Sentiram minha falta? Bem, eu estava viajando fazendo vestibular em outra cidade e acho que nem passo. Jornalismo é concorrido, hein! Enfim… Aqui trago uma bela surpresa para vocês: A Famigerada III Compilação Mágica! Haha, saudades também? O esquema continua o mesmo, doze bandas bem legais para vocês baxarem e diversificarem mais o gosto musical de vocês, que dessa vez foi uma seleção bastante boa que eu fiz, então espero que gostem do folk ~ eletro que proporciono.

Aqui para download a III Compilação Mágica     Download

Playlist:

Odawas – Farewell
Gay Against You – Gay Unicorn
Ice Palace – She Holds Hands
Talkdemonic – March Movement
Cof Cof – Caribbean Boy
Sunset – Telephones
an Horse – Postcards
Fourth of July – Can’t Sleep
Hurray for the Riff Raff – Amelia’s Song
Deerhunter – Heatherwood
I Need Sleep – Poor Boy
Flowers From the Man Who Shot Your Cousin – Lay Down Your Arms

The album art's kinda ugly, though.

The me of 10 years ago would have LOVED this An Horse record. Jangly, girl-fronted, driving indie pop? From Australia?! Sign me up! As it is, I still like this record quite a bit – it reminds me a lot of The Spinanes (another drums and guitar two-piece) if they had used more guitar overdubs to avoid sounding so much like a two piece. Unfortunately, the female vocalist doesn’t have the pipes of Rebecca Gates, but who does?

Here’s a standout: An Horse: “Camp Out” (right-click to download)

An Horse foi uma das coisas que eu conheci pelo Last.fm, aquelas recomendações: “An Horse parece com X, Y e Z, que você já escuta.”. A banda é legal, nada demais. Guitarra e bateria, apenas. Um homem e uma mulher, ambos australianos. E a primeira música do cd Rearrange Beds, Camp Out, é a música de hoje (de ontem também!).

This is a song for the one that i love,
I haven’t met them yet
but I’m quietly confident.

E foi procurando um video deles tocando a música que acabei achando um da Kaki King fazendo um cover da mesma. E eu nunca resisto à Kaki.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ytyudujnymg

It feels as if there might be a little flower poking out of the snow, but whether it will survive is still questionable. - from daytrotter

Whew!

Sorry I have been a bit absent recently. Life seems to be on fast forward at the moment– there definitely aren’t enough hours in the day. Between classes, traveling and writing I haven’t stopped.

I guess I should probably start with Friday night. After a delicious meal at Emiliano’s (paella, sangria, hummus and fried meat plantains.. yum!) I reviewed Silversun Pickups and An Horse at The Venue. So amazing. Check out my review for INsite here.

Saturday I loaded up the car with my best friends and headed to Orlando to visit my family. We went to Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba Saturday night and Halloween Horror Nights on Sunday.

My dad works for Cirque, so I have seen the show quite a lot the last 10 years. Saturday night, however, the show surprised me. The trapeze net got stuck and the final trampoline act was unable to perform. The Diablo girls dropped their diablos. And, one of the passes across the trapeze didn’t stick. I understand nothing is ever perfect, but I have never seen that many errors in one show.

I have attended Halloween Horror Nights almost every year since 1997. This year didn’t disappoint, even though I wasn’t too impressed with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure.

I got back to Gainesville yesterday morning just in time to make it to work. Now, I have dance and a management test tonight.

This weekend we play LSU. Stay tuned for roadtrip hilarity (I’m traveling in an RV with five other people) and I promise to quit being MIA.

Molly, Deanna & I with Wolverine!

Rice Krispie with peanut butter cups!

True story

picture by Navy Blue Stripes

1. Major Label Debut (Fast) by Broken Social Scene

Fave Lines: “Forced to live like it’s a curfew translation: means I love you / And I’m all hooked up, I am all hooked up…”

Listen

2. Back Out On The… by Kevin Drew

Fave Lines: “Everyone can write this song / but they can’t write you and me…”

Listen

3. Postcards by An Horse

Fave Lines: “And it’s not what I want to hear, what I want to see but your skin’s covered in postcards from you to me”, “When you see me sit by myself, you’ll think that I’m waiting for someone else.

