Comments | rockmarooned: The sound is what found us

rockmarooned

The sound is what found us

Dec 22, 2011 08:58

Another year, another bunch of albums that I bought or listened to extensively. I've read a bit how there isn't a really powerful consensus about great records for 2011, which I guess explains how the Adele album keeps turning up towards the top of so many lists: if we can't find something great, let's just be happy that this one album was super- ( Read more... )

they might be giants, she & him, ben folds, the decemberists, okkervil river, album round-ups, rem, art brut, slow club, fountains of wayne, my years in lists, eleanor put your boots on, mountain goats, beyonce, sleater-kinney, paul simon, los campesinos!, felice brothers

Comments 6

slightlyoffaxis December 22 2011, 15:14:22 UTC

Huh, do we not get to do comment titles in LJ anymore? In any case, my thoughts:

*You like I Am Very Far better than The Stage Names? I don't think I can walk that path with you.

*I never roll my eyes at "Life Is a Long Time," because it has hand claps.

*HOUSTON, ROCKET.

*I noticed that thing about the Dum Dum Girls sounding like Chrissie Hynde on my own, but I knew better than to be the one to tell you.

*<3 "Haile Selassie"

*"Helplnessness Blues" is one of your favorite songs ever now? Wow. I guess that makes sense, as it sounds so much like Simon and Garfunkel.

rockmarooned December 22 2011, 15:41:12 UTC

RE: Helplessness Blues... well, at least of this decade?

ext_946161 December 22 2011, 16:00:14 UTC

Been listening to the new Slow Club today a bit more after reading this. It's still growing on me... but I don't have much confidence that I will love it as much as Yeah So. But over-the-top giddy pop is my weakness, so Paradise never really stood a chance.

If you're looking for stuff on Spotify... I haven't been able to shut up about Purity Ring for a while now, even though they only have 3 songs out (full-length due early next year). Also, Peggy Sue for dirge-y English girl rock. Pree for DC-based twee with Joanna Newsom-y vocals (not sure which side of the Newsom divide you stand on). And I don't see the Tennis record here... surely an oversight.

rockmarooned December 23 2011, 16:15:16 UTC

I think Paradise has a bit of that classic less fun/but stronger as an album thing going on. Song for song, I probably like Yeah, So a little more, but Paradise feels more like a record and less like "here are the 15 best songs we have so far!" I think that first-album thing is why a lot of good bands have first records that feel like instant greatest-hits sets. Which is not bad at all. But I do love Paradise in its own way. Though I'm not sure why "Half Drunk" was a bonus track and not on the album proper. So good ( ... )

ext_947004 December 23 2011, 04:51:35 UTC

Came for the Kinney, stayed for the Timony ( ... )

rockmarooned December 23 2011, 16:11:18 UTC

I bought a used copy of Helium's Dirt of Luck a few months ago but I haven't really delved into it yet. I'm interested, though, since I like pretty much every element of Wild Flag just as I liked all three components of S-K.

I think Oberst's voice has gotten a lot stronger and more interesting over the years, but yeah, I'm not so interested in how he interprets reggae influences, not least because I can't really listen to reggae!