1. An Albatross- Blessphemy: This one wins for its surprisingly listenable brand of artsy psychedelic spazz-core (trademark). The organ really provides an almost tangible link through the songs, which makes the music readily accessible to those of us who love loud music, but tire of it quickly.
2. Joanna Newsom- Ys: If I had to choose one album as my favorite, it would probably be this one. There's always one album, it seems, per year that really seeps into my writing and for me it's this one. While the lyrics are written in an almost archaic dialect, it's juxtaposed with common day expression and universal pathos. The music is absolutely gorgeous; almost the antithesis of the minimalist Milk-eyed Mender, Ys possesses a delightful interplay between harp and strings.
3. Liars- Drum's Not Dead: My friend Bill had this cd with him in England this summer, and I borrowed it on many occasions to just sit and meditate to. The music itself is very eerie, with ghostly vocals propelled by tribal-like rhythm.
4. The Exploding hearts- Shattered: There's only shit to be had in the pop-punk genre right now, which is sad, because when done properly, there are few forms of music more elevating or enjoyable than punk. But goddammit if there were more releases like the Exploding Hearts' record "Guitar Romantic" the whole world would be a better place. I'm convinced if the Exploding Hearts hadn't died in that bus accident, they would've brought peace to the middle east, cured cancer, and saved us from Victory Records. This is just a compilation, but this band is so awesome I don't care.
5. Jarvis Cocker- Jarvis: Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't include the solo album from the MAN himself, Jarvis Cocker. Truthfully, it's not exactly stellar. But the guy was in PULP guys, come on, if you're still not listening to them you're fucking lame. By the way, this year also saw Deluxe Edition re-issues of the three best Pulp albums: "His'n Hers," "Different Class," and "This is Hardcore," all of which are ridiculously great.
6. The Blood Brothers- Young Machetes:Without a doubt, it's the Blood Brothers' most accessible album. It also could be their best, even better than Burn, Piano Island, Burn, which I think will end up as one of the best of the decade. It sounds like a perfect mix of the frentic, chaotic Blood Brothers trademark ,the rhythm based dance-punk feel of New York bands, and classic glam rock.
I just wanted to say that I like that you put the Exploding Hearts compilation on there. I was even thinking of purchasing that for you in the spirit of Snowflake Day.
I'm not sure if the Blood Brothers are more or less accessible (you'll have to remember they still had the power to offend Becca and Dixie's ears, which means they haven't sold out completely), but I don't care what it is if it's still sassy, David. I mean, right now I'm listening to March on Electric Children, and I don't really get people saying that they've drastically changed their sound or anything. Obviously there's more emphasis on keyboard, and lots of the songs are longer, but not in a way, like you said, that made some of the more epic songs on the Islands record hit or miss. At least they didn't rap this time.
Yeah, I'm lame. I haven't listened to Pulp except when I was with you listening to it. I liked it. I just haven't had the time to hear it on my own. Lately I've been kind of excited about hearing Television, Parliament-Funkadelic, the Kinks, and something else I don't remember.
2. Joanna Newsom- Ys: If I had to choose one album as my favorite, it would probably be this one. There's always one album, it seems, per year that really seeps into my writing and for me it's this one. While the lyrics are written in an almost archaic dialect, it's juxtaposed with common day expression and universal pathos. The music is absolutely gorgeous; almost the antithesis of the minimalist Milk-eyed Mender, Ys possesses a delightful interplay between harp and strings.
3. Liars- Drum's Not Dead: My friend Bill had this cd with him in England this summer, and I borrowed it on many occasions to just sit and meditate to. The music itself is very eerie, with ghostly vocals propelled by tribal-like rhythm.
4. The Exploding hearts- Shattered: There's only shit to be had in the pop-punk genre right now, which is sad, because when done properly, there are few forms of music more elevating or enjoyable than punk. But goddammit if there were more releases like the Exploding Hearts' record "Guitar Romantic" the whole world would be a better place. I'm convinced if the Exploding Hearts hadn't died in that bus accident, they would've brought peace to the middle east, cured cancer, and saved us from Victory Records. This is just a compilation, but this band is so awesome I don't care.
5. Jarvis Cocker- Jarvis: Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't include the solo album from the MAN himself, Jarvis Cocker. Truthfully, it's not exactly stellar. But the guy was in PULP guys, come on, if you're still not listening to them you're fucking lame. By the way, this year also saw Deluxe Edition re-issues of the three best Pulp albums: "His'n Hers," "Different Class," and "This is Hardcore," all of which are ridiculously great.
6. The Blood Brothers- Young Machetes:Without a doubt, it's the Blood Brothers' most accessible album. It also could be their best, even better than Burn, Piano Island, Burn, which I think will end up as one of the best of the decade. It sounds like a perfect mix of the frentic, chaotic Blood Brothers trademark ,the rhythm based dance-punk feel of New York bands, and classic glam rock.
to be continued.
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I'm not sure if the Blood Brothers are more or less accessible (you'll have to remember they still had the power to offend Becca and Dixie's ears, which means they haven't sold out completely), but I don't care what it is if it's still sassy, David. I mean, right now I'm listening to March on Electric Children, and I don't really get people saying that they've drastically changed their sound or anything. Obviously there's more emphasis on keyboard, and lots of the songs are longer, but not in a way, like you said, that made some of the more epic songs on the Islands record hit or miss. At least they didn't rap this time.
Yeah, I'm lame. I haven't listened to Pulp except when I was with you listening to it. I liked it. I just haven't had the time to hear it on my own. Lately I've been kind of excited about hearing Television, Parliament-Funkadelic, the Kinks, and something else I don't remember.
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