cd´s
interactivo - goza pepillo
trashcan sinatras - oranges and apples
jack johnson - sleep through the statics
feist - the reminder
yoav - charmed & strange
edith piaf - la mome
songs
cabas - bonita
chairlift - bruises
mgmt - time to pretend
mia - paper airplane
Feb 26, 2009
Feb 2, 2009
GREG JOHNSTON - Los Angeles, USA
M85- Saturdays=Youth. This is what you get when you mix Cocteau Twins, Kate
Bush, New Order and a host of other 80's influences...and somehow it seems
fresh.
RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS- Cardinology. You either love him or hate him.
But you can't deny the boy can write songs and damn good ones.
BLACK KEYS- Attack & Release. They're from Akron, Ohio and I grew up near
there. It's depressing...and these guys brighten up the rubber soaked
skies.
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS- Dig!! Lazaruz Dig!!. Perfect! My fav of the year!
At 51, Nick Cave gives the music world a kick in the ass and I like it.
BLACK MOUNTAIN- In The Future. These Canadians churn out some great
psychedelic grog. Metal, folk, prog., when it's hard to define...it's got
to be good.
ELBOW- The Seldom Seen Kid. Delicate, beautiful, understated alt
rock....depressingly uplifting.
MY MORNING JACKET- Evil Urges. I didn't know what to make of this the first
time I heard it and I still don't. A sign of a great record. Plus they put
on one hell of a live show. 3 hours and no opening act, and they pull it
off.
METALLICA- Death Magnetic. Finally Metallica comes to their senses and
writes songs that run over 6 minutes in length. They won't get played on
the radio and that's the way it should be.
THE KILLS- Midnight Boom. Catchy dirty minimalist pop rock. The stuff that
heroin addicted models love...and so do I!
BRITISH SEA PATROL- Do You Like Rock Music? I do.
FLOGGING MOLLY- Float. Good Old LA Celtic Punk. The best band to raise a
pint of Guinness! Plus the lead singer was in the 80's metal band Fastway
(w/ Motorhead guitarist Fast Eddy)! Now he's bald and angry.
MELVINS- Nude With Boots. Still giving the middle finger to the world with
super sludge metal and obscure noise played so tightly they almost sound
mainstream. A few of the riffs in these songs would make Jimmy Page
jealous.
REDISCOVERY OF THE YEAR- LINK WRAY- Three Way Shack. Please go out and buy
this. It's American roots, blues, country, rock and it's damn good.
Recorded in the 70's.
BEST CONCERT- NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL!
The man was insane...running around the stage, playing guitar, piano and
whatever he could get his hands on. All while laying his vocal chords on
the line. And he's doing it all with his shirt undone past his chest with a
fu manchu and hair bordering on a mullet! That's punk rock!
Bush, New Order and a host of other 80's influences...and somehow it seems
fresh.
RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS- Cardinology. You either love him or hate him.
But you can't deny the boy can write songs and damn good ones.
BLACK KEYS- Attack & Release. They're from Akron, Ohio and I grew up near
there. It's depressing...and these guys brighten up the rubber soaked
skies.
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS- Dig!! Lazaruz Dig!!. Perfect! My fav of the year!
At 51, Nick Cave gives the music world a kick in the ass and I like it.
BLACK MOUNTAIN- In The Future. These Canadians churn out some great
psychedelic grog. Metal, folk, prog., when it's hard to define...it's got
to be good.
ELBOW- The Seldom Seen Kid. Delicate, beautiful, understated alt
rock....depressingly uplifting.
MY MORNING JACKET- Evil Urges. I didn't know what to make of this the first
time I heard it and I still don't. A sign of a great record. Plus they put
on one hell of a live show. 3 hours and no opening act, and they pull it
off.
METALLICA- Death Magnetic. Finally Metallica comes to their senses and
writes songs that run over 6 minutes in length. They won't get played on
the radio and that's the way it should be.
THE KILLS- Midnight Boom. Catchy dirty minimalist pop rock. The stuff that
heroin addicted models love...and so do I!
BRITISH SEA PATROL- Do You Like Rock Music? I do.
FLOGGING MOLLY- Float. Good Old LA Celtic Punk. The best band to raise a
pint of Guinness! Plus the lead singer was in the 80's metal band Fastway
(w/ Motorhead guitarist Fast Eddy)! Now he's bald and angry.
MELVINS- Nude With Boots. Still giving the middle finger to the world with
super sludge metal and obscure noise played so tightly they almost sound
mainstream. A few of the riffs in these songs would make Jimmy Page
jealous.
REDISCOVERY OF THE YEAR- LINK WRAY- Three Way Shack. Please go out and buy
this. It's American roots, blues, country, rock and it's damn good.
Recorded in the 70's.
BEST CONCERT- NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL!
The man was insane...running around the stage, playing guitar, piano and
whatever he could get his hands on. All while laying his vocal chords on
the line. And he's doing it all with his shirt undone past his chest with a
fu manchu and hair bordering on a mullet! That's punk rock!
Jan 12, 2009
MARCUS FERNANDES - Sao Paulo, Brasil
* "Dear Science" do TV On The Radio
* "Third" do Portishead
* "Modern Guilt" do Beck
* "Midnight Boom" do The Kills
* "Oracular Spectacular" do MGMT
* "Accelerate" do R.E.M
* "Santogold" da Santogold
* "Esperanza" da Esperanza Spalding
* "Only By The Night" do Kings Of Leon
* "Third" do Portishead
* "Modern Guilt" do Beck
* "Midnight Boom" do The Kills
* "Oracular Spectacular" do MGMT
* "Accelerate" do R.E.M
* "Santogold" da Santogold
* "Esperanza" da Esperanza Spalding
* "Only By The Night" do Kings Of Leon
Jan 10, 2009
DAN PELLEGRINI - Oakland, CA, USA
My list for the best of 2008:
I really need to differentiate between albums and singles. As with so many of you, in the digital age, I don't really listen to albums as much as I used to in the past. That said, I think there have been some truly exceptional works in 2008.
Albums:
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV:
Electronica, Rock, Industrial, Etc. Impossible to put plainly into words. No lyrics but emotes plainly without. Simply gorgeous music. Trent Reznor just makes music with a raw beauty that is unparalleled. Downloaded directly from NIN site for those interested.
The album of the year imho. Nothing else like it.
Kings of Leon - Only By Night:
Gets better every time I listen to it. They have evolved wonderfully. Sensitive aggression. Great chord progression.
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges:
America's Radiohead, and they are living up to it. I happen to like "Z" better than this one, but still fantastic.
Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in The Grain
Organic, sweet. Credit for stretching his wings without losing the essence of what makes him special. Angst ridden, but not Emo. Besides, anyone who pens an ode to stalking Meg White deserves props! And that VOICE!
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes:
Ethereal Beach Boys. Brings to mind "Pet Sounds" crossed with My Morning Jacket. The surprise out of nowhere band for me this year. The beauty if this music blew me away.
Coldplay - Viva la Vida:
Again, didn't rest on their success. At first I was ok with this, but the more I have listened the more I think this is truly special. A great band using everything within them, using all of their talent in new directions. Gongs, strings, rhythmic hand clapping, african and latin elements - whatever! Brian Eno moved them out from their comfort zone and is a genius. Their best yet.
The Ravonettes - Lust, Lust , Lust:
Sounds right out of a Quentin Tarrantino movie. Dreamy distortion and reverb meet 60's kitsch. Great harmony along with electro-fuzz. Cooler than cool.
Glasvegas - Glasvegas:
Anthemic, fun, loud. The debut effort shows great promise. Strong 60's style punk - pop - rock.
Singles:
* Duffy - Warwick Avenue - heartbreaking
* The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 sound - calling Bruce Springsteen
* Coldplay - Viva la Vida - the French revolution???? it works!
