Sunday, August 31, 2008
Alaska?!?! ALASKA?!?!?!
Highlights:
1) "I love you, I want you to live to be 110...but things happen."
2) Bugging the fuck out
3) Michelle Obama as Veep.
4) "There's not even no crackheads in Alaska."
5) He's 110% RIGHT.
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Shock of Redemption?
If you're not a fan of Oasis, you might want to steer clear from this blog for the next couple of months. If you knew me when I was 15, you'll remember that I was mad 'fer it -- it being Oasis' music circa their Morning Glory/Be Here Now days. Seeing how the interwebs have been going nuts for the band's new single, this is a good sign that Dig Out Your Soul may very well be their highly anticipated return to greatness. I'm digging what I hear thus far (sorry, had to). Here's the video, which applies the special effects the Rolling Stones were doing thirty-five years ago. Enjoy.
And just so we're on the same page, this is late, great, overblown Oasis of yesteryear that I'm talking about:
And just so we're on the same page, this is late, great, overblown Oasis of yesteryear that I'm talking about:
The List (Part 10)
For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
For 30-21 (Part 8), click HERE.
For 20-11 (Part 9), click HERE.
10) Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
As far as I'm concerned, Radiohead's career can be defined by two parts: the mainstream, melodic Bends era, and the beautifully chaotic Kid A era. Although many will argue that OK Computer was the turning point in this band's legendary career, Kid A was the album that really showed this band's balls. There aren't many bands that would even attempt to mess around winning formula, but Thom Yorke and gang decided putting the band's reputation on the line was a more than worthwhile bet. And let's just say it paid off in a very big way. Everything Radiohead has done since this landmark album has garnered universal acclaim. Even Kid A's throwaway tracks -- 2001's modest Amnesiac -- is better than 98% of the drivel we're served by the countless imitators. And the best part is that I'm pretty confident the best is yet to come. Last year's brilliant In Rainbows is nothing to sneeze at.
9) The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
We're finally in the single digits here, folks. I can't think of a better band in which to celebrate this milestone than The White Stripes. Considering how this is a countdown of the best albums since 2000, The White Stripes are the poster children of what it means to kick ass in the new millennium. Aside from being one of the most prolific bands of this new era, these guys couldn't make bad music if they tried. I've been contemplating which album of theirs to include in the top ten, and it should come to no surprise that I've chosen none other than Elephant -- the album that launched this duo into superstardom. If there's any modern guitarist that can carry on that blues/rock legacy of say a Clapton or a Hendrix, it's unquestionably Jack White. And it doesn't hurt his case that he happens to do a spot-on Elvis impersonation in the underrated Walk Hard.
8) Sigur Rós - Ágætis byrjun (2001)
Technically, this album was released in 1999 in the band's native Iceland. But it didn't emerge stateside until 2001, so yes, this one earns a coveted top 10 spot due to technicality. Translated into English, Ágætis byrjun literally means "an alright start". Indeed. Whether you see this as being arrogance or modesty, there's no doubting how influential this band has been for the better part of the decade. They've singlehandedly made ambient music acceptable once again. And oddly enough, they seem to be doing the exact opposite of Radiohead -- their most recent material is as mainstream and radio-friendly as they have ever been. I saw this band at the MoMA earlier this summer and was absolutely blown away. Not too many bands can pull off the bow/guitar combo as well as these guys can.
7) The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
It's an undeniable fact that New Mexico's best band hit it big thanks to Zach Braff. Despite Garden State's 2004 theatrical release, oddly enough, none of the songs included in movie happened to be from 2003's Chutes Too Narrow. Braff opted to pick and choose from the band's 2001 release, Oh, Inverted World -- which is an equally amazing album. This exposure boost helped out The Shins tremendously, and soon enough CTN was on critics' and hipsters' minds alike. Hell, even my college recruited this band to play our annual spring carnival. I don't know how Sub-Pop does it, but their roster is a virtual all-star team of indie rockers. Holding true to this sports metaphor, I'm guessing The Shins would bat cleanup between the Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses.
6) Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (2006)
I couldn't be more thrilled about the Sonic Youth revival that is currently taking place. This band has consistently rocked it out for the past two and half decades, and their fan base has never been stronger. This might be partly due to Rather Ripped -- a return to form that's awfully reminiscent of classics Daydream Nation and Goo. Ellen Page may have confessed in Juno that Sonic Youth is "just noise," but this is hardly the case. Take a listen to Rather Ripped's standout track, "Incinerate," and you'll be instantly hooked on the distorted, yet melodic, riff that's one part early Smashing Pumpkins, and two parts Dinosaur Jr. As reported earlier, the poster children of indie rock are finally becoming indie again. After eighteen years on Geffen, the band's is coming full circle and signing to an undisclosed independent label with plans for a 2009 release.
5) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2003)
The sheer brilliance of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is honestly on the same level of a Sergeant Pepper. Yes, I went there. The album's idiosyncratic depth makes this one the perfect record in which to test out the inner workings of a top notch stereosystem. Whether it's nihilistic numbness of "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart," or the stringed mellow gem, "Jesus, Etc.," Foxtrot is as perfect lyrically as it is sonically. And oddly enough, this may have very been the album that nearly put this fantastic band's career in jeopardy. Following this one up was not exactly an easy task for Jeff Tweedy and crew. And although recent efforts A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky are nothing to sneeze at, nothing Wilco has put out since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has come close.
4) Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000)
Yes, I PROMISE this is the last Ryan Adams album on the list. If it's any consolation, I don't think I have any more to work with. 2000's Heartbreaker was Ryan's first solo album since the break up critically-acclaimed alt-country supergroup Whiskeytown. If it wasn't already a foregone conclusion that Adams was the brains behind his former band, this album was living proof. Heartbreaker was the first solo showcase of Adams' incredibly gifted and heartfelt songwriting style. And it's no wonder where this one got it's name; just take a look at some of the albums song titles: "Come Pick Me Up," "In My Time of Need," "Why Do They Leave?". And take my word for it -- the songs are as genuine as they appear. If the Emmylou Harris-backed "Oh My Sweet Carolina" doesn't tug at your heartstrings, then you are just made of stone.
3) The Strokes - Is This It? (2001)
As it turns, out this was not "it"; turns out, this was merely just the beginning. When The Strokes burst onto the scene in late 2001, they really had no idea what they were responsible for igniting. Thanks to their charmingly sloppy blend of neo-garage punk, the band helped to usher in a much needed new era of rock that ended the god-awful reign of nu-metal. Soon after, this "the [insert band name]" trend became all the rage all around the world. As far as I can remember, we couldn't get enough of The Vines, The Hives, and yes, The White Stripes (although, this last one is questionable as far as "the" bands are concerned). And although I'll admit the content on Is This It is not exactly groundbreaking, given its influence and its infectiousness, it just gets the job done for me.
2) My Morning Jacket - Z (2005)
Anyone who reads this blog (all four of you) already knows I'm gay for My Morning Jacket. Although I've given Evil Urges it's fair share of praise, I really haven't had any good reason for elaborating about this band's masterpiece, Z,...that is until NOW! Where do I begin? Let's just say that if you do try to muster enough courage to attempt classifying this album, I'm pretty sure your head would explode on the spot. And quite frankly, I don't think Jim James would have it any other way. As soon as you think you've got Z covered, the album takes you for a complete 180. I could go on for hours here, but instead I'll be brief. If you happen to be a fan of dub, reggae, Southern rock, the blues, alt-country, alt-rock, and R&B, I promise that you'll take a liking to this album. Plus, unlike Evil Urges, this one rocks some pretty kick-ass album artwork.
