Midlake - The Courage Of Others

Well, I'm back. At least long enough to offer up Midlake's newest album (3 years in the making) The Courage Of Others. Where their last album was full of would-be singles, Courage is much more cohesive in nature and must be listened to from start to finish to truly be enjoyed. I will say with the utmost certainty, that The Courage Of Others is without a doubt one of the best albums I have ever heard. Ever.

Tracklisting:
1. Acts Of Man
2. Winter Dies
3. Small Mountain
4. Core Of Nature
5. Fortune
6. Rulers, Ruling All Things
7. Children Of The Grounds
8. Bring Down
9. The Horn
10. The Courage Of The Others
11. In The Ground

Hiatus

I am going to be taking a hiatus from this blog.

I take a great deal of care in choosing and reviewing the albums that I post. I will take the complete and total lack of feedback to mean that the reviews are not being read and that the albums are not being downloaded.

I may or may not be back, but as for the forseeable future, this will be the last post.

Top 25 of 2009

On a scale of 1-10
[I rate an album by how much I like it, but it's position on my top 25 list is determined by how cohesive/listenable it is, and how strong of a release it is]

25. Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk
I had such high expectations from the self-titled debut album by indie/folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk. Much to my dismay, the album sounded less like the collaboration of four of our generations' most prolific songwriters and more like a b-sides compilation from their respective bands.
3 out of 10

24. Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
Not long ago, while watching Lars & The Real Girl, I found myself thinking that I would like to hear Ryan Gosling do a music project. In the movie, there is a small part where he is singing with a sweet, yet intense vibrato that harkened back to the likes of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Much to my surprise (and none to my disappointment), Mr. Gosling did indeed start a band, and it is something to behold. Very reminiscent of the creepy type music that you would hear on a halloween cd, Dead Man's Bones is stripped down and hauntingly beautiful.
6 out of 10

23. White Rabbits - It's Frightening
White Rabbits have something going for them: not too many other bands sound like them. Their sound is theirs and theirs alone and they do it very well. Though they are not a band that I would rush out to buy tickets to see, they are certainly a welcome addition to my list.
5 out of 10

22. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Well 2009 seems to be the year for Grizzly Bear. Veckatimest was on the top of a great deal many "Most Anticipated" album lists, and it is certainly a great album. Personally, a little of them goes a long way, but that's not to say that they are bad. I appreciate this album for what it is and would be remiss if I were to leave it off of my list.
4 out of 10

21. Passion Pit - Manners
This band seems to be topping "best of" lists everywhere, and they came from seemingly nowhere. All of the sudden, this band (consisting of a drummer, a few keyboard players, and a dancing singer) came out and blew everyone away. Dancy and fun, it is small wonder why. Here's to hoping that a sophomore release is as strong and that they are more than just a flash in the pan
7 out of 10

20.mewithoutYou - It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream! It's Alright!
2009 saw beloved post-punk rockers mewithoutYou head even more in a different direction than ever before. Their newest offering is far from where they began with A to B: Life, and is even a departure from the sound of Brother, Sister (my personal favorite), which was their most experimental to date. Seeing them this summer, though, was proof enough for me that they are still full of the intense passion that they are best known for.
6 out of 10

19. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
All that I can say is that it is about time that The Flaming Lips came out with a new album. It would be hard for anyone to listen to Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots or War Of The Mystics and not fall in love. The same is true of Embryonic. Great album.
7 out of 10

18. Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
It's hard for me to enjoy Oberst's solo work even a fraction of how much I enjoy Bright Eyes (especially Cassadaga and I'm Wide Awake), but this album is enjoyable none the less.
5 out of 10

17. Dignan - Cheaters & Thieves
Dignan is a band that I have seen grow and change over the last couple of years. They started as my buddy Eric's friend's band that I enjoyed as well, to one of the bands that I am anticipating to blow up any day now. Cheaters & Thieves is certainly proof of that: one listen to the track "Charlatan" and you'll be sold.
8 out of 10

16. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Indie-pop darlings Phoenix are back, and how. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is more than just a fun album, it's brilliant. I would go so far as to say that they are too good at what they do.
8 out of 10

15. Ben Kweller - Changing Horses
Who would have thought a] that Ben Kweller would write a country album and b] that it would be amazing? Not me, that's for sure. Previous to Horses, I wouldn't have counted myself even the least of Kweller fans, and now I can honestly say that I am thoroughly impressed.
8 out of 10

14. The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy
I don't know that I can necessarily or accurately describe what it is that captivates me so much about The Cave Singers, but there is something that draws me to them so much, especially Welcome Joy.
8 out of 10

13. Other Lives - Other Lives
Other Lives is a relatively new find for me, but it is safe to say that we will be hearing a good deal from this band over the coming years. I would not be surprised at all to see them attaining the same level of fame that bands like Fleet Foxes now enjoy.

7 out of 10

12. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Arctic Monkeys is a band that can take a little to get into at first, but once you're in, you're in. Humbug is an incredible album, but far from my favorite. Personally, I would like to see them return to the sound that made them famous on Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
7 out of 10

11. Bob Dylan - Together Through Life
Dylan's newest album is much more based in blues than anything else in his compendium. It is also a great album.
7 out of 10

10. M. Ward - Hold Time
Oh how I love the "him" when he is sans the "she". M. Ward is far too competent of a musician and songwriter to step out of the center for anyone else. His songs are honest and beautiful, sung and told like no one else I've ever heard.
8 out of 10

9. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
A great album from one of my all-time favorite bands. Initially, it took a little to get in to. Personally, I would like to see the band return to a Ghost Is Born type sound, but I am by no means disappointed by where they are.
8 out of 10

8. Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar - One Fast Move Or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie fame is one of my favorite songwriters. Jay Farrar is one of my least favorites. Somehow, the two, rather than landing in some mediocre territory, managed to write one of best albums of the year, paying homage to and at times quoting one of my favorite authors.
8 out of 10

7. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
Previous to the release of I And Love And You, I could easily say that I was less than impressed with The Avett Brothers. Since then, however, I have found that I am a big fan of Emotionalism as well. A great band that isn't easily understood at first.
7 out of 10

