Albums of The Year
The Giant Panther’s Top 20 Albums of 2009
Jan 21st
I’d love to be able to say I did this list in one shot, fired from the hip, and came out fearlessly and decisively with my rock solid Top 20 Albums list ready for prime time. The truth is, unfortunately filled with scribbles, crumpled paper balls, wishing I had 25 slots, and a few question marks that will inevitably be answered in a year or two from now when I look back on this list and laugh at myself. I must admit my 2008 list held up pretty well for me over time. Even my 2007 list doesn’t make me blush, but my lackluster “top 15″ of 2006 has definitely not aged as well. This list is the naked, sometimes ugly truth of what really stuck with me this year. Some albums started out sure fire top five when I first heard them, but eventually I just plain got sick of (sorry Passion Pit). Some albums I could not make myself sick of no matter how many times I hit repeat (thank you Dirty Projectors). I even found myself asking “Where is Grizzly Bear on this list”? Only to answer that, while I respect the album, it just wasn’t an album I found myself wanting to listen to over and over again, although the Michael McDonald version of “While You Wait For The Others” gets filed under coolest move of the year.
When my list was finished, I found myself wishing it was drastically more different than a lot of the other blog lists, but making a list just to be different seems stupid. If it’s my favorite and it happens to be a million other blogger’s favorites, so be it. I always see people leave comments on top album lists like [say in comic book guy voice] “most unoriginal list ever”. Those people are missing the point. These lists are the author’s favorite albums of the year, nothing more and nothing less. I don’t pretend to be any kind of authority or suggest anybody out there should take these too seriously.
The list is far from thorough, unlike John I don’t go through and listen to every album that deserves consideration at list making time. If I haven’t had time to really fall in love with an album, (as John mentions with multiple front to back listens) and time for the album to grow on me as I fall in and out of love with it, then it doesn’t get considered for my list. I do love catching up on music I missed in the past year with other people’s lists. I’ve found some really cool music over the past few weeks on some of my other favorite blogs that I’m sure if I had found them earlier, would have had a shot at making my list (as if anybody cares about making my list). There are a handful of albums like this that just didn’t make my radar during the course of the year, and as I listen now I’m wishing they did.
I really look forward to making these lists. It’s why I started blogging in the first place. Friends would ask me, “what’s some good new music I should check out?” and I would always draw a blank when put on the spot. These lists are a good reminder on what a great year it actually was in music. When I first started I was worried I wouldn’t have 20 worthy albums to include, now I’m wishing I had room for at least another five. They are also a good way for lazy bloggers like me that didn’t take the time to tell you about these albums when they were actually released to get you up to speed. I’m not going to write much on these albums, I’ll let the music speak for itself.
#20. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Bat For Lashes – Pearl’s Dream
Dreamy dark music with a tinge of 80s goodness. Gotta love her video for “Daniel”, paying homage to none other than the Karate Kid himself, Daniel-San. Makes me wonder if she grew up with a huge crush on Ralph Macchio. I’m sure she has her fair share of guys growing up with a huge crush on her.
Download Two Suns here
#19. Japandroids – Post-Nothing
Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire
This album is by far louder than anything else that finds it’s way into my regular rotation, but there is something particularly special about Japandroids. Kind of reminds you of early Pumpkins with their powerful, at times insanely in your face loudness, but still somehow making beautiful music at the same time. I think the one difference where they could have taken another page out of the Pumpkins book would be to add a bit of room for dynamics, this album starts noisy, ends noisy, and is noisy in the middle. This is one of the albums I thought for sure would also be on John’s list, I’m looking forward to catching up with him about our lists.
Download Post Nothing here
#18. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Neon Indian – 6669 (I don’t know if you know)
I’ve said it before, and before that, I love the sounds Alan Palomo creates. This album is just as trippy as the title suggests, and literally feels like it was recorded on tape, sealed in a time capsule for 25 years, and just now pressed to CD. The only reason the album isn’t higher on my list as I didn’t think every single song was worth a re-listen.
Download Psychic Chasms here
#17. The Xx – xx
If you read my best remixes of 2009 post, you know they did a bang up job on Florence and the Machine. The only reason The XX didn’t make it higher on my Top 20 is because I get the impression The XX think they are entirely way too cool for pretty much everything, including Top Album lists, and showing any signs of exerting effort into anything, let alone vocals on a song. Almost a “we can’t be bothered” vibe. At times their vocal style dips almost into near comatose. I don’t like the feeling that somebody is trying extra hard to sing with a certain style or type (see John Mayer doing his best whispery Dave Matthews impression for example) but I can’t deny they make good tunes. I especially like the Chris Isaak vibe on “Infinity”, if only because as a young lad that music video got me through many a lonely night.
