Welcome back to me! I have been recently quite busy with everything else, so no updates here. However, I have found a free minute (even though it is 11:55 on Saturday night), so, updates!
My new direction on this thing is to throw out playlist ideas, whether or not they are fully formed. I'm starting today with an easy one - Covers! The best covers bring something new to a song and, in some cases, overshadow the original.
Here's the playlist, with comments:
1. Creep - Scala. If you have seen any movies recently, you'll probably recognize this as the song from the new Facebook movie. Scala's version of Radiohead's classic really highlights the uneasiness of the lyrics - I think it is even more disturbing than the original.
2. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine. I also love the Postal Service's version, but Sam Beam imbues the song with a sadness that isn't present in the original - he makes it a totally different song.
3. The Sweat Descends - Art in Manila. Les Savy Fav's version has more energy, but this one has more bite.
4. I Will Survive - Cake. I love the low energy flavor that Cake brings to this disco classic. Plus, a killer trumpet solo never hurts.
5. This Land is Your Land - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. This is the credits music from Up in the Air. I'll confess, I've never consciously listened to the Woody Guthrie version, and Ms. Jones' version pretty much guarantees that I never will.
6. Hurt - Johnny Cash. Yes, Johnny Cash covered Nine Inch Nails - not the other way around. In any case, the Man in Black lends an additional gravitas to this song that Trent Reznor's rage couldn't.
7. Since U Been Gone - Ted Leo. An acoustic take on Kelly Clarkson's smash, this one makes the list for diving into Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Yes, Kelly, we all know you ripped off the bridge from Maps - Ted Leo just makes sure no one is confused.
8. Toxic - Local H. Yes, we're in the pop idol cover section.
9. You are the Blood - Sufjan Stevens. I didn't know this was a cover (I'm sorry Castanets), but Sufjan's take on this song is amaaaaaaazing. Totally worth the 10 minute playing time.
10. Feel Good, Inc. - Rhythms del Mundo. This one is almost a remix, rather than a cover, but I'll let it slide. I had no idea that The Gorillaz's hit was missing some Latin flavor, but I was wrong.
11. All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix. Sorry Bob, but Jimi wins. This is the quintessential cover that trumps the original.
12. Turn the Page - Metallica. This one probably adds the least to the original of any song in the playlist, but c'mon, it's Metallica.
13. Any Major Dude Will Tell You - Wilco. Original by Steely Dan.
14. Thirteen - Elliott Smith. This one is almost a carbon copy of Big Star's* version, but c'mon, it's Elliott Smith.
15. Mr. Grieves - TV on the Radio. I already sang this one's praises in my entry on Young Liars in the First Decennial Viskterisk* 100 Favorite Albums of Years Starting with 200. It is hasn't lost any awesomeness since then.
16. The Mercy Seat - Johnny Cash. As good as Mr. Cash is when he writes his own songs, I think I like his covers even better. He keeps the anger of Nick Cave's original, but also tinges it with resignation. Beautiful.
*I read that Katy Perry's hit California Gurls was spelled with a U as a tribute to September Gurls by Big Star. Alex Chilton had just passed and one of the producers suggested the spelling change, and Katy agreed. I wish I could say this makes me think more highly of Katy Perry, but in her comment about it, all she could say was "one of the members had just passed", and she did it as a favor to her producer - plus "the kids like those variations". Wow.
7.04.2010
The First Decennial Viskterisk* 100 Favorite Albums of Years Starting with "200"! Numbers 10-1.
Alright, kids! The time you have been waiting for has arrived! The top 10! One thing I find of my favorite albums - those that I would classify as "great" - is that several different songs have been my absolute favorite from the album at one time or another. I'll list these for the top 10.
10. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens (2005)
In one of Chuck Klosterman's books (I can't remember which one), he tells of a question he likes to ask people at parties. He asks people what musicians they would choose to start a supergroup. You get to pick a singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and a multi-instrumentalist, and they perform songs that you write. The first person that jumped into my head for the multi-instrumentalist was Sufjan Stevens*. Nowhere are Stevens' many talents better on display than Illinois, the second entry in his aborted 50 states project (though it appears he never intended to finish). Stevens layered instrument upon instrument to accompany his geographic and historical tour of Illinois.
Album Highlights:
Lead Singer: Leslie Feist
Guitar: J Mascis
Bass: Kim Deal
Drums: Bryan Devendorf (the National)
Multi-Instrumentalist: Sufjan Stevens
I have no idea if this would actually work, but it'd be fun.
9. Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers (2005)
The magnus opus of a great band. Much of the praise around this album (and the piece that differentiated it from the earlier two records), was the coming out party of drummer Kurt Dahle. The drums on this album rocked - in particular, Bleeding Heart Show and Stacked Crooked. I just caught these guys in concert and Kurt was awesome. Not only did he kill it on the drums, but also provided backing vocals and whistling (while still drumming*) and also played guitar on the verses of one song, then drummer the chorus. Pretty awesome.
