pecusita's Last.fm Journal

The Phantom Band - Checkmate Savage

Wed, 20 May 2009 03:32:20 +0000

For the Weekly Album Appreciation Club

Checkmate Savage is the full length debut of The Phantom Band. An album about details, idiosyncrasies and those little quirks that make a band separate themselves from the pack.

This album could lead you down any number of roads, each one different than the other. From noisy synths, hooky pop melodies and krautrock tendencies, passing through a cappella harmonies to a folksy campfire sing-along. Most songs stand out on their own, not linked to its predecessor, feeling more like a collection of thoughts than a well mapped straight road. I personally think that's what makes this album a memorable experience and the most remarkable moments are those that come a bit out of nowhere.

Songs like album opener The Howling showcases their most straightforward, rich and melodic moments accompanied by the wonderfully deep voice of their lead singer, known under the nickname “Richard The Turd”. Strange, I know.

Burial Sounds emerges to sound like a dark ritualistic modern anthem, full of chants, textured distortion and deep percussion. Never losing focus or accessibility, and giving you quiet climaxes in between the surging melodies and vocal harmonies. Folk Song Oblivion lightens the way a bit with a looser use of the "folk song". With a lot more canned energy for you to make the best use of it as you see fit. It starts off with a threatening tone and a hushed group vocals that breaks loose into a more melody based way that simply makes you want to clap along, or shake an imaginary tambourine. "You've got a voice so loud, you break the mountain side".

Crocodile sweeps in with a duality between a bouncy melody and a melancholic, and solitary, guitar that struggles not to get lost lost in between deep bass-lines and croaking samples. Until the guitar surges in and gives the song a whole different side to it.

For a moment, we ride back into a more pop approach with Halfhound and the darker Left Hand Wave. Both crafted in such a textured way that would please most "headphones music" aficionados. Island sees the band swing for the epic folk fences, with a melancholic, distortion free, ballad that almost clocks in the 9 minute mark. This is where the campfire sing-along comes in, in case you are lost, with a full ensemble of banjo and what sounds to me like a saw(?) Sort of sneaks in on you, you can't help but think this is the "safe card" in the bunch.

Throwing Bones picks up the pace once again, until it breaks out a doo-be-doo vocal group, that is. This either makes you go "wtf" or crack a smile and join in on the doo-be-doo, maybe both. This is obviously the work of a band that is not taking themselves too seriously.

For the closing curtain call they threw us in The Whole is on my side that comes in like a mix between "Left Hand Wave" and "Crocodile", with a repeated slow paced melody flavored in with various distorted samples and buried somber tones that flip into a more easygoing vibe halfway through the 8 minutes. "I know I have been foolish, I was only trying to behave like a man" in a voice full of sorrow and doubt. Maybe this is right, maybe it isn't.

Mogwai @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Apr 27 - Apr 29)

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:37:50 +0000

Mogwai

Yes, I was there all three nights. Let's get down to business.

Before Monday's show started, I had a peek at the setlist and noticed that it was a lot like the one they played at Terminal 5 last year. I had no idea how different it was going to be! This gig made that one seem like a band rehearsal in every level. The intensity of the loud parts, the delicate beauty of slow build-ups and crescendos. It was simply mesmerizing.

Songs like "Friend of the Night", "Hunted by a freak" and "Mogwai fear Satan" were timeless. Every time they played them during the three night course, they never failed to impress.

"Ithica" was exhilarating, bang-bang you're dead awesome. I closed my eyes and it felt like I was standing on the edge of a mountain. It simply hits you in the face. "New Paths to Helicon 1" was particularly moving for me. It came to a point where I felt like tears were going to start pouring down my face. Don't worry, I was able to keep it together. Actually, the only reason I managed to do that was because the song ended. What a beauty of a song!

Then they followed it with the exquisitely pop wonder "2 rights make 1 wrong", with drum machine galore ending, and did a 360 degrees turn for the killer, heart pumping, riot inducing 1-2 that is "Like Herod"/"Batcat".

When I saw the encore for night one was going to be "My father my king" I wanted to throw a parade! Honestly, I'm not very fond of encores, I usually just stand there and wait for the band to come out again. It's a bit phony seeing that they already penciled that one in. I decided to make an exception for this occasion. I was cheering like I wasn't going to be there the other two nights.

At first I wanted to do the little kick dance I've seen in many a movies. Until ten minutes in, that is, when it all gets apocalyptic on your ass! No, you will not be forgiven for your sins and you should burn in hell! Holy shit! It's like they are unleashing armageddon on us. How amazing was that thing! Now that is something you'd cheer on for. If I ever become a serial killer, I'd like this song to be used as my theme when the movie comes out. The final part please, otherwise it'd seem like I was anti-semitic.

Tuesday had a similar setlist, with the notable inclusions of "Summer"! "Auto Rock"! And "We're no here" for the stuff paper napkins down your ears finale! Like seriously, I had to make a mad dash for the bathroom if I wanted to be back for the encore and people were standing hypnotized, eyes wide open, sticking elbows down to their ears! Hahahaa.

I wasn't feeling so good on Tuesday either, which had a bit of an impact in my "flapping your arms up in the air" reactions. They were great, yet again. I have to say that I found the audience to be a little bit more intrusive than the other two nights. During the silent, merely there, "Like Herod" part some lady said "yeah!", some guy replied with "shut up!", Mogwai went KAPOWWWWWWWWWW.

Wednesday came about, it was bittersweet for me. For one part I was sad that it was the last night and wondered when will I see these bands again. For the other part, I really, really needed to get a good night sleep! I had a large coffee at 5PM and I could barely jump around.

They opened the show with "The Precipice", which made me really glad as it is my favorite song from "The Hawk is Howling". There were some truly stand out moments in "I Know You Are, But What Am I?". The moving and beautiful piano, accompanied by some kick ass electronic knob work from Stuart. I was right in front of him, that man was working it hip-hop style!

It was later followed by "You don't know Jesus" and "Travel is dangerous" = yay! And the mouth-watering "Christmas Steps"!!!! That one was definitely in my list of "Songs I wish Mogwai would play tonight" and it was amazing! The melancholic, peaceful notes that evolve into something else. So threatening and violent. Whoa. Let me type it again. Whoa!!!!

After they closed the show with "Helicon 1" they were walking off the stage, Martin stood in front of me a handed out his drumsticks! I was shocked, stunned. In a split second about 10 hands came out of nowhere trying to snatch them away! I was still stunned, witnessing the event. Until he said: "they are for her!" and everyone backed off. I grabbed my sticks, put on a grin, then stashed them in my bag for safety. Yeah!

This time around I had no chance to peek at the setlist so I had no clue what they'd play for an encore. What came after that was an almost 20 minute showdown comprising the awe inspiring beauty of "Kids Will Be Skeletons", the ultimate "Mogwai Fear Satan" and the exhilarating "Glasgow Mega Snake". What a combination! How could any other encore possibly compete. Ok, Mogwai, you've got me. From now on I'll cheer for an encore!... If Mogwai is on stage, anyone else can shove it.

Mogwai also have my eternal gratitude for finally bringing over The Twilight Saaaaad!!!!!!! Obviously, I wrote a journal dedicated exclusively to them.

I would also like to thank everyone who showed solidarity when I humbly pleaded for some charity european flights to the joint dates they performed together last year.

If anyone out there would like to fight my believe that these two are the best scottish bands, possibly ever, you can bring it on! I'm so ready to bring you down is not even funny. I feel like I'm modest when I limit myself to Scotland :D

I'm happy I was there all three nights. They were beyond memorable. Hands down the best concerts I've ever been in. By now I've noticed that the true quality of a live show is measured in repeated showings. Any decent band can impress in one outing, but if a band is able to knock you off your feet several times, even with the same songs (and for three nights in a row!) My friend, you've got a true winner. That was the case with Mogwai and The Twilight Sad.

The only "downside" was that they were filming all three nights for an upcoming live dvd project with the greatly talented people of La Blogotheque. What's the downside? You ask. It will surely be amazing and well worth the money. Well, I was dead front all nights and I may be seen there. I don't even like to have my picture taken! Let alone be seen by thousands of people all over the world. :(

Oh well, when it comes out I'm going to sponsor a contest called "Spot Pecusita in the crowd" and whoever guesses will have a free DVD! Check back here when it happens for more details!

Anyone who went to this thing without earplugs had a deaf wish, I tell you. I hereby endorse the earplugs that I bought! I've always been against them but then reflected on a three consecutive night assault and thought that if I wanted to enjoy music for many years to come, it was in my best interest to buy a pair. Screw the cheap foam ones in the drugstore. Think about it, they must make it sound hushed and muddy. I'm sure people are not able to enjoy a thing with those. Instead, invest in a pair of Etymotic ER•20 High Fidelity. They are washable, reusable and cost only 10 bucks! They evenly reduce the sound by 20 decibels. I can tell you I didn't feel like I was missing a single detail in the music and it felt loud as well! It's just protection against the damaging level.

