Merry Christmas

WTF?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/21/iraq.christmas/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

This is a story about the first public Christmas in Iraq. On the surface "hey thats cool, i guess" as the Christ in Christmas has been almost lost and it has become a holday about getting together with family and celebrating your friends, etc. I love Christmas. But this is fucking ridiculous to me. How can we publicly despise any other culture, religion (Islam) or political view (Communism) because they "force" their view on others. When this is a perfect example of the United States doing it. Putting pictures of Jesus on blimps around the city, are you fucking kidding me. I have no problem with people celebrating their respective holidays, but when the government basically our government does this it makes me think we are often what we despise rather than what we think. Its nice that the people are uniting by why is it around a americanized holiday and a christian fictional character?

1. AA Bondy - American Hearts

My favorite of the year, from the moment I first heard it I knew it was going to be on the list. Bare bones production, recorded in a barn in upstate New York. Bondy with his family connection with The Felice Brothers, recorded a beautiful, honest, raw album dealing with everything. From drugs to war to love, nothing is off the table with this effort. Every song is well worth the time and attention. Favorites are There's A Reason, American Hearts, Lovers Waltz, and Killed Myself When I Was Young. here

2. Why? - Alopecia

Alternative rock, hip hop group from non other than Cincinnati, although now located in Oakland, California. Sounds like Pavement and stream of consciousness rap in a blender. Favorites are Fatalist Palministry, By Torpoedo Or Crohn's, The Hollows, and Brook & Waxing. Get it here.

3. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

One of my favorite bands ever, just seems so effortless in any new direction they decide to go on. This album has a little bit of everything, Prince, soul ballads, southern rock, just get it. No link due to request, you'll find it.

4. Fleet Foxes - S/T

Mythical mountain music. Reverb drenched ballads from one of the great up and coming bands of this young century. No Link due to request, you can find it though.

5. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this one. here

6. Wise Blood - S/T

A great folk, alternative, inventive album from a close friend. I swear i can't go a day without listening to one song off this album. Spirituality plays a big part in the song writing process. It is not a qualification however to enjoy a damn good album. Favorites are Well I Had A Revelation And..., The Ballad Of Ichabod Vincent And His Lady, Lost At Sea, and Untitled. Here.

7. She & Him - Volume One

A colaboration between M. Ward (a ridiculous solo artist btw) and Zooey Deschanel (from Elf fame). A great look back at 50's and 60's female love balads done excellently with Wards inventive production and guitar. Every song is equally great. Here

9. Atmosphere - When Life Hands You Lemons...

I had never heard of this hip hop group until the past year, i was truly missing out. I got the pleasure to see them live at Scribble jam here in Cincinnati. Hell of a show by the way. This album is a great look back at a life filled with joy and much pain. The beats on the album are incredible. Each song is a different story or tale, giving you a piece of good advice on each track. A really fucking good hip hop album is what I am trying to say. here.

10. Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash

I'm not sure if Malkmus will ever get his credit when it comes to his solo projects. I actually enjoy his neurotic solo stuff more than his Pavement catalogue. Understandably some don't like his new "Jam" style, but to me not only is he one of the best lyricists but also a hell of a guitarist whom never gives you a basic solo. Give the man some cred here.

11. Momo - Buscador

I didn't even know about this band at all, and from what I gathered not many in the bands native Brazil did either. I was stupified when i downloaded this album the production quality, the song quality, and a whole album feel is just plain amazing. Reminds me of Pink Floyd and Sigur Ros with the power of the music and the crashing of the drums. These are epic songs. Hear here.

12. M83 - Saturdays = Youth

A great nostalgia album from a very inventive and talented artist. This album takes on the 80's complete with loud synths, and those famous voice effects. Note: if you listen to this album you will find yourself thinking about the 80's for the rest of the day. For a blast from the past click here. Favorites are Kim & Jessie, Skin Of The Night, and Colours.

13. Little Joy - S/T

A good little album from a side band of the Strokes and Los Hermanos. The album is short but sweet. Clocked in at about a half hour. Inspired by Brazilian samba, folk, and alternative rock. Enjoy here.

14. Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip - Angles

Silly, smart, and smarmy hip hop from a duo from East Essex. Pitchfork gave this album a .2 I think, apparently only they can say things like "The Beatles were just a band....Radiohead just a band...the next big thing is just a band". I just chalked it up to media company full of tight assed elitists, who if hear anything that make jabs at what they worship, they will give a bad review. Anyway the album is great a good example of British Hip Hop. They even rap the periodical table of elements.

Funny Pitchfork review here.

Enjoy Here.

Top 15 of the year.

Well its the end of 2008, a pretty great year for music. Only tainted by the lack of a back end albums. As my list stands here.

15. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
14. Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip - Angles
13. Little Joy - S/T
12. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
11. Momo - Buscador
10. Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
9. Atmosphere - When Life Hands You Lemons...
8. TV On The Radio - Dear Science
7. She & Him - Volume 1
6. Wise Blood - Wise Blood
5. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Fleet Foxes - S/T
3. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
2. Why? - Alopecia
1. AA Bondy - American Hearts

Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends

Have been listening to this while playing video games or playing ping pong. A good mostly instrumental independent gritty hip hop sounds, courtesy of Anticon records. Enjoy.

T.V. On The Radio - Dear Science

A spectacular album, sorry for being late with posting this. This may be one of my favorites of the year. The band blends 70's rock, soul, dance, and funk altogether to make a beautiful new piece of music. Enjoy

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Follow up EP to Bon Iver's debut classic "For Emma, Forever Ago". Enjoy.

Wise Blood update

My friend Karl has uploaded his album to a site, where you can download many different sizes and qualities of the album. Also on their you can play a track straight off, so if you are on the border take a listen. You should check it out. Also he is working on a new album and has 2 new songs recorded that can be found on his myspace.

Download site

Myspace

Momo - Buscador

I was sent this album from a friend and reader of the blog. Sometimes I am not sure what to think if I get sent something. Its hard to give something the attention it needs when i have no knowledge of the music or background of the artists, but this album "Buscador" from Momo a Brazilian band didn't ask for my attention it took it. The emailer who I have to thank, made a great comparison to Pink Floyd in terms of the guitars and crashing drums. This however is much more than that, the songs seem to flow really well together, this is an album in the truest of terms. It is not one song to the next but a complete album with a focus, its hard for me to grasp the meanings of the songs, as I believe they're sung in Portuguese. But you dont have to have the lyrics to understand or relate to the music. Try this album, I implore you, you'll never look back. My favorites are "Preciso Ser Pedra", "Irmãos", and "Tristeza", but the whole thing is exotic and beautiful. Enjoy

The bands site.

Thanks to Jairo.

The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Graves

A folk gem from a musician in Sweden. I first heard about him from the "When You Awake" blog. I found his album and gave it a listen and was really surprised how good it is. If you are unfamiliar than you will hear the similarity between the voices of Kristian Matsson (Tallest Man) and Bob Dylan. This album looks like it fits between "John Wesley Harding" and "Nashville Skyline". You will love the intimate feel of the album, you will hear the fingernails on the strings, and noises of birds outside. This year has been really good for folk or americana, or what have you. This is another example of that, and with the beauty of the internet we can all hear how good foreign musicians are. Enjoy My favorites are "The Blizzard's Never Seen The Desert Sands", "Pistol Dreams", and "This Wind".

Les Savy Fav - Lets Stay Friends

A great band, I wish I had seen them live when they came to Cincy. There is something intrinsic about their music, it is blatant rock n' roll but there is something else there. Les Savy Fav is widely known as one of the forefathers of modern independent rock. The sounds and effects you hear on this album are all proof of that. Every song on this album goes in so many directions that you could make an album out of each one. If you haven't heard Les Savy Fav before please download this, it will become your new favorite band. This is a perfect album to listen to while taking out a 12 pack of PBR. My favorite tracks are Pots & Pans, Brace Yourself, and What Wolves Would Do. Enjoy.

Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy

Enjoy in the misery and heartbreak

Little Joy - Little Joy

Thank you to whoever sent me the link to this. A side band from members of The Strokes, Los Hermanos, and Devandra Banhart. Beautiful country/brazilian/golden pop. Wonderful music, an album that passes way too quickly, but you'll be holding on till the last second. If you like Autumn Defense, Devandra Banhart, or Jose Gonzales then you'll Enjoy this.

Synecdoche, New York

Jesus, see this movie.

LCD SoundSystem - 45:33

Some may think this was a lame marketing campaign but I rather like it. Nike asked LCD to do a running song, so they did. And you dont have to be running to enjoy this tune. If you are a fan of the "Sound Of Silver" album you'll notice a few clips of songs, and if you have never heard LCD SoundSystem then enjoy.

