This site was created to give you something to do in between episodes of "All You Need Is Hops". To listen click on the Hopscast links on the right side of the page.
Set Lists for the shows can be found on the Hopscasts Page: http://www.allyouneedishops.com/Hopscasts.htm
Here are five albums due to be released in the coming months that I'm really excited for:
Warpaint by The Black Crowes on March 4th
Finally! Its been six long years since the Black Crowes released a proper album. In between we got Chris Robinson’s disappointing solo efforts and some greatest hits packaging (which are fantastic by the way). Even more exciting is that this new album will feature none other than Luther Dickinson of The North Mississippi All-Stars. Yes! To coincide with the release the band will be playing the album in its entirety at its shows starting in March. Listen to a few of the new tracks on their site. What I’ve heard so far is really excellent – classic Crowes.
A video for one of their new songs “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” can be seen on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGRKkxoh_Q0 – but they disabled the embedding feature so I can post it here for you..
Shockingly, I’ve never played The Black Crowes on any episode of All You Need Is Hops.But I GUARANTEE they’ll be on the next episode.That was planned in advance of this post.
Smilers by Aimee Mann sometime in March
As you know I’m a big fan of Aimme Mann’s recent work, especially The Forgotten Arm. To hear that entire album in a format of a book with lyrics click here.According to an inverview with Aimme in the DCist this album won’t be conceptual but will be tied together musically.In Aimee I trust so I’m ready no matter how the album is presented.
Aimee Mann appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes -Episode 22: Rejuvenation and Resurrection and Episode 8: Halloween Part 2 - Costume Party
Matthew Ryan vs. The SilverState by Matthew Ryan on April 1st
I have no idea what Mr. Ryan has against the state of Nevada but based on the four tracks I’ve already heard it’s something emotional. Matthew Ryan is one of the most deserving artists out there and more people should pay attention to his music. Here is what he has to say about the new album:
This is an arrival that's been 25 years in the making. "Everyone I know and love is in this record… including myself, there's a lot of myself in there. "It Could've Been Worse," "They Were Wrong," "Drunk And Disappointed"... they all speak to where I've been, where my friends have been, but not where we're going. I just want us all to figure it out. I want everyone to win."
I don’t know what that means exactly but it certainly speaks to introspection. Check out the four tracks in the player below.
Matthew Ryan appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 17: America, The Beautiful, Episode 20: Business Travel, Episode 13: Mystery Madness and Episode 11: A New Hope (as a part of Strays Don’t Sleep)
Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket on June 10th
Waiting until June will be painful. MMJ are one of the best bands on the planet both in studio and live. Learn them… live them… love them.
Here is the band playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Lalapalooza.
My Morning Jacket appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 22: Rejuvenation and Resurrection, Episode 15: The Electric Kool-Aid Hops Test, Episode 3: Hot Days and Holidays and they have the honor of being the first band ever played on the show in Episode 1: An Introduction
TBD album name by Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a TBD date
I have a lot of info on this one don’t I? What else do you need to know except that this is the follow up to Show Your Bones, one of my favorites from 2006 and IS IS – an excellent EP released last year which features this incredible video:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs appears on the following All You Need Is Hops Episodes - Episode 20: Business Travel, Episode 12: Beside You In Time, Episode 10: Top of the Hops
Today I got an email from an artist I’ve played on the show a fewtimesbefore, Matthew Ryan.He mentioned how he had just released a song “Some Streets Lead Nowhere” and the proceeds were going to help fund his next album.I got excited and was about to download the new song when I realized I had already bought this song!I paid 99 cents for it on iTunes and listened to had listened to it maybe once (the play count field on iTunes read 0 meaning I never had clicked on it).Why do I mention this?Because it seems to be happening to me more and more these days.
I’m simply overwhelmed by the amount of music I have access to.