* Raphael Saadiq - Love that Girl - Smokey Robinson reincarnated
* The Black Keys - Strange Times - rock and roll the way it was meant to be
* Weezer - Pork and Beans - still just make you laugh out loud
* David Byrne and Brian Eno - Home - still sounds good
* The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis - Piano and guitar joined together just right
* Connor Oberst - Moab - how sometimes the road can heal you - and it does
* The Ravonettes - Aly, Walk with Me - see above
* OneRepublic - Stop and Stare - beautiful lyrics, forward or die
* The Killers - Spaceman - ultimate in stadium rock ready, and pretty funny on top of it all
* Glasvegas - Geraldine - just listen
* The Ahn Trio - All I Want -again simply heartbreaking, beautiful strings - classical, electronic, blues, jazz all in one package
* NIN - Discipline - sounds like The Downward Spiral
I really need to differentiate between albums and singles. As with so many of you, in the digital age, I don't really listen to albums as much as I used to in the past. That said, I think there have been some truly exceptional works in 2008.
Albums:
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV:
Electronica, Rock, Industrial, Etc. Impossible to put plainly into words. No lyrics but emotes plainly without. Simply gorgeous music. Trent Reznor just makes music with a raw beauty that is unparalleled. Downloaded directly from NIN site for those interested.
The album of the year imho. Nothing else like it.
Kings of Leon - Only By Night:
Gets better every time I listen to it. They have evolved wonderfully. Sensitive aggression. Great chord progression.
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges:
America's Radiohead, and they are living up to it. I happen to like "Z" better than this one, but still fantastic.
Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in The Grain
Organic, sweet. Credit for stretching his wings without losing the essence of what makes him special. Angst ridden, but not Emo. Besides, anyone who pens an ode to stalking Meg White deserves props! And that VOICE!
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes:
Ethereal Beach Boys. Brings to mind "Pet Sounds" crossed with My Morning Jacket. The surprise out of nowhere band for me this year. The beauty if this music blew me away.
Coldplay - Viva la Vida:
Again, didn't rest on their success. At first I was ok with this, but the more I have listened the more I think this is truly special. A great band using everything within them, using all of their talent in new directions. Gongs, strings, rhythmic hand clapping, african and latin elements - whatever! Brian Eno moved them out from their comfort zone and is a genius. Their best yet.
The Ravonettes - Lust, Lust , Lust:
Sounds right out of a Quentin Tarrantino movie. Dreamy distortion and reverb meet 60's kitsch. Great harmony along with electro-fuzz. Cooler than cool.
Glasvegas - Glasvegas:
Anthemic, fun, loud. The debut effort shows great promise. Strong 60's style punk - pop - rock.
Singles:
* Duffy - Warwick Avenue - heartbreaking
* The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 sound - calling Bruce Springsteen
* Coldplay - Viva la Vida - the French revolution???? it works!
* Raphael Saadiq - Love that Girl - Smokey Robinson reincarnated
* The Black Keys - Strange Times - rock and roll the way it was meant to be
* Weezer - Pork and Beans - still just make you laugh out loud
* David Byrne and Brian Eno - Home - still sounds good
* The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis - Piano and guitar joined together just right
* Connor Oberst - Moab - how sometimes the road can heal you - and it does
* The Ravonettes - Aly, Walk with Me - see above
* OneRepublic - Stop and Stare - beautiful lyrics, forward or die
* The Killers - Spaceman - ultimate in stadium rock ready, and pretty funny on top of it all
* Glasvegas - Geraldine - just listen
* The Ahn Trio - All I Want -again simply heartbreaking, beautiful strings - classical, electronic, blues, jazz all in one package
* NIN - Discipline - sounds like The Downward Spiral
Jan 7, 2009
MICHAEL SHORE -- LAWN GUYLAND, NOO YAWK, USA
Funny thing -- last year I complained how I was the last guy in the known universe without an iPod. Since then, I've gotten one -- as a holiday gift last winter ...and after taking months to get round to actually bothering to learn how to program it, it has of course CHANGED MY LIFE. Well, along with the ongoing slow death of the music industry, which has meant less new music coming into my life while I cram the iPod with as much of my 10,000-plus CDs as I can (and wait til I figure a way to get my 6,000-plus vinyl LPs on it!).
The upshot is that -- at enormous risk of turning into the crank next door shaking his rake and snarling "you kids get outta my yard!" (turning? or have I already turned...?) -- I find myself having gone back to the future...or as Firesign Theater once put it, "forward into the past." For whatever reason, I heard precious little new music over the past year, and even less that made any impression on me whatsoever. I did READ about, and heard dribs of, stuff I bet I'd like -- Drive-By Truckers, Boniver, Santogold and more -- but I ain't about frontin' just to look hip, so take it or leave it.
Therefore my list is very short and, with one glaring exception, backward-looking...which suits me fine.
ALBUM:
SUN RA & HIS COSMO JET-SET LOVE ADVENTURE ARKESTRA: The Complete Detroit Jazz Center Residency, 1980-81. 28 CDs worth of the guy who anyone who knows me knows is my favorite big-band-swing-space-jazz-free-form-electronic-afro-psychedelic-gospel-funk-composer-arranger-keyboardist-rapper-shaman...and caught here at the height of what for me personally is my favorite part of his singular-sensation of a career, which began on record in 1956. Ra was the virtual houseband at Squat Theater on W 23 St from 1979-82, delivering spectacular medicine-show magical-mystery-tours of the African-American cultural continuum (by way of Ancient Egypt and his homeplanet Saturn, of course) every couple of weeks. This is the best document of that era I have ever found, not least because it finally preserves all the obscure big-band classics of the early/mid 1930s Ra was doing then in by-the-book arrangements, as well as his fabulously authentic and swinging arrangements of Tin Pan Alley classics like "Tea for Two," "Three Little Words" and "Over the Rainbow." As the flavors-of-the-month seem increasingly processed and disposable, there is more and more to be said for timelessness...and as things get increasingly Pro-Tooled and sequenced, there is something to be said for the skip-in-your-step and breath-of-fresh-air that is true SWING.
SINGLE:
M.I.A. "PAPER PLANES." My concession to the contemporary. What can I tellya? It 's a great catchy track and Of The Moment like a single should be, and sorry folks, she's HOT (though I did chance upon a recent Spin interview which was a crushing disappointment in unmasking her crass, corny careerism...).
LIVE:
STEVE BERNSTEIN'S MILENNIUM TERRITORY ORCHESTRA at Symphony Space, NYC, Nov. 08. As indicated re the Ra box above, there is something about late 20s/early 30s swing that, when done right (Ra, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Don Redman, Bix Tram...), I find absolutely magical. This 10-piece did it SO right this night, in a benefit for Karl Berger's Creative Music Studio in Woodstock. (Ra acolyte Marshall Allen in duet with NRBQ's Terry Adams, at John Zorn's Lower East Side Venue The Stone, runs a close second).
that is all. thanks for asking, Charlie, and regards to all out there!
The upshot is that -- at enormous risk of turning into the crank next door shaking his rake and snarling "you kids get outta my yard!" (turning? or have I already turned...?) -- I find myself having gone back to the future...or as Firesign Theater once put it, "forward into the past." For whatever reason, I heard precious little new music over the past year, and even less that made any impression on me whatsoever. I did READ about, and heard dribs of, stuff I bet I'd like -- Drive-By Truckers, Boniver, Santogold and more -- but I ain't about frontin' just to look hip, so take it or leave it.
Therefore my list is very short and, with one glaring exception, backward-looking...which suits me fine.