Album Highlights:
8. The Midnight Organ Fight - Frightened Rabbit (2008)
This one is a brutal break up record. Dude was not feeling good about anything. Luckily for us, Frightened Rabbit* made a completely amazing album about it. This album is so good, I'll even ignore the title - possibly the worst euphemism for sex I've ever heard. Plus, when Chuck used 'Backwards Walk' in one of their episodes, the producers/censors didn't edit out the "you're the shit and I'm knee deep in it" lyric. Hooray for swearing on TV!
Album Highlights:
7. The Stage Names - Okkervil River (2007)
That Will Sheff is a clever boy. 'Plus Ones' is the song that really sold me on Okkervil River. By adding one to the numbers in famous songs (51st way to leave your lover, 9 miles high), he nails the feeling of expend-ability when you are no longer needed in a relationship. Try to count the allusions he uses* in the lyrics. It is way fun.
Album Highlights:
6. In the Reins - Iron and Wine/Calexico (2005)
This is the scrappy overachiever of my list. I downloaded it sometime in 2005 and almost deleted it several times over the next two years. However, in the summer of 2007, something clicked and I could not stop listening to this album. I like to call this the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of my collection. Two great tastes (Iron and Wine, Calexico) that are somehow even better together.
Album Highlights:
5. Push Barman to Open Old Wounds - Belle and Sebastian (2005)
Ok, I admit to cheating a couple times before (Voxtrot, Okkervil River), but this is seriously cheating - and this time I didn't intend to cheat*! Well over half of this album was released as singles in the 90s. The band then added a couple singles from the early 2000s and released them as this double CD. Anyway, this compilation features Belle and Sebastian at the peak of their powers. Some of the older, more fey stuff to appease the old times mixed with signs of their more upbeat, rocking numbers of recent albums. Awesomeness.
Album Highlights:
*If you really feel cheated, bump all lower entries up one spot and add it Blackwater Park by Opeth. How's that for an album switch?
4. Separation Sunday - The Hold Steady (2005)
...And we've reached the apex of the Hold Steady's career. Craig Finn's twisted tale of Holly, backed with the best classic rock in 30 years, reaches heights that few others can touch. When you can write lyrics that inspire wikis and the music that backs it is powerful enough that fans have made a map of the places you reference in your songs, you know you have done something right.
Album Highlights:
3. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)
This is very likely the most influential indie-rock album of the decade (Is This It might give it a run for its money), and it is easy to see why. Sincere, but not too earnest, personal, but accessible, throw in a little bit of bombast and some epic sing-a-long choruses, this one fires on every cylinder. I think 7 of the 10 songs have been my favorite on this album as some point.
Album Highlights:
2. Boxer - The National (2007)
Let's see, what makes the National great? I tried to write my own reasons, but in the end, I pretty much just stole from this article in the New York Times. Yes, it is about the making of their latest album, High Violet, but it pretty much says exactly what I want to, but much better.
Album Highlights:
1. The Meadowlands - The Wrens (2003)
We have finally come to the end. This was the one album that I didn't have any trouble ranking. Number one with a bullet, as they say. This album finally clicked for me in late 2006. Their exploration of the transition into adulthood and leaving behind the young life as they passed into their 30s and started settling down resonated with me even though I was still in school and roughly a decade younger. I can't say this album actually changed my life, but it did sum up much of my life at that time, and isn't that part of the purpose of art? To express the things that you can't express?
Album Highlights:
10. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens (2005)In one of Chuck Klosterman's books (I can't remember which one), he tells of a question he likes to ask people at parties. He asks people what musicians they would choose to start a supergroup. You get to pick a singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and a multi-instrumentalist, and they perform songs that you write. The first person that jumped into my head for the multi-instrumentalist was Sufjan Stevens*. Nowhere are Stevens' many talents better on display than Illinois, the second entry in his aborted 50 states project (though it appears he never intended to finish). Stevens layered instrument upon instrument to accompany his geographic and historical tour of Illinois.
Album Highlights:
- John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
- Come On! Feel the Illinoise!
- Chicago
- Casimir Pulaski Day
- They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!
- The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders
Lead Singer: Leslie Feist
Guitar: J Mascis
Bass: Kim Deal
Drums: Bryan Devendorf (the National)
Multi-Instrumentalist: Sufjan Stevens
I have no idea if this would actually work, but it'd be fun.
9. Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers (2005)The magnus opus of a great band. Much of the praise around this album (and the piece that differentiated it from the earlier two records), was the coming out party of drummer Kurt Dahle. The drums on this album rocked - in particular, Bleeding Heart Show and Stacked Crooked. I just caught these guys in concert and Kurt was awesome. Not only did he kill it on the drums, but also provided backing vocals and whistling (while still drumming*) and also played guitar on the verses of one song, then drummer the chorus. Pretty awesome.
