Best of 2009

At first glance, '09 may seem like a fairly disappointing year for music fans (beyond the obvious releases from Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear). However, for those up for the challenge, there were many gems to be discovered throughout the final year of this decade. Quality albums from; The Antlers, Decemberists, Manchester Orchestra, and Brand New all appeared to be mediocre, overly-hyped releases. But when each has been given adequate time to be digested - calling any of them 'mediocre' would be false. Unfortunately, it appears '09 did not have many indie/alternative albums which will be universally accepted due to their style, genre, and mass appeal.

So, without further ado, the top 10 albums of 2009:


10. The Decemberists - Hazzards of Love

9. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

8. Silversun Pickups - Swoon

7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

6. Sleeping at Last - Storyboards

5. Russian Circles - Geneva

4. The Antlers - Hospice

3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

2. Animal Collective - Meriweather Post-Pavilion

1. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Update on best albums of '09

As the end of 2009 approaches quickly, there are a few albums I've had to add to my top 10 list (well, the 9 on the list).

While I anticipated Brand New's Daisy to easily be one of the top 10 albums of the year, I'm still waiting for it to sink in with me. As of right now, it's hard for me to put it up there, but I'm still hoping after many listens that I'm able to truly appreciate this album.

Another album I recently fell in love with is Hospice by The Antlers. I had read multiple reviews which praise this album, though this is not the sole reason for me to add it to my list. Over the last week I've had this album on repeat, and I've discovered something new each listen - definitely one of the top 5 (as of today) of '09 in my opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised when Russian Circles released their third album late this year, and I have loved every moment of Geneva. There is no doubt that this release will be in my top 10, though it will be difficult deciding on where it ranks in my book.

A possible dark horse on my list of 2009 is from a local band - The Summer Pledge. The easiest way to describe their first full length album, You are you, would be to categorize them as instrumental/experimental/indie. The majority of the album is sans vocals, there are several songs which incorporate them - though they still remain second to the melodies created by the guitars and percussion. The ethereal voice coming in and out of the tracks gives the album a much different feel - one that reminded me of The Appleseed Cast's Sagarmatha.

http://www.gimmesound.com/thesummerpledge/

I had been anticipating a full length release from Minus the Bear - especially after being addicted to the single "Into the Mirror", though it appears this album will not be available until 2010. So for now, it seems that my list is starting to solidify, except for the even more difficult task of organizing and ranking these albums...whoa is me.

Russian Circles - Geneva

With the release of their third album, Russian Circles continue to redefine the already ambiguous genre of 'post-rock'. Geneva is the most complete and well rounded album of the three (the others being Enter and Station).

The inclusion of strings give Geneva a much more mature sound than most of the typical post-rock albums. The entire genre of post-rock is built around the idea of creating tracks that are 10 minutes long, and are structured around the "build, build, explode" theme. Russian Circles has clearly made a movement away from the typical design nearly all post-rock groups utilize. In the first track "Fathom", we hear an unusual intro for a rock album - violins. It's only seconds later when we hear the masterful drumming of Dave Turncrantz, who really puts on a show in this album. From here we believe the track is on course - slowly climbing, making the listener believe there will be a climax at the end. But instead of allowing us to indulge and plummet over the edge after the journey up, the group backs off and the track fades as it entered - with lone violins.

While one could argue that the listener is left unsatisfied without having the typical peak point in the track, I believe it only solidifies the band's position as pioneers and true experimental musicians. It would be much easier to use the "cookie-cutter" format to apply to each track - and while the album would still be a success, it would not be artful or even experimental. However, the album is not without its parts of hard riffs and multiple loops we have come to love - but instead of being one dimensional, this album seems to touch upon multiple emotions, the sound is constantly changing without even being able to notice. This album could be the soundtrack for almost anyone's life - as it conjures up thoughts and emotions from one extreme to another.

