Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Top Thirty Zombie/Virus Movies
With the remake of The Crazies hitting theaters this weekend, I figured I would tackle my personal favorite movies dealing with zombies or infection.
I planned on having it be a top ten list but I kept remembering more and more great films so it expanded to thirty.
These movies do not include possession, just people coming back from the dead or being infected by a batshit disease so don't expect Evil Dead or anything along those lines.
WARNING: I am going to try and find the bloodiest pictures I can so if you can't handle it then you shouldn't even be on this site in the first place.
30. Resident Evil
The main reason I included this is because of the awesome scene in that tunnel/hallway where everybody gets cut into like a thousand pieces. It's not incredible by any means, but that's why it's at thirty and not one.
P.S. If I can't find any bloody pictures I'll just put up sexy ones instead.
29. Fido
A humorous little film about a boy who keeps a zombie as a pet...then it eats a neighbor. It's surprisingly heartwarming.
28. [REC]
A claustrophobic spanish horror film about a news reporter who is trapped in an apartment complex with infected tenants. Sound familiar? That's because they remade it and named it Quarantine. Check out the original it's a lot scarier. Unless you're illiterate or are too lazy to read subtitles.
P.P.S. I found a picture that's both gory AND sexy!
27. Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Most remakes suck, but you can't really go wrong with a zombie remake. Especially if it's directed by the great Tom Savini who is the master of horror makeup and special effects.
26. Dead and Breakfast
It's a horror film! It's a comedy!! It's a musical!!! It's pretty low budget, but worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre or like Kung Fu's David Carradine (who doesn't*?).
*didn't (Too soon?)
25. Land of the Dead
Say what you will about this movie, the fact is George A. Romero is still making good zombie films well into his 70's. Although it's flawed and wasn't worth the 20 year wait for him to return to the genre, I can think of a lot worse horror films than this.
24. Pet Cemetery
AHH!
23. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
In 2071, almost 60 years after we all die (it has to be true, John Cusack and Danny Glover said so!), the first batch of new and improved humans (equipped with two ring fingers on each hand) will find a copy of the Dawn of the Dead remake. They will watch it (with their second brain) and they will learn something more important than any historical document could ever tell them. Ving Rhames is a fucking badass. If anything can represent our civilization please let it be that fact.
22. Doomsday
A deadly virus breaks out in Scotland so everyone is quarantined and left to die. Many years later there are two groups of survivors left which means they are immune. A smokin' chick with one eye has to go in and find the cure and fight off medieval knights and 80's punks. It's incredibly underrated.
21. 28 Days Later
A haunting film about the beginning of a virus outbreak in England. Beautifully shot, acted and scored (thanks to Godspeed You Black Emperor).
20. The Serpent and the Rainbow
Bill Pullman (or was it Bill Paxton? I get those two mixed up all the time) is an ethnobotanisthropologistdoctor who is sent to the Amazon jungle to find out more about a drug that supposedly brings people back to life. It scared the shit out of me. I looked, it was Bill Pullman.
19. The Crazies (1973)
A biological military weapon is accidentally released in a small town causing it's occupants to go CRAZY (wink). It's very controversial for a 70's movie with quite a bit of gore, a dash of incest and a pinch of CRAZY-ness.
P.P.P.S. For some reason, the only picture I could find that would work is of these two goofy guys. Sorry!
18. 28 Weeks Later
Yeah that's right. I thought the sequel was better. Sue me*.
*in Monopoly dollars (Gotchya!)
17. Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI
This is the part where Jason comes back to life and becomes an unstoppable force of badass. It's the funniest entry of the series and is one of the most enjoyable to watch.
16. Shivers
One of the first films by the great David Cronenberg. Big slugs make their way into peoples bodies, infecting them with a disease that makes them extremely violent and sexually aroused. Fun for the whole family!
15. Dead Alive
Before Peter Jackson was making movies about dancing hobbits, he made hilarious horror films. Dead Alive aka Braindead is about people in a New Zealand town who turn to zombies after being bitten by a Rat-Monkey. It's ridiculous and it's the bloodiest movie I've ever seen.
14. Carriers
This little film went unnoticed last year. It's about four people driving cross country and trying to avoid becoming victims of a terrible disease. It focuses more on the characters than gore or terror and it's beautifully shot. Warning, it's a bit of a downer.
13. Plan 9 From Outer Space
You should have heard about this movie by now. It's heavily regarded as the worst movie of all time. Here's a quick plot recap if you don't know. Aliens turn dead humans into zombies (and vampires?) to cause chaos so Earth's scientists don't create a bomb that will destroy the universe. It's not bad in the sense that Transformers 2 was bad, it's so low budget and cheesy that it's hilarious.
12. Zombi 2
The original Dawn of the Dead was named Zombi in Italy. This isn't a direct sequel at all, they just named it Zombi 2 so it would sell. It's a great movie though, with really creative death and gore. AND A ZOMBIE FIGHTS A FUCKING SHARK.
11. Zombieland
Considering this is the most recent film on the list, I'm assuming a lot of you saw it already. Someone was smart enough to say "Let's just make a hilarious movie about people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse...and let's throw in Woody Harrelson playing a banjo". Whoever that person was, is a god damn genius. Not to mention (SPOILER ALERT) Bill Fucking Murray.
10. Slither
An underrated horror comedy from 2006. It's got a little bit of everything. Alien slugs, zombies, lot's of blood, one-liners and Nathan Fillion. Oh, and it's romanctic too. Check it out if you haven't already.
9. Cabin Fever
I know a lot of people dislike this movie. After many viewings I still can't see why. It's a great homage to older horror films. It's funny, disgusting and it has Shawn from Boy Meets World. If anything has ANYONE from Boy Meets World in it, it's great in my book.
8. Return of the Living Dead
This is basically the unofficial sequel to Night of the Living Dead. It was made by the guy who co-wrote Night of the Living Dead with George A. Romero, some guy that no one really remembers. The funny thing is, it's really great. It's so incredibly 80's that I can't even fathom or explain how 80's it is. It has so many memorable parts and cheesy dialogue. It's one of the reasons people like zombie movies so much in the first place. The idea of people coming back from the dead is ridiculous so that's what this movie is, ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome.
7. Day of the Dead
This film had many issues with it. The budget was basically cut in half so they couldn't film some of the key scenes, including one of an epic zombie vs. human fight. It's sort of a slow movie too. So why did I put it up so high? Two reasons. One, the effects and gore are really impressive for it being an 80's film. Two, Bub. Who is Bub? Only one of the greatest characters in the history of ever. Just watch it. If you have already, you'll know what I mean.
