Music in 2008

[stray]

Got any favorite albums from this year?

Ladyhawke - S/T

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN8HwUxFouM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQgBy7sJt4

Unlike every other retro 80's artist, she doesn't channel new wave so much as Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Phil Collins, and Flashdance. Heh. But she makes it sound new. Plays all instruments. Cool shit

[Engels]

Second link is geborken. First song is cool. Reminds me of Liz Phair more than Stevie Nicks, but its all good.

[stray]

I hate when youtube vids do that.

Here's another try at the second song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUyuEyVb6KU


Love that synth intro. Sounds like something from one of those "introspective" montage sequences in a Rocky or Van Damme movie. 

If you know what I mean.

She makes groovy videos.

[stray]

Also, Cynic's (who hasn't made an album in like 15 years) Traced in Air.


Integral Birth


A prog metal band that isn't.... what's the word I'm looking for? ...Shit.

If you like Dillinger Escape Plan (and you should), then you'll like it. 

[Endie]

OK, a greatest hits album probably doesn't count, but Meet the Eels: Essential Eels Vol. I revealed just how consistent Everett's songwriting has been down through the years.

I really enjoyed the Last Shadow Puppets' album The Age of the Understatement.  Alex Turner mixes his Artic Monkeys sound with a large portion of the Byrds.

And I was going to say the Wombats' A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation (with the great song "Let's Dance to Joy Division") but it turns out I just didn't pick up on it for a couple of months after release :(

This year's big disappointment will almost certainly be Faith No More's reunion, although some of Patton's recent work has been pretty much the Faith No More we'd really want, anyway.

[stray]

I don't like Peeping Tom that much, to be honest. A couple of songs. Definitely dig Fantomas and Tomahawk though. Like all the band members from either too.. already a big Denison/Jesus Lizard fan here, so Tomahawk is a natural progression from the Lizard to me more than FNM.

Dug his shit with Dillinger too.

Umm.. anyways, I suppose it won't be bad. I've been wanting to see him just do something a little more straightforward rock again, and FNM was always his band for that.

[Sky]

Great year for music. Buddy Guy released a great album, Skin Deep. Lots of good sit-ins, like Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph and Clapton. Hard to believe he's 73. Lyin Like a Dog is amazing, his rebellious spirit rips into the mix. He's always best when you can almost hear the producer bitching in the booth. Because my only gripe about Buddy is that his albums are often way too produced for my tastes, but I've long been panned for my love of raw "production" (I mostly buy live albums).

Susan Tedeschi also released a nice album (Back to the River), lots of soul and funky stuff on it. Her best since her debut (which is a phenomenal album you should own). Trucks appears, of course (they're married) and so does Doyle II, who is another great modern talent.

[trias_e]

Skepticism - Alloy is the 'underground' metal release of the year, no doubt. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTrragxQNms

New Cynic sounds pretty much like Focus.  Nothing wrong with that at all, considering Focus was quite cool.

[schild]

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple.

[Nebu]

Skepticism - Alloy is the 'underground' metal release of the year, no doubt. 

You're kidding, right?  It sounds like a garage band.  I can say in all honesty that I recorded higher quality stuff in highschool.

[trias_e]

You're kidding, right?  It sounds like a garage band.  I can say in all honesty that I recorded higher quality stuff in highschool.

Nope.   Certainly my favorite album this year, much better than say, this shit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-x95Q0SJfY   Although, I will say that the actual 'Alloy' cd production quality is much better than the video suggests, although still likely not up to your high standards.

Regardless, it's not a genre where production sounding 'like a garage band' is necessarily a bad thing. 

Anyways, I'd love to hear your high school stuff if it's of similar quality to Skepticism.  I can't think of many bands that compare favorably to them.

[Nebu]

Anyways, I'd love to hear your high school stuff if it's of similar quality to Skepticism.  I can't think of many bands that compare favorably to them.

I was in high school in the early '80's.  Trust me when I say that you don't want to hear it.  I was more commenting on the recording quality.  With the ready availability of low cost, high tech production methods I was a bit disappointed by the mix.  I may have also knee-jerked do to style issues.  It's not fair to criticize them for talent... they have that.  Just not my thing, I guess.

