i can to review teh music...
i know, i know... i've heard your anguished cries, your screams of anxiety, your fretting moments of wondering: when will jacob tell me the latest, greatest music to listen to? it's almost the end of the year! it's almost time for the best of the year list, and the decade's best album wrap-up! when will there be some more great reviews for me to read?! jacob hasn't written a serious album review in over four months!!!
calm down now, folks. wait no more! here we go, as promised...
deer tick - born on flag day - really this was my introduction to this great band, and it grew on me pretty quick. very reminiscent of other alt-country greats like elliott brood and knife in the water. having also listened to their 2007 release, war elephant, there seems to be a definite progression towards a rockabilly sensibility, particularly with tracks like straight into a storm. if you're a fan of classic guitar licks, you will enjoy this album.
royal city - 1999-2004 - a long time coming, too long really. royal city were one of the most amazing bands ever to come out of ontario. their signature brand of understated alt-country pretty much single-handedly changed my opinion on any music that is remotely country-esque. i remember seeing them once at babylon, and being mesmerized by their live set, wishing i could produce that kind of live musical atmosphere. this collection of royal city recordings comes very close to that same feeling. great slow, sad mood, characterized by beautifully lulling tracks about smoking, drinking, and sleeping, like can't you hear me calling and i called but you were sleeping. gotta love it. nostalgic to the end.
dinosaur jr. - farm - speaking of nostalgia! the original members of dinosaur jr., reunited! i don't know what to say about this album. it's good. i don't know if it's better than 2007's dinosaur jr. release, beyond. but listening to it, it's pretty obvious that you can hear the barlow influence back in the mix, which is a good thing in my opinion. my tolerance of j. mascis masturbatory music wavers a lot.
lou barlow - goodnight unknown - definitely better than the dinosaur jr. release this year! this is a top-notch album, very likely to possibly make it in my top 5 of the year. i picked this up on vinyl, and i've listened to it a few times through already. barlow is an awesome, articulate, emotive, captivating songwriter, and this album exemplifies those qualities in every way. the clincher: is it better than emoh? i don't know. give it time. emoh is a veritable tear-jerker, and this album is a little more upbeat, so it's hard to compare. my personal tastes tend towards tear-jerkers, so i'm biased...
fucked up - the chemistry of common life - if you haven't heard of these guys yet, are you living under a rock? winners of this year's coveted polaris prize, fucked up are a great aggro-punk-electro-experimental band from toronto. and for once, the polaris prize winner lives up to the hype! this album is totally awesome to listen to from start to finish. it is technically accomplished yet whimsical. the lyrics are intelligent (if not always intelligible). there are some great female vocal harmonies. some really superb instrumental segues. awesome production style. a singer named pink eyes. what more could you ask for? for me, the stand-out tracks are definitely the bookends; the first track, son the father (great flute intro into a very catchy ramones-esque screamo rawkfest), and the title track at the end. very nice.
mark kozelek - lost verses (live) - this is a great live performance of some of kozelek's best tracks, including cover songs that he's known for, including send in the clowns and modest mouse's tiny cities. amazing live version of heron blue. a good follow-up to the finally lp that he released last year, and a good counterpoint to the 2006 live release, little drummer boy. i will never tire of kozelek. he is the king of sadcore. for those not initiated to kozelek, his previous incarnation was as the frontman of red house painters, and his other moniker is sun kil moon. you can also see/hear him in the oscar-winning movie almost famous, as larry fellows, the fictional bassist of stillwater.
b.a. johnson - stairway to hamilton - so the story goes something like this: b.a. johnson is a fat chud who lives with his mom, and makes up hilarious synth-music about living the life of a lazy, under-employed momma's boy with no marketable job skills. the schtick is probably not entirely based on real life, but b.a. certainly lives up to the mythos he creates in his live performance, including dressing up as a naval captain, karaoking along to moving on up and the littlest hobo, and crowd-surfing on an air mattress. does this guy have any class or shame? i don't think so. and it's hilarious! as for b.a. johnson's latest offering, stairway to hamilton, i know i mentioned it in my review of his live show back in july, but it deserves a second nod. it is THAT good.
throw me the statue - purpleface ep - it is so sad that this is only an ep and not a full-length. i cannot wait for a new TMTS full-length. moonbeams is gonna rank super high in my wrap-up of albums of the decade. purpleface is a good companion piece - a teaser, if you will - including a re-recorded, lush, full band rendition of written in heart signs, faintly (one of my favourite tracks off moonbeams). honestly people, if i haven't convinced you by now to listen to throw me the statue, i don't know what to do. you simply must hear this band (over and over again 'til you die of pleasure), or you are missing out on one of life's great things.
