#1 The Bees - Octopus

Ok, I got this about 2 months ago, and it hasnt been off the rotation since. The whole album is so great. I guess the Bees could be considered a "dub" band, as they cover many great musical genre's very well. To me call it whatever you want, but it wont change how this album makes me feel. From the first song "Who cares what the question is?" with its black keysish guitar and jangled lyrics, to its follow up song the heavily byrds inspired "love in the harbor" and then to the next song, the upbeat "left foot stepdown". All the songs are notable, please check it here

#2 The National - Boxer

Here

Sigur Rós - Heima

Heima or "Home" is the name of the DVD released by Sigur Rós. If you haven't bought it yet, do yourself the biggest favor and do so, right now. Stop reading this go and buy it. Their extraordinary music is pared with the ridiculous beauty of the Icelandic countrysides, beaches, and towns. In my mind Sigur Rós is on another level of music-dom, only along with few others. With their music beyond explanation, interpretation, and examination. They sing in a made up language although phonetically its based off the Icelandic language, their album booklets are empty, the band allows you to come up with what the words mean to you. A simple but genius move, allow the listener to become part of the music or art. So go get this incredible DVD and further instill a love for this band or if your a first time listener become familiar.

#3 Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

Here.

#5 Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Here

Sigur Rós - Hvarf/Heim

Really love this album, hopefully I can find their video at the local record shop. I especially love the song Starálfur, because of its involvement within The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Here



Most times I cant help but get choked up when all the members place their hands on Murray.

#6 Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin

Here

#7 The Autumn Defense - ST

This is their latest release. It has a more fuller sound, as it incorperates jazz influences. Songs of note Canyon Arrow, Feel You Now, and Criminal. http://www.divshare.com/download/2669938-e6a

#8 Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Here

My Morning Jacket - Does Xmas Fiasco Style

This is a re-post of the christmas album released by MMJ a few years ago, most have already downloaded it, but for those who may have skipped over it or need a little boost till tomorrow check it out.


Does Xmas Fiasco Style. Ha this is a great holiday album, as MMJ covers some old christmas songs, and makes them better. Although the cover and the idea is pretty tongue in cheek it is an exceptional little work of music. And just in time for the holidays. It also includes a demo extra christmasy version of "Xmas Curtain" which might be their best song written. Get It

#9 Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House

After downloading this album I cant go more than a day without putting on a song or two. Its just that good. Here

#10 Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea

I really enjoyed listening to this album, i know that technically that it doesnt come out till next year. But to me it is worthy of the number ten spot. Tyler Ramsey is the new Band Of Horses guitarist, and on this album Ramsey shows that he has range past the tornado of reverb of BOH. Ramsey also on this album proves why Ben Bridwell wanted him to join the band. Here

The Black Keys

I felt extremely lucky yesterday, as I was able to see The Black Keys play in their hometown (Akron, OH). The venue was the best I have ever been in, it is the Akron Civic Center.


The only thing that was disappointing, was I dont think most of the people in Akron know what they have. First of all the show did sell out, but most of the crowd werent younger kid or people (which isn't bad at all, a mixed crowd shows how the music can affect people of all ages) but since a significant amount of the audience were older, they did not know how to act at a rock concert. First of all going in, this is their hometown I thought the place would erupt and just go nuts. But I was surprised when most of the crowd didnt stand during the performance, most of them seemed unmoved or disinterested in the show. The band was putting on such a great show. Live shows dont just depend on the bands energy, but also the crowd as well. I hope that soon Akron realizes what they have, and start showing some more interest, in any other city the place would have been raucous.
Also The Keys played numerous new songs, on an album they said would be out in the new year. The songs were great, the same style, but its the style I love and grown accustomed to.

Following The Pack.

Ok, so i am going to follow suite and do a top ten albums of the 2007 year. It will take time to upload but heres the list. Some of them can be found in the hidden depths of this blog.