6. David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
I have been a big Pedro The Lion fan for nearly 7 years now and I was lucky enough to see them twice before they disbanded. Finally, 2009 saw Bazan's first proper LP since leaving Pedro behind and it is very very good. The one disconnect for me is how produced the album is, but that takes little away from it on the whole.
9 out of 10

5. J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
When I heard J. Tillman's album Cancer and Delirium, I officially hated him. I thought that the songs were boring and trite even. The only reason that I even listened to Vacilando Territory Blues was out of hope that it would be significantly better, if not to see why people were still paying attention to him. It was then that I discovered that he is the drummer for Fleet Foxes. This, of course, peaked my interest. Suffice it to say, Vacilando is better by leaps and bounds, landing it in the top 5 of 2009.
9 out of 10

4. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
To say that Mumford & Sons is a good band is like saying that The Office is an alright television show. This lesser-known british band has written one of the best indie/folk albums I have ever heard. Much like Passion Pit, I hope that their next album can live up to the standards that their debut set.
9 out of 10

3. Pomegranates - Everybody, Come Outside!
I find myself listening more to folk bands than indie/rock bands, but Pomegranates are the perfect blend of dance beats and indie/pop to get you dancing, even if it's just by yourself in the car. This band puts on one of the best live shows I have ever seen and have written easily one of the best and most cohesive indie/pop records that I have ever heard.
10 out of 10

2. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist
I remember back when Portugal. The Man first came out. They were a young prog/rock band that was doing a watered-down version of what The Mars Volta became famous for. Then, somewhere along the line, they started writing the sort of songs that make The Satanic Satanist so incredible. Easily one of the best albums I have ever heard.
10 out of 10

1. A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose
A.A. Bondy is without question one of the best songwriters of my generation, and the release of When The Devil's Loose is proof that he is more than a flash in the pan. The songs are beautiful and organic and hopeful. It is the type of music that you can imagine listening to while you're drinking a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper in the early hours of the morning, before the world is totally awake and before you begin another day.
10 out of 10


So that's my top 25 of 2009. Feel free to agree or disagree. I would love to hear what your top 25 is.
As always, if you have any requests, let me know. I'll see what I can do to fulfill them.

The Snake The Cross The Crown - 'Mander Salis

Whenever I think about the band The Snake The Cross The Crown, the first word that comes to mind to describe them would be: underrated. I have been listening to this band since 'Mander Salis came out back in 2004, have seen them live, and have been consistently blown away by their ability to write songs that are bigger than the majority of what I'm hearing from their contemporaries. I don't even think that I could come up with other artists that they remind me of; their sound is theirs alone.

In 2007, the band recorded and released their sophomore LP, Cotton Teeth, which garnered a good deal of critical acclaim, however my favorite has always been and will always be 'Mander Salis. Imagine a folkier Radiohead that studied under Fleetwood Mac for a short while. This description, however, does little justice to the band.

Tracklisting:
1. An Honest Misappropriation of Funds
2. Empires
3. Gates of Dis
4. A Gathering of Shades
5. On The Threshold of Eternity
6. The Sun Tells The Moon
7. A Brief Intermission
8. The Laughing Man
9. Echolalia
10. The Fields of Ius

Highlight Tracks: "An Honest Misappropriation of Funds", "A Brief Intermission", "Echoalia"

Old Canes - Early Morning Hymns

Old Canes is the side-project of The Appleseed Cast's Christopher Crisci. For the record, I have never been a big Appleseed Cast fan, but Old Canes is the type of band that it doesn't take much for me to fall in love with. The songs are stripped down, usually just consisting of a guitar, a harmonica, and Crisci's vocals, landing somewhere between folk and alt-country. In recent history, the band signed to Saddle Creek Records (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, Cursive, The Good Life) and released Feral Harmonic. Personally, I have yet to get into their newest album as of yet. I find myself drawn more to Early Morning Hymns because of how stripped down and honest sounding it is. Feral, from the little I've heard of it, sounds a little too over-produced for my taste.

Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Blue Eleanor
3. Taxi On Vermont
4. Both Falling Bright
5. Life Is Grand
6. Early Morning Hymns
7. The Song Was Right
8. Then Go On
9. Face It
10. One Day
11. Untitled
12. 7th Fret Closer

Meeting Of Important People - Meeting Of Important People

I just found this band and I haven't even listened to the entire album, but I was so impressed with the video for "Brittney Lane Don't Care" that I had to post their album. Think Nada Surf and Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin. You will not be disappointed.



Tracklisting:
1. Brittney Lane Don't Care
2. Hanky Church
3. List Show
4. One O'Clock
5. Dead Man
6. I Know Every Street
7. Mothers Pay More
8. Pretzel Rod Blues (Riff Song)
9. Down In The Hollow
10. Nothing's Going On

A Very Standard Christmas Vol. 2

For those of you whom have heard of Standard Recording Co., this may mean quite a bit to you

To those of you that have not, this will still be very cool.


Standard Recording Co. is releasing A Very Standard Christmas Vol. 2 on November 25th through digital retailers.
and She Does Is Magic has lent a song to the endeavor.

here is the track listing:
1 Amo Joy - Fall Into Christmas
2 Bald Eagle Refugees - Drummer Man
3 Works Cited - Don't Stand So Close to the Christmas Tree
4 Dead Beats - Christmas 2012
5 Thunderhawk - All I Got For Christmas Was a Black Lips CD
6 jascha. - What the Hell; It's Christmas Time
7 Chad Serhal w/ She Does Is Magic - Christmas
8 Kentucky Nightmare - Slow Christmas
9 Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos - Jesus Christ
10 Caleb McCoach - O, Christmas Tree
11 Lord of the Yum Yum - Ukranian Bell Choir
12 The News and How You Read It - Oh Christ, It's Christmas
13 Eisenhower Field Day - (Let's Have) Christmas On the Moon
14 Harley Poe - Coffee Slinger's Christmas
15 The Fake Swears - We Didn't Start the Yule Log

That's right, folks! We are on a Christmas album alongside none other than Epic Records' Margot & The Nuclear So and So's.

