Tuesday, December 30, 2008
'Tis my last blog post for 2 years
For I am going on a mission for my church to Denver, Colorado. I'll tell you all about it when I get back!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Best Albums of 2008
I'll post the rest of the list in a while. I'm just doing a top 10 for now so I can submit it to HypeMachine.com
2008 was okay for music, not the best year. Sadly, last year was much more impressive. None of the albums released in 2008 were as good as the top 4 from last year: In Rainbows by Radiohead, Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon, and Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. However, there were still many releases that were very impressive and worth checking out. Here are the top 25.
1 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Key Tracks: A-Punk, *Oxford Comma, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
There was no clear-cut #1 album this year, much unlike last year, when Radiohead’s In Rainbows was #1 without question in my mind. At first, I was reluctant to put the brilliant Vampire Weekend debut at #1. It didn’t feel “weighty” enough to be #1. I’ve seen many music lists this year putting it in the top 10, but never at #1. But in order to make my decision, I tried to remove myself from 2008 and put myself in 2018. I thought to myself, “Ten years down the road, what’s the one album I will remember from 2008? What’s the one album that will leave the deepest impression?” The answer to those questions was Vampire Weekend, without a doubt. Before the album was released, Vampire Weekend was hyped on the blogosphere to a point that backlash was inevitable. People label them as pretentious East-Coast Columbia grads with collared shirts and a subtle sneering self-confidence. Whether any of those characterizations are true or not, it doesn’t take away from the fact that their album is top-notch. It’s fun, catchy, and original. There isn’t a bad song on the whole record. So relax, don’t worry about what people say, and just enjoy the pure pop genius that is Vampire Weekend.
2 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Key Tracks: Skinny Love, Re: Stacks, The Wolves (Act I and II)
When I listen to this album, vivid images swirl in my mind of a cold, wintry scene in the Wisconsin wilderness, occupied by a single cabin and a man strumming along on his guitar. Well guess what, that’s exactly how this album was made. Bon Iver retreated to a Wisconsin cabin and recorded one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. The album’s approach is nothing new (songs of heartbreak, complete with acoustic guitar and harmonies), but rarely is it ever this effective.
3 TV On the Radio - Dear Science
Key Tracks: Golden Age, Dancing Choose
Indie bands are good at crafting interesting, frenetic compositions that cause marvel at their creativity. While most of these said songs/albums may be good, they’re usually hard to connect with. What sets Dear Science apart is TVOTR’s exquisite use of melody. No matter how challenging the instrumentation is on a particular song on this album, it still gets stuck in your head for hours because of its infectious melody.
4 Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Key Tracks: I Will Possess Your Heart, Grapevine Fires, Cath...
I recently realized how awesome Death Cab For Cutie was, substance mixed with an innate pop sensibility. Narrow Stairs easily lives up to what people have come to expect from, arguably, the leading indie band of our time. "I Will Possess Your Heart" starts off with a 4-minute intro; some think the song is too long, but you need to feel the groove. It is a perfect song, sparse yet engaging. The song characterizes the whole feel the album: beautiful melodies mixed with lyrics full of heartache. Narrow Stairs is probably DCFC's most ambitious, guitar-fueled album yet.
5 Beck - Modern Guilt
Key Tracks: Gamma Ray, Modern Guilt, Youthless
Beck has become one of my favorite modern artists by constantly switching it up. You never know what genre of music will dominate his next album. Well this time, it's swirling, yet depressed, 60's psychedelia, aided by the production of Danger Mouse. While I admit that the end of the album isn't too strong, the first 6 songs alone are amazing enough to catapult it to the #5 spot, characterized by woozy bass-lines, prominent drums, ornamental flourishes, and Beck's deep, sad voice
6 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Key Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Blue Ridge Mountains, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Take the Shins, infuse them with the earthiness and mind-blowing harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and you get Fleet Foxes. But don't be fooled by my comparisons: Fleet Foxes are in no way derivative of any bands that have come before them. They have their own unique sound, due in part to the impeccable production of their debut album. The record is fueled by harmonies that you just don't hear in most modern music, but when lead singer Robin Pecknold sings alone, the result is just as beautiful and natural. Lead single "White Winter Hymnal" is the definition of the subtle beauty that Fleet Foxes evokes throughout the whole record. It is a flawless album.
7 Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
Key Tracks: *Here's the Thing, *In Step, *Play Your Part (Pt. 2)
This is one of the most fun albums I've ever heard. Girl Talk, the master of mashups, has created a masterpiece. Feed the Animals is one big hour-long dance party containing all your favorite hits, and I mean all of them. You can hear components of songs across the musical map, including Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," Kanye West's "Flashing Lights," Radiohead's "15 Step," Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," Soulja Boy's "Crank That," Britney Spears' "Gimme More," Of Montreal's "Gronlandic Edit," Flo Rida's "Low," and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." And that's just a tiny fraction. I don't think I've ever gotten as much pure enjoyment from an album as I have from this one.
8 Sun Kil Moon - April
Key Tracks: Lost Verses, Tonight the Sky, Unlit Hallway
You may not be aware, but you've probably already been exposed to Mark Kozelek, the brains behind Sun Kil Moon. He portrayed the bassist of the fictional band Stillwater in the movie Almost Famous, funnily enough. Who would have thought that guy had such musical prowess? Serving as a cross between Nick Drake and Neil Young, Kozelek presents an album full of both beautiful acoustic and rocking electric jams. I'm surprised he's gotten such little coverage, because this is really something.
9 Sigur Rós - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Key Tracks: Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Gobbledigook, Við spilum endalaust
I've never heard a Sigur Rós song that didn't move me in some way. The album opens with pure joyful exuberance, and then levels off to the melancholy crescendos and decrescendos that they're known for. It's a perfect album to study to, which means it's been on repeat a lot recently. These guys can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned.
10 Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Key Tracks: Gettin' Up, Move, Life is Better (feat. Norah Jones)
Q-Tip, the former leader of A Tribe Called Quest, came out with the #1 rap album of the year, complete with the #1 song of the year of any genre. Q-Tip knows how to make a hook and a beat. In the world of dumbed down beats and lyrics (see "Crank That" by Soulja Boy), Q-Tip is the antithesis. His beats are smooth soul grooves with smart lyrics to match.
