Best of 2010 more rejects

Happy New Year. Its getting hard to make cuts but here's the latest. Its a little more eclectic, but i think that reflects the quality and difficulty of making cuts. Press play.



Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

First group of Rejection Best of 2010

Just press play. I think I fixed the volume. First set of rejections of Best of 2010. While I think this a great set of songs, they had to go. "Santa fe" is a great song and a great place. two "new" Smiths instrumentals but too old (1980's). New Twilight Singers but too new (2011). I actually think its a decent play list. Enjoy. Still taking suggestions for 2010.


Create a MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

Old 97's at Bowery Ballroom, New York, 12/9/10

On Thursday, I finally realized a dream. I always check to see what shows are in town when I travel on business (time permitting). Well it finally paid off as I was able to see the Old 97's in New York. This all started when Liz's friend Nicole invited her down to see one of the shows. Liz was too "busy" but when I realized the date intersected with my travels (San Diego, Houston, Miami, NYC plus layovers in Atlanta and Albuquerque), I jumped on the opportunity. Despite being "sold out" I was able to get tickets off ticketmaster and, despite logistical confusion, me and Nicole headed off to the show.

We showed up a little after 9:30. The place was full but not crowded. Being from Boston where the main act starts at 10, I kept thinking we were late only to be reminded its new york so everything starts later. Fair enough. It was quiet upstairs so we got a beer and strolled upstairs to find a spot for the show. Amazingly (and unfortunately), Hayes Carll was finishing the last few songs of his set. He seems to be in good form and the crowd was enjoying it, but we had missed most of it. Moral of the story: new york isn't as late as it seems. We made our ways up to the balcony and ultimately staked out a good spot.

We ended up to the two guys I will refer to as the Old 97's version of Jay and Silent Bob. Really nice guys they had driven four hours from upstate New York for the show. Jay from Texas but had fallen for the Old 97's in college in Florida. He warned us he would sing along to all songs and "dance" to all songs (he delivered) as well as filling us in on Old 97's trivia. His wife has seen the show the previous night but was watching the kids tonight (how cool is that). His bearded friend danced (the Silent Bob double thumbs up dance), disappeared and spent the encores asleep on a couch. The best part was the disposable camera they had that no one could determine if you could get film developed still. Nice guys.

Every Old 97's show I've been to (actually two old 97s shows but four or five Rhett Miller) is like a sixth grade dance. Everyone is there, but sort of slow to start. By the end, everyone is dancing and having a good time and doesn't want it to end. Now maybe this is a New York/Boston phenomenon although Rhett denied that "New York was too cool for school." The thing that I really love is that I'm one of the younger people at the show. I'm hanging out with my peers. After the show, I talked to the two Moms (one with two, one with three) and the merch guy and his fiance who had gotten engaged that day. Also no a-holes, just people who are having a good time but not "too far gone to care" to pay attention to anyone else (notice the old 97's reference). Alas Dori, having fans from Texas means there are going be some tall ones, but still good people. We even spotted Kenneth from 30 Rock in the bar afterward.

The last time we saw the Old 97's, I was amazed how much Ken Bethea's guitar playing added. They guy can play and saw that again on the new songs (the show was a little heavy on songs from the last two albums, including the new one). The rumor afterward was Rhett was losing his voice and while he talked less than usual (mixed feelings on that one), he belted out his songs and did his incredible (so I'm told) double jointed hip/butt wiggling.

But the real revelation was Murry. He sang lead on more songs than I remembered (even though he fumbled the lyrics to "color of a lonely heart" explaining he's been feeling too happy lately). But they turned up the bass and it really provided the foundation for the band and showed he was the heart of the band, or its at least its soul. Nicole thought it was very "punk", which is pretty accurate although I would say "honky tonk" is equally important. By the time we made it to Barrier Reef/timebomb, the whole crowd was feeling it. For encores, Rhett did a couple solo numbers and was then joined by the band for a cover of Driver 8 and a few more of their songs. Everyone could have stayed for another hour or two but no one left feeling cheated.

