en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal The Last.fm journal for bowser724. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2009/05/04/2p6m92_a_show_to_be_remembered. Mon, 4 May 2009 14:39:41 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2009/05/04/2p6m92_a_show_to_be_remembered. Sat 2 May – Dan Deacon
Going to see Dan Deacon and his ensemble performing at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, I had serious doubts as to how all 14 people would fit on that little stage. The Triple Rock is not a big place. Even the opener, Teeth Mountain, had some trouble fitting everyone, and they were only 7 people. But sure enough, they were able to get everyone their own little square foot of standing room and managed to use that small space to its maximum. Dan of course had his table o'obsolete technology set up, but he'd injured his shoulder the night before, so he decided to stay out of the dancefloor for his own safety and perch himself high above on the stage. Of course it wasn't that high above; the stage is only about a foot and a half off the floor. I had the privilege of standing at about forearm's length from his table so I got to witness both Teeth Mountain and The Ensemble in their full glory. Of course this was probably because I got there way too early and the bands got there an hour late in their vegetable-oil-powered purple 'n green coolbus. To everyone else who was standing around me: what was up with that guy who kept bugging Dan about whether he smokes or not? Can you say douche? I can do it. I will do it nine times. In my mind. But he was powerless against the awesome power of The Ensemble. His pleas for attention were soon drowned out by the band's sound check: improvised versions of the themes from "Friends" and "Cheers," which ended up sounding like some sort of avant-garde electronic composition with too much bass. There was too much bass the whole night. My knees were vibrating in my jeans.
Almost as soon as the sound check ended, the band broke into their opener, the pre-release song "Get Older," which possibly could be the song most responsible for the hype around Bromst. Before this happened many people were complaining that their skinny jeans and cardigans (and wayfarers) weren't keeping them warm enough in the air-conditioned nightmare that is the Triple Rock. But once the music started everyone found themselves in frenzied motion, and the resulting emanating body heat and moisture probably immediately brought the place up ten degrees. By the time "Red F" and "Paddling Ghost" were finished, everyone was really warmed up, both mentally and sweatily. And then, there was texting guy. Ahh, texting guy. Dan pointed him out. We all ended up raising our arms toward him, and resting them on the heads of those in front of us, as Dan delivered a sermon about the stupidity of guilt accompanied by the intro of "Snookered." I was genuinely surprised by how much of this song was not automated. It seems largely too complicated to perform entirely live, with all the vocal sample breakdowns and mallet parts happening at the same time. But, the drummer in front of me quelled these suspicions within my mind as he hammered on a drum pad in front of him and triggered the vocal sound effects we all know so well, as Dan sang the immediately-recognizable words of the song and was joined by near every Chuck-Taylor-sporting teen in attendance.
As "Woof Woof" rolled around, we were beckoned by Mr. Deacon to have a "fancy dance" competition. We scrunched ourselves into the far left and right sides of the room and Dan explained the rules. Two people have to go to the top of the stairs leading down to the dancefloor, bow to each other, dance down together, find another partner and start over again. Pretty soon the hole was filled back up again with dancing hipstery goodness and Kate Levitt led us all in chanting "woof! woof!" (This song is about dogs.) Then, there was "Baltihorse," which ended up lasting about 15 minutes because of Dan's omnipresent practice of creating a human gauntlet. Ours went all the way out of the Triple Rock's doors and onto the sidewalk, and by the time that it started collapsing and people started going back into the club, I could scarcely hold my arms up anymore, but it was worth it to see that the song was still being played when we got back. Even when Dan was alone with the band he never stopped playing. With the order of the crowd reversed, I was now in the back of everyone but it did not stop me from enjoying the old classics "The Crystal Cat" and "Silence Like The Wind." There were even a few crowd surfers.
Welcome to Hipstersota, Dan Deacon. Enjoy your stay.

