It's a Sunday, i'm feeling wonderfully invigorated after being pelted by the shower, my hair is fresh and tousled, falling in moist ringlets over my eyes, head tilted coquettishly, towel slung casually over one shoulder...I'm sure you get the picture. It's a nice picture. Anyway...to my utmost horror my lock is completely and utterly jammed. Moments later horror strikes again, as i realise what a terribly mundane anecdote the whole affair is going to make. Anyway, five soggy hours later the Fearnley-Whittingstall-esque locksmith drags himself away from his glazed ham-shank for long enough to install a new one (a lock, not ham-shank), everything is wonderful, primroses burst from my ears, rainbows spill forth from the rather attractive warden's eyes, i realise that 5 hours sitting on a cold towel has done absolutely nothing for my mental health.
Anyway, i arrive home this evening, new key in hand glistening like excalibur, my wrist already swivelling in anticipation....It doesn't fucking work. To cut a long story short, The Halls in their infinite wisdom ordered a second new lock to replace the replaced one, slipping a letter underneath my door asking me to come and collect the new key. Can you spot the fatal flaw in their logic? They slipped a letter under my door. The bastards.
Ahem, i'm glad we got that over and done with, aren't you? Like an awkward first date, blogger and blog-reader mentally spar, both fickle in their commitment, attempting to interest but not to push to far. I hope i pitch at the right level, stories about getting locked out are always fascinating.
Founds some great stores in Camden the other week, the first being a record store; I can't remember what it was called but it has an old American DJ in the basement gently singing along to his choices. I bought The Auteur's second record in there. Right next door is a comic book shop owned by what must be a rather anal fellow, for he bags not just his singles but the trade paperbacks as well! What madness! What inconcievable insanity! But maybe he's onto something.
I apologise for not having much interesting to say right now, after the massive work-related climax of last week i'm in a distinctly post-coital lull, which i think may last well into next week.
Some girls only have room for themselves.
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Monday, 19 January 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
The Proverbial Note-On-The-Fridge
Just a quick post to let you know that there's going to be a distinct lack of prolixity until, at earliest, Friday afternoon. This is due to various factors, not least of which my stupidity at leaving a 3000 word essay until the last possible moment, and an exam on Friday morning.
But...yeah, thought i'd check in. And by way of keeping you occupied until then:
The Animal Collective's new album is the shiz, listen to the spacey new single 'My Girls' at their myspace. It's The Animal Collective at their most concise and accessible, and this turns out to be no bad thing.
RockPaperShotgun have an excellent interview up with Edmund McMillen. Distinctive artist behind some absolutely fantastic flash-gamery. Check out his Newgrounds profile for more info. Aether and Coil are particularly special. Seriously, check them out. They're short-form games, so they'll take up half an hour of your time at most, and i found them to be both thought-provoking and aesthetically brilliant.
Oh yeah, this week i found out that the cognitive scientist and philosopher Jerry Fodor is a total badass. Even more so than Chomsky maybe. There's a great article in Meaning And Cognitive Structure (Pylyshyn, Z. and Demopoulos, W.) in which he just has it out with two of his critics, in the format of a massive bitching session. Needless to say, he put them in their place. Pow!
A choice quote:
Must not link to some music, oh crud.
But...yeah, thought i'd check in. And by way of keeping you occupied until then:
The Animal Collective's new album is the shiz, listen to the spacey new single 'My Girls' at their myspace. It's The Animal Collective at their most concise and accessible, and this turns out to be no bad thing.
RockPaperShotgun have an excellent interview up with Edmund McMillen. Distinctive artist behind some absolutely fantastic flash-gamery. Check out his Newgrounds profile for more info. Aether and Coil are particularly special. Seriously, check them out. They're short-form games, so they'll take up half an hour of your time at most, and i found them to be both thought-provoking and aesthetically brilliant.
Oh yeah, this week i found out that the cognitive scientist and philosopher Jerry Fodor is a total badass. Even more so than Chomsky maybe. There's a great article in Meaning And Cognitive Structure (Pylyshyn, Z. and Demopoulos, W.) in which he just has it out with two of his critics, in the format of a massive bitching session. Needless to say, he put them in their place. Pow!