Bonus Remix Florence + The Machine You’ve Got the Love (The XX Remix)
Download xx here
#16. Atlas Sound – Logos
Atlas Sound – Quick Canal (w_Laetitia Sadier)
Atlas Sound is a solo project from Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox. I have mixed feelings on this album, it at times escapes too far beyond reality as he tends to do, but the Atlas Sound project is definitely more focused and on track towards reality than Deerhunter. Has a sixties vibe to it. There are some beautiful songs on this record and he has a knack at making them without ever having to let on that they are anything but ugly. This album also earns my nomination for worst record cover of the year.
Download Logos here
#15. Yacht – See Mystery Lights
Yacht – I’m In Love With A Ripper
Yacht – We Have All We Ever Wanted
How would I ever begin to describe Yacht? There are no words. Like nothing I’ve heard before. Incorporating elements of electronic music, sampling, live instruments, mantras, and a bunch of other crazy stuff. One of my favorites to listen to this year because it’s so fresh and different than anything else. Think of how you would have described Tom Tom Club or LCD Soundsystem the first time you heard them. I’m pretty sure this album is about dying, you wouldn’t know it from it’s tone and energy. After writing this paragraph, I just hopped over to Pitchfork to get some background on Yacht, and of course it cites Tom Tom Club and LCD Soundsystem as influences, and they cite using mantras. I swear I haven’t read that review before, or anything on Yacht for that matter. Weird.
Download See Mystery Lights here
#14. Cass McCombs – Catacombs
I never really caught on to Cass McCombs before, but was completely won over by this album. I only knew of him from his tune That’s That, which I found to be pretty good, but this new album is more than pretty good. It’s got a kind of minimalist approach, a relatively quiet album, but has the feel of something like the quieter side of Velvet Underground, tough to describe, give it a listen. Where The XX are exerting extra effort to sound cool in my opinion, for Cass McCombs it’s a natural occurrence. There isn’t a bad song on the record.
Download Catacombs here
#13. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Neko Case – This Tornado Loves You
Neko Case – Magpie To The Morning
You’ve gotta love Neko Case’s voice. Smooth as silk, even when she’s bellowing at the top of her lungs, what a pair of lungs they are. I’d go so far as to say she has the best female voice in modern music. Hard to describe her musical style, not Tex Mex ,not Country but certainly not mainstream Pop or Rock either. I took a few years break from Neko (I heard she was heartbroken) after going through a huge Neko Case phase. This album was the perfect reminder that she is still amazing and can still mix things up. This is her most refined and focused album to day.
Download Middle Cyclone here
#12. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
Dan Auerbach – I Want Some More
Dan Auerbach – My Last Mistake
Solo effort from Dan Auerbach, the frontman from The Black Keys (if you don’t know them start making yourself familiar right away). As pretty much expected, this is the only album that made both John and my list this year. These tunes are at times slightly quieter than those produced from The Black Keys, but one thing is for sure, Auerbach turns whatever he touches to Blues gold. If you like The Black Keys, this will not be a let down.
Download Keep It Hid here
#11. J. Tillman – Year In The Kingdom
J. Tillman – Year In The Kingdom
Josh Tillman is a member of Fleet Foxes, and has been recording solo music for some time. His latest release, Year In The Kingdom, is nothing short of earth shatterring, without ever raising the dB needle past green. The amazing thing is, he is the drummer for Fleet Foxes, and I don’t even think there was a drum kit on site when recording this album. Think of the first time you heard Iron & Wine or Bon Iver, that’s the kind of spine tingling goodness this record contains. Looks like there are plans to digitally release some of his earlier works, looking forward to hearing those as well. As a wannabe songwriter, I’ve always appreciated being able to allude to something without actually ever coming out and saying it, rewarding the careful listener with allegories and clues. See “Earthly Bodies” for a great example of singing about doing the no pants dance without ever mentioning the word sex.
Download Year In The Kingdom here
#10. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains
Cymbals Eat Guitars – And the Hazy Sea
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Some Trees
So many great bands come to mind when listening to Cymbals Eat Guitars – Pavement, Sonic Youth, Built To Spill. The first three tracks are especially killer, I swear if you put them on for someone without telling them they might think it was a lost track from one of the aforementioned bands. Some people take offense to being compared to other artists, but how could you in this company? It doesn’t necessarily infer that you are just copying what’s already been done, or worse, trying to sound like somebody else on purpose, just that it’s clear you grew up listening to great music.
Download Why Are There Mountains here
#9. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – Sugarfoot
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – Boogie
Whatever happened to making simply good damn music to get funky to? Thank God for Black Joe Lewis, the closest we are going to get to the Godfather of soul anytime in the foreseeable future. With a good mix of funk and blues, It would be impossible for you to not be moving at least one extremity when this record comes on. Going to see Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears live in Feb at Great Scott in Allston, I’ve heard they put on a hell of a show.