This is coming from a guy who started All You Need Is Hops and the Hopscasts in order to help my friends and others filter their choices in music.What older bands have I been missing?What new albums do I need to be downloading?What songs belong on my mp3 player if I’m in a bad mood?In my quest to help figure all of this out I have downloaded more music than I could possibly listen to. According to my iTunes playlist it would take me over 52 days to listen to everything on my hard drive, and that isn’t counting the hundreds of CDs I haven’t uploaded yet. It’s all starting to feel like homework.I get two or three albums or songs by a few new bands and try to listen to them before I get a bunch more in the next few days. I can’t keep up, I don’t even want to.
This made me realize - I don’t want to be set up on a date with my music. I want to meet my music in a bar.
Or in a movie. Or on my iPod while I’m taking the train. Or in my kitchen when Mrs. Hops and I are making dinner.Discovering new music should happen organically. It should be connected to some type of emotional response.Why do you think you fall in love with songs when they’re played in great movies? Especially when you’ve heard them dozens of times before.I’m sick of listening to stuff just because its on my list of things to do.
So what now?I’m going to keep focusing on creating Hopscasts that make you hear music in a different context than you would if you had just downloaded the songs onto your mp3 player randomly. Hopefully it will help both of us remember why we listen in the first place.
Sometimes there might even be a new band that I think you should definitely check out. I’ll pick the bar. I promise you won't regret it.
Download Matthew Ryan's "Some Streets Lead Nowhere" through iTunes
1) @#%&*! Smilers by Aimee Mann Buy here Sample Track: Phoenix (mp3)
2) Dear Science, by TV On The Radio Buy here Sample Track: DLZ (mp3)
3) The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit Buy here Sample Track: Fast Blood (mp3)
4) American Hearts by A.A. Bondy Buy here Sample Track: Rapture (Sweet Rapture) (mp3)
5) Stay Positive by The Hold Steady Buy here Sample Track: Stay Positive (mp3)
6) Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State by Matthew Ryan Buy here Sample Track: American Dirt (mp3)
7) The Slip by Nine Inch Nails Download the entire album for free (legally) here
8) At Mount Zoomer by Wolf Parade Buy here Sample Track: Call It A Ritual (mp3)
9) Asking For Flowers by Kathleen Edwards Buy here Sample Track: I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory (mp3)
10) Loyalty to Loyalty by Cold War Kids Buy here Sample Track: Welcome To The Occupation (mp3)
Oops: This original Top 10 Album was actually released last year. I'm just out of touch I guess: Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters by The Twilight Sad Buy here Sample Track: Cold Days From The Birdhouse (mp3)
So what's up Hops fans? Since we last spoke I attended a Josh Rouse show at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. It was my first trip to the venue, though I used to play soccer around the corner from it all the time. I met up there with my pal Kate and her two co-workers. We were joking before the show that this is the 3rd Josh Rouse show we've seen together - in 3 states (NJ, MD and now VA). I've also seen him in Missouri and DC (twice). So I'm a fan. I'd say the show overall was average. The band was a bit smaller than previous tours with only his usual drummer and the great base player Hags (show in background of photo - looking like Jack Osbourne and Poindexter from Revenge of the Nerd's love child). They really missed the rest of the band including Pat Sansome (now with Wilco and Autumn Defense) and especially Kurt Perkins who always seemed to be Josh's right hand man. I think the stripped down band made it less of a rocking show and more of a singer songwriter vibe. That would have been great except for a really annoying drunk guy in front of me who would yell out requests every two seconds and make out with his girlfriend. He yelled "I’m getting laid on account of you Joshy" which gave me the image of him and his girl having sex and I got a bit sick. Totally unnecessary and annoying. The other part of the show that annoyed me was that his girlfriend, Paz, came out for the encore (for her 2nd live show ever). While I liked her on the song she sings, I've already posted about the girlfriend issue I have with this (see album review post). Anyway here is the set list: It Looks like Love/ Under Your Charms/ Givin' It Up/ His Majesty Rides/ Quiet Town/ My Love Has Gone/ Winter In The Hamptons/ 1972/ Comeback/ Wonderful/ James/ Oh I Need All of The Love/ Dressed Up Like Nebraska/ Direction/ Late Night Conversation ENCORE: Jersey Clowns/ Streetlights/ The Man Who( with girlfriend Paz Suay) / It's The Nighttime