ALBUM:
SUN RA & HIS COSMO JET-SET LOVE ADVENTURE ARKESTRA: The Complete Detroit Jazz Center Residency, 1980-81. 28 CDs worth of the guy who anyone who knows me knows is my favorite big-band-swing-space-jazz-free-form-electronic-afro-psychedelic-gospel-funk-composer-arranger-keyboardist-rapper-shaman...and caught here at the height of what for me personally is my favorite part of his singular-sensation of a career, which began on record in 1956. Ra was the virtual houseband at Squat Theater on W 23 St from 1979-82, delivering spectacular medicine-show magical-mystery-tours of the African-American cultural continuum (by way of Ancient Egypt and his homeplanet Saturn, of course) every couple of weeks. This is the best document of that era I have ever found, not least because it finally preserves all the obscure big-band classics of the early/mid 1930s Ra was doing then in by-the-book arrangements, as well as his fabulously authentic and swinging arrangements of Tin Pan Alley classics like "Tea for Two," "Three Little Words" and "Over the Rainbow." As the flavors-of-the-month seem increasingly processed and disposable, there is more and more to be said for timelessness...and as things get increasingly Pro-Tooled and sequenced, there is something to be said for the skip-in-your-step and breath-of-fresh-air that is true SWING.
SINGLE:
M.I.A. "PAPER PLANES." My concession to the contemporary. What can I tellya? It 's a great catchy track and Of The Moment like a single should be, and sorry folks, she's HOT (though I did chance upon a recent Spin interview which was a crushing disappointment in unmasking her crass, corny careerism...).
LIVE:
STEVE BERNSTEIN'S MILENNIUM TERRITORY ORCHESTRA at Symphony Space, NYC, Nov. 08. As indicated re the Ra box above, there is something about late 20s/early 30s swing that, when done right (Ra, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Don Redman, Bix Tram...), I find absolutely magical. This 10-piece did it SO right this night, in a benefit for Karl Berger's Creative Music Studio in Woodstock. (Ra acolyte Marshall Allen in duet with NRBQ's Terry Adams, at John Zorn's Lower East Side Venue The Stone, runs a close second).
that is all. thanks for asking, Charlie, and regards to all out there!
Jan 6, 2009
SIMON MURRELL - Barcelona, Spain
This list is best defined as music that I have enjoyed in 2008, in approximate order of merit.
* Tracy Chapman - live at Palau de la Musica, Barcelona: exceptional.
* Adriana Calcanhotto - Maré
* Living Colour - comeback gig at Barcelona Apollo. Vernon is still God.
* Jimmy McGriff - 'Round Midnight. Extremely rare track this: it used to be the sign-off song on Radio Caroline, a 1960s pirate radio station that broadcast from a ship somewhere in the North Sea. The combination of organ and jazz guitar is wonderful.
* Kanye West - all his work, despite the fact that 808s is underwhelming
* Finley Quaye - all his work
* Mogwai - all their work
* Orchestra Baobab - all their work
* Ed Motta - despite the fact that he didn't turn up to his gig in Barcelona in September, leaving us stranded with some heinous lo-fi band from Oregon...
* Estelle - Shine
* Tracy Chapman - live at Palau de la Musica, Barcelona: exceptional.
* Adriana Calcanhotto - Maré
* Living Colour - comeback gig at Barcelona Apollo. Vernon is still God.
* Jimmy McGriff - 'Round Midnight. Extremely rare track this: it used to be the sign-off song on Radio Caroline, a 1960s pirate radio station that broadcast from a ship somewhere in the North Sea. The combination of organ and jazz guitar is wonderful.
* Kanye West - all his work, despite the fact that 808s is underwhelming
* Finley Quaye - all his work
* Mogwai - all their work
* Orchestra Baobab - all their work
* Ed Motta - despite the fact that he didn't turn up to his gig in Barcelona in September, leaving us stranded with some heinous lo-fi band from Oregon...
* Estelle - Shine
Jan 1, 2009
STUART MOWAT - New York, USA
They aren’t all necessarily released in 2008, but I listened to them in 2008. Seems to be a movement towards pop and dance records this year.
1 Vampire Weekend
2 Killers Day And Age
3 Katy Perry One of the Boys
4 Ne-Yo Year of the Gentleman
5 Akon Konvicted
6 Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad
7 Bravery The Sun And The Moon
8 Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple
9 Paramore Riot!
10 Raconteurs Consolers Of The Lonely
1 Vampire Weekend
2 Killers Day And Age
3 Katy Perry One of the Boys
4 Ne-Yo Year of the Gentleman
5 Akon Konvicted
6 Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad
7 Bravery The Sun And The Moon
8 Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple
9 Paramore Riot!
10 Raconteurs Consolers Of The Lonely
Dec 29, 2008
LAUREN LEVINE - New York, USA
This year's Top 10+ sees the completion of a shift that began when i fell in love with the Wicked soundtrack several years ago.
I've finally been utterly and completely seduced by the shiny, happy pop hit world after years of independence. Here's the list:
* M.I.A. - Paper Planes (every version and every mix - and I hope Slumdog Millionaire wins the best picture oscar!)
* Katie Perry - I kissed a girl
* Pink - So What
* The whole Duffy album
* Alexandra Burke (the X Factor victor)'s version of Hallelulah
* Leona Lewis's version of Run
* The coldplay album
* TI - whatever you like, and the Rihanna song
* Rihanna's whole '08 output
Hell....
I even liked Jack White and Alicia Keyes - Quantum of Solace theme
Here's as close to the fresh as I veered:
* Charlotte Gainsbourg's 5.55 is excellent
* Conor Oberst's Cape Canaveral
* Elbow's Grounds for Divorce and On a day like this
* Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan's Sunday at Devil Dirt
* Verve's Forth was nice and Vervey
Zut alors......
I even love Carla Bruni's Comme si de rien n'etait
I've finally been utterly and completely seduced by the shiny, happy pop hit world after years of independence. Here's the list:
* M.I.A. - Paper Planes (every version and every mix - and I hope Slumdog Millionaire wins the best picture oscar!)
* Katie Perry - I kissed a girl
* Pink - So What
* The whole Duffy album
* Alexandra Burke (the X Factor victor)'s version of Hallelulah
* Leona Lewis's version of Run
* The coldplay album
* TI - whatever you like, and the Rihanna song
* Rihanna's whole '08 output
Hell....
I even liked Jack White and Alicia Keyes - Quantum of Solace theme
Here's as close to the fresh as I veered:
* Charlotte Gainsbourg's 5.55 is excellent
* Conor Oberst's Cape Canaveral
* Elbow's Grounds for Divorce and On a day like this
* Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan's Sunday at Devil Dirt
* Verve's Forth was nice and Vervey
Zut alors......
I even love Carla Bruni's Comme si de rien n'etait
Dec 27, 2008
TOMAS COOKMAN - Los Angeles, USA
It is so hard to pick just 10 tracks, let alone full albums in this day and age of excessive attention deficit mode. Here are tracks that I found myself listening to more and more and playing at my end of day blast the speakers from my office playlists. Most of it is indie and there is a demo or two in there and I went over my ten, but I think they are all songs worth listening to. The honorable mentions are songs that you all should hear at least once in your life in case you ever go fully deaf and lose the opportunity to do so.
