Another edition of a Modern Mystery Holiday Party you say? Why yes! Today we have with us, and this is certainly an honor, Brad Pemberton, drummer for Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Brad has been a busy guy this year with The Cardinals. The band released ‘Cardinology’ this fall with a tour immediately following.  We can’t wait to see more of Brad and the Cardinals in 2009! Its going to be a huge year for them. I can feel it.

Brad Pemberton’s Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. Bob Mould-District Line
2. The Pretenders-Break Up The Concrete
3. The Clash-Live At Shea Stadium
4. Metallica-Death Magnetic
5 . The Cardinals-Cardinology (self-serving, I know, don’t care!)
6. Kings Of Leon-Only By The Night
7. Oasis-Dig Out Your Soul
8. Santogold-Santogold
9. The Raconteurs -Consolers of The Lonely
10. REM- Accelerate
11. Jesse Baylin-Firesight (Honorable Mention)
12. She and Him -Vol.1 (Honorable Mention)

Best Thing That Happened To Me This Year

My family is safe and healthy, as is my band, and we have a new president…what more could you ask for?

Well, for my first contribution to this fine blog, I figured I’d give you guys an idea of my musical tastes with a playlist of the songs I’ve got on repeat this week. I tend to put all my new music into one playlist and then separate the songs as I see which ones are really worthy of another listen. Do any of you have similar habits with your music? I know everyone’s iTunes tips and tricks are different.

Waiting – City and Colour
I’m gonna go see this guy in concert at the end of March. His name is Dallas Green (thus, City and Colour), and he’s the lead singer/guitarist for this really hardcore band Alexisonfire. This is his acoustic side project, such beautiful songwriting.

Write You a Letter – Ray LaMontagne
Definitely one of my favorite artists. My friend just sent me a whole collection of his unreleased stuff. His songwriting is beyond compare, and you can’t deny a natural voice like that. Best of all it’s all simple to learn yourself if you want!

The First Single (You Know Me) – The Format
This band out of Arizona is two words: Kick. Ass. The lead singer’s voice is refreshingly original and the lyrics are cute and punchy. I’m a sucker for a good lyric.

Heysátan – Sigur Ros
Yes, their speaking practical gibberish (Icelandic), and coming from a girl to whom lyrics are SO important, I thought I’d never like it. However, I’ve since reconsidered. After listening to this guy’s (yes it really is a guy) enchanting voice and hearing the explosion of amazing instrumental fill, I am truly converted.

It’s Only Fear – Alexi Murdoch
I’ll tell you right now, I have a terribly irrational fear of flying! In fact, I have an entire playlist on my iPod entitled “Songs Not to Die To” for all those niggling flights I have to take. This song is always on the top of it. The gentle melody and soothing lyrics are wonderful for a restless mind.

Sleeping to Dream – Jason Mraz
I saw Jason live a few years ago and he is just SUCH an amazing live performer. This gorgeous slice of songwriting is just punctuated by his soaring vocals.

Contradicting Words – Jesse Baylin
This girl has an amazing, soft soul voice and her lyrics are simple and hard hitting.

All I Want to Do – Jude
“All I want to do is fall in love with you.” Any song with a chorus like that goes right on my favorites list. Fun fact, if you watch Lost, Jude wrote the song Charlie’s band, Driveshaft, made their one hit wonder “You All Everybody”