This is a huge deal and we would very much appreciate you purchasing this album and allowing it into your homes and hearts this holiday season!

Maria Taylor with Andy LeMaster - Savannah Drive

I am what you could call a fan of Saddle Creek Records. When I was in college and first discovered the label, I fell in love with every band on their roster: The Good Life was releasing their incredible album Album Of The Year shortly after their singer's side-project Cursive had released The Ugly Organ, which was and is their best album. Rilo Kiley was still the indie darling band, getting ready to release their very well received album, More Adventurous. Bright Eyes was preparing to release I'm Wide Awake It's Morning and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, hot on the heels of Lifted. Those were the heydays of the label, and there were two lesser known bands releasing albums at that time: Azure Ray and Now It's Overhead. After both had released several albums, Azure Ray called it quits and Now It's Overhead began a hiatus which has yet to end. This brings us to 2008, where we see Azure Ray singer Maria Taylor teaming up with Now It's Overhead frontman and producer Andy LeMaster. The two came together and recorded Savannah Drive which is a re-imagining of several Azure Ray songs, in addition to a few new ones. The end result is a beautiful album that is faintly reminiscent of Rilo Kiley, but beautiful in its own right.

The majority of the album consists only of Maria Taylor singing (which is by no means a bad thing), but then as if given as a small treat, the final track on the EP, "Tell Me" features a beautiful duet between Taylor and LeMaster. It is worth is to download this album if only for the final track.

Tracklisting:
1. Song Beneath The Song
2. Birmingham 1982
3. Ladyluck
4. A Good Start
5. Leap Year
6. Time Lapse Lifeline
7. Tell Me

Dead Sea Choir - Thin One the Red One

Dead Sea Choir is a new discovery for me; I stumbled upon their myspace page while looking at Dignan's page (they are on tour together right now). I played a track and was immediately mesmerized. Their music reminds me of a much more electronica influenced Radiohead, complete with all of the nuances and intricacies that make Radiohead such an incredible band. In addition, the band has this incredible ability to create songs that are listenable and immediately catchy. I'm very interested to see what comes of this band.

Tracklisting:
1. Charismatic
2. Oriental Drippo
3. Move It Child
4. Image D93
5. Option
6. 230
7. The Abyss
8. On The Up and Up
9. The Ceiling
10. Antagonist
11. Old Man WInter

Geology - Geology

Chances are fantastic that you've never heard of Geology. Chances are also fantastic, however, that you have heard of Geology singer-songwriter Greg Jehanian's main endeavor, mewithoutYou. If you are a fan of mwY at all, please do not expect to hear songs that might be B-Sides from any of their albums. What you hear, instead, are simple and lo-fi home recordings that hearken back to old Rocky Votolato.

Tracklisting:
1. The Deepest Blue
2. The River
3. Arkansas
4. Sing Me To Sleep
5. Her Maker
6. Not That Of The Sun
7. I Am The Wheat
8. It's Alright
9. The Sea and The Sky
10. Our Day WIll Come
11. Seeds
12. We Are The Trees
13. Untitled

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar - One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur

In honor of Jack Kerouac and the forthcoming documentary about his novel, Big Sur, Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Son Volt's Jay Farrar collaborated on this gem of an album which consists of Kerouac's own words put to music. Musically, the album is incredibly alt-country in nature which is new territory for Mr. Gibbard, but very familiar terrain for Farrar.

I am a big fan of just about anything that Ben Gibbard does, but I admit that I had my reservations about this album. I'm not a Son Volt fan at all, and I was hesitant about how Gibbard's vocals would fit in with country-based music. Suffice it to say, I was very pleased. For me, the litmus test of how good an album is is how it plays in the car. I commute to work nearly every day and for me, if an album sounds good in the car with the landscape rushing past, then it is a truly good album. I find it rather fitting that songs based on Jack Kerouac's lyrics should sound so good coming from the speakers in my Civic as I'm driving down the interstate.

Tracklisting:
1. California Zephyr
2. Low Life Kingdom
3. City and Sur (Willamine)
4. All In One
5. Breath Our Iodine
6. These Roads Don't Move
7. Big Sur
8. One Fast Move or I'm Gone
9. Final Horrors
10. Sea Engines
11. The Void
12. San Francisco

Songs: Ohia - The Magnolia Electric Co.

Before Magnolia Electric Co. was a band, they were known as Songs: Ohia, and the album The Magnolia Electric Co. marks the transition from one to the other, as it was Songs: Ohia's final album as Songs: Ohia. Confused? I'm not exactly sure as to why the change in name, and I've not listened to anything earlier than this album, so I can only speculate that it marked a transition in sound. Regardless of the semantics, The Magnolia Electric Co. is an amazing album that is reminiscent of bands like Wilco and (older) Spoon. It's the sort of album that would sound warm and inviting on vinyl; one that should be playing in the background of every party and/or get-together that you have.

Tracklisting:
1. Farewell Transmission
2. I've Been Riding With The Ghost
3. Just Be Simple
4. Almost Was Good Enough
5. The Old Black Hen
6. Peoria Lunch Box Blues
7. John Henry Split My Heart
8. Hold On Magnolia

Autumn Mixtape

Whenever the air gets a little crisper and the leaves begin their change, I always find myself in the mood for music that is introspective and beautiful, sometimes folk in nature, but always atmospheric. Here is a mix that I made for my good friend Devin a few weeks ago that I have been listening to myself ever since. Do enjoy this, it is perfect for driving or sitting alone or whatever situation you may find yourself in.

