IT'S HERE! I never thought this would leak seeing as it's been so well-protected in the last couple of months, but on Christmas Day, this puppy leaked. And for someone who did not overdo it with the bootlegs from the shows in the past years, this album is FANTASTIC. If you never liked Animal Collective because of their 'weird' sounds or 'dissonance' will dig this record. It plays out like a pop record with crazy layers and amazing sounds. This album is the record of 2009. And we haven't even gotten through 2008. I have the 2xLP Vinyl on pre-order which should arrive at my humble abode by January 6th. So I will have the downloadable version from that up when I can. Please listen to this album. Wow.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Top 10 Albums of 2008 - Part 2
The next albums I list will be the 6 - 3 spots of my list. 2 and 1 will come hopefully tomorrow night. So look out for that.
6. SIGUR ROS - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Sigur Ros are a very mysterious band. For some, they've been life-changing, or simply mind-encompassing. They've provided some of the most intriguing pieces of music in the last 20 years (see the album "( )", yes it's called that). Their last record Takk... was alright, but this album is way beyond that. So many changes for the band in the record. You have some great almost pop songs in "Gobbledigook" and probably my favorite song of the year, "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur." But then you have the traditional Sigur Ros at their best, "Festival." A great album to start out with if you're new to the band. But also a great entry in the Sigur Ros canon. I highly recommend this album for the summer.
8.5
5. PORTUGAL. THE MAN - CENSORED COLORS
I am a little embarrassed that I did not like this right away. Not only have I been a long time Portugal. The Man fan, but I originally did not like this album at all. For whatever reason, it did not click with me like it does now. It is very different then the other albums in their discography. But that's almost been their main theme of the music; everything must be different. Last record, it was a very classic rock influenced sound, and before that it was an electronic/mellow/groovy sound. This album is propelled by extraordinary songwriting by John Baldwin Gourley. I cannot praise him enough for his songwriting. He decided to use more chord-based songs; influenced by The Beatles. This idea works out for the record because of the classic vibe and groove. This album is fantastic. The only reason it's not higher is because it's a tad long, and a little unenergetic at some points. But I still like it a lot and can't wait for more stuff from these guys.
8.75
4. BON IVER - FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO
Most will not have this album on their best of lists because it technically was self-released last year. But it wasn't properly released till this year when Jagjaguwar put it out on their label. But technicalities aside, I heard this record this year and was blown away. The story is one that Henry David Thoreau would admire. Man goes into woods to experience catharsis, man unexpectedly writes album, man records fantastic record. This album is a soul/folk masterpiece. Stunningly composed and even more stunningly sounding. Justin Vernon is all alone in the music, and you feel it in the guitar tracks and the lonely voice. He does something very interesting with the vocal tracks by overdubbing them several times. This makes the music so lush and honest sounding. This album is far too short as well.
9.25
3. MAPS & ATLASES - YOU & ME & THE MOUNTAIN EP
17 minutes of pure bliss. This EP is not anywhere close to being a full-length record, but it's definitely good enough. The band has changed since their last album, "Trees, Swallows, Houses." It's poppier, and more structured. Gone are the frantic tapping passages found on songs like "Witch." The EP starts out with a polyrhythm that could make any head spin as it launches into the song, "Witch." Awesome melodies are abundant; this really is a pop record. Also please note that this is magnificent driving music. This record will be around my ears for a LONG time. Or until they record their next full-length. Please listen.
9.5
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So that's it for this part, check back soon for the last two spots on the list. The next two are incredibly different from each other and are incredible albums. I hope you all keep checking and listening to the music I put up here. I would never put up bad music... so yeah.
