suggest mo' fo' my list

[bloop]

I think we have a pretty tight little group here, so it'd be cool if we all made suggestions to listen to.  We all miss good albums here and there and discover them later thinking "where have you been all my life".  Anyway, this is my current list, updated as of today at 9:30 A.M. EST.

1  Over the Rhine - Ohio
2  Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
3  Steven Delopolous - Me Died Blue
4  Spiritualized - Amazing Grace
5  Blur - Think Tank
6  Cat Power - You Are Free
7  The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium
8  The White Stripes - Elephant
9  Derek Webb - She Must and Shall Go Free
10 Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
11 Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown
12 Zwan - Mary, Star of the Sea
13 Wilco - Australian EP
14 Ben Folds - Speed Graphic EP
15 Microphones - Mount Eerie

Listened to and added:
Over the Rhine - Ohio
Cat Power - You Are Free
Ben Folds - Speed Graphic

I want to listen to in entirety, before year is out:
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of... (technically a 2002 album, but if they're as good as I hear they are then I'll consider their updated album)
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
Starflyer 59 - Old

Your suggestions here:
The Innocence Mission (from Josh)
Daniel Lanois - Shine (from Josh)
Damien Rice (from Andree)

Of course, I suggest everything in my list.  Some of them are more challenging listens, but each is very good to excellent IMO.

[Josh]

My list thus far:

1. Over the Rhine- Ohio. Hands down.
2. Derek Webb- She Must and Shall Go Free
3. Radiohead- Hail to the Thief
4. Daniel Lanois- Shine
5. Switchfoot- The Beautiful Letdown
6. Steven Delopoulos- Me Died Blue
7. Starflyer 59- Old
8. Zwan- Mary, Star of the Sea
9. Jars of Clay- Furthermore
10. Downhere- So Much for Substitutes

The bottom of this list is really sad... I haven't listened to Downhere, Jars, Zwan, or SF59 in MONTHS, and it's entirely possible that I'll never listen to the bottom 2 ever again. But the top 6 are all great albums, and more than make up for the lower 4 being kinda ho-hum.

What I'm trying to say is that I haven't heard many good albums this year, but the few good ones that I HAVE heard are REALLY good. Ohio tops anything that's been released since 2000, in my opinion.

I still want to hear the new Innocence Mission (which will likely come in at #2) and Wilco.

[bloop]

There is no "hands-down" for me this year.  #1-4 are basically in a constant dead heat (I couldn't pick a "best" among them if I tried), but at the end of the day, a double album of that calibre with virtually no filler is practically unheard of and deserves the top spot.  

De-throning Radiohead with me is like defeating U2 with you, probably, so it's definitely saying something (not that I need a band to always make the #1 album of the year in my book for them to remain my favorite).

I at least like everything on my list a whole lot...The Microphones is definitely mood music...maybe a little too challenging for its own good at times.

I tried out Xiu Xiu's "A Promise" and it just struck me as kind of dumb.  Too bad really.  

I should check out the Lanois album while I'm at it, so you added something.

P.S.  Just so you know, Josh, The Wilco EP is free to owners of YHF, but I'm having some trouble finding the link to do it.  The tracklist is at www.wilcoworld.net/ep

[Josh]

I should check out the Lanois album while I'm at it, so you added something.

It's very quiet, hushed, moody music. Very prayerful, too. I like it a lot, but you've got to be in the right mood for it.

[cbluejays]

Seeing how my tastes differ quite a bit from both of you, I'm not neccessarily suggesting these albums for you  B) ....still, as of right now, out of the CD's I own, here is my top 10, in no particular order...

Switchfoot-The Beautiful Letdown
Robert Randolph-Unclassified
Mars Ill-Backbreakanomics
Shaun Groves-Twilight
Downhere-So Much for Substitutes
Joey the Jerk-Average Joe
Anberlin-Blueprints for the Black Market
Jason Mraz-Waiting for My Rocket to Come
Dashboard Confessional-A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar
Jack Johnson-On and On

It has been a fairly weak year, and that list is very mediocre,  even by my standards...Of course, I still have a few albums in the upcoming days/months that should easily knock off some of these:

Over the Rhine
LA Symphony
Pigeon John
John Reuben
Outkast
Jars of Clay

Most of this years good hip hop looks to be coming up in the later part of the year...Being the huge hip hop fan I am, it's not a good sign that only 2 albums from this year have made my top 10 list...

Also, I've gotten many good older albums this year...if only I could count them in this year's group:

U2-All That you Can't Leave Behind
Coldplay-A Rush of Blood to the Head
Talib Kweli-Quality
LA Symphony-Baloney
Grits-Grammatical Revolution

 

[xsuchgreatHEIGHTS]

7  The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium

you like the mars volta? have you ever heard their original band at the drive-in? you should, cause they're really good. I haven't gotten a chance to buy the Mars Volta CD yet, but I want to.

