This is
it! My last music-related post of the year.
All is not lost though, there's still a little gas
in the tank with John Michael's picks scheduled for
posting this weekend. Plus, next week I should
have my favorite films up.
Enjoy.
- 5 Through 1 -
#05) Rodriguez - Cold Fact
At some point long ago I decided that my year-end lists would only ever
include new releases - not mixtapes and/or re-issues. Well, that
mindset has now changed. Forever. I beg you to hit up the Light In The
Attic website for a copy of this album and the amazing story that details
its long journey to recognition. Simply unforgettable.
:Rodriguez
- Sugar Man:
#04) Why? - Alopecia
I can understand if many of just don't find this album appealing. Yoni
Wolf writes in a very collage-like style and the music tends to feel off, so
it can make for a strange listen. Clearly, those are just mere details
to me, but that's because I adore the loads of vivid imagery that they send
my way. Easily the most unique artist that I know of.
:Why
- The Vowels Pt. 2:
#03) Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight
I believe that if there is one album in this world that I'd be willing to
get completely smashed and humiliate myself singing-a-long with in public -
it would be FR's sophomore effort. If you know what's good for you
then you'll quickly run out, buy this, fall in love with it as much as I
have and then totally beat me to the drunken punch.
:Frightened
Rabbit - The Modern Leper:
#02) Black Mountain - In The Future
As I noted when they came in at the very top of my favorite songs list -
Black Mountain rock. More specifically, they rock in a way that
doesn't sound like it belongs in a frat house or an arena. For those
of you who have yet to experience the force that is In The Future,
get ready to have your breath taken away and your ears blown out.
:Black
Mountain - Tyrants:
#01) Thao Nguyen And The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings
And All
After all the rambling I've done about Thao, Willis and Adam this year
there's a part of me that really wants to just type "It's So Good" and then
leave it at that. But, for those who may not be aware of this act, I
will point out that this is one of my favorite records of all time - not
just 2008 - and that I think Thao is one of the best songwriters working
right now. Now excuse me, I need another listen.
:Thao
Nguyen And The Get Down Stay Down - Bag Of Hammers:
To prove my
blogging mightiness, I sent an email over to the recipient
of my Top Album Of 2008 Award and demanded that they say
thanks. Fortunately, Thao, Willis and Adam obliged in
the best way that they knew how - with sheer brilliance.
Read on like there's no tomorrow.
SideoneTrackone enthusiasts:
The Get Down Stay Down and myself write to you from a Best
Western in Mcminnville, Oregon, in which we are passing a
late evening on our mini northwest tour. Sorry we
couldn't join you by satellite, it is being fixed.
We are honored and honestly very pleasantly surprised that
our friend and employee John Laird has bestowed upon us such
a prestigious number. John has been incredibly
supportive of our album throughout the year and has outshone
several of our closest family members in his efforts on our
behalf. As a band we'd like to thank producer Tucker
Martine, manager Slim Moon, record label Kill Rocks Stars,
fast food empires Biscuitville and Biscuit World, blog czar
John Laird, Frank Stewart, our Austin family Dan and Jenny
and Mia Corbin and Leah Manners, our biological families and
friends and people who thank a lot of people in one sentence
because they make it acceptable to do so.
Individual Thanks:
Adam 'The OK BIRD' Thompson: Dog the Bounty Hunter for his
words of wisdom and backhanded methods for converting
sinners to Christianity. Tony! Toni! Tone! Bats.
Willis "Eyes Wide:" Thompson: Santana. Pinklewiffers (our
English tour manager). Meg Ryan.
Thao Nguyen: The Miami Dolphins (especially Dan Marino),
Levar Burton (only on Reading Rainbow, NOT on Star Trek) My
mom when she tells me I should go into hip-hop instead.
- John Laird -
Unless
otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any
related pages, including the blog's archives, is licensed by
John Laird under a
Creative Commons License.
