My top 10 albums this year:
10. Life on Earth - Tiny Vipers
I tend to get behind on the new musics and finally got around to listening to Tiny Vipers just recently. I think I was expecting something totally different so this caught me completely off guard. And I'm glad it did. Remove yourself from people for optimal listening experience.
I tend to get behind on the new musics and finally got around to listening to Tiny Vipers just recently. I think I was expecting something totally different so this caught me completely off guard. And I'm glad it did. Remove yourself from people for optimal listening experience.
9. Tribute To - Yim Yames
I've heard it's hard to go wrong covering a George Harrison song. I might dispute that, but this is an album that would definitely not help my argument. Recorded on an 8-track reel-to-reel, Jim James' 6 song EP feels like mittens on my face. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I've heard it's hard to go wrong covering a George Harrison song. I might dispute that, but this is an album that would definitely not help my argument. Recorded on an 8-track reel-to-reel, Jim James' 6 song EP feels like mittens on my face. And I mean that in the best way possible.
8. Belly of the Lion - Ola Podrida
This is another recent discovery for me. It took me a few listens to get warmed up to it and then a few listens more to actually enjoy it. But I knew there was something there and I'm glad I stuck with it. To describe this album in one word = cinematic. (And no wonder since David Wingo has scored many a movie)
This is another recent discovery for me. It took me a few listens to get warmed up to it and then a few listens more to actually enjoy it. But I knew there was something there and I'm glad I stuck with it. To describe this album in one word = cinematic. (And no wonder since David Wingo has scored many a movie)
7. It's Frightening - White Rabbits
Add Spoon's Britt Daniel as a producer to an already rockin' band and you got yourself a tasty little album. They use piano quite a bit, which can be easily turned into pop vomit, but not once do I feel even a bit queasy.
Add Spoon's Britt Daniel as a producer to an already rockin' band and you got yourself a tasty little album. They use piano quite a bit, which can be easily turned into pop vomit, but not once do I feel even a bit queasy.
6. The Life of the World to Come - The Mountain Goats
I suppose there are lots of bands or artists who use the Bible as an inspiration, but to make a whole album where each song is about a specific verse? And it's not lame?
I suppose there are lots of bands or artists who use the Bible as an inspiration, but to make a whole album where each song is about a specific verse? And it's not lame?
5. Blood Bank - Bon Iver
The song Blood Bank has a ridiculous number of plays on my iTunes list. There's really not much else to say about this one except: snowy fantastic.
The song Blood Bank has a ridiculous number of plays on my iTunes list. There's really not much else to say about this one except: snowy fantastic.
4. Actor - St. Vincent
Annie Clark has the type of singing voice that can lull you to sleep and make you dream of bunnies and French Silk Pie. But the music she makes has just enough barbs in it to keep you awake to make you listen to the whole thing.
Annie Clark has the type of singing voice that can lull you to sleep and make you dream of bunnies and French Silk Pie. But the music she makes has just enough barbs in it to keep you awake to make you listen to the whole thing.
3. XX - The XX
If you were to ask me what type of music I listen to I would probably describe something completely different from The XX. But their quiet simplicity and minimalist melodies drew me in and I don't regret it. It's like having a really really good hot chocolate without all the marshmallows and whip cream.
If you were to ask me what type of music I listen to I would probably describe something completely different from The XX. But their quiet simplicity and minimalist melodies drew me in and I don't regret it. It's like having a really really good hot chocolate without all the marshmallows and whip cream.
2. Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors
It's been my experience that most albums that have been hyped up as much as this one fall quite short and so I usually keep my distance. Not so with this one. There's not a single track on here I don't like.
It's been my experience that most albums that have been hyped up as much as this one fall quite short and so I usually keep my distance. Not so with this one. There's not a single track on here I don't like.
1. Year in the Kingdom - J. Tillman
I know I'm a bit biased when it comes to J. Tillman. But I don't really care. I love every album he's put out and I think they just keep getting better and better. Still holding on to his acoustic guitar, J. Tillman experiments with new sounds and instruments; this time around you can hear a banjo, lots of strings, and a hammered dulcimer. A hammered dulcimer! And it all works perfectly.
2 comments:
And now you shall post your "best of the 2000's" list.
You Johnny's are such music snobs. I haven't even heard of 7 of these bands. Which is cool. Hey I didn't connect the dots that you are that guy on Flickr that I'm "friends" with. Thats weird. Thats why I left that comment like "wow you're local" or something. HA
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