Download Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! here
#8. Fanfarlo – Reservoir
Fanfarlo – Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait
I have to admit, when I first heard a track from Fanfarlo “The Walls Are Coming Down”, I thought these guys were just trying to rip off Beirut, like literally copy every aspect of it – from the mandolin to the trumpet to the tremolo style vocals. But then I got the full album and realized that was only one tune that sounded like Beirut, and the album was actually a layered, well written album. Any fan of Sufjan Stevens, The National, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and Beirut should give Fanfarlo a listen.
Download Reservoir here
#7. Throw Me The Statue – Creaturesque
Throw Me The Statue – Hi-Fi Goon
Throw Me The Statue – Cannibal Rays
Another band that I bet I could trick you with if I put it on for you. The first time I heard them on the radio I could have sworn they were Built To Spill. Again, I don’t mean to offend anyone with comparisons like this, I know it’s not the favorite of most artists to be compared. These guys make great rock music, the lead singer has a soft delivery much like Built To Spill or the Flaming Lips. Hi Fi Goon was a strong contender for my song of the year.
Download Creaturesque here
#6. White Denim – Fits
White Denim – Regina Holding Hands
Let me put a disclaimer in, pretty much every album from my #6 to #1 have at some point during my list making process been #1. It was quite a struggle for me to sort these last six out. They are pretty much all #1s to me. This album sure was a surprise for me. Some of my favorite bloggers have been absolutely raving about White Denim for a few years now, and I never understood why. I didn’t really dig their first album, but when I sat down with Fits, and listened to it twice over, I was blown away. So many different sounds for this album. Zappa, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Dead, more recently Tapes N Tapes, but most importantly, their own, rocking unique sound that makes them in no way like any of the influences I just mentioned. You won’t be able to get a feel by just listening to a couple of sample songs, you really need to pick up this record and give the full album your undivided attention.
Download Fits here
#5. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
Fever Ray is a solo project for The Knife’s Karin Dreijer Andersson, and one of The Giant Panther’s absolute favorites for 2009. The first time I heard this album I was a little weary, because I think I was expecting a Knife album, which this is not. But it grew on me incredibly quickly, and became my second most listened to album of the year. I’ve raved about The Knife and Karen in particular many times before. She has such a ballsy voice and is way way out there in the music she makes. Often times creepy, but in a good way. Also my pick for best album cover of the year.
Bonus Remix: The Knife -Triangle Walks (Rex The Dog Radio Edit)
Download Fever Ray here
#4. Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
Bibio came out of nowhere and hit me in the head with an amazing album. Half beautiful indie melodic songs, and half sampled head bobbing beats, this album was an amazing surprise. Easily my favorite track of the year, “Fire Ant” is an example of the latter. I’m not sure what inspired Bibio to go from the experimental folksy Boards of Canada type stuff to the Flying Lotus, J Dilla-esque beats like “Fire Ant”, but it’s a great combination.
Download Ambivalence Avenue here
Bonus Remix: Bibio – Lovers Carvings (Letherette Remix)
#3. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is The Move
Dirty Projectors – No Intention
I’ve been listening to Dirty Projectors for years. I always thought to myself that frontman Dave Longstreth is one step away from perfection, if he could just trade a tiny bit of orchestral experimentation for catchiness, they could be one of my favorites. Their last album Rise Above set them on this path, and Bitte Orca finally hit perfection. Killer album. Rocks my world every time I put it on. I’m convinced 20 years from now “Stillness is the Move” will be considered a decade defining song. You can almost hear it making it to the Top 100 radio station, it’s so damn catchy. Amber Coffman puts in a vocal performance that is could have easily been transplanted to any top R&B song (without needed assistance from an autotune). As a matter of fact, I think I remember seeing this video posted on Kanye West’s blog, and all the commenters were like “damn this is a pretty good girl group etc”, maybe this single took things to far into the popularity realm for Longstreth, I guess time will tell when we hear the next album from them whether they keep on the current course or hunker back towards experimental interpretations or maybe a rock opera. The guitar riff is so unique and added to the beat it’s a great combination, I’m always impressed when I hear a live version of “No Intention”, how tight the harmonies are, and how easily they play that guitar riff (I’ve tried, it’s hard). I love the harmonies and voices the lovely pair Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian in Dirty Projectors bring to this band. There isn’t a bad track on this record.
