Posts Tagged ‘M.I.A.’
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
You may notice a few differences between this list and the album list. I don’t feel I need to justify that due to the distinct difference between a song and a full album. These are the songs that I still listen to on repeat; they made me laugh, tear up, dance, think, and morph my own tastes into what they are today. So here in no particular order is my Favorite Songs of the Decade. Picking a favorite song is like picking a favorite child, it changes depending on your mood…
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[mp3] Max Richter – The Trees from The Blue Notebooks (2004)
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[mp3] Interpol – Obstacle 1 from Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
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Bon Iver – For Emma from For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)
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Phoenix – Fences from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
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[mp3] Stars – Your Ex-Lover Is Dead from Set Yourself On Fire (2005)
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[mp3] Shearwater – Rooks from Rook (2008)
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[mp3] Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise from Menos el Oso (2005)
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[mp3] Radiohead – Reckoner from In Rainbows (2007)
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[mp3] The One AM Radio – A Ghost On The East Coast from A Cloud’s Fear Of Kites (2006)
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[mp3] Jonah Matranga – Learning from All Of Always New (2000-2001)
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Justice – Genesis from † (2007)
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Daft Punk – Robot Rock from Human After All (2005)
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[mp3] Explosions in the Sky – Your Hand in Mine from The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place (2003)
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MGMT – Of Moons, Birds & Monsters from Oracular Spectacular (2008)
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The Decemberists – The Crane Wife 1 and 2 from The Crane Wife (2007)
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[mp3] Sufjan Stevens – Holland from Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State (2003)
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[mp3] Russian Circles – Death Rides a Horse from Enter (2006)
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[mp3] Cut Chemist – The Garden from The Audience’s Listening (2006)
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[mp3] The Notwist – Consequence from Neon Golden (2003)
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dredg – The Canyon Behind Her from El Cielo (2002)
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The Arcade Fire – Wake Up from Funeral (2004)
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[mp3] Aphex Twin – Windowlicker from Windowlicker [Single] (2000)
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Björk – Desired Constellation from Medúlla (2004)
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[mp3] Iron & Wine – Fever Dream from Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)
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[mp3] Fleet Foxes – Blue Ridge Mountains from Fleet Foxes (2008)
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M.I.A. – Paper Planes from Kala (2007)
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The Swell Season – When Your Mind’s Made Up from Once (Original Soundtrack) (2007)
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[mp3] Wintersleep – Jaws of Life from Wintersleep (2005)
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Date With the Night from Fever to Tell (2003)
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The White Stripes – Hotel Yorba from White Blood Cells (2001)
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[mp3] Stars of the Lid – Humectez La Mouture from And Their Refinement of the Decline [CD2] (2007)
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[mp3] Sigur Rós – Untitled IV from ( ) (2002)
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[mp3] Battles – Atlas from Mirrored (2007)
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Tags: Aphex Twin, Battles, Björk, Bon Iver, Cut Chemist, Daft Punk, dredg, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes, Interpol, iron & wine, Jeremy Enigk, Jonah Matranga, Justice, M.I.A., max richter, MGMT, minus the bear, Phoenix, radiohead, Russian Circles, Shearwater, sigur rós, spoon, stars, stars of the lid, sufjan stevens, The Arcade Fire, the decemberists, The Notwist, The One AM Radio, The Swell Season, The White Stripes, wintersleep, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Posted in Favorite Songs of the Decade, Music | No Comments »
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Like most people, I didn’t exactly have the best taste of music right away. In fact it took a better part of this decade to figure out I needed to re-evaluate my tastes. I had to let go of my safety harnesses and start listening to music that wasn’t in my comfort zone. A decade ago I was 16 yrs old…so back then I was listening to angry rock music and angry techno music. Basically I was listening to nothing but Deftones and Aphex Twin. While both amazing, no one can live solely on cheeseburgers and fries (as much as we’d like to). Once I moved from my suburban hometown, I was introduced to artists and bands that spoke to me in ways I had never imagined. I bought endless back catalogs, practically lived in used CD stores, and discovered the joy of listening to music on vinyl. I found that the internet is an equally amazing tool to discover music as going to shows on a regular basis (also cheaper). This decade I found that I loved music so much that I wanted to tell everyone in world about what I had found. I created a website for friends to read, so that when they asked me about a band I liked I could refer them to it. The website turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. I’ve interviewed heroes of mine, gotten on guest lists of concert I would have payed twice the amount for, and more importantly, I’ve made good friends with people with amazing tastes in music. So here I am, telling you the albums that shaped my tastes over the years. I hope you enjoy and listen to these if you can. Lets hope for another amazing decade in music….
26. Minus The Bear – Highly Refined Pirates
- Release Date: November 19, 2002
- Label: Suicide Squeeze
“And then we all bought yachts!” That’s what this album opens with; a hope for adventure and probably and endless income. I’ve always been a fan of math rock and perfected time signatures but I never thought it would morph into something as fun as this. If I could pick one album to be the soundtrack of a roadtrip it would be Highly Refined Pirates. Minus the Bear have since been perfecting that danceable and unique atmospheric rock sound their known for, but they have yet to even come close to the blue sky soundscapes and joyful lyrics (not to mention their ridiculously awesome track titles) of Highly Refined Pirates.