SONG - ARTIST
Won't Say Anything - Hello Seahorse - Mexico
Tigers in the Fire - Love Grenades - Los Angeles
Deep Princess - The Peronists - La Plata, Argentina
Politik Kills - Prince Fatty Remix - Manu Chao - North Hollywood (he left some stuff in my guest house)
The Step and The Walk - The Duke Spirit - Los Angeles
Rio - Aterciopelados - Bogota
Between Bullets - Zigmat - New York
Flavour - 29th Street - Los Angeles
Beggin'(Pilooski Re-Edit Radio Edit) - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - New Jersey / Paris
Let U Know - Plastiilna Mosh - Mars
Take Me Back To Piaui (Dubben Mix) - Jurandyr Czaczkes - Brazilian Beats 'n' Pieces (Served Up by Phat Kev) - Brazil
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible - Tijuana Sound Machine - Tijuana
International Love - Fidel Nadal - Buenos Aires
Nijaay - Orchestra Baobab - Africa
Black & Gold - Sam Sparro - Los Angeles
honorable mention:
Honey Hush - Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio - Rockabilly Heaven
Maruzzella - Renato Carosone - Napoli
So ´nnato Carcerato - Mario Merola - Napoli
SONG - ARTIST
Won't Say Anything - Hello Seahorse - Mexico
Tigers in the Fire - Love Grenades - Los Angeles
Deep Princess - The Peronists - La Plata, Argentina
Politik Kills - Prince Fatty Remix - Manu Chao - North Hollywood (he left some stuff in my guest house)
The Step and The Walk - The Duke Spirit - Los Angeles
Rio - Aterciopelados - Bogota
Between Bullets - Zigmat - New York
Flavour - 29th Street - Los Angeles
Beggin'(Pilooski Re-Edit Radio Edit) - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - New Jersey / Paris
Let U Know - Plastiilna Mosh - Mars
Take Me Back To Piaui (Dubben Mix) - Jurandyr Czaczkes - Brazilian Beats 'n' Pieces (Served Up by Phat Kev) - Brazil
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible - Tijuana Sound Machine - Tijuana
International Love - Fidel Nadal - Buenos Aires
Nijaay - Orchestra Baobab - Africa
Black & Gold - Sam Sparro - Los Angeles
honorable mention:
Honey Hush - Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio - Rockabilly Heaven
Maruzzella - Renato Carosone - Napoli
So ´nnato Carcerato - Mario Merola - Napoli
Dec 26, 2008
MELANI TANKEL - New York, USA
1. Tegan and Sara - The Con
2. Radiohead- In Rainbows
3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
4. Juana Molina - Un Dia
5. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
6. Daedelus - Love to Make Music To
7. Phantom Planet - Raise The Dead
8. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
9. Jack Penate - Matinee (Expanded Editon)
10. Moby - Last Night
2. Radiohead- In Rainbows
3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
4. Juana Molina - Un Dia
5. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
6. Daedelus - Love to Make Music To
7. Phantom Planet - Raise The Dead
8. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
9. Jack Penate - Matinee (Expanded Editon)
10. Moby - Last Night
Dec 25, 2008
ADELA GONDELLES - Miami, USA
This year I bought a liiitle more than last one. However I continue buying more singles, like everyone else..
bajofondo tango club, mar dulce
vampire weekend, vampire weekend
viva la vida, coldplay
Adele, 19
Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged (hate to sound so biased, but it’s a very good material)
Josiah Lehming (you can find his work on myspace.com). 17 years old kiddo from AI.
singles:
1. round midnighth, amy winehouse, Frank (B sides)
2. crack the shutters, snow patrol
3. Honey, Erykah Badu
4. human, day & age, the killers.
5. Duffy- Warwick Avenue
2007 albums/tracks discovered in 2008:
Dejame Vivir, Jarabe de Palo, Adelantando
Ana Laan, Chocolate and Roses. If you are in a good mood, this song is for you.
Brandi Carlie, most of her work. Great voice. Girls rule!
Grace Kelly, Mika, Life in Cartoon Motion
bajofondo tango club, mar dulce
vampire weekend, vampire weekend
viva la vida, coldplay
Adele, 19
Julieta Venegas MTV Unplugged (hate to sound so biased, but it’s a very good material)
Josiah Lehming (you can find his work on myspace.com). 17 years old kiddo from AI.
singles:
1. round midnighth, amy winehouse, Frank (B sides)
2. crack the shutters, snow patrol
3. Honey, Erykah Badu
4. human, day & age, the killers.
5. Duffy- Warwick Avenue
2007 albums/tracks discovered in 2008:
Dejame Vivir, Jarabe de Palo, Adelantando
Ana Laan, Chocolate and Roses. If you are in a good mood, this song is for you.
Brandi Carlie, most of her work. Great voice. Girls rule!
Grace Kelly, Mika, Life in Cartoon Motion
Dec 24, 2008
HOLLY CARA PRICE - New York, USA
* Who Killed Amanda Palmer – Amanda Palmer. Stunning. Heartbreaking. She's going to be a supernova.
* The Way I See It - Raphael Saddiq. I did not know that they made records like this anymore. Back to the future.
* Sunday at Devil Dirt - Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. Clearly Mark L is the Leonard Cohen of his generation.
* Mavis Staples - Live: Hope at the Hideout. Stirring. Absolutely terrific.
* Dream Baby Dream – Bruce Springsteen. (CD single) This Suicide cover was the set closer of the shows on Springsteen's "Devils and Dust" Tour. It's spare and haunting.
The following are not 2008 releases but I found them again and fell in love again with them this year:
Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Soundtrack)
Nurds - The Roches
Peter Pan (Original Cast Recording)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Original Soundtrack)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Hobo's Lullaby - Arlo Guthrie
Wednesday Morning 3AM – Simon & Garfunkel
Nebraska – Bruce Springsteen
* The Way I See It - Raphael Saddiq. I did not know that they made records like this anymore. Back to the future.
* Sunday at Devil Dirt - Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. Clearly Mark L is the Leonard Cohen of his generation.
* Mavis Staples - Live: Hope at the Hideout. Stirring. Absolutely terrific.
* Dream Baby Dream – Bruce Springsteen. (CD single) This Suicide cover was the set closer of the shows on Springsteen's "Devils and Dust" Tour. It's spare and haunting.
The following are not 2008 releases but I found them again and fell in love again with them this year:
Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Soundtrack)
Nurds - The Roches
Peter Pan (Original Cast Recording)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Original Soundtrack)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Hobo's Lullaby - Arlo Guthrie
Wednesday Morning 3AM – Simon & Garfunkel
Nebraska – Bruce Springsteen
LISA HACKETT - New Jersey, USA
Kings of Leon, Only By the Night
Death Cab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs
The Killers, Day & Age
Perfect Symmetry, Keane
Snow Patrol, A Hundred Million Suns
Oasis, Dig Out Your Soul
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Sigur Ros, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum End Laust
Adele, 19
Rockferry, Duffy
Beck, Modern Guilt
Death Cab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs
The Killers, Day & Age
Perfect Symmetry, Keane
Snow Patrol, A Hundred Million Suns
Oasis, Dig Out Your Soul
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Sigur Ros, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum End Laust
Adele, 19
Rockferry, Duffy
Beck, Modern Guilt
Dec 23, 2008
NEIL STOLLMAN - Oakland, California, USA
(Bakers Dozen, in no alphabetical order)
* Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago (one man, alone way too long in a desolate hunting cabin, voila!)
* Blitzen Trapper, Furr (also rock out of the wilderness, in this case, portland, kinks meet grateful dead)
* Neil Diamond, Home Before Dark (don't laugh, rick rubin's skills and ND's voice...magic)
* Duffy, Rockferry (Just as good, if not better, than joss and amy)
* Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes (been termed 'baroque harmonic pop', whatever that means, but I like it)
* Ray Lamontage, Gossip in the Grain (still angst-laden, love ode to meg white)
* Jenny Lewis, Acid Tongue (and maybe best concert of the year overall)
* The National, Boxer (2007, Cal students 'CD of the year' for what that's worth)
* REM, Accelerate (As good as early REM...they're baaaack)
* Rogue Wave, Asleep at Heavan's Gate (2007, Oaktown Boys!)
* Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It (Motown's back too, baby)
* Rachel Yamagata, Elephants (welcome back, Rachel...we missed you!)
* Lucinda Williams, Little Honey (What? A hint of happy?)
* Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago (one man, alone way too long in a desolate hunting cabin, voila!)
* Blitzen Trapper, Furr (also rock out of the wilderness, in this case, portland, kinks meet grateful dead)
* Neil Diamond, Home Before Dark (don't laugh, rick rubin's skills and ND's voice...magic)
* Duffy, Rockferry (Just as good, if not better, than joss and amy)
* Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes (been termed 'baroque harmonic pop', whatever that means, but I like it)
* Ray Lamontage, Gossip in the Grain (still angst-laden, love ode to meg white)
* Jenny Lewis, Acid Tongue (and maybe best concert of the year overall)
* The National, Boxer (2007, Cal students 'CD of the year' for what that's worth)
* REM, Accelerate (As good as early REM...they're baaaack)
* Rogue Wave, Asleep at Heavan's Gate (2007, Oaktown Boys!)
* Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It (Motown's back too, baby)
* Rachel Yamagata, Elephants (welcome back, Rachel...we missed you!)
* Lucinda Williams, Little Honey (What? A hint of happy?)
Dec 22, 2008
DANNY KEENAN - Sydney, Australia
AC/DC - Black Ice
Children Collide - The Long Now
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson - Ramblin' Bones
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Shane Nicholson - Familiar Ghosts
The Saboteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
Skybombers - Take Me To Town
CW Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Various - Easy Fever: A Tribute To The Easybeats & Stevie Wright
Honourable mentions...
Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
REM - Accelerate
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
The Living End - White Noise
Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Gyroscope - Breed Obsession
The Dirty Secrets - The Dirty Secrets
Darker My Love - 2
The Presets - Apocalypso
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Children Collide - The Long Now
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson - Ramblin' Bones
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Shane Nicholson - Familiar Ghosts
The Saboteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
Skybombers - Take Me To Town
CW Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Various - Easy Fever: A Tribute To The Easybeats & Stevie Wright
Honourable mentions...
Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
REM - Accelerate
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
The Living End - White Noise
Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Gyroscope - Breed Obsession
The Dirty Secrets - The Dirty Secrets
Darker My Love - 2
The Presets - Apocalypso
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Dec 19, 2008
TREVOR LAFARGUE - Miami, USA
Not all 2008 releases, but top 10 that kept me going this year.
* Nine Inch Nails - The Slip (just a diehard fan. free albums also go way up on my list)
* Bloc Party - Intimacy (really cant stand the first track, but the rest is kick ass)
* M83 - Saturdays=Youth (the French do pop right)
* Kitsune Maison - Compilation 5 (and all the ones before)
* Jamie Lidell - Jim (feel good in the morning on the way to the grind kinda stuff)
* Interpol - Our Love to Admire (this album took a few listens before it really sunk in and I couldn't stop listening to it.. "Lighthouse" is lovely)
* Chris Clark - Body Riddle ("wow" is about all i can say. check the video for the song Ted)
* Fujiya Miyagi - Transparent Things (good working grooves, they are not japanese...lol)
* Toumani Diabate - The Mande Variations (Kora - amazing instrument from West Africa played with amazing talent. very nice when having incense lit, like being far far far away.)
* Bob Dylan's Telltale signs (sadly enough, I truly just discovered dylan this year)
* TV on the Radio - Dear Science (best album of the year, had to add it as 11th album)
* Nine Inch Nails - The Slip (just a diehard fan. free albums also go way up on my list)
* Bloc Party - Intimacy (really cant stand the first track, but the rest is kick ass)
* M83 - Saturdays=Youth (the French do pop right)
* Kitsune Maison - Compilation 5 (and all the ones before)
* Jamie Lidell - Jim (feel good in the morning on the way to the grind kinda stuff)
* Interpol - Our Love to Admire (this album took a few listens before it really sunk in and I couldn't stop listening to it.. "Lighthouse" is lovely)
* Chris Clark - Body Riddle ("wow" is about all i can say. check the video for the song Ted)
* Fujiya Miyagi - Transparent Things (good working grooves, they are not japanese...lol)
* Toumani Diabate - The Mande Variations (Kora - amazing instrument from West Africa played with amazing talent. very nice when having incense lit, like being far far far away.)
* Bob Dylan's Telltale signs (sadly enough, I truly just discovered dylan this year)
* TV on the Radio - Dear Science (best album of the year, had to add it as 11th album)
Dec 18, 2008
PATRICK DOLAN - New York, USA
These are not all from 2008 – most aren't but they are tunes I've been listening too this year. Check this one out – Icelandic Folk – it is awesome - Í nýju húsi - Ólöf Arnalds (Við og við)
1) Friendly Ghoast – Eels (Soul Jacker)
2) Beck - Gamma Ray (Modern Guilt)
3) MGMT - Time to Pretend (Oracular Spectacular)
4) Í nýju húsi - Ólöf Arnalds (Við og við)
5) Blue Flower/Blue Flame – Destroyer (Trouble In Dreams)
6) Mirror In the Bathroom - The English Beat (I Just Can't Stop It)
7) Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John (Writer's Block)
8) Trouble Is a Friend – Lenka (Lenka)
9) Black Cab - Jens Lekman (Oh You're So Silent Jens)
10) New York – Cat Power (Jukebox)
1) Friendly Ghoast – Eels (Soul Jacker)
2) Beck - Gamma Ray (Modern Guilt)
3) MGMT - Time to Pretend (Oracular Spectacular)
4) Í nýju húsi - Ólöf Arnalds (Við og við)
5) Blue Flower/Blue Flame – Destroyer (Trouble In Dreams)
6) Mirror In the Bathroom - The English Beat (I Just Can't Stop It)
7) Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John (Writer's Block)
8) Trouble Is a Friend – Lenka (Lenka)
9) Black Cab - Jens Lekman (Oh You're So Silent Jens)
10) New York – Cat Power (Jukebox)
JACQUELINE CANTORE - Brooklyn, NY, USA
El Guincho, "Alegranza". Every track is fantastic! "Palmitos Park" is irresistible.
Gnarls Barkley, the true kings of pop, "The Odd Couple". And "Going On" is the best video of the year.
Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid"
Hercules and Love Affair
Adele, "19".
Fleet Foxes,"Fleet Foxes"
Beck, "Modern Guilt"
Sia, "Some People Have Real Problems", very cool website too
David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Everything that happens will happen today"
A few singles to count as an album: Lenka, this year's Feist, "Trouble is My Friend" is a cool little waltzy single; Duffy's "Mercy", Moby's "Last Night", Keane's "Spiralling", Vampire Weekend's "Oxford Comma"
From Brazil:
3 na Massa, "3 Na Massa"
Lily & Maria, "Lily & Maria"
although I now live in Brooklyn as you know ;-)
Gnarls Barkley, the true kings of pop, "The Odd Couple". And "Going On" is the best video of the year.
Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid"
Hercules and Love Affair
Adele, "19".
Fleet Foxes,"Fleet Foxes"
Beck, "Modern Guilt"
Sia, "Some People Have Real Problems", very cool website too
David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Everything that happens will happen today"
A few singles to count as an album: Lenka, this year's Feist, "Trouble is My Friend" is a cool little waltzy single; Duffy's "Mercy", Moby's "Last Night", Keane's "Spiralling", Vampire Weekend's "Oxford Comma"
From Brazil:
3 na Massa, "3 Na Massa"
Lily & Maria, "Lily & Maria"
although I now live in Brooklyn as you know ;-)
MARC ZIMET - Miami, FL
I will not do a Top Albums list this year...I'd feel like a bit of a fraud because I honestly just don't listen to albums the same way I used to. So, I offer my Top 30 tracks of the year instead...these songs are all from 2008 releases.
