My Ten Favorite Movies of the Year

10. Watchmen

The movie version of Watchmen is a strange beast. The comic is a masterpiece, no doubt about it. The film is flawed, but ultimately capture, I feel, the tone and feel of the graphic novel. The movie also takes some liberties and adds to what is already there and makes certain parts from the comic more resonant. What it gets right makes its imperfections really unimportant.

9. Drag Me to Hell

I am an Evil Dead fan so it’s almost required that I love this movie. It was truly a spiritual successor to the Evil Dead films. I’ve said this before, Sam Raimi just knows how to make a movie fun. It’s also a well crafted screenplay with some subtle digs at some of the banking and financial crises going on recently. A fun horror movie with some brains and likeable characters. Seriously, everyone should be counting their blessing when a movie like this comes along.

8. The Hurt Locker

This was an interesting choice. It’s truly a great movie, but it’s not the kind of movie that I would have any desire to revisit. It’s a character piece first and a war movie second. It has some truly great direction. The sniper scene in the desert was an absolutely gorgeous. It’s really great, I just don’t have a lot to say about it.

7. World’s Greatest Dad

I loved this movie. I like my comedy black, and this was dark as pitch. This one is not for everyone, with some very heavy subject matter. Amazing soundtrack. I’ve never identified with an onscreen character as much as I did Robin Williams in this movie. “I used to think the worst thing in life was being alone. Now I know the worst thing in life is being surrounded by people that make you feel alone.”

6. The Road

Heavy subject matter doesn’t do this film justice. Based one of the greatest novels I’ve ever read, this film pulls no punches. It will make you realize just how much in life you take for granted. The most moving film I’ve seen since Requiem for A Dream, this movie will break you down to the level of a child and doesn’t take time to build you back up. I’m serious when I say this, food tastes better after you see The Road.

5. Up

The second most moving film I saw this year and also one of the funniest. It’s story and structure 101, filled with great arcs, symbolism and metaphor. It’s a classicly good movie. If you don’t like this one, you may be missing a chromosome.

4. District 9

I only wish I could rate this higher. It’s a cool sci-fi premise based on apartheid in South Africa, a good human story, non-stop action and amazing visual effects. All I hear from people is how weird this movie is. I don’t understand that. It’s really straight forward. I have to remember that not everybody has read novels by Philip K. Dick, who will show you what weird truly means. Awesome, awesome movie. It beats the pants off Avatar with and with a fraction of the budget.

3. Star Trek

Anybody that knows me even decently well knows that I am a Star Trek nut. No one was more skeptical about this movie than me. They nailed it. This movie made me feel young as if the world was new. It’s also become my prime example of why story and character are more important than plot. And yes, there is a difference between story and plot. Star Trek’s plot made little to no sense, but it was still a great story about my favorite fictional characters ever created.

2. Moon

I was so certain this was going to be number one. Oh, how wrong I was. That said. I loved, loved, loved this movie. I’m a die hard fan of the sci-fi genre and this fits in there with the greats like 2001, Alien, and Blade Runner. Futuristic and far out ideas that deal with human nature in profound ways that is rarely done in non-genre fiction. That’s what sci-fi means to me and Moon is the perfect example.

1. Inglourious Basterds

Best movie of the year. One of the best of the decade. Superb writing and masterful direction. I wish I could easily break down all of the tiny little pieces that make up the whole of a truly great movie. The dialogue, the tension, the cuts, the story, the characters…it just has everything any film fan could ever want. The idea about revisionist historical fiction being a kind of retroactive retribution is beyond fascinating to me. I saw it and instantly recognized it as something special that will go down in film history as one of the greats. I saw it a second time with my thinking cap on and confirmed everything I thought about it.

My Top Five Favorite Albums

I’m a little more picky about music than I am movies. And that’s saying something too, because I have 40gigs worth of MP3s. It’s just harder for me to find new music that I really like.

5. Curse Your Branches – David Bazan

Wonderfully written songs about crisis of faith, pain and addiction. Never has such dark subject matter been so fun to listen to.

4. The Eternal – Sonic Youth

I like to listen to Sonic Youth whenever I hear the balnd, inoffensive tripe of mainstream music. I listen to a lot of Sonic Youth. I didn’t like this record too much at first, but, like all truly great albums, it grows on you a bit. Now I think it’s even better than their last album, but still not quite as good as Sonic Nurse. They still got it though.

3. Swoon – Silversun Pickups.

I just love this album. Every track is good, memorable and original. Even better than Carnavas, they have become one of my most recent favorite bands.

2. Wilco (The Album) – Wilco

It was too much to hope for that their new album be anywhere close to being as good as Sky Blue Sky. That said, after almost an entire summer of listening to it in my car, I love it like I love any of Wilco’s children. I could never really choose. This was cool because it was a bit more old-school for them. It gave off some Being There vibes, which I appreciated.

1. Beggars – Thrice

I’m an old school Thrice fan. The truly great bands never stagnate and are constantly evolving and changing their sound. I’ve been with Thrice from their humble punk beginnings until Beggars. They have taken the Hard Rock genre or whatever you want to call it and–with Beggars–have turned it into a true artful piece of music. It’s poetic, it’s vivid, it’s thoughtful, it’s melodic as it is abrasive, and has some profound things to say about love, spirituality, suffering, and humanity as a whole; that is just the lyrics. The music ranges from the sweetest sounds and melodies to ear-splitting metal and complex rhythms, often in the same song. I recommend it for anyone who likes hard rock music and basically everyone else. I listened to this album what seems like a hundred times this year and it never got old.

Books

I don’t really keep up with new books. I read what I want when I want! Mostly, I like to wait for paperbacks. The only book I read that was released this year was How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely. It was really great and worth mentioning. See the blog I wrote about it sometime back.

I’m very picky and can be a true pain in the ass when it comes to my opinions about Books, Movies, and Music. There is so much released every year and I truly believe that 90% is total trash. I go through great lengths to sift through the crap,  hopefully to find the best of what is available in America’s bloated media empire. I’m truly passionate about these things and believe greatness can be found if you know where to look. It’s just about the only thing in this world I’m not jaded about.

2009 was a good year. 2010 has the potential to be even better. Best wishes to anyone who reads this. Be wonderful to each other, and do all things in love for anybody and everybody who is not yourself.

Best,

Daniel

So, here we are. The end of the decade, and what’s been a rather strenuous ride on my part compiling all these lists! However, it’s something I wanted to do, and I’m glad I made it to the end; I hate starting something and not finishing it (see: myself wanting to watch all the AFI Top 100 movies of all time, I got around 25 and just stopped.) With that said, I might leave my top 10 albums of the decade until the new year, the next few days are going to be a little crazy in Iain land – xmas obviously being the main one, along with a gig, and Colette having time off work meaning we’ll no doubt be doing couple-y things. Anywho, back to the list. I found 2009 to be rather underwhelming; this could well be because I wasn’t quite as ‘out there’ exploring music like I did the previous years. Still, I did find some greats that did come out this year. This could well be the shortest list too! Again, all of these albums are in no particular order.

1) Passion Pit – Manners

A perfect summer album if ever I found one. I read a good description of this album recently; saying that a lot of the music brings out the ‘kid’ part of your brain, with melodies and riffs so catchy you just want to gorge out on sugar products and go hyper. I think that’s a rather fitting description of the music. Whether it’s due to the insanely falsetto vocals or the above reasons, this music just makes you feel good. I really enjoyed playing this album in my first experiences of North Carolina summer weather (with temperatures almost every day above 30c/90F), the music suiting the mood at the time. If you don’t ever find yourself humming along to “Little Secrets” or “The Reeling”, I’d question your musical mind. Fact is, this music is SO catchy, yet still the band are very talented and obviously really care about their instrumentation. A must for any MGMT lover.

2) Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Ah yes, the album cover with the classic eye illusion, making you believe it’s moving. If you don’t instantly see this move, just stare at it for a few seconds. And the album cover certainly matches the shoegazing/psychedelic musical quality this album provides. The only criticism I have of this album is that it has a love/hate/love effect on me. When I first got this album, I loved it. Then I overplayed it and hated it for months, and until only recently have I grown to love it again. Again, this album is very catchy, perhaps Animal Collectives most accessible album to date, with hits like “My Girls” likely to be caught in your head for a very long time after hearing it. This album sounds great, with plenty of experimentation and a careful detail on production, without being too compressed, something that Passion Pits album suffers from a little.

3) Thrice – Beggars

I actually have a very detailed review of this album on this blog. To view that review, click here.

4) Regina Spektor – Far

After Regina’s unpredicted success with Begin to Hope came it’s successor. And what a successor it was. Here, she takes her already finely tuned minimalistic piano/bass/drums (with hints of electronic effects and drums coming in now and again) and refines it even further to establish a great sounding band and album. I also feel this is Regina at the top of her game vocally too, listening to any of these songs on this album, I can just tell that her angelic voice is becoming more…well, angelic. Listen to “Eet” as a perfect example, her vocal range used to full effect there, and her already established use of vocal dynamics are improved upon on this album. It’s as if Regina disliked Begin to Hope and wanted to start from scratch; of course, that is never a bad thing. I really enjoy listening to this album, and it’s another great album from a consistently good singer/songwriter.

