In My Room- April 2006
1. Josh Ritter-”The Animal Years”
Mark Twain, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, John Prine, and Bruce Springsteen. Add Josh to that list, it’s that good.
2. Billy Bragg-”Volume I”
Long overdue box treatment of Billy’s early catalog. I almost forgot how damn important his music was to me in college. Huge complaint about the box set though, NO liner notes? Bad guys, just bad! Lots of b-sides and tracks I never owned. I’m looking forward to “Volume II” later in the year.
3. Band Of Horses-”Everything All The Time”
I know the backlash against these former members of the late, great “Carrisa’s Weird” has begun with a furry online. They have been called copy-cats of Built To Spill, My Morning Jacket and The Shins to name a few. Well, I think you’re missing out on some great indie pop/rock if you overlook this great collection of indie pop, rock.
4. Iarla O Lionaird- “Invisible Fields”
Afro Celts lead singer strikes gold with his latest solo disc. Chris Martin and clones, eat your heart out!
5. Teddy Thompson- “Separate Ways”
Impossible shoes to fill for poor Teddy, but somehow he manages to make a beautiful folk rock record.
6. Lou Rhodes- “Beloved One”
Ex Lamb lead singer breaks our hearts with this haunting sublime folk record.
7. Syd Matters- “Syd Matters”
French outfit. Contains both of their discs to this point. Great psychedelic folk sounds. Should be heard by more people
8. KT Tunstall- “Eye To The Telescope”
Get a groove on girl. A younger, hipper, smatter, Sheryl Crow. I know she’s mainstream, but after two listens, I was hooked! Keeps getting better after repeated listens. *Plus her covers of Missy Elliot and Radiohead must be downloaded from the web a.s.a.p.!
9. Beth Orton- “Comfort Of Strangers”
I got this disc wrong on the first six or seven listens. I’m finally getting it now.
10. Luka Bloom--“Innocence”
Christy Moore’s younger brother has forever been in his elder’s shadow. He’s a great contemporary folk talent in his own right. Looking forward to seeing him live, later in the month.
11. Arctic Monkeys- “Whatever people Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”
Smart lyrics with smart delivery. Waking up the echoes of The Clash and The Jam. Makes me feel like a young lad again. Thanks boys!
12. Neko Case-“Fox Confessor Brings The Flood”
I think Neko has one of the best vocal chops of any singer in a very long time. Her songwriting is a wee bit strange, but she makes up for it in her lovely vocal delivery. Not her best disc, but far from her worst.
13. Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark- “Together At The Bluebird Cafe”
Great 1995 live recording done by these legends in Nashville. Call me biased, but there isn’t one wrong note written in these songs. Master storytellers.
14. Belle & Sebastian- “The Life Pursuit”
Their best disc since the sophomore “If You’re Feeling…” Affirms their all due place in the history of popular music. Scotland should declare them their equivalent of a National Treasure.
15. Eef Barzelay- “Bitter Honey”
Another disc I was harsh on last month. There are some great songs on this disc. Eef is a damn good lyric writer, but that last song still sucks!
16. Hem- “No Word From Tom”
Decent collection of Covers, Outtakes, Demos and Live Tracks from this NY outfit. Not as good as their studio efforts, but there are quite a few little gems on this disc.
17. The Czars- “Goodbye”
Last year’s UK release finally gets proper stateside pressing. Not a perfect record, but “Paint The Moon” and a few other tracks are worth the price of admission.
18. The Boy Least Likely To- “The Best Party Ever”
Brian Wilson meets Belle & Sebastian at a toy shop.
19. Sarah Harmer- “I’m A Mountain”
Canadian songbird makes a simple folk based song cycle as if it were recorded on her porch one Summer Sunday evening, just plain loverly.
20. Rosanne Cash- “Black Cadillac”
Powerful disc, likely to make year ends Top Ten. Her best since “Interiors” Hard disc to listen to at times.
