Bear.  I'll cut to the chase...ummm...no.

I think they have a really good sound. Great vocals and I like their keyboards. Their songs don't really resonate much with me but, in the moment, when I've listened to them, they sound good. It's a style of songwriting that's not very compelling (to me) in that I favor it less than others... but more than others too.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm not trying to persuade you or get into the hipster arguments again, but I am interested to know why you disliked it so much.

It's not that I hated it it, just didn't care for the music.  Too poppy and whiny.  No consistency in the music.  All over the place.  Hard to listen to. 

[NeilT]

Grizzly Bear's one I bought, and listened to, but can't remember. Same thing happened with Band of Horses. And Mumford Bros. Age. I'll go back and listen again. I'd forgotten Kathleen Edwards, which was better than I thought it would be. I keep forgetting to buy the Japandroids. Age.

[Ty in Tampa]

...Mumford Bros.

Avett and Sons?

[Ebby Calvin]

Avett and Sons?

Age.

[NeilT]

Age.

Wine.

[PCOL2000]

I'm curious to know what the Austinites here think of Bob Schneider.  I have been listening to his stuff for years and think he's an amazing songwriter.  Most people I know in Austin either love him or hate him, doesn't seem to be any inbetweeners.  I got to go to a show at the Saxon pub and ran into a girl I dated in high school - it was a good night.

[Ron Brand]

In my experience, women LOVE Bob Schneider.

[PCOL2000]

I see what ya did there RB

[HudsonHawk]

In my experience, women LOVE Bob Schneider.

And if the ladies love Schneider, you love Schneider.

[Duke]

2012
Favorite Albums (songs in parentheses)

8.  Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful (Birmingham, Lay Low)

I'm with you on Shovels and Rope - My favorie is "The Keeper" though.

[mrpink]

I'm with you on Shovels and Rope - My favorie is "The Keeper" though.

Cary Ann Hearst told me she liked my scooter once.   

[Duke]

Cary Ann Hearst told me she liked my scooter once.   

I'm guessing you were sitting on or near one at the time.  Otherwise - Interesting.

[mrpink]

I'm guessing you were sitting on or near one at the time.  Otherwise - Interesting.

Unfortunately yes.  I considered asking my wife to hop off so I could offer her a ride, but decided against it at the last minute.

[Duke]

Unfortunately yes.  I considered asking my wife to hop off so I could offer her a ride, but decided against it at the last minute.

Proly the right call.   Although......maybe you could have asked Ms Hearst to ride in front of you.   A Mr. Pnk sammy.

[mrpink]

Proly the right call.   Although......maybe you could have asked Ms Hearst to ride in front of you.   A Mr. Pnk sammy.

Hmmm...that's an idea I could get behind...err...in the middle of.

Disclaimer:  It has been made crystal clear on numerous occasions by Mrs. Pink that sandwiches are off the menu.  Even if I promise not to kiss the cook.