Here you go Al...
(you should be getting the CD's in the mail at the end of the month.)
In My Room - 2008
Top LP’s:
1.) Bon Iver -”For Emma, Forever Ago”
Last year, various tracks were floating around the egocentric blog world. I downloaded them and quietly they faded deep in the iPod mix. At the start of this year, with the encouragement of a couple dear friends back East, this disc became the most anticipated of the year for me and it didn’t let me down one bit. Many months later it still rewards me with beauty. Isn’t that what great art should do! Great live act as well.
2.) Sigur Ros - “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust”
Not a perfect record and for many fans it was a bit soft and too safe. For me, mid-way through this disc, there is this sound of pure, raw, near heavenly beauty. I just love this record!
3.) Johnny Flynn - “A Larum”
The future is not bright, but poetic, literate nu-folkies like Johnny has me feeling somewhat hopeful. This record is pure escapism for me. A unique talent that deserves to be heard by more folk loving folk.
4.) Calexico - “Carried To Dust”
I may be in the minority here, but this is my favorite Calexico disc thus far. Takes elements of their prior two and melds them into their perfect desert-noir mold, while continuing the expansion of their global sound. Quite possibly the finest act to ever come out of the Sonoran desert.
5.) James Yorkston - “When The Haars Rolls In”
Four albums in and James hits full stride. Subtle release that has one foot deeply rooted in the great UK folk tradition and one foot forward. Ramblings on personal reflections, though never mundane. His best work yet.
6.) Laura Marling - “Alas, I Cannot Swim”
Young UK talent with a voice and pen years beyond her age. Here’s hoping she has a long career.
7.) Tift Merritt - “Another Country”
Remember when artists like Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris dominated the charts in the 70’s? (I guess I’m showing my age?) This disc revives them all. Great Americana Pop sung by a glorious songbird.
8.) Horse Feathers - “House With No Name”
Harbors back to those early R.E.M records, when you couldn’t understand a damn word Michael Stipe was singing. Mysterious, spooky and elegant. Blink and you might miss them.
9.) Kathryn Williams & Neil MaColl - “Two”
Across the pond, Kathryn has been producing great music for years now. Recently, she’s teamed up privately and professionally with Neil who just happens to be son of the late, great UK folk legend Ewan and Peggy Seeger (sister to Pete) and half brother to the other legend in the family, the late Kirsty. This past year they produced a child together and this lovely collection of tunes. While the world falls madly in love with two depressed buskers from a fictional Irish film, I wish just a few of them would bend an ear towards this deserving duo.
10.) Robert Forster - “The Evangelist”
Robert lost his songwriting and professional partner Grant McLennan a couple years back and like many fans, my world lost a principle player in the music department. The Go-Betweens in many ways defined my years in Phoenix and Robert’s lovely pop collection brings justice to his memory and to their tradition. The GB’s may be gone but Robert and co. carry on beautifully in this collection of Robert solo tunes, with a couple of them being partly penned by the late Mr. McLennan.
11.) Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet - “Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet”. This is the finest bluegrass act in the world right now. Bending style, genre and global forces into a breath of fresh air. Our perfect ambassadors to China. I would love to hear Abigail go South of the border next time.
12.) Frightened Rabbit - “The Midnight Organ Fight”
This year’s “The National” for me.
13.) Ben Solee - “Learning To Bend”
Member of Abigail’s Sparrow Quartet releases a solo disc so strong, yet so far removed from his main gig, that I wonder if a solo career won’t become the main act. Surprisingly! a good collection of tunes, sung, performed with much passion.
14.) Dengue Fever - “Venus On Earth”
My inner hippy dippy goes wild when ever I insert this collection into the CD player.
15.) Paul Weller - “22 Dreams”
Double disc collection from the modfather sounds impassioned, fresh and a rebirth of sorts.
16.) Vampire Weekend - “Vampire Weekend”
Guilty pleasure of the year. Snappy, witty, afro-pop infused collection of great American college radio pop/rock.
17.) Freddie Stevenson - “All My Strange Companions”
UK actor turned singer/songwriter. Damn funny, passionate and loaded with charisma. Championed by Variety magazine and Hollywood stars for years. You know, sometimes those plastic people get it right. Very quickly, this man has turned into a songwriting machine. Evidence can be found at his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/freddiestevensonmusic
18.) Fleet Foxes - “Fleet Foxes”
Wasn’t as smitten with the long player like I was with the EP earlier in the year. With that said, one of the bright hopes to come out of the 2008.
19.) Matthew Ryan - “Vs. The Silver State”
Matthew will forever be lumped as some raspy singer/songwriter who doesn’t get his due. This disc is yet another fine example and it rocks far heavier than anything he’s done.prior
20.) Teddy Thompson - “A Piece Of What You Need”
Whoa, what a departure from his Country covers collection last year. Wasn’t prepared for this polished collection. His most commercial sounding disc. He deserves the success he’s getting across the pond.
Boiling under: Don Cavalli, Dan Zanes, Lucinda Williams, Kathleen Edwards, Joan As Police Woman, David Byrne and Brian Eno.