Despite the longest coast check line of all time, we got out pretty fast into the frigid New York air and "home" to the weirdest hotel I ever stayed in. It was worth the five hours of sleep I got.

A few videos from the previous night (Same place/band / different day)



This is basically the angle we saw the show from:



Murry:



for John Lennon



New York Times take

Annual Plea

As we zoom in to 2010's home stretch, I am hard at work already on the "Best of." (aside: I enjoy immensely the fast that people just refer to it as "best of" without putting anything in front of the "of"). My first goal is to get it out before the customary March release. Secondly, there were several misses on my part the border on inexcusable. So get me your play lists, suggestions, nagging...whatever it takes.

Annie Jr.

Haven't had a chance to post any photos from Maddy's performance as Pepper in Annie Jr. but here is the post from Creative Arts, including a slide show.

http://creativeartsforall.blogspot.com/2010/08/scenes-from-summer-musical-annie.html

Blog worthy "wort get acquired by the ZON" plus monkey rapping

Another Traveling Theatre Performance

Last week they performed for the Red Hat ladies at the Reading Senior Center. Maddy is in the very last picture.

http://creativeartsforall.blogspot.com/2010/06/reading-red-hat-ladies.html

One more performance in a couple of weeks at the Creative Arts Spring Arts Night.

Josie performed in her first piano recital last week. She just started taking lessons in March and was excited for a chance to show her stuff. Her teacher even pointed out to the audience that she was a beginner. He seemed really surprised/excited that she wanted to participate. She did great and wasn't nervous at all. Sorry no photos. Camera died.

Traveling Theatre Performance @ RPL

The Traveling Theatre has been doing a lot of performances these days. Here's Creative Arts' blog posting about a recent performance, along with some great photos.

http://creativeartsforall.blogspot.com/2010/05/traveling-theatre-troupe-perfoms.html

Small Bathroom Project

Yes, both the bathroom and the project were small. We decided that I was sick of plunging out 'cloggers' as a friend of ours calls them. Time to replace the first generation low flow toilets with the new and improved ones. One for upstairs, one for downstairs.

So, on recommendation of about a million people, we went with Toto toilets. Downstairs we went green with the dual flush model; you can choose between the .9 gallons per flush or the more standard 1.6 gallons per flush. You figure out which you want to use when...

While we were at it, we decided to replace the hulking vanity in the downstairs bathroom. It was water damaged at the bottom from years of toilet overflow (see 'cloggers' discussion above). And we saw a really space saving design at our friends' Mike & Lisa's house, so we got the name of it and bought ourselves one.

Everything was installed yesterday. It was so cute when people asked us if we were going to do it ourselves.

Here are the before and afters...




See what was hidden behind the old vanity! Such a cool discovery. Of course, there is a slight reaching problem for the children, so we will be coming up with a different option for them. You can't really tell from the pictures, but it is so much roomier now! We are really happy with how everything turned out.

We decided against gutting the whole bathroom. 50s retro pink & black tile are coming back, baby! www.savethepinkbathrooms.com

What I've been listening to (part 1 2010)

Let's start with a book:

Steve Almond's "rock and roll will save your life"

(cool web site as well)

We discovered Steve when me and Liz listened to the classic Candyfreak (aka the chocolate underbelly of America) on a trip to Vertmont. As much as we enjoyed it, I had no idea how much we had in common. For instance, his daughter is Josie and she calls him Papa.

This book profile his life as a "drooling fanatic." What is a DF? We are people who love music. We always have music on in the background. We always are looking for the next thing as well as trying to sell our freinds/colleagues/complete strangers. Our back catalog triggers memories more powerful than a Proust madeleine. Steve does a much better job (and much funnier) than I can do justice. But I am pretty sure if I ever run into Steve (he lives in Somerville and we have all the same haunts ie the late Disk Diggers), we'll have plenty to talk about. I'll be able to set him straight on some muscial choices. But as proof of my own DF-ness (pronounced deft-ness?), it sent me scrambling to the internet to check out his recommendations. And he does agree with me on the ability of Dave Grohl over Kurt Cobain.