Though most any post-rock album doesn't produce any singles, if there were to be one track pulled out from Geneva, it would be "Malko". The 4 and a half minute track opens with an addicting sound looping and gradually getting louder before the drums chime in, and sounds are added and taken away almost every other stanza. The sheer intricacies of Turncrantz's drumming are enough consider this track a mind-grenade, let alone the complexity of the track itself. However, as nearly every instrumental album, listening to only one track is hardly adequate. "Malko" is simply one of the high points in the album, perhaps this track symbolizes the "climax" we seek in every song, yet we are only given this "high" once in the album - and when we step back and look at the album at a whole, we see the real brilliance intended.

While I have always been a fan of Russian Circles, and got hooked on them back when I stumbled across Enter, I believe they have become the face for an entire genre of music. Though most people think of Mogwai, Pelican, and Godspeed...., as the poster child for post-rock, I believe this trio will be the ones that set the standard for years to come, and Geneva will be an album to look to. Whether or not you agree, I believe one of the most impressive aspects of this group is the fact that they have but 3 musicians (not counting the occasional appearances of the violins and other strings). Most post-rock bands are comprised of at least 5 members, but can get as large as 20 (GY!BE). The fact that 3 people are able to create as complete a sound as 20 is impressive enough, let alone the assertion that they're creating something better than the 20. Either way, Russian Circles are creating something worth listening to, I'd recommend you check it out.

9/10

Best albums of '09 (thus far)

I've been thinking ahead to the end of the year, and wondering which albums will be included in my top 10 of 2009. So I thought I'd put together a preliminary list of my top 10 albums so far. I'm sure there will be changes in the rankings, additions, deletions, etc. (especially knowing Brand New has their new album coming out in a few weeks..). But I think 2009 has been a pretty solid year for music, there have been some very impressive albums released.

So as of September 7th, my list is as follows:

1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

2. Animal Collective - Meriweather Post Pavilion

3. Stardeath and White Dwarfs - The Birth

4. Mew - No More Stories...

5. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

6. The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha

7. Sleeping at Last - Storyboards

8. The Most Serene Republic - ...And the Ever Expanding Universe

9. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

10.











I'm going to just leave # 10 intentionally blank because I'm that confident the spot will be filled by Brand New. I'm also looking forward to Minus the Bear's latest.

Top 10 Albums

I have settled on my list of top 10 favorite albums, though it has not been met with great difficulty. The top 3 came without much hesitation at all. But trying to decide the order of the whole proved to be a struggle. So here it is:

10. Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.

Incubus had been my favorite band for such a long time, that even though they are no longer so, I had to give respect where it is due. I have listened to S.C.I.E.N.C.E., Make Yourself, and Morning View over one hundred times each, and enjoyed each album for how different it was from the last. But this album (the best they've produced in my book) was groundbreaking in my life, I hadn't really listened to an album in its entirety until this. I love listening to this CD and thinking about what could have been if the guys continued to make tracks like this...

9. Lydia - Illuminate

Illuminate may be one of the most unknown great albums out, I remember stumbling upon this group and being instantly drawn in by the ambient sound, and when Illuminate was released, I was completely enamored. While it's difficult to put such a new album in a list of 'all time favorites', I hadn't listened to anything as much as this for such a long time. My favorite song changed so many times, that nearly each track took its turn at the top. There are very few days when I don't listen to at least one song from Illuminate.

8. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief

I could probably include 5 Radiohead albums in my top 10 list, and how I finally landed on the 2 here still makes me want to reconsider. While I don't believe Hail to the Thief is one of their best, it's always been one I love to listen to over and over. I spent hours reading the lyrics and meanings to tracks such as; 2+2=5, There, There, Go to Sleep, and A Wolf at the Door. I was amazed at the little hidden references throughout this album. There isn't much these guys put out that doesn't blow me away, but there was something about Hail to the Thief that really captivated me.