[ DOWNLOAD Wednesday's show at nyctaper.com ]

Watch "Mogwai fear Satan" filmed by La Blogotheque in Reims, France

Mon 27 Apr – Mogwai @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead
Friend Of The Night
Scotland's Shame
Hunted by a Freak
Mogwai Fear Satan
Killing all the Flies
Ithica 27 Ø 9
Thank you Space Expert
New Paths to Helicon 1
2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
Like Herod
Batcat

Encore:
My Father My King

Tue 28 Apr – Mogwai @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home
Hunted by a Freak
Scotland's Shame
Cody
Summer
Small Children in the Background
Friend Of The Night
Autorock
I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead
I Love You, I'm Going to Blow Up Your School
2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
We're No Here

Encore:
Like Herod
Batcat

Wed 29 Apr – Mogwai @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
The Precipice
Friend of the Night
Scotland's Shame
I Know You Are, But What Am I?
You Don't Know Jesus
I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead
Christmas Steps
Ithica 27 Ø 9
Travel is Dangerous
2 rights make 1 wrong
New Paths to Helicon 1

Encore:
Kids Will Be Skeletons
Mogwai Fear Satan
Glasgow Mega Snake

The Twilight Sad @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Apr 27 - Apr 29)

Sat, 2 May 2009 03:39:28 +0000

The Twilight Sad

Thanks to last.fm, my love for this band must be the worst kept secret of all time! I've been listening to them since their debut album came out, a little over two years now, but never had the chance to see them live. I'm not sure if I've ever expressed this here, but what really made this guys propel in play time were all the utterly brilliant live videos I've been able to find on YouTube. To me, whoever could transcend all the numerous shortcomings that come with fan-made videos must be something else.

What I felt when I found out they were finally coming over to this side of the Atlantic could be nothing short of pure happiness. Finally! I'll be able to see it for myself.

As it's customary with me, I also had to do some mild boycotting inside my head. What if something didn't go right? Any number of factors could influence a gig, some of them outside of the band's control. What if the pedestal I've been building up for them had gotten so big that not even themselves could live up to it? What if, what if. I had been driving myself crazy over the past two weeks. It felt like time was going in slow motion, until the day finally arrived.

As soon as they walked on stage I put on the silliest of faces. Like those toothy emoticons where all you can see is a smile all across. Being so close to releasing their sophomore album, a lot of new songs were played and I must say they sounded great. More on that later.

As excited as one can be about listening to new songs, it's nothing compare to the thrill of listening to your faves. When the organ played the first notes of "That Summer, at home I had become the invisible boy" it was magical! I still get amazed by that song. How powerful it can be. So sorrowful and screaming at the top of your lungs with anger and frustration.

On record, "Talking with Fireworks" surely is a stand-out track. The soaring wall of sound leaves me breathless every time. Live it was about 3216594x better! Starting with the rhythmic drumstick that explodes in the most amazing way. That song has energy to light up an entire city! It's like being in a rocket ship; it lifts you up high and fast, then you are bombarded as you free fall into a black hole that sounds like the belly of an almighty monster, but you are able to propel out of there with a little fuel left in the tank. The way it builds up the anger and then kaboooooommmmm. It makes you feel like a kid and yell out: "Oh, oh. Do it again, do it again!"

People are always noting how great "Cold Days from the Birdhouse" is and I can surely tell you it's even better live! On Monday, I felt like I was daydreaming until this song came about, that's when it hit me. It was indeed very real. I was finally there.

The first almost a cappella part is something to be witness. James stood at the center of the stage and then proceeded to stare blankly and, if I may say so, seriously pissed off at the audience. It was rather intimidating, no one dared even whisper. There were a couple of parts where he slowed down but I wouldn't dare continue the song and sing on his place. He sure took his time until you are sort of hypnotized then the beginning of the music sweeps you off your feet, even though you've heard it a hundred times before. The way it soars after that is nothing short of breathtaking, such a beautiful, but at the same time, lonely and painful song.

On Wednesday, in particular, he seemed to be even more pissed off! Earlier he had made a "fuck off" comment against some guy that said they all looked like ugly *insert incomprehensible word in scottish accent here* the night before in between two songs. Apparently, the guy was there that night too and decided to say "fuck you" before he started singing this song. When he sang "A ROMANTIC GESTURE!" (not exaggerating with the caps here), there was a seriously crazy look on his face as he walked to the very edge of the stage, looking down the center where the guy must had been standing. Oh boy, I thought he was going to get down there and beat the crap out of that guy! Holy shit! Hahahhaa. All that was rather interesting.

James surely gets lost in all the ruckus, after that he was singing with his eyes closed, took a step and opened his eyes, looked at the drumkit like "whoa, where did that come from?" Hehehe.

When I'm at a gig I like to look around the stage at all the members of the band, the expressions on their faces and how they handle themselves with their instruments. Not once I've felt that when I finally lay my eyes back on the lead singer I had missed something, but this man it's all over the place! He's probably not even standing in the same place after you've screened the stage. And the rest of the band sort of let's it be. They are all into their thing. Andy is most certainly shoegazing. Orzel stands still and looks out and beyond. Mark is smacking the shit out of that kit. It's what it is. Their intentions are clear, they just want to rock your face out! Something they'll surely do with their eargasm-worthy material like "And She Would Darken the Memory". Gotta say there's nothing more liberating than yelling at the top of your lungs "head up dear the rabbit may die!". It's just an odd thing to yell but what are you gonna do. In my case it wasn't much, I'm not a loud talker, but knowing that you are putting all your air into that it's a great feeling. That song had me beaming! I just couldn't stand still, it's so energetic and exhilarating. It certainly got my heart racing every time they played it!

One of my favorites song to youtube is "I'm taking the train home", the intensity and power of their live shows could easily be condensed into that song. And makes for one heck of a show closer too! At the end of the song they just start jamming and noiseing the heck out of it until they've got nothing left and James stands in the wake of yet another mic stand. Poor thing, they don't know what they are getting into. Don't worry they got him a stronger, non-circular one for Wednesday's show.

Anyone who owns their "Killed my parents and hit the road" compilation can rest assured that they've got a pretty good testament to their live show and will be more than happy that they played Untitled #28 on Tuesday! Yay! Pencil that one in for the new album, for sure.

Now to the new songs!

Every show was opened with "Downstairs" (setlist codename). It has an extremely drone-ish guitar, rhythmic drumming and bassline. It was very deep and slowtempo, in a non-ballad way, for about 3/4 of the way, then it got even noisier and cymbals started crashing through it. "There's people downstairs" I found myself repeating that line the following day and looking around rather paranoid!

"Mooth" - again it's a setlist codename - it's a slow builder and may I say that it's got the closest thing to a straight down rocker guitar solo, a short one, but then it leads down the non-usual verse-chorus-verse way. It says something about "running scared". Don't know if it as due to my position to the right of the stage, but "Ye Ken" had a wicked bassline, the tempo and flow sounded a bit like "Mooth".

"Eyes Oot" to me was a clear stand-out and I'll ride some money on it possibly being the first single. Don't know but it had a powerful, intense and memorable feeling to it. It says something about "I want you here" and "taking time" (I think!) It's a bit long though. About 6 minutes. Oh, to heck with it. This is The Twilight Sad, all their songs are about 5 minutes long! Hehehe.

"Faster" on the other hand was very appropriately named. Reaaaaally fast and energetic all the way through. I found the melody to be very catchy, in a Twilight Sad catchy kind of way. There's a moment when it needs to hold back and catch its breath then comes right back at you. Could be a potential And She Would Darken the Memory's little cousin.

After listening to these 6 new songs I can assure you that the sophomore slumb crisis will be adverted! The album will probably be out by late summer (September/October) and the first single is supposed to be released through free distribution in the upcoming weeks. Start getting excited!!!!!!

In short, The Twilight Sad showed up, threw more fire into my love and left. *sigh* I'm also convinced that had they been able to use as many amps as Mogwai you would had needed a noise meter to determine a winner in that department! But there wasn't much of a fair competition. 3 little Twilight Sad amps v. like 10 Mogwai amps... no contest. Still amazing! :)

Due to the length and awesomeness of these shows, I decided to write one journal for each band. I'm working on the Mogwai one. It'll be long too. :D

Mon 27 Apr – The Twilight Sad @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
Downstairs
Faster
That Summer, at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy
Talking With Fireworks/Here, It Never Snowed
Mooth
Eyes Oot
Cold Days From the Birdhouse
And She Would Darken The Memory

Tue 28 Apr – The Twilight Sad @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
Downstairs
That Summer, at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy
Eyes Oot
Untitled #28
Mooth
And She Would Darken the Memory
Cold Days From the Birdhouse
I'm Taking the Train Home

Wed 29 Apr – The Twilight Sad @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Setlist
Downstairs
That Summer, at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy
Eyes Oot
Mooth
Ye Ken
And She Would Darken the Memory
Cold Days From the Birdhouse
I'm Taking the Train Home

Errors - It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:57:37 +0000

Errors - It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever

For the Weekly Album Appreciation Club

This band is indeed a creative and promising bunch. Some may over-think how to pigeon-hole their style but it could be describe with a simple post-electro rock, as it encompasses most of the elements used in their music: spiky synths, deep bass and rhythmic drum beats that create a rich but easy to follow pop sound.

Within the repetition of electronics and synths lie constant shifts in melody that keep the album feeling fresh. There are moments when it bursts with energy, most noticeably during the early tracks of Dance Music, Salut! France and Still Game. There are also darker tinges throughout the album that add - if one may say - more personality, as can be heard during National Prism and The Bagpipes.

