The Temper Trap....is that anything like a Passion Pit? If I learned one thing from last year, it was to at least pay attention to the hype. This band has been getting a lot of hype, so I checked them out, and sure enough, after listening to this a few times, I am very impressed. These guys are from Melbourne, Australia and got produced by Jim Abiss, who produced Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian. Like all music I hear coming out of Australia right now, there is this ever so slight backdrop of 80's new wave, which I love. There's a little electronic edge to their big guitar sound, which helps balance out the music and pushes it close to the dance genre. Guess what I'm trying to say is, check these guys out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I don't know...I wish I would have had time to listen to all the music I got in 2009, but there was just no way, so I think, looking back, these LP's would have made my top 50 if perhaps I had only had a little more time. These are in no particular order.
1. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
Three beautiful ladies from Brooklyn, NY making mesmerizing, dreamy electronic pop. Their name comes from a character in Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure. One of my favorite bands of all time. I could listen to them for days. They did a video project with David Lynch earlier this year.
Debut album from London trio, their emotive 80's guitar rock mixed with samples and r&b provide a unique sound that is difficult to leave alone. I have really enjoyed this LP the few times I've heard it and am looking forward to listening to it more.
The Juan MacLean is brainchild of one John MacLean from New Hampshire. Formed out of the ashes of Six Finger Satellite, The Juan Maclean fuses genres of post-punk, 70's experimental electronics, euro-disco, house and detroit techno. Great hooks, great lyrics and a funky beat to boot.
God Help the Girl is a movie set to start filming in 2010 written by Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian. There was an open call to pick the vocalists and the winners are featured on this soundtrack. It includes two Belle and Sebastian songs, Funny Little Frog and Acts of the Apostle. Stuart said these songs weren't for Belle and Sebastian...I don't get it, but whatever he thinks, it's still good.
A cute little indie pop band from Champaign, Illinois, Headlights last two LP's have been in constant rotation for the last few years. For whatever reason I haven't picked this up yet, I probably will get it from them when they play in Norman in March, which I am very much looking forward to.
I just discovered this band this year quite by accident. It's fronted by Joel Gibb who describes their music as "gay church folk music". They have a revolving lineup much like their Canadian brethren Broken Social Scene. I was just watching one of their live shows and it looks like a lot of fun, with about twenty people on stage. Their videos, which I posted below, are certainly creative, I'll give them that. I picked up their last LP last year and have worn it out. I look forward to listening to their new one.
Fool's Gold is an Afro-pop influenced band out of Los Angeles and has a revolving lineup as well. The central characters are Luke Top (real name Nativ Top) and Lewis Pesacov. Luke Top often sings in Hebrew and members of bands like Foreign Born and Glasser help fill in as well. No wonder I like this stuff.
8. YACHT - See Mystery Lights
Former male half of The Blow, Jona Bechtolt is from Portland and produces electronic based music. He is also a highly visual person using lots of multimedia in his shows. He just recently signed Claire Evans to the 'band'. 'Psychic City is getting lots of airplay right now. I love the fact that this video has a disclaimer.
Another band from the Brooklyn music scene with ties to the Portland scene as well, this is some killer experimental indie pop. I love what I've heard from this so far and look forward to their show at the Norman Music Festival later this year.
Hockey is a band I don't know much about. They're from the Portland music scene and the few times I've listened to their stuff I like it...I am throwing this in rotation.
I realized I said I wouldn't post anything until I got back, but I'm sitting here in my hotel room and just got sent this and am now really excited for the release. Laura Marling's first video for her upcoming album to be release on March 22. The video is just beautiful and so is her new song. As I've said before, I am completely in love with her and would marry her in a heartbeat. Such beauty, such darkness in so young a soul. Such power and grace in her voice and so completely, unabashedly real. I cannot wait to hear her new album and I just noticed that she might put out another one towards the end of the year. I so wish she would do a more complete tour of the US. I threw on a song from her last album in case you haven't had a chance to check her out before.
I am taking a break from my blog for the next two weeks as I am in France...but look forward to a couple more '09 lists when I return. Thanks for the comments and for following.