A choice quote:
"Fodor (In response to Newell): Because you know that the subject solves that problem, and it's your problem to model how he does it. It's his problem and he knows how to solve it but you don't."...anyways, i have some choice content updates planned for when i'm a free man again, most notable of which is something called DIARY OF A DWARVEN FORTRESS which is going to be weekly and i'm not going to tell you anything about it!
Must not link to some music, oh crud.
Friday, 9 January 2009
Stuck In Nowhere-land
Why did i think that isolation would breed productivity?
I write this as a warning to those that would think so; It doesn't. I've totemised this essay to the point where i have to work myself up to a zen-like hollowness of being before attempting even the most inconsequential of note taking. I partially blame the early deadline. Deadlines warp the normal passing of time.
The rate that time passes is a function of the time left before the deadline, with the days immediately before stretching out to unforseen, torturous lengths.
Anyway, i went out and about around Camden last night in an attempt to break the cycle, and even though i awoke horrendously late this morning and with a moderate hangover, i feel oddly cleansed. I suppose i, at least partially, succeded. I think it's odd that i find drinking to be like a kind of detoxification. After i get over the initial guilt (both monetary and for my body) i always have this 'cleansed' feeling, for want of a better word.
I've been listening to a lot of music by a man called Luke Haines recently, as well as releasing records under his own name, he was the most prominent creative force behing the bands The Auteurs and Black Box Recorder. His music as an appealing cocktail of acerbic, dark wordplay and perfect pop hooks.
Ere iz a video ov im dat u can watsh.
Lyrics in pop music seem to matter to me much more than they ever used to, and it's not that the music matters less. I suppose that the sub-genres i used to be into included words as an afterthought rather than a focal point, and i do like words. I've also gained more of an appreciation for brevity, to the point where i find it very difficult to listen to anything past the four minute mark. A pop song should never need to go beyond four minutes, in my opinion.
After much consideration, i've finally came up with a New Year's resolution for myself: Only use adjectives where absolutely necessary.
I write this as a warning to those that would think so; It doesn't. I've totemised this essay to the point where i have to work myself up to a zen-like hollowness of being before attempting even the most inconsequential of note taking. I partially blame the early deadline. Deadlines warp the normal passing of time.
The rate that time passes is a function of the time left before the deadline, with the days immediately before stretching out to unforseen, torturous lengths.
Anyway, i went out and about around Camden last night in an attempt to break the cycle, and even though i awoke horrendously late this morning and with a moderate hangover, i feel oddly cleansed. I suppose i, at least partially, succeded. I think it's odd that i find drinking to be like a kind of detoxification. After i get over the initial guilt (both monetary and for my body) i always have this 'cleansed' feeling, for want of a better word.
I've been listening to a lot of music by a man called Luke Haines recently, as well as releasing records under his own name, he was the most prominent creative force behing the bands The Auteurs and Black Box Recorder. His music as an appealing cocktail of acerbic, dark wordplay and perfect pop hooks.
Ere iz a video ov im dat u can watsh.
Lyrics in pop music seem to matter to me much more than they ever used to, and it's not that the music matters less. I suppose that the sub-genres i used to be into included words as an afterthought rather than a focal point, and i do like words. I've also gained more of an appreciation for brevity, to the point where i find it very difficult to listen to anything past the four minute mark. A pop song should never need to go beyond four minutes, in my opinion.
After much consideration, i've finally came up with a New Year's resolution for myself: Only use adjectives where absolutely necessary.
Monday, 5 January 2009
The Twenty-Five Tracks Of Two Thousand and Eight
I stole this idea from another blog. That's right. It's not my idea. Just to clarify; Making a list of favourite songs is NOT EVEN REMOTELY ORIGINAL...in case you thought otherwise.
But i'm going to do it anyway, partly because i like music, and partly because i feel like it's my responsibility as a member of society. Besides, most culture in 'the noughties' is nothing more than glorified playlisting.