7. Radiohead - Kid A

Kid A, unlike Hail to the Thief, is one of the best albums created in my lifetime in my opinion. It is one of the most complete and cohesive pieces of work I've ever heard. This album was one of the first to really blow me away, and does so to this day. When I heard a quote by Thom Yorke about Kid A, he said "Something traumatic is happening in Kid A, and this is looking back at it, trying to piece together what has happened." And I hear that quote in the back of my mind each time I listen to this album. I believe what I love most about this CD, is the inaccessibility of it - that is, the amount of effort needed to be put forth in order to grasp the genius of it. I love feeling as though only a select few people appreciate Kid A the same way as I do.

6. Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me

In my opinion, this is one of the best albums created in the past 5 years. You can make a case for each track as the best of the album. It opens with 'Sowing Season' - and when this song hits, the intensity grabs you hard. The CD had my attention from there on end. Brand New really amazed me with their versatility in this album, and I don't think I've heard another album with so many good songs.

5. Explosions in the Sky - The World is not a Cold Dark Place


I fell in love with the entire genre of 'post-rock' over the last year, and this CD was my introduction to a whole new take on music. This continues to be my favorite album to listen to while I workout, read, or sleep. The lengthy tracks that slowly build from a calm simple sound to overwhelming culmination of guitars, loops, and drums has been a style of music that allows me to hear it without listening. It lets me drift off and create a backdrop and meaning of my own, the absence of lyrics allow for even greater interpretation. While most stay away from instrumental music, as many of us subconsciously find comfort in lyrics, I have been drawn to it, and The World is not a Cold Dark Place has been one of the most inspiring albums I've found.

4. Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

There is a lot of nostalgia attached to this CD, while I don't find myself listening to much 'hard' music these days, there is still apart of me that loves it. It took me many listens to really get into this album, but it also really opened my eyes to the beauty and intricacies of Thrice. The screaming always trumped the rest of the music for me, but once I listened past it, I heard the real talent. I hope when I'm old and listening to...well whatever old people listen to then, that I can still throw this CD in and want to rock out to it.

3. French Kicks - Swimming

While most of the albums on this list have been around for at least a few years, Swimming is only about a year and a half old - which must speak to how much I enjoy it. Like a few other of my favorite albums, my favorite track changed on what seemed like a weekly basis. Swimming is the album I can listen to anytime, and when I don't even know what kind of mood I wish to appeal to. Listening to the French Kicks is like nothing else, the entire album creates a mood which is not of this world, one that causes you to feel as though you're in a perfect dream. Seeing these guys live only caused me to fall in love with this album even more. They performed just as I imagined, and made everyone feel right at home. I think listening to this album lets me go back to that show and relive it over and over. Something I very rarely find.

2. Sparta - Wiretap Scars

I probably listened to Wiretap Scars a dozen times through before I really got to the core of it. I could sing along with most of the songs, but never really analyzed the substance of it all. Upon doing so, each song sounded different - it was like rediscovering the CD all over again. Cataract might be one of my favorite songs of all time - one I have yet to be tired of hearing to this day. After reading the lyrics and discussions on interpretations, the songs would strike me in a different way each time. I could hear the emotion of Jim Ward's voice, rather than just hearing shouting. I feel this album was ahead of its time, creating an ambient sound mixing with loops and hard riffs. This is another album I've heard many times before discovering the real brilliance of it all.

1. Dear & the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

The connection I have with this album, is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I can specifically recall browsing through iTunes one day before I was about to make the two hour drive back to college, and I wanted a new album to listen to with my extra time. I was drawn in by the singe 'Sweet Talk', and instantly fell in love with that track. I listened to the album through a few times, but failed to make any groundbreaking connection right away. Weeks later I found myself devastated upon discovering news of an unpleasant nature...that of a certain female...I'll just leave it at that. I found myself in a constant haze of anger and sorrow, and the most comforting thing I had was this album. As I continued to listen to it, it felt as though it was written specifically for me - and my current situation. I've heard 'breakup songs' before, but none have spoken to me on the same level as Small Steps, Heavy Hooves. I probably listened to this album 70+ times in a span of a month. Fortunately, I can still listen to this CD without having the horrible feelings attached to it, it would have been tragic if I had to refrain from listening to it ever again. Too many songs have been like syringes for me - used to cure the illness, but then disposed of forever. But this album is the exception to the rule.

