No idea who Chris Packham is but amusing nevertheless

Best of 2009 Preview

"Best of" is an labor intensive project that is just getting underway (I promise to get done sooner or later). I had toyed with the idea of making everything liver versions (I've gotten into bootlegs this year), remixes or mash-ups. The problem with this is the quality is widely uneven. So I will be giving you the usual hard copy version.

but until then, I've uploaded a series of bootlegs, remixes and mash-ups. All of this stuff is off the grid, so I don't think I am stealing from anyone. You can listen at the sight or download.

It's a decent set of music, one that I would feel good about putting out as a "Best of." But I know you readers/listeners demand more than good enough so I will agonize and make the hard choices to get the best "best of" that I am capable of. In the meantime enjoy:

http://www.box.net/shared/bmstqxntxg

Bonus points: who can name the most bands without using the internet (post here).

Merry Christmas!

Best of 2009 preview?

kos vs. GTO



Plus I always had a thing for Natalie Portman.

awesome photos!

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/11/national_geographics_internati.html

Unemployment Animation

http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html

Very cool

Daylight Savings plus Government

Victory for Rock Art

Quoted by Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2938091420091029

They Fight Crime

A friend of mine posted this link on Facebook.

http://www.theyfightcrime.org/

It is so much fun! Here's a little flavor of what you'll find...

He's a one-legged coffee-fuelled jungle king searching for his wife's true killer. She's a green-fingered communist stripper from Mars. They fight crime!

He's a leather-clad crooked romance novelist on a mission from God. She's a time-travelling belly-dancing hooker on her way to prison for a murder she didn't commit. They fight crime!

Star Wars Uncut

Star Wars: Uncut Trailer from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

"Ripped:how the wired generation revolutionized music"

An interesting take on digital media. Picked it up with out realizing it was written by one half of the excellent podcast http://www.soundopinions.org/. This is more from the artist side. Not quite a how to manual as much as this how some artist has used the Internet. Author Greg Kot doesn't really take strong moral positions although he does seem to think of it as downloading as "stealing" and he definitely comes across as the critic who knows more than you, at least musical taste-wise. But in an industry searching for answers, he's looking too and doesn't claim to have figured it out. Really a collection of stories of how individual artist are looking at/using the Interent and how the business is trying to cope. It was interesting to get the back stories, say Metallica's view on the Napster incident, looking back. All in all, an interesting read.

buy at amazon

Buy at half.com

Of course, I got it from the library and you can try there, too. Does that count as stealing? Or just irony?

Boycott Hansen's Natural Drinks/Monster! Save Real Beer

His language is a little over the top (stuff about "corporate America"), but Monster Energy is out of line here. So buy a Rock Art, not Monster Energy Drinks. This guy has always had Libertarian leanings so a good guy who deserves our support. Plus Rock Art is a great beer. I might go crack the Vermonster int he basement right now!

BTW Hansen's products include Hansen's natural soda, Junior Juice, teas, Blue Sky and Fizzit and, of course, Monster Energy notes.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.rockartbrewery.com/

Update to profile - twitter now on feltoblog

See title. See blog.

Short write-up in Barron's this weekend

2009's Big Winners See Slimmer Pickings Ahead

only works if you have a subscription

Beer Fairy (new Lucero)

Lucero "What Are You Willing To Lose?" from Lucero on Vimeo.

I suppose that heading could be taken two ways. At Least. Andy

leaf peekers guide

http://www.yankeefoliage.com/foliagemap/

Best Definition of Feltus yet

http://www.ancestry.com/facts/feltus-family-history.ashx

I like the distribution/graph.

Nick Hornby on Mp3 blogs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/06/nick-hornby-mp3-record-shops

If you're flying....

http://infobeautiful.s3.amazonaws.com/planecrash_960.gif
(or click on graphic for full page)





http://infobeautiful.s3.amazonaws.com/planecrash_960.gif

Lyric of the Day

She's my coked up, botox girl

Band: Wombats
Song: Patricia the stripper

Castle exchange

Papa: We go every year as a family,

Josie. Really?

Papa: We've been going since Maddy was 5 and you were 2.

Josie: I've been going longer than her?

Dan and Andy on CNBC

Notes

Some alt-country updates on my blip.fm postings. Thanks to Sunday Morning Come Down. Good stuff.

In my search today, came accross this blog post

http://swill-merchant.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-ever-diminishing-hipness.html

It reads:

I have never claimed to be cool. Ever. But now I think even the last remaining particles of hipness in body are slowly dying a slow, uncool death. And I am OK with it. I just don't have the time,energy, or desire to unearth the latest MGMT remix or the next big thing(usually some obscure Brooklyn band.) I am at peace with my lameness and I choose to listen to stuff like Charlie Mars.No, Mr. Mars doesn't reinvent the rock n'roll wheel nor does he have superstar indie bands lining up to remix his songs. He just makes really, really good music and I really like his album 'Like A Bird, Like A Plane'...and as the song below displays, he can make something as simple as listening to a classic Pink Floyd record sound so inviting

Hits a little close to home. Now, I a spend as much energy (not as much time) as any hipster looking the latest and the greatest, but he lands a punch on the hipster scene good for a standing eight count. Charlie Mars aint the next big thing, but point taken.

