I have a lot to post today. Today's posts include: the best albums of 2009 (so far), a brief observation on late night TV, and links and playlists for Blogophilia five and six.
Best of 2009 (So Far)
We are halfway through 2009 and it is already far better than 2008, and comparable (if not better than) to 2007 in terms of the number of very good albums out there. Robin Hilton, who is the Executive Producer of NPR's All Songs Considered, believes that we can attribute the bumper crop of great releases to the recording cycle for musicians. Unlike in the 1950's and 60's when music artists were pressured to release multiple albums a year, artists typically take a few years to produce new albums (some take a little longer). I am sure part of this is related to the need for extended touring, because of the drop off in album sales. Regardless, unless you are talking about Ryan Adams or Robert Pollard, music acts usually take two to three years to produce a long playing album (CD, whatever--I am old school). So we are seeing the contributions of great bands mixed with a nice group of first time releases. It all adds up to a very good time for the rest of us. Look out 2011! Now let's get to my favorite albums of 2009 (so far...).
Annie Clark, who is St. Vincent, is nothing short of phenomenal. Her sophomore effort goes far beyond Marry Me, her first release, and into the stratosphere. I do not know if Actor is meant to project Clark's inner feelings, but the mood of the album is melancholy and often dark. The excellent instrumental work complements her haunting vocals on a complete album. I have listened to this album over and over again at work, and it always seems to reveal something new.
Notable tracks: The Strangers, Actor Out of Work, Marrow, The Bed, The Party
Surprise, surprise! I love the new Decemberists' album. The Decemberists' fifth long player is a concept album about the travails of love experienced by Margaret, and her shape shifting lover, William. William inhabits the forest by day as a faun, and is apparently Brad Pitt by night. Well, this love affair doesn't sit well with William's mother who is the Queen of the Forest. She hires a thug (The Rake) to take care of Margaret, and the story continues.
Fans of the Decemberists' The Crane Wife won't be disappointed. The album is in the same vein as The Crane Wife epic, The Island. Becky Stark from Lavender Diamond and Shara Worden (who has a set of pipes that will make your hair stand on end--that's good by the way) from My Brightest Diamond provide respectively the vocals for Margaret and the Queen.
I realize that this album is in that category where one either loves it or hates it. Some long time fans have criticized Colin Meloy for going off the progressive rock deep end, but I think we are witnessing the evolution of a super group. Sea shanties and cute ditties pay the bills, taking a chance with Hazards has allowed the Decemberists to demonstrate their true mettle.
Notable tracks: The Wanting Comes in Waves, The Rake's Song, Isn't It A Lovely Night?
I was first introduced to Bruce Peninsula through the music blog, Chromewaves, back in February, which posted the track Crabapples. I placed that track on my Spring Mix (which I have yet to post here), and a friend of mine piqued my interest in the band again, when he talked about how much he liked the album. At that point, I listened to A Mountain is a Mouth (AMIAM) once, and felt like I missed something in that listen. Crabapples is a great tune, but it's really not representative of the entire experience that is AMIAM. So, I went back to the album, and found myself listening to it over and again.
While the gospel/soul sound of the band is lauded as a spiritual experience, the juxtaposition of Neil Haverty who growls his way through songs, and an angelic choir of six females is really the key to this band. There is call and response singing, female solos, and Mr. Haverty rolling around and getting all gravely for us. I don't know how best to describe this in the limited amount of space I give myself for reviews. Let's just say that it sounds like Joe Cocker got together with a pack of nuns living in the south and made a damn good record.
I am actually surprised that more people aren't writing about and giving great reviews to AMIAM, as it is far better than last year's over-hyped, self-titled hit from the Fleet Foxes, but in the same genre of Alternafolk.
Notable Tracks: Crabapples, Shutters, Satisfied, Steamroller
Honorable Mention
As I mentioned, there are several excellent releases this year, and I don't have the time or energy to review them all in this space. I am going to take the easy route and mention the following albums:
Fanfarlo - Resevoir
Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Handsome Furs - Face Control
Dan Deacon - Bromst
A.C. Newman - Get Guilty
M.Ward - Hold Time
Grand Duchy - Petits Fours
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
and my guilty pleasure... Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Oh, I have a stack of stuff to which I must listen. There are plenty of good albums out there for everyone... Happy listening and check out these other mid-year reviews:
A WORD ABOUT LATE NIGHT TV
I can't help but noticing lately that a lot of great music has found its way to late night television. For as long as I can remember, David Letterman has always featured great acts. Conan O'Brien followed this trend when he took over Late Night, and now it seems that the two Jimmys are following suit. In the past two weeks, Sonic Youth, St. Vincent, and Phoenix have found their way to these stages, and we benefit from the late night TV wars.
Jimmy Fallon's peeps need to loosen up a bit, as you can't link to their videos and not one has found its way to YouTube. Come on Fallon, can't you convince the good folks at NBC to at least let us link to the videos featured on your website?
Here's a sampling of what is out there:
Blogophilia Five and Six
Volume Five represents mp3s made available in early May, while Volume Six represents mp3 made available between June 15-June 30. I am actively compiling songs for volume seven, which will represent July 1-July 15. Expect to see it shortly after that date.
Blogophilia Volume Five
Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/251584858/Blogophilia_Vol._5.zip
Tracklist
01.Acrylics – Molly’s Vertigo
02.Matt and Kim – Lessons Learned;
03.The Heavy – Colleen
04. Black Moth Super Rainbow – Born on a Day When the Sun Didn’t Rise
05. Chico Fellini – Hot
06. The Intelligence – Thank You for Fixing the Tape Machine
07. Blitzen Trapper – Gold for Bread
08. Horse Feathers – Curs in the Weeds
09. Deerhunter – Rainwater Cassette Exchange
10. All the Saints – Farmacia
11. Crocodiles – Summer of Hate
12. Discovery – Osaka Loop
13.Great Bloomers – The Young Ones Slept
14. Harlem Shakes – Sunlight
15. John Vanderslice – White Dove
16. Lee Harvey Oswald – Slore
17. Mixel Pixel - You’re the Kind of Girl
18.Nomen Novum - Permanent Makeup
19. Obits- Pine On
20. Dent May & His Magic Ukulele – Meet Me in the Garden
21. Royal Albert Advantage – Don’t Haunt this Place
Blogophilia Volume Six
Tracklist
1.Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
2.Spoon – Got Nuffin’
3.The Knew – By Yourself
4.Julian Casablancas (From Dark Night…) – Little Girl
5.Passion Pit –Moth’s Wings
6.The Morning Benders –Waiting for a War
7.Point Juncture, WA – Sick on Sugar
8.The Antlers – Two
9.Alligators – Conquerors
10.Fanfarlo – Harold T. Wilkins or How to Wait for a Very Long Time
11.Phoenix – 1901
12.The Rumble Strips – London
13.Vetiver – Everyday
14.Wheat –HOTT
15.Akron/Family - River
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