Album Highlights:
- Use It
- Bleeding Heart Show
- Stacked Crooked
8. The Midnight Organ Fight - Frightened Rabbit (2008)This one is a brutal break up record. Dude was not feeling good about anything. Luckily for us, Frightened Rabbit* made a completely amazing album about it. This album is so good, I'll even ignore the title - possibly the worst euphemism for sex I've ever heard. Plus, when Chuck used 'Backwards Walk' in one of their episodes, the producers/censors didn't edit out the "you're the shit and I'm knee deep in it" lyric. Hooray for swearing on TV!
Album Highlights:
- Modern Leper
- Backwards Walk
- Old Old Fashioned
- The Twist
7. The Stage Names - Okkervil River (2007)That Will Sheff is a clever boy. 'Plus Ones' is the song that really sold me on Okkervil River. By adding one to the numbers in famous songs (51st way to leave your lover, 9 miles high), he nails the feeling of expend-ability when you are no longer needed in a relationship. Try to count the allusions he uses* in the lyrics. It is way fun.
Album Highlights:
- John Allyn Smith Sails
- Plus Ones
- Unless It's Kicks
- Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
6. In the Reins - Iron and Wine/Calexico (2005)This is the scrappy overachiever of my list. I downloaded it sometime in 2005 and almost deleted it several times over the next two years. However, in the summer of 2007, something clicked and I could not stop listening to this album. I like to call this the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of my collection. Two great tastes (Iron and Wine, Calexico) that are somehow even better together.
Album Highlights:
- History of Lovers
- Sixteen, Maybe Less
- Burn that Broken Bed
- In the Reins
- Dead Man's Will
5. Push Barman to Open Old Wounds - Belle and Sebastian (2005)Ok, I admit to cheating a couple times before (Voxtrot, Okkervil River), but this is seriously cheating - and this time I didn't intend to cheat*! Well over half of this album was released as singles in the 90s. The band then added a couple singles from the early 2000s and released them as this double CD. Anyway, this compilation features Belle and Sebastian at the peak of their powers. Some of the older, more fey stuff to appease the old times mixed with signs of their more upbeat, rocking numbers of recent albums. Awesomeness.
Album Highlights:
- Lazy Line Painter Jane
- Legal Man
- Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner
- I'm Waking Up to Us
- Jonathan David
- String Bean Jean
*If you really feel cheated, bump all lower entries up one spot and add it Blackwater Park by Opeth. How's that for an album switch?
4. Separation Sunday - The Hold Steady (2005)...And we've reached the apex of the Hold Steady's career. Craig Finn's twisted tale of Holly, backed with the best classic rock in 30 years, reaches heights that few others can touch. When you can write lyrics that inspire wikis and the music that backs it is powerful enough that fans have made a map of the places you reference in your songs, you know you have done something right.
Album Highlights:
- Cattle and the Creeping Things
- How a Resurrection Really Feels
- Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
- Hornets! Hornets!
- Your Little Hoodrat Friend
3. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)This is very likely the most influential indie-rock album of the decade (Is This It might give it a run for its money), and it is easy to see why. Sincere, but not too earnest, personal, but accessible, throw in a little bit of bombast and some epic sing-a-long choruses, this one fires on every cylinder. I think 7 of the 10 songs have been my favorite on this album as some point.
Album Highlights:
- The Neighborhood Quadrilogy
- Rebellion (Lies)
- Wake Up
- Crown of Love
2. Boxer - The National (2007)Let's see, what makes the National great? I tried to write my own reasons, but in the end, I pretty much just stole from this article in the New York Times. Yes, it is about the making of their latest album, High Violet, but it pretty much says exactly what I want to, but much better.
Album Highlights:
- Fake Empire
- Mistaken for Strangers
- Start a War
- Ada
- Apartment Story
- Squalor Victoria
- Brainy
1. The Meadowlands - The Wrens (2003)We have finally come to the end. This was the one album that I didn't have any trouble ranking. Number one with a bullet, as they say. This album finally clicked for me in late 2006. Their exploration of the transition into adulthood and leaving behind the young life as they passed into their 30s and started settling down resonated with me even though I was still in school and roughly a decade younger. I can't say this album actually changed my life, but it did sum up much of my life at that time, and isn't that part of the purpose of art? To express the things that you can't express?
Album Highlights:
- Happy
- Everyone Take Sides
- 13 Months in 6 Minutes
- Boys, You Won't
- Hopeless
- She Sends Kisses
- 13 Grand
- Ex-Girl Collection
6.16.2010
The First Decennial Viskterisk* 100 Favorite Albums of Years Starting with "200"! Numbers 20-11.
The top 20 is upon us. Let us not dilly dally.