The album has moments with different tones thanks to Toes, a song that follows much on the math rock genre, where the energy of the album reaches a notable peak. It continues with a sound that closes more on the traditional atmospheric post-rock/ambient with Crystal Maze, which serves as a prelude to Cutlery Drawer, the sole moment where a human element is used through a voice-over that may be perceived at first as some blabbing, cold, mundane teenage story, but as it moves along it grows in tension, both in the music and narration, to become a more interesting track to be appreciated.

For a moment it picks up the energy as it returns to a trance-like, and even club friendly, song like Pump. Only to have it end in a more somber, reflective and at times haunting A Lot Of The Things You Don't Isn't, showcasing that this band has depth beyond the pop, danceable tunes and indeed deserve more attention in the years to come.

Okkervil River @ The Bell House

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 04:08:09 +0000

Tue 6 Jan – Okkervil River

To be honest, I'm not much in the "writing mood" but it'd be a crime to let this concert pass without a word being written!

For the last couple of months, I've been getting more and more into Okkervil River. This impromptu show could not have come at a better time.

What a great band! I find their music can be truly mesmerizing. This is not a mere one album fluke either; they have a very tight discography to back them up. Black Sheep Boy and The Stage Names are almost flawless, in my opinion. On tuesday, I found out they are more than able to translate that into a live show as well. So, there you go a complete package!

They've got a whole lot of energy on stage, like they are truly enjoying what they do, especially front-man Will Sheff. He was all over the place and the music just seemed to follow him around. It's not only the energetic tracks, he can more than hold your attention on the acoustic tracks he performed on his own, but I knew that already: I saw him play a great solo show at Other Music this last december.

I must admit that Red made me all teary-eyed, if the song had lasted 30 more seconds I would had unraveled right there. What an amazing song!

It just seems to me that each one of their songs have moments that can just knock you out. You just want to sing them with all of your lungs, and I actually did! I sang along to pretty much every song, I had never done that in my life. It was a great feeling.

Yes, I sang along to:
"He's the liar who lied in his pop song
And you're lying when you sing along"

And you know what, knowing that I was lying felt great too. Can't wait for them to come back!

Pop Lie (Live at David Letterman)
After they played this song, Will said they were doing it on Letterman the following night. He then proceeded to joke about the 38˚F temperature in the Ed Sullivan Theater and added they will think of "our warmth" while performing in front of the crowd of "midwestern tourists". That did not sit well with a couple that was standing behind me that yelled: "Hey!". Guess they were midwestern tourists too, but don't hold a grudge on the man! Have you ever seen the audience when they pan on it? That's simply the truth. If I'm not mistaken the Letterman show is one of the most popular "attractions" NYC has to offer, or so I read somewhere.

Either way, this was a great performance. Very energetic and lively. That's pretty much how they were on tuesday night.

Setlist
Plus Ones
Singer Songwriter
A Hand to Take a Hold of the Scene
Black
Starry Stairs
John Allyn Smith Sails
The Latest Thoughts
Red
Get Big
Blue Tulip
Pop Lie
Lost Coastlines
Black Sheep Boy
For Real
Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe
Unless It’s Kicks

-encore-
Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979
A Girl in Port
Another Radio Song

2008 in concerts, songs and EPs

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 22:03:51 +0000

FAVORITE CONCERTS
5. Xiu Xiu @ Le Poisson Rouge, November 19th
Pretty much the same setlist as their show at The Bowery Ballroom in August 28th, sans three songs. I’m including this one because I was closer to the stage, which gave me a better view of all the crazy faces Jaime Stewart does! Still, no I Luv the Valley, Crank Heart or Suha :(

4. M83 @ Webster Hall, November 14th
Wherever you can feel lost in the music, dividing your expressions between mouth half open and silly smiles, then end the night by dancing it away it’s a great show in my book! They make a perfect mix of live instrumentation and prerecorded material. A Guitar and A heart, We Own the Sky, Teen Angst, Couleurs and Highway of Endless Dream being sure highlights!

3. Frightened Rabbit @ Pianos, May 27th
Timing is a great thing when you are going to a concert. This was the perfect time for me to see them live.

2. The Walkmen + The Dodos @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple, December 16th
I decided to ignore the almost 2-hour wait after the doors open or the fact that the opening act played almost as much as the headliner(!) And give this show my second place.

The Walkmen set was wonderful. They played almost all the songs in You & Me, don’t know if you’ve heard but that album is amazing!

I Lost You was particularly memorable, when he sang “A trumpet and a trombone still echoing in her heart” and the horn section entered, pure magic happened.

On The Water had some mean triangle playing too!

1. Mogwai + Fuck Buttons @ Terminal 5, September 18th
Setlists are very important to a live show. I’d say a good setlist accounts for 60% of the quality in a show. Mogwai played a setlist that was near perfect!

Mogwai Fear Satan must be on the shortlist of the best songs ever written!

MOST PLAYED EPs
I base my most played albums of the year in average play, therefore it’d be unfair to consider EPs. Plus, it takes a lot more effort in coming up with 10, 12… 14 tracks, opposed to 5 or 6 songs. I’m not dissing the EP format, just saying.

3. Slaraffenland – Sunshine
Way more light hearted than Polaroids. You’ve got their post-rock/jazz fusion in Dust or The Trick, alongside a pop wonder like I’m A Machine. All packed with some truly original a-ha and Radiohead covers.

2. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
By a long mile, the most creative thing I heard all year long! Who knew ambient and noise could be packed into one single EP or that a toy microphone could do more than annoy other people around you.

As it is electronic, it’s very repetitive, but in that constant repetition manages not to bore the hell out of you. I’d say the tracks where this is more evident are the most enjoyable. As you are seemingly floating in a cloud then hits the distorted vocals, it's strange to say the least.

1. The Twilight Sad - Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did
I must admit I was a bit skeptic when I heard about this. My initial reaction being: And She Would Darken The Memory without thunderous guitars? No thanks! That was before I heard the songs. What a great EP! It’s quite remarkable that they were able to tweak the Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters songs without losing any quality at all. I wrote a journal about this, of course

I’m sure this new sound will have some effect in their next album. Can’t wait for that!

MOST PLAYED SONGS BY 25 DIFFERENT ARTISTS
Emphasis on different. Otherwise it’d be the same 4 bands over and over again! Followed by a short theory of how it may have gotten there.

25. Roll On Oblivion by Jason Collett
31 plays
With a catchy opening melody that can easily get stuck in your head, surrounded by bluesy guitar, loops and some Dylan-esque singing.

24. Photobooth by Friendly Fires
34 plays
By far the most danceable track in the album! It’s a lock to have you moving in your chair.

22. Pinkies by The Big Sleep
37 plays
One of the few songs with lyrics in this album, still very progressive guitar-driven hard rock.

22. Chrome's On it by Telepathe
37 plays
If you’ve heard anything they’ve done before this song, you will be gladly surprise. They’ve toned down the darkness in their earlier work to come out with this weirdly catchy synth pop.

21. Halfway Home by TV on the Radio
43 plays
A small token of the melodic shift in this album, very upbeat. Contains all the elements required to make a song stick in your head: repetitive vocal tune (pa pa pa pa papa pa), handclapping and explosive climax towards the end of the song that mixes all the previously elements that had been spread out in the song. Winner!

19. The Earth Isn't Humming by Thrice
44 plays
Acoustic cover of a math rock song that keeps all the piercing notes of the original.

19. I'm in Awe, Amadues! by Maybeshewill
44 plays
Like I’ve said before, this is perhaps their “happiest” song, with a very easygoing melody.

18. Quiet Little Voices by We Were Promised Jetpacks
46 plays
Extremely catchy, energetic and loud pop rock tune! Watch out for these guys.

17. Bright Tomorrow by Fuck Buttons
47 plays
Perhaps the most mainstream friendly song in the EP. A mix of organs and loop melody is front and center, dominating about 4 minutes in the song. You get used to it and then half way through BOOM. It knocks you sideways, tramples all over you and you’ll be like: what the fuck just happened in this song?! And it’ll be awesome!!!!!

16. Distant Creatures by The Daysleepers
48 plays
Quality shoegaze with a whole lot of great atmosphere. Boy-girl singing with airy dream pop vocals, that keeps building itself up until the very end.

14. Fools by The Dodos
51 plays
Energetic does not cut it for this track!

14. I Miss You by White Hinterland
51 plays
Very good new take on this bombastic Björk classic. Haunting, beautiful and moody. The best cover album Stereogum has put out to this date.

13. Salt, Pepa and Spinderella by Johnny Foreigner
54 plays
The result of the following mathematical equation: Catchy + Fun = Result elevated to the 148948916215 power.

12. Little Bit by Lykke Li
57 plays
There’s something about this song, don’t know what it is but it’s very charming, in a teenage girl kind of way.

"I think I’m a little bit in love with you, but only if you are a little bit in love with me". Nicely put, you show him who is the boss!

11. I Love You, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School by Mogwai
58 plays
Simple but great guitar riff and melody. You can feel the claustrophobic tension, it’s menacing. Like you are forced to look over your shoulder as someone may be following in your footsteps… but it’s too late! Poor you. :(

10. Salut! France by Errors
62 plays
One of the most electronic driven tracks in the album. It just so happened to be the first track I heard, it was a good start indeed.

