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