RIP

This is the picture Dave Navarro is using for his twitter icon currently. You know who the guy on the left is. The guy playing guitar is Dave of Jane's Addiction. Picture from 2002 at the Appollo. What's up with the expression on Dave's face?

Freak Folk

Interesting article in Globe today on "americana" music

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/06/28/new_generations_indie_sound_is_grounded_in_folk_roots/

The "genius" of Apple

For father's day, the girls got me the ipod touch (32g!). Yes!!!

What a beautiful package. Now if I can get it out. Whoever designed the packaging is a true sadist. I thought Chinese toy packaging was tough. Who says America cant do things "better"? Who says apple isn't the best?

Better yet, was the protective case for "ipod touch 2th gerneration." No really. I tried to take a picture of the box but lettering too small. "Made in China" was properly spelled.

Murder Map for NYC

http://projects.nytimes.com/crime/homicides/map?hp?th&emc=th

check your neighborhood

If you have kids...

Mary Ellen, this is for you (thanks, dori for the link)

www.kcanedo.blogspot.com

lol

Photos from Baxter SP Maine XC Ski Trip

Maine Photos

A little late, but some great shots of Katahdin.

Maddy Poem: haiku?

Chipmunk standing still
not doing anything
moving down the fence
then gone

Notes from Wednesday Night Box Set

June 4 - NINJA tour at Mansfield




I tend to go to shows with two groups: median age 50's or 30's. this was the latter, my peeps. guys short hair, baseball hats. girls long hair, fashion sense just a little off. some goth here and there. plenty of left over piercings and tattoos but people with families and jobs. i can honestly say i was the only person there wearing sandals (even though they are keens, does that count?).

Street Sweeper Social Club

Tom Morello's new band and it basically the return of Rage Against the Machine with an extra guitar. And that's great. The stage was tiny and band grouped together close. i've never seen a guitarist who was so much of the energy of band. It was strange with great woods half full and the sun still out. but a great band with high energy. i've always like the idea of reap0metal but so few people do it well. so its great to have these guys doing it right. if you go, make sure get their early to catch their set.

Nine Inch Nails

Even with sssc's equipment off, stage was small and backstage was packed. great woods was full now, but strange to see NIN with the sun still up. They started at 7:45 and play an hour and a half. this could be described as essential NIN, the stripped down version. Trent plus three guys, fog machines, feedback and alot of keyboards for them to play. Last tour was elaborate lights/video/laser show and most of that was gone. We still had lights triggering epiliectic fits, but 10 of them rather than 100 (overhead lights were cool though). Whenever I seen NIN, I always find myself wondering how much is "live" versus computer tracking. Regardless, Trent always pours his heart into it, he mostly sang and played piano. This was not a mainstream set, focusing more on the internet releases. apparently, he must play "hurt" every show. Highlights included Happiness in Slavery and Gave Up for that the kind of set it was: guitar, beats and vocals. The first time I saw him was similar: loolapalooza at great woods in the middle afternoon (and rain). Out of the six times I've seen them, this wasn't the best, but Trent always brings it.

I have a new theory on Trent. He's about five to ten years behind us emotionally so he blends a mix of authenticism and nostalgia for my peers. When I was twenty five and all he did was pain and anguish, it fit me emotionally, even if that wasn't my life. Now, Trent's getting married, (he twittered during Jane's set about how much he missed his girlfriend), starting a family, trying new things in business and music and maturing. He actually talked about it on stage (I wouldn't call him chatty but in the past he said one or two words a show, now he does speeches), about how these songs were a bad place for him, a place he doesn't like to go to, but is beyond that place now and helped him get to where he is now, which i think is how i feel about NIN.

Jane's Addiction

Stage cleared out finally opened up somewhat, although the backstage was still overflowing. It took a while to get going. They opened with "three days" my favorite jane's song but tough to play a ten minute song off the bat and get people to groove to it. they seemed a little stiff and first few songs where a bit of a slog, playing more obscure songs (whores, pigs in zen, ...then she did) - this is the reunion tour with original bassist so playing only old songs. But by the time they hit "mountain song" they were in the moment

Perry was at his weirdest. Bitching out the mosh pit for throwing stuff at him (funny moment though when Dave approached him afterwards and Perry added on "please don't throw stuff at David, too). Let me see if I can get this riff right "you respect a man for his toughness. boston is a tough man. the colonist came over here. doing their own thing, hanging with his woman. he wants to have a cup of tea. what do the british do? tax him!!!! (like THEY always do) he just wants to drink his tea and be left alone. so what does he do?? Boston Bruins....POW!!!! the revolution...America...that's why I love Boston." Later, he announced "good night" but drummer Perkins kept playing; "stephen, what are you doing?"then ripping into ripping in ted just admit it. Perry Farrell is the only person I know who could wear an gold lame jump suit and not remind you of Elvis at all!