P.S. did Dan smell bad to anyone else or was I the only one who noticed]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/12/06/2bjf64_top_15_albums_of_2008_%28and_runners-up%29 Sat, 6 Dec 2008 18:13:38 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/12/06/2bjf64_top_15_albums_of_2008_%28and_runners-up%29 15. Au - Verbs

Au's second album is a worthy successor to their wonderful self-titled debut. "RR vs. D" might be one of the best songs of the year. I had the opportunity to see these guys open for Deerhoof in October 2008, and the sounds they created were like nothing I'd ever heard before. Luke Wyland is a very talented multi-instrumentalist, and Dana Valatka is an insane drummer.

14. Women - WOMEN

Women's self-titled debut album shows that even with limited recording equipment, a great-sounding album can be made. The lo-fi sounds awash with reverb and complex guitar, complete with dramatic, sighing vocals is something that everyone needs to hear. "Black Rice" and "Group Transport Hall" are standout tracks.

13. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend are the big story of 2008. They took MTV by storm with their '70s punk-rock sensibilities, mixed with cheap synthesizers and the occasional string section. The melodies of this album are infectious. Everyone seems to like this album. It transcends the boundaries of musical cliques (one of the biggest problems of today).

12. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut album is a wonderful work of art. The choral vocals mixed with warm, acoustic sounds and poetic lyrics are a great combination. The sound washes over you and brings you to a simpler time, leaving you coming back for more after every listen.

11. Lemon Demon - View-Monster

Lemon Demon's sixth album shows just how versatile 22-year-old frontman/multi-instrumentalist Neil Cicierega is. His singing has vastly improved over earlier albums, and the instrumentation has become far more diverse. Also, the genre has become even more "unclassifiable." Really the only way to describe this record is "fun." I had the fortune of seeing Lemon Demon perform live in August, and the trip was well worth it.

10. The Music Tapes - Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes

The Music Tapes' long-awaited third album leaves the listener with a great feeling inside. Julian Koster's method of recording onto ancient equipment gives the record a very organic and warm sound. His voice is emotional and yearning, and the lyrics are often very ironic - "Freeing Song for Reindeer" tells the story of a reindeer who wants to be free from Santa Claus' clutches. One of the best comeback albums I've heard.

9. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

Girl Talk is one of the most different artists out there. DJ Gregg Gillis has a way of combining songs that people claim to hate and turning them into something to which everyone loves to absolutely freak out and dance. Who would've thought that mixing Lil Mama's "Lip Gloss" and Metallica's "One" would work so perfectly? This album must be heard to be believed.

8. Autechre - Quaristice

Autechre have always been rather hit-or-miss for me. Most of their last effort "Untilted" was fairly disappointing. It was very unstructured (though I guess that's to be expected for these guys) and tough to listen to continuously. Quaristice is a complete shift away from this difficult style, focusing more on atmosphere and melodic experimentation. The beats are still calculated and programmed down to a T, for sure, but the overall effect is much different. It's great background music.

7. Beck - Modern Guilt

Beck's newest album strips off the electronic production and wall-of-sound hip-hop style embraced on his last effort "The Information" and instead presents a straightforward rock album. "Orphans" is an amazing track and almost out of place as an opener because of its epic feel. Though, "Profanity Prayers" is almost as good...nearly a punk rock style.

6. The Magnetic Fields - Distortion

The Magnetic Fields. Stephin Merritt's magnum opus. This man comes up with some of the greatest songs I've ever heard, and seems to pull them out of absolutely nowhere. His lyrics are incredibly clever and ironic, sometimes painfully depressing, and the way this whole album is produced with loads of reverb and feedback recalls My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The opener "Three-Way" is one of the best party songs ever.

5. Brian Eno & David Byrne - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

The amazing combination of Brian Eno and David Byrne comes back together again after almost 30 years and attempts a straight alternative rock album. These two men are a match made in heaven. David Byrne's penchant for witty lyrics and jerky, nervous vocals and guitar work blend seamlessly with Brian Eno's multi-instrumental talents and production.

4. No Age - Nouns

28 minutes. That's all it takes to listen to this album all the way through. It could almost be considered an EP. The songs are simple and catchy in themselves, but when the vocals and the lyrics are added low in the mix, produced with tons of noise, something entirely different arises. "Eraser" and "Ripped Knees" are standout tracks, but the whole album really flows like one long song. It really can't be described more than that unless you're Pitchfork Media. Go read their review and laugh.

