Oblivious To Melody

LISTomania (Part 5)

2009-12-23T17:28:00.002-05:00

20. Outkast - "B.O.B." (2000)

In 2000, the notion of Baghdad being bombed seemed so 8 years ago. Hmmmm....

19. Modest Mouse - "Float On" (2004)

The song was played so much in 2004 AND the years that ensued, that I'm fairly certain all band members can retire and live off the royalties alone. The American Idol and video game treatment couldn't have possibly hurt their wallets.

18. Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk" (2008)

2010 will be a make or break year for these Columbia nerds. Sold out dates at various NYC venues and an excellent first single lead me to believe it will be the former.

17. The Postal Service - "We Will Become Silhouettes" (2003)

"Such Great Heights" would be the logical selection for this fleeting side project, but UPS has been using it as a theme song for way too long.

16. Passion Pit - "To Kingdom Come" (2009)

I know. Very unconservative to list two songs by a recent breakout band. I've been listening to this album on repeat for the past couple months, so the iPod counts win out this time around.

15. The National - "Fake Empire" (2008)

If you haven't already noticed, songs that are relevant to the decade have been getting bumped up this chart. If you could throw ten or so songs in a time capsule that best describe the signs of the times, "Fake Empire" would be an essential.

14. The Hold Steady - "Stuck Between Stations" (2006)

Last year, I declared Boys & Girls In America the best album of the decade. I still stand by the decision despite this song's relatively low ranking.

13. Sigur Rós - "Untitled #4 ("Njosnavelin")" (2002)

This mostly instrumental tune is played in the background during the most heartbreaking scene of my favorite film. I can't think of another song that better evokes a simultaneous balance of happiness and sadness.

12. The Shins - "New Slang" (2001)

Originally released on their debut album three years prior, The Shins can thank Zach Braff for including their signature song AND giving them a showcase in "Garden State" back in 2004. Sometimes all it takes is some love from Natalie Portman.

11. Sufjan Stevens - "Chicago" (2005)

If you can't get enough of Sufjan's dedication to the Windy City, pick yourself up a copy of the Illinois b-side album The Avalanche, which contains, like, three other versions of the song that are as meticulously arranged and equally as brilliant.

10. Sun Kil Moon - "Lost Verses" (2008)

Like my Hold Steady pick for album of the decade, this too is a controversial top ten pick. I will always stick my neck out for Mark Kozelek, and this is the dude at his best. Clocking in at over 9 minutes, "Lost Verses" is a smoldering adventure that builds up and gets shredded apart during the last couple of minutes. Bonus points if you can recognize the Ben Gibbard backing vocals.

9. Phoenix - "1901" (2009)

A band that has been getting unanimous props from critics this year. Four albums into their career, it's about time.

8. Arcade Fire - "Rebellion ("Lies")" (2004)

This was the fourth single from the band's debut. It remains the most complete song they've ever penned.

7. TV On The Radio - "Wolf Like Me" (2005)

The second Twilight movie would have been respectable if they somehow incorporated this song into one of the wolf-morphing scenes. Yes, I saw the movie and I am talking about it on this blog. FML.

6. White Stripes - "Seven Nation Army" (2003)

This song will forever live on in the annals of college sports. The legendary bass hook has become a rallying cry for a host of D1 football teams.

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Maps" (2003)

The best love song written in the past ten years.

4. Outkast - "Hey Ya" (2003)

As we can all remember vividly, this single's music video features Andre 3000 performing in front of a Beatlemania-like crowd. I guess he had a premonition all along that this song would launch this hip-hop duo into super stardom. Too bad he wasn't as clairvoyant with Idlewild.

3. Wilco - "Jesus, Etc." (2002)

2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the most well-rounded album of the decade. I say this because you can pretty much take any song and throw it in a top-ten spot. I select fan-favorite "Jesus, Etc." only because this was the song that introduced me to the brilliance that was this record. YHF will surely be recognized as the decade's definitive "classic rock" album.

2. The Strokes - "Last Nite" (2001)

Nirvana was the game-changing band of the 90's -- stealing the rock crown from hair metal. The Strokes were this decade's godsend -- similarly taking the spotlight away from nu-metal bands along the likes of Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, and any other shitty band that had spelling problems. The Strokes paved the way for most of the better bands that have emerged in the past ten years.

1. Radiohead - "Everything In Its Right Place" (2000)

In 2000, everything did appear in its right place. Well, karma is a bitch, and it looks like Thom Yorke was warning us all along about the ten-year rough patch we were about to endure. That being said, Radiohead enters the studio next month. Brace yourselves.

LISTomania (Part 4)

2009-12-23T17:23:00.002-05:00

40. Sonic Youth - "Incinerate" (2006)

Thurston Moore hit the nail on the head when he confessed that best career decision the band should have made would have been to break up. Then only during the inevitable reunion could pundits finally give this band a deserving sense of appreciation.

39. MGMT - "Time To Pretend" (2008)

Experiencing late success in 2008, MGMT's debut really hit the big time this year with the monster follow-up singles "Kids" and "Electric Feel". I can't think of a better summer 2010 double-billing than Phoenix/MGMT.

38. Muse - "Starlight" (2006)

I deemed this to be the poppiest Muse could possibly get. That is, until I head this year's "Uprising" (also a gem).

37. Arcade Fire - "Neighborhood #3" (2004)

I remember how obscure this band seemed during my final year of college. It's funny how interests change over time.

36. Jay-Z - "Izzo" (2001)

Speaking of college -- hands down the number one played frat party song from 2001-2005.

35. Kanye West - "Through The Wire" (2003)

The only song I can recall that references my favorite movie of all time -- Vanilla Sky. Kanye still gets props from me on this fact alone despite his tumultuous year.

34. Bright Eyes - "Four Winds" (2005)

This is a song from a different era. Oberst's political jabs on "Four Winds" would make for a fitting b-side on Highway 61 Revisited.

33. The Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize?" (2002)

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots is the closest thing to this era's Dark Side of the Moon. Only appropriate that the Lips just recorded a cover of the Pink Floyd concept album.

32. Radiohead - "All I Need" (2007)

The most mainstream Radiohead has sounded since The Bends.

31. Sun Kil Moon - "Carry Me Ohio" (2003)

The debut album from Mark Kozelek's new and current project, the record strays away from the big guitar sound of Red House Painters records. The new sound redefined Kozelek a songwriter of mostly acoustic heart wrenching, earthy ballads.

30. White Stripes - "Fell In Love With A Girl" (2002)

..and Legos once again for the first time since 1993.

29. Queens of The Stone Age - "No One Knows" (2002)

Josh Homme pays homage to the '70's guitar hook. Not surprising that he would go on to form a (worthy) supergroup with John Paul Jones seven years later.

28. Ryan Adams - "Come Pick Me Up" (2000)

I'll concede that the debut album from the former Whiskeytown-er remains his best. My opinion of this is likely to change next week. I've got a lot to choose from -- Ryan Adams has released more albums in this decade than most artists do in their careers. Even better, they're all good.

27. The New Pornographers - "Bleeding Heart Show" (2005)

Before this song got a little boost from those University of Phoenix commercials, the Pornographers were the most talked-about indie band that hadn't yet experienced mainstream exposure.

26. Kanye West - "The Good Life" (2007)

Ups and downs are a part of life. Perhaps Kanye cursed himself with this decadent single. Life hasn't been so good for him as of late. On a positive note, with 70+ listens, this song holds the distinctive title as most played on my iPod.

25. M.I.A. - "Paper Planes" (2007)

Shortly after this song stormed the radio waves thanks to "Slumdog Millionarire", M.I.A. retired from the biz. Wisely, she unretired quicker than Allen Iverson. Fun fact: that middle Eastern sample is actually taken from The Clash.

24. Spoon - "The Underdog" (2007)

Not too many songs get written about the little guys. This jaunty, inspiring number warns all fat cats to always keep an eye open, for a nice little surprise is on the way. The horns are just the icing on the cake.

23. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Y Control" (2003)

The most defining song by the most definitive band of the decade.

22. Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal" (2008)

The Fleet Foxes are a band wise beyond their years. It takes awhile for most bands to find a comfortable flow, but this is clearly not the case for last year's breakout band. You won't find a better bunch of guys either.

21. Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve" (2009)

Neko is to The New Pornographers what Leslie Feist is to Broken Social Scene. Canadian supergroups take note.

LISTomania (Part 3)

2009-12-23T17:19:00.001-05:00

60. The Avett Brothers - "Murder In The City" (2008)

The best song from the most impressive EP of the past few years.

59. Jay-Z - "99 Problems" (2003)

Apparently a comeback ain't one either.

58. Blitzen Trapper - "Lady On The Water" (2008)

Either all of the best indie rock bands hail from The Pacific NW, or Sub Pop is just very good at cultivating local talent. Blitzen Trapper do their best Dead imitation on last year's breakout record.

57. Cat Power - "The Greatest" (2006)

The sultry singer vies with train wreck Winehouse for best female voice of the decade.

56. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out" (2004)

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand unleashed the fury that was World War I. Appropriately, Franz Ferdinand (the band) helped to usher in a furious post-punk revival.

55. Kanye West - "Touch The Sky" (2005)

I've always said that a horn section will pretty much make any song better. When you throw in a Curtis Mayfield sample, you have me hooked.

54. Fleet Foxes - "Mykonos" (2008)

The Sun Giant EP was just that in 2008 -- spurring the release of the Fleet Foxes' full length debut that same year, which has been getting just a little bit of praise on this blog.

53. Sufjan Stevens - "Casimir Pulaski Day" (2005)

This ballad mentions a holiday that is celebrated in Illinois for which many businesses and schools close. It's these fun facts that make me wish Sufjan Stevens would complete his 50 states project after all.

52. Jay-Z - "Empire State of Mind" (2009)

If you've ever jogged to this song along the East River at night while the skyline appears, you'll agree with me.

51. Bon Iver - "Re: Stacks" (2008)

Perhaps the best album to come from sequestering yourself in a cabin during the Wisconsin winter while recovering from pneumonia and a bad breakup.

50. Eminem - "Stan" (2000)

The song that convinced me that, "ok, maybe Eminem isn't just a gimmick."

49. The Gaslight Anthem - "The '59 Sound" (2008)

Both this song and album glorify the simpler times of growing up in a much more golden era. Hearing Brian Fallon sweat it out on a runaway American Dream makes me think of my dad's era, and whether or not we're really better off today. I know, deep.

48. The Strokes - "Hard To Explain" (2001)

Julian Casblancas' new solo effort is a promising return to form -- a positive sign that we will be hearing much more about an overdue Strokes record in the upcoming year.

47. Gorillaz - "Clint Eastwood" (2001)

Who knew that Damon Albarn's pet project would produce more recognizable pop singles than his chronically hiatus-ed daytime gig?

46. Peter, Bjorn & John - "Young Folks" (2006)

The first Swedes to make an appearance on the countdown, just try to resist whistling along to this song's hook. You are destined to fail.

45. Animal Collective - "My Girls" (2009)

You know you've made it when you're littered all over Rolling Stone's year-end lists with the likes of Lady GaGa and Taylor Swift. Welcome, Animal Collective.

44. Amy Winehouse - "Tears Dry On Their Own" (2007)

Hopefully this self-destructive phase will be behind her and she'll soon enough be back to making gold. It's a crap shoot.

43. The Hives - "Hate To Say I Told You So" (2002)

This band makes it solely on one of the album's song titles: "The Hives Declare La Guerre Nucleaire".

42. Sigur Rós - "Ágætis byrjun" (2000)

This.

41. TV On The Radio - "Staring At The Sun" (2004)

Tunde Adebimpe plays a nice supporting role in the fantastic flick Rachel Getting Married. For the record, yeah that's him. He's the dude Rachel gets married to.

LISTomania (Part 2)

2009-12-23T17:08:00.005-05:00

80. Passion Pit - "The Reeling" (2009)
Clap. Dance. Fistpump. Rinse & Repeat.

79. M83 - "Kim & Jessie" (2008)
I've said it before and I will say it again -- never has there been a video for a song that was so able to capture the spirit and content of the music. If I went to high school in the 1980's, I imagine this is the kind of music that would hiss and pop on my walkman.

78. Arcade Fire - "Keep The Car Running" (2007)
I've never seen this crazy band of Canadian banshees live. A new album and extensive tour are slated for 2010. Don't tell Wayne Coyne.

77. Coldplay - "Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love" (2008)
Thanks to a little help from wall-of-sound mastermind Brian Eno, Coldplay was able to successfully rebound from the missteps of X&Y. The new year will bring in the band's 5th LP, which according to band members, promises to be more low key and stripped down. Gulp.

76. Kings of Leon - "The Bucket" (2005)
The Aha Shake Heartbreak single's chorus is about being 18 and having to succumb to premature baldness. Glad to see the growth and maturity in their songs. "Sex on Fire" -- now that's poetic.

75. Beck - "The Golden Age" (2002)
The signature tune from the most heartbreaking record of the last ten years.

74. The Killers - "When You Were Young" (2006)
Newsflash: Animal Collective doesn't hold a candle to this song at the gym.

73. The Roots - "The Seed 2.0" (2002)
If you missed The Roots' residency at the Highline Ballroom this year you're a fool.

72. Eddie Vedder - "Society" (2007)
Easily one of the more welcome surprises of the decade. Hands down the best soundtrack/movie combination of the last ten years. We haven't heard EdVed this stripped down since "Elderly Woman" -- suggesting that perhaps his gentle baritone is better paired with a Martin than a Les Paul.

71. Spoon - "I Turn My Camera On" (2005)
The song that turned me on to the best thing to come out of Texas since...well ever.

70. My Morning Jacket - "Thank You Too!" (2008)
No, Jim. Thank you for this vintage nod to the soothing sounds of the 70's. I can practically smell that aging vinyl smell.

69. The Magnetic Fields - "California Girls" (2007)
The second and final song with the word California on this list. If this album seems stripped-down and demo-ish, you can't blame The Magnetic Fields for false advertisement.

68. Asobi Seksu - "Thursday" (2006)
While we are on the topic of distortion, Asobi Seksu makes the kind of shoegazy dream pop that will lull you to sleep in a good way.

67. Radiohead - "I Might Be Wrong" (2001)
Radiohead-song-about-paranoia count: 2

66. Coldplay - "The Scientist" (2002)
The radio-friendly Radiohead blew me away with this very novel video concept: singing forward, moving backward. Yeah yeah, this is the last Coldplay song on the list.

65. Muse - "Hysteria" (2003)
I have a feeling the band will be experiencing said song title in this part of the world pretty soon. A headlining date at MSG with the Silversun Pickups has been confirmed.

64. Bloc Party - "Banquet" (2005)
It's unfortunate how hard a promising band can fall in such a short period of time.

63. Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" (2006)
Any band that can emulate Sonic Youth and The Breeders circa 1993 gets a golden ticket.

62. Iron & Wine - "Naked As We Came" (2004)

If you are going to sound as organic as Sam Beam, you MUST have a beard like his at all times. Dude also knows how to get onto movie soundtracks.

61. Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" (2006)

England gave us some of the best post-punk bands of the decade: Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads, etc. Now only if any of these bands could make decent follow-ups.

LISTomania* (Part 1)

2009-12-23T17:03:00.002-05:00

*For the record, I had this title in mind to use for a decade summary list for quite some time. While it appears that I am stealing it from a plethora of more prominent blogs, I can assure you this is not the case and they simply beat me to the punch.

The top 100 songs of the decade:

100. Wilco - "Impossible Germany" (2007)
The most sprawling of a fine set of pretty little ditties that will undoubtedly go down as Wilco's most overlooked record.

99. Daft Punk - "One More Time" (2001)
A celebratory dance tune that underscores all that was copacetic about a pre-9/11 world. Playing this now is kind of a cruel joke.

98. My Morning Jacket - "Anytime" (2005)
You could take any track off of 2005's Z really. Z is MMJ's most experimental to date -- exploring every sound from dub, blues, reggae, and, of course, southern rock. Hell, maybe there are even hints of Klezmer on this, who knows.

97. Jimmy Eat World - "Sweetness" (2001)
Despite the negative connotations that are now associated with this band's rise to popularity, Jimmy Eat World remains one of the best breakout bands of the decade.

96. Band of Horses - "Is There a Ghost?" (2007)
Haunting -- the way a band from the Pacific Northwest should sound.

95. The Go! Team - "Ladyflash" (2004)
If you're a band from Brighton, UK, there's a good chance you will be excellent. The Go! Team is no exception to the rule. Incorporating a beautiful blend of punk, garage, and dance, this tune proves a wordless tune can speak mightily.

94. Santigold - "L.E.S. Artistes" (2008)
The breakout single from one of the more talented little ladies in the biz mocks the very scene she embodies.

93. Kings of Leon - "California Waiting" (2003)
Arguably the catchiest song the Followill clan has ever composed. There have been worse band to get so big, so fast.

92. Art Brut - "Good Weekend" (2005)
This song tells the tale of a rite of passage we have all experienced at some point in our lives. If you're lucky, multiple times.

91. The Strokes - "Under Control" (2003)
A lesser-known track from THE defining "The" band of the 00's, Room On Fire might go down as the "boomerang" record of the decade -- that is the album that was quickly thrown away, only to eventually come back and smack you right in the face with awesomeness.

90. Phoenix - "Lizstomania" (2009)
Only appropriate to list "this year's Strokes" next to the original band that paved the way back in 2001.

89. My Morning Jacket - "One Big Holiday" (2003)
My Morning Jacket has brought back the face-melter. Impossible to go to an MMJ show and NOT hear this one close out the evening.

88. Belle & Sebastian - "I'm a Cuckoo" (2004)
If Thin Lizzy and Burt Bacharach had a bastard love child song, it would be this. It's amazing that given all of the movie exposure this band has experienced throughout its career (High Fidelity, {500} Days of Summer), they've still remained relatively under the radar.

87. Ryan Adams - "When The Stars Go Blue" (2001)
I'm a softie for East Village love songs.

86. The Futureheads - "Meantime" (2004)
To this day, it frustrates me that Arctic Monkeys have been able to experience such resounding success, yet The Futureheads have been forced to eat their dust. New decade, new hopes?

85. Green Day - "Jesus of Suburbia" (2004)
Sprawling 9-and-a-half-minute punk rock opus = Broadway sensation? We'll find out in 2010.

84. Death Cab For Cutie - "The New Year" (2003)
Lovelorn indie-rock song-writers: don't fret, it gets better. Case in point -- Ben Gibbard. Turns out pouring out your heart and soul for the better part of a decade can bag you the girl of your dreams.

83. Eminem - "Lose Yourself" (2002)
If I were still in high school when this song came out, it would have pumped me up so much before games, I would have been all-county in three sports.

82. Interpol - "Evil" (2004)
LP #4 is due to surface in 2010. Here's to hoping it's a return to the sound of Interpol's first two records.

81. Radiohead - "2+2=5" (2003)
While there is some argument over whether or not Kid A was able prophecize the events that would unfold earlier this decade, there is no doubt that Hail To The Thief is response to the aftermath. Orwellian undertones pervade on this record -- just take a look at the song title.

A Fine Showing

2009-12-10T15:32:00.015-05:00

Top ten shows of 2009:

10) Gogol Bordello @ 4th and B (San Diego, CA) - 10/17/09

You can take the kid out of New York, but you can't take New York out of the kid. The first (and only) concert I've ever seen on the West Coast was Gogol Bordello -- a band of immigrants from the the Lower East Side. Go figure. I heard great things about Gogol Bordello's live show, and they totally lived up to the hype. They've branded themselves as "gypsy punks", but this term doesn't even do them justice. You couldn't put a finger on the kind of music they play if you tried -- an nice attribute to the band's collective diversity.

9) Sufjan Stevens @ Music Hall of Willamsburg - 10/7/09

Sujfan Stevens is perhaps the most meticulous man in indie rock. I witnessed this firsthand this fall during his MHOW/Bowery Ballroom stint. Whether it's confessional solo piano / banjo ballads or all-out opuses, Mr. Stevens is one of the few artists who is not afraid to stop mid-song if all is not right. At one point, Sufjan had 16 musicians playing different instruments on the cramped Music Hall of Williamsburg stage -- each playing his or her part in creating the masterful sounds of 2005's masterpiece, Illinois.