If you don’t believe me that Stillness Is The Move has R&B potential, check out Beyonce’s sister’s rendition:
Bonus cover: Solange – Stillness Is The Move (Dirty Projectors Cover)
Bonus live performance: Dirty Projectors – No Intention (Live acoustic on Sirius XMU)
Download Bitte Orca here
#2. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective – In the Flowers
Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
Don’t stare directly into the album cover! If you’ve read a music blog in the last five years, I don’t need to tell you about Animal Collective. If you haven’t, stop and give them a good listen, because you probably won’t ever hear them on the radio. Stick with your first listen, some of the songs have long, repetitive intros, almost mantra like, that end up rewarding the listener greatly towards the middle or end of a song with a catchy hook. “In The Flowers” would also get the TGP nod for best written song of the year (even though sometimes I had to refer to a lyrics sheet). This is by far their best album, and it really blew me away. It was the most listened to album by The Giant Panther this year, and I think it’s because you can find so many things with each new listen. I would also go so far as to say this is their most “radio friendly” album to date, but again, don’t ever expect to hear these on the radio. Sorry to be so unoriginal with my #2 selection, but they are on a lot of year end lists for good reason. There is nobody like them and they make amazing, interesting, original music.
Bonus Remix: Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes (Dam-Funk Remix)
Download Merriweather Post Pavilion here
#1. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Stay Alive
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – A Teenager in Love
Your first listen to The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart will most likely leave you wondering how they were able to achieve perfection without seemingly trying too hard. Cramming so many perfect songs into one album, I would imagine takes making about 30 or 40, then leaving 20 of them on the cutting room floor. I hear so many influences in this music, all of which bring me back to my favorite era and genre of music, 80′s new wave. From song to song I hear The Cure (one of my all time favorite albums is Disintegration), The Smiths, Jesus & Mary Chain, and on and on. Maybe throw in a little Belle & Sebastian for good measure. I thought after listening that this band was from the UK, but I think they are actually Brooklyn based. If you pick up one album this year based on my recommendations, make it this one.
Download The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart here
John Jay’s 20 Favorite Releases of 2009
Dec 30th
I ran out of real estate. There is no more time to screw around. There are mere hours left in the present year. I have to tell you; I don’t really relish these end of the year lists. I feel like, as a quasi blogger (I say quasi because I’m just a guy who like to tell stories as opposed to raving about the latest sounds), their is kind of an onus on Ryan and I to put out something that sums up the year that just whistled by. I’ve been cramming lately for what feels like an exam, listening to a ton of music released in 2009. We all know you can’t possibly absorb a piece of music, in full the way it deserves to be ingested, with one single listen. At least that is my philosophy. That is one of my problems with doing this list each year. I should set aside three days each month to pour through that month’s releases and start my list in January, as in two days from now. It just doesn’t happen unfortunately. Life gets in the way of my high paying (not) job somehow and this is what we are left with.
Every time I do this I feel like I need to leave disclaimers about what I haven’t yet listened to, what will age poorly, what order I list the CDs in and what qualifications I even have to do a list like this. Well, that should cover it no? I’m going to be as brief as possible even though I know this is definitely not my strong suit. I expect Ryan’s list and my list to be eons apart. There is nothing wrong with that. Ryan listens to a lot of newer music and tends to veer in the opposite direction of Classic Rock artists. Nothing wrong with that either. I’m always keeping an eye on later day releases of old favorites like Collective Soul, Bob Mould, Bob Dylan, Cracker, Sonic Youth, Muse, Cheap Trick, The Black Crowes and Wilco. Some made my list and some didn’t, but those artists have earned my trust so to speak. It’s never easy to narrow it down, but it’s particularly difficult when you don’t feel like you’ve listened to each CD ten or fifteen times. Sometimes that takes years I’m afraid…
I’m also going to pay attention to more Blues artists than I think Ryan might. This year we had Back Door Slam, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Gov’t Mule, Robert Cray and J.J. Cale release new CDs. And I love Progressive Rock like Pure Reason Revolution, Marillion and Porcupine Tree which factor into my decision making. Not everyone can make the list, but in two or three days time no one will care anyway so I give up. So without further ado here is my top twenty with a sample track for each record. Please don’t read into the order. It’s a futile exercise. There is no way I won’t be criticized six ways to Sunday, but it’s go time…
20. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Live From Madison Square Garden
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Tell The Truth.mp3
Buy or download Live From Madison Square Garden from Amazon here.
I realize a vote for this record is like voting for an experienced Japanese baseball player for rookie of the year in MLB, but quality is quality. These veterans of rock can still get it done. Tremendous recording in one of music’s palaces.
19. Collective Soul – Collective Soul (Rabbit)
Buy or download Collective Soul (Rabbit) from Amazon here.
I know it’s been over a decade since anyone cared about Collective Soul, but these guys might be the best “soft” rock band I’ve ever heard. I have always liked them right from single one. That would be 1994′s “Shine” in case you’re wondering.