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[mp3] Minus The Bear– Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse from Highly Refined Pirates (2002)
25. Stars of the Lid – And Their Refinement of the Decline
- Release Date: April 7, 2007
- Number of Discs: 2
- Label: Kranky
I love film soundtracks and have since started listening to them again (Vangelis’ Bladerunner Soundtrack = amazing). So when I finally picked up Stars of the Lid’s And Their Refinement of the Decline, I was drowned in ambient movements that were the musical equivalent of trekking through a snow capped mountain side. The music is epic yet relaxing and requires the listener to release themselves from the world around them. However, the one track that really stuck out for me was Humectez La Mouture. The track samples from the 1986 French film Betty Blue (37°2 le matin) set a creepy atmosphere and it drones on like a foggy afternoon in a post apocalyptic landscape. It’s very moving and releases so many emotions in five minutes and thirty one seconds. Ambient music is very difficult to perfect and I think Stars of the Lid have gone beyond that and have become the genre’s Miles Davis.
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[mp3] Stars of the Lid – Dungtitled (In A Major) from And Their Refinement of the Decline Disc 1 (2007)
24. Cage – Hell’s Winter
- Release Date: September 20, 2005
- Label: Definitive Jux
Of all the hip-hop albums released this year, Cage’s Hell’s Winter was not the best, it was however, my favorite hip-hop album of the decade. It’s mainly because this album is very personal and does not hold anything back. With production by mentor El-P, RJD2 and Blockhead and guest appearances by Jello Biafra, DJ Shadow, Aesop Rock, Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw), James McNew (Yo La Tengo) and the late great Camu Tao, the album is a star studded and disturbing view into a man that has been through some pretty tough shit. While the album is lyrically troubling, it is equally fun to listen to.
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[mp3] Cage – Perfect World from Hell’s Winter (2005)
23. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
- Release Date: February 19, 2008
- Label: Jagjaguwar
I threw this album up as #10 on my Best Albums of 2008 last year. In retrospect, it should have been #2 (you’ll see what should have been #1). After carefully listening to this one for the past two years, For Emma has become one of the most important albums of not only the decade, but for me as well. It’s fragile nature and depth of loneliness was easy to relate to and reminded me of those cold New England nights I missed so much. Justin Veron’s voice represents what I love about emotionally charged solo musicians; it’s raw and a heart-achingly gorgeous record that sets the standard for delicate acoustic music.
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[mp3] Bon Iver – Skinny Love from For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)
22. The Decemberists – Her Majesty
- Release Date: September 9, 2003
- Label: Kill Rock Stars
This album was the soundtrack to my long drive to work in Maine. It’s whimsical lyrics and charming folk rock arrangements still make Her Majesty my favorite Decemberists album. While it was hard to pick a favorite Decemberists album (I love them all), this one holds a special place in my heart. When I tried to name off my favorite Decemberist songs (The Gymnast, High Above the Ground, The Soldiering Life, I Was Meant for the Stage), it became clear that Her Majesty was number one. It speaks off camaraderie, leaving someplace you love, and discovering exotic territory; lead singer Colin Meloy describes it all with intricate detail and soothing delivery.
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[mp3] The Decemberists – The Gymnast, High Above the Ground from Her Majesty (2003)
21. M.I.A. – Arular
- Release Date: May 17, 2005
- Label: Interscope Records
Hated and loved by many, M.I.A. is undeniably talented. Before the Boyz and the Paper Planes, there was the masterpiece that is Arular. I can safely say that urban beats and politically charged lyrics never sounded so good. Arular is as ridiculously fun as it is ridiculously weird, but that’s why it’s such a perfect dance record. It was different from anything I had ever heard and I found joy in looking at people’s faces when I forced them listen to it. Arular is now the blueprint for 21st century hip-hop and will be constantly referenced as an influence throughout the genres exciting evolution.
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[mp3] M.I.A. – Fire Fire from Arular (2005)
20. Shearwater – Rook
Remember when I said Bon Iver should have been #2 on my Best of 2008 list? Well, meet #1. If this year could highlight one band that I was unabashedly obsessed with, it was Shearwater. Rook’s heavy atmosphere and crushing instrumentation makes the record such an onslaught on the senses and a viciously haunting journey. Thanks to singer/ornithologist/ex-Okkervil River keyboard player Jonathan Meiburg, the album’s bleak visuals come alive with his crooning and Nick Cave-influenced bellow. Rook is a cinematic masterpiece that is hypnotizing on execution.
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[mp3] Shearwater – Leviathan, Bound from Rook (2008)
19. DJ Shadow – Private Press
- Release Date: June 4, 2002
- Label: MCA
From what I know, this supposedly angered people being that it wasn’t Entroducing 2. It isn’t exactly influential or remotely groundbreaking for electronic music. It is also easily his most accessible record. However, Private Press is massive, gorgeous, and humorous record. This record for me was a stress reliever and a relaxing yet fun work of art from one of the most respected and loved electronic artists. His imagination is translated onto the turntables and fiercely rocketed back to the listener.