Very Honorable Mentions

Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Bon Iver – Blood Bank
The Dead Weather – Horehound
The Dear Hunter – Act III: Life and Death
Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Muse – The Resistance
Owen – New Leaves
Portugal. The Man – The Satanic Satanist
Russian Circles – Geneva
White Rabbits – It’s Frightening

Honorable Mentions

Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
The Appleseed Cast – Sagarmatha
Athlete – Black Swan
Atlas Sound – Logos
Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Brand New – Daisy
The Crystal Method – Divided By Night
The Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Flight of the Conchords – I Told You I Was Freaky
Imogen Heap – Ellipse
Jay Z – The Blueprint III
Jon Hopkins – Insides
Karen O and the Kids – Where the Wild Things Are OST
Lady GaGa – The Fame Monster
Maserati – Passages
Matisyahu – Light
Owl City – Ocean Eyes
St. Vincent – Actor
Sufjan Stevens – The BQE

And there you have it, 2009, and subsequently, the end of the decade, in these musical eyes. It’s certainly not been a disappointing decade for music, of course, it’s impossible to recreate the ‘golden age’ for music, that some argued started in the late 60s, and ended by the late 70s, however that can be very well argued, as everyone has a different opinion on when music was at it’s peak. Me, personally, I sadly feel that music over the next few decades is going to do nothing but decline. Almost everything has been done, so to speak, with bands looking to the past more than ever to write songs, with many ripping off other bands. That isn’t so bad, as it was inevitable it was going to happen, as there is only so many times we’ll hear the same chords and think of another song. However, music must strive to create new boundaries, and then break them to keep the evolution of music going. I’m very excited to see how this next decade will pan out.

All my opinion, of course…

Well folks, it’s that time of the year again – everybody’s wrapping things up before Christmas and who am I to argue – lists have always been a weakness of mine, and I’m always intrigued by other people’s top tens. Speaking of which, if you have a list of your own, get on over to Music Emissions – they’re running a competition to win a $50 Amazon voucher for submitting your top ten. The blog post link is here.

Here are my top albums of 2009, in no particular order:

1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
2. No Made Sense – The Epillanic Choragi
3. Foreign Cinema – Non-Synchronous Sound (EP)
4. The XX – XX
5. Built To Spill – There Is No Enemy
6. Thrice – Beggars
7. Kings Of Convenience – Declaration of Dependance
8. The Faceless – Planetary Duality
9. The Wooden Sky – If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone
10. Mumford And Sons – Sigh No More
11. Swamphouse – The Fade (EP)
12. Brand New – Daisy
13. Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
14. Nosferatu D2 – WGWATCWOHOTBOTN (Explanation)

And a Merry Christmas to you all.

When I was beginning to shortlist some albums here, I was getting worried that I wouldn’t have enough. By the time I finished, I have possibly more than ever. 2008 was a great year for music it seemed again, but it could also be due to the fact that by 2008 I was officially a complete music-obsessive, determined to hear and appreciate as music as possible – I was sick of listening to the same albums and same kinds of music over and over again, I was ready to just go out there and LISTEN. That’s not to say I didn’t do that beforehand, I just feel I was almost on somewhat of a musical auto-pilot for a few years of Prog, Metal, Alternative and Electronica. I was ready to spread my wings, and give Indie and other genres I thought “low” of another chance. This list is really in no particular order.

1) Coldplay – Viva La Vida (Or Death and All His Friends)

And if you want a good example of my previous statement, here it is. Before this album, I didn’t enjoy Coldplays musical output due to just being prejudiced against the indie-pop genre completely, however I enjoyed a few of their singles a little. This album, however, changed that view completely for me. And it’s probably in no small part due to Brian Eno and Jon Hopkins’ excellent production here. I think they made Coldplay THINK about their music, and pushing their musical talents to the limit a lot more than they were used to. They could have stuck to their arena, “adult contemporary” and radio pleasing sound, but they didn’t, something that I respect them for. Sure, a few songs still have that quality, but to me it sounds a lot better and more mature. It sounds like they’re actually putting in effort! The fact that they incorporated some odd time signatures in songs like “Yes!” and “Lost”, pleased the Prog side of me, plus the great experimental ambience heavily influenced by Eno in many of the songs introductions like in “Violet Hill”, “Strawberry Swing” and the album opener “Life in Technicolor”, while still keeping songs that can get stuck in your head AND having great lyrics too makes this album a winner for me. I think they’re going to have a hard time topping this album, but I really would like to see them try and beat it, rather than just stick to the formula that made this album great.

2) Portugal. The Man – Censored Colors

Portugal. The Man are a band I feel have improved with every album, and this album is definitely no exception. Despite this being the first Portugal. The Man album I heard, it didn’t take me long to listen to their previous albums and see what got them up to this point; and while their predecessors were good, this one topped them all. Filled with great synth work, eerie vocal effects, catchy pop style melodies complemented by John Gourleys excellent sense of lyrical cadences and a great ‘jam’ sense throughout this album with the last few tracks of the album being gapless, proves that this band are willing to push the envelope in musical experimentation, without denying their talent at writing a good song in the process. Their addition of tour keyboardist/backing vocalist Zoe Manville on this album really added another angelic, beautiful lyrical quality to this album, with Gourley and Manville complimenting each others vocal stylings so well. I had the pleasure of meeting this band earlier in the year, and they’re so humble despite writing great music and beginning to build an even bigger fan base. An all round great album from great guys.

3) Kings of Leon -  Only by the Night

Coming off of what I feel was a slightly disappointing but still enjoyable 3rd album came Kings of Leon’s magnum opus. I’ve followed this band throughout their whole musical journey so far, and supported their every move, and I must say that this album is probably one of the top albums of the decade. Their sound is slightly darker, and they’ve almost entirely removed their ‘country’ and Southern Rock influences, but at the same time, they’ve developed a good alternative sound without completely drifting away from the band they used to be. You can tell with Because of the Times that they were starting to get a darker sound, but I feel that they didn’t fully make it come together, whereas here, they perfected it. The album opener “Closer” is a fantastic opener, haunting, great use of delay and equally haunting vocals about vampires really makes you ready for the ride. Of course, they’re best known for their Grammy winning “Sex On Fire” and the ever popular radio hit “Use Somebody”, but I feel that every song on this album is damn good, whereas with their previous albums a few songs on each album were just OK to listen to. I love this album very much, and you should too.

4) Nine Inch Nails – The Slip

Many of NIN’s fans are divided on this one, personally, I love it. Sure, he’s gone for a more ‘mainstream’ sound, but is that always a bad thing? I still consider The Fragile NIN’s best work, but I find this album the most enjoyable to listen to. Reznor released this album as a ‘name your price’ online release at first, again, a bold move, but Reznor is making a good point. He wanted people to listen to this album, because in the end that’s what it’s all about, letting others hear your music. On top of that, he also released it to his online community, separated into individual tracks, allowing unlimited ways of remixing by his very own fanbase. And some of these remixes that I have heard are pretty phenomenal. He’s got some great arena filling songs like “Discipline”, “Echoplex” and “1,000,000″, and some songs that trace back to his roots such as “Corona Radiata”, “Demon Seed” and “Letting You”. It’s hard to deny that Reznor is a hard worker, before this album he also released Ghosts I-IV, a collection of instrumental works all binded together to form a seamless album ingeniously (and is in the Honorable Mentions below.)

Yes, 2008 was a great year for music, and I really had difficulty reviewing just 4 albums. So, as a possible one off, I’m going to have a Very Honorable Mentions, and the usual Honorable Mentions. So here we go…

Very Honorable Mentions

Beck – Modern Guilt
Bon Ivor – For Emma, Forever Ago
Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
Demians – Building an Empire
The Duke Spirit – Neptune
Foxy Shazam – Introducing
Lady GaGa – The Fame
M83 – Saturdays=Youth
The Mars Volta – The Bedlam in Goliath
Minus the Bear – Acoustics
Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling
Russian Circles – Station
Shearwater – Rooks
Thrice – The Alchemy Index Volumes III and IV
TV on the Radio – Dear Science

Honorable Mentions

Amanda Palmer – Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
Apes & Androids – Blood Moon
Atlas Sound – Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
Ben Folds – Way to Normal
City and Colour – Bring Me Your Love
Deerhunter – Microcastle
Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid
The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
Foals – Antidotes
The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound
Girl Talk – Feed the Animals
Hercules and Love Affair – Hercules and Love Affair
Hot Chip – Made in the Dark
Innerpartysystem – Innerpartysystem
Maybeshewill – Not For Want of Trying
Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I – IV
Portishead – Third
School of Seven Bells – Alpinisms
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

So, there you have it, 2008. We’re almost at the end of the list now, 2009 will be up before Xmas!

Iain

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to go through a pile of great music that I have collected over the years.  After finding some lost gems and listening to a lot of music lately, I felt inspired to put together a favorite albums list.  As I started out with the list, I immediately realized how difficult this was going to be.  So, I decided to compile my Top 10 Albums of the Decade list – choosing one per year.  After putting some parameters around my goal – the list came together pretty quickly.  Each one of these records have either inspired me by the bands musicianship, studio production or lyrically.  I’ve added a special bonus “must have” anniversary album at the end as well.

If you’re reading this, my hope is that you feel inspired in some way to pick up a few of these and take a listen.  If so, just click on the album cover to order through Amazon.

Enjoy!