Misses from 2009

Avett Brothers - I and Love and You - I thought I would love this one and it has delivered as promised. Basically a punk version of alt-country bluegrass (or maybe the other way around)

XX - XX - Biggest screw up of last year. I listened back in the fall but didnt grab me. I understand why: it is minimalist and understated or maybe just "chill." But repeated listens, its catchy hooks (but did I mention understated) worms into your subconcoious. Someone described it as eavesdroping to a couple arguing in the room next door, but that doesnt really get the sexual tension (maybe its eavesdropping on either hook up, make up or break up sex). But clearly a big miss on my part.

Metric - Fantasies - A more radio friendly mix up of electronica and rock and roll and blues. Love gimme sympathy ("beatles or rolling stones")

2010

The Hold Steady - Heaven is whenever - The greatest rock and roll band since, well its been a long time. My first take was this was Rick Springfield to previous Bruce Springsteen outings. It is definatly more 80's sounding than the 70's sound of the previous outing. The exit of keyboardest Franz Nicolay has pushing them to the back and the layered sound of horns and non-rock and roll instruments pushed back which is fitting now they are a foursome. They are still there just more subtle. After several listens, I think it makes sense as an evolution and songs like "Hurricane J" and "Soft in the center" speak to me as much as anything else they have put out. Can't wait to see them live again (is is just me or is the cover art just a little too similar to RRWSYL's cover if if less literal?).

Spoon - Transference - One of the top bands in America today, they deliver another great one with this one. I beleive I jinxed them if this was to be their U2 moment to explode on the mainstream. But the album is fantastic beginning to end. One of those albums tough to pick a favorite song or even a couple.

Beck's Record Club - Kick - A cover album of INXS with ST. Vincent and others? Just as the Hold Steady is engineered to be irresistable to someone like me (with muscial experience of classic rock and pop of the 70's to 80's hard/arena rock to 90's alternative - an interesting question I will have to return to), this "album" is punching so many of my musical buttons from so many era's, i cant stop myself.

Johnny Cash - American IV - It's Johnny f-ing cash! no need to say more. Also recommend the graphic novel I see a Darkness. It goes a little easy on him but captures the history.

Drive By Truckers - the Big To-Do - Another band that can write a song that instantly grabs me. That they have four different writers/singers that can do that it is amazing. But I guess deep down inside, there's a southern rock in my DNA.

Ciao My Shining Star - A cover album of Mark Mulcahy songs, the main man in Miracle Legion and Polaris. I would recommend the originals (see links) but this album is like a reunion of 1992.

Holy Fuck - Latin America - Now thats what I call techno.

Laura Viers - July Flame - originally a Neko Case knock off, but find myself checking the touch everytime she come on. She's like an alt-country Sundays.

Serge Gainsburg - Monsieur Gainsburg - Even though he's French and the Dandy Warhols based their carreer on his stuff (my opinion), or maybe because of those two facts, this is amazing stuff from the 60/70's featuring Bridgette Bardot. Think an avant-gard Roxy music with too many cigarettes. But still good.

Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tatoo - I dont know why but I love everything these guys put out.


Undecided (as I can download music faster than I can listen and more importantly digest):

Peter Gabriel - Scratch my back - Widely panned but enjoying the pureness of his voice out in front

Slash - Slash - classic guitar

Yeasayer - first single really grabbed me but not fully digested

Mos Dub - caught him on Austin City Limits - it was his sophistication that caught me off gaurd.

Kate Nash - seems good but might be too cute second time around

Ike Reilly - from RRWSYL and free at amazon.