1. The Bees - Octopus
2. The National - Boxer
3. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
4. Feist - The Reminder
5. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
6. Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
7. The Autumn Defense - ST
8. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
9. Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House
10. Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea

all these will be uploaded, or re-posted soon.

The Moldy Peaches - ST

This is Adam Green's former band. Notable songs are Jorge Regula, Downloading Porn With Davo, Anyone Else But You. Get it here.

The White Stripes - Peel Sessions

Get it, here.

The Jayhawks -Hollywood Town Hall

This has to be in my top ten alt-country albums. It's a more than great album, and shows that The Jayhawks have to be included in the most influential and talented musicians, both together and individually. I also am a sucker for great harmonies, and the Jayhawks offer that in spades. Notable songs are Clouds, Sister Cry, Nevada California. Get inspired and be amazed here.

Ben Kweller - Sha Sha

This album got me through my senior year of high school and freshman year at college. Although i don't listen to it nearly as much as I used to, its great for a little trip into my past. Notable songs are How It Should Be, Commerce TX, Harriet's Got A Song, and Falling. Here

Band Of Horses - Everything All The Time

This was my fav. album of 2006. I couldn't go one day without listening to at least one song from this album. I believe that this is better than their latest release, no offense to Cease To Begin, its a good album, but doesn't size up to this one. I first heard of this album in a record store, i was wearing a My Morning Jacket shirt, and this guy came up and said "so you like MMJ?" and after i said "yes" he said "well man i was at a Iron & Wine show, and this band called Band Of Horses opened for them, and they remind me of MMJ." Thank you sir, wherever you are. I saw BOH twice last year, both times were small shows but worth going to even if most of people had no clue about the band. Since those days it seems the band has taken over the world, they deserve it, they have had a rough and long road to where they are now, congrats. Get It Here

Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs

This is the first album of Bird's I heard. I got it from my sister and I cant thank her enough. Andrew Bird in my opinion probably has the widest range of vocabulary of any person i know or heard. Notable songs include Sovay, Fake Palindromes, and Tables And Chairs. Here

An Old Favorite

This is an old fav. for me. I first heard this album a couple winters ago, ever since that this album screams winter to me. Funny how we can assimilate a sound with a feeling or temperature. Anyway this was also my first wilco album i had ever heard. Since that wonderful day, they have become my fav. band out right now, and thats not debatable to me. I remember reading (and also remembering agreeing) that this album could be placed right after The Beatles Rubber Soul, and would make it the "next transition". The whole album is note worthy, my fav. songs change from day to day. But for now we'll go with I'm Always In Love, Via Chicago, Summerteeth, and In A Future Age. I also remember one person asked Jeff Tweedy "what does summerteeth mean?" and Tweedy (probably at that time fuzzy from the drugs) said "summerteeth and some aren't." Get it here.

The Bees - Octopus

Ok, I got this about 2 months ago, and it hasnt been off the rotation since. The whole album is so great. I guess the Bees could be considered a "dub" band, as they cover many great musical genre's very well. To me call it whatever you want, but it wont change how this album makes me feel. From the first song "Who cares what the question is?" with its black keysish guitar and jangled lyrics, to its follow up song the heavily byrds inspired "love in the harbor" and then to the next song, the upbeat "left foot stepdown". If the Midlake album is my fav of the year, this has to be my second favorite. All the songs are notable, please check it here

The Replacements - Pleased To Meet Me

Here

The Replacements - Let It Be

Great album, especially if you are angry or depressed. Which can happen a lot, they usually tend to piggyback on eachother. Notable songs are I will dare, favorite thing, unsatisfied, and seen your video. Get it

The Rolling Stones - Flowers

This is a gem I am glad I found, this is my favorite RS album. Even though its essentially a collection of songs that were set to be on other albums, but cut. Consider this the Rolling Stones version of "Abbey Road" as the same thing could be said about that album. I usually dont listen to the Stones much, but man this album has had me in a hold for a couple of weeks. Notable songs are Out Of Time (crazy that this wasn't a smash hit), Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? (a jangly rocker), a nice little cover of My Girl (not exceptional, but not bad), Lady Jane, and my fav Stones song Back Street Girl. Here

Some more National (odds and ends)

Here is this 4 song set was done on the Spinner radio show. There is also a little interview, nothing special there though. But i think these are the best versions of the songs i have heard, well at least not including when i saw them live. Here

And here is the National White Sessions, an all electric set of boxer songs. Here

The National requests

Here are the album requests of The National.