magnolia electric co. - josephine - as i mentioned briefly in an earlier post, this is a contender for album of the year. as i also mentioned, it is jason molina's best album since songs: ohia's the lioness (2000). no kidding! this stunning album (even better on vinyl, folks) is a dedication to deceased bassist evan farrell. and what a piece of justice. as tragic as it will be when i die, i hope someone records a homage album even 1/10th this beautiful. seriously, i'm not trying to be callous. expertly produced by the legendary steve albini, this gorgeous suite of compositions has all the typically gritty and strained anxious moments of molina's angst, rolled into perfect tight twangs and croons. from the lead-off track, o! grace: "i've been as lonesome as the world's first ghost..." wow. in fact, all the lyrics of this conceptual masterpiece are just stunning and heart-melting. of course, lyrics have always been molina's strength, so this is no surprise. one particular lyrical device that i really love about this album... molina takes the motif of "josephine" and repeats the refrain throughout the album; first, obviously, in the title track, then in hope dies last, and finally in the closing track, an arrow in the gale. it is a clever and pretty way of unifying the album concept, weaving it throughout the separate tracks to tie the story together. i can't think of a single bad thing to say about this stunning album. now on to the other contenders for album of the year...
malcolm middleton - waxing gibbous - another contender for album of the year! i've always loved middleton's music, since the relatively early days of arab strap. pure scottish sorrow, you can't beat it! and middleton's fifth release is definitely his best to-date. in this latest release, middleton shucks the acoustic-esque sound of last year's album, sleight of heart, and goes back to the uptempo electro-folk beats of 2007's a brighter beat. it's hard to pick a stand-out track, 'cause they are all awesome! but i really like carry me (very reminiscent of arab strap!), zero, don't want to sleep tonight, shadows, and box & knife. if you've never bothered to become a fan of scottish music, shame on you! now's the time to start, and malcolm middleton is the artist to start with. he is definitely a songwriter's songwriter. sad bastard music rules!
the mountain goats - the life of the world to come - yet another contender for album of the year! just picked up the 180g double-vinyl with gatefold a few days ago. amazing. also, if you missed the album premiere on stephen colbert on tuesday, october 13th, do yourself a favour and go download or stream it online. john darnielle and the gang are amazing live performers, and colbert's interview with him is quite funny (i had no idea that colbert was a mountain goats fan). the life of the world to come is a collection of metaphorical stories about the bible. each of the tracks is named after a bible verse. this is what i love about darnielle; he puts thought into his songwriting... he is an amazing storyteller. the music isn't always stellar, but the stories are endlessly captivating. this album is taking longer to grow on me than, say, the sunset tree or we shall all be healed. and it definitely doesn't have the immediacy - the catchy pop factor - of heretic pride (there is no killer lead-off hook-laden sing-along track like sax rohmer #1; i think even colbert recognized this, quoting sax rohmer #1 back to darnielle). but at the end of the day, this is a mountain goats release, which alone means it's better than 90% of the crap out there.
regina spektor - far - thus far, the only female artist in my contenders for album of the year. extremely catchy and infectious, i have listened to this album over and over and over again. i love tracks like eet, the calculation, blue lips, folding chair, and especially dance anthem of the 80s. i get a big nostalgia feeling from listening to this album, which is always a feeling i like. spektor reminds me (stylistically) a lot of joanna newsom, emiliana torrini, and martha wainwright, and my previous exposure to her was only through collaboration with other artists that i listen to. all of which is to say, she is one of my favourite new (to me) artists.
the dodos - time to die - i got into the dodos last year with their debut album, visiter; an amazing debut by any standards. sadly, their sophomoric effort doesn't quite measure up. it's good, but not as good. certainly not as good as their live performance this past july at bluesfest. oh well. still a very listenable album, but chances are - at any given moment - if i'm going to throw on a dodos track, it will more likely be a track off visiter.
matthew good - vancouver - so many things i could say about this album. everyone knows that i'm biased; i have been a matt good fan since day one: since first hearing symbolistic white walls on the radio so very many years ago. basically though, it amounts to this: vancouver is good's best album since mgb's the audio of being. all of good's solo stuff since the demise of mgb has been amazing, but vancouver is the culmination. it is anthemic in that grand way that the audio of being and beautiful midnight were a decade ago. for those familiar with matt good's signature sound, you're sure to love tracks like last parade, US remains impossible, fought to fight it, the vancouver national anthem, and the truly beautiful final track, empty's theme park (remeniscent of mgb final tracks like the war is over, running for home, and a change of season). also listen for recurring throwbacks to the motif of the man from harold wood. two big thumbs up.