18. Hell City Glamours – Hell City Glamours
Hell City Glamours – I’m Not Here.mp3
Buy or download Hell City Glamours from Amazon here.
Another Australian export. The new Airbourne they say. They have a similar sound to Thin Lizzy in places, but I just feel like I need to include this surprisingly even uneven effort. Long Live the rock band. No reason main stream rock cannot continue to thrive even in the face of the music business today.
17. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Silversun Pickups – Substitution.mp3
Buy or download Swoon from Amazon here.
Look, so what if they are carrying on The Smashing Pumpkins legacy? Lazy Eye was a great single and this record has its share of good songs too. I love this one.
16. The Black Crowes – Before The Frost…
The Black Crowes – Been a Long Time (Waiting On Love).mp3
Buy or download Before The Frost from Amazon here.
Recorded before what amounts to a live studio audience in Levon Helm’s barn, the Crowes break new ground. Not with their sound so much, but in the way this record was recorded. I’m determined to get out to Woodstock to see where this recording took place. There is a great feel to this CD and I wish I had been there.
15. Hockey – Mind Chaos
Buy or download Mind Chaos from Amazon here.
I first heard Hockey played on Kami Knake’s excellent Bands Under The Radar (www.bandsundertheradar.com) program last Spring. Kami’s enthusiasm for new music is beyond the pale and she’s turned me onto several bands over the past two years. I only wish her two hour podcasts were shorter and more frequent. Still, I enjoy the hell out of her show. Check it out sometime if you haven’t already.
14. Magnolia Electric Company – Josephine
Magnolia Electric Company – Josephine.mp3
Buy or download Josephine from Amazon here.
I’ve become quite the Alt-Country fan in my old age. One of the bartenders at Bukowski’s Tavern in Boston was playing these guys one afternoon and I’ve been a fan ever since. I find Jason Molina’s voice very soothing and easy on the ears.
13. Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Alice in Chains – Check My Brain.mp3
Buy or download Black Gives Way To Blue from Amazon here.
I didn’t want to like this at all. I’m not a big fan of moving on without prominent band members as a rule, but this record is heavy and surprisingly easy to digest. Well done men. Seattle still lives on even as Grunge and Rock seem dead. Makes me nostalgic.
12. Starsailor – All The Plans
Buy or download All The Plans from Amazon here.
I know this will probably upset somebody, but I hear a lot of Better Than Ezra in these guys. As you can probably guess I like Better Than Ezra. It was “Good” living with it.
11. Chickenfoot – Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot – Sexy Little Thing.mp3
Buy or download Chickenfoot from Amazon here.
Let the haters begin. I Can’t Drive 55, so what? I ride a Bad Motor Scooter and eat Rock Candy too so get offa me. Supergroups bite so what? I had a ball listening to this track. It’s right out of the 70′s playbook. Come to think of it, so am I.
10. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
Dan Auerbach – Heartbroken, In Disrepair.mp3
Buy or download Keep It Hid from Amazon here.
It’s safe to say I’m a mad Black Keys fan. Why does a duo need to step outside the relationship to make a solo record? Your guess is as good as mine, but this song is instant gratification personified. I sure hope The Black Keys aren’t breaking up.
9. The Answer – Everyday Demons
Buy or download Everyday Demons from Amazon here.
Southern California rockers bringing it old school. Whatever that means. Back to the 70′s in the style of one Led Zeppelin. I think they have a lot of potential.
8. Back Door Slam – Coming Up For Air
Back Door Slam – Coming Up For Air.mp3
Buy or download Coming Up For Air from Amazon here.
By all accounts this record is not as good as 2007′s Roll Away, but it packs a good solid punch. So what happens? They take a perfectly good band name lifted from a Robert Cray song and change it to Davey Knowles & Back Door Slam. I hate it. I guess that means the young prodigy has one foot out the door huh? Sounds like The Los Angeles Back Door Slam of Anaheim to me. I hope this wasn’t Davey’s idea.
7. Crocodiles – Summer of Hate
Buy or download Summer Hate from Amazon here.
These guys sound like The Jesus & Mary Chain meets Love & Rockets to me. All fuzzy and melodic, but with ostensibly very little commercial potential. Know what? I love this record. There are several great tracks here and I plan to keep listening.
6. White Lies - To Lose My Life
White Lies – Farewell To The Fairground.mp3
Buy or download To Lose My Life from Amazon here.
This one is my sleeper of the year. I don’t know how I first heard about it, but this record is dark and cool. It’s got some Interpol in it, but also some Stellarstarr*. Not a bad combo in my book. I’d recommend checking this one out if this sounds good.
5. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
Alberta Cross – Rise From The Shadows.mp3
Buy or download Broken Side of Time from Amazon here.