The National ST - here



Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers - Here



Boxer Demos - Here

The National - Cherry Tree [EP]

Here is a great EP from the great band The National, who as it happens come from my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. This EP contains one of my favorite songs of theirs called Wasp Nest. Get it here.

I have about everything the National has ever done, so if anyone would like me to upload anything else please let me know in comments. Thanks

Pains

So I have quit caffeine cold turkey a few days ago, and my days have been long and hellish since. Cold chills, headaches, muscle pain, and a sore throat are all specialties of the menu of caffeine with drawl. Anyway here is an album that has calmed me at least for a few moments. I am trying hard to embrace the pain, as I would want to embrace the happinies and health I feel most days. So if you are huddled in blankets fighting off a cold or flu, or a more serious disease, or you feel better than ever or somewhere in between embrace it. In the words of M Ward via Daniel Johnston "God it’s great to be alive. Takes the skin right off my hide. To think I’ll have to give it all up someday"



Here is the album that brought me moments of comfort its Superwolf by Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Matt Sweeney. Enjoy

Oh, another thing that has brought me some distraction from the pain are two movies, Dead Poets Society and Before Sunrise. Check them out.

Calexico - Garden Ruin

I first heard about this band through the I'm Not There soundtrack, Calexico backs up musicians from Jim James to Iron & Wine to Willie Nelson. This is one of my new favorite albums I have been listening to the past few days. They have a distinct sound, probably from their roots in the American SouthWest. Although in their previous albums, the "Calexico Horns" are more prevalent the band has made a necessary change, by creating more universal songs without ditching what made them. Notable songs are Cruel, Panic Open String, and Deep Down. Get It

Neal Casal

Here are two albums from Neal Casal, most known for his membership in Ryan Adams backing band The Cardinals.



Fade Away Diamond Time- Notable songs are Cincinnati Motel, Day In The Sun, and Maybe California. Here



No Wish To Reminisce- Notable songs are Sleeping Pills In Stereo, and Freeway to the Canyon. Here

The Silver Jews

Unfortunately I dont have many of the albums released by the Silver Jews, but the two I have I love and greatly enjoy. The Jews started with David Berman and his friends Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich (of Pavement). At the time Malkmus and Berman were Museum guards and Bob Nastanovich was a bus driver. Together they blended the great sounds of Pavement, with the great poetic lyrics form David Berman. In a sense Berman's lyrics and voice remind me of Jim O'Rourke and maybe a little Daniel Johnston too. One of my favorite lines comes from the song Animal Shapes, Berman sings "Later on, somewhere else, I said some things I didn't mean. Yes, I know everybody's on a first name basis with the king." Anyway here are two albums from them enjoy.



Tanglewood Numbers. My favorite album of theirs, and the band who backs Berman contains, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich, Cassie Berman (David's wife), and William Oldham (Bonnie "Prince" Billy" among others. Notable songs are Animal Shapes, K-Hole, There Is A Place, and How Can I Love You If You Won't Lie Down. Here



Starlite Walker, earlier work from the Jews, still most worth your ears time. Notable songs are New Orleans, Advice To The Graduate, and Rebel Jew. Here

Coconut Records - Nighttiming

Just when I thought Jason Schwartzman couldnt be any more talented, he transitions from great acting in movies like Rushmore, Darjeeling Limited, and Shop Girl with a pretty good pop album. Under the name Coconut Records Jason makes a record that seems to be better musically and more catchy than his brother who fronts Rooney. Schwartzman not only wrote all the songs on the album, but also plays all the instruments too. Also listen for Kirsten Dunst who helps sing on This Old Machine, and Summer Day. Check it out, notable songs are West Coast, Mama, Summer Day, and Easy Girl. Here