2000

Bruce Hornsby - Here Come the Noisemakers (live)

The Virginia native has proven himself to be a gifted singer-songwriter, piano player, and bandleader. All of those talents are much in evidence on this double CD of live material culled from a couple of years of his bands tour.

2001

Dave Matthews Band - Everyday

With the Dave Matthews Band, you simply have to hear them live to capture the emotions of each of their albums.  With Everyday, producer Glen Ballard brings out a more emotional and a ‘less is more’ technique to the production – which I found refreshing compared to previous records.  The Dave Matthews Band stalls between their jam-based performances with radio-friendly packaging.

2002

Patty Griffin – 1000 Kisses

In the basement of longtime guitarist Doug Lancio’s Nashville home, Griffin takes a suite of intensely personal songs into the close confidence of her airy but twang-shaded voice, and draws accordion, cello, mandolin, brushed drums, and even Emmylou Harris into a candid and rare musical space.  1000 Kisses is simply a glowing masterpiece.

2003

Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanaticism

Transatlanticism is easily Death Cab’s best record to date. Much attention has been focused on singer/lyricist Ben Gibbard.  Ben’s voice is as strange, beautiful, and as strong as ever on these songs, which deal with the difficulties of long-distance relationships. But guitarist/producer Chris Walla once again proves himself to be the band’s secret weapon, layering subtle sonic touches throughout Transatlanticism, which is definitely a “headphone record.”

2004

Arcade Fire – Funeral

2005

Thrice – Vheissu

When I was initially introduced to Thrice by a friend of mine and fellow musician, I didn’t quite catch on.  However, I recently went out and purchased Vheissu.  How I overlooked this band and album for so long is a mystery.  Unlike their past albums, Thrice came up with many of the ideas for Vheissu while they were on the road supporting their 2003 record The Artist in the Ambulance. The extra time the band gained from writing in the bus gave them the ability to experiment without worrying about having to meet an impending deadline.  Bottom line: This album is a must have. Period.  (Click here for a friends opinion of Thrice)

2006

Tom Petty – Highway Companion

With Highway Companion, Tom Petty returns to the studio with more personal matters on his mind. Reuniting with producer/Wilbury sideman Jeff Lynne, the veteran doesn’t so much retool his trademark sound here as allow it the freedom to roam.  If you are looking for the perfect album to listen to on a road trip – trust me: Highway Companion is a must.

2007

Rush – Snakes & Arrows

If you have been around me much – you should not be surprised that Rush makes it to my Top 10.  Drummer and lyricist Neil Peart has spent the last decade getting over the death of his wife and daughter, and those tragic events have given his songwriting more depth and gravity.  Rush began the writing process for Snakes & Arrows in their home studio in Toronto, which gradually molded their ideas into completed pieces. During this process, the band occasionally collaborated over the Internet. Perfect example of remote recording through technology!

2008

Sigur Rós -Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

Inspired by the unfettered feeling of the acoustic performances filmed during Heima, Sigur Rós adopted a looser approach in creating their fifth album Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust.  The album consequently is fresher and more human than anything they’ve previously recorded.

2009

Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome

Although he works out of the thematically conservative contemporary Christian pop genre, singer/songwriter and guitarist Derek Webb has an agitator’s soul and a flair for the controversial, approaches he uses in his music to force careful thought on vitally important issues.  Stockholm Syndrome doesn’t disappoint.  In fact, I can’t stop listening to it.

Plus 1 – 50 Years Later

Last and certainly not least – I had to be sure to add at least one jazz album to the list.  Celebrating it’s 50th year Anniversary, Miles Davis’ 1959 Jazz masterpiece Kind Of Blue changed jazz forever.  In fact, it’s one of the greatest albums of all time.  It’s an album you’d give to someone whose life you wanted to change.  So, do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in Kind Of Blue. This album isn’t just an album, it’s an experience.

1959 – Miles Davis, Kind of Blue

Questions? Comments? Contact me via email, leave a comment here or start a discussion on facebook or twitter.

travis@traviswhitmore.com

]]> http://100girls100days.com/2009/12/20/playlist-3-this-wine-seems-too-thin/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:53:38 +0000 100 Girls, 100 Days http://100girls100days.com/2009/12/20/playlist-3-this-wine-seems-too-thin/

Big Japan – Complex

Belle & Sebastian – The Blues Are Still Blue

Ryan Adams – Come Pick Me Up

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Bloc Party – I Still Remember (Acoustic)

Manchester Orchestra – Are You Really Naked Under There?

Alice Smith – Dream

Dustin Kensrue –  Blood & Wine

Further Seems Forever – Just Until Sundown

Elliott Smith – Say Yes

Dashboard Confessional – The Motions (Acoustic)

Johnny Cash – It Takes One To Know Me

Weezer – I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams

Those are the four colors we received for Thrice’s Beggars. They showed up around 7PM tonight and we will be spending all Friday packing orders in hopes that they will all ship Saturday. To keep this process moving, time spent checking emails and private messages and such will be cut down to close to zero – we will do our best to give anyone who ordered multiple copies multiple colors and catch any color requests the best we can, but please understand that packing up 130+ Thrice records, plus anything else people ordered with these, is going to take FOREVER. And its getting late into the holiday season, I’m sure everyone would like these in their sweaty mitts as soon as possible, am I right?

(From Music Emissions)

Having tottered through 2009 keeping an eye on various music scenes throughout the globe, three editorial reviewers have decided to put together a favourites compilation podcast. It’s a big one but was great fun to do – some great bands featured. Have a listen to it here, or download it by searching in iTunes.

Tracklist:

Dennis

• The Dudes – Ghosts We’re Buried On (Blood Guts Bruises Cuts)
• Lorrie Matheson – Another Seven Minutes (Shot To Hell) (In Vein)
• Isis – Ghost Key (Wavering Radiant)

Brian

• Experience.Hold. – Plan B (EP)
• Sipo – White Light (Year Of The White Rose)
• Kings of Leon – California Waiting (Holy Roller Novocain EP)
• Brand New – Noro (Daisy)

Emmy

• Mumford and Sons – The Cave (Sigh No More)
• Thrice – Beggars (Beggars)
• Built To Spill – Things Fall Apart (There Is No Enemy)

10/ The Cribs – Ignore The Ignorant

Thought you knew The Cribs? That outspoken Wakefield trio who regularly dish up indie pop. Well revolution was afoot with album number four. Thanks to the help of the legendary Johnny Marr, the Jarman’s served up their most accomplished work to date. Their sharp melodies and catchy hooks are now accompanied with added depth. It’s no longer just verse chorus, verse chorus, but instead there’s a lot more room to breath, allowing tracks to build to a more gradual and rewarding climax, with ‘Victims Of Mass Production’ and ‘We Share The Same Skies” being arguably both The Cribs’ and Marr’s best in years.

Key Tracks: ‘Cheat On Me’, ‘We Share The Same Skies’,’ Last Year’s Snow’, ‘Victims Of Mass Production’

9/ Thrice – Beggars

Marred by it’s shockingly early release – leaked a full three months before planned, this latest effort from Thrice was much more straightforward than their previous themed Alchemy Index. And with this came a genuine sense of freedom, the band clearly enjoying the chance explore different ideas. As a consequence, the album is perhaps the band’s most melodic to date. Not a classic, but by no means a disappointment, Thrice one again prove it’ll be a long time before they start running out of new directions.

Key Tracks: ‘All The World Is Mad’, ‘In Exile’, ‘Doublespeak’, ‘Beggars’

8/ The Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!

It’s been a busy year for Karen O. First releasing this, her band’s third full length to date, before also finding the time to record an equally wonderful soundtrack for Spike Jonze’s cinematic treat Where The Wild Things Are, you can’t accuse Miss O of taking it easy. Switching the angular guitars for electro synths the likes of ‘Zero’ and ‘Heads Will Roll’ proved firm favourites on dancefloors and at festivals alike. In contrast, the delicate ‘Runaway’ showcased sensitivity not seen since breakthrough hit ‘Maps’. Still the coolest indie kids in a now very crowded playground.

Key Tracks: ‘Zero’, ‘Heads Will Roll’, ‘Skeletons’, ‘Runaway’

7/ Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

Another year, another album from the ever-productive Conor Oberst. Returning with the Mystic Valley band with whom he released the impressive Conor Oberst in 2008, this time around instead of going with the stripped-back acoustic sound, it’s a full band affair; with members of the MVB sharing both vocal and songwriting duties. Whilst the release may have been somewhat overshadowed by Oberst’s other release – his collaboration with Bright Eyes producer Mike Mogis, M Ward and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, aka Monsters Of Folk; this effort is the more consistent of the two; only flawed by its length. ‘To All The Lights In The Windows’ showcases Oberst’s trademark wordplay, and ‘Roosevelt Room’ is quite simply one of the best album tracks of the year. I eagerly anticipate whatever, arguably the most productive man in the industry, is no doubt already working on for release in 2010.

Key Tracks: ‘To All The Lights In The Windows’, ‘Difference Is Time’, ‘Nikorette’,  ‘Roosevelt Room’,

6/ Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers

I’d long accepted that Richey Edwards was NEVER going to return, and as a consequence the Manics were NEVER going to be anywhere near as good as 1994’s The Holy Bible once prophesised. However, using the lyrics Richey left behind the Manics somehow managed to scrape together Journal…; an album that marries both versions of the band; with and without the iconic guitarist. Whilst musically Journal… sounds more like the bands more recent efforts, lyrically it’s a lot more darker. It may still not be the album the diehards have always longed for, but it’s the closest we’re ever going to get. And any album that opens with a sample of Christian Bale in The Machinist; “You know so little about me, what if I turn into a werewolf or something?”, makes my list.