After that they played "ocean size" and it hit me, why I liked this so much. NIN does one thing: pain, anger, negative emotion. That is here too but there is also love, happiness and beauty here. This was pure joy, but a complex goulash version as the music washed over you, an old friend who while a little rusty still knows the way to your heart.

Thank you, David Navarro for being the best guitarist since Van Halen.
Thank you, Perry for putting your ego on hold, your weird feminine dancing and wonderful weirdness. You have never not had something memorable to say.
Thank you, stephen perkins for never over doing the drums but never doing underdoing it either. You are the heart of this band.
Thank you, Eric Avery for burying the hatchet with perry. you don't seem to like him very much but you bass lines elevate this band back to its prime.

We'll see what come next.

Bootlegs of tour:

http://bootlegsfrombucklberry.blogspot.com/2009/06/janes-addiction-camden-2009.html

http://bootlegsfrombucklberry.blogspot.com/2009/06/nine-inch-nails-noblesvill-2009.html


Added June 8th: Obviously, I enjoyed this as I keep adding to the blog. This is now third or fourth version. Like the extra track, box set, you just keep coming back. But I got at least one Perry rant, Trent woe is me and Morello solo.







from Mansfield














the throwing incident (about two minutes in)





watch at least first five seconds:

In case you don't watch CNBC Asia..

Listen closely for when i say "arh-ahhhg..."

And no, the white arrow is not some strange nose prosthetic.

first Trimester (of 2009) listening

Start of the year is usually slow but there;s stuff out there (an ongoing theme) and here's my sweep.

Summary of what I'm listening to. I've tried to embed the blip.fm player but if it doesn't work, check out my page at http://blip.fm/invite/afx. I'm a big fan of this. It makes sharing music easier, but discovering music is easier than surfing from blog to blog. But just listening is a blast, too. I'm using blogs more to track down bootlegs and obscure tracks than to discover new music since tuning in to this. (use prev/next to toggle songs)

2008 Leftovers :

Big miss from last year: Last Nick Cave. Not a bad song on it (thanks, Dori).

Still growing on me: Reckless Kelly (less alt and more country), Amanda Palmer

Not really taking: santogold

Enjoying but uneven: Does it offend, you.

2009:

Best Soul: Raphael Saadiq

Song of the year (so far): Nothing to worry about, Peter Bjorn and the other guy

Alt. Country: Centro-matic (pick on line bootleg), Moondoggies

Neko Case : not new territory but worthy addition to the catalog

Favorite Mashup: http://jaydiohead.com/

Jason Anderson : sorta of a modern day Springsteen but more varied style. check out Somerville show at http://www.jasonandersonswebsite.com/albums.html

New Morrissey - not new ground, but quality songs for an old dude. Check out live radio show he did for the BBC if you care

New U2 - intrigued by the direction (ignore boots) but undecided yet

Delta spirit - heads to "best of 2009"

throwback pick: Grandpaboy - westerberg does the Stones (go with deadmanshake - mono is just regular westerberg which is fine) (and if you're in my generation and don't know who Paul Westerberg is, go read another blog!)

Been digging: Franz Ferdinand - takes there alternative funk deeper into club. It's pop but very danceable. For a good time.

Rising fast: Phoenix

Return of the greats: Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (el matador possibly best song ever)

Avoid: new Bruce Springsteen (but go see live)

The future: Bat for Lashes, Rhett Miller, Jason Isbell, Dinosaur Jr., Gomez ?

Upcoming shows: Rhett Miller (5/16), Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction (6/3)

On TV

Thursday night 7:00ish EST on CNBC

Also check out last weekends Barron's in the current yield column.

wsj - my mom complained that I wasn't posting my press

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090514-717593.html

Star Wars fans

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/tauntaun.html

This is so neat, I might buy one.

Vacation list

We are trying to figure out where to go on vacation: New York, Washington/NoVa, Memphis/St. Louis, California, New Mexico. We cann't get a straight answer from the girls so we sit down with Maddy to write a pro/con list. From Maddy:

New Mexico.

Pro's: Native, Ruins, Good food, Josie's god father, never been there

Con's: Swine flu

Blip me

Saw this on a trent tweet. Say five times fast. A neat way to share music and get the conversation going. But will experiment with how to embed on layout but don't get your hopes up.

How cool is this ?

http://www.mcctheater.org/shows/08-09_season/coraline/index.html

http://www.mcctheater.org/currentseason.html

This has something for every kind of nerdiness: music (magnetic fields), comics (neil gaiman) and kids books.

And its a musical.

I wanna be sedated!

The title of that is not because today is "take your kid to work day," Maddy is at the office and I need some help (although that is all true - say hello, Maddy - "Hello, Maddy"). It's my intro to my Bruce Springsteen concert.

Now usually when you see an artist in concert for the first time, it tough not to enjoy them (if they have even a little talent/skill). My first Bruce Springsteen concert was like that. Classic songs, incredible energy, three hours of intensity but joyful. This was when he first returned to touring in 98/99. Then I saw him two more times and it turned out what appeared spontaneous was choreographed and planned. not to take away from the mans work ethic, it was still a little disappointing to know what was going to happen next. He played the same hits, did the same speeches, same guitar solos. Like watching the same movie over and over.

