Stay Positive (Part 2)

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)

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.

Scientific Method

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

TV Coverage

Artwork for the new TV On The Radio album, Dear Science, has been released. Pretty bland, if you ask me:
Also, if you go HERE, you can take a listen to the album's first single, "Golden Age". Dear Science (apparently now without the comma) comes September 23rd. That's all I have.

The List (Part 8)

For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.

30) King of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon successfully evaded the sophomore slump with their American breakthrough Aha Shake Heartbreak. The Followill clan, who successfully took Europe by storm with Youth and Young Manhood, finetuned their sound to make a record that appealed to their own countrymen. They've since never looked back. Leadoff single "The Bucket" was met with considerable acclaim, which really got the ball rolling for these guys. It didn't hurt to have multiple songs featured in commercial campaigns and top-rated TV shows such as "Entourage". Evoking everything from early seventies garage rock to Southern blues, Aha Shake is simply 36 minutes of the decade's best rock music.


29) TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)
Any band that can swing a David Bowie collaboration gets the stamp of approval in my book. TV On the Radio's third full length album, Return To Cookie Mountain (a possible Super Mario reference?), did indeed feature Mr. Stardust's background vocals on the brilliant "Province". But this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the record contains a host of other guests that only further cement this album's standing among the best of 2006. The anthemic "Wolf Like Me" is what really launched this Brooklyn band into the indie-rock stratosphere. Big things are expected for TV On The Radio's follow-up, Dear Science, which comes out in just over a month.


28) The Streets - Original Pirate Material (2002)
The first thing that comes to mind when people initially hear The Streets is "England's answer to Eminem". However, if you skim below both Mike Skinner's (his real name) skin color and his delivery, you'll discover that there simply is no comparison. And despite what the pseudonym might imply, Skinner does not exactly lead a thug life. In fact, the content of The Streets' debut completely forsakes stereotypical hip-hop undertones all together -- to the point that some could argue that this is even a rap album at all. Hell, this one could very well fit in the notorious spoken word bin for all I care. But, if you want to get all technical, The Streets is considered "garage" music in the sense that it blends rap, two-step, and reggae. In any case, Skinner is a wizard of wordplay as is evident on a stellar debut.


27) Kanye West - Late Registration (2005)
If Kanye West were to hang up his glow-in-the-dark shutter shades tomorrow, there's no question that Late Registration would be considered his masterpiece. When Mr. West burst onto the scene in 2003, he took hip-hop by storm. Everyone became Kanye-crazy -- so as one can imagine, a lot was at stake for his follow-up. And let's just say he didn't exactly disappoint. Whether it was the Jamie Foxx-duet "Golddigger," or the Curtis Mayfield-sampled "Touch The Sky," Kanye took it to a whole other level with his poppy, radio-friendly blend of hip-hop. Hell, he even made Adam Levine of Maroon 5 fame tolerable with ballad "Heard 'Em Say". The success of this release prompted 'Ye to even release a live album called Late Orchestration, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios.


26) The National - Boxer (2007)
The National are just another success story of relentless perseverence. Matt Berninger and gang had been around since 1999 and had been cranking out some pretty excellent records since 2001. However, they only recently started turning some heads last year with the near-flawless fourth album Boxer. Berninger's morose baritone single style is definitely an aquired taste, but if you give the band a chance, you'll discover some pretty deep material here. Just to give you idea of this album's accoladaes: Paste Magazine named it their album of the year, "Mistaken for Strangers" was #92 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Best Songs of 2007, and yes, even Pitchfork (boo!) ranked Boxer #17 in their annual end of the year best-of list.


25) Bob Dylan - "Love And Theft" (2001)
What can I say? Bob's the man. After a forgettable run of albums in the 80's and early 90's, Dylan returned to form with 1997's Time Out of Mind. Earning critical acclaim from nearly every source (and even Album of the Year at the Grammys), this one proved that Bob still had a little gas in his tank. And although many thought that this record would be Dylan's swan song, he returned in 2001 with the equally brilliant "Love And Theft". And as the fantastic 2007 film I'm Not There depicts, this one explores Dylan's continually changing musical persona. Long gone are the days of early 60's folk, mid 60's electric rock, and pretty every other genre that Dylan has straddled throughout his legendary career. "Love And Theft," at its core, is a homage to rockabilly, jazz, jump blues, and country swing -- music that manages to even predate his folk days. How bout them apples?


24) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (2008)
I think I've driven my point home about this album, so I will spare you my accolades. For my complete review of Evil Urges, click HERE. When the dust settled, this one actually ended up received some pretty mixed reviews (most notably from arch-nemesis Pitchfork), but don't be fooled because Urges actually shows some growth for MMJ in a VERY positive direction. I really like how they progressed from their masterpiece, Z -- so much so that this one steadily gains some ground on its predecessor. I've said it before and I will say it again: My Morning Jacket is the best live band in the world.


23) Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2003/2004)
This is yet another controversial Ryan Adams pick, but hell, this one's just a classic to me. Love Is Hell was originally supposed to Ryan's highly-touted follow-up of completely new material since successful breakout Gold. However, one Adams' label listened to the material, they insisted that it was not "commercially viable" and scrapped plans to release it at all. As a result, Ryan was forced to quickly regroup and record Rock N Roll. Upon Ryan's insistence, Lost Highway compromised by choosing to release Love Is Hell as two separate EP's in late 2003 - Love Is Hell pt. 1 and Love Is Hell pt. 2. Both did much better than expected, prompting to release the album as initially conceived in 2004. And here's a fun fact, if any of you ever wondered where I came up with the title for this very blog's name, just listen to "Please Do Not Let Me Go".


22) Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003)
After splitting up the Red House Painters -- one of the more under appreciated bands on the '90's -- Mark Kozelek formed Sun Kil Moon with former Painters drummer Anthony Koustos. This move proved to be fortuitous, as Ghosts of the Great Highway soon became Kozelek's best-selling and most critically-received album to date. Inspired by a laundry list of deceased boxers (of all things), Ghosts proved to be a much more quiet and intimate setting for Kozelek. Most of the content on this record is acoustic-driven and lyrically more extroverted than the work from his former band. Drawing up comparisons from everyone from Nick Drake to Neil Young, this album only goes to show that Kozelek is one today's most gifted songwriters. If you've ever seen the Steve Martin/Claire Danes film "Shopgirl," Ghosts is represented in the soundtrack with the inclusion of "Carry Me Ohio," and "Lily and Parrots". As an added bonus, Kozelek himself has a small role in the movie.


21) Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
It boggles my mind that this album was released over eight years ago. I was a junior in high school and I recall fondly hearing "The Real Slim Shady" being incessantly blasted from the cars in the student parking lot. To me, this song was the high school equivalent of "Hey Ya". Ah, the days. And here's an even more mind-boggling stat: The Marshall Mathers LP sold over 1.76 million copies in its first WEEK. Today, in a era of a record industry meltdown, an artist would be lucky to sell this many copies in a YEAR. Needless to say, this record went on to sell 21 million copies worldwide and solidified Eminem as one of the most influential artists of all time. And although he's been laying low for quite awhile now, Eminem is supposedly releasing his forst studio album in four years in late 2008.

TV At The Temple

As predicted, TV On The Radio have announced a full-fledged tour. New Yorkers can rejoice because it has been confirmed that the band will play the Brooklyn Masonic Temple on October 15th and 16th. Tickets go on sale August 9th. Additionally, the tracklisting for Dear Science, (out September 23rd) has been released:

1. Halfway Home
2. Crying
3. Dancing Chose
4. Stork & Owl
5. Golden Age
6. Family Tree
7. Red Dress
8. Love Dog
9. Shout Me Out
10. DLZ
11. Lover’s Day

Aiming To Please,

News has surfaced today regarding the new TV On The Radio album. Fans who have been anticipating this genre-spanning Brooklyn band's first release since 2006's universally praised Return To Cookie Mountain will only have to wait a little while longer. The new record will be called Dear Science, (yes, with a comma) and will be released on September 23rd. As mentioned earlier, the guys will be playing a string of West Coast and Canadian dates around the time of release (no NYC dates at this point). No word yet about tracklisting and album artwork, but I will be sure to keep you posted as details roll in.

TV On The Tour

The Brooklyn trip-hop/shoegaze/art rock outfit TV On The Radio just announced a brief West Coast/Canadian tour beginning in early September. What does this mean for New Yorkers? Well, pretty much nothing. Let's hope this is a precursor to some East Coast gigs. Here are the dates in case you happen to be in their neck of the woods:

9.05 Portland, OR - Roseland
9.06 Seattle, WA - Showbox
9.07 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore
9.09 Calgary, Alberta - MacEwan Ballroom
9.10 Edmonton, Alberta - Starlite Room
9.12 Boise, ID - Big Easy
9.13 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
9.14 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks (Monolith Festival)
9.19 San Diego, CA - Street Scene
9.20 San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Festival