Luckily I got a hold of this before the hype started because I listened to their EP last year, therefore I was not biased and was able to enjoy this piece of musical magic since its inception. It has been a long time since a debut from an indie artist has reached this much acclaim this fast. Passion Pit is an electronic band that formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States in 2007. They consist of Michael Angelakos (vocals, keyboards), Ian Hultquist (keyboards, guitar), Ayad Al Adhamy (synth, samples), Jeff Apruzzese (bass, keyboard) and Nate Donmoyer (drums). Passion Pit was a vocab word used in a class Mike took in school. It’s a slang word for a drive-in movie theatre where kids used to go to make out. I have been touting this band all year and think they deserve high marks. Michael released an EP in '08 around his college intended as a valentine for his girlfriend and the rest is history.
2. The Phenomenal Handclap Band-
The Phenomenal Handclap Band
The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a wonderful journey through disco, prog rock, psychedilia, funk, r&b and dance floor electronica. Residing mostly from Brooklyn, the band is at its core is Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, two ex-underground club DJ's. Their vision is to cull the best in indie and underground talent to form a cohesive vision of electric dance awesomeness. The live show tours with an eight piece, but collaborates with the likes of Lady Tigra, Patrick Wolf, Jon Spencer, Carol C and Bart Davenport to name a few. This LP is a funky, funky good time, with a tremendous South American vibe to it. They have moved into my top ten must see live acts bucket list virtually over night.
3. Fight Like Apes-
And the Mystery of the Golden Medallion
Fight Like Apes is probably my surprise top ten band. Irish to the core, if Matt and Kim were my power-pop pick, these guys are my power-pop-punk-electronic rock pick. It's angry girl rock and it's gorgeous. They come from Dublin, Ireland and have yet to tour in the US. This video is perfection.
The Decemberists being on a major label has sparked a lot of controversy in the indie world forcing critics to ask, "what exactly is Indie rock"? It seems the answer, when asked to indie artists is, as long as the band is allowed its own creative control and doesn't lose their artistic integrity, they qualify to be included in the club. That being the case, The Decemberists have managed to do both regardless of being with a mega-corp. The beauty of The Decemberists is Colin Meloy's ability to tell a narrative through song and make it sound meaningful. They are one of the best live acts I have ever seen and have the ability to convert you to their side merely by seeing their live performance. Each performance is different as well, unlike other bands, who play the same rehearsed performance from night to night. I have always considered The Decemberists influences to be the heart of Classic Rock...Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes and Genesis. With this LP, they incorporate a little more of the darker, heavier side of rock (there is certainly some Black Sabbath in this LP). Hazards of Love tells a story of love and death, a man falling for a cursed woman and a man who kills all his children only to die at their ghostly hands. Every song weaves together to form this narrative in this seventeen song opus. Colin has said he was angry at being on a major label and their popularity and wrote this as a way to say...."see if you like this mess". Apparently his master plan didn't work, so he went with the popularity of it (it is a grand album) and they did their entire tour playing the entire LP front to back for the first 1/2 of the show and playing some of their other favorites and covers in the 2nd 1/2. Truly amazing. When I saw them in San Fran, it was probably the fifth or sixth time they had done this and hadn't worked out all the kinks yet. Colin's hands were bleeding by the time they got to the end. Who does this anymore? The Decemberists...that's who. They just released an animated movie to go along with the LP. A giant video for the entire CD.
5. Elvis Perkins in Dearland-
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Elvis (his real name) is the son of actor Anthony Perkins who died of AIDS. A year later, almost to the day, his mother died in one of the planes that hit the twin towers. Sad, sorrowful folk rock with different instruments (including a trombone), his voice and lyrics are utterly profound. Hints of gospel, folk, rock and vaudeville all coalesce into a dark beauty that can't be described. If you're on my facebook page, you can see pic's from his concert earlier this year. What a great performer. Every song on this LP is gold and it too, has not left my rotation yet. He just released an EP in October that is good as well.
Guess where this group is from? Just guess...you're right...Alberta, Canada. Arguably one of the best releases this year, Nils Edenloff writes solemn songs that are dusty and heart-felt just like the small towns he sings about. You can hear the rawness in his voice, which is what I love about it. It reminds me of Neutral Milk Hotel, only with an amazing drummer and a hint of electro-pop. Amy Cole's duets with Nils are sweet and sorrowful. I saw them at the Conservatory just recently and the best part of the show was at the end when the group unplugged, walked into the audience (placing them 1 foot in front of me) and sang a stripped down acoustic song highlighting the beauty of their voices. This came out over the summer and it is still in heavy rotation, I simply cannot tire of it. I don't know if this is an 'Official Video', but it's the only one I can find for one of their songs.