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Dj Shadow - Giving Up The Ghost from Private Press (2002)
18. At The Drive-In – Relationship of Command
- Release Date: September 12, 2000
- Label: Virgin Records US
Once I hit the age of 18, I was done with punk music and disgusted with the mediocrity of what eventually became a plague of nu-metal bands. I needed something angry and revolutionary. I needed Relationship of Command. This flying side-kick to the throat of a record was worn out my the end of my senior year of high school and I had to eventually buy it again just to keep up with my high demand of pulsating post-hardcore punk rock. The song One Armed Scissor became the theme of my departure from adolescence and the will forever be known as the record that lifted me out of the boring genre of modern rock.
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[mp3] At The Drive-In – Sleepwalk Capsules from Relationship of Command (2000)
17. Saul Williams – Saul Williams
- Release Date: September 21, 2004
- Label: Fader Label
You can try to classify his music but you’ll just end up in circle. Each album he creates is a vicious attack on system and our sad state of entertainment and his self titled sophomore effort is no exception. With borderline industrial beats, a Prince-like confidence, and a razer sharp delivery of Chuck D from Public Enemy, Saul Williams instantly became not only one of my favorite musicians but a personal hero of mine. Whether it was speaking about the current state of hip-hop, sexual awakening, or the our inevitable self destruction, Saul made an album that is both inspiring and entertaining.
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[mp3] Saul Williams – African Student Movement from Saul Williams (2004)
16. The Album Leaf – In A Safe Place
- Release Date: June 22, 2004
- Label: Sub Pop
The chilling and beautiful work of The Album Leaf is flawlessly displayed on his 2004 album, In A Safe Place. With the addition of vocals, In A Safe Place became a more personal record than previous efforts. Featuring vocals by The Black Heart Procession’s Paul Jenkins, Sigur Ros’ Jon Thor Birgisson, and Jimmy LaValle himself, tracks like Over the Pond and On Your Way come alive. In A Safe Place is meant to be listened to in a window seat on a plane hovering over the morphing Mid-West landscape. What are you waiting for? Get your ticket!
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[mp3] The Album Leaf – Over The Pond from In A Safe Place (2004)
15. Cursive – The Ugly Organ
The brilliant concept and utter intensity of this record have been constantly referenced and replicated yet no one has even come close to it. Tim Kasher’s self-loathing, tortured artist persona (?) on Ugly Organ mirrored the sacrifices that so many artists have gone through and still battle. The crushing guitars, moving cello (a welcome and missed addition), and fragile melodies went past their typical emo tag and transcended into an album that became the traveling artist’s guide to “be careful what you wish for.” I still like to rock out to this album and will continue to return to it’s magic for a long time coming.
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[mp3] Cursive – The Recluse from The Ugly Organ (2004)
14. Jeremy Enigk – World Waits
- Release Date: October 16, 2006
- Label: Reincarnate Music
This may confuse anyone that has been a fan of Sunny Day Real Estate and Jeremy Enigk. Mainly because this album at times seems overly dramatic and meaningful. Funny; because that may be why I like it. The album speaks of forgiveness, rebirth, and letting go so eloquently and effortlessly all thanks to the Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins vocal style of Enigk and it’s chamber pop atmospheric instrumentation. This album entered my life in a time where I needed guidance and a voice to assist me in surviving the day-to-day. The very sound of World Waits still chokes me up and the crushing piano in Canons still reminds me of the feelings I felt when I was at my lowest. The is Enigk’s masterpiece in my eyes and I can’t thank him enough.
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[mp3] Jeremy Enigk – World Waits from World Waits (2006)
13. Explosions in the Sky – The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
- Release Date: November 4, 2003
- Label: Temporary Residence
The grandeur of this record is undeniable. No wonder the filmmakers of Friday Night Lights wanted to feature the very music from Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place to represent the weight and atmosphere of a West Texan high school football team’s journey to state champion. Consisting of only 5-tracks, Explosions’ second album is nothing short of breathtaking. With bands like Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor! dominating the instrumental music genre, this album came along and crushed everything anyone ever knew about orchestrated rock music. There are two kinds of instrumental music right now. Instrumental music before this record and instrumental music after this record. It will take a lot to change that.
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[mp3] Explosions in the Sky – Your Hand in Mine from The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place (2003)
12. dredg – Leitmotif
- Release Date: September 11, 2001
- Label: Interscope Records
While people were gushing over how much Tool was changing the landscape of modern rock music, dredg already had them beat. Instead of mastering their masculinity, dredg built their debut record from the ground up with layer upon layer of full out tribal progressive rock music. Subtle, thoughtful, sober, they’re a far cry from anything that had come out at the time. The concept is equally fascinating; the story focuses on a man visited by a spirit who tells him he has a moral disease and must travel the world on a quest for higher spirituality. If he succeeds, he will evolve; if he fails, he will die. Ultimately, the character learns to put faith in the religion found in the spiritual awakening of humankind, rather than buy into the religion of commerce and greed. The result of Leitmotif’s exploratory, experimental union of music and text is a mystical sound odyssey [1].
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[mp3] dredg – Traversing Through the Arctic Cold We Search for the Spirit of Yuta from Leitmotif (2001)
11. Radiohead – Kid A
- Release Date: October 3, 2000
- Label: Capitol
Where to begin? If any record could represent the progression of all types of intelligent and sophisticated music in the beginning the new millennium, it is Radiohead’s Kid A. Thom Yorke was no longer known as the band’s tortured soul of a frontman, but as an instrument in a whirlwind of electronic soundscapes and mountain size songs. How can a band reinvent themselves so eloquently and drastically over and over and still remain one of the best bands in the world? When this album was released, nothing even remotely sounded like it, forcing listeners to surrender to it’s genius. It still stands as one of the most influential records of all time and one I will admire forever.