Lou Reed - Animal Serenade

A live 2 disc set from the musical genius and mad terrific Lou Reed. Recorded in Los Angeles at a 2003 show, 63 year old Lou Reed shows he still has it. Not only do you get new takes on Velvet Underground songs, but you also get what every Lou fan wants, his famous rants during and before songs. This double disc, two hour recording shows Reed in a new light, my favorites include "Smalltown" a song about the artist stuck in a dried and dead town - with its great line " No Michelangelo is coming from Pittsburgh". Another favorite is "Street Hassle", old Velvet fav. "Venus In Furs", and "Sunday Morning". Enjoy

Disc 1

Disc 2

DJ Shadow - Preemptive Strike

I am pretty late on the DJ Shadow bandwagon, but consider me on there now. Shadow makes more than trip-hop albums, he makes complete experiences. Preemptive Strike is an album of Shadow's pre-label material. The four part song "What Does Your Soul Look Like" is basically a progressive rock opus, using the varied sources that Shadow is known for. Jazz, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop, and other bits and pieces are all par for the course. My recommendation wait till night turn off all the lights, turn up the stereo and get ready to travel to where only Shadow can take you. Enjoy.

Beck - Hell Yes [EP] Gameboy Variations

A great little four song EP Beck made remixing songs with Gameboy, and other video game effects, this is really fucking good, check it out here.

Minus The Bear - Acoustics

Had never heard this band before, even though I had heard about them. I really like this EP, if in fact that is what it is. I am a bid fan of americana, folk, etc. And I really enjoy these seven songs. Guns & Ammo is probably my favorite, enjoy.

Friends Blog

A good friend Jeremy, whom I helped move a 60,000 record collection not too long ago has started two sites. One of which will highlight some real vinyl finds. Jeremy has bought many people's lifetime record collections, and he has plans to go through most if not all of them and put them up individually on ebay. So check out his sites, and maybe with the vinyl renewal you will find something to peak your interest.

Vintage Fidelity Blog

Vintage Fidelity

Fuck Yea America

Dr. Dog - We All Belong

A fantastic album, from a band i had always heard about but never listened to until recently. This is my favorite of theirs, I especially like "The Girl". Enjoy

Beirut - Gulag Orkestar

Beautiful Gypsy shit here.

re-up'd

oh by the way the kinks album is back up

Wise Blood - S/T

My friend Karl has finished his solo self titled album. He is getting it mastered and probably going to release it on vinyl. The album is fucking great. Not a bad song on the whole thing. Karl is religious and it shows in his music and his first solo effort. Don't look for preaching, but more analogies and parables, seen in other musicians like Sufjan Stevens. My favorite track on the album has changed many times, right now I would say it's "untitled". Other song recommendations are "Well I Had A Revelation And...", "The Ballad Of Ichabod Vincent For His Lady At Sea", and "Ballons". If you like AA Bondy, Bon Iver, or José González you will really enjoy this album. There has been a shortage of good album releases lately. And this one makes the top of my list. Enjoy

His Myspace

MMJ Fans

Any big MMJ fans want to catch a early look at the band around the time of the Tennessee Fire release should check by The Steam Engine, for a free video download. Its really worth it.

The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies

A friend recently reignited my love for the Kinks. This band probably made the best pop songs ever. Muswell Hillbillies was released in 1971, and like most classics stands the tests of time. The Kinks were great at taking a serious or sad subject matter and translate that into a catchy pop song. This album is a concept album, which was very different than what RCA expected when they signed The Kinks after the smash hit "Lola", this album solidified the Kinks as just not a band who makes a hit and surround it with a few songs to make an album, every song is made to fit into the album as a whole. Muswell Hillbillies takes on matter of addiction, classism, and fad diets. Enjoy

This American Life - the Financial Crisis

This isn't the usual subject matter of this blog, but what the hell. This 1-hour special by "This American Life" on the financial crisis is simultaneously harrowing, depressing and also the most clear and understandable explanation of it that I've heard - http://thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=365

A big favor to ask.

Can anyone send me a waffle's invite. Thanks

Why? - Live Stuff

I went to see Why? last night at the opening night of the Midpoint Music Fest, which is a three day festival with some pretty good acts coming here and in some cases coming home. Anyways, I saw Why? play, and they were fucking awesome Josiah Wolf deserves a lot of credit for keeping about four different beats going on, switching rather quickly and also singing back up vocals. At the merch stand I picked up this "almost" live tour "ep". They are the songs arranged for live performances, a great gift for any Why? fan. I also found another "almost live ep" from Why? entitled "Almost Live From Anna's Cabin" which is basically the same thing, but for their earlier material. Enjoy.



Almost Live From Anna's Cabin



Almost Live From Eli's Live Room (Part 1), (Part2).

