This sounds like everything my dear old punk rock friends back in Maine wanted to do.....Springsteen and Petty references, deeply catchy and melodic stories. It just makes me feel things I haven't felt since I was driving my old Golf around in the snow and looking for a side road in the pines to drink on. Viva nostalgia.
I heard about Thao in an interview with her and her mother on Studio 360 (My Podcast of the year) and settled into a steady routine of listening to at least a few tracks, if not the whole album once a day in late spring of this year. I was sure she was going to blow up soon......maybe next album.
Holy fucking face melter! Rumor has it that she had set up a kissing booth at her show in SF last weekend to help "pay for some minor traffic infractions". And I missed it.
A great upswing for Will Oldham. Also, His was one of the most enjoyable acts at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park this year. It certainly didn't hurt that his crew handed out Kazoos to the crowd that said "Bonnie Prince Billie -- Blow Me". It is one of the great regrets in my life that I didn't obtain one of those.
While not my favorite of their albums, (Return to Cookie Mountain changed everything for me a few years back) The third full length from TOTR was nonetheless a well done, much anticipated release. I have a crush on these guys.
It took me about two full rounds with this one to get past the Dylan-esque vocals, but felt greatly rewarded by rich lyrical content and soul nourishing guitar and banjo work. Perfectly suited to listening to while riding a bicycle around one's favorite areas of town.
This one just squeaked in a few weeks ago! Given a little more time and marination, could have been my favorite of the year. Fun, dancey hipster shit, complete with falsetto vocals and a synth breakdown. I'm excited to bring the house down with this one at a party sometime soon.
I know I've found a great album when it makes me consider taking drugs for the sole purpose of listening to it on drugs.
Following in the footsteps of TV on the Radio, This post-freak folk band put out a transcendental and extremely listenale first album.
Reserved for after sunset or the coveted sunday afternoon playtimes.
I would have loved this song if it had come to me at ages 8, 10, 15, 22, 24, 39, 83, 112....and everything in between. A soft, sweet narrative that will always remind me of the drive through Mendecino county.
I dare you not to throw up horns to this masterpiece.
I've fallen into a deep peaceful slumber to this song more than once.
The short but sweet ditty that has stuck in my head day in and day out for the last few weeks. Thanks to Stereogum for turning me onto this.
Wonderful, joyous, a new direction that I hope they folllow through on.
This was one I just didn't get around to until it popped up on everyone's best of '07. That's why I love this time of year and the roundups.....I always find 15 things I missed.
This was a second chance kind of listen for me while I was on vacation in New Hampshire and Vermont last winter. I'm glad I had all those miles of snowy road and solitude to get to know this.
I have a hard time immersing myself in their catalog, but this album gets me going when nothing else will.
I used to think there was only song by Jens I would ever like (Black Cab, if you're interested) but I fell in love with this album at the end of summer...
Slipped by me last year, but highlighted a wonderful early '08
Not a very competetive catagory for me this year, I saw far too little live music. The timing was great to see these guys though, as their new album was released 3 days later, and the excitement was palpable.
While there are 3 or 4 good cuts on this record, most of it is oring and repetetive, borderline obnoxious, and that Elvis Costello guest spot is an embarrassment to them both.