Saturday, December 13th, 2008
Before you read any of this, look at the title of this post. No no, look at it again; it says KATA’s Best Records of 2008. You think I should have put Vampire Weekend or Frightened Rabbit on the list? Good for you. But to be honest, I just heard of Frightened Rabbit last week and Vampire Weekend just didn’t cut it for me. You got a list? Share it! I’ve been reading a lot of lists this past week and so far I’ve found out about some pretty awesome artists/bands. Here’s one and here’s another one. I also will not stand for the word ‘overrated’ unless you can give me the definition of the word. Are you bitter that all your friends and the blogs love Fleet Foxes and you totally know that Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy put out a way better record this year? Well good for you, but I’m not convinced. Opinions can be shared, but be reasonable. Remember that It’s a scary time for music. I mean Nickelback made a new record and Creed might get back together. So we need to stay strong and walk as one, okay? This was a good year for music and it’s time we enter this new year with something wonderful gracing our ears. So how ’bout we get started?
30. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles: Electronic music’s J Dilla does not disappoint with this one. Even the album’s more disorderly elements are somehow perfectly integrated into the overall sense of groovy calm and funky forward motion.
Flying Lotus – Melt!
29. Why? – Alopecia: There’s this twisted and hypnotic poetry coming from Why?s bizarre yet fantastic album.
28. Hot Chip – Made in the Dark: I guess they’ve done better (The Warning) but Made in the Dark is an enjoyable and wonderful tribute to 80s dance music.
27. Amanda Rogers – Heartwood: Sweet and smooth songwriting has never been so cute. Ms. Rogers takes her sound in a more upbeat direction and the results are superbly heartwarming.
Amanda Rogers – Fate’s Northern Shore
26. M83 – Saturdays = Youth: I felt like listening to old Depeche Mode after first hearing this record. I can’t say I saw this change in style coming from M83, but I can say I’m enjoying it.
M83 – Kim & Jesse
25. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords: Most comedy rock go right for the laughs, but this record could be good even without the hilarious lyrics. From censorship to Bowie, this record spares no one and it is uproarious.
24. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular: Eccentric, weird, and super psychedelic; this album is the indie-kid anthem record. Not every song rocks, but tracks like Kids and Time to Pretend are undeniably catchy.
23. Russian Circles – Station: Each song on this record is like the soundtrack to a natural disaster. There was a lot hanging on this atmospheric yet brutal record. But the instru-metal band brought their A-game.
Russian Circles – Xavii
22. Santogold – Santogold: To me, the best types of artists are the ones that are not easily describable. Santogold fits in that category quite comfortably. While I was kind of overwhelmed by her songs on every other commercial on TV, this album still remains as my summer soundtrack.
21. The Mars Volta – Bedlam of Goliath: The chaos and post-punk rampage that I loved about The Mars Volta returned with this album. Still no where near De-Loused, the album still pierces the listener with its freak-funk beats and push-pull rhythms.
The Mars Volta – Ilyena
(click on album cover to purchase album)
Tags: amanda rogers, best album of 2008, best albums of 2008, Flight of the Conchords, flying lotus, hot chip, M83, MGMT, Russian Circles, santogold, The Mars Volta, Why?
Posted in Favorites of 2008, Music | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 11th, 2008
I could have easily posted a Sufjan Stevens holiday tune or Rilo Kiley belting out Xmas Cake, but I opted to dig within by X-mas music library (that fact that I have a X-mas music library scares me too) and found a few you people might find heartwarming…or at least tolerable.
The City on Film – O Holy Blanket
Thunderbirds are Now! – Christmas in Hollis
Amanda Rogers – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Paulson – White Christmas (Feat. House of Fools)
Tom Waits – Christmas Card From a Hooker In Minneapolis (my personal favorite)
Tags: amanda rogers, christmas, christmas music, i hate christmas music, Paulson, The City on Film, Thunderbirds are Now!, Tom Waits, x-mas music
Posted in Music | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
There certainly is no shortage of genuinely talented female singer-songwriters these days. However it is hard for them to avoid being lumped into that Vaneesa Carlton/Sara Bareilles sorority girl soulless pop genre. Luckily artists like Cat Power, Joanna Newsom, and Regina Spektor (although she almost got caught up in all that) have been able to be successful without having to compromise their art. Well you can add one more to that list, Amanda Rogers. She has been pumping out her honest and emotional piano tunes for a little over 7 years now. With a couple EPs and 2 full lengths under her belt, Amanda Rogers is ready to release the one record that highlights her unique talents. Heartwood is her third full length and emits a soulful country twang with Sugarcubes-like fun. Amanda’s soothing voice blends well as these songs grace your ears.
So here’s Amanda Rogers‘ answers to the Kuestionnaire (with a bonus question I figured I’d throw in there). Tell your friends.
1. Of all the bands/artists in your CD/record collection, which one is your most cherished?
nick drake or radiohead or beatles or explosions in the sky….i can’t decide!
2. What have you been listening to lately?
melanie safka and the mommas and the pappas
3. What’s your favorite local band?
the sketchy indians of course.
4. What was the last show you attended?
my own show a few nights ago…i just moved to the middle of nowhere and nobody through here!
5. What was the greatest show you’ve ever been to?
radiohead was pretty awesome…
i also really enjoyed when i saw domakesaythink.
6. What show are you looking forward to?
conor oberst and the mystic valley band in boston in november…
joan as police woman next month in boston…
7. What musician would you like to hang out/work with for a day?
david bowie or phillip glass
8. What four albums you would bring to a deserted island?
well, without a misc player or power that might be pointless….
i will talk potatoes and water.
9. Would you call yourself a music geek?
pretty much.
10. Any favorite music-related videos/DVDs you own?
Work Of Directors Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham, Michael Gondry Box Set DVD…AMAZING!
11. What’s the last book you read?
life of pi…..also AMAZING!
12. Do you prefer live performances or recording in the studio?
live definitely… it is hard to capture the moment in a recording situation…but live you are always in the moment.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you’d like to share?
there are a lot of those, but ones that come to mind are the time i had hiccups….and the time my earing got stuck on my accordion.
14. Any favorite tour locations?
passau, germany was a nice little city….
i love all of europe really… i love northern california in the redwood forests… i love vermont.
15. Lastly, if Tom Waits asks if you would like to go out for a beer, would you accept?
for sure…i am positive that anything we would talk about would be weird and fascinating….plus i enjoy my awkwardness when meeting new people.
Amanda Rogers – Endless Saturday
Melanie Safka – Brand New Key
Tags: amanda rogers, heartwood, kuestionnaire, Melanie Safka
Posted in Kuestionnaires, Music | No Comments »