Dawes - alt-country

Here Lies Love - David Byrne and Fatboy Slim - what a collection, each track featuring a different female singer. With 20+ songs, a bit to sort through but I like it.

Clem Snide - Meat of Life - re-united after breaking up post album which I think was two years ago, more of the same, and that good.

Broken Bells - Danger Mouse lastest this time with the Shin's dude.

Coming Soon

Wolf Parade - Tim turned me on to these guys and new album coming out

Sharon Jones - ordered the new one but not received yet

SXSW - I downloaded a ton of music from bands associated with this but am working my way through

Black Francis - NonStopErotik - If I need to explain this to you, and you are over 30 or under 50, please go elsewhere.

B.o.B. - I dont mean the single here

7 world collides - a double album charity from Finn and Friends - a lot to work through

Great Charity facts/hints from mint.com

Genius...Granite State of Mind

SuperSecretProject — March 31, 2010 — Yeah. Yeah, Imma up at Conway
Now I'm down in Manchester
Next to Adam Sandler
But I'll be woods forever
I'm the new Salinger
Cuz I could live anywhere
But I choose to live here
The middle of nowhere
I used to shop in Salem
Next to Rockingham Park
Right there up on 28
Youll find Canobie Lake Park
Bring me up to Portsmouth
the saloon at State Street
Catch me up at Gilleys after closing for some late eats
Its not the kangamangus
The Kancamagus
Its a scenic byway
That I like to drive in August
Now Im down at Bedford
Home of Seth Meyers, yeah
Also Sarah Silverman
were funny motherfuckas here
We like to say whatsup guy, its the way we say hi
In February it is good to know a plow guy
It is shaped like a key, also where I like to ski
Tell by my belt buckle that I most definitely from...




NEW HAMPSHIRE
LAND WHERE THERES NO INCOME OR SALES TAX
THERE S NOTHING MUCH TO DO
HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
THESE TREES WHERE LEAF PEEPERS DRIVE TO
MAPLE SYRUP IS PRO-DUCED
THIS IS NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE

Catch me up at Loudin, at the Speedway for the race yo
I made the flannel shirt more famous than a scarecrow
Dont drink and drive here, listen to what I say
even though we put our liquor stores right on the highway
You can drive Mount Washington
hike up Mount Monadnock
in 1787 we invented the alarm clock
Concord Coach, Dartmouth Coach, DowneasterAmtrak
On Squam Lake, Henry Fonda taught yall how to act
Derrys Alan Shepard, first guy in a spaceship
Its a pity Christa McCaulliffe didnt make it
Didja hear about the ice storm in December of 08
I went without power for eleven straight days!
You can buy a handgun
You can buy some fireworks
Sandwich Fair, Rest in peace Daniel Webster
Americas Stonehenge, long live the dairy trade
Long live the old man
I'm from the Granite State thats

NEW HAMPSHIRE
PLACE WHERE STONYFIELD YOGURT IS MADE IN
AND COW TIPPINGS SO COOL
HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
DSL SERVICE IS BRAND NEW
YOU MIGHT EVEN SEE A MOOSE
HERE IN NE W HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE




Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep

Thats some Robert Frost, hes our most famous poet
It was actually written up in Vermont but its associated with
The 603, where its a fact I
Dont know any Hispanics and just one black guy
You can go to Bike Week thats up in Laconia
In the winter months hit the notch in Franconia, home of
B-O-D-E our Olympic Ski Champion
He faced high pressure like my man Al Kaprielian

NEW HAMPSHIRE
IF YOU DONT WANT TO WEAR A HELMET
THERES NOTHIN THEY CAN DO
HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
MARKEYS VERSE BROWNS ON THE SEAFOOD
TELL ME WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE
WHEN YOURE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIRE

NINTH STATE RATIFIED OUT OF ALL FIFTY
IT CAN GET COLD
BUT STILL THE AUTUMNS VERY PRETTY
WHEN THIS SONG MAKES ME RICH,
I'M A MOVE TO RYE
EVERYBODY PUMP YOUR FISTS AND YELL
LIVE FREE OR DIE! LIVE FREE OR DIE!

IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
STATE WHERE TRIPLE H THE WRESTLER HAILS FROM
THAT GUY WOULD DESTROY YOU
IF YOU KNOCK NEW HAMPSHIRE
ITS JUST LIKE OLD HAMPSHIRE BUT NEW
WERE OUT OF JOKES TO DO
ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE

twitter feed

for those who are not on twitter, you can rss these feeds as we're posting here on the fly more often:

http://twitter.com/afeltus

http://twitter.com/lfeltus

should I tweet this post?

Squirrel alert!

for: bram / rbs



to purchase

for those not on twitter:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/reading/features/x593976377/The-plays-their-thing

Maddy Feltus, a 9-year-old Killam student playing the Goose said she had done a lot of acting before and had no shyness about being on stage.

“I just feel comfortable,” she said. She liked playing the Goose, “because she talks a lot and I talk a lot. Sometimes I just go on and on,” she said.

That sentiment was echoed by Tim Sanford,

The play's their thing - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate

The play's their thing - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate

Posted using ShareThis

Maddy does the news

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/killamnewslive


password koala

Best of 2009

2010 The year that was

Yeasayer said (tongue in cheek) that they want to make music to "make you feel inadequate, like you're not cool enough to be listening to [this] music." That's the goal of

Best of, as well. Unfortunately, once you have listened, digested and internalized, the coolness becomes part of you. Sorta of a musical communion. Well that's the goal. The reality is this is what the inside of my head sounds like, ex-bonds, my girls (much louder), cars (even louder if done correctly) and all the stuff of day to day life. The words here are just a bonus. Trends and thoughts:

(1) Quantity: I've said this in the past and I'll say it again: there is more music out there than ever. Part of that is the ease that technology has spawned. Go to your favorite blog, right click and whammy new music!!! I've exposed to more songs than I can listen to. I think Tim Duff hooked my up with about 30 songs one day in November that I have listened to only a few times - not enough. Fcuk buttons, School of Seven Bells, Lupe Fiasco mix tape - these don't even get mentions but come highly recommended, but there is so much out there if you have time to look and listen.

(2) Bootlegs: This discovery clearly contributed to the above problem in number one, but there are numerous blogs where you can download bootlegs. Not quite the live experience, but variations of all you favorites. It's a chunk of hard drive but I love it. Check out http://www.archive.org/: 35 shows by Spoon, 388 by DBT or 338 by Smashing Pumpkins. Strange remixes, obscure covers, all of various quality (and these are 100% authorized and legal. - other sites have a more questionable legal). Or go narrow: http://joydivision-neworder.blogspot.com/. Or by local: nyctaper.com (guess here) or http://dclivetracks.wordpress.com/ featuring the 9:30 club (you know what I'm talking about). A great way to discover music.

(3) Paying for Music: I've already paid a fair amount for music although I have long spent the bulk of money either at concerts or used (half.com), but this year I joined the download revolution and not just the free stuff. Amazon.com got this rolling. $5 for an album = hard to go round. $7 for new release = can't be beat. Then came emusic.com which while lacking the choices of the majors (call it 75%) wins on price (basically .50 a song on subscription model). Wait until spotify.com arrives: unlimited, every song of music on demand for $150 a year, via computer, ipod or mobile. In a year, I spend somewhere between 5 and 10 times that much so it's a no-brainer. Europe has it, it'll be here soon.

Hard Cuts (In ascending order of angst)
U2 - not a really a tough cut. Trying to split the difference between the last two albums and doing neither well. Can't figure out of they are trying to artistically stretch or just self-indulgent.