2008 was okay for music, not the best year. Sadly, last year was much more impressive. None of the albums released in 2008 were as good as the top 4 from last year: In Rainbows by Radiohead, Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon, and Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. However, there were still many releases that were very impressive and worth checking out. Here are the top 25.
1 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Key Tracks: A-Punk, *Oxford Comma, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
There was no clear-cut #1 album this year, much unlike last year, when Radiohead’s In Rainbows was #1 without question in my mind. At first, I was reluctant to put the brilliant Vampire Weekend debut at #1. It didn’t feel “weighty” enough to be #1. I’ve seen many music lists this year putting it in the top 10, but never at #1. But in order to make my decision, I tried to remove myself from 2008 and put myself in 2018. I thought to myself, “Ten years down the road, what’s the one album I will remember from 2008? What’s the one album that will leave the deepest impression?” The answer to those questions was Vampire Weekend, without a doubt. Before the album was released, Vampire Weekend was hyped on the blogosphere to a point that backlash was inevitable. People label them as pretentious East-Coast Columbia grads with collared shirts and a subtle sneering self-confidence. Whether any of those characterizations are true or not, it doesn’t take away from the fact that their album is top-notch. It’s fun, catchy, and original. There isn’t a bad song on the whole record. So relax, don’t worry about what people say, and just enjoy the pure pop genius that is Vampire Weekend.
2 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Key Tracks: Skinny Love, Re: Stacks, The Wolves (Act I and II)
When I listen to this album, vivid images swirl in my mind of a cold, wintry scene in the Wisconsin wilderness, occupied by a single cabin and a man strumming along on his guitar. Well guess what, that’s exactly how this album was made. Bon Iver retreated to a Wisconsin cabin and recorded one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. The album’s approach is nothing new (songs of heartbreak, complete with acoustic guitar and harmonies), but rarely is it ever this effective.
3 TV On the Radio - Dear Science
Key Tracks: Golden Age, Dancing Choose
Indie bands are good at crafting interesting, frenetic compositions that cause marvel at their creativity. While most of these said songs/albums may be good, they’re usually hard to connect with. What sets Dear Science apart is TVOTR’s exquisite use of melody. No matter how challenging the instrumentation is on a particular song on this album, it still gets stuck in your head for hours because of its infectious melody.
4 Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Key Tracks: I Will Possess Your Heart, Grapevine Fires, Cath...
I recently realized how awesome Death Cab For Cutie was, substance mixed with an innate pop sensibility. Narrow Stairs easily lives up to what people have come to expect from, arguably, the leading indie band of our time. "I Will Possess Your Heart" starts off with a 4-minute intro; some think the song is too long, but you need to feel the groove. It is a perfect song, sparse yet engaging. The song characterizes the whole feel the album: beautiful melodies mixed with lyrics full of heartache. Narrow Stairs is probably DCFC's most ambitious, guitar-fueled album yet.
5 Beck - Modern Guilt
Key Tracks: Gamma Ray, Modern Guilt, Youthless
Beck has become one of my favorite modern artists by constantly switching it up. You never know what genre of music will dominate his next album. Well this time, it's swirling, yet depressed, 60's psychedelia, aided by the production of Danger Mouse. While I admit that the end of the album isn't too strong, the first 6 songs alone are amazing enough to catapult it to the #5 spot, characterized by woozy bass-lines, prominent drums, ornamental flourishes, and Beck's deep, sad voice
6 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Key Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Blue Ridge Mountains, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Take the Shins, infuse them with the earthiness and mind-blowing harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and you get Fleet Foxes. But don't be fooled by my comparisons: Fleet Foxes are in no way derivative of any bands that have come before them. They have their own unique sound, due in part to the impeccable production of their debut album. The record is fueled by harmonies that you just don't hear in most modern music, but when lead singer Robin Pecknold sings alone, the result is just as beautiful and natural. Lead single "White Winter Hymnal" is the definition of the subtle beauty that Fleet Foxes evokes throughout the whole record. It is a flawless album.
7 Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
Key Tracks: *Here's the Thing, *In Step, *Play Your Part (Pt. 2)
This is one of the most fun albums I've ever heard. Girl Talk, the master of mashups, has created a masterpiece. Feed the Animals is one big hour-long dance party containing all your favorite hits, and I mean all of them. You can hear components of songs across the musical map, including Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," Kanye West's "Flashing Lights," Radiohead's "15 Step," Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," Soulja Boy's "Crank That," Britney Spears' "Gimme More," Of Montreal's "Gronlandic Edit," Flo Rida's "Low," and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." And that's just a tiny fraction. I don't think I've ever gotten as much pure enjoyment from an album as I have from this one.
8 Sun Kil Moon - April
Key Tracks: Lost Verses, Tonight the Sky, Unlit Hallway
You may not be aware, but you've probably already been exposed to Mark Kozelek, the brains behind Sun Kil Moon. He portrayed the bassist of the fictional band Stillwater in the movie Almost Famous, funnily enough. Who would have thought that guy had such musical prowess? Serving as a cross between Nick Drake and Neil Young, Kozelek presents an album full of both beautiful acoustic and rocking electric jams. I'm surprised he's gotten such little coverage, because this is really something.
9 Sigur Rós - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Key Tracks: Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Gobbledigook, Við spilum endalaust
I've never heard a Sigur Rós song that didn't move me in some way. The album opens with pure joyful exuberance, and then levels off to the melancholy crescendos and decrescendos that they're known for. It's a perfect album to study to, which means it's been on repeat a lot recently. These guys can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned.
10 Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Key Tracks: Gettin' Up, Move, Life is Better (feat. Norah Jones)
Q-Tip, the former leader of A Tribe Called Quest, came out with the #1 rap album of the year, complete with the #1 song of the year of any genre. Q-Tip knows how to make a hook and a beat. In the world of dumbed down beats and lyrics (see "Crank That" by Soulja Boy), Q-Tip is the antithesis. His beats are smooth soul grooves with smart lyrics to match.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Best Songs of 2008
Every genre, from indie rock to hard rock, alternative rock to pop rock, hip-hop, R&B, pop, folk. Everybody from Death Cab to Q-Tip, Metallica to Shwayze, Beck to John Legend, Coldplay to Lil Wayne, Duffy, Santogold, Kanye, Jason Mraz, Vampire Weekend, Deerhoof, ETC. Listen and enjoy. And if you don't have time, then just look at the top 25 at least! Haha.
