Best of 2008. Music

Last year, there was an obvious choice for best album. Radiohead's In Rainbows stood far above the rest, and it still does. It was again the album I listened to the most this year. Nothing stood alone as the definitive masterpiece of the year, so, I will not be picking a best album this year but instead listing the albums I enjoyed the most. Here they are:

EDIT: if I had a gun to my head I would go with TV on the Radio's Dear Science as the #1

Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst

Dear Science, by TV on the Radio


Death Magnetic by Metallica


Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket


Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes


A Mad & Faithful Telling by Devotchka


Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust by Sigur Ros


Modern Guilt by Beck


Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie

All of these albums have great covers, which is far too rare.


More "Best of 2008" on the way in the coming weeks.

Modern Guilt

I have just finished listening to Beck's latest album, Modern Guilt. It's really fantastic, and although I have only heard it once through it could be his best release yet. Right up there with Odelay, Sea Change and The Information for sure.

Various Shenanigans

Hullo...

So I just finished doing extra work for Caprica, a spin-off of Battlestar Galactica. It was super fun but I worked 30 of the last 48 hours so I'm a bit tired (but I did touch Eric Stoltz). Also, I have a hectic sched which has already been set in motion. The highlights of which are; Cirque Du Soleil, a Can't Stop The Serenity screening, a road trip to Kamloops, 2 Matthew Good concerts and a fun evening at Playland. So, no new review this weekend (remember I did drop 2 last week) but I will return with my take on the highly anticipated Wall-E, next friday.

Best of 2007: Album Of The Year

This was so very easy. There were a few great albums released in 2007, but one stood very far above them. Here are the ones that KINDA got close...

Cassadaga by Bright Eyes

The Cool by Lupe Fiasco

Hospital Music by Matthew Good

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire


...And the very best album...

In Rainbows by Radiohead

New Album Review: In Rainbows by Radiohead

It's far too difficult to write an interesting Radiohead review, so I'm gonna keep this short and simple. For a more extensive review check out Rolling Stone.

In Rainbows is Radiohead's follow up to Hail to the Thief, an album which received mixed reactions. It was the first album where they tried to bridge the gap between their unique alt rock sound and electronic experimentation. On their latest, they have really faded out a lot of their electronic sound in favour of the music more familiar to OK Computer. After one listen, In Rainbows did not particularly grab me. At least not in the way Radiohead's previous works have. On OK Computer they made a rock album that sounded like nothing else before it, and with Kid A they created a shockingly ugly yet beautiful and completely strange masterpiece. This is not to say In Rainbows is a failure, because even if they aren't breaking new ground, it is still only ground that Radiohead CAN cover. After multiple listenings, the subtle beauty of Rainbows shines through, revealing another powerful work of art. There are few artists in history that made music unlike anything previously heard. Obviously The Beatles come to mind, and no one could ever convince me that Radiohead isn't every bit as good, if not better.

In Rainbows...

Out of nowhere, Radiohead has begun to sell their new album, In Rainbows, only available from their website www.radiohead.com

In one of the coolest moves ever, they are releasing the album independently (they are no longer affiliated with a label) for however much you want. That’s right, you decide the price. When you go to the site to buy the album you type in how much you want to pay (in pounds). The only amount not accepted is 0.

0.01? Go for it. It’s bound to be another classic album, and the method of it’s release will shake the industry. Something Radiohead is pretty good at.

However, in my opinion they deserve the money for the album.

That didn’t stop me from choosing only 1 pound though……

New Album Review: Hospital Music by Matthew Good

*please note that Hospital Music will not be released until July 31st.

Matthew Good’s career spans over a decade at this point. In that time he has released 7 full albums and 3 EPs and 1 greatest hits collection. A lot of other things have happened to Matt during his career; he holds the record for the best selling independent rock album in Canadian history (1995’s Last of the Ghetto Astronauts), he has won several Junos (not that they mean anything), he has been banned from Winnipeg (and then let back in after a couple years), had a disease in his throat that lead to surgery and he actually had to learn how to talk again, he has quit smoking, he has broken up with his band, been married and eventually divorced, he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and, of course has taken up smoking again. However, there is one thing he hasn’t done, and that’s disappoint. Every release has been at least great, and occasionally phenomenal. I am glad to say that that does not change. In the last year, Matthew has been to the hospital a couple times, because during last year’s tour he collapsed with exhaustion, and more recently, due to taking too much medication. During his stays he wrote a lot of the album, which explains the title, Hospital Music. Most of his albums have been extremely complex and rich, however this is not the case here. His lyrics are no longer masked with metaphors but are straight to the point; the music is also more simple. This is not necessarily a bad thing as the most straightforward song is also the most emotionally effective (She’s in it For the Money). Some might say that on old material Matt hid behind his poetic writing but now, for lack of a better term, he is completely naked. He has nothing to hide, to hear this album is to become close to someone you have never met. The experience is at times heartbreaking, but we are better for it. Music naturally makes us feel alive, it unites us, but with such honest lyrics as on Hospital Music we feel in touch with humanity to an even greater extent. To understand another human being through his art, we take their pains with us and relate to it, and sometimes come out as better people then we were at first. The power of music is incredible but not usually used to it’s full potential like it is here. One thing has always amazed me about Matthew Good, the fact that every album he changes his style. You can never predict what his next release will sound like. I am not sure if there is another artist I could say that about, possibly Radiohead, but there aren’t many. On Hospital Music, Matt reinvents himself again, and we are treated to his most personal work to date. Because of it’s simplicity, it lacks the astounding depth of his masterpieces Audio of Being and Avalanche, but it still kicks the asses of most of the popular stuff around today. It may not be Matt’s best or the best album of the year but it makes for another worthy part of a truly remarkable career, as well as a worthy part of any music collection.