3. Deerhoof - Offend Maggie

I didn't think that Deerhoof could've made an album that would surpass 2007's "Friend Opportunity." They did. When this album was first played through my speakers I immediately noticed that the weird synthesizer tricks they messed with on Friend Opportunity were thrown out. Instead, they're now emphasizing their complex guitar and bass work, and Satomi Matsuzaki's beautiful, yet unconventional voice. The title track "Offend Maggie" and "Snoopy Waves" are definitely some of the best songs I've heard all year.

2. El Guincho - Alegranza!

Pablo Diaz-Reixa creates a fusion of styles that the world has not heard before. He brings together Spanish folk music and psychedelic electronic styles, complete with lots of samples and infectious beats. All the lyrics are in Spanish, of course, but even though I really don't understand the words, I understand the music perfectly. It's Spain's answer to Panda Bear's "Person Pitch." Highly recommended.

1. Portishead - Third

This was the first release I'd heard from Portishead. After hearing it, I of course had to listen to their first two albums, "Dummy" and "Portishead," but I decided that this is still their best album to date. It deserves the top 10 Billboard position it got. Beth Gibbons' presence both on the record and on stage is something special, to be sure. She has an aura of mystery and solitude surrounding her whenever she sings. Their decision to utilize more analog synthesizers and drum samples instead of their original trip-hop turntablism style was a very good move, I think. It shows their complete versatility. "Silence," "Nylon Smile," "The Rip," "Magic Doors," and "Threads" are all amazing tracks in their own right, with Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow chugging away at the instrumentation while Gibbons lays down her melancholic singing. It's well-deserving of #1.


Runners-up:
Sigur Ros - Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
Why? - Alopecia
Man Man - Rabbit Habits
Hercules And Love Affair - Hercules And Love Affair
Zach Hill - Astrological Straits]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/10/22/28i75v_itunes_meme Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:53:05 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/10/22/28i75v_itunes_meme iTunes Meme

Songs by title:
First song: ∆Mi-1=-a∑Di(n)[∑Fij[n-1]+Fexti[n-1]] by Aphex Twin
Last song: ? by Lemon Demon

Songs by length:
Shortest song: :04 - Fishstick Gumbo by Man Man
Longest song: 46:25 - Green Cobra Is Awesome Vs. The Sun by Dan Deacon

By artist:
First artist: a-ha
Last artist: !!!

By album:
First album: A1-D1 by Gescom
Last album: ( ) by Sigur Rós

Top ten most played songs:
1. Tripoli
2. Trippy Green Skull
3. The Crystal Cat
4. Race : In
5. Wooody Wooodpecker
6. Peacebone
7. Atlas
8. Non Photo-Blue
9. Okie Dokie
10. Wham City

First Five Songs on Shuffle
1. Untitled 1
2. Birdhouse in Your Soul
3. Quay Cur
4. Kladfvgbung Micshk
5. N.Y. Hotel

Search
"Sex", How many songs come up?: 58
"Love", How many songs come up?: 344
"You", How many songs come up?: 854
"Death", How many songs come up?: 33
"Hate", How many songs come up?: 39
"Wish", How many songs come up?: 19
"Dream", How many songs come up?: 64
"Leave", How many songs come up?: 20
"Stay", How many songs come up?: 11
"Heart", How many songs come up?: 87

10247 songs, 25.2 days, 49.46 GB]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/06/26/21jen4_journal_about_your_top_30_tracks. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:17:24 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/06/26/21jen4_journal_about_your_top_30_tracks. 1. How does 2 make you feel?
Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box - Puts me in a wonderful trance of sorts. The sound effects and Thom Yorke's voice just intertwine so perfectly.

2. To whom would you sing/play 24?
2 + 2 = 5 (The Lukewarm.) - I'd play it to our government. Then maybe (not) they'd do something about all the problems in the world.