20. Alligator - The National (2005)
Okay, I'm at least 2 years late on this comment, but the National threw their support behind Obama in the 2008 election. To help support the campaign, they created merchandise with Obama's picture and the phrase "Mr. November", a track from this album.
Seems to make sense, right? Elections are in November, they want Obama to win, and Obama is certainly a better choice than Derek Jeter. The problem comes when we start thinking about the lyrics to 'Mr. November'. The chorus is fine:
I won't f*** us over, I'm Mr. November
I'm Mr. November, I won't f*** us over.
Sounds like a good thing for a president, right? However, the pre-chorus is where I get confused:
I'm the new blue blood
I'm the Great White Hope
I'm the new blue blood
There are two options here. Option one is that we can treat this as irony, which kind of undercuts their support of Obama. Option two is that Obama's campaign and subsequent election has truly ushered us into a post-racial age where no one sees any inherent contradiction here. I'm voting option two.*
*Please note - this section was written with tongue firmly placed in cheek. I actually think the shirt is awesome.
19. Electric Version - The New Pornographers (2003)
More goodness from Canada's premier indie-rock supergroup*. This one is a little tighter than Mass Romantic and the listeners reap the benefits.
*I guess this would be an example of a retroactive supergroup. Each of the members' main projects have grown in concert with the New Pornographers.
18. Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins (2003)
Fun Fact! James Mercer bought Elliott Smith's house in Portland. He should turn it into some sort of indie rock shrine.
17. The Moon and Antarctica - Modest Mouse (2000)
Isaac Brock is underrated as a lyricist, I believe. He isn't a rich storyteller, but he does have a way of turning a phrase so that is just sticks in your head. My favorite examples:
16. Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian (2003)
Man, Stuart Murdoch can write an extended metaphor. "Step Into My Office, Baby' uses the workplace as an extended metaphor for "relationships"*. The video is quite a bit less subtle:
*Read "sex"
15. Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade (2005)
I like to imagine that Wolf Parade is apologizing to this man:
Possibly for spelling his sign wrong:
14. Hometowns - The Rural Alberta Advantage (2009)
Yes, the vocals will draw comparisons to Jeff Magnum, but this album is a stunner all the way through. I especially love the hectic percussion.
13. For Emma, Long Ago - Bon Iver (2008)
This is the absolute best winter album I own. The sparseness and the seclusion of the lyrics and sound always make me wish I was listening to this in the middle of winter in front of a fireplace. Also, bonus points for representing Wisconsin.
12. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire (2006)
It is a little bit strange that this record is considered darker than their debut (which was titled Funeral), but so it is. This one is stuffed full of stellar songs - 'No Cars Go', 'Neon Bible', Intervention', '(Antichrist Television Blues)' just to start - and it makes the best use of a full organ in rock music since maybe In a Gadda Da Vida.
11. Return to Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio (2006)
20. Alligator - The National (2005)
Okay, I'm at least 2 years late on this comment, but the National threw their support behind Obama in the 2008 election. To help support the campaign, they created merchandise with Obama's picture and the phrase "Mr. November", a track from this album.
I won't f*** us over, I'm Mr. November
I'm Mr. November, I won't f*** us over.
Sounds like a good thing for a president, right? However, the pre-chorus is where I get confused:
I'm the new blue blood
I'm the Great White Hope
I'm the new blue blood
There are two options here. Option one is that we can treat this as irony, which kind of undercuts their support of Obama. Option two is that Obama's campaign and subsequent election has truly ushered us into a post-racial age where no one sees any inherent contradiction here. I'm voting option two.*
*Please note - this section was written with tongue firmly placed in cheek. I actually think the shirt is awesome.
19. Electric Version - The New Pornographers (2003)More goodness from Canada's premier indie-rock supergroup*. This one is a little tighter than Mass Romantic and the listeners reap the benefits.
*I guess this would be an example of a retroactive supergroup. Each of the members' main projects have grown in concert with the New Pornographers.
18. Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins (2003)
Fun Fact! James Mercer bought Elliott Smith's house in Portland. He should turn it into some sort of indie rock shrine.
17. The Moon and Antarctica - Modest Mouse (2000)
Isaac Brock is underrated as a lyricist, I believe. He isn't a rich storyteller, but he does have a way of turning a phrase so that is just sticks in your head. My favorite examples:
- I wanna look out the window of my color TV - 'A Different City'
- Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam - 'Missed the Boat'
- You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death? - 'Ocean Breathes Salty'
- Other people's lives seem interesting 'cuz they ain't mine - 'Other People's Lives
16. Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian (2003)
Man, Stuart Murdoch can write an extended metaphor. "Step Into My Office, Baby' uses the workplace as an extended metaphor for "relationships"*. The video is quite a bit less subtle:
*Read "sex"
15. Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade (2005)
I like to imagine that Wolf Parade is apologizing to this man:
Possibly for spelling his sign wrong:
14. Hometowns - The Rural Alberta Advantage (2009)
Yes, the vocals will draw comparisons to Jeff Magnum, but this album is a stunner all the way through. I especially love the hectic percussion.