Tracklisting:
1. Roscoe (Acoustic) - Midlake [from the album "Oak & Julian"]
2. Carry Me Ohio - Sun Kil Moon [from the album "Ghosts Of The Great Highway"]
3. Size Too Small - Sufjan Stevens [from the album "Seven Swans"]
4. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac [from the album "Fleetwood Mac"]
5. Jezebel - Iron & Wine [from the album "Woman King"]
6. I Was Young When I Left Home - Antony Hagerty & Bryce Dessener [from the album "Dark Was The Night Compilation", originally by Bob Dylan]
7. Ohio - Damien Jurado [from the album "Rehearsals For Departure"]
8. Left & Leaving - The Weakerthans [from the album "Left & Leaving"]
9. Majesty Snowbird - Sufjan Stevens [unreleased live track]
10. Tripped - Neva Dinova/Bright Eyes [from the album "One Jug Of Wine, Two Vessels"]
11. Steel On Steel - J. Tillman [from the album "Vacilando Territory Blues"]
12. Don't Be Shy - Cat Stevens [from the album "Harold and Maude OST"]
13. To Be Alone WIth You - Sufjan Stevens [from the album "Seven Swans"]
14. The Great Invitation - The Apprentice [from the album "An American Portrait"]

Chad Serhal - Badlands

Here is the newest album by my friend and yours, Chad Serhal. Recorded in his spare bedroom, Badlands is lo-fi at its best. Download now!

Tracklisting:
1. Badlands
2. Our Home
3. You'll Miss Me
4. Moonstruck
5. Slit His Throat
6. Baby, You're A Heartbreaker
7. Now I'm So Lonesome Blue
8. Bury Me In An Unmarked Grave

Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones

You've seen him in The Notebook; you've seen him in Fracture, but it wasn't until Lars and The Real Girl came out that you were able to hear Ryan Gosling's delicate vibrato which harkens back to singers long since gone. As it turns out, Mr. Gosling also has a sort of affinity for the paranormal and the occult. What started as a "theatrical monster love story" written for the stage by Gosling and friend Zach Shields became a musical endeavor [though neither knew much of playing musical instruments]. What came out, however, is a self-titled album that is thick with reverb-y vocals backed by the Silverlake Conservatory of Music's Children's Choir; lo-fi in nature and very [pardon the pun] haunting.

Dead Man's Bones is an incredible album that will be released on October 6th. Take this as an opportunity to enjoy some inventive and great music a few days before most others [though in fairness, I don't see this release topping the charts].

Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Dead Hearts
3. In The Room Where You Sleep
4. Buried In Water
5. My Body's A Zombie For You
6. Pa Pa Power
7. Young & Tragic
8. Paper Ships
9. Lose Your Soul
10. Werewolf Heart
11. Dead Man's Bones
12. Flowers Grow Out Of My Grave

The Weakerthans - Left and Leaving

The Weakerthans have been one of those bands for me [at an increasing rate] over the last few years that I love a little more every time I listen to them. The way that the lyrics are crafted and the clever combination of genres that have little to do with one another lends to the love that I feel for this band. Left & Leaving is no exception, though far from my favorite album in The Weakerthans' discography. If you like what you hear, then be sure to download Reconstruction Site which is by far their best to date.

Tracklisting:
1. Everything Must Go!
2. Aside
3. Watermark
4. Pamphleteer
5. This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open
6. Without Mythologies
7. Left & Leaving
8. Elegy For Elsabet
9. History Of The Defeated
10. Exiles Among You
11. My Favourite Chords
12. Ships And Tangles

Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

Welcome to your new favorite band. Take equal parts Avett Brothers and Fleet Foxes and add in a touch of Neutral Milk Hotel and a dash of Noah and The Whale to taste and you have Mumford & Sons. Also and strangely enough, vocalist Marcus Mumford's voice is so similar in tone to Dave Matthews that you would think it were the latter singing rather than the former. This, however, should not serve as a deterrent as Mumford & Sons has as much in common with Dave Matthews [with and without his band] as do Bob Dylan and U2.

Sigh No More is Mumford & Sons' debut album and it is an incredibly strong release. The songs are lush with layered instrumentation that move and shift and take on a life of their own. Do yourself a favor...

Tracklisting:
1. Sigh No More
2. The Cave
3. Winter Winds
4. Roll Away Your Stone
5. White Blank Page
6. I Gave You All
7. Little Lion Man
8. Timshel
9. Thistle & Weeds
10. Awake My Soul
11. Dustbowl Dance
12. After The Storm

Sufjan Stevens - Run Rabbit Run

And here we have yet another new Sufjan Stevens album that nobody cares about. Maybe that's a little harsh, but as far as I'm concerned, no number of "newly imagined revisited albums" can hold me over until the next State album comes out. This makes the second album to come out within the last month, and still I feel cheated.

That's all I have to say about it.

Tracklisting:
1. Year Of The Ox
2. Enjoy Your Rabbit
3. Year Of The Monkey
4. Year Of The Tiger
5. Year Of The Dragon
6. Year Of The Snake
7. Year Of The Horse
8. Year Of The Sheep
9. Year Of The Rat
10. Year Of The Rooster
11. Year Of The Dog
12. Year Of The Boar
12. Year Of Our Lord

She and Him - Volume One

THere isn't a whole lot that I can say about She & Him other than I'd like to hear a whole lot more of "him" than I would "she". The band consists of the incredibly prolific songwriter M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. While the album is good, I feel like it was more of a Zooey Deschanel-fest rather than what the name of the band would suggest. There are moments, too, when the band sounds like a cheap ripoff of Rilo Kiley [ex. "This Is Not A Test" - and is that a kazoo?] Not a bad album though, despite these obvious flaws.

Tracklisting:
1. Sentimental Heart
2. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
3. This Is Not A Test
4. Change Is Hard
5. I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
6. Take It Back
7. I Was Made For You
8. You Really Got A Hold On Me
9. Black Hole
10. Got Me
11. I Should Have Known Better
12. Sweet Darlin'
13. Untitled

Sufjan Stevens - The BQE

Well what do you think? About time, eh? I'd say so. Even if The BQE is completely devoid of Sufjan's signature voice and at-times tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Even if it is an accompaniment to a project that few of us have heard of, and fewer still have seen, still, it's good to hear something.

While the rumor well has been pretty dry concerning Mr. Stevens, we do know that his next effort is a re-imagining of his debut album, Enjoy Your Rabbit [which isn't very enjoyable]. But there has been no news on which state is next to be featured in his "50 States" venture, if there even is one. Forgive me if I sound somewhat bitter, but I have been waiting patiently since 2005 for a proper album, and all we have gotten is a b-sides album, a collection of Christmas songs, a film soundtrack, and now a reworked version of an album that wasn't that great to start with. When, oh when will we finally have a new album to enjoy and obsess over? This is getting a little ridiculous.