In alphabetical order according to Itunes:
The Airborne Toxic Event- Somewhere Around Midnight
Beck- Chemtrails
Cool Kids- Black Mags
Dennis Wilson- River Song
Darker My Love- Two Ways Out
David Byrne/Brian Eno- Strange Overtones
Delta Spirit- Trashcan
Duffy- Warwick Avenue
The Duke Spirit- The Step and the Walk
Estelle feat Kanye West- American Boy
The Fireman- Dance ‘Till We’re High
Friendly Fires- Paris
Gabriella Cilmi- Sweet About Me
Guillemots- Get Over It
Hockey- Too Fake
Kaiser Chiefs- Never Miss A Beat
Kimya Dawson- Alphabutt
Kings of Leon- Sex on Fire
The Last Shadow Puppets- The Age of the Understatement
Lily Allen- The Fear
N.E.R.D.- Love Bomb
Oasis- The Shock of the Lightning
Santogold- L.E.S. Artistes
She and Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
Supergrass- Butterfly
The Ting Ting’s- Great DJ
Tricky- Far Away
TV on the Radio- Golden Age
The Verve- Valium Skies
Yelle- Tristesse/Joie
In alphabetical order according to Itunes:
The Airborne Toxic Event- Somewhere Around Midnight
Beck- Chemtrails
Cool Kids- Black Mags
Dennis Wilson- River Song
Darker My Love- Two Ways Out
David Byrne/Brian Eno- Strange Overtones
Delta Spirit- Trashcan
Duffy- Warwick Avenue
The Duke Spirit- The Step and the Walk
Estelle feat Kanye West- American Boy
The Fireman- Dance ‘Till We’re High
Friendly Fires- Paris
Gabriella Cilmi- Sweet About Me
Guillemots- Get Over It
Hockey- Too Fake
Kaiser Chiefs- Never Miss A Beat
Kimya Dawson- Alphabutt
Kings of Leon- Sex on Fire
The Last Shadow Puppets- The Age of the Understatement
Lily Allen- The Fear
N.E.R.D.- Love Bomb
Oasis- The Shock of the Lightning
Santogold- L.E.S. Artistes
She and Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
Supergrass- Butterfly
The Ting Ting’s- Great DJ
Tricky- Far Away
TV on the Radio- Golden Age
The Verve- Valium Skies
Yelle- Tristesse/Joie
Dec 17, 2008
SANJIV DESAI - Miami, USA (Additional List)
BOX SETS / RERELEASES
1. Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series, Volume 8
2. Nina Simone, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story
3. Oscar Peterson, The Complete Clef/Mercury Recornding of Oscar Peterson Trio
4. Mosaic Select: Boogie Woogie & Blues Piano
5. Lest Young/Count Basie Sessions 1936-1940
6. Neil Young, Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968
7. Led Zepplin, Definitive Collection
8. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary
9. Otis Redding, "Live" in London and Paris
I have not listened to Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, or Hank Williams "The Unreleased Recordings". I get a sense that they would all be added...
Best song for driving down Macarthur Causeway: Raphael Saadiq's "100 Yard Dash"
1. Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series, Volume 8
2. Nina Simone, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story
3. Oscar Peterson, The Complete Clef/Mercury Recornding of Oscar Peterson Trio
4. Mosaic Select: Boogie Woogie & Blues Piano
5. Lest Young/Count Basie Sessions 1936-1940
6. Neil Young, Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968
7. Led Zepplin, Definitive Collection
8. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary
9. Otis Redding, "Live" in London and Paris
I have not listened to Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, or Hank Williams "The Unreleased Recordings". I get a sense that they would all be added...
Best song for driving down Macarthur Causeway: Raphael Saadiq's "100 Yard Dash"
ADRIAN BLAKE - Omaha, Nebraska, USA
SONG OF THE YEAR (OUT OF NOWHERE)
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset: Blackbird
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9BcyyTc16k
A left-field choice for my song of the year, but nothing else I heard hit me like this. It's the Roches meet traditional English folk music, with a KILLER hook. And if you’re into harmony singing, this is a lot more impressive than Fleet Foxes. Nominated for the Mercury Prize, which means it’s not necessarily obscure, but definitely not traditional pop.
KID-FRIENDLY DIVISION
Chester French: She Loves Everybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXGxM_zbuEs
Harvard represents! (Better than Bonnie Raitt, ’69) Poptastic slice of 80’s synthfunk. Fun with a little melancholy.
MIA: Paper Planes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sei-eEjy4g
My favorite sample of the year, but then I bought Combat Rock (on cassette) the day it came out.
Kaiser Chiefs; Never Miss a Beat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz40P1hFvWs
It’s not curing cancer, but it uses guitars and hooks to make you jump up and down. God’s work, indeed.
Yelle: Tristesse/Joie (as well as Je Veux Te Voir)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgo-R9VQTUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLTGxNuSzW4
The Human League were huge in France, so why not? V old-school synths, dirty French lyrics, and catchy catchy catchy.
Adele: Make You Feel My Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a--Ng
Great white soul obscure Dylan cover. She’s at her least American Idol here, which makes all the difference.
The Ting Tings: That’s Not My Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UX0p7uAW2s
The Ting Tings: Great DJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myJnsqGgxxM
The Ting Tings: Shut Up and Let Me Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r23cm7bL9E
My favorite singles act this year. When you can steal hooks from Eddie Money AND Chic in the same year, you have something going on.
Amy Winehouse: Hey Little Rich Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNq4TXpnxgA
Every year she comes out with something good. Wonderful Specials cover.
Santogold: Lights Out
Air Traffic: Charlotte
Coldplay: Lost
Feist: I Feel it All
Duffy: Mercy
Estelle: American Boy
Carrie Underwood: All American Girl
Metro Station: Shake It
Flight of the Conchords: Hiphopopotamus
Lily Allen: The Fear
B-52s: Pump
Vampire Weekend: M79
Copycat: Knowing the Rhythm is Right
GROWNUPS DIVISION
Nicole Atkins: Party’s Over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os6ZzUWvKv4
A 2007 release, but found this year. Amazing alto voice. Halfway between Crowded House and David Poe.
Hayes Carll: She Left Me for Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3ie4VhcLT0
NPR should not be one’s primary source of country music discovery, but this is a gem. It’s one joke, but a fantastic joke. “If I ever find Jesus, I’m kickin’ his ass.” If you listen to one country song this year (and we’re all open-minded people here), this is the one.
Lightspeed Champion: Midnight Surprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rMwc10uNOg
Really beautiful song about obsession and loneliness. Kicks the ass of every emo act.
Morrissey: All You Need is Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElemRKA9r1c
Shouldn’t he be boring and irrelevant by now? He’s doing a wonderful job of shedding the mopiness and focusing on the funny. Wonderful hook and lyrics. “You don’t like me but you love me/ either way you’re wrong.”
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: We Call Upon the Author
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k2Hf6Vc2FE
You know what you’re getting with Nick Cave—instant rock snob credibility and the most dire of Old Testament worldviews. Full on JAMC meets early Bob Dylan. Strong album, great song.
Radiohead: Go Slowly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GkPkwkgSE
Pick what you want from In Rainbows, but this is the prettiest thing they’ve done since No Surprises.
The Hold Steady: Constructive Summer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU7Y0DdLN48
The Hold Steady: Sequestered in Memphis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjDI1oouS8w
Probably my favorite album of the year. Everything I like about classic rock.
Ben Folds & Regina Spektor: You Don’t Know Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9csWhlHWM
Two great tastes that taste great together. Like everyone else, Ben Folds is best when he’s got some discipline and doesn’t get all mopey and self-indulgent.
The Gaslight Anthem: The ’59 Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxTmgUx2TOE
Roots-punk in the vein of old favorites X.
Glen Campbell: Sing , All I Want Is You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69PPpkKTamo
I can’t believe Rick Rubin wasn’t involved in this, but an excellent comeback effort by Mr. Campbell. Travis and U2 covers? Why not?
REM: Supernatural Superserious
Portishead: The Rip
Glasvegas: Geraldine
Young Knives: Turn Tail
A plus D: Close to Konichiwa Bitches
Jens Lekman: I am Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You
Beck: Gamma Ray
Bloc Party: Biko
Roisin Murphy: You Know Me Better
Drive-by Truckers: Daddy Needs a Drink
Best Gig: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists at Slowdown, Omaha, NE.
Best wishes to all for 2009.
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset: Blackbird
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9BcyyTc16k
A left-field choice for my song of the year, but nothing else I heard hit me like this. It's the Roches meet traditional English folk music, with a KILLER hook. And if you’re into harmony singing, this is a lot more impressive than Fleet Foxes. Nominated for the Mercury Prize, which means it’s not necessarily obscure, but definitely not traditional pop.
