September has little value to me beyond the start of football. The weather manages to retain the worst aspects of summer (NYC is 95°F today) as our lifestyles adjust to more focused, goal-driven tasks. Nothing wrong with responsibility, but I’d much prefer to be doing work when it is bitter cold outside. Showing up to [...]
read more »To be continued in part 2, Just because I don’t do a weekly column on song obsessions anymore doesn’t mean I don’t listen to songs obsessively. These are just some of the songs that have burrowed their way into my ears in the past few months. Carissa’s Wierd – Die (mp3) (buy) It’s difficult to describe what makes this song so obsession-worthy but it’s a song that I’ve listened to dozens of times in the last few months first alone as a promo mp3 download and then as part of of the newly released Carissa’s Wierd compilation They’ll Only Miss You When You Leave: Songs 1996 – 2003. Maybe it’s the layers of instruments and vocals. Maybe it’s the hypnotic way the instruments loop that draws me in. Maybe it’s the slow breakdown. Who knows why, but I know what: it’s good. Lushlife – Meridian Sound [Part One] (mp3) (buy) I’ve really been enjoying Lushlife’s Cassette City which I decided to check out after rewatching some of his acoustic hip hop covers. This is a favorite. There’s something particularly compelling about the juxtaposition of the subdued music with the sharp rhythms of his rapping. Guided by Voices – Game of Pricks (mp3) (buy) Some people missed “Web in Front”; in the indie rock cannon I somehow missed “Game of Pricks”. After a friend recommended Owen Pallett’s lovely and somewhat goofy cover of it, I checked into the original and I’ve been listening to it tons since. It’s classic classic indie rock; a perfect representation of ’90s indie rock in my mind. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Home (mp3) (buy) After I heard a snippet of this in Community, I found that it was by one of those buzz bands that perhaps I’d unfairly written off. Certainly a catchy song–I listened to it 33 times in the first week–but the part I really like is the beginning, the whistling over the straight-beat kick drum. Frightened Rabbit – Nothing Like You (mp3) (buy) This is not as much of an ear worm as the others but it’s been the song I’ve listened to most over the last three months. “This is a story // and you’re not in it uh huh” is as fantastic an opening line as I know of. And it’s a great song with a buoyant chorus. Stay tuned for part 2.
read more »I am currently planning a trip to nova scotia and the maritime provinces with a few of my friends and luckily stumbled across a useful tool that helped with finding some local pubs. So if you guys are going on a trip anytime soon, or are bored with going to the same places all the time (I for one am getting really tired of boston pizza, but keep getting suckered in with their team pitchers) this really helped with finding some new spots to get drunk at. Now that the most important aspect of the trip is covered, that being the drinking, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a mix tape for the long drive that is ahead of us. 1. Hard Mix- Memories 2.Jai Paul-BTSTU 3.JJ- My Way 4.Dr. Dre feat Snopp Dogg- Still Dre 5.Trick Daddy- I’m a Thug 6.The Go! Team- Huddle Formation 7.Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich- Hold Tight 8.Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros- Home 9.Baxter Dury- Cocaine Man 10.Bobby Gentry- Ode To Bill Joe 11.Caribou-Odessa I am going to add to this list, but I got pretty lazy so I will leave it at this for now. All I know is I am really excited for this trip, can’t wait to get out to the east coast eat lobster, swim in the Atlantic and check out some new music. Share and Enjoy: Related posts:The Mix Tape Is Dead. Long Live The Mix Tape To me, making a tape is like writing a letter... Cocaine Man-Baxter Dury MP3 Review I was driving to school and I was sick of... Glen Y’s 09 Favourites- The XX The XXhas been the talk of the town this year... Glen Y’s 09 Favourites- Phoenix Best album, best song, and best concert all goes to... Glen Y’s 09 Favourites- College A recurring theme within the music I like is quite...
read more »Day Two – There are few things I can think of that are more physically uncomfortable than waking up in a puddle of your own sweat. That is exactly what happened Friday morning at our scorching campground. The weather called for scattered thunderstorms, however they must have been scattered elsewhere because it was hot and ridiculously humid the entire day. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue This did not deter me from heading to Centeroo early to catch Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave at the Which stage. The man known as Trombone Shorty had the early morning crowd pretty hyped up and dancing to his blues infused big band rock music. His ability to excite the crowd and show off his trombone skills were worth getting up early to catch. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave – Orleans & Claiborne from Orleans & Claiborne (2007) I tried to snag a spot for Conan O’Brien, however you needed to get there early to receive a ticket. People ended up getting there as early as 5am to grab a seat. I unfortunately did not. So I made my way to the Other tent to catch Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros It’s always a blast to see Alex Ebert and his band (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros). Everyone on stage performs like they love every minute they’re up there. This helps the crowd enjoy the show ten fold. Edward did his fair share of leaping into the crowd and embracing his minions of love and peace. The carefree nature of the band palpable and was felt by anyone willing to witness their performance. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home from From Below (2009) The Gossip The Gossip Afterwards I headed to the This tent for The Gossip and She & Him. I never allowed myself to understand what the big deal with The Gossip was. People are obsessed with the band and that kind of attitude kind of scares me when I want to learn about a new band (see also: Ween, Phish, Grateful Dead, etc). Well I decided to let go of that and embrace The Gossip and I’m glad I did. The band is a soulful and energetic group exploding with personality. Lead vocalist Beth Ditto is the centerpiece of this act and has this magnetizing presence that grabbed me right away. Definitely my favorite performance of the festival thus far. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] The Gossip – Are You That Somebody? (Aaliyah Cover) from GSSP RMX – EP (2006) She & Him She & Him She & Him Now I have heard mixed reviews about She & Him’s live shows. I’ve heard it’s dull, unenthusiastic, and sounds identical to their records with no improvisation. On the other had, I’ve heard the opposite and that’s what I got at Bonnaroo. Zooey Deschanel hopped around all smiles as M. Ward added his gentile folk rock to the mix that makes She & Him a charming little group. They broke out a few covers including M. Ward doing Chuck Berry’s Roll Over Beethoven and Zooey performing a stripped down cover version of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ I Put a Spell on You. The chemistry between the two was showcased well and Zooey (as usual) was adorable. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] She & Him – In the Sun from Volume Two (2010) The National After She & Him I caught a few songs from one of my favorite bands, The National. Lead singer Matt Berninger belted out a few new ones as well as songs like Mr. November. He was even able to coerce an audience member to toss boxed wine on stage, to which he drank with a sly grin. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] The National – Terrible Love from High Violet (2010) Tenacious D I made it over to the main stage, also known as the What stage to catch Tenacious D. I had already seen them close last year’s Outside Lands festival, to which they did fantastically. The show was basically the same. The band fights The Metal, the Devil himself, and each other all the while playing classics like Wonderboy, Dio (of course), Tribute, and Fuck Her Gently (something about calling Fuck Her Gently a classic makes me chuckle) as well as a mean cover of The Who’s Pinball Wizard. Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers I left the What stage early to check out Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers at the That tent. Usually a gage my favorite performances on how much a smile during a show and it was Steve Martin that won me over that night. Not only is he a talented banjo player, as well as his band, but his wit and humor have not left him. Jack Black even got on stage to take bow when Steve asked him to say hi. I would’ve liked a duet but one can dream. At least he busted our a twanged out version of King Tut. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers – The Crow from The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo (2009) Silent Disco I had a few hours to kill after Steve Martin as I have this deep hatred for Michael Franti and don’t find what the big deal is with Kings of Leon. I grabbed some Samosas, which turned out to be the best thing food-wise about Bonnaroo. They were cheap ($3 each), filling, and pretty good. I also explored the festival’s other attractions; like the Cinema Tent, which played movies like The Hangover, adult swim programs, and various music documentaries. There was also the Silent Disco; which on the outside it looks like people on drugs dancing to the music in their head but on the inside it was people on drugs dancing to music coming from the headphones they distributed at the entrance of the tent. Entertaining to say the least. The Black Keys The Black Keys The Black Keys I decided to skip The Flaming Lips, who I’ve already seen at Treasure Island Music Festival for The Black Keys. I had never seen the Keys and it was about time I say these guys tear it up. It’s actually a magnificent and impressive thing to witness. Here’s these two guys; drums and guitar, exuding so much energy that you can’t believe there’s only two members in the band. The hour and a half long set included all the hits as well as my favorites off this year’s Brothers. It was an entertaining performance from this talented band. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] The Black Keys – I’ll Be Your Man from The Big Come Up (2002) The Crystal Method After The Black Keys I checked out the Lunar Stage, which showcased mainly DJ sets from select electronic artists. My main interest was Crystal Method. I was a fan of the duo back in high school but haven’t kept up on their efforts since then. It was kind of fun to see the guys take the stage and completely dominate the Lunar tent. I don’t normally go to clubs or listen to music like this but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dancing. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] The Crystal Method featuring Matisyahu – Drown in the Now from Divided By Night (2009) LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem I closed the night with a brilliant set by LCD Soundsystem. They ended up playing many of the songs that made me fall in love with the band (Us v Them, Daft Punk, Tribulations, All My Friends, Yeah (Crass Version) ) as well as the new ones (Drunk Girls, Pow Pow, I Can Change, etc). The neat thing about LCD Soundsystem live is the amount of instruments and devices the band plays on stage. Not to mention the high energy of James Murphy himself. It’s hard to believe that the band thought they were going to have a tiny audience due to the late performance (2:30am). Such a special band shouldn’t be missed. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [mp3] LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls from This is Happening (2010) Before I close this post, I have to mention the famous midnight staging conflict. At midnight you had to choose between The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips (who also did a set covering the entire Dark Side of the Moon), Bassnectar, and Daryl Hall with Chromeo. It seemed like whoever I talked to could barely make up their mind. However in the end, from what I heard, there was no wrong answer. I made my way back to camp only to pass out in my clothes face down on my sleeping bag. Hopefully I’d have enough energy for Norah Jones, The Dead Weather, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, and Deadmau5 tomorrow. Click here for more pictures of Bonnaroo Day Two.