Top EP’s:
1.) Fleet Foxes - “Sun Giant”
2.) The Innocence Mission - “Street Map”
3.) Chris Bathgate - “Wait, Skeleton”
4.) Kirsty McGee - “Hobopop EP”
Artist Of The Year:
1.) Laura Marling-
The reason for me giving Laura artist of the year would be quite justified on her debut album alone. But then she had to go and record an outstanding single with the Mystery Jets and sing on over half of the debut album from Noah and The Whale. (Both can be found on my second disc for 2008)
2.) Paul Kelly-
Based on a series of concerts he’s been doing for the past few years entitled ‘A-Z’, where on concessive nights Paul (solo or with company) plays his entire catalog, starting with the first letter of the alphabet. Paul started offering tracks in January. Selected tracks from some of those very concerts, free for fans to download on his website. Each month a new letter of the alphabet is unveiled (and the prior month removed) hi-lighting how truly remarkable the man is as a songwriter and why he is a living legend down-under and should be everywhere! http://www.paulkelly.com.au
Artistic Direction/Packaging:
1.) Dan Zanes - “Nueva York”
2. ) Laura Marling - “Alas, I Cannot Swim” (import limited edition CD)
3. ) Johnny Flynn - “A Larum” (import vinyl LP)
Clunker of the Year (maybe next time…):
1.) The Weepies - “Hideaway”
This disc upon first listen felt like greasy fast food. Afterwards, it sits in your belly like a lead brick and you regret ever eating it in the first place.
2.) The Black Angels - “Directions To See A Ghost”
Could we try to keep the tracks under the 4 minute mark next time?… how about 6 minutes ? Maybe I missed the point, but I gave up smoking pot to Iron Butterfly records in Junior High. Redundant and unnecessary.
Song Of The Year:
1.) Demon Days - Robert Forster
Robert took a few notes and verses that Grant had been writing for the next The Go-Betweens record and created this lovely, poignant track that speaks volumes for both men and their craft.
2.) If An Alien Astronomer Could See Us From Afar - Freddie Stevenson
Simple message, but a powerful refection of our world today.
3.) Only A Song - Ben Solee (feat. Jim James)
Track found on a Tour-only single and iTunes download. Do hunt this down.
CD’s I wish I could include in this year’ poll:
1.) Max Gabriel - The Exile Of Saint Christopher (2007)
2.) Dawn Landes - “Fireproof”(2007)
3.) Ruth Minnikin - “Folk Art” (2007)
4.) Doug Burr - “On Promenade” (2007)
K
Kevin
(view)
(you should be getting the CD's in the mail at the end of the month.)
In My Room - 2008
Top LP’s:
1.) Bon Iver -”For Emma, Forever Ago”
Last year, various tracks were floating around the egocentric blog world. I downloaded them and quietly they faded deep in the iPod mix. At the start of this year, with the encouragement of a couple dear friends back East, this disc became the most anticipated of the year for me and it didn’t let me down one bit. Many months later it still rewards me with beauty. Isn’t that what great art should do! Great live act as well.
2.) Sigur Ros - “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust”
Not a perfect record and for many fans it was a bit soft and too safe. For me, mid-way through this disc, there is this sound of pure, raw, near heavenly beauty. I just love this record!
3.) Johnny Flynn - “A Larum”
The future is not bright, but poetic, literate nu-folkies like Johnny has me feeling somewhat hopeful. This record is pure escapism for me. A unique talent that deserves to be heard by more folk loving folk.
4.) Calexico - “Carried To Dust”
I may be in the minority here, but this is my favorite Calexico disc thus far. Takes elements of their prior two and melds them into their perfect desert-noir mold, while continuing the expansion of their global sound. Quite possibly the finest act to ever come out of the Sonoran desert.
5.) James Yorkston - “When The Haars Rolls In”
Four albums in and James hits full stride. Subtle release that has one foot deeply rooted in the great UK folk tradition and one foot forward. Ramblings on personal reflections, though never mundane. His best work yet.
6.) Laura Marling - “Alas, I Cannot Swim”
Young UK talent with a voice and pen years beyond her age. Here’s hoping she has a long career.
7.) Tift Merritt - “Another Country”
Remember when artists like Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris dominated the charts in the 70’s? (I guess I’m showing my age?) This disc revives them all. Great Americana Pop sung by a glorious songbird.
8.) Horse Feathers - “House With No Name”
Harbors back to those early R.E.M records, when you couldn’t understand a damn word Michael Stipe was singing. Mysterious, spooky and elegant. Blink and you might miss them.
9.) Kathryn Williams & Neil MaColl - “Two”
Across the pond, Kathryn has been producing great music for years now. Recently, she’s teamed up privately and professionally with Neil who just happens to be son of the late, great UK folk legend Ewan and Peggy Seeger (sister to Pete) and half brother to the other legend in the family, the late Kirsty. This past year they produced a child together and this lovely collection of tunes. While the world falls madly in love with two depressed buskers from a fictional Irish film, I wish just a few of them would bend an ear towards this deserving duo.