Alejandro Escovedo

Escovedo is a musical gem period. He might just put on the best live show I have ever seen. He is in a tight race with Flaming Lips in that respect, although their live performances are totally different. Alejandro doesnt use spectacles or crazy means to inspire the audience. When a friend and I saw him perform at the Southgate House in KY, we were floored by him. We went in knowing very little of his music, only what we heard from him on a Fresh Air segment on WNKU. The intimacy of the performance was incomparable to anything we had experienced before. Especially when he and his violin player left the stage and performed in the middle of the audience in dead silence, to have that much faith in your voice to keep notes yet fill the room is simply stunning. Anyway here are two of his albums, even though you have to see him live to get the whole feel, his albums are pretty great too.



Here is his latest release, The Boxing Mirror. This is his comeback album after almost dying from Hepatitis. Luckily for us he didnt, he survived the ordeal. I cant even imagine the pain he must have went through. Luckily a lot of music fans came out and helped to raise money to pay for his medical bills, and keep him safe. Humanity like that seems to surprise us most times, give credit to those generous people for his continuation in the music industry. Most of the songs in this are reflective, which is natural for someone who went through a possible life ending struggle. Notable songs are Arizona (which chronicle his demons of letting go of vices as he fought for his life), Dear Head On The Wall (I believe it is an adaptation from his wife's poems), Evita's Lullaby, and Break This Time. Here



Next is With These Hands, an earlier album but just as great as Boxing Mirror. Notable songs are Put You Down, Crooked Frame, and Sometimes. Here

Need A Few Laughs?

Like most people sometimes you just need to laugh, especially when your facing tough times or decisions. Here are two comedy albums that make me laugh. Remember as Woody Allen shows there is a very fine line between Comedy and Tragedy. We all deserve a little of both.



Steven Wright's I Still Have A Pony, is the follow up to his tremendously funny "I Have A Pony". This guy has to be one of the most creative comics ever. One liners and a dead pan delivery spells out laugh after laugh. As he twists normal sayings, or words into comedy gems. Not much gets someone to laugh out loud, but rest assured this will. What a genius, I cant wait to see him live. Here



This is The Agoraphobic Cowboy by Rick Moranis, yes the same comedic actor from Spaceballs and Honey I Shrunk The Kids. This is a great country and comedy album. Songs like Press Pound, have a natural country feel, while the literal meaning song is about a stalker calling a woman repeatedly. Also check out his takeoff from Johnny Cash, in I Aint Goin Nowhere. I believe he was inspired by his kids, who listen to folk and country, which inspired him to start writing these songs. The music isnt there just to be background noise to the lyrics. As Moranis says "Comedy? Country? I Hope Both." A Must listen. Here

Adam Green

Well I couldn't resist not putting up my collection of Adam Green records. Sometimes sick, twisted, funny, and sad but always worth a listen. Mr. Green isn't a singer songwriter of your parents generation, but has some serious talent none the less. Here are all of his releases that I have enjoy.



Garfield, this is his first solo album. Still has a lot of elements that made the Moldy Peaches successful. Notable songs are, My Shadow Tags On Behind, Dance With Me, and Baby's Gonna Die Tonight. Here



Gemstones. This is to some people his best, but i enjoy it probably the least of all his releases. get it Here



Friends Of Mine, this is my favorite of his the whole album is full of great songs. Every Song should be heard especially Friends Of Mine, Bluebirds, Were Not Supposed To Be Lovers, and Bunnyranch. Here



Jacket Full Of Danger, this is his latest release. He changes his voice and sound essentially every album, here he recreates himself into a drugged out lounge singer. Notables are Nat King Cole, Novotel, and Drug. Here



Jessica [EP] this is a short ep he put out between Gemstones and Friends Of Mine. Notable songs are What A Waster, and a duet with Ben Kweller doing Kokomo. Here