The opener was Strays Don't Sleep. At first there were literally no people anywhere on the dance floor. A few brave people started creeping up, including our crew and it was well worth it. They are fronted by one of my favorites -Matthew Ryan - and are a new project of his. One nteresting note is that Josh sang backup vocals on his song "I hear a symphony" a few years back on his outstanding album EastAutumnGrin. So it was all in the family at this show. For their closer "Cars and history" Matthew Ryan came onto the floor and sung in the crowd (if 10 people makes a crowd). In a better world it would have been a concert moment of a lifetime for those there.I really enjoyed it, its an awesome song and I’m really digging the band. Listen to some songs and see the Cars and History video here: http://myspace.com/straysdontsleep
30) “The Moon & Antarctica” by Modest Mouse (2000)
29) “Turn On The Bright Lights” by Interpol (2001)
28) “Cassadaga” by Bright Eyes (2007)
27) “Builders & The Butchers” by The Builders & The Butchers (2007)
26) “@#%&*! Smilers” by Aimee Mann (2008)
25) “Concussion” by Matthew Ryan (2001)
24) “The Clarence Greenwood Recordings” by Citizen Cope (2004)
23) “Ghosts I-IV” by Nine Inch Nails (2008)
22) “At Dawn” by My Morning Jacket (2001)
21) “Veckatimist” by Gizzly Bear (2009): 2009’s best album is a fantastical journey.Lots of layers of sound, lots to hear. It’s not for everyone but it is a great album for those who like to really lose themselves in an album
20) “The Forgotten Arm” by Aimee Mann (2005): I love any music that tells stories and Aimee Mann is the master of that.A fully conceptual album “The Forgotten Arm” tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck Vietnam vet and boxer from Virginia and his dysfunctional relationship with the love of his life.
19) “I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning” by Bright Eyes (2005): Though I love Cassadega (2007) almost equally this album really shot Bright Eyes up to the top of the indie-folk ladder. Songs like “Lua”, “Road To Joy”and “Landlocked Blues” still sound poignant and important 5 years after its release.
18) “Sea Change” by Beck (2002): Beck took all his hipster moves and threw them away in this album. It’s a stripped down melancholy album dealing with a breakup.It made me realize how good of an artist he really is.
17) “From A Basement On A Hill” by Elliott Smith (2004): Released posthumously after his suicide this album can almost be difficult to listen to given his tragic death.The songs hit right to the bone and come from a man dealing with some serious demons.Still, I can’t ever stop listening to it. It’s the “Virgin Suicides” of music.Most will point to “Figure 8” as his best work of the decade, but this album has always hit me on a more emotional level
16) “It Still Moves” by My Morning Jacket (2003):While I have some issues with the sequencing on this album it really shows everything MMJ can be as a band. Soaring highs from “One Big Holiday” (one of the best songs of the decade) to brilliant moments of introspection “Golden”.
15) “The Mirror Conspiracy” by Thievery Corporation (2000):Taking elements from electronic, trip-hop and bassanova Thievery made an album that completely creates a fantastic mood. I can’t tell you how often I hear their music at restaurants, lounges and in movies.For me, they completely awoke my ears to entire genre of music I previously had ignored.
14) “Is This It?” by The Strokes (2001):Rock and Roll! Tracks like "Hard to Explain", "Last Nite", and "Someday" still sound good almost 10 years later.
13) “Year Zero” by Nine Inch Nails (2007):A conceptual album deal with the government and freedom.While Radiohead scored all their press for their business innovation they aren’t even in the same league as NIN who launched an entire alternative reality to promote the record.It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in music.