Rhett Miller - Liz will kill me but this just doesn't measure up to previous stuff. Okay "happy birthday don't die" goes into Joy Division territory and "another girlfriend" is witty but not as musically interesting as previous outings or Old 97's. Bring back Jon Brion! Please!

Those Darlins - This album grows on me with each listen. There is more going on than appears, but the songs don't grab me as strongly as some of the others. Check out the animation

Datarock - I love the red jumpsuits and great party music but I don't know if its really that original, at least musically, but fun.
Eels - another one of those albums that I feel I should spend more time with. I like it but nothing over the top that has to be on the list.

Eliot Brood/Dan Mangan - check out preview. I love these songs as obscure live Canadian alt country that's not really country, but not really 2009 and that's enough to push them down the list. The video here doesn't make the song make any more sense but it sure makes me laugh.

Monsters of Folk - a great idea, a finely executed and enjoyable album but as with all super-groups, balances is essential and the album is so well-balanced nothing stands up. In any other year, would have made the list easy. Still growing on me.

Morrissey - Album was actually good if not new ground. Overshadowed by fantastic live show on the BBC (above) - have not heard Swords yet but assume more solid live performances.

Garage Rock - Plenty to go around Band of Skulls, Dead Weather (Kills plus White Stripes on drums). I think the best I found (actually Liz found) was the Kills. This is more bluesy than rock, but it just doesn't sound as fresh as it did ten years ago even if still enjoyable. Maybe Jack White needs to start playing the guitar again.

Miss Li - Bourgeois Shangri-la - designated Apple one hit wonder of the year. But Cage is a better song in the one-hit wonder category.

There are maybe ten or twelve - AC Newman (of the New Pornographers) needs a little more polish (we are now down to the part of the list that is actually painful to make these choices).

The Decemberist - Hazards of Love - I love this album but its a concept album that needs to be listened to in its entirety so I can't pick one song

Wale - Finally the album came out and we were all disappointed, despite working with TV on the Radio (check out TV in the radio with K'naan). but his mixtape "back to the feature" was better (check out "letter" with Mark Ronson and John Mayer on preview), both musically and lyrically. Who gives away their best stuff, and then charges for the throw aways?



Fireflies - Owl City - Love this song including bubble pops. But Postal Service did it way back when and Death Cab had better songs this year. Cool "animation."

DC Comics and Milkshakes - Art Brut - actually more of a lifestyle than a song.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp - really a 2010 song



Andrew Bird - Fitz & Dizzyspeels - Something about this weird song makes me happy. And the lyric twists are either bizarre or awesome or both.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Shampoo -Second best band name of the year (first being the Ska Skank Redemption) what a great hook, great tempo but I think in the genre, there are better versions.


The Cribs - Johnny Marr has had a helluva run lately (hell this plus modest mouse ep is a helluva a year). He performs the same role here that he performed with Modest Mouse: smooth out some edges, add layers to the sound, adding just enough to take the band to the next level. Now that level is not the same as MM, but still this is straight rock and roll and a pleasure.



Death Cab for Cutie - Meet me at the Equinox - the heir to Geddy Lee, but partially represented.

The Final Cut
Street Sweeper Social Club - 100 Little Curses - It's not Rage but maintains the intensity, the politics and unique guitar. It's not as nuanced as Rage but still recommended. A good time to remark on shows of the last year. Summer line up of Street Sweeper, NIN farewell and Jane's Addiction is tough to beat. Drive by truckers and Hold steady is right there too. For drunken fun, Lucero is tough to beat. Another highlight was Bruce Springsteen. I think this was the fifth time I've seen him live. The first time was one of the best concerts I ever saw but each show declined since then (although he always gave it three or so hours). This show restored my faith. Much more musical, less hits, great playing, intensity, on-stage marriage proposals, Dropkick Murphys and Ramones songs:

Have but have not listened enough to judge:
Avett Brothers - I and Love and You - Yes shame shame. A lot of blogs picked as best of the year. Listened to it on a plane. Seems pretty good, definitely unique sound. Weirdest video of the year (music starts at 1:35)