From the Canadian province of Alberta, this band allegedly has a musical foundation based in The Band and Neil Young, but I’m not sure I hear that. What I do hear is very impressive. Not a bad track on this CD and I’ve been playing it alot. Check it out.
4. Band of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Band of Skulls – Cold Fame.mp3
Buy or download Baby Darling Doll Face Honey from Amazon here.
Straight Outta Southampton (UK), this band has a lot of influences. They have some controlled White Stripes blood in them which by definition that means they’re all over the dial. I hate ballads as a rule. Not this one. A very solid effort all around.
3. Joanne Shaw Taylor – White Sugar
Joanne Shaw Taylor – Blackest Day.mp3
Buy or download White Sugar from Amazon here.
This record makes me so happy to know there are women in the world like this. Clearly a disciple of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joanne Shaw Taylor is a good looking young blonde woman who positively smokes on guitar. White Sugar? More like White Hot. Definitely one of my favorite records of the year. Keep ‘em coming Joanne.
2. Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
Buy or download Cosmic Egg from Amazon here.
Maybe I should move to Australia. I seem to love most of the bands that come from the land down under. I think this record has several really good tracks and naturally the Zeppelin comparisons will not die now. So what? I love this record.
1. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures – Caligulove.mp3
Them Crooked Vultures – Caligulove.mp3 YSI
Download or buy Them Crooked Vultures from Amazon here.
There isn’t much to say here. I’m big fans of Queens of The Stone Age, The Foo Fighters and that little known band they called Led Zeppelin. This record brings the Hammer of The Gods. Did I mention Supergroups bite? Well, most of the time they do. Not this time I’m afraid. Now I’m kicking myself for sitting out their concert last month. Oh, and album cover of the year for sure! Love the contrast and logo.
OK, that’s a wrap. My apologies to fans of great releases from The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Editors, Cracker, Bob Mould, Sonic Youth, Glasvegas, Porcupine Tree, The Big Pink, Muse, Gov’t Mule, Cheap Trick, Joe Bonamassa, J.J. Cale, The Eels, Eric Gales, Robert Cray, Tegan & Sara, The Bottle Rockets, Hot Leg, Wilco, Fever Ray, U2, Walter Trout, The Wildhearts, The New York Dolls, The Features, The Dead Weather, The Avett Brothers, The Cave Singers, The Cribs, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Pure Reason Revolution, Phish, Owl City, Passion Pit, Morrissey, Modest Mouse, Moby, Metric, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mayall, Ian Hunter, Heaven & Hell, Heartless Bastards, Grizzly Bear, Green Day, Dinosaur Jr, Depeche Mode, Clutch, Built To Spill, Cage The Elephant, Bob Dylan, Blue October, Astra, Electric Mary, A Place To Bury Strangers…even Tom Petty & AC/DC. It was a good year as far as I can see. Tuesday begins another annual cycle…
John Jay’s Top 20 Albums of 2008
Happy New Year to everyone out there and THANKS FOR READING!
The Giant Panther's Top 20 Albums of 2008
Dec 23rd
A Winner Is You!
19. Horse Feathers – House With No Home
18. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
Buy Dig!! Lazarus Dig!!!
17. Cat Power – Jukebox
Buy Jukebox
16. Ghostland Observatory – Robotique Majestique
Buy Robotique Majestique
15. Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
Buy Only By The Night
14. TV On The Radio – Dear Science
Buy Dear Science
13. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
Buy Oracular Spectacular
12. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins
Buy The Stand Ins
11. Calexico – Carried To Dust
Buy Carried To Dust
10. Sun Kil Moon – April
MP3: Sun Kil Moon – Blue Orchid Alt Link
Buy April
9. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
MP3: The Hold Steady – Constructive Summer Alt Link
Buy Stay Positive
8. Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight
MP3: Frightened Rabbit – Fast Blood Alt Link
Buy Midnight Organ Fight
7. Mason Proper – Olly Oxen Free
MP3: Mason Proper – Fog Alt Link
Buy Olly Oxen Free
6. Nada Surf – Lucky
MP3: Nada Surf – Are You Lightning? Alt Link
Buy Lucky
5. Hot Chip – Made In The Dark
MP3: Hot Chip – One Pure Thought Alt Link
Buy Made In The Dark
4. M83 – Saturdays = Youth
MP3: M83 – Kim and Jessie Alt Link
Buy Saturdays = Youth
3. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
MP3: Crystal Castles – Vanished Alt Link
Buy Crystal Castles
2. Sigur Ros – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
MP3: Sigur Ros – Godan Daginn Alt Link
Buy Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
1. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
MP3: Bon Iver – Re: Stacks Alt Link
Just Missed The Cut – Albums that just missed the top 20 (why not just do a top 40 you ask?)