Tracklisting:
1. Prelude On The Esplanade
2. Introductory Fanfare For The Hooper Heroes
3. Movement I: In The Countenance Of Kings
4. Movement II: Sleeping Invader
5. Interlude I: Dream Sequence In Subi Circumnavigation
6. Movement III: Linear Tableau With Intersecting Surprise
7. Movement IV: Traffic Shock
8. Movement V: Self-Organizing Emergent Patterns
9. Interlude II: Subi Power Waltz
10. Interlude III: Invisible Accidents
11. Movement VI: Isorhythmic Night Dance With Interchanges
12. Movement VII (Finale): The Emperor Of Centrifuge
13. Postlude: Critical Mass

The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

The Cave Singers are a band that are nothing like what you would expect. Rising from the ashes of bands like Pretty Girls Make Graves, Hint Hint, and Cobra High, the band [sounding nothing like its predecessors] has the innate ability to create lush and beautiful folk songs.

The Cave Singers' debut album Invitation Songs was good, but nothing that caught my attention quite like their sophomore effort, Welcome Joy. Joy to me is on par with The Winetree's Kentucky. There's something that I cannot explain about it, other than that it is an incredible album that came to represent a time in my life that is long since past, but still visited frequently in my mind. This album has that same feel to it; like it will be the soundtrack to some momentous occasion in my life.

Tracklisting:
1. Summer Light
2. Leap
3. At The Cut
4. Shrine
5. Hen Of The Woods
6. Beach House
7. Vv
8. I Don't Mind
9. Townships
10. Bramble

A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose

A.A. Bondy is quickly becoming one of my favorite songwriters. His last album was great, but this new album is simply amazing. I don't exactly know what it is, but there is something about his strained voice and his soft melodies. There is something about the way he wraps his voice around his guitar, leaving little to be desired from any sort of backing instrumentation.

Honestly, this album has done well to leave my stereo for longer than a little while at a time.

Tracklisting:
1. Mightiest Of Guns
2. A Slow Parade
3. When The Devil's Loose
4. To The Morning
5. Oh The Vampyre
6. I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
7. False River
8. On The Moon
9. The Mercy Wheel
10. The Coal Hits The Fire

Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk

[copied from Pop Apocalypse]
I thought Monsters of Folk would be a sure thing. How could it not be when it's a supergroup with three of my favorite singer/songwriters (Jim James, Conor Oberst, and M. Ward) and Oberst's right hand man (Mike Mogis)? Well, clearly, something went wrong along the way, because this self-titled debut does not live up to the hype, instead it tiptoes around it. The blippy opening track ("Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)") sounds more like a boy band single than a song written by four talented folk songwriters with its falsetto chorus and pensive "What is G-O-D all about, y'all?" lyrics. Even the best songs on this record aren't too memorable, sounding more like b-sides from their respective MOF contributer than a well thought-out collaborative effort that started five years ago (seriously, they've been working on this since 2004 and this is what we get). I'm not angry; I'd just rather listen to My Morning Jacket, Bright Eyes, and M. Ward's solo albums than get involved much further with this mess of a collaboration that wishes it was a Traveling Wilburys record.

This self-titled record is one that I have looked forward to for quite a few months now. I have to say that upon listening, I was somewhat disappointed. That's not to say that the songs contained within are bad because they certainly aren't. The problem is that when you're talking about 3 of the most prolific songwriters of the day coming together with one of the most accomplished producers in the indie world [and former Bright Eyes member as well], you should be able to expect a meshing of styles resulting in brilliance that is yet to be seen. The opposite is true. Much like Anna Apocalypse said, the songs sound like B-sides from each of the respective projects. Unfortunately, I was actually hoping for more from Jim James, but it seems as though Conor Oberst and M. Ward had the majority of the b-sides.

Should they decide to do another album, I certainly hope that they take the time to figure out what their sound together is, rather than using it as a means to pawn off songs that didn't make the cut for their respective albums [and for the record, I really don't like the song "Man Named Truth"].

Tracklisting:
1. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)
2. Say Please
3. Whole Lotta Losin'
4. Temazcal
5. The Right Place
6. Baby Boomer
7. Man Named Truth
8. Goodway
9. Ahead Of The Curve
10. Slow Down Jo
11. Losin Yo Head
12. Magic Marker
13. Map Of The World
14. Sandman, the Brakeman and Me
15. His Master's Voice

The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You

Personally, I'm not the world's biggest Avett Brothers fan. I like, to some extent, the stuff that I have heard from Emotionalism, but I wasn't impressed enough to post it. This sentiment, however, is not shared with the Brothers' newest forthcoming offering. I And Love And You is an incredible album full of anti-folk pop gems. Now, I know that this album has quite a few people worried, the majority of which being diehard fans. Fret not! Though it is their major label debut and is produced by Rick Ruben, it is still stripped down and true to their sound. Great album.

Tracklisting:
1. I And Love And You
2. January Wedding
3. Head Full Of Doubt, Road Full Of Promises
4. And It Spread
5. The Perfect Space
6. Ten Thousand Words
7. Kick Drum Heart
8. Laundry Room
9. Ill With Want
10. Tin Man
11. Slight Figure Of Speech
12. It Goes On and On
13. Incomplete and Insecure

Chad Serhal - Hey, Hey, Hey, Now!

Well I know that it's been a while, but considering the lack of feedback, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the number of people that frequent this little blog of mine were dwindling considerably. Regardless. For you [if there is a you out there] I have not only an amazing album by my good friend Chad, but this is also my 200th post, which is something to celebrate.