whew. that should tide you over for now. now your turn. what are you listening to lately?
calm down now, folks. wait no more! here we go, as promised...
deer tick - born on flag day - really this was my introduction to this great band, and it grew on me pretty quick. very reminiscent of other alt-country greats like elliott brood and knife in the water. having also listened to their 2007 release, war elephant, there seems to be a definite progression towards a rockabilly sensibility, particularly with tracks like straight into a storm. if you're a fan of classic guitar licks, you will enjoy this album.
royal city - 1999-2004 - a long time coming, too long really. royal city were one of the most amazing bands ever to come out of ontario. their signature brand of understated alt-country pretty much single-handedly changed my opinion on any music that is remotely country-esque. i remember seeing them once at babylon, and being mesmerized by their live set, wishing i could produce that kind of live musical atmosphere. this collection of royal city recordings comes very close to that same feeling. great slow, sad mood, characterized by beautifully lulling tracks about smoking, drinking, and sleeping, like can't you hear me calling and i called but you were sleeping. gotta love it. nostalgic to the end.
dinosaur jr. - farm - speaking of nostalgia! the original members of dinosaur jr., reunited! i don't know what to say about this album. it's good. i don't know if it's better than 2007's dinosaur jr. release, beyond. but listening to it, it's pretty obvious that you can hear the barlow influence back in the mix, which is a good thing in my opinion. my tolerance of j. mascis masturbatory music wavers a lot.
lou barlow - goodnight unknown - definitely better than the dinosaur jr. release this year! this is a top-notch album, very likely to possibly make it in my top 5 of the year. i picked this up on vinyl, and i've listened to it a few times through already. barlow is an awesome, articulate, emotive, captivating songwriter, and this album exemplifies those qualities in every way. the clincher: is it better than emoh? i don't know. give it time. emoh is a veritable tear-jerker, and this album is a little more upbeat, so it's hard to compare. my personal tastes tend towards tear-jerkers, so i'm biased...
fucked up - the chemistry of common life - if you haven't heard of these guys yet, are you living under a rock? winners of this year's coveted polaris prize, fucked up are a great aggro-punk-electro-experimental band from toronto. and for once, the polaris prize winner lives up to the hype! this album is totally awesome to listen to from start to finish. it is technically accomplished yet whimsical. the lyrics are intelligent (if not always intelligible). there are some great female vocal harmonies. some really superb instrumental segues. awesome production style. a singer named pink eyes. what more could you ask for? for me, the stand-out tracks are definitely the bookends; the first track, son the father (great flute intro into a very catchy ramones-esque screamo rawkfest), and the title track at the end. very nice.
mark kozelek - lost verses (live) - this is a great live performance of some of kozelek's best tracks, including cover songs that he's known for, including send in the clowns and modest mouse's tiny cities. amazing live version of heron blue. a good follow-up to the finally lp that he released last year, and a good counterpoint to the 2006 live release, little drummer boy. i will never tire of kozelek. he is the king of sadcore. for those not initiated to kozelek, his previous incarnation was as the frontman of red house painters, and his other moniker is sun kil moon. you can also see/hear him in the oscar-winning movie almost famous, as larry fellows, the fictional bassist of stillwater.
b.a. johnson - stairway to hamilton - so the story goes something like this: b.a. johnson is a fat chud who lives with his mom, and makes up hilarious synth-music about living the life of a lazy, under-employed momma's boy with no marketable job skills. the schtick is probably not entirely based on real life, but b.a. certainly lives up to the mythos he creates in his live performance, including dressing up as a naval captain, karaoking along to moving on up and the littlest hobo, and crowd-surfing on an air mattress. does this guy have any class or shame? i don't think so. and it's hilarious! as for b.a. johnson's latest offering, stairway to hamilton, i know i mentioned it in my review of his live show back in july, but it deserves a second nod. it is THAT good.
throw me the statue - purpleface ep - it is so sad that this is only an ep and not a full-length. i cannot wait for a new TMTS full-length. moonbeams is gonna rank super high in my wrap-up of albums of the decade. purpleface is a good companion piece - a teaser, if you will - including a re-recorded, lush, full band rendition of written in heart signs, faintly (one of my favourite tracks off moonbeams). honestly people, if i haven't convinced you by now to listen to throw me the statue, i don't know what to do. you simply must hear this band (over and over again 'til you die of pleasure), or you are missing out on one of life's great things.