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Radiohead – How to Disappear Completely from Kid A (2000)
10. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
- Release Date: September 14, 2004
- Label: Merge Records
I feel like a kid again whenever I hear this record. It’s innocence and blind love for adventure is as admirable as the album’s lush dreamscapes and romantic arrangements. Listening to Funeral is like entering another realm where freedom of expression is not an idealistic fantasy, but a sweet reality. If I ever feel pessimistic or depressed, this record is like a best friend telling me exactly what I need to hear. Plus they created the blueprint to ‘popular indie music’ and everyone else is trying to catch up.
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[mp3] The Arcade Fire – Une Annee Sans Lumiere from Funeral (2004)
9. Radiohead – In Rainbows
- Release Date: January 1, 2008
- Label: Ato Records / Red
Not only will the distribution method go down in history, but the record is proof that bands cannot be washed up as long as they never lose the spirit of why they love playing music in the first place. Just as Kid A was a revolutionary step toward modern experimental electronic music, In Rainbows was a step toward accessibly creating moving and inviting electronic rock music. While less experimental than previous records and more daring than some predicated, the album was simple and haunting in execution. Tracks like Reckoner, House of Cards, and All I Need remain some of my favorite songs of all time and reach a level of artistic perfection that will be difficult to match in the coming future.
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[mp3] Radiohead – All I Need from In Rainbows (2008)
8. Sean Hayes – Alabama Chicken
- Release Date: September 8, 2003
- Label: Self Released
When you listen to the first track off Alabama Chicken, it is required that you close your eyes and imagine a moonlit field with fireflies swarming around you. For the next track, a sunrise drive in the back of an old truck with an overweight dog and a few fishing poles. You get the idea. Each track from Sean Hayes’ Alabama Chicken is an accurate soundtrack to laid back country life and Northern California landscapes. My discovery of Sean came through a late Jolie Holland (a guest on the album) show in mid-2005 at the Great American Music Hall. I was mesmerized by his naturally earthy voice and his closeness with rhythm and melody. From the sunny slow drive of Diamond in the Sun to the outdoor dance tune Rattlesnake Charm (Dream Machine), Alabama Chicken is a record that relaxes the soul. Let go and listen.
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[mp3] Sean Hayes – Diamond in the Sun from Alabama Chicken (2003)
7. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
- Release Date: July 5, 2005
- Label: Asthmatic Kitty
This enormous record is an exhausting listen and even frightening that one person could create such a monumental album. The unmistakable instrumentation, charming choruses, fragile voice, and immensely complex arrangements surround Illinois and make it one of the most admirable records of the decade. It was a symbol of the lack of limitations you had to make an addictive record. Cynics called the album gimmicky, utter hipster trash, long, weird, and kind of wussy. But it is without a doubt one of the most gorgeous records of all time.
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[mp3] Sufjan Stevens – Chicago from Illinois (2005)
6. The Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium
- Release Date: June 24, 2003
- Label: Umvd Labels
As an obvious fan of At The Drive-In, I was devastated when the band called it quits and went their separate ways. So when I found myself at a special listening party at the Museum of Science in Boston, seated in their famous Charles Hayden Planetarium to hear De-Loused in the Comatorium a week before it’s release, I honestly had doubts. Until the lights dimmed and the music started. I left the building that day a changed man. I felt every Bad Brains, Floyd and Zeppelin album I loved destroyed and molded into a juggernaut of a record. The monstrous drums, the perfected time signatures, and it’s universe of jagged funk intensity still lives as fresh as it did the day I first listened to it. I don’t have many records I can listen to on repeat for months on end. They have yet to replicate the epic nature of this record (probably because they stopped doing drugs), but at least it still translates well live.
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[mp3] The Mars Volta – Drunkship of Lanterns from De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
5. onelinedrawing – Visitor
- Release Date: May 14, 2002
- Label: Jade Tree
Jonah Matranga is a complex human being. That may be quite an understatement but with dozens of bands, records, and brilliant and inane ideas, Jonah seems to never stop moving. However, of all his projects though, Jonah struck gold with his most personal and free spirited record of his seemingly endless career. Visitor tugs at the heart and at the same time lifts you up all with a short 40 minutes. The is heartfelt songwriting at it’s best; aerial, graceful, and intensely emotional. His voice echoes across bedroom walls and into ears that know betrayal, loss, lust, and joy in something as simple as a smile.
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[mp3] onelinedrawing– Softbelly from Visitor (2002)
4. The One AM Radio – A Name Writ In Water
- Release Date: April 19, 2004
- Label: Level Plane
I found out about One AM Radio in a pretty interesting way. It was a cold day at a Boston University coffee-shop and this skinny jeaned hipster-zilla making cappuccinos put on A Name Writ In Water and I did something I hadn’t normally done at that time, I asked him who he was playing. Since then, the album has become one of my favorites, due to it’s melancholy and gray atmospheric beats. Hrishikesh Hirway knows he emotion of leave-less trees and abandoned buildings. He knows how to represent tranquility with vocal harmonies, carefully plucked guitars, and Brain Eno simplicity. This album is must be heard during a rainy drive through forests of New Hampshire or on a deck watching a passing thunderstorm. Nice headphones required.