Concerning the album, though, today we are looking at Hey, Hey, Hey, Now! by former Calibretto 13 bassist [and my current neighbor - I'm doing this with permission] Chad Serhal. Chad and I have gotten to be friends through my fiancee who was one of his co-workers. Every now and then, he'll show up at my house with another of his albums for me to listen to and while I'm blown away by all of them, Hey, Hey, Hey, Now! immediately jumped to the top of the list. According to Chad, it was his first and only attempt at recording an album anywhere other than home. The record is lush with catchy tunes that are carried along with percussion and pianos, where his other efforts are limited to instruments that he plays himself. The production has little to do with how much I appreciate this record though. It is the quality of the songs contained within and how they are perfect for listening to on long drives in the car.

For those of you who know Calibretto 13, please do not expect their sound. The closest comparison that I can make to Chad's sound is a folkier Elvis Perkins. Except for "Two-Headed Boy" which is a cover of a Neutral Milk Hotel song and therefore has a distinctive NMH sound to it. Once again I say, regardless. Just download it, learn it, and love it.

Tracklisting:
1. One Last Kiss
2. So Familiar
3. Cigarettes Don't Fail You
4. Love Gets Me So Lost Sometimes
5. Two-Headed Boy
6. Love At First Sight
7. The Glow Of The City
8. We Could Get To Know Each Other
9. Better Off Without Me
10. Wish You Were Here
11. Songs Of Things That Don't Even Matter
12. A Good Wife

Ben Kweller - Changing Horses

I have never been a huge Ben Kweller fan. I like the song "Sundress" pretty well, and I like how he has a certain Beatles-esque sensibility about him from time to time, but he has never been one to catch my attention for more than a few minutes. That is, until I heard Changing Horses of course. Dubbed as his first official foray in the country genre, Changing Horses is, in my humble opinion, Kweller's strongest effort to date.

Thank you, Rachel for getting me hooked.

Tracklisting:
1. Gypsy Rose
2. Old Hat
3. Fight
4. Hurtin' You
5. Ballad Of Wendy Baker
6. Sawdust Man
7. Wantin' Her Again
8. Things I Like To Do
9. On Her Own
10. Homeward Bound

Willy Mason - If The Ocean Gets Rough

Willy Mason is a delayed discovery for me. What I mean by this statement is that I discovered him some 3 years ago, but have only recently begun to appreciate him. My good friend Mitch and I were in Best Buy picking up cds and sampling them at the listening station when I found Willy Mason's debut album Where The Humans Eat. It did nothing for me, but Mitch took an immediate liking to it. To this day, that album still has yet to grasp me, though I'm still open to it. His sophomore release, however, has grabbed me around the throat and has refused to let go.

I don't know, exactly, what I can say about this album to persuade my beloved readers to give it a try other than that it has done well to leave my stereo for more than 5 minutes at a time for little under a week now. If you're in the mood for a modestly produced album full of folk and alt-country gems, then look no further, for Willy Mason has arrived.

Tracklisting:
1. Gotta Keep Walking
2. The World That I Wanted
3. We Can Be Strong
4. Save Myself
5. I Can't Sleep
6. Riptide
7. When The River Moves On
8. If The Ocean Gets Rough
9. Simple Town
10. The End Of The Race
11. When The Leaves Have Fallen

David Bazan - Curse Your Branches

2009 (finally) sees the release of David Bazan's first proper album (and first ever solo full-length) in around 5 years. It was back in 2004 that the now defunct Pedro The Lion released their final album, Achilles Heel. The following year, Bazan released an album with his short-lived band Headphones, and then in 2006 he released his first solo EP, Fewer Moving Parts. The last 3 years, though, have been silent. I honestly didn't even know about this album's existence until seeing him perform live at Cornerstone this summer.

They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, and it's true that Bazan strays little from the candor and simple musical structures that we all know and love, but it would seem that somewhere along the line he has adopted a slightly different outlook on music. While Curse Your Branches is full of tongue-in-cheek lyrics and is ripe with cynicism (like we all expected), and that same chunky sounding guitar, it's the backing instrumentation that is most interesting. Making use of organs and synths and slide guitars, this is one of the most produced sounding albums that Bazan has put out, which is neither good nor bad; just different. All in all, Curse Your Branches is great because it's all that anyone could want or expect from an incredibly prolific, if not underrated musician.

Tracklisting:
1. Hard To Be
2. Bless This Mess
3. Please, Baby, Please
4. Curse Your Branches
5. Harmless Sparks
6. When We Fell
7. Lost My Shape
8. Bearing Witness
9. Heavy Breath
10. In Stitches

The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle

Before I go any further, let it be known that I am a fan of the zombie genre. So much so, in fact, that I read a series of comic books called The Walking Dead which follows a group of survivors in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. That being said, when I first came across the band The Zombies, I felt a certain need to give them a listen for no other reason than that they were awesome enough to name themselves The Zombies. It honestly wasn't until recently that I even realized that they were the band that wrote "Time Of The Season", which is one of the staple songs of any '60s compilation.

So I gave the album a listen, expecting really nothing much, and was blown away. Not just blown away though, but absolutely stunned. Take two parts Beatles and add some Byrds and you're close. The most striking thing about Odessey & Oracle, though, is how cohesive the album is. It has a listenability that many "vintage" albums lack. Don't get me wrong, The Beatles and Bob Dylan wrote great albums, but their singles stick out so much that sometimes it's hard to want to listen to the songs that didn't hit the airwaves. The opposite is true of The Zombies as every track on Odessey is mind-blowingly amazing. This album is on a short list of perfect summer albums and is destined to remain there. Download this, then immediately get in the car and take a drive along highways with the volume up and the windows down.

Tracklisting:
1. Care Of Cell 44
2. A Rose For Emily
3. Maybe After He's Gone
4. Beechwood Park
5. Brief Candles
6. Hung Up On A Dream
7. Changes
8. I Want Her She Wants Me
9. [for some reason I don't have track 9]
10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
11. Friends Of Mine
12. Time Of The Season

Dawes - North Hills

Dawes is a band that has nowhere to go but up. All it takes is one viewing of their covering of "A Little Help From My Friends" on Vimeo and you can tell that these guys are not only incredibly talented musicians, but that they also know how to work the audience, which is something that less and less musicians know how to do these days.