Key Tracks: ‘Peeled Apples’, ‘Jackie Collins Existential Question Time’, ‘This Joke Sport Severed’, ‘Williams Last Words’

5/ Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything To Nothing

It’s always tricky following an impressive debut, and 2007’s I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child was a superb debut. Bravely taking a different direction for album number two; going for the more anthemic and upfront sound, rather than the building subtlety of Virgin…, both worked and didn’t. Whilst ‘I’ve Got Friends’ and ‘The Only One’ proved great single releases, and the sheer power of ‘Shake It Out’ and ‘The River’ demonstrated Andy Hull’s scary vocal ability, you couldn’t help but feel there was just something missing mid album. A solid release regardless, only hindered by the expectations placed on it by its predecessor. All set for album number three to be an absolute classic then.

Key Tracks: ‘The Only One’, ‘I’ve Got Friends’, ‘I Can Feel A Hot One’, ‘The River’

4/ Alexisonfire – Old Crows / Young  Cardinals

Alexisonfire? That once shouty band that have gradually become more and more melodic with every release? True. But with this, their fourth full length to date there are clear signs that the Canadian quintet have truly mastered their craft; balancing their hardcore roots, with more mainstream structures and sensibilities. A little less instantaneous than previous release Crisis, OC/YC beauty comes with numerous plays; the sure sign of a classic album. Whilst spectacular lead single ‘Young Cardinals’ led the charge, it was the slower charm of the ‘The Northern’, and superb mellow closer ‘Burial’ that still have me crawling back for more. Best effort to date? Certainly their most ambitious and most considered.

Key Tracks: ‘Young Cardinals’, ‘Born and Raised’, ‘The Northern’,’ Burial’

3/ Brand New – Daisy

For any other band Daisy would have earned the top spot on this not so prestigious list. But on the back of the still superb The Devil and God are Raging Inside of Me, and it’s predecessor the genre defining Deja Entendu, the bar is considerably higher for Brand New than for most. And whilst Daisy does not disappoint in the slightest – arguably the bands most challenging, inventive and perhaps rewarding to date, by its very nature it sadly loses out to some of the year’s more accessible offerings. That said, staying true the band’s mantra of creating the music they want to make, and not what is expected of them earns them special praise.

Key Tracks: ‘Vices’, ‘At The Bottom’, ‘You Stole’, ‘Gasoline’

2/ Say Anything – Say Anything

There’s no doubt Max Bemis is a phenomenal songwriter. However after 2007’s mixed bag; the double disc In Defence of The Genre, some doubted whether Bemis had started to believe the hype and indulged himself a little too much. Thankfully, this self titled return condenses what Say Anything do best, into one disc of all killer, no filler. First single ‘Hate Everyone’ may have polarised some, but the rest of the album reaffirmed that Bemis and co are the masters of mixing addictive hooks with his trademark wit and cynicism. Their most consistent since their debut. Inventive, sharp and most importantly, fun.

Key tracks: ‘Hate Everyone’, ‘Mara and Me’, ‘ Eloise’, ‘Cemetery’, ‘ Property’

1/ The Swellers – Ups and Downsizing

In these times of economic hardship and widespread gloom, there was something refreshingly optimistic about this, the second full length from The Swellers. Whilst not a masterpiece in production, infact sounding at times a little rough round the edges, there’s more than just a little charm in this contemporary slice of American rock. Combining elements from varied influence; both melodic from the likes of The Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World, to more hardcore / pop punk from Polar Bear Club, Senses Fail and Four Year Strong, there’s enough hooks, solos and energy to keep any party going, whether it’s the full force of ‘2009’ or ‘Sleeper’, to the more tender emotion of’ ’Stars’.  Having been handpicked to support Paramore in the US, and already booked for part of the European leg of Give It A Name, expect a big 2010 for this Michigan quartet.

Key tracks: ‘2009′, ‘Sleeper’, ‘Do You Feel Better Yet’, ‘Watch It Go’, ‘Stars’

Honourable Mentions:

Arctic Monkeys – Humbug, A Day To Remember – Homesick, Monsters Of Folk – Monsters Of Folk, Bruce Springsteen – Working On A Dream, Passion Pit – Manners, Chuck Regan – Gold Country,  Slow Club – Yeah, So, Richard Hawley – Truelove’s Gutter, Paramore  – Brand New Eyes,  Polar Bear Club – Chasing Hamburg, Bat For Lashes – Two Suns, Frank Turner – Poetry of the Deed, Two Tongues – Two Tongues, Florence and the Machine – Lungs,  Four Year Strong – Explains It All, New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight, Thursday – Common Existence, Taking Back Sunday – New Again, Dashboard Confessional – Alter The Ending, Mariachi El Bronx – Mariachi El Bronx, The Low Anthem – Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, Gallows – Grey Britain, AFI – Crash Love, Enter Shikari – Common Dreads, Spinnerette – Spinnerette, The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die, Weezer – Raditude, Jamie T – Kings and Queens,  Little Boots – Hands, Imogen Heap – Ellipse, Editors – In This Light And On This Evening, Doves – Kingdom of Rust, Fake Problems – It’s Great To Be Alive, Kong – Snake Magnet, Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions, 30 Seconds To Mars – This Is War, The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About 10 Year Anniversary, Karen O and the Kids – Where The Wild Things Are OST, Various – 500 Days of Summer OST

I’m considering taking back what I said about 2005 being my favourite year of music. 2007 might be beating it, if it doesn’t beat it, it’s a close second for sure. I was so surprised with the amount of albums that came out this year that are amazing, considering that the previous year was pretty dire for the most part. You’ll perhaps find more of a diverse list here than in previous years; again, it was all about finding what I liked and exploring similar artists. I’m pretty sure many of these albums will be put in my Top 10 of the decade. These are in no particular order, as always.

1) Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice

This was the first Minus the Bear album that I listened to, and the first thing that struck me was the actual feeling of being on an icy planet, such a cold vibe. Its production, especially in the keyboard samples and patches really matches the album title so well I feel, but songs like “Throwin’ Shapes” are also very fitting for a hot summer day with the car windows down too. It’s a coin toss between this album and Menos el Oso over my favourite MtB album as both are great in their own different ways. This album has been played to death by yours truly, and I spot little new nuances every time I listen to it. Again, getting to hear many of these tracks live made my appreciation of this album and band go way up. A fantastic album that is sure to be an album of the decade.

2) MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

When I was looking through the auto-playlist I made for albums released in 2007 (and it’s how I came up with finding out my other albums of the year) I was really surprised this came out in 2007, as I was almost 100% certain it came out in 2008. However, I was mistaken. Anyway, regardless of what year it was released, this is an instant classic. Thanks to a recommendation from good friend of mine Neil Burns, I was turned on to this album and I immediately “got” it. Within my own music, it was exactly what I was trying to; create psychedelic yet coherent musical background, out there but instantly accessible melodies and lyrics, and all around good time music. Again, almost every song in this album is ready for radio (whether or not MGMT wanted that, I don’t know), and they certainly did see success with “Kids” and “Time to Pretend”. It’s also interesting to hear the progression of the song “Kids” from the way it was released in an EP released a few years before this, to the way it’s represented in this album. Complete change of key, tempo and general production too really gave this song the lift it desperately needed to become a hit. This is something I admire in artists; not always being 100% satisfied that a song sounds its very best, so they go back and rework it, almost from the ground up. Of course, this too can be a double-edged sword, as fans would complain that the artist was just simply recycling old material because they can’t think of new music. But I don’t think that was MGMT’s problem there. Anyway, this is one of the best electronica albums of this decade, and possibly of all time. A perfect little gem from start to finish.

3) Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow

Ah yes. Many of the Coheed fans also believe that this is a pretty terrible album; I respectfully disagree. It’s certainly not their best work, but I still greatly enjoy listening to this album. “The End Complete” suite is easily some of the best work they have ever produced, and as downright catchy and radio-friendly as “Feathers” and “The Running Free” is, they both can get stuck in your head as easily as a Lady GaGa song (in my humble opinion, of course.) There really isn’t much else to say on this album, Taylor Hawkins does a great job on the drums, inevitably playing what Chris Pennie told him to (I still find it weird, however, that Pennie was unable to play on Coheed’s album due to a contractual stipulation with Dillinger Escape Plan, a band he left months beforehand.)

4) Portugal. The Man – Church Mouth

This album is where I feel Portugal. The Man really started to pick up their game and go for it. I’m also very impressed with the fact that the band leaked the album themselves, and saying on their site that if you enjoy the music to go buy the album and support them. I feel it’s an attitude that almost every band should have. I’m pretty sure their sales went way up (and they did, apparently) from their previous album which wasn’t given that treatment. In this modern age of information being available everywhere 24/7, Portugal made a bold statement. Going to the music however, you can tell they were beginning to find their sound. Groovy rock, at times technical and Progressive, with amazing singing from John Gourley. The production on this album is also rather impressive (listen to “My Mind” as a good example), many steps up from their rather box-like sound in “Waiter: You Vultures!” released just one year beforehand. You also cannot say this band is lazy, they’ve released one album every year since 2006, with another one on the way next year; and with each album, they only get better and better. Seeing this band live was also a great experience too, and meeting them all afterwards made me realise how cool and humble these guys really are. Great album from a great bunch of guys.

