Artists (namely of the jam world) weigh in on their picks for albums and shows of the year. Moe., MMJ, Schools, STS9 etc voice their thoughts...
http://www.jambase.com/Articles/16163/JamBase's-Best-Of-2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
My Old Kentucky Blog Breaks Down 2008
Kinda what I wanted to do but never got around to it, so I'll just give you a link to a worthwhile blog's excellent coverage done in a clever manner.
http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Of%202008%20Senior%20Superlatives
Also, stream MOKB's songs of 2008, pretty sick rundown.
http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Of%202008%20Senior%20Superlatives
Also, stream MOKB's songs of 2008, pretty sick rundown.
Spin's 10 Best Overlooked Albums of 2008
Moody Motorcyle makes the cut, an album I too agree deserved more praise. Those rockers from Jersey, Gaslight Anthem, who made a nice run in the album lists of 2008 (emusic's album of the year) also showed up. A few of these are worth a note, others went overlooked for a reason.
http://www.spin.com/articles/10-best-overlooked-albums-2008?page=0%2C0
http://www.spin.com/articles/10-best-overlooked-albums-2008?page=0%2C0
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Whigs like their eats, just not branching out too much
Little article pushed my way from loyal loyaler Phil T.
The Whigs live in Athens, eat food, like to drink; found places to do so.
The Whigs live in Athens, eat food, like to drink; found places to do so.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Looking Ahead to 2009, the year music will return!
Albums LTME is looking forward to in 2009, some that will be coming out and some we are just hoping real bad for.
Those that will be coming out:
Merriweather Post Pavillion – Animal Collective
Noble Beast – Andrew Bird
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
TBD – Built to Spill
TBD – Pearl Jam
TBD- Wilco
Bands we’d love to see some new music from:
Battles
Califone
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Eels
Handsome Furs
LCD Soundsystem
Menomena
The National
Phish
Postal Service
Magnolia Electric Co.
The Shins
Spoon
White Stripes
Yeahsayer
What do you know about '09? Who are you expecting albums from? What bands will return to form, who will fade out? What will be the big reunion of '09? Will I finally go to Bonnaroo/Lollapalooza in '09?
So many questions, only a year to find out.
Those that will be coming out:
Merriweather Post Pavillion – Animal Collective
Noble Beast – Andrew Bird
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
TBD – Built to Spill
TBD – Pearl Jam
TBD- Wilco
Bands we’d love to see some new music from:
Battles
Califone
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Eels
Handsome Furs
LCD Soundsystem
Menomena
The National
Phish
Postal Service
Magnolia Electric Co.
The Shins
Spoon
White Stripes
Yeahsayer
What do you know about '09? Who are you expecting albums from? What bands will return to form, who will fade out? What will be the big reunion of '09? Will I finally go to Bonnaroo/Lollapalooza in '09?
So many questions, only a year to find out.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
#1 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Little Pacific Northwest indie folk rock group combines perfect melodies, harmonizes like angels, breathtakingly blends the essential elements of folk, lore, blues, rock, and pop sensibilities.
All the elements of music that I am drawn to are present here, as if the album were composed for my inner being.
The early Spring tease of an EP gave way to the most stunning album of the year in Fleet Foxes. Without question the band of the year. Vampire Weekend was a close second but their music doesn’t have near the soul or earnestness.
There isn’t much to say about this album and it’s EP that hasn’t already been said so I will simply state that this album deserves numerous listens and the hype is well deserved.
Congrats Fleet Foxes and here’s to the work to come!
All the elements of music that I am drawn to are present here, as if the album were composed for my inner being.
The early Spring tease of an EP gave way to the most stunning album of the year in Fleet Foxes. Without question the band of the year. Vampire Weekend was a close second but their music doesn’t have near the soul or earnestness.
There isn’t much to say about this album and it’s EP that hasn’t already been said so I will simply state that this album deserves numerous listens and the hype is well deserved.
Congrats Fleet Foxes and here’s to the work to come!
#2 Dear Science - TV on the Radio
War is a bitch. Love is a bitch. Politics are a bitch. Society is a bitch.
Life is a bitch…a beautiful bitch.
A world of despair always seems brighter when presented in a cappella harmonies of layered texture, jabbed with tight bass lines and ever present hand claps surrounding sweet moans of hope, loss and love making. The lyrics on this album cut to the core of the present and do so in such a vivid, sharp, often sexual yet harsh manner that the listener experiences all but the inner most intimate thoughts of a band that hurts to make you listen. To hear this album is not enough, you must feel it, move to it and let your mind disconnect and pour into its sensual mastery.