read more »This is such a loose canon, an individual in a sea of replicants, something to treasure before manufactured pop kills us all. And for all its eccentricities I can’t help feeling it was put together by someone in control of his vision as opposed to a ramshackle that made its way into the studio one lazy sunny afternoon. The vision provider is one Alex Ebert, an unloved addict with a penchant for school going vehicles. ‘Home’ was a success down under and there’s no reason to suggest it couldn’t be the same up over. The Zero Magnetics play like a less rigid Polyphonic Spree and I’m sure for most of the time playing in the band is a complete blast. From a certain angle Ebert even looks like Jesus, I’m sure the band's followers already think he’s a God. KDEdward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - HomeMore Info: Official & MyspaceBuy Songs: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic ZerosYear: 2010
read more »So here we are, my favourite songs of the year. What be they? How sound them? All is revealed.I think what strikes me about the music of the last twelve months is the blizzard of originality. An awful lot of new sounds were made. It's a little like the melting-pot at the centre of western music worked very well this year, because a lot of these songs have influences that are wide and disparate. Is this list, taken as a whole, better than that of 2008? I think it just might be. But only just.The artwork is what Dublin looked like during the winter of 2009, or what it would have looked like if that winter had an iTunes library like mine. Dublin is a city that looks its best in the cold, I think. Christmas lights suit it.I hope you enjoy the list. Thanks to everyone who's read the blog this past year.46. The Bruce Peninsula - Inside, Outside<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/insideoutside.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>That was the day someone had stolen my violin. I spat and raged, and paced and pounded, and cursed and spilt whiskey, and threw glasses and bottles. Outside the wind roared, and the rain lashed, threatening our windows. Someone was singing with my voice, and clapping time with my hands, so I started singing something, the first thing that fell from my tongue, and clapping as loudly as I could, and I shouted somethin's goin' on in the backyard!! and after a while, I got over it.45. Phoenix - Lisztomania<object width="305" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RrbGpvOulec&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RrbGpvOulec&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="305" height="25"></embed></object>In some weird way, this song sounds like going into a club where you go in and lose yourself in the song and in movement, and look down to see that the dance floor is dancing too.44. Blue Roses - I Am Leaving<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/iamleaving.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>Those guitars at the start: reeds swaying in a field. Everything else: this girl's memories of a place that she can't bring with her.43. Beat Radio - Sleepwalking<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/beatradiosleepwalking.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>So one day, you're playing guitar, trying to make sounds like thunder and rainfall and birdsong all at once, when your amplifier suddenly explodes, falls over, and keeps exploding. The temptation here would be to stop playing, and go look for an adult of some sort, but no! Instead you play on, using the explosions as rhythm, a kick drum beat that propels you on to make this whole mess into a gorgeous song, built on the one thing you're sure of - that this, this racket, this is just another way to have fun.42. Jay-Z + Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind<object width="305" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UjsXo9l6I8&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UjsXo9l6I8&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="305" height="25"></embed></object>Most of this song sounds like wandering around between buildings and people, and not getting much done, sort of waiting for something to happen - but then that chorus hits, or hits back, a reaction to any sort of inactivity, at anyone who's not smiling, or at least hoping. That chorus is something special.41. Sleep Thieves - City Lights<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/citylights.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>In the early hours of the morning we left the party, and started walking, and we walked all day. By the time we got back to our hometown, a shut-eyed little suburb out on the outskirts of the city, we noticed that things had changed. People were standing around, everybody we knew, or their parents, moving in lines, working in groups, working on buildings. It was like old footage of rubble women rebuilding cities after the war, but now they were fixing everything that had seemed to have gone wrong, removing the cracks in windows, polishing the signs in bus shelters, cleaning streets, replacing racist graffiti with smiley faces. We walked past them all, trying to take it in, but the long night had left us with heavy eyes, and we were ushered to bed. By the time we woke, the town was shadowed by the light of the moon.40. Tale of Tales - For All Times<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/foralltime.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This is a Sunday evening spent wandering around an empty home. A delicate guitar line is picked out like rain hitting the windows, leaving you content to be inside from the cold. His voice, heavy and rough at first, mellows its way into the song till it gets to the warmth at the heart of it. This feels like spending the day at home with the one you love, like any other day, but completely aware of just how lucky you are to be there.39. Efterklang - Modern Drift<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/moderndrift.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This is Efterklang at their best, meaning: thrills, space, sounds that come up to you and sing in your ear. It's a fine song, and it's so so easy to get carried away listening to it. You want other people to be there too, you want it to be one of those moments where great crowds of people are flooding through streets, and for once, they're not searching for happiness, but bringing it with them, sweeping up all they see, everyone around the next corner wondering what the noise is, those at the last corner trying to keep up with the frenzy.38. Sunset Rubdown - Idiot Heart<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/idiotheart.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>Ouch. That hurt. Let's do it again.37. Sufjan Stevens - You Are The Blood<object width="305" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ma-l-2izB_s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ma-l-2izB_s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="305" height="25"></embed></object>I won't say too much about this, what with it being a cover and all, and with Sufjan being capable of better things. But wow. Imagine making a song like that.36. Why? - This Blackest Purse<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/thisblackestpurse.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song is good for those days when it feels like everything was better when you were too young to understand it. When you get nostalgic and remember the joy of getting up early on Saturday mornings. Sugar on your cereal. Waterfights and remote controls. And best of all, warm summers. This song is all about getting rain when you'd planned for sunshine. It's also ridiculously good.35. tUnE-yArDs - SunlightI see this song as being a little like living in a rundown shack, putting on some music, and the frantic drumbeats seem to be like the shafts of sun peering in the holes in the roof. In a good way, obviously.34. Nils Frahm - Ambre<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/ambre.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song was recorded in the Grunewaldkirche in Berlin. It is nothing but piano and empty space. It is dark and quiet, and going into a dark and quiet church is something neither my family or I have done for some time, but we are doing it again now, both fearful and sceptical. It's always too quiet for me, too full of statues of people who are only half-there. But I like the sound of this. It's like sitting up high, by a blue stained-glass window somewhere, and staying very still. Like staying still and quiet enough, so that I am only half-there too.33. The Holy Roman Army - Stagger Gently Home<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/staggergentlyhome.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song is imbued with city nightlife. Not the drunken pub-crawling, but the lonely wandering after the last club has shut its doors, looking up at dawn stretching the night out of the sky, and streetlights still lit, keeping watch and taking care. Not drunk enough to be senseless, but enough to feel the outer world creeping in.32. Sharon van Etten - Much More Than That<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/muchmorethanthat.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The love here is real, and honest, and it's not likely to give up. This song sounds like something a girl might leave on your voicemail, drawing you in, winning you over.31. Thao Nguyan - Know Better Learn Faster<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/thaoknow.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>A woman sits in her car, holding steady, instruments in the back, driving away from the one she loves, not knowing when they'll meet again. She passes landmarks, mountains, hotels, and eventually she pulls in by the side of the road and lays down on the passenger side to sleep. She dreams that it's morning, the flickering sunlight wakes her, and she sees her car is moving, shifting gear, turning. She's sleepy, she thinks it's her instruments, taking control, and bringing her back to the one she loves, the source of all her songs and words. When she wakes up, she plays her violin, and it sounds like the one in this song.30. El Perro Del Mar - Change of HeartThis song breaks hearts, just for the way it gets across, quite clearly, that they can't be changed to suit anyone else. It's just as well it's inescapably gorgeous, or I'd have a hard time listening to it.29. David Deporis - Emancipation<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/emancipation.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The way he sings this song, right from the start, is like he's beside you. It's something you understand immediately, like some familiar feeling, like hiding inside your favourite warm jacket, pulling the softened sleeves long over your fingers, digging your chin into your collar for warmth. That's all this song tries to be, something to keep us warm, something to take the edge off the cold, showing you the kind of comfort that comes from other people.28. St. Vincent - The Strangers<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/thestrangers.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song is like all those Disney cartoons we watched as kids, but all grown up, Alice going back to Wonderland as an adult. Annie Clark uses the same lazy winding tunes that my kid self loved, and wraps them around her earnest lyrics, and instrumental uneasiness. It works on me, and I remember that an adult is just a grown-up child, and I sit listening to this song again and again, loving it.27. Burywood - Things Which Give Us Pause<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/thingswhichgiveuspause.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>I had a dream about this song. I dreamt that way back when, whenever our heads evolved the need for sleep, things went differently, and what wakes us up no longer did - in fact, it did the opposite. I dreamt that falling asleep was a struggle, a feat of concentration, and the ideal circumstances for it were loud noises and violent movement. Like the start of this song. People would listen to this with big headphones, trying to get a bit of shut-eye, this fleet of guitars cresting waves of colour. Couples would scream at each other until they fell over onto the bed, energy expended, and they would have dreams of each other's laughing faces, because people look funny when they make loud noises. Slumber would be well-earned, not something to be staved off, but to be cherished. And people would love those who brought them to sleep as gently and lovingly as possible.26. Local Natives - Airplanes<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/airplanes.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>There's something world-conquering about this song, in the momentous stomping of the drums, and the simple strings, the direct and honest delivery of sweetly sad lyrics. It's some narrator standing in a room, fingers kicking and tapping across a gently turning globe, dotting different locations and memories: I loved you, here, here and here. It's the entire stretch of a love affair, holding it at both ends like a piece of jewellery, some handmade necklace filled with more love in its length of string, and flat-worn chunk of wood, than in any pearl. It's where things stop and start, showing that there's nothing separating the points where he ends, and she begins.25. Bibio - Fire Ant<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/fireant.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>Hearing someone make music this inventive, irreverent and playful makes me want to go back in time with an iPod and tell someone: this is what music sounds like in the future. And in some weird, disconnected way, I'd be proud.24. Deradoorian - You Carry The Deed<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/youcarrythedeed.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>I have a thing about abandoned buildings. Everywhere I go, I gaze at them as though I can't stop taking them in, and can't help but imagine the last person leaving, locking the door of what was once their business, or their home, or their factory.I'll always enjoy living in an old building with scratched paint, a battered wooden stairwell, and a dangerous stairs winding down to a dank and dark cellar. It would become my home quicker than a space on the shelf of a bright new apartment block.Buildings like these have seen people come and go. The hard-working inhabitants or workers, they loved the place once, and had to leave it to nothing, leave it abandoned to nature, or vandals, or steady, unnoticed decay. You can see it easily, the desertion, the neglect, the hurt.23. Mixylodian - Fairly Well<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/fairlywell.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song can't be listened to once, it doesn't work that way: you need to get familiar with it, let it in, until it stays on your mind. That tapping at the start, it's like your mind turning on, starting up, running your life again. These things will come back after you've forgotten the song's name, or where you heard it. And after that it only gets better, when you finally come back to it and decide that maybe it's right for you after all.22. Super Extra Bonus Party - Comets {feat. Heathers}<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/comets.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>As soon as this song kicks off, you know that it's one of those rare and surprising instances where everything seems to go together perfectly. Between the lunar guitar lines and the insistent vocals telling us to close our eyes, the entire mood of this thing is like being out on a summer night, at some vantage point over a city that once felt new and strange, but suddenly feels like it's yours. It feels like your home, where your friends are. And though it's starting to grow cold, you'd rather stay, because you like seeing it like this, everything at once, not as big and distant as you'd once thought. You only ever feel this for places you come to love.21. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/home.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>There's nothing like the yelp of someone in love.20. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/donthauntthisplace.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song sounds to me like being boxed in to some old home. The drums are the noisiest thing, thin and stocky, like walls that are so close you're always leaning against them. The keys are soft and warm, laid with the vocals, soft and almost conversational, the people kept close to you. The violin groans along gently like the old brass water pipes that keep the place heated. Everything is near and close, a family of things bumping off one another, gathering speed to crash at the chorus, finally overflowing and shouting about the things that aren't right, the things that just aren't there.19. Golden Holy - Sons of Dreams<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/sonsofdreams.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>If you want a band to get really excited over, if you want a band that lays their guitar squalls down over the drums, then chants wordless whoops over them, with claps, accordion and strings thrown in, then this, dear reader, is that band. This song in particular makes you want to get up and run immediately to some special place, or some special person, to start doing the kind of things that send your heart leaping to your mouth, to get a glimpse of what you've planned for it. It really is that gorgeous.18. Harlem Shakes - Winter Water<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/winterwater.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>In the future, musical boxes will sound like this. The little enamel case on your grandmother's dresser, the one you claimed for yourself and brought to your messy home, that little box will click open to this song, and perfect little animatronic figures with little voices and little guitars will follow you about the house in a line - banging drums and singing a chorus as you get ready to join the day that waits outside the front door. They stand there, half watching you busy yourself with your spider-black mascara, half calling out from their tiny mouths for your attention. You put your hair up, and let it down again, and you almost forget they are there huddled behind you like mice, calling at you around corners, till they follow you as you open the door, and you feel the music change. You can feel them throw every bit of cheeriness into the song that they can muster, but they're not hiding their sadness at seeing you go.17. The Luyas - Spherical Mattress<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/sphericalmattress.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>If you've had one of those dreams, you'll know the feeling. A night when unexpected emotional intensity gets into your head, from God Knows Where. Walking around, with everything tinted and changed, same skin but a different life, holding hands, or carrying the weight. It could be some new love or just the memory of it, but it's enough to leave you disjointed and half-grieving when you awake. You walk around trying to figure out how something you didn't even mean to imagine could have left this gaping hole in your chest, and this tight hold on your heart, and all you can do is wait for it to fade away as the day goes on, like a bruise healing, or the way the creases in your pillow-case have vanished by night time.16. Dappled Cities - Apart<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/apart.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>If you were putting on a show for a friend, this would be the song at the very end, that you play while everything in the story is happily resolved. This is what it sounds like, letting unhappiness fall behind you like a leaf, and moving on. Getting out of an unhappy bed and going out in the world, enjoying it while the sun shines. Getting on a plane in the depths of winter and getting out where it's sunny. Little acts like that, the kind of things that make a good person.15. The Middle East - Blood<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/blood.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The way it builds up and descends at the end, it's like wandering around a cold, wintry city, waiting to sit down with someone at the end of it all. Like doing your Christmas shopping, investing yourself in the promised joy of it all, the great times when almost everyone you know agrees to be happy by convention, and it actually works. I can't tell if those are kids shouting at the end, or if I just think they are, because they sound so sure and so content. This song is an instant good mood.14. O Emperor - Po<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/po.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song starts off all woozy and understated, maybe a little drunk. Guitar strings are plucked like lights dancing around shadows, and the vocals shift and seethe around the lyrics, detailing the story of Po, and it's not long before you begin to feel like you're seated in the corner of some dimly lit pub watching someone stalk around, growing more and more interested by the second. It's testament to the band's abilities as musicians that they manage to keep the song this dark, and yet hike the tension as slowly as possible. It's done expertly, and it's almost reminiscent of The National, the way everything seems in line, down to the finest detail.13. Twin Sister - I Want A House<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/iwantahouse.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>Every time I try to write a poemI worry about the number of words in each lineand it occupies meuntil I see them weighed down like shelvingcrowded with half empty glasses and half read books.Every time I write a poemit is like decorating a new bedroomand moving into a new apartment.I wonder what little corner-hidden mistakeI will allow to remain this year.I try and flatten it into what I wantand cut out the bloatbut some words are already worn ina loaf blooming out of its tin while baking.Six months from nowwe may look at each otherover four feet of silenceand agree that we missteppedhoping to walk backwards togetheruntil we find something familiar.This is the same feeling.But so far this poem seems to be going well.12. Cortney Tidwell - So We Sing<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/sowesing.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This is one of those songs that starts with such a rush of bewildering happiness, it makes you want to run out the door in joy. It's sunny and warm and ecstatic, and listening to it the first time is a little like watching someone beautiful having fun. There's such perfection in every minute of it, the layered guitars swaying together like the folds of a dress, the vocals that jump about like words leaping between people's mouths, that you think this song could do something. If you took it outside, and sang it loudly, with everyone around you listening, you could make the sun come out, you could make the sky blue, you could make summer get here early.11. Burial/Four Tet - Moth<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/moth.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>This song is for dancing, but also for flowing drunkenly down a street, walking beneath the streetlights of East Berlin, looming like soldiers, spilling yellow onto the street, oil and light mixing by the footpath. You look ahead and see young men crouched by a wall, writing something indecipherable. You look up and see a single red light blotting above everything in the distance, and the buildings around you stand tall and crowded, a city falling into itself. You stumble on the cobbles, and notice the beat in this song, hidden in some basement club. You want to dance with someone, but you've been alone all night.10. Bell Orchestre & Elizabeth Powell - Lazy Love {live}<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/lazylove.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The beauty embedded and ingrained in every line of this song is oddly familiar. It's like something completely aware and accepting of its circumstances, its limited life, its inevitable defeat by it. But until then this love is supreme, standing firm and proud, like a statue by the ocean, lashed by wind and rain, but pointing out to sea nonetheless. That's the love here, a heart that doesn't quit for a second. And fuck, just listen to that chorus.This might not technically be of this year, but I only found it this summer, and I'm such a fool for love songs like this that I'm willing to overlook 'Elephant', which may be the best thing Bell Orchestre have ever done on their own.9. Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the Move<object width="305" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YMPF6lpM0XM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YMPF6lpM0XM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="305" height="25"></embed></object>The sun came up, quickly at first, then slowly, travelling towards me as I walked on, amongst damp and glistening blades of grass, and insects heading homewards, dropping their heads into the sticky earth, and then, in a good mood, and remembering I was writing all this, I made all the flowers around me bloom in vivid and gaudy colours, like drips from some melted rainbow, surprised by my morning sun.I headed away from the dying night behind me, and taken up with a sudden love and ecstatic joy, I began to run and leap and fly in little bounds, and the birds wheeled in the sky and clouds formed and dissolved sadly, and the sun burned fiercely for me, and in the distant greatness the few stars that remained exploded or didn't and every molecule of my being hummed with some content smile, and happiness bloomed out of everything! And I wanted to take that exclamation mark I just created, and place it as a cloud in the sky for all the country to see, and I did. Or maybe I just listened to this beautiful, beautiful song a few times, and let my mind wander.8. Cathy Davey - Little Red<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/littlered.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The glorious melody that takes off a minute into this song is like an answer to a distress call, but not one of panic, or worry. It's like some small consolation, a reassurance, a you-are-not-alone. It takes this song, unassuming in its jaunty little rhythm and two-chord switch, and rises above it, turning the scene inside your head from a worrisome little bedroom song into something more epic, and expansive, a landscape of valleys and the echos that flow between them, a landscape big enough to fit such a call. More and more voices rise up light like kites, or heavy like balloons, until everyone knows that everyone knows they are not alone.7. Animal Collective - My Girls<object width="305" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zol2MJf6XNE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zol2MJf6XNE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="305" height="25"></embed></object>There is a moment here - 1.27 in - when the song starts up like someone has lit a fuse. After that it becomes something incredible, the sound of beautiful melodies battling in space, and even though that's paired with a simple declaration of a father's love for his family, it seems to fit perfectly. To the moon and back.6. Villagers - Pieces<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/pieces.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>You may think, at first, that this song is a bit of a meandering old-timer, repeating itself. But you'll wake up one morning, and it'll be there with you. You'll go about your day, and every little tap you make will be the snare here, starting a beat and bringing you along. You'll hear that hook floating around in the background everywhere you go, and you'll put the song on repeat until you know it off by heart, and it will keep you warm.5. A Classic Education - Best Regards<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/bestregards.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>What's that? Yes, I've taken this test many times, and it was the best thing I ever did. One more question, and yes of course I will answer a few for you. If you could go back and do something differently, would you?Sorry - just a minute please, the question's not finished. If you could go back and do something differently, would you - would you spend more time with your mother? Would you have spent more time on that poetry, would you have gone walking in the hills near your family home? Would you have kissed that girl who was too shy to tell you how she felt? Would you have made sure you never ever said I love you without meaning it?I can see that this question has upset you. It is a rather long one... But not to worry, we have the perfect way to fix that sadness that rests on your face. Here, listen to this song. It has the answers - not necessarily the ones you want now, but something to help you find them. Apart from that, don't forget that it's summer. It's your time of the year, the sun is here warming the ground beneath your feet. And remember: you can never say no to a girl in a summer dress. I think that's what the song is really about, actually.4. The Antlers - TwoIf, like me, you've found yourself staring out your bedroom windows lately wondering how to make sense of such massive accumulations of snow, and such unrelenting cold, here's a song to help. This is what it would sound like if the snow talked back, and showed you all the fun to be had, finger-numbing cold or not. It's -17°C outside, but my friends tell me about the best hill for sledding, and where the best snow is to build big snowmen. That's what this song reminds me of: a little like if snow came with instructions for use. This is how music helps us make sense of new things that seem big and overbearing, snow, or love or other weird natural phenomena like that.3. Auld Lang Syne - Red Feather<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/redfeather.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>'Red Feather' is both achingly sad and glowingly beautiful. It's sung by Timmy Gallogly, from whom (unlike Timothy Dick, the band's main vocalist) I had heard little before this record. It's simply astonishing, the kind of gentle epitaph to a faded relationship that just gets into you to become the tear in your eye, the lump in your throat, the pounding in your chest. It's got some of my favourite lines of the year:"Phoenix can pick herself up off the floor / that don't mean she's rising againGo on red feather, fly off out the door / I can never make you happy again"It's not easy to listen to.2. Final Fantasy - The Great Elsewhere (FM4)<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/thegreatelsewherefm4.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The now-released album version is better, but for most of the year I was in thrall to this live version, loving it for its energy, its devotion to every single beat, the precision it gives to getting everything right. And the song itself is perfect, note for note.1. DM Stith - Braid of Voices<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/braidofvoices.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object>The finest song on the finest album of the year. It starts, gentle and lonely, a three chord movement, like a musical figure falling into bed from exhaustion - but from here it goes many places. A sinister cavern of noise, a sad moment in a familiar place, a grim realisation. There are refrains that bring us to think of ourselves honestly and without fear, the blue light, the home town. And it ends with the singer bringing himself to the fore, addressing himself by name and suddenly pulling the listener in close, in a shock, making sure they can see what's been going on before their eyes.---That's that. I know 46 is an arbitrary number, and I could probably have stretched it to 50, but I didn't feel like stretching it. I hope you like the artwork; you can compare them with the originals here if you like. Again, thanks for reading!