Sunset Rubdown - Shut up I'm Dreaming [2006]

I've always been a medium-sized fan of Wolf Parade, especially their first album "Apologies to Queen Mary." And thus my ears always perk up a bit when I hear the mention of Spencer Krug, who also writes songs for previously mentioned Swan Lake, Frog Eyes and Sunset Rubdown. The other night Sunset Rubdown came to my new home, Columbus, Ohio, and played at a little bar in front of a small crowd of maybe 40 people. While they mostly played songs from their newest album, which I'm not familiar with and therefore couldn't really appreciate, the show was still great. And at the end they played the best songs from their first album. In particular, the song "Shut Up I'm Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" is so epic, and was very impressive live. Krug himself seemed like a really interesting fellow, with his cracking, high-pitched voice, and his fairly somber way of carrying himself. Anyway, this concert definitely renewed my interest in Sunset Rubdown and Krug in general. Get this album and listen to, if nothing else, the last track "Shut Up I'm Dreaming..."

Also, could someone pass along their newest album "Random Spirit Lover"? I could only find broken links online.

Below is a youTube video of Sunset Rubdown doing a Black Cab session (playing acoustically in the back of a cab). It's rather cool.

Mirah - C'mon Miracle [2004]

This is a brilliant album by Mirah, probably even better than Advisory Committee. I'm in love with her voice. Too bad she's a lesbian.

Favorite Songs: Jerusalem, The Struggle, Promise

Get it

Swan Lake - Beast Moans [2006]

I just got this (thanks to commenter on the previous post). I can already tell it is going to be Great. One of the best things I've heard in a while.

Swan Lake is a supergroup of Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes). This is their one and only album, although they are planning to record a follow-up in 2008.

Favorite songs: Widow's Walk, All Fires, Freedom, Pollenated Girls, Blue Bird, Are You Swimming in Her Pools?

Download it

Hello, Blue Roses - The Portrait is Finished and I Have Failed to Capture Your Beauty [2008]

Hello, Blue Roses is a collaboration by Dan Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers) and his girlfriend Sydney Vermont, a visual artist from Vancouver. This record isn't the most accessible and is a far cry from anything that might be called pop music, about which I have no complaints, but that's a whole 'nother story. While this album is a little dense, I think there are some very worthwhile songs and moments on it. Particularly for fans of Dan Bejar and Destroyer it's worth looking into. And regardless of whether it's your cup of tea, I think this album delves into some scarcely charted musical territory, which could add something new to your music collection. Get it here

Also, could anyone please post a working link to the Swan Lake album 'Beast Moans' from a couple years back? I've only been able to find broken links for it.

Emily Haines - What Is Free to a Good Home? [2007]

Emily Haines caught my eye a few years ago when I learned that she was involved in two bands that I liked -- Broken Social Scene and Metric. Really it was her unusual voice, particularly in Metric for which she is the frontman, that got me paying attention. So when she came out with a solo act a couple of years ago -- Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton -- I quickly got the album "Knives Don't Have Your Back," which is great.

Emily Haines has an interesting biography. She was born in New Delhi, India and raised in Canada. Her father was a poet and mother a tv journalist. She went to an art school at an early age where she met future bandmates from BSS Kevin Drew and Amy Millan. She went on to be a part-time member of BSS (who isn't part-time in that band, really?) and then started Metric.

The most distinct thing about Emily Haines music is her voice, which has an unusual, almost childlike sound, and the dirge-like, dark piano melodies she writes for accompaniment. I think it comes together to create something rather unique. What her songs lack in range or diversity, they make up for with the beauty of the sound she creates and interesting lyrics.

Favorite songs : The Bank, Bottom of the World

Download this, her newest EP

Bob Dylan - Discography

Here is my big gift for all you, every Bob Dylan record I have.

Another Side Of Bob Dylan

Before The Flood (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

Blonde On Blonde

Blood On The Tapes (Demo's from "Blood On The Tracks")

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

No Direction Home Bootlegs (Disc 1), (Disc 2)



Live At Budokan (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

Bringing It All Back Home

Desire

Down In The Groove

Dylan

Empire Burlesque

Good As I Been To You

Hard Rain

Highway 61 Revisited

Infidels

John Wesley Harding

Knocked Out Loaded

Live At The Gaslight (Live 1962)

Love & Theft

Modern Times

MTV Unplugged (1984)

Nashville Skyline

New Morning

Oh Mercy

Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid

Philharmonic Hall Live, 1964 (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

Real Live

Rolling Thunder Revue, 1975 (Disc 1), (Disc 2)



Royal Albert Hall, 1966 (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

Saved

Self Portrait

Shot Of Love

Slow Train Coming



Street Legal

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

The Times They Are A Changin'

Time Out Of Mind

Under The Red Sky

World Gone Wrong

Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night

Haven't heard any of this yet, hope its better than the last album. Here

More Wise Blood

Our friend Karl, who is the solo member of "Wise Blood" has recorded two new fucking incredible songs. You can get them here. His myspace.

Peter Bjorn & John - Seaside Rock

Their instrumental follow up to Writer's Block, I really enjoy it. Check out Inland Empire, School Of Kraut, and Say Something. here