Made sure to include lots-o-links so you can hear the music, which is certainly more important than reading what I have to say. Enjoy.
Thurston MooreTrees Outside the Academy
Just got this, but it is bound to be a classic. Within the Tom, play-list of life, anyway. It's not as hard edged as the Sonic Youth you (and some of your parents) grew up with. Very in line with the last Sonic Youth record in it's noise devoid, catchy, melodic kind of way. Have not seen any plans to come through on tour but I'm sure he is busy debueing his label Estactic Peace. Where he is nurturing the likes of: Be Your Own Pet, Magik Markers, Awesome Colors, and Black Helicopter among others.
Not much to see on his Myspace page, so skip it.
Black Rebel Motorcycle ClubBaby 81
One of the best rock records I have heard in a long, long time. This band kinda bored me before. Good in doses, but this! There. Is. Not. A. Single. Bad. Track. On. This. Record.
The outakes of this album are out as well: America X: The Baby 81 Sessions. This is the first of three bands, that made the list, coming from the mothership that is Sony BMG.
Saw BRMC twice in '07 and they came through 3 (maybe 4) times. The performances mirrored my interest in their catalog; cold with the old stuff and on my feet with the new.
He Recommends: Every song on this album.
BRMC on Myspace
Land of TalkApplause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss
Did I say the record had to have come out in '07? No, and here is a perfect example. Out in late '06 and I still listen to this one weekly. Was also happy to have seen them twice in '07. First time was at Subterranean, a bar that has benefited immensely from the recent implementation of the city's clean air act, Then at Schubas.
Hailing from Montreal, the female lead is slightly spastic, crowd oblivious, and outgrowing her wardrobe. The music is dead on to the CD and energetic, sassy, and twinged with an 'I Give Up" attitude.
He Recommends: All my Friends, Magnetic Hill, Breakbaxxx, Seafoam
Land of Talk on Myspace
Go! TeamProof of Youth
They self describe their sound as a jump rope chanting, Sonic Youth guitar riff, car chase horn, Charlie Brown meets big band sound. It's fun, upbeat, fresh, inspired, loud at times, and mild at other (mild when the Japanese guitarist sings, not the lead rapping female). They also put on one of the most engaging shows I have seen in a a while, but your experience may vary.
When I tell people I like this band, their foreheads get all crinkled up. What's that called again? Oh yeah, confusion. I have not run into a single person that likes this band, but they have fans. I'm one of them.
They have an electronic press kit, that gets you inside the minds of these kids. I'd start here. If you aren't interested, after watching it, skip the record.
While finding the link for the press kit video, I saw this comment and thought I'd share:
"I basically only listen to Black Metal, but The Go! Team are one of the few non-metal bands I just can't get enough of. They are fucking brilliant!"
Not sure if that seals the deal for you, but I'd be hella curious if I ran across that quote. Anything that can make a death metal fan stray, worth a listen.
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but that's not going to keep me from trying to convince you to check it out.
He Recommends: Grip Like a Vice, Doing it Right, Fake ID
Go! Team on Myspace
Shout out LoudsOur Ill Wills
First listen, I disliked this. I was expecting more of the same from these Stockholm exports. Not one of those 'I Only Like the First Album' kinda people, so I tend to stick with records like this, knowing I'll change my mind.
I actually consider it a good sign, when I don't like an album on first listen. Of course I know if something is shit that I'd never like, but this is different. There is something in there, something speaking to my brain, on some level, it just needs to be translated for me.
It's usually that I need to wipe clean my gray matter from any preconceived notions. Somebody told me this sounds like this, or a magazine heralded this band as the next xyz.
In this case it was forgetting, or rather remembering that the second album is not always going to be the same as the first. It's going to be an extension, but it has to be bigger. They've been touring, a lot. They were able to quit their day jobs, when the first album came out. Now all the do is play.
That said, this is one of the largest leaps from any debut album I can think of. The other being Radiohead's jump from Pablo Honey to the Bends (one of my top albums of all time.)
This album is mature, and the fact that it reminds me of the Cure a bit, doesn't change the fact that this is their sound.
So check out the first one: Howl, Howl, Gaff, Gaff but make sure you listen to this one forgetting everything I've typed above. Wouldn't want you going in with any preconceived notions.
He Recommends: Hard Rain, Time Left for Love, Normandie, Impossible, You are Dreaming, Tonight I Have to Leave it
Shout out Louds on Myspace
FeistThe Reminder
An iPod commercial? Really. Yes, really. I doubt you've been overexposed to that commercial and I don't blame people for selling out early nowadays. That's how bands make money off of their records.