read more »As I dragged myself to work over the holidays listening to “I And Love And You” by The Avett Brothers, I silently thought to myself “this is the best tune of ‘09.” So with that thought and a slow day at work, I went about making my top 10 tunes of ‘09. 10. Other Lives – Paper Cities: Brilliantly arranged with not one note out of place and Jesse Tabish nails the vocals. Other Lives – Paper Cities Other Lives – Paper Cities (HearYa Live Session Version) 9. The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes In Waves: So much better live when Shara Worden performs like someone possessed The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes In Waves (via Deaf Indie Elephants) 8. A.A. Bondy – I Can See The Pines Are Dancing: From the the first time I heard this tune, the melody was burned in my brain. AA Bondy – I Can See The Pines Are Dancing 7. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – Home: I think its been on every show on the WB but damn I still love it. Edwarde Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – Home (courtesy of Salad Days Music) 6. The White Rabbits – Percussion Gun: The album cover shows furious drumming. This song delivers on its promise. The White Rabbits – Percussion Gun 5. The Roadside Graves – Ruby: A great tune made better by the ending. Gleason and company nail the vocals down the stretch. The Roadside Graves – Ruby The Roadside Graves – Ruby (HearYa Live Session Version) 4. Justin Townes Earle – Mama’s Eyes: The most personal tune in the top 10. Justin Townes Earle – Mama’s Eyes 3. The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin: After hearing Shirk’s mix from our live session, I commented to him; “I think I just saw Jesus.” The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin (HearYa Live Session Version) 2. The Avett Bros. – I And Love And You: As brilliant an opening track that you will ever hear. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You 1. Ha Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve To Your Bleeding Heart – I promised myself if a band ever used Dostoevsky in a lyric, I would make that song number one. Thankfully it is a great tune that embodies everything I enjoy about Ha Ha Tonka. Ha Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve To Your Bleeding Heart Ha Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve To Your Bleeding Heart (HearYa Live Session Version)
read more »Alphabetically:: Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion:: My Girls The Antlers – Hospice:: Sylvia Bat for Lashes – Two Suns:: Daniel The Decemberists – Hazards of Love:: The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca:: Stillness Is The Move Fever Ray – Fever Ray:: Seven Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest:: Two Weeks Passion Pit – The Manners:: To Kingdom Come Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer:: Idiot Heart Woods – Songs of Shame:: Rain On Various Artists: Dark Night Of The Soul:: Just War Dark Was The Night:: Knotty Pine Bonus: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below:: Home Japandroids – Post-Nothing:: Young Hearts Spark Fire Guilty Pleasure: Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster:: Bad Romance
read more »Our Favorite Songs of 2009: #20 - 11 #30 - 21 #40 - 31 #50 - 41 Dirty Projectors & David Byrne - "Knotty Pine" “Here is the sound that photographs make” is either the most artistically brilliant opening line of the year – or the most dumbest. If you’re leaning towards the latter, you probably miss the entire point: DP’s lyrics exist where sounds and meaning meet, operating more like instruments than dialogue. It’s fitting then that David Byrne seamlessly co-occupies this song, because some of his best lines are equally non sequitur. (“I'm wearin' fur pajamas/I ride a hot potato”, anyone?) And that guitar solo absolutely shreds in a “What be-ith this stringed instrument thou has just handed me?” sort of way. Randall Monty Phoenix - "1901" Before Phoenix, the year 1901 had a lot going for it. After all it was the year that Theodore Roosevelt coined the motto, “Speak softly and carry a big stick” and the very year that the electric vacuum was patented. However, in 2009 the year 1901 lost prime Google real estate to a blitz of synthesized energy and a hook big enough to fish Leviathan. Phoenix and “1901” may very well be the catchiest thing to come out of Versailles since garden landscaping. The song continues to be omnipresent, and with its start up/ slow down rhythmic acceleration, it makes sense that it is being used to sell Cadillacs. Yonah Korngold Animal Collective - "My Girls" Only Animal Collective could release a single like “My Girls” and have it heralded as the group’s most accessible and pop sensible song to date. How exactly are a series of looped blips accessible? On what planet are Benedictine-like chants and hooks about building materials sensible by popular standards? The backbone beat might be the most danceable thing AC has ever laid down, but that element only appears in a fraction of the song. The fact is, this is not a pop song, it’s not a dance track, and it’s not nearly accessible because it’s not trying to be any of these things. In spite of harmonies and rhythmic flourishes that many bona fide pop artists would kill for, “My Girls” is in fact a deeply personal account hidden behind layers of found and created sounds, combining to create a deceptively universal feel. But it’s also an Animal Collective song, so it can’t help but be all sorts of interesting and worthwhile things, plus a little bit of everything else. Randall Monty Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Young Adult Friction" It seems odd to be listing this song, the best of Pains of Being Pure at Heart's breakout year, just now. In concert, all throughout 2008, it was an obvious highlight, the one place where the band's sloppy, mop-headed adorableness was most fully joined to a muscular guitar thrust. On record, they play it softer, gentler, and thinking of a few old cusp-of-fame gigs in particular, more sober. From the title to its last line, the song lays the library sex puns on thick, maybe trying just slightly too hard to slot into the blushing/bookish zone that their obvious heroes in Belle and Sebastian had often found so effortlessly. The thing about POBPAH, though, the one that almost everyone eventually came to accept, is that their divine execution excels even when you can guess the play in advance. You sense it's hard work sounding this breezy. But, like noticing the thumbprints on the stop motion clay critters in Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox, you're just left more impressed that someone cared to provide their whimsy in such flawless detail. Jeff Klingman Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - "Home" It is perhaps the only song in history that has a breakdown that mentions falling out of a window and bleeding all over in the same breath as falling in love. “Home” is contagious enough to make swine flu jealous. The dynamic between Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert is nothing but overwhelming warmth and giggles. Pair that with a cheaper by the dozen band and “Leave it to Beaver” meets Western whistling, “Home” could be the most jovial song of the decade. Luckily, Thomas Wolfe never heard this song since it would have completely ruined the premise of his book, You Can’t Go Home Again. Yonah Korngold Girls - "Hellhole Ratrace" This transparently titled track is a resonating description of depressed reality juxtaposed with desperate hopefulness. It strikes a chord with bummed out listeners looking for comfort in their shared misery. Just as the repeating verses express wishes for positive change, the slow burn of the music increases tension as it develops. It doesn't matter that there's a reiteration of pleas, the music turns from a mellow strumming over to a darker and increasingly pressurized shoegaze tone. Like a serious cry for help amidst lingering wants, the billowing atmospherics become hostile and invade from all directions by creeping ever closer to stifling mode. What feels like excessive repetition is really an increase of despair towards aspired goals. As their chance to get buried increases, the general feeling of cries for help turn into screams. Merry Swankster Micachu - "Golden Phone" Young Mica Levy gives off what sounds like a yawn in "Golden Phone"'s opening seconds, the sort one might give with arms outstretched and dawn light breaking through the blinds. It's one of many casual clues her debut record gives that a particularly modern brand of magic is almost too easy for our gal to conjure. Of all the miniature marvels on Jewellry, this is the one that flows the smoothest; the one where the seams show least. Which is not to say it sounds slick, exactly--it's still too minimal and prone to clatter for that. But Levy has a singular knack for building minor tics into thrilling pop, "a nonsense sound" as the song puts it. With the talent to sustain a long, long career, here's hoping she takes her time in making its peculiar alchemy any plainer. Jeff Klingman Phoenix - "Listzomania" We could have probably gotten away with any track from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix making this list (well, maybe not the “Love Like a Sunset” songs); they’re all perfectly concise and melodic, seamlessly shifting from straight-forward rock and roll to intelligent, heartfelt pop to disco-era R&B and back again. Each track springs forth anew with measured progression, but its “Listzomenia” sets the pace as an authoritative introductory statement. Sure, attentive ears have been tuned to Versailles-based Phoenix for some time now, but WAP seems more purposefully crafted as its own artifact, one that’s hell-bent on announcing its own intentions. This is particularly significant, I think, when taken in the current, hurried context of music listening, where single tracks trump albums in our interpretations of music (case in point, this is a year-ending list of songs, not albums). “Listzomenia”, undoubtedly intentionally chosen as the album lead-in, harkens back to those halcyon days of yore (say, 1998), when bands always thought in terms of parts contributing to a completed whole. Randall Monty Dirty Projectors - "Stillness is the Move" Besides being the most accessible thing on Bitte Orca, “Stillness is the Move” is a triumph of the unexpected: that looped guitar figure, which resembles the sound you’d get if you slammed your first on top of a state-of-the-art pinball machine, does not seem like the kind of riff you’d stake a single on. Those radio-ready, soul sistah vocals, only slightly tweaked to the Gently Robotic setting, seem like they’ve arrived wholesale out of a bootleg collaboration between Mariah Carey and Daft Punk. Unlike elsewhere on the record, these lyrics are straight to the point, an urgent, optimistic declaration of faith in romance. And the fact that the whole thing gels into something so immediate, addictive, and danceable is simply a marvel. Dave Klein Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes" No song better captures the brutal misery of an oppressively hot summer night in the city like this one. The brilliantly composed musical interpretation of a loud and churning city overheating in the boiling concrete island is evident throughout. An atmosphere mimicking a city's agitated noises like the type you would hear through opened windows that attempt (and failing) to lasso in a refreshing breeze. Heaving sounds of overheating vehicles, voices carried from a distance through the thick, humid air and marbled ambiance of a vivid summer night in the sleepless city. Right from the onset the rhythms stay as consistent as the air remains intolerably still. No relief from tossing and turning until the chance to escape from the steaming dungeon dwelling occurs when a lover summons a midnight rendezvous to the street. Sticking to the themes of domesticated romanticism from Merriweather Post Pavilion the track shifts to a joyful pace of fast-moving, late night couple activities based on adoration towards just being with each other. While never using the word love, no other song so clearly states infatuation for one another as well as "Summertime Clothes". On those same lines, you wouldn't think an austere line like "I want to walk around with you" would strike the vision of passion in the extraordinary way that it does. And yet...it does just that. Merry Swankster