[trias_e]

Heh, no problem.  I was just givin' you shit, I wrote music in high school as well.  Unless if you're Mozart, it doesn't usually stand the test of time too well  ; )

Again, the video is muddied compared to the actual album, but there is certainly some very intentional lack of clarity and blending of instruments on the album that is essential for atmostphere.  A review I read went something like 'The lead guitar acts like a fish jumping up a waterfall.'  Ah, more complete quote:  "Often three melodies are at work at once, as keyboards pluck notes from the thunderous backwash of distorted guitar, while another guitar nimbly interlaces a lead melody through the harmonic space created like fish jumping through a waterfall, each changing in sequence so that as the song rotates between its elements added in staggered order to produce layers a new direction emerges from the collision of past forays."

[Merusk]

This year's big disappointment will almost certainly be Faith No More's reunion, although some of Patton's recent work has been pretty much the Faith No More we'd really want, anyway.

There was a reunion?  Also, thanks for that link. I know what CD to ask for this holiday, now.

[Endie]

This year's big disappointment will almost certainly be Faith No More's reunion, although some of Patton's recent work has been pretty much the Faith No More we'd really want, anyway.

There was a reunion?  Also, thanks for that link. I know what CD to ask for this holiday, now.

It's still a bit up in the air, but some venues have been told to keep slots open for a FNM tour.  Here is a link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/02/faith-no-more-reunion

[Selby]

There was a new Motörhead, Priest, and Opeth album out this year.  That was enough to satisfy me.

[apocrypha]

I really like Underworld's Oblivion With Bells this year, very good album with a couple of stunning tracks - Beautiful Burnout stands out strongly.

[MrHat]

Its not a song, but Songbeat has been proving incredible for me.

It's seeqpod but w/ downloads.  MP3 downloads.

[Endie]

This year's big disappointment will almost certainly be Faith No More's reunion, although some of Patton's recent work has been pretty much the Faith No More we'd really want, anyway.

There was a reunion?  Also, thanks for that link. I know what CD to ask for this holiday, now.

If you prefer the post-Angel Dust FNM then Tomahawk are also pretty good: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JMjIhEQ6L08 and http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt856_nRxQk

[schild]

Mirror's Edge Theme, Still Alive from Lisa Miskovsky or whatever.

[Grimwell]

Death Angel put out a new CD that just rocks my socks.

[rattran]

Pendulum - In Silico is the best album I've heard this year, with honorable mentions for Ladyhawke and Vampire Weekend's S/T discs.

I also enjoyed We Are Scientists and The Ting Tings quite a bit. And the new Killers is growing on me. First release song based on a Hunter S Thompson quote? ftw

[Moaner]

The new Cynic gets my vote for Album of the year.  It was worth the wait.

The new Boris album and the new Autechre are close runners up too.

[Sky]

The Killers are fucking retards. Are we human or are we dancer? My sign is vital? Your fu is fucking weak, moron. Invest wisely, it's almost over, kids.

[stray]

I like them alright.. catchy for awhile, but they are easy for me to get bored with.

[Phildo]

To those of you not posting links, fuck you.  Here's a short list off the top of my head of stuff I've enjoyed this year.

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go

Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
Panic At The Disco - That Green Gentleman

The Kooks - Shine On
The Kooks - Always Where I Need To Be

Old 97s - Dance With Me  (this one is far from my favorite song on the album, but the video is pretty cool)

Katy Perry - Hot N Cold  (I don't want to like it, honest I don't!)

Turns out a lot of the music I liked this year came from late 2007 or the list would be longer.

[stray]

You will not find a bigger Old 97's fan at this site than me ... But I must say, I'm not really feeling the new stuff. Sounds more like Rhett's solo moves into pop. He still has the misery and all of that, but I miss the scuzz. That is one hell of a band that should have gotten a break with popular music videos and stuff long ago. Too Far to Care (1997) is an excellent album.

[Chenghiz]

sgt. - Stylus Fantasticus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFJxW-R107Y)
These guys are pretty crazy eclectic, mixing jazz action into some pretty intense post-rock.

Ayreon - 01011001 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRy0jpkGYY8)
Arjen Lucassen pulls in favours from every metal musician of note ever. This is his seventh album, all about the unvierse and the dawn of time and stuff. Very proggy metal.