But I got call from a buddy who had to unload some tickets at face value, I took a flyer. And boy am I glad. This show was either for the fans,t he guys who want to hear the fifth cut from side two of 1980's album ("born to run" is must own, musical masterpiece and then I loose track) or people like me who just want to hear good music. He played some hits, but over three hours focused more on obscure tracks. This allowed me to focus more on the music and playing than on the songs.

This was a revelation. This is a great band, but not necessary great musicians (although guitarist nils loghren and drummer Max Weinberg are). The key to "born to run" is the layered effect: piano on guitar on sax on drums on keyboards. Each part doesn't have to be technically challenging, but with four guitars, two keyboards, one base, one sax, one drum kit, three singers (and sometimes accordion, extra guitars and banjos) it's tough to pull off. More like an orchestra than a rock band. So I was able to sit back and enjoy the music, rather than singing along. Both the playing and writing.

Now, Bruce is a great performer and a legend for a reason. I would describe him as the link before Bob Dylan and Elvis, combined with a shrewd musical mind. His work ethic as a performer is incredible. A great voice (why aren't there any good alternative singers?). He's got a way with words that is like a poet (i.e. the opposite of sadness is "joy", not happiness) even if his message is a bit pedantic (I've never turned to entertainers for political guidance as they are not the most disciplined thinkers or factcheckers). His charisma is undeniable and he loves being at the center of things (see Elvis). But he is clearly much stronger with a backing group. They make both him and the music better. Whether its a folk song, rockabilly or straight rock song, his (and the bands ) layered approach comes through. I don't want to say genius, but he's been doing this for thirty years for a reason.

One of the more spontaneous moments was when he took suggestions from the audience. This is usually requests for Bruce songs, instead they play the Ramones. It took a minute to figure out the chords and then they ripped into it.



At the end, they brought on Boston's Dropkick Murphys. One of them asked his girlfriend to marry him, then they jammed to a Bruce song followed by A Pete Seeger song, Irish style. I'm pretty sure no one will see Bruce/Ramones or Bruce/Dropkick Murphys nexus again for a long time. This is what music is suppose to be: spontaneous joy, not corporate rock.





The night really captured what appeals to me about a Bruce. He's a lefty, liberal, cheatin' sob, but a great musician and an incredible performer. You get your moneys worth, there is no doubt.

Give it a listen. Once of these has 96 bootleg concerts to choose from (that's over the top but you gotta love the internet):

http://theultimatebootlegexperience.blogspot.com/search/label/Bruce%20Springsteen

http://captainsdead.com/you-can-trust-your-car-to-the-man-who-wears-the-star.html

http://addictedtovinyl.com/blog/2009/03/21/bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-10-years-back-still-burnin-down-the-road/

"Thanks for coming out on a weeknight"

Me and Liz went to see Lucero at the Paradise Thursday night. A couple of pina colada margaritas, burritos and a big starbucks for me and we were ready for a late night with the hipsters.

Titus Andronicus opened up. What can I say about them? The less the better. They're from New Jersey. They were loud. They played indy punk. There were potentially one or two good songs in there. Did I mention they were loud?

Lucero is a band Liz discovered, I believe on Last.fm. Could have been Pandora. They're from Little Rock by way of Memphis. They are somewhere between alt-country and Southern rock (not really sure the difference anymore). They're more Murry Hammond than Rhett Miller, but don't take it too seriously. Here's my top ten list:

1. Slide guitar on 90% of the songs. I don't know why but I love the slide guitar. It makes everything better.
2. After Titus left the stage, I told Liz that I felt bad for opening act at the Paradise because they have to pack up their own equipment - no roadies. Then these fat redneck guys come out and start setting up for Lucero. Turned out they were the band - no roadies. How cool is that?
3. The personality of these guys is your crazy Southern uncles. A bunch of guys you meet in a bar at one in the afternoon and spend the day shooting pool and drinking beers and doing shots (it's been a while for me.) At one point, they pulled a fan out of the audience to sing a Replacements cover and I came off as fun, not staged.
4. The Paradise was packed (but not sold out). But when the music started, there was a phalanx of 100+ people pumping fists and singing along. Bear in mind this is a band that I have never heard on the radio. But you got a 100+ rednecks in Boston singing along?
5. Lead singer Ben Nichols has a great voice and a great accent. More of a growl than singing, his drawl is out of my youth (Little Rock/Memphis) and makes me feel at home. But the banter is superior. Funny, amusing and comfortable, but not staged. Sure the excessive drinking helped. But nice guys. They wrote a song called "shut up play your guitar" which is either self-referential or down to earth sentiment.
6. "Whats next? How 'bout a drinking song? Oh who am I kidding? They are all drinking songs." nothing to add here.
7. Hard working. They hit the stage a little after 10 and played until 12:20. Going to bed at 1:30 wasn't good for us but worth it.
8. Solid musicianship. They are not eddie van halen or the best rehearsed band. The drinking didn't help either. But top to bottom, they can all play great riffs.
9. I don't know what their songs are about. They're about war, family, girls, love and drinking (see above). Not exactly sure the specific content, but I do enjoy listening. Next time, I'm going to learn the words so I can drink beer and sing along.
10. Did mention the slide guitar?