1) The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls In America (2006)
Well here we are. The coveted number one album of the decade. You didn't actually think I was going to leave Boys & Girls In America off this list did you? As I've mentioned about a dozen times already, The Hold Steady were the first band to grace the cover of the Village Voice in over 15 years thanks to the buzz surrounding B&GIA. This is just one of the many accolades this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Minneapolis quintet has garnered in its short existence -- living proof that these guys are thankfully going to be around for awhile. While this album's content doesn't stray too far off the beaten path of its predecessors (characters Gideon, Charlemagne, and Holly all make their respective appearances) the band's dynamic has been tightened exponentially -- resulting in a finished product that really exhibits the unmatched prowess of The Hold Steady. I've given this record countless spins -- each time resulting in the discovery of a new element that I hadn't known existed beforehand. Like a movie that never gets old, THAT'S when you know you have great album.
Alright, guys. The countdown is DONE. What did you think? Obvious omissions? Praise? Hatred? Send them all my way in the comments or email, nsussman@gmail.com
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
For 30-21 (Part 8), click HERE.
For 20-11 (Part 9), click HERE.
10) Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
As far as I'm concerned, Radiohead's career can be defined by two parts: the mainstream, melodic Bends era, and the beautifully chaotic Kid A era. Although many will argue that OK Computer was the turning point in this band's legendary career, Kid A was the album that really showed this band's balls. There aren't many bands that would even attempt to mess around winning formula, but Thom Yorke and gang decided putting the band's reputation on the line was a more than worthwhile bet. And let's just say it paid off in a very big way. Everything Radiohead has done since this landmark album has garnered universal acclaim. Even Kid A's throwaway tracks -- 2001's modest Amnesiac -- is better than 98% of the drivel we're served by the countless imitators. And the best part is that I'm pretty confident the best is yet to come. Last year's brilliant In Rainbows is nothing to sneeze at.
9) The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
We're finally in the single digits here, folks. I can't think of a better band in which to celebrate this milestone than The White Stripes. Considering how this is a countdown of the best albums since 2000, The White Stripes are the poster children of what it means to kick ass in the new millennium. Aside from being one of the most prolific bands of this new era, these guys couldn't make bad music if they tried. I've been contemplating which album of theirs to include in the top ten, and it should come to no surprise that I've chosen none other than Elephant -- the album that launched this duo into superstardom. If there's any modern guitarist that can carry on that blues/rock legacy of say a Clapton or a Hendrix, it's unquestionably Jack White. And it doesn't hurt his case that he happens to do a spot-on Elvis impersonation in the underrated Walk Hard.
8) Sigur Rós - Ágætis byrjun (2001)
Technically, this album was released in 1999 in the band's native Iceland. But it didn't emerge stateside until 2001, so yes, this one earns a coveted top 10 spot due to technicality. Translated into English, Ágætis byrjun literally means "an alright start". Indeed. Whether you see this as being arrogance or modesty, there's no doubting how influential this band has been for the better part of the decade. They've singlehandedly made ambient music acceptable once again. And oddly enough, they seem to be doing the exact opposite of Radiohead -- their most recent material is as mainstream and radio-friendly as they have ever been. I saw this band at the MoMA earlier this summer and was absolutely blown away. Not too many bands can pull off the bow/guitar combo as well as these guys can.
7) The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
It's an undeniable fact that New Mexico's best band hit it big thanks to Zach Braff. Despite Garden State's 2004 theatrical release, oddly enough, none of the songs included in movie happened to be from 2003's Chutes Too Narrow. Braff opted to pick and choose from the band's 2001 release, Oh, Inverted World -- which is an equally amazing album. This exposure boost helped out The Shins tremendously, and soon enough CTN was on critics' and hipsters' minds alike. Hell, even my college recruited this band to play our annual spring carnival. I don't know how Sub-Pop does it, but their roster is a virtual all-star team of indie rockers. Holding true to this sports metaphor, I'm guessing The Shins would bat cleanup between the Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses.
6) Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (2006)
I couldn't be more thrilled about the Sonic Youth revival that is currently taking place. This band has consistently rocked it out for the past two and half decades, and their fan base has never been stronger. This might be partly due to Rather Ripped -- a return to form that's awfully reminiscent of classics Daydream Nation and Goo. Ellen Page may have confessed in Juno that Sonic Youth is "just noise," but this is hardly the case. Take a listen to Rather Ripped's standout track, "Incinerate," and you'll be instantly hooked on the distorted, yet melodic, riff that's one part early Smashing Pumpkins, and two parts Dinosaur Jr. As reported earlier, the poster children of indie rock are finally becoming indie again. After eighteen years on Geffen, the band's is coming full circle and signing to an undisclosed independent label with plans for a 2009 release.
5) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2003)
The sheer brilliance of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is honestly on the same level of a Sergeant Pepper. Yes, I went there. The album's idiosyncratic depth makes this one the perfect record in which to test out the inner workings of a top notch stereosystem. Whether it's nihilistic numbness of "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart," or the stringed mellow gem, "Jesus, Etc.," Foxtrot is as perfect lyrically as it is sonically. And oddly enough, this may have very been the album that nearly put this fantastic band's career in jeopardy. Following this one up was not exactly an easy task for Jeff Tweedy and crew. And although recent efforts A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky are nothing to sneeze at, nothing Wilco has put out since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has come close.
4) Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000)
Yes, I PROMISE this is the last Ryan Adams album on the list. If it's any consolation, I don't think I have any more to work with. 2000's Heartbreaker was Ryan's first solo album since the break up critically-acclaimed alt-country supergroup Whiskeytown. If it wasn't already a foregone conclusion that Adams was the brains behind his former band, this album was living proof. Heartbreaker was the first solo showcase of Adams' incredibly gifted and heartfelt songwriting style. And it's no wonder where this one got it's name; just take a look at some of the albums song titles: "Come Pick Me Up," "In My Time of Need," "Why Do They Leave?". And take my word for it -- the songs are as genuine as they appear. If the Emmylou Harris-backed "Oh My Sweet Carolina" doesn't tug at your heartstrings, then you are just made of stone.
3) The Strokes - Is This It? (2001)
As it turns, out this was not "it"; turns out, this was merely just the beginning. When The Strokes burst onto the scene in late 2001, they really had no idea what they were responsible for igniting. Thanks to their charmingly sloppy blend of neo-garage punk, the band helped to usher in a much needed new era of rock that ended the god-awful reign of nu-metal. Soon after, this "the [insert band name]" trend became all the rage all around the world. As far as I can remember, we couldn't get enough of The Vines, The Hives, and yes, The White Stripes (although, this last one is questionable as far as "the" bands are concerned). And although I'll admit the content on Is This It is not exactly groundbreaking, given its influence and its infectiousness, it just gets the job done for me.
2) My Morning Jacket - Z (2005)
Anyone who reads this blog (all four of you) already knows I'm gay for My Morning Jacket. Although I've given Evil Urges it's fair share of praise, I really haven't had any good reason for elaborating about this band's masterpiece, Z,...that is until NOW! Where do I begin? Let's just say that if you do try to muster enough courage to attempt classifying this album, I'm pretty sure your head would explode on the spot. And quite frankly, I don't think Jim James would have it any other way. As soon as you think you've got Z covered, the album takes you for a complete 180. I could go on for hours here, but instead I'll be brief. If you happen to be a fan of dub, reggae, Southern rock, the blues, alt-country, alt-rock, and R&B, I promise that you'll take a liking to this album. Plus, unlike Evil Urges, this one rocks some pretty kick-ass album artwork.
1) The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls In America (2006)
Well here we are. The coveted number one album of the decade. You didn't actually think I was going to leave Boys & Girls In America off this list did you? As I've mentioned about a dozen times already, The Hold Steady were the first band to grace the cover of the Village Voice in over 15 years thanks to the buzz surrounding B&GIA. This is just one of the many accolades this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Minneapolis quintet has garnered in its short existence -- living proof that these guys are thankfully going to be around for awhile. While this album's content doesn't stray too far off the beaten path of its predecessors (characters Gideon, Charlemagne, and Holly all make their respective appearances) the band's dynamic has been tightened exponentially -- resulting in a finished product that really exhibits the unmatched prowess of The Hold Steady. I've given this record countless spins -- each time resulting in the discovery of a new element that I hadn't known existed beforehand. Like a movie that never gets old, THAT'S when you know you have great album.