13. For Emma, Long Ago - Bon Iver (2008)
This is the absolute best winter album I own. The sparseness and the seclusion of the lyrics and sound always make me wish I was listening to this in the middle of winter in front of a fireplace. Also, bonus points for representing Wisconsin.
12. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire (2006)
It is a little bit strange that this record is considered darker than their debut (which was titled Funeral), but so it is. This one is stuffed full of stellar songs - 'No Cars Go', 'Neon Bible', Intervention', '(Antichrist Television Blues)' just to start - and it makes the best use of a full organ in rock music since maybe In a Gadda Da Vida.
11. Return to Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio (2006)
6.12.2010
The First Decennial Viskterisk* 100 Favorite Albums of Years Starting with "200"! Numbers 30-21
30. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady (2008)
Consider the following:
Openers:
- Positive Jam - Almost Killed Me. Not their best, but still establishes the themes of the record.
- Hornets! Hornets! - Separation Sunday. This is more like it! A driving start - 5 stars all the way.
- Stuck Between Stations - Boys and Girls in America. Arguably their most popular and definitely one of their best. My second most played Hold Steady song.
- Constructive Summer - Stay Positive. My most played Hold Steady song. Great shout out sections (Double whiskey coke no ice).
- Killer Parties - Almost Killed Me. Still the go-to show closer.
- How a Resurrection Really Feels - Separation Sunday. Sums up the Holly narrative, killer outro.
- Southtown Girls - Boys and Girls in America. Probably the weakest closer of the group, but still has a killer Thin Lizzy-ish solo.
- Slapped Actress - Stay Positive. Again, amazing closer.
*Though people like to call them this, I actually prefer their outdoor shows. Outside on a summer day with a beer in hand and the Hold Steady rockin' it - that's just about perfect.
29. The Body, The Blood, The Machine - The Thermals (2006)Yup - more goodness from the Thermals.
28. Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes - TV on the Radio (2004)Album #3 for TVotR on the countdown. I'd like to take a second and give a shout out to Kyp Malone. While I like many, many pieces of TV on the Radio, what pushes them into McDonald's territory* is Kyp's falsetto. The super high octaves he pulls on "Poppy" totally make that song. Plus, check out this beard! How can you not love a guy with a beard like this?
*I'm lovin' it. What's that? That didn't work for you? You don't like references to bad fast food marketing slogans? Me neither. If I had an editor, he would definitely make me remove it. Darn you, non-existent editor!
27. Figure 8 - Elliott Smith (2000)
This is the first Elliott Smith album I fell in love with. Elliott Smith also tops my list of artists I wish I was aware of while they were still making music*. I didn't really need to be listening to Creed and Staind in high school, did I? I think the answer to this is "You don't ever need to be listening to Creed and Staind." Well, thanks 2010 self - where were you 15 years ago?
*The rest of the list:
- Elliott Smith
- Neutral Milk Hotel
- The Pixies
- The Wrens (yes, I know they haven't broken up yet - Keeping People Waiting since 1989!).
26. The Rhumb Line - Ra Ra Riot (2008).
Ra Ra Riot is pretty much a perfectly-formed pop band. They have an excellent singer, fantastic drummer, solid guitarist and bassist, and they make excellent use of the cellist and violinist in the band. Plus they write great songs. That's about all you can ask for, right?
25. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon (2007)
This is Spoon's fourth entry, which pretty much puts them in the running for Artist of the Decade! Spoiler Alert: They finish 5th in my rankings. I'll display the final totals for the contenders (along with my not-so-scientific methodology) after I finish the top 100.
24. Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird (2007).
One of the more accomplished musicians on my list (and the only professional whistler I know), Mr. Bird is quite the sight to see live. I was as intrigued by how he made music as I was by the actual sound. It is very impressive to watch him loop sample of himself playing (in real time) using various foot pedals and loop effects, all while playing the violin and singing. Very cool.
23. Black Sheep Boy + Appendix - Okkervil River (2005).
Again, this is technically cheating, but I did see that they are releasing these two albums together as a double album, so I'm counting it. It must be difficult when you write too many good songs to include on one album, so you have to release an Appendix to it that includes two more killer songs (No Key No Plan and Missing Children), among others. Then, as if that wasn't hard enough, the next time they recorded an album, they had enough for two albums, each of which made my top 35 (The Stand Ins and Stage Names)! That's rough.
22. Boys and Girls in America - The Hold Steady (2006)
This is the Hold Steady at the peak of their powers - not their best album (that's still upcoming), but when they were the biggest force. Tangent: how are singles actually chosen from albums? Sometimes it is obvious ("Wolf Like Me" is pretty obviously the best and most appealing song from Return to Cookie Mountain). However, while I love "Chips Ahoy", it has no business being the lead single from this record. "Stuck Between Stations" is easily the better song (both critically and among most THS fans, I believe).