12) “American IV: The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash (2002):This album introduced an entire generation of hipsters (and me) to the brilliance and honesty of Johnny Cash.Most famous for the cover of the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt” it also boast several other outstanding tracks. RIP Johnny.
11) “Heartbreaker” by Ryan Adams (2000):His first post-Whiskeytown album is still my favorite. Its filled with honesty and emotion and paints fantastic scnese of youth and lost love."To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)" and "Come Pick Me Up" are epic tracks. Some will point to 2001’s follow up album (Gold) but for me this is tops.
10) “Give Up” by The Postal Service (2003):Side project from Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie) this album mixes new wave beats and Gibbard’s unique storytelling. Some may hate it, but I love it. It takes me to a wonderful time and place every time I listen to it…and I still do listen to it quite a bit.
9) “Return To Cookie Mountain” by TV On The Radio (2006):There are so many layers of rock, electronic, hip-hop and funk on this album its hard to know where to begin. It has tons of sonic depth but still makes you think.In the oddest of ways I can only compare them to Pink Floyd, despite the fact they have almost no musical overlap.
8) “Neon Bible” by Arcade Fire (2007):After such an amazing debut it was hard to really top themselves.They didn’t quite do that with this album but it was stunner.Eveyrthing from their debut was there: soaring harmonies, dark themes and amazing weirdness.Amazing stuff.
7) “In Rainbows” by Radiohead (2007):Too much attention was paid to the fact this album was digitally released and not enough was focused on the brilliance of the songs.When it came out I thought it might get better over time.Indeed it has. I still find pockets of eupohoria and pain in these songs I never heard.They’re the best band on the planet for a reason people.
6) “Alligator” (2005) by The National:This exploded onto my radar in 2005.It sounded immense.Not from a volume or wall of sound perspective, just from a thematic one.Songs talking about the boss stopping you in the hallway to tell you they’ve been hearing good things, standing tall with high beams shining on your back to the secret meeting in the basement of my brain.I have daydreams of writing a screenplay which would be completely sound tracked by this album.
5) “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” by Wilco (2001):Ah where to begin.This album helped me a lot after 9/11.It introduced me to the concept of noise as a form of art. The pinnacle of everything that Wilco is and was as a band.Pretty close to perfection.
4) “Z” by My Morning Jacket (2005): This was the apex of a fantastic run of three straight dynamite albums (At Dawn and It Still Moves being the others). It saw MMJ take their sound to another level, add in a layer that was mysterious and dark without losing any of the things that made them so much fun to listen to in the first place. There are many layers to this album and all of them are wonderful.
3) “Boxer” (2007) by The National:I went back and forth and back and forth on this one.I had Alligator at 3 and boxer at 6. For me Alligator meant a bit more since it came out first. But after insistence by Mrs. Hops and my buddy Jordan “Hung Like A” Haas I realized that in fact Boxer is the better album.Both are amazing, but Boxer in particular speaks to my generation and my life more directly. I can only compare it to the way Bruce Springsteen (used to) speak to the working class.In addition to crafting a perfect album, they crafted the perfect song on that album. “Fake Empire”.Brilliant.
2) “Funeral” (2004) by Arcade Fire:I said on the very first Hopscast that one day I’d brag to my kids (or someone else’s) that I got to see this band when they were just coming out.The harmonies, wall of sound and general darkness of their music is both uplifting and sad at the same time. Emotional without any touch of sappiness or cheesiness. I don’t understand how anyone can listen to it an not be moved.
1) “Kid A” (2000) by Radiohead:Radiohead are creeping up to Beatles category for me as far as all-time bands are concerned. Yes, I understand the gravity of such a statement and feel absolutely no sense of shame saying it. They are simply amazing.True artists.Kid A was an album I didn’t immediately accept.It was difficult for me to understand what they were trying to achieve and how the music was meant to be digested.Then one day it clicked.The album whacked me on the upside of the head and reconfigured the way I hear music.No other album in my life, with the exceptions of “Sgt. Pepper’s” has ever really done that for me. I’ve loved others more perhaps and treasure them more, but Kid A had a lasting impact on me that still is there a decade later. It’s the standard by which all other albums in the last 10 years have to be judged, and that is why it’s an easy choice for #1.