6. Planet Terror
Coupled with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, this was the first film in the double feature Grindhouse. Made by Robert Rodriguez, the man behind the El Mariachi trilogy and Sin City, Planet Terror is about a zombie outbreak that happens because of some chemical created by the government that has to do with Osama Bin Laden. The plot is out there, well the whole film is out there. It's just a lot of fun. People don't like zombie movies for a good plot anyways. It's full of one-liners, cameos and blood and that's all you really need.
5. Re-Animator
God bless the 80's. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator is about the great Herbert West. A "doctor" who experiments with bringing people back to life. Hilarity and many other things ensue, including a zombie cat and a certain famous "sex" scene between a zombie and human.
4. Night of the Creeps
After years of petitions and message boards, this 1986 film finally got released on DVD in October. I'm sure you could have caught it at 2 in the morning every now and then. It has a huge cult following and for a good reason, this is a movie made by horror fans for horror fans. The makers knew what it was, a B-movie and they embraced that fact. It has everything you could want. From the 50's opening at lovers lane where a meteor crashes to earth, an escaped psychopath with an axe, alien slugs, 80's music, zombies, cryogenic freezing, Tom Atkins and a hot chick with a flamethrower. Convinced yet?
3. Shaun of the Dead
One of the greatest horror comedies or zomedy if you will. Created by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, who I'm sure have seen every film imaginable and aren't afraid to admit it. Packed with movie references, hilarious dialogue and countless other things, this is a movie that would even please people that don't like the genre. So go fucking watch it already!
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
This classic basically started the zombie genre. Although it isn't scary now, it was terrifying back then. People hadn't seen anything like it. It was subversive and even controversial. I'm sure modern audiences would find it boring but you have to respect it for what it is and it's a damn good movie.
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
A group of survivors take shelter in a shopping mall during the zombie apocalypse. It sparked the movement of 80's slasher films considering this was the goriest movie of it's time. It's one of the only horror films that received all positive reviews during it's release. It isn't just a mindless horror movie, it has a deeper message about consumerism which was extremely significant at the time. Everything like the amazing effects by Tom Savini, the acting, the score by Italian glam rock band Goblin and the writing and directing of George A. Romero is spot on. This is not only the greatest zombie film but it's arguably the greatest horror film of all time.
I planned on having it be a top ten list but I kept remembering more and more great films so it expanded to thirty.
These movies do not include possession, just people coming back from the dead or being infected by a batshit disease so don't expect Evil Dead or anything along those lines.
WARNING: I am going to try and find the bloodiest pictures I can so if you can't handle it then you shouldn't even be on this site in the first place.
30. Resident Evil
The main reason I included this is because of the awesome scene in that tunnel/hallway where everybody gets cut into like a thousand pieces. It's not incredible by any means, but that's why it's at thirty and not one.
P.S. If I can't find any bloody pictures I'll just put up sexy ones instead.
29. Fido
A humorous little film about a boy who keeps a zombie as a pet...then it eats a neighbor. It's surprisingly heartwarming.
28. [REC]
A claustrophobic spanish horror film about a news reporter who is trapped in an apartment complex with infected tenants. Sound familiar? That's because they remade it and named it Quarantine. Check out the original it's a lot scarier. Unless you're illiterate or are too lazy to read subtitles.
P.P.S. I found a picture that's both gory AND sexy!
27. Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Most remakes suck, but you can't really go wrong with a zombie remake. Especially if it's directed by the great Tom Savini who is the master of horror makeup and special effects.
26. Dead and Breakfast
It's a horror film! It's a comedy!! It's a musical!!! It's pretty low budget, but worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre or like Kung Fu's David Carradine (who doesn't*?).
*didn't (Too soon?)
25. Land of the Dead
Say what you will about this movie, the fact is George A. Romero is still making good zombie films well into his 70's. Although it's flawed and wasn't worth the 20 year wait for him to return to the genre, I can think of a lot worse horror films than this.
24. Pet Cemetery
AHH!
23. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
In 2071, almost 60 years after we all die (it has to be true, John Cusack and Danny Glover said so!), the first batch of new and improved humans (equipped with two ring fingers on each hand) will find a copy of the Dawn of the Dead remake. They will watch it (with their second brain) and they will learn something more important than any historical document could ever tell them. Ving Rhames is a fucking badass. If anything can represent our civilization please let it be that fact.
22. Doomsday
A deadly virus breaks out in Scotland so everyone is quarantined and left to die. Many years later there are two groups of survivors left which means they are immune. A smokin' chick with one eye has to go in and find the cure and fight off medieval knights and 80's punks. It's incredibly underrated.
21. 28 Days Later
A haunting film about the beginning of a virus outbreak in England. Beautifully shot, acted and scored (thanks to Godspeed You Black Emperor).
20. The Serpent and the Rainbow
Bill Pullman (or was it Bill Paxton? I get those two mixed up all the time) is an ethnobotanisthropologistdoctor who is sent to the Amazon jungle to find out more about a drug that supposedly brings people back to life. It scared the shit out of me. I looked, it was Bill Pullman.
19. The Crazies (1973)
A biological military weapon is accidentally released in a small town causing it's occupants to go CRAZY (wink). It's very controversial for a 70's movie with quite a bit of gore, a dash of incest and a pinch of CRAZY-ness.
P.P.P.S. For some reason, the only picture I could find that would work is of these two goofy guys. Sorry!
18. 28 Weeks Later
Yeah that's right. I thought the sequel was better. Sue me*.
*in Monopoly dollars (Gotchya!)
17. Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI
This is the part where Jason comes back to life and becomes an unstoppable force of badass. It's the funniest entry of the series and is one of the most enjoyable to watch.
16. Shivers
One of the first films by the great David Cronenberg. Big slugs make their way into peoples bodies, infecting them with a disease that makes them extremely violent and sexually aroused. Fun for the whole family!
15. Dead Alive
Before Peter Jackson was making movies about dancing hobbits, he made hilarious horror films. Dead Alive aka Braindead is about people in a New Zealand town who turn to zombies after being bitten by a Rat-Monkey. It's ridiculous and it's the bloodiest movie I've ever seen.
14. Carriers
This little film went unnoticed last year. It's about four people driving cross country and trying to avoid becoming victims of a terrible disease. It focuses more on the characters than gore or terror and it's beautifully shot. Warning, it's a bit of a downer.
13. Plan 9 From Outer Space
You should have heard about this movie by now. It's heavily regarded as the worst movie of all time. Here's a quick plot recap if you don't know. Aliens turn dead humans into zombies (and vampires?) to cause chaos so Earth's scientists don't create a bomb that will destroy the universe. It's not bad in the sense that Transformers 2 was bad, it's so low budget and cheesy that it's hilarious.