Free Song of the Week

This week's free song is Matthew Good's brand new single "Born Losers". His new album, "Hospital Music" will be released July 31st. He plans to tour acoustically this september in Canada, USA and possibly overseas.

Enjoy.

Born Losers

New Album Review: Chronophobia by Insert

Insert is my friend and co-blogger's band, but I assure you I approach this review with no bias. Also, I think it is vital to mention that I am reviewing this album with the same scale of any music review. Chronophobia begins with a keyboard intro that simultaneously sets the tone and perfectly leads into the next song. But the disc is not always perfect. Insert, for the most part, have a refreshing original sound containing a great combination of elements. Said elements include heavy drumming, old school guitar shredding, and a violin, which adds a folksy sound instead of blending in with the other instruments (see: Yellowcard). Remember when I said mostly a refreshing sound? Insert occasionally drifts into a familiar hard rock sound. That is a real shame considering they seem to be a creative group with adequate capabilities. However, it is something that can improved upon in the future. There are no real bad songs here, some average, some good, a couple very good and a couple great tracks. When listening to a teen local band's music, I always bear in mind the lack of production quality and the not completely developed talents within. However, with this album, I was surprised to find myself unable to stop listening to it. Favouring Insert tracks over my regular major artists when casually listening to music. Insert has shown that they may be a band that has a long way to go, but they are well on their way. The album is a major accomplishment. At first glance, a 3 star rating may seem a bit average but I have dozens of albums released by major label artists that would score less. The definition of chronophobia may be the fear of time, but the only time listeners have to fear is how long until album number two.

Everytime I Close My Eyes

I just got back from seeing The Arcade Fire concert at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby. Over the years I have seen many bands play live and I have reviewed each. This performance was only the third out of roughly 30, to achieve a 5 star rating. Deer Lake Park is also my favourite venue ever now and I will make an extra effort to check out shows there. The concert was incredible, if you ever have a chance to see Arcade Fire live, take it.

New Album Review: Sky Blue Sky by Wilco

Wilco is a great band, they play an interesting brand of rock and roll. Their best album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" remains one of my favourites. Even after they changed their lineup a little they released another great album, "A Ghost Is Born". This sets the standards pretty high for "Sky Blue Sky" and the enjoyment level of this album suffers because of it. It lacks something their last two releases didn't. Perhaps having long tracks (7 to 15 minute songs are absent here). Maybe it's the lack of strange sound effects or even, as surprised as I am to say this, it's because there is no clear-cut poppy radio friendly song. Whether its all, one or none of these things, there is something missing, but that doesn't keep it from being a solid addition to a music collection. I went song by song, and individually, I have no complaints. Each song ranges from good to very good, no skipable tracks but no masterpieces either (something their past CDs had). Overall, this is a pretty good album that seems to have the potential to continue growing on me. Any fan of rock and roll should probably check out Wilco and "Sky Blue Sky" is not a bad place to start.

Free Song Of The Week

Sorry about the lack of posts recently, I'll tell Parker to pick up the slack as it is his fault and his fault alone. In the meantime here is the free song of the week!!! Because I am reviewing Wilco's new album later this week, here is an amazing song of theirs, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart"

The song is located on the sidebar

Free Song of the Week

This week the free song is the best track off of last year's best album, The Eraser by Thom Yorke.

There is an interesting article about it on Wikipedia you should check out.

The download for the song "Harrowdown Hill" is available on this site's sidebar. Enjoy.

Free Song of the Week

This week's free song is a b-side from the upcoming album "Hospital Music" by Matthew Good. "Can't Get Shot In The Back If You Don't Run" was made a few years ago but never professionally recorded until the Hospital Music sessions early this year. For more info on Matt and his new album visit www.matthewgood.org and www.nearfantastica.com

Enjoy!

(you can find the link to the free song on the sidebar)

New Album Review: Cassadaga

Cassadaga by Bright Eyes

Now this review is interesting (only for me?) because instead of reviewing an artist I'm familiar with, I am reviewing an album by an artist I have never heard before. So take my rating seriously because there is no biasnesssss (?). I like to think I wouldn't be biased reviewing an album by Modest Mouse or Matt Good (2 favourite artists) but for this one I can guarantee it. Ok, on with the show (article?). The album's title is the name of a community of psychics in Florida (cool?). The first track opens with audio clips of people talking about Cassadaga which would be dull if not for the outstanding instrumental accompanying it. The weird clips give in to Conor Oberst's voice and also into the masterpiece that Cassadaga is to become. If you listen to each song individually, each is excellent. But together, as an album, Cassadaga is greater than the sum of it's parts. This is a sign of a special album. Not many releases in recent years are wonderful journeys that could only be travelled (and deserving to be travelled over and over) in sequence to reach it's potential (Kid A by Radiohead, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco to name some of the few). Each song has a sort of post-folk type feel with thoughtful, poetic lyrics. Oberst's voice gives his words the value they deserve. Conveying them in the only way they could if to be as impactful. A lot of the album is soft and beautiful, but, it's at it's best when the pace picks up. Such as: "Four Winds", "If The Brakeman Turns My Way"or "Soul Singer in A Session Band". Usually I need a long time with an album to be able to warm up to it completely. However, after my first listen I was blown away. I have spent the whole day listening to it again and again to find a flaw or a reason to complain. But I didn't. This is the best album of the year so far, and an instant all-time favourite of mine. I'll be putting up a free track from it next week, give it a listen, if you like it, buy the album. It's perfect.