So two and a half hours of ass-kickin' tunes. Highly recommended. When they come to your town, spend your $15 dollars. It's worth it. A couple of videos:












Update: blog with pictures from Boston show (and downloadable mp3)

http://ryanssmashinglife.blogspot.com/2009/04/live-photography-lucero-in-boston.html

Contra NPR

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/04/ten-things-i-hate-about-npr.html


lol...by the end, it's clear he's a hater but makes some funny points along the way. writing on a college radio blog in nyc too.

Like live music but gotta work:

I suggest you check out:

http://www.wers.org/events/Local-Music-Week-2009.cfm

Quite a list with some "stars" from our youth.

big music day. New Neko Case is sublime. Plus ripped Cory Brannon, Jesca Hoop, Nick Cave and some G-love (all of which I actually bought the CD).

Never liked Arcade Fire but this looks outstanding (my favorite book when I was a kid):

Follow up for best of

http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/ben-folds-goes-to-college-for-a-cappella-lp_059051.html

apparently an all a-capella album of Ben Fold songs!!!

Request for Music Information/Opinion

Any thoughts on Bat for Lashes?

On a separate note, I sent out a dozen "best of" cd's and got one comment back (thank you, dori). I know the posting is long, but it will take you less time to read and respond than it took me to write much less compile. I know yall can do better.

Link:
http://feltoblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/best-of-2008.html

"green" way to cook pasta

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/dining/25curi.html?th&emc=th

"green" way to cook pasta

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/dining/25curi.html?th&emc=th

NIN/Trent interview

Bram - interesting comments on music industry

http://blip.fm/profile/guilty/blip/3974282

Little Mermaid Show

Some pictures and videos from Maddy's latest play, the Little Mermaid. The sound is bad, the lighting in bad but Maddy did her best work. Second biggest part of the show, she carried it as she got all the big jokes and showed great range. Not perfect,but every time she gets a little better and this was her best work. Maddy played the Sea Witch (aka Ursala) so almost all her scenes were at her cave, hence the bad lighting.

A couple more pictures. Maddy with her new cousin Grace (b. February 14th).

Josie swimming class (peek week):

Good Neko Case article

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15neko-t.html?th&emc=th

Maddy is Ursula

February school vacation play is "the little mermaid." She wanted to be the little mermaid, but Ursala was her second choice. Oh, given its not a Disney production, she "the sea witch" not Ursala. Performance Friday at 5.

Best of 2008

Best of 2008

Well, I started with over 1,500 cuts and worked it down to this little collection. Some of that whittling was easy, some difficult but it was fun to look back. Last year I didn't finish until the beginning of March so we'll try harder this time. I toyed with the idea of only having live tracks, but decided to save those for the "special edition." We ended up with two cds: the audio version and the "extended mix" which includes some hard cuts, covers and live songs.

Lessons of 2008:

(1) There is plenty of good music out there. I had 1,500 new mp3's in 2008, whittled that down to the best 150 songs and then it took a month to get it down to one CD. I like a little bit of everything but even if you look at a substyle of those songs, you'll find a dozen of so songs to satisfy you. Patterson Hood of the DBT has said that the break down of the recording industry is actually good for music, even if it doesn't enrich the musicians because of the choice it had created. The hard part is putting in the time to figure it all out.

(1a) I'll add one more reason: dissonance. I love pop love songs and teenage angst as much as anyone, but pushing 40, my interests and emotional range have expanded (a little bit) and (other than country music), the "business acts" like everyone is single and 21. Escapism is fine sometimes but given my prodigious consumption of music, we need a little more. I suppose I could just listen to techno, but I want something with a little more soul. I imagine it reflects the times, but a lot of the music I listened to this year was preoccupied with faith and family.

(2) It's all connected. Take the dude in "the bird and the bee." He was the main guy in Geggy Tah (ten points if you remember them) and went on to play for everyone, including Beck and the Red Hot Chilis. He also has become an in demand producer for artists such as Jenny Lewis and Lily Allen (less responsibly, he also did the latest Jessica Simpson, Pink, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogie). It's all connected. Ben Nichols (Lucero) is on the new Hold Steady (as well as J Mascus on ukele). Ben Folds produced the new Amanda Palmer (of Dresden Dolls). Hayes Carll opened up for Old 97's last tour. Trent (NIN) shows up everywhere even without a record label (rumor new Janes Addiction tour plus album produced by Trent). This is one of the reasons I think it's a great time to be a music fan even if you're too broke or have too many kids (the magic number is one, see previous posting) or dogs to go see every show you'd like.