3. Is there a way 15 could make you happy?
Trippy Green Skull - Always makes me happy, no matter what. Dan Deacon is the happiness wizard.

4. Would you dance to 25?
South Carolina - I'd dance for money to try to replace my dented bike.

5. What's the best thing about 8?
Numbers - EINS ZWEI DREI VIER FUNF SECHS SIEBEN ACHT

6. Does 20 inspire you?
Autobahn - Hell yes. It inspires me to take a long scenic drive in the country and forget how much gas I'm probably paying for.

7. Does 12 remind you of someone you know?
Please - Yeah, but I'd rather not say. :P

8. What's your favourite line from the lyrics of 9 (if there are any lyrics)?
Everything in Its Right Place - Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon.

9. How would you describe 27 with one word?
Window - Catchy.

10. Is there a way 21 could make you laugh?
Non Photo-Blue - Just thinking about the live performance would make me laugh. They play it insanely fast and Rob Crow tries to compensate for the original layering of voices.

11. What's so awesome about 1?
The Robots - Nothing really. It's just a song you want to listen to over and over and over again.

12. If 23 was an animal, what animal it would be?
Give Me Back My Man - A man-eating shark, duh.

13. Can you relate to 3?
Memo to Human Resources - Yeah, it reminds me of me.

14. Is there a way 13 could make you angry?
Myth Takes - No. This song makes me way too happy.

15. Would you play 5 for your girl/boyfriend?
Europe Endless - God yes. It's so romantic.

16. What does 7 tell about you?
Computer World - ...Yeah.

17. Would 14 be on the soundtrack of your life?
Tripoli - Yes. :(

18. In which ways does 22 remind you of your mother?
Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors - It doesn't, really.

19. Any good memories involving 19?
Leave It - Singing it in the car with my dad.

20. Is there a way 11 could make you sad?
Pyramid Song - Isn't it supposed to? I mean, seriously.

21. Does 4 make you feel like falling in love?
Idioteque - Just with the song.

22. What do you think about the lyrics of 17 (if there are any lyrics)?
The Man-Machine - Uh, that they're repeated over and over again. Man machine, semi-human being. Man machine, superhuman being. The man machine.

23. When you close your eyes while listening to 10, what do you see?
Rainfall - My dream woman.

24. If you had to choose, would you play 30 in your wedding or your funeral?
Heartbeats - Funeral. No doubt about it.

25. Is there a movie 28 reminds you of?
Debaser - Obviously Un Chien Andalou.

26. Have you seen 16 performed live?
Ana Ng - I've seen TMBG twice but they didn't play it for me. :(

27. What would happen if you sang 18 in a public place?
The Crystal Cat - They'd start dancing frantically. Yes, I actually know the words.

28. When did you hear 29 for the first time?
The Eraser - When listening to the album for the first time.

29. Do you often find yourself singing/humming 26 in the shower?
Trans-Europe Express - Nope, I don't sing in the shower.

30. Wouldn't it be awesome to listen to 6 while having sex? ;)
Pocket Calculator - ...Yes. By pressing down a special key it plays a little melody. ;D]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/06/18/213lt8_my_top_ten_albums%2C_vol._2 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:25:21 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/06/18/213lt8_my_top_ten_albums%2C_vol._2 1. Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
2. Pinback - Summer in Abaddon
3. Battles - Mirrored
4. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
5. Joy Division - Closer
6. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
7. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
8. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
9. Pinback - Autumn Of The Seraphs
10. Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/05/01/2qui_radiohead_and_beatles_shoutbox_spam. Thu, 1 May 2008 14:08:13 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/05/01/2qui_radiohead_and_beatles_shoutbox_spam. RadioheadThe Beatles

I'm looking through the Radiohead and Beatles shoutboxes and all I see are people not discussing the merits of the bands themselves, but whether they "deserve" 100 million plays. Come on, people. They're both just bands that people like a lot. Why can't music be a peaceful endeavour toward togetherness, rather than a vicious cock fight over which band is "better?"

Last.fm, you're better than this. Let me know when you've grown up.