Oh, but the longing is terrible
A wanton heart under attack
I wanna love you all the way off
I wanna break your back
The production of this album is beyond compare in 2008, a trait often owned by TVOTR. The brilliance of their previous works came through the working and reworking of the songs until each track eerily exists in a tangible funk club scene and computerized disconnect run by one OK Computer. But on this go around the bands strips the overdubs and heavy retooling to a base form. The brilliance of this album is that they make amazing production qualities come forth in the least produced music they’ve recorded to date. Many tagged this album as ‘too mainstream’ or ‘too approachable.’ My how music fans can be such the arrogant wash. Just the year before the giants kneeled before Radiohead for releasing its most approachable record to date while still avoiding pigeonholes or even worse the expected. Here TVOTR succeeds at the same measure, compromising nothing in so doing.
This is their most vicious album. Every song is an attack. The bombs drop and the shrapnel tears apart the norms of everyday life. They gnaw at consumerism and the American obsession to own what we don’t need. The lyrics seer through the very foundation of America and rip apart President Bush. As they redefine they destroy. Even the heart is not safe. Stories of unrequited love and the primal urges flood the album. This marks the most overtly sexual the Brooklyn boys have ventured and they are full of zeal and lust. Even their hate is stunning.
Hey Jackboot, fuck your war ‘cause I’m fat and in love
And no bombs fallin’ on me for sure
But I’m scared to death that I’m livin’ a life not worth dying for
Life is a bitch…a beautiful bitch.
A world of despair always seems brighter when presented in a cappella harmonies of layered texture, jabbed with tight bass lines and ever present hand claps surrounding sweet moans of hope, loss and love making. The lyrics on this album cut to the core of the present and do so in such a vivid, sharp, often sexual yet harsh manner that the listener experiences all but the inner most intimate thoughts of a band that hurts to make you listen. To hear this album is not enough, you must feel it, move to it and let your mind disconnect and pour into its sensual mastery.
Oh, but the longing is terrible
A wanton heart under attack
I wanna love you all the way off
I wanna break your back
The production of this album is beyond compare in 2008, a trait often owned by TVOTR. The brilliance of their previous works came through the working and reworking of the songs until each track eerily exists in a tangible funk club scene and computerized disconnect run by one OK Computer. But on this go around the bands strips the overdubs and heavy retooling to a base form. The brilliance of this album is that they make amazing production qualities come forth in the least produced music they’ve recorded to date. Many tagged this album as ‘too mainstream’ or ‘too approachable.’ My how music fans can be such the arrogant wash. Just the year before the giants kneeled before Radiohead for releasing its most approachable record to date while still avoiding pigeonholes or even worse the expected. Here TVOTR succeeds at the same measure, compromising nothing in so doing.
This is their most vicious album. Every song is an attack. The bombs drop and the shrapnel tears apart the norms of everyday life. They gnaw at consumerism and the American obsession to own what we don’t need. The lyrics seer through the very foundation of America and rip apart President Bush. As they redefine they destroy. Even the heart is not safe. Stories of unrequited love and the primal urges flood the album. This marks the most overtly sexual the Brooklyn boys have ventured and they are full of zeal and lust. Even their hate is stunning.
Hey Jackboot, fuck your war ‘cause I’m fat and in love
And no bombs fallin’ on me for sure
But I’m scared to death that I’m livin’ a life not worth dying for
Thursday, December 18, 2008
#3 You and Me - The Walkmen
The laughing from the table behind reminds you of home and all the ways things were in light of what they’ve become. More sullen now, you’ve steadied, but appreciate more. The laughing brings you to a better place. A different time, lighter than the world you live. It’s what you need now, then, always.
It’s dim in here but there’s a breathe to the air. This is your favorite bar. You speak to no one for hours. Just you, the bartender, the old mahogany, the wobble of stool, the glimmer of neon and the fuzz of the jukebox. It’s early now and soon they’ll arrive. They always do. They are your friends. You share the good times with sincerity, you hold tight in times of need, always proud to say who you are where you are headed.
Direct as you’ve ever been. This is you and they are you all the same.
She’s the first one to join and she envelops you with all that is right by giving nothing less than everything in a smile. Light and beautiful, her laugh focuses you on now, here. These are the good days. These are the good times.
Before long you flow into the bar, you are the stool, you are laughter, and your sight is neon and joyous.
You sing songs, tell stories, the day becomes night, night falls into nothing, you just are and they are with you all the same.
Crashed up a party, nickels and dimes
A handful of strangers, All friends of mine
The year is nearly gone as outside confusion drives tight. Inside we keep the outside far from our sight. I’m growing bolder so I pull you in tight.
You are the morning
I am the night
I was the only one
Left at the right time
You are a love song I’d love to sing, just can’t seem to grasp the fading melody. Drinks and cigars, tall tales and scars. I am in high times, this will be our year!
I’ll tell you I love you
And my heart’s in the strangest place
That’s how it started
And that’s how it ends
We’ll do this together, this one and that one, with her and with him. They’re me, I’m them and you are all that I need. So tonight we’ll be crazy as kooks and soon you’ll see, that this here world it’s for You and Me.
