I may have slacked writing about the new music in 2008, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t listening to it. You didn’t honestly think I’d miss out on my end of the year list, did you? Not to say the music that came out in 2008 wasn’t worth a listen, but I feel it was a lackluster year. This year there was no clear cut number 1. After careful evaluation, I feel we have a winner.  That’s enough blabbing, let’s start this hush puppy.

#25: Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours

I have a feeling I’m going to regret putting this one so low on the list. I just started listening to it the other day, and I already love it. I felt it had to be added, and in a month I will probably want it to be in the top 10, but for now it will stay down here. A very happy, mellow synth pop album.

Cut Copy - Feel the Love

#24: Wolf Parade – At Mt Zoomer

A decent follow up to the astonishing debut, Mt Zoomer doesn’t venture far from the original formula. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes this one sound different. More keys and less rock, maybe?

Wolf Parade - California Dreamer

#23: Vampire Weekend

One of the three overnight successes on the list, Vampire Weekend went from college radio favorite to SNL music guests in what seemed like a week. Very short, catchy, alternative indie rock. Though the album makes my list their concert was nothing short of terrible, which is honestly why I put them at the bottom. For months I was dancing around to this. Then once I saw them on stage singing their songs with about as much enthusiasm as a 90 year old man on an oxygen machine, I ran away and never looked back. I have seen well over 100 bands in my lifetime and I have never walked out on a show. Except this one. From the most horrifying Alkaline Trio set to the laziest drunken Conor Oberst masacre, I sat through the entire set hoping it would turn around. After 3 Vampire Weekend songs, I fought my way through the thick crowd as fast as I could before my ears bled. Do yourself a favor. Buy the cd, don’t buy the ticket.

Vampire Weekend - Campus

#22: Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

The Icelandic groups new direction towards poppy, radio friendly tunes is refreshing. Does it compare to their previous works? Not in the least. It is something completely separate from their older albums. While this album lacks the spacey drawn out climaxes it does have a lot to offer. It has some really good tracks. It also has some really boring ones. Pretty hit or miss.

Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook

#21: Crystal Castles

Super duper synth happy edge from Toronto. There is a line that gets crossed where there is too much synthesizers, making the album sound like its trying too hard. Crystal Castles go far beyond that line and I have no complaints. Pretty bad ass.

Crystal Castles - Alice Practice

#20: Ruby Suns – Sea Lion

If you live in a tropical humid climate such as New Zealand, these reggae-ish  grooves are sure to make your day a bit breezy. Also works great if you’re trying to sell a crummy computer operating system (they sing the windows vista song)

Ruby Suns - There Are Birds

#19: Los Campesinos – Hold On Now, Youngster…

Los Campesinos (the farmers or the peasants)  put out a hell of a good time debut album. First time we played it at the house, everyone made it about 2 minutes in before we all started dancing around the house.

Los Campesinos = You, Me, Dancing!

#18: Hazelwood Motel

A local Seattle lo-fi folk band. The lead singer has a kick ass daughter in my school. Really chilled stuff. If you put Bon Iver on your best of 08 list, you should listen to Hazelwood Motel.

Hazelwood Motel = Break Myself in Two

#17.5: Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts

I was writing the review for #8 when I remember this album came out in 08. I didn’t feel like reordering the whole list, so Cloud Cult sneaks in at 17.5. Similar to 8, but not as emotional and powerful, Ghosts still features Craig Minowa doing what he does best. He puts together beautiful melodies crafted with his incredible words and voice. Last years #1 slides down a few notches, but not in my heart.

#17: No Age – Nouns

It was a warm summer day. I heard a song on KEXP that made my neck ache from my bobbing head. The DJ says the band is playing in the parking lot that night. I convince my roommate to tag along. We get right in front, and I swear to god I’ve never been to a louder show. You’d think the drummer guitarist duo would be old by now. Not with these 2 guys. They have such a dynamic sound, not to mention their noise punk is incredibly fun to listen to. One more reason to check em, they signed to Sub Pop.

No Age - Eraser

#16: French Kicks – Swimming

Swimming is an energetic, melodic indie rock album that is a great listen from start to finish.