[Escuchame]

DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE DAMIEN RICE

Wow.  If there's a new artist to watch this year, he would be it.

I'm surprised you liked Steven Delopoulos a lot, too.  He hasn't received that much love.

Peace out,
Andree

PS: I'm back, guys.

[bloop]

Nice to see you back.  You'll have to tell us all about the missions trip sometime.  Yeah, the Delopoulos CD was great...I love it.  It was the perfect record to play while just driving for hours.

suchgreatheights, yeah, the Mars Volta CD is great.  I would be higher if it wasn't so expansive, but I think it goes a little long sometimes.  Still, excellent disc and the price is right at around $9.  I know At the Drive-In very limitedly (I've heard them on my local college station).

[smartash]

here are some not mentioned that are very worthwhile in my book:

Ben Folds Five: the unauthorized biography of reinholtd messner
Ester Drang: godlenwest
the Doves: Lost Souls
Elliot Smith: figure 8
anything by Idlewild
Tori Amos: Tales from the Choirgirl Hotel, and Little Earthquakes
PJ Harvey: Is This Desire
Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker
anything by Jack Johnson
Chris Cornell: Euphoria Morning

p.s. someone tell me why i need to listen to damien rice. never heard of him
 

[Josh]

For the record, many of the titles listed here are NOT from this year (Mraz, PJ Harvey, etc).

[smartash]

[cbluejays]

I refuse to apologize for my snaffu..

So take that!

   

[Josh]

I refuse to apologize for my snaffu..

So take that!

 

You have received your punishment.

[cbluejays]

I just noticed what my punishment is   ...

If I apologize now, can I get it taken down?  B)

You Nazimod...I'll be on the look out for Mein Kampf 2, written by Josh Hurst, to come out in the near future...

[Josh]

Ohhh... Nazimod... I rather enjoy the sound of that.

And that's Herr Nazimod to you. Or better yet, Mein Fuhrer.

[cbluejays]

You weren't supposed to take that as a compliment  


 B)  

[Nathan]

I remember the good old days, when Herr Hurst was a compassionate leader who only made us kiss his ring and call him Sire. Power corrupts, I suppose. Or at least that will be his excuse.

But I digress. A few favorites picked up this year:

1. Ohio - Over The Rhine
2. Hail To The Theif - Radiohead
3. Turn On The Bright Lights - Interpol
4. Old - Starflyer 59
5. The Dream Life Of Angels - Sarah Masen
6. The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot
7. Moontraveler - Aaron Sprinkle
8. Loveless - My Bloody Valentine
9. Hello - Poe

This breaks down into three distinct categories:

#1-2 -- Masterpieces
#3 -- Outstanding
#4-9 -- Good

So my advice to all of you is: go get that Interpol disc.

NP: "Rejoice" - Pedro The Lion

[Josh]

Nathan, what it Interpol like? Care to give a quick synopsis?

Oh, and, for the record, I don't think Hail to the Thief is a masterpiece, but I can only think of, like, 20 albums PERIOD that I would call masterpieces, so not being a masterpiece doesn't at all mean it's a poor project.  

[bloop]

HTTT a masterpiece?  Nah, but it is excellent.  I don't have a single album from this year on which I would use such a superlative as "masterpiece".  The last album I heard that I would call a masterpiece was "Kid A" for its development of what a pop album could sound like.  I reserve a word like that for things that really redefined the band and their music, and pushed the boundaries of music in general.

[Josh]

I'd probably call Ohio a masterpiece, but nothing from last year gets such high praise.

[bloop]

I'd have to think about that a little longer I think.  It's definitely at least a 4.5 star effort, and it may even be 5 stars but I'm not so sure about that.  HTTT is a decidedly 4.5 star effort to me.

[Nathan]

Interpol is intelligent indi-rock with strong punk sensibilities (by that I mean it isn't punk, but the band clearly listens to some punk/post-punk). They remind me a lot of Coldplay, but much darker and slightly faster. Remy Zero and Pedro The Lion are other reasonable comps, though of course there are significant differences.

Download "Obstacle #1" or "Leif Erikson" to get a feel for this band.

As for HTTT, I actually think it's very nearly as good as Kid A. Every song is great, and while it can be jarring at times (especially transitions), it's supposed to be that way. It's unique and beautifully crafted, and although other albums may be more fun to listen to (and more edifying), Theif is no less magnificent for it. Masterpiece may have been too strong a word.....but not by much, imo.

[Josh]

Every song is great

I disagree. I would have left "We Suck Young Blood" as a B-side, and I'm really not a huge fan of "Backdrifts," though the latter is just a matter of personal preference.

and while it can be jarring at times (especially transitions), it's supposed to be that way.