M. Ward or Matt Ward is by far one of my favorite singer/songwriter's. He sings and writes in a style that harkens back to 40's era radio. I've seen him cover old blues, country, folk and 50's era rock and roll as well as write some of the most meaningfully haunting songs of this decade. I actually ignored him for a long time because I thought he was some sort of pop guy and come to find out he's one of the best arrangers out there as well as one of the most soulful singers I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. If you are not familiar with Mr. Ward, you may remember him from She & Him, a side project he was in with Zooey Deschanel. Matt is often seen working with Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins (which opened for him, by the way), and of course, Conor Oberst and Jim James. I especially like his cover of the Buddy Holly song, 'Rave On' and it features that little cutie Zooey.
Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, Jim James from My Morning Jacket and M. Ward are the Monsters of Folk. I mean...how super can a super group be in this day and age. M. Ward is probably one of my favorites of all time. I got to see him live earlier this year. However, getting to see all three perform in Austin was a once in a lifetime experience, an absolute treat. So much talent, they are some of the best songwriters in the business and the interplay between the three is something you just have to hear for yourself. They harmonize beautifully together and is well deserving of the #8 spot.
Hmmm...this is not a release from a group proper, so maybe it shouldn't qualify, but I swear this is easily one of the best releases of the year. A 2 disc set (and each one I listened to enough to qualify it for the #9 spot). The Red Hot Organization is committed to awareness and support for AIDS/HIV and as of October, had raised $668,358 from the sale of the album. One would think this an amazing feat for a compilation for some charity, and I normally abhor such projects and at best consider them to be lackluster. However, this compilation has, not only, some of the best covers by some of my favorite artists, but many more of my favorite artists actually released original material for this compilation. I saw The Decemberists perform 'Sleepless' in San Francisco this year. The Cello Song by Nick Drake is covered by The Books and Jose Gonzales masterfully. Bon Iver's song is one of the best I've heard from him, and Spoon's song 'Well-Alright' ranks up there as one of their best efforts. Conor redoes Lua with Gilian Welch, slowing it waaayyyy down. I can go on and on. All I'm saying is buy this, it is so worth it and you'll be supporting a good cause at the same time.
Fanfarlo is a five piece from London, England. One of my favorite finds of the year, that have that orchestrated Arcade Fire kind of sound. Violin, trumpet, xylophone, mandolin, clarinet all combine to make a fun, quirky poppy album. Careful, this one is addictive and will stick in your brain for a long time. The band name is a reference to Charles Baudelaire’s novella, “La Fanfarlo.”
Yo La Tengo (which is the outfielder's cry 'I Got It!! in Spanish) have been producing essentially the same shoegaze/dream pop with lots of 60's motif's and nods to Emerson, Lake and Palmer since 1984. I have never tired of their sound and am always amazed at how they manage to captivate me with their somber, soft-spoken lyrics. I saw them live in '07 and intend to do the same this year if at all possible. Popular Songs is different from their other albums in that all the 'Popular Songs' come first on the LP and the last three songs, which are much more long excursions into feedback guitars and a veritable jam session, of which this band is known for, fall together all at the end.
This has certainly been the year for new Electro-pop bands. I'm not complaining, I bet the dance clubs have been rockin'. This is one of seven that made my top 50 and I can think of three others that could have been contenders. Discovery is a collaboration of Ra Ra Riot’s Wes Miles and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij. Two of my favoritest bands ever. Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend even stops by for vocals on a song. I love the cover of Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back'. It's bubblegum, but it's good bubblegum and the quality of music is there, even if it is an easy listen. Give it a chance...you won't regret it. No fancy video's this time, so I left you with a listen of the whole LP and a song to take with you.
Never mind that The Flaming Lips are my hometown heroes or that I've seen them live more times that I can count, or that I go to their parade, or that I've met Wayne on numerous occasions. Never mind that The Lips are signed to a major label but with full artistic integrity. The Flaming Lips are definitely one of the leaders in the movements towards, what I hope to be, a musical renaissance. It's going to take bands like this with contracts like they have with Warner to push us past this RIAA bullshit. I wasn't sure about this LP when I first heard it, but after listening to it five or six times, it got pushed way up real fast. How nice for a band that has received so much acclaim and popularity over the last five years to be able to just step back and make something really heady and experimental and still have it be way up in the charts. Once again, I applaud these guys for pushing theirs and our limits both artistically and musically. Speaking of pushing limits...check this out...