12. Zombi 2
The original Dawn of the Dead was named Zombi in Italy. This isn't a direct sequel at all, they just named it Zombi 2 so it would sell. It's a great movie though, with really creative death and gore. AND A ZOMBIE FIGHTS A FUCKING SHARK.
11. Zombieland
Considering this is the most recent film on the list, I'm assuming a lot of you saw it already. Someone was smart enough to say "Let's just make a hilarious movie about people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse...and let's throw in Woody Harrelson playing a banjo". Whoever that person was, is a god damn genius. Not to mention (SPOILER ALERT) Bill Fucking Murray.
10. Slither
An underrated horror comedy from 2006. It's got a little bit of everything. Alien slugs, zombies, lot's of blood, one-liners and Nathan Fillion. Oh, and it's romanctic too. Check it out if you haven't already.
9. Cabin Fever
I know a lot of people dislike this movie. After many viewings I still can't see why. It's a great homage to older horror films. It's funny, disgusting and it has Shawn from Boy Meets World. If anything has ANYONE from Boy Meets World in it, it's great in my book.
8. Return of the Living Dead
This is basically the unofficial sequel to Night of the Living Dead. It was made by the guy who co-wrote Night of the Living Dead with George A. Romero, some guy that no one really remembers. The funny thing is, it's really great. It's so incredibly 80's that I can't even fathom or explain how 80's it is. It has so many memorable parts and cheesy dialogue. It's one of the reasons people like zombie movies so much in the first place. The idea of people coming back from the dead is ridiculous so that's what this movie is, ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome.
7. Day of the Dead
This film had many issues with it. The budget was basically cut in half so they couldn't film some of the key scenes, including one of an epic zombie vs. human fight. It's sort of a slow movie too. So why did I put it up so high? Two reasons. One, the effects and gore are really impressive for it being an 80's film. Two, Bub. Who is Bub? Only one of the greatest characters in the history of ever. Just watch it. If you have already, you'll know what I mean.
6. Planet Terror
Coupled with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, this was the first film in the double feature Grindhouse. Made by Robert Rodriguez, the man behind the El Mariachi trilogy and Sin City, Planet Terror is about a zombie outbreak that happens because of some chemical created by the government that has to do with Osama Bin Laden. The plot is out there, well the whole film is out there. It's just a lot of fun. People don't like zombie movies for a good plot anyways. It's full of one-liners, cameos and blood and that's all you really need.
5. Re-Animator
God bless the 80's. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator is about the great Herbert West. A "doctor" who experiments with bringing people back to life. Hilarity and many other things ensue, including a zombie cat and a certain famous "sex" scene between a zombie and human.
4. Night of the Creeps
After years of petitions and message boards, this 1986 film finally got released on DVD in October. I'm sure you could have caught it at 2 in the morning every now and then. It has a huge cult following and for a good reason, this is a movie made by horror fans for horror fans. The makers knew what it was, a B-movie and they embraced that fact. It has everything you could want. From the 50's opening at lovers lane where a meteor crashes to earth, an escaped psychopath with an axe, alien slugs, 80's music, zombies, cryogenic freezing, Tom Atkins and a hot chick with a flamethrower. Convinced yet?
3. Shaun of the Dead
One of the greatest horror comedies or zomedy if you will. Created by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, who I'm sure have seen every film imaginable and aren't afraid to admit it. Packed with movie references, hilarious dialogue and countless other things, this is a movie that would even please people that don't like the genre. So go fucking watch it already!
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
This classic basically started the zombie genre. Although it isn't scary now, it was terrifying back then. People hadn't seen anything like it. It was subversive and even controversial. I'm sure modern audiences would find it boring but you have to respect it for what it is and it's a damn good movie.
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
A group of survivors take shelter in a shopping mall during the zombie apocalypse. It sparked the movement of 80's slasher films considering this was the goriest movie of it's time. It's one of the only horror films that received all positive reviews during it's release. It isn't just a mindless horror movie, it has a deeper message about consumerism which was extremely significant at the time. Everything like the amazing effects by Tom Savini, the acting, the score by Italian glam rock band Goblin and the writing and directing of George A. Romero is spot on. This is not only the greatest zombie film but it's arguably the greatest horror film of all time.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Ballyhoo #3: Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
Disc 1
1. Easy
2. Have One On Me
3. '81
4. Good Intentions Paving Company
5. No Provenance
6. Baby Birch
Disc 2
1. On A Good Day
2. You And Me, Bess
3. In California
4. Jackrabbits
5. Go Long
6. Occident
Disc 3
1. Soft As Chalk
2. Esme
3. Autumn
4. Ribbon Bows
5. Kingfisher
6. Does Not Suffice
Only two more weeks...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Top Ten Beards In Horror Films
The greatest top ten list in the history of the interwebs. I really wish this was my list but alas it is not.
WIthout further adieu, the top ten beards in horror films via dreadcentral.com
WARNING: IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF HEART PROBLEMS OR ARE PREGNANT, I ADVISE YOU TO NOT LOOK AT PICTURES OF THESE AMAZING BUT BEASTLY BEARDS.
http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35077/top-ten-greatest-beards-horror-history
Monday, February 1, 2010
THIS JUST IN
78-year-old actor Rip Torn got completely wasted and broke into a bank with a loaded revolver late Friday night. He failed at the robbery but succeeded in making me giggle all over the place.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Ballyhoo #2: 2010 Albums
Welcome back everyone (nobody) that reads this! It's 2010! Get your Hover Cars and Time Machines ready! 2009 was a pretty great year for music, let's see if 2010 can do any better.
I'm going to post the ten albums that I'm most excited for this year. It's already a few weeks in and I've already heard a few albums so I'll mention the great ones right now.
Beach House - Teen Dream
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Spoon - Transference
Delphic - Acolyte
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
If you haven't heard these yet, I recommend every single one.
Okay, here are the top albums (in order of excitement level) I can't wait to hear.
10. MGMT - Congratulations
I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them open for of Montreal 5 years ago. I feel like they can expand their sound much more and am extremely anxious to hear what they have planned next.
9. of Montreal - False Priest
I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them close for MGMT 5 years ago. I don't think they can expand their sound much more but they haven't put out a mediocre album yet!
8. The Morning Benders - Big Echo
I'd be willing to bet that this band becomes pretty big in the independent community this year. Their first album, though flawed, was a very impressive debut and their sophomore is going to be produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor who is the shit.
7. Band of Horses - Night Rainbow
It's been awhile since we've heard from these guys so I'm expecting something great. Also, it has a pretty title.
6. Panda Bear - TBA
2009 was the year of Animal Collective. At least for me. They put out a great album and an even greater EP and I got the chance to see them in September and they blew me away. One of the main members is Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear. Lennox's album Person Pitch was fantastic and judging on the live songs I've heard, his new one is going to be incredible.