Why do you say that? What's the point of making it purposefully jarring?

 

[bloop]

I disagree. I would have left "We Suck Young Blood" as a B-side, and I'm really not a huge fan of "Backdrifts," though the latter is just a matter of personal preference.

Both of these opinions are a matter of personal preference...I like "We Suck Young Blood" (esp. the bridge) and "Backdrifts" is one of the better pop songs I've heard this year.  

But, alas, I disagree with him as well.  "Scatterbrain" isn't very good except in bits and pieces on the vocals.  Give one of the b-sides the full Radiohead treatment, or just use "I Am A Wicked Child", and you'd have a better song on the album than "Scatterbrain" and, if chosen well, would have a similar meaning.

Why do you say that? What's the point of making it purposefully jarring?

I don't know.  I don't see how it's that jarring, really, but one could say that there is a certain new-found (for this band) social-activism in the music where jarring the listener might not be a bad idea.

[Josh]

Both of these opinions are a matter of personal preference.

I suppose, but I can at least back up my dislike for "Young Blood." I think it's been done before; the whole idea of showing the negatives aspects of fame and Hollywood life is like shooting fish in a barrel. Hollywood uses people for its own gain? NO!

It's stating the obvious, which is why the song doesn't hold my interest as much.

[Guest]

I suppose, but I can at least back up my dislike for "Young Blood." I think it's been done before; the whole idea of showing the negatives aspects of fame and Hollywood life is like shooting fish in a barrel. Hollywood uses people for its own gain? NO!

It's stating the obvious, which is why the song doesn't hold my interest as much.

I think it does it better, in a more unique way I guess, than other songs, but that's just a personal opinion. What you're saying here is akin to saying OtR's songs on "Ohio" are no good because we already have songs about love, Jesus, and redemption.

There's also the distinct possibility that it isn't about Hollywood at all.  Thom Yorke loves screwing with us.  I think it works on the level he announced, but can you think of another meaning that's a little more pertinent to the theme of the album?

[bloop]

^that's me.  What say we get rid of the possiblity of Guest posting.  I do that on accident quite a bit.

[Josh]

I think it works on the level he announced, but can you think of another meaning that's a little more pertinent to the theme of the album?

Well, it could be a more general song about Big Brother entities, but I still don't think it really has anything terribely thought-provoking to say.  

[bloop]

Eh, fair enough.  At least you're trying.  I don't know if that idea would fit well into the album's theme so much as it's a general BIG Radiohead theme, but I guess you could see it that way.  

I personally don't like the song so much for its lyrical content as much for its slightly jazzy dirge feel, and that wavering bass sound.  I'm hoping that they go for more of a jazz and blues-influenced sound for their next record, which would make much bigger strides toward further developing the band's sound than HTTT very nice, but reminiscent, music.  Musically-speaking, think:  "Life in a Glass House", "National Anthem", "I Am A Wicked Child", and the song discussed.  I think they could take that further as they're one of the few rock bands that really has the chops for jazz (Tool is another, but I don't ever see them going in that direction).

anyway, back to the topic.  Any other suggestions?  I just listened to Super Furry Animals "Phantom Power".  It's very good, debuting at #6 on my list.  I don't like it quite a much as "Rings..." or "mwng".

[Josh]

Another jazzy Radiohead song that I love: "Pyramid Song," probably the standout track on Amnesiac.

Make sure you hear the new Innocence Mission before you make your final list, bloop. I haven't heard it yet myself; I'm going to wait on that one a few weeks while OHIO sinks in. But I'm sure it'll make my list... I'm predicting anywhere between #2 and #4, but one never knows...

[bloop]

Another jazzy Radiohead song that I love: "Pyramid Song," probably the standout track on Amnesiac.

Make sure you hear the new Innocence Mission before you make your final list, bloop. I haven't heard it yet myself; I'm going to wait on that one a few weeks while OHIO sinks in. But I'm sure it'll make my list... I'm predicting anywhere between #2 and #4, but one never knows...

"Pyramid Song" could be the best Radiohead song ever.  Most of the tracks on Amnesiac show the Kid B-sides arguements to be a bit lame.  Song for song, it's about as strong as Kid A, but it doesn't flow as well so it isn't quite as good IMO.

I'll definitely check out the Innocence Mission.  I'm surprised that a place like Pitchfork gave it a good review.  No guesses where I'll place it (guessing would kind of bias my list anyway)

[Josh]

Bloop, if you're not familar with The Innocence Mission, you should check out Bird of My Neighborhood. I'd place it in my Top 20 of all time. And, from what I hear, their new album is largely a continuation of the sounds they used on Birds.