08. Sleeper Hold by No Age
69 plays
The kind of song that throws everything it’s got your way, right from the start and never lets up… for about two and half minutes.

08. Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River
69 plays
What a great song! Everything in it is top-notch quality; from the lyrics to the musicalization and vocals… the whole mood in the song is just perfect.

07. Twilight at Carbon Lake by Deerhunter
78 plays
Every time I listen to this song I think of 58 Chevrolets, leather jackets, overlooking the town at night from a hill and drinking a lot of beer then losing control over a curve and rolling over as the car catches fire. You died, sorry.

06. We Own the Sky by M83
83 plays
The combination of the falsetto with the female vocals and synthesizers is just blissful, until it reaches a very clear climax: “it’s coming, it’s coming now”.

05. I'm A Machine by Slaraffenland
88 plays
Happy, happy, or is it happy? Kind of song. It’s definitely a song to skip to… you know when you walk jumping up a little bit.

04. The Modern Leper by Frightened Rabbit
126 plays
This is the track to follow all the other songs in this album. With some seriously frolicking acoustic guitar!

03. In Lust You Can Hear the Axe Fall by Xiu Xiu
148 plays
I already complemented the excellent use of strings in this song in my 2008 albums journals. I will also add that the overly melodramatic music that carries the narration of the lyrics and Jaime Stewart are awesome.

02. Walking for Two Hours (Alternate Version) by The Twilight Sad
156 plays
Walking for Two Hours may be my favorite song of theirs. This new rendition is more epic than ever! Sounds equally powerful without all the layered noise. The vocals are just verging on complete desperation, like you are about to lose your mind. You just can’t take this anymore.

A great song should still be great no matter how you play it. This song passed with high marks!

01. On The Water by The Walkmen
170 plays
Perfection in song. I just can’t get enough of it!

The deep bassline and quiet percussions on the first half of the song force you to completely focus on the vocals and lyrics that make a mix of melancholia: “All the years keep rolling, the decades flying by, the days are long […] Here’s one to you for walking in my shoes” followed by a killer, just on the mark, “ahhhh”. And resentment, that keeps growing as the song moves forward – “You know I’d never leave you no matter how hard I try” - until it explodes in the most amazing way. Great song!

Honorable Mentions
Transformer by Marnie Stern
What a crazy song! You should hate her voice but you manage to get used to it. It’s a lot of fun with a killer guitar.

Crystal Stilts by Crystal Stilts
Who names a song after themselves?! It’s got a 50s surf rock vibe in the guitar and percussion that make a nice, playful contrast with his deep voice.

House Jam by Gang Gang Dance
This is strangely haunting and exquisitely pop at the same time. That album is at the top of my list of stuff to get this month.

Water Curses by Animal Collective
If after listening to this song you don’t understand why this EP was called Water Curses I give up! It’s the musical equivalent to high diving into a pool and paddling frantically in the water: refreshing and loads of fun. When you think you’ve got the song all figured out then hits the middle part to knock you sideways. It’s a great one!

White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
This is one of those songs that’s really catchy without being too in your face. It’s truly a summertime song.

It’s basically the only song I’ve liked of them so far.

Standing Next to Me by The Last Shadow Puppets
Beautiful, old-fashioned song that revolves around some classic quality songwriting, not bells or whistles to distract you.

Skinny Love by Bon Iver
This is another album that belongs in the Fleet Foxes/Last Shadow Puppets group. Very old-fashioned quality in the music, along with some strange voice you could have only imagine coming off a country song with a lot of twanggg.

Threads by This Will Destroy You
Stand-out track out of their self titled debut LP! Beautifully layered, with enough tension that lets you breathe. An accessible melody surrounded by great deal of tense reverb. You enjoy the climax as much as your journey towards it.

Some Riot by Elbow
Deeply dark and moody. The kind of song that makes you stops in your tracks whenever you listen to it. It’d be a great soundtrack to standing on the ledge of a dark abyss while a light mix of rain and wind is hitting you in the face. Oh yeah, the movie is in black and white too.

I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie
Surprise song of the year for me. Why? I don’t really like Death Cab for Cutie, but this song it’s pretty good.

I think the long intro really contributed to this, by the time I realized who was playing I had already fallen with the song. The lyrics have a very creepy/charming/little bit of genius quality to them that I’m oddly attracted to.

I have immortalized them all in a favorite songs of 2008 tag.

For the new year, I wish the stats in my iTunes and Last.fm to be closer to each other. Break a lucky-bone!

Most played albums of 2008

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 21:59:56 +0000

Once again, most played albums of this past year. Sorted based on average plays and listed in countdown fashion to make it look a bit more fun and keep you gripping onto your seat until the very end!!!!!! Ok, got a little carried away there, but it’s better when you are scrolling through the unexpected, wondering: “oh, who could possibly be number one?”

Average plays = Total Plays / Total tracks in the album

Only full lengths have been included. I will briefly tell you what I liked and disliked about each album… yes, no one is perfect. As well as highlight my top 3 most played songs and which track was left behind.

15. Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'til It Was Light
Played 305 times – averaged 23 plays per track

This was the most fun album of the year for me. Good old fashioned pop punk with a seriously heavy dose of catchiness to go around the world for 3 times and keep going!

With a 14 song track list, some songs are catchier than others and you could feel like you’ve are being given too much of the same formula, but at the end of the day is the kind of record you’d like to be listening to at a party that is fighting against the electro/new rave trend.

Most played songs
Salt, Pepa and Spinderella (54 plays)
Eyes Wide Terrified (39 plays)
Champagne Girls I Have Known (37 plays)

This is pretty much the ranking of most catchy songs in the album, in descending order. By the end of Salt, Peppa and Spinderella you just wanna start jumping around like a lunatic!

Oh and apparently the video for that song was banned in Europe because it could cause epileptic seizures. So, by clicking here you are living on the edge my friend!

Least played song
The Hidden Song At The End Of The Record (2 plays)
Dj's Get Doubts (2 plays)

Like I said, 14 tracks for this kind of record can be considered on the long side. DJ’s get doubts is actually a ballad!

14. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Played 326 times – averaged 23 plays per track

It’s not uncommon for a pop artist to get a good set of listens every now and then, but something tells me this is one that could actually stick. One simple reason: her music is actually interesting and goes beyond quickly disposable pop hooks. She also manages to be really charming and somewhat naïve, enough to the point for you to like her and not roll your eyes and hate her.

As for a down side, 14 tracks seemed to dim my interest as the end of the album approached.

Most played songs
Little Bit (56 plays)
Dance Dance Dance (48 plays)
I'm Good, I'm Gone (40 plays)

For a couple of months I went on with 4 tracks, before deciding to just give a listen to the rest. There I found even better songs! Like Let It Fall, My Love and Complaint Department.

Least played song
Melodies & Desires (6 plays)

This is sort of a poem read out loud. It could have gotten more plays if it had more instrumentation like This Trumpet in My Head, a song I find far most successful in the narration. You won’t be able to get that trumpet out of your head!

13. Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vol. 3 & 4: Air & Earth
Played 286 times – averaged 24 plays per track

Looking back, I don’t see what else could be added that I have not already said in here. Air is the most concise record of the series, and possibly my favorite.

Most played songs
The Earth Isn't Humming (43 plays)
Daedalus (38 plays)
A Song for Milly Michaelson (37 plays)

Pardon me Frodus fans, but I think Thrice version is better. The original is just your standard math rock song.

Least played song
Child Of Dust (8 plays)

This is one song I’m not feeling.

12. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Played 270 times – averaged 25 plays per track

Lost Coastlines started a breakout movement for these guys in my library. And they’ve been steadily growing and getting stronger. Just like in previous albums, the strongest suit is the lyrics, the heart and soul of every song.

When compared to last year’s The Stage Names, it doesn’t shine as much. This was suppose to be a second album of that record and it sort of feels like it to a point. It’s a pretty good album but when considered next to the almost-masterpiece level of The Stage Names, it feels a bit modest. Still pretty good!

Most played songs
Lost Coastlines (68 plays)
Singer Songwriter (42 plays)
Starry Stairs (30 plays)

Lost Coastlines is one of my favorite songs of the year! Like I said, as soon as I heard it I just knew I needed to give this guys a more serious listen. The way it builds itself up with “our dreams are lost” melancholic trumpets then hit the “la la la” part… it’s eargasm worthy!

Pretty difficult to follow on putting such a great song as the opener, but it somehow keeps up with the pace.

Least played song
Stand Ins, Two (11 plays)
Stand Ins, Three (11 plays)

I’m going to type this once. There appears to be a recurring trend in several albums on this list: unnecessary transitional/short-length tracks that don’t really add much to the record. You can listen to the rest of the album all the way through without even noticing they’re missing. Why bother? I think this is a plan to get us mp3-buying people!

It’s very difficult for pop-driven artists to include a song of this nature and not coming off as unnecessary, actually there are a couple of examples of how this can be done in a more correct manner. From now on I will simply add [UTT] to repeat this bitching as we move on.

11. Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying
Played 256 times – averaged 26 plays per track

To the common music listener, post-rock is mostly about atmospheric built-ups, somewhat predictable and can be rendered boring with ease. There are a number of bands that are trying to make instrumental rock escape that trend and this is one of them.