I know you may be laughing at my obsession, that's cool. I know I'm ridiculous, haha.
Please note: This list, of course, is not definitive. Please keep in mind that my main goal is for people to enjoy the inclusions, not lament the exclusions. It's mainly for people to: A) celebrate songs on here that they know and love, and B) discover new music that they've never heard. Obviously, some aren't going to agree with many choices, but celebrate the ones that you do agree with. Yeeeah.
My list of the best albums of 2008 is forthcoming. Don't get too excited.
75. Run (I'm a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley
MTV had to yank the video because it could cause epileptic seizures.
Video
74. Everything is Borrowed - The Streets
A British, white, suburban rapper. Haha.
Video
73. Never Miss a Beat - Kaiser Chiefs
Danceable apathy.
Video
72. Machine Gun - Portishead
Ominous industrial indie
Video
71. Life in Marvelous Times - Mos Def
Took me a while to get used to this track, but now I can't get enough of it.
Video
70. Human - The Killers
Are we human or are we dancer? Uhh, what?
Video
69. Low - Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
Haha. Ha. Yeah........
Video
68. Grounds for Divorce - Elbow
You may recognize it from the trailer for Burn After Reading. But I knew the song before that, so there. Haha.
Video
67. Id Engager - Of Montreal
Their new album wasn't as good as last year's, but this is a great song.
Video
66. Green Light - John Legend feat. Andre 3000
High-end R&B
Video
65. Always Where I Need to Be - The Kooks
They released a trivial second album, but their single was catchy enough.
Video
64. Single Fins & Safety Pins - Japanese Motors
The sun-soaked L.A. version of the Strokes
Video
63. Can't Believe It - T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne
It's kind of ridiculous, and who knows what in the world Lil Wayne is saying, but it's got a great hook.
Video
62. Sun Is Shining - The Fireman
The Fireman consists of two members: an ambient/electronic bassist who goes by the name of Youth...and, uh, some guy named Paul McCartney.
Video
61. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
Such a great debut album. Every song is great, here's one of the better ones.
Video
60. Lollipop - Lil Wayne
Stupid? Yes. But I have good memories of the summer when I hear it.
Video
59. L.E.S Artistes - Santogold
In a year of great debut albums, here's another one.
Video
58. Little Bit - Lykke Li
Strangely haunting.
Video
57. GfC - Albert Hammond Jr.
And now, here's the guitarist from the actual Strokes.
Video
56. Brooklyn (Go Hard) - Jay-Z feat. Santogold
This track just came up a few days ago and it is sick, especially the line about Jackie Robinson. And Santogold is killin. Also noteworthy: it's produced by Kanye West.
55. Move - Q-Tip
The legendary frontman of A Tribe Called Quest released a sick album.
Video
54. Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
Made famous by the iTunes commercial
Video
53. Top Yourself - The Raconteurs
Perfect slide-guitar blues
Video
52. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Just a good pop song.
Video
51. Forever - Chris Brown
You're probably pretty surprised to see a song like this on my list. But there's no denying it, it's a tight "club banger," ahaha.
Video
50. Mercy - Duffy
What a great voice.
Video
49. The Shock of the Lightning - Oasis
Very Beatles-esque. Maybe too much so.
Video
48. Crawl - Kings of Leon
Reminds me of Zeppelin.
Video
47. Lost! - Coldplay
Catchy.
Video
46. Dancing Choose - TV On the Radio
One of my favorite new discoveries, TV On the Radio.
Video
45. Creator - Santogold
Yeeeah, bumpin!
Video
44. Superstar - Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos
Lupe Fiasco, one of the most respected names in rap.
Video
43. Another Way to Die - Jack White & Alicia Keys
This is the theme song for the new Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. A lot of reviewers weren't fond of the song, but I thought it was awesome.
Video
42. Pork and Beans - Weezer
This sounds like the Weezer of 1994. By the way, best video ever.
Video
41. Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills
Catchy electro-punk.
Video
40. Acid Tongue- Jenny Lewis
Lead singer of Rilo Kiley.
Video
39. Strange Overtones - David Byrne & Brian Eno
Ah man, great song. The frontman of the Talking Heads teams up with the legendary producer to create a track straight out of the late '70s.
Video
38. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur - Sigur Rós
What could be better than joyous Icelanders? Haha.
Video
37. Mrs. Officer - Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne disgusts me, but even he can't ruin this beat.
Video
36. I'm Amazed - My Morning Jacket
Classic rock anthem from 2008.
Video
35. Can It Be - Murs
Sick track, complete with Jackson 5 sample from the best underground rapper out there.
Video
34. Paranoid - Kanye West
Controversial new sound for Kanye and I dig it.
Video
33. My Drive Thru - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, & N.E.R.D.
An epic collaboration for a Converse commercial.
Video
32. Olympic Airways - Foals
Try to not like this song.
Video
31. Strange Times - The Black Keys
Very different from their earlier, bluesier work, but still awesome.
Video
30. Buzzin' - Shwayze
Critics railed on Shwayze, but how can you not like this track? So chill and laid back, SoCal style.
Video
29. DLZ - TV On the Radio
These guys made one of the best albums of the year.
Video
28. Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
One of most interesting new bands of the year.
Video
27. Lucid Dreams - Franz Ferdinand
Best Franz Ferdinand song since "Take Me Out."
Video
26. Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Bon Iver is a folkie who retreated to the Wisconsin wilderness and cut one of the best albums of the year.
Video
25. Swagga Like Us - Jay-Z & T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne
All-star lineup, samples "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.
Video
24. Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Pt. 1 - My Morning Jacket
Epic.
Video
23. Better - Guns N' Roses
One of the best tracks from Axl's finally-released Chinese Democracy
Video
22. Grapevine Fires - Death Cab For Cutie
Great track from Narrow Stairs.
Video
21. Lost Verses - Sun Kil Moon
Beautiful stuff.
Video
20. Violet Hill - Coldplay
The last minute of the song gives me chills every time.