The sole criteria for the tracks is that they were released (in one fashion or another) within the confines of 2008. Links will be included as often as i can be bothered.
25. The Black Keys - Strange Times
A band that i haven't listened to a whole lot, but i have an incomprehensible affection for, and feel like i should champion.
As the ancestral genre that spawned a little thing that i like to call pop music, the blues should be treasured and furthered at every oppurtunity. The Black Keys accomplish what Jack White has been trying to for years and manage to modernise the blues whilst creating something truly of its time.
Youtube link.
24. R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious
The album wasn't a return to form for R.E.M., no siree, this song was though. It has everything; The (brilliantly) cliched lyrics, the killer guitar riff and above all, Michael Stype's inimitable voice. Could've been on Automatic For The People.
Youtube link.
23. The Futureheads - Radio Heart
Barry Hyde introduced this as "...a song about a girl who has a radio instead of a heart.", and who am i to disagree? I don't so much like this for the music, but because of what it stands for: The Futureheads recovering from being dropped by a major label and managing to self release a not-half-bad third album. Even so, it's pretty darn catchy.
Ready, steady, put on your best Geordie accent...go!
A girl with a radio heaaaart....
Youtube link.
22. Beck - Gamma Ray
I was so pleased that Beck released a decent new album last year that i would've included this above much better tracks, and maybe i did. I've always liked Beck, even during his rough patches (see Guero) and now that he's cool again i get to rub this in everbody's collective face. The partnership with Ceel-Lo is a match made in heaven. Gamma Ray, with its repetitive, slightly off-kilter melody and bizarre lyric (With the transistor sound/And my Chevrolet terraplane/Going round, round, round) is just the right length at 2:57. A weirdly sinister nugget of pop.
Myspace link.
21. Luke Temple - More Than Muscle
Luke Temple is an artist who i'm probably not quite cool enough to like. Certainly, everything i've heard about him exudes hipster chic. A painter from Brooklyn, he allegedly earned a living by painting murals on the walls of wealthy Brooklynite's flats. His quite startlingly feminine falsetto is a bit of an aquired taste.
Myspace link.
20. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
Sigur Ros, in a move that must have shocked many of their loyal followers, myself included, release something completely different. It's rollicking, folky and best of all it's fun. Nothing like the Sigur Ros you know and love from panoramic BBC 2 adverts, and, some might say, myself included, a massive improvement.
Myspace link.
19. Future Of The Left - The Hope That House Built
I'm afraid i don't have much to say about this song, i just desperately wanted to include something by Future Of The Left and this happened to be the only new thing they released last year. Future Of The Left are one of the bands that appeal to my primordial, masculine instinct to just rock the fuck out.
Myspace link.
18. Extra Life - The Refrain
Pretty much one of the most bizarre pop songs i've heard all year. The vocals are supposedly inspired by Gregorian chanting. It all sounds strangely flat and abrasive, which adds to its strange charm, i think.
Myspace link.
17. Of Montreal - Wicked Wisdom
"I'm a mother fuckin' headliner bitch you don't even know it..."
Of Montreal continue to tickle me with their sheer audacity. A great, tongue-in-cheek opening makes way for what seem like hundreds of shifts in style and in rhythm. The Queen-esque chorus is a particular highlight.
Last.fm link.
16. Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
I'm a little embarrassed to have VW appearing on this list, but i'd be lying to myself if i didn't say that Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa was one of my tracks of the year. It's a wonderfully nostalgic, upbeat little musical reminiscence, and anything that name-checks Peter Gabriel is alright in my book.
Youtube link.
15. The Week That Was - Scratch The Surface
Forever a Field Music fanboy, i was always going to like Peter Brewis' next project, no matter how it sounded. I've had the privelege of being present at this band's debut and many of its concurrent gigs and they are absolutely blistering live. The machine-like rhythm of this song works in tandem with Peter's angry, sometimes taunting vocal to create a beautifully unsettling soundscape. Clearly inspired by Peter Gabriel.
Youtube link.
14. Deerhunter - Never Stops
Deerhunter do majestic things with four notes, and this song is a prime example. It makes me want to go out into the world and really do things; It's wonderfully uplifting. I love the contrast of the lubricious vocal over the percussive, abrasive instrumental.