They have a heavier and, at times, more upbeat approach. Some of their heaviest moments could be compared to Deftones circa Around the Fur. It is awesome! But I have to say that their songs with lyrics/singing are not as good - Yes, I’m talking about you Heartflusters! Not counting the title track, Not For Want Of Trying, that uses a sample of the movie Network with excellent results. It’ll make you really mad! Especially in these times we are living.

Some people compare them to 65daysofstatic, and that comparison stands with some strength.

Most played songs
I'm In Awe, Amadeus! (43 plays)
The Paris Hilton Sex Tape (41 plays)
Seraphim & Cherubim (33 plays)

I’m in Awe, Amadeus! is their most melodic and, may I dare say, happiest song. While The Paris Hilton Sex Tape and Seraphim & Cherubim can be very exhilarating.

Least played song
Heartflusters (5 plays)

Skipper! Don’t know why a lot of post-rock bands feel obligated to include songs with unnecessary, not-so-good, singing.

10. The Dodos – Visiter
Played 363 times – averaged 24 plays per track

No one has ever been able to get so much out of an acoustic guitar! It has been mostly doomed to the corner of a romantic serenade in a scene of some old movie, but it has been rescued from the stereotype and made shine in this record.

The energy behind the entire record is mesmerizing, but it can be a bit too much at times and the drumming could have used a little bit more shift in melody. Still, it’s a pretty strong debut full length.

Oh, look! What do we have here? 4 really short songs that do not feel shoved in there to make you look all artsy fartsy. Hmmmm.

Most played songs
Fools (50 plays)
Jodi (48 plays)
Paint The Rust (48 plays)

Top ranked in awesomeness! God?, Red and Purple, Joe’s Waltz, and The Season are other highlights.

Least played song
Eyelids (8 plays)

Ahhh, darn it! This tarnished my short song comment! I don’t think it was just shoved in there and don’t find it a waste of a download, for all that’s worth.

I also wrote about this album here:
6 down, 6 to go
*new* music that will surely have some dominance over my charts this year

09. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Played 318 times – averaged 29 plays per track

Have you ever heard an album you think it’s good but it just doesn’t grab you and make you want to listen to it all the time? Well, that’s this album for me. I think it’s good, but it hasn’t had the effects of Return to Cookie Mountain or Desperate Youth Blood Thirsty Babes.

I don’t think this more upbeat approach does them harm. I seriously can’t explain why it has not been a total success with me. Maybe it’ll get me in this new year. We’ll see.

Most played songs
Halfway Home (43 plays)
DLZ (37 plays)
Shout Me Out (36 plays)

As noted, I like this upbeat thing they have going on here. Jury is still out on the album.

Least played song
Family Tree (12 plays)

Shocker! It beat Dancing Choose by one play! Now that song I seriously can’t stand it. Tunde, please don’t attempt to rap anymore.

08. No Age – Nouns
Played 371 times – averaged 31 plays per track

Ahoy! Punk Rock that does not sound like traditional punk rock. By the way, someone over at their artist shoutbox was outrage once because I called it punk rock. Hmmmm, I still think it’s punk rock; just because it is noisy and contains reverb doesn’t make it less punk! Heck, they’ve even got the short songs that leave you wanting a little bit for more.

[UTT] alert

Most played songs
Sleeper Hold (72 plays)
Eraser (63 plays)
Teen Creeps (62 plays)

Once again, ranked in awesomeness here! With passion it’s trueeeeeeeeee.

Least played song
Keechie (10 plays)

Cheeky. Goes well with another playlist that does not contain other No Age songs.

07. Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling
Played 351 times – averaged 35 plays per track

Weeks before this album came out, they released The Sun Smells Too Loud as a free MP3. Madness ensued due to how different it was compared to their previous work.

After a couple of weeks, I started getting into it but then the album came and it feels completely out of place! It slices the record in half and that’s what makes it somewhat inconsistent.

I couldn’t get into it until I realized I was better off skipping the middle part, alongside Local Authority and Kings Meadow. If you do this, it’s a pretty good album.

You must also consider that this band has been around for over 10 years and the fact that they can still produce quality music warrants some recognition. If you ask me, a lot of bands these days seem to have only one good album in them, then they start a downward spiral.

Most played songs
I Love You, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School (57 plays)
Scotland's Shame (53 plays)
The Precipice (45 plays)

Second half of the album is the strongest, as these top tracks may indicate. The Precipice being the best song in the entire album! The tension built around it is mesmerizing.

Least played song
Kings Meadow (11 plays)
Local Authority (11 plays)

06. Errors - It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever
Played 371 times – averaged 37 plays per track

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Another excellent Scottish band? You betcha!

Anyone that peeks into my library can see that I follow that music scene very closely; you must also know who it is to blame for that one!

These guys fall into that group of bands that are trying to escape the canon trend in post-rock. They are more like post-electro, with a sprinkle of math rock, and a couple of songs can get rather dance-y. I mean that in the best possible way. Not slap you in the face/overly electronic stuff, like a lot of bands are doing nowadays. This is electro the way it’s supposed to be, as far as I’m concerned.

And they are signed to Mogwai’s Rock Action label. I’d say they are in good hands.

I recommend them with utmost sincerity! You won’t regret it.

Most played songs
Salut! France (61 plays)
Still Game (59 plays)
Dance Music (53 plays)

To start it off, I downloaded these three tracks and before long I had them in constant rotation. The songs National Prism and Toes are true standouts. To be honest, this entire album is pretty amazing! Even the voice-over Cutlery Drawer is done rather well.

Least played song
Crystal Maze (6 plays)

The other day I was looking at this album in my iTunes and I noticed it jumped from 5 to 7 *gasp* I was missing this song! If you ask me Toes transitions very well into Cutlery Drawer, but then again I just downloaded this song less than 2 weeks ago.

05. Deerhunter – Microcastle
Played 559 times – averaged 47 plays per track

If you can do songs as different as Providence and Never Stops to the same level of quality, the sky is the limit!

To me that’s what is most remarkable about this album, how different and pop driven it is, compared to Cryptograms, yet it is not some cheap sell off. Their attention to the little details make this a pretty strong album worth constant scrobbles.

This is another album that knows the value of a song, even if it’s short and instrumental, like Cover Me Slowy. I’d say that opening 1:22 song truly captures the album.

Most played songs
Twilight at Carbon Lake (77 plays)
Nothing Ever Happened (74 plays)
Agoraphobia (52 plays)

The other day I was discussing The Beatles Hey Jude and its wonderful climax with the “La-la-la… Hey Jude” final part. Twilight At Carbon Lake has some of that quality as well. The way it just explodes towards the end, it’s truly amazing.

Nothing Ever Happened has some top grade quality post-punk catchiness that is sheer awesomeness!

Least played song
Little Kids (26 plays)

This song didn’t live up to be a Never Stops follow up. It’s not bad though.

04. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
Played 541 times – averaged 49 plays per track

Though I kind of prefer Before the Dawn Heals Us, this album has some pretty good merits of its own. First of all, it’s way more cohesive - there are no Car Chase Terror! here – and it does allow him to grow musically, and that’s very important for an artist.

I think the best quality of M83’s music is that it feels alive; it’s truly cinematic. He can build atmosphere and captivate you with a story, when you listen to Dark Moves of Love or Highway of Endless Dreams it’s like you’ve been transported into another world. A synthetizer has never sounded so beautiful!

Most played songs
We Own the Sky (82 plays)
You, Appearing (75 plays)
Couleurs (62 plays)

I don’t think an album has put up a more diverse top 3! First you have blissful synths, followed by that beautiful piano melody and ending with a true dancer… what more could you possibly ask of the man?

Least played song
Midnight Souls Still Remain (18 plays)

Half way through the 11:11 of the same loop I skip to the next song, or start the album all over again.

I also wrote about this album here:
Three releases, one busy week

03. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Played 1005 times – averaged 72 plays per track

I’ll start off with the good. I wrote about it right after it came out

A couple of months ago, this album was a lock to be my most played of the year, what happened? Have you seen those comments about it sounding like Counting Crows? Well, I’m sorry to admit it’s true!

If you have only listened to their awful singles then your reaction was like mine: no way! But one day, a coworker – who is inexplicably a fan of CC – was playing some album tracks, not singles, song I had never heard before… To keep it short, I just said the comparisons are true, even down to the voice.

To discover that this album sounded pretty much like that kind of brushed off some of that initial magic. Now, I look at my charts here and I’ve barely even played them for the last couple of months. I blame this startling discovery.

I hope they can recover from this!

[UTT] alert

Most played songs
The Modern Leper (122 plays)
Old Old Fashioned (118 plays)
Floating in the Forth (117 plays)

The Modern Leper was the first song I heard of this album, and I still think it’s the best. Old Old Fashioned is catchiness incarnated and Floating in the Forth is a demonstration of epic pop.

Least played song
Extrasupervery (10 plays)

I said UTT earlier, right?!

I also wrote about this album here:
6 down, 6 to go
*new* music that will surely have some dominance over my charts this year

02. Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers
Played 1030 times – averaged 74 plays per track

Oh, Xiu… Xiu. This album started a chain reaction of unforeseeable proportions that led to total obsessions for weeks and weeks at a time... right now I’ve got almost every song they’ve recorded!

