OT: New Music?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:29 pm

Fans of Wolfmother or 70's stoner rock/doom metal (whatever you want to call it) should check out Witch, Witchcraft, Trouble, The Sword, Graveyard, Sleep, and Black Label Society. Check out The Black Keys if you like 70's blues rock.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:33 pm

greggsand wrote:If you haven't yet, check out the band 'Girls' (the album is called "Album"). Easily my favorite record of the year so far. Kind of Yo La Tengo, The Modern Lovers, Replacements (?). I don't know. Whatever it is, it's pretty awesome.

Also, saw The Pixies perform Doolittle Wednesday. It was sooo much better than I expected. If they come to your town, it's worth a look. "Slicing up eyeballs, ah, oh oh oh..."

I really thought I would like that Girls album but it just didn't do it for me.

I'll bet that Pixies show was amazing.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:19 pm

Brando70 wrote:
greggsand wrote:If you haven't yet, check out the band 'Girls' (the album is called "Album"). Easily my favorite record of the year so far. Kind of Yo La Tengo, The Modern Lovers, Replacements (?). I don't know. Whatever it is, it's pretty awesome.

Also, saw The Pixies perform Doolittle Wednesday. It was sooo much better than I expected. If they come to your town, it's worth a look. "Slicing up eyeballs, ah, oh oh oh..."
I really thought I would like that Girls album but it just didn't do it for me.

Upon first listen, my reaction, is "Meh." The production decisions were puzzling: If this band used any more echo, I might have thought this album was recorded in the bowels of Howe Caverns.

But I'm intrigued, so I'll give it another listen.

Take care,
PK

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:49 pm

pk500 wrote:
Brando70 wrote:
greggsand wrote:If you haven't yet, check out the band 'Girls' (the album is called "Album"). Easily my favorite record of the year so far. Kind of Yo La Tengo, The Modern Lovers, Replacements (?). I don't know. Whatever it is, it's pretty awesome.

Also, saw The Pixies perform Doolittle Wednesday. It was sooo much better than I expected. If they come to your town, it's worth a look. "Slicing up eyeballs, ah, oh oh oh..."
I really thought I would like that Girls album but it just didn't do it for me.
Upon first listen, my reaction, is "Meh." The production decisions were puzzling: If this band used any more echo, I might have thought this album was recorded in the bowels of Howe Caverns.

But I'm intrigued, so I'll give it another listen.

Take care,
PK

It took a couple listens, but Christopher Owens is real talent. Best tracks are Lust 4 Life, Hellhole Ratrace (the BEST track), and Laura. It's a strangle record in that it's a very personal-break-up kinda record, but one can bob your head and sing-a-long with it.

Their whole world is about to turn upside-down as "album" catches fire. Supposedly, their promoter is scrambling for bigger venues on their US tour. (nice problem to have)

If you haven't seen the video for Hellhole Ratrace yet, it's pretty great (warning has some dudes kissing at one point (chicks too)):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcqwfFKagH4

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:03 pm

Pete wrote: Weezer is one of the few bands where I will go out on release day and buy. I loved the first song released and the rest of the CD does not disappoint. Nothing groundbreaking but just fun to listen to.

I really enjoyed Wolfmother's first CD and this one continues the great sound. Sort of a psychedelic stadium rock sound that really works for me.

Yes and Yes.

Raditude (LOVE "Cant stop partying" the 4th song) has been playing over and over along with the Foo Fighters Greatest Hits CD.

"New Moon Rising" off of the Wolfmother CD has been getting much play also.

A few weeks ago I picked up Flight 666 on Blu ray. I never listened to Maiden but that was good s***...Im a convert. Talk about Spinal tap in real life... Up the Irons!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:28 pm

The Black Keys are releasing a side project cd with a bunch of guest rappers. The project is called Blakroc and it's pretty damn good. Some of the guests are RZA, ODB, Raekwon, and Mos Def.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:44 am

RobVarak wrote:Getting caught up on stuff from '08 that crept into a lot of Top 10 lists. I've gotta say that I'm loving the newest Okkervil River. I've always liked their stuff, but for some reason this one really gets me.

I found this group by accident. Austin City Limits was on when I turned on the TV and they were performing. I had it on in the background while I was messing around on my iphone and after a couple songs I was hooked. I went from never hearing of them to downloading "The Stand Ins" and "Black Sheep Boy" from iTunes and finding a copy of "The Stage Names" at my local library within 2 days.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:09 am

I know several of you like some of the guitar & drum duos of recent vintage and wanted to point you towards another one: Gay Witch Abortion. Yes, they have one of the worst (if memorable) names in the annals of rock, but definitely don't judge them by it. They're generally more uptempo than say, the Black Keys, and have touches of both punk and metal in their sound. You can hear a few tracks on their myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/gaywitchabortion

and they have some audience camera vids on youtube. Just search by their name - easy to find.