Alright, guys. The countdown is DONE. What did you think? Obvious omissions? Praise? Hatred? Send them all my way in the comments or email, nsussman@gmail.com
Letting It All Out
According to the band's website, Oasis will be playing the intimate (for them) NYC venue Terminal 5 on September 12th. To get tickets to this exclusive event, you have to register for some lame lottery system HERE. Good luck -- this will obviously be a tough ticket.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Turn Up The Sun
I'm just calling a spade a spade: this fall is going to be STACKED as far as new record releases are concerned. Brian Wilson's follow-up to the legendary 40-years-in-the-making masterpiece, SMiLE, comes out next month. The album is called That Old Lucky Sun, and will be released September 28th. If you want to listen to it now, you can stream the whole thing HERE. I may be mistaken, but I think I've already seen the vinyl version of this in some record shops. Who knows?
More Adventurous
Last month, Jenny Lewis revealed the first track off her new album, Acid Tongue, via an 800 number. For those of you unable, or uninterested, in partaking in this viral marketing scheme, the folky/gospel song is now streamable on NPR's All Songs Considered HERE. The tune (also named "Acid Tongue") is evidence that this album will take on a new direction for the Rilo Kiley frontwoman/hottie. You'll notice the song features background vocals from none other than Chris Robinson. Acid Tongue drops (get it?) September 23rd.
Back To The Basics
Sonic Youth -- the godfathers (and mothers) of indie rock -- are, well, indie again. For the first time in over eighteen years, the alt-rock pioneers will be releasing their next album on an as-of-yet announced independent label. Their last (incredible) album, Rather Ripped, completed the contractual obligations the group had with Geffen. Thurston Moore and gang have been writing songs for the album, which is scheduled to come out some time early next year. If you want to see the band before then, they are playing the last-ever show at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn this weekend. Apparently, moving forward, they've decided to fill the pool with, ya know, water, as opposed to trendy hipsters. For some reason, all of the news in the posting just feels right...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Jersey Anthems
As awfully emo-suggestive as their name is, New Jersey's Gaslight Anthem is a rock band that's as pure at heart as it gets. Forget the label they're signed to, their meticulously coiffed punk hair, their age, and their sleeve tattoos. This band is living proof that, thankfully, you only need to leave it up to the music to do the talking. If their appearance screams Fall Out Boy, then you will pleased to know that their music evokes Bruce Springsteen more so than anything else. And yes, this is a very good thing. Growing up in New Brunswick-- not too many turnpike exits away from The Boss' stomping ground -- it's pretty apparent that these guys have been down Thunder Road, lived not too far away Jungleland, and have witnessed the darkness on the edge of town. So I'd say they know a thing or two about their home state's greatest living legend. Their sophomore record, The '59 Sound (which, by the way, is a nod to that fateful plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Richie Valens) is admittedly sculpted by Springsteen's sound, but think of this more as inspiration rather than imitation. Because quite frankly, this is just part of the story. If you listen carefully, you can find some subtle (and not so subtle) references that pay homage to some of the Gaslight Anthem's other musical heroes.The '59 Sound begins with the cliched hiss and pop of a needle being dropped on a record. If the album's title doesn't hint at the golden days, then the first few seconds most certainly do. Coming seemingly out of nowhere, Brian Fallon's crooning voice converges with the lightning-speed pounding of drummer Benny Horowitz. For a second, you might be be fooled into thinking this is a punk rock record. Thirty seconds in, you discover that what you hear is much too melodic to be branded as punk. This is good old-fashioned rock and roll story-telling -- the kind of record the Killers tried to make with their latest effort Sam's Town. But unlike their rock brethren, the task just seems to come naturally for the Gaslight Anthem. Standout track "Old White Lincoln" boasts the bass line from the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" and builds up into an explosive chorus that would make Brandon Flowers envious. "High Lonesome" literally borrows a line from the Counting Crows' "Round Here" ("Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand"). Fallon even playfully responds to this line by declaring he "always kind of sort of wished [he] looked like Elvis". The song, much like most of the album, also contains imagery that's explicitly Springsteeny -- some of the most apparent references are "classic cars" and "outlaw cowboy bands," among others. When Fallon isn't dropping hints about his idols, he flat-out tells you. On the slow first single, "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues," the singer confesses that he "still loves Tom Petty songs and driving old men crazy". The album's best songwriting perhaps resides on one of The '59 Sound's final tracks -- the sprawling ballad "Here's Lookin' At You, Kid". This one's as reminiscent of Dire Straits as it is Born In USA-era Boss (see "I'm On Fire"). I'll take this any day of the week.
Although I am well-aware that naysayers will knock this record for being contrived and unauthentic, I'm willing to overlook these inevitable criticisms. While most young pop-punks bands would opt to replicate the now tired verse-chorus-verse formula of cohorts Panic At The Disco, Boys Like Girls, and Plain White Tee's, these guys are digging a little deeper. I may be wrong here, but I'm willing to bet that Springsteen and Tom Petty tunes will outlast the latest Fall Out Boy offerings. Mix in the Gaslight Anthem's penchant for precocious songwriting, and you get a band that's on a whole different level. And I'm not just saying that because they happen to be from Jersey...
My Rating: 8.0/10
Sly Foxes
If you've read some of my recent postings, you know I have a thing for Seattle's Fleet Foxes. Lucky for me that it happens to be a good day for New York-dwelling Foxes fans. This band's tour has been mapped out for quite some time now, with a Webster Hall show that's been sold out like there's no tomorrow. For fans (like me) that were shut out trying to get tickets, there was a silver lining. They've had this "NEW YORK THING" scheduled for October 4th forever now, with little or no information about what exactly this "thing" was all about. It could have been a radio show or an in-store for all we knew. But alas it's even better than that. The Fleet Foxes will be playing the very intimate Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center! Tickets, which are a VERY affordable $19.50 apiece, go on sale tomorrow at noon! You won't want to miss this, so don't blow the opportunity again.
Writers On The Storm
It appears as if Ryan Adams' perseverance is paying off. The prolific songwriter and notoriously nonsensical blog poster can soon add "author" to his evergrowing list of accomplishments. According to one of his numerous blogs, Adams received an email this morning from his editor confirming that this project is a go. The title of the book is Infinity Blues, and this is pretty much all that we know at this point. Considering Ryan's blogging idiosyncrasies, this is going to either be amazing or terrible. In other Adams news, a new Cardinals album is still scheduled for release this year. He is also criss-crossing the country this fall on a tour that has yet to have a NYC stop. Hopefully this will change in the upcoming weeks. According to Adams, here is the working cover for Infinity Blues:
Friday, August 22, 2008
Racking Up Some Brownie Points
As god awful as her music is, I can't help but be a little fascinated by this video. So sue me, it's for a good cause. Fun fact: Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" has spent as much time atop the singles chart as the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The apocalypse is upon us.
Party Foul
The good news is that we have unexpected new material from Bloc Party. The bad news is that it's just not very good. And while I certainly applaud their surprise promotional tactics, it's quite apparent that the band is trying too hard to overcompensate for the negative reviews it received from last year's second effort, A Weekend In The City. Unfortunately, the band has done more bad than good while valiantly attempting to cleanse themselves of last year's mess. Which is truly unfortunate when you consider how much potential this really band has. Rather than sticking to the post-punk formula that worked out tremendously for them on their debut, they've gone all Chemical Brothers on us -- the very pitfall that made Weekend a dud. But it gets worse; while last year's sophomore effort had its moments ("I Still Remember," "Kreuzburg") you'll be hard pressed to find a cut on this record that remotely reaches the caliber of Silent Alarm. The jarringly cacophonous first single, "Mercury," is just fast beats and noise. Mix this in with Kele Okereke's annoying looped whines, and you get something that sounds like a Fatboy Slim song on crack. It doesn't get particularly better from here. "Ares" is a drum and bass nightmare that would fit much better on an obscure remix compilation. The rest of Intimacy's content is, for the most part, forgettable, which makes it increasingly difficult to believe that these are in fact the A-sides. I'd hate to hear what got tossed out.My Rating: 4.9/10
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Creative Sparks
For those of you who just haven't been saturated enough with Coldplay, there's some good news a-brewin'. Apparently, Chris Martin and crew are already planning their next album for a 2009 release. Coldplay has typically taken at least three years in between albums, so this kind of comes as a surprise.