6. SIGUR ROS - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Sigur Ros are a very mysterious band. For some, they've been life-changing, or simply mind-encompassing. They've provided some of the most intriguing pieces of music in the last 20 years (see the album "( )", yes it's called that). Their last record Takk... was alright, but this album is way beyond that. So many changes for the band in the record. You have some great almost pop songs in "Gobbledigook" and probably my favorite song of the year, "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur." But then you have the traditional Sigur Ros at their best, "Festival." A great album to start out with if you're new to the band. But also a great entry in the Sigur Ros canon. I highly recommend this album for the summer.8.5
5. PORTUGAL. THE MAN - CENSORED COLORS
I am a little embarrassed that I did not like this right away. Not only have I been a long time Portugal. The Man fan, but I originally did not like this album at all. For whatever reason, it did not click with me like it does now. It is very different then the other albums in their discography. But that's almost been their main theme of the music; everything must be different. Last record, it was a very classic rock influenced sound, and before that it was an electronic/mellow/groovy sound. This album is propelled by extraordinary songwriting by John Baldwin Gourley. I cannot praise him enough for his songwriting. He decided to use more chord-based songs; influenced by The Beatles. This idea works out for the record because of the classic vibe and groove. This album is fantastic. The only reason it's not higher is because it's a tad long, and a little unenergetic at some points. But I still like it a lot and can't wait for more stuff from these guys.8.75
4. BON IVER - FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO
Most will not have this album on their best of lists because it technically was self-released last year. But it wasn't properly released till this year when Jagjaguwar put it out on their label. But technicalities aside, I heard this record this year and was blown away. The story is one that Henry David Thoreau would admire. Man goes into woods to experience catharsis, man unexpectedly writes album, man records fantastic record. This album is a soul/folk masterpiece. Stunningly composed and even more stunningly sounding. Justin Vernon is all alone in the music, and you feel it in the guitar tracks and the lonely voice. He does something very interesting with the vocal tracks by overdubbing them several times. This makes the music so lush and honest sounding. This album is far too short as well.9.25
3. MAPS & ATLASES - YOU & ME & THE MOUNTAIN EP
17 minutes of pure bliss. This EP is not anywhere close to being a full-length record, but it's definitely good enough. The band has changed since their last album, "Trees, Swallows, Houses." It's poppier, and more structured. Gone are the frantic tapping passages found on songs like "Witch." The EP starts out with a polyrhythm that could make any head spin as it launches into the song, "Witch." Awesome melodies are abundant; this really is a pop record. Also please note that this is magnificent driving music. This record will be around my ears for a LONG time. Or until they record their next full-length. Please listen.9.5
--------------------------
So that's it for this part, check back soon for the last two spots on the list. The next two are incredibly different from each other and are incredible albums. I hope you all keep checking and listening to the music I put up here. I would never put up bad music... so yeah.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children
Boards of Canada are a Scottish electronic duo (What's with all the duos?) who make awesome music inspired by nature and 1970s media. It's very ambient and very trance-y and especially amazing. The album I'm posting is their studio debut album called Music Has the Right to Children. It uses a lot of field recordings and sound manipulation to create a very lush musical experience. Really for all fans of any kind of electronic music or just cool music in general. And Pitchfork Media gave it a 10/10,so it's obviously perfect.
Tycho - Past Is Prologue
I was researching this dude, Tycho, who makes really cool electronic music and I couldn't really think of a better way to explain him then it does on his website. I don't really like just copying and pasting the information and actually writing my thoughts on it, but this pretty much explains it perfectly. The album Past is Prologue is simply marvelous. Download, and then fall asleep, wake up, repeat."Tycho is the music project of San Francisco based artist and producer Scott Hansen. As Tycho, Hansen blends swirling melodies into vaguely triumphant arcs that crisscross between stuttering beats and vocal samples, creating rolling sonic landscapes that extend off into the horizon. Known in the design world as ISO50, Hansen's bucolic, sun-drenched design style serves as a backdrop for the music which so closely echoes his visual sentiments.
Tycho currently records for the Ghostly International label and has releases on the Merck and Gammaphone labels.
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"[Sunrise Projector is] a sweet, head-nodding, bass-heavy tour of the flat farmland outside of Sacramento, California, from this self-made Producer. Imagine the plaintive, childlike song of a lonely robot toy - the faded tonal wash growing more familiar with every loop."
- ReadyMade Magazine
"[Tycho] composes laid-back, often delicate songs. Strikingly, his work echoes his visual efforts as ISO50, with simple basslines and smoothly bouncing drums embelished by bits of static and distortion to add warmth and depth."
- BPM Magazine
"Tycho's 'Past Is Prologue' is as pretty as you'd imagine - full of melodies that swirl around like paint in water whilst a snowfall of digital beats keep proceedings energised. Flecked sporadically with snatches of female vocal, both 'From Home' and 'The Disconnect' are full fat electronica without the fatty after-taste."
- Boomkat
"Gauzy atmospheres and woozy synthesizer melodies ... languorous hip-hop beats deepening the dreamy ambiance ... speaking voices and seaside noises in “Sunrise Projector”. Tycho charts his own course, when “Dictaphone's Lament” introduces a smattering of boom-bap, for example, or when the dynamic title track gravitates towards a jazzy strain of drum & bass.”
- Textura
- Better Propoganda "
Monday, December 15, 2008
Electric President - Discography
Electric President are Ben Cooper and Alex Kane, a duo from Jacksonville who rose from the remains of other indie bands. They are known for subdued, acoustic songs with electronic bells and whistles placed intricately between the quiet vocals and the intimately plucked guitars. This music is really great for a late night drive home through the rain. They have two albums and two 7"s. The 7inches are okay, but the best release is their first album, ironically titled, S/T. They are on the Morr Music label, and are quite the mysterious band. I will definitely be looking out for more from these dudes. Below are links for the first album S/T and Sleep Well. For fans of The Postal Service and other music along those lines...
Electric President perform "Monsters" in the tool shed they record all their music in:
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Ra Ra Riot are an indie band from New York (big surprise there) who utilize cellos and violins to create a new spin on the traditional indie sound. The vocals are very simple and interesting and create some interesting melodies. Another interesting aspect are the lyrics; very good use of imagery and they help keep the music fresh. This band had to recover from the death of one of the creative minds of the band in John Pike (drummer, vocals). They bounced back to make a very good record.
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