To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
Friday, March 7, 2008
#1. The National
The National - Boxer
To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
#2. Radiohead
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Finally, after the tailspin that followed the success of O.K. Computer, Radiohead return with an album that indicates that they are once again comfortable in their own skin. I still remember sitting down to listen to this the first time and smiling to myself with joy as I nodded and heard a voice in my head saying - "there it is.. mmmhmm.. they are such a fantastic band." On O.K. Computer, there seemed to be this disciplined and almost ferocious declaration - "we are a phenomenal band!" On Rainbows, they know it and they get down to business to make a "proper" album. "House of Cards" and "Reckoner" are easily two of the best songs of the year. Here is a band and an album reminding us how music is supposed to be made.
Finally, after the tailspin that followed the success of O.K. Computer, Radiohead return with an album that indicates that they are once again comfortable in their own skin. I still remember sitting down to listen to this the first time and smiling to myself with joy as I nodded and heard a voice in my head saying - "there it is.. mmmhmm.. they are such a fantastic band." On O.K. Computer, there seemed to be this disciplined and almost ferocious declaration - "we are a phenomenal band!" On Rainbows, they know it and they get down to business to make a "proper" album. "House of Cards" and "Reckoner" are easily two of the best songs of the year. Here is a band and an album reminding us how music is supposed to be made.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
#3. Panda Bear
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Beach Boy comparisons are inevitable and accurate but like Brian Wilson before him, Panda Bear's musical palette is as fresh and surprising as it is rich and beautiful. Don't stick shuffle this back into the "attempt to emulate Brian Wilson" pile. The is wacky, complex and rewarding music. There is always something new and interesting to pick out after repead listens. As you would expect from anyone associated with Animal Collective, this is anything but conventional. The full effect of this album comes only after repeated listens. Check out: "Take Pills", "Bros", "Carrots" and "Comfy in Nautica".
Beach Boy comparisons are inevitable and accurate but like Brian Wilson before him, Panda Bear's musical palette is as fresh and surprising as it is rich and beautiful. Don't stick shuffle this back into the "attempt to emulate Brian Wilson" pile. The is wacky, complex and rewarding music. There is always something new and interesting to pick out after repead listens. As you would expect from anyone associated with Animal Collective, this is anything but conventional. The full effect of this album comes only after repeated listens. Check out: "Take Pills", "Bros", "Carrots" and "Comfy in Nautica".
#4. The Arcade Fire
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
In 2004, a little band from Canada exploded onto the music scene with Funeral, a truly sensational debut album that sounded surprisingly optimisitc and hopeful despite its dominating themes of loss and death. In 2004, they had the advantage of surprise and novelty. Fast-forward to 2007. By this time, credentials could not be boistered by the elements of novelty and "have you heard of.....?" This time everyone saw it coming. Naturally, many people sighed "Well, it's no Funeral." And of course, they are correct. But I find it tragic, how so many people failed to let this album stand on its own merits just because they didn't get another Funeral. For almost any other band, Neon Bible would be a remarkable success. Some of these songs require you to chew on them for a while before their appeal emerges (Black Waves/Bad Vibrations). I would recommend that some of you nay-sayers should sit down with this album and give it the listen it deserves. Highlights include "No Cars Go", "Keep the Car Running", "Antichrist Television Blues" and "Intervention".
In 2004, a little band from Canada exploded onto the music scene with Funeral, a truly sensational debut album that sounded surprisingly optimisitc and hopeful despite its dominating themes of loss and death. In 2004, they had the advantage of surprise and novelty. Fast-forward to 2007. By this time, credentials could not be boistered by the elements of novelty and "have you heard of.....?" This time everyone saw it coming. Naturally, many people sighed "Well, it's no Funeral." And of course, they are correct. But I find it tragic, how so many people failed to let this album stand on its own merits just because they didn't get another Funeral. For almost any other band, Neon Bible would be a remarkable success. Some of these songs require you to chew on them for a while before their appeal emerges (Black Waves/Bad Vibrations). I would recommend that some of you nay-sayers should sit down with this album and give it the listen it deserves. Highlights include "No Cars Go", "Keep the Car Running", "Antichrist Television Blues" and "Intervention".
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
#5. Field Music
Field Music - Tones of the Town
So often when people talk about "great music" - music for the ages - pop music is overlooked. Field music make pop music as well as anyone. The guys are technically superb both as musicians and in the studio. They lept into my top ten even though I only discovered them in December and the album is still on high rotation. If I had discovered them earlier, they might have placed even higher in this list. This album is loaded with great songs like "In Context", "Closer at Hand", "She Can Do What She Wants" and "A Gap Has Appeared".