5. Interpol - TBA
Their first two albums are almost perfect and their third was pretty bad, but they say they are going back to their roots and it's going to sound more like their first so I'll put my faith and trust in them.
4. The National - TBA
Their albums progressively get better. Their last, Boxer, is one of my favorites of all time. If the pattern keeps up, my head is going to explode.
3. Arcade Fire - TBA
I don't need to say much here. If you know who Arcade Fire is, then I'm sure you're just as excited as I am. Not to mention Owen Pallett (who does the string arrangements) says it's one of the best albums he's heard.
2. Fleet Foxes - TBA
I love sophomore albums. I feel like if a debut is incredible and they have more time, money and experience, then their next can be even better. I can't even begin to fathom that, considering the awesomeness that is Fleet Foxes.
1. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
I know people will disagree with me. Hell, some people can't even listen to Joanna Newsom without cringing or turning it off. She's definitely an acquired taste. But her first album, The Milk Eyed Mender is my favorite album of the last decade. Her second, Ys was flawed but it produced the song Emily which is definitely one of my favorite songs in existence. This is the most excited I've been since Radiohead announced In Rainbows.
I'll do a few followups with release dates, album titles and album covers. And I'll do one big one after I've heard all of them. Feel free to post the albums you're most excited for.
I'm going to post the ten albums that I'm most excited for this year. It's already a few weeks in and I've already heard a few albums so I'll mention the great ones right now.
Beach House - Teen Dream
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Spoon - Transference
Delphic - Acolyte
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
If you haven't heard these yet, I recommend every single one.
Okay, here are the top albums (in order of excitement level) I can't wait to hear.
10. MGMT - Congratulations
I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them open for of Montreal 5 years ago. I feel like they can expand their sound much more and am extremely anxious to hear what they have planned next.
9. of Montreal - False Priest
I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them close for MGMT 5 years ago. I don't think they can expand their sound much more but they haven't put out a mediocre album yet!
8. The Morning Benders - Big Echo
I'd be willing to bet that this band becomes pretty big in the independent community this year. Their first album, though flawed, was a very impressive debut and their sophomore is going to be produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor who is the shit.
7. Band of Horses - Night Rainbow
It's been awhile since we've heard from these guys so I'm expecting something great. Also, it has a pretty title.
6. Panda Bear - TBA
2009 was the year of Animal Collective. At least for me. They put out a great album and an even greater EP and I got the chance to see them in September and they blew me away. One of the main members is Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear. Lennox's album Person Pitch was fantastic and judging on the live songs I've heard, his new one is going to be incredible.
5. Interpol - TBA
Their first two albums are almost perfect and their third was pretty bad, but they say they are going back to their roots and it's going to sound more like their first so I'll put my faith and trust in them.
4. The National - TBA
Their albums progressively get better. Their last, Boxer, is one of my favorites of all time. If the pattern keeps up, my head is going to explode.
3. Arcade Fire - TBA
I don't need to say much here. If you know who Arcade Fire is, then I'm sure you're just as excited as I am. Not to mention Owen Pallett (who does the string arrangements) says it's one of the best albums he's heard.
2. Fleet Foxes - TBA
I love sophomore albums. I feel like if a debut is incredible and they have more time, money and experience, then their next can be even better. I can't even begin to fathom that, considering the awesomeness that is Fleet Foxes.
1. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
I know people will disagree with me. Hell, some people can't even listen to Joanna Newsom without cringing or turning it off. She's definitely an acquired taste. But her first album, The Milk Eyed Mender is my favorite album of the last decade. Her second, Ys was flawed but it produced the song Emily which is definitely one of my favorite songs in existence. This is the most excited I've been since Radiohead announced In Rainbows.
I'll do a few followups with release dates, album titles and album covers. And I'll do one big one after I've heard all of them. Feel free to post the albums you're most excited for.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
THIS JUST IN
Lo-Fi Garage Punk musician Jay Reatard passed away in his sleep last night. I didn't really like his music or know much about him, but it's the right thing to talk about it and share this news.
The only unfortunate thing is that I'm positive the news of him pissing all over his band mates during a live show will overshadow the news of his passing.
R.I.P. you crazy bastard...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Top 30 Albums of 2009
I'll spare you the usual paragraph at the beginning of my posts and just say here are my 30 personal favorite albums of what I thought was one of the best years for music in a long, long time.
30. The xx - xx
This band of childhood friends came out of left field this year. The first time I heard a description of them, the term R&B was brought up so I just passed them off. A few months later, after Jonathan was obsessing over them, I decided to give them a shot. The first three songs are incredible and although their routine slightly tires after the halfway mark, it's still an amazing feat for a first album.
29. Volcano Choir - Unmap
I'm sure quite a few of you know who Justin Vernon is, or at least are aware of his band Bon Iver. This side-project teams up Vernon with the Wisconsin-based Math Rock band Collections Of Colonies Of Bees. Although loops and noises replace the acoustic guitars and simple drums of his previous work, there's still the sense of isolation and cabin fever.
28. Beirut - March Of The Zapotec/Realpeople Holland
Zach Condon released these two very different EP's as one album. March Of The Zapotec is influenced by a trip Condon took to Mexico, and fittingly consists of horns, accordions and crash cymbals. Realpeople Holland has layers of synth and pulsing drums and must have been influenced by a trip to outer space.
27. Castanets - Texas Rose, The Beasts And The Thaw
Castanets is Raymond Raposa. One of the pioneers of the freak folk movement. A mountain man (probably not) with a deep, unnerving voice and songs about snow, churches and countless other things. I love folk music but there reaches a point when it all starts to sound the same. Well, not here.
26. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
The first album from this New York City band was one of the many albums to come out in 2009 that sounded like it belonged to 1986. With heavy snare hits, poppy synths and vocals about teenagers falling in love, it sounds like I'm describing the soundtrack to Sixteen Candles. Get out your neon pink headbands.
25. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Fever Ray is the solo project of The Knife's Karen Dreijer Andersson. Almost every song was released as a single, and that perfectly sums up how good it actually is. There's rarely a low point here. Using synths (not in the traditional sense) and dark, creepy vibes, she created a mysterious album that I don't recommend listening to alone at night.
24. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Vs. Children
Equipped with a rough, low voice and old school electronics, Owen Ashworth explores the concept of children. Bearing them, raising them, aborting them and leaving them and your wife home alone on Christmas while you make a living as a traveling salesman. With catchy, sometimes humorous lyrics one moment and heart-wrenching confessions the next.
23. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
Three girls who would look fitting behind a desk at a library, vintage synthesizers, film director David Lynch's favorite band, beautifully woven music with many textures of smooth synths and angelic voices. The best album so far from one of the better up and coming bands of late.
22. David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
The first full-length from David Bazan since he broke up his Pedro The Lion moniker. He's always been a religious man and has expressed that in his previous releases, well I don't know what happened but his opinions have changed. "Wait just a minute/You expect me to believe/That all this misbehaving/Grew from one enchanted tree?" Over the past few years Bazan battled alcoholism and after breaking free from that, he released one of his best albums to date and definitely his most controversial. Whether you agree with what he sings about or not, it's a man being honest with what he is going through and it's more intimate than most other musicians would dare to get.
21. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
For a band who has been around for more than twenty five years, it's incredible that they can still release an album that feels different and fresh. They scrapped the over-production that plagued At War With The Mystics and approached a more simple technique to recording these songs. It almost feels as if you are standing with them in a worn basement as they run though these loud tracks. It's a perfect blend of the sonic psychedelia of their recent releases and the raw power of their early work. One of my favorite albums is The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips and I came to the realization that they would never top it. No, they still haven't but they got pretty damn close.
20. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Summer Of Fear
Miles Robinson released his first, self-titled album as a CD-R to distribute amongst friends and family. It was produced by Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio and Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and it must have gotten in the right hands at some point because it became pretty well known in the indie market. His second album Summer of Fear produced by Malone again, plays out as a screenplay, shuffling between scenes depicting hard times, broken hearts and skinned knees. The title describes the vibe of the album very well. It's not a happy one folks, but it's an amazing sophomore album nonetheless.
19. J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
Usually when members of bands release solo albums, they aren't very good. Especially if they're the drummer. Well J. Tillman, who provides drums for the amazing Fleet Foxes is the exception, and this is the first of two albums he released this year alone. Almost anyone can pick up an acoustic guitar, learn a few chords and sing a song. It takes more than that to create something worthwhile. This batch of songs, as simple as they are, contains whatever that is.
18. The Dodos - Time To Die
This duo blew my mind with their previous album Visiter and although Time To Die isn't as good, it's still a great album and if they keep releasing catchy folk songs with ridonkulous percussion and well written melodies like these, they'll stay ahead of the game.
17. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
There have been a lot of electronic albums this year and a lot of them have been beautifully produced with layers and layers of synths, new and interesting ideas, incredible loops etc. Well Alan Palomo turned that shit around and released a bunch of lo-fi songs using old synthesizers I'm sure no one would dare to even play. No, it's not groundbreaking or fresh and they aren't particularly amazing tracks but it's fun damn it and that's why it's so charming.
16. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Karen O has had a great year. With a guest appearance on The Flaming Lips Embryonic, the score for Where The Wild Things Are and this amazing third album from her band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There was talk of a style change with It's Blitz! and that had me worried. It's Blitz! is more approachable than their previous releases and focuses more on perfectly produced electronics and layers than their raw vibes of Fever To Tell. Such significant changes aren't usually a good thing but even though they completely abandoned the sound they were known for, it actually worked and succeeded most people's expectations.
15. Memory Tapes - Seek Magic
The Neon Indian album was a lot of fun, but when I talked about albums with beautiful synth textures and layers, I had Seek Magic in mind. The production is amazing enough to send chills down your back. There are so many gorgeous parts and perfectly planned out chords and moments that make up this album. It's by far the best full blown electronic album of the year.
14. Foreign Born - Person To Person
Grizzly Bear front man Ed Droste raved about these guys a lot so I decided to give them a listen and was more than impressed. What could have been your average run of the mill rock album, turned out to be something much more due to brilliant song writing and great production. The standout track Vacationing People isn't very long but it feels like fifteen minutes because it's packed with great verses choruses and bridges, like most of the tracks on the album. Very few tracks fall short of amazing.
13. St. Vincent - Actor
I didn't think Annie Clark, a one woman band would appeal to me. After the second or third track I was completely hooked. The wide array of instruments and the delicate approach to recording them is what makes the album so unique and fresh. It's pop music at it's best.
12. Woods - Songs Of Shame
I guarantee most of you would probably hate Woods. It sounds as if it was recorded...well...in the woods, the singer has a high-pitched wailing voice, it's just not appealing for most ears I'm sure. I on the other hand, fell in love with the bareness of it. If you strip away good production and the safety net of normal vocals, you're left with just the music and the point is, it's incredible here. The melodies and minimalist song structures are what make this album. I'm sure if these same songs were recorded by a different (and more approachable) band, then everybody would love them. I'm glad they weren't though.
11. Real Estate - Real Estate
I don't know if it's because I first heard this album in the middle of a terrible winter storm or what but I already feel nostalgic about it. I can already tell that in a few years when I listen to it again, I'm going to get a certain feeling. I can't put my finger on what that feeling is but it'll be there. Like Woods, this album was produced on a very low budget and it's the songwriting that really stands out. It's a batch of great songs and that's simply all you need sometimes.
10. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I'll keep it simple. A perfect blend of rock, pop and electronic music. It's the catchiest album of the year and if you don't believe me just watch the Cadillac SRX car commercial.
9. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
This is pretty much every one's favorite album of the year. If you look at any music magazine or blogs year end list I'm positive this is at the top. It's an incredible album and definitely their most accessible. It would have broken the top five for me if they had replaced a few songs which I just couldn't get into. There are more than a handful of amazing songs though and if you're looking for a band that creates their own genre and is unlike anything else you've heard, I suggest you check them out if you haven't already.
8. Antlers - Hospice
Concept albums are hard to get right. The Decemberists tried it earlier this year with Hazards Of Love and failed (sorry Jonathan and Michael), it's hard to keep the listener interested in the same idea or story for forty plus minutes. I don't know, maybe I have a short attention span. Well Antlers have not only succeeded in creating one of the best concept albums, but one of the most heartbreaking albums I have had the privilege to hear. The story is simple. A man who works at the hospice wing of a hospital falls in love with a beautiful patient who has cancer. He's cursed to watch her die in front him. Add beautiful music produced with a unique approach and you have Hospice. I'll be back later, I'm going to adapt this into a film (can you say Academy Awards?)
7. Atlas Sound - Logos
I reviewed this album in depth below so I won't dive too deep into it again. There's usually an isolated lo-fi feel to Bradford Cox's music which is fitting considering he records it mostly in his bedroom on a laptop. Logos, his sophomore album features a few guest musicians yet still maintains that vibe. The songs range from hauntingly creepy to exciting. Sometimes at the same time.
6. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Spencer Krug has well over five bands at the moment. He's an entrepreneur. I'm sure that will be his next bands name. Sunset Rubdown holds a candle close to Krugs original band Wolf Parade. For having only eight songs, this album is epic. It's called Dragonslayer for fucks sake. And do you want to know the fun of it? I'm not sure if he means Dragon Slayer or Dragons Layer. Pretty deep hmm?
5. Cass McCombs - Catacombs
Gotta love wordplay right? McCombs is clever with writing his lyrics, composition and naming his albums. Catacombs is a very American album. It's folk, classic rock, piano ballads, everything. Cass McCombs is who Ryan Adams wishes he could be. I think Pitchfork said that. It doesn't matter. It's a great album. Listen to it.
4. Bowerbirds - Upper Air
Upper Air is getting panned by critics and I can't even begin to understand why. Maybe because they all live in cities and can't comprehend the connection Bowerbirds make to nature. They sing songs about the woods, birds and trees yet they don't push it in our faces. They aren't tree hugging hippies that blame other people. They just acknowledge the fact nature exists and that it's a beautiful thing. Perfect harmonies, folky guitars, old pianos and minimal drums make up the majority of these songs from one of the purest bands out there today.
3. Papercuts - You Can Have What You Want
Every song on You Can Have What You Want is nostalgic in both lyrics and instrumentation. The guitars are vintage, the organs are fuzzy and dreamlike and the lyrics are mostly about the past and regret. It sounds like the 60's music I remember my dad listening to when I was a kid yet it sounds brand new. It's another album that wasn't well received and that's fine with me because it's more personal that way.
2. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors are weird. Think Talking Heads on peyote. Band leader Dave Longstreth, a Yale dropout, creates very unique music I'll describe as Abstract African Psychedelic Pop Folk Rock. It's not for everyone, hell I didn't love it at first but it grew on me. A lot. This isn't just your normal guitar chords and 4/4 drum beats. There's parts in Bitte Orca I didn't think were possible live. I thought they were studio tricks but then I watched some live videos and it's for real. I'm sure the band has to practice at least four hours every day to accomplish whatever it is that's going through Longstreth's crazy mind. The man is a musical genius, even if it's not apparent to everyone just yet.
1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
I love Grizzly Bear. I praise them a lot and I'm sure it's starting to get on every ones nerves. I was actually hoping for there to be a better album than Veckatimest so it didn't look like they're all I care about. Unfortunately that prayer wasn't answered. Too bad! The song About Face is my least favorite track and it's better than most songs released this year. I've been following them for a few years now and have had the chance to see them live and they are simply just a group of nice, modest, talented guys. I've already expressed my love for them thousands of times before and if you haven't listened to me and checked them out yet, you probably won't so I'm not going to waste our time anymore. Veckatimest is my favorite album of 2009 and luckily for you guys, they probably won't be releasing anything in 2010 so I'll put them back on the shelf for a year.
Thanks a lot for listening. It was a fantastic year for music. I'm already twenty plus albums deep in 2010 and it's shaping up to be just as good if not better. Some friends were kind enough to write up their favorite albums of the year as well and they are posted below.
Thanks again!
Jonathan Ioviero:
10. Volcano Choir - Unmap
9. Passion Pit - Manners
8. The xx - xx
7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
6. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
5. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
4. Antlers - Hospice
3. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
2. Mew - No More Stories...
1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Kyra Clark:
5. Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
4. Regina Spektor - Far
3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Tyler Fox:
5. Converge - Axe to Fall
This album was one of the best hardcore/metal albums I have heard in a long fucking time. I always thought Converge was a typical noise hardcore band, but this proved that they are extremely talented. Some songs are fairly simple, but the guitarist has taken on more responsibilities for singing, adding another dimension to their sounds.
4. Hammer No More The Fingers - Looking for Bruce
I heard this CD when it came through the radio station last semester and I reviewed it. For my first spin, I didn't think this album was fantastic. But boy, I was wrong. They take indie/alt in the vain of The Casket Lottery and Jawbox, but apply a 90's alternative spin to it (Mushrooms). Songs like "Radiation" and "Fall Down, Play Dead" are musically moving and extremely fun.
3. Small Brown Bike - Composite, Vol. 1
This one is a no brainer for me. Small Brown Bike is in my top 5 for favorite bands of all time, and they got back together in early October and by the end of October, they had already written, recorded and released a 2 song 7" on No Idea records. I think that is all I really need to say. Classic Small Brown Bike.
2. Two Tongues - Two Tongues
Another CD I got and reviewed for the station. The lead singer of Say Anything and lead singer of Saves The Day, this is an emo kids dream! But for real, it wasn't an emo album for the most part (musically that is). Really cool, straight forward rock with the beautiful dual vocals battling. I was really happy to see that Max Bemis of Say Anything hasn't completely lost his musical talent.
1. Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen
This may seem like another bias pick because they are another favorite, but this was a fantastic album. Their last album, "Happy Hollow" SUCKED! So to see this CD was actually good gave it that many more brownie points. But this was proof of how the band matured but was still able to have fun with writing and recording. I was lucky enough to sit down with Tim Kasher this summer and he explained that writing and recording has become second nature to them, so this album they decided to take a little bit longer in order to make it perfect. And I think it's pretty damn close.
Adam Wakefield:
In no particular order.
Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
Flaming Lips – Embryonic
John Frusciante – The Empyrean
Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South
Coworkers – S/T Demo (www.myspace.com/coworkersrights)
Sonorous Gale – Two’s a Crowd (www.myspace.com/sonorousgale)
The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Mountain Goats – The Life of the World to Come
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – S/T
Pete Zamniak:
Wilco - Wilco (The Album) and Flaming Lips - Embryonic. Bam!
30. The xx - xx
This band of childhood friends came out of left field this year. The first time I heard a description of them, the term R&B was brought up so I just passed them off. A few months later, after Jonathan was obsessing over them, I decided to give them a shot. The first three songs are incredible and although their routine slightly tires after the halfway mark, it's still an amazing feat for a first album.
29. Volcano Choir - Unmap
I'm sure quite a few of you know who Justin Vernon is, or at least are aware of his band Bon Iver. This side-project teams up Vernon with the Wisconsin-based Math Rock band Collections Of Colonies Of Bees. Although loops and noises replace the acoustic guitars and simple drums of his previous work, there's still the sense of isolation and cabin fever.
28. Beirut - March Of The Zapotec/Realpeople Holland
Zach Condon released these two very different EP's as one album. March Of The Zapotec is influenced by a trip Condon took to Mexico, and fittingly consists of horns, accordions and crash cymbals. Realpeople Holland has layers of synth and pulsing drums and must have been influenced by a trip to outer space.