I was told about these guys some 8 weeks ago and have tried to find this album everywhere online, but to no avail. Then yesterday, a good friend that had the goods passed them along to me, as I am doing now for whomever it is that actually reads this blog. For your listening pleasure...

Wonder Years Troubadour from Evan Romoff on Vimeo.

Tracklisting:
1. That Western Skyline
2. Love Is All I Am
3. When You Call My Name
4. Give Me Time
5. When My Time Comes
6. God Rest My Soul
7. Bedside Manner
8. My Girl To Me
9. Take Me Out Of The City
10. If You Let Me Be Your Anchor
11. Peace In The Valley

The Fire Theft - The Fire Theft

For those of us that are over the age of 22, it's more than likely that Sunny Day Real Estate has a special place in our hearts. I remember first hearing "Seven" [from the album Diary] when I was probably 16 and though Nate Mendel and William Goldsmith will undoubtedly be better known for their work with Foo Fighters, there is no way that it will ever be able to touch SDRE.

During the duration of the 90's and the beginning of the 21st century, Sunny Day Real Estate would break up and then get back together seemingly more often than half of the couples I went to high school with, and then in 2001, SDRE got back together [sans guitarist Dan Hoerner] under the moniker The Fire Theft. Their self-titled album is the only album in their discography, though there is another rumored in the forseeable future; however, with the recent reunion of SDRE, a second Fire Theft album may be just another unfulfilled fan-dream.

As with anything that Jeremy Enigk does, The Fire Theft is an album full of lush vocals and sweeping instrumentation. If you are a fan at all of Sunny Day Real Estate or Jeremy Enigk's solo work, do yourself a favor and give this album a listen.

Tracklisting:
1. Uncle Mountain
2. Waste Time Segue
3. Oceans Apart
4. Chain
5. Backward Blues
6. Summertime
7. Houses
8. Waste Time
9. Heaven
10. Rubber Bands
11. It's Over
12. Carry You
13. Sinatra

Monsters Of Folk - "Say Please"

So on the off chance that you have heard nothing of Monsters Of Folk, I will gladly explain. Monsters Of Folk is a supergroup consisting of Conor Oberst [Bright Eyes], Jim James [My Morning Jacket, Yim Yames], M. Ward [solo, She and Him], and Mike Mogis [Bright Eyes, producer for various Saddle Creek bands]. This is certainly one for the books. Take three of the most prolific songwriters of our generation, and add not only a seasoned guitarist, but also multi-talented producer who has a knack for making great records and you have what has the making of a fantastic record.

Unfortunately, as of yet, the full album has not leaked [or I have at least not found it], but the single "Say Please" has been released online to hold off all of us rabid fans. Download and enjoy until the actual album hits the net.

Tracklisting:
1. Say Please

Dignan - Cheaters & Thieves

Cheaters & Thieves is the newest offering from this Texas 5-piece, following hot on the heels of their Tangled Woods Sessions EP [which was somewhat disappointing]. Thankfully, however, Cheaters & Thieves is a big heaping slice of brilliance. Certainly an album that you should check out.

Tracklisting:
1. A Fool
2. Charlatan
3. What's Done Is Done
4. Two Steps
5. You're My Witness
6. Pillars & Pews
7. Whistler

Pedro The Lion - Achilles Heel

Pedro The Lion is a band that I have liked for several years now. I remember a few years ago when I first saw them play at The Southgate House in Newport, KY. I was sitting in the balcony, smoking cigarettes and watching David Bazan and Co. play. Occasionally, David would remove his guitar and sit on an amp, sipping on his beer and answering questions from those in the crowd that were brave enough to shout them out. Shortly thereafter, Pedro The Lion released Achilles Heel which is their most polished, and probably most cohesive album in an already impressive catalogue. Not only so, but this would also be their most controversial as it contained explicit lyrics and they were a quote-unquote christian band; though less so in their latter years. Unbeknownst at that point [to the band and fans alike], this would be the band's final album together; T.W. Walsh would go on to play with the band The Soft Drugs and Bazan would venture out on his own.

To say that Bazan has a way with words is the same as saying that any of the Jackson family has had "some work done"; this is evident in tracks like "Arizona" - a song about a love triangle between Arizona, California, and New Mexico. It isn't until the last track of the album that we see the best song [in my humble opinion] in the track "The Poison" that talks about love lost and good times gone by. The song ends with the line "my old man always swore that hell would have no flame, just a front-row seat to see your true love pack her things and walk away".

Achilles Heel is a fantastic album and more than worth the time it takes to download it.

Tracklisting:
1. Bands With Managers
2. Foregone Conclusions
3. The Fleecing
4. Discretion
5. Arizona
6. Keep Swinging
7. Transcontinental
8. I Do
9. Start Without Me
10. The Poison

Highlight Tracks: "Discretion", "Arizona", "Transcontinental", "Start Without Me", "The Poison"

J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues

I was reluctant at first to give J. Tillman much of a chance because, in my mind, it would be difficult if not impossible for his solo work to compare in any way to the music he writes with Fleet Foxes. Truthfully, it is very different from Fleet Foxes' sound, which is probably the main reason that it took me so long to listen. Finally yesterday, while wanting to listen to something new and fresh, I came back to Vacilando Territory Blues and decided to give it a proper listen, and I am thoroughly pleased that I did so. Far from Fleet Foxes vocalist Robin Pecknold, Tillman [drums] can be found more in the neighborhood of Ray LaMontagne or The National with his nearly whispered baritone. The songs in question are beautiful and at times sorrowful and show the potential that this young Seattle native has.

While I wrote this, I was listening to Vacilando Territory Blues and it occurred to me that in a lot of ways, Tillman reminds me of a Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams, in the simplicity and earnestness of the songs that he writes. This can especially be seen on the track "Barter Blues" which sounds a great deal like a song that Ryan Adams would have written in the time proceeding his departure with Whiskeytown. Fantastic.