(3) Old guys rock. I don't know if that's because I'm older, because of changes in the industry or just a fact. But my favorite music is being produced by my peers. Craig (Hold Steady) is 37 going on 38. Patterson Hood is 44. The Old 97's and Beck are turning 40. Ben Folds and Trent are in their 40s and Robert Smith is in hitting 50. Even the "new" music I'm listening to (Amanda Palmer, Strokes, Death Cab for Cutie) are all 32, which puts them closer to me than college kids or the average professional athlete.

Next year:

Ben Nichols solo - Lucero (the next Old 97's via Little Rock/Memphis)
Duke Spirit - a more bluesy version of Hold Steady movement
Army Navy - if you love Teenage Fanclub, Cheap Trick or Big Star
Raphael Saadiq - remember Toni Toni Toni? now doing soul music
Santogold - yes, I am late to the party
Morrissey - gotta listen at least

Bon Iver - on a lot of people's list. "Skinny Love" is a great song which sucked me in. I only really started getting the rest when mixed in with Jeff Buckley and Ryan Adams and I got it. His cover of "your love" is as good as "skinny love."

The Moondoggies - the name alone
Does it offend you, Yeah? - recommended
David Byrne and Brian Eno - hard time tracking this one down
Neko Case - can't wait. her voice is perfect.
Rhett Miller - "acoustic" and sure to be Liz's favorite of the year
Janes Addiction ??? !!!!

Most overrated: Vampire Weekend Great unique sound, tons of Boston references, but really need to learn write more than one song. A little emotion wouldn't hurt either. Loved it at the beginning of the year but didn't hold up to repeated listening. Capper is must be number one on more peoples "best of 2008" list which by definition makes it overrated. (Check out Peter Gabriel/Hot Chip cover. Hot Chip is up here in the overrated category too but is it meta if you cover a song that name checks yourself or just arrogant, Mr Gabriel?).

Runner up: She and Him. The idea is great: indie singer/songwriter/guitarist M Ward (I discovered him a few years back on NPR) and kooky indie actress with crossover appeal Zooey Deschanel (now engaged to the dude from Death Cab) seems like a great idea. Reality: not only boring but lets down both of their reputations.

Other Misses:

Latest REM comeback album - please stop trying. You get our hopes up and then...

Ryan Adams - This guy can write a song and apparently does so nonstop. This album album is good (check out Fix It) but after listening, doesn't really leave anything memorable or that sticks out. Apparently he will hang it up in March as he does not feel appreciated

Beyonce

Dido - Who would have thought Jon Brion could make a boring album?

Portishead - comeback but sorta of like the Ryan Adams album

Dandy Warhols - another comeback. Typical in that no two songs sound alike but this is not like 13 tales where every song blew you away. Good but need more to re-carve your space.

Juliana Hatfield - once again glad you're back but I need more

Matthew Sweet - up there with REM in the "why why" category

Magnetic Fields - I get what you are doing with "distortion" (punk/guitar), it's just not what you are good at.

Niel Diamond - Rick Rubin albums - not a Johnny Cash revival

Alanis Morrisette - while you are underrated because so many people overrate you, this uneven album doesn't reach the highs of your best work (oddly this shows up the same day I downloaded bootlegs of Hunter S Thompson and Modest Mouse)

Eric Avery - I'll go see Jane's in concert anytime but please no more albums

Weezer - there were some bad albums last year

Phantom Planet - at least, they had the good taste to break up afterwards

Gnarls Barkley - probably biggest disappointment but Crazy was lightening in a bottle

B-52's - glad you're back but...

Tough Cuts

Nikka Costa - She does the retro Nancy Sinatra and I love it but better tracks last year

Rage Against the Machine - A cappella at RNC

Big Blue Ball/Peter Gabriel - I like it but it's twenty years old. Maybe it'll make it in as kids pick.

Flight of the Conchords

Guns and Roses - Chinese Democracy - It's fascinating to me. It's like a hair metal relic remixed by Trent. It's completely out of place in 2008 (or '09) but they don't make them like this anymore. I don't know.

Duke Spirit - Jefferson Airplane meets Concrete Blonde=heavy blues, alternative guitar and a big female voice a la Siouxsie. If only they wrote better songs. They either need to go epic or get some hooks. Still like 'em. Not to be confused with Delta Spirit.

NIN - two albums "ghosts" and "the slip" The problem here is that these are both albums for fans; I don't think anyone heard it and was converted. The slip is probably fourth best album. It's more immediate and less crafted than any other NIN album "Ghosts" on the other hand comes off as a series of musical doodles.

Ting Tings - too catchy to be overrated

The Killers - guilty pleasure. I know they've got talent and can write good songs. Instead, they write arena anthems and I hate myself for humming along.

"I'm amazed" My Morning Jacket - not my favorite Southern rock but a great song

"Drama Queen" Switches. One hit wonder doing alternative Stones. Speaking of which, whatever happened to "The Virgins"?

The Dodos (say Jodi) Big epic, serious songs. Very enjoyable.

Brooklyn Go Hard! Jay Z plus Santogold - a tough cut indeed.

Russian Futurist "Let's get ready to crumble" a perfect pop confection a la lightening seeds but wont even rise to one hit wonder status.