But I’m wishing for somewhere else.”

Listen

4. The Secrets In The Telling by Dashboard Confessional

Fave Lines: “We are compelled to do what we have to / we are compelled to do what we have been forbidden”, “’Cause you will be somebody’s girl / and you will keep each other warm / but tonight I am feeling cold.”

Listen

5. Shimmer by Fuel

Fave Lines: “She says that love is for fools who fall behind / I’m somewhere between / never really know my killer from my saviour”, “It’s too far away for me to hold too far away!…”

Listen

6. Naked by The Goo Goo Dolls

Fave Lines: “You’re naked inside your fear / You can’t take back all those years / The shots in the dark from empty guns are never heard by anyone…”

Listen

7. Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

Fave Lines: “I was spinning free whoa… / with a little sweet and simple numbing me… / stumble ‘til you crawl woah… / sinking into sweet uncertainty.”

Listen

8. Fighting For Nothing by Meg & Dia

Fave Lines: “These things take time love / These things take backbone / And they’ll tell you what you want to hear ’cause they think it’s better / But you better know how to point out the liars / You’ve got to weigh your wars make sure you’re not fighting for nothing / Are you fighting for nothing?”, “I’ve got my words. I hope they hurt you / I hope they scar you / I hope they heal you…”

Listen

9. Clouds by The Morning Light

Fave Lines: “I’ve got this pain in my head that I can’t shake / When I remind myself I can’t get to you…”, “I wrote you letters but I forgot to mention that / I’m a wreck / I’m a mess / You’re a stranger / Watch your face fade away now I’m stuck here…”

Listen

10. Hello Hello by Paramore

Fave Lines: “You’ll be sorry to hear / I’m doing fine now / Sorry to hear / You’re without me now!…”

Listen

11. Dakota by Stereophonics

Fave Lines: “You made me feel like the one / made me feel like the one!…”, “I don’t know where we are going now / So take a look at me now!…”

Listen

12. Alright by The Subways

Fave Lines: “So what you say / And what you do is who you are…”, “Make a change and find the reasons why / Another day, another chance and it will be Alright…”, “And I wonder / When we fall / Who do we need? / Who do we call?…”

Listen

13. In A Cave by Tokyo Police Club

Fave Lines: “All my hair grows in / Wrinkles leave my skin / But still don’t fade I’ll be back again when the tide is in someday…”

Listen

14. If You Could Only See by Tonic

Fave Lines: “Sayin you love but you don’t / You give your love but you won’t…”, “Seems the road less travelled / Shows happiness unravelled / And you got to take a little dirt to keep what you love / Thats what you gotta do…”

Listen

15. Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) by Deftones

Fave Lines: “It feels good to know you’re all mine / Now drive me far away…”

Listen

16. Where Do We Go From Here by Filter

Fave Lines: “I’m not so glad I met you / It makes me want to go away…”, “Where do we go from here / You know I’m not the only one…”

Listen

17. Is It Any Wonder by Keane

Fave Lines: “Is it any wonder I’m tired? / Is it any wonder that I feel uptight? / Is it any wonder I don’t know what’s right?…”, “Oh, these days, after all the misery made / Is it any wonder that I feel afraid? / Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?…”

Listen

18. Sway by The Kooks

Fave Lines: “Say whatever you have to say, I’ll stand by you…”, “Be whoever you have to be, I won’t judge you…” , “Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it / And I, and I need your soul because your always soulful / And I and I need your heart, because your’re always in the right places…”

Listen

19. The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin

Fave Lines: “Something’s getting in the way / Something’s just about to break / I will try to find my place / In the diary of Jane so tell me how it should BE!…”

Listen

20. Who You Are Without Me by Kate Voegele

Fave Lines: “I’m not a mirror / Look inside yourself / I’m not a hero / You know too well / I’m not your saviour SAVE YOUR energy / to find out who you are / yeah who you are without me!”