KID-FRIENDLY DIVISION
Chester French: She Loves Everybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXGxM_zbuEs
Harvard represents! (Better than Bonnie Raitt, ’69) Poptastic slice of 80’s synthfunk. Fun with a little melancholy.
MIA: Paper Planes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sei-eEjy4g
My favorite sample of the year, but then I bought Combat Rock (on cassette) the day it came out.
Kaiser Chiefs; Never Miss a Beat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz40P1hFvWs
It’s not curing cancer, but it uses guitars and hooks to make you jump up and down. God’s work, indeed.
Yelle: Tristesse/Joie (as well as Je Veux Te Voir)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgo-R9VQTUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLTGxNuSzW4
The Human League were huge in France, so why not? V old-school synths, dirty French lyrics, and catchy catchy catchy.
Adele: Make You Feel My Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a--Ng
Great white soul obscure Dylan cover. She’s at her least American Idol here, which makes all the difference.
The Ting Tings: That’s Not My Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UX0p7uAW2s
The Ting Tings: Great DJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myJnsqGgxxM
The Ting Tings: Shut Up and Let Me Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r23cm7bL9E
My favorite singles act this year. When you can steal hooks from Eddie Money AND Chic in the same year, you have something going on.
Amy Winehouse: Hey Little Rich Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNq4TXpnxgA
Every year she comes out with something good. Wonderful Specials cover.
Santogold: Lights Out
Air Traffic: Charlotte
Coldplay: Lost
Feist: I Feel it All
Duffy: Mercy
Estelle: American Boy
Carrie Underwood: All American Girl
Metro Station: Shake It
Flight of the Conchords: Hiphopopotamus
Lily Allen: The Fear
B-52s: Pump
Vampire Weekend: M79
Copycat: Knowing the Rhythm is Right
GROWNUPS DIVISION
Nicole Atkins: Party’s Over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os6ZzUWvKv4
A 2007 release, but found this year. Amazing alto voice. Halfway between Crowded House and David Poe.
Hayes Carll: She Left Me for Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3ie4VhcLT0
NPR should not be one’s primary source of country music discovery, but this is a gem. It’s one joke, but a fantastic joke. “If I ever find Jesus, I’m kickin’ his ass.” If you listen to one country song this year (and we’re all open-minded people here), this is the one.
Lightspeed Champion: Midnight Surprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rMwc10uNOg
Really beautiful song about obsession and loneliness. Kicks the ass of every emo act.
Morrissey: All You Need is Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElemRKA9r1c
Shouldn’t he be boring and irrelevant by now? He’s doing a wonderful job of shedding the mopiness and focusing on the funny. Wonderful hook and lyrics. “You don’t like me but you love me/ either way you’re wrong.”
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: We Call Upon the Author
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k2Hf6Vc2FE
You know what you’re getting with Nick Cave—instant rock snob credibility and the most dire of Old Testament worldviews. Full on JAMC meets early Bob Dylan. Strong album, great song.
Radiohead: Go Slowly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GkPkwkgSE
Pick what you want from In Rainbows, but this is the prettiest thing they’ve done since No Surprises.
The Hold Steady: Constructive Summer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU7Y0DdLN48
The Hold Steady: Sequestered in Memphis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjDI1oouS8w
Probably my favorite album of the year. Everything I like about classic rock.
Ben Folds & Regina Spektor: You Don’t Know Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9csWhlHWM
Two great tastes that taste great together. Like everyone else, Ben Folds is best when he’s got some discipline and doesn’t get all mopey and self-indulgent.
The Gaslight Anthem: The ’59 Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxTmgUx2TOE
Roots-punk in the vein of old favorites X.
Glen Campbell: Sing , All I Want Is You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69PPpkKTamo
I can’t believe Rick Rubin wasn’t involved in this, but an excellent comeback effort by Mr. Campbell. Travis and U2 covers? Why not?
REM: Supernatural Superserious
Portishead: The Rip
Glasvegas: Geraldine
Young Knives: Turn Tail
A plus D: Close to Konichiwa Bitches
Jens Lekman: I am Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You
Beck: Gamma Ray
Bloc Party: Biko
Roisin Murphy: You Know Me Better
Drive-by Truckers: Daddy Needs a Drink
Best Gig: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists at Slowdown, Omaha, NE.
Best wishes to all for 2009.
Dec 16, 2008
DAVID BARNES - Brooklyn, NY, USA
James Hunter - the Hard Way
Al Green - Lay It Down
Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza
Lizz Wright - The Orchard
Heavy D - Vibes
Tomas Doncker - Small World
Soulive - No PLace Like Soul (2007 - I didn't get hip to it until 2008)
Shinehead - Ruff and Rugged (1986 - CD released 2008)
Al Green - Lay It Down
Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza
Lizz Wright - The Orchard
Heavy D - Vibes
Tomas Doncker - Small World
Soulive - No PLace Like Soul (2007 - I didn't get hip to it until 2008)
Shinehead - Ruff and Rugged (1986 - CD released 2008)
SULDI - The Road
In no particular order:
Orbital - I Wish I Had Duck Feet (album: Snivilisation)
Bitty McLean - Dedicated to the One I Love (album: Just To Let You Know)
Bad Brains - Sacred Love (album: I Against I)
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (album: Invaders Must Die)
Seeed - Goosebumps (album: Next!)
War - Lowrider (album: Gone In 60 Seconds O.S.T.)
Thin Lizzy - Southbound (album: Live & Dangerous) no life without Phil Lynott!
Chris Cornell - Fell On Black Days (album: Unplugged in Sweden)
Youssou N'Dour - Mame Bamba (album: The Guide (Wommat))
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - More News From Nowhere (album: Dig Lazarus Dig!!!)
Orbital - I Wish I Had Duck Feet (album: Snivilisation)
Bitty McLean - Dedicated to the One I Love (album: Just To Let You Know)
Bad Brains - Sacred Love (album: I Against I)
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (album: Invaders Must Die)
Seeed - Goosebumps (album: Next!)
War - Lowrider (album: Gone In 60 Seconds O.S.T.)
Thin Lizzy - Southbound (album: Live & Dangerous) no life without Phil Lynott!
Chris Cornell - Fell On Black Days (album: Unplugged in Sweden)
Youssou N'Dour - Mame Bamba (album: The Guide (Wommat))
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - More News From Nowhere (album: Dig Lazarus Dig!!!)
MICHAEL ANDEREZ - Miami, USA
In no particular order:
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
NOTE: Their best album yet
Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreaks
NOTE: On another level
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
NOTE: Great Album
Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us...
NOTE: Awesome Live
N.E.R.D. - Seeing Sounds
NOTE: Ridiculous beats
Beck - Modern Guilt
NOTE: Another a great Beck album
R.E.M - Accelerate
NOTE: Classic
Portishead - Third
NOTE: Great background music
No Age - Nouns
NOTE: Doesn't get old - no pun intended
The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me
NOTE: One of my favorite bands -
Neon Golden is their best album
GZA - Pro Tools
NOTE: One of my favorite Hip Hop albums this year - Classic GZA
Liquid Swords II
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
NOTE: Great lyrics
M.I.A. - Kala
NOTE: Amazing live
Common - Universal Mind Control
NOTE: Sounds more like Outkast
Q-Tip - The Renaissance ($5 on Amazon)
NOTE: Feel good music
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
NOTE: Great Album - still a cheesy name.
Better and Alt name: Death and All His Friends
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
NOTE: Their best album yet
Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreaks
NOTE: On another level
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
NOTE: Great Album
Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us...
NOTE: Awesome Live
N.E.R.D. - Seeing Sounds
NOTE: Ridiculous beats
Beck - Modern Guilt
NOTE: Another a great Beck album
R.E.M - Accelerate
NOTE: Classic
Portishead - Third
NOTE: Great background music
No Age - Nouns
NOTE: Doesn't get old - no pun intended
The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me
NOTE: One of my favorite bands -
Neon Golden is their best album
GZA - Pro Tools
NOTE: One of my favorite Hip Hop albums this year - Classic GZA
Liquid Swords II
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
NOTE: Great lyrics
M.I.A. - Kala
NOTE: Amazing live
Common - Universal Mind Control
NOTE: Sounds more like Outkast
Q-Tip - The Renaissance ($5 on Amazon)
NOTE: Feel good music
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
NOTE: Great Album - still a cheesy name.