Video
19. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
Mix between Crosby Stills & Nash and The Shins. Beautiful stuff.
Video
18. Stay With Me (By the Sea) - Al Green feat. John Legend
As smooth as it gets.
Video
17. One Day Like This - Elbow
This song reminds me very much of "Hey Jude," but it's different enough that it's not derivative.
Video
16. Rich Girls - The Virgins
There's two versions of this song, both are good in their own way. Here's the earlier, more raw version.
Video
15. If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson
Such a feel-good song.
Video
14. Heartless - Kanye West
No matter what you think of this song, the power of this melody is undeniable.
Video
13. The Tears and Music of Love - Deerhoof
The perfect combination of garage, pop, and Japanese singers.
Video
12. Electric Feel - MGMT
So catchy.
Video
11. Going On - Gnarls Barkley
It's no "Crazy", but it's still awesome.
Video
10. The Day That Never Comes - Metallica
Metallica is back.
Video
9. Re: Stacks - Bon Iver
Hauntingly beautiful. Supposedly this song was on an episode of House as well, for you House fans.
Video
8. Gamma Ray - Beck
Beck + Danger Mouse = Excellence.
Video
7. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Simple and super catchy song from 2008's biggest debut band.
Video
6. The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room) - Flight of the Conchords
I love Flight of the Conchords. Not only are the lyrics hilarious, but the music itself is actually awesome.
Video
5. Salute Your Solution - The Raconteurs
Just another awesome blood-pumping song from Jack White.
Video
4. American Boy - Estelle feat. Kanye West
The beat to this song is amazing.
Video
3. I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
Groovy bassline and creepy lyrics.
Long Video
Short Video
2. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
It was so overplayed in the summer, but the fact that every type of radio station played it was a testament to it's greatness. Pulsating strings, world instruments, and Chris Martin's transcendent voice.
Video
1. Gettin' Up - Q-Tip
This is, hands down, one of the freshest rap songs ever. It's not flashy, it doesn't try to make a statement. This track is exactly what rap should be: a hot beat, clever lyrics, a smooth flow, and a catchy chorus. Just sit back and feel the groove (and make sure you have the bass turned up). This is the best song of 2008.
Video
Here are my favorite songs from each year of the decade:
2000: Yellow - Coldplay
2001: Short Skirt Long Jacket - Cake
2002: Lose Yourself - Eminem
2003: Hey Ya! - Outkast
2004: Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
2005: You Only Live Once - The Strokes
2006: Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
2007: Icky Thump - The White Stripes
2008: Gettin' Up - Q-Tip
I know you may be laughing at my obsession, that's cool. I know I'm ridiculous, haha.
Please note: This list, of course, is not definitive. Please keep in mind that my main goal is for people to enjoy the inclusions, not lament the exclusions. It's mainly for people to: A) celebrate songs on here that they know and love, and B) discover new music that they've never heard. Obviously, some aren't going to agree with many choices, but celebrate the ones that you do agree with. Yeeeah.
My list of the best albums of 2008 is forthcoming. Don't get too excited.
75. Run (I'm a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley
MTV had to yank the video because it could cause epileptic seizures.
Video
74. Everything is Borrowed - The Streets
A British, white, suburban rapper. Haha.
Video
73. Never Miss a Beat - Kaiser Chiefs
Danceable apathy.
Video
72. Machine Gun - Portishead
Ominous industrial indie
Video
71. Life in Marvelous Times - Mos Def
Took me a while to get used to this track, but now I can't get enough of it.
Video
70. Human - The Killers
Are we human or are we dancer? Uhh, what?
Video
69. Low - Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
Haha. Ha. Yeah........
Video
68. Grounds for Divorce - Elbow
You may recognize it from the trailer for Burn After Reading. But I knew the song before that, so there. Haha.
Video
67. Id Engager - Of Montreal
Their new album wasn't as good as last year's, but this is a great song.
Video
66. Green Light - John Legend feat. Andre 3000
High-end R&B
Video
65. Always Where I Need to Be - The Kooks
They released a trivial second album, but their single was catchy enough.
Video
64. Single Fins & Safety Pins - Japanese Motors
The sun-soaked L.A. version of the Strokes
Video
63. Can't Believe It - T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne
It's kind of ridiculous, and who knows what in the world Lil Wayne is saying, but it's got a great hook.
Video
62. Sun Is Shining - The Fireman
The Fireman consists of two members: an ambient/electronic bassist who goes by the name of Youth...and, uh, some guy named Paul McCartney.
Video
61. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
Such a great debut album. Every song is great, here's one of the better ones.
Video
60. Lollipop - Lil Wayne
Stupid? Yes. But I have good memories of the summer when I hear it.
Video
59. L.E.S Artistes - Santogold
In a year of great debut albums, here's another one.
Video
58. Little Bit - Lykke Li
Strangely haunting.
Video
57. GfC - Albert Hammond Jr.
And now, here's the guitarist from the actual Strokes.
Video
56. Brooklyn (Go Hard) - Jay-Z feat. Santogold
This track just came up a few days ago and it is sick, especially the line about Jackie Robinson. And Santogold is killin. Also noteworthy: it's produced by Kanye West.
55. Move - Q-Tip
The legendary frontman of A Tribe Called Quest released a sick album.
Video
54. Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
Made famous by the iTunes commercial
Video
53. Top Yourself - The Raconteurs
Perfect slide-guitar blues
Video
52. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Just a good pop song.
Video
51. Forever - Chris Brown
You're probably pretty surprised to see a song like this on my list. But there's no denying it, it's a tight "club banger," ahaha.
Video
50. Mercy - Duffy
What a great voice.
Video
49. The Shock of the Lightning - Oasis
Very Beatles-esque. Maybe too much so.
Video
48. Crawl - Kings of Leon
Reminds me of Zeppelin.
Video
47. Lost! - Coldplay
Catchy.
Video
46. Dancing Choose - TV On the Radio
One of my favorite new discoveries, TV On the Radio.
Video
45. Creator - Santogold
Yeeeah, bumpin!
Video
44. Superstar - Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos
Lupe Fiasco, one of the most respected names in rap.
Video
43. Another Way to Die - Jack White & Alicia Keys
This is the theme song for the new Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. A lot of reviewers weren't fond of the song, but I thought it was awesome.