Listen

TEGAN AND SARA

with special guests An Horse

January 6 – The Orpheum

One of the most celebrated and Beloved forces in modern music, Canadian pop-rock icons Tegan and Sara will release their eagerly awaited sixth studio album, entitled SAINTHOOD, on October 27th on Sire/Vapor Records/Warner Music Canada. The first single “Hell” will be available serviced to radio on October 2nd and will be available on iTunes on October 6, 2009.
SAINTHOOD was produced by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla (who also produced 2007’s critically applauded THE CON) and Howard Redekopp (who produced 2004’s groundbreaking effort SO JEALOUS) and mixed by Grammy Award winner Dave Sardy (Oasis, Primal Scream, Marilyn Manson).

The follow-up to 2007’s THE CON, SAINTHOOD addresses secular themes of devotion, delusion, and exemplary behavior in the pursuit of love and relationships. The songs, Tegan and Sara say, were “inspired by emotional longing and the quiet actions we hope may be noticed by the objects of our affection. SAINTHOOD is about obsession with romantic ideals. In the service of relationships we practice being perfect. We practice our SAINTHOOD in the hope that we will be rewarded with adoration. As we are driven to become anything for someone else, we sometimes become martyrs for our cause.

Love, like faith, can never be held in an individual’s hands. But the story of a great love affair – especially one that is unrequited or has ended too soon – can be woven like scripture or a bedtime story. And so the themes of SAINTHOOD are tied together by this simple title, borrowed, with great respect, from the lyrics of the Leonard Cohen song ‘Came So Far For Beauty’: ‘I practiced all my SAINTHOOD / I gave to one and all / But the rumors of my virtue / They moved her not at all.’”

Tegan and Sara began recording SAINTHOOD in May at the legendary Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA, where Tom Petty, Nirvana, and Fleetwood Mac have all recorded. They finished laying down tracks at Seattle’s Two Sticks Audio, owned by Death Cab drummer Jason McGerr.

Tegan and Sara have also recently completed their first ever set of books, titled ON, IN, AT. The three-book set chronicles different time periods in writing and photographs from the past year of Tegan and Sara’s lives: their 2008 US national tour, their 2009 Australian tour, and a joint writing session in New Orleans for the new album. The books will be released in conjunction with the SAINTHOOD pre-sale, with more information coming soon at teganandsara.com.

According to their website, Tegan and Sara’s newest album, Sainthood, is set to go on pre-sale today (album release 10/27).  With the album pre-sale, fans can also purchase three books chronicling the lives of the Indie rock darlings over a good portion of their tour in support of The Con and while they worked on Sainthood.  The books, titled On, In, and At, will also feature writing from openers such as Dallas Green, Northern State and An Horse, and photographs from Lindsey Byrnes and Ryan Russell.

The band premiered six songs from Sainthood last week at the Rifflandia Festival.  It sounds like Sainthood is set to be their best album yet!

Alligator

The Ocean

On Directing

The Cure

Red Belt

Hell

I do believe you can find the youtuber who posted these vids at http://twitter.com/wojo4hitz. Thank her for her awesome videography.

Posted by Garvey

Liam Finn & Eliza Jane, Won’t Change My Mind
Belle and Sebastian, We Are the Sleepyheads
Be Your Own Pet, Hillmont Avenue
The Clean, Loog
The B-52s, Pump
Benett, Just Because I Liked You (in the Summertime)
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions, For the Rest of Your Life
Bettie Serveert, Unsound
Belly, It’s Not Unusual
Madison Park, Another Yesterday
Beat Happening, I’ve Lost You
Bat for Lashes, Seal Jubilee
Polynya, Mobile
Bangs, Call and Response
Bagheera, Admission/Concession
Box Elders, Stay
Babes in Toyland, Live at the Academy
Asobi Seksu, Before We Fall
Asleep in the Park, Nobody Wants
Azure Ray, We Are Mice
astroPuppees, She Can’t Say No
Polite Sleeper, Driving Ohio
April March, I Just Might Crack
The Apples in Stereo, Stream Running Over
Electric Valentine, Take Your Time
Aroah, La Historia Mas Triste
An Horse, Little Little Little
Divisible, Don’t Say Nothin Now
Anjulie, Boom
Maya Angelou, Calypso Blues
The Dry Spells, Rhiannon
The Anniversary, Never Die Young
Laurie Anderson, The Ouija Board
Vivian Girls, Can’t Get Over You
Angus & Julia Stone, Just a Boy
The Amps, Tipp City
Thee Headliners, Sketch City
Amanda Blank, Might Like You Better
Lily Allen, Everything’s Just Wonderful
All Girl Summer Fun Band, Lipsmacker Kiss
Dido, Take My Hand
Olivia Broadfield, Don’t Let Go
The Rocking Horse Winner, Playing With Lights