Myspace Link.
13. Deerhoof - The Tears And Music Of Love
Brilliant name for a song. I'd stick this in here on the strength of that alone (my standards are obviously pretty low). It does help that the cock-rock, pelvic thrust of the guitar riff provides a glorious contrast to Satomi Matsuzaki's fragile vocal. If you know Deerhoof, you probably know what this is going to sound like without me having to tell you; This is no bad thing. Expect to flit between hyper-condensed chaos and minimal beauty.
Youtube link (live)
12. Portishead - The Rip
Not a happy song by any stretch of the imagination; It's a good one to curl up to on a cold day, for lack of another person. Half-way through, and the delicate guitar picking melds seamlessly into oscillating synths. I didn't even notice the first time round, the song held me in a dream-like state, enraptured. Beth Gibbon's voice never fails to astound me, and is more touching, elegant and human here than ever.
Youtube link.
11. Cryptacize - No Coins
Oho, cue a sly little reference to the Ongoing economic crisis! Oho! Sadly, the song isn't even remotely political; It was recorded and released before 'credit crunch' was ever even coined. Oh my god, i can't stop the puns!
What No Coins is however, is an elegant pairing of a delicate female vocal and sparse, jangly electric guitar. The arrangement is as near perfect as it's possible to get. The melodies are sparkling and effortless. I don't know what this song is really about, and i don't really care; This is what pop music should sound like.
Wow, I didn't even know that Cryptacize had an album out until i compiled this list. Time to BUY.
Myspace link.
10. Yohoghani - Time Passes By
Ok, so i'm quite plainly flouting my own criteria now. Yohoghani's eponymous album was definitely released in 2007. Charmingly, i was emailed it in zip. format by the singer. I would be exaggerating if i said that this band were overlooked critical darlings...They were my critical darling, but shockingly, they've managed to be overlooked by pretty much everyone. I've listened to this a lot this year, and i love to champion an Underdog, so i'm going to include it all the same. And bully to you for not knowing who Yohoghani are.
Myspace link.
09. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Ever since Yellow House i've been waiting with baited breath for Grizzly Bear's next studio album. In fact, much of 2008 was characterised by sitting at a desk, waiting, baiting my breath. This appeared on Youtube way back in July, and even though i hate listening to music on Youtube, I listen to this at least once every few days. The crooning vocal, the euphoric chorus, the sweeping arpeggios...it really floated my boat. And continues to do so.
Youtube link.
08. Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance
Of Montreal may very well be the band of 2008 for me. There's no doubt that i'm late to the Of Montreal Party, but i'm a lot earlier than most in this uniquely reserved part of the world. If The Scissor Sisters, Patrick Wolf and the ghost of Freddy Mercury all had a massive orgy in a palace made out of fabulous, and this was all somehow chanelled into a record, it would sound like this.
Live on Letterman
07. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
The album is mediocre and a little self-indulgent, but i never seem to tire of the exhilirating title track. The guitar riff is extremely simple and works stupidly well, the vocals are just about angsty enough without being overbearing. By accident or intention The Raconteurs have managed to craft one of the best rock songs of 2008.
Youtube link (live).
08. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
Fleet Foxes are about as Dad-ish as Dad-rock gets. Reminiscent of such Dad-radio staples as America and The Beach Boys, Fleet Foxes are bearded, melodious, harmonious, bearded...did i already say that one? As it happens, i bought my Dad the album for Christmas and he fucking loved it.
I say all this partly in jest, as i genuinely love this band. I saw them at the Shepherd Bush Empire 'bout a month back and they managed to reduce an otherwise rowdy crowd of thousands to reverant silence. Seeing them live is a spiritual experience - The harmonies that just sound plain nice on the record sound magical and brutal in a live setting; they genuinely gave me the shivers. Fittingly, i have no idea why He Doesn't Know Why happens to be my favourite track from the album; i like to think that it typifies the soaring, spine-tingling nature of the live experience.