Video
42. Pork and Beans - Weezer
This sounds like the Weezer of 1994. By the way, best video ever.
Video
41. Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills
Catchy electro-punk.
Video
40. Acid Tongue- Jenny Lewis
Lead singer of Rilo Kiley.
Video
39. Strange Overtones - David Byrne & Brian Eno
Ah man, great song. The frontman of the Talking Heads teams up with the legendary producer to create a track straight out of the late '70s.
Video
38. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur - Sigur Rós
What could be better than joyous Icelanders? Haha.
Video
37. Mrs. Officer - Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne disgusts me, but even he can't ruin this beat.
Video
36. I'm Amazed - My Morning Jacket
Classic rock anthem from 2008.
Video
35. Can It Be - Murs
Sick track, complete with Jackson 5 sample from the best underground rapper out there.
Video
34. Paranoid - Kanye West
Controversial new sound for Kanye and I dig it.
Video
33. My Drive Thru - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, & N.E.R.D.
An epic collaboration for a Converse commercial.
Video
32. Olympic Airways - Foals
Try to not like this song.
Video
31. Strange Times - The Black Keys
Very different from their earlier, bluesier work, but still awesome.
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30. Buzzin' - Shwayze
Critics railed on Shwayze, but how can you not like this track? So chill and laid back, SoCal style.
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29. DLZ - TV On the Radio
These guys made one of the best albums of the year.
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28. Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
One of most interesting new bands of the year.
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27. Lucid Dreams - Franz Ferdinand
Best Franz Ferdinand song since "Take Me Out."
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26. Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Bon Iver is a folkie who retreated to the Wisconsin wilderness and cut one of the best albums of the year.
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25. Swagga Like Us - Jay-Z & T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne
All-star lineup, samples "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.
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24. Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Pt. 1 - My Morning Jacket
Epic.
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23. Better - Guns N' Roses
One of the best tracks from Axl's finally-released Chinese Democracy
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22. Grapevine Fires - Death Cab For Cutie
Great track from Narrow Stairs.
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21. Lost Verses - Sun Kil Moon
Beautiful stuff.
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20. Violet Hill - Coldplay
The last minute of the song gives me chills every time.
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19. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
Mix between Crosby Stills & Nash and The Shins. Beautiful stuff.
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18. Stay With Me (By the Sea) - Al Green feat. John Legend
As smooth as it gets.
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17. One Day Like This - Elbow
This song reminds me very much of "Hey Jude," but it's different enough that it's not derivative.
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16. Rich Girls - The Virgins
There's two versions of this song, both are good in their own way. Here's the earlier, more raw version.
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15. If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson
Such a feel-good song.
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14. Heartless - Kanye West
No matter what you think of this song, the power of this melody is undeniable.
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13. The Tears and Music of Love - Deerhoof
The perfect combination of garage, pop, and Japanese singers.
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12. Electric Feel - MGMT
So catchy.
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11. Going On - Gnarls Barkley
It's no "Crazy", but it's still awesome.
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10. The Day That Never Comes - Metallica
Metallica is back.
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9. Re: Stacks - Bon Iver
Hauntingly beautiful. Supposedly this song was on an episode of House as well, for you House fans.
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8. Gamma Ray - Beck
Beck + Danger Mouse = Excellence.
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7. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Simple and super catchy song from 2008's biggest debut band.
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6. The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room) - Flight of the Conchords
I love Flight of the Conchords. Not only are the lyrics hilarious, but the music itself is actually awesome.
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5. Salute Your Solution - The Raconteurs
Just another awesome blood-pumping song from Jack White.
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4. American Boy - Estelle feat. Kanye West
The beat to this song is amazing.
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3. I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
Groovy bassline and creepy lyrics.
Long Video
Short Video
2. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
It was so overplayed in the summer, but the fact that every type of radio station played it was a testament to it's greatness. Pulsating strings, world instruments, and Chris Martin's transcendent voice.
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1. Gettin' Up - Q-Tip
This is, hands down, one of the freshest rap songs ever. It's not flashy, it doesn't try to make a statement. This track is exactly what rap should be: a hot beat, clever lyrics, a smooth flow, and a catchy chorus. Just sit back and feel the groove (and make sure you have the bass turned up). This is the best song of 2008.
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Here are my favorite songs from each year of the decade:
2000: Yellow - Coldplay
2001: Short Skirt Long Jacket - Cake
2002: Lose Yourself - Eminem
2003: Hey Ya! - Outkast
2004: Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
2005: You Only Live Once - The Strokes
2006: Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
2007: Icky Thump - The White Stripes
2008: Gettin' Up - Q-Tip
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wasting Away with Music Lists
I spend way too much time looking at and editing my own music lists. The year-end lists are rolling in and I can't get enough of them. Here are some from Blender, Q, Paste, and Mojo. I've been tweaking my own list for a long time now and will "release" my 2008 song and album lists soon. I still don't have a clear cut choice for the #1 album yet. I am obsessed. But the fact that Bob Boilen, working for such an esteemed establishment as NPR, shares my obsession, makes me feel better about it. However, that still won't assuage my mom's fears for me, despite her being an avid NPR listener.
Anyway, look forward to seeing my lists on Facebook soon, complete with video links and descriptions. Simplified versions will be on the blog. Yay! I know most people don't give a crap, but I'm excited, haha. Ahhh I'm lame.
In the meantime, check out Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie covering "Thriller." Epic.
EDIT: New and more interesting lists! Here's one from my cousin Louisa and one from my school newspaper, the Daily Cal.
Anyway, look forward to seeing my lists on Facebook soon, complete with video links and descriptions. Simplified versions will be on the blog. Yay! I know most people don't give a crap, but I'm excited, haha. Ahhh I'm lame.
In the meantime, check out Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie covering "Thriller." Epic.
EDIT: New and more interesting lists! Here's one from my cousin Louisa and one from my school newspaper, the Daily Cal.
Elitist Apples
Connie: Hotmail is so fifth grade
David: You elitist
Connie: Gmail is to the New York Times as Hotmail is to USA today
David: Gmail is to Cheeseboard as Hotmail is to Blondie's
Connie: Harvard versus Boston City College...
David: Radiohead versus Coldplay
Connie: Questionable.