They're on a dinky label, and the only way to buy the album is directly from the label. If anyone wants that info after checking them out let me know and I'll post it.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 6:01 pm

Going to see 'Girls' tonight. A friend saw them in San Diego last & had nothing but good things to say. good times.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:55 pm

greggsand wrote:Going to see 'Girls' tonight. A friend saw them in San Diego last & had nothing but good things to say. good times.

Real good show. I have a feeling it's the last time I'll see them in a place that small. Owens seemed a little intimidated by the 'sold out' crowd, but he got over it 4 songs in...

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:01 pm

My Top 10 Albums of 2009:

10.Novi Split-Hollow Notes
9.Bat For Lashes-Two Suns
8. Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion
7.Dappled Cities-Zounds
6.Wilco-The Album
5.Fiery Furnaces-I'm Going Away
4.Lily Allen-It's Not You, It's Me
3.Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca
2.Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadues Phoenix
1.Girls-Album

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:26 pm

greggsand wrote:My Top 10 Albums of 2009:

10.Novi Split-Hollow Notes
9.Bat For Lashes-Two Suns
8. Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion
7.Dappled Cities-Zounds
6.Wilco-The Album
5.Fiery Furnaces-I'm Going Away
4.Lily Allen-It's Not You, It's Me
3.Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca
2.Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadues Phoenix
1.Girls-Album

Very interesting. Thanks. I very much agree with Animal Collective. I'd throw in Grizzly Bear's newest. Wasn't that impressed with the new Fiery Furnaces...I'll have to give that one another go.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:04 pm

No particular order here, but this is what I loved this year:

"Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" Phoenix
"Never Better" P.O.S.
"Us" Brother Ali
"I And Love And You" Avett Brothers
"It's Frightening" White Rabbits
"Merriweather Post Pavilion" Animal Collective
"The Blueprint 3" Jay-Z
"1372 Overton Park" Lucero
"Art Brut Vs. Satan" Art Brut
"Noble Beast" Andrew Bird

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:44 pm

Here's ten that will at least be in my top 20 (I'm still undecided on several things), in alphabetical order:

Ancestors - Of Sound Mind
Bloody Panda - Summon
Gay Witch Abortion - Maverick
Madder Mortem - Eight Ways
The Mountain Goats - The Life Of The World To Come
Slough Feg - Ape Uprising
Sula Bassana - The Night
Wardruna - Runaljod - Gap Var Ginnunga
Yob - The Great Cessation
Zu - Carboniferous

If anyone wants information about any of these (some are off the beaten path) let me know.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:11 pm

No particular order yet, but these are the best records released in 2009 I've heard:

"Blood Bank (EP)," Bon Iver
"Farm," Dinosaur Jr.
"Live in London," Leonard Cohen
"Live at Reading," Nirvana
"Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," Phoenix
"xx," xx
"Dusk Till Dawn," Breakestra
"Man Overboard," Ian Hunter
"I'm Going Away," Fiery Furnaces
"Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit," Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
"Life and Times," Bob Mould
"Already Free," Derek Trucks Band

Take care,
PK

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:47 am

Looking at the Rolling Stone readers' top 10 list, I see that I've only got one album on the list -- but it just so happens to be my #1 album as well. Personally, I'd have a lot of trouble coming up with 9 other albums that really grabbed my attention this year.

10 The Dead Weather
HOREHOUND

9 Bruce Springsteen
WORKING ON A DREAM

8 Yeah Yeah Yeahs
IT'S BLITZ!

7 Wilco
WILCO (THE ALBUM)

6 Grizzly Bear
VECKATIMEST

5 Animal Collective
MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION

4 U2
NO LINE ON THE HORIZON

3 Lady Gaga
THE FAME MONSTER

2 Green Day
21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN

1 Pearl Jam
BACKSPACER

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:04 pm

GTHobbes wrote: 6 Grizzly Bear
VECKATIMEST

5 Animal Collective
MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION

These are my two faves of this year!

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:07 pm

I did a couple best-ofs on my blog. First, my favorite songs of 2009:

"Ships With Holes Will Sink," We Were Promised Jetpacks
"The Mountain," Heartless Bastards
"Over It," Dinosaur Jr.
"1901," Phoenix
"Bear," The Antlers
"Anonanimal," Andrew Bird
"People Got a Lot of Nerve," Neko Case
"Blood Bank," Bon Iver
"Moth's Wings," Passion Pit
"Misery," Brendan Benson
"I and Love and You," The Avett Brothers
"Can't Hardly Wait," Justin Townes Earle
"Young Hearts Spark Fire," Japandroids

Links to all of the above plus assorted commentary at:
http://cjsd.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday ... -2009.html

I also did a post on my favorite songs of the 2000s:

"Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone," Ted Leo & Pharmacists
"Goddamned Lonely Love," Drive-By Truckers
"Ageless Beauty," Stars
"Mr. Brightside," The Killers
"Maps," Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Hounds of Love," The Futureheads
"Been There All the Time," Dinosaur Jr.
"The Swish," The Hold Steady
"Far Away," Sleater-Kinney
"The Bleeding Heart Picture Show," The New Pornographers
"Skinny Love," Bon Iver
"Svefn-G-Englar," Sigur Ros
"Happy," The Wrens

Even more commentary and links to the tunes at:
http://cjsd.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday ... st-of.html

All in all, it was a pretty damn good decade to be a music fan.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:12 pm

I'm a massive Wilco fan, but I guess I'm one of the few who didn't think Wilco "The Album" was killer. It was solid and better than "Sky Blue Sky," but I still compare every Wilco record to the "Being There"-"Summerteeth"-"Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" stretch, which was about as good as any band can produce.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:13 pm

I thought No Line on the Horizon was the most boring U2 album I'd ever heard. "Moment of Surrender" is a terrific song and worthy of the U2 canon, but the rest of that album put me to sleep. And I really wanted to like it.

21st Century Breakdown suffered from being too much like American Idiot, which I really enjoyed. American Idiot worked because it was such a fresh approach to punk, with "Jesus of Suburbia" being like a new "Quick One While He's Away" mini-epic for the Warped Tour set. The new album just seemed to mine the same territory. Not bad and actually quite entertaining in parts, but not enough to wow me.

Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective just don't appeal to me. GB sounds amazing -- I really dig how they record -- but the songs don't do much for me. AC is like a really complex work of literature that I can appreciate but never really enjoy. They deserve their kudos, they're just not my cups of tea.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:21 pm

Paul,

Interesting. I agree that the Wilco album fell short of their usual standards, but I adore Sky Blue Sky and consider it on par with their best. In fact, I think it's more subversive than some of their more ostensibly "adventurous" recordings because of its willing embrace of outre and out of favor influences like 70's pop. (This sentence is not intended to be a parody of rock-crit syntax and vocab...but it sure could be.

)

I'm scrambling to catch up on a lot of the stuff I missed this year before I weigh in with favorites. I love the K'naan record a ton, though. Maxwell's return was more than I expected, as was Mos Def's. Miranda Lambert has been a pleasant surprise and the Willie Nelson/Asleep At The Wheel record is sublime.

Animal Collective seems a consensus critical pick for best album, but I'd rather attend a lecture on their music than actually sit and listen to it.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:26 pm

I compare all Wilco's efforts to 'A Ghost is Born' and nothing has come close to that from them before or since IMO.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:56 pm

Brando70 wrote:I thought No Line on the Horizon was the most boring U2 album I'd ever heard. "Moment of Surrender" is a terrific song and worthy of the U2 canon, but the rest of that album put me to sleep. And I really wanted to like it.

Agreed. It continues the dull "We're 50 and settling into being introspective, soul-searching rock gods for baby boomers" trilogy that U2 started with "All That You Can't Leave Behind." That album was very interesting, but I didn't need to hear two more versions of it.

Brando70 wrote:21st Century Breakdown suffered from being too much like American Idiot, which I really enjoyed. American Idiot worked because it was such a fresh approach to punk, with "Jesus of Suburbia" being like a new "Quick One While He's Away" mini-epic for the Warped Tour set. The new album just seemed to mine the same territory. Not bad and actually quite entertaining in parts, but not enough to wow me.

Ding-ding! Exactly. I remember writing to someone somewhere that "21st Century Breakdown" sounded like the B-sides record from "American Idiot."

Brando70 wrote:Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective just don't appeal to me. GB sounds amazing -- I really dig how they record -- but the songs don't do much for me. AC is like a really complex work of literature that I can appreciate but never really enjoy. They deserve their kudos, they're just not my cups of tea.

At the risk of being too damn agreeable, I agree. GB and AC just don't do it for me. Plus I think they're given a certain level of undeserved cachet by the music world because they're "beard bands," the genre of the moment.

But one "beard boy" whose earlier work I thought was VASTLY overrated just released a good record. Devendra Banhart's new album is really diverse, really solid. He risks playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey a bit too much with the wildly divergent styles evident on the record, but it still works in most places. And I appreciate the daring.

Take care,
PK

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:09 pm

My top 10 of 2009 in alphabetical order:

Blakroc - Blakroc
Candlemass - Death Magic Doom
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Sing-Along Songs for the Damned and Delirious
El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Cryptomnesia
the Mars Volta - Octahedron
Muse - Absolution
Paradise Lost - Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Weezer - Raditude
Zoroaster - Voice of Saturn

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:25 pm

Spooky wrote:I compare all Wilco's efforts to 'A Ghost is Born' and nothing has come close to that from them before or since IMO.

Ah, you mean the "Wank-off" album.

Being a fan of songs, it's not my favorite. LOL