French Kicks - Abandon

#15: TV on the Radio – Dear Science,

Brooklyn in the house again. What do you call it? Art rock? Punk? Jazz? Indietronica? Experimental? When it all boils down, TVOTR rolls everything into another grand album. Don’t get caught up in the buzz though. Although Dear Science seems to be an unanimous choice for album of the year from likes of The LA Times, The NY Times, Rolling Stone and Spin, there are definitely better all around albums out there.

Tv on the Radio - DLZ

#14: Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

Overnight success number two and another popular choice for #1 makes it surprisingly low on my list. Bon Iver hits really close to David Gray’s “Lost Songs” on his debut album. He made it in 4 months secluded in a cabin in the middle of Wisconsin. His hit “Skinny Love” was the first thing to catch my ear. Before I even had a chance to enjoy it, I was hearing it everywhere. Shopping malls,  commercial radio, and the worst… Grey’s Anatomy. And yet, I still listen to it. It has yet to get old for me. A very somber, quiet album with well written lyrics, For Emma is sure to hit the heart.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

#13: Fuck Buttons – Street Horrrsing

If Explosions in the Sky traded in their guitars and bought synths and keys, this is what it would sound like. This experimental noise album completely took my by surprise. You wouldn’t think that an album with distorted screaming and abrasive droning would have beautiful melodies with it as well. A great listen from start to finish. A killer opener in “Sweet Love for Planet Earth”.

Fuck Buttons - Ribs

#12: Atlas Sound – Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel

What a great year for the Atlanta singer Bradford Cox who has the honor of making my list twice this year. I’m sure somewhere he is extremely happy. First with his solo project Atlas Sound. Cox reserves his more emotional side for Atlas Sound, where he portrays his inner self amidst a battering of drones, synths, melodies and beats that are just as addicting as his words. The ambient electro album is breathtaking. From the glockenspiels in the opener and closer to the chilling ice picks in “Cold as Ice” and mesmerizing bass line in “Bite Marks”, ‘Let the Blind’ is a truly emotional album.

Atlas Sound - Recent Bedroom

#11: Black Kids – Partie Traumatic

I love Black Kids. I want to marry Black Kids. I love the way their hair is all over the place. I especially love their sound. Their happy voices. The way they make you want to move your body none stop. The way they want to party all the time. The way they love fried chicken. That’s all I can say, I love Black Kids. Oh, the band is pretty good too.

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You

#10: The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely

If I remember correctly, I swore to never right another review praising Jack White. So until he disappoints, I’m gonna stick to my word.

The Raconteurs - Five on the Five

#9: The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead

The Portland band breaks away from their electronic mold and dive head first into the indie scene, and succeed. This album came into my life at just the perfect time. I especially enjoyed the first track. Here it is.

The Helio Sequence - Lately

#8: The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

Since I moved to Seattle, I have met over a dozen people from Minneapolis. All of them are either;  1. alcoholic party animals. 2. in love with music. 3. Minnesota freaks. or 4. alcoholic party animals. Which might explain why The Hold Steady are the perfect background noise to any house party or bar. Love him or hate him, Craig Finn can rock the roof off of any venue in the states. With his fast paced Springsteen tracks to his slow, moving ballads, you can’t help but sing along. Especially if it’s a block party in the middle of Capitol Hill and PBR’s are only $2 a pop. The new album keeps the good times rolling.

The Hold Steady - Sequestered In Memphis

#7: Fleet Foxes

Seattle band makes it big with their Sub Pop release. Very rustic and almost poppy at times, the 5-some  offer harmonizing folk at its best. Move over Crosby Stills and Nash.

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

#6: M83 – Saturdays=Youth

I was at a party with a bunch of Natropathic Doctor students. The macbook was hooked to the stereo, and the house was playing really good tunes. Costello, Mingus, Pixies, they were going all over the board, in a good way. Curious Dave walks over to the laptop to start looking around. I respect the dudes playlist, but snoop through it to see if I can sneak in a song or two without them noticing. He has some 80’s tunes coming up. Once they came on everyone started dancing, so i thought this would be my opportunity. I sit there and wait for the perfect time. I can’t remember what I worked it in between, but I threw “Kim and Jesse” on. The guy comes over, “Dude, don’t mess wi…. Who is this?”. I’m like “It’s M83, let the one song play and I’ll walk away”. He let me have my moment.