David]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/03/24/2quh_soundtrack_of_my_life. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:21:17 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/03/24/2quh_soundtrack_of_my_life. Opening Credits: Europe Endless

Waking Up: Got Getting Up So Down

Average Day: Fortress

First Date: Please

Falling in Love: Between You and Me

Love Scene: Make Love

Fight Scene: Bastard Wants to Hit Me

Breaking Up: Quiche Lorraine

Getting Back Together: Happy Together

Secret Love: Passover

Life's Okay: Pyramid Song

Mental Breakdown: Idioteque

Driving: Behind the Wheel

Learning a Lesson: Non Photo-Blue

Deep Thought: Altibzz

Flashback: Insight

Partying: Party Out of Bounds

Happy Dance: Numbers

Regretting: AFK

Long Night Alone: Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone

Death Scene: Still Light

Closing Credits: Memo to Human Resources]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/03/13/2qug_top_20_artists. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:39:38 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2008/03/13/2qug_top_20_artists. Post the top twenty artists on your profile, the first song you heard of theirs, the song that made you fall in love with them, and your current favorite.

1. They Might Be Giants
First song: Particle Man
Fell in love with: I've Got a Fang
Current favorite: Memo to Human Resources

2. Kraftwerk
First song: The Robots
Fell in love with: The Robots
Current favorite: Europe Endless

3. Lemon Demon
First song: Ebaum's World Dot Com
Fell in love with: Hyakugojyuuichi 2003
Current favorite: Neverending Hum

4. Radiohead
First song: The National Anthem
Fell in love with: Idioteque
Current favorite: Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box

5. Depeche Mode
First song: Dreaming of Me
Fell in love with: People Are People
Current favorite: Love in Itself

6. Devo
First song: Whip It
Fell in love with: Girl U Want
Current favorite: Shrivel-up

7. The Apples in Stereo
First song: Signal in the Sky (Let's Go)
Fell in love with: Rainfall
Current favorite: Please

8. Dan Deacon
First song: Wooody Wooodpecker
Fell in love with: The Crystal Cat
Current favorite: Trippy Green Skull

9. The B-52's
First song: Rock Lobster
Fell in love with: Planet Claire
Current favorite: Give Me Back My Man

10. Deerhoof
First song: Chatterboxes
Fell in love with: Vivid Cheek Love Song
Current favorite: The Perfect Me

11. Beck
First song: Loser
Fell in love with: Girl
Current favorite: Motorcade

12. Joy Division
First song: Disorder
Fell in love with: Atrocity Exhibition
Current favorite: Disorder

13. Optiganally Yours
First song: Walk & Chew Gum
Fell in love with: Nonpartisan
Current favorite: Mr. Wilson

14. of Montreal
First song: Disconnect the Dots
Fell in love with: Will You Come and Fetch Me
Current favorite: Suffer for Fashion

15. Dave12D3
First song: Skylab
Fell in love with: Time To Go
Current favorite: That Song Sucked

16. Pinback
First song: Tripoli
Fell in love with: Non Photo-Blue
Current favorite: Non Photo-Blue

17. Aphex Twin
First song: Milkman
Fell in love with: 4
Current favorite: 54 Cymru Beats

18. Bis
First song: The Powerpuff Girls (End Theme)
Fell in love with: Clockwork Punk
Current favorite: What You're Afraid Of

19. !!!
First song: Myth Takes
Fell in love with: Myth Takes
Current favorite: Myth Takes

20. Terry Scott Taylor
First song: Klaymen's Theme
Fell in love with: Everybody Way Oh!
Current favorite: Everybody Way Oh!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2007/12/18/2quf_top_10_artists_q%2526a Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:47:06 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2007/12/18/2quf_top_10_artists_q%2526a 1. They Might Be Giants
2. Kraftwerk
3. Lemon Demon
4. Radiohead
5. Depeche Mode
6. Devo
7. The Apples In Stereo
8. Dan Deacon
9. The B-52's
10. Beck