read more »Our Favorite Songs of 2009: #20 - 11 #30 - 21 #40 - 31 #50 - 41 Dirty Projectors & David Byrne - "Knotty Pine" “Here is the sound that photographs make” is either the most artistically brilliant opening line of the year – or the most dumbest. If you’re leaning towards the latter, you probably miss the entire point: DP’s lyrics exist where sounds and meaning meet, operating more like instruments than dialogue. It’s fitting then that David Byrne seamlessly co-occupies this song, because some of his best lines are equally non sequitur. (“I'm wearin' fur pajamas/I ride a hot potato”, anyone?) And that guitar solo absolutely shreds in a “What be-ith this stringed instrument thou has just handed me?” sort of way. Randall Monty Phoenix - "1901" Before Phoenix the year 1901 had a lot going for it. After all it was the year that Theodore Roosevelt coined the motto, “Speak softly and carry a big stick” and the very year that the electric vacuum was patented. However, in 2009 the year 1901 lost prime Google real estate to a blitz of synthesized energy and a hook big enough to fish Leviathan. Phoenix and “1901” may very well be the catchiest thing to come out of Versailles since garden landscaping. The song continues to be omnipresent, and with its start up/ slow down rhythmic acceleration, it makes sense that it is being used to sell Cadillacs. Yonah Korngold Animal Collective - "My Girls" Only Animal Collective could release a single like “My Girls” and have it heralded as the group’s most accessible and pop sensible song to date. How exactly are a series of looped blips accessible? On what planet are Benedictine-like chants and hooks about building materials sensible by popular standards? The backbone beat might be the most danceable thing AC has ever laid down, but that element only appears in a fraction of the song. The fact is, this is not a pop song, it’s not a dance track, and it’s not nearly accessible because it’s not trying to be any of these things. In spite of harmonies and rhythmic flourishes that many bona fide pop artists would kill for, “My Girls” is in fact a deeply personal account hidden behind layers of found and created sounds, combining to create a deceptively universal feel. But it’s also an Animal Collective song, so it can’t help but be all sorts of interesting and worthwhile things, plus a little bit of everything else. Randall Monty Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Young Adult Friction" It seems odd to be listing this song, the best of Pains of Being Pure at Heart's breakout year, just now. In concert, all throughout 2008, it was an obvious highlight, the one place where the band's sloppy, mop-headed adorableness was most fully joined to a muscular guitar thrust. On record, they play it softer, gentler, and thinking of a few old cusp-of-fame gigs in particular, more sober. From the title to its last line, the song lays the library sex puns on thick, maybe trying just slightly too hard to slot into the blushing/bookish zone that their obvious heroes in Belle and Sebastian had often found so effortlessly. The thing about POBPAH, though, the one that almost everyone eventually came to accept, is that their divine execution excels even when you can guess the play in advance. You sense it's hard work sounding this breezy. But, like noticing the thumbprints on the stop motion clay critters in Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox, you're just left more impressed that someone cared to provide their whimsy in such flawless detail. Jeff Klingman Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - "Home" It is perhaps the only song in history that has a breakdown that mentions falling out of a window and bleeding all over in the same breath as falling in love. “Home” is contagious enough to make swine flu jealous. The dynamic between Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert is nothing but overwhelming warmth and giggles. Pair that with a cheaper by the dozen band and “Leave it to Beaver” meets Western whistling, “Home” could be the most jovial song of the decade. Luckily, Thomas Wolfe never heard this song since it would have completely ruined the premise of his book, You Can’t Go Home Again. Yonah Korngold Girls - "Hellhole Ratrace" This transparently titled track is a resonating description of depressed reality juxtaposed with desperate hopefulness. It strikes a chord with bummed out listeners looking for comfort in their shared misery. Just as the repeating verses express wishes for positive change, the slow burn of the music increases tension as it develops. It doesn't matter that there's a reiteration of pleas, the music turns from a mellow strumming over to a darker and increasingly pressurized shoegaze tone. Like a serious cry for help amidst lingering wants, the billowing atmospherics become hostile and invade from all directions by creeping ever closer to stifling mode. What feels like excessive repetition is really an increase of despair towards aspired goals. As their chance to get buried increases, the general feeling of cries for help turn into screams. Merry Swankster Micachu - "Golden Phone" Young Mica Levy gives off what sounds like a yawn in "Golden Phone"'s opening seconds, the sort one might give with arms outstretched and dawn light breaking through the blinds. It's one of many casual clues her debut record gives that a particularly modern brand of magic is almost too easy for our gal to conjure. Of all the miniature marvels on Jewellry, this is the one that flows the smoothest; the one where the seams show least. Which is not to say it sounds slick, exactly--it's still too minimal and prone to clatter for that. But Levy has a singular knack for building minor tics into thrilling pop, "a nonsense sound" as the song puts it. With the talent to sustain a long, long career, here's hoping she takes her time in making its peculiar alchemy any plainer. Jeff Klingman Phoenix - "Listzomania" We could have probably gotten away with any track from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix making this list (well, maybe not the “Love Like a Sunset” songs); they’re all perfectly concise and melodic, seamlessly shifting from straight-forward rock and roll to intelligent, heartfelt pop to disco-era R&B and back again. Each track springs forth anew with measured progression, but its “Listzomenia” sets the pace as an authoritative introductory statement. Sure, attentive ears have been tuned to Versailles-based Phoenix for some time now, but WAP seems more purposefully crafted as its own artifact, one that’s hell-bent on announcing its own intentions. This is particularly significant, I think, when taken in the current, hurried context of music listening, where single tracks trump albums in our interpretations of music (case in point, this is a year-ending list of songs, not albums). “Listzomenia”, undoubtedly intentionally chosen as the album lead-in, harkens back to those halcyon days of yore (say, 1998), when bands always thought in terms of parts contributing to a completed whole. Randall Monty Dirty Projectors - "Stillness is the Move" Besides being the most accessible thing on Bitte Orca, “Stillness is the Move” is a triumph of the unexpected: that looped guitar figure, which resembles the sound you’d get if you slammed your first on top of a state-of-the-art pinball machine, does not seem like the kind of riff you’d stake a single on. Those radio-ready, soul sistah vocals, only slightly tweaked to the Gently Robotic setting, seem like they’ve arrived wholesale out of a bootleg collaboration between Mariah Carey and Daft Punk. Unlike elsewhere on the record, these lyrics are straight to the point, an urgent, optimistic declaration of faith in romance. And the fact that the whole thing gels into something so immediate, addictive, and danceable is simply a marvel. Dave Klein Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes" No song better captures the brutal misery of an oppressively hot summer night in the city like this one. The brilliantly composed musical interpretation of a loud and churning city overheating in the boiling concrete island is evident throughout. An atmosphere mimicking a city's agitated noises like the type you would hear through opened windows that attempt (and fail) to lasso in a refreshing breeze. Heaving sounds of overheating vehicles, voices carried from a distance through the thick, humid air and marbled ambiance of a vivid summer night in the sleepless city. Right from the onset the rhythms stay as consistent as the air remains intolerably still. No relief from tossing and turning until the chance to escape from the steaming dungeon dwelling occurs when a lover summons for a midnight rendezvous to the street. Sticking to the themes of domesticated romanticism from Merriweather Post Pavilion, the track shifts to a joyful pace of fast-moving, late night couple activities based on adoration towards just being with each other. While never using the word love, no other song so clearly states infatuation for one another as well as this one. On those same lines, you wouldn't think an austere lyric like "I want to walk around with you" would strike the vivid passion in the extraordinary way that it does. And yet...it does just that. Merry Swankster
read more »#20 - Here We Go Magic - "Tunnelvision" (from Here We Go Magic)Kicking off this list with a smooth start is "Tunnelvision," from Here We Go Magic's self-titled debut. It was nice to see Luke Temple take this interesting turn in 2009, and I wish I had the chance to see the band when they swung through Nashville this year (though I did see them at SXSW). This song babbles along with a ripply surface like a mid-paced mountain stream, and may have been my first taste of the layered sounds I would fall in love with in 2009. #19 - Fol Chen - "Winter, That's All" (from Part I: John Shade, Your Future's Made)I can honestly say I don't remember anything else that appeared on this Fol Chen album, but I do remember latching on to "Winter, That's All" immediately when I was running over that specific week's releases for the radio show. Then I promptly forgot the song, and lamented that fact a few weeks ago when I started assembling the list - a song can't be a favorite if I didn't listen to it that much. Fortunately, it's been in such regular rotation this December that it made this countdown after all.#18 - Animal Collective - "My Girls" (from Merriweather Post Pavilion)Before 2009, I probably would have been more interested in the optical illusion-y cover of Animal Collective's new album rather than the music within. But the Panda Bear-ified Merriweather Post Pavilion ("Panda Bear-ified" is a term that could be applied to a lot of what 2009 had to offer) was more accessible than anything by Animal Collective that I had sampled to date, and the placement of "My Girls" on a mix a friend made solidified my opinion that it was one of the best songs of the year, even though it appears lower on my list.#17 - Bear in Heaven - "Wholehearted Mess" (from Beast Rest Forth Mouth)I was more pumped about seeing Bear in Heaven at this year's Next Big Nashville than possibly the whole rest of the festival (aside from Phosphorescent, maybe) and I nearly wore out my advance copy of Beast Rest Forth Mouth before the band even rolled into town. They put on a fantastic show and turned out to be a great bunch of guys, and I can't wait to see them in 2010 as well.#16 - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Home" (from Up From Below)"Home" was my "Young Folks" of 2009 - not because of the whistling, but because I fell head over heels for it immediately and then kinda got sick of it. Still, I loved this song enough to warrant a spot on this countdown, and I know it sounds so classic that I'm going to be listening to it for years to come.