Some long-term fans criticize it for not being as noisy as their older stuff. Well, excuse me sirs. Do you wish to have another Metallica or ACDC in your library that is still trying to make the same songs over and over again?

I’d say this album is very representative of their trajectory and that’s what ultimately led to my nuclear explosion. I enjoy the noisiest, weirdly structured melodies of songs like Child at Arms as much as the quieter Puff and Bunny and Master of the Bump (Kurt Stumbaugh, I Can Feel the Soil Falling Over My Head)

Being able to produce them in equal quality is what makes great bands stand apart from the mere good ones.

Most played songs
In Lust You Can Hear the Axe Fall (144 plays)
you are pregnant, you are dead (130 plays)
Child at Arms (127 plays)

Like the acoustic guitar, strings in popular music have been trapped under the melodic/epic stereotype, when in fact they can be as menacing as any other instrument. That’s what I like the most about In Lust You Can Hear The Axe Fall!

Least played song
Under Pressure (21 plays)

Sorry, this is a failed cover to my ears.

01. The Walkmen - You & Me
Played 1224 times – averaged 87 plays per track

I got this album in September, yet it managed to become my most played of the entire year… a standing ovation is in order!

What an excellent album! I can’t say that enough. I have to keep repeating it. What an excellent album!!!!!! Justice was served, best of the year!

I recently tried to put it in words, but it’s really hard to explain. All the songs rank in the 4-star and 5-star category in my iTunes.

It even manages to put together a true heartbreakingly beautiful instrumental song, like Flamingos (for Colbert). And it only lasts 1:11. See the ups and down of the UTT syndrome!

Most played songs
On The Water (168 plays)
Postcards from Tiny Islands (137 plays)
Seven Years of Holidays (for Stretch) (94 plays)

On the Water is one of those songs that keeps getting better every time you listen to it! It’s truly a strong, rock solid, album. A gem.

Least played song
If Only it Were True (52 plays)

It takes a while to get into a couple of songs, like this one.

You can see two songs dominated right away; it took me a couple of weeks to get past a handful of top tracks, since then the rest have been evenly played to a certain point. That’s why it managed to make it to number 1!

Final comments
Reflecting on 2008, I have to say that a lot of albums got played for time periods. Most got dropped after months, sometimes after mere weeks. To be honest, eight out of the fifteen albums were acquire/released after September. What does that have to say about this year in particular? It definitely did not spark as much excitement as 2007 for me.

No point in dwelling on that. To quote The Walkmen: "I know that it’s true, it’s gonna be a good year!"

I’m really looking forward to a lot of releases. This year could be another 2007… here’s to the New Year!

Revised 2007 albums

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 02:14:42 +0000

It’s just impossible to get to know what an entire year has to offer in music. There will always be that artist you just got into that happens to have a wide discography, other albums you may become interested in but don’t get them because you feel swamped by all that you are listening at the moment; many factors can contribute to an album getting 'late into the game'.

Last year I made a list of 15 albums and ranked them based on average play count, which it’s a convenient and easy way to get pass the torture of comparison but it’s also unfair to any album released after October. Unless there’s a complete take over of my ears, it’s highly unlikely that any of them could ever make it into a list of that sort.

Taking all of this into consideration, I decided to recognize all the 2007 albums that either got added to my library in the final stretch of said year or were acquired during this year. And also reflect on the list I posted last year, am I still listening to those albums?

I’m ranking them based on average play count once again.

Average plays = Total Plays / Total tracks in the album

Before I begin, I must also confess that this stats are a bit tainted in a couple of albums as a month of plays were wiped off by a certain computer switch off and subsequent ipod reformatting.

Film School – Hideout
Played 197 times – averaged 15 plays per track

We all must know by now that we’ve been in some sort of shoegaze outroar in the last couple of years. This is another one from that pack, and it suffers from one major flaw: they don’t sound refreshing at all. It’s like a well-organized tribute band. The song Lectric sounds a whole lot like My Bloody Valentine in my opinion.

This is something that plagues a lot of new bands. They make good songs, but they sound like tribute bands when all is said and done.

Most played songs: Lectric (45 plays) and Sick Hipster Nursed By Suicide Girl (21 plays)

Least played song: Must Try Easier (4 plays)
There are a bunch of unnecessary 1 minute transitional songs in this album. Heck, there’s even one track that lasts 16 seconds! That’s just ridiculous.

Battles – Mirrored
Played 191 times – averaged 17 plays per track

Didn’t this album mark the before and after for math rock? If you can make such assertion on the merits of a single album, isn’t that the best praise one could possibly bestow on it? Well, I just said it then!

One thing about math rock is that it seems to follow the same pattern to the point that a lot of songs sound just like math rock. This album leaves that aside and pushes it a bit further. It’s got enough rhythm with a kick to sound like math rock without resorting to the same boring notes.

Most played songs: Atlas (24 plays) and Race:In (18 plays)
If Atlas is not one of the most fun inducing songs ever recorded I don’t know what could be! Well, Ddiamondd is pretty close on that. To be honest, they are both tagged with “these songs are fun”.

Least played song: Rainbow (13 plays)
Doesn’t strike me to hit the repeat button.

Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vols I & II/Fire & Water
Played 241 times – averaged 20 plays per track

Apparently, when Thrice broke it off with their record label, Island, they went really major label mean and did not let them take their mailing list. I found out about this album like 2 months after it was released. Mean, evil record label!

Anyhoo, this 4 part project shielded pretty good results and was a deserving follow-up to the excellent(!) Vheissu. You gotta give it up to a band that’s not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and go in a different direction.

Most played songs: Night Diving (47 plays) and Digital Sea (34 plays)
The Water disc is very electronic and post-rock in its nature, which serves rather well to that element. It doesn’t really hurt that I’ve been pretty much into that genre in the last couple of years or that Night Diving may be one of my favorite almost-instrumental rock songs!

Least played song: The Arsonist (12 plays)
Don’t know why, perhaps it sounds a bit much like “traditional” Thrice to me. Like I said, I just listened to the Water volume a bit more.

Caribou – Andorra
Played 198 times – averaged 22 plays per track

Mixes some eastern sounding arrangements and elements – there are flutes and what appears to me like a sitar at times - along with his falsetto to create a somewhat exotic and atmospheric synth pop.

I’d say the best tracks are the up-tempo ones, like Sundialing; the album seems to loose momentum during the slower tracks like She’s the One or Desiree. I just don’t get carried away as much as the other stuff.

Oh yeah, he also got a thing with names. There are 4 songs named after people!

Most played songs: Melody Day (56 plays) and Niobe (35 plays)
Melody Day is perhaps the track that carries the most tuneful melody of them all, hence the name – I guess. Niobe is a bit more atmospheric and makes for one hell of a closer.

Least played songs: She’s the One (6 plays)

The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
Played 222 times – averaged 22 plays per track

This album topped Metacritic’s best of 2007 compilation with a 90 points average score, then I noticed it was an electronic album and went “nah”. I’ve got nothing against electronic music; it’s just that it’s become so dull in recent years.

Very few electronic albums can create such a beautiful contrast of rhythm and repetition, shifting between ambient and techno. It’s atmospheric but also danceable at times. What a strange combination of elements! So, I’m just saying it was a deserving winner.

Most played songs: Over the Ice (38 plays) and Sun & Ice (35 plays)
What’s up with this man and ice? Well, he’s from Sweden that’s all I got for you. I don’t think it’d be advisable to dance as much as these two tracks will make you wanna do on top of the ice. A fair warning.

Least played song: Mobilia (5 plays)
Nothing against this song, it was added fairly recently. It’s pretty good; love the tension in the melody and the build-up to nothingness. This album is pretty solid stuff!

Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
Played 255 times – averaged 23 plays per track

Everyone wants to be folky and global conscious nowadays. Doesn’t it seem like it? Some do it better than others; I’d say these guys go down the good road. There’s more of that Far East feeling to their music, even some Gospel, ritual-like chanting and the good old harmonizing. By the end, they do achieve that mythical atmosphere.

Most played songs: Sunrise (53 plays) and Wait for the Summer (40 plays)
I’d say that Sunrise is the track that best captures the essence of the album and puts it to the best use possible.

Least played song: Red Cave (14 plays)
A bit too preachy-like for me.

A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers
Played 292 times – averaged 29 plays per track

When I first heard about this band I thought they were some hardcore emo band. No kidding. Instead what you get is some lo-fi, noisy, retro 80s, post-punk coming your way. That’s about it! I’d say the strongest suit of these guys it’s that they manufacture their own effects pedals.

I know their intention is to sound that retro, but they could use more refreshing arrangements. Whenever you see everyone mentioning the same band (Jesus And The Mary Chain), you just know you’ve gotta spice it up a bit.

Most played songs: My Weakness (45 plays) and Don’t Think Lover (34 plays)
When they put the fast pedal on it, it’s on my friends!

Least played song: Another Step Away (20 plays)
Meh. The one song that should probably take the award it’s Breathe, that thing sounds like 80s U2.

Frightened Rabbit - Sing The Greys
Played 323 times – averaged 29 plays per track

Is this a cheat? This album was actually self-released in 2006 but I doubt it got a listen outside of Scotland until Fat Cat released it, November of last year. Anyhoo, I’m including it!