10.) Robert Forster - “The Evangelist”
Robert lost his songwriting and professional partner Grant McLennan a couple years back and like many fans, my world lost a principle player in the music department. The Go-Betweens in many ways defined my years in Phoenix and Robert’s lovely pop collection brings justice to his memory and to their tradition. The GB’s may be gone but Robert and co. carry on beautifully in this collection of Robert solo tunes, with a couple of them being partly penned by the late Mr. McLennan.
11.) Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet - “Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet”. This is the finest bluegrass act in the world right now. Bending style, genre and global forces into a breath of fresh air. Our perfect ambassadors to China. I would love to hear Abigail go South of the border next time.
12.) Frightened Rabbit - “The Midnight Organ Fight”
This year’s “The National” for me.
13.) Ben Solee - “Learning To Bend”
Member of Abigail’s Sparrow Quartet releases a solo disc so strong, yet so far removed from his main gig, that I wonder if a solo career won’t become the main act. Surprisingly! a good collection of tunes, sung, performed with much passion.
14.) Dengue Fever - “Venus On Earth”
My inner hippy dippy goes wild when ever I insert this collection into the CD player.
15.) Paul Weller - “22 Dreams”
Double disc collection from the modfather sounds impassioned, fresh and a rebirth of sorts.
16.) Vampire Weekend - “Vampire Weekend”
Guilty pleasure of the year. Snappy, witty, afro-pop infused collection of great American college radio pop/rock.
17.) Freddie Stevenson - “All My Strange Companions”
UK actor turned singer/songwriter. Damn funny, passionate and loaded with charisma. Championed by Variety magazine and Hollywood stars for years. You know, sometimes those plastic people get it right. Very quickly, this man has turned into a songwriting machine. Evidence can be found at his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/freddiestevensonmusic
18.) Fleet Foxes - “Fleet Foxes”
Wasn’t as smitten with the long player like I was with the EP earlier in the year. With that said, one of the bright hopes to come out of the 2008.
19.) Matthew Ryan - “Vs. The Silver State”
Matthew will forever be lumped as some raspy singer/songwriter who doesn’t get his due. This disc is yet another fine example and it rocks far heavier than anything he’s done.prior
20.) Teddy Thompson - “A Piece Of What You Need”
Whoa, what a departure from his Country covers collection last year. Wasn’t prepared for this polished collection. His most commercial sounding disc. He deserves the success he’s getting across the pond.
Boiling under: Don Cavalli, Dan Zanes, Lucinda Williams, Kathleen Edwards, Joan As Police Woman, David Byrne and Brian Eno.
Top EP’s:
1.) Fleet Foxes - “Sun Giant”
2.) The Innocence Mission - “Street Map”
3.) Chris Bathgate - “Wait, Skeleton”
4.) Kirsty McGee - “Hobopop EP”
Artist Of The Year:
1.) Laura Marling-
The reason for me giving Laura artist of the year would be quite justified on her debut album alone. But then she had to go and record an outstanding single with the Mystery Jets and sing on over half of the debut album from Noah and The Whale. (Both can be found on my second disc for 2008)
2.) Paul Kelly-
Based on a series of concerts he’s been doing for the past few years entitled ‘A-Z’, where on concessive nights Paul (solo or with company) plays his entire catalog, starting with the first letter of the alphabet. Paul started offering tracks in January. Selected tracks from some of those very concerts, free for fans to download on his website. Each month a new letter of the alphabet is unveiled (and the prior month removed) hi-lighting how truly remarkable the man is as a songwriter and why he is a living legend down-under and should be everywhere! http://www.paulkelly.com.au
Artistic Direction/Packaging:
1.) Dan Zanes - “Nueva York”
2. ) Laura Marling - “Alas, I Cannot Swim” (import limited edition CD)
3. ) Johnny Flynn - “A Larum” (import vinyl LP)
Clunker of the Year (maybe next time…):
1.) The Weepies - “Hideaway”
This disc upon first listen felt like greasy fast food. Afterwards, it sits in your belly like a lead brick and you regret ever eating it in the first place.
2.) The Black Angels - “Directions To See A Ghost”
Could we try to keep the tracks under the 4 minute mark next time?… how about 6 minutes ? Maybe I missed the point, but I gave up smoking pot to Iron Butterfly records in Junior High. Redundant and unnecessary.
Song Of The Year:
1.) Demon Days - Robert Forster
Robert took a few notes and verses that Grant had been writing for the next The Go-Betweens record and created this lovely, poignant track that speaks volumes for both men and their craft.
2.) If An Alien Astronomer Could See Us From Afar - Freddie Stevenson
Simple message, but a powerful refection of our world today.
3.) Only A Song - Ben Solee (feat. Jim James)
Track found on a Tour-only single and iTunes download. Do hunt this down.
CD’s I wish I could include in this year’ poll:
1.) Max Gabriel - The Exile Of Saint Christopher (2007)
2.) Dawn Landes - “Fireproof”(2007)
3.) Ruth Minnikin - “Folk Art” (2007)
4.) Doug Burr - “On Promenade” (2007)