27. Castanets - Texas Rose, The Beasts And The Thaw
Castanets is Raymond Raposa. One of the pioneers of the freak folk movement. A mountain man (probably not) with a deep, unnerving voice and songs about snow, churches and countless other things. I love folk music but there reaches a point when it all starts to sound the same. Well, not here.
26. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
The first album from this New York City band was one of the many albums to come out in 2009 that sounded like it belonged to 1986. With heavy snare hits, poppy synths and vocals about teenagers falling in love, it sounds like I'm describing the soundtrack to Sixteen Candles. Get out your neon pink headbands.
25. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Fever Ray is the solo project of The Knife's Karen Dreijer Andersson. Almost every song was released as a single, and that perfectly sums up how good it actually is. There's rarely a low point here. Using synths (not in the traditional sense) and dark, creepy vibes, she created a mysterious album that I don't recommend listening to alone at night.
24. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Vs. Children
Equipped with a rough, low voice and old school electronics, Owen Ashworth explores the concept of children. Bearing them, raising them, aborting them and leaving them and your wife home alone on Christmas while you make a living as a traveling salesman. With catchy, sometimes humorous lyrics one moment and heart-wrenching confessions the next.
23. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
Three girls who would look fitting behind a desk at a library, vintage synthesizers, film director David Lynch's favorite band, beautifully woven music with many textures of smooth synths and angelic voices. The best album so far from one of the better up and coming bands of late.
22. David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
The first full-length from David Bazan since he broke up his Pedro The Lion moniker. He's always been a religious man and has expressed that in his previous releases, well I don't know what happened but his opinions have changed. "Wait just a minute/You expect me to believe/That all this misbehaving/Grew from one enchanted tree?" Over the past few years Bazan battled alcoholism and after breaking free from that, he released one of his best albums to date and definitely his most controversial. Whether you agree with what he sings about or not, it's a man being honest with what he is going through and it's more intimate than most other musicians would dare to get.
21. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
For a band who has been around for more than twenty five years, it's incredible that they can still release an album that feels different and fresh. They scrapped the over-production that plagued At War With The Mystics and approached a more simple technique to recording these songs. It almost feels as if you are standing with them in a worn basement as they run though these loud tracks. It's a perfect blend of the sonic psychedelia of their recent releases and the raw power of their early work. One of my favorite albums is The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips and I came to the realization that they would never top it. No, they still haven't but they got pretty damn close.
20. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Summer Of Fear
Miles Robinson released his first, self-titled album as a CD-R to distribute amongst friends and family. It was produced by Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio and Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and it must have gotten in the right hands at some point because it became pretty well known in the indie market. His second album Summer of Fear produced by Malone again, plays out as a screenplay, shuffling between scenes depicting hard times, broken hearts and skinned knees. The title describes the vibe of the album very well. It's not a happy one folks, but it's an amazing sophomore album nonetheless.
19. J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
Usually when members of bands release solo albums, they aren't very good. Especially if they're the drummer. Well J. Tillman, who provides drums for the amazing Fleet Foxes is the exception, and this is the first of two albums he released this year alone. Almost anyone can pick up an acoustic guitar, learn a few chords and sing a song. It takes more than that to create something worthwhile. This batch of songs, as simple as they are, contains whatever that is.
18. The Dodos - Time To Die
This duo blew my mind with their previous album Visiter and although Time To Die isn't as good, it's still a great album and if they keep releasing catchy folk songs with ridonkulous percussion and well written melodies like these, they'll stay ahead of the game.
17. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
There have been a lot of electronic albums this year and a lot of them have been beautifully produced with layers and layers of synths, new and interesting ideas, incredible loops etc. Well Alan Palomo turned that shit around and released a bunch of lo-fi songs using old synthesizers I'm sure no one would dare to even play. No, it's not groundbreaking or fresh and they aren't particularly amazing tracks but it's fun damn it and that's why it's so charming.
16. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Karen O has had a great year. With a guest appearance on The Flaming Lips Embryonic, the score for Where The Wild Things Are and this amazing third album from her band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There was talk of a style change with It's Blitz! and that had me worried. It's Blitz! is more approachable than their previous releases and focuses more on perfectly produced electronics and layers than their raw vibes of Fever To Tell. Such significant changes aren't usually a good thing but even though they completely abandoned the sound they were known for, it actually worked and succeeded most people's expectations.
15. Memory Tapes - Seek Magic
The Neon Indian album was a lot of fun, but when I talked about albums with beautiful synth textures and layers, I had Seek Magic in mind. The production is amazing enough to send chills down your back. There are so many gorgeous parts and perfectly planned out chords and moments that make up this album. It's by far the best full blown electronic album of the year.
14. Foreign Born - Person To Person
Grizzly Bear front man Ed Droste raved about these guys a lot so I decided to give them a listen and was more than impressed. What could have been your average run of the mill rock album, turned out to be something much more due to brilliant song writing and great production. The standout track Vacationing People isn't very long but it feels like fifteen minutes because it's packed with great verses choruses and bridges, like most of the tracks on the album. Very few tracks fall short of amazing.
13. St. Vincent - Actor
I didn't think Annie Clark, a one woman band would appeal to me. After the second or third track I was completely hooked. The wide array of instruments and the delicate approach to recording them is what makes the album so unique and fresh. It's pop music at it's best.
12. Woods - Songs Of Shame
I guarantee most of you would probably hate Woods. It sounds as if it was recorded...well...in the woods, the singer has a high-pitched wailing voice, it's just not appealing for most ears I'm sure. I on the other hand, fell in love with the bareness of it. If you strip away good production and the safety net of normal vocals, you're left with just the music and the point is, it's incredible here. The melodies and minimalist song structures are what make this album. I'm sure if these same songs were recorded by a different (and more approachable) band, then everybody would love them. I'm glad they weren't though.
11. Real Estate - Real Estate
I don't know if it's because I first heard this album in the middle of a terrible winter storm or what but I already feel nostalgic about it. I can already tell that in a few years when I listen to it again, I'm going to get a certain feeling. I can't put my finger on what that feeling is but it'll be there. Like Woods, this album was produced on a very low budget and it's the songwriting that really stands out. It's a batch of great songs and that's simply all you need sometimes.
10. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I'll keep it simple. A perfect blend of rock, pop and electronic music. It's the catchiest album of the year and if you don't believe me just watch the Cadillac SRX car commercial.
9. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
This is pretty much every one's favorite album of the year. If you look at any music magazine or blogs year end list I'm positive this is at the top. It's an incredible album and definitely their most accessible. It would have broken the top five for me if they had replaced a few songs which I just couldn't get into. There are more than a handful of amazing songs though and if you're looking for a band that creates their own genre and is unlike anything else you've heard, I suggest you check them out if you haven't already.