It’s my obligation to bring you my Top 5 Albums of the year. And I wouldn’t let my Hops fans down. Here they are:
The Top 5 Albums of 2007
1) Neon Bible by Arcade Fire - I think a lot of people dismiss them because they're suddenly trendy but those people are being foolish. This album gets better every time I hear it. I played it on “All You Need Is Hops” more than any other album this year. I don’t think it can be overstated how difficult it must have been to put out and album this brilliant on the heels of Funeral.Amazing stuff that will last a very very long time.
2) Boxer by The National – The National are simply brilliant. If Neon Bible wasn't so damn good this would be an easy #1 pick.But unfortunately they come up short for the 2nd time in 3 years. That said this was a great year for the band and this album is completely deserving of all the press they received. It brings out such a range of emotions by relating to everyday life and the daydreams that fill in the cracks of your day.
3) Cassadaga by Bright Eyes – Definitely his best work yet. "First a mother bathes a child, then the other way around, the scales always find a way to level out" might be the line of the year. The more I take time to soak these songs in the more they are impossible to ignore.
4) In Rainbows by Radiohead - Difficult for them to exceed the massive expectations I always have of them. This album appeared simpler on the surface but there is way more there than I first heard. If you own it listen to it more and you’ll get more out of it. In some ways the method of distribution for In Rainbows is detracting from the quality of music they actually released. Over time I expect that to change and people to realize how much good stuff is on the record.
5) Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs - The top four albums were easy picks for me but the #5 slot was much tougher. However, I keep coming back to this album. It’s so easy to listen to yet it is more complex than it seems. Every few weeks I put it back on and I have a tough time taking it off. Why don’t more people talk about her? She deserves better.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails, Our Love To Admire by Interpol, Shepherd's Dog by Iron & Wine, Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams, Sky Blue Sky by Wilco, One Man Revolution by The Nightwatchman, Cease To Begin by Band of Horses, From A Late Night High Rise by Matthew Ryan and Emerald City by John Vanderslice
“Look at that slow southern sun, hover and burn over everyone” - From Matthew Ryan's "Drift"
Humidity. Heaviness. Slow Southern Sun. Rocking Chair. Nice Icy Drinks. Porch. Hot. Thick Air. Hammocks. Sangria In The Park. Lazy Afternoon.
Episode 26 is all about humidity. It has hot and heavy music that feels like the end of summer. Sit on your porch, pop your collar, open a Bartles & James and chill out to this episode.
As always you can download the show via the Hopscast links on the right side of this page, by clicking the title of this post or just clicking here. Right clicking allows you to save the file as an MP3; left clicking lets you stream the show in your browser. The full set list can be found on the Hopscast page though I'd prefer if you listen before peeking. Of course I’d be happy to burn a show onto a CD and mail it to you if you just email me. You can also subscribe to the Hopscast via iTunes. Instructions can be found on the blog here.
Best Songs: "Fake Empire" by The National off of Boxer "One Big Holiday" by My Morning Jacket off of It Still Moves "Reckoner" by Radiohead off of In Rainbows
Best Live Shows: Nine Inch Nails - Many to choose from but I'd pick the show at the House Of Blues in Atlantic City Radiohead - Any Radiohead show is amazing, but my first in August 2001 at Liberty State Park in NJ was special. With the Statue of Liberty behind the stage and the World Trade Center and NYC skyline to the left. The National - At the Black Cat in DC Arcade Fire - At the 9:30 club in DC Audioslave -Seriously. They destroyed the 9:30 club. Go ahead and judge.
