Top 20 Albums of 2008 Part 2 - The "Upper" Half

Okay, so here go the "new" music that I spent the most time with this year. Again, I know there are some big omissions, so write in and let me know about them. Hope it doesn'take too long to load with all the videos.


The Black Keys Attack and Release

Reminding me sometimes of Creedence Clearwater, and always bringing a healthy does of electric blues riffs, these guys have some great songs on this album. The "other" Guitar drums duo.



Couldn't find any videos or seeqpod for "Oceans and Streams" but this one gives you a good idea.

The Black Keys - I Got Mine





Hercules & Love Affair S/T


Laid back disco. Grooves, cool sounding androgynous vocals. This one won't come out of my rotation. It is just fun, and if you really listen has a little more depth to it as well. Well done. This video is far out.

Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong to Him Tonight




Beck Modern Guilt

This dude just doesn't quit. If you like Beck than this is more of the same with a little more vintage to it, like a wine that is mellowing, deepening, and just plain getting better and better. Gamma Ray is perfect Beck. And there are several other tunes that stick to your ribs. Mmm. Good.

Beck - Gamma Ray



Bonnie “Prince” Billy Lie Down In the Light

Just beautiful, old-timey sounding acoustic songs, sometimes with multiple voices. Will Oldham tells stories that in this album are positive and upbeat for the most part. Catchy and lovely. There are two songs on the player.





The Walkmen You & Me

A lot has been written about this album and how it is a sort of return to form after coming out with albums that were not as well received (A Hundred Miles Off and the cover album Pussycats). I love these guys and I have enjoyed all their albums. This album is great, With a lot more depth in sound, songs and focus.








Santogold S/T

Mixes electropunk, hip-hop, global beats and just catchy stuff. Anywhere from block rockin' beats to light, fun punk. Works really well for cleaning and other menial tasks : ) Seriously though, I don't even care that she is now showing up in Heineken commercials or something.




Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes




Vampire Weekend S/T

These are the guys that are fun and easy to hate on. But I still get immense joy from listening to the first notes of A-Punk and I still want to yell out randomly, “Blake's Got a New Face!” at odd times. And it is just good, catchy pop with a little twist that Paul Simon had pioneered. Catchy pop tunes are catchy pop tunes and you can't deny well done pop. I am an unabashed fan of this album.

A treat thanks to Pfork.







TV On The Radio Dear Science

It's rocking, layered, buzzing production. Funky at times, with lyrics that are topical and meaningful. These guys are one of the heavy hitters of our times and have yet to make bad music in their career. An excellent addition to their discography, though they will have to work really hard to beat the Young Liars EP and Return to Cookie Mountain in my book. Still, really good tunes.




Bon Iver

Yes I know it was recorded in 2006, self-released in 2007 and finally picked up by Jagjaguar in 2008. I don't care. This album was definitely a highlight in music for me this year. I was lucky enough to catch these guys live at Space Gallery. It was the best show I saw this year. And as good as the album is, when I saw them the music and the group had progressed so far from the recordings, and in my opinion, improved upon it drastically. If you like well-played acoustic guitars, beautiful harmonies, and introspective, soulful songs, then you would enjoy these musicians.

MySpace Transmissions


Bon Iver - "For Emma" from MySpace Transmissions





Fleet Foxes
Just great sing-along, old-timey, in new times type music. The musicians in this group are so good, as singers and on their instruments. The songs have a chanted, tradition-filled sound but in live-sounding fidelity. The album is one that on a first listen, I thought, “that was nice” but next thing I know the songs are in my head, I'm humming them, then playing the album again and liking it more and more. I am still on an upward ascent in terms of loving it. My son has even been singing along as well.



I was in attendance for this....j



And that's it. Check it out. comment if you like or don't like what's on the list...

Happy New Year!!!