Youtube link
07. Bon Iver - Flume
No doubt you all love Bon Iver now, you band wagon hoppers, you scene surfers...I'll forgive you just this once though, although i was digging this long before it hit the mainstream, i'm proud to say. Bon Iver's ballad-spinnery deserves all the mainstream appeal and plaudits that come to it. Something really special.
Youtube Link.
06. Deerhunter - Microcastle
One part Doo-wop, one part Bends era Radiohead and 3 parts awesome. "So that's five parts altogether then" you think, "Why five parts?". Five people in the band, like duuuh.
Youtube link. (ignore the video, if possible).
05. Spoon - Don't You Evah
It's a cover, but it's so ridiculously good that you won't care. Technically, this is a thoroughly 2007 song, but seeing as it was re-released as part of the eponymous EP i feel justified in including it (that, and it's ridiculously good). The bass-line is just delicious; I want to eat it. The arrangement is gloriously minimal. This song is supremely danceable.
Myspace link.
04. Yeasayer - 2080
Nobody even remotely self-concious could write a song as openly ridiculous and fantastic as 2080.
Myspace link.
03. Radiohead - Nude
With Nude Radiohead finally achieve something that they've been attempting since the Kid A era: They totally transcend pop music. Please excuse the hyperbole - I'm likely to spout it whenever Radiohead come up, but Nude is genuinely a thing of beauty and unlike other pop songs. Everybody should hear this at least once.
Youtube link.
02. School Of Language - Dissapointment '99
Three words: Ooh Ooh Ooooh...You gotta listen to the song to understand, man.
You know it's good when three, instantly-recognisable notes blossom into an elaborate in-joke between friends.
Myspace link
01. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Nick Cave is my hero. There, i said it. I want to grow a big, handlebar moustache in tribute to him.
That took a while.
I've got a few descriptions to polish off, but i really should go to the library now. I've decided to post what i've got so far for you eager beavers, but i'll finish off this mother of a post this evening.
But i'm going to do it anyway, partly because i like music, and partly because i feel like it's my responsibility as a member of society. Besides, most culture in 'the noughties' is nothing more than glorified playlisting.
The sole criteria for the tracks is that they were released (in one fashion or another) within the confines of 2008. Links will be included as often as i can be bothered.
25. The Black Keys - Strange Times
A band that i haven't listened to a whole lot, but i have an incomprehensible affection for, and feel like i should champion.
As the ancestral genre that spawned a little thing that i like to call pop music, the blues should be treasured and furthered at every oppurtunity. The Black Keys accomplish what Jack White has been trying to for years and manage to modernise the blues whilst creating something truly of its time.
Youtube link.
24. R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious
The album wasn't a return to form for R.E.M., no siree, this song was though. It has everything; The (brilliantly) cliched lyrics, the killer guitar riff and above all, Michael Stype's inimitable voice. Could've been on Automatic For The People.
Youtube link.
23. The Futureheads - Radio Heart
Barry Hyde introduced this as "...a song about a girl who has a radio instead of a heart.", and who am i to disagree? I don't so much like this for the music, but because of what it stands for: The Futureheads recovering from being dropped by a major label and managing to self release a not-half-bad third album. Even so, it's pretty darn catchy.
Ready, steady, put on your best Geordie accent...go!
A girl with a radio heaaaart....
Youtube link.
22. Beck - Gamma Ray
I was so pleased that Beck released a decent new album last year that i would've included this above much better tracks, and maybe i did. I've always liked Beck, even during his rough patches (see Guero) and now that he's cool again i get to rub this in everbody's collective face. The partnership with Ceel-Lo is a match made in heaven. Gamma Ray, with its repetitive, slightly off-kilter melody and bizarre lyric (With the transistor sound/And my Chevrolet terraplane/Going round, round, round) is just the right length at 2:57. A weirdly sinister nugget of pop.
Myspace link.
21. Luke Temple - More Than Muscle
Luke Temple is an artist who i'm probably not quite cool enough to like. Certainly, everything i've heard about him exudes hipster chic. A painter from Brooklyn, he allegedly earned a living by painting murals on the walls of wealthy Brooklynite's flats. His quite startlingly feminine falsetto is a bit of an aquired taste.
