...one should listen to Coconut Records' Nighttiming. My spring break was last week, by the way.

Coconut Records - West Coast
Coconut Records' Website/Myspace

Labels: coconut records

And all the conspiracy theories are true...

Labels: Hillary, Obama, snl

Here I am again, laying flat on my back, tapping the sides - not the soles - of my boots on the floor, trying to decipher a pattern in the ceiling tiles. I only ponder philosophical questions at times like this when I'm waiting for life to happen. Or maybe I'm a trailblazer in the infinite number of decisions I could make, paths I could take, things I could say.

And, somewhere, in the optimistic pop, playful guitar solos, cowbell, and lyrics about two sisters and waiting for love, I get the sense Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is sharing this state of mind. It's not about the lyrics, really, but the delivery:

"she can make-your-tongue
she can make-your-tongue,
make your tongue stick to the suuu-un.

May-be if i laaaaay low,
love will fall around my door
the dogs will let me know..."

And so it goes. Perishing will be released on April 8th.

Someone still loves you Boris Yeltsin - Glue Girls [alt link]
Someone still loves you Boris Yeltsin - Pangea (from Broom)
SSLYBY's Website/Myspace
Hear "Murder (I mean, Modern) Mystery" (also on the new album) at Daytrotter

Labels: sslyby

Some of you have been e-mailing me asking why I haven't been posting for the past month and a half. Here's an answer:

Sometimes I like to take a virtual vacation: I don't check my e-mail, pick up the phone, or turn on the television. I've been in need of one lately, and there's no way to pull it off during the semester...so I took a blog break instead. This semester is a bit crazy, but I'll try to get back to posting as often as I can.

Everclear - I will buy you a new life
Nada Surf - Do it again

...as determined by other bloggers. Though I was vain enough this year to post my own list, I have inferior collegiate musical taste and grammar, as some of my anonymous comment-leavers like to tell me. Instead, I defer to and will refer you to:

• Chris and Mike (Why Rilo Kiley?) at Instrumental Analysis (nothing from Joe so far?)
  
• Ryan's Smashing Life's 2007 Music Awards
• Eric from Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?'s has an astonishingly long list of his favorite albums of 2007. I keep meaning to mention that I worship his "If it ain't punk it's junk" series (I highly recommend volumes 3, 5, and uh...I think they go up to 12?) and basically his blog in general, but somehow I always forget to let you all in on this important piece of information. Now you know!
• Earfarm's top 10 bands to emerge in 2007.
• Bag of Song's top albums...1-10. (Yes, the blog-love is mutual.)
• The Duke's Top 27 Songs of '07 at The Late Greats
  
• I Am Fuel, You Are Friends' Fuel Favorites of 2007
• 2007's Top Albums from I Rock Cleveland
• From MOKB: Dodge's top 50 albums in 2007
  
• Music for Kids Who Can't Read Good's favorite albums of 2007

and how could I forget... Largeheartedboy has collected them all.

Yet another blogger releases a best of '07 list? Unfortunately, this time, it's me.
Here goes:

Armchair Apocrypha
Andrew Bird
After ...& the Mysterious Production of Eggs, my expectations were high for the whistling master and violin virtuoso Andrew Bird to produce another masterpiece. The album's more subdued sense of humor and somewhat darker instrumentation (more electric guitar!) work well with its title and theme...oh yes, the apocalypse. Every time I listen to "Yawny at the Apocalypse" I can feel a shiver run down my spine. At TGH's 2-year anniversary I declared Fiery Crash my favorite song of 2007, and it still holds true.

Andrew Bird - Cataracts
Buy Armchair Apocrypha from Amazon.com

Little Jabs
Two Hours Traffic
Throughout the year I've found myself continually falling in love with this album's playful take on the intersection between pop music and life. I hope you find yourself listening and giggling too. Two Hours Traffic may have begun my (bad) jokes about being addicted to Canadian artists.

Two Hours Traffic - Nighthawks
Buy Little Jabs (directly from the band)

Boxer
The National
Admittedly, I've spent more time listening to Alligator this year than Boxer, but mostly I've just spent a lot of time with the National. In "Brainy" Matt Berninger sings, "You might need me more than you think you will," and I'd agree: without the National to bring a sad smile into dark places, I think would have lost my mind this year.

The National - Apartment Story
Buy Boxer from Amazon.com

The Shepherd's Dog
Iron & Wine
This album came as a pleasant surprise. Though he's kept his beard (too bad), Sam Beam is a new man - suddenly he's comfortable with a dramatic piano, guitar solos, and a real drum part... it's crazy! And beautiful...because the man's voice keeps everything in line.

Iron & Wine - The Devil Never Sleeps
Buy the Shepherd's Dog from Amazon.com

The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Josh Ritter
Would I miss the opportunity to plug my favorite famous musically-inclined Oberlin alumnus? Never. Josh Ritter, who critics call "the new Bob (Dylan)" produced another prolific album. Beat that, Wesleyan!

Josh Ritter - Open Doors
Buy the Historical Conquests of... from Amazon.com


Page France and the Family Telephone
Page France
There's something in Michael Nau's songs that always manages to strike me unexpectedly, despite their cryptic and often whimsical lyrics and dainty instrumentation. This year I've found myself listening to ...and the Family Telephone on repeat, finding some deeper meaning for which words escape me. Goodness, what a great cop-out.

Page France - Wet Dog Afternoon
Buy ...and the Family Telephone

A Cork Tale Wake
Chris Bathgate
Not only do I love this album, but Chris Bathgate has been one of my favorite discoveries this year. Usually I'm not a fan of music that takes itself too seriously, but Bathgate's talk of life-changing moments and awakenings grabbed me. Not to mention his delicate, beautiful instrumentation.

Chris Bathgate - Serpentine
Buy A Cork Tale Wake

Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Of Montreal
This album made the list despite my disappointment after seeing them live this year. Why? Because, to state it simply, I was converted to an Of Montreal fan this year entirely because of this album.

Of Montreal - Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider
Buy Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? from Amazon.com


Peel (self-titled)
Peel
I've been dancing to this album's chaotic electro-rock city soundtrack all year and not writing about it on TGH. Shameful? Yes. Catchy? YES.

Peel - Oxford [alt link]
Buy Peel from Peek-A-Boo Records



Heroes and Sheroes
The Eames Era
This album was responsible for filling my ears with female-fronted indie pop all year, and I'm grateful. I think you'll find you are too.

The Eames Era - Could Be Anything
Buy Heroes and Sheroes from Insound



Honorable Mentions:
1990s: Cookies
LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver
Pela: Anytown Graffiti
Sea Wolf: Leaves in the River

Not on the list: Bishop Allen. This is because, for me a least, The Broken String didn't really feel like a new release. I listened to the album as though it was the remastered version of 2006's greatest hits...otherwise it would be here.

Coming soon: best songs of 2007.

Labels: Andrew Bird, chris bathgate, Eames Era, Iron and Wine, josh ritter, Of Montreal, page france, peel, the national, top list, two hours traffic

Hailing from Liverpool, Colin Close is a dreamy acoustic duo who released their debut EP at the end of September. Evidently, neither member is named Colin.* Their label, Fruit Soup, sent me an e-mail in late October with Colin Close’s self-titled EP attached. Thank goodness I downloaded it.

Rob Hamer and Jan Staunton’s music feels less like an intricately constructed score and more like the natural weaving together of two guitars. Think of a more lyrically sparse and abstract Simon and Garfunkel and you’ll be on the right track.

Colin Close - Play Circles
Colin Close - Folk 2
Buy their self-titled EP
Colin Close's website/**

*...but you wouldn't know that from their lack of promo photos (just a hint).
**get a myspace, now

P.S. - Do you like the new banner?

Labels: artist profile, colin close

TGH's favorite Scottish twee poppers have a new song, "Are You Coming Over For Christmas?" available for download on their myspace until Midnight (maybe Scotland time?) today.

Belle and Sebastian - Took Some Time For Christmas (live, peel session)

Labels: Belle and Sebastian

A rollicking song now gets a fun music video to go with it:

The Octopus Project - Truck [download or die!]
Buy Hello, Avalanche from Insound
The Octopus Project's Website

Labels: music video, octopus project

Andy Swan’s Ottawa is one of the more charming flying-under-the-radar releases I’ve heard this year. I’ve always thought that my favorite albums and pieces of music sound like the soundtrack to a movie I’d rather imagine than see, and this is no exception. Swan adds charm to his already-sweet songwriting with lulling folk and old-time country instrumentation.

I’d been falling (no, it was more like diving) in love with the (I hesitate to say) glorious “Can I pay you with sunshine?” (I think we were introduced by Quick, Before It Melts) when Ottawa snuck into my mailbox back in Virginia. When I arrived home from Ohio for Thanksgiving break it was sitting on my desk and oh, was I excited. I hope you are too.

Should I mention he's Canadian, or is it obvious?

Andy Swan - Starfucker
Andy Swan - Can I pay you with sunshine? [download or die]
(my answer: yes, Andy Swan, you can.)

Andy Swan's website/myspace
Buy Ottawa from Kelp Records

Labels: andy swan, artist profile

Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click [alt link] (download or die!)
Buy the Broken String at Bishop Allen's website

Labels: Bishop Allen, music video

Like Joe, I'm in the middle of finals, which is why the posts have recently been few and far between.
I was outside earlier today, and it was snowing so you could barely see past a block, and the wind was blowing hard. I have a paper to write, an exam to take, and a portfolio to perfect.

Oliver Future - Whispery Wintry Wind

For your enjoyment, here's a video my friend Nick showed me the other day...

(Living My Life Faster - 8 years of JK's Daily Photo Project from c71123 on Vimeo)

Wilco - When You Wake Up Feeling Old [highly rec'd!]

Labels: music video

Josh Ritter - Snow is Gone
Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter
Matt Costa - Cold December
Julie Doiron - Snow Falls on November
Iron & Wine - Faded from the Winter
Pedro the Lion - The longest winter
Matt Pond PA - Snow Day
David Gray - January Rain
Bishop Allen - Winter Coat
Jaymay - Snow White
Simon & Garfunkel - Hazy Shade of Winter
The Slip - Children of December

Labels: mixtape

Hey, folks.

I'm starting in on my finals tomorrow so I thought I'd post a few school-type songs for y'all.
1. The Jackson 5 - ABC
2. Sam Cooke - Wonderful World
3. The Pipettes - ABC

Enjoy!
--Joe

Labels: joe post, mixtape

The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses [highly rec'd!]
Buy Toothpaste Kisses EP (released Oct. 22) from Sister Ray

I am addicted to lies, smiling sweetly back across the table, catching your eye. It could be worse; at least I don't do it with words. November came and made me cold, raw skinned and forlorn, but I'm keeping it quiet, hoping you'll see through me and unfog the glass in my window with a swipe of your hand. I live in fear of the light falling out of your eyes, but I can't tell you that.

One great thing about this song: the whistling. And by the way - most of the time, the Maccabees sound like a love-struck British pop punk band.

The Maccabees - About Your Dress
Buy Colour It In from Amazon.com
The Maccabees' Website/Myspace

Labels: artist profile, maccabees, song piece

Since October, I've been enjoying the first single from Matt Costa's upcoming album, Unfamiliar Faces (see previous post), to be released January 15.

"Mr. Pitiful" sees Matt Costa shifting from the guitar-based folk music of Songs We Sing to piano pop; whether the rest of Unfamiliar Faces will share in this change is yet to be seen. Though the song is a well-orchestrated piece of pop, it lacks the subtlety of even the weaker tracks on Costa's debut. With songs ranging from "Astair" to "Yellow Taxi" to "Cold December," Songs We Sing resided in a bleak lyrical landscape, capturing the idea that change, even for the better, always leaves something behind.

However the album ends up, I don't think Matt Costa has lost the songwriting ability that I've come to love - he's merely lost touch. He's contributed beautiful, stand-alone tracks to great soundtrack after great soundtrack since Songs We Sing's release in 2005 - I just hope the pop bliss of "Mr. Pitiful" isn't representative of the rest of Unfamiliar Faces.

Matt Costa - Mr. Pitiful [Unfamiliar Faces]
Matt Costa - Acting Like A Fool (highly rec'd!) [Matt Costa EP]
Matt Costa - The Road [A Brokedown Melody Soundtrack]

Pre-order Unfamiliar Faces from Amazon.com
Matt Costa's Website/Myspace

The Alarmists - Light A Smoke [highly rec'd!]

Let's run down dark alleys holding hands, through the smell that lingers around restaurant kitchen doors, through the steam arising from the sewers. The night is ours, we're ignorant and unafraid.

Tomorrow morning the daylight will return to these streets, the wet asphalt will sparkle with rain to replace the winking stars. We'll be free of this city, riding in cars, on airplanes and trains. We'll have escaped, and the smoke will trail behind us like a cloak.

...And we'll celebrate with power chords. Fans of Bloc Party, watch out.

The Alarmists - Hired Gun
Buy the Ghost and the Hired Gun at Amazon.com (also iTunes)
The Alarmists' Website/Myspace

Labels: artist profile, song piece, the alarmists

John Bustine - Miss Amputee, West Culver County [alt link] [highly rec'd!]

Like the best of unhappy folk singers, John Bustine's rough-hewn voice wages war against the cheerful tones of his guitar strings, who love nothing more than the feel of his fingers and pick. I can imagine him somewhere in DC, sitting in a bar, drink in hand, his back against the wall, ignoring the yuppies and saying nothing.

You took your heels, your stitched up sleeves,
and your phantom pains on an unpaid leave;
but whatever led you to believe
there was more to life than this?

So go on, god speed:
go sail the mountains or climb the seas;
go be everything you deserve to be
as a statewide finalist.

John Bustine - This Guitar Says I'm Drunk [alt link]
Buy Waltzes and Pleas from Gypsy Eyes Records
John Bustine's Myspace

(Note for John Bustine: You don't have to be made of money to have a website...)

Labels: artist profile, DC street cred, john bustine