Sleeping At Last - Storyboards

I've been quite overdue for post here, considering the albums that have been released since my last entry...



There are very few artists today that captivate me the way that Sleeping at Last does, lyrically they are unparalleled. However, it is upon combining these bold lyrics with vocals that are just as daring, raw, and uncut that allows for a sound as emotional as found in Storyboards. I listened to this album on repeat for the duration of my day at work, trying to absorb the full effect. I found myself overwhelmed numerous times, and brought to the brink of tears each time "Naive" came back around. The simplicity of a piano, soft woodwinds and vocals pulled me in more than other tracks with a full orchestra accompanying the duo. Once again, the honest vocals of Ryan O'Neal have overwhelmed me with a sense of innocence and helplessness, it's as if he is revealing his darkest secrets to me, intentionally leaving himself absolutely vulnerable with the line; "God knows I've been naive, but I think it makes him proud of me."

Just as tracks like "Naive" encourage tears, the album balances itself when we reach "Clockwork" and the lighthearted flutes bouncing around lift us back up, creating a feeling of childhood innocence. The lyrics give us hope with lines like; "and somehow we smell the blossom, through the snow." There are no hidden agendas the lie in the lyrics, the melody of the track is an accurate portrayal of the message delivered - once again the authenticity of Sleeping at Last makes its presence known. If this album had a purpose, it was not to confuse, or require multiple listens to decipher the "hidden meaning" buried within ambiguous lyrics. However, the lyrics written are not simple or without thought. But the genius of each word lies not within the complications caused to listeners, but instead within the ability to summon the emotions we've all felt, but this time from an unlikely source.

Storyboards is a very complete album, finding a balance between sorrow and joy, but sticks to a common theme and sound. The completeness is also found by joining the duo with an orchestra, allowing for an array of sounds without overwhelming us with more than we can handle. Each track has a prescribed formula, to create a specific mood, and the versatility of Sleeping at Last has impressed me in this album more than ever before. Storyboards is an adventure, one I recommend everyone take at least once.

As I said before, the message delivered by these two is not muddled, and this virtue may also prove to be the thing that prevents wide reception from the masses. Being Christian, many bands will be limited from the start, but depending on their choice of lyrics, great popularity is not out of the question. Attaining popularity is clearly not the ambition of Sleeping at Last, and this should go without saying. Many people will never give this group a chance because their lyrics are openly Christian and the vocals are far from polished. But even if you find yourself on the other side of the fence with this album, there is still room for respect for these guys, respect for true passion. We rarely see musicians create songs and albums that they know has no chance of reaching a spot on the Billboard top 100. And while I've heard countless musicians say "it's about the music," only a handful of them have had a full understanding of what it means, and actually shown it. Storyboards is an example of an album created by musicians with passion for music, which has become a bit of a contradicting statement when applied to popular music.

(and uh, please forgive the random, criticism of pop music tangent at the end there)


9/10

The Mars Volta - 'Octahedron'

Releasing their 5th studio album, The Mars Volta is taking on their version of an "acoustic" record. Don't be fooled. While 'Octahedron' is much more accessible than prior albums, it still remains miles away from what we would expect an acoustic album to sound like..

This should not come as anything unexpected for followers of such a progressive group. However, after listening to the latest album from TMV for the first time, I was on the edge of my seat as I waited and waited for the first track to hit. After a long period of silence, I was surprised to hear the sound of an acoustic guitar accompanying Bixler-Zavala. Yet my surprise by the unusual opening track was overcome by the captivating aura of "Since We've Been Wrong." I may be partial to this track, due to my love for the entire genre of "post-rock" - which is based on the design of 'slowly building over several minutes, until a climax is reached near the five minute mark.' And it is within the first song that I noticed some 'post rock' influence. Once can't help but think of Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to heaven' upon listening to the opening song as well - we hear an acoustic guitar climb up and down, electric guitars creating the melody in the background, soft and meaningful vocals dancing throughout the song, and finally a crescendo with the full array of instruments (minus a lengthy guitar solo).