Felice Brothers - Yonder is the Clock - Apparently, I have issues with brothers - more of a musicians favorite
George Strait - Twang - It's gd George Strait
Todd Snider - The Excitement Plan - another blog favorite
Bob Dylan - Together through life - have not even listened yet but looking forward to it. Bob get better with age. Last two album were complete gems.
Fanfarlo - feel once I see them live, I will fall in love
Dinosaur Jr - no excuse
Morphine - at your service - given the guy dies 10+ years ago, I suppose it doesn't count as 2009 but still a unique gem after all this time.


Julian Plenti aka Interpol side project - new album of Interpol next year
AA Bondy - another well reviewed but will have to investigate more.
Scott Biram - pulled from others best of 2009


Looking forward to next year:
Spoon - the best band in the world today. Their songwriting has been inching towards the main stream with each album yet remaining weird and wonderful. Will 2010 be their U2 moment?
Teenage Fan Club
Reckless Kelly
Strokes
Arcade Fire (this band is growing on me)
Gorillaz
Peter Gabriel (covers album with orchestra arrangements produced by Bob Ezrin)could be the most glorious diaster of the year, but Pete usually pulls shit off
Drive by Truckers
David Byrne and Fatboy Slim (featuring female singer line up doing concept album on Imelda Marcos)
Yeasayer
Magnetic Fields - promised to be pop songs
Hold Steady - big question although they are working on Chuck Klosterman movie

The Best of 2009

Blackroc - This is Black Keys with various rappers. If you remember, their last album evolved to what we might call alternative country blues. They took it to the next step as a rap album. The incredible thing is unlike most things that sound good in theory, they pull it off. Album hasn't been out a month but probably a top ten.

Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses- hey hey - Definite top ten album, no bad songs. Its country with an edge. Love this song, fires me up, makes me feel like square dancing and having a beer.

Cage the Elephant - ain't no rest for the wicked - designated one hit wonder of the year. Great attitude.

Them crooked vultures - Led Zepplin plus Nirvana's drummer plus Queens of the Stone Age but mainly Led Zep, a hard rock album with alternative drum riffs. A throw back. Could have been any one of half dozen songs.

Ida Maria - How do I describe Ida? Think Bjork (Ida is Norwegian) backed by the Strokes and the weirdness dial turned down to about an 8, plus the Sundays for intensity and melody. She can write a great pop song ("I like you so much better when you're naked" see preview), alternative songs or a classic rock ("everybody's always alone"). An amazing talent. A top ten album and rising star, I hope. I got some criticism of the song and it might have been a weak choice on my part but I liked the contrast to "laughing with." Plus live version kicks ass. And she chews tobacco. Would Iggy Pop make it better?

Moondoogies - alt country via Kentucky. Love these guys melodies but they still rock

Delta Spirit - Top five album. Both bluesy and alternative. Yet feels natural and real, yet slightly off. Love it. Could have been trashcan or any other song. Hopefully, we can look forward to a long career with these guys.

Neko Case - What can I say? That voice, that red hair, that car. But really that voice just blows me away. This is isn't new ground from "Fox Confessor" but still a great album with no weak links. Usually not a red head guy but I'm in love. If she ever comes knockin'... needless to say, top ten.












Grizzley Bear - This is one of the bands I'll call the new harmonies. Think beach boys plus prog rock on an alt-country base. But the music is usually pretty constructed and complex. It started with My Morning Jacket but was everywhere this year, think Fleet Foxes or Elvis Perkins in Deerland. But I think these guys put together the strongest album and the most complex melodies. Cheerleader didn't really do it for me, but "two weeks" got me and this one got me hook line and sinker. Top ten album.