Reckless Kelly - Actually not a great album but a couple of good songs like "bulletproof" but Hayes Carll definitely the superior country album.

Birdmonster / Deerhunter - blogsphere favorites. Solid songs.

The Kooks - Best cover band ever? YES (see Coldplay cover)! Write catchy songs? yes. Great band/songs. Not quite.

Coldplay - "The new U2"? Well at least until the real U2 comes back. But to cement the status they hired U2's favorite producer (Brian Eno). This is actually fine, it just doesn't match the surprises of Clocks or sublimeness of A Rush of Blood to the Head. They have talent but there are too big now for us to ever really see anymore than glimpses of it (see U2). They have an amazing talent for timing. Remember when Rush came out a year after 9/11? There is a great line in Violet hill : "Was a long and dark December, when the banks became cathedrals." Prophetic or just eerie.

Daniel Lanois - Brian Eno's partner. Has a long stream of quality productions ignored by the mainstream. Too mellow, too few hooks.

Ben Folds - an album that at first brush seems like a disaster. But the more I listen, the more I like. The melodies are incredibly catchy. We spent a night on youtube listening to a cappella versions of "you don't know me." "Bitch went nuts" is funniest anti-PC song ever.

Gutter Twins - Greg Dulli (afghan whigs, twilight singers) and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Sone Age) seems like a great idea but never really clicked with me. Actually, I think Mark Lanegan with Isobel Campbell is superior. However, thier version of "down the line" is not as good as the Twilight Singers' version, but still amazing.

"Party and Bullshit" Notorious BIG - I'm an old school rap fan even though this is really 90's (2nd gen?). The secret here is remix/production work by Ratatat who had a solo album. Why aren't these guys the biggest producers in the world? That's all I got to say.

The Do - weird stuff from France. Good nevertheless.

The Gaslight Anthem - the first band (or label) to try jump on Hold Steady band wagon. Basically, the Hold Steady if they listened to Buffalo Tom rather than Afghan Whigs (that's a compliment to both of them). Still, some good stuff.

Album of the year:

The Hold Steady "Stay Positive"

I can't say enough about this band. With each album, the music is simpler and more accessible. So initially, I liked it but it was my least favorite HS album. The more I listened, it really grew on me. I've described this band as a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Afghan Whigs that fans of both will like and I stand by that statement. This is the most pure rock and roll band out there. They put on the most high energy show and if you see one band, this it (I can't stress this enough). This is more like going to a big show back in the 80's. It's okay (no encouraged) to not just sing along but dance. I don't mean pogo style, but a joyous jig. By the end, you will be exhausted.

The title is "stay positive" and the point is the only time you say that is when things aren't going right. A the same time, it's about getting successful and famous, in indy terms at least. Well known enough that the occasional stranger comes up to you and there are a couple hundred people out there who really like you or hate you but 99% of the population doesn't have a clue who you are. Nothing is weirder or more flattering than when a stranger starts asking your opinion because they know who you are, but it doesn't happen often enough to feel normal. Success and stress go hand in hand. Craig hasn't stopped thinking about faith and love either. The songs are a little more streamlined as to be more accessible but neither the music nor the lyrics are compromised.

A must see live band. http://holdsteady.blogspot.com/ has an extensive collection of bootlegs (dare I say complete). Chicago, Beta Bar and NPR World Cafe are recommended.

Album of the year (1b)

Brighter than Creations Dark - Drive-by Truckers

This is a band that I never really fell in love with, despite many recommendations. Too southern rock, not country enough, not enough hooks. Then I heard some bootlegs of songs from the new album and was drawn in instantly. Seeing them live just made me seek out the old stuff which I of course loved. Musically, these are not the most interesting songs. But there is a vibe and energy that attracted me. However, the lyrics speak to me more than any band since Everclear. They are addressing a lot of the same issues as the Hold Steady and Everclear (family, the world, religion, struggle, doubt, everyday life and the interesection of each), but in a way that is more age appropriate for me and closer philospohically/culturally. I would call it "post-Southern" but "post-Christian" or "post-Liberal" would work as well. There is not a bad song on the new album. Old stuff: How can you not love "too much sex, not enough Jesus" from Pizza Deliverance. The new album remains a masterpiece, but I am fully converted to the Truckers. Any other year, it would have trashed the competition. They also score points as a backing band, last year with Bettye Lavette, this year for Booker T. Not too shabby.

(Check out Internet Achive for DBT, Hayes Carll and others live shows).

Other Favorite Albums:

(3) Death cab for Cutie "Narrow Stairs" - I always put these guys in the "what the kids are listening to" category (not a compliment). The minute I heard "I will possess your heart" with its huge base line, catchy but stalker-ish refrain, it struck me as a little weird but very catchy - just my speed. Then I heard the 8 minute version rather than the radio edit. Nirvana. Every song on the album matched that.

(4) TV on the Radio "Dear Science" - This is actually an album in the sense that it works better as a whole than an individual songs. The first album didn't do anything for me, but this one is both an 80's revival and progressive at the same time.