This isn't one of those records you want to exercise to. It's happy, in a mellow kind of way. And it's simple, in a very well thought out kind of way.
Her voice is constantly on the verge of cracking with an urgency and yet still mild. Don't ask to explain the contradiction. It's there, and it's what makes her voice beautiful.
He Recommends: 1,2,3,4, I Feel it All, So Sorry
Feist on Myspace
Josh RitterHistorical Conquest
This is his 7th release?
Maybe I wouldn't have liked the older ones, as they were released, but now I want them all.
The sound of this album deserves mention. Who ever produced this (and yes I'm too lazy to look up who) deserves half the credit.
One of those albums that will take you by surprise. Even convert you. Whatever you need converting from.
Lyrically, this album is brilliant. Think an upbeat early Dylan. Think Leonard Cohen, and again upbeat.
He's from Idaho and the first words out his mouth are "Potato" just so he doesn't have to hear it from you. I saw / met him at the Park West last year. He is sweet, friendly, happy and none of it is an act.
Seeing him perform, you'd think it was his first time on stage. Not because he's nervous but because he-is-so-happy. It's unnerving, at first. Once you get used to it, and realize it's not an act, you start to wonder why every band you see isn't this happy. Shouldn't they all be? They're all living the life. Yet most brood around like their dog was just run over.
Josh is one of those people, that if you see him sad, you're sad. I know several people like that. A nearly constant source of happiness. Something you can look forward to.
Might I also mention that he has a good eye too. Whoever (again too lazy) designs his CDs, T-shirts, etc is amazing.
This is the second release from the mothership.
He Recommends: Empty Hearts, Real Long Distance, Wait for Love, Rumors, Open Doors, The Temptation of Adam (my favorite for it's lyrics), To the Dogs or Whoever, Right moves.
Hell, just buy it. It's that good.
Josh Ritter on Myspace
Dinosaur Jr.Beyond
J Mascis is old, and his full gray long hair is proof. He's not revisiting this Dino Jr for the money or the good ole times. This record is just as good as any other from him and the boys.
Does it really stand up to the others? The answer is: Not Yet, but it will. It's just that we haven't lived with this one for 10 - 15 years.
If you want an honest rock record with heart, you can't go wrong here.
He Recommends: Pick Me Up, Were Not Alone, Almost Ready
Dinosaur Jr. on Myspace
GrindermanSelf Titled
Nick Cave is hit or miss for me. Wanted to hear this, when it first came out, but I just forgot about it. I just let it pass.
Then I saw him and the band on Letterman. I f'in loved it. It was raw, dirty, powerful, dark, noisy, and they all looked homeless in their thrift store suits.
It's this appearance that made me want to see them live. I checked, they had just been here, and at the Metro. A 1200 capacity venue with better than average sound. Shit.
Anyway, the album has some tunes you need to visit often to find the beauty, but some hit you right away. It's not rock, it's not old Nick. But it's just as guttural as his early Birthday Party tunes.
Oh, and his web site is a trip, if you can get it to work. Worth checking out.
He Recommends: Depth Charge Ethel, No Pussy Blues, Get It On
Grinderman on Myspace
Grinderman's Web Site
Bat for LashesFur and Gold
Tori Amos, meets Joanna Newsom, meets ... you get it. This music has a vagina.
Saw these ladies twice in '07. The first was impressive, but the second time, while equally impressive musically, was tainted by princess fits from the lead.
I have to give credit to my lady, who went to see them with me once. When it comes to music, she is more of a guy than me. Anyway, after leaving the show, she said: "Well ... if you didn't have a vagina before the show, you certainly have one now."
These girls have a soft sound, can play the shit out of their instruments (the guitarist is amazing on anything she touches,) and impress even non-believers, like my lady.
Check out the video of "What's a girl to do?" It's a spooky ET meets Donnie Darko type of thing. Really cool. The song is excellent as well.
He Also Recommends: Sarah, and Tahiti
Bat for Lashes on Myspace
Jarvis CockerJarvis
First solo album from lead man of the nearly 3 decade old band Pulp.
Jarvis Cocker (whose initials match another famous person, he reminds us on occasion) is one witty bloke. Yeah, he's English.
His humor and whit are not the only reason this is one of the best albums this year. It's he music too.
Upbeat tunes and mellow numbers all score high.