magnolia electric co. - josephine - as i mentioned briefly in an earlier post, this is a contender for album of the year. as i also mentioned, it is jason molina's best album since songs: ohia's the lioness (2000). no kidding! this stunning album (even better on vinyl, folks) is a dedication to deceased bassist evan farrell. and what a piece of justice. as tragic as it will be when i die, i hope someone records a homage album even 1/10th this beautiful. seriously, i'm not trying to be callous. expertly produced by the legendary steve albini, this gorgeous suite of compositions has all the typically gritty and strained anxious moments of molina's angst, rolled into perfect tight twangs and croons. from the lead-off track, o! grace: "i've been as lonesome as the world's first ghost..." wow. in fact, all the lyrics of this conceptual masterpiece are just stunning and heart-melting. of course, lyrics have always been molina's strength, so this is no surprise. one particular lyrical device that i really love about this album... molina takes the motif of "josephine" and repeats the refrain throughout the album; first, obviously, in the title track, then in hope dies last, and finally in the closing track, an arrow in the gale. it is a clever and pretty way of unifying the album concept, weaving it throughout the separate tracks to tie the story together. i can't think of a single bad thing to say about this stunning album. now on to the other contenders for album of the year...
malcolm middleton - waxing gibbous - another contender for album of the year! i've always loved middleton's music, since the relatively early days of arab strap. pure scottish sorrow, you can't beat it! and middleton's fifth release is definitely his best to-date. in this latest release, middleton shucks the acoustic-esque sound of last year's album, sleight of heart, and goes back to the uptempo electro-folk beats of 2007's a brighter beat. it's hard to pick a stand-out track, 'cause they are all awesome! but i really like carry me (very reminiscent of arab strap!), zero, don't want to sleep tonight, shadows, and box & knife. if you've never bothered to become a fan of scottish music, shame on you! now's the time to start, and malcolm middleton is the artist to start with. he is definitely a songwriter's songwriter. sad bastard music rules!
the mountain goats - the life of the world to come - yet another contender for album of the year! just picked up the 180g double-vinyl with gatefold a few days ago. amazing. also, if you missed the album premiere on stephen colbert on tuesday, october 13th, do yourself a favour and go download or stream it online. john darnielle and the gang are amazing live performers, and colbert's interview with him is quite funny (i had no idea that colbert was a mountain goats fan). the life of the world to come is a collection of metaphorical stories about the bible. each of the tracks is named after a bible verse. this is what i love about darnielle; he puts thought into his songwriting... he is an amazing storyteller. the music isn't always stellar, but the stories are endlessly captivating. this album is taking longer to grow on me than, say, the sunset tree or we shall all be healed. and it definitely doesn't have the immediacy - the catchy pop factor - of heretic pride (there is no killer lead-off hook-laden sing-along track like sax rohmer #1; i think even colbert recognized this, quoting sax rohmer #1 back to darnielle). but at the end of the day, this is a mountain goats release, which alone means it's better than 90% of the crap out there.
regina spektor - far - thus far, the only female artist in my contenders for album of the year. extremely catchy and infectious, i have listened to this album over and over and over again. i love tracks like eet, the calculation, blue lips, folding chair, and especially dance anthem of the 80s. i get a big nostalgia feeling from listening to this album, which is always a feeling i like. spektor reminds me (stylistically) a lot of joanna newsom, emiliana torrini, and martha wainwright, and my previous exposure to her was only through collaboration with other artists that i listen to. all of which is to say, she is one of my favourite new (to me) artists.
the dodos - time to die - i got into the dodos last year with their debut album, visiter; an amazing debut by any standards. sadly, their sophomoric effort doesn't quite measure up. it's good, but not as good. certainly not as good as their live performance this past july at bluesfest. oh well. still a very listenable album, but chances are - at any given moment - if i'm going to throw on a dodos track, it will more likely be a track off visiter.
matthew good - vancouver - so many things i could say about this album. everyone knows that i'm biased; i have been a matt good fan since day one: since first hearing symbolistic white walls on the radio so very many years ago. basically though, it amounts to this: vancouver is good's best album since mgb's the audio of being. all of good's solo stuff since the demise of mgb has been amazing, but vancouver is the culmination. it is anthemic in that grand way that the audio of being and beautiful midnight were a decade ago. for those familiar with matt good's signature sound, you're sure to love tracks like last parade, US remains impossible, fought to fight it, the vancouver national anthem, and the truly beautiful final track, empty's theme park (remeniscent of mgb final tracks like the war is over, running for home, and a change of season). also listen for recurring throwbacks to the motif of the man from harold wood. two big thumbs up.
whew. that should tide you over for now. now your turn. what are you listening to lately?