Tapes N Tapes – Walk It Off
Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
Santogold x Diplo – Top Ranking
Santogold – Santogold
Beck – Modern Guilt
Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
Foals – Antidotes
Bonnie Prince Billy – Lie Down In The Light
Dept. Of Eagles – In Ear Park
Blitzen Trapper – Furr
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
No Dice – Albums that I just don’t get the hype, or I expected more from
My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
Mason Jennings – In The Ever
Devotchka – A Mad and Faithful Telling
Black Keys – Attack and Release
Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer
Portishead – Third
John Jay’s 20 Favorite Releases of 2008
Dec 23rd
As I sit here watching the first big snowfall of the winter of 2008-2009 I feel like I’m under contract to produce a Top Twenty for the year we just experienced. As much as I consider myself fairly learned on the subject of popular music, the way I absorb music isn’t always very conventional. Take a band like Coldplay. I know going in, particularly as good as they are coupled with their fanatical female following, that I won’t have to work very hard to have the top three or four songs on their latest CD creep into my consciousness. They’ll be played in retail stores, coffee shops, supermarkets, TV shows and in all formats on the radio. In fact, I don’t even have to buy the CD for the short term. It’ll just be there wherever I go. U2 has the same type of cache. The demand is there so I just let it happen. I don’t feel the urge to be at Newbury Comics on release Tuesday or play the thing night and day for two weeks until I have it down. Unfortunately I find myself in catchup mode an awful lot nowadays. I have chosen my favorite releases of 2008 to date, but I feel like I’ll know much more about them a year from now. Of course, by then I’ll have to choose another twenty for 2009. It’s a vicious cycle, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am probably now more qualified to talk about 2007 than I ever was, but fat lot of good it does you folks now huh? Hindsight is still 20-20 isn’t it?
A couple of Christmas Eve’s ago two friends and I were driving around Cambridge and Somerville, MA looking for a bar that was open. After we stumbled on the aptly named Thirsty Scholar on the Cambridge/Somerville line and settled in one of my friends starts going off about how little good music there is these days. Sounding like my father circa 1968 when he went off after hearing Crimson & Clover by Tommy James & The Shondells one too many times on my Close and Play, I started whaling on him. You won’t find any new young bands listening to talk radio 24×7 in your car I told him. What was the last CD you bought I asked him. Naturally he couldn’t recall, but he realized he hit a sore spot with me. I told him I’d put together a spreadsheet covering the last 15 years with a top five and, as a bonus an additional honorable mention five. Ten records from each of the last 15 years. That’s 150 CDs he’ll never buy I figured, but I had a blast putting the list together. The reason I tell you the story is because I came to realize how much the passage of time can skewer your perspective. As I pared down the list of 150 or so CDs to 10 for each year of the 90′s I had to make some hard decisions. Some of the CDs I swore by in those days fell by the wayside. It was an interesting exercise and one I could not have done at the time with the same historical perspective.
I guess what I’m saying is consider this a rough draft starter kit for the year 2008. I guarantee it will change in the coming years. Don’t pay a heckuva lot of attention to the exact order here either. Just be thankful you aren’t Portishead, Elbow, Steve Winwood, The Pretenders, Bon Iver or any number of a handful of bands eventually cut from my original 2008 list. It’s a no win situation, but since we are apparently a comment free web site there are no repercussions to be had right? So without further ado the dreaded list…I haven’t seen The Giant Panther’s list yet, but I’m placing the over/under at 7 artists overlapping our lists. And it could be less…
20. Metallica – Death Magnetic – Well, we know for sure this one is not on the GP’s list. I was listening to this one the other day and thought not bad…why not them? They’re good for Rock & Roll.
19. Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy – I wanted to crucify this one. No record needs ten years of maturation, well, unless you’re Brian Wilson, but it isn’t the chocolate mess I expected. Axl Rocks.
18. Edgar Winter – Rebel Road – This one bashed it’s way onto my list with a late charge. Glad he’s rocking again. Slash guest stars for some delicious Chinese irony. Better go find The Ju Ju Hounds.
17. Lenny Kravitz – Love Revolution – The GP hates Lenny Kravitz. I love him. Go see this guy live and I promise you will too. A smokin’ version of Bring It On on David Letterman sold me on the spot.
16. AC/DC – Black Ice – Hey, 0-5 versus The GP’s list. Are we sure about that over under? Nothing new regarding the AC/DC catalogue, but that is precisely the point I guess. More wicked big fat fun.
15. Mudcrutch – Mudcrutch – I guess ten years is nothing when you consider this one was basically on the shelf for 30. The truth is Tom Petty could record feedback and I’d still be buying. The ugly truth.