The List (Part 9)
For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
For 30-21 (Part 8), click HERE.
20) Outkast - Stankonia (2000)
Put quite simply, Stankonia is the album that transformed this Atlanta hip-hop duo into one of greatest acts of all time. This record got the ball rolling for Andre 3000 and Big Boi, who followed up with the near perfect Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. In an time when Southern rap oozed mediocrity (Juvenile, B.G., Hot Boys), this band was a breath of fresh air. And who would have thought these guys were clairvoyant? Three years before the Iraq debacle, Outkast rocked our world with the jarring anthem "Bombs Over Baghdad". But it didn't stop there. Follow-up R&B-inspired singles "Ms. Jackson" and "So Fresh, So Clean" occupied some pretty prime real estate on the Billboard charts a year later. Stankonia never got even one bad review -- chalking up an unheard of 95 score on Metacritic.
19) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)
Seattle's Fleet Foxes are perhaps the most exciting new band of the year (yes, more so than Vampire Weekend). And sure, it might be a little bold to throw these guys in the top 20, but I have this much faith that we are going to be hearing great things from this band for years to come. If you take a listen to their self-titled debut, you'll discover that this band is mature beyond their years. They've definitely done all their homework in Neil Young 101, and have already learned to perfect a country/folk sound that rivals even the mighty My Morning Jacket. Combine this with the songwriting sincerity of Mark Kozelek, and you get a band that's pretty difficult to criticize.
18) Queens of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)
When Queens of The Stone Age's Rated R was released in 2000, I remember reading in numerous publications that this was a band to watch. And although these guys scored some radio credentials with "The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret," their breakout album went largely unnoticed by the general public. But this must have only fueled the band's creative fire. Josh Homme and gang went on a tear with their follow-up magnum opus, Songs For Deaf. Recruiting Dave Grohl for drumming duties, the band put on a rock and roll clinic that spawned several smash singles that included "No One Know," "Go With The Flow," and "First It Giveth". Unfortunately all this success couldn't prevent the internal drama. The only other original member, bassist Nick Oliveri, was kicked out of the band shortly after Songs For The Deaf hit it big.
17) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (2008)
I think I've made my sentiments abundantly clear about this album. Stay Positive is my undisputed pick for record of the year. There, I went ahead and said it. I don't care if some critics claim that this one's awfully similar-sounding to their last record; if you've got a great thing going on, why mess around with it? The Hold Steady are everything that's good about music -- excellent songwriting, top-notch musicianship, infectious charisma, zero pretentiousness, and a great attitude. For my (comprehensive) review of Stay Positive click HERE. Nuff said.
16) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
If Stay Positive is this year's pick for record of the year, then Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is 2007's tour de force. This band's consistency is something that should be applauded, and any mainstream exposure they've achieved as of late is definitely well-deserved (the record debuted at #10 on the charts). If you haven't caught these guys on the Letterman or Saturday Night Live circuit, then you've more than likely heard "The Underdog" on the radio or during some obscure movie trailer. And yes, you have heard it before -- the horn section in this song is just too infectious to resist. In case you were wondering, the album's title used to be the temporary name of one of their songs, "The Ghost of You Lingers". They scrapped the nonsensical song title, and instead opted to make it a nonsensical album title.
15) Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (2003)
It's a shame that the commoner will always associate Fountains of Wayne with that song about Stacey's mom (no thanks to those Sunny D commercials). And while there's no denying that this song is as catchy as it is corny, this really doesn't do justice to the album or the band. In all its glory, Welcome Interstate Managers is a loose concept album that follows the doldrums of suburbanites placed in less than ideal situations. Whether it's North Jersey-dwelling contractors, alcoholic sales executives, or recently fired United Airlines employees, Managers perfectly juxtaposes FOW's shimmering power pop with the dark nature of everyday living. We haven't heard three-and-a-half minutes storytelling this perfect since "Eleanor Rigby" or "Oh-Bla-Di, Oh-Bla-Da". By the way, "interstate manager" is a nice way of saying toll taker.
14) Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (2003)
Although I may have originally had some reservations about Death Cab's most recent offering, this was hardly the case for this band's 2003 breakout, Transatlanticism. It's no wonder why Ben Gibbard and crew were finally able to break the mold of anonymity from their first three disappointing efforts. Transtlanticism is much more emotionally charged than some of Death Cab's earlier work and this allows the band to soar, as evidenced on standout songs "The New Year", "Title and Registration," and "The Sound of Settling". This album soon became a cult smash thanks in part to its content's inclusion on countless movie and television soundtracks. Before long, it would go gold. Their 2005 follow-up, Plans, is not a particularly bad record, but certainly doesn't have the same consistency as Transatlanticism.
13) Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
(2005)
You've got artists who come out with concept albums, and then you've got Sufjan Stevens. After releasing a record entirely dedicated to the people, places, and things from his home state of Michigan in 2003, Stevens decided it would be a good idea to keep the state thing going. In 2005, he released Illinois to unanimously positive acclaim. In fact, if you look at its score on Metacritic, you'll see it's the best-rated album of that year. And quite frankly, it's not too difficult to see why. This album is a musical explosion -- frequently utilizing strings, horns, and harmonized vocals. Illinois was so well-received, that a year later, Sufjan released an album of songs that just didn't quite make the cut. There's no resting on laurels, however. Stevens has made the bold assertion that he plans on releasing an album dedicated to each of the 50 states. He better get back to work.
12) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
The Arcade Fire are a really strange band for me. When I first heard this record back in college, it didn't really do anything for me. I thought, "eh". But after it was received as the best thing since sliced bread, I gave it another shot and then gradually became hooked. It goes without saying that I expected big things for last year's follow-up, "Neon Bible". And despite critics' overflowing positive feedback a second time around, I didn't think it was anything special. But then again, I guess one out of two ain't bad. I've never seen this army of a band in concert, but supposedly it is quite the spectacle. Hey, if Springsteen thinks highly of the Arcade Fire, maybe there's something I'm missing.
11) Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)
Although From A Basement On The Hill was nearly completed at the time of his death, many consider Figure 8 to be Elliott Smith's last official album. After releasing several amazingly stripped down, simplistic records, this was definitely the most ambitious effort of Smith's tragically short career. Unlike most of Smith's catalog, Figure 8 features complex instrumentation and detailed arrangements as evidenced on the remarkable "Son of Sam". While this one garnered some mixed reviews at first, Figure 8 has aged like a fine wine. Like most of rock's legends, Elliott left us way too soon.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
For 30-21 (Part 8), click HERE.
20) Outkast - Stankonia (2000)
Put quite simply, Stankonia is the album that transformed this Atlanta hip-hop duo into one of greatest acts of all time. This record got the ball rolling for Andre 3000 and Big Boi, who followed up with the near perfect Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. In an time when Southern rap oozed mediocrity (Juvenile, B.G., Hot Boys), this band was a breath of fresh air. And who would have thought these guys were clairvoyant? Three years before the Iraq debacle, Outkast rocked our world with the jarring anthem "Bombs Over Baghdad". But it didn't stop there. Follow-up R&B-inspired singles "Ms. Jackson" and "So Fresh, So Clean" occupied some pretty prime real estate on the Billboard charts a year later. Stankonia never got even one bad review -- chalking up an unheard of 95 score on Metacritic.
19) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)
Seattle's Fleet Foxes are perhaps the most exciting new band of the year (yes, more so than Vampire Weekend). And sure, it might be a little bold to throw these guys in the top 20, but I have this much faith that we are going to be hearing great things from this band for years to come. If you take a listen to their self-titled debut, you'll discover that this band is mature beyond their years. They've definitely done all their homework in Neil Young 101, and have already learned to perfect a country/folk sound that rivals even the mighty My Morning Jacket. Combine this with the songwriting sincerity of Mark Kozelek, and you get a band that's pretty difficult to criticize.
18) Queens of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)
When Queens of The Stone Age's Rated R was released in 2000, I remember reading in numerous publications that this was a band to watch. And although these guys scored some radio credentials with "The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret," their breakout album went largely unnoticed by the general public. But this must have only fueled the band's creative fire. Josh Homme and gang went on a tear with their follow-up magnum opus, Songs For Deaf. Recruiting Dave Grohl for drumming duties, the band put on a rock and roll clinic that spawned several smash singles that included "No One Know," "Go With The Flow," and "First It Giveth". Unfortunately all this success couldn't prevent the internal drama. The only other original member, bassist Nick Oliveri, was kicked out of the band shortly after Songs For The Deaf hit it big.
17) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (2008)
I think I've made my sentiments abundantly clear about this album. Stay Positive is my undisputed pick for record of the year. There, I went ahead and said it. I don't care if some critics claim that this one's awfully similar-sounding to their last record; if you've got a great thing going on, why mess around with it? The Hold Steady are everything that's good about music -- excellent songwriting, top-notch musicianship, infectious charisma, zero pretentiousness, and a great attitude. For my (comprehensive) review of Stay Positive click HERE. Nuff said.
16) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
If Stay Positive is this year's pick for record of the year, then Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is 2007's tour de force. This band's consistency is something that should be applauded, and any mainstream exposure they've achieved as of late is definitely well-deserved (the record debuted at #10 on the charts). If you haven't caught these guys on the Letterman or Saturday Night Live circuit, then you've more than likely heard "The Underdog" on the radio or during some obscure movie trailer. And yes, you have heard it before -- the horn section in this song is just too infectious to resist. In case you were wondering, the album's title used to be the temporary name of one of their songs, "The Ghost of You Lingers". They scrapped the nonsensical song title, and instead opted to make it a nonsensical album title.
15) Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (2003)
It's a shame that the commoner will always associate Fountains of Wayne with that song about Stacey's mom (no thanks to those Sunny D commercials). And while there's no denying that this song is as catchy as it is corny, this really doesn't do justice to the album or the band. In all its glory, Welcome Interstate Managers is a loose concept album that follows the doldrums of suburbanites placed in less than ideal situations. Whether it's North Jersey-dwelling contractors, alcoholic sales executives, or recently fired United Airlines employees, Managers perfectly juxtaposes FOW's shimmering power pop with the dark nature of everyday living. We haven't heard three-and-a-half minutes storytelling this perfect since "Eleanor Rigby" or "Oh-Bla-Di, Oh-Bla-Da". By the way, "interstate manager" is a nice way of saying toll taker.
14) Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (2003)
Although I may have originally had some reservations about Death Cab's most recent offering, this was hardly the case for this band's 2003 breakout, Transatlanticism. It's no wonder why Ben Gibbard and crew were finally able to break the mold of anonymity from their first three disappointing efforts. Transtlanticism is much more emotionally charged than some of Death Cab's earlier work and this allows the band to soar, as evidenced on standout songs "The New Year", "Title and Registration," and "The Sound of Settling". This album soon became a cult smash thanks in part to its content's inclusion on countless movie and television soundtracks. Before long, it would go gold. Their 2005 follow-up, Plans, is not a particularly bad record, but certainly doesn't have the same consistency as Transatlanticism.
13) Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
(2005)You've got artists who come out with concept albums, and then you've got Sufjan Stevens. After releasing a record entirely dedicated to the people, places, and things from his home state of Michigan in 2003, Stevens decided it would be a good idea to keep the state thing going. In 2005, he released Illinois to unanimously positive acclaim. In fact, if you look at its score on Metacritic, you'll see it's the best-rated album of that year. And quite frankly, it's not too difficult to see why. This album is a musical explosion -- frequently utilizing strings, horns, and harmonized vocals. Illinois was so well-received, that a year later, Sufjan released an album of songs that just didn't quite make the cut. There's no resting on laurels, however. Stevens has made the bold assertion that he plans on releasing an album dedicated to each of the 50 states. He better get back to work.
12) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
The Arcade Fire are a really strange band for me. When I first heard this record back in college, it didn't really do anything for me. I thought, "eh". But after it was received as the best thing since sliced bread, I gave it another shot and then gradually became hooked. It goes without saying that I expected big things for last year's follow-up, "Neon Bible". And despite critics' overflowing positive feedback a second time around, I didn't think it was anything special. But then again, I guess one out of two ain't bad. I've never seen this army of a band in concert, but supposedly it is quite the spectacle. Hey, if Springsteen thinks highly of the Arcade Fire, maybe there's something I'm missing.
11) Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)
Although From A Basement On The Hill was nearly completed at the time of his death, many consider Figure 8 to be Elliott Smith's last official album. After releasing several amazingly stripped down, simplistic records, this was definitely the most ambitious effort of Smith's tragically short career. Unlike most of Smith's catalog, Figure 8 features complex instrumentation and detailed arrangements as evidenced on the remarkable "Son of Sam". While this one garnered some mixed reviews at first, Figure 8 has aged like a fine wine. Like most of rock's legends, Elliott left us way too soon.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
R.I.P. LeRoi Moore
It is with great sadness that I report that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, passed away yesterday at the age 46. The musician had sustained injuries (a punctured lung and broken ribs, among other things) from an ATV accident that occurred on June 30th in his hometown of Charlottesville, VA. The details are still a bit hazy, but Moore apparently died unexpectedly from complications from said injuries. This is huge blow to the music world. Moore was a crucial member of one of the more influential bands of the past couple of decades. I've seen DMB close to 20 times (no other band comes close to even rivaling this number), and cannot even fathom the band ever being the same without him. On June 27th, I was even lucky enough to see Moore play one of his last shows with the band in Hershey, PA.Being the professionals they are, the Dave Matthews Band went on with a show that they had scheduled last night at the Staples Center in LA. Matthews and crew dedicated the show to Moore, reflecting on the memories they had with their "brother". Matthews even went so far as saying, "There's no place I'd rather be than here with you guys right now." What a class act.
This is truly a sad day...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
TV Coverage
Artwork for the new TV On The Radio album, Dear Science, has been released. Pretty bland, if you ask me:
Also, if you go HERE, you can take a listen to the album's first single, "Golden Age". Dear Science (apparently now without the comma) comes September 23rd. That's all I have.
Also, if you go HERE, you can take a listen to the album's first single, "Golden Age". Dear Science (apparently now without the comma) comes September 23rd. That's all I have.
Back In Black [Ice]
AC/DC rattled some cages earlier this year when they announced that they were going to be following in the footsteps of rock and roll hall of fame brethren The Eagles, by exclusively releasing their new album through Wal-Mart. Well, today some more information has surfaced about their first record in over eight years. The album will be titled Black Ice and will come out October 20th, which is much earlier than expected. Turns out that if you are absolutely hell bent about boycotting Wal-Mart, there is another option to get yours hands on the album. You can pre-order it though ACDC.com starting today. For those about to rock, the new single, "Rock and Roll Train," hits radio next week. It sounds nothing like this: Here is Black Ice's tracklist:
1. “Rock ‘N Roll Train”
2. “Skies On Fire”
3. “Big Jack”
4. “Anything Goes”
5. “War Machine”
6. “Smash ‘N Grab”
7. “Spoilin’ For a Fight”
8. “Wheels”
9. “Decibel”
10. “Stormy May Day”
11. “She Likes Rock ‘N Roll”
12. “Money Made”
13. “Rock N Roll Dream”
14. “Rocking All the Way”
15. “Black Ice”
Monday, August 18, 2008
Let's Impeach The President Tour '08
Apparently Neil Young is prepping a pretty ambitious tour that just happens to coincide nicely with the election. Although this has yet to be confirmed by official sources, news is popping up all over the interwebs that Mr. Young will be playing a whole bunch of arenas starting in middle October. And it gets better: it looks like the openers will be Wilco and Death Cab For Cutie. Not sure if it's both, or just one of above. Here are the alleged dates with their on sale information -- let's keep our fingers crossed:October 14 - St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center / on sale August 22
16 - Winnipeg, MN – MTS Centre / on sale August 22
18 - Regina, SK – Brandt Centre / on sale August 22
19 - Calgary, AB – Pengrowth Saddledome / on sale August 22
21 - Everett, WA – Comcast Arena at Everett / on sale September 12
22 - Vancouver, BC – GM Place / on sale August 22
29 - San Diego, CA – Cox Arena / on sale August 25
30 - Los Angeles, CA – The Forum / on sale August 25
November 1 - Reno, NV – Events Center / on sale August 23
4 - Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center / on sale September 12
5 - Omaha, NE – Qwest Center / on sale September 12
29 - Halifax, NS – Metro Centre / on sale August 23
December 1 - Montreal, PQ – Bell Centre / on sale September 13
2 - Ottawa, ON – Scotia Bank Place / on sale August 22
4 - Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre / on sale August 22
7 - Detroit, MI – Palace of Auburn Hills / on sale September 12
9 - Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena / on sale September 12
12 - Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Spectrum / on sale September 19
15 - New York, NY – Madison Square Garden / on sale September 15
**UPDATE** This has been confirmed by Live Nation this morning. The opening band for the NYC show will be Wilco.
Party Time
I've said it once and I will say it again. It looks like surprise albums are all the rage these days. More so than those pesky Kanye West sunglasses. A month after surprising us with a new single (a bad one at that), Bloc Party have officially announced the release date of their new album. In a move that has one-upped even the mighty Radiohead, the new LP, Intimacy, will be available on August 21st. For those keeping record, that's in three days. But there is a catch. The physical version doesn't ship until late October, but you can get it digitally starting this week via the band's website. And no, none of that "name your own price" silliness. That's all played out. Intimacy will set you back $10. Last time I checked in with this band, the new album wasn't supposed to be ready until at least 2009. I guess pulling a fast one on everybody is the best way to avoid piracy these days.**UPDATE** Here is the tracklisting for the new album:
Track Listing
01 Ares
02 Mercury
03 Halo
04 Biko
05 Trojan Horse
06 Signs
07 One Month Off
08 Zephyrus
09 Better Than Heaven
10 Ion Square
Indestructible -- Rancid @ Irving Plaza 8/15/08
When I heard that Rancid would be playing an unprecedented five straight nights at Irving Plaza, I was a little miffed. Although there's no denying how influential this band has been in the punk scene, we haven't heard new material from these guys since 2003's Indestructible. So a residency at one of New York's premiere venues seemed a little too ambitious for me. When tickets went on sale for this Rancid extravaganza months ago, I balked, figuring I could surely scrounge one up when the time came. Idiot move on my part. As it turns out, Tim Armstrong and crew have got quite the following in these neck of the woods. All five shows sold out rather quickly, which meant I was pretty much shit out of luck. But alas, persistence is one of my better virtues. And in keeping true with the punk spirit, I refused to let the man keep me down. Thanks to my good friend Matt, I was able to score a ticket last minute to Friday night's concert (or show #3 out of 5 if you're keeping count).With the exception of a handful of spike-studded punk rockers adorned in multi-colored mohawks, the crowd was surprisingly tame. Sure, there were a few on hand proudly displaying their tattered Bad Religion and Casualties t-shirts. But generally speaking, if you walked in unaware of the band you were about to see, a good guess would have been Pearl Jam. And judging by the general age and appearance of those in attendance, it looked like the majority of the 1,000-strong crowd was there for nostalgia reasons (guilty as charged). It appears as if the hardcore Agnostic Front-loving fans got the memo. If anything, this five night stint was a "thank you" to long time fans, and Rancid wasn't about to ruin the party. Right off the bat, the band launched into a handful of quick numbers from their most successful album, 1995's ...And Out Come The Wolves. Lars Frederiksen's lightning-fast guitar was spot-on during crowd-favorites "Listed M.I.A," "The Way I Feel," and "Journey To The End of The East Bay". Armstrong complemented Frederiksen's enthusiasm by continually dancing around the stage (trench coat and all), all the while whipping his vintage hollow-body guitar hula-hoop style around his gaunt body. New drummer Branden Steineckert (of Used fame) played like a veteran on the very songs that predated him. And although nothing ever really got too out of hand, the loyal punks on the floor assembled a cute mosh pit that roared during some of the band's more aggressive catalog ("Nihlism," "Rejected").
The highlight of the evening came, oddly enough, during a song Rancid isn't even credited for -- the old Operation Ivy classic "Knowledge". After a little back and forth with audience (most notably Frederiksen acknowledging that he and Steineckert happened to be wearing the same Exploited t-shirt), the band continued to play songs old and new from their career-spanning catalog. The hooky chorus of pop-ska gem "Fall Back Down" got the crowd singing in unison, while obscure b-side "I Wanna Riot" pleased the aggressive diehards. Before calling it a night, the guys announced that a new album was indeed in the works -- a nice little tidbit that appealed to all in attendance. They then blasted out the two songs that have perhaps most defined their career -- "Olympia, WA," and "Ruby Soho". After the boys left the stage, the ravenous crowd stayed put, forcing the band to come out for one more. Not surprisingly they selected the very song that launched them into the mainstream, "Time Bomb". Although Rancid has certainly lost its star in an age where punk is unfortunately most equated with emo, it's reassuring to know that the real punks are still alive and kicking.
The Righteous Path
This tour is going to be KILLER! Two nights at Terminal 5, split billing! Tickets for the tour go on sale TOMORROW at 10 AM.Thu Oct 30 Louisville KY COYOTE'S @ CITY BLOCK (HS Closes)
Fri Oct 31 Nashville TN RYMAN AUDITORIUM (DBT Closes)
Sat Nov 01 Atlanta GA TABERNACLE (DBT Closes)
Sun Nov 02 Tallahassee FL THE MOON @ FSU (HS Closes)
Mon Nov 03 Raleigh NC LINCOLN THEATRE (DBT Closes)
Wed Nov 05 State College PA THE STATE THEATRE (HS Closes)
Thu Nov 06 New York, NY TERMINAL 5 (DBT Closes)
Fri Nov 07 New York, NY TERMINAL 5 (THS Closes)
Sat Nov 08 Philadelphia, PA ELECTRIC FACTORY (DBT Closes)
Sun Nov 09 Boston MA ORPHEUM THEATRE (HS Closes)
Tue Nov 11 Toronto ONT PHOENIX THEATRE (DBT Closes)
Wed Nov 12 Pittsburgh PA CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL (HS Closes)
Thu Nov 13 Bloomington IN BLUEBIRD (DBT Closes)
Fri Nov 14 Chicago IL RIVIERA (HS Closes)
Sat Nov 15 Minneapolis MN FIRST AVENUE MAINROOM (DBT Closes)
Sun Nov 16 Minneapolis MN FIRST AVENUE MAINROOM (HS Closes)
Wed Nov 19 Boise ID THE BIG EASY (DBT Closes)
Thu Nov 20 Seattle WA THE SHOWBOX (HS Closes)
Fri Nov 21 Seattle WA THE SHOWBOX (DBT Closes)
Sat Nov 22 Portland OR CRYSTAL BALLROOM (HS Closes)
Sun Nov 23 San Francisco CA THE FILLMORE (DBT Closes)
Mon Nov 24 San Francisco CA THE FILLMORE (HS Closes)
Tue Nov 25 Los Angeles CA THE WILTERN (DBT Closes)
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Importance of Being Ample
For a band that wants nothing to do with Radiohead, Oasis are kind of following in the footsteps of their fellow countrymen. According to the band's website, Oasis will be releasing a box set version of their upcoming Dig Out Your Soul. The entire package will retail for a pricey $99, and will contain four vinyl discs (?!?), two cd's, a dvd, and a hardcover book -- all encased in an embossed box. What? They couldn't splurge for the leather bound option? Thanks, but no thanks. And for the record, this sounds awfully similar to the nice little package Radiohead put together for the vinyl release of In Rainbows. But then again, the brothers Gallagher have never been known for their originality.In other Oasis news, here's a first listen of the new single, "The Shock of Lightning":
Positively CHEAP!