8. Antlers - Hospice
Concept albums are hard to get right. The Decemberists tried it earlier this year with Hazards Of Love and failed (sorry Jonathan and Michael), it's hard to keep the listener interested in the same idea or story for forty plus minutes. I don't know, maybe I have a short attention span. Well Antlers have not only succeeded in creating one of the best concept albums, but one of the most heartbreaking albums I have had the privilege to hear. The story is simple. A man who works at the hospice wing of a hospital falls in love with a beautiful patient who has cancer. He's cursed to watch her die in front him. Add beautiful music produced with a unique approach and you have Hospice. I'll be back later, I'm going to adapt this into a film (can you say Academy Awards?)
7. Atlas Sound - Logos
I reviewed this album in depth below so I won't dive too deep into it again. There's usually an isolated lo-fi feel to Bradford Cox's music which is fitting considering he records it mostly in his bedroom on a laptop. Logos, his sophomore album features a few guest musicians yet still maintains that vibe. The songs range from hauntingly creepy to exciting. Sometimes at the same time.
6. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Spencer Krug has well over five bands at the moment. He's an entrepreneur. I'm sure that will be his next bands name. Sunset Rubdown holds a candle close to Krugs original band Wolf Parade. For having only eight songs, this album is epic. It's called Dragonslayer for fucks sake. And do you want to know the fun of it? I'm not sure if he means Dragon Slayer or Dragons Layer. Pretty deep hmm?
5. Cass McCombs - Catacombs
Gotta love wordplay right? McCombs is clever with writing his lyrics, composition and naming his albums. Catacombs is a very American album. It's folk, classic rock, piano ballads, everything. Cass McCombs is who Ryan Adams wishes he could be. I think Pitchfork said that. It doesn't matter. It's a great album. Listen to it.
4. Bowerbirds - Upper Air
Upper Air is getting panned by critics and I can't even begin to understand why. Maybe because they all live in cities and can't comprehend the connection Bowerbirds make to nature. They sing songs about the woods, birds and trees yet they don't push it in our faces. They aren't tree hugging hippies that blame other people. They just acknowledge the fact nature exists and that it's a beautiful thing. Perfect harmonies, folky guitars, old pianos and minimal drums make up the majority of these songs from one of the purest bands out there today.
3. Papercuts - You Can Have What You Want
Every song on You Can Have What You Want is nostalgic in both lyrics and instrumentation. The guitars are vintage, the organs are fuzzy and dreamlike and the lyrics are mostly about the past and regret. It sounds like the 60's music I remember my dad listening to when I was a kid yet it sounds brand new. It's another album that wasn't well received and that's fine with me because it's more personal that way.
2. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors are weird. Think Talking Heads on peyote. Band leader Dave Longstreth, a Yale dropout, creates very unique music I'll describe as Abstract African Psychedelic Pop Folk Rock. It's not for everyone, hell I didn't love it at first but it grew on me. A lot. This isn't just your normal guitar chords and 4/4 drum beats. There's parts in Bitte Orca I didn't think were possible live. I thought they were studio tricks but then I watched some live videos and it's for real. I'm sure the band has to practice at least four hours every day to accomplish whatever it is that's going through Longstreth's crazy mind. The man is a musical genius, even if it's not apparent to everyone just yet.
1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
I love Grizzly Bear. I praise them a lot and I'm sure it's starting to get on every ones nerves. I was actually hoping for there to be a better album than Veckatimest so it didn't look like they're all I care about. Unfortunately that prayer wasn't answered. Too bad! The song About Face is my least favorite track and it's better than most songs released this year. I've been following them for a few years now and have had the chance to see them live and they are simply just a group of nice, modest, talented guys. I've already expressed my love for them thousands of times before and if you haven't listened to me and checked them out yet, you probably won't so I'm not going to waste our time anymore. Veckatimest is my favorite album of 2009 and luckily for you guys, they probably won't be releasing anything in 2010 so I'll put them back on the shelf for a year.
Thanks a lot for listening. It was a fantastic year for music. I'm already twenty plus albums deep in 2010 and it's shaping up to be just as good if not better. Some friends were kind enough to write up their favorite albums of the year as well and they are posted below.
Thanks again!
Jonathan Ioviero:
10. Volcano Choir - Unmap
9. Passion Pit - Manners
8. The xx - xx
7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
6. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
5. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
4. Antlers - Hospice
3. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
2. Mew - No More Stories...
1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Kyra Clark:
5. Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
4. Regina Spektor - Far
3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Tyler Fox:
5. Converge - Axe to Fall
This album was one of the best hardcore/metal albums I have heard in a long fucking time. I always thought Converge was a typical noise hardcore band, but this proved that they are extremely talented. Some songs are fairly simple, but the guitarist has taken on more responsibilities for singing, adding another dimension to their sounds.
4. Hammer No More The Fingers - Looking for Bruce
I heard this CD when it came through the radio station last semester and I reviewed it. For my first spin, I didn't think this album was fantastic. But boy, I was wrong. They take indie/alt in the vain of The Casket Lottery and Jawbox, but apply a 90's alternative spin to it (Mushrooms). Songs like "Radiation" and "Fall Down, Play Dead" are musically moving and extremely fun.
3. Small Brown Bike - Composite, Vol. 1
This one is a no brainer for me. Small Brown Bike is in my top 5 for favorite bands of all time, and they got back together in early October and by the end of October, they had already written, recorded and released a 2 song 7" on No Idea records. I think that is all I really need to say. Classic Small Brown Bike.
2. Two Tongues - Two Tongues
Another CD I got and reviewed for the station. The lead singer of Say Anything and lead singer of Saves The Day, this is an emo kids dream! But for real, it wasn't an emo album for the most part (musically that is). Really cool, straight forward rock with the beautiful dual vocals battling. I was really happy to see that Max Bemis of Say Anything hasn't completely lost his musical talent.
1. Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen
This may seem like another bias pick because they are another favorite, but this was a fantastic album. Their last album, "Happy Hollow" SUCKED! So to see this CD was actually good gave it that many more brownie points. But this was proof of how the band matured but was still able to have fun with writing and recording. I was lucky enough to sit down with Tim Kasher this summer and he explained that writing and recording has become second nature to them, so this album they decided to take a little bit longer in order to make it perfect. And I think it's pretty damn close.
Adam Wakefield:
In no particular order.
Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
Flaming Lips – Embryonic
John Frusciante – The Empyrean
Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South
Coworkers – S/T Demo (www.myspace.com/coworkersrights)
Sonorous Gale – Two’s a Crowd (www.myspace.com/sonorousgale)
The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Mountain Goats – The Life of the World to Come
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – S/T
Pete Zamniak:
Wilco - Wilco (The Album) and Flaming Lips - Embryonic. Bam!
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