Top 5 Thus Far This Year

well the top ten lists are still another month or two away, but i needed to just quickly put down my top five thus far this year, but i won't put them in actual order. not just yet. but i figured i'd give a bit of love to my favorites so far.

the gaslight anthem-59 sound
i honestly cannot stop listening to this album. ever since i got it a couple months back, this is all i listen to. gaslight continue on with their jersey shore sound, but they definately have added alot more soul to their sound, as well as a bit more polish on the vocals, makes this one of the catchiest albums of the working class, and dancing the night away that i have heard. get into this album.

panic at the disco-pretty.odd.
an album that i didn't think would end up on any of my lists, let alone on my ipod, but i really dig this album. it definately is one of the best albums that was never released in 1970. near wall of sound production, some of the most bizarre lyrics since bob dylans early days, and a variety of songs that never ceases to impress. if you haven't given this disc a chance, i recommend it.

cut copy-in ghost colors
if new order were still pumping out music these days, this is probably what they would have come up with. insanely dancey numbers, as well as very tight lyrics, all around this disc has been a favorite for pretty much most of the year. catchy beats, and glorious harmonies, definately an all time favorite.

sigur ros-med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
always been a fan of this band, but this album definately put that over the top. i found the variety in song tempos to be superb, and the addition of a song sung in english to be just what the doctor ordered. the harmonies will take your breath away, and they definately achieve what they have set out to do. one of their best efforts thus far.

library voices-hunting ghosts
this ep from regina super group (i would say they are, the bands these folk have all come from are superb in all their own rights) has been one of my favorite finds of the year. the ten piece plays a plethora of instruments, and every song has a different and distinct feel, but still all plays out as one amazingly crafted collection of tunes. the newer songs are even better, and i anticipate the full length in the spring. as should you.



anyways, there's some of my top ten for the year. look for albums from the notwist, the dears, sylvie, torche, carpenter, lucinda williams, chad vangaalen, woodhands, cadence weapon, oldfolks home, no age, and definately some more to possibly pop up. who knows what will end up on the top ten...

it's been too long

so now that i have a bit more access to this, i'm going to hopefully write a bit more about what i've been listening to, or just ramble, or write about whatever i guess.

i mostly just wanted to write down what i've been digging as of late. this year, that's mainly been Gaslight Anthem. i just can't get enough of their newest album, The 59 Sound. it definately has that east coast vibe that you'll find from Springsteen to Against Me to Less Than Jake, and it definately has a lot more soul though than probably any of those other bands. the songs are incredibly catchy, and have a wide range of influences, but i just enjoy it alot. definately something that you should catch out, it kind of even sounds like the killers, but, better. and i'm going to see them in vancouver soon which i really can't wait for. i've seen so many bands over these years, and everyone else that is playing that show i have seen numerous times, so it's always good for me to get to see someone new that really gets me excited about live music. awesome.

i'll write more later on, about other favorites of the year, experiences at virgin music fest, and western canadian music awards, and other random music things. you know, whatever i feel like writing about. laters.

Random Tunes

So thanks to my Music class I have been enjoying a plethora of new music. and by new music I mean old new music. I've been listening to alot of Gershwin, Mavis Staples, Carter Family, Hank Williams, Josephine Baker, and more. and it's been amazing. i spend a fair amount of time finding new music to listen to, and finding out about the newest happenings in music, and often forget about the music from years past. even over the last little while i've been listening to alot of Pavement, whom i never really listened to when they were, umm, relevent i guess. i knew nothing of these sweet college rock bands from the early 90's, growing up in my podunk town. but thanks to a bit of research, and some heads up from my favorite music journalist, Rob Sheffield, i've found out about mr. Malkmus and his wonderful bandmates.

There's so much amazing music, how do we even have enough time in our lives to even hear a portion of it? and why are people so content to just dwell in radio-land mediocrity? i'll never understand it. but i guess some people are content to hear the music that is spoon fed them, and be done with it. or i guess they just don't get it, is that a good way of putting it? i'm not sure, but i'll keep finding something new, and old to listen to.

On a side note, i went to see Joel and his band of merry men play on friday night, and they were pleasant as always. wonderful tunes, good energy, joel's fantastic humble awkwardness. they played a good set, a bit sloppy as i guess they haven't jammed much lately, but still played decent. But then right after them Arshe played, accompanied by Janet and Jim on a number of songs, and i had forgotten how much I enjoy his music, and his voice. one of Arshe's songs in particular was so beautiful, it sent chills all over. getting wrapped up in his lyrics and imagery, and the combination of his vocals, and the 3 musicians instruments, this one song in particular was so mind-blowingly good, it really reminded me why i go to see live music, especially local talent. and it also reminded me of how talented my friends are and how thankful i am to know these brilliant people.

sometimes i wish i was more talented in musical ways. but i shall be content i suppose in playing the parts i play, with multiple shows coming up, and promoting people that i believe others should hear. that works for now.