read more »Today is officially the last last day of 2009 so we thought it would be fitting to release our top songs of the year list. Maybe you can even use them to put a little NYE playlist together. As for me I’ll be watching the Flaming Lips cover Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Everyone have fun and be safe tonight. See you next year. Goodbye year. Goodbye decade. 50. Silversun Pickups | “Growing Old Is Getting Old” 49. Passion Pit | “Moth’s Wings” 48. No Age | “You’re A target” 47. Kurt Vile | “Freeway” 46. Handsome Furs | “Legal Tender” 45. Langhorne Slim | “Say Yes” 44. Julian Casablancas | Ludlow St.” 43. Ramona Falls | “Russia” 42. Fuck Buttons | “Surf Solar” 41. The Rural Alberta Advantage | “Don’t Haunt This Place” 40. Megafun | “Kaufman’s Ballad” 39. Daniel Johnston | “Queenie the Doggie” 38. The Thermals | “Now We Can See” 37. White Denim | “Regina Holding Hands” 36. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros | “Home” 35. Phoenix | “1901″ 34. Atlas Sound | “Quick Canal” 33. The Big Pink – “Love In Vain” 32. Yeah Yeah Yeahs | “Zero” 31. Kings of Convenience | “Mrs. Cold” 30. Cass McCombs | “You Saved My Life” 29. A.C. Newman | “There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve…” 28. Andrew Bird | “Nomenclature” 27. The xx | “VCR” 26. John Vanderslice | “D.I.A.L.O.” 25. Discovery | “Orange Shirt” 24. Animal Collective | “What Would I Want? Sky” 23. Washed Out | “Feel It All Around” 22. Sunset Rubdown | “Silver Moons” 21. The Antlers | “Two” 20. Dirty Projectors | “Stillness Is the Move” 19. There Will Be Fireworks | “We Were A Roman Candle” 18. Girls | “Hellhole Ratrace” 17. The Flaming Lips | “Watching the Planets” 16. Neon Indian | “Deadbeat Summer” 15. The Almighty Defenders | “Cone of Light” 14. Yacht | “Psychic City (Voodoo City)” 13. Matt and Kim | “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” 12. Phoenix | “Listzomania” 11. Real Estate | “Beach Comber” 10. The Big Pink | “Dominos” 09. Bon Iver | “Blood Bank” 08. Yeah Yeah Yeahs | “Heads Will Roll” 07. Atlas Sound | “Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox)” 06. The Flaming Lips | “Powerless” 05. Grizzly Bear | “Two Weeks” 04. Wilco | “Bull Black Nova” 03. Girls | “Lust for Life” 02. Animal Collective | “Summertime Clothes” 01. Why? | “Into the Shadows of My Embrace” Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Add this to Google Bookmarks Subscribe to the comments for this post?
read more »10. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - MY GIRLSÁrið 2009 var líklega árið þar sem Animal Collective sprakk út endanlega. Í áraraðir höfðu þessir kappar sent frá sér frábærar plötur en í ár hittu þeir naglann algjörlega beint á höfuðið. "My Girls" er í raun popplag í dulbúningi. Léttleikandi, villt og ævintýralegt. Uppfullt af víðáttumiklum hljóðum og afrískum tribal takti. Raddanir margþrungnar og lagið í raun ein stór rússíbanaferð.9. CASS MCCOMBS - YOU SAVED MY LIFESólóartistinn Cass McCombs átti kannski ekki að mínum dómi heilsteyptustu plötu ársins, virkaði svolítið einstrekkingsleg á köflum, en á Catacombs mátti finna einn gríðarlega vel slípaðan gullmola. "You Saved My Life" er hægfara ballaða með ávanabindandi undirleik. Gæti hæglega átt við í brúðkaupi jafnt sem jarðaför, epískt án þess að reynt sé að gera það að einhverju extravaganza bullshjitti. Laglína og texti fær að njóta sín án óþarfa skrauts. "Less is more". Eitt fallegasta lag ársins.8. SONIC YOUTH - SACRED TRICKSTERÞetta lag situr í þessu sæti vegna þess að í því má glögglega heyra í gömlu góðu örlí næntís Sonic Youth. Opnunarlag fyrstu plötu sveitarinnar hjá Matador, gerði mann reiðubúinn í restina og um leið tók mann 20 ár aftur í tímann. Þó platan hafði nú ekki alveg staðið undir væntingum þá er þetta eitt hressilegasta rokklag ársins. Gítarinn eins og vera ber óviðjafnanlegur og rödd Kim Gordon aldrei verið eins kynæsandi. Það er bara gjörsamlega magnað hvað þessi sveit er ódrepandi.7. SWAN LAKE - A HAND AT DUSKSorglegasta lag ársins, og á jákvæðan hátt, eiga Swan Lake. Tölurnar sýna að þetta sé eitt mest hlustaða lagið hjá Zúra rjómanum™ þetta árið, einhvernveginn átti þetta við á þessu ári. Skuggalega fagurt píanó (a la Spencer Krug) byrjar ballið. Þar til mögnuð laglína bætist við og ógreinilegt en grunsamlegt gítarsarg rúllar bakvið. Geigvænlega myndrænt og stundum dálítið kvikmyndaskor-legt. Eitt magnaðasta tónverk ársins og fellur í flokk þeirra laga sem líklega hefðu átt að vera hærra á listanum? Millikafli sem hægt er að grenja yfir.6. SURFER BLOOD - SWIMAlltaf dálítið ánægður þegar Florida-sveitir gera góða hluti. Árið 2009 kynnti fyrir umheiminum West Palm Beach-bandið Surfer Blood og var tími kominn til. "Swim" er einn óvæntandi popprokkslagari ársins. Hresst, grípandi og um leið fallegt. Beach Boys meets Modest Mouse með viðkomu í Weezer. Og nýja platan kemur svo snemma á 2010. Frábært hreinræktað rokk gert af heilindum og vel meinandi. Ómengað og hreinskilið.5. FEVER RAY - WHEN I GROW UPUnglingur eða jafnvel barn með hugleiðingar um hvað það ætlar að verða þegar það verður fullorðið. Raunar ekkert flóknara en það. Þessar hugleiðingar eru síðan færðar í eitthvað magnaðasta tónspil sem um getur. Lag sem hefði getað tekið þið til himna ef það hefði verið meiningin, en Fever Ray heldur þig á brúninni allan tímann. "When I Grow Up" fer aldrei þangað sem það gæti hafa farið sem er einmitt það sem gerir það af svo mikilli schnilld. Þungt og með óþrjótandi aðlaðandi tónsvið og hljóma. Gæti hafa verið í Ipodnum hjá Mr. Decker í Blade Runner.4. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - GRAZE"Graze" kom seint út á árinu á aukaskífu sem Animal Collective henti frá sér, Fall Be Kind. Líklega bestu þröngskífu ársins. Opnunarlag og svo sannarlega ekkert slor. Þetta lag tekur mann í nefið. Geimlegt og svífandi laglínur umlykja eyru manns til að byrja með, ómmikið og ekkó. Síðan brjóta kapparnir þetta upp með einhverjum fallegasta millikafla síðari ára sem líkist mest tónlist þar sem dvergarnir í Willow dönsuðu við. Upp úr því er ekki annað hægt en að gráta yfir kraftmiklum elektróbítum og fagurri laglínu sem er rödduð óviðjafnalega. Hreinlega magnað.3. SUNSET RUBDOWN - YOU GO ON AHEAD (TRUMPET TRUMPET II)Og ekkert er Spencer Krug búinn að segja sitt síðasta. Þetta lag var flaggberi plötunnar Dragonslayer og eitt flottasta tónverk sem kappinn hefur samið í gegnum tíðina. Og ef lesendur Zúra rjómans™ eru ekki enn búnir að koma þessu í gegnum þykku hauskúpuna á sér þá fullyrði ég enn og aftur að Spencer Krug er einn hæfileikaríkasti lagasmiður sem mannkynið getur státað sig af. Og auk þess einn sá vanmetnasti. Virtist blómstra ásamt konu sinni á síðasta ári, og heyrist það glögglega í þessu lagi.2. EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS - HOMEEinskonar kommúnuband, líklega vinstrisinnuð og umhverfisvæn, nútíma hippar. Þrátt fyrir það er hér um að ræða geigvænlega hressandi poppsmell sem kemur manni í gott skap og gefur góða strauma frá sér. Upplífgandi á tímum neikvæðra frétta, einfaldur ástardúett sem svínvirkar og laglína sem maður syngur með. Poppari ársins. Nó dádt.1. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - IN MY FLOWERSLag ársins á hljómsveit ársins líklega einnig, Animal Collective. Upphafslag stórvirkisins Merriweather Post Pavilion og hreinræktuð sónikspeis rússíbanaferð sem endar með gæsahúð. Eins og raunar öll platan þá búa til Animal Collective gríðarlega víðáttumikið og stórt sánd sem fyllir upp í öll tónhólf sem um getur. Krafturinn er óviðjafnanlegur þegar þungar tribal trommur gefa frá sér fastan takt og síðan bætist undraverður bassi sem fyllir upp það sem þú hélst að væri orðið fullt. Einfaldlega eitt fullkomnasta lag ársins í ár. Og lag sem ég fæ aldreið nóg af.
read more »Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros - "Home" from the 2009 album Up From Below on Vagrant Records.