21. Seven Swans - Sufjan Stevens (2004)
Maybe this isn't high praise, but Seven Swans is one of my favorite albums to listen to at night while falling asleep. I love to lay in bed and listen to each song, picking out each instrument as it is added in (guitar, banjo, piano, bass, vocals....) while the soothing sounds of the album lead me to sleep.
Ra Ra Riot is pretty much a perfectly-formed pop band. They have an excellent singer, fantastic drummer, solid guitarist and bassist, and they make excellent use of the cellist and violinist in the band. Plus they write great songs. That's about all you can ask for, right?
25. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon (2007)This is Spoon's fourth entry, which pretty much puts them in the running for Artist of the Decade! Spoiler Alert: They finish 5th in my rankings. I'll display the final totals for the contenders (along with my not-so-scientific methodology) after I finish the top 100.
24. Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird (2007).
One of the more accomplished musicians on my list (and the only professional whistler I know), Mr. Bird is quite the sight to see live. I was as intrigued by how he made music as I was by the actual sound. It is very impressive to watch him loop sample of himself playing (in real time) using various foot pedals and loop effects, all while playing the violin and singing. Very cool.
23. Black Sheep Boy + Appendix - Okkervil River (2005).
Again, this is technically cheating, but I did see that they are releasing these two albums together as a double album, so I'm counting it. It must be difficult when you write too many good songs to include on one album, so you have to release an Appendix to it that includes two more killer songs (No Key No Plan and Missing Children), among others. Then, as if that wasn't hard enough, the next time they recorded an album, they had enough for two albums, each of which made my top 35 (The Stand Ins and Stage Names)! That's rough.
22. Boys and Girls in America - The Hold Steady (2006)This is the Hold Steady at the peak of their powers - not their best album (that's still upcoming), but when they were the biggest force. Tangent: how are singles actually chosen from albums? Sometimes it is obvious ("Wolf Like Me" is pretty obviously the best and most appealing song from Return to Cookie Mountain). However, while I love "Chips Ahoy", it has no business being the lead single from this record. "Stuck Between Stations" is easily the better song (both critically and among most THS fans, I believe).
21. Seven Swans - Sufjan Stevens (2004)
Maybe this isn't high praise, but Seven Swans is one of my favorite albums to listen to at night while falling asleep. I love to lay in bed and listen to each song, picking out each instrument as it is added in (guitar, banjo, piano, bass, vocals....) while the soothing sounds of the album lead me to sleep.
Now playing: 65daysofstatic - Retreat! Retreat!
via FoxyTunes
6.06.2010
The First Decennial Viskterisk* 100 Favorite Albums of Years Starting with "200"! Numbers 40-31.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand back to it. I wasn't planning on have this countdown take like a month, but hey, I gots stuffs to do. Ya knows whats I'm sayin', youse guys*?
*Inside joke alert! My guess is that precisely zero people reading this will get this, but, hey, what's a blog for if you can't make inside jokes that no one on the Internet will get?
40. Alopecia - Why? (2008).
I never knew I had a itch that only a weird blend of indie rock and hip hop with an unorthodox flow and ultra confessional lyrics could scratch. It turns out I do. And I am serious about ultra confessional lyrics. On the album, Yoni calls it "stuff I can't admit to my head shrinker", but he seems to have no problems putting it on tape for random strangers to listen to. Since this is a family blog, I'll spare the details - pick up the album if you're curious.
39. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot -Wilco (2002).
Odds are, if you have made it 60 albums into this, you know about Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (or as I like to call it, "suck it, major labels!"), so I won't waste more words on the album. However, I do think more people should use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet in their daily conversations*. This would give even the most boring conversations a much more interesting and confusing bent.
[Friend enters, stage left]
Friend: What are you watching?
Me: I'm watching some old November Bravo Alpha games on Echo Sierra Papa November Classic. Alpha Charlie Green had an awesome perm/jheri curl!
Friend: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Me: (Romeo Oscar Foxtrot Lima Mike Alpha Oscar)
[End Scene]
* One of my friends in grad school was in the National Guard. He had all sorts of problems when we'd use Greek letters. We'd be talking about alpha, beta, gamma.... and he'd always say "alpha, bravo, charlie". Hilarious (Math jokes!).
38. Receivers - Parts and Labor (2008).
When humans and robots can stand this ridiculous sexual tension no longer and one brave human and one rogue robot give in to forbidden, forbidden love, this is the album that their great grandkids (grandroids?) would make if they listened to a lot of Queens of the Stone Age and TV on the Radio*.
* I could totally write for Pitchfork.