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[mp3] The One AM Radio – Untied from A Name Writ In Water (2004)
3. Sigur Rós – Ágætis Byrjun
- Release Date: May 22, 2000 (Reissued)
- Label: Play It Again Sam
Think about it, have you ever heard anything like this album? Ágætis Byrjun is like some sort of alien-like transmission to Earth, letting us know they come in peace. It’s disarming and otherworldly sound blooms with full orchestras, deeply ambient soundscapes and angelic vocals from frontman Jon Por Birgisson singing in a language that Sigur Rós dub “Hopelandic”–an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic. When playing guitar with a violin bow was out of this world and groundbreaking, Sigur Rós captured the hearts of legions of music lovers with this majestic and hope filled album.
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[mp3] Sigur Rós – Starálfur from Ágætis Byrjun (2000)
2. dredg – El Cielo
- Release Date: October 8, 2002
- Label: Interscope Records
Unfairly underrated, El Cielo is a moving masterpiece that flows together gracefully and takes off with epic grandeur. Repeatedly layered with a plethora of instruments and jazz-like drumming, El Cielo accurately presents the soundtrack to sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming. The concept of the album follows the theory of dreaming and the subconscious; like what is more real? Our dream-state or when we are ‘awake’? Inspired by the Salvador Dali painting, Dream Caused By The Flight Of A Bee Around A Pomegranate One Second Before Awakening, the album does an excellent job at representing the chaos and confusion of the piece. It’s whirling guitar work mixed with organs, crackling tape, echoing vocals, and calming instrumental interludes, dredg’s sophomore effort is by far their best work yet and a chillingly beautiful record.
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[mp3] dredg – Whoa Is Me from El Cielo (2002)
1. Björk – Vespertine
- Release Date: August 28, 2001
- Label: Elektra
What did you expect? The freaking website is named after a Björk song! This album completely threw me off and became the only record to ever get me choked up. Björk herself is already an elemental being in the world of music, so when she decided to make her most personal record to date, it was no surprise that what came out of it was an album alive with emotion and deep intimacy. Enlisting the work of the likes of Matmos, jazz composer/arranger Vince Mendoza, and harp virtuoso Zeena Parkins, Vespertine became a rich and oceanic record that pushed the boundaries of both electronic and pop music. You can feel the snow blowing through your clothes with Aurora, the unconditional love of Harm Of Will, and the will to sacrifice with my favorite love song (EVER!) Unison. Björk showed me another world of music that I never knew existed. Her voice carried me out off my little bubble of a mind and showed me how passionate a musician can be and what it’s like to translate that flawlessly on a record. I love this album so much and it is my favorite of the decade.
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[mp3] Björk – Sun In My Mouth from Vespertine (2001)
Tags: 2000-2009, Album Leaf, At The Drive-In, best albums of the decade, Björk, Bon Iver, cage, Cursive, Dj Shadow, dredg, Explosions in the Sky, Favorite Albums of the Decade, Jeremy Enigk, M.I.A., minus the bear, onelinedrawing, radiohead, Saul Williams, sean hayes, Shearwater, sigur rós, stars of the lid, sufjan stevens, The Arcade Fire, the decemberists, The Mars Volta, The One AM Radio
Posted in Favorite Albums of the Decade, Music | 5 Comments »
Monday, August 31st, 2009
The final day of Outside Lands Festival was a very foggy and chilly day in Golden Gate Park. I got a bit of joy seeing these LA hipster brats in their designer t-shirts freezing their asses off.
I made it in time to see Australia’s Lenka play a few songs including her single The Show as well as a brand new tune. She was having a good time despite the tiny crowd she generated. Plus she was cute as all hell. When an audience member asked her when the new album was going to be out she responded, “Fuck if I know, next year maybe?” Adorable. [Lenka Kuestionnaire]
I strolled up the John Vanderslice stage a bit confused. There had to be about 15 people in the crowd and he was going to perform in the next five minutes. Here was this talented singer-songwriter and creator of one of the best albums of the year, Romanian Names, and no one was here to appreciate it.
Gradually people started to trickle in and he eventually generated a sizable crowd. And for good reason, he brought his usual sweet and goofy personality mixed with his vulnerable and moving songs. This was a treat for anyone there to witness it. Playing plenty off his extensive catalog and a few gems off his new record including my favorite, Tremble And Tear. An impressive performance from this criminally underrated artist.
John Vanderslice – 
Fetal Horses from Romanian Names (2009)
My real test was to figure out whether I was stoked enough to see Dead Weather and Band of Horses or Modest Mouse, M.I.A., and Tenacious D. For some people this would be an easy choice, however for me I was torn. I figured I would catch Dead Weather and Band of Horses on their next tour and see Modest Mouse for the first time, see M.I.A. again, and witness the rockin’ that is Tenacious D. So I trekked over to my least favorite stage, the Lands End (Main) stage. The Lands End stage reminds me what I don’t like about festivals; the smell (you know what I’m talking about, that mix of BO, bad medicinal pot, and greasy fair food), loud ignorant people, and being compact with people I otherwise would never converse with. Well here’s a short list of characters I ran into while I was waiting for the Lands End acts.