14. The B-52′s – Funplex – Another band the GP doesn’t care for. Why won’t he dance with me? I’m not no Limburger. A sixteen year hiatus and they come out with another kitsch classic. Unbelievable huh?
13. Radiohead – In Rainbows – I know this is sacrilege, but Radiohead should consider righting the ship a bit. I don’t find them nearly as musical or interesting as I once did. Still, they rank somehow.
12. Weezer – The Red Album – I have totally reversed course on Weezer over the years. I hated the name, I hated The Sweater Song, I hate that they name every CD Weezer. Now I think I love them.
11. The Black Crowes – Warpaint – I’m a sucker for the battling Robinson brothers. I really think they have only had one bad CD and this one isn’t it. As long as they record, I will buy. I don’t question it.
10. Airbourne – Runnin’ Wild – Good old fashioned Foot Stompin’ Rock & Roll. Yeah, the AC/DC comparisons are there, but this CD rocks. Rock & Roll is Dead? Long Live Rock! End to end rockers.
9. The Raconteurs – Consolers of The Lonely – I like this one better than the first and I didn’t want to like that one because it wasn’t The White Stripes. I loved Many Shades of Black. Just like this site.
8. Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs – I loved The Postal Service. I’ve never really been on this band’s bandwagon, but Cath is a tremendous song. I love that it might be a true story too. Emotive.
7. TV On The Radio – Dear Science – I have to admit, I struggled with these guys initially, but they represent a return to outside the box recording. It sounds like they answer to no one. Now that’s cool.
6. Beck – Modern Guilt – I’ve been digging Beck for 14 years and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Some of his catalogue is a bit uneven, but this one is pretty solid. Color me satisfied…again.
5. Neil Young – Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbury House 1968 – Even as a lifelong Neil Young fan I was still surprised to find myself loving this one as much as I do. It’s superb acoustic buried treasure.
4. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular – Chicken Soup For The Ears. The unexpected underdog dragon slayer of the year. Synthpop back in full force and for a change I’m loving it. Very easy on the soul.
3. The Black Keys – Attack & Release – Nothing affects these two. A throwback band for the ages, The Keys rule. Blues and Garage gettin’ their freak on. I just love this band. Go see them play live.
2. Kings of Leon – Only By The Night – I’m in the minority, but I don’t even think this is their best record and I’m already sick of Sex On Fire. That said, buy this record. This band is great and very hip.
1. Coldplay – Viva La Vida – This band is polarizing. Do they deserve all the praise or half the criticism? I don’t know, but chicks dig ‘em and that’s good enough for me…every now and then.
OK, that’s a wrap. I didn’t leave any links this time because I didn’t want to short change anyone, but I’ll be back in 2009, if not before, with more interesting suggested Music For The Masses. A Happy and Healthy New Year to all of our readers!
The Giant Panther's Top 20 Albums of 2007
Jan 2nd
Oh how I wish I had more time to add links, samples, and meaningless rants:
- The National – Boxer
- Band of Horses – Cease To Begin
- Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
- Kings of Leon – Because of The Times
- Radiohead – In Rainbows
- Rogue Wave – Asleep At Heaven’s Gate
- Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
- LCD Soundsystem – Sounds of Silver
- Kanye West – Graduation
- Deer Tick – War Elephant
- The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
- Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
- Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara
- M.I.A. – Kala
- Burial – Untrue
- Feist – The Reminder
- Glass Candy – B/E/A/T/B/O/X
- Okkervil River – The Stage Names
- Kevin Drew – Spirit If
- Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
Top 15 Albums Of 2006
Aug 17th
I’m back in action. You’re probably asking yourself, why did the Giant Panther do a best of 2006 album review and stop at #16? I wish I had a better answer for you, but the bitter truth is I actually started having work to do at work, unfortunate. But in case you were curious, here are the rest, I found them scribbled down in an old notebook. Looking back, it’s amazing how much my tastes have changed already, or maybe I just played the albums too much, but here they are anyway:
15: TVOTR – Return To Cookie Mountain
14: Tapes N Tapes – The Loon
13: Decemberists – The Crane Wife
12: Black Keys – Magic Potion
11: Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
10: Aloha – Some Echoes
9: Junior Boys – So This is Goodbye
8: Cat Power – The Greatest
7: Hot Chip – The Warning
6: Grizzly Bear – Yellow House
5: Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming
4: M. Ward – Post War
3: Beirut – Gulag Orkestar
2: Sound Team – Movie Monster
1: Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther.
There you have it. So does anyone have any details on the Download Festival at the Tweeter Center tomorrow in Mansfield, MA for set times or anything? I will be there, and will surely have a lot to write about. Who am I kidding, nobody is checking this blog anyway, but it was fun to type again.
