I have the next part of my list
for you guys but I have to make it quick because I am totally having a Rocky
marathon today in celebration of the release of Rocky Balboa, which,
I will be seeing tomorrow when it hits theaters. Enjoy the list and
take a second to leave some comments!
#20) Crystal Skulls - Outgoing Behaviour
Over the last year Suicide Squeeze has become one of my favorite labels, I
really think that they have a well rounded roster of talented people.
Before I knew who the Crystal Skulls were I saw them at SXSW and I instantly
fell in the love with the song The Cosmic Door. This album is
my favorite kind of indie pop; smart and catchy.
:Crystal Skulls - The Cosmic Door:
#19) Metal Hearts - Socialize
The first time I heard Socialize I was really amazed at how different
it sounded, which, proves my point about Suicide Squeeze and their roster.
I very lightly know Anar and Flora from a few pre/post show chats and they
feel that this disc could have been a lot better than it turned out, it will
be interesting to hear what they sound like when their split with the
Headlights drops next year.
:Metal Hearts - Socialize:
#18) Brand New - The Devil And Go Are Raging Inside Me
It wasn't too many weeks ago where I raved about this band's latest effort
and I still feel very strongly about it after quite a few listens. I
find it incredible that despite extremely high expectations the band still
managed to create their finest album. Most of you have probably heard
something from this by now but just incase you haven't, jump over to
Myspace. I would post up a song here but the last time that
I did Interscope flexed their "Take Down Those Mp3s" muscles.
#17) Murder By Death - In Bocca Al Lupo
I can't say for sure why I never bothered to listen too this band before
this summer but I am more than happy that I finally came around. In
Bocca Al Lupo is a fantastic disc and whenever I hear one note from it I
am forced to listen to all of my favorite tracks on it before I can move
onto anything else. It should also be known that this band puts on a
spectacular live show.
:Murder By Death - Dynamite Mine:
#16) Cursive - Happy Hollow
Who needs Gretta Cohn? Apparently Tim Kasher and Co. don't as they hit
the ground running after her departure with a horn section for Happy
Hollow. It is strange how the band's most socially and politically
charged effort is also their most pop, but I think it was nice to hear Tim
conquer a slightly different sound. It will be interesting to see what
Tim will try on the next Good Life record.
:Cursive - Big Bang:
- Top 5 Break-Ups Of 2006
-
1. Sleater-Kinney
2. Mclusky
3. Grandaddy
4. Death From Above 1979
5. Rainer Maria
It was
extremely sad to see all of the bands on this list decide to
call it quits but it was a sharp punch to the gut to see
Sleater-Kinney go. I only got to see them once and it
just happened to be this year at SXSW, where they opened the
music portion of the week with a splendid two hour
performance that was half their material, half cover songs.
If they really do release a DVD of their final performance,
or at least clips of their performances from year's past, I
will be first in line to pick up a copy.
If I ever make a list of bands that I wish I had know about
before they broke up so that I could have seen them live it
would have Mclusky at the top.
Grandaddy, Death From Above and Rainer Maria were bands that
I felt called it quits before they started mindlessly
pumping out mediocre material and I really respect that they
were able to stop before it was too late.
- Top 5 Artists I Can't Wait To Hear
New Material From In
2007 -
1. The Noisettes
2. The Arcade Fire
3. Why?
4. Explosions In The Sky
5. Mos Def
Sadly I have been listening to random Noisettes' songs for
over a year now and I am fed up with the overly long wait
for their debut full length. Supposedly it will
be dropping early next year and when it does you better
expect to see a very detailed review of it right here.
It's been awhile since Funeral but I am still more
than excited to hear the new Arcade Fire album, here's
hoping it doesn't make the "Most Disappointing' list next
year.
Why? has a sound that no one else does and I think that
their next album is going to be huge.
I have already posted up new material from Explosions In The
Sky and Mos Def but I haven't heard their new albums, both
of which I think will be amazing, in their entirety.
-
John Laird -
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