- The Guys Fascinated and Obsessed With The Beach Balls
- The Two Valley Girls From Hollywood That Had Nothing Interesting To Say For 45 Minutes Straight But “OMG Why Is She (M.I.A.) Taking So Long?”
- The Guys Who REALLY Wanted To Be Seen On The Jumbo-Tron
- The Dude Who Smoked (I’m Not Exaggerating) 20 Blunts. “Dude….I’m so high..I….I can’t walk.”
Moving on. I’m a casual fan of Modest Mouse (I own The Moon and Antarctica and Good News For People Who Love Bad News, that’s it), but what I got was a decent performance filled with a few familiar tunes and some not so much. I have no idea whether tonight’s audience favored newer or older material. A nice thing happen though, Float On wasn’t played. Thank you Modest Mouse for building a genuine setlist for all of us and not randomly throwing a radio single in there. Bravo.
The show rocked on and the crowd sang along compellingly. Lead vocalist/guitarist Isaac Brock was short on banter which was also nice for a guy that is famously shitfaced during each show. Modest Mouse songs start (or end) like a lullaby at times but explode with precise time signatures and loud choruses, which was all on display today on this cloudy afternoon in San Francisco.
Modest Mouse – Heart Cooks Brain from Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
This was my second time seeing M.I.A. The first time was a week after Kala was released. Her shows are typically very energetic and this was no exception. The difference from this show and my first M.I.A. concert was the crowd’s energy, which was close to nothing. It didn’t make much sense. She had these twin albino crunk dancers going apeshit, two more hype dancers, she jumped into the crowd several times, they even tossed out a few dozen annoying plastic horns for the crowd to play with. Still, no dancing, no arm waving, just a few head nods. Keep in mind I was directly up front and I was squashed with Tenacious D fans who were vaguely familiar with anything from M.I.A. So I assume it was different at other parts of the crowd, but where I was standing, they were dead.
I however was having a blast with these random strangers I had just met. Dancing and singing along like I usually do. It was hard to keep any level of enthusiasm with the crowd at such a boorish energy level. I still don’t understand it. Anyway, she played a new song which I’ll post in the coming week. I forget the title but it sounds like Tricky crossed with …well, M.I.A.Very experimental and loud. I liked it.
All in all, she rocked, as usual. It’s just a pity the crowd sucked ass.
M.I.A. – MIA from Piracy Funds Terrorism, Volume 1 (2004)
It was time for The Beastie Boys’ replacement, Tenacious D. I would have preferred The Beastie Boys but I figured seeing the D wasn’t too bad of a trade off. After listening to their first full length album and watching a borrowed copy of The Pick of Destiny, I was hyped up enough to see the epic rocking that is Tenacious D.
It was a blast! They’re not a full fledged rock show though. They are more of a combination comedy act with skits, battles against the devil and something called The Metal, and a lot of dueling acoustic guitars and balls out rockin’ the fuck out.
It was very entertaining to say the least. You had to kind of let yourself except that this was more of a ’show’ than a rock concert and once you did that, you were having fun.
Playing classics like Fuck Her Gently (haha, classic…), Wonderboy, and Tribute were great to watch along with some Pick of Destiny songs, and a handful of Who covers during the encore. Not a bad way to end the night and these exhausting but overly satisfying festival.
Tenacious D – Kielbasa from Tenacious D (2001)
Outside Lands Overall Conclusion? While an epically embarrassing line-up and an audience of people who embrace shitting music, my journey through the festival was 90% a success.Lets rank my top 5 moments…
- The Mars Volta. They know how to put on a fucking show. Just an amazing thing to witness.
- Q-Tip. Playing Tribe Called Quest songs alone was great but his stage presence was amazing. A born performer.
- Portugal. The Man. They need to be experienced live. The band plays like they’ve been doing this for decades.
- Pearl Jam. You can tell that this is a band that has the art of performing live down to a science. Fantastic.
- John Vanderslice. It was great not only to hear him play new favorites, but old favorites as well…all the while outside in the foggy San Francisco afternoon. Gorgeous.
I had a great time and may go again next year if all goes well. See you then!
Tags: john vanderslice, LENKA, M.I.A., Modest Mouse, Outside Lands Music Festival, San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival, Tenacious D, The Beastie Boys
Posted in Concerts, Music | 8 Comments »
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
BIG week in the Bay. With several Outside Lands After-parties and the festival itself, there is no shortage of things to do here. Also a visit from Ted Leo, a record release party, and a country music legend stops by an unlikely venue.
Tonight we have The Matches playing the final date off their tour with Judgement Day and Dizzy Balloon at the Fillmore, Six Organs of Admittance and Master Musicians of Bukkake rock The Independent, Fleet Foxes drummer and creator of one of the best albums of 2009, J. Tillman stops by Café du Nord, Jay Reatard does a set at Berkeley’s Amoeba Records at 6pm.
Monday, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists hit up the Bottom of the Hill instead of Treasure Island which they originally intended.