After the seven minute opener, TMV returns to a style which is familiar to many of us in "Teflon," as they cut Pridgen loose in the first seconds of the track. "Cotopaxi" and "Desperate Graves" also stand out as familiar and comfortable tracks for those of us who love the fast/harder tracks that we've seen over the years. Throughout the album we see a back and forth or up and down sense of cohesion between the tracks. There are more ballads in Octahedron than we saw in The Bedlam in Goliath, creating a much more balanced album. I see their prior album (The Bedlam in Goliath) as a much more experimental piece, as Omar said in one interview the theme or inspiration of the album came from an "Ouija" board - which provided him with visions and visits from spirits in the following nights, providing him with lyrics and ideas for their new album. And I also see this album as an introduction to Thomas Pridgen, the bands newly acquired drummer for The Bedlam in Goliath - allowing him to impress us and leave us with a sense of amazement by his technical abilities. And after listening to the speed and quality of his drumming throughout the album, I was instantly impressed. As the band moves forward toward Octahedron, the group returns to create songs which are more vocally centered, yet we still hear the quality drumming in the back - just a more subdued and consistent version.

There will be listeners who will criticize the band for releasing an album with such an 'accessible' track as "Since We've Been Wrong," and there will also be lifetime fans who love it. Regardless your taste - the quality of the album cannot be denied. The one constant that The Mars Volta continues with in this album is that it is different and unlike anything else they've done. Different from the last album. Different for them in general. Even though Octahedron is shorter than prior releases, and may seem to have been put out very fast (which it was), don't let these factors force you to listen with biased ears - because this album, like every other, is amazing in its own way. One should not listen to anything created by The Mars Volta the same way you listen to anything else, and for that fact, hold them to the same standards. There is talent and creativity that exists within these guys that I have not seen anywhere else. Octahedron appears to be a step towards the style of prior albums, so if you're not a fan of this one, I'm thinking you won't need to wait long for the next album - which will most likely be nothing like this one.

8.5/10

Incubus - Monuments and Melodies

Over the last decade few bands had impacted me as much as Incubus, and when asked 'who's your favorite band?', they were one of the first few names out of my mouth. On June 16th, Incubus released they're first (and likely only) 'greatest hits' album. The two disc set is composed of 27 songs including; 12 B-Sides, an acoustic version of 'A Certain Shade of Green', a live version of 'Pardon Me', and a cover of 'Let's Go Crazy' (originally by Prince). After nearly 18 years of creating music, which included 6 full length albums, I had high expectations for this compilation album - mostly curious to see which tracks made the final cut! However, upon scrolling through the track list, I was very unimpressed...

Ask any 'true' Incubus fan (pre-Morning View followers), which album they believe is their best (not favorite), and I am confident that the consensus would be S.C.I.E.N.C.E. While I believe each album is different, making them difficult to compare, I think their best work lies in the afore mentioned album. Yet NONE of the songs from this album made the all-star lineup (besides the acoustic remake). The only albums with representatives on this CD are: Make Yourself, Morning View, A Crow Left of the Murder, & Light Grenades. Whereas; Enjoy Incubus, Fungus Amongus, & S.C.I.E.N.C.E. apparently failed to produce any songs worthy of recognition. I think the greatest tragedy of this album is the presence of the song 'Love Hurts,' and I may be alone on this, but this was probably the least impressive song Incubus has recorded, and seeing it on their greatest hits CD is mind-boggling.