I’m going to start this off with a warning to you dear readers – be ready to read some gush. I don’t know what to say about last night’s An Horse show at Schuba’s that I haven’t said before about past shows. Every time I see An Horse play live, it’s exactly the same. They manage to get a HUGE sound out of two people, a guitar and a drum set. They’re tight, they exude energy, and it’s always just an awesome live show. Last night was no exception. So, rather than repeat myself or repeat other bloggers who are no doubt saying the same things about An Horse’s shows, I’m just going to say this: if you only take one piece of advice all year, take this – go see An Horse perform live. You will not regret it. It’s impossible to watch/hear them play and not want to jump around with the music. And when the song, Little Lungs, is performed, it quite literally moves me, every single time. In fact, the first time I heard that song was a live version – the album wasn’t out yet – and as soon as it ended, my best friend and I looked at each other wide eyed, and she just said, “Whoa,” and I could only nod. Every time I experience Little Lungs being performed live, I feel completely encompassed by the music and can’t think or speak for a few moments afterward; and you can tell there’s that general feeling among everyone in the room. It’s an incredible experience that I want you all to enjoy, so check out An Horse when they hit a city near you!

Okay, I’m done gushing. I promise there will be nothing but snark from here on out for the rest of the week!
 
www.anhorse.com

Posted by Garvey

I seriously think public transport, especially at peak hours, brings out the worst in people. For me, those murderous instincts tend to take over. The sweaty arms brushing against mine, or people charging past me to make sure they get that empty seat they’re eyeing from a distance, everyone just leaning against you, people staring at you unnecessarily- it really irks me. Also doesn’t help when a couple is engaging in some PDA, releasing endorphins-being happy and what not, and I’m here barely breathing.

It scares me though that I sometimes have thoughts of killing the person next to me so that I have a little bit more breathing space.

It’s good then that I rely on buses for transport more than I do for trains. I usually get wonderful seats on buses and have a little bit more time to sleep. However my sleeping on buses would most probably instigate those aforementioned murderous tendencies in others around me. My head constantly rolling around ( I think my head head must have hit at least 3 people around me today) and sometimes I get the feeling I snore too (although I don’t really snore- I think)

So anyways, listening to some tuneage (look at how cool I am using this term) usually calms me down- right until the next person accidentally pushes me or knocks into me. So I’ve made a playlist of sorts that brings you into your own little world- helping you to create a much needed force-field (Serious, whaaat!). Nevertheless, enjoy this one. (:

Miike Snow- Animal (Fake Blood Remix)

Atlas Sound- Walkabout feat. Panda Bear

Arsenal- Estupendo mp3

The Very Best- Warm Heart of Africa feat. Ezra Koenig

The xx- Heart Skipped a Beat mp3

Still Flyin\’- Follow the Itinerary mp3

Deerhunter- Agoraphobia mp3

The Magic Kids- Hey Boy mp3

Blue Roses- I am Leaving mp3

Logan Lynn- Feed Me to the Wolves mp3

Jack Penate- Tonight\’s Today mp3

Animal Collective- Taste mp3

An Horse- Horizons mp3

Dirty Projectors- Stillness is the Move mp3

Fun. – At Least I\’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be). mp3

Or alternatively download the whole playlist here!

I upgraded my Microsoft Office suite when I went back to Ontario/Quebec Easter weekend with the license code from Laura because the Student & Teacher Edition she’s using is good for installations on three computers. I don’t know if it was Snow Leopard, or that patch I downloaded last with from MSFT, but it’s no longer operational.

Obviously this is the weekend that I need Excel and Word like no other so I’m stuck using the old iBook until I pony up the cash for my own licese, or get creative and move my legit install over from the iBook. I don’t think I could go back to Occife 2003, but at this point, I’m willing to deal because having to switch back and forth between computers is beyond frustrating.