1. What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Whip It.

2. What is your favourite album of 2?
Trans-Europe Express.

3. What is your favourite lyric that 5 has sung?
Everything counts in large amounts.

4. How many times have you seen 4 live?
None. Too damned expensive.

5. What is your favourite song by 7?
Please

6. What is a good memory you have considering the music of 10?
Hearing Girl for the first time on the radio.

7. Is there a song by 3 that makes you sad?
No, but Archaeopteryx makes me damn bored.

8. What is your favourite lyric that 2 has sung?
BY PRESSING DOWN A SPECIAL KEY IT PLAYS A LITTLE MELODY!!!!!!

9. What is your favourite song by 9?
Give Me Back My Man.

10. How did you get into 3?
Random Google search.

11. What was the first song you heard by 1?
Particle Man.

12. What is your favourite song by 4?
Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box

14. What is a good memory you have concerning 2?
Hearing them for the first time.

15. Is there a song by 8 that makes you sad?
Wham City, but it's the happiest sadness in the world.

16. What is your favourite album of 5?
Construction Time Again.

17. What is your favourite lyric that 3 has sung?
Nobody knows my true identity
For all we know I'm John F. Kennedy's
Lovechild with Nosferatu
We can't know but still we got to

18. What is your favourite song of 1?
Memo to Human Resources.

19. What is your favourite song of 10?
Motorcade

20. How many times have you seen 8 live?
Once. Want to see him again soon.

21. What is your favourite album of 1?
John Henry

22. What is a great memory you have considering 9?
Seeing them in concert twice.

23. What was the first song you heard by 8?
Wooody Wooodpecker]]> http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2007/11/19/2que_2007_-_what_a_year_for_music. Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:54:20 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/bowser724/journal/2007/11/19/2que_2007_-_what_a_year_for_music. The following will be my top 10 list for the best albums of this year, 2007.

10. Gymnasia - The Show Is the Rainbow

This definitely deserves a place on the list. Darren Keen puts on a hell of a show, and this album completely embodies his aesthetic of throwing all the rules out the window and rocking his laptop until it can rock no more.

9. New Magnetic Wonder - The Apples in Stereo

The Apples In Stereo's new album, albeit the last with Hilarie Sidney, marks a crossing point between two styles that they have been known to work with: all-out power pop, and moody psychedelic rock. Throw in a bunch of zany instrumentals and you've got an album.

8. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire's second album shows an evolution into full harmonic sound, and the result is breathtaking. Their multi-instrumentalists and Win Butler's trademark warble make Neon Bible a winner.

7. Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem, AKA James Murphy, puts together an astonishing mix of house and electronic styles, and even mixes in a little 80's power pop here and there, and the whole album has a kind of "I don't care what you think" vibe to it. "Someone Great" may just be one of the most beautiful songs of this year.

6. Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? - of Montreal

of Montreal's Kevin Barnes has never been one to fulfill expectation. Hissing Fauna may just be the most different of Montreal album ever. With its disco and pop hooks, one must wonder how of Montreal got the courage to shift from their sepia-toned ballads and just rock out.

5. 8-Bit Operators - Various Artists

A compilation of Kraftwerk songs...performed on vintage 8-bit video game systems?? How could this possibly work? Believe me, it does. Every cover on this album is a masterwork of programming and melody, a true homage to the original Kraftwerk songs.

4. In Rainbows - Radiohead

Radiohead's "pay what you want" seventh album proves one thing. You don't need a fancy label to make millions and create songs that transcend the boundaries of alternative rock. From "15 Step" to "Videotape", the various styles presented by Radiohead on In Rainbows may just be their most gutsy move since Kid A.

3. Friend Opportunity - Deerhoof

Deerhoof's new album effectively combines pop rock with experimental noise, and with Satomi Matsuzaki's sweet voice to top it all off, Friend Opportunity is an album that will keep you listening over and over again.

2. The Else - They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants have always been a favorite of mine (as evidenced by my play history) but this album makes me respect their lyrical and melodic experimentation more than ever before. They have strengthened their sound very noticeably since 2001's Mink Car, and The Else will keep your feet stomping.

1. Spiderman of the Rings - Dan Deacon

There are no words to describe this album. Just get it as you respect the future of good music.]]>