David: It is questionable, agreed, but a widely held belief.
David: Meet the Press versus Crossfire
Connie: Harry Potter versus Twilight.
David: Target versus Walmart
Connie: San Francisco versus Pasadena. Zing.
David: No! Apples and oranges. SF versus Oakland, Pasadena versus Riverside
Connie: Apples versus oranges
David: Haha. Boom.
David: You elitist
Connie: Gmail is to the New York Times as Hotmail is to USA today
David: Gmail is to Cheeseboard as Hotmail is to Blondie's
Connie: Harvard versus Boston City College...
David: Radiohead versus Coldplay
Connie: Questionable.
David: It is questionable, agreed, but a widely held belief.
David: Meet the Press versus Crossfire
Connie: Harry Potter versus Twilight.
David: Target versus Walmart
Connie: San Francisco versus Pasadena. Zing.
David: No! Apples and oranges. SF versus Oakland, Pasadena versus Riverside
Connie: Apples versus oranges
David: Haha. Boom.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Check it: Soundtrap
Ryan Paullin is a talent behind anything that creates/emanates music, whether it be a piano or a soundboard. Paullin, using the pseudonym Soundtrap, is constructing an eclectic fusion of electronic, rock, funk, jazz, ambient, etc. After an unfortunate episode involving a "friend" who jacked his laptop and proceeded to delete all previous sound collages, Soundtrap started working on new beats from scratch. Luckily, the incident didn't hinder his creative energy.
Soundtrap masters the art of subtlety and texture. Layers are brought in and out, made louder and softer, with certain elements brought out at different times. A bass riff here, a smooth synth solo there. Those areas of a Soundtrap song that contain multiple layers, all working together are awesome; the areas that are stripped down are even better. Each track is a journey: one minute, you're hearing a preponderance of sounds weaving in and out of each other, and the next minute, you're listening to the simple beauty of, say, just a synth hook shimmering over a conga beat. These stripped-down areas give the tracks breathing room. The mark of a good beat-maker is his/her ability to realize this breathing room is needed for the listener to appreciate the beat in full.
There are two tracks posted on the Soundtrap Facebook profile, "Digirock" and "Wander." "Digirock" is a perfect song to pop in the car while cruising on the freeway. It contains a driving, but chill beat throughout. The track starts out with a catchy guitar shuffle, vaguely reminiscent of the Grateful Dead, but with the smoothness of Steely Dan. Towards the middle of the song, birds chirp as guitars and keyboards fade in and out with various solos. The shuffle then reappears at the end, bringing the song full circle. "Wander" is a great track, beginning with echoey synth fills and a moving bass line. After a perfectly placed pause where all sound stops, the beat picks up again with a sparse, yet effective keyboard solo. The drum beat is taken away in the middle of the song, giving way to dreamy swirl of sound. Then the track slowly begins to build. After a subtle, Mexican-like synth-trumpet solo, the drum beat kicks in hard with a strong, driving beat. The drums, along with simple keyboard repetitions and a great chord progression, form the backbone for an epic guitar solo in an explosion of brilliance. It sounds like the type of music you would hear at the end of a movie, at a graduation or get-together when everyone is reuniting and reflecting. They're sounds of pure joy. Then it slowly fades away, bringing the end of the song.
Check out the Soundtrap Facebook page here.
And dude, look, I met Soundtrap at a club! Haha. Ha.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
4.0/5
Easily the most controversial album of 2008, Kanye West has released something completely different. Gone are the self-promoting lyrics, gone are the intricate and nuanced beats, and more importantly, gone is the rapping. West has constructed an album devoted to the loss of his late mother and his breakup with his former fiance, leading to, perhaps, the most insecure hip-hop release ever created. The beats are very minimalist, comprising of mostly 808 drum machines and 1980s style synths. Both of these characteristics are departures from Kanye's former proven style, but the facet that will cause the most controversy is the vocals. Kanye sings on every track with auto-tune technology.
First, lets tackle the subject of auto-tune. It's a feature that has taken over top 40 radio, popularized by T-Pain, used to full extent by Lil Wayne. I'm just going to come out and say it, auto-tune sucks. It makes voices sound fake and computerized. It gives the illusion that someone can sing when they can't. It sounds ridiculous. I can guarantee that in 10 years, we will look back at all the "auto-tuned" songs of this decade and we will say to ourselves, "What were they thinking?"
However, as unfortunate as Kanye's newfound obsession with the technology is (by the way, good thing he didn't discover it before recording the awesome "American Boy"), it doesn't bring 808s & Heartbreak down too much.
The songs certainly go well together. It can get grating at times to hear so little variation, a la Sea Change by Beck. But just like Beck's masterpiece, the album is certainly solid. "Love Lockdown", the first single off the album, is actually one of the less impressive songs. "Heartless" has an extremely infectious melody. "Welcome to Heartbreak" opens with an entrancing cello and contains an ominous and intriguing beat. "Paranoid" is the strongest track on the album, probably because it's reminiscent of the old Kanye. Despite sounding good on "See You in My Nightmares", Lil Wayne sounds retarded and ridiculous. And "Coldest Winter," Kanye's ode to his mom, closes the album out strongly.
People will hate 808s and they will love to hate it. I myself have reservations about his new direction. I certainly hope that it's simply an experiment, a one-time departure, after which he'll go back to making those intricate beats and rapping over them without the ridiculous auto-tune like he used to. But even if you hate it, you have to give props to Kanye for going out on a limb, going in a new direction, and taking a risk. And the result isn't half-bad.
Easily the most controversial album of 2008, Kanye West has released something completely different. Gone are the self-promoting lyrics, gone are the intricate and nuanced beats, and more importantly, gone is the rapping. West has constructed an album devoted to the loss of his late mother and his breakup with his former fiance, leading to, perhaps, the most insecure hip-hop release ever created. The beats are very minimalist, comprising of mostly 808 drum machines and 1980s style synths. Both of these characteristics are departures from Kanye's former proven style, but the facet that will cause the most controversy is the vocals. Kanye sings on every track with auto-tune technology.