5) Thrice – The Alchemy Index Volumes 1 and 2: Fire and Water

In my eyes, this band can do no wrong. Everything since The Artist in the Ambulance has been nothing short of incredible. With the opener “Firebreather”, the tension before the huge and heavy riff is just amazing, leaving you hanging with a rather undesired harmonic interval, obviously done to build the aforementioned tension. While Volume 1 is blatantly heavy, Volume 2 is a huge contrast in sound; ambient, beautiful, melodic and dreamy. The band does a great job in musical word painting, depicting what they feel is fire and water (fire being destructive, so they accompany that with heavy music, water being the essence of life and therefore is the giver of life, so therefore they depict ambience and dreaminess.) Another fantastic album from a fantastic band.

And now, on to the HUGE list of…

Honorable Mentions

Aeon Spoke – Aeon Spoke
Athlete – Beyond the Neighbourhood
Battles – Mirrored
Biffy Clyro – Puzzle
Chris Cornell – Carry On
The Dear Hunter – Act II: The Meaning Of, And All Things Regarding Ms. Leading
Eluvium – Copia
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Ire Works
Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone
The Fall of Troy – Manipulator
Justice – Cross
Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
The National – Boxer
Nine Inch Nails – Year Zero (and Year Zero Remixed)
Okkervil River – The Stage Names
Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer
Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet (and Nil Recurring EP)
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Rush – Snakes and Arrows
Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release
Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
St. Vincent – Marry Me
Stars – In Our Bedroom After the War
Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the Decline
UNKLE – War Stories (and it’s a very honorable mention)
65daysofstatic – The Destruction of Small Ideals

2008 and 2009 coming up next week!

Last Christmas, Dustin Kensrue of Thrice released a Christmas album, This Good Night is Still Everywhere. A particularly thought provoking song on the record is called This is War. Kensrue describes it as a different take on the Christmas story—God declaring war on sin, death and Satan. In a way, it’s seeing Jesus’ incarnation for what it really was.

During the introduction to the video, he reminds us that Christmas is a unique opportunity for us, as Christians, to talk about things that are otherwise considered taboo in our society.

Like Jesus.

Even if you don’t believe what Christians would claim about Him, you have to step back and ask why is this man the most famous person who ever lived? This Galilean peasant who was killed in the most dishonoring and awful of ways. Why still is he the person that a large part of the world still thinks is God in Flesh and why is his impact so large?

Enjoy the video. The song is tremendous:

You can also watch the video without the intro here:

If you’re looking for some great Christmas music, buy the album at iTunes and Amazon.

HT: Ransom.tv

so sunday i went to the three dollar theater with a friend and saw where the wild things are. it was my third time seeing the film. it is easily one of my favorite movies of the year. on the drive home i got to thinking about what other movies, books, and albums really stood out to me this year.. so here is a short list of those three things that made a bit of an impact on me this past year. i will warn you that some of these items were not released this year (that’s why i’m not calling it the years best). i’m feeling lazy today so you can google any of them if you’re at all curious.

books

• spiritual leadership by j. oswald sanders
• the reason for God by tim keller
• worship matters by bob kauflin (haven’t finished it yet but so far it’s been super challenging)
• a million miles in a thousand years by donald miller (this book has probably been the best read of the year for me)

movies

• where the wild things are (have seen it three times and can’t wait for the dvd release)
• star trek
• watchmen (i probably will catch some flack for this one)
• up (one of pixar’s best films)
• district 9
• pirate radio (also known as the boat that rocked. top notch soundtrack and good fun!)
• the hillsong documentary (eye opening in a good way)
• i’m sure there are some more but these are all that stand out at the moment.

music

• lovedrug – everything but the sucker punch show
• thrice – beggers and the live album have been consistent listens
• hillsong united – a_cross // the_earth: tear down the walls
• forever the sickest kids – these guys are so hard to stop listening too
• explosions in the sky – i found these guys after someone said my arrangements reminded them of these guys
• joshua radin – listen to this guy right now!
• jimmy eat world – it was the 10th anniversary of clarity and i got to see them play it live. amazing!
• barcelona – one of the best bands you have yet to listen to
• wilco – i finally caved and started listening to these guys. i should have done this a while ago.
• mutemath – i have a feeling i’ll be listening to these guys for years to come!
• third eye blind – always a must listen
• jay z – i like his music more and more and more. blueprint 3 was sooo GOOD!!

podcasts

• mars hill seattle
• john piper
• tim keller
• john macarthur

i’m sure i’ve forgotten entries for each of these categories. i know that in these areas it’s been a good year. i’m looking forward to the year to come as well. i’ve got a list of books already that i want to read through. there’s always new music, albums, and bands to discover. 2009 was a good year in the different forms of media that i consume.

The Decomposed Blog is changing. Yes, I’m opening up our end of the year feature with a manifestation about the blog itself, rather than about the music that will soon be discussed at length, but that’s the point of the masturbatory blog-o-sphere. Still, I think this announcement will be important enough to warrant your forgiveness. Starting once this post is finished, The Decomposed Blog will officially become a group effort. I have recruited four of the best minds in music to share in this wonderful rotting corpse. You’ll come to know them and love them (and hate them), but we’re all here to do the same thing: to go way over-the-top and under-the-radar to express any and all musical opinions we have. Max, David, Evan, and Tim will be joining me from here on out. Also, there will be a new layout pretty soon. Are you excited? Yes, you are.

So without any further adieu, we collectively present our take on (some of) the top albums of 2009. Scroll down further for pop-punk, indie rock, radio R&B and other delicious goodies. If you like what you see, tell your friends and follow us on twitter for more pretentious warbling.

Note: These albums are in no particular order. Also, in no way are we insisting these are the best albums released this year; they’re just our personal favorites, or the best we’ve heard.

Bradley Hathaway – A Mouth Full of Dust

From the opening strums of “Covered in the Blood,” it’s clear that Bradley Hathaway isn’t here to tickle our fancies; the endearing poet-turned-songwriter has a bitterness weighing down his heart, and he can’t dance a single step until it’s been removed. He sits in the middle of a cold, dark cabin with his acoustic guitar, crying out in his weak, quavering voice for peace. His words perfectly balance poetic elegance with conversational intimacy. The somber heaviness is a bit unsettling, but even more unsettling are the moments when he isn’t alone, when songs like “Momma” are enveloped in an otherworldly crescendo of cello, electric guitar, bass, piano, and percussion. As much as this word is overused, A Mouth Full of Dust is truly epic. At the same time, it is also deeply personal. All the stark moments of the album are dark and cold simply because they’re empty. The weight on his heart is the weight of loneliness, the need to belong and give love and be loved, and not just that romantic kind. The darkness isn’t impenetrable, though. In “Look Up,” Bradley finds moments of respite in the gorgeous moon and stars of the night sky and the twinkling in a stranger’s eyes. Even here one can feel the pain in his voice, but that pain somehow doesn’t matter anymore.

-Tim

P.O.S. – Never Better

Never Better isn’t the album of the decade. There may even be better albums this year. Perhaps some of them are hip-hop albums. But the fact is, none of those hip-hop albums feel as original as P.O.S.’s does. Where “Drumroll (We’re All Thirsty)” juxtaposes rapidfire marching band-style drum parts with the MC’s equally fast flow, rapping about the recession, his rap crew (Doomtree) and the violent overthrow of your suppressors, Jay-Z spent the year collaborating with Alicia Keys while Kanye made a fool of himself and Lil Wayne got arrested. P.O.S. doesn’t use racial epithets or homophobic slurs, endorses Pabst Blue Ribbon, references late comedian Mitch Hedberg, and samples Fugazi- none standard fare for a rapper, especially in 2009, where Auto-Tune and “swagger” rule the charts. P.O.S. and fellow Doomtree-er Lazerbeak produce the album, and the production never falters- from the fresh, tragic feel of “Been Afraid” to the use of cups as the basis for “Optimist.” Never Better is a bold move, and it’s just another example of the great music coming out of the Minneapolis hip-hop scene. P.O.S. stands above his contemporaries because he has so much heart and something original to say. He’s not rapping about “guns, bitches, and bling,” he’s rapping about what it means to be an American in contemporary society – from Obamamania to the freezing-cold Minnesota snow. Never Better is something fresh, and something that sticks with you- a commodity in this world of “Party in the U.S.A” and “I Gotta Feeling.” The world needs a voice like P.O.S.’s here and now in 2009.

-Evan

Bomb The Music Industry! – Scrambles

Right to the point- Scrambles is absolutely the most diverse album released this year.

Honestly, between its opener, the frantically acoustic lo-fi jam “Cold Chillin’, Cold Chillin’,” and the 21st-century ska-punk anthem “(Shut) Up The Punx!,” there’s little in common aside from the amazing energy that pervades the entire album. When frontman Jeff Rosenstock croons “If you don’t find a steady job now / If you don’t find someone to love now / You will die freezing cold and alone” over the Springsteen-influenced “Fresh Attitude, Young Body,” you feel his pain. He spends the rest of the album touching on everything from 9/11 to bands ruining the punk scene to feeling old and irrelevant. A case could be made for “Stuff That I Like” being song of the year.- where else are you going to hear an anti-drug, pro-bicycle party anthem that bitches about train fare that still find time in its last breath to shred like it’s the very last party on Earth? Musically, lyrically, and emotionally, Scrambles runs the gamut of everything you need to hear and feel in 2009 in punk music.