(5) Robert Plant/Alison Krauss "Raising Sand" - This is actually more a T-bone Burnett album than the either of the two singers. It's old blues songs but updated to a future sounding, but mystical and country as well. Not a bad song on it. Three sentences won't do justice to it. For once, Grammys got it right (or as best as they can do).

The list:

"Brand New Start" Little Joy - strokes side project, I would call Brazilian Lounge

"Let your loss be your lesson" Robert Plant/Alison Krauss

"Tuolumne" Eddie Vedder from Into the Wild - Read the book, listen to the album, both are much better than the movie (which is okay but a let down compared to the book).

"Skinny Love" Bon Iver (aka good winter) - Great song. Cover of "your love" amazing too.

"I will possess your heart" DCFC - those with audio version only get the shorter radio-edit version.

"Lovecraft in Brooklyn" Mountain Goats - like Bob Dylan goes electric. All songs are solid as always, but electric guitar gives it more edginess.

"It's over" The Cure - I can hear you all snickering out there but all I ask from the oldies is that they make an effort. If I have to wait ten years a la Peter Gabriel to get it right, that's okay just don't churn out crap expect me to like it. And the Cure are true professionals with a solid set here, with songs written in the 80's, 90's and 00's. Don't hate them because its not as good as "Disintegration." I like this song because it sounds like late 80's Rush (but not Geddy Lee).

"Breaking it Up" Lykke li - Remember the Swedish craze in indy music? (I understand if you don't). This is sorta post-Swedish buzz. I put int he same category as Santogold and all. But whenever this song came on the mp3 player, I had to listen.

"I got mine" Black Keys hired a new producer and tried to sound like alternative rockers but they are still a blues band at heart (and sometimes push into jam band territory). This is their best roadhouse number.

"Gamma Ray" Beck - Danger Mouse may have missed with new Gnarls Barkley album but they hit it on this one. This should like T-Bone Burnett produced Beck - a sorta of near future sound. But catchy (like the whole album).

"The Freestyle" Wale - Wha-lea. In a light year for rap, anyone who can ryhme "oksana baiul" intelligently is impressive. Interesting background music, from Menahan Street Band to Santogold to Seinfeld. A true talent.

"Superstar" Lupe Fiasco - called a rapper but really a skate-kid. Every song sounds different, from rap to alternative styles. Something that grabbed me right away.

"Foundation" Kate Nash - I find Ms. Nash hard to describe. She is intelligent and funny, but honest and direct at the same time. I guess "genuine" and "talented" will do. But she sounds like someone I would date.

"Leeds United" Amanda Palmer - Another great album, but took me a while to warm up to as the drums are weaker than the Dresden Dolls. Tough to choose one song. "Who needs love when there's law and order?" I like this one for the horns.

"You, me and the Bourgeoise" the Submarines - My favorite ipod commercial song of the year. The Submarines truly distress me. They are such a strong band. Sometimes he sings, sometimes she sings. Sometimes its singer-songwriter, sometimes it techno, sometimes straight ahead rock and roll. And because they don't have a consistent sounds, none picks them up. So in five years we'll look back and say who were they? And that's a shame, given the talent.

"Here's to the Halcyon" The Old 97's - Liz's choice but still damn good album. It's been 7 years since there last all new release but this is a return to form.

"The Righteous Path" Drive by Truckers

"I've been everywhere" Hayes Carll - Best country album of the year. Opened for the old 97's last year and DBT this year (everything is connected).

"GfC" Albert Hammond - Another Strokes side project. Heard on the radio one night (wers.org) and liked it immediately. Good rock song.

"Halfway Home" TV on the Radio

"Stay Positive" The Hold Steady - good advice and amen.

"Project Rant" Pat Duff is the only movie star I know really!!!. Check out The Project. What the hell is a McGuiness?

Omission: Don't know how I forgot this. A must watch movie for music fans is "Once." Street busking and duets in Dublin are amazingly heart felt and beautiful. One part musical one part opera one part U2 fantastic. The duo now records under the name "Swell Season." I just caught them playing on Austin City Limits and was blown away. It reminded me of my glaring omission. Backed up a local children's choir (is that Patterson Hood on slide guitar?), it took me a while to place the music but drew my attention away from my reading immediately. They even bring up Daniel Johnson (subject of another music lover DVD documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnson) for a song. Absolutely wonderful.

One more thing: We did music, we did movie music, how about music books. Check out Appetite for Self Destruction. An interesting book on what happened to the music industry in the last ten years. My points; (1) Steve Jobs is a genius and I'm a PC guy (2) What's the big deal? There was a technology shift that disrupted a profitable business. This has happened to every other business in the IT era - auto, financials, newspapers. Change is inevitable (3) The medium is not the message (4) This could be a good thing. I could go on but we can discuss off-line if you care to.

One final extra: A few selections from extended CD (click through to download zip file)

Best of Preview

http://twangville.com/1124/best-albums-of-2008-official-twangville-picks/

I am hard at work on Best of 2008 but I really can't argue with this list.