First, lets tackle the subject of auto-tune. It's a feature that has taken over top 40 radio, popularized by T-Pain, used to full extent by Lil Wayne. I'm just going to come out and say it, auto-tune sucks. It makes voices sound fake and computerized. It gives the illusion that someone can sing when they can't. It sounds ridiculous. I can guarantee that in 10 years, we will look back at all the "auto-tuned" songs of this decade and we will say to ourselves, "What were they thinking?"
However, as unfortunate as Kanye's newfound obsession with the technology is (by the way, good thing he didn't discover it before recording the awesome "American Boy"), it doesn't bring 808s & Heartbreak down too much.
The songs certainly go well together. It can get grating at times to hear so little variation, a la Sea Change by Beck. But just like Beck's masterpiece, the album is certainly solid. "Love Lockdown", the first single off the album, is actually one of the less impressive songs. "Heartless" has an extremely infectious melody. "Welcome to Heartbreak" opens with an entrancing cello and contains an ominous and intriguing beat. "Paranoid" is the strongest track on the album, probably because it's reminiscent of the old Kanye. Despite sounding good on "See You in My Nightmares", Lil Wayne sounds retarded and ridiculous. And "Coldest Winter," Kanye's ode to his mom, closes the album out strongly.
People will hate 808s and they will love to hate it. I myself have reservations about his new direction. I certainly hope that it's simply an experiment, a one-time departure, after which he'll go back to making those intricate beats and rapping over them without the ridiculous auto-tune like he used to. But even if you hate it, you have to give props to Kanye for going out on a limb, going in a new direction, and taking a risk. And the result isn't half-bad.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Facts
Problem sets suck. Naked juice is awesome. These corn chips from the GBC are bland. Palin is a joke. My new off-white vans are sick. The Lakers are dominant (7-0). Jon Stewart is my idol. 2119 University is my home more than 2650 Durant. Metacritic is the best website ever. Mitch Mitchell just died (R.I.P.). Thanksgiving is going to be epic. Kanye West is frustrating me. And this video brings so many sweet memories.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Viva Obama!
I may sound cheesy, but I don't give a crap. Fifty years from now, I'm going to see in the history books: Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama. And I will be able to proudly say that I was a part of history. I was one of the many Americans across the nation who helped elect our first black president and prove that anything is possible. Expectations are high (maybe too high), but I believe Barack Obama will rise to the challenge and will use both Democrats and Republicans to take those challenges head-on.
The atmosphere in Berkeley was super exciting!
The atmosphere in Berkeley was super exciting!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
More life, no more reviews
I think I'm done with album reviews. I don't really care about them anymore. I never was very good at it anyway. I'm not a very creative and nuanced writer. If I were a journalist, I would write the straightforward front page story. I could possibly do op-eds, because there are times when I can express my opinion well, but never in a creative manner.
However, I will try to blog about my actual life a little more. I just turned 19 yesterday! I don't feel any different. 19 is an awkward age--18 is so important and 20 means...well, you're in your 20s, and 19 is right in between. You're kind of an adult, but not really. Once you hit 20, you are definitely an adult. And I'm only a year away from that point. That kind of scares me.
The one quality about myself that I hate at the moment is my uncanny ability to procrastinate. Obviously most college students deal with this problem, but I'm kind of extreme. I have an essay due in less than 2 hours and what am I doing right now? Blogging of course. I had 2 weeks to do it, but there's always some YouTube video to watch, some Wikipedia article to read, or some fire on Angel Island to look at.
Anyway, I really should get back to my essay. (Insert snappy, creative, one-line outro here that my straightforward front page stories will never have).
However, I will try to blog about my actual life a little more. I just turned 19 yesterday! I don't feel any different. 19 is an awkward age--18 is so important and 20 means...well, you're in your 20s, and 19 is right in between. You're kind of an adult, but not really. Once you hit 20, you are definitely an adult. And I'm only a year away from that point. That kind of scares me.
The one quality about myself that I hate at the moment is my uncanny ability to procrastinate. Obviously most college students deal with this problem, but I'm kind of extreme. I have an essay due in less than 2 hours and what am I doing right now? Blogging of course. I had 2 weeks to do it, but there's always some YouTube video to watch, some Wikipedia article to read, or some fire on Angel Island to look at.
Anyway, I really should get back to my essay. (Insert snappy, creative, one-line outro here that my straightforward front page stories will never have).
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Future Album Releases
Notable albums that are set to be released within the next few months:
Murs - Murs for President :: 9/30
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul :: 10/7
The Streets - Everything is Borrowed :: 10/7
AC/DC - Black Ice :: 10/20
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping :: 10/21
Queen + Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks :: 10/28
The Cure - 4:13 Dream :: 10/28
John Legend - Evolver :: 10/28
Q-Tip - The Renaissance :: 11/4
The Killers - Day & Age :: 11/25
Kanye West - 808’s and Heartbreak :: 12/16
Common - Universal Mind Control :: TBA
Murs - Murs for President :: 9/30
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul :: 10/7
The Streets - Everything is Borrowed :: 10/7
AC/DC - Black Ice :: 10/20
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping :: 10/21
Queen + Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks :: 10/28
The Cure - 4:13 Dream :: 10/28
John Legend - Evolver :: 10/28
Q-Tip - The Renaissance :: 11/4
The Killers - Day & Age :: 11/25
Kanye West - 808’s and Heartbreak :: 12/16
Common - Universal Mind Control :: TBA
Kings of Leon - Only By the Night
3.5/5I don't know what to think of Kings of Leon's latest release. Some of it is awesome, some is disappointing. Part of me loves the new sound, but the other part pines for the gritty old days of 2004's Aha Shake Heartbreak (Check out "King of the Rodeo"). The fourth track, "Use Somebody", provides a perfect microcosm of my feelings toward the album. It's catchy and sticks in your mind, but it's so...pop. If you accept the fact that KOL has become less like the Strokes and more like U2, as in less raw and more atmospheric, then you will probably find Only By the Night to be very enjoyable. "Closer" is a great track with superb instrumentation (that, oddly enough, reminds me of once-popular "This is Why I'm Hot" by Mims). Caleb Followill's yowl on "Notion" is powerful, "Crawl" rocks hard, and "Sex On Fire" is not exactly the definition of subtlety, but it's a tremendously catchy track. The church-bell intro in "17" and the amateur lyrics in "I Want You" reflect the entirety of those respective tracks: stupid. "Revelry" is interesting enough and "Cold Desert" can't be described as anything other than beautiful. Overall it's a great album and the rating might be bumped up once I lose the original KOL nostalgia.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons...