Scrambles is influenced by all of life- from the gutter to the glory. It’s an initially abrasive album that manages to become an acquired taste- one that’ll have you screaming about bicycles well into your mid-twenties. That’s where Jeff Rosenstock finds himself with this album – 25 and still exploring new musical terrain. Enjoy it while it lasts, ‘cause there may be no tomorrow.

-Evan

The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

Fans of the Decemberists are well aware that frontman Colin Meloy enjoys a good yarn. He spent his college years reading them and has been known to spin them quite admirably. This time, however, instead of a scarf, he’s opted for a whole sweater. The Hazards of Love is that sweater your grandmother knits that you don’t want to wear because it’s a little awkward, but it’s also the most comfortable item in your wardrobe. The album is not a book of short stories but rather a novel, grounded firmly in a fairytale realm with a decided dose of Romantic passion. The album succeeds because it is so massive; it’s over the top, yes, but in its grandiosity it finds an escape from the traditionally “irony” that the Decemberists’ fanbase tends to devour. Instead of being ironically over the top, Hazards of Love is earnest about it. It embraces everything about the over the top theatricality of the story and of the execution and as a result basks rather than balks. The ridiculousness of everything is reflected in the heavier, more rock-oriented sound the Decemberists here play with, and the way riffs make their way into the traditional chamber pop this group is known and loved for is perhaps a sign that Meloy once toyed with the idea of majoring in theater in addition to creative writing. Listening to this album is like reading a great novel—no. It’s like seeing a great play, and even though it’s melodramatic, it’s the kind of overblownness that both audience and artist totally agree is absolutely necessary. If you didn’t see any plays this year, at least listen to this album.

-David

Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca

Through almost-too-bright guitars playing post-pop chord progressions, through on-again off-again three part harmonies providing the canvas for seemingly random melodies, through touchingly tender acoustic numbers side by side with indie’d out modern R&B numbers, through lead lines that either express guitar virtuosity or a complete lack of playing ability, Dirty Projectors have crafted an album that pleases everything I’ve secretly lusted for as a music fan. Remember when we were younger? We listened to anything and everything, and we danced to it, because we loved music. Before we knew the internet, the blogs, the Pitchfork, the AbsolutePunk, the genres, the cred, we knew unabashed love for sound. This album appeals to that part of our psyche without condescension. Its lyrics are infantile and immature, its music rebels against the rules of both the pop and indie rock worlds. Finally, we have an album that teaches us how to be young again, but does it in a way that we can understand: guitar, drum, bass, laptop, voice. When it comes down to it, that’s all it is. Yet, it’s brilliant.

-Dion

Beyonce – I am… Sasha Fierce

Put away your preconceived notions and see Beyonce Knowles for who she truly is. She’s not just the former lead singer of the most successful female singing group of all time. She’s not just the most talented vocalists on the radio. She’s not just Jay-Z’s loving wife. She’s a representative of the coolest trend in music right now; modern pop fusing with modern R&B fusing with the experimental mindset of indie-rock. On Sasha Fierce, Beyonce makes a bold statement for pop music, urging its power as a mode of expression; she has both style and substance. Conceptually, Sasha Fierce divides Beyonce’s style into two parts. The soulful, vocally-driven radio R&B of “Halo” and “Ego,” and the robotic futurism of “Sweet Dreams” and “All the Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” the latter of which is a strong contender for song of year. No matter which side of the fence Beyonce is placed on, she outperforms her contemporaries in both fields. Her voices is strong, taking melodies by the horn and wrestling them into submission, and her swag is equally is daring (you’ve gotta have swag to tread the line between awesome and vapid, as she does on “Video Phone”). And with single after single hitting the top 10, this year undoubtedly belongs to Beyonce. She’s got a big ego, and she definitely deserves it.

-Dion

Modest Mouse – No One’s First And You’re Next

Modest Mouse, what do you have to say for yourself? People claim you guys have sold out, and your music isn’t what it used to be. I used to be one of those people, and then I picked up No One’s First, And You’re Next. Well lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me again! This 8 song EP, tallying up to be over a half hour in length, is actually a compilation of b-sides, recorded during the Good News and We Were Dead recording sessions. The great thing about this EP is that it is accessible to Modest Mouse fans, new and old. It has the catchy folky pop of We Were Dead with the original MM indie feel of The Moon & Antartica and This Is A Long Drive. Key tracks include Satellite Skin, Guilty Cocker Spaniels, Whale Song, King Rat, and I Got It All (Most).

-Max

Thrice – Beggars

After spending all decade evolving from one of the scene’s finest metal acts into a multi-genre spectacle, complete with all sorts of bells and whistles, Thrice uses Beggars to explore a whole new frontier: restraint. No longer concerned with testing the melting point of their metaphorical wax, the Orange County four-piece have melded all their elements into a humble blend of In Rainbows-flavored bluesy punk. The resultant album is very “pedestrian” in the best way possible. Bassist and drummer Eddie and Riley Breckenridge give the rhythm section a new found groove, and lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi’s production work gives this groove sufficient room to breathe. This allows lyricist Dustin Kensure the perfect backdrop over which to sing with his earthy croon these songs of religion, romance, greed, contentment, and death. Everything sounds raw, with all the charm of a band playing at your local bar. No longer interested in staring at the sun for meaning and understanding, Thrice now finds the most profound revelations in humanity, and it’s here that Beggars finds its beauty. We’re reminded that we’re really not anything; we can’t safeguard our breath in the night as we sleep, and our bodies will soon be buried and left to rot. That’s alright, though, for it wasn’t ours to claim in the first place. “Everything’s grace.” This peace fills our hearts with songs of forever; “All is well. I will rejoice.”
-Tim

Relient K – Forget And Not Slow Down

Let me preface this review right quick… I’m not a fan of Relient K. Well, yet. Never originally listening to Relient K made me skeptical of David and Tim’s recommendation for this album. So, one day, I decided to download it, and just check it out. Well, let me tell you, I was blown away. This is one of the best pop punk cds I have ever listened to. When I’m having a bad day, I put on Therapy, or Over It, and suddenly I don’t feel as bad. Not only that, the main thing with this cd which is most important to me is how I connected with the lyrics. This Is The End (If You Want It) couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. Now, the only slight downfall for this album for me, is the song Candlelight. Why? It sounds like a Death Cab For Cutie song. I’m not a DCFC fan. Yet, for some, this could be, and probably is, a plus. Key tracks include Forget And Not Slow Down, Therapy, Over It, Savannah, and This Is The End (If You Want It).

-Max

The Mountain Goats – The Life Of The World To Come

John Darnielle is one of the most consistent and consistently good songwriters around today. Of course, that makes recommending an album for newcomers to The Mountain Goats infuriating and difficult, and The Life of the World to Come is just one more infuriatingly brilliant entry into Darnielle’s oeuvre, but one that brings with it a new level of depth and contemplativeness that has until this point only made brief appearances in the massive Mountain Goats catalog. Every song except for the last on this album is named after a Bible verse, and the lyrics to the songs are all thematically pertinent, though not in a traditional sense. Instead of extolling the verses, Darnielle mulls over them, using his vignettes about faith healers, thieves, and cancer victims—among other things—as a vessel for conversation with the Bible verses. This allows him to discuss the less pleasant but more important and meaningful side of faith that is often overlooked: doubt. The skepticism, the doubt, the uncertainty of this album is palpable. No album released this year carries the kind of thought and emotion that this does. Whether you believe in God or not, this album is a study of faith that lends itself both to powerfully emotional and deeply intelligent lyrics. It’s impossible to listen just once, which is, as far as I’m concerned, the mark of a brilliant album. Looks like Darnielle finally has a best album.

-David

The second part of The Only Thing I Know For Sure’s top ten of 2009. Part one can be found here.

7. Mastodon – Crack The Skye (Warner Brothers)

Bombastic and pretentious, this year Mastodon reinvented themselves. Crack The Skye at times beggars belief, the band pulling musical tricks out of their sleeve that nobody saw coming. It’s debatable whether this is their best album yet, but without a doubt it shows that Mastodon are so much more than a skilled thrash band with a few ideas – they’re happy to pioneer and mix up genres that have no right to belong together. The fact that they then went on to play these songs to perfection when they visited the UK this year just cements the fact that they are one of the best things ever at the moment.

6. Thrice – Beggars (Vagrant)

Ok, so let me be honest – this is the first Thrice album I’ve ever listened to. Shocking yes, but maybe it wasn’t such a bad start. Those fans fonder of their earlier sound seem somewhat disillusioned with this effort, but I sure as hell don’t understand where they’re coming from. Beggars is such an intricate piece of work, and a powerful release for vocalist Justin Kensrue’s troubled mind, that it demands attention and respect. Certainly one of the most affecting albums of the year, and not just because of its melancholic reflections on belonging and faith – Thrice still take care to rock out as hard as ever.