So often when people talk about "great music" - music for the ages - pop music is overlooked. Field music make pop music as well as anyone. The guys are technically superb both as musicians and in the studio. They lept into my top ten even though I only discovered them in December and the album is still on high rotation. If I had discovered them earlier, they might have placed even higher in this list. This album is loaded with great songs like "In Context", "Closer at Hand", "She Can Do What She Wants" and "A Gap Has Appeared".Saturday, February 23, 2008
#6. Robert Plant / Alison Krauss
Robert Plant / Alison Krauss
I think back to my surprise when I discovered that these two - of such radically different musical pedigree - had produced an album together. Curiosity abounded and I just had to sit down and have a listen. Not only does it work - but in coming together they (along with the help of the brilliant T-Bone Burnett) managed to craft one of the year's finest albums. You can't even imagine how well it works until you hear it. This is one of those albums I keep telling people about - Have you heard Raising Sand? The musical collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yes, that Plant. Yes, that Krauss. Check it out! Full of good tracks like "Stick With Me Baby", "Polly Come Home" and "Killing the Blues".
I think back to my surprise when I discovered that these two - of such radically different musical pedigree - had produced an album together. Curiosity abounded and I just had to sit down and have a listen. Not only does it work - but in coming together they (along with the help of the brilliant T-Bone Burnett) managed to craft one of the year's finest albums. You can't even imagine how well it works until you hear it. This is one of those albums I keep telling people about - Have you heard Raising Sand? The musical collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yes, that Plant. Yes, that Krauss. Check it out! Full of good tracks like "Stick With Me Baby", "Polly Come Home" and "Killing the Blues".
Friday, February 22, 2008
#7. Iron and Wine
Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Sam Beam had, so it seemed, walked down a dead end alley with his beautifully introspective and spare offerings from previous efforts. It's not that there was anything wrong with the songs - they were excellent but it seemed to me that he might have had just the one trick up his sleeve. I didn't expect to hear anything so very surprising on this album. It seems as though the collaboration with Calexico injected new life into his veins - perhaps it had always been there. Either way, the richer and fuller sound was a definite highlight for 2007. Check out "Boy With a Coin", "Lovesong of the Buzzard" and "Carousel".
Sam Beam had, so it seemed, walked down a dead end alley with his beautifully introspective and spare offerings from previous efforts. It's not that there was anything wrong with the songs - they were excellent but it seemed to me that he might have had just the one trick up his sleeve. I didn't expect to hear anything so very surprising on this album. It seems as though the collaboration with Calexico injected new life into his veins - perhaps it had always been there. Either way, the richer and fuller sound was a definite highlight for 2007. Check out "Boy With a Coin", "Lovesong of the Buzzard" and "Carousel".Tuesday, February 19, 2008
#8. Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
Andrew Bird has been producing excellent albums for a number of years now. His previous album (The Mysterious Production of Eggs) was so good that I doubted that he could ever produce one that was better. In my opinion, Armchair Apocrypha is better because of its fuller sound, which gives Bird the broader canvas with which to work. This is a highly recommended listen for anyone unfamilar with this intelligent and talented (classically trained) artist. Standout tracks include: "Sythian Empire", "Heretics", "Plasctcities" and "Fiery Crash". Mr. Bird has been appearing on stage with Wilco on their latest tour. Another encouraging sign!
Andrew Bird has been producing excellent albums for a number of years now. His previous album (The Mysterious Production of Eggs) was so good that I doubted that he could ever produce one that was better. In my opinion, Armchair Apocrypha is better because of its fuller sound, which gives Bird the broader canvas with which to work. This is a highly recommended listen for anyone unfamilar with this intelligent and talented (classically trained) artist. Standout tracks include: "Sythian Empire", "Heretics", "Plasctcities" and "Fiery Crash". Mr. Bird has been appearing on stage with Wilco on their latest tour. Another encouraging sign!
Monday, February 18, 2008
#9. Leslie Feist
Leslie Feist - The Reminder
Having loved her previous effort, I eagerly anticipated this release. It is a wonderful album with many great standouts including: "1, 2, 3, 4"; "The Limit to Your Love"; "I Feel it All" and "Brandy Alexander".
Having loved her previous effort, I eagerly anticipated this release. It is a wonderful album with many great standouts including: "1, 2, 3, 4"; "The Limit to Your Love"; "I Feel it All" and "Brandy Alexander".
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Review of 2007
Since we've just launched into 2008, I thought it appropriate to review, what were for me, 10 of the best albums from last year. I'll start here with my number ten album:
Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago
This album came to my attention via Dodge over at MOKB and has had continuous play in my headphones ever since. This simple and quiet music is loaded with passion and beauty.
Highly recommended.
Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago
This album came to my attention via Dodge over at MOKB and has had continuous play in my headphones ever since. This simple and quiet music is loaded with passion and beauty.Highly recommended.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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