Tuesday features Fruit Bats riding on their new record with Death Vessel at The Independent. The Ruminant Band is a beautiful record full of sweet harmonies and lovely song-writing. Pick it up when you get a chance. Also the amazing Ramona Falls play Café du Nord.
Wednesday will find me at The Fillmore watching dredg, Rx Bandits and As Tall as Lions. All of which have released some pretty impressive albums this year. Also going on is The Dodos and Spencey Dude & the Doodles playing the Rickshaw Stop to kick off Outside Lands fever. Oh yeah and it’s sold out. Bummer.
More Outside Landish shows on Thursday; Akron/Family and Howlin’ Rain crash the Rickshaw Stop and Holy Fuck plays The Independent. In addition, we have The Famous‘ Record Release Party at Café du Nord with 20 Minute Loop and Billy & Dolly.
If you’re not going to Outside Lands this weekend, we have the Outside Lands Afterparty with San Francisco local acts Goodbye Nautilus, The Working Title and Wave Array at Café du Nord.
On Saturday we have hip-hoppers Blue Sky Black Death, Boy in Static and Boy Eats Drum Machine at the Bottom of the Hill, Calexico at The Independent, The Pretenders and Cat Power at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, and country legend David Allan Coe at Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater.
Being joked as this year’s ‘Bro-chella’, Outside Lands Festival has many unimpressive acts but a lot of overlooked impressive acts. This year’s line-up includes; Incubus, Modest Mouse, Pearl Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Thievery Corporation, Tenacious D, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, TV on the Radio, The Mars Volta, M.I.A., Band of Horses, The National, Built to Spill, Bat for Lashes, Calexico, Tom Jones, Mastodon, Silversun Pickups, Los Campesinos!, Ween, Atmosphere, Brett Dennen, Deerhunter, Lucinda Williams, Os Mutantes, Q-Tip, John Vanderslice, Conor Oberst, Akron/Family, Portugal. The Man, Cage the Elephant, Alpha Blondy, Raphael Saadiq, Groundation, Kinky, Lenka, The Duke Spirit, Matt & Kim, Lila Downs, Autolux, The Avett Brothers, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Dengue Fever, The Dirtbombs, The Dead Weather, Heartless Bastards, Midnite, Blind Pilot, Bettye LaVette, Tea Leaf Green, The Morning Benders, West Indian Girl, Darondo, Ryan Bingham, Zee Avi, Street Sweeper Social Club, Rosin Coven, Extra Golden, JJ Grey & Mofro, Nino Moschella, Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Sambada, Reggie Watts, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Big Light, Eric McFadden Trio, Loop!Station, Yard Dogs Road Show, Infantree, Vau De Vire and madd vibe orchestra. A lot to digest. Well I’ll be doing my best to report on everything I see every night when I return from the festival. Photos, mp3s, and everything else I did last year (if you caught that, if not, whatever).
This week is Outside Lands Week here at Kata Rokkar. So we’ll have Kuestionnaires with OLF bands and reports on local acts making their festival debuts. Hope to see you out there!
The Working Title – The Crash from About-Face (2006)
Boy in Static – Young San Francisco from Young San Francisco (2009)
Fruit Bats – The Ruminant Band from The Ruminant Band (2009)
As Tall As Lions – Sleepyhead (Acoustic Version) from You Can’t Take It With You (Bonus Track) (2009)
J. Tillman – Steel on Steel from Vacilando Territory Blues (2009)
Ramona Falls – I Say Fever from Intuit (2009)
Tags: Akron/Family, Alpha Blondy, As Tall As Lions, ATMOSPHERE, Autolux, BAND OF HORSES, Bat For Lashes, BETTYE LAVETTE, Big Light, BLACK EYED PEAS, BLIND PILOT, Boy in Static, BRETT DENNEN, BUILT TO SPILL, Cage The Elephant, CALEXICO, Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Darondo, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Deerhunter, DENGUE FEVER, Eric McFadden Trio, EXTRA GOLDEN, Fruit Bats, Groundation, HEARTLESS BASTARDS, INCUBUS, Infantree, J. Tillman, JASON MRAZ, JJ GREY & MOFRO, john vanderslice, KINKY, LENKA, LILA DOWNS, Loop!Station, Los Campesinos!, Lucinda Williams, M.I.A., Mastodon, Matt & Kim, MIDNITE, Modest Mouse, Nino Moschella, OS MUTANTES, PEARL JAM, Portugal. The Man, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, Reggie Watts, ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, Rosin Coven, Ryan Bingham, Sambada, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, Street Sweeper Social Club, Tea Leaf Green, Tenacious D, The Avett Brothers, The Dead Weather, THE DIRTBOMBS, THE DUKE SPIRIT, The Mars Volta, The Matches, The Morning Benders, The National, The Working Title, THIEVERY CORPORATION, TOM JONES, TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, tv on the radio, Vau De Vire and madd vibe orchestra., WEEN, WEST INDIAN GIRL, Yard Dogs Road Show, ZEE AVI
Posted in Music, This Week In Bay Area Live Shows | No Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2009
PEARL JAM • DAVE MATTHEWS BAND • BEASTIE BOYS
INCUBUS • BLACK EYED PEAS • M.I.A. • JASON MRAZ • WEEN
THE MARS VOLTA • THIEVERY CORPORATION • MODEST MOUSE
BAND OF HORSES • TV ON THE RADIO • THE DEAD WEATHER • ATMOSPHERE
TOM JONES • SILVERSUN PICKUPS • ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND
THE NATIONAL • Q-TIP • BRETT DENNEN • BUILT TO SPILL • MASTODON
RAPHAEL SAADIQ • CALEXICO • OS MUTANTES • MIDNITE • JJ GREY & MOFRO
KINKY • DEERHUNTER • LILA DOWNS • TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
THE DODOS • BETTYE LAVETTE • DENGUE FEVER • HEARTLESS BASTARDS
THE DIRTBOMBS • LENKA • AKRON/FAMILY • JOHN VANDERSLICE
MATT & KIM • PORTUGAL. THE MAN • THE MORNING BENDERS
THE DUKE SPIRIT • ZEE AVI • BLIND PILOT • SAMBADA
RYAN BINGHAM • WEST INDIAN GIRL • EXTRA GOLDEN
There you have it folks; one of the (many) reasons I love living near San Francisco. This is a quite an amazing line-up if you ask me. I’m actually very glad I decided not to go to Coachella this year.