Better and Alt name: Death and All His Friends
MITCH KOZUCHOWSKI - New York, NY
1) KATHLEEN EDWARDS -- ASKING FOR FLOWERS
2) IKE REILLY ASSASINATION -- POISON THE HIT PARADE
3) LUCINDA WILLIAMS -- LITTLE HONEY
4) HANK WILLIAMS III -- DAMN RIGHT REBEL PROUD
5) OASIS -- DIG OUT YOUR SOUL
6) PAUL WELLER -- 22 DREAMS
7) PAUL WESTERBERG -- 49:00
8) RADIOHEAD -- IN RAINBOWS
9) VAMPIRE WEEKEND -- VAMPIRE WEEKEND
10) DENNIS WILSON -- PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE (RE-ISSUE)
2) IKE REILLY ASSASINATION -- POISON THE HIT PARADE
3) LUCINDA WILLIAMS -- LITTLE HONEY
4) HANK WILLIAMS III -- DAMN RIGHT REBEL PROUD
5) OASIS -- DIG OUT YOUR SOUL
6) PAUL WELLER -- 22 DREAMS
7) PAUL WESTERBERG -- 49:00
8) RADIOHEAD -- IN RAINBOWS
9) VAMPIRE WEEKEND -- VAMPIRE WEEKEND
10) DENNIS WILSON -- PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE (RE-ISSUE)
JOSE TILLAN - Miami, USA
I thought overall 08 had some good stuff... Most of it not on major labels.
In no particular order:
Santogold – Santogold
Burial – Untrue
Calvin Harris – I Created Disco
CSS – Donkey
Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
David Byrne and Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
Robin Guthrie and Harold Budd – After The Night Falls
Other stuff that should have been in my top 10 if it was not a Top 10, but a Top 18.
Goldfrap – The Seventh Tree
Ladytron – Volocifero
Sam Cooke – Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club
Autechre – Amber
Brian Eno – On Land
Figurine – The Heartfelt
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
The Black Kids – Party Traumatic
Keep an eye for Pepvert’s ambient releases “Spitzer’s Friends” and “Italian Girls” as well as Popvert “Infidelity Park” coming out in 09.
In no particular order:
Santogold – Santogold
Burial – Untrue
Calvin Harris – I Created Disco
CSS – Donkey
Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
David Byrne and Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
Robin Guthrie and Harold Budd – After The Night Falls
Other stuff that should have been in my top 10 if it was not a Top 10, but a Top 18.
Goldfrap – The Seventh Tree
Ladytron – Volocifero
Sam Cooke – Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club
Autechre – Amber
Brian Eno – On Land
Figurine – The Heartfelt
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
The Black Kids – Party Traumatic
Keep an eye for Pepvert’s ambient releases “Spitzer’s Friends” and “Italian Girls” as well as Popvert “Infidelity Park” coming out in 09.
VICENTE SOLIS - Mexico City, Mexico
Unwantedly listened to the most (the kids and the local radio are to blame)
Tokio Hotel - Monsoon
------
The Guilty Track:
Madonna – Give It 2 Me
------
The albums or portions of The albums, in Alpha order:
* The Darjeeling Limited OST (album!)
* Death Cab For Cutie - (the following tracks from the album NARROW STAIRS): I Will Possess Your Heart, Cath..., You Can Do Better Than Me, Your New Twin Size Bed, Long Division, Pity And Fear, The Ice Is Getting Thinner
* Hercules and Love Affair (the following tracks): Hercules’ Theme, Athene, Blind, Iris, This Is My Love
* MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (album)
* Portishead - (the following tracks from the album THIRD): Silence, Nylon Smile, The Rip, We Carry On, Machine Gun
* Santogold – Santogold (album)
* Tindersticks - (the following track from the album THE HUNGRY SAW): The Flicker of a Little Girl
* The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing (album!)
* Ximena Zariñana – Mediocre (album!) MEXICAN FEMALE REVELATION
* Zoe – Reptilectric (album) MEXICAN BAND
-------
The 2007 albums discovered in 2008:
* Porter - (the following tracks from the album ATEMAHAWKE) MEXICAN BAND FROM GUADALAJARA. Sadly disbanded already: Vaquero Galáctico, Host Of A Ghost, Bailando Con Mi Virginidad, Cuervos, Ana Paula (Viaje Al 113), Xoloitzcuintle Chicloso
* LCD Soundsystem – 45:33 (album!)
* Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (album)
Tokio Hotel - Monsoon
------
The Guilty Track:
Madonna – Give It 2 Me
------
The albums or portions of The albums, in Alpha order:
* The Darjeeling Limited OST (album!)
* Death Cab For Cutie - (the following tracks from the album NARROW STAIRS): I Will Possess Your Heart, Cath..., You Can Do Better Than Me, Your New Twin Size Bed, Long Division, Pity And Fear, The Ice Is Getting Thinner
* Hercules and Love Affair (the following tracks): Hercules’ Theme, Athene, Blind, Iris, This Is My Love
* MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (album)
* Portishead - (the following tracks from the album THIRD): Silence, Nylon Smile, The Rip, We Carry On, Machine Gun
* Santogold – Santogold (album)
* Tindersticks - (the following track from the album THE HUNGRY SAW): The Flicker of a Little Girl
* The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing (album!)
* Ximena Zariñana – Mediocre (album!) MEXICAN FEMALE REVELATION
* Zoe – Reptilectric (album) MEXICAN BAND
-------
The 2007 albums discovered in 2008:
* Porter - (the following tracks from the album ATEMAHAWKE) MEXICAN BAND FROM GUADALAJARA. Sadly disbanded already: Vaquero Galáctico, Host Of A Ghost, Bailando Con Mi Virginidad, Cuervos, Ana Paula (Viaje Al 113), Xoloitzcuintle Chicloso
* LCD Soundsystem – 45:33 (album!)
* Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (album)
GRAHAM ASHTON - Brisbane, Australia
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – DIG LAZARUS DIG
DELTA SPIRIT – ODE TO THE SUNSHINE
PORT O’BRIEN – ALL WE COULD DO WAS SING
THE LIVING END – WHITE NOISE
THE GIN CLUB – JUNK
BON IVER – FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO
THE RACONTUERS – CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY
CONER OBERST – CONER OBERST
THE HOLD STEADY – STAY POSITIVE
THE BRONX – THE BRONX
DELTA SPIRIT – ODE TO THE SUNSHINE
PORT O’BRIEN – ALL WE COULD DO WAS SING
THE LIVING END – WHITE NOISE
THE GIN CLUB – JUNK
BON IVER – FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO
THE RACONTUERS – CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY
CONER OBERST – CONER OBERST
THE HOLD STEADY – STAY POSITIVE
THE BRONX – THE BRONX
Dec 15, 2008
SANJIV DESAI - Miami, USA
1. TV On The Radio - Dear Science, (#1 album of the year, hands down)
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
3. The Hold Steady
3. White Denim - Exposion
5. The Walkmen - You & Me
6. Spiritualized - Songs in A & E
7. Black Keys - Attack & Release
8. Beck - Modern Guilt
9. Gnarls Barkley -
10. Fleet Foxes
11. Kanye West - 808's
12. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
single of the year -- m.i.a.'s paper planes, hands down.
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
3. The Hold Steady
3. White Denim - Exposion
5. The Walkmen - You & Me
6. Spiritualized - Songs in A & E
7. Black Keys - Attack & Release
8. Beck - Modern Guilt
9. Gnarls Barkley -
10. Fleet Foxes
11. Kanye West - 808's
12. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
single of the year -- m.i.a.'s paper planes, hands down.
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