Here’s some good old harmless folky pop rock. We all need that you know. It all can’t be scratch your head to figure out what this is music. Sometimes you need to lay back and enjoy some straight down popness. Well, it’s not all straight down pop, they put some twin guitars (acoustic/electric) to pretty good use here and there.

Most played songs: Be Less Rude (63 plays) and Square 9 (59 plays)
They can pull off rocky pop and mellow pop with ease. Although, these two are of the rocky pop variety.

Least played song: Snake (7 plays)
Is this thing a joke? It’s a pretty bad one.

Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Played 304 times – averaged 30 plays per track

If you are on the lookout for some quality folk pop rock, search no further! You’ve hit the sky with these guys, especially this album; it’s basically a masterpiece! I’m not even a fan of this alt-country genre!

What an amazing piece of music, it works rather well in single songs but they truly take another life when you listen to this entire album alone, in consecutive repeats. You get my drift.

Pretty much every detail in this album comes together in such a brilliant way. Like I said, it’s almost a masterpiece. You will also find great comfort in the superb songwriting of Mr. Will Sheff, who has to be on the very short list of great songwriters in the music business today, if not at the top.

I’d elaborate but then I’d have to write a 10-page journal to explain all that’s amazing and breath taking in this album.

If in doubt with any of the above statements, please listen to Love to a Monster, what a heart-wrencher of a song!

Most played songs: Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe (59 plays) and John Allyn Smith Sails (40 plays)
Like I said, pretty much it’s a great song after the next. Take Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe as a small demonstration… scratch that small! These two songs pretty much capture the greatness and sense of fulfillment you’ll get after listening to this album.

Least played song: Savannah Smiles (13 plays)
This is the song that made me add the “almost” before the masterpiece statement. The glockenspiel/night box notes do not satisfy me. Yeah, yeah, yeah… if you listen to the song you understand why it was used, but my point is they could have approached it in a less obvious way.

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Scribble Mural Comic Journal
Played 420 times – averaged 32 plays per track

For the life of me, why is no one championing these guys? They make great dream pop that manages to sound refreshing and not a copycat at all. I think they need more friends with blogs or something.

Their songs manages to be intriguing and evocative with vocals you might as well give up on trying to decipher, it’s near impossible! Their voices are treated more like instruments, another layer in the sound. They kind of flirt with the heavy distorted melodies, adding a great deal to the odd-beauty within it.

It’s a very good album. I recommend repeated listening; it helps enhance the magic in it, like any truly good album should.

Most played songs: Our Change into Rain is No Change at All (Talkin' 'bout Us) (73 plays) and The Best Summer Ever (50 plays)
Did I mention beautiful skewed melodies with airy, dream-like, vocals? That’s Our Change into Rain! Well, the entire album is a beautiful exercise in this practice. There’s also some of that in The Best Summer Ever, but it’s slightly less distorted.

Least played song: The Horn Song (10 plays)
Nothing specific about this song. It’s a short track that doesn’t come together with me in the way that Wake Up Pretty does.

Efterklang – Parades
Played 369 times – averaged 34 plays per track

No idea why these guys are barely known this side of the Atlantic, with their wonderful cinematic music and love for dramatics - it is to my understanding that they perform with synchronized wardrobes.

These are some mysterious and enchanting pieces of music. The sort of music that comes alive in your head, lets your imagination have some fun and paint pictures that are hard to describe. Well, they sort of have a description… it’s in their Giorgio De Chirico-like album cover and their wonderful video of Mirador. Surreal and beautiful.

Most played songs: Cutting Ice to Snow (66 plays) and Maison De Réflexion (53 plays)
I’d like to add that the song Frida found a Friend is just amazing, it came out at number 3 but deserves to be mentioned!

Least played song: Polygyne (20 plays)
Feels like some sort of prelude, an opening act to the epic greatness that follows this track. I’m not saying that in a bad way!

Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Played 250 times – averaged 36 plays per track

At first, I didn’t really get where all the fuzz came about this album, that’s because I had only downloaded Comfy in Nautica and Ponytail. Although I liked them, they didn’t send me running for the Download album button. Oh, the success and failures of our single mp3 culture.

It happens you know, sometimes you listen to a single song and it doesn’t really translate that well what the entire album it’s about. It’s a pretty good album, especially when it comes down to the meaty, middle part. Those songs are just too strong. Anyways, I wrote a journal about it at the beginning of the year.

Most played songs: Im Not (52 plays) and Bros (44 plays)
Im Not and Search for Delicious are dreaminess incarnated! Bros is one epic track that gets even better as the end of the song approaches.

Least played song: Ponytail (27 plays)

Slaraffenland - Private Cinema
Played 552 times – averaged 55 plays per track

I’m so in love with these guys! They are indeed just wonderful. And
there’s a journal professing all the love!

Quick reading suggests it’s like being overtaken by multiple personalities that range from manic-depressive to positive daydreamer. Confusing, interesting and amazing!

I headed over to Efterklang site and apparently they did some sort of special collaboration with Slaraffenland during a concert and they’ve released it as a free EP under the name Slaraffenklang. You can get it over at Efterklang’s site. Merry Christmas indeed!

Most played songs: Polaroids (106 plays) and This One Will Kill Us (93 plays)

Least played song: Grøn (6 plays)

Revised 2007 albums

I looked back to my 2007 list and I have to say that the albums at 5 and the top 3 were spot on! Those 4 albums kept getting consistent plays throughout this year as well. What better way to proof the quality of an album? The other albums went from terrible to decent follow-up. To be honest, I was rather busy between catching up and keeping pace with the new year.

New list

15. Okkervil River - The Stage Names
played 304 times – averaged 30 plays per track

14. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
played 385 times – averaged 30 plays per track

13. A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Scribble Mural Comic Journal
played 420 times – averaged 32 plays per track

12. Efterklang – Parades
played 369 times – averaged 34 plays per track

11. Handsome Furs - Plague Park
played 323 times – averaged 36 plays per track

10. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
played 250 times – averaged 37 plays per track

09. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
played 424 times – averaged 39 plays per track

08. The National – Boxer
played 475 times – averaged 40 plays per track

07. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
played 482 times – averaged 40 plays per track

06. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
played 450 times – averaged 50 plays per track

05. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
played 605 times – averaged 50 plays per track

04. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
played 484 times – averaged 54 plays per track

03. Slaraffenland - Private Cinema
played 552 times – averaged 55 plays per track

02. Menomena - Friend and Foe
played 1354 times – averaged 113 plays per track

01. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
played 1199 times – averaged 133 plays per track

Now that's one hell of a list! :)

The Twilight Sad Killed My Parents and Hit The Road

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:41:27 +0000

Aherm, did you see that first picture?

To Denise

From

James Graham

Isn't that the most wonderful autograph ever?! Hahaha. Well, I think it says James Graham... it's definitely a "J" at the beginning.

Not a millions words on this journal could express how grateful I am to Vikki. After several weeks of passive aggressive pressure I put on her ("Vikki, I can't wait for the concert to come", "Vikki, I am so excited that you're gonna see them in concert"... and every other variation of it), she hanged on and did not send me to fry asparagus. She even went the extra crazy fan mile of asking for an autograph. Thanks, Vikki!!!!

As you all may know, this cd is a compilation of live tracks, previously unreleased instrumentals, acoustic songs, covers and new demos. Wait, did you read all that? It seems a lot of things are going on here, more than it may have been interpreted by the initial press release. Seriously, these guys need better PR people, their MySpace post was followed by over 10 comments asking "Where do we get it?" I had to go over to Fat Cat's site to understand that they were only selling the CD during the Mogwai tour.

Luckily, they thought it through and decided to release it for everyone to have. It'll be available on CD and MP3 format on December 8th and it's available for pre-ordering and FULL SONG STREAMING at Fat Cat's site.

I couldn't be more thrilled! Even though I already have my lovely autographed CD, more people need to hear this. It's a wonderful thing to have, if you like these guys get it!

The first half (1 thru 6) of the CD was recorded at Music Like a Vitamin A at the ABC in Glasgow on October 9th

I don't see a need to talk about the tracks from FA&FW. We all know the songs are amazing and that these guys blow everything out of the water with their live shows. These recordings are a testament to that.

My favorite is That Summer. Some of the arguments behind the naysayers is that their live music doesn't sound like the record, that is - as we all know by now - done intentionally and brought over by wide range of instruments used on the album and the limitations of the number of band members. I've seen a load of YouTube bootlegs and I think they play them amazingly, but the one song that never seemed to fulfill me completely was that one. It just seemed that the accordion was much of a missing instrument and it somehow lost some of the magic. With their new-ish additional keyboard and guitar player, they've been able to add some sort of organ-like interpretation of the notes hit by the accordion and it works to perfection. I'm quite happy by it.

Untitled #28 is a new song demo they've been playing since June. As soon as I heard it, it became my favorite new song. The vibe around it could resemble And She Would Darken the Memory, with their perfect blend of shoegaze and post-punk. It's just amazing and I hope they include it on the final release. *x_ fingers crossed*

In the same style, along comes their Joy Division cover: Twenty Four Hours. I must say it sounds just like the kind of stuff you'd think such an awesome pairing would bring, with monster-like soaring guitars that feels like Godzilla is rising out of the Hudson river and wants to swallow you whole! In here is delivered right after its little cousin, And She Would Darken The Memory, to make up for one exhilarating listening experience that builds up until it makes you want to get up and punch a couple of pillows around. Yes, this is one awesome and angry track! I'm serious, this cover is mind-blowing, jaw-dropping good stuff!