Myspace link.
20. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
Sigur Ros, in a move that must have shocked many of their loyal followers, myself included, release something completely different. It's rollicking, folky and best of all it's fun. Nothing like the Sigur Ros you know and love from panoramic BBC 2 adverts, and, some might say, myself included, a massive improvement.
Myspace link.
19. Future Of The Left - The Hope That House Built
I'm afraid i don't have much to say about this song, i just desperately wanted to include something by Future Of The Left and this happened to be the only new thing they released last year. Future Of The Left are one of the bands that appeal to my primordial, masculine instinct to just rock the fuck out.
Myspace link.
18. Extra Life - The Refrain
Pretty much one of the most bizarre pop songs i've heard all year. The vocals are supposedly inspired by Gregorian chanting. It all sounds strangely flat and abrasive, which adds to its strange charm, i think.
Myspace link.
17. Of Montreal - Wicked Wisdom
"I'm a mother fuckin' headliner bitch you don't even know it..."
Of Montreal continue to tickle me with their sheer audacity. A great, tongue-in-cheek opening makes way for what seem like hundreds of shifts in style and in rhythm. The Queen-esque chorus is a particular highlight.
Last.fm link.
16. Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
I'm a little embarrassed to have VW appearing on this list, but i'd be lying to myself if i didn't say that Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa was one of my tracks of the year. It's a wonderfully nostalgic, upbeat little musical reminiscence, and anything that name-checks Peter Gabriel is alright in my book.
Youtube link.
15. The Week That Was - Scratch The Surface
Forever a Field Music fanboy, i was always going to like Peter Brewis' next project, no matter how it sounded. I've had the privelege of being present at this band's debut and many of its concurrent gigs and they are absolutely blistering live. The machine-like rhythm of this song works in tandem with Peter's angry, sometimes taunting vocal to create a beautifully unsettling soundscape. Clearly inspired by Peter Gabriel.
Youtube link.
14. Deerhunter - Never Stops
Deerhunter do majestic things with four notes, and this song is a prime example. It makes me want to go out into the world and really do things; It's wonderfully uplifting. I love the contrast of the lubricious vocal over the percussive, abrasive instrumental.
Myspace Link.
13. Deerhoof - The Tears And Music Of Love
Brilliant name for a song. I'd stick this in here on the strength of that alone (my standards are obviously pretty low). It does help that the cock-rock, pelvic thrust of the guitar riff provides a glorious contrast to Satomi Matsuzaki's fragile vocal. If you know Deerhoof, you probably know what this is going to sound like without me having to tell you; This is no bad thing. Expect to flit between hyper-condensed chaos and minimal beauty.
Youtube link (live)
12. Portishead - The Rip
Not a happy song by any stretch of the imagination; It's a good one to curl up to on a cold day, for lack of another person. Half-way through, and the delicate guitar picking melds seamlessly into oscillating synths. I didn't even notice the first time round, the song held me in a dream-like state, enraptured. Beth Gibbon's voice never fails to astound me, and is more touching, elegant and human here than ever.
Youtube link.
11. Cryptacize - No Coins
Oho, cue a sly little reference to the Ongoing economic crisis! Oho! Sadly, the song isn't even remotely political; It was recorded and released before 'credit crunch' was ever even coined. Oh my god, i can't stop the puns!
What No Coins is however, is an elegant pairing of a delicate female vocal and sparse, jangly electric guitar. The arrangement is as near perfect as it's possible to get. The melodies are sparkling and effortless. I don't know what this song is really about, and i don't really care; This is what pop music should sound like.
Wow, I didn't even know that Cryptacize had an album out until i compiled this list. Time to BUY.
Myspace link.
10. Yohoghani - Time Passes By
Ok, so i'm quite plainly flouting my own criteria now. Yohoghani's eponymous album was definitely released in 2007. Charmingly, i was emailed it in zip. format by the singer. I would be exaggerating if i said that this band were overlooked critical darlings...They were my critical darling, but shockingly, they've managed to be overlooked by pretty much everyone. I've listened to this a lot this year, and i love to champion an Underdog, so i'm going to include it all the same. And bully to you for not knowing who Yohoghani are.
