Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon, 2006
Grandaddy - Check
Pixies - Check
Pavement - Check
Arcade Fire - Check
Memorable Songs? - Um, not really
Mission of Burma - The Obliterati, 2006
I know that I lose a whole hell of a lot of punk rock points for not being enthralled with this band. I mean, I like "Academy Fight Song" as much as the next guy, but there's just something about this band that leaves me cold. Plus, the 20 or so year layoff of the band didn't exactly do any favors to what were already less than stellar voices. Granted, I like plenty of bands that can't sing. However, there's just something about these guys' voices that just don't do anything for me. I love the unassuming nature of this band and everything that they stand for and I don't actively dislike them or anything but I rarely end up in the mood to listen to one of their records, especially the last two. There. I said it.
The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers, 2006
Not the best thing ever as some would lead you to believe. But a pleasant diversion nonetheless. That Jack White has got a bit of talent, doesn't he?
Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies, 2006
Why oh why have I forsaken Dan Bejar for so long? His voice grated on me and his New Pornographers songs were my least favorite. But I began to fall in love with him a little seeing him play with the New Pornos last year as he staggered on stage for his songs, drink in hand. And then this. I love this record. From the ten minute opening "Rubies" to the Neil Young like ending, I can't believe that it has taken me so long to join the Destroyer bandwagon. Fascinating lyrics, guitar solos that aren't wanky, sterling melodies, what else could a Listmaker hope for? Plus, Bejar sports the best hair by volume in all of indie rock.
Irma Thomas - After the Rain, 2006
Irma is getting a lot of press after Hurricane Katrina. I wish her success on this album. But I don't think I'll be grooving to this too much this summer. I'd rather listen to her 60's stuff and leave this one to Letterman.
Calexico - Garden Ruin, 2006
I don't have all of their records but of the ones I have, this one is easily the most "song" oriented. Their time with Sam Beam has obviously paid off in trying to write a more straightforward record from beginning to end. But is that what we want from Calexico? This record is pleasant and good all around. But I like their last record a lot more. This is a nice rainy day listen whereas their last record had more of a get wasted, run around in the desert in the middle of the night, and howl at the moon feel.
Grandaddy - Just Like the Fambly Cat, 2006
I liked this band as much as the next indie rocker back in 1999 but, wow, this band has gone out with a whimper. There are a few okay songs on here but overall, this album is either really boring or the songs are too long, completely bad lyrically (meow, meow, meow?), or just all around not really worth bothering with. Although I do like that in the liner notes, Jason Lyttle mentions bibimbop.
Mates of State - Bring It Back, 2006
This is a band that always has sort of been on the periphery for me of bands that I hadn't really bothered to listen much to. But I gave this new record a shot and lo and behold I liked it. Catchy. I like the keyboards. I've always gotten this band, The Fiery Furnaces, and Quasi all mixed up in my head but this band clearly comes out on top for me now. I like the male-female vocal interplay. Although I did just see an interview with them and they are so damn in love with themselves that it detracts from the record a little. Not necessarily in a Mark Robinson kind of self-love but they clearly think that they are hot shit. Overall, though, I do like this album of fist-pumping jamz for the pocket protector crowd.
Mogwai - Mr. Beast, 2006
I love getting every Mogwai album because I enjoy them all but I don't think I'd ever go out of my way to buy them. Their latest is yet another good one. Some vocals, some loud ass shit that combats my neighbors' salsa parties quite nicely. All in all, I can deal with this album well enough.
Actually Purchased by Youthlarge
Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis, 1969
What is there to say? A classic album. Completely enjoyable. However, I would say that the large amount of bonus tracks is a little overwhelming. I'm a big believer in an extra CD for the bonus tracks. I'd rather have the original 11 tracks by themselves. Oh well, just a small complaint. This is the album Chan Marshall wishes she could make.
Actually Purchased by Me
Sharon Jones and the Dap - Kings - Naturally, 2005
Chris Mooney commented upon receiving Listmaker 2 that he'd like to hear Ms. Jones do some slower jams. Well, here's the album for that. Her version of "This Land is Your Land" is a definite highlight. While neither of her albums quite live up to the live experience, they tide me over quite nicely until the next time I can see her again.
Borrowed and Burned
My Morning Jacket - At Dawn, 2001
I keep defending this band to the likes of Chris Larry but I've got to say -their latest doesn't blow me away and neither does this one. Too fucking long.
Gifts
Stevie Wonder - Pleading Baby Please
Jeremy gave this great Two Cd best of that he put together from his vinyl collection to me awhile back. Youthlarge was listening to it the other day and complained how crappy the sound quality on it is. We have an official best of collection with many of the same songs. However, I trust Jeremy's selection enough to give him the nod over some suit. Yes, it does sound like shit. But so did the sound quality at Memorial Stadium back in the day which half of these songs remind me of. Which makes me sad about how song selection at baseball games these days ain't quite as grand.
I Am an Astronaut
Dance Party With the Brilliant Bugs!
Team Plumley is always good for stellar mix CDs. These two are no exception. The first is a CD that Super Dad made for Phoebe. Great songs like Sam the Sham doing "Old Mcdonald, Toussaint McCall doing "If I Had a Hammer", and James Carr's version of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Dexter Redding, the Harlem Globetrotters, the Who, and the Banana Splits. What more could a kid want besides perhaps her own blog? Youthlarge can't get enough of Little Eva doing "Makin' With the Magilla" and my class became obsessed with the title track, a strange oddity of a song. And you haven't really heard all there is to hear until you hear the Village Soul Choir doing the ABC's. Listen here.
The 2nd CD is one that Amie made for her class as an end of the year gift. Some of the same jams from Phoebe's mix grace this one as well. Plus there are other notable tunes like the song that always get Mooney's ass in a groove ("Let's Dance" - Chris Montez), "Funky Robot" and a song by Sha Na Na!
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8 comments:
Pristine sound quality is overrated. Snaps and pops are where it's at!
Give "At Dawn" some more time. Try enjoying it more as background music on a pleasant night. I know it's long, but it's sooooo good. I like it as much as "It Still Moves". Their new one does suck, though.
listen crispy, i love my snap crackle and pops as much as the next jewrean, but my beef with that mix cd was that DMR will always take to heart the music opinions of everyone else before his wifey. i'm sure he'll chime in and claim i'm slandering him, but he's done this with other records in the past. frankly, i'm just sick of it. :)
crap my original intent was to fawn over dan bejar's new pornographers songs. the jackie series, ballad of a comback kid and testament to youth in verse are some of the best NP songs, period.
youthlarge, i'm not sure how me liking a personalized best of vs. an official best of is me slandering your music tastes.
noiseboy, will do. that is, unless youthlarge tells me to do the same thing.
no darling, you're not slandering me, i'm saying you'll probably say i'm slandering you! this is not about official best of vs. homemade best of. i know you prefer the latter...because you can fit more songs on a disc.
Ooooh Snap!:)
As Youthlarge knows, I get really annoyed by that Dan Bejar song on Electric Version with the "flew into a lesbian rage" line. His voice in that song...myeh. I agree with you, seeing him perform live with them last year made me respect him more and want to like his songs more, and I think I've given them more of a chance. The ones on the newest NPs album are good, but sometimes his voice still grates on me, as does the choppiness of some of his songwriting. But I would like to listen to Destroyer more to see what they're all about. I caught their last 2 or 3 songs that night at Webster Hall when they opened for the NPs and I think I liked what I heard. I'm trying to be open-minded and less judgmental!
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