Took a while for this to be available, here in the states. Not sure why. It took almost a year from when I saw the first video: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time. He plays a cab driver who sings the song to his fare while running over bikers, trees, getting flats ... I won't ruin it for you.
Besides a NYC and Bonnaroo gig last year, nothing planned for states.
Last I checked, his Myspace page had MP3s of him reading Halloween tales. Yep, still there. His Letterman performance is on there too.
He Recommends: Fat Children, Black Magic, and Don't Let Him Waste Your Time.
Jarvis Cocker does Halloween on Myspace
Amy WinehouseBack to Black
Yes, I fell for this. Have you avoided it? I don't blame you. I initially did the same, till something compelled me to check it out.
I had heard "Rehab" and could take or leave it.
So what was it that made me check it out? Not sure, but I'm glad I did. It is a fantastic throw back to old Motown. Not a stylized record, but something that was building up inside her, from her surroundings (she was brought up and surrounded by musicians.)
Although she isn't responsible for the music, not having actually played it, she did pick it to back up her tense, tear jerking vocals / lyrics.
The Dap-Kings are from NY, and Amy would be nothing without them. Sure she has the voice, but the marriage is the miracle. Did I say miracle. I suppose I meant it, a little.
This time around I wasn't lazy, the producer is Mark Ronson and he is responsible for this record. He also put out an amazing record this year. It's a covers record and he does wonderful things with songs from The Smiths, The Jam, Radiohead and more.
So, if you can't stand "Rehab", give some of the others I suggest a listen. Then call me an idiot for liking her. I dare you.
He Recommends: He Can Only Hold Her, You Know I'm No Good, and Tears Dry On Their Own.
Amy Winehouse on Myspace
The Myspace page has some weird sound stuff going on. You might think it's a mistake, but I think it's an attempt by Universal at stopping anyone from borrowing music from the page. Those crazy bastards.
The ViewHats Off tot he Buskers
Poor little bastards can't get their visas to tour. Hanging out with Pete Doehtry and doing cocaine with Kate Moss all day, can do that to you. Well, only if you get caught, which they did.
This album is made by teenagers but you wouldn't know it. Similar to the Arctic Monkeys, these boys seem way too good for their own good.
Will they produce another good record? Not sure. The drug thing is a problem. This is the third from the mothership.
The kid has a warbly voice and all the tunes are catchy. This is high rotation.
He Recommends: Same Jeans, Face for the Radio, Dance into the Night, Street Heights
The View on Myspace
Arctic MonkeysMy Favorite Worst Nightmare
The first record is perfect. You've probably already heard of this band. But I'm not trying to be first.
I wanted more of the same. This had moments of the same, but was slightly different. I mean, where do you go from perfect?
Still, after applying my rule about not liking something on first listen (see above,) I gave it another shot. And another and another. Until I loved it.
No time had gone past, between the two releases. Sure they were separated by real time. But not Me time. The first record was still in serious heavy rotation, when the second came along. I had no time to yearn for growth from this band. I hadn't taken a breath.
They have matured. And how couldn't you when you are under 20 and making sounds like this?
I recently listened to a KCRW broadcast with these guys. It was good, not because of the interview, to be sure. Funny to hear that they had met Bowie (all time favorite,) backstage at one of their shows. Funny because they weren't impressed and made it a point to make sure the listeners knew they weren't fans.
He Recommends: Old Yellow Bricks, Fluorescent Adolescent, Brainstorm
Arctic Monkeys on Myspace
RTXWestern Exterminator
Second release from the female half of the disbanded Royal Trux.
This is a completely raw rock record and I can hear all sorts of bits from other songs in here. I fully suspect these songs were all inspired by a particular song each.
I hear Motley Crue, Slayer, Danzig, Kiss, Anthrax, Iron Butterfly, Ratt, it's all in there with a twist unlike anything I've heard before, not trying to be something else, just what it is.
The fact that I hear all that is weird because I read an interview with them about the influences. They named Bowie and ... well they didn't name anything that I was hearing.
Caught them at the Empty Bottle last year (and missing a second show at the end of this month, sad.) A little rough live, at first. After warming up, they were on, and I could start to feel the energy.
This is one of those bands (Pussy Galore, Royal Trux, Neil Michael Hagerty, and RTX) that always push themselves and I'm up for the ride. I love everything they put out, and grow with them. Sometimes to the point, where the old stuff loses it's luster.
He Recommends: Dude Love, Black Bananas
RTX on Myspace
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