5. Ex Libras - Suite(s) (Wirebird)

This one came completely out of the blue, but it is something incredibly special. When I reviewed it, I had to rely on that journalistic crutch of comparing Ex Libras to Radiohead, a compliment that sometimes seems the only one music writers can conjure in order to make a new band sound important. But I stand by my favourable comparison, as ‘Suite(s)’ mixes the intelligent experimentation of ‘Kid A’ with more basic elements, such as a stunning vocal performance from Amit Sharma. A remarkably impressive debut, what makes it more exciting that this is a band at the very beginning of their musical career. And even Radiohead started shite, so imagine what this lot are capable of?

(Read the full review of Suite(s))

These left California today for us up in Washington State, along with the test pressing. So we’ll have all our copies shipping at the end of the week – I’m figuring they’ll stroll in Wednesday/Thursday evening and then go out on either Friday/Saturday. Everyone will get some sort of shipping confirmation email, so you’ll know when to start watching for your orders.

Oh – and the test pressing is coming with the records so whoever the winner is, you’ll be getting it with your record. Its like a Willy Wonka thing, the golden ticket and shit.

We will be doing our best to get these orders out in one swoop, but please bare in mind that they won’t be shipping until the end of the week and that the holiday logjam has been going on for awhile at the USPS. If you want to upgrade your shipping to make damn sure this comes to you before Christmas, you’ve got a couple days left to do so. Just drop us an email – orders@nerdalertrecords.com – for a quote.

Thanks!

Brand New, Glassjaw, Crime in Stereo
Oakdale Theater, Wallingford CT
November 25th 2009

On the night before Thanksgiving, Brand New would make a stop in Connecticut on their way to a homecoming show on Long Island. While it would have been easy to mail it in knowing home was less than two hours away, the band put in another great effort, ripping though old favorites as well as the majority of tracks from their latest effort, Daisy.

Just like in Boston a week earlier (read my review here), new songs received only a luke-warm reception, while cuts such as “Jude Law and a Semester Abroad” and “Okay I Believe You but my Tommy Gun Don’t” had the crowd up in arms. The only disappointing aspect of the set was that it was about 15 minutes shorter than their Boston effort and excluded other fan favorites such as “Mixed Tape” and “The Shower Scene.”

The shorter set shouldn’t take away from the fact that Jesse Lacey and Co. were once again first-rate, proving that even when they should have one foot out the door, they’re still one of today’s great live bands.

Brand New, Glassjaw, Thrice, Manchester Orchestra, Kevin Devine
Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale New York
November 29th 2009

You would think this one would deserve its own review, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, Brand New’s  biggest ever headlining show didn’t quite live

Glassjaw's Palumbo

up to expectations. With support from a hand full of their favorite bands at an arena just minutes from where they grew up, I think everyone who made their way inside the Nassau Coliseum was expecting something special. What they got was something very ordinary.

The main reason the show wasn’t the rousing success it should have been was the time constraints placed on each band. Five acts on one stage is too many, and it became quite obvious when openers Kevin Devine, Manchester Orchestra, and Thrice were all limited to very short sets. Main support Glassjaw was allowed to play longer, and put on the type of show that has made them Long Island legends, at least to those who mixed it up on the floor of the cavernous arena. Daryl Palumbo was at his deranged best, singing and screaming his vocal cords to shreds.

The best way to describe the headliners set would be “loud.” The speakers which towered above the stage pumped out the type of sound that could finally do justice to tracks such as “Sink” and “Gasoline.” The band did their part by turning in the frenzied performance all of their fans have come to expect.  There was very little between song banter for a hometown show, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering Jessey Lacey is rarely one to wax poetic in such situations.

The most memorable moment of the night was not an individual song, but was when the band finally paused to look around at the thousands of occupied seats stretching high up the rafters. Understated as always, Lacey simply said “This is big… Bigger than my bedroom.”

The band closed the set with “Seventy Times 7″ much sooner than the crowd had hoped, most likely due to a curfew imposed by the venue. While the thousands who filed out of the arena left satisfied, this should have been the type of show that is talked about for years to come, but I doubt that will be the case. The second acoustic stage featuring old favorites Vinnie Caruana of The Movielife and Andy Jackson of Hot Rod Circuit was a very nice touch, as were the four bands who opened on the main stage. However, the next time Brand New returns to Long Island, hopefully they will keep the focus where it belongs, which is squarely on themselves.

Preface:
Not a banner year, personally. It’s been about 20-24 months since I remembered what complete happiness was like, so I have to figure I’m do for some light at the end of a tunnel at some point. This Top 10 rounds an interesting decade in both life and music. It’s fascinating what my list is littered with this year as opposed to in 2000 – definitely a growth pattern, I think. In any case, they make up K-Bo’s Top 10 for 2009….love it or leave it…

Just missed the cut:

11. Chevelle/Sci-Fi Crimes (SONY): The brothers Loeffler have been churning out music now since just before the turn of the century and really landing on the map of modern rock in 2002. Commercially, they’ve been quite successful, but save for Wonder What’s Next never have really produced an album that’s been truly memorable. They have a sound that’s their own and very riff-heavy, but not ‘memorable.’ I thought Vena Sera (2006) was a complete dud and probably then end of good music from these guys. So imagine my surprise when Sci-Fi Crimes came out and grabbed me by the jugular again. Maybe I won’t remember the album in 10 years, but ‘Jars,’ ‘Shameless Metaphors,’ and ‘Sleep Apnea,’ hold my attention this year.

The Top 10 in reverse order…

10. Joshua James/Build Me This (ADA/Intelligent Noise): If I had to pick one word to define this album, I think ‘tender,’ would be apt. Joshua is a tender storyteller and musician, as evidenced on tracks like ‘Pitchfork,’ ‘Daniel,’ and ‘Lawn Full of Marigolds.’ At the same time he’s got a fire about it that smolders on ‘Weeds’ ‘Benediction,’ and ‘Black July.’ This is the kind of music you listen to around a campfire while gazing up at the stars. Lyric: ’I’ve got a cold black coffee on the right side of the bed/I picture you sleeping there next to me with your toes all painted red/and the misty grey sky morning hovers over your head/so will you meet me in the middle/like you said…’ (‘In The Middle’)

9. Thrice/Beggars (Fontana/Vagrant):. Dustin Kenrue’s band of merry vagabonds keep getting better with age. There are proponents and opponents to the album format these days. This band has done an array of things, but how do you come back to the album concept after four EP’s? These guys found little problem doing just that and in doing so, came up with their finest collection since 2002’s Artist In The Ambulance. They’ve taken everything they learned over the course of those EP’s and applied that here into one cohesive piece. It rocks, it ruminates, and it muses. Lyric: ’My heart is filled with songs of forever…’ (‘In Exhile’)

8. Killswitch Engage (ADA/Roadrunner): Finally, on their third album, KSE live up to the potential I’d hoped they had. This is arena rock in 2009 in all of its anthemic glory. Howard’s vocals soar, Adam’s melodies outshine the darkest corners, and the drumming is spot on.. These guys should be out on tour with either Metallica or Slayer right now. Lyric: ’What will it take to escape you?/Is this what you wanted?/To see me humbled?/Is this what you asked for?/The final word?’’ (‘The Return’)

7. William Fitzsimmons/The Sparrow and The Crow (Fontana/Downtown): some music is like a sea change in your life. I’ve found that a man and a guitar can say just as much as a fully plugged in five-piece with backing orchestra. Fitzsimmons hails from a cold, rural part of Pennsylvania and holed himself up to write one of the darkest break-up albums known to man. This album came to me late last year (despite it’s 2009 physical release) as I was coping in my own life with such a thing and connected with me. My collection would be incomplete without this piece of art. Lyric: ’It’s a lonely place to live with just a ghost/There is love left in my life I will see/But you still hurt me…’ (‘You Still Hurt Me’)

6. Dinosaur, Jr/Farm (ADA/Jagjaguwar): Before Nirvana, there was Dinosaur, Jr. That was 16 years ago in my mind…and in MY mind, my formative years took place just before the alternative era…I was listening to the Pixies by way of the U2 Zoo TV tour, and naturally found myself turned on to Mascis and Murph and the 1993 commercial breakthrough, Where You Been? …this was back when MTV played videos, kids. ‘Start Choppin,’ and ‘Out There,’ garnered several spins in the tape deck (yes, remember walkmen? No, no the band…) Jump ahead to today and they’ve never sounded so good (with Barlow back in the fold)…every song a testament to why J Mascis should be recognized for the guitarist and songwriter he is. Lyric:’I’ve got nothing left to be/Do you have something for me?’ (‘Plans’)

5. Alice In Chains/Black Gives Way to Blue (EMI/Virgin): No disrespect to Staley, but as a cohesive, fantastic sounding album from track-to-track, this AIC release takes the cake! Some of Cantrell’s best writing. Duvall is a welcome, accepted edition. I don’t think they could’ve written a better comeback. Lyric: ‘Fading out by design/consciously avoiding changes/curtains drawn, now it’s done’ (‘Black Gives Way to Blue’)

4. Placebo/Battle for the Sun (Fontana/Vagrant): This is, hands down, my favorite band of the decade. Continuing in the polished vein of 2006’s MEDS album, it would seem the band has found it’s niche in alterna-rock culture. More songs for boys like me with hearts on their sleeves. Lyric: ‘Now that I’ve stared into the void/so many people I’ve annoyed/I have to find a middle way/a better way of giving…’ (‘Bright Lights’)