I decided, on a whim this past Saturday afternoon, that I was going to Vancouver late October because the Gossip is playing a show ther and I’ve got tons of friends in Van to couch surf my way through a three-day bender.

It has been too long since I last saw Beth Ditto & company, and I’m looking forward to it, though I’ve got a pretty heavy roster of shows coming up, including but not limited to Silverstein, An Horse, Deadmaus, Little Girls, You Say Party! We Say Die!, a The Faint DJ set, and possibly Metric (though I’m on the fence with this one because I’ve seen them far too many times to count.).

This fall is shaping up to be a good one, I’ve had a good job for close ho three months now, and I feel like everything’s falling into place life wise, we’ll just ignore hte romantic side of the coin for now…

one of those Things That Happen In Life is that, without consciously trying to remember where you left off, your eyes jump to just the paragraph that you need to start from each time you pick up a book you’re steadily reading.

i know this, but either i don’t know it or i don’t trust it because i always go back a few paragraphs from where my eyes arrive just to check. they’re always right. right?

infinite jest is a dense book. dehehehehehnnnnnnse. The side margins are narrow and their are neither headers nor footers to remind you pagindrically what book you are reading or who wrote it. just page numbers. david foster wallace writes in long paragraphs. only when there is dialogue is ther much indentation.

my eyes hardly ever remember where i was in this thick book with little white space. so i end up re-reading bits of each page i stop on. unusual bit here: something feels fresh and new each time i do it. i know that i’ve read that part, but now i’m seeing it in a new way or from another angle. this book needs to be re-read. can’t wait- and i’m not even done.

i wonder if the same eye tricks will work in this format:

image from Popular Science here.

OK. Been meaning to get round to this for a while. Last time I encountered one of these, it served as a welcome introduction to the city we’re still living in (much to our continued surprise).

This time, however, my fascination is somewhat tempered by the fact a) I can no longer by any stretch of the imagination be rated as a professional critic, b) I am no longer writing a weekly column for a sassy NYC newspaper (Village Voice: incidentally, they’ve taken to ignoring my emails about pay once more – which means THEY STILL OWE ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, BASTARDS), c) I haven’t actually been out to a gig in Brisbane since January because… well, I hate to go where I’m not welcome. That’s always been the case.

Nonetheless, I am still of the opinion that there’s gold to be unearthed everywhere, long as you can be bothered looking. Brisbane is as thriving and vital as Melbourne as Seattle as London as Tel Aviv. Just depends on your focus. Brisbane Sounds 2009 collects together the (a) cream of the city’s “indie” and garage bands – 22 of ‘em, no sign of dance, electronica, hip-hop, etc. But fuck it. Someone else can collect them. This is the indie rock demographic, you understand.

I’ve no mind to focus on the bad.

Last year’s darlings I Heart Hiroshima turn in so loving a cover of The Chills’ ‘Pink Frost’ as to be entirely pointless, but maybe I’m too old and hell it’s a good choice of a cover, and surprising too, bearing in mind they were all early Grates last time I listened. An Horse I keep expecting to break straight into a Nirvana song, but I mean that nicely. DZ fuzz like they’ve just discovered effects pedals; Mary TREMbLES rock like it’s still 1993 and I’m not sure that’s so good. You can guess what Smokestack Orchestra sound like.

I’m not sure why I feel so isolated in this city, it feels like it’s stuck in a grunge timewarp.

Oh, wait. I hated grunge.

Genius pick-up garage band The Young Liberals contribute their weakest track (out of hundreds) in what can only be seen as an act of two-fingered defiance. Bearing in mind they still ain’t released anything beyond a song on that Go-Mag #100 compilation I put together, it’sbloody odd.

Shakedowns sound like they’d be great fun to get drunk with. Really drunk, mind.