As a side note: thank you The Twilight Sad for not doing another Ceremony cover. Thank you.

After the somber drone-like ambience of The Weath-er is Bad comes a bit of a surprise: acoustic songs! A surprise because in the announcement it said absolutely nothing about it. I don't know why they wouldn't include it, I'm sure it'd make a lot of people even more curious to hear this. You could imagine how thrilled I was when I got to Half a person.

I love The Smiths, but I have to admit there are songs that seem to lack a little bit of sense. I mean, their sound is always pop and melodic while most of their lyrics are down-right depressing, desperate and somewhat creepy, take Half a Person as an example. Fear not my people, because we have The Twilight Sad and they sure don't care about bringing loads of misery upon you. Their cover is just amazing and hits the right mark.

Untitled #27 is another new song demo that I had only heard in live incarnations, in here it takes a whole different dimension as an acoustic song. It sounds even better as an acoustic! Though I have to say it seems they've changed the music(?) Anyone caring to dissect it along its live shoegazy version, please give your two cents.

I'm not a big fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I had never heard this song before but it's a good one. And they did a really nice job with it too.

I Was Hoping Winter Was Over is an unreleased instrumental track that after reading the back of the CD, I get the impression was recorded for FA&FW. Why? Because the credits say it was recorded at Chem 19 and mixed by Peter Katis, same credits as the debut album.

Anyhoo, do you know that feeling when something that you've enjoyed is coming to an end and it makes you feel saddened but then along comes that feeling of 'something better' is coming your way... that's this song. It's truly a beautiful thing, it even puts a smile on my face.

I'm having troubles identifying all the instruments used in here, is that a washboard?! Ahh, I've intrigued you, haven't I? Well, like I said before Fat Cat is streaming this entire album so head over and have a joyful listen!

I must admit I've never had an autograph in my life. I'm pretty much clueless about what I should with my awesome cd now. Should I put it in a glass box? Buy an armored safe? Build a creepy shrine? I want my little autograph to be visible until I'm 100 years old. Like I told Vikki, in a couple of years, when these guys are like the biggest band in the world and some lunatic comes knocking at my door wanting to buy my cd I'll say: "Excuse me, is your name Denise? Cause it clearly says it belongs to her right there in the cover."

As a final note, I'd just like to say that if The Twilight Sad and Interpol were ever to tour together in the US, I'd buy Vikki a ticket, offer a place to stay and services as a poorly instructed tour guide. I know it doesn't sound like much, but believe me when I say hotel prices are crazy, off the hook, in this city. That's a public promise! You can sue me if that ever happens!

PS: Do not worries. I called my parents and they are okay. It was all a bluff.

Oh, and by the way, Untitled #28 is the song previously known as "Partick Spunkies" and Untitled #27 is "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"! Those ninjas sure love them acoustic :P

Tracklist:
Walking for Two Hours (live)
That Summer, At Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy (Live)
Untitled #28
Cold Days From The Birdhouse (Live)
And She Would Darken The Memory (Live)
Twenty four hours
The Weath-er is Bad
Half a person
Untitled #27
Modern Romance
I was hoping winter was over

Joy Division - Twenty Four Hours
The Smiths - Half a Person
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Modern Romance

>>Download another live recording of Untitled #28, Untitled #27 and another new song (Waltz) over at The Primrose Garden blog

>>Watch an awesome new live video of That Summer, at Home followed by Untitled #28 (live at Prague)

DGA Awards 2008

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:50:22 +0000

Well, end of the year... holidays feast, quickie diets, cold weather and best-of lists... nothing better to celebrate the soon-to-be-dead year like a unanticipated, boredom inducing award show... the DGA awards!

Just like in 2007, too. Who payed to bring this thing back? Donations were kept private and marked as charity in the books, so I cannot tell you. Some categories were eliminated due to lack of contenders, but we’ve got a lot of new ones too... yay!

Sorry, in this dire economy I couldn’t afford any second-rate lip-singing performances. Let’s get down to business!

I loved your EP, can't wait for your debut LP! award:
Telepathe. There were like 4 of them.

Your debut it's not bad. Get back to me when you put a little bit more personality into your songs award:
Crystal Stilts

They play old-fashioned, lo-fi, post-punk. Their songs are not bad, but they are terribly unexciting.

You make side-projects seem like a worthwhile thing to do award:
The Last Shadow Puppets

This is what a side-project is suppose to be: completely different from your other band.

I think they hype could do worse than you award
Vampire Weekend

Last year, their debut EP was ok, and their album this year... it’s still okay. I listen sporadically but there’s one thing: I can’t listen to the album more than once, I get tired right away.

Nothing to get overly excited about. I don’t love them but I don’t hate them either.

You give hype a bad, bad name award:
Glasvegas

Don’t ever trust the hype after a band that has not even released a record... the only exception to that rule being Arctic Monkeys, otherwise urghhh.

The worse thing about this band (aside from the horrible “melodic” singing) is that they are from Glasgow.... do I need to elaborate? There are over 10 bands in my library based in that city that could kick these guys asses using only their pinkies.

I'm sensing a trend here! award: (tie!)
Fuck and Crystal in band names
Fuck Buttons, Holy Fuck, Fucked Up, Starfucker...
Crystal Stilts, Crystal Castles, Crystal Antlers...

Hurry up! Crystal Fuck is available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And let's try to revive our careers! albums
Travis, The Verve, Portishead, Weezer, Oasis, Metallica, Guns N' Roses... heck even New Kids on the Block. You can't go lower than that!

Your album cover could have used a better art director award: (tie!)
Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling

It makes me wish I did not enjoy putting every cover on my MP3s. But seriously who could hope for better after this thing

Deerhunter - Microcastles

Errr, why did they change the cover to this thing?!

~~Could your album artwork be even more amazing! award:~~
Discontinued until next year. No one whoaed me like Menomena.

Your live show was so amazing that no other has been able to live up to it award:
Mogwai @ Terminal 5, NY (September 18)

Seriously, if I don’t find true bliss in a live show soon I may sue them.

I wish I could have been there award:
The Twilight Sad + Frightened Rabbit @ The Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh. (August 14)

Scottish fans are horrible bootleggers (or just plain selfish!). I only found 3 clips from The Twilight Sad set... clips. Get on the program fans!

If catchiness were a sin, you'd burn in hell! award:
Frightened Rabbit - Old Old Fashioned

Every time I hear your songs I wanna start moving around! award (dance edition):
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Every time I hear your songs I wanna start moving around! award (rock edition):
Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'til It Was Light

I thought this song couldn't be better, but you guys proved me wrong award:
The Twilight Sad - Mapped By What Surrounded Them (Alternate Version)

All the new versions were wonderful and a valid new take. It was worth it. When it comes down to it, the one song that leaves me thinking that it’s perhaps better than the original is this one... and that’s saying a lot!

Your screaming it's the best! award:
Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

They make my “great random screaming” tag seem worthless

What an awesome sampling! award:
Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying

This song seems out of place in your trajectory, yet it's awesome! award:
Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened

Don't know if you noticed, but you've got a cult hit on your hands award:
Frightened Rabbit - Keep Yourself Warm

Don’t forget. Just because people are singing along doesn’t mean they get it.

Everything you've done sucks!... except for this song award:
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Every time I have to listen to this song I want to stuff paper tissue on my ears award:
The Ting Tings - That’s Not My Name

I wished I knew how to play guitar, so I could totally nail this song! award:
The Big Sleep - The Big Guns

Coolest track name of the year award: (tie!)
Mogwai - I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead
Mogwai - I Love You, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School

Ohhh ohhhhh anthem award
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Best handclapping in a song award
Thrice - The Sky is Falling

Every time I listen to this song I have to hear it again award:
The Walkmen - On The Water

Let’s just say that in less than 4 months it’s become my most played song of the entire year!

This makes me feel like I'm listening to an academy award nominee - in a good way - award
M83 - Saturday = Youth

I’m not sure what style your music is supposed to be, but it’s amazing! award
Errors - It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever

Your songs are awesome but too freaking short award:
No Age - Nouns

Every year, there is an unlikely pop artist that gets me award:
Lykke Li - Youth Novels

If I had heard about you guys last year, you would have ended up on my top of the top award:
Slaraffenland - Private Cinema

You guys got me obsessed when I heard this album award:
Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers

Not with this album per se, but with them... it’s like a nuclear explosion occurred!

You single-handedly save your music genre from disgrace award:
Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

Not only within the Alt-country genre, these guys are just too good!

Words cannot describe this album award:
The Walkmen - You & Me

I want my speed redialing time back award:
David Cook

For the first time ever I watched American Idol. After aussie, 70s rock lover, Michael Johns got the boot, I directed my redialing powers to this mister... sure I knew as soon as he won he’d turn out with an horrendous album fabricated by the AI producers, but there was still faint hope in me... before I heard his first single. Now everything is dead over there!

It sounds like a Lifehouse song. Remember them? They were a one-hit wonder band that played at Clark and Lana’s prom... yes, too many tv guilty pleasures revealed in just one sitting!

That's all folks, thank you all for coming. Drive home safely.