37. Oh, Inverted World - The Shins (2001).
For both this album and the next album on the countdown, I think the title of the album sums up the artist quite capably. When I read "Oh, Inverted World" in my mind, the combination of surprise and melancholy in the phrase fits very well with how I think of the Shins. So, good job Shins!*
*I made it the whole blurb without referencing "changing your life"! I win!
36. Castaways and Cutouts - The Decemberists (2002).
This album inspired one of my favorite things to do when I visit other places. What I like to do is visit specific landmarks or places referenced in songs that I like. For example, the song "Grace Cathedral Hill" references both the titular Grace Cathedral Hill and Hyde Street Pier, both of which I noticed while wandering around San Francisco on vacation. Fun times.
35. Hospice - The Antlers (2009).
While I don't often pay attention to the lyrics - so by extension, I don't get much of the emotion in lyrics - I do throughly enjoy hearing the emotion in the singer's voice. This album's vocals are some of the most beautifully emotional vocals I've heard. The guy's voice just gets me.
34. The Stand Ins - Okkervil River (2008).
Really, all I need to say here is "Lost Coastlines", but the rest of the album brings it as well. Hooray, Will Sheff!
33. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008).
Sons of Guns! The harmonies on this album slay me. Even better, they sound just as tight live. If I had my druthers, I would have swapped this album with #32 and put Z by My Morning Jacket before that, so I could have a had a killer trifecta* of vocalists that always get compared to each other.
*Okay Blogger spellcheck, how to you not recognize "trifecta", but you will suggest "perfecta" to replace it? Has anyone in the recorded history of the world uttered the word "perfecta"?
32. Everything All the Time - Band of Horses (2006).
A stunning debut. Shortly after they released this album, I saw Band of Horses at the Paradise Lounge in Boston. Because of the hype around their debut, they were headlining this set. However, Everything All the Time is only 10 songs and a hair over 30 minutes long. This makes for a short headlining set. They played the entire album, except for St. Augustine, and two covers, and they were done in like 40 minutes. I'm pretty sure the opener actually played longer than Band of Horses. So, up and coming bands, take note: Do not gather too much hype too early, or you won't have enough songs to play when you tour.
31. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers (2000).
Aaah, The New Pornographers. Causing awkward conversations between parents and children since 2000. I like to think of the New Pornographers as the indie-rock Planeteers. The individual members are pretty good - they possess certain powers, do good things, etc... - but when their powers combine, they are........Captain Planet! Here's the breakdown:
Perhaps at some point I'll extend this comparison to the Captain Planet villains. Maybe using Chickenfoot? Damn Yankees? Velvet Revolver?
----------------
Now playing: Comedy Death Ray - Comedy Death-Ray Radio 07
via FoxyTunes
*Inside joke alert! My guess is that precisely zero people reading this will get this, but, hey, what's a blog for if you can't make inside jokes that no one on the Internet will get?
40. Alopecia - Why? (2008).I never knew I had a itch that only a weird blend of indie rock and hip hop with an unorthodox flow and ultra confessional lyrics could scratch. It turns out I do. And I am serious about ultra confessional lyrics. On the album, Yoni calls it "stuff I can't admit to my head shrinker", but he seems to have no problems putting it on tape for random strangers to listen to. Since this is a family blog, I'll spare the details - pick up the album if you're curious.
39. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot -Wilco (2002).Odds are, if you have made it 60 albums into this, you know about Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (or as I like to call it, "suck it, major labels!"), so I won't waste more words on the album. However, I do think more people should use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet in their daily conversations*. This would give even the most boring conversations a much more interesting and confusing bent.
[Friend enters, stage left]
Friend: What are you watching?
Me: I'm watching some old November Bravo Alpha games on Echo Sierra Papa November Classic. Alpha Charlie Green had an awesome perm/jheri curl!
Friend: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Me: (Romeo Oscar Foxtrot Lima Mike Alpha Oscar)
[End Scene]
* One of my friends in grad school was in the National Guard. He had all sorts of problems when we'd use Greek letters. We'd be talking about alpha, beta, gamma.... and he'd always say "alpha, bravo, charlie". Hilarious (Math jokes!).
38. Receivers - Parts and Labor (2008).When humans and robots can stand this ridiculous sexual tension no longer and one brave human and one rogue robot give in to forbidden, forbidden love, this is the album that their great grandkids (grandroids?) would make if they listened to a lot of Queens of the Stone Age and TV on the Radio*.
* I could totally write for Pitchfork.
37. Oh, Inverted World - The Shins (2001).For both this album and the next album on the countdown, I think the title of the album sums up the artist quite capably. When I read "Oh, Inverted World" in my mind, the combination of surprise and melancholy in the phrase fits very well with how I think of the Shins. So, good job Shins!*
*I made it the whole blurb without referencing "changing your life"! I win!
36. Castaways and Cutouts - The Decemberists (2002).This album inspired one of my favorite things to do when I visit other places. What I like to do is visit specific landmarks or places referenced in songs that I like. For example, the song "Grace Cathedral Hill" references both the titular Grace Cathedral Hill and Hyde Street Pier, both of which I noticed while wandering around San Francisco on vacation. Fun times.