Hits rock like they’re The Blue Orchids – which is a helluva recommendation round these parts (someone remind me to shove a video up on Great 80s DIY and Pop) – a band they claim to have never heard, which clearly is a bald-faced back-breakingly heinous lie seeing as how frontman Tom Beaumont works in one of the finest record stores it’s been my privilege to order calypso and Buzzcocks records from (Rocking Horse)… oh wait, that’s The Heels. Hmm. That would explain why the Hits song rocks like good Primal Scream imitating good Rolling Stones and not like Velvets-influenced, whiny, intelligent, keyboard-laden post-Fall whatsoever.

The Heels aren’t present. Bah.

Texas Tea have a female singer who sings like she enjoys good-time country music. Me too. This being Queensland, they play it straight (don’t devolve into post-Cat Power whimsy, thank Bangs).

I’d be a fool to deny Gentle Ben And His Sensitive Side’s sensitive side. So I won’t.

Fuck, where did Gentle Bunnies come from? Did someone shove this song on especially for me? Oh wait, too much Frightwig not enough Ethical Debating Society. Some great female shouting and primal drumming, though. This is what I really, fervently, wish Butcher Birds sound like cos they’re such nice people.

The Mercy Beat flat-out rock. So hard, that I actually thought they were the next band in line, the mighty Vegas Kings. Who also flat-out rock.

So, in summary… fuck it. Why have a summary?

1. T.I., Paper Trail. Anything with Rihanna guesting is my kind of jam.
2. Ra Ra Riot, The Rhumb Line Killer. Adorable.
3. No Age, Nouns. Excellent.
4. Fucked Up, The Chemistry of Common Life. I love it. Sometimes on the tube, it makes me feel as if I am going to have an anxiety attack, but it helps with the “taking two stairs at a time” vibe I have when I hit the streets.
5. Atlas Sound, Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel. Became a pre-night out favourite for me. Calming, but also very strange.
6. Flying Lotus, Flying Lotus. See above.
7. An Horse, Rearrange Beds. I heart this band. I heart them so much, even in spite of their bad grammar.
8. Chad Vangaalen, Soft Airplane. His voice is tragically sweet and his album makes me feel like snowshoeing.
9. Jennifer O’Connor, Here With Me. This is my morning music. Sometimes I imagine myself doing morning stretches or letting day’s first peek of sunlight wash over me, but generally I just stare in horror at my e-mail inbox and swill Jasmine tea down my throat.
10. Times New Viking, Rip it Off Loud. Fun, fun, Fun!

Happy Birrrrthdaaaay...

Okay so it’s no longer my birthday month.  Whatever. I can still play whatever I like.

Better than Birthday Cake, Part 2. Click here to download the mp3’s of all the songs listed. Or click here for part 1.

The Features – The Drawing Board
Album – Some Kind Of Salvation (out July 28)

Band of Skulls – I Know What I Am
Album: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
The song is loud, upbeat, and makes you want to get up and run and jump around, as do many of the other tracks on the album.  But the mere title of the album is enough of a reason to buy it.  Call me crazy.  Go on, I dare you.  But I’m serious.  And right.

An Horse (pictured)- Camp Out
Album: Rearrange Beds
For Fans of: Tegan and Sara

Camera Obscura – Swans
Album – My Maudlin Career
For Fans Of: She And Him

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream
Album: Here Comes
An LA band you should pay close attention to.  I have not heard one song I have not LOVED.

Nat King Cole (pictured) (produced by Cut Chemist) - Day In – Day Out
Album – Re:Generations
Oh, love.  Love, love, love is in the air.  I grew up on Nat King Cole, and was so excited for the release of this album.  Each song is remixed by an awesome producer, be it Cut Chemist, Cee Lo, or another famous DJ.  Natalie Cole, of course, also appears on a track.

Miike Snow – Animal
Album – Miike Snow
For Fans Of: Passion Pit, La Roux

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes (Dam-Funk Remix)
Album – Single (available July 7)
This is where I turn in my indie card, shamefully, and admit that I am not a fan of Animal Collective.  I *do* like Summertime Clothes, and My Girls.  But as a whole, I don’t like the band.  They take a bunch of sounds and make one big mess.  SORRY! Feel free to not read this blog ever again.
BUT! This mix is great.  Perfect for summer, or any time.  This is a perfect example of the perfect remix: it doesn’t re-invent the song; it simply brings out the very best of the song and makes it that much better.  It highlights it.  Dam-SEXY remix is what it should be called.