I honestly can't believe this made it for two reasons. Since my criteria is the number of times I listened to LP on iTunes and the iPod, certain albums with creative excellence such as Cymbals Eat Guitars and Animal Collective may have been precluded. However this release from (you guessed it) Brooklyner's Grizzly Bear has somehow managed to rise to the top of my charts and not just my charts, but everyone else's as well. Why is that so special, you ask? These guys are psychedelic/experimental folk pop. They don't have that pop sensibility or easy carry through that many of the rest of these LP's have. While I love experimental music...listening to it over and over and over is not something that usually happens. So, hype or no hype, I applaud these guys for crossing all the lines, selling out all their shows on their tour and for having so much success. The music world needed this in a bad way. Perhaps art will become a commodity over pop culture one of these days. I've included both videos for their artisic flamboyance.
Super Furry Animals is probably one of my top five favorite bands of all time. I saw them live for the first time on their Phantom Power tour and they forever endeared themselves to me as one of the best live shows I've ever seen. So, you're probably thinking, 'no wonder these guys are in your top 50'. However, their last two LP's have been less than stellar and while I enjoyed them, they lacked that certain something that made me want to listen to them over and over. Dark Days/Light Years is a welcome return to their psychedelic, electronic, Beach Boys-esque charm. SFA is from Cardiff, Wales and has a tremendous amount of creative output. Gruff Rhys has done a solo album in Welsh, a side project with Boom Bip called Neon Neon and a solo album in English called Candylion. In addition, the band released a DVD album with videos with both Rings and Phantom Power. This is their ninth LP and they show no signs of stopping. Unfortunately, this is the only video I can find at the moment with a song off their new release. I have also included an older video to give you an idea of the quality of creativity involved with this band. Their DVD video release are in 5.1 Surround and damn fun to watch.
I can't say it any better than the band itself...."Harlem Shakes have been obsessed by pop music their whole lives, and after all the reiterations, they still have great faith in its power to make you and them feel a little better about things, and to say something vital, and God willing, maybe even enduring." Another find by a friend that has led to lots of listening goodness. And yes, this is yet another band from Brooklyn in my top 50. 'This will be a better year...'
I'm not sure if I can legitimately include this LP because it's not due out for its official release until next week. However, I bought it at her show when she opened for The Decemberist's here in Tulsa and it quickly grabbed my attention. I probably wouldn't have bought it had it not been for seeing her and the Hall of Flames perform 'I Can See Your Tracks'. So, that counts right...she released it, therefore it makes the top 20...right? I'm counting it nonetheless. The uncanny thing about her opening for The Decemberist's is that she is the female vocal on 'Yankee Bayonet' off The Crane Wife. I don't know if these kids have been with her before, but this new LP outshines all her previous work and has been in constant rotation on the jukebox called my iTouch.
I have been following these guys since I first saw them live at ACL back in '06. French electro-pop band and unbelievable live. They had me at French electro-pop. Their newest release has propelled them through the charts and critics have been raving about them. Again, I shy away from too much hype, but, as much as I tried, the catchy hooks on this album, the intricately woven lyrics and the fact I kept hearing their music everywhere led me to listen to this LP enough to make the top 20. All of their LP's are nothing short of awesome and a damn good funky good time. How can you not want to get up and dance to this....
A new entry into London's burgeoning folk scene, these guys gained notoriety by touring with Laura Marling. They are friends with Noah and the Whale, Laura, Johnny Flynn and Jay Jay Pistolet, all incredible artists I have been listening to over the last couple years. So, I was so happy when a friend of mine turned me onto Mumford & Sons. Banjo's, String Bass, Horns, all coming together in beautiful harmonies and soulful lyrics. Mumford's voice comes across as raw and passion-filled. Sad to say, it kind of sounds like Dave Mattew's voice, but much more soul. This is their debut and hasn't been released in the US yet. Every song on it is solid folk-rock at its best. I can't wait to see these guys live.
I have been in love with this band for three years, so I was greatly pleased to get their new release this year. Not only that, but I got to see them live, not once, but twice. They are a lot of fun and yet another band from Brooklyn. If you like anything I post of theirs here, I highly recommend owning all of the LP's, they are all good. Featured on Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, they are finally getting some notoriety, but there was only about 30 kids at the show in Austin. Their lyrics are fun and poignant, about love and loss (what true indie band isn't about that). If you're from my home state, you will especially love the song Oklahoma...I think it should be our new state song, personally. "I will ride the darkest horse..."