3. Pearl Jam/Backspacer (Independent Release): Their fourth studio album of the decade, but first in 13 years with Brendan O’Brien. This is the PJ I know and love. The band with a mission on its record to rock fast with abandon while at the same time writing songs with a sensibility to them. The other three albums over the past 10 years lacked a consistent theme. To some that was considered cool. Sometimes I like straight lines in my album rock. Lyric: ‘See the path cut by the moon/for you to walk on/see the waves on distant shores/awaiting your arrival/dream the dreams of other men/you’ll be no one’s rival…’ (‘Unthought Known’)

2. Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson/Break Up (WEA): O.K. we all know the story – Pete woke up one morning and decided to do a duets album. Save for the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss record, there haven’t been too many duets records this decade that have been able to truly cross lines and blow …people away. As with anything over time, this album is an update on a theme, but it works (addressing both the past and present musically) – in the end, it’s a beautifully crafted pop album. Scarlett’s voice is truly a gift and a great foil and muse for Pete’s music. In a nutshell, it just works. Lyric: ‘There’s a place around the heart/that you wish for/when you pretend it’s never there/what are you livin’ for?’ (‘Clean’)

1. 30 Seconds to Mars/This Is War (EMI/Virgin): Epic grandiosity wins out for me. 30 Seconds to Mars succeed in every way that Angels vs. Airwaves never did. Their love of their fans (and ability to incorporate them into the overall sound and direction of this album) is awe-inspiring. Can’t wait to see the band translate this live and, I think, as a listener that should be a key component of an album – How it translates live (as in you can’t wait to see the sound in action). Lyric: ‘We both could see/crystal clear/that the inevitable end was near/we made our choice/a trial by fire/to battle is the only way to feel and/ /I fell apart/but got back up again…’ (‘Alibi’)

Best of The Rest:
Julian Plenti/…Is Skyscraper
Von Bondies/Love, Hate and Then There’s You
Therapy?/Crooked Timber
Silversun Pickups/Swoon
Dredg/The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
P.O.S./Never Better
Jay-Z/Blueprint III
Iron & Wine/Around The Well
Ben Harper & Relentless7/White Lies for Dark Times
Fever Ray/Fever Ray
John Frusciante/Empyrean
Dredg/The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Depeche Mode/Sounds of the Universe
Arkaea/Years in the Darkness
The Editors/In The Light of This Evening
AFI/Crash Love
The Bravery/Stir the Blood
Prodigy/Invaders Must Die
Miike Snow/Miike Snow
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s/It’s Blitz

Best Songs of the Year:
Alice In Chains ‘Check My Brain’ – song of the year…
BlakRoc feat. Mos Def ‘Stay off the F*cking Flowers’
Blessthefall, ‘Hey Baby, Here’s That Song That You Wanted’
(The) Bravery, ‘Hatef*ck’
Chevelle, ‘Jars’
Depeche Mode, ‘Wrong’
Dredg, ‘The Information’
Grizzly Bear, ‘Two Weeks’
Jay-Z, ‘Empire State of Mind’
Julian Plenti, ‘Only If You Run’
Joshua James, ‘Annabelle’
Killswitch Engage, ‘In a Dead World’
Lady Gaga, ‘Bad Romance’
Marilyn Manson, ‘We’re From America’
Miike Snow, ‘Animal’
Pearl Jam, ‘The Fixer’
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson, ‘Relator’
P.O.S. ‘Purexed’
Placebo ‘Kings of Medicine’
Silversun Pickups, ‘There’s No Secrets This Year’
30 Seconds to Mars, ‘Kings and Queens’
Thrice, ‘In Exhile’
Von Bondies, “Pale Bride’
William Fitzsimmons ‘You Still Hurt Me’
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s ‘Heads Will Roll’

Biggest Disappointments/Worst Albums:
1. Blue October, Approaching Normal: maybe that’s the problem – normal is boring in rock…
2. The Killer and the Star, Self-Titled: great concept, Scooter rocks, but not very memorable – and live the songs don’t translate well at all…
3. U2, No Line on the Horizon: their least memorable album of the decade as it fails to rock in any memorable way and the tunes, despite being produced by the same team that worked on Joshua Tree, are just flat out boring…

Reality Check in ’09? (Things I looked forward to at the end of ’08):
1. U2 – See above.
2. NIN – missed out seeing them with Jane’s Addiction due to NARM, couldn’t score tix to their final shows. Sadness prevails at the end of an era…
3. Black Light Burns – Supposedly album #2 was finished. Then Wes tried to get into Marilyn Manson. That didn’t work out. So now he’s back with Fred Durst (something he told his fans he’d never do…) Thanks for being as consistent as a politician.
4. Placebo – a solid record (as evidenced by my Top 10) – the North American tour (which was to feature a tour date here in Clifton Park) got derailed. Slow sales over here may derail further chances of a tour and I’m afraid they be another band that’s ‘really big over in Europe.’ So much potential though.
5. DROID – haven’t really heard anything from that camp in 2009. Maybe 2010 is a re-launch/rebirth year. Maybe Deftones will take ‘em out on the road.

Looking forward to in ’10?
1. My Chemical Romance: Butler says this is a return to raw rock. Personally I think it’s time for them to kill the dramatics a bit and just go straight up. Could be pretty exciting if they do.
2. Ryan Adams: A radio silent year for this prolific artist. One has to think he has something new up his sleeves pretty soon.
3. Interpol: New album apparently in the can and was recorded this past Spring. Which would’ve been around the time of when the Julian Plenti album came to fruition. They say it’s a return to form (which we hear a lot of these days.) Paint me optimistic.
4. Low vs. Diamond: I don’t know if they’ve begun writing for their follow-up but I hope so and look forward to the direction they take.
5. Bon Iver: How much of a sabbatical will he take this winter and what will he come up with for proper album #2?

On top of their supporting slot on Brand New’s Wembley Arena show, Thrice will be playing a few headlining shows themselves and you can find the dates after the break.

January
18th – Leeds, Cockpit
19th – Glasgow, Garage
20th – Manchester, Academy 2
21st – Cardiff, Solus
22nd – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

A song for those who find this season a burden.

Come all you weary with your heavy loads
Lay down your burdens find rest for your souls
Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind
I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine

Come all you weary, move through the earth
You’ve been spurned at fine restaurants and kicked out of church;
I’ve got a couple of loaves, so sit down at my feet
Lend me your ears and we’ll break bread and eat

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls

Come all you weary, crippled you lame
I’ll help you along you can lay down your canes
We’ve got a long way to go but we’ll travel as friends
The light’s growing bright further up, further in

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls

Thrice will be joining Brand New and Glassjaw at the Wembley Arena this January.

Number Five. Thrice – The Alchemy Index (2007-2008)

Thrice was one of those bands that slowly worked their way into my consciousness as I heard about them from different people I knew and saw news about them online. In October 2007, when AbsolutePunk linked to a full stream of their latest project – and everyone on there spoke highly of it – I checked it out. It was the first two parts of a four-part concept project known as The Alchemy Index, containing six songs under each of the four elemental categories of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, which served as an inspiration both for lyrical themes and musical composition. I listened through it a couple times and generally liked it, but I was on the fence about buying it until I looked up the lyrics, really paid attention to them…. and was blown away.

In just over two years, Dustin Kensrue has become one of my favorite songwriters. He creates moving images and settings with allusions to Greek mythology, ancient fables, historical figures, and a lot of Scripture. One of my first favorite songs was “Digital Sea,” which discusses how technology invades our lives: “The ghost of Descartes screams in the dark / ‘Oh, how could I have been so wrong?’… I am drowning in a digital sea…” “Daedalus” gives the father’s perspective of Icarus’s fateful high flying and melted wings. “The Lion and the Wolf” paints metaphors about how destruction can come from the outside as well as yourself.

But what really shattered my paradigm was the Biblical references and themes. For a few years I had been witnessing a welcome increase in popularity and respect for Christian musicians in the mainstream industry, but it often seemed to come at the price of watering down their message and hiding what they believed. So it was at once incredibly surprising and encouraging for me to find a band that was never really associated with the Christian market to begin with (or else I would have been spinning Vhiessu instead of Kutless back in high school…) and had a lot of non-Christian fans while still singing about Christ with better lyrics than a lot of the more official “Christian” bands!

The lead line of “Come All You Weary,” my favorite Thrice tune, is straight out of Matthew, and is a beautifully encouraging song for anyone who’s ever been battered or exhausted. “Moving Mountains” references 1 Corinthians 13 as the singer claims that he can move mountains and understand angel tongues, yet “I don’t know the first thing about love.” “The Messenger” draws inspiration from Isaiah in its depiction of a man answering the call of God: “Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke, and I say, ‘Here I am, send me.’“

The music was equally impressive. The Fire songs were intense; Water was calm; Air was ambient; Earth was stripped-down and, well, earthy. The quality of production and musicianship held the versatile project together into a cohesive structure. Shifting time signatures here, ambient layers there, and maybe just a passionately strummed guitar over there… it all was supported by strong melodies and even stronger lyrics. This year I reached back into their previous work and also acquired their new album, finding the same strength throughout. Beggars quickly became one of my favorite releases of ‘09 with its timeless theme that everything in this life doesn’t really matter.

For breaking stereotypes with your variety of sound, for shattering my paradigms about what Christians are allowed to sing about in the mainstream market, for making me think and encouraging me and helping me realign my perspectives about life — here’s to you, Thrice, at Number Five.