It’s dim in here but there’s a breathe to the air. This is your favorite bar. You speak to no one for hours. Just you, the bartender, the old mahogany, the wobble of stool, the glimmer of neon and the fuzz of the jukebox. It’s early now and soon they’ll arrive. They always do. They are your friends. You share the good times with sincerity, you hold tight in times of need, always proud to say who you are where you are headed.
Direct as you’ve ever been. This is you and they are you all the same.
She’s the first one to join and she envelops you with all that is right by giving nothing less than everything in a smile. Light and beautiful, her laugh focuses you on now, here. These are the good days. These are the good times.
Before long you flow into the bar, you are the stool, you are laughter, and your sight is neon and joyous.
You sing songs, tell stories, the day becomes night, night falls into nothing, you just are and they are with you all the same.
Crashed up a party, nickels and dimes
A handful of strangers, All friends of mine
The year is nearly gone as outside confusion drives tight. Inside we keep the outside far from our sight. I’m growing bolder so I pull you in tight.
You are the morning
I am the night
I was the only one
Left at the right time
You are a love song I’d love to sing, just can’t seem to grasp the fading melody. Drinks and cigars, tall tales and scars. I am in high times, this will be our year!
I’ll tell you I love you
And my heart’s in the strangest place
That’s how it started
And that’s how it ends
We’ll do this together, this one and that one, with her and with him. They’re me, I’m them and you are all that I need. So tonight we’ll be crazy as kooks and soon you’ll see, that this here world it’s for You and Me.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
THE 12 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS OF 2008!!
Wow, I have once again slumped on my duties, sad but true. Life provides so many distractions these days the 'ol Bloggerman can hardly hop on here any more. It's been ready for a couple of weeks now and since everyone and their brother has already posted their's I'll slap mine up as well. Kinda surprised how much it mirrors Stereogum's 2008 Gummy Award Winners (No I did not copy).
I owe an explanation for 24-13 and I'll give and album breakdown for my fav's.
1. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
2. Dear Science – TV on the Radio
3. You and Me – The Walkmen
4. Visiter – the Dodos
5. Attack and Release – the Black Keys
6. In Ear Park – Department of Eagles
7. For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver
8. At Mount Zoomer – Wolf Parade
9. Narrow Stairs – Death Cab For Cutie
10. Songs in A and E – Spiritualized
11. Nouns – No Age
12. Microcastle - Deerhunter
Thanks to those who submitted input!
Feel free to bitch and moan about my list all you please
I owe an explanation for 24-13 and I'll give and album breakdown for my fav's.
1. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
2. Dear Science – TV on the Radio
3. You and Me – The Walkmen
4. Visiter – the Dodos
5. Attack and Release – the Black Keys
6. In Ear Park – Department of Eagles
7. For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver
8. At Mount Zoomer – Wolf Parade
9. Narrow Stairs – Death Cab For Cutie
10. Songs in A and E – Spiritualized
11. Nouns – No Age
12. Microcastle - Deerhunter
Thanks to those who submitted input!
Feel free to bitch and moan about my list all you please
Friday, December 5, 2008
Album Reviews
Well, I never got around to explaining my selections so far but they will come.
In the meantime read this blogger humbling review of Chinese Democracy by Klosterman.
http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/chuck_klosterman_reviews
Have a good weekend.
In the meantime read this blogger humbling review of Chinese Democracy by Klosterman.
http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/chuck_klosterman_reviews
Have a good weekend.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
24-13 of LTME Essential Albums of 2008
Here's the list.
Explanation for picks to come tom.
13. Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust – Sigur Ros
14. Alegranza – El Guinchino
15. Santogold – Santogold
16. Evil Urges – My Morning Jacket
17. Furr – Blitzen Trapper
18. In the Future – Black Mountain
19. The Slip – Nine Inch Nails
20. Consolers of the Lonely – the Raconteurs
21. The Midnight Organ Fight – Frightened Rabbit
22. Mission Control – The Whigs
23. Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
T 24. Rejoined – The Shaky Hands
T. House with no Home - Horsefeathers
In the meantime keep posting your fav albums and songs of the year. I'll review some of your pics as well including Destroyer, Dead Confederate and others.
Explanation for picks to come tom.
13. Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust – Sigur Ros
14. Alegranza – El Guinchino
15. Santogold – Santogold
16. Evil Urges – My Morning Jacket
17. Furr – Blitzen Trapper
18. In the Future – Black Mountain
19. The Slip – Nine Inch Nails
20. Consolers of the Lonely – the Raconteurs
21. The Midnight Organ Fight – Frightened Rabbit
22. Mission Control – The Whigs
23. Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
T 24. Rejoined – The Shaky Hands
T. House with no Home - Horsefeathers
In the meantime keep posting your fav albums and songs of the year. I'll review some of your pics as well including Destroyer, Dead Confederate and others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