The selected tracks are predictable to say the least, with 'Are You In?' as the lone exception. The only real appeal of the album lies on the second disc, which is where you will find the B-Side tracks which hadn't been released to the public (at least not officially). As I listened through the unfamiliar tracks, I found myself enjoying what I was hearing, the tracks were, in face, quite 'melodic' as the title of the album indicates. Brandon Boyd's vocals continued to impress me as they have remained a constant throughout the bands career. However, with such intoxicating harmonies, it is easy to allow the real substance of the lyrics pass through us, without actually hearing the words. It seems that upon discovering the success of such tracks as 'love hurts' and 'diamonds and coal' the guys realized at some point that by making the lyrics easily accessible - more people will listen! Both of these songs are as complex as anything you'll hear on the radio, and while these rarities prove to be aesthetically pleasing, they pick up where Light Grenades left off by offering little to no substance.

The title of the album is creative, and works well with the layout of the tracks. And I cannot argue that the tracks on the first disc aren't 'monuments', however what each of these songs signify as an achievement by the band, is up for debate. While statistically we may see each song reach a higher spot on the Billboard chart, we also witness another step away from the music that once drew us in initially. I now see why tracks from S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and Fungus Amongus had been left off - they do not fit into the theme of accessibility that the others provide. I am a big fan of both Morning View and Make Yourself, so do not think I am bashing these albums - I simply see the track selection as a simple math equation where someone decided: proven success (simplest/most recognizable songs) + something new but not alienating (B-Sides) + a pretty package (Monuments and Melodies) = highest revenues. And it's sad that Incubus has allowed they're music to transform into this. It's difficult to believe the same group is responsible for Monuments and Melodies as well as Fungus Amongus.

It's been difficult to watch one of my favorite bands steadily decline and drift away from the edgy, experimental, rebellious band I once admired so dearly. However, there is still an intrinsic value that Incubus possesses - Brandon's vocals cannot be denied, Jose's drumming (while not apparent in recent albums) is effortless and captivating, and Kilmore's style has the ability to set the band apart from any rival among their genre. If only these traits were left untamed instead of being subdued by the desire for fame. One can only imagine what this compilation album would contain had the boys from Calabasas taken the road less traveled.

6/10

Preliminary List of Albums

As previously mentioned, I have compiled a preliminary list of my all time favorite albums. I'm working on narrowing it down, and possibly using one not listed. I'm trying to take as many factors into account as I determine which albums are my 'favorite', and not just ones I believe are the 'best of all time', and I need to make sure to separate the two.

Anyway, here's the list (in no specific order):

1. Radiohead - Kid A

2. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief

3. Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

4. Sparta - Wiretap Scars

5. Dear & the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

6. Lydia - Illuminate

7. Incubus - Morning View

8. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf

9. French Kicks - Swimming

10. Explosions in the Sky - The World is not a Cold Dark Place

11. Russian Circles - Station

12. Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

13. Copeland - Beneath the Medicine Tree

14. Paulson - All at Once

15. Coldplay - Parachutes

16. Kaddisfly - Set Sail the Prairie

17. Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice

18. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

19. Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days

20. Wintersleep - Untitled

It was difficult enough coming up with this list, I don't know how I'm going to cut it in half....

Welcome...

Hello to the world wide web and those of you who happen to stumble across this web page.

As a modest individual, sharing my thoughts/ideas/opinions is a new venture. While I have always enjoyed writing and putting my thoughts down on paper, I have never considered myself worthy of public viewing - not due to a fear of criticism, merely afraid of appearing pretentious. However, I seek constant improvement as a person and enjoy discussions on a myriad of topics. So this blog is my attempt to generate conversation and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

I will spare you all the monotonous details of my daily life and entries titled 'what I did this weekend..' Instead the posts to follow will be amateur attempts at new album/concert reviews, the occasional opinion on life and significant events, and all other things music-related.

So thank you for viewing and remember that I enjoy discussions, so comments are encouraged!


On a different note, I am currently working on compiling a list of my Top 10 Albums & Songs of all time. Thus far the list includes bands such as; Radiohead, Dear & the Headlights, Pink Floyd, Russian Circles, and 16 other bands as I have created a 'preliminary list', which will be cleaned up and narrowed down. This will be a difficult task, but one I am already enjoying.

Stay tuned for updates...