Myspace link.
09. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Ever since Yellow House i've been waiting with baited breath for Grizzly Bear's next studio album. In fact, much of 2008 was characterised by sitting at a desk, waiting, baiting my breath. This appeared on Youtube way back in July, and even though i hate listening to music on Youtube, I listen to this at least once every few days. The crooning vocal, the euphoric chorus, the sweeping arpeggios...it really floated my boat. And continues to do so.
Youtube link.
08. Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance
Of Montreal may very well be the band of 2008 for me. There's no doubt that i'm late to the Of Montreal Party, but i'm a lot earlier than most in this uniquely reserved part of the world. If The Scissor Sisters, Patrick Wolf and the ghost of Freddy Mercury all had a massive orgy in a palace made out of fabulous, and this was all somehow chanelled into a record, it would sound like this.
Live on Letterman
07. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
The album is mediocre and a little self-indulgent, but i never seem to tire of the exhilirating title track. The guitar riff is extremely simple and works stupidly well, the vocals are just about angsty enough without being overbearing. By accident or intention The Raconteurs have managed to craft one of the best rock songs of 2008.
Youtube link (live).
08. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
Fleet Foxes are about as Dad-ish as Dad-rock gets. Reminiscent of such Dad-radio staples as America and The Beach Boys, Fleet Foxes are bearded, melodious, harmonious, bearded...did i already say that one? As it happens, i bought my Dad the album for Christmas and he fucking loved it.
I say all this partly in jest, as i genuinely love this band. I saw them at the Shepherd Bush Empire 'bout a month back and they managed to reduce an otherwise rowdy crowd of thousands to reverant silence. Seeing them live is a spiritual experience - The harmonies that just sound plain nice on the record sound magical and brutal in a live setting; they genuinely gave me the shivers. Fittingly, i have no idea why He Doesn't Know Why happens to be my favourite track from the album; i like to think that it typifies the soaring, spine-tingling nature of the live experience.
Youtube link
07. Bon Iver - Flume
No doubt you all love Bon Iver now, you band wagon hoppers, you scene surfers...I'll forgive you just this once though, although i was digging this long before it hit the mainstream, i'm proud to say. Bon Iver's ballad-spinnery deserves all the mainstream appeal and plaudits that come to it. Something really special.
Youtube Link.
06. Deerhunter - Microcastle
One part Doo-wop, one part Bends era Radiohead and 3 parts awesome. "So that's five parts altogether then" you think, "Why five parts?". Five people in the band, like duuuh.
Youtube link. (ignore the video, if possible).
05. Spoon - Don't You Evah
It's a cover, but it's so ridiculously good that you won't care. Technically, this is a thoroughly 2007 song, but seeing as it was re-released as part of the eponymous EP i feel justified in including it (that, and it's ridiculously good). The bass-line is just delicious; I want to eat it. The arrangement is gloriously minimal. This song is supremely danceable.
Myspace link.
04. Yeasayer - 2080
Nobody even remotely self-concious could write a song as openly ridiculous and fantastic as 2080.
Myspace link.
03. Radiohead - Nude
With Nude Radiohead finally achieve something that they've been attempting since the Kid A era: They totally transcend pop music. Please excuse the hyperbole - I'm likely to spout it whenever Radiohead come up, but Nude is genuinely a thing of beauty and unlike other pop songs. Everybody should hear this at least once.
Youtube link.
02. School Of Language - Dissapointment '99
Three words: Ooh Ooh Ooooh...You gotta listen to the song to understand, man.
You know it's good when three, instantly-recognisable notes blossom into an elaborate in-joke between friends.
Myspace link
01. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Nick Cave is my hero. There, i said it. I want to grow a big, handlebar moustache in tribute to him.
That took a while.
I've got a few descriptions to polish off, but i really should go to the library now. I've decided to post what i've got so far for you eager beavers, but i'll finish off this mother of a post this evening.
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