Tracklisting:
1. All You See
2. No Occasion
3. Firstborn
4. Vessels
5. James Blues
6. Steel on Steel
7. Labourless Land
8. Barter Blues
9. New Imperial Grand Blues
10. Master's House
11. Someone, With Child
12. Above All Men
13. Vacilando Territory

Highlight Tracks: "Firstborn", "Steel on Steel", "Barter Blues"

C O R N E R S T O N E

With little to no experience with music festivals [I attended Purple Door; once] I only had the faintest idea of what to expect from a week of camping at Cornerstone Festival. The first couple of days did little in the ay of offering a point of reference as to what the rest of the week would bring; none of the bigger name bands [or very few rather] showed up before wednesday. For the most part, monday and tuesday were filled with watching no-name bands on generator stages. Once the week really started rolling, though, Rach and I were able to see some pretty fantastic bands.

I was lucky enough to see:
The Color Morale [Rise Records]
mewithoutYou [Tooth and Nail Records]
La Dispute [No Sleep Records]
David Bazan [Barsuk Records]
Haste The Day [Solidstate Records]
War Of Ages [Facedown Records]
Owl City [unsigned]
Doctor! Doctor! [Lethargic Drive Records]
The Burial [Sancrosanct Records]
The Blood Reckoning [Sancrosanct Records]
Copeland [Tooth and Nail Records]
Deas Vail [Brave New World Records]
Darkroom [Chasing Lions Records]
Underoath [Solidstate Records]
The Devil Wears Prada [Ferret Records]
The Dynasty [unsigned]
The Chariot [Solidstate Records]
Secret and Whisper [Tooth and Nail Records]
Dignan [unsigned]
Hand Drawn Mountains [unsigned]

In my own humble opinion, the best performances are as follows [in ascending order]:
5. Darkroom


Darkroom is my friend Kyle's band and is one of the best hidden treasures I know of. Their sound falls somewhere between Copeland and Anathallo. They put on a great show every time that I see them and Cornerstone was no exception. They were fantastic and I can't wait until their new record comes out this fall.

4. The Devil Wears Prada


Oh, The Devil Wears Prada. I remember seeing them play at The Post in Goshen, IN some 3 or so years ago. Since then, I've come to be good friends with the guys and have had the opportunity to see them grow from a group of fresh-faced kids playing spastic metalcore, to the metal rockstars that they are now. They are at the top of their game and played better than they ever have.

3. La Dispute


La Dispute was one of the bands that I was most looking forward to, as I heard that their performance at Cornerstone '08 was easily the best of the festival. They absolutely did not disappoint. Scratch that; I was disappointed, but only with the fact that they only played 5 songs. That was not their fault though; they only had an alloted amount of time. I could have, however, listened to them all day and not lost interest.

2. David Bazan


I had seen David Bazan play twice previously as Pedro The Lion. This was stripped down and acoustic with just David and a small acoustic guitar. Not only did he play some great Pedro songs, but he also played a great deal of new songs from his forthcoming record. Not only so, but he also played an amazing rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

1. mewithoutYou


I had seen mewithoutYou twice before this year's Cornerstone, so I knew what to expect. Rachel had never had a chance to see them live before so she only had a faint idea of what to expect. To say that we were both blown away is an understatement. People were dancing and singing aloud. They were at the top of their game and left me absolutely reeling. They were fantastic and from a conversation that I had with a close friend of theirs, they have no intention of breaking up, which makes me incredibly happy.

All in all, Cornerstone '09 was the best birthday present that I ever received.

Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist

Portugal. The Man was one of those bands that, when they came out, I anticipated maybe one more release from. I expected that like most bands of their kind, they would very quickly fall by the wayside; to think that they were capable of writing an album as impressive as Censored Colors would have been inconceivable to me. Not only did they achieve that, though, but they also managed to exceed the expectations I had for a follow-up with The Satanic Satanist.

The album is experimental in a way that isn't abrasive and somehow manages to maintain listenability. Portugal. The Man is a band that has remained true to who they are and constantly is challenging themselves with each new release.

Tracklisting:
1. People Say
2. Work All Day
3. Lovers In Love
4. The Sun
5. The Home
6. The Woods
7. Guns and Dogs
8. Do You
9. Everyone Is Golden
10. Let You Down
11. Mornings

Alondra Bentley - Ashfield Avenue

I haven't heard much from this young songstress but what I have heard, I like a great deal. Teetering somewhere on the line between Feist and Eisley vocalist Sherri DuPree, Bentley has created a wonderfully delicate, if not wistful album. Do like I did and give this Spanish native a chance.

Alondra Bentley - I feel alive


Tracklisting:
1. ...
2. Still Be There
3. Of All Living Creatures, Why a Human Being?
4. Meltdown
5. Some Things Of My Own
6. Sunglasses
7. Giants Are Windmills
8. Sugarman
9. I Feel Alive
10. Shine
11. The Petal House
12. Star For Mummy

Wilco Discography

I have here for you the entire Wilco discography, beginning with their earliest and ending with their newest. Enjoy.

A.M. [1995]


Being There [1996]


Summerteeth [1999]


Yankee Hotel Foxtrot [2002]


A Ghost Is Born [2004]


Kicking Television: Live In Chicago [2005]

Part 1
Part 2

Sky Blue Sky [2007]


Wilco (The Album) [2009]

Regina Spektor - Far

Unfortunately, I have only had chance enough to hear only the first couple of songs on Regina Spektor's newest offering, Far. As per usual with the new album after an immensely successful record, one has to wonder if it will hold up to the expectations set by the previous. Sometimes, the expectations are exceeded; other times disappointment is all that is felt.

In the case of Regina Spektor's Begin To Hope, you have an album that reached not only critical acclaim, but also vast amounts of commercial as well. The album has a life of its own and is incredibly cohesive. Initial reactions to the few tracks I have heard of the new album makes me skeptical that Far will be able to stand up to the quality of Begin To Hope. It's hard to say, and to be honest, it may take a few listens, but I am hopeful that this incredible songwriter has kept herself from falling by the wayside.

Tracklisting:
1. The Calculation
2. Eet
3. Blue Lips
4. Folding Chair
5. Machine
6. Laughing With
7. Human of the Year
8. Two Birds
9. Dance Anthem
10. Genius Next Door
11. Wallet
12. One More Time With Feeling
13. Man of a Thousand Faces