Jason Lytle (pictured) – Yours Truly, The Commuter
Album – Yours Truly, The Commuter
For Fans Of: Bill Callahan, John Vanderslice

J. Tillman – Earthly Bodies
Album: Year In The Kingdom (releases September 22)
J. Tillman is better known as the lead singer of Fleet Foxes.  If this song is any indication, Year In The Kingdom is going to be a hit.

Initially, I resisted this concept of a mid-year top ten.  It seemed like a cheap concept for websites with nothing to talk about.  But then I started looking at the lists onmy favorite websites and realized that none of the albums I like were getting any attention.  Given that this has been the best year for new releases since….the eighties (?!), I felt a need to throw my two cents into the ring.  What follows is a list that I’d be proud to publish if this was December 31st.  The prospect of six more months of great music, is truly exciting.

1) The Boxer Rebellion: Union- If you loved The Verve and remember when it was still cool to like U2, you ought to be listening to this band.  This self-released album topped the U.S. and U.K. ITunes charts the week it debuted.  I’d like to think that TBR is our little secret, but I suspect there are a lot of you out there.

2) The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: Self-Titled- As British as The Boxer Rebellion sound, THOBPAH bring a sound that is distinctly super American chunky.  Great melodies that merge with an indie sensibility that is far from self-indulgent.

3) Gliss: Devotion/Implosion- Like watching the most beautiful carousel you’ve ever seen, Gliss switch instruments and vocal duties effortlessly and make you swoon every time.  How much do I love the re-emergence of the distortion pedal in music?  In a year where the great ideas of the 80’s are given new life, Gliss simulatneously seem original yet nostalgic.  I hate to throw the  JAMC reference around this list too much, but they were a brilliant band and Gliss make me realize what they’d have  become with better vocals and less self-indulgence.

4) An Horse: Rearrange Beds- 2-piece from Australia that harkens back to the best of The Spinanes (look it up.  you’ll love it.).  I interviewed them days after they first arrived in America after this album was released.  With an appearance on Letterman and accolades from numerous magazines, we can expect An Horse to be on many year-end lists for many years to come.  Deservedly so.

5) White Lies- To Lose My Life: Equal parts The Teardrop Explodes, Joy Division and Interpol.  Certainly enough to make Brandon Flowers shut up forever (hopefully…).  I had predicted that this would be my album of the year after hearing a few cuts.  If I have any complaint, it’s that the second half of the record is a little uneven.  Still a tremendous effort, though.

6) Zee Avi- Zee Avi-  This one snuck on the list at the last second!  I posted her brilliant cover of “First of the Gang” previously and just got a copy of the album this week.  Since then, I’ve had it on an endless loop.  Prepare to here a voice that will melt you in a second.  To compare someone’s voice to Billie Holiday isn’t something I would do on a whim.  The album alternates from moody, to playful, to beautiful in a way that seems natural.  An amazing debut.  Prepare to read about her for the next six months and the rest of your life.

7) East Hundred- Passenger: Erroneously posted in our revised ‘Best of 2008′, this was actually released in January of 2009.  Why this band isn’t on a major label is one of this years’ great mysteries.  Perfect vocal melodies from Beril Guceri coupled with a band that can write music that isn’t dependent on ‘hooks’, yet sticks in your head.  Quite a combination and a recipe for a great album.

Crocodiles- Summer of Hate: Fresh off their network debut on Carson Daly’s televsion show, this is a band with unbelievable potential.  Their resemblence to Psychocandy/ Mary Chain-style is eerie.  When they release their ‘Darklands’ expect them to be huge.

9) Jason Lytle- Yours Truly The Commuter: Yes, it’s the singer from Grandaddy.  Yes, it’s as good as anything Grandaddy did.  Anything other questions?

10) Gomez- A New Tide: I’ve intentionally posted this video which just shows the album cover, while the opening track plays.  Perhaps the best “pop” song I’ve heard in years.  Close your eyes and let this soak into your eardrums.

You’ve gotta do something. Don’t you?
-Rebel Without A Cause (1955)

Spank Rock plays Sonar Friday with Black Lips