When you name your band after a spiral galaxy, you have an astronomical shoe to fill (maybe I’ve been working on this too long, but I thought that was hysterical). Saturdays=Youth is mind blowing. The whole album is gently spoken lyrics on top of long bits of droning instrumentals. It’s the definition of the genre shoegaze, and after you get past the moments of Tears for Fears similarities, something will happen and you’ll go head over heels (ok, it’s a proven fact now…I’m funny). It’s a can’t miss for 2008.

M83 - Kim and Jesse

#5: Hot Chip – Made in the Dark

I first discovered this band at Coachella 07. My friends and I had never heard them, but we wanted to see Peter Bjorn and John who was playing after them on the same stage. We lit a spliff and waited to see what they were going to sound like. After the show, all of our jaws were dropped. Astonishing. Sadly I forgot to grab their album when I got back. That is until this bad boy came out. It rekindled everything I had experienced at Coachella. Dreamy, dance electropop with a touch of heart. If you’re not dancing all over the living room, you are chilled out singing along with Alexis Taylor’s magical voice. Pick it up.

Hot Chip - Shake a Fist

#4: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

He wasted the hype he built up for himself a few years back by drinking himself into a stupor. Now, he’s trying to save face. Fortunately for him, he went above and beyond saving face. His experimental folk album has sparked a new hope that Miles just might be all he was cracked up to be. His words, his voice, and his melodies are perfectly executed throughout the entire album. The first track is by far the most powerful, not to say the rest of it is a waste. He follows his power ballad with a few more energetic tunes, then cools off to reveal his smooth side. Was a tough contender for a higher spot. Here is the first track.

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfied

#3: MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Overnight success number 3 on the list. I was fortunate to have KEXP show me these guys. I was spreading the wealth of Electric Feel to everyone I know, and everyone ate it up. Then bam, these guys are on every festival circuit, every late night tv show, and all over every radio station. Sometimes, that can be enough to make one sour up to a band. However these guys are too addicting to hate. Their psychedelic, electronic synth pop is hard to resist. They are the songs you find yourself whistling in the bathroom or singing out loud on the bus with you headphones on. You can’t resist. And unlike a different overnight success mentioned…buy the album AND the ticket. What a show.

MGMT - Pieces of What

#2: Deerhunter – Microcastle

Bradford Cox makes his second appearance on my list with his shoegaze minimalist garage rock band Deerhunter. It was extremely difficult to give this album the 2 spot. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a toss up. Alas, I have to pick one. It has so many amazing songs to offer. So many in fact, that it didn’t leave my stereo for months. Which is why I made it number 2. The number one album still hasn’t left my stereo. Both are in heavy rotation on a continual basis, however as much as I listen to Microcastle, I listen to #1 even more…

Deerhunter - Never Stops

#1: Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight

This hard working Scottish indie band gets the nod at number 1 spot. The album starts off with a huge bang in “Modern Leper” and doesn’t let up. Every song has a line or two worthy of quoting. I’m losing my steam in the final stretch here.  Midnight Organ Fight is a very dynamic, intelligent album. In a year of mediocracy, it was nice to have such a stand out album from a band I’d never heard of before.

Frightened Rabbit - I Feel Better

That takes care of that. I swear I’ll try to get on here more than once in 2009. Hope you are all doing well where ever you are. Take care.

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Wow, it has been an eternity since I’ve last written. I can only assume you’ve all been holding your breath awaiting my return. I certainly know a lot of you have been bitching about me never finishing my best of 2007 list. Well that’s exactly what I came here to do today. Since I was lazy and never finished writing it out, I’m just gonna post the list as is so we can get moving towards newer music. Without further ado, the top 10 albums of 2007…finally.

10. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

9. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

8. Elliott Smith – New Moon

7. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

6. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

5. Pela – Anytown Graffiti

4. Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

3. The National – Boxer

2. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

And the Best Album of 2007 is…or was, I guess…

1. Cloud Cult – The Meaning of 8

Now that that’s out of the way, lets get back to some new music. New post coming this weekend jam packed with music… stay tuned

11. Peter Bjorn and John – Writers Block

This album was released over seas last year while I was writing my Best of 2006 list. I wanted to include it, but knew it was going to be in the states soon, so it would have to wait for ’07. At that time, I was hard pressed to think that I would find an album that would surpass it in 2007. Unfortunately, my prediction was wrong, as this was a great year for music. That doesn’t change the fact that this album is astonishing. It probably has the best opener of all the albums on this list. “Detects on my Affection” was my anthem when I first moved to Seattle. The chorus was on the same level as my mind was at that point in time. It is amazing in the fact that if it were any other song, it would have been worn out completely. I can’t count the number of times I have heard it. Yet every time I do I go crazy like it was the first time. I wish the whole album was like that, but when you can’t flip through the stations or browse the internet without hearing the contagious whistling of “Young Folks”, it makes it hard not to get sick of it. I gotta give it to the Swedish trio for making a song that catchy though. As a whole, this album has a lot of gems including my favorite “Up Against the Wall”. If you haven’t heard of any of the tracks I listed off in this review, check out any one of them for guaranteed enjoyment.

Every year I give my top albums of the year. This time I wanted to change it up a bit. Along with my top picks, I’ll be giving you some of my friends top picks as well. 4 music guru’s whose taste and standards in music are as far fetched as mine.

Our first guest is a 23 year old college grad student who goes by the name Jesse Jeffers. He has written guest spots on ALFDTR before. Being the busy grad student he is, he couldn’t find the time to do a write up, so he just sent us his list this time.

Jesse Jeffers Top 10 of 2007

10. White Stripes – Icky Thump

9. Elliott Smith – New Moon

8. Modest Mouse – We were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

7. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

6. Peter Bjorn and John – Writers Block

5. Apples in Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder

4. Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

3. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

2. The Weakerthans – Reunion Tour

1. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

Peffers Top 10 of 2007

10. Maximo Park – Our Earthly Pleasures

9. Yeasayer – All Hour Cymbals (side note: Peffer never sent me this album even though he knew I was dying to hear it. So it didn’t make my list)

8. Ha Ha Tonka – Buckle in the Bible Belt

7. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

6. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

5. Cloud Cult – The Meaning of 8

4. The National – Boxer

3. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

2. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare

The answer would be yes, I did. The Seattle based 5 some really do rock it in their debut LP. Lastly, we have a 17 year old high school kid living the dream. Sick of the world, this kid finds every little band worth a listen thats under the radar.

Dylan’s Top 3 of 2007

3. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

Arcade Fire’s second album is markedly different from its more secluded predecessor: On Neon Bible, the band looks within their concerns more worldly than familial, and their sound more malevolent than pure. Angry, embittered, and paranoid, but often generously empathetic in their points of view, with multiple targets of cry-out such as the government, the church, the military, the entertainment industry, and even the basest instincts of the common man.

While the group’s us-against-the-world stance occasionally comes off as slightly self-righteous or reactionary, their critical perspective gives weight and direction to their nervy earnestness: If Funeral captured the evils of personal pain, Neon Bible sounds large enough to take on the whole world.

2. Ours to Alibi – Beacons

They’re a five-man mostly-instrumental indie rock group from Atlanta. Their atmospheric sounds and tri-force of guitar experimentalism is at times reminiscent to Texas favorite Explosions in the Sky, only with a little Sigur Rós-style guitar bowing. With no label support yet, they just released their second full-length, Beacons. Sometimes on the record, the group needs more than a few minutes to get across what they’re trying to say, or play. Occasionally, they need 15 minutes or more. Guitars layer and intertwine like a thick rope made of smaller cords wrapping around each other and extending up, straight up.

“These Roots are Anchors” off the latest recording is one of those rare tracks on the record that features vocals. The words are wispy and smoky and are completely overshadowed by the rising wail of guitar bowing and picks. The somber sound turns triumphant, and at this point the distant yells are barely audible over the resonating guitars. “The Dirt is a Womb” brings an ethereal feeling via guitar hