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.
Here goes:
Armchair ApocryphaAndrew 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 JabsTwo 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)
BoxerThe 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 DogIron & 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 RitterJosh 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 TelephonePage 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 WakeChris 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 SheroesThe 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
Happy birthday, blog. For the first year you cried and slept a lot; this past year you moved on to crawling...maybe now you'll waddle? (like a duck) Even when I abandoned you for 4 months, you were still there when I came back. I appreciate that. I also should thank Harris for providing file hosting and generally rocking my world.
Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash
This is my favorite song of the blog year thus far. I'm always been amazed at the way Andrew Bird makes lines like "beige tiles and magazines / Lou Dobbs and the CNN team" work as part of his narrative. In the case of "Fiery Crash" the narrative is a sarcastic one. The world could end any moment now, so "to save all our lives you've got to envision / the fiery crash." The song plays as a big musical joke on the current terrorism-fearing security complex: it's "just a nod to mortality / before you get on a plane."
It remains a mystery to me why when music critics (bloggers are guilty too) talk about the National, for example, their music is spoken of as innately political. When Andrew Bird in the artist in question, we get the "multi-instrumentalist", the man who whistles, who recorded his album in a big barn, spending months by himself without any music but his own. No mention of his commentary on the current state of world affairs.
(Update: I forgot to mention - Happy birthday John McCain!)
Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash
This is my favorite song of the blog year thus far. I'm always been amazed at the way Andrew Bird makes lines like "beige tiles and magazines / Lou Dobbs and the CNN team" work as part of his narrative. In the case of "Fiery Crash" the narrative is a sarcastic one. The world could end any moment now, so "to save all our lives you've got to envision / the fiery crash." The song plays as a big musical joke on the current terrorism-fearing security complex: it's "just a nod to mortality / before you get on a plane."
It remains a mystery to me why when music critics (bloggers are guilty too) talk about the National, for example, their music is spoken of as innately political. When Andrew Bird in the artist in question, we get the "multi-instrumentalist", the man who whistles, who recorded his album in a big barn, spending months by himself without any music but his own. No mention of his commentary on the current state of world affairs.
(Update: I forgot to mention - Happy birthday John McCain!)
Labels: Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird "Imitosis" Music Video
0 Comments Published by Kate on Thursday at 8/16/2007 12:20:00 PM.
Thanks to the Music Slut for the heads-up.
Andrew Bird - Imitosis
Download his concert at the 9:30 club in May here.
P.S. - the new Jose Gonzalez video for "Killing for Love" is even creepier than the one for "Down the Line." Ewww.
Andrew Bird - Imitosis
Download his concert at the 9:30 club in May here.
P.S. - the new Jose Gonzalez video for "Killing for Love" is even creepier than the one for "Down the Line." Ewww.
Labels: Andrew Bird, music video
Question: How is Hillary Clinton like the Titanic?
0 Comments Published by Kate on at 6/21/2007 09:30:00 AM.
The Answer: Celine Dion...you can only fully understand how god-awful this is once you've heard the song, and I wouldn't want to direct you to someplace where you could possibly make a donation to the Clinton campaign. So hear it on YouTube.
Despite the fact that Giuliani's running his entire campaign on natural security, Iraq just isn't that high of a priority for him.
- The National played at the 9:30 Club last night, NPR's going to have some audio up later (update: no download, too bad). In the meanwhile you can console yourself by downloading Andrew Bird's 9:30 club show in May. The full concert.
- new Islands tracks have been leaked, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't realize there was another album in progress until yesterday. Yikes! I guess I'm floating has 3 new tracks posted here and here. Previously: My girlishly excited post on Islands at the 9:30 Club last March.
- Oh No! Oh My! has a new EP, Between the Devil and the Sea, to be released on August 7th. They're also touring, heading over to Cleveland on August 16 and DC on September 5. Hate Something Beautiful has more info.
- There's a new Beirut album being released on October 9, no title yet, but we've got the tracklist and some tour dates (they've skipped my cities, darn it).
- Midlake is touring this fall, and will be crashing in DC on September 6 and Cleveland on uh...9-11? some more dates.
(buy Oh No! Oh My! on Amazon.com)
Beirut - Elephant Gun
(buy Lon Gisland EP on eMusic)
I have massive quantities of great new music I need to post on sitting on my computer right now, I just need to stop procrastinating...
Labels: Andrew Bird, Beirut, Clinton, Giuliani, Islands, Midlake, oh no oh my, the national
Download dump or "the Arctic Monkeys crack down on blog leaks"
0 Comments Published by Kate on at 4/12/2007 04:35:00 PM.
I haven't posted about a number of new releases that I really like, so in compensation, here are some tracks:
(I wonder which one I'm going to be asked to take down within the hour? hmm...)
Arctic Monkeys - The Bad Thing
See the title of this post.
Pre-order Favourite Worst Nightmare (to be released on April 24)
Andrew Bird - Cataracts
I'm completely in love with Andrew Bird's new album, in case you were wondering.
Buy Armchair Apocrypha
Bloc Party - Cain Said to Abel
Buy A Weekend in the City
Menomena - The Pelican
Buy Friend and Foe
So why haven't I posted on say...Arcade Fire, The Shins, or Modest Mouse? Simply put, Arcade Fire really isn't my kind of music and the new Modest Mouse album was a major letdown. Wincing the Night Away is still growing on me, as is Pocket Symphony.
(I wonder which one I'm going to be asked to take down within the hour? hmm...)
Arctic Monkeys - The Bad Thing
See the title of this post.
Pre-order Favourite Worst Nightmare (to be released on April 24)
Andrew Bird - Cataracts
I'm completely in love with Andrew Bird's new album, in case you were wondering.
Buy Armchair Apocrypha
Bloc Party - Cain Said to Abel
Buy A Weekend in the City
Menomena - The Pelican
Buy Friend and Foe
So why haven't I posted on say...Arcade Fire, The Shins, or Modest Mouse? Simply put, Arcade Fire really isn't my kind of music and the new Modest Mouse album was a major letdown. Wincing the Night Away is still growing on me, as is Pocket Symphony.
Labels: Andrew Bird, Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Menomena
Since I can safely assume all my old readers left in the 4 or so months since I took a break from blogging,
........no one's going to read this
Or download...(what everyone else and their mom is posting)
Of Montreal - Suffer for Fashion
Andrew Bird - Plasticities
Bloc Party - The Once and Future King
I'll be back with more substantial posts in the near future, I promise.
In the meanwhile, feel free to listen to me 6 am on Mondays (east coast time) on WOBC, which you can webcast here.
........no one's going to read this
Or download...(what everyone else and their mom is posting)
Of Montreal - Suffer for Fashion
Andrew Bird - Plasticities
Bloc Party - The Once and Future King
I'll be back with more substantial posts in the near future, I promise.
In the meanwhile, feel free to listen to me 6 am on Mondays (east coast time) on WOBC, which you can webcast here.
Labels: Andrew Bird, Bloc Party, Of Montreal