I have never seen any of the headliners live, so I am most definitely excited about Pearl Jam and The Beastie Boys. Dave Matthews Band seems to be the “Jack Johnson” of the line-up to cater to the backwards ballcap bro-crowd.
I was always a fan of Incubus (a shock, I know) until they abandoned their trademark sound with A Crow Left of the Murder. Since then it’s been downhill for the band. So am I excited to see them?…kind of. But I doubt I’ll hear anything from S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
As for Black Eyed Peas and Jason Mraz, that will most likely land on “Dave Matthews Day” which will be my cue to wander around Golden Gate Park and Twitter the weird shit I see.
This will be my 2nd time seeing M.I.A. and TV on the Radio, both of which put on amazing live shows.
Indie-rock heroes Modest Mouse and Ween should be entertaining I guess. I got into both of them kind of late so I’ll be happy with whatever they decide to play.
I’ll finally get to see The National and Mastodon perform live. Both bands always seem to come to town on days I already have plans or have to work. Hopefully we won’t have any scheduling conflicts.
The hip-hop side of the festival is kind of weak. I’m no fan of Atmosphere but I am really looking forward to Q-Tip’s set. He’s only made my favorite hip-hop record of last year.
There’s some odd choices…like…uhh…Tom Jones? Jack White’s Dead Weather seems to be a band that will be forgotten about this time next year. The random toss of Thievery Corporation in the line-up seems kind of bizarre. I don’t see any other trip-hop acts in the line-up so I don’t know why they agreed to perform this year (why not Treasure Island Festival?).
The bottom of the list looks very promising with Portugal The Man, Akron/Family, The Dodos, John Vanderslice, and Heartless Bastards. Plus I’m sure I’ll discover some new acts that I’ve never heard of along the way.
All in all, it seems promising for a festival that is a 20 minute drive from my place. It gets kind of “Bro-chella” around the top, but I like what I see so far.
Anyone have any thoughts?
John Vanderslice – Trance Manual
Portugal. The Man – Out and In and In and Out
Band of Horses – Is There A Ghost
Tags: Akron/Family, ATMOSPHERE, BAND OF HORSES, BEASTIE BOYS, BETTYE LAVETTE, BLACK EYED PEAS, BLIND PILOT, BRETT DENNEN, BUILT TO SPILL, CALEXICO, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Deerhunter, DENGUE FEVER, EXTRA GOLDEN, HEARTLESS BASTARDS, INCUBUS, JASON MRAZ, JJ GREY & MOFRO, john vanderslice, KINKY, LENKA, LILA DOWNS, M.I.A., Mastodon, Matt & Kim, MIDNITE, Modest Mouse, OS MUTANTES, PEARL JAM, Portugal. The Man, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, SAMBADA RYAN BINGHAM, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, The Dead Weather, THE DIRTBOMBS, The Dodos, THE DUKE SPIRIT, The Mars Volta, The Morning Benders, The National, THIEVERY CORPORATION, TOM JONES, TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, tv on the radio, WEEN, WEST INDIAN GIRL, ZEE AVI
Posted in Concerts, Music, News | 1 Comment »
Friday, February 6th, 2009
While I’m out tonight watching Henry Rollins rant and rage in Santa Rosa, thousands of people are planning on doing some dancing. Whether vertical or horizontal, here’s a few songs that’ll set the mood…
Japanese act LALORY politely asked me to introduce their “unit.” That’s a little inappropriate for this blog but I will however introduce your music…
LALORY – Bay Dream (Lalory’s Krazy Dub Mix)
David Starfire just had to jump on one of the best N.A.S.A. tracks and toss in female hip-hopper iCatching. The results are rewarding.
N.A.S.A. – Whatchadoin Feat. iCatching, Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold (David Starfire Remix)
M.I.A. – Jimmy (David Starfire Remix)
The Smiths – How Soon is Now David (Starfire Remix)
One more from the Viva City vs Don Diablo collaboration, the self-proclaimed headfuck of the year.
Viva City vs Don Diablo – Audio Endlessly
Tags: David Starfire, iCatching, LALORY, M.I.A., N.A.S.A., The Smiths, Viva City vs Don Diablo
Posted in Music | No Comments »