35. Hospice - The Antlers (2009).While I don't often pay attention to the lyrics - so by extension, I don't get much of the emotion in lyrics - I do throughly enjoy hearing the emotion in the singer's voice. This album's vocals are some of the most beautifully emotional vocals I've heard. The guy's voice just gets me.
34. The Stand Ins - Okkervil River (2008).
Really, all I need to say here is "Lost Coastlines", but the rest of the album brings it as well. Hooray, Will Sheff!
33. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008).Sons of Guns! The harmonies on this album slay me. Even better, they sound just as tight live. If I had my druthers, I would have swapped this album with #32 and put Z by My Morning Jacket before that, so I could have a had a killer trifecta* of vocalists that always get compared to each other.
*Okay Blogger spellcheck, how to you not recognize "trifecta", but you will suggest "perfecta" to replace it? Has anyone in the recorded history of the world uttered the word "perfecta"?
32. Everything All the Time - Band of Horses (2006).
A stunning debut. Shortly after they released this album, I saw Band of Horses at the Paradise Lounge in Boston. Because of the hype around their debut, they were headlining this set. However, Everything All the Time is only 10 songs and a hair over 30 minutes long. This makes for a short headlining set. They played the entire album, except for St. Augustine, and two covers, and they were done in like 40 minutes. I'm pretty sure the opener actually played longer than Band of Horses. So, up and coming bands, take note: Do not gather too much hype too early, or you won't have enough songs to play when you tour.
31. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers (2000).
Aaah, The New Pornographers. Causing awkward conversations between parents and children since 2000. I like to think of the New Pornographers as the indie-rock Planeteers. The individual members are pretty good - they possess certain powers, do good things, etc... - but when their powers combine, they are........Captain Planet! Here's the breakdown:
- AC Newman -------->Ma-Ti (Heart)
- Neko Case ---------->Linka (Wind)
- Dan Bejar ----------->Wheeler (Fire)
- Kathryn Calder ----->Gi (Water)
- Kurt Dahle ---------->Kwame (Earth)
Perhaps at some point I'll extend this comparison to the Captain Planet villains. Maybe using Chickenfoot? Damn Yankees? Velvet Revolver?
----------------
Now playing: Comedy Death Ray - Comedy Death-Ray Radio 07
via FoxyTunes
6.05.2010
More People You'll See at Summer Concert Festivals
A couple days ago, I posted a fun game you can play at summer music festivals. It eventually turned into a a list of types of people you'll see at the festivals. In the interest of completeness, I compiled some more categories of what people will be wearing - however, I couldn't come up with a guess as to who they will be seeing. Bonus points to you if you can figure it out.
Thousands and Thousands of Ironic/Nostalgic T-Shirts
Seriously, you will see every ironic/nostalgic t-shirt you've ever seen, as well as some new ones. Just by the sheer numbers, there is no way to guess who these people will be seeing.
Outlandish Coordinated Outfits
I think the main purpose of this is to identify the people they came with (and to be weird). Some of the notable examples of this I saw at Sasquatch!:
The Corporate Shill Douchebag
Pretty much this guy (at least I hope he's there to sell Rockstar and didn't actually have this in his wardrobe):
Green Man!
It appears Green Man is ubiquitous now. Though the Green Man I saw had an opening for the face, so I had to deduct points.
Green Man's Cousin Who Took Too Much Acid And Now Sees Everything In Weird Colors
Fun Fact: This bodysuit was manufactured by Fila! Evidently they thought there would be a market for this thing.
Adults Wearing Babies
This is more common than you'd think.
----------------
Now playing: Dessa - Seamstress
via FoxyTunes
Thousands and Thousands of Ironic/Nostalgic T-Shirts
Seriously, you will see every ironic/nostalgic t-shirt you've ever seen, as well as some new ones. Just by the sheer numbers, there is no way to guess who these people will be seeing.
Outlandish Coordinated Outfits
I think the main purpose of this is to identify the people they came with (and to be weird). Some of the notable examples of this I saw at Sasquatch!:
- Red and white striped Waldo shirts.
- Superhero costumes*
- Gold sequined clothing
The Corporate Shill Douchebag
Pretty much this guy (at least I hope he's there to sell Rockstar and didn't actually have this in his wardrobe):
Green Man!
It appears Green Man is ubiquitous now. Though the Green Man I saw had an opening for the face, so I had to deduct points.
Green Man's Cousin Who Took Too Much Acid And Now Sees Everything In Weird Colors
Fun Fact: This bodysuit was manufactured by Fila! Evidently they thought there would be a market for this thing.
Adults Wearing Babies
This is more common than you'd think.
----------------
Now playing: Dessa - Seamstress
via FoxyTunes
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