Florence Welch was discovered in a public restroom singing Motown songs drunk by a major label exec. As disappointing as that is, with the lines being blurred between major and indie labels. The important thing is that talent rise to the top and Florence is definitely talented...hell, she's being played on The Spy right now...so it can't be all bad. Her voice is just amazing and I love the video below. If you remember, I posted 'The Drumming Song' on Facebook earlier this year. I haven't tired of this LP yet...enjoy her now before she gets too big, over-produced and over-sold.
I rarely get excited about something when it is over-hyped and that's exactly the way I felt when this LP came out earlier this year. It got a lot of hype and why not...a Jack White side-project...right? But, I put it on the back-burner and didn't give it a good listen until this fall and boy, was I wrong. What an amazing synthesis of blues, rock, and hip-hop....Alison Mosshart's (The Kills) vocals are powerful and evocative. Jack White is actaully the drummer in this group, with Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) on guitar and organ. A veritable who's who in Indie Rock. So, I guess what I'm saying is believe the hype and buy this album.
Power-pop duo from Brooklyn, NY (notice all the Brooklyners popping up on my top 50), Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino have really gained a lot of notoriety this last year. I tried to go see them live with the free concert Opolis put on at the University...needless to say, I didn't get in. Also adding to their notoriety is the video below....took a lot of guts to do this, imo. Certainly my power-pop pick for the year. I decided upon further review to include both their videos...bonus for you, they are both entirely too much fun to miss. The second one is rated R...well at least it was before the FCC got a hold of it...don't let the kiddies watch it.
24. The Duckworth Lewis Method-
The Duckworth Lewis Method
Named after a rule in Cricket, Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh, from Dublin, Ireland, have managed to combine vaudeville, electro-funk, 60's Brit-pop, Beatles, Classic Rock and jazz and who knows what else into an album that is a really fun listen. This qualifies as first prize in my 'I've never heard anything like this before and love it' category. You can certainly hear this in the download I've provided...The Age of Revolution. Thank me later.
The Dutchess and the Duke are Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz. Together they perform these raw, melancholy, dark songs that remind me of 60's Brit-pop, full of minor chords and romantically morose lyrics. This was one of my favorite finds of the year and made me wonder why I hadn't been listening to them more. I love this style of music and this first song off their new LP 'Hands' is everything I could hope for in a boy/girl duo. I love the way her voice trails off behind his. I love the guitar work. Check out this video of a stripped down acoustic version of the song, then download it below.
An experimental folk-influenced rock band from New York, I first heard these guys on a radio station in San Francisco in which their song devolved into a free-form jazz thing that was amazing. There are so many different styles being fused together in their music, some of it is really challenging, but then at times, like on 'River', it just shines through with a pureness that can't be beat. Very diverse, very talented group that takes turns playing on different instruments during their live performances. The lyrics on 'River' are easily my favorite in a song this year...and that's saying a lot.
A group from Brooklyn, NY fronted by Peter Silberman, Hospice is a narrative written as an elegy from his planned disappearance from his family and friends chronicling a man who loses a loved one to cancer and watches her die. This LP sold out its first printing and they had to make more it has been so successful for them. Hauntingly beautiful, you must listen to this one with the headphones on.
The Starlight Mints hail from the hometown of my alma mater...Norman, Oklahoma. I've seen these guys three times this year and they run a music venue here, which is great for us. Call me a local fanatic, but I think these guys are extremely talented and I love their quirky guitar/synth-pop. There lyrics are insightful and playful at the same time. There is not a single song of theirs I dislike. This new release from them is nothing short of amazing. And they always have the best videos.
I love Shoegaze/Dream Pop and that's just what this is. I sometimes wonder if there's too much out there, but the soft-spoken vocals of It Hugs Back made me constantly look on the iPod to see who was playing. They hail from London, and the quality of their songs can't be beat. I liked them so much, I ordered a hand-stitched EP that only 100 were made.
No, that is not someone's name, but rather the moniker of an electropop group from Stockholm Sweden. Barely heard this one in time, but the whole LP is solid, just solid. They actually used to write for Briney and Madonna, I like it better when they write for themselves, just sayin'. I can't get Black and Blue out of my head to save my life and Animal was on Gossip Girl. I'm sure we'll be hearing more out of these guys. They just considered this a fun side-project and never thought it would blow up like it did. I love this video for Black and Blue.
Thanks for stopping by. I listen to entirely too much music and love sharing music almost as much as I love listening to it. The purpose of this blog is to do just that and bring you along the journey with me.
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