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.