Most Underrated Artist: Matthew Ryan
Best Year: 2007: In Rainbows, Boxer, Neon Bible, Cassadaga, Year Zero etc. Favorite Album Cover: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
I'm happy to say that I was one of 774 music blogs who contributed to a really cool project called "Music Blog Zeitgeist 2008" on the Hype Machine. They took the Top 10 albums from hundreds of blogs across the Web and averaged them together to determine their Top 10 albums of the year. Even cooler is that you can stream all of the 50 of the best albums of the year for free.
So how do my picks compare to the rest of the Blogosphere? Here you go:
I'm not surprised by many of the picks. Of the 774 blogs I'm the only one who had Aimee Mann as the #1 album of the year. In fact, she only showed up on 6 lists in total. A.A. Bondy, appeared on exactly one list, All You Need Is Hops, which is criminal. He's a true talent. Another surprisingly low score went to Nine Inch Nails' The Slip, which not only was given away for free, was a fantastic and well received album. On the positive side I was happy to see Kathleen Edwards crack the Top 100. I wouldn't have guessed that.
Overall, I would venture to guess that the majority of people who have music blogs are younger and hipper than me, which is why more "adult" music like Aimee Mann (#179), Randy Newman (#227) and Matthew Ryan (#172) were not ranked higher. Many of the more popular bands clearly trended towards college radio and blogosphere-only sensations. I doubt many 18 year olds really have a connection to Aimee Mann.
In total only 1585 albums appeared on the lists of all the blogs. Here is how some of my other favorites from this year stacked up: The most upsetting results: Nine Inch Nails Ghost I-IV at #196 only getting mentioned 6 times. Glad to see somebody else like the Builders and the Butchers and Hayden. You can also download the data used to prepare these lists here: raw data, compiled data.
Devastation by Matthew Ryan:The feeling felt by the entire nation when we beat them in the 2002 World Cup. Even if we come in last this time and they win it all they can’t take that one back. Suckers!
Something Against You by The Pixies:I have something against Mexico. Not the country or the people… and certainly not the food. I have something against their team. They’re classless.They wouldn’t even shake our hands after we beat them, and we always beat them. Classless.I did support them vs. Iran, but I felt dirty about it. Very dirty.
Iran
Psycho Killer by Talking Heads:In honor of their crazy-assed President. What a nut job that dude is.
Political World by Bob Dylan:So much of the talk about the Iran team is due to their crazy President. We have on too – obviously not that crazy – but the point is the players aren’t politicians. They’re just players.My favorite moment of the World Cup came when the goalie for Iran gave the Mexican keeper, Oswaldo Sanchez, a bouquet of flowers before their game. Sanchez had just lost his dad a few days earlier and barely had time to get to the funeral and fly back to the game. In a sign of compassion the goalie gave him flowers. Now that’s class.How can I have a problem with that guy just because he lives in a place that isn’t exactly seeing eye to eye with the place I live? I can’t.I still hope they lose to Angola though.
Angola
Antelope by Phish: “Run like an antelope out of control” A great live Phish tune, perfect for Angola. They might be the worst team at the World Cup, but they might have the best name: The Black Antelopes (why do the African teams all have the great names?). What would happen if a White guy played for them? I guess its not a problem to worry about.
Brand New Colony: In an interesting twist of fate Angola opened the World Cup vs. Portugal, the country that colonized them. The same thing happened in 2002 when Senegal played their former colonizers in the opener, France. But unlike Senegal, Angola was unable to force the upset.
Portugal
The Great Pretender by The Platters: Maybe known more for the Queen cover, I know this from my days listening to the Oldies station growing up. I picked it up for Portugal because when we beat them in 2002 they thought they had a chance to win the World Cup. They didn’t get out of the group.I wanted a song about Figo or Port wine, but couldn’t find anything good.