This deal is almost too good to believe. Apparently, everyday Amazon offers an incredible album for download for super cheap. Today the deal is The Hold Steady's Stay Positive for a ridiculous $1.99. If you don't already own this record, there is absolutely no excuse for not buying it. You can buy it HERE for today only and thank me later.
The List (Part 8)
For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
30) King of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon successfully evaded the sophomore slump with their American breakthrough Aha Shake Heartbreak. The Followill clan, who successfully took Europe by storm with Youth and Young Manhood, finetuned their sound to make a record that appealed to their own countrymen. They've since never looked back. Leadoff single "The Bucket" was met with considerable acclaim, which really got the ball rolling for these guys. It didn't hurt to have multiple songs featured in commercial campaigns and top-rated TV shows such as "Entourage". Evoking everything from early seventies garage rock to Southern blues, Aha Shake is simply 36 minutes of the decade's best rock music.
29) TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)
Any band that can swing a David Bowie collaboration gets the stamp of approval in my book. TV On the Radio's third full length album, Return To Cookie Mountain (a possible Super Mario reference?), did indeed feature Mr. Stardust's background vocals on the brilliant "Province". But this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the record contains a host of other guests that only further cement this album's standing among the best of 2006. The anthemic "Wolf Like Me" is what really launched this Brooklyn band into the indie-rock stratosphere. Big things are expected for TV On The Radio's follow-up, Dear Science, which comes out in just over a month.
28) The Streets - Original Pirate Material (2002)
The first thing that comes to mind when people initially hear The Streets is "England's answer to Eminem". However, if you skim below both Mike Skinner's (his real name) skin color and his delivery, you'll discover that there simply is no comparison. And despite what the pseudonym might imply, Skinner does not exactly lead a thug life. In fact, the content of The Streets' debut completely forsakes stereotypical hip-hop undertones all together -- to the point that some could argue that this is even a rap album at all. Hell, this one could very well fit in the notorious spoken word bin for all I care. But, if you want to get all technical, The Streets is considered "garage" music in the sense that it blends rap, two-step, and reggae. In any case, Skinner is a wizard of wordplay as is evident on a stellar debut.
27) Kanye West - Late Registration (2005)
If Kanye West were to hang up his glow-in-the-dark shutter shades tomorrow, there's no question that Late Registration would be considered his masterpiece. When Mr. West burst onto the scene in 2003, he took hip-hop by storm. Everyone became Kanye-crazy -- so as one can imagine, a lot was at stake for his follow-up. And let's just say he didn't exactly disappoint. Whether it was the Jamie Foxx-duet "Golddigger," or the Curtis Mayfield-sampled "Touch The Sky," Kanye took it to a whole other level with his poppy, radio-friendly blend of hip-hop. Hell, he even made Adam Levine of Maroon 5 fame tolerable with ballad "Heard 'Em Say". The success of this release prompted 'Ye to even release a live album called Late Orchestration, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
26) The National - Boxer (2007)
The National are just another success story of relentless perseverence. Matt Berninger and gang had been around since 1999 and had been cranking out some pretty excellent records since 2001. However, they only recently started turning some heads last year with the near-flawless fourth album Boxer. Berninger's morose baritone single style is definitely an aquired taste, but if you give the band a chance, you'll discover some pretty deep material here. Just to give you idea of this album's accoladaes: Paste Magazine named it their album of the year, "Mistaken for Strangers" was #92 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Best Songs of 2007, and yes, even Pitchfork (boo!) ranked Boxer #17 in their annual end of the year best-of list.
25) Bob Dylan - "Love And Theft" (2001)
What can I say? Bob's the man. After a forgettable run of albums in the 80's and early 90's, Dylan returned to form with 1997's Time Out of Mind. Earning critical acclaim from nearly every source (and even Album of the Year at the Grammys), this one proved that Bob still had a little gas in his tank. And although many thought that this record would be Dylan's swan song, he returned in 2001 with the equally brilliant "Love And Theft". And as the fantastic 2007 film I'm Not There depicts, this one explores Dylan's continually changing musical persona. Long gone are the days of early 60's folk, mid 60's electric rock, and pretty every other genre that Dylan has straddled throughout his legendary career. "Love And Theft," at its core, is a homage to rockabilly, jazz, jump blues, and country swing -- music that manages to even predate his folk days. How bout them apples?
24) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (2008)
I think I've driven my point home about this album, so I will spare you my accolades. For my complete review of Evil Urges, click HERE. When the dust settled, this one actually ended up received some pretty mixed reviews (most notably from arch-nemesis Pitchfork), but don't be fooled because Urges actually shows some growth for MMJ in a VERY positive direction. I really like how they progressed from their masterpiece, Z -- so much so that this one steadily gains some ground on its predecessor. I've said it before and I will say it again: My Morning Jacket is the best live band in the world.
23) Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2003/2004)
This is yet another controversial Ryan Adams pick, but hell, this one's just a classic to me. Love Is Hell was originally supposed to Ryan's highly-touted follow-up of completely new material since successful breakout Gold. However, one Adams' label listened to the material, they insisted that it was not "commercially viable" and scrapped plans to release it at all. As a result, Ryan was forced to quickly regroup and record Rock N Roll. Upon Ryan's insistence, Lost Highway compromised by choosing to release Love Is Hell as two separate EP's in late 2003 - Love Is Hell pt. 1 and Love Is Hell pt. 2. Both did much better than expected, prompting to release the album as initially conceived in 2004. And here's a fun fact, if any of you ever wondered where I came up with the title for this very blog's name, just listen to "Please Do Not Let Me Go".
22) Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003)
After splitting up the Red House Painters -- one of the more under appreciated bands on the '90's -- Mark Kozelek formed Sun Kil Moon with former Painters drummer Anthony Koustos. This move proved to be fortuitous, as Ghosts of the Great Highway soon became Kozelek's best-selling and most critically-received album to date. Inspired by a laundry list of deceased boxers (of all things), Ghosts proved to be a much more quiet and intimate setting for Kozelek. Most of the content on this record is acoustic-driven and lyrically more extroverted than the work from his former band. Drawing up comparisons from everyone from Nick Drake to Neil Young, this album only goes to show that Kozelek is one today's most gifted songwriters. If you've ever seen the Steve Martin/Claire Danes film "Shopgirl," Ghosts is represented in the soundtrack with the inclusion of "Carry Me Ohio," and "Lily and Parrots". As an added bonus, Kozelek himself has a small role in the movie.
21) Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
It boggles my mind that this album was released over eight years ago. I was a junior in high school and I recall fondly hearing "The Real Slim Shady" being incessantly blasted from the cars in the student parking lot. To me, this song was the high school equivalent of "Hey Ya". Ah, the days. And here's an even more mind-boggling stat: The Marshall Mathers LP sold over 1.76 million copies in its first WEEK. Today, in a era of a record industry meltdown, an artist would be lucky to sell this many copies in a YEAR. Needless to say, this record went on to sell 21 million copies worldwide and solidified Eminem as one of the most influential artists of all time. And although he's been laying low for quite awhile now, Eminem is supposedly releasing his forst studio album in four years in late 2008.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
30) King of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon successfully evaded the sophomore slump with their American breakthrough Aha Shake Heartbreak. The Followill clan, who successfully took Europe by storm with Youth and Young Manhood, finetuned their sound to make a record that appealed to their own countrymen. They've since never looked back. Leadoff single "The Bucket" was met with considerable acclaim, which really got the ball rolling for these guys. It didn't hurt to have multiple songs featured in commercial campaigns and top-rated TV shows such as "Entourage". Evoking everything from early seventies garage rock to Southern blues, Aha Shake is simply 36 minutes of the decade's best rock music.
29) TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)
Any band that can swing a David Bowie collaboration gets the stamp of approval in my book. TV On the Radio's third full length album, Return To Cookie Mountain (a possible Super Mario reference?), did indeed feature Mr. Stardust's background vocals on the brilliant "Province". But this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the record contains a host of other guests that only further cement this album's standing among the best of 2006. The anthemic "Wolf Like Me" is what really launched this Brooklyn band into the indie-rock stratosphere. Big things are expected for TV On The Radio's follow-up, Dear Science, which comes out in just over a month.
28) The Streets - Original Pirate Material (2002)
The first thing that comes to mind when people initially hear The Streets is "England's answer to Eminem". However, if you skim below both Mike Skinner's (his real name) skin color and his delivery, you'll discover that there simply is no comparison. And despite what the pseudonym might imply, Skinner does not exactly lead a thug life. In fact, the content of The Streets' debut completely forsakes stereotypical hip-hop undertones all together -- to the point that some could argue that this is even a rap album at all. Hell, this one could very well fit in the notorious spoken word bin for all I care. But, if you want to get all technical, The Streets is considered "garage" music in the sense that it blends rap, two-step, and reggae. In any case, Skinner is a wizard of wordplay as is evident on a stellar debut.
27) Kanye West - Late Registration (2005)
If Kanye West were to hang up his glow-in-the-dark shutter shades tomorrow, there's no question that Late Registration would be considered his masterpiece. When Mr. West burst onto the scene in 2003, he took hip-hop by storm. Everyone became Kanye-crazy -- so as one can imagine, a lot was at stake for his follow-up. And let's just say he didn't exactly disappoint. Whether it was the Jamie Foxx-duet "Golddigger," or the Curtis Mayfield-sampled "Touch The Sky," Kanye took it to a whole other level with his poppy, radio-friendly blend of hip-hop. Hell, he even made Adam Levine of Maroon 5 fame tolerable with ballad "Heard 'Em Say". The success of this release prompted 'Ye to even release a live album called Late Orchestration, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
26) The National - Boxer (2007)
The National are just another success story of relentless perseverence. Matt Berninger and gang had been around since 1999 and had been cranking out some pretty excellent records since 2001. However, they only recently started turning some heads last year with the near-flawless fourth album Boxer. Berninger's morose baritone single style is definitely an aquired taste, but if you give the band a chance, you'll discover some pretty deep material here. Just to give you idea of this album's accoladaes: Paste Magazine named it their album of the year, "Mistaken for Strangers" was #92 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Best Songs of 2007, and yes, even Pitchfork (boo!) ranked Boxer #17 in their annual end of the year best-of list.
25) Bob Dylan - "Love And Theft" (2001)
What can I say? Bob's the man. After a forgettable run of albums in the 80's and early 90's, Dylan returned to form with 1997's Time Out of Mind. Earning critical acclaim from nearly every source (and even Album of the Year at the Grammys), this one proved that Bob still had a little gas in his tank. And although many thought that this record would be Dylan's swan song, he returned in 2001 with the equally brilliant "Love And Theft". And as the fantastic 2007 film I'm Not There depicts, this one explores Dylan's continually changing musical persona. Long gone are the days of early 60's folk, mid 60's electric rock, and pretty every other genre that Dylan has straddled throughout his legendary career. "Love And Theft," at its core, is a homage to rockabilly, jazz, jump blues, and country swing -- music that manages to even predate his folk days. How bout them apples?
24) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (2008)
I think I've driven my point home about this album, so I will spare you my accolades. For my complete review of Evil Urges, click HERE. When the dust settled, this one actually ended up received some pretty mixed reviews (most notably from arch-nemesis Pitchfork), but don't be fooled because Urges actually shows some growth for MMJ in a VERY positive direction. I really like how they progressed from their masterpiece, Z -- so much so that this one steadily gains some ground on its predecessor. I've said it before and I will say it again: My Morning Jacket is the best live band in the world.
23) Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2003/2004)
This is yet another controversial Ryan Adams pick, but hell, this one's just a classic to me. Love Is Hell was originally supposed to Ryan's highly-touted follow-up of completely new material since successful breakout Gold. However, one Adams' label listened to the material, they insisted that it was not "commercially viable" and scrapped plans to release it at all. As a result, Ryan was forced to quickly regroup and record Rock N Roll. Upon Ryan's insistence, Lost Highway compromised by choosing to release Love Is Hell as two separate EP's in late 2003 - Love Is Hell pt. 1 and Love Is Hell pt. 2. Both did much better than expected, prompting to release the album as initially conceived in 2004. And here's a fun fact, if any of you ever wondered where I came up with the title for this very blog's name, just listen to "Please Do Not Let Me Go".
22) Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003)
After splitting up the Red House Painters -- one of the more under appreciated bands on the '90's -- Mark Kozelek formed Sun Kil Moon with former Painters drummer Anthony Koustos. This move proved to be fortuitous, as Ghosts of the Great Highway soon became Kozelek's best-selling and most critically-received album to date. Inspired by a laundry list of deceased boxers (of all things), Ghosts proved to be a much more quiet and intimate setting for Kozelek. Most of the content on this record is acoustic-driven and lyrically more extroverted than the work from his former band. Drawing up comparisons from everyone from Nick Drake to Neil Young, this album only goes to show that Kozelek is one today's most gifted songwriters. If you've ever seen the Steve Martin/Claire Danes film "Shopgirl," Ghosts is represented in the soundtrack with the inclusion of "Carry Me Ohio," and "Lily and Parrots". As an added bonus, Kozelek himself has a small role in the movie.
21) Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
It boggles my mind that this album was released over eight years ago. I was a junior in high school and I recall fondly hearing "The Real Slim Shady" being incessantly blasted from the cars in the student parking lot. To me, this song was the high school equivalent of "Hey Ya". Ah, the days. And here's an even more mind-boggling stat: The Marshall Mathers LP sold over 1.76 million copies in its first WEEK. Today, in a era of a record industry meltdown, an artist would be lucky to sell this many copies in a YEAR. Needless to say, this record went on to sell 21 million copies worldwide and solidified Eminem as one of the most influential artists of all time. And although he's been laying low for quite awhile now, Eminem is supposedly releasing his forst studio album in four years in late 2008.
The Best Imitation Of Himself
Looks like the joke's on us. Last month, some new Ben Folds material "leaked" on various torrent sites. The general internet community suspected this was the content of his new album Way To Normal (due out September 30th). And the consensus was pretty harsh -- to say Ben had lost a step or two would be an understatement. However, suffice it to say, rumors of Mr. Folds' downfall had been greatly exaggerated. As it turns out, the leaks were a well-crafted hoax, thought up by none other than Mr. Folds himself. Apparently, the idea came to fruition when his band members thought it would be funny to randomly rent out some studio time and crank out as many bad tunes as possible. The end result produced six chintzy songs that were then let loose on the interwebs by Folds. Fortunately for us, these will not be making an appearance on Way To Normal. However, some of the songs he premiered at Bonnaroo this year ("You Don't Know Me," "Hiroshima,") will indeed be included on the record. And we know for a fact that this will be album's artwork:
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