One Fast Move - Jar Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard. Jay Farrar is the leader of Son Volt who dropped American Central Dust, a return to form for them. Problem is I can't choose one song because they are all good. Top Ten Album. Ben Gibbard is the leader of Deathcab for Cutie who put out that insanely catchy song on twilight soundtrack as well as a great ep which sounds very different from their usual stuff. Another couple of songs and it could have been album of the year (I got over hating myself for liking them a few years ago but it took a lot of work). One fast move is a collaboration between the two and allows me to kill two birds with one stone.

Laughing With - Regina Spektor - Regina was the next hot thing a few years ago, but I never really bought it. But this song really grabbed me. I love the tone and the hook and the piano. The rest of the album I can take it or leave it but sometimes all you need is one great song.

El Paso - Jason Anderson - I think I found this guy at the alt country site but its not alt country. More like Bruce Sprinsteen updated for the post modern 2000's. He a local Boston guy. I love the simple but multi-layered sound. But I really love the exuberance that he sings with.

What are you willing to lose - Lucero - Major label premiere from the boys from Little Rock. They advance their song by adding a horn section, but it is still their sound. A top ten album and still a great (albeit drunken) time.

Rabbit Heart - Florence and the Machine. Sorry Bats for Lashes but this album is just a notch higher. Credit Flo's Kate Bush-esque vocals with sufficient alternative rock. But they had me at the Kate Bush thing. Good song too.

Lisztomania - Phoenix -Album of the Year, not a bad song. Phoenix has been kicking around for a few years, putting out good stuff but never getting the mix between techno, French and pop quite right. But with this album it all came together for a perfect set of songs.

Franz Ferdinand - tough choice to pick one song. If any album was ever to re-mixed, it was "Tonight." And they complied with remix album "Blood." The album (or should I say both albums) is a great alternative album with a dance backtrack. I really wanted to use the 8 minute "Lucid Dreams" which is one of the freakiest headphone tracks since Pink Floyd (go to about 4:30 in the song). Why hasn't the ipod era created better headphone songs?

Nothing to Worry About - Peter Bjorn and John - Usually there a lot of songs I hear and instantly know that I will be playing that song in my head for the rest of the year. This year, not so much. But this song got me the first time I heard it. Folk duo plus drum machine (last album) = overrated. Folk duo plus Kanye album (this one) equals awesome. I dare you to not tap your foot.

I wish I knew Natalie Portman - K-os - Nothing brings you closer to your musical heroes than finding out you have the same obsession, in this case me, K-os and Natalie Portman. I could go on and on about N.P. or V for Vendetta or how the English don't get the superhero comic or comics is just a medium. But simple point is rap is a medium and K-os is one who has pushed it to the unusual spaces in it, but still writes catchy "pop" songs. Wish this guy got more appreciation from, well anyone.

ABC's = K'naan (with Chubb Rock) This guy is really interesting - born in Somalia, came up as local rapper, learned English and moved to America. You'll know him this summer as his song is the official song of the World Cup (whatever that means). The lyrics vary in quality but the right DJ (like here) this stuff really pops. A lot of potential here.

Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z w/Alicia Keys - There have been a lot of comments about this song being the new "New York New York" (that sounds like a stutter but we are referring to Frank here). That might be overstating it a bit, time will tell, but it still is a kick ass track. The album is uneven and I respect Jay-Z for taking chances, even if he ends up on his arse here and there. But this one is gold. My favorite part is the shout out to "60 state street" which is where I have worked for 15 years, although in Boston not NYC.

The Missing Track

As some of you have noticed, there is an extra song that is listed but not on the CD. Here it is. Modest Mouse is suppose to have a real album this year but I love this weird guitar solo in this one. Thanks for making it this far. Here is your reward. follow to link:

Whale

Likewise, make sure you visit the "preview" with live options:

Best of 2009 Preview

Thanks again for your support.

Whale Song

04 The Whale Song.mp3

Funny Neil Gaiman

Best of 2009 Update

List is completed in a record time. Now completing sequencing, liner notes, artwork, production.