School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuKlw5l9BM8)
This was apparently formed by a member of Secret Machines, which means not much to me but might tell you something. It's electronicky and fuzzy and I like it a lot.

Black Mountain - In the Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxOh2-g80vk)
I love the blues influences this band brings to their grungy (not grunge) rock. Sometimes I think they are like Led Zeppelin returned but only sort of. Either way they're a lot of fun to listen to and really get into their music.

More to come later. 2008 was a good year for music. 

[Phildo]

I saw the Old 97s play a free show in Pittsburgh a few months ago and Rhett Miller did a pretty good job of summing up his songwriting: love sucks, it's phony and he hates it.

[Fraeg]

Also, Cynic's (who hasn't made an album in like 15 years) Traced in Air.


Integral Birth


A prog metal band that isn't.... what's the word I'm looking for? ...Shit.

If you like Dillinger Escape Plan (and you should), then you'll like it. 

fantastic album, still prefer focus, but a great album.   
However, DEP exists in a very different universe from Cynic.  For what its worth due to their roots Cynic is generally considered death metal.. which yeah, i know... i know.

Have you checked out Enslaved's new album Vertebra?  While it doesn't sound like Cynic, for the pasts few albums they have been introducing more and more elemants of Pink Floyd in a very good way.

Death Angel put out a new CD that just rocks my socks.

Didn't get into it that much, but absolutely love Testament's release this year.

For me the top releases this year have been (no linkeys, at work)

Origin - Antithesis  (John Longstreth is simply a drumming god)
Torche - Meanderthal
Jesu EP - Why are we not perfect
Hail of Bullets - Of Frost and War (Death metal the way it was meant to be played)
Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Russian Circles - Station (my god this trio is amazing live, if you like Isis, Red Sparrows, or Tool you should check them out)

[stray]

Also, Cynic's (who hasn't made an album in like 15 years) Traced in Air.


Integral Birth


A prog metal band that isn't.... what's the word I'm looking for? ...Shit.

If you like Dillinger Escape Plan (and you should), then you'll like it. 

fantastic album, still prefer focus, but a great album.   
However, DEP exists in a very different universe from Cynic.  For what its worth due to their roots Cynic is generally considered death metal.. which yeah, i know... i know.

Have you checked out Enslaved's new album Vertebra?  While it doesn't sound like Cynic, for the pasts few albums they have been introducing more and more elemants of Pink Floyd in a very good way.

I think I've come across a little bit, but I'll check it out again. Thanks.

I saw the Old 97s play a free show in Pittsburgh a few months ago and Rhett Miller did a pretty good job of summing up his songwriting: love sucks, it's phony and he hates it.

Heh. Yeah.. *sigh* Probably bad for my health to listen to that guy... but he always does it so well.

[Phildo]

I was really hoping to get more out of this thread.  Come on guys!

[Shroud]

Murder by Death's album Red Of Tooth And Claw was my personal favorite of this year. I don't want to get banned for linking to a myspace page, but Murder by Death's page has the entire album up to listen to (as well as thier previous 3 albums).

I hate trying to label a band that doesn't fit easily into one genre, but the terms alt-country, or "country gothic" seem to get used often to describe them.

[Endie]

Murder by Death's album Red Of Tooth And Claw was my personal favorite of this year. I don't want to get banned for linking to a myspace page, but Murder by Death's page has the entire album up to listen to (as well as thier previous 3 albums).

I hate trying to label a band that doesn't fit easily into one genre, but the terms alt-country, or "country gothic" seem to get used often to describe them.

Liiink iiiiiiittt.  Seriously.

Also, I listened to country gothic 20 years ago :D

[Sky]

Can't find a tube to my favorite song of Buddy's new album, so I'll just post a recent clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcal8jBYTHA The man is 73 goddamned years old. Nice full circle in this clip, since he was a huge influence on Jimi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg_D6barsag That clip also gives a vibe of his live shows, which are so much fun.

Here's Susan this year doing a tune from her new album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOtUzj8xI-0 Same outfit she wore when I saw her from the front row this year, it was transcendental watching this beautiful woman in high heels and evening dress rip the shit out of a guitar solo and belt her amazing vocals. And my favorite song of hers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5WqPSDvjoA

I may have a major thing for Susan.

So anyways, there are some links for my previous post.