4.0/5Atmosphere, the duo of Ant (producing the beats) and Slug (delivering the flows), has become one of the titans of underground rap. Their latest album is a breath of fresh air from the rap you hear everyday on the radio and has easily become the best rap album of the year so far. These are not club jams, but that doesn't mean the album's any less enjoyable. These tracks have easy, mid-tempo grooves. "Dreamer" has a beautifully constructed beat, "Your Glass House" and "Shoulda Known" are ominous tracks with incredibly powerful beats that grab your gut, "Yesterday" is a pleasant jam, and "You" has actually gained some radio airplay. But the quality that most separates Atmosphere from mainstream hip-hop is the thought-provoking lyrics, whether they are Slug's personal confessions or tales of losers with real problems, the type of subjects that most self-promoting rappers completely evade. Highly recommended.
Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun
3.5/5It's certainly hard to follow anything as epic as SMiLE, the amazing and visionary album from former Beach Boy Brian Wilson. He almost completed it in 1967, but became increasingly depressed and paranoid until the project was dropped. He finally rerecorded it and released SMiLE in 2004. In what was probably a smart move, Wilson released a decidedly less ambitious album in That Lucky Old Sun. The tracks describe the glorious side of L.A. as heard in tracks like "Morning Beat": "Another Dodger-blue sky is crowning L.A. / The City of Angels is rushed every day" or "Driving through the maze of the Hollywood Hills / Headed to the ocean for a view that would kill / Watching from the Wheel in Santa Monica Pier / A million diamonds floating on heavenly tiers." The lyrics can go too far at times, almost going out of their way to reference every notable thing about the Southland, but they can also paint a great portrait of my favorite city of all time. But if you don't share the same view of L.A., then this album's definitely not for you.
As expected from a Brian Wilson record, the melodies are natural and the harmonies are impeccable. It would be safe to say that Wilson is a musical genius. "Good Kind of Love" has a catchy melody and "Midnight's Another Day" is simply beautiful. And the a cappella harmonies at 1:05 in "Going Home" are what originally pressed me to buy the album; the lyric there is noteworthy as well, a reflection on Wilson's past depression: "At 25 I turned out the light / Cause I couldn't handle the glare in my tired eyes / But now I'm back drawing shades of kind blue sky." And the album's magnum opus, "Southern California", sounds like it could be on a 1965 Beach Boys record.
BUT, despite the amazing musical textures, the album can be unbearably cheesy. It wouldn't feel out of place in the Musical Soundtrack section of the record store: just take that assessment for what it's worth. For example, there are little 45 second narratives spaced through the album that could have certainly been omitted. It can be gag-inducing. And Wilson's obvious sense of nostalgia for the good old days can be a little much.
However, if you don't mind the cons, the pros can be incredible. I mean, this is Brian Wilson we're talking about. You're in good hands.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Upcoming reviews
These are the albums I've purchased that I still need to review:
Beck - Modern Guilt
Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons...
The Dodos - Visiter
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
No Age - Nouns
The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
The Kills - Midnight Boom
Al Green - Lay it Down
Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
Beck - Modern Guilt
Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons...
The Dodos - Visiter
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
No Age - Nouns
The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
The Kills - Midnight Boom
Al Green - Lay it Down
Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
3.0/5I wasn't really planning on purchasing this album, but Amazon had a deal on it for $5, so I figured I might as well, considering it has made quite a splash in 2008. After giving Tha Carter III a listen, the album basically confirmed my first impressions. It has some great moments. "Mr. Carter" is a really good track featuring Jay-Z. The beats on "Dr. Carter" and "Let the Beat Build" are sick. But overall the album is nothing amazing. There are lots of repetitive, unimaginative beats (especially on the single "A Milli") backing Lil Wayne's flows, unique and endearing at times, annoying at others. The highly popular "Lollipop" is a joke, but it can be strangely likable and has come to grow on me. I can understand why this record is popular, but the fact that critics praise it baffles me. It's catchy hip-hop for the masses, nothing more and nothing less.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
4.0/5Don't be turned off by the misleading name because whatever image just popped in your mind is probably far from the reality (I thought it was a sappy emo band). Girl Talk is, in fact, a DJ, and an expert in the art of mashups. Feed the Animals is one big hour-long dance party containing all your favorite hits, and I mean all of them. You can hear components of songs across the musical map, including Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," Kanye West's "Flashing Lights," Radiohead's "15 Step," Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," Soulja Boy's "Crank That," Britney Spears' "Gimme More," Of Montreal's "Gronlandic Edit," Flo Rida's "Low," and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." And that's just a tiny fraction.
Just a word of warning, this album may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you are largely against most top-40 music. I've gotten to the point where I can really listen to anything, top-40 included.
Some tracks in particular really shine through. "Here's the Thing" effectively uses Chicago's "Saturday in the Park," Blur's "Song 2," and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" (to name a select few) and it has me doing something I never thought I'd do: singing along to Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," haha. "In Step" uses Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It," Nirvana's "Lithium" Earth Wind & Fire's "September" and, as already mentioned, "God Only Knows." And the last track, "Play Your Part (Pt. 2)" ambitiously combines Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" with the guitar lick from the Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge." It's a bit out of tune, but it somehow works beautifully.
The best part? You can get it for free if you wish, a la In Rainbows. Go here and download it, it's completely worth it.
The Virgins - The Virgins
3.0/5After seeing Rolling Stone Magazine's praising review of the Virgins' debut, I decided I'd give it a try. People described the band as a disco-infused Strokes, which sounded good to me. Unfortunately, the album fell far short of Rolling Stone's 4 stars. It has it's moments of course. "Rich Girls" is an extremely funky and exciting song. "Hey Hey Girl" has a great guitar lick and "Private Affair" is pretty catchy. But overall, the rest of the album lacks a drive and natural spark that separate these guys from the Strokes. Supposedly the Virgins have an EP out there that is more raw than this often overproduced and slick record, but I've never come across a copy. Moral of the story: download "Rich Girls", don't bother with the rest.
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