Failing to make the grade: The new one from Ben Harper and Sondre Lerche
Mark Twain, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, John Prine, and Bruce Springsteen. Add Josh to that list, it’s that good.
2. Billy Bragg-”Volume I”
Long overdue box treatment of Billy’s early catalog. I almost forgot how damn important his music was to me in college. Huge complaint about the box set though, NO liner notes? Bad guys, just bad! Lots of b-sides and tracks I never owned. I’m looking forward to “Volume II” later in the year.
3. Band Of Horses-”Everything All The Time”
I know the backlash against these former members of the late, great “Carrisa’s Weird” has begun with a furry online. They have been called copy-cats of Built To Spill, My Morning Jacket and The Shins to name a few. Well, I think you’re missing out on some great indie pop/rock if you overlook this great collection of indie pop, rock.
4. Iarla O Lionaird- “Invisible Fields”
Afro Celts lead singer strikes gold with his latest solo disc. Chris Martin and clones, eat your heart out!
5. Teddy Thompson- “Separate Ways”
Impossible shoes to fill for poor Teddy, but somehow he manages to make a beautiful folk rock record.
6. Lou Rhodes- “Beloved One”
Ex Lamb lead singer breaks our hearts with this haunting sublime folk record.
7. Syd Matters- “Syd Matters”
French outfit. Contains both of their discs to this point. Great psychedelic folk sounds. Should be heard by more people
8. KT Tunstall- “Eye To The Telescope”
Get a groove on girl. A younger, hipper, smatter, Sheryl Crow. I know she’s mainstream, but after two listens, I was hooked! Keeps getting better after repeated listens. *Plus her covers of Missy Elliot and Radiohead must be downloaded from the web a.s.a.p.!
9. Beth Orton- “Comfort Of Strangers”
I got this disc wrong on the first six or seven listens. I’m finally getting it now.
10. Luka Bloom--“Innocence”
Christy Moore’s younger brother has forever been in his elder’s shadow. He’s a great contemporary folk talent in his own right. Looking forward to seeing him live, later in the month.
11. Arctic Monkeys- “Whatever people Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”
Smart lyrics with smart delivery. Waking up the echoes of The Clash and The Jam. Makes me feel like a young lad again. Thanks boys!
12. Neko Case-“Fox Confessor Brings The Flood”
I think Neko has one of the best vocal chops of any singer in a very long time. Her songwriting is a wee bit strange, but she makes up for it in her lovely vocal delivery. Not her best disc, but far from her worst.
13. Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark- “Together At The Bluebird Cafe”
Great 1995 live recording done by these legends in Nashville. Call me biased, but there isn’t one wrong note written in these songs. Master storytellers.
14. Belle & Sebastian- “The Life Pursuit”
Their best disc since the sophomore “If You’re Feeling…” Affirms their all due place in the history of popular music. Scotland should declare them their equivalent of a National Treasure.
15. Eef Barzelay- “Bitter Honey”
Another disc I was harsh on last month. There are some great songs on this disc. Eef is a damn good lyric writer, but that last song still sucks!
16. Hem- “No Word From Tom”
Decent collection of Covers, Outtakes, Demos and Live Tracks from this NY outfit. Not as good as their studio efforts, but there are quite a few little gems on this disc.
17. The Czars- “Goodbye”
Last year’s UK release finally gets proper stateside pressing. Not a perfect record, but “Paint The Moon” and a few other tracks are worth the price of admission.
18. The Boy Least Likely To- “The Best Party Ever”
Brian Wilson meets Belle & Sebastian at a toy shop.
19. Sarah Harmer- “I’m A Mountain”
Canadian songbird makes a simple folk based song cycle as if it were recorded on her porch one Summer Sunday evening, just plain loverly.
20. Rosanne Cash- “Black Cadillac”
Powerful disc, likely to make year ends Top Ten. Her best since “Interiors” Hard disc to listen to at times.
Failing to make the grade: The new one from Ben Harper and Sondre Lerche