read more »photo by Michael Eaton Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we deliver songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros from the 2009 album Up From Below on Vagrant Records. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home (MP3) You may remember Ima Robot, the punky dance band out of LA that put out a couple of albums in the early to mid-00’s. Then again, maybe you don’t — after all, their glammy keyboard heavy sound tended to do a bit better in the UK than on their home turf. But maybe that’s just as well. Not to slight the previous band, but Ima Robot vocalist Alex Ebert has a whole new thing going on with his current project, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, which is more like Devendra Banhart fronting The Polyphonic Spree than Junior Senior channeling David Bowie (no offense to any bands involved in that analogy either!). Just imagine this guy castaway with Tom Hanks and Wilson for fifteen years and you get the idea. And no, there is no Edward Sharpe, not in real life anyway. He’s a fictional character created by Ebert, a sort of failed messiah, or at least distracted one, who leads 10 or more musicians on-stage night after night before adoring fans, and rather than saving the world, he ends up falling in love. Sounds like the premise to a novel, right? In fact, Ebert is apparently chronicling the character in an unfinished book and through a 12-part feature length musical movie. Clearly, Ebert himself has had a reversal of attitude as well as style, and he’s said as much in interviews (like this one), claiming to have broken free of his self-destructive past through an awakening and through AA. Musically, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros avoid the risk of getting lumped in with more popular hippie jam bands or cast aside with the freak folkers by creating feel good music so accessible and chant-worthy that you forget to make a million and one comparisons if not forget where you are! Today’s Song of the Day, “Home,” is a clear standout from the album because of its theatrical narrative and unforgettable duet with musical partner Jade Castrinos. If Trouble weren’t such a lonesome town, this would be Lee Hazelwood’s song. As you can imagine, with about a dozen traveling members in the band, things can get a little crazy on tour for Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, but as they seem to be continually on the road, they’ve become consummate professionals. As Ebert told said during a Seattle appearance earlier this month, “we’ve been doing it for a long time, so we’re really good at this,” and the sold-out Neumo’s crowd seemed to agree. Unfortunately, there are no upcoming tour dates on the band’s website or MySpace page, but you can rest assured that they’ll be back on the road soon enough. For now, you can find two episodes of their multi-part feature here and watch the video for “Home” right here: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YHKuB85EgnI&rel=1&color1=d6d6d6&color2=f0f0f0&border=0&fs=1&hl=en&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YHKuB85EgnI&rel=1&color1=d6d6d6&color2=f0f0f0&border=0&fs=1&hl=en&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/></object>
read more »Here are my top 40 albums of 2009 collected into one post rather than spread across three. For what it’s worth I already have a bad case of list regret. In retrospect I would have placed the Real Estate album much higher, possibly top 10 even. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately and it really is gorgeous. Anyways, what’s done is done. Enjoy. View Entire List After the Jump… 40. Stardeath and White Dwarfs – The Birth MP3: Stardeath and White Dwarfs – “Smoking Pot Makes Me Not Want To Kill Myself” 39. Former Ghosts – Fleurs MP3: Former Ghosts – “Dreams” 38. Daniel Johnston – Is and Always Was MP3: Daniel Johnston – “Queenie the Doggie” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=648799821685345947&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=648799821685345947&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Is And Always Was – Daniel Joh… 37. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns MP3: Rural Alberta Advantage – “The Ballad of the RAA” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445175788906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445175788906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Hometowns – The Rural Alberta … 36. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications MP3: Jarvis Cocker – “Angela” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573704025262&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573704025262&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Further Complications – Jarvis… 35. Florence and The Machine – Lungs MP3: Florence and the Machine – “Dog Days Are Over” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627041169190300&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627041169190300&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Lungs – Florence & the Machine 34. White Denim – Fits MP3: White Denim – “Regina Holding Hands” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627040088097930&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627040088097930&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Fits – White Denim 33. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz! MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627041169180889&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627041169180889&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> It’s Blitz! – Yeah Yeah Yeahs 32. Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love MP3: Pink Mountaintops – “Holiday” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445176464246&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445176464246&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Outside Love – Pink Mountainto… 31. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names MP3: John Vanderslice – “D.I.A.L.O” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445176456146&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445176456146&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Romanian Names – John Vandersl… 30. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns MP3: Bat For Lashes – “Daniel” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=576742229218850291&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=576742229218850291&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Two Suns – Bat For Lashes 29. The xx – XX MP3: The xx – “VCR” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573703410073&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573703410073&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> xx – The xx 28. Julian Casablancas – Phrazes for the Young MP3: Julian Casablancas – “Ludlow St.” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=504684635190071078&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=504684635190071078&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Phrazes For The Young – Julian… 27. Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence MP3: Kings of Convenience – “Mrs. Cold” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=576742229455997749&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=576742229455997749&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Declaration Of Dependence – Ki… 26. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains MP3: Cymbals Eat Guitars – “What Dogs See” <object id="lalaArtistEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="artistName=Cymbals%20Eat%20Guitars&showAlbumNames=true&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberartist.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaArtistEmbed"/><embed id="lalaArtistEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaArtistEmbed" flashvars="artistName=Cymbals%20Eat%20Guitars&showAlbumNames=true&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberartist.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Cymbals Eat Guitars 25. The Big Pink – A Brief History of Love MP3: This Big Pink – “Dominos” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573703696880&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573703696880&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> A Brief History Of Love – The … 24. Langhorne Slim – Be Set Free MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Say Yes” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=504684635190103634&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=504684635190103634&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Be Set Free – Langhorne Slim 23. The Dodos – Time to Die MP3: The Dodos – “Small Deaths” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=937030197557925197&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=937030197557925197&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Time To Die – The Dodos 22. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below MP3: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – “Home” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627039262872878&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627039262872878&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Z… 21. There Will Be Fireworks – There Will Be Fireworks MP3: There Will Be Fireworks – “We Were A Roman Candle” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=2306124485460195786&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=2306124485460195786&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> There Will Be Fireworks – Ther… 20. Real Estate – Real Estate MP3: Real Estate – “Beach Comber” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=4900197869729096240&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=4900197869729096240&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Real Estate – Real Estate 19. Andrew Bird – Noble Beast MP3: Andrew Bird – “Nomemclature” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=648799821761358826&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=648799821761358826&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Noble Beast – Andrew Bird 18. The Cave Singers – Welcome Joy MP3: The Cave Singers – “Summer Light” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=2954642830615781609&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=2954642830615781609&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Welcome Joy – The Cave Singers 17. The Thermals – Now We Can See MP3: The Thermals – “When I Died” 16. Handsome Furs – Face Control MP3: Handsome Furs – “Legal Tender” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445171207906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445171207906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Face Control – Handsome Furs 15. Cass McCombs – Catacombs MP3: Cass McCombs – “You Saved My Life” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445184702672&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445184702672&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Catacombs – Cass McCombs 14. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm MP3: Dinosaur Jr. – “I Want You To Know” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445176464386&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445176464386&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Farm – Dinosaur Jr. 13. Mount Eerie – Wind’s Poem MP3: Mount Eerie – “Wind’s Dark Poem” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=720857415384438214&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=720857415384438214&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Wind’s Poem – Mount Eerie 12. The Antlers – Hospice MP3: The Antlers – “Two” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=937030197557921707&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=937030197557921707&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Hospice – The Antlers 11. Atlas Sound – Logos MP3: Atlas Sound – “Walkabout” (Feat. Noah Lennox) <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=720857415391985126&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=720857415391985126&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Logos – Atlas Sound 10. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix MP3: Phoenix – “Fences” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=504684635190079373&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=504684635190079373&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Pho… 09. Wilco – Wilco (The Album) MP3: Wilco – “Bull Black Nova” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445168808126&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445168808126&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Wilco [the album] – Wilco 08. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle MP3: Bill Callahan – “The Wind and the Dove” 07. 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Girls - Album MP3: Girls – “Lauren Marie” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=2954642830615833289&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=2954642830615833289&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Album – Girls 05. 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Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest MP3: Grizzly Bear – “Ready, Able” 03. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion MP3: Animal Collective – “Bluish” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445184702612&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445184702612&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Merriweather Post Pavilion – A… 02. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca MP3: Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445184702592&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445184702592&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Bitte Orca – Dirty Projectors 01. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic MP3: The Flaming Lips – “Powerless” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445171034901&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445171034901&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Embryonic [Deluxe] – The Flami… Related Posts:SDM's Top 40 Albums of 2009: 20-11SDM's Top 40 Albums of 2009: 10 - 01SDM's Top 40 Albums of 2009: 40-21SDM's Top Albums of the Decade: 10-1SDM's Favorite Albums of the Decade: 20-11 Tweet This! 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read more »I feel confident that a mind blowing album deserving of a spot on this list isn’t going to be released in the next few weeks (I could be wrong and we will deal with that situation when it occurs). So without further ado here is the first half of our top albums of 2009. We will roll out the next couple of segments throughout the remainder of this week. Feel free to mock, bitch, praise or just discuss in the comments section. Entries 40 – 21 after the jump… 40. Stardeath and White Dwarfs – The Birth MP3: Stardeath and White Dwarfs – “Smoking Pot Makes Me Not Want To Kill Myself” 39. Former Ghosts – Fleurs MP3: Former Ghosts – “Dreams” 38. Daniel Johnston – Is and Always Was MP3: Daniel Johnston – “Queenie the Doggie” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=648799821685345947&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=648799821685345947&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Is And Always Was – Daniel Joh… 37. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns MP3: Rural Alberta Advantage – “The Ballad of the RAA” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445175788906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445175788906&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Hometowns – The Rural Alberta … 36. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications MP3: Jarvis Cocker – “Angela” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573704025262&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573704025262&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Further Complications – Jarvis… 35. Florence and The Machine – Lungs MP3: Florence and the Machine – “Dog Days Are Over” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627041169190300&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627041169190300&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Lungs – Florence & the Machine 34. White Denim – Fits MP3: White Denim – “Regina Holding Hands” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627040088097930&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627040088097930&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Fits – White Denim 33. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz! MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627041169180889&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627041169180889&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> It’s Blitz! – Yeah Yeah Yeahs 32. Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love MP3: Pink Mountaintops – “Holiday” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445176464246&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445176464246&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Outside Love – Pink Mountainto… 31. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names MP3: John Vanderslice – “D.I.A.L.O” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=360569445176456146&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=360569445176456146&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Romanian Names – John Vandersl… 30. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns MP3: Bat For Lashes – “Daniel” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=576742229218850291&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=576742229218850291&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Two Suns – Bat For Lashes 29. The xx – XX MP3: The xx – “VCR” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573703410073&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573703410073&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> xx – The xx 28. Julian Casablancas – Phrazes for the Young MP3: Julian Casablancas – “Ludlow St.” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=504684635190071078&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=504684635190071078&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Phrazes For The Young – Julian… 27. Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence MP3: Kings of Convenience – “Mrs. Cold” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=576742229455997749&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=576742229455997749&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Declaration Of Dependence – Ki… 26. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains MP3: Cymbals Eat Guitars – “What Dogs See” <object id="lalaArtistEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="artistName=Cymbals%20Eat%20Guitars&showAlbumNames=true&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberartist.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaArtistEmbed"/><embed id="lalaArtistEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaArtistEmbed" flashvars="artistName=Cymbals%20Eat%20Guitars&showAlbumNames=true&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberartist.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Cymbals Eat Guitars 25. The Big Pink – A Brief History of Love MP3: This Big Pink – “Dominos” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=1225260573703696880&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=1225260573703696880&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> A Brief History Of Love – The … 24. Langhorne Slim – Be Set Free MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Say Yes” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=504684635190103634&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=504684635190103634&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Be Set Free – Langhorne Slim 23. The Dodos – Time to Die MP3: The Dodos – “Small Deaths” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=937030197557925197&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=937030197557925197&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Time To Die – The Dodos 22. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below MP3: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – “Home” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=432627039262872878&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=432627039262872878&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Z… 21. There Will Be Fireworks – There Will Be Fireworks MP3: There Will Be Fireworks – “We Were A Roman Candle” <object id="lalaAlbumEmbed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="300" height="254" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="albumId=2306124485460195786&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450"/><param name="src" value="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf"/><param name="name" value="lalaAlbumEmbed"/><embed id="lalaAlbumEmbed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="254" src="http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf" name="lalaAlbumEmbed" flashvars="albumId=2306124485460195786&host=www.lala.com&partnerId=memberalbum.62296%4040450" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> There Will Be Fireworks – Ther… Related Posts:SDM's Top Albums of the Decade: 10-1SDM's Favorite Albums of the Decade: 20-11New Releases: 11/3/2009SDM's Favorite Albums of the Decade: 50-41New Releases: 9/15/2009
read more »Toronto – Now something heartwarming. Here is a video of Gulu Widows Group of Uganda singing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s Home. Apparently, they raised some money for them at the release party of their excellent album Up From Below. In appreciation of helping them sustain their community, the ladies sang the chorus to the song. I wonder if this is the only English they know. <object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8034295&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"/><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8034295&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object> “home” in gulu from Voice Project on Vimeo. In other Africa music news, congratulations to K’Naan for having his song Wavin’ Flag chosen as the anthem of World Cup 2010. We listened to his latest album Troubadour on a road trip to Ottawa two weekends ago and it was quite good. Here’s a picture of a Lion Related posts:Daily Music News – July 14, 2009 I’ve decided to do some daily music news, we’ll see...Shout Out Louds Announce New Record [Tweeview] Oh let’s call this the comeback… Man, this is...CD Review – Patrick Wolf – the Bachelor [Bloody Chamber Music] This article was written on a train ride from... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
read more »Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Home" (Live @ KCRW) <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sRA5S59KjwY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sRA5S59KjwY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Home" (Live @ Letterman) <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> For my money Ed Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes should win awards for 2009's best use of trumpet, most infectious happiness and zeroed in adorableness. The latter exemplified by the pixie-haired Jade. The word cute was invented for her. Here's the band showing off their boundless energy on the Johnny Cash & June Carter inspired "Home" on both Letterman & KCRW. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Home"
read more »Toronto – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros played a sold show on Tuesday at the El Mocambo. Prior to Monday afternoon, I didn’t know who they were. Then I got an invite to go. At first, I was like, who the hell are these guys and why is this show sold out ? So I asked Nick, my Edmonton music friend: me: have u heard of edward sharpe Nick: sounds like some twilight character? That was of no help. So I checked out the youtube video provided and it was pretty good, then I asked Wade about them and he was like ‘yeah saw them on Letterman a few days ago, they were good, go check them out or something’ (I’m paraphrasing). After witnessing the show last night, I can easily say that I think these guys have a chance to be big. They were quite awesome live. Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos have great chemistry on stage (as lead vocalists) and bring forth memories of Johnny Cash/June Carter in terms of interactions and banter. By memories, I mean stuff I saw off documentaries and tv. Maybe Josh was alive back then, I’m not sure. BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their music is hard to describe, so I’ll use lazy journalism (more then the usual amount) to say they would be what Arcade Fire would sound like if they grew up happy and half of them grew up in the country and the other half grew up in sunny California, and they all listened to 60s music. I’m not saying they are better then Arcade Fire (two entirely separate entities), I’m just saying that’s the first thing that came to mind. Alex Ebbert holds the mic and sings into it like he’s a reverend trying to save your soul while Jade comes off as a flirty retro pixie chick who is always, always happy. They both have pretty good voices. The crowd was completely into the show and made me wonder why I haven’t heard of them before. It seems that I have not heard of a lot of bands before. Am I losing my edge? Have I become too ‘complacent’ with my musical knowledge? Am I watching too much football? Maybe I should devote more time to discovering new bands and less times analyzing my fantasy hockey teams. I don’t know, it’s like my quarter life crisis or something. Back to the crowd, yeah from the opening song 40 Day Dream to the mid set crowd favorite Home to the confusion over what the last song should be, the band had the crowd in the palm of its hand, an amazing feat considering this is really the bands first tour. I fear to see how much better they get the next time they come around. There was an old dude near me wearing a leather jacket through out the entire show. It was pretty warm in there, I don’t know how he managed it. They are playing tonight at the El Mocambo once again, I would suggest you try to get in somehow, because the next time they come around, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a much larger venue and it’ll be sold out just as well. Here is some random youtube video <object width="500" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h0RQnGhxZzg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h0RQnGhxZzg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="340"></embed></object> Here is a review of the same show from the gossip mag the National Post Check out the music-movie series by the band on Spinner here Related posts:NXNE Concert Review: Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, El Mocambo, June 18th Toronto – One of the more hyped bands to play...Concert Review: Girls, El Mocambo, November 10 Toronto – Since September 25, the San Francisco band...Concert Review: Asobi Seksu, El Mocambo, March 3, 2009 10 bones can get you a pretty big boner in... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
read more »<object width="380" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="380" height="280"></embed></object>This song looks like a lot of fun. The recorded version is even more joyous, filled with kind of sounds people only make when they are intent on keeping things as ridiculously happy as they are. It's the country tinge that makes it so surprisingly gleeful, because the only dances you could do would be a little embarrassing, and rather out-of-place in any city in which I've lived. But that's part of what makes this song so damn alluring - the idea that you could head off and find a new home elsewhere, somewhere that sounds like this.<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" height="24" width="290"><param name="movie" value="http://thetorturegarden.org/player.swf"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://thetorturegarden.org/esharpehome.mp3"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object> Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - HomeThe band are on tour now - you can buy their album here.
read more »I think this song is out to get me. I remember vaguely watching this band play late one night on Letterman. And although they seem to be a random collection of hippies and vagabonds there was something about the oft repeated refrain of “home is wherever I’m with you” that held my attention. I mean basically, this track which hails from the 2009 album Up From Below (amazon) (itunes), is the epitome of the modern indie folk classic. There are two singers, male and female, whom sing in a throwback call and response style of vocalization. There’s more whistling than an Andrew Bird album. There exists a musical break about ninety seconds into the track that would do the trumpet segments in Sufjan Stevens songs proud. They even take a break in the middle of the song to talk over the musical background. To be honest I’m not sure there’s a stereotype that they missed. mp3 : Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home Now all they need to do is drop the “and the Magnetic Zeros” from their name and they might be a respectable group. + Edward Sharpe @ twf hype elbows site myspace amazonmp3 itunes add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook / twitter
read more »Stop what you’re doing. The award for the most joyous album of the month goes to this 11-piece barefooted hippie-folk outfit from LA. Up from Below is a classic analogue-sounding album which sounds like it was recorded somewhere in the 60s by a cohort of close-knit kindred spirits intent on bringing some love to the world. It’s got that mystic, feel-good singalong vibe and an undeniable link to the counter-culture of the past. The band even tour in a big yellow school bus for jaysus sake. There’s a psychedelia-influence and although it’s hard to pinpoint exact influences there are echoes of, as many have pointed out – Johnny Cash and June Carter, The Mamas and Papas, Dusty Springfield, Motown, Roy Orbison, a tinge of Arcade Fire bombastics and Ennio Morricone yet it still feels entirely fresh. It might be down to the exuberance of the band, particularly the vocalists Alex Ebert (formerly of Ima Robot) and Jade Castrinos’ boisterous timbre. Huge props to Cougar Microbes for recommending these guys on the recent blogger trip to Paris. He’s so infatuated he went to all three of their London gigs recently. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Home Daytrotter Session. <object width="4380" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qb9jY8yAxgs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="480" height="325"></embed></object> <object width="480" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J1_HPlmYWO0&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J1_HPlmYWO0&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="480" height="340"></embed></object> [Buy from Rough Trade | eMusic | iTunes | Amazon UK | US ] Related PostsNo Related Post
read more »Well, dear hearts, let’s just jump right into it. The Treasure Island Music Festival is this weekend, which means back-to-back 10-hour days of well-selected music, lots of quality lying-on-a-blanket time, and the best view of San Francisco there is. Today’s reason for loving the TIMF: there are two stages and nobody plays simultaneously, so you don’t have to make one of those painful festival choices (Gillian Welch … or Gwar?). This week, I’ll be talking about the folks I’m most looking forward to seeing, in no particular order of which day they’re on, or how much I like them, except for that TODAY’S VEGETABLE IS ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE SONGS OF THE YEAR. I’ve already gushed once or twice about Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (playing Sunday at 2:30), so I’ll just encourage you here to give them a listen and take my word that they’re warm and joyous live. If I had one moment from this upcoming weekend to pre-live, it would be jumping around, singing along to “Home.” Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home from Up From Below (recently released as a 2xLP!) My Central Coast nizzles will hell of want to catch them at the Historic Brookdale Lodge this Friday the 16th. They’re also playing a Treasure Island night show with Dan Deacon at Mezzanine on Saturday night ($10!). http://edwardsharpeandthemagneticzeros.com http://www.myspace.com/EdwardSharpe
read more »On a magical, aural journey of love and happiness (not to mention a multi-coloured, converted school-cum-tour bus) with their self-titled album, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are the breath of fresh air the music scene has been waiting for. The ten piece troupe of folk/hippie madness, fronted by Alex Ebert of Ima Robot, has burst onto the scene with overflowing joy and cheerfulness in all its bearded, bohemian-clothed glory. While drawing comparisons to Arcade Fire, songs like Home and 40 Day Dream are unparalleled with their use of xylophones, pianos, percussion and whistles. I haven’t been able to get Home out of my head for days. A love ballad that you can relate to, Ebert’s romantic falsetto keeps you humming and whistling along long after the song is over . The 60’s feel to the album by any other band would feel pretentious, but Edward Sharpe & co. pull it off by sheer talent and musical genius. Already my nominee for album of the year. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream Share and Enjoy: No related posts. Sorry.
read more »//photo by autumn So this is the band that makes NPR commentators weep with emotion? This is the band the LA press is all over right now? I actually got put on to them by checking out a random email in the blog mailbox and I can tell you in all honesty that after 20 minutes of listening to the album and watching videos, I was tearing up myself. Alex Ebert (formerly of the band Ima Robot) and the rest of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros show an amazing amount of heart in the thirteen songs that make up their album Up From Below. Even so, their studio recordings sometimes sound a bit sterile. Where they really shine is in their live performances. I dare you to watch the video of their song “Home”, which was filmed during their very first show, and not have your heart swell up a couple of sizes. There is just something about seeing two people in love up on stage, singing a song to each other that they wrote together, while people scream and cheer around them. It’s basically a celebration of Love (which I think is what they are going for in the end), and that can’t not affect you in some way. People have been pretty harsh to them in reviews and have mangled their record trying to fit it into a nice, neat category. I won’t deny that it’s pretty hard to miss the comparisons to Arcade Fire (or the especially scathing description “hippie version of Arcade Fire”) and some other psych/folk acts of late, but you have to move passed that in order to enjoy it in a new light. Plus, when did Arcade Fire put a patent on punctuating drum hits with “Hey” and having five people sing at once anyways? The band is coming to San Francisco in September so go and make yourself happy for two hours (god know you could use it). Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Desert Song Download audio file (home.mp3) Bonus: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home (video)
read more »<object width="400" height="260"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/id4vnQE0ok4&hl=es&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/id4vnQE0ok4&hl=es&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="260"></embed></object> I found this band when I was checking Morning Becomes Eclectic. A very good vibe band, a little bit of folk a little bit of gospel but it seems they came from the 60s because they look like a bunch of hippies guys…. maybe Devendra is one of them Their debut album “Up From Below“, very flat but recommended for a good afternoon, is now out. Una banda que me encontré chequeando los Morning Becomes Eclectic. En una nota bien alegre con un toque de folk + gospel pero enmarcado en una onda hippies 60s, hasta me hace recordar Devendra en algunos casos. Su disco “Up From Below” es bien lineal pero una pasada… y ya está a la venta MP3: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Janglin
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