Top 20 Albums of 2008 part 1 - The "Lower" Half

Yes I know. Much later than the real blogs but hey, I have kids. So this is a list of the albums that I listened to the most, and of course enjoyed the most. There are some glaring omissions, but they are most likely because I just didn't get to hear the album, or at least not enough times to really say that I loved it that much. The Brian Eno/David Byrne album is one example of this. I have been listening to it for the last week or so, and really like it. It just wouldn't feel right if I put it on my list because how do I know if it really will stand the test of time? Anyway, I hope that you will check out some of these bands and if you like them, buy their music and go see them live if you get the chance. So, here we go! Oh, and I am not putting numbers by them because it seems a bit crazy to rank some of these over others. Roughly though, the ones at the end are the ones I really loved. So in (sort of) reverse order:


First the honorable mentions. I already mentioned David Byrne and Brian Eno. Here are some others that got more than just a casual listen:

Atlas Sound Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See

Richard Swift Ground Trouble Jaw

Cut Copy In Ghost Colours

El Guincho Alegranza

Tapes 'N Tapes Walk It Off

Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple

The Cool Kids Bake Sale


Then there are the ones that I really enjoyed:


MGMT Oracular Spectacular

More Indie pop, but this time with electronic and psychedelic thrown in. Sometimes remind me of The Flaming Lips like people say but not often. They had some great singles on this album. Really great.


click here for the "Time to Pretend" video in good quality.






Beach House Devotion

Dreamy, gothy songs that move through the air like scented flowers and settle in your ears softly, pleasantly. Old soul and country music are definitely ingredients in this unique stew.

Beach House - Turtle Island




Department of Eagles In Ear Park

Kind of in that new/old sound category. Guys from Grizzly Bear I believe are in this group. Some beautiful songs and a pretty original sound. A bit uneven like some of the others on the lower half of my list. But still well worth a listen. More than that really.

Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You




Los Campesinos Hold On Now, Youngster

I just have a soft spot for this kind of indie pop. Girl guy vocals and jangly, rockin' forward momentum leaning music just moves me. They are in such a groove that they released two albums in 2008. And so far, I love it as well.

Los Campesinos - You!Me! Dancing!




Hot Chip Made In The Dark

This is modern music, electrofunkrock. The riff introduced on the first track is killer. Infectious and groovy, this will make you bop your head.

Hot Chip - Out at the Pictures



That's it. Look for Part 2 Tomorrow.....

Peace!

Vaseline Machine Gun (and more vintage music)

Just because it is soo good. When music makes magic.Hang on tight. Take a listen if you want to feel good. I don't know if it's just me or what, but I love how Leo is the one who is supposedly nervous yet jumps right out in front and sets the pace for the whole tune. Doc Watson, who is a legend, seems to me to struggle to keep up. Anyway, it's hot stuff.

Leo Kottke & Doc Watson
by Argiletum

in case you want more Leo.







"Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited . . . when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them."
(Aristotle, The Politics, translated by T. A. Sinclair, revised by T. J. Saunders, London: Penguin, 1981, book 8, section 5, page 466)

I just love that quote. Music is without a doubt a powerful force. And that combined With Christian Slater leads to riots.


Jason Moran (This is must watch, but it is about 15 minutes to watch the whole thing. Watch it at your leisure and ignore the poptech weird intro. Just get to the music).

Jason Moran is the one who is just boppin' along and shouting a few times, but I don't think he had his keyboard handy in...is this an airport?




Here is a raucous live concert segment:





Enjoy!

Bon Iver new album

Bon Iver has recorded a four-song CD titled "Blood Bank." The disc will be released Jan. 20. Here is a video (not super great quality) of a new song called "Blood Bank":



and yet another Fleet Foxes Takeaway Show:


Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Good is good. What can I say.

Enjoy!

Hercules! Hercules!

Picked this up relatively late but it is good. Like laid back disco I guess. Funky and catchy but not super intense. Check it out...Hercules & Love Affair My Space


Hercules & Love Affair - Blind (With Antony Hegarty) mp3



Enjoy!

I love music!!!

Just had to post this video, because I don't think I have before and I love it...




and if you want a little more saxophone, more slow and mellow.....Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Harry
Edison, Hank Jones, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, Flip Phillips, Ella Fitzgerald... Qui est le trombone ? Bill Harris ? Vic Dickenson ?




Peace!