The Golden Age by Beck: This represents the last shot for the so called Golden Generation of Portugal soccer. They are all getting a bit older now and the young players, with the exception of guys like that punk Christiano Ronaldo (no not the Brazilian one), aren’t as good as the boys from Figo’s class. Do they have one run in them?They have a weak group so they can get out of it. After that who knows.
My predictions for Group D- Mexico winner, Porgugal Runner up
Forgot to predict Group C-Argentina wins, Holland runners up.
Today a co-worker asked me to make him a mix CD of some bands he might not be familiar with. Here is the track listing of the CD I made for him. It should give a decent idea about what my musical tastes are:
“Wake Up” by Arcade Fire (Funeral) One day my kids will be jealous that I saw them at the 9:30 Club, that’s how good this band is.
“Nowhere Again” by The Secret Machines (Now Here Is Nowhere) Originally from Texas these guys are an arty psychedelic rock band.They’re creating a sound that I just don’t hear from anyone else today.
“Staring at the Sun” by TV on the Radio (Desperate Youths, Blood thirsty Babes) Cool and quirky.
“Jesus Etc.” by Wilco (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) This song was written before 9/11, but the lyrics always make me think of the Towers.The whole album meant a lot to me then, and still does today.
“NYC” by Interpol (Turn on the Bright Lights) Yet another great New York City band.There are a bunch of bands out there who try to sound like them now, but these guys are still better.
“Say Something New” by The Concretes (The Concretes): If this sounds familiar it’s because it got used on a Target commercial.For the record I owned the album before it was on the commercial.The band is from Sweden.
“59th Street” by Amy Correia (Lakeville): She is a little known singer-songwriter but I love her voice.This is from her second and most recent album.Last summer I got to see her open for Josh Rouse in Annapolis, a dream show for me.
“Directions” by Josh Rouse (Home): If I was forced to name my top 5 all-time artists this guy would have to be considered (along with Dylan, Springsteen, Wilco, Radiohead and a few others).I like him that much.His recent work is more in the vain of 70’s singer-songwriter pop (think Carol King), but this is still my favorite tune by him.
“Penelope” by Pinback (Blue Screen Life): A poppy harmonic San Diego band.Their latest album is even better than this one.They also have a faux-metal side project called Goblin Cock with songs like The Revenge of Snufalufagus.
“Free Salute” by Little Barrie (We Are Little Barrie): If I told you these guys played at Woodstock you’d believe me, they’re total throwbacks.
“Bullet and a Target” by Citizen Cope (The Clarence Greenwood Recordings): This guy is incredible, part hip-hop, rock and folk.He was raised in the DC area and is based out of NYC now, but plays DC all the time.He’s one of those guys I can’t believe hasn’t gotten huge yet, though he did have a song in a Pontiac commercial recently. So he’s got that going for him.
“From a Balance Beam” by Bright Eyes (Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground): Bright Eyes is one guy from Omaha.He gained notoriety recently by touring with Springsteen, Fogerty and REM on the Vote For Change tour.
“Devastation” by Matthew Ryan (Concussion): A singer songwriter that has slipped through the cracks.This is a duet with Lucinda Williams.I love the last line “devastation junkie”.
“King’s Crossing” by Elliott Smith (From A Basement On The Hill): From an album that was released posthumously.Knowing how he died (he stabbed himself in the chest…..twice) makes the album fairly disturbing.
“Banquet” by Bloc Party (Silent Alarm): A fun British band.The first time I heard them I realized I’d never heard a band quite like them before.They’re big in England these days.
“The Rat” by The Walkmen (Bows + Arrows): An angry song from a band with DC roots.
“Secret Meeting” by The National (Alligator): Uncut Magazine named Alligator as their favorite album of the year, I ranked it #2 behind My Morning Jacket’s masterpiece Z.
“A Wolf At The Door” by Radiohead (Hail to the Thief): Radiohead is the best band on the planet. That’s a fact.This lyrics to this song “someone else is gonna come and clean it up, someone always does” is my AIM buddy icon.
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