8) Sonic Youth @ Music Hall of Willamsburg - 11/2/09

Same venue as #9, much different show. Sonic Youth has always been one of those Bucket List groups -- the kind of band you must witness before you die or they dissolve. I got my wish last month at the Hall, where they played a blistering set of songs from The Eternal (with some other gems tossed in). The band appears to be living up to its name -- the songs have matured; the band remains, well, youthful.

7) Jay-Z @ Madison Square Garden 9/11/09

Dubbed a 9/11 benefit show, this was really a party at the Garden to celebrate Jay-Z's highly anticipated return to form. Although he was listed officially as the only man on the bill, every song he played more or less featured a special guest. Backed by a full band, surprise artists popped in an out throughout the night to contribute. You never knew who was going to come out next -- kind of like the Royal Rumble. We got appearances from Kanye West (2 days before meltdown), Beyonce, Kid Cudi, Rihanna, John Mayer, Santigold, Puff Daddy (I refuse to refer to him by anything else), and Mary J. Blige among others.

6) The Hold Steady @ Bowery Ballroom 6/8/09

Arguably my favorite current band playing at arguably the best venue in New York City. It doesn't get much better than this. The last time I saw The Hold Steady, they shared a billing with Art Brut at Terrminal 5 and the sound simply sucked. The second time around was infinitely better, as the band brought along with it a kind helping of Stay Positive songs. I have never seen a performer seem to enjoy what he does for a living more than Craig Finn. All smiles, all the time.

5) Phoenix/Passion Pit @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 12/2/09

Seeing one breakout band is a special thing. Seeing the two breakout bands of 2009 perform at the same show is epic. Who says you need guitars to rock out? This was a holiday dance fest at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The synthesizers were in full force on an evening that featured all that is exciting about rock music these days. Understandably, this show sold out in like 10 minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if either of these bands play a much larger stage the next go around.

4) Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Angel Orensanz Synagogue - 11/6/09

Last year I saw TV On The Radio at a masonic temple in Brooklyn. This year I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play at a synagogue on the Lower East Side. There's something about playing at ironic locations that just adds to the element of seeing a hipster-friendly bands play live. I knew about this show literally the afternoon of the performance. Thanks to one of my favorite co-workers (thank you, Bianca), I was able to get in WITH special access to an open bar throughout the evening. Although the YYY's only played for an hour, I heard the best of the first three albums. Karen O. reigns superior as the sexiest woman in rock.

3) The Pixies @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 11/23/09

Branded the "Doolittle Tour," The Pixies reunited for the first time in five years to play a string of shows to "celebrate" the 20th anniversary of their alt-rock masterpiece. By "celebrate," I mean cash in, of course. After warming up with some b-sides that even Kim Deal was admittedly challenged by, the sold out crowd was treated to the familiar opening chords of "Debaser". The next 14 songs were expected sequencing bliss. I heard "La La Love You" and I la la loved it. The encore included "Where Is My Mind?". My answer: anywhere, just officially blown.

2) U2/Muse @ Giants Stadium - 9/24/09

You know a show is BIG when a band that sells out arenas is OPENING for the headliner. I was admittedly as excited to lose my Muse virginity as I was for U2, and would have been just as happy if the night ended when the "openers" left the stage. The production of this show left me in awe. 50% of the credit goes to the stage designers and 50% goes to the talent itself. U2 played a strategic mix of the old and the new, rendering the 85,000+ in attendance speechless -- suggesting that just maybe Bono can save the world some day after all.

1) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Giants Stadium - 10/8/09

No openers needed for the Boss. U2 might have taken the top spot, had it not been for some Springsteen circumstances:

1) The show was in New Jersey
2) The show was the 2nd to last show at Giants Stadium
3) Born To Run was played in sequence, in its entirety

I don't think anything else needs to be said.

20 Before 2010

2009-12-10T14:26:00.006-05:00

The Top 20 songs of 2009
Rules:
1) In the interest in promoting variety, only one song is allowed per artist. Otherwise, Phoenix would easily dominate.
2) The song had to have been released on an album that came out in 2009. The new Spoon song would be on this list, but their new record doesn't get released until January. Similarly, MGMT is disqualified because Oracular Spectacular was a 2008 record, despite this year's success of "Kids".
3) Hip-hop is not my forte. I am certain there are some 2009 hip-hop songs that are deserving of a coveted spot, but I admittedly cannot spot out great hip-hop -- Jay-Z being the exception.
4) The song does not necessarily have to be a single, as you will see.
5) No Lady GaGa allowed.

20) Wilco - "You and I"
19) Art Brut - "Alcoholics Unanimous"
18) Karen O. and the Kids - "All Is Love"
17) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "The Pretender"
16) Them Crooked Vultures - "Scumbag Blues"
15) The Dirty Projectors - "Temecula Sunrise"
14) Silversun Pickups - "Panic Switch"
13) Tegan & Sara - "Someday"
12) Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
11) The Avett Brothers - "I and Love and You"
10) Sonic Youth - "Anti-Orgasm"
9) Pearl Jam - "The Fixer"
8) Death Cab For Cutie - "Meet Me On The Equinox"
7) Muse - "The Uprising"
6) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Zero"
5) Jay-Z - "Empire State of Mind"
4) Animal Collective - "My Girls"
3) Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
2) Passion Pit - "To Kingdom Come"
1) Phoenix - "1901"

The Final Countdown

2009-12-10T00:31:00.001-05:00

If you've been following this sporadic blog since its inception, you've surely come to realize that I am a fiend for countdown lists. Although I've been mastering the art of the hiatus as of late, you had to have KNOWN I'd be back for my end of the year picks. Considering how I randomly decided to cover my "best-of-decade" picks in mid 2008, I am going to stick with my gut, and not torture you with yet another best of 2000-2009 mess. You can chalk this post up as either an isolated entry or an addendum to all that was great from 2000 - August 2008. It's your call.

Without any further adieu, here it goes -- The 10 Best Albums of 2009:

Honorable Mention I. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 11:11

The highly anticipated followup to their breakout 2006 self-titled record, this one is an homage to the duo's forbears. Each track pays tribute to the respective artists that has helped paved the way for these former metalheads. Have no fear -- the blazingly fast rhythmic guitar from their "reptile" album is reprised on 11:11, which makes this arguably the best instrumental album of the year.

Honorable Mention II. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

As I detailed in one of my few posts this year, this is THE definitive Pearl Jam comeback album. Ditching the major record labels, Pearl Jam opted to self-release this bad boy and sell exclusively through Target stores. With label chains now broken, it appears a new creative spark has been restored for Eddie and the boys. Leadoff single, "The Fixer" is the most infectious tune the band has released in fifteen years. The rest of the record -- the band's shortest -- ain't half bad either.

10) Them Crooked Vultures (Self-Titled)

A project that had supposedly been in the works for years finally blitzed us earlier this fall. First there was the shady online viral campaign. Next, there were tour date announcements and sold out shows before any material was even leaked. Finally, we got an album out of nowhere in mid-November. I remember thinking this would be an utter failure or a resounding success. This just goes to show that when you place three proven musical geniuses in a room together, you sometimes get the results you expect. Put quite simply, Them Crooked Vultures is the musical melting pot of Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, and Queens of The Stone Age. You literally hear elements of each legendary band in each one of this album's blistering tunes. Here's to hoping this is not just a one-off gig.

9) Jay-Z - The Blueprint III

Yeah, yeah. I know. For hardcore Jay-Z fans, this album doesn't hold a candle to some of his earlier work (The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album, etc.). Yes, my music integrity is questioned for even ranking this album based on the almost universal poor reviews. Sadly, this was the year I finally discovered Jay-Z, and although I will agree that I have no right to critique hip-hip, I enjoyed the hell out of this record. Before becoming the official Yankee World Series anthem, "Empire State of Mind" was the most-played song of the year on my iPod.

8) Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

I consider Wilco to be the modern day classic-rock band. Aside from having legions of fans who happen to be in that traditional classic rock band-loving demographic, Jeff Tweedy's vintage leathery vocals paired with the band's easy-going vibe make these guys seem from an era they're not from. Hell, they even had the audacity to name their 7th album eponymously. If that's not good enough for you, they took it to another level here by, yes (you guessed it), naming a song "Wilco". That's right -- now you can have three consecutive lines on your iPod that bear the name Wilco. The last time I saw this was with Bad Company.

7) The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

I think this is the first time a (mostly) bluegrass album is making its debut on OTM. After releasing the 2nd part of their two-part Gleam series of EP's last year, the Avett Brothers impacted more than just the indie-folk comfort zone. This 7-song set turned the heads of the heavyweights -- most notably Rick Rubin. The rock producer was so impressed by their offering, that he signed up to produce their major-label debut. Preserving the formula that carefully blends painfully heartfelt lyrics with organic folky music, this record is the perfect follow-up to the Gleam set. The band has gained so big so fast that they've already graduated on to the larger venues that usually pass on the bluegrass/folk scene.

6) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

When it comes to album cover of the year, there is no contest. The artwork for It's Blitz! beautifully summarizes the band's explosive energy in all its breakfast mutilation glory. Shedding the guitar aggressiveness from their previous efforts, the YYY's third full-length album is a tribute, nay love-fest, to the electronic music the band has flirted with throughout its career. It appears Nick Zinner has traded in his Fender for some pretty sweet synth gear. Indie-dance being all the rage these days, you can certainly count on Karen O. being ahead of the curve and taking it to the next level. The band is able to claim its stake on a new musical realm, while holding onto the elements that make them the best garage punk band in the world.

5) Sonic Youth - The Eternal

Maybe it's pure coincidence that Sonic Youth's first indie album in twenty years just happens to be arguably the best (the band signed with Matador after being on Geffen since 1989). Or it could just be that this band gets better with age and experience. Sonic Youth released their first album before I existed, and for nearly thirty continuous years have been writing (and rewriting) the indie rock textbook for the poseurs they will surely outlive. The Eternal expands on the mature sound of 2006's Rather Ripped, yet still continues to unleash the signature tricked-out-tune fury of the band's literal arsenal of guitars. Kim Gordon, now in her mid-fifties, has adopted a growl that perfectly complements the beautiful noise this band masterfully creates.

4) Passion Pit - Manners

Passion Pit started the year as nobodies, and are now playing three sold out nights at Terminal 5 next month. That's the kind of year it's been for these Boston locals -- another trendy outfit that has opted to shun the guitar for layered synth. More importantly, Passion Pit makes it okay for suburban white kids to dance. Manners is chock full of hooky anthems that will creep up your iPod's play count. Frontman Michael Angelakos' distinctively soprano vocals had me convinced for several months that there had to have been at least one female in this band.

3) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Known mostly for her efforts as one of the many members of indie-rock supergroup The New Pornographers, it's pretty apparent that Neko is doing just damn fine on her own, thank you very much. Who needs to share the spotlight with seven other band mates when you can create your best work on your own. Well, that's not entirely true. Ms. Case has help from everyone from Garth Hudson to M. Ware on her fifth and, hands down, best solo disc. Withdrawing some of the experimentalism of the Pornographers, Neko backs this smattering of poppy mainstream gems with her unmistakably soaring voice. First single "People Got A Lot of Nerve" is quite possibly the single of the year.

2) Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

Before 2009 even dawned, insiders were suggesting that Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion would be the album of the year -- possibly decade. When this monster was finally released on vinyl the first week in January and two weeks later on traditional formats, it's almost as if the party was over before it started. Critics far and wide declared this the winner. It seems silly to consider MPP the album of the year because it feels like this one came out over a year ago -- that's how long it's been on our radar. This album is an "ear orgasm" -- the kind of record people will be using to test the quality of their sound systems for years to come. Resonating everything from Kid A to Pet Sounds (most of the time simultaneously), you don't have to be a skinny jean-wearning Brookynite to pretend to like this.

Yes. This one also takes home the illustrious prize of "album cover of the year that gives me a headache". Last year's winner was Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs.

1) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

An universal best album of the year pick, this French quartet solidified their fate at this year's SXSW festival. When everyone returned from Austin this past March, all the buzz was surrounding these guys -- as if they were new to town. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is actually the band's fourth LP, which proves that a little perseverence can pave the way to success. Soon enough, the band played SNL and even managed to score a gig on every major late night show. The album, which combines 2001-era Strokes with today's Passion Pit-esque synth trends, is the perfect amalgamut of the decade -- combining the stripped down elements of the early decade with the decadent computer-assisted production of today's up-and-coming bands.

Bag It Up -- Oasis 1994-2009

2009-10-12T14:34:00.004-04:00

I've been predicting the inevitability of this move for quite some time. I had this unsettling feeling that the last time I saw these guys back in December would be their NYC swan song. After Noel abruptly left the band during a string of European performances a couple months ago, fans near and far felt the death rattle. This band's future had since been put on life support, but it appears the plug was finally pulled this weekend. According to Rolling Stone, Liam Gallagher has announced that the band is "no more". Plummeting record sales coupled with a gradual slip into obscurity could have told you this was bound to happen, but we got fisticuffs in true Gallagher fashion. Well done, boys. It's been a (fairly) good 15-year run.

How long before that Noel solo project?

Wall of Sound

2009-10-06T17:58:00.002-04:00

If you missed out on getting tix the now sold out Sonic Youth show at Terminal 5 next month, you can thank your lucky stars. It was announced today that the once-again-indie band is playing not one, but TWO shows at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (far superior and more intimate venue) on 11/24 and 11/25. This band is like a fine scotch -- always seemingly improving with age. If they made one of those "100 bands to see before you die books" these guys would be in the top 20. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon -- you snooze, you lose.

Right On Target!

2009-09-30T12:40:00.005-04:00

Congrats to Eddie and the boys! Pearl Jam notched up their first Billboard number one album since 1996's long-forgotten No Code. Nearly 190,000 units flew off of the shelves this past week (exclusively at Target stores) ending Jay-Z's reign as king of the hill. Despite selling a very respectable 190K, Backspacer sold nearly 100,000 less copies than 2006's self-titled record -- an evident sign of the changing times.

Brooklyn Lit Up

2009-09-30T12:21:00.004-04:00

If you are fortunate enough to make it to the Bruce Springsteen Giants Stadium run AND want an encore of Jersey love, the Gaslight Anthem just added a new date to the recently opened Brooklyn Bowl. Tickets are on sale now for their October 16th date. This very Springsteeny band is already playing Terminal 5 a day earlier, but if you're a fan, the Brookyn Bowl date is the night to catch these guys. Much smaller, intimate venue and there's something about seeing a Jersey blue-collar band at a bowling alley that sets the ambiance.

You can buy tickets right now here. Be quick, this will sell out ASAP.

Working On A Dream Come True

2009-09-29T13:54:00.003-04:00

Last week, the Boss played Born To Run in its entirely during the E-Street Band's Chicago United Center performance. People have since been raving all over the interwebs about how epic it was to hear rarities "Meeting Across The River" and "Night" being peformed alongside such live staples as "Thunder Road" and the title-track/anthem of NJ. There's was no way he was going to do this in JUST in Illinois, right? Show some love, Boss!

Well, when people ask, Springsteen makes sure they receive! And as many hoped, the dream came true this afternoon. Looks like Springsteen is closing Giants Stadium out with a bigger bang than expected. Today it was confirmed that not only will Bruce be playing BTR, but he will be mixing in Darkness on the Edge of Town AND Born In The USA during the five night stand. Fortunately for fans, there is no guesswork involved.

Here's the schedule:

Sept. 30 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium – Born to Run
Oct. 2 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium – Darkness on the Edge of Town
Oct. 3 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium – Born in the U.S.A.
Oct. 8 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium – Born to Run
Oct. 9 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium – Born in the U.S.A.

Eat your heart out, Bono.

Does It Offend You, Yeah? Nope.

2009-09-29T12:51:00.004-04:00

The soundtrack for the hipster-friendly nostalgia flick, Where The Wild Things Are hits stores today. Although the first glimpse trailer provided us with a reworked version's of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up," it's all Karen O on this disc. Or more specifically, Karen O with her Yeah Yeah Yeah's bandmates and some Raconteurs. Together they are collectively known as Karen O and The Kids. Many of the songs have kid-sung choruses in the background, which makes this soundtrack perfect for Brooklynites and minivan-driving soccer moms alike. She's on a roll this year, and her daygig just happen's to playing tonight at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Good luck getting into this one.

No word on that Chicken Soup With Rice movie just yet...

You can stream the entire soundtrack HERE.

A Sort of Homecoming

2009-09-26T21:33:00.013-04:00

I was just one of the 190,000 ants that packed Giants Stadium this week for the U2 pilgrimage. Although admittedly not a fanatic for this band (and certainly not one of those dudes who holds up my country's flag), I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to see what will more than likely go down as my generation's defining band. Given U2's penchant for conveniently titling songs situationally, I am going to breakdown my experience as such:

"Beautiful Day"

When I learned of these shows earlier in the year, I was ambivalent. Would I go if I somehow acquired a ticket? Yes. Would I care if I didn't? Not really. I missed out on ticket frenzy when they went on sale months ago, and really didn't think or care much of it. I read great things about Wednesday night's performance, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the slight bit envious of those lucky enough to go. At about 3 PM, I got the call. One of my clients got his hands on an extra ticket and decided that I of all people would be the lucky winner. Floor seats standing room! I couldn't pass this up. I got the go ahead to leave work early, and I was on my way. The sun was shining, the skies were clear, and the temperature was a perfect 72. The iPod has been officially set to shuffle through U2's catalog. Game on!

"Mysterious Ways"

I heard awful things about the transportation options for those city-dwellers who had to make their way to the Meadowlands for the shows. Luckily I was prepared, as the first night's disasters provided invaluable insight to us 2nd nighters. There were numerous horror stories about people having to wait for trains up to 2-3 hours because of of NJ Transit's unpreparedness for the sheer volume of commuters. I decided I was going to bus it from the Port Authority. I've done this for NFL games and Springsteen shows, and this has proved to be a pretty painless option in the past. Just one problem. NJ Transit decided to call an audible here by temporarily suspending service for these shows! I wish I knew this before I got there.

"Running To Stand Still"

I was told by a Port Authority worker that I had to catch the A train to Penn Station, then commute to Secaucus, and THEN transfer to a shuttle train to the Meadlowlands. YIKES. Had I known how cumbersome this would get, I might have turned down the ticket offer. Too many train transfers. I live in New York. I walk a lot. That's it, I am RUNNING to Penn Station.

"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"

This is frustrating. People in NYC still haven't learned how to walk correctly. I beeline it 9 blocks to Penn Station, give oblivious passersby usual dirty looks, and finally get to the station. Shit. Lines wrapped around the station to buy tickets to Secaucus. A sea of people in U2 t-shirts. Figures. I decide to avoid this process and jump on the next train ticketless. I figure there's no way they will have enough time to check everyone's ticket by the time the train makes it across the state for the first stop. I guess correctly. Ten minutes later, I am in the Garden State. We're making some progress here.

"One Step Closer"

Apparently I DO need a train ticket for the next transfer, however. I am pleased to learn that my quick thinking worked. The line to buy train tickets for the next transfer is nonexistent. This was the way to do it! My momma didn't raise no fool. I figure my brilliance saved me 30-45 minutes. I buy my ticket, walk through the turnstile, and rush to the platform for the Meadowlands shuttle. I am the smartest man in the world!

"The Sweetest Thing"

The shuttle takes about 15 minutes and drops us throngs of U2'ers right at the Giants Stadium gate. At this point, I don't know if I am more excited about the show, or the fact that I was able to get there in under an hour. Commuting disaster?! Please! My client left me a voice message to meet him in Lot 10B. As an added bonus, this is just a short walk from where I'm dropped off (right by the Izod overpass Giants Stadium-side, FYI). I spot my client, who is tailgating with his other early-50-something friends.

"The Hands That Built America"

Old people are crazy. Especially old people from Long Island. Nevertheless, these guys are the salt of the earth. Couldn't have been more accommodating. They urge me to grab beers from the cooler as they each one-up each other telling sex jokes and reasons why they love/hate their wives. I am half their age, but they have twice as much energy and excitement than me. I am either excited to terrified to one day become like them.

"Walk On"

Three beers in and about an hour later, we decide to make our way into the venue. Two of the four tailgaters have no desire to see the opener Muse, but convince them that they'd be missing out. Looks like I am the deciding vote. We walk our way from the endless parking lot into Giants Stadium.

"Even Better Than The Real Thing"

One of my biggest pet peeves is missing even one second from the set ofa band I REALLY want to see. I've have been dying to see Muse forever, and just because they happen to be the opening band on this evening, doesn't make this an exception. We are late for Muse, and I am a little bummed. By the time we hit the porto-potties, grab a an additional beer, and strategically claim our stake on the floor, the band is midway through "Knights of Cydonia" -- my favorite Muse song. I still get to witness the buildup of this epic tune, and am in awe of Matt Bellamy's guitar-shredding abilities. This band has been huge in Europe for years. I have a feeling they are going to get their just due in the coming months. I predict a headlining MSG show/amphitheater tour. Muse will be to 2010 what Kings of Leon were to this year.

"Electrical Storm"

Muse continues to melt my face! The band blazes through their most popular tunes. They wisely use their allotted hour to showcase the best of what they've got. They split their set between their past three albums (including most recent offering The Resistance). In 30 short minutes, I hear stadium-shaking renditions of "Supermassive Black Hole," "Starlight," "Hysteria," "Uprising," and the Queen-y "United States of Eurasia". If the night ended after Muse, I would walk away a happy camper. But oh wait, we have a little known band by the name of U2 on the way. Shucks.

"Magnificent"

Words cannot begin to even describe this tour's set design. Some people think it looks like a massive spider; others have called it a phallic spaceship. The first description that comes to mind is DECADENT. A view from the floor only accentuates this. Supposedly it takes 120+ semis to transport this bad boy as well as multiple days to set up/take down. I'm very curious as to see how the world's largest band is going to work this set/room. I am just with my client at this point. His other buddies were lucky enough to snag seats in one of the illustrious "RED Zones" -- elite standing room spots where they DON'T pen you in like cattle. No complaints though -- my vantage point is epic. I predict I am standing EXACTLY on the 50 yard line, where just days ago I witnessed the Jets take down the Pats. This is cool.

"Elevation"

You can feel the magic in the air as the hour approaches. The lights dim as David Bowie's "Space Oddity" appropriately blasts across the PA (I guess this means it's a spaceship, after all). The massive retractable 360-degree screen becomes a virtual countdown clock that brings the band out at "zero". The crowd is rabid. Larry Mullen Jr., then Adam Clayton, then The Edge, then finally Bono himself greet the 85,000 musical worshipers who have convened on this swamp. As this is a tour in support of their lackluster newest album, No Line On The Horizon, we know that we are in store for a smattering a songs that will go the wayside once we get some even new material from U2. The guys questionably open the set with a pair of these such tunes: "Breathe" and first single "Get On Your Boots". Although I'd prefer a stronger liftoff, this band could have very well played the worst song from their 30-year catalog and they would still get the reception they did. Nevertheless, they segue into "Mysterious Ways" and all is seemingly well on this planet at this given moment. To add to the momentum, they launch into "Beautiful Day" to the delight of the already euphoric sea of adoring fans.

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

It's always a hassle to cram yourself into the perfect nook at a packed show. My client is more aggressive than I am, so there's nothing I can do but follow. To my delight, his gain is my gain, as (thanks to his efforts) we've been enjoying the show an indescribable angle. It's moments like this that I wished I owned a digital camera. However, all that beer drinking comes at a greater cost than the $8 you shell out to buy one. If I don't hit the urinals by the end of the next song, I am pretty sure I am going to piss myself. Fortunately, the song is "No Line On The Horizon" so this is perfect timing. I tell my client I will be right back. Famous last words. As I trek to the endzone and out the tunnel to the line of porto-potties, I realize that there going to a fat chance I will find him again. As I come out relieved and feeling like a new man, I get a true perspective of big this show really is. I try to estimate where I was standing pre-bathroom break, as I shimmy my way through the masses. No luck. I search and search and search, but cannot for the life of me find my concert buddy.

"Moment of Surrender"

I spend the next couple of songs - "Magnificent" and "Elevation" trying to find my dude. I was kind enough to be invited -- I will make a stand and leave no man behind! Not really. I resign fairly quickly and decide this just isn't happening. I must go solo the rest of the night. I experience one of those real-life soundtrack moments, as Bono and crew launch into the Joshua Tree oeuvre. I start laughing as I hear the intro to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". Absolute perfect timing.

"Rattle and Hum"

We reach the middle of the set, and I appears that everything is up for grabs song-selection wise. The band already played a handful off their most recent effort, so it was time to get to business. After ripping another new one, "Unknown Caller," the 80k+ was treated to the obscure Achtung Baby! track "Until The End of the World" before rattling off Zooropa's "Stay". Like most people, I forgot about this album's existence. Whatever, I'll take it.

"The Unforgettable Fire"

Now we're rolling! What would come next would prove to be one the more out-of-body concert experiences I've ever had. Given the ambiance, the size of the crowd, my location, and string of hits to follow, I am instantly converted into whatever cult Bono has been pushing for years. Save Africa? Sounds good to me! Bono can do no wrong. Some girl standing aside of me starts freaking out during the intro chords to "The Unforgettable Fire" (ok, me too). Quite possibly U2's least-known greatest hit, this could very well be the best song from the 80's. I'm stoked. It get's better! Old meets the new. Bono appears to be reading my mind, as the next song to follow is a song that should have been bigger than it was -- "City of Blinding Lights". I think of New York City and that episode of Entourage. No Neal Sussman dedication this time around. Bummer! I've learned that things comes in threes. So is the case tonight. We are assaulted with "Vertigo" and all I can think of is those iPod commercials circa 2004. This song still rocks.

"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of"

Back to new material. For some reason the band decides to deconstruct New Line On The Horizon's only excellent song, "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Crazy Tonight". Or as I call it, "I Will Piss Myself If I Don't Hit The Urinals Again In Five Minutes". I am in no mood for a remix. I take this as a sign, experience a little deja vu, and make a run for it. No bathroom lines thankfully, and I make it back to my spot before the end of this butchered song.

"11 O'Clock Tick Tock"

I notice the hour is getting kind of late, and the band has yet to play a lot of anticipated material. No problem. They get right to it. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" coming right up! They even throw a cute "Rock The Casbah" outro to the end of this one, and proceed to blitz me with yet another Unforgettable Fire track, "MLK". Couldn't ask for anything more. I can sense this is the time Bono decides to get political on us. He dedicates the next song, "Walk On," to Aung San Suu Kyi -- the famed Burmese Nobel-laureate currently under house arrest. A host of people make their way to the stage holding Kyi masks over their faces throughout the duration of the song. Very inspiring/touching. I can't think of a better song to follow-up than "One," and Bono agrees. The lovefest continues and everyone in attendance appears to be having a moment together.

"Rejoice"

It's the moment everyone's been anticipating! The Edge begins his signature trancing guitar intro to "Where The Streets Have No Name". Adam Clayton's thumping bass welcomes in Larry Mullen's thunderous pounding. Bono wants to run. Bono wants to hide. Bono wants to tear down the walls that hold him inside. We all want to go with him.

"Is That All?"

Yes, for the regular set at least. It is just wrong to follow up another song after "Where The Streets Have No Name". This one was written to be the set-ender of all set-enders.

"Pride (In The Name of Love)"

The encore starts strong with another classic off Achtung -- "Ultraviolet". Bono appears to be singing into a bright, shiny steering-wheel mic suspended from the top of the set. Why the hell not? You know this night is not ending without "With or Without You". As expected, they go headlong into their signature love song. All of the 30,000 couples embrace, and halfway through I make my exit. I will have to explain this all to my client the next day.

"I Will Follow"

I wasn't the only one who had the bright idea about splitting just before the last song. People shuffled their way out as I did, but I managed to beat the rush. The police penned us in like farm animals until the first shuttle arrived. I was able to sneak my way onto the first train, and five minutes later I was on my way. As we receded from the swamp, I stared reflectively out the window gazing at the record-breaking crowd making their way out of that massive stadium. Taking in all I had just experienced, I could only think but one thing: "What, no 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me'?"

Just kidding. Concert of a lifetime.

Getting It Back Again...

2009-09-23T15:48:00.004-04:00

Giving this another stab, folks.

I've been waiting for the right moment/album release to jump start this thing. Never pictured a Grizzly Bear album review warranting the big comeback, so I think I've been holding off for an album review of a band that will (presumably) go down in the annals as a more legendary act. Before I get started with the fuss, let me get caught up with a few things since I'd up and left this thing back in January:

1) Animal Collective is good, not great.

2) If the year ended tomorrow, my top five records of the year would be, in no particular order:

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeaus Phoenix
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Its Blitz!
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Muse - The Uprising

3) I've jumped on the Jay-Z bandwagon 13 years after the fact. I've been to so many shows this year, it makes me want to puke. But the one show that stands out among all others is Mr. Z's 9/11 show at the Garden. Mind-blowing.

...and The Blueprint 3 is not as bad as people want you to think it is.

4) That being said, my most listened to song of the year (so far) according to the iPod is Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind". Yes, I know.

5) The new Rodrigo y Gabriela album snuck up on me, which scares me. I literally had no idea this duo was working on new material much less releasing new material until the day the record came out. As you can see, I'm slipping.

6) Pete Yorn makes Scarlett Johannson listenable.

7) The Beatles remasters are fun, but they really aren't worth the hype OR the money.

8) Good riddance to Oasis. Since this recent Noel Gallagher bullshit, I've officially given up on listening to this band. They have been banished from the iPod(s).

9) I've got nothing else to say about Kanye West until his next record, which will inevitably be fantastic.

10) Weezer might be onto something. Not only am I the only person on the planet that thinks "Raditude" an ingenious name for an album, but the new single is the catchiest song they've released since their Pinkerton days. Weezer is supposed to be catchy, haters.

There's more I'm sure, but at least you now know where my head's at. On to the review:

What better way to reboot a blog than to start with a band that has rebooted itself on it's most recent offering....

Although there's no doubting that Pearl Jam is a band of it's word, perhaps the one thing that has managed to slip thorough the cracks over the years is the sound that Eddie and boys help to revolutionize. Pure at heart, Pearl Jam is band borne from guitars. Loud, crunchy, messy guitars. The holy triumvirate of songs from this band's growing oeuvre that you will be telling your kids about will be "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy". There's no doubting this. Sure, tunes like "Better Man" and "Daughter" struck mid-90's alt-rock gold, but did these songs ever 100% seem right for a band that penned about teen suicide and told us "[they'd] rather be with an animal"? The sensitive stuff is fit for Eddie's solo material which is, in itself, fantastic. For a band that has perfected three-guitar wizardry, not so much.

Looks like Pearl Jam got the message on it's ninth studio album, Backspacer, released earlier this week. Already stirring up some controversy from it's big record label abandonment and exclusive physical distribution at Target stores, this one's been making waves since it's incendiary first single "The Fixer" hit radio earlier this summer. We haven't heard band cohesion this tight and Eddie's voice so growled since PJ's Vs. days. Eddie preaches about "fighting to get it back again" throughout this pop-rock hybrid. It doesn't take much convincing to realize that they're succeeding in doing so. Quite simply, if you do not appreciate this song, you clearly don't enjoy listening to good music. The band doesn't hesistate to kick this record into first gear. The rockers begin where the others ephemerally leave off. Clocking in just under 40-minutes, this record defines short but sweet. "Gonna See My Friend" and "Got Some" precede the afforementioned single, and could have very well competed for first single status. "Johnny Guitar" is a noteworthy combatant that, aside from lacking some lyrical depth, resides amonst the 1-2-3 guitar-infused euphoria of the standout tracks. "Just Breathe" is a reflectively beautiful song about humility, which is more or less a b-side from the "Into The Wild" soundtrack. All Eddie fingerplucking here with a pretty string section thrown in as an added bonus. This ballad concludes the first rock act pretty well, which unfortunately segues into some old habits. "Amongst The Waves" falls into the same breath as uninspired early-millenium failed singles "Light Years" and "I Am Mine". Whether intentional or not, this tune is luckily an aberration, as we pretty much go full steam ahead throughout the rest of Backspacer. No, "Supersonic," and "Force of Nature" are not covers by a famous Brit-pop band. Rather, they are small slices of heaven that perfectly blend the Pearl Jam we all knew and love with fresh fast-paced tempos and experimental guitar solos that prove that old is new again.

The record concludes with another ballad, "The End," which unfittingly finishes upwith the famous last words: "Give me something to echo in my unknown future, you see, my dear, the end, comes near, I’m here, but not much longer." After listening to this revived stellar effort, I couldn't think of a Pearl Jam lyric further from the truth.

My Rating. 7.8/10

Boring Line On The Horizon

2009-01-16T10:13:00.005-05:00

The tracklisting and (boring) album artwork for U2's No Line On The Horizon have been revealed. The band is apparently taking this horizon cliche thing a bit too literally, choosing to display a black and white photo of an actual horizon on the artwork. Maybe they consulted Mark Kozelek about plain album cover options? Who knows. As hard as it is to believe, the picture was taken by aclaimed Japanese artist/photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. I guess this is better than a candid shot of the band members sitting on a bench or looking lost in an airport. No Line On The Horizon comes out on March 3rd.

Track Listing
1. No Line On The Horizon
2. Magnificent
3. Moment of Surrender
4. Unknown Caller
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
6. Get On Your Boots
7. Stand Up Comedy
8. Fez – Being Born
9. White As Snow
10. Breathe
11. Cedars Of Lebanon

All About Soul

2009-01-15T10:45:00.003-05:00

Back in September, the brains behind Oasis came up with a brilliant viral marketing strategy to promote Dig Out Your Soul. Before the album was even released, the songs were introduced to Subway street musicians all over New York. On September 12th, it was go time -- said musicians bombarded the subways with their own interpretations of the new Oasis tunes (most better than the original arrangements). MySpace was on board to promote the making of this project, and just released an 18-minute documentary which is actually a very interesting watch. Some of these faces are quite recognizable -- in fact I saw this guy Luke Ryan about an hour ago at the Grand Central shuttle stop.
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul In The Streets

The Sun Also Sets

2009-01-14T17:06:00.005-05:00

According to Billboard and other numerous sources, Ryan Adams is dissolving the Cardinals (for now) and taking an indefinite "hiatus" from music. Adams posted on his blog, "I am grateful for the time we have had and maybe someday we will have more stories to tell together." He went on to say, "I am however ready for quieter times as I think it is very evident I am struggling with some balance and hearing issues."

Whether it's health issues, a general disgust with his wavering reception, or just being burnt out from the scene, I have a feeling we are being Brett Farve'd here. The man needs music like we all need air to breathe -- he himself knows his lifeblood is music. I think it's a little too early to announce an indefinite retirement, especially when he's been so consistently prolific.

Maybe this time off (if it actually happens) will eventually spell out that elusive Whiskeytown reunion everyone's been anticipating. Or maybe Ryan actually thinks he will be a successful author. Who knows?

Collective Effort

2009-01-11T02:27:00.004-05:00

I always said a little creativity would be the key to salvation for the music industry. Well, put another notch on the ol' victory post for the indies. Merriweather Post Pavillion, the new Animal Collective album that has been garnering critical praise across the map, was released this past week exclusively on vinyl (if you want the CD format, you'll have to wait until January 20th). Thanks to a series of organized listening parties thrown all over the country, the record (and yes I mean "record" literally) has created so much buzz that people everywhere reportedly swooped up these babies like hotcakes. So much so, that the word on the street is that this MPP will chart on the Billboard chart based on VINYL SALES ALONE! This is quite a feat for a major label artist, but for an indie this is simply unprecendented. I love it.

If there's one thing we've learned from this past election, grassroots campaigns WORK. Ok, I'll shut up now.

The Best Things In Life Are Free

2009-01-11T02:09:00.005-05:00

Although I find it absurdly self-indulgent, I gotta hand it over to Kanye West (or his minions) for maintaining such an entertaining blog. I mean, the guy's got me hooked already -- at this point I check up daily. And let's just face it, Kanye woudln't be Kanye without a little hedonism here and there. Despite his tendencies, which include flashing lavish photos of incredibly hot women, state of the art gadgets, and/or homes you or I can never possibly dream of affording, he will as willingly throw up a decent MP3 or two (see last week's PB&J post).

Well today we got a treat. Sky High, the mixtape that was streaming for free on imeem a couple months back, can now be downloaded FREE via Kanye's blog. The collection includes stellar remixes from the likes of Diplo (from MIA/Santogold fame) and Stretch Armstrong. The best part: the collection includes songs that span West's four albums ouevre (including 808's).

Click HERE to download.

Back To Business (Time)

2009-01-11T02:01:00.003-05:00

Although I am well-aware that this is the oldest news in the world, I can't leave this bit of info unmentioned. The first episode of the new Flight of the Conchords season is streaming at FunnyOrDie.com. The show officially premieres next Sunday, but we're kind enough to get a sneak preview. With the exception of Always Sunny, this is the funniest show on TV. After a two year hiatus, they're back. I implore you to watch this.

Season 2, Episode 1 right here:

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

Live From New York

2009-01-10T19:07:00.004-05:00

Like last year's indie-rock newbies Vampire Weekend, the Fleet Foxes are getting the mainstream treatment. It has been confirmed that my favorite new band of 2008 will be playing SNL next week with Rosario Dawson hosting (January 17th). I predicted it -- there's no turning back for one of the most deserving bands. If they play "White Winter Hymnal" you'll see what I mean. Epic.

Hopes & Fears

2009-01-09T12:34:00.000-05:00

The new year is upon us, which, in the music world usually means a couple of barren months before things start picking up again. Considering how January is usually the worst time of the year for new releases, you'll be hard pressed to find anything notable on the horizon (at least until next month). That being said, there's no better time to make a few predictions for the upcoming year. Then this time next year we can all look back about absurdly inaccurate I was. Here are a few obvious and not so obvious things that I'm seeing in my crystal ball:

2009 will be owned by U2. Any idiot could have told you this. U2's (oft delayed) first new album since 2004 finally has a firm release date -- March 3rd to be exact. Bono and crew will release New Line On The Horizon to much fanfare, and will will probably roll out a massive sold-out world tour, a new iPod line, and endless face time that will help the front man's cause to finally win that Nobel Peace Prize he's been eying for years. U2 is one of the few bands in the world that can actually be a boon to all facets of the music business these days. Industry suits are thanking their lucky stars that these guys will be back in the limelight this year.

Coldplay's album will be pushed up. Riding on the coattails of of their aforementioned Brian Eno-enhanced predecessors, Coldplay will be smart and not wait until the end of the year to release their follow-up to last year's now-controversial success Viva La Vida. They need to wash their hands of the recent Joe Satriani hoopla and start fresh with new material. That is, unless they "break up" for an eighth time.

Radiohead will be up to their same schemes. Rumor has it that the band is already finished with their follow-up to In Rainbows. Details are still sketchy, but if history is any indicator, Thom Yorke is going to outdo himself here. The album will be epic like Rainbows, and will probably drop on some idle Tuesday when we least expect it.

The Fleet Foxes will be no one trick pony. When I saw these guys in early October, they previewed material they had already written and it of course blew me away. I wouldn't be surprised if album number two saw a release date some time this summer. Why not keep a good thing going?

Noel Gallagher will release his first solo album. AND it will be better than anything that Oasis has released in over a decade. In the past eight or so years since Gallagher has shared the songwriting pen with his bandmates, Oasis' material has invariably sucked. Forgoing Liam, Gem, and Andy will only allow Noel to get out of the band mentality -- the first step to thinking outside the box and writing decent tunes once again.

The Gaslight Anthem will do me proud and hit it big. As predicted, the band has announced a headlining tour in bigger and better venues (playing Webster Hall in March). The greater blogosphere has finally begun to embrace these guys and even the dreaded hipster-zine Pitchfork Media has given The '59 Sound an unprecedented 8.6/10 review (even surpassing my initial review). It is impossible to not like this band, a pretty soon everyone will understand why.

The recently reunited Blur will be 2009's equivalent of The Verve. Sometimes all a band needs is time to release a stellar record. Blur hasn't played a show or written material together in five years, but this hardly means they're washed up. Damon Albarn and and Graham Coxon have made it abundantly clear that the chemistry is back and that they fully intend on getting back to work. Their recently announced show in London's Hyde Park sold out in two minutes, so there is evidently demand for England's second best Britpop band. Look for these guys to make the standard US Festival appearances too.

No Worries

2009-01-07T12:21:00.003-05:00

After a much too long holiday break, I'm back in the figurative New York Groove. What better way to kick off the new year than with fresh music from one of my favorite Scandinavian bands that isn't Sigur Ros (if Iceland is even considered Scandinavian)?After last year's solo exploit, Peter Moren is back with comrades Bjorn and John. The trio has a new record coming out this year, and wanted to let Kanye West before anyone else. They gave permission to 'Ye to post the infectious number on his blog for free downloand. Although not official, we can safely assume that the song is called "Nothing To Worry About." It's only appropriate that West would take a liking to PB+J -- what we have sound's awfully similar to some of the experimentation on 808's & Heartbreak.

You can download the track for free right HERE.

Stay Positive (Part 3)

2008-12-30T15:54:00.001-05:00

This is going to be a quick one unfortunately. It's been such an incredible year in music that I initially wanted to go into great detail regarding my picks on the following list. Alas, being the procrastinator I am, it's too much of a daunting task given the amount of time I have left. Here are the 25 best songs of the year (with some caveats of course):

1) These are not necessarily the singles from these artists' respective albums. Rather, I picked what I thought was the best track.

2) The album/song had to come out in 2008 in order to qualify (Bon Iver counts).

3) To shake things up a little bit, I only included one song per artist. The Gaslight Anthem or TV On The Radio could have easily had 3 songs apiece on this list, thus knocking bands like Wolf Parade out of contention. But who really wants that?

4) Finally, there will be absolutely no Lil Wayne.

Here it goes:

Top 25 Songs of 2008

25) MGMT - "Time To Pretend"

24) Coldplay - "Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love"

23) Wolf Parade - "Call It A Ritual"

22) Kanye West - "Heartless"

21) Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

20) Tokyo Police Club - "Juno"

19) Santogold - "Shove It"

18) She & Him - "I Thought I Saw Your Face"

17) M83 - "Kim & Jessie"

16) Kings of Leon - "Use Somebody"

15) Glasvegas - "Geraldine"
14) Death Cab For Cutie - "Grapevine Fires"

13) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - "Fix It"

12) Okkervil River - "Lost Coastlines"

11) Ra Ra Riot - "Can You Tell?"

10) Sigur Ros - "Vid spilum endalaust"

9) TV On The Radio - "Halfway Home"

8) The Avett Brothers - "Tear Down This House"
7) Blitzen Trapper - "Furr"
6) Bon Iver - "Re: Stacks"
5) The Gaslight Anthem - "The Patient Ferris Wheel"
4) My Morning Jacket - "I'm Amazed"
3) Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal"
2) The Hold Steady - "Constructive Summer"
1) Sun Kil Moon - "Lost Verses"

See you in '09!

Stay Positive (Part 2)

2008-12-23T14:27:00.001-05:00

I've got more top ten lists in mind, but in the interest of time I am going to skip right ahead to the grandaddy of all top tens: the best albums of 2008. Please bear in mind that I am well aware that my initial ratings of these records might differ from their final year-end positions. Albums, you know, naturally grow on people as the year moves along. I am no exception. But if you've been following this blog for the past 11 months, none of these will really come as a shocker:

Top 10 Albums of 2008

Honorable Mention: Santogold (Self-titled)

Well, I was wrong about "rarely hearing" "LES Artistes." We couldn't get this song out of our collective minds this summer.

From June 3rd, 2008: "With great opportunity comes great expectation. And considering Santogold's former day job as an A&R rep for Epic, her collaborations with GZA and Lily Allen, and her connections to M.I.A., this Brooklyn-based songstress has a lot of people expecting big things. Does she pull this one off? Well, her first single "L.E.S. Artistes" may very well be the catchiest single you'll rarely hear. Because quite frankly, I don't know to classify it. Her penchant for freely experimenting with dub, new wave, punk, hip-hop, ska, and grime (sometimes all at once) is admirable, but this unfortunately may spread this NYC socialite too thin on her self-titled debut. And despite already having a slew of supporters south of Houston Street, Santogold bites the very hand that feeds on "Artistes" -- serving up a can of whoopass to the Lower East Side too-cool-for-school hipster class."

Honorable Mention: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

And for the mother of all miscalls, I give you the fine words I said about Narrow Stairs. Please review and discard:

"There are some highlights on this album, but unfortunately they are few and far between. The upbeat "No Sunlight" shakes things up a little bit despite its repetitiveness. The unquestionable standout track on Narrow Stairs is "Long Division" -- Gibbard's most ambitious attempt to develop as a musician. And don't get me wrong. Musically this album is not bad, but it really doesn't show the progress that many could have otherwise hoped for after disappointing on Plans. There is no doubt that Gibbard is as a talented singer/songwriter as it gets. But in order to make the next great (and I mean GREAT) Death Cab album, he needs to get over his obsession with looking at the past for inspiration."

10) Coldplay - Viva La Vida

From June 5th, 2008: "The thing that I find most admirable about Coldplay is their willingness to not get comfortable in making this album. After what was considered to be a lackluster follow-up to the acclaimed Rush of Blood, the band still managed to sell millions of copies of 2005's X&Y. Rather than settling in with their bankable mediocrity as so many one trick ponies have done, Coldplay took the high road to meticulously create one of the year's surprises. For me, this band is back on the radar, and who knows, if they maintain this consistency on future albums, maybe I'll actually root for them."

9) Blitzen Trapper - Furr

This might be the only album sneaking into the top ten that I have yet to gush over/discuss in length. That's because I've only recently started falling in love with these guys. Blitzen Trapper is yet another band signed to Sub Pop that just happens to be from the Pacific Northwest. Story sound familiar? Unlike comrades Fleet Foxes, these guys have been around for years and have only recently been hitting it big -- Furr happens to be their fourth release. Evoking everything from early Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Petty, The Shins, and Modest Mouse, this band is well-versed in the art of genre-straddling. They're embarking on an early 2009 club tour and will be playing a couple of great shows in the NYC area. I'll be there.

8) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Technically released in 2007, this brilliant record hit wider distribution this year and is thus considered a 2008 release by many critics. Being the lemming I am, I'm following suit. If you are fan of indie rock and still don't know the story behind this album, you have obviously been living under a rock. Just to summarize, Justin Vernon's life hit the shitter (band breakup, girlfriend breakup, and pneumonia) so he retreated to a cabin in the Wisconsin woods and wrote and wrote and wrote. The finished product is For Emma, Forever Ago -- a heartwrenching collection of songs that kicks the ass of any Iron & Wine album that's ever come out. If you suffer from album ADD you only need one song to become hooked -- "Re: Stacks."

7) Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

From June 24th, 2008: "Don't be fooled by the intricacy of Sigur Rós' obscenely long new album title, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. Compared to the aural complexity of some of the band's prior albums, this one is all about simplicity. Audiophiles who rejoiced the post-rock production knick-nacks scattered throught Ágætis byrjun and ( ) might be a little disappointed with how much the band really pulled back on this effort. However, despite the countless mispronunciation botches this one will invariably suffer, Með suð... will be on the minds of fans and critics alike for quite some time."

"And whether or not you've become accustomed to sudden foray into unexpected normalcy, this can either be considered good or bad. Taking a page from every other critic who has compared Sigur Rós to Radiohead, Með suð... is this band's The Bends -- except they've already made their own Kid A and OK Computer. I guess they do things differently in Iceland, which is perfectly fine in my book."

6) The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

From August 26th, 2008: "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."

"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."

5) TV On The Radio - Dear Science

From September 16th, 2008: "If I had any complaints about the last TV On The Radio record, I'd say there was bit of a consistency problem. And yeah, I know I might be alone here. The high points, which obviously outweighed the low, made Return To Cookie Mountain hands down one of the best records of the decade. However, the album wasn't without its faults -- the less-than-stellar spastic moments were nothing to write home about. Well, it appears that Tunde Adebimpe and crew have learned a thing or two in two years that have passed since Mountain's release. Tweaks have been made here for the better which will only accelerate this band's already rising stock. I'm happy to report that you'll be hard pressed to find a flaw on the new record, Dear Science. And as always, you'll be even harder pressed to put your finger on a specific genre here. This new oeuvre spans everything from hip-hop, trip-hop, shoegaze, funk, electronica, punk, and everything in between. If you thought these art rockers were out there before (in a good way), you really ain't seen nothing yet until you've experienced Science. Bottom line, this is the record Bloc Party tried to make if they had this Brooklyn quintet's talent."

4) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

From April 30th, 2008: "The thing that is so admirable about Evil Urges is how it manages to perfectly combine the experimentation so prevalent on their last effort, Z, with the avant-garde, yet classic Southern guitar sound most associated with earlier albums It Still Moves and At Dawn. Jim James and gang take us for a ride during the first several tracks, which seem as if they could have easily been remnants from Z based on their respective falsetto vocals, schizophrenic tempos, and genre-straddling guitar riffs. "Highly Suspicious" is just that, and is hands down the band's weirdest track to date, sounding somewhere in between Prince and Gwar. The change is like night and day when we reach "I'm Amazed" -- a classic rock tune that couldn't have been done better by Skynyrd if they tried. This is when things start to sound a little more familiar to longtime MMJ fans. James' voice soars on the gorgeously sincere 1-2 punch that is "Thank You Too"/ "Sec Walkin'". We are then treated to the band's closest encounter to the radio-friendly world with the poppy "Two Halves" -- a apparent nod to early rock influences along the likes of Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers."

3) Sun Kil Moon - April

From August 15th, 2008: "The current band from Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters fame, this is Sun Kil Moon's second body of completely original material. And much like Ghosts of The Great Highway, this one is a masterpiece. Admittedly, though, this is an acquired taste. Fans of upbeat, fast-tempo indie-rock need not apply. This one's a downer -- inspired by failed relationships, the passing of loved ones, and imagery of American landscapes. Kozelek's brilliant lyrical sense gets a little lost through his hypnotically mumbling singing style, but take my word for it -- this is one of the most talented singer-writers at his best."

2) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

From May 28th, 2008: "It's hard to have negative feelings for an album as optimistically titled as Stay Positive. Throw in The Hold Steady's track record of releasing some of the more exceptional studio albums of the past few years and this becomes an even more daunting task. Even so, considering the sheer genius that was 2006's Boys And Girls In America, The Hold Steady are surely destined to disappoint on their follow-up, right? I can safely answer this with a resounding WRONG! It's almost fitting that I happened to get my hands on Stay Positive the day after Memorial Day. Because more so than anything else, this is absolutely a summer record."

"All I have to say is there is a reason why The Hold Steady was the the first band in 15 years to grace the cover of The Village Voice. This bands brings an excitement to music that is unparalleled (just check them out live). And although the guys kind of reinvent the wheel on Positive (lyrically, this disc is very similar to B&IA), they prove that they can consistently make a musically complex record all the while incorporating themes that don't seem to get tired. Hey, if the Boss can make a career out of this, why can't these guys? For me, this is a stellar effort and shows progression of a band that you can bank on."

1) Fleet Foxes (Self-titled)

Here you have it folks. The Fleet Foxes were able to dethrone mighty favorite The Hold Steady. I think the tipping point for me was, of course, the live show. I cannot wait to hear what these guys have in store for a follow-up. This is arguably the best debut album of the decade. Pretty huge accomplishment for a group of shaggy early twenty somethings.

From August 21st, 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."

Stay Positive (Part 1)

2008-12-22T17:15:00.004-05:00

As promised, I'm back to the 2008 retrospective stuff. I've decided the best of/worst of approach is getting a little played out and might reflect too much of pessimistic perspective. So from here on in, I'm gonna view the cup half full. Maybe this is a resolution I'll carry out into the new year -- who knows. I am just going to list the tops for the remaining major categories. These will be in traditional countdown fashion, as you'll see:

Top 10 Shows of 2008

Honorable Mention: The Gaslight Anthem @ Roseland Ballroom 10/13/08

Granted this band was designated the opening slot for a four-band bill, it might be a little controversial to to place in the top ten. However, this just goes to show how much I believe in the Gaslight Anthem. I'll give them my honorable mention spot. Churning out a majority of The '59 Sound's Jersey Shore-inspired catalog in the allotted 40 minutes, this was a make-or-break show for me. The fact that I continually rave about them will tell you how well that went. People are still talking about Gaslight's recent performance on Conan, so I think 2009 will only keep the momentum going for one of my new favorite bands.

10) Fountains of Wayne @ The Highline Ballroom 2/8/08

The saddest thing to consider about this New Jersey power-pop quartet is that they will likely go down in the annals of history as one-hit wonders for "Stacey's Mom." But like comrades Nada Surf, this band has produced some of the best pop-rock for the better part of the decade, and has been critically received for every album that's been put out. When I saw these guys in February, it was my first time at the Highline Ballroom (one of the better venues in Manhattan), so I was blown away by the sheer intimacy of venue as well as the slew of upbeat 3 and half minute beauties that were churned out with ease. Can't wait to see these guys again.

9) The Killers @ The Highline Ballroom 7/29/08

Same venue, MUCH different band. I was skeptical about the validity of this secret show because it was mysteriously easy to get tickets. As everyone knows, this is an arena-sized band -- for them to play the 600 person capacity Highline Ballroom was a little bit of a head scratcher. But when they did eventually come on, they knocked it out of the park. Combining the usual suspects with b-sides, lesser known tracks, and new songs "Spaceman" and "Neon Tiger," this show restored my faith in the band I hadn't really been into since college.

8) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ The Apollo Theatre 10/31/08

I know, I know. For someone who's a little too obsessed with this guy, the eight spot might seem a little out of place. This just goes to show how brilliant 2008 was for me in terms of concert attendance. Don't get me wrong; this was yet another classic Ryan Adams Halloween show -- the fact that it was at the legendary Apollo Theater was worth the trip alone. Skewing mostly new material, Adams decided it was a good idea to avoid the very songs that helped to build his strong fan base. I don't know how well this strategy was received by those in attendance, but it worked for me. His clean attitude has surely led to spot-on singing/guitar playing.

7) The National @ Brooklyn Academy of Music 2/23/08

Another legendary venue, another soon-to-be legendary band. This marked the first show of the year I'd been to outside of Manhattan, and let's just say it was worth the borough crossover. Matt Berninger's morose baritone set the tone for a memorably bleak winter evening (in a good way). Playing most of the songs off of many critics' top 2007 pick (Boxer), as well as host of old material I was admittedly unfamiliar with, this show officially made me a believer. I'm looking forward to this band's follow-up, which will hopefully see an '09 release.

6) Mark Kozelek @ The Highline Ballroom 6/13/08

I think it's pretty apparent which New York venue wins MVP this year for me. I think this show takes the cake for most anticipated concert of the year. Ghosts of the Great Highway remains one of the best records of all time for me, and by June I was REALLY getting into the most recent Sun Kil Moon album, April. Not to mention Kozelek's solo stuff AND his catalog with former '90's band Red House Painters. So yeah, a lot to look forward to. Mark was dead on -- distributing equally from all of his projects with finger-picking ease. "Lost Verses" was hauntingly beautiful. Enough said.

5) My Morning Jacket @ Radio City Music Hall 6/20/08

Without a doubt, this show was the most important performance ever for Jim James and crew. I remember seeing My Morning Jacket just three short years ago a D.C.'s 930 club -- a show that didn't even sell out. Since then, a lot has changed. I was skeptical about the band's booking at such a large venue, but after seeing James tear down the house with a near 3-hour performance, I knew there was no turning back. Shortly after, the band was booked for an MSG New Year's show. If you've got no New Year's plans just yet and don't want to spend the absurd $100+ "all you can drink" bar fee, this is definitely a worthwhile alternative. Live album surely to follow.

4) TV On The Radio @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple 10/13/08

For TVOTR to clock in at number four, this just goes to show how stiff the competition was this year. Definitely the most interesting venue of the year. The Brooklyn Masonic Temple is exactly how it sounds -- the performance space resembled the appearance and size of an elementary school gymnasium. This being said, it was impossible to not like this show. The band played the perfect blend of old and new on an evening that featured a full horn section for the majority of the show. Considering the hype that surrounds this band, I have a feeling it will be a while before I see them at a temple again.

3) Neil Young & Wilco @ MSG 12/16/08

Not to cut corners here, but I just saw this show last week and went into great detail a couple posts ago. Just scroll down to read all about it.

2) Fleet Foxes @ The Grand Ballroom at The Manhattan Center 10/4/08

Don't be deceived by the venue's name; there's nothing colossal about this ballroom located above the Hammerstein Ballroom. And quite frankly this is what made this show so special to me. The Fleet Foxes are hands down the most exciting success story of 2008. To see them play at such a tiny standing room venue was absolutely mind-blowing. These guys are about as hyped as Vampire Weekend, but unlike their '08 amigos, they are legitimately worthy of all this praise. Sweet harmonizing, precocious arrangements, brilliant musicianship, and the best possible attitude for a hipster-approved band are only a few things that make this Northwest quintet the best thing ever. Bonus points for the legendary beards.

1) Sigur Rós @ The Museum of Modern Art 6/17/08

This show will go down as the most transcendent in my book. For this was just not aural ecstasy by one of the best bands in the world; those who were in attendance we treated to a visual art exhibit beforehand by fellow Icelandic countryman Olafur Eliasson. The free Grolsch beer didn't hurt in helping to set the tone. Definitely the best cultural experience of 2008 for me. Refering back to an earlier post, "throughout the course of the night, the guys brought out their standard surprises, which included a full horn section, a wind section, and singer Jónsi Birgisson's trademark falsetto vocals/bow guitar playing abilities." A life-changing combination which easily made this the best show of the year.

I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday (2/17/2009 to be exact)

2008-12-18T16:54:00.004-05:00

I promise I'll get back the best-of/worst-of lists, but some interesting news surfaced today in Smith/Morrisseyland. The much talked about Moz album finally has a title, tracklisting, album artwork, and label. So basically, the whole shabang. We learned today that Years of Refusal will be released Feb. 17th on none other than Lost Highway -- the very label that's released pretty much all of Ryan Adams' releases. This album was produced by the late Jerry Finn and will be Morrissey's first since 2006's Ringleader of The Tormentors. Here's the confirmed tracklisting:

01 "Something Is Squeezing My Skull"
02 "Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed"
03 "Black Cloud"
04 "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris"
05 "All You Need Is Me"
06 "When Last I Spoke to Carol"
07 "That's How People Grow Up"
08 "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell"
09 "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore"
10 "You Were Good In Your Time"
11 "Sorry Doesn't Help"
12 "I'm OK By Myself"

The good news: I think we already have a nominee for "Worst Album Cover" for 2009.

The better news: Morrissey has confirmed a tour with 4 (count 'em FOUR) local gigs at intimate venues:

03/16 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
03/21 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
03/25 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
03/26 - New York, NY @ Carnegie Hall

The best news: Now Ryan Adams can have an arguement concerning Morrissey with Morrissey. You probably won't get this.

"Rockin' In The Free World" (Literally...) - Neil Young/Wilco 12/16/2008 @ MSG & Oasis/Ryan Adams & The Cardinals 12/17/2008 @ MSG

2008-12-18T16:33:00.001-05:00

Ok, so this is probably the only time I will consolidate two reviews in one post, but I couldn't think of a better reason to do so given my very fortunate situation this week. One of the best perks of my job is that it affords me free tickets to some pretty excellent shows. So was the case Tuesday and Wednesday night when I partook in back-to-back nights of Neil Young/Wilco and Oasis/Ryan Adams at the world's most famous arena. Considering the lack of sleep, the extended setlists, and the fact that my seats were nearly the same for each show, both evenings seemed to have bled into one -- further convincing me that I can do as damn well please/do one writeup.

Sadly, I was a Wilco virgin before Tuesday night. This band had been on my checklist for years (along with Radiohead and Death Cab), so it was a pleasure to cross them off despite the all-to-short hour that was allotted for them. This shortened stint didn't mean that they came out any less gangbusters. Jeff Tweedy was in really good spirits and looked legitimately happy to playing in front of the sold-out crowd. I've never seen an MSG opening band receive such a well-attended reception more so than these guys. This being said, most of the asses were already in the seats to watch these guys play their mellow folk/jam/alt-country blend of rock (note to promoters: if Kings of Leon and Interpol can headline the Garden, I think Wilco just made a pretty loud statement). Their 10-song set comprised of scattered material from their soon-to-be-classic oeuvre. The set kicked off with "I Am Your Face," a tune off of their latest Sky Blue Sky, before segueing into Yankee Hotel Foxtrot's confessional opening track, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart." The boys got a little more upbeat with "Handshake Drugs" and "A Shot In The Arm" before mellowing it down easy with the jam-bandy "Impossible Germany." Nels Cline's incendiary solo received a warm reception and had the Garden crowd on its feet. Tweedy welcomed a trio of backup singers (later jokingly referred to as Puss 'n Boots) before busting out my favorite tune off of YHF, "Jesus Etc." Tweedy then announced the birthday of his 13-year-old son Spencer and brought him out to play drums on "The Late Greats." The audience thoroughly enjoyed this father/son moment, and Tweedy, in turn, responded with something along the lines of, "You are now a man, it's all down here from here." The band went on to play "Walken," another single of off SBS, before closing with the customary "I Am The Man Who Loves You." An hour of pure perfection.

Little did I realize that the evening was just getting started. Neil Young came on just after 10 PM with an elaborate stage set-up that included Native American statues, light-up letters, and a person painting abstract art in the background (knowing Neil, these will be auctioned off for some charity). I joked that the scene looked more like a garage sale than anything else, but when you consider all of the different elements of Americana that Neil has accumulated throughout his illustrious career, this mess of potpourri only seemed fitting. Mr. Young came out nice and loud with "Love and Only Love" off of 1990's Crazy Horse collaboration, Ragged Glory. The blaring guitars ensued with the classic rock station staples "Hey Hey, My My" and "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere." The faithful in attendance, which included the old and the new, got its figurative rocks off during the opening chords of "Powderfinger," and the 63-old Young appeared as youthful and he did 35 years ago. His band proceeded to slow it down about with a relatively new number "Spirit Road" before blazing through a hair-raising version of "Cortez The Killer." Just when you thought a bulk of his hits were exhausted for the evening, Neil came out guns blazing with "Cinnamon Girl" -- his vintage signature falsetto tenor in full swing.

Neil gave the band a break for a bit in favor of an intimate set that included the Chet Atkins gem "Oh, Lonesome Me," an organ-arranged "Mother Earth," and the flawless solo acoustic version "The Needle And The Damage Done." Young's supporting band came back out to liven up the mood with a string of rockabilly-inspired songs that included "Cough Up The Bucks," "Fuel Line," and "Hit The Road." Neil then traded in his Les Paul for his Gibson acoustic and busted out litany of softer fan favorites that seemed to beautifully contrast the edgier start of the evening. "Unknown Legend" was followed by a pair of his most recognized Harvest-era songs: "Heart of Gold" and the chilling "Old Man." We got to experience the hoedown side of Neil with the bluegrass-tinged "Get Back To The Country." Every set has its lull, and this evening's occurred towards the tail-end of the show with the forgettable combination that was "Off The Road," "When Worlds Collide," and "Just Singin' A Song." But have no fear, there was absolutely no way Neil was going to let us down (needless to say he didn't). Young came back roaring with "Cowgirl In The Sand" before inviting Wilco (and other opener Everest, who I missed) to join in with evening closer "Rockin' In The Free World." And yes I will go on the record to say, this version was infinitely better than the multiple times I've seen Pearl Jam play it. The hour was already well past midnight, so I had assumed an encore was out of the question. Neil had already played over twenty songs and there's only so much a guitar-swinging, head-banging 63-year old can handle, right? Wrong. Neil came back with "Get Behind The Wheel" and finished the night off with a surprisingly spot-on version of "A Day In The Life" -- sound effects and all.

It is unfathomable to wrap your head around the fact that Neil Young is a 60-something rocker than is still in top form. Considering the shelf-life of most musicians and the fact that the man has had some near-death experiences, you would have thought there would be some frayed edges or loose screws after 40-plus consistent years in the business. Maybe for Bob Dylan. Not for Neil Young. The man is the most legendary rock act you can possibly enjoy these days (key word enjoy). He is one of a kind, so I implore you in all that is holy about rock music to please take advantage while you can.

Enough blabbering. On to night number two. I really wish the order of the concerts had been reversed. I love Oasis and Ryan Adams (obviously), but there's no topping Neil Young. It's almost an insult to see ANYBODY perform the day after such a legend. Despite this, I soldiered on and partook in some mid-90's Britpop. Beforehand, I was fortunate enough to witness Ryan Adams & The Cardinals play what I consider to be a curtailed encore performance of the Halloween show. Like Wilco, Ryan and crew were limited to just under and hour, and likewise, were only able to get through 10 songs. As usual, Adams' performance was as fluid as it's ever been. Very little stage interaction, and little variance from the set list from his recent tour. I won't go on about the details too much because nine of the ten songs he played were from Cardinology and Easy Tiger, and I think I've driven my stance of this into the ground. As packed as the Garden was for Wilco's performance the prior night, it was pathetically vacuous for Ryan. Perhaps a Ryan Adams/Oasis pairing didn't sit to well with the diehards as much as it did for me. I noticed there were a few cheers during closers "Come Pick Me Up" and "Magick," but other than this, it was a benign performance that will surely slip through the depths of the collective Oasis fans' memories.

As expected, Oasis came out roaring with a playback of "Fuckin' In the Bushes" -- the drum and bass intro song from Standing On The Shoulder of Giants. They've done this on every tour since so I can't say this came as a shock. The first actual song played by the band was the appropriately titled "Rock and Roll Star," a song that represents everything musically and egotistically that this band used to be. Contrast this with the next song, "Lyla," and you'll find a band that's lost its edge. Good thing the Gallaghers opted to lay low on its "fart in the wind" catalog that's only remained on the minds of those confined to Great Britain. For the most part, the Brits gave us Americans what we wanted to hear -- peak year '94-'96 Oasis hits. In between all of the dull new album drivel, we were given inspired renditions of "Cigarettes & Alcohol" (dedicated to the Limeys in attendance), "The Masterplan," "Slide Away," and "Morning Glory." Uncharacteristic to the band's typical stoic stage personality, Liam and Noel were actually quite talkative -- even going so far as mocking two sailors in uniform seated in the first couple of rows.

Much like Neil Young, the tail end of the set was chock full of tunes that put the crowd back into its seats ("Ain't Not Nothing," "The Importance of Being Idle," "I'm Outta Time"). But like Neil's "Cowgirl in The Sand" moment, Oasis resuscitated the night with a double shot of "Wonderwall" and "Supersonic." They left the stage to howls only to come back to give the crowd what it wanted. Noel and Andy Bell played a (mostly) acoustic version of "Don't Look Back In Anger" (an arrangement I've never heard before), and then brought the remaining band members back (sans Liam) to play the Noel-helmed "Falling Down," arguably the best tune off of Dig Out Your Soul. Noel asked if anyone in attendance happened to catch Neil Young the night before, to which he simply replied "Fucking brilliant." With Liam back in full tote, the guys played the final original song of the night, 1995's sweeping ballad "Champagne Supernova." What would an Oasis show be without a Lennon/McCartney cover? Two nights at the Garden, two psychedelic Beatles songs to close them out. This time I heard "I Am The Walrus," an Oasis live staple since I can remember.

Two days in the life, indeed.

12/16/2008

Wilco
You Are My Face
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Handshake Drugs
A Shot In The Arm
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
The Late Greats
Hate It Here
Walken
I'm The Man Who Loves You

Neil Young
Love And Only Love
Hey Hey, My My
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Powderfinger
Spirit Road
Cortez The Killer
Cinnamon Girl
Oh, Lonesome Me
Mother Earth
The Needle And The Damage Done
Light A Candle
Cough Up The Bucks
Fuel Line
Hit The Road
You Don't Need A Map
Unknown Legend
Heart Of Gold
Old Man
Get Back To The Country
Off The Road
When Worlds Collide
Just Singing A Song
Cowgirl In The Sand
Rockin' In The Free World w/ Wilco & Everest
---
Get Behind The Wheel
A Day In The Life

12/17/2008

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Cobwebs
Crossed Out Name
Everybody Knows
Fix It
Off Broadway
Go Easy
Sink Ships
Natural Ghost
Come Pick Me Up
Magick

Oasis
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Lyla
The Shock Of The Lightning
Cigarettes & Alcohol
The Meaning Of Soul
To Be Where There's Life
Waiting For The Rapture
The Masterplan
Songbird
Slide Away
Morning Glory
Ain't Got Nothin'
The Importance Of Being Idle
I'm Outta Time
Wonderwall
Supersonic
---
Don't Look Back In Anger
Falling Down
Champagne Supernova
I Am The Walrus

*Pictures courtesy of BrooklynVegan.com

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Part 3)

2008-12-17T16:21:00.001-05:00

Best Kept Secret of 2008:
Sun Kil Moon - April

Whether it's his "solo" releases or his albums under the moniker Sun Kil Moon, Mark Kozelek continues to astonish. This year, he released the second SKM of completely original material on April Fools Day. The album title? April, of course. This is some of the best songwriting I've ever heard. So much so that it boggles the mind that this guy isn't getting more mainstream press or getting headlining stints at bigger venues. Which I guess works out for the people who are crazy about him. If you've never heard of him, you've probably seen him in a movie or two. He plays the quiet bass player in Almost Famous, as well as the mentor to Jason Schwartzman's character in Shopgirl.

Worst Kept Secret of 2008:
Vampire Weekend - Self-Titled

I've got absolutely nothing against this band. I really loved their debut album, but I will go on the record to say that Vampire Weekend has had the easiest path to success in the history of music. As already mentioned, VW was the first band to grace the cover of Spin without releasing any material. I'm pretty sure they played SNL before their album even charted. Before you knew it they had songs in movies, commercials, and video games. By year's end they played not one, not two, but THREE sold out shows at New York's Terminal 5. At this rate, I have a good feeling they'll get their first Garden show in 2009.

And for the record, yes, it is pure coincidence that the year's best and worst kept secrets just happen to feature what appears to be camera mistakes at unsuspecting chandeliers. Oh the hilarity.

Best Live Album of 2008:
The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium

It's only appropriate that The Clash finally released this legendary set the week after the Mets played their final game at their home stadium. I have a soft spot in my heart for this album because it was recorded at a place where I had experienced so many fond memories (oddly enough, the album was recorded two months before I was born). I couldn't think of a better venue/band pairing if I tried. Shea Stadium and The Clash are one in the same: both were never the sexiest or best at what they did, but they both MATTERED. And now, like the band, the stadium is now just a part of history. Probably for the best.

Worst Live Album of 2008:
Fall Out Boy - **** Live In Phoenix

Alright, first thing's first. I like Fall Out Boy more than I should. There, it's out there. Hey, if Elvis Costello is a fan, these guys gotta be doing something right. Their new album (Folie A Deux) is actually incredible. The live show, on the other hand, needs work. They should have mabye considered this before releasing a live CD/DVD this year. Thanks for the memories, but you really shouldn't have.

Best EP of 2008:
The Avett Brothers - The Gleam II

I've noticed an proliferation of EP's this year. I don't know if this is a new thing, but artists big and small (Coldplay, Cat Power, Fleet Foxes) have been releasing these babies like wildfire. That being said, I need to give the award to the Avett Brothers simply because theirs best exemplifies what an EP is intended to do: showcase a good sampling of a relatively unknown artist. The Gleam II is a perfect little folk concoction that gets the job done in under 20 minutes. Looks like it worked. Supposedly this brother act is opening up for Dave Matthews Band on its upcoming spring tour.

Worst EP of 2008:
The National - The Virgina EP

This unfortunate distinction is by no means a reflection of The National itself. Boxer is one of the best albums of the decade, and this band has one of the more promising careers in the indie rock realm. However, this supposed EP (which breaks all EP rules) is nothing more than a compilation of demos, b-sides and live tracks. To me, this is all pretty unnecessary at this point. Sorry, guys.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Part 2)

2008-12-15T15:05:00.004-05:00

Best Album Title of 2008:
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons...You Paint That Shit Gold!

While admittedly I have yet to hear a note (much less song) off the long-awaited album from this Minneapolis hip-hop duo, I am now more inclined to based on the record's title alone. Someone was handing out promotional stickers of this album's potty-mouth phrase, and I gladly swooped up as many as I could. Words to live life by.

Worst Album Title of 2008:
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology

If you were to judge Ryan Adams' latest offering solely based on the cover/title combo, this one would end up in the stinker. The artwork looks like it was designed for an 8th grade science project on Miscrosoft Paint circa 1993. Fortunately, the music does the talking here. Great album; terrible artwork and title choice. On a good day, Prince can get away with naming an album Musicology. Not so sure if Ryan's got the credentials just yet to add the "-ology" suffix to any of his.

Most Improved Player of 2008:
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

While this one was in the running for Worst Album Cover of the Year, I couldn't resist giving the award to MMJ (even though this one gives me a headache when staring too long). Ok, so let me explain this award. While the sports metaphor doesn't quite fit here (I understand that album cannot physically change/improve once released), this is the record that just got better and better the more I listened throughout the year. I was completely wrong when I gave this one the measly 6.5 in April. Although I still stand by the fact that "I Will Possess Your Heart" was a terrble first single selection (to go along with it 8+ minute length), the follow-up singles (and videos) were brilliant. Way to pick it up boys.

Worst Dropoff of 2008:
N*E*R*D - Seeing Sounds

Like Death Cab's rating, this one clocked in at a respectable 6.5/10. However, if I got a re-do, this album's score would be much lower. I can't think of a record that plummeted so fast off my radar (and consequently iPod) than N*E*R*D's third release. In fact, this one was so forgettable that I have to think twice to remember that Pharell and crew even released an album this year.

Best Surprise of 2008:
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

Ok, so I'm talking about actual surprises here. Like having no idea about an album until it actually came out. This seemed to be a trend that got kicked-off last year with the now legendary In Rainbows experiement. Earlier this year, Trent Reznor gave us a freebie with the excellent single "Discipline." But little did we know that this was just the beginning. A couple of weeks later, he posted an entire album on his website as a gift to his fans with the simple message, "thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one's on me." The most shocking part of all? This just happened to be his most focused effort since 1994's The Downward Spiral.

Worst Surprise of 2008:
Bloc Party - Intimacy

This one just goes to show that sometimes experiments don't always work out as planned. Bloc Party announced that they had entered the studio this summer with an expected 2009 release date for their third album. Then one day in August they surprised us all by announcing that the album would be ready for download by the end of that week. But unlike the Nine Inch Nails record, there were no freebies and apparently not much time thinking this through. Instead, we got a choppy record chock full of the experimental electronica bullshit that made A Weekend In The City so utterly dismissible. Sadly, this uber-talented band is now 1-2 in my book.

Best Album Hype of 2008:
Coldplay - Viva La Vida

I think I've made it abundantly clear that I didn't want to like the new Coldplay record. Considering how overrated and decadent this band has become, it makes it very easy to want to throw rocks at Chris Martin's head whenever he flamboyantly gallivants around the stage. But unfortunately, I gotta call a spade a spade and agree that this one lived up to the hype. Produced by Brian Eno, this one is better than anything U2 has put out in a very long time -- further proving that there's a new king in town. Rebounding from 2005's X&Y, Coldplay is a rare success story in the 2008 dismal realm that is mainstream music.

Worst Album Hype of 2008:
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

Now I'll be the first to admit that there's a thing or two I can learn about hip-hop, but I just KNOW this album is utter garbage. When I hear about albums that are terrible yet get almost universal praise, I begin to question the sanctity of this industry (like I didn't already). Sometimes critics are lemmings, and this is just another example of it. Now Wayne is everywhere --- from Kanye West's album to the new Fall Out Boy. This stinks to high heaven.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Part 1)

2008-12-12T14:01:00.001-05:00

I guess we've exhausted all of the great new album releases for the year. I know I've been a little inactive as of late, but a lack of anticipated releases will do this to a guy. That being said, I literally cannot read a blog or music publication without avoiding an artist or editor's picks of the year. Rolling Stone's top-50 list is an abomination, fyi. I guess it's that time of season, so why not jump on the retrospective bandwagon? The rest of this year's blog articles (for the most part) will list the best and worst that this year had to offer in music. So here it goes, folks:

Best Comeback of 2008:
R.E.M.
For awhile, R.E.M. was arguably the most consistent band on this side of the Atlantic. These guys couldn't put out a bad record if they tried. That was, until Bill Berry left. The departure of an original member seemed to throw these guys out of whack. The band's last excellent effort was 1996's New Adventures In Hi-Fi. After releasing a string of mediocre albums in the late 90's/early 00's, the band came roaring back with the aggressive Accelerate, which came out this April. Not since 1994's Monster have we heard R.E.M. so inspired. These guys are like the Kurt Warner of rock bands. This album successfully rejuvenated what was otherwise considered as a finished career. Welcome back, boys.

Worst "Comeback" of 2008:
Counting Crows
I was rooting for these guys, I honestly was. August and Everything After changed my life in the 90's, and This Dessert Life was one of the most underrated albums of the past decade (aside from "Hanginaround"). I still believe Adam Duritz is an extremely talented songwriter in the same vein as Bruce Springsteen, so I marked my calender this past March when the Crows' oft-delayed first album in nearly six years (Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings) finally came out. The good news is that it did come out. The bad news is that it did nothing for me. I liked what I heard, but nothing stuck. Before I knew it, this one became undeserving of my iPod real estate. Too bad.

Best Album Artwork of 2008:
Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Who doesn't love streakers? I can't think of an album cover that better accentuates the feel the music contained inside. "Gobbldigook" is as free-spirited as Iceland's best band has ever been. Why not get naked and run around?

Worst Album Artwork of 2008:
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Yikes! This may be the only time I agree with Pitchfork Media, but they put it best when they said this looks more like "Brian Dennehey trying to crack the DaVinci Code."

Worst Album Artwork Trend of 2008:
Stealing masterpieces
If you know me, you know that I love art and history. Luckily, living in New York affords me the opportunity to check out the best that the world has to offer in these departments. For museums, this is just fine. Record shops, no thank you. For some reason, several bands in 2008 took the concept of album "artwork" too literally. Now I'm not asking for a simple mug shot of the band (a la Gaslight Anthem), but using a masterpiece to represent your own body of work is just too pretentious for me. Even if you are Coldplay. Still don't know what I'm taking about? Well Chris Martin and crew tapped Eugene Delacroix's "Liberty Leading The People" for Viva La Vida and then AGAIN for the follow-up EP Prospekt's March -- this time using "Battle of Poitiers". Coldplay's not the only guilty party here. As much as I love the band, the Fleet Foxes made the same blunder. They used Bruegel's 16th century painting, "Netherlandish Proverbs."

Do these look familiar? It's not just Joe Satriani's work that's being "borrowed" by Coldplay.

Best Attempted Crossover of 2008:
Panic At The Disco - Pretty. Odd.
The exclamation point at the end of the name wasn't the only thing this emo-branded band dropped. They also departed ways with the signature Fueled By Ramen sound most associated with acts like Fall Out Boy and Cobra Starship. Rather than duplicating the pattern that helped them bombard the VMA's two years ago, the guys opted to escape their inevitable kitschy fate by choosing to create a virtual homage to Sergeant Pepper's -- bells, whistles, and all. The end result is damn good. Songs like "Nine In The Afternoon" and "When The Day Met The Night" are crafted beautifully. One of the best surprises of the year for sure.

Worst Attempted Crossover of 2008:
Oasis (...again) - Dig Out Your Soul
The Gallaghers should one of two things: 1) take lessons from Brendon Urie about how to make a Beatles-sounding album 2) give up entirely on trying to make a Beatles-sounding album. Here we go again -- Oasis shamelessly trying to be something they're not. When this band was amazing, they sounded more like the Stone Roses and this just fit. The guitars were noisy, Liam's voice was distorted, and the bass was thumping. Bottom line, it rocked. They started going to shit at about album number four (Standing On the Shoulder of Giants), when they literally thought they were the next incarnation of Lennon/McCartney. Their sound has since waned, culminating in the utter failure that was this year's attempt at a psychedelic album. Whatever, I still love them.

Big Ups

2008-12-03T12:03:00.003-05:00

Hipsters and hip-hopsters unite! That rumored Jay-Z/Santogold collaboration has finally hit the streets. The song, called "Brooklyn (Go Hard)," will be featured in the upcoming Notorious B.I.G. biopic (out next month) and will undoubtedly become the next big anthem for LaBron James' favorite borough. The video (which is kind of amazing) is available at Stereogum right now, but I can't seem to embed it.

If you want the song, Kanye West (who produced it) was nice enough to post the MP3 on his blog. A number one album will put you in good spirits I guess. You can download it HERE.

Lonely Day

2008-11-25T12:51:00.005-05:00

I always hate reading news like this. It's been confirmed that one of my favorite bands is taking an "indefinite hiatus" (aka breaking up). Phantom Planet, the band that I've seen more than any other in college, is calling it quits after an amazing 15 year run. You probably know these guys best for the theme song they contributed to The O.C. ("California"), but this song really doesn't do them any justice. Every album they've put out has been phenomenal, including this year's Raise The Dead. "Do The Panic" has my vote for catchiest single of the year.

The first concert I ever saw in college was American Hi-Fi/Phantom Planet in September 2001. It was about a week after 9/11, and people were still hesitant to go out and have a good time in the wake of such tragedy. The bands were playing this obscure club called Metropol (RIP) in the Strip District of Pittsburgh and I'm pretty sure I got lost trying to find it. One of the seediest joints imaginable -- literally adjacent to a seaport just to give you some imagery. This was probably the first intimate show I had ever attended -- the kind where an already tiny venue is nowhere near capacity. Phantom Planet rocked it out in front of about 30 people, and at that point I knew I'd be hearing from these guys again (I'd go on to see them 2-3 more time during my college era). There was literally no one there, so when Jason Schwatzman (yes, THE Jason Schwartzman) threw his drumstick into the crowd following the set, there was no one else to catch it other than me. Some girl came gushing over begging for the drumstick and I happily obliged. I got a big hug, and put it together a few months later that the drummer just happened to be the same guy from one of the best movies of all time -- Rushmore.

Phantom Planet will be playing their final show on December 12th in LA.

Aging Not So Gracefully

2008-11-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

It's only fitting that the Killers' third release is titled Day & Age. It takes about two seconds to realize that this album is yet another tribute to the new wave movement that reigned when these guys were probably still in diapers. It doesn't take an expert to figure out that both the days and the ages are ones that took place in the late 70's or early 80's. Which to me, is rather disappointing. Hot Fuss, which was released in 2004, was creatively transient -- it had touches of the old interspersed with newer, fresher sounds. We got a host of singles that were more radio-friendly than the kind of stuff Interpol was coming out with, yet nothing was too overbearing. Sam's Town, despite having an excellent first single ("When You Were Young"), was mostly smoke and mirrors. An obsession with Bruce Springsteen didn't do this band's collective body good, and a fleeting presence on the charts only solidified this fact. Two years later, we get the third offering by the Killers, one that unfortunately duplicates many of the inconsistencies from album #2.

But before this one gets cast away into the suck bin, it should be noted that Day & Age has its moments. And if by chance you were to grade this record by its first three cuts, it would rank up there with their debut. The first song, ironically called "Losing Touch," is actually a step in the right direction for Brandon Flowers and crew. Despite the overblown horn section (no pun intended), the tune is actually quite infectious. The build-up is as brilliant as the chorus itself, and it segues nicely into the no-remix-necessary "Human" -- an admitted guilty pleasure. Flowers rhetorically philosophizes whether we are "human" or indeed "dancer" -- a question that gets answered pretty quickly once that beat kicks in. Bringing back the glitzy dance glamor of "Mr. Brightside," this one will complement its predecessor nicely once that Killers best-of collection inevitably hits stores in a few years. The most head-scratching element to this album is "Spacemen." But certainly not in a bad way. Far and away Day & Age's most solid cut, it's rather mind-boggling that this one wasn't selected as the album's primary single. Compromising the Killers of yesteryear with some of the more recent novelty neo-new wave they've been so infatuated with, "Spaceman" explemfies the kind of music Flowers should be composing at this point in his career. But unfortunately, the "Human"/"Spaceman" twin peaks are met the rest of the way with numerous valleys. "Joy Ride" is hardly smooth trip. Flowers and crew take us through all the bad parts of funkytown, which is punishing more so than anything else. The horn section makes its untriumphant return, forcing this reviewer to ponder whether or not these guys are pulling a fast one on us.

The rest of the album is somwhat lackluster. It's as if the band is too hellbent on preserving/redefining an image rather than making music that would otherwise come naturally to them. "The World We Live In" is another trip down memory lane, this time evoking the synthesizers and rolicking beat that comes to mind when you think of a Tears For Fears or Culture Club. "Neon Tiger," accordingly, is perfect soudtrack music for an 80's-style coke binge. Taking all of this into account, it's difficult to give tremendous praise to an album that's so top-heavy on novelty. This record sounds unmistakably decadent and out of place. As first shown Sam's Town, the Killers are still obsessed with a day and age that has been long gone for quite some time. It's time forge ahead, boys.

My Rating: 6.5/10

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

2008-11-21T16:10:00.003-05:00

With the ongoing saga that is Kanye West's seemingly daily behavior swings, it's only appropriate that we get something completely out of the blue from the uber-talented hip-hop demigod. Something that is, oddly enough, very un-hip-hop at all. A few days ago, West claimed that he is the "voice of our generation." But honestly, who would have thought that he meant this "voice" thing literally? Because, as you'll discover, long gone is the innocuous flow that made his first three albums rap masterpieces. On 808's & Heartbreak, which comes out on Tuesday, West has forsaken rap ENTIRELY, instead choosing to focus on delicate crooning, albeit with a TON of help from his handy Auto-Tune device. As far as content is concerned, consider 808's to be hip-hop's concept album equivalent to Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness -- if you can even classify this to even be hip-hop. And much like Mellon Collie, or Kid A, or even Highway 61 Revisited, this is one is a risky shapeshifting album by an already legendary artist -- one that will be simultaneously applauded and lambasted. West has got quite the cahones for stepping out of his cash-cow of a comfort zone, but did he take it too far here?

For one, it's apparent that 'Ye is feeling pretty insecure these days. After the unexpected death of his mother, coupled with some bad break-ups, it's understandable that the guy's been a little bit of a mess (on a personal note, I can DEFINITELY identify at the moment). On the same token, he's clearly been inspired by this recent turn of events. Rather than choosing to wallow around in his own misery, Kanye has opted to constructively get it all down on paper. In doing so on Heartbreak, West invites his fans into the innermost part of his soul -- one that just so happens to be very vulnerable at the moment. By limiting collaborations and scratching the over-the-top production from The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation, West has indeed proven that he has forged ahead musically. Ironically, in this case, "graduating" is the equivalent of taking it down quite a few notches. With some exceptions, 808's & Heartbreak is as stripped down and minimalist as it gets, and this echoes the overarching themes of the record beautifully.

If you couldn't guess from album's deflated heart balloon artwork or the morose song titles, this one is, for lack of a better word, a heartbreaker. Album opener "Say You Will" features a synthetic lo-fi church choir backed by a hypnotically droning blip that resembles a heart pulse on life support. Or, if you will, video game sound effects circa 1985. Either/or, this is a completely new direction for Mr. West. We get our first taste of verbal heartbreak from Kanye's machine-enhanced "Don't say you will, unless you will" wails. The song carries on a little longer than it should for an intro track, but eventually segues into the superior "Welcome To Heartbreak," which based on title alone, would assume to be an album kickoff. Knowing Kanye's penchant for eccentricities, there's probably a reason for this sequencing strategy. The track begins with a weeping violin intro before launching headlong into a TR-808-produced synthetic beat. The song assumes the "I'm rich but because I'm lonely, I'm poor" mantra that appears to be the cornerstone of the record. Kanye confesses, "My friend shows me pictures of his kids/And all I can show him is pictures of my cribs," along with some other sob story comparisons which drive the point home pretty quickly. The track itself, although by no means backed by a traditional hip-hop beat, is textured like the Kanye of old -- a true rarity on this album. This holds true on the proceeding song/second single "Heartless," which, for the record, makes these two the only potential holdovers from "academic" era Kanye. And even this is a stretch. Off the bat, the most recognizable element to "Heartless" is the heavy Auto-Tune dubbing, which makes the cut's chorus seem aurally similar to the T-Pain-assisted "The Good Life" (from last year's Graduation). Furthermore, this one is really the only radio hit on the entire record. You'll be hard pressed to find another song that will bode well for Top-40 radio. Which, to tell you the truth, doesn't really bother me a hell of a lot. The self-defeating "Amazing" is Kanye's most confessional track to date, and brings back the synthetic choir from "Say You Will". It also happens to be one of the few tracks to feature a cameo -- Young Jeezy makes an all too fleeting appearance.

Tribal drums happen to play an omnipresent role on this album, and they're never more prevalent than on "Love Lockdown." Despite receiving the royal first single treatment, this is actually one of the album's more forgettable songs. The Auto-Tune appears to be on overdrive here, causing the single to feel all too manufactured. This is hardly the case for "Paranoid," which belongs on the opposite end of the spectrum. Although fun as hell (you can picture Kanye shedding a rare smile here), this is pure demo material. It's shocking that Kanye, being the perfectionist he is, would tolerate this as a final cut. Despite some mid-album imperfections, this is when things start to get really interesting. The first fifteen seconds of "Robocop" evoke aggressive industrial music more than anything else. If you were to play "Name That Tune," and were given the first five seconds to take a stab, 90's era Nine Inch Nails would be a worthy guess. The album digresses entirely from hip-hop on this one, and manages to go even further off the deep end on "Street Lights." Forget hip-hop -- classifying this as R&B would even be a stretch. The first thing that comes to mind here is emo-pop -- the kind of farfetched filler you would find on a Hellogoodbye or Fall Out Boy album. But it ain't half bad here. Maybe I'm biased to Kanye, but he manages to make it work. For all the skeptical naysayers, this foray is fortunately a one-off. "Bad News" follows the tribal drum beat pattern of "Love Lockdown," and features nothing more than a piano track over Kanye's no-so-perfect singing. 'Ye does manage to rebound by pulling out of all of the synth stops on what will surely be labeled 808's signature track -- the appropriately titled "See You In My Nightmares." Jeezy made an appearance earlier, so what would this album be without a cameo from Weezy? Lil Wayne does his best Kanye Auto-Tune singing impersonation on this one to mixed results. Like all of the appearances on this record, it just seems a little unnecessary. The album is intentionally meant to be barebones; adding collaborations is somewhat contrary to the point. With this being said, Kayne gets the drift on the final somber track. Inspired by the passing of his mother, "Coldest Winter" features a withdrawn Kanye and is a fitting bookend to and album that oozes all that is melancholy.

Chances are, those who have never experienced heartache won't understand 808's & Heartbreak. And those who are simply expecting an encore of his previous three opuses will certainly be disappointed. So right away, the odds are against Mr. West. Is this album flawed? Absolutely. Rushed? Without a doubt. But you know what? It's actually not bad at all. I will go so far as to say it's excellent. It's one of those rare instances where the finished product is greater than its individual parts. Furthermore, when you consider the machismo that is traditionally infused in the greater hip-hop realm, it's refreshing to see an artist take the high road and actually get personal. Kanye undoubtedly has his issues, but he's proven he's not too much of a man to bottle them up.

My Rating: 8.2/10

Viva La March

2008-11-21T13:44:00.003-05:00

Prospekt's March, the Coldplay EP that's released on Tuesday, can be streamed in its entirety HERE. Enjoy.

A Dream Come True

2008-11-17T11:29:00.003-05:00

It's official! The new Bruce Springsteen album will be coming out in January -- January 27th to be exact. This will surely coincide nicely with the little Super Bowl halftime gig everyone's been talking about. The record AND first single will be called Working On A Dream. According to Rolling Stone, the album was records relatively quickly and even used some first takes for some tunes. This WILL be an E-Street Band record, so everyone is back in full tow. Here is the confirmed tracklisting:

1. “Outlaw Pete”
2. “My Lucky Day”
3. “Working on a Dream”
4. “Queen of the Supermarket”
5. “What Love Can Do”
6. “This Life”
7. “Good Eye”
8. “Tomorrow Never Knows”
9. “Life Itself”
10. “Kingdom of Days”
11. “Surprise, Surprise”
12. “The Last Carnival”

*The album will also contain two bonus tracks: “The Wrestler” and “A Night with the Jersey Devil.”

Smiley Smile

2008-11-14T14:25:00.004-05:00

While we are on the topic of free downloads, I was perusing some of the Daytrotter sessions the other day when I fortuitously stumbled across a nice little gem Aimee Mann did for them not too long ago. You might remember her for the string of songs she contributed to the excellent Magnolia soundtrack a decade ago. This helped to define her as an aclaimed solo artist, and she has never since looked back. She released a stellar album this past year called @#%&*! Smilers , which will undoubtedly be listed on many critics' top ten lists when they come out next month.

Download the Daytrotter session HERE.

Anthemic

2008-11-14T13:29:00.004-05:00

I had the privilege of seeing the Gaslight Anthem at Roseland last month on a bill that included Thrice, Alkaline Trio, and Rise Against. Gaslight was easily the show-stealer and was every bit as exciting as I predicted they'd be. As mentioned in my review of their latest offering, The '59 Sound, these Jersey Boys perfectly combine the heart wrenching maudlin storytelling of an early Springsteen with the brashness of today's premiere punk acts. Thought I'd give them another shout out. Right now, this band is battling it out with the Fleet Foxes for my breakthrough band of the year. I guess I missed the boat on some of Gaslight's really tiny gigs at the Knitting Factory, so here's hoping they'll throw together a top-billing club tour in the near future.

Anyway, if you go over to FuelFriends, you can download a (free) great acoustic set of some of 59's offerings. Please take advantage of this. You won't be sorry.

In other Gaslight Anthem news, lead singer Brian Fallon will be the opening act for Jesse Malin's Christmas show at the Bowery Ballroom next month (12/19).

Marching Onward

2008-11-12T11:00:00.003-05:00

As mentioned a little while ago, we haven't heard the last of Coldplay for 2008. Months after releasing the tremendously successful Viva La Vida, Chris Martin and crew announced their intention of releasing an additional companion EP by year's end. Weeks ago, we learned that the EP's title would be Prospekt's March, and would feature some new tracks along with "Lost+" -- the plus of course being Jay-Z's touch to the original Viva track. The album artowrk was revealed today, and well, corresponds VERY nicely to their most recent offering. Prospekt's March hits shelves November 25th. Here's the confirmed tracklisting:

"Life in Technicolor II"
"Postcards from Far Away"
"Glass of Water"
"Rainy Day"
"Prospekt's March/Poppyfields"
1. "Prospekt's March"
2. "Poppyfields"
"Lost+" (featuring Jay-Z)
"Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix)"
"Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground"

Magic, Indeed

2008-11-12T10:29:00.003-05:00

Um, how did this manage to slip under my radar? Apparently, Bruce Springsteen will be premiering a new song this Sunday during the Cowboys/Skins game. The song, "Workin' On A Dream" (I know, very Bruce-like), was debuted last month acoustically at a Cleveland Obama rally. But here's the better news. "Workin'" will likely be the leadoff single to Magic's follow-up, due out in JANUARY! Didn't even know the boss was in the studio, much less nearly complete with an album that's going to be in my hands in less than two months! The Boss never ceases to impress me.

The Cover And The Shape

2008-11-11T13:07:00.005-05:00

Kudos to Stereogum for posting this. Coming off the heals of a superb New York Halloween date, Ryan Adams recently headed over in jolly old England for a brief British tour. In his downtime, the magnificent one paid a visit to BBC studios, where he got all modern rock on us (sort of). Rather than playing the standard Grateful Dead or Jerry Garcia cover, Adams opted to bust out a very solid, very Neil Young-sounding acoustic version of Foo Fighters' favorite "Times Like These." You can listen or download HERE.

Rotting Pumpkins

2008-11-11T11:31:00.005-05:00

When I learned that the Smashing Pumpkins were going to be playing a pair of anniversary dates at the United Palace Theater, I was, needless to say, pumped. Along with Oasis, these guys were my rock idols in 1996 (I think this point has been driven home just a few times), and I was absolutely blown away when I saw them at The Brendan Byrne Arena (now IZOD Center) during their Mellon Collie tour. This was, of course, before D'Arcy and James Iha left the band, and way before they began to dabble in electronica. This was pure, unadulterated Pumpkins -- a rock and roll machine that could not be stopped. Until, of course it was. The Pumpkins started to rot, and were eventually replaced by more marketable blends of "nu-metal" that made Corgan's distinctive whine seem stale. The head-scratching appeal of Korn and Limp Bizkit reigned in these years, forcing bands like the Pumpkins to hang it up.

But like any band desperate take advantage of fomer die-hards' cash, the "Smashing Pumpkins" reunited last year, albeit with only half the classic lineup. Sure, there were new members that resembled Iha and D'Arcy, but this unfortunately didn't quite cut the mustard. Holes were left unfilled, and this took a serious toll on the band's sound. Zeitgeist was a failure that resembled the very "cock rock" that dethroned the band's original creative sound. With all this being said, I decided it was better to keep my fond memories of the Pumpkins in my heart, and not try to replace them with newer, inferior ones. I made the painstaking decision to not even attempt to get tickets to these "intimate" anniversary concerts. If early reviews are any indicators of the shows I missed, I am beginning to think I made the absolute right decision.

Apparently, Corgan is still the same ego-maniac that destroyed the Pumpkins the first time around. Bypassing the very classics these shows were organized to celebrate, Corgan opted to scatter the setlist with cacaphonous, experimental noise that rendered many in attendance speechless. Sure the crowd got its fill of the occasional hit, but these moments were apparently overshadowed by terrible covers, out-of-tune jams, and a host of mediocre new tunes. But here's the kicker -- on Friday night, Corgan chilidishly invited a heckling fan onstage. When the fan told him to his face that the previous night's show "sucked," Corgan lampooned the fan with some pretty disparaging and homophobic remarks that would have made Josh Homme proud. Take a look at the video:

This sad, embarrassing display just goes to show that you can never go home again.

Sweetness!

2008-11-11T11:10:00.003-05:00

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of their (sort of) breakout record, Clarity, Jimmy Eat World will be playing a string of club shows around the country in early 2009. The dates will span the late February/early March realm and will hit Terminal 5 first on February 23rd before visiting nine other cities. Following in the footsteps of many bands these days (see Coheed & Cambria), JEW will play their record, Clarity, in its entirety throughout this mini tour. Those itching to hear "The Middle" or "A Praise Chorus" might want to keep their fingers crossed for a catalog-spanning encore. This a fine record, so I'm cool either way.

Tickets go on sale November 15th, and will surely sellout based on the reception the band got at T5 last year.

No Sunlight? No Problem.

2008-11-10T14:37:00.003-05:00

If you've read this blog for the past few months, you know how much my opinion has swayed about Death Cab For Cutie's Narrow Stairs. I think a lot of this change of heart has to do with the creativity of the music videos for the album's singles. I really liked what they did with "Cath" a few months back, and the mometum is only building. Ben Gibbard and crew just released the video for the album's third single, "No Sunlight." Only appropriate considering the suckiness of Daylight Savings Time. They're taking it a step further as you'll see:

No Sunlight

History Made

2008-11-10T14:21:00.002-05:00

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

For those of you suffering from the post-election blues, cheer up! Jay-Z has gotten back to work and so should you. HOVA is ahead of the pack of what will surely be a very long run of Obama-inspired victory tracks. The rapper leaked "We Made History" today, and it is currently available for free download HERE. The song, as I'm sure you'll hear, is a collaboration with Kanye West and Tony Williams.

Decoration Day

2008-11-04T16:21:00.005-05:00

The Drive-By Truckers are all about the election. To inspire you to go out and cast your vote (cough, cough OBAMA), they are giving away a free song on their website called "Uncle Phil & Aunt Phyllis In The Month After The Election". According to Stereogum, frontman Patterson Hood wrote the song right after the '04 debacle while in a state of "semi-shock and near-depression as [his] daughter's birth was impending and [he] was depressed to think of her born into the world during a Bush Presidency."

Hopefully no deja vu this time around. Go out and vote, please.

On another note, the Drive-By Truckers play a pair of dates with The Hold Steady at Terminal 5 this week. This should not be missed.

Kanye All the Way

2008-11-04T11:33:00.004-05:00

We've gotten more than just a sample of the new material from 808's & Heartbreak. There's obviously a theme going on to this new record (one that I can relate to very well right now on a personal level), and let's just say it ain't smiles and butterflies. Yet another new track was "leaked" the other day called "Anyway," which is "experimental"to say the least. Here's a listen:

And in other Kanye news, the artwork for the album has been released. Not surprisingly, it's a deflated heart balloon -- the same image from the "Love Lockdown" promotional single. Now all you pirates have some iPod images to accompany your leaks:

808's & Heartbreak comes out November 25th.

Letting It Ride -- Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ The Apollo 10/31/08

2008-11-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

It might have been a Ryan Adams Halloween show at the Apollo, but other than the handful of spirited fans adorned in costumes, you would have been fooled. The only semi-frightening element this evening was the volume level -- one that was exceedingly high for an artist traditionally obsessed with the aural clarity of his performances. Other than this, it appeared as if Adams has finally accepted the credo from the closing song off of last year's Easy Tiger -- "I Taught Myself How To Grow Old". The once unpredictably raucous singer-songwriter has visibly matured, and his voice, stage presence, and overall performance are clear indicators of this change. Typically shaken up by crowd banter and song shoutouts, it's evident that Adams now lets all distractions roll off his back and simply lets the music do the talking. This was the case Friday night at a show that leaned heavily on the band's newer material from their most recent albums Easy Tiger and Cardinology (which came out last Tuesday).

The Cardinals opened up with one of the more aggressive numbers from the new record -- the rock-leaning "Cobwebs" -- before easing the crowd into a pair of soft alt-country gems, "Everybody Knows" and "Born Into A Light". Next up was the R&B-tinged single "Fix It," which showcased the band's penchant for beautiful three and four-part harmonies. Guitarist and fellow songwriter Neal Casal's backing pipes soared on this one, and would complement Adams' lead vocals throughout the course of the evening. The band didn't explore Ryan's older catalog until the eighth or ninth song, when the audience was finally treated to newly arranged version of one of Adams' better-known older tunes, "The Rescue Blues". From then on, we got the old strategically interspersed with the new. The jam-bandy "Peaceful Valley" proved that these guys are more than wannabe Grateful Dead one-trick ponies, as this tune segued perfectly into Heartbreaker's "Bartering Lines". Ryan then proceeded to deliver a stirring version of the Oasis super-smash "Wonderwall" before knocking out what was perhaps the evening's harmonious highlight, "Dear John".

After a brief intermission, the band came back strong with a second set, beginning with the song that started it all for the Cardinals -- 2005's rollicking "Let It Ride". Adams surprised the crowd with a plugged-in rendition of the usually soft "Desire" before playing a few more cuts off Easy Tiger and Cardinology. The quietest moment of the evening came when Adams stuck in an intimate number off of 2003's highly underrated Love Is Hell -- the confessional ballad, "Please Do Not Let Me Go". The singer then proceeded to show off his guitar chops with the riff-heavy "Cold Roses" and sped up version of "Shakedown on 9th Street" before letting Casal take helm with his own "Freeway To The Canyon". Strangely enough, it was after this song that Ryan made his first comments of the night -- a string of self-deprecating jabs about the melancholy nature of his own songs. From then on in, it was new material 'til the end. The band capped off an astounding 27-sound set with the final track from Cardinology -- the piano-laden "Stop".

It's only appropriate that Adams would skew his setlist to the fresher material he's written with the Cardinals. He's taken on a selfless level level of maturity -- one that that's clearly more focused on reaching new heights musically than preserving a persona. The singer, who would often grab headlines more frequently for his off-stage antics, has changed for the better. No worse off for the wear, he's letting bygones be just that and proving that we've only gotten a taste of what will surely be astounding prolific career.

The complete setlist:

1. Cobwebs
2. Everybody Knows
3. Born Into A Light
4. Fix It
5. Natural Ghost
6. Goodnight Rose
7. Sun Also Sets
8. Rescue Blues
9. Peaceful Valley >
10. Bartering Lines
11. Wonderwall
12. Dear John
13. Go Easy

14. Let It Ride
15. Desire
16. Grand Island
17. Sink Ships
18. Evergreen
19. Please Do Not Let Me Go
20. Two
21. Magick
22. Cold Roses
23. Shakedown on 9th Street
24. Freeway to The Canyon
25. Crossed Out Name
26. Like Yesterday
27. Stop

Harlem Incident

2008-10-29T14:29:00.005-04:00

According to his website, Bob Dylan will be playing a show at Harlem's United Palace Theatre on November 21st. Tickets will be exclusive only to readers of bobdylan.com. Not sure what this means, but they go on sale TOMORROW at 10 AM on his website. Accordingly, a password will provided just before the on-sale time on Dylan's Live and In Person! page. If you are a real music fan, you need to make the pilgrimage to see Dylan at least once in your life (despite what he may or may not sound like now). It's worth it.

Internet Killed The Video Star

2008-10-29T12:28:00.004-04:00

While I will normally don't have the nicest things to say about the current state of MTV, they might actually score some points for their most recent move. Viacom just launched a new site called "MTV Music," which is essentially an easy-to-navigate, revamped repository of pretty much every video that's been (or, lately, not been) on MTV from the past 25 years. I see some redundancy issues with the site's title, but I'll let 'em slide. Anyway, the videos are much better quality than YouTube, and you don't have to bumble through amateurs' crappy renditions when you type in a song title or band. I've done a little spot-checking for my favorite videos from 1994 and so far, so good.

If you're bored at work, or just want to kill some time, here are some of the best music videos of all time to start you off:

Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel The Pain"
Wax - "California"
Nada Surf - "Popular"

Dig Out The Tunes

2008-10-28T18:22:00.003-04:00

I don't know what to make of this news. Three week's after the release of Dig Out Your Soul, Noel Gallagher has claimed he has already finished the next Oasis record. According to NME, Gallagher has revealed two song titles from obviously still-untitled album: "I Want to Live in a Dream In My Record Machine" and "Come On It's Alright". He went to declare that the next album will be vastly different from Dig Out Your Soul, which to me, is the best news I've heard all year on the Oasis front. If he wisely took away other band members' songwriting privileges on this one, maybe this will be the comeback album I've been anticipating. Here's the full article, which also discusses the possibility of Noel Gallagher solo record.

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived...

2008-10-28T18:12:00.003-04:00

...well, only for today I guess. Weezer's weirdo front man is releasing another album of demos/rare material to complement last year's record. But the best news about this is clearly the album cover, which was reveled this morning in all it's glory. Sadly enough, I can't distinguish this haricut from the androgynous singer from Tokio Hotel -- who apparently takes himself (herself?) way too seriously. Alone II comes out November 25th.

Mixology

2008-10-28T17:02:00.005-04:00

Well, the day is finally upon us. We got ourselves a new Ryan Adams record to add to the library. An occasion like this will even get me out of the woodwork (Yes, been MIA for awhile. Bear with me!). It should be noted that today's release marks a milestone for the singer-songwriter -- Cardinology is his tenth studio release in his eight years as a solo (well, kinda solo) artist. And these are counting just his "official" releases. His unreleased albums tend to be the favorites amongst the diehards. So yes, point is, the man takes prolific to a whole new level. And while I've always maintained that, musically, quality should supersede quantity, I'll give Ryan free reign to do as he pleases. The bad news is that if you are as huge a Ryan Adams fan as I am, you've noticed that this new record hasn't exactly been well-received in the fan forum community. It's been prematurely lambasted on everything from it's title, album artwork (which does suck), and "what the hell was he thinking" tracklisting. The good news is that all of this bad mojo is pure poppycock. What we simply have here is Adams in rare form. Let me explain.

Like Bob Dylan, it's apparent that Ryan is never comfortable in one place for an extended period of time. His sound/inspirations tend to change as fast as the playlists on his iPod. While previous albums have maintained consistent trends (Heartbreaker was pure alt-country, Rock N Roll was strictly garage rock, 29 was mostly piano ballads), this one is all over the place stylistically -- hence the title. Cardinology seems to sum up the different styles that Ryan has embraced since Heartbreaker. The way I see it, this is kind of a greatest hits record that consists of completely new material (if that makes sense). Ryan even goes so far as dabbling in previously uncharted territory here -- the first single "Fix It" marks Adams' first foray into the R&B realm (hard to believe, but listen to the intro). "Magick," which has had it's fair share of criticism as of late, reprises Ryan's 2003 infatuation with abrasive 70's garage rock. Oddly enough, Rock and Roll is one of my favorite Ryan albums, so this is all gravy in my book. The painfully confessional "Cobwebs" and "Crossed Out Name" follow suit musically -- abandoning the pedal-steel guitar entirely we've all grown accustomed to as of late to favor a much more rock-influenced sound. "Natural Ghost" is Cardinology's most traditional-sounding Ryan Adams track; this one would fit beautifully on Cold Roses or Jacksonville City Nights. "Let Us Down Easy" is a sweet little ditty that proves Ryan has done his homework in Blues 101. The record wouldn't be complete without a piano-laden number. Fans of Love Is Hell will embrace the melancholy "Stop," which closes out the record, and is incidentally perfect seasonal music for late fall/early winter.

Although longtime fans might be initially turned off by Ryan's musical ADD on this one, I am predicting that Cardinology will receive some acclaim once the dust settles and it inevitably dies off the charts in a couple of weeks. Although there is admittedly no rhyme or reason to the album's sequencing, if you take the record track-by-track, you be hard pressed to find a bad tune. Taking this into account, this is the perfect chance to get on the bandwagon. If you haven't given Adams your attention for the past eight years, now's the chance to see what he's all about. Think of Cardinology as one of those sampler appetizer platters you get at TGI Fridays; you get all the killer and none of the filler. And as someone who loves to eat, this is never ever a bad thing.

My Rating: 8.0/10

P.S. See you Halloweenheads on Friday. If you don't know what this means, don't worry about it!

5 Years

2008-10-21T22:07:00.005-04:00

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since Elliott Smith's passing. I remember I was in my basement dorm room when I heard the unfortunate news. I've said it once and I'll say it again -- it boggles the mind what kind of songs this guy would pen if he were still with us. Do yourself a favor and listen to some Elliott before you go to bed. It will put you to sleep in the best way possible. For those unfamiliar to his catalog, here are some good starting off points:

"Needle In The Hay"

"Say Yes"

"Angeles"

"Coming Up Roses"

"Son of Sam"

"Twilight"

"Christian Brothers"

"New Monkey"

"All Cleaned Out"

"Whatever (Folk Song In C)"

"Beacause" (Beatles Cover)

"Thirteen" (Big Star Cover)

"Looking Over My Shoulder"

"Between The Bars"

....although you really can't go wrong AT ALL.

R.I.P. Elliott

Halloweenhead 2k8

2008-10-19T16:26:00.002-04:00

As predicted by yours truly, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals have added a New York City date to their current outing. In the spirit of last year's dubbed "Halloweenhead" show, the guys are getting back together to play again on Halloween. If this becomes an annual tradition (which it's looking like), I am going to be one happy camper. The better news -- the Cardinals have forsaken the overrated Hammerstein Ballroom this year and will doing it all at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem. Which is 100% badass. The presale has unfortunately ended, but tickets "officially" go on sale tomorrow night at 10 PM. You read that right, PM not AM.

Guess Who's Back

2008-10-16T11:58:00.003-04:00

It looks like Eminem is officially back from the dead. Rumors have been floating around for months about an impending comeback album that was on pace to hit shelves by end of year 2008. The bad news is that 2008 was a bit ambitious. The good news is that early 2009 is a definite. And what's better, the record even has a name. The album is called Relapse, and of course is (mostly)produced by confidant Dr. Dre (who also has an album coming out called Detox). No exact dates or futher details just yet. This will be the first Eminem album in over four years, the last of course being 2004's Encore.

Still Soul Searching

2008-10-15T23:41:00.002-04:00

Oasis are a hell of a lot like the New York Mets. For one, the level of hype that preceeds each is staggering -- so much so, that it becomes nearly impossible for either to live up the high expectations. Secondly, neither has had relative success in over a decade. Sure, the Mets made it to World Series in 2000 (and nearly again two years ago), and yes, people in England still wet themselves over the Gallagher brothers, but other than that, it's been disappointment city -- especially in these parts. Music fans and sports fans alike have turned their heads towards newer and sexier alternatives (i.e. Coldplay and the Rays), leaving my team and my band in the dust. But I will always, always be a believer. No matter how dire the situation gets, I will never lose faith in the Amazins or the self-proclaimed best band in the world. Every time spring rolls around, in the same fashion that every time new album hype begins to swell, I'm back onboard -- hoping and praying that each will return to its former [morning] glory.

So suffice it to say, last Tuesday I shelled out the $13 required to purchase the special edition of Dig Out Your Soul -- Oasis' highly-anticipated first release in three years. No single-disc editions for this guy. You're damn right I'm going to be suckered in to paying a few extra dollars for that worthless behind-the-scenes DVD. And yes, just checked, no bonus tracks on the edition I bought. Crap. Scammed again. Anyway, I really thought this one was going to be it. The band's latest single, "The Shock of Lightning," is unquestionably the most aggressive-sounding single and closest thing to Definitely Maybe I've heard since 1997's Be Here Now. Ever since the band got blasted for the decadence and pretentiousness that riddled their third release, they have been obsessed with experimentation. And while I normally applaud artists for mixing it up and breaking away from the status quo, this began to get very old very fast for my once-favorite band. All I've been asking for for the past decade is a single like "Shock," so needless to say I was ecstatic that maybe -- just maybe -- the boys were finally able to re-crack the code that helped them create what was arguably the best 1-2-3 punch of the past twenty years (Definitely Maybe, Morning Glory, Be Here Now).

But alas, this new one is better equated to Oasis' mediocre second string of albums (Standing On the Shoulder of Giants, Heathen Chemistry, Don't Believe The Truth), more so than anything else. And sure, like all recent Oasis failures, this one has it's moments. But unfortunately, it pretty much it's all smoke, mirrors, and a return to bad habits on Soul. I'll give the band credit for wisely selecting what is easily the album's best song as their first single, but other than that, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything else that even comes close to touching their material from yesteryear. And it really is unfortunate considering that this one was recorded at the famed Abbey Road studios. The band had all the bells and whistles at their disposal, and evidently still couldn't spark very many creative fires. Ironically, it appears that everything was dug up on this one but soul. We're given plentiful interludes between songs (one of which blatantly steals the intro to "Dear Prudence"), sitar cameos, John Lennon excerpts -- you name it, they experiment with it. Unfortunately, all of this simply equates to convenient distractions clearly meant to mask the mostly stale sounds of the 11 tracks. And don't get me started with the lyrical content. Admittedly these guys have never been poets, but this is simply dreadful. You should never judge a song by its title, but Dig Out Your Soul proves there is always an exception. "Bag It Up," "Ain't Got Nothin'," and "I'm Outta Time," couldn't be more dead-on descriptively. While we are given a little bit of a respite on the Noel-helmed "Falling Down," this one sounds like it's already been remixed by the Chemical Brothers. So yeah, this is no Oasis I came to grow and love. And although "Wonderwall" is unquestionably the song that has paid the bills for these guys, the Gallaghers need to stop attempting ballads and get back to going all shoegaze on our asses. I still say Liam's vocals are complemented best with layered, wall-of-sound guitars (see "Morning Glory"). But hey, just like there's always next season, there's always next album.

My Rating: 5.0/10

Killer Coverage

2008-10-09T19:37:00.004-04:00

The Killers have released the album artwork for Day& Age, which comes out November 25th. In case you missed it, the band played SNL this past week, premiering "Human" and "Spaceman" to national audiences. This is going to be a great album, I assure you.

And by the way, I am indeed still alive. Just a little busier now. I'll try not to be as M.I.A. in the future, and try to keep this thing going as much as I can. Keep you eyes peeled for more frequent updates.

Got It Covered

2008-10-02T01:10:00.005-04:00

If two albums of cover songs were just not enough, oh yes, there's more. The always sultry Chan Michell will be releasing yet another record of covers this holiday season. Unfortunately, we're only getting an EP this time -- no full album. The record, which comes out 12/9, will be called Dark End of The Street, and will contain just six songs -- two of which are Aretha Franklin standards. Listen, this is all good to me because quite frankly this chick could do no wrong in my book. I am completely in love with Cat Power. Easily the sexiest voice out there. Period. And she's not too bad on the eyes either. Here's the tracklisting:

01 "Auld Triangle" (The Pogues)
02 "Dark End Of The Street" (James Carr, Aretha Franklin)
03 "Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny / Fairport Convention)
04 "Fortunate Son" (Creedence Clearwater Revivial)
05 "I've Been Loving You Too Long" (To Stop Now) (Otis Redding)
06 "It Ain't Fair" (Aretha Franklin)

Beautiful Sorta

2008-10-02T00:55:00.005-04:00

And in the "yesterday's news" file, Oasis have confirmed the speculated late-fall tour dates that so many people have been talking about. The better news is that Ryan Adams & The Cardinals will be the support for all dates. Finally, we get a NYC Ryan Adams date, sort of. The New York show will take place at MSG on December 17th, barring any freak stage incidents. It's as if the musical gods have answered my prayers. For one night only my favorite band from 1996 will be on the same bill as my favorite band from 2006. I find this amazing/weird at the all at once. Here are the dates:

Dec. 3: Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
Dec. 6: Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl
Dec. 8: Denver, CO - Broomfield Events Ctr
Dec. 10: Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
Dec. 12: Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
Dec. 13: Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
Dec. 15: London, ON - John LaBatt Centre
Dec. 17: New York, NY - Madison Sq. Garden
Dec. 19: Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Center
Dec. 20: Fairfax, VA - GMU Patriot Center

The new Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul, comes out on Tuesday.

I Don't Care That Much

2008-10-02T00:48:00.004-04:00

...but in care you were wondering, here is the tracklisting for the new Fall Out Boy record that comes out coincidentally on Election Day. There might be a few more important goings-on come November 4th. FOB, on the other hand, is way on the bottom of my to-do list:

01) Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes
02) I Don't Care
03) She's My Winona
04) America's Suitehearts
05) Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet
06) The (Shipped) Gold Standard
07) (Coffee's for Closers)
08) What a Catch, Donnie
09) 27
10) Tiffany Blew

On a separate note, what, no "Love Lockdown"?

Gabba Gabba Hey!

2008-09-25T15:24:00.004-04:00

Not to knock Sesame Street or that creepy mannequin show, but last time I checked, children's programming was just never this cool when I was growing up. Jimmy Eat World recently filmed a taping on the Yo Gabba Gabba show on Nick Jr. And no joke, the song is all sorts of amazing. Here's the video, which is obviously much, much better than Weezer covering Oasis:

And I just checked. Apparently, the show has had musical guests in the past that have included The Shins, The Ting Tings, and Mark Kozelek, among MANY others. What??!?! I guess studies have proven that indie rock goes over well with that tough-to-please 3-5 year old demographic. SNL should take some notes.

Morning Glory, Really?

2008-09-25T00:16:00.006-04:00

If you knew me growing up during those awkward early teen years, you knew that I was obsessed with two bands: Oasis and Weezer. To this day you won't find a bigger fan of Pinkerton and (What's The Story?) Morning Glory. Considering these truths, maybe the following video would have been the bee's knees to the pudgy little 13-year-old version of myself. But alas, no more. Consequently, do yourself a favor by viewing and quickly discarding from your memory bank:

Thnks Fr Th Cvrs

2008-09-25T00:04:00.005-04:00

That was quick. There's already a cover of "Love Lockdown" floating around, and admittedly it's not bad at all. Click HERE to get a free download of Patrick Stump's version of the song (scroll about halfway down or CTRL+F "Love Lockdown"). If it's variation you're looking for, you WILL be disappointed; it's pretty much the same song with Stump's overdubbed vocals. But he does bring it. Yeah.

Movin' On Up

2008-09-24T14:50:00.003-04:00

Yet more Kanye news, I know. Those eagerly anticipating the new Kanye West album are in store for some pretty good news. According to the rapper, he's moving up the release date of the highly-anticipated 808's & Heartbreak substantially. Stereogum reports 'Ye as saying, "I CHANGED MY ALBUM TO NOVEMBER SOMETHING CAUSE I FINISHED THE ALBUM AND I FELT LIKE IT.. I WANT YALL TO HEAR IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."

So there you have it, the album is now coming out some time in November.

Two-night, Two-night

2008-09-24T14:20:00.004-04:00

As reported awhile ago, the Smashing Pumpkins are planning on playing a bunch of "20th anniversary shows" at scattered venues across the country this fall. Well, today those dates have finally been revealed. Locally, the Pumpkins (or Zwan 2.0 if you prefer) will be playing a two night jaunt at the United Palace Theater in Harlem in early November. Supposedly, those cities that have multiple nights will be entertained with completely different sets. Here is the full itinerary:

10-26 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre (Bridge School Benefit)
11-01 Cleveland, OH - Palace Theatre
11-03 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall ("Black Sunshine")
11-04 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall ("White Crosses")
11-06 New York, NY - United Palace Theatre ("Black Sunshine")
11-07 New York, NY - United Palace Theatre ("White Crosses")
11-08 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
11-11 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall ("Black Sunshine")
11-12 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall ("White Crosses")
11-14 Boston, MA - Wang Center ("Black Sunshine")
11-15 Boston, MA - Wang Center ("White Crosses")
11-16 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
11-18 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre ("Black Sunshine")
11-19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre ("White Crosses")
11-21 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre ("Black Sunshine")
11-22 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre ("White Crosses")
11-26 St. Louis, MO - Fox Theatre
11-30 San Diego, CA - RIMAC Arena
12-02 Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre ("Black Sunshine")
12-03 Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre ("White Crosses")

In other news, the band will be premiering a new song called "G.L.O.W" in the new Guitar Hero game that comes out later this fall.

Human After All

2008-09-22T13:20:00.004-04:00

As reported a few days ago, the new Killers single, "Human," hits radio this week and iTunes a week after. Well, if you can't wait until then or you are just cheap like me, click HERE to download a free copy of the song. Just to warn you, this is easily the most poppy/techno the band has ever been. Yes, more so than "Mr. Brightside". Can't quite put my finger on it, but I'd say this is a nice middleground for those polarized by the two distinct sounds of the band's first couple of releases. Personally, I'm digging it.

Hello, Cleveland!

2008-09-22T11:50:00.004-04:00

The nominations for the Rock and Hall of Fame were announced this morning. Here are the eligible candidates for the 2009 induction ceremony:

Jeff Beck, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., The Stooges, War, and Bobby Womack.

To be eligible for nomination, 25 years must pass before an artist/band's first single or record is pressed. Taking this into account, nominees must have released their first single no later that 1983. Yes, I was alive then.

Pretty sure Metallica, Run-DMC, and the Stooges are a lock based on the weakness of this year's list. But there's something else that needs to be said. If we've accepted that that metal/glam is hall-worthy, why weren't invitations sent out to the members of KISS or Iron Maiden? And why on Earth did it take so long for Black Sabbath to get in? Something's a little off here, just saying.

Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll

2008-09-19T13:25:00.006-04:00

As I mentioned earlier this summer, I was really digging the new material that the Killers debuted that Highline Ballroom show I went to back in late July. The band's been throwing around some tentative release dates for the new album, Day & Age. Well, it's official -- the disc is coming out November 25th. The first single is "Human," which hits radio next week. The digital download comes out a week later. Sources that have had the opportunity to preview the album had nothing but good things to say, so this is a excellent sign. Surprisingly, there have been no early leaks of the song.

Cardinal Rules

2008-09-19T11:06:00.009-04:00

The tracklisting for the new "Cardinals" record, Cardinology, has been revealed. The songs are finished and, as reported earlier this week, the album is slated to come out in late October. Word on the street is that this one is more concise and less alt-country sounding than some of Ryan's previous Cardinals offerings. Considering how I think I was the only person who REALLY loved Rock N Roll, this gets me very excited. According to some message boards I tend to read, the first single is "Fix It". Here are the tunes:

1. Born into a Light
2. Go Easy
3. Fix It
4. Magick
5. Cobwebs
6. Let Us Down Easy
7. Crossed Out Name
8. Natural Ghost
9. Sink Ships
10. Evergreen
11. Like Yesterday
12. Stop

Supposedly, this is the album artwork. But I have my doubts because a) it's horrendous and b) it kinda defeats the whole "Cardinals" solidarity movement the band was going for. Who knows.

Over and Out?

2008-09-17T11:09:00.004-04:00

According to NME, Dave Grohl has confirmed that the Foo Fighters will be taking an indefinite hiatus starting immediately. He told BBC 1, "We've never really taken a break, I think it's time." He went on to say "We're over in the UK every year every summer, so I think it's time to take a break and come back over when people really miss us."

I mean, I'm not going to lie here and say I'm particularly saddened by this news. The band's last couple of records didn't exactly hit the spot for me. A bit presumtuous to assume he and his band will be missed terribly, no? Needless to say, long breaks are never a good sign.

Love Letdown?

2008-09-16T16:12:00.003-04:00

Apparently too many people complained about the quality of Kanye West's new single, "Love Lockdown". Kanye's re-recorded it, and it sounds a little better. In any case, 'Ye's found yet another way to make headlines. I'm not audiphile, but methinks still not great. But what are you gonna do? Snatch it HERE before it gets taken down once again.

A Thursday In The City

2008-09-16T14:01:00.006-04:00

Chances are, I'm probably the last to know about this one too. Bloc Party is playing a free show at Roseland on Thursday. Doors open at 7:15, but you probably need to get there obscenely early to guarantee getting in. There is a site that advises you to RSVP, but I have my doubts about how legit it is. In any event, you might as well go HERE to put your name on this list. Awesome idea, but hopefully this just isn't a showcase of their new material.

Vulgar Era

2008-09-16T13:30:00.004-04:00

Somehow, this one managed to slip under my radar. The last time we heard from Josh Homme, he was in some Scandinavian country giving a homophobic earful to a fan that fired a shoe to his head. Anyway, he's back with his side-project, Eagles of Death Metal, a band that has absolutely nothing to do with Don Henley or death metal. They have a new one coming out next month called Heart On. Very mature, guys. It's due out 10/21 and here's the (graphic) album artwork:

Scientific Method

2008-09-16T11:20:00.008-04:00

If I had any complaints about the last TV On The Radio record, I'd say there was bit of a consistency problem. And yeah, I know I might be alone here. The high points, which obviously outweighed the low, made Return To Cookie Mountain hands down one of the best records of the decade. However, the album wasn't without its faults -- the less-than-stellar spastic moments were nothing to write home about. Well, it appears that Tunde Adebimpe and crew have learned a thing or two in two years that have passed since Mountain's release. Tweaks have been made here for the better which will only accelerate this band's already rising stock. I'm happy to report that you'll be hard pressed to find a flaw on the new record, Dear Science. And as always, you'll be even harder pressed to put your finger on a specific genre here. This new oeuvre spans everything from hip-hop, trip-hop, shoegaze, funk, electronica, punk, and everything in between. If you thought these art rockers were out there before (in a good way), you really ain't seen nothing yet until you've experienced Science. Bottom line, this is the record Bloc Party tried to make if they had this Brooklyn quintet's talent.

The throbbing bass/bent guitars of "Halfway Home" scream textbook British post-punk. What it equates to is five and a half minutes of pure sonic bliss. There's nothing to feel sad about on the proceeding track, "Crying". Melding 70's funk with 90's electronica, this one pulls a 180 that makes this tune of the more infectious tracks of the year. The party continues on the choppy "Dancing Choose" -- a quick little number that showcases Tunde's mic-spitting abilities. Things slow down a bit on the trippy "Stork and Owl," and oh, what's that we hear? A string section? Sure, why not. This meshes well with the band's closest encounter to a ballad, "Family Tree," which reprises the violins to make this one a potential crossover hit. Music supervisors will be itching to get this one in the next episode of Grey's Anatomy. Which isn't to diminish the credibility of the song. Wedged in between the string-sensational tracks, is the very radio friendly-first single "Golden Age," which is already remix tested and approved. Up next is "Red Dress" -- the album's easiest classifiable track. This one's straight-up funk; no gimmicks.

If it's experimenting you're looking for, have no fear; thing's start to get interesting again on "Love Dog". The boys pull out all of the tricks here including Tunde's soaring pipes, some horns, and yes, even more strings -- all backed by a hypnotic trip-hop beat. Perhaps the album's most remarkable offering is the schizophrenic "Shout Me Out". This one seemingly starts off as a nice sing-along pop number. That is, until you hit the 1:49 mark. From then on it's an all-out, head-spinning electronica assault. Damn, this is good, but we're not done yet. "DLZ" is Science's closest comparison to the band's most successful and anthemic song to date, "Wolf Like Me". The album's finale is, unsurprisingly, a winner. A escalating 6-minute number, "Lover's Day" seems to consolidate all the bells and whistles that have been thrown on the table during the previous 45 or so minutes. Backed by Katrina Ford's vocals and a reprised horn section, this one shifts direction as quickly as Tunde's vocal tempos.

No matter how you slice and dice it, Dear Science is a resounding follow-up triumph to one of indie rock's most celebrated (and probably overhyped) bands. Although I'll admit I got a little swept up in the hoopla of 2006's breakout smash, this record only affirms why these guys have been have been turning heads and selling out shows left and right. I had my doubts, but TV On The Radio has certainly put those to bed. I know I've been saying this a lot lately, but this one ranked up there amongst the year's best. Hey, it's science.

Dear Science comes out next Tuesday, September 23rd.

My Rating: 8.9/10

Group Work

2008-09-16T10:46:00.004-04:00

As it turns out, the next Ryan Adams album won't be a "Ryan Adams" album at all. The "fabulous one," as he's been called by Elton John, is giving his longstanding backing band full credit on the new record. No "Ryan Adams," no "Ryan Adams & The Cardinals" -- just "The Cardinals" here. The album is tentatively called Cardinology and is due out in just over a month -- October 27th to be precise. Critics have knocked Adams for his prolific ways, often citing than the man focuses too much on quantity versus quality. But I beg to differ; Adams really couldn't release a bad record if he tried. And if the new material he's been testing out on the road is any indication of what we're in store for, this is going to be some pretty great stuff.

Mercury Rising

2008-09-15T10:28:00.004-04:00

I know I'm a broken record about these things, but my loss in credibility is your gain! Anyway, if you go back to Amazon again this morning, there's yet another amazing deal on a fantastic record. The new Elbow record, which recently won the Mercury Prize (year's best album from the UK and/or Ireland), is on sale for 2 bucks. Considering how this country is on the brink of utter financial disaster, this might not be the worst investment in the world. I think you'll agree with me once you give it a listen and opt to purchase it instead of your afternoon Starbucks. For the record, the album, which is called The Seldom Seen Kid, beat out Radiohead's In Rainbows. So there you go.

If This Week Wasn't Bad Enough For Noel...

2008-09-11T17:17:00.007-04:00

Numerous sources are alleging that Radiohead are actually almost finished recording their follow-up to last year's surprise sensation In Rainbows. Umm...what? According to TheFly.co.uk, guitarist Ed O'Brien explained, "We've finished the main bulk of it, and we're off to Japan in a couple of weeks to finish it off." He went on to say, "First we came off tour to do some writing and we wanted to just carry on doing it because it was so brilliant. We're really excited about it."

A couple of things here. I'm pretty sure Radiohead had been on a pretty relentless touring schedule the entire summer. When did they have time to sit down and pen a collection of new songs? Secondly, if they did, and it apparently comes this easy for them, what exactly did they do during that four year lapse in between Hail To The Thief and In Rainbows? Answers please.

It's Getting Worse (Man!!)

2008-09-11T15:58:00.004-04:00

Fans who were lucky enough to score tickets to tomorrow night's exclusive Oasis show at Terminal 5 will, needless to say, be bummed. According to the band's website, the show has been cancelled due to the injuries Noel Gallagher suffered earlier this week from the that freak stage stormer who threw him to the ground in Toronto. Apparently Gallagher's now on the disabled list with nasty rib and hip injuries. The good news is that boys will likely be back later this fall to promote Dig Out Your Soul. Just no more club show unfortunately.

We Have The Facts, And They're Absurdly Cheap

2008-09-11T11:11:00.004-04:00

I know the idea of purchasing music is kind of an afterthought to many people these days. However, if you ever feel so inclined to kick it old school, there is a great Amazon MP3 deal today that's really hard to pass up. The first GREAT Death Cab For Cutie Album, We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, is on sale today for a measly $1.99. I URGE you to take advantage of this deal. Go HERE for the deets.

Only Getting Better

2008-09-10T18:08:00.002-04:00

With autumn unofficially upon us, we can expect to gear up for the year's final push of big time releases. And what would a year (an excellent one musically, at that) be like without a new Kings of Leon record? Fortunately, the Followill clan doesn't intend for us to find out. I'd like to say that their fourth full-length album has maintained some prime real estate in my "highly anticipated" column, but the band's sneak attack strategy prevented any word of this album from leaking to the general public until about a month and half ago. This lack of preparation, however, does not take away from this reviewer's excitement about the band's new undertakings. Like its predecessor Because of The Times, this new one's got a prepositional phrase for a title -- Only By The Night -- a move that will surely cause these two to be mistaken for each other years down the road. And let me just warn you, the similarities don't end with titles. Musically, this one picks up where BoTT left off. And while those who have irrevocably expressed their distaste for the sleek, polished sound showcased on Times will inevitably share their same sentiments for Night, I'm going to have to take the high road here. Put simply, it is this overblown production that shows development within the group -- a move that proves that the Kings are in it to win it. And while I will agree that the brash garage rock of yesteryear worked for these guys for their first couple of releases, it is sometimes this very lack of depth that causes notable bands to lose their luster faster than Shaun Alexander (sorry, sports metaphor).

Like many of the tunes on Because of The Times, Only By The Night has its share of experimental crescendos and solos -- a sign that these guys are starting to think outside of their creative comfort zones. Thankfully, the band no longer feels obligated to replicate the straight-to-the-point, one-dimensional rock of Aha Shake Heartbreak. Album opener, "Closer," which may or may not be ironic depending on how it's read, is chock full of distortion pedal goodness. This aural complexity doesn't stop on the proceeding track, "Crawl," which features a incendiary reverb-induced bass riff from brother Jared. Things really start picking up on the horribly-named, yet near-perfect first single, "Sex On Fire" -- the band's most infectious song to date. The album's standout track, however, is the ballad "Use Somebody," which appears to have stolen that wall of sound, neo-shoegaze from those Brian Eno/Coldplay sessions. Hell, it even contains the "whoa ohs" that Chris Martin has ingrained so thoroughly in our brains. Like any strategically arranged album, the boys slow it down with some decent but forgettable old school Kings songs that will appeal to the masses (see "Revel" and "Manhattan"), but have no fear; things start to get interesting again on "17" -- a song about jailbait that may very well be the prequel or sequel to BoTT's "Knocked Up". "Notion" strikes up some serious resemblances to the band's Youth & Young Manhood days, which serves as a nice blast to the not-too-distant past. The band's musical prowess is evident on "Be Somebody" (not to be confused with "Use Somebody"), and features the clinic-worthy pounding abilities of brother Nathan. The album concludes on a very high note with the slow-building "Cold Dessert," which is, to say the least, a far-cry from the band's "Wasted Time" days.

The unfortunate thing to consider is how much Kings of Leon have developed in a such a short period of time. I say "unfortunate" because I am almost certain that all this experimentation will lead to the inevitable backlash from countless critics who will claim that these guys have strayed too far off the beaten path from their roots. Which to me, is obviously nonsense. Although I am certainly appreciative of the amazing one-two punch of their first records, it's gratifying to see one of the most talented bands step it up notch. Take into account the band's productivity, precocious musical sense, and their relentless touring tendencies, and you've got some kings, er, legends in the making.

My Rating: 8.3/10

Party Favor

2008-09-10T11:45:00.003-04:00

Maybe they've come to realize that their most recent offering isn't exactly up to par. In any case, Bloc Party is already moving on with the second single off of Intimacy. The song, called "Talons," has been conveniently left off the digital release, but will be included on the physical version of Intimacy when it comes out in late October. The song is much better than the recent material I've heard so far, which means maybe there is hope after all.

Weekend Hype

2008-09-10T10:30:00.004-04:00

The year's most overexposed indie band, Vampire Weekend, are returning home to play what is likely their largest local show to date. If you still don't know who this band is, a) you live under a rock and b) you haven't seen one of the 1,000 movies/commercials/TV shows their song "A-Punk" has been featured in. The guys will be playing Terminal 5 on December 3rd. Tickets are $25 and go on sale Friday at noon. No word on openers just yet, but still definitely worth checking out.

The 411 On The 808

2008-09-10T10:21:00.003-04:00

Kanye West's new album will be called 808's & Heartbreak, and has a tentative release date of December 16th according to Target and Amazon. This marks a new era for 'Ye, as he's apparently decided to move on from the "academic" themes of his first three albums (College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation). For those in the dark about things, "808" is a type of drum machine that is often used to compose hip-hop. Kanye performed the album's first single, "Love LockDown" at the VMA's this past Sunday night. Here is the album artwork for the song:

Back To The Basics UPDATE

2008-09-09T12:17:00.004-04:00

As reported last month, Sonic Youth had fulfilled their longstanding album contractual obligations with Geffen. The band had mentioned that they would be going "indie" once again for next year's studio release, but was unwilling to reveal the specifics. Well, it has been confirmed that the label they are now signed to is Matador. The Manhattan-based label's lineup continues to get more and more stacked. Good for them.

Red Letter Day

2008-09-08T15:44:00.004-04:00

The saying goes, "as one door closes, another opens". Well, I am happy to report that this time a not-so-great one is shutting only for an AMAZING one to reopen. James Dewees, the brains behind Reggie and The Full Affect, recently embarked on a farewell tour that inevitably means the demise of Reggie. While some may find this to be sad news, rest assured many (including myself) will be thrilled to learn that this break-up means the reunion of The Get Up Kids! At Friday night's Reggie & The Full Affect show in Chicago, Dewees confirmed what many had been speculating for quite awhile. He told the crowd to expect a all-out spring tour with a Get Up Kids show in Chicago within the next six months or so. Needless to say, this news has made my Monday.

Something To Love

2008-09-08T13:34:00.004-04:00

Taken from the FOW website:

"On Wednesday, September 10, Fountains of Wayne will participate in a benefit show at NYC's Knitting Factory for Kelly Buchanan, a friend and singer/songwriter who was recently injured and is suffering from traumatic brain damage. Also appearing will be Nada Surf, Measure, and an "All-Star Band" featuring Mike Viola and others. Each artist will play approximately four to five songs and also cover one of Kelly's songs. Doors at 7pm. Tickets are $25, All Ages. for more info see kellybuchanan.com."

Reasons you should go to this:

1) Fountains of Wayne AND Nada Surf at one of the city's best venues.

2) Knitting Factory is moving to Brooklyn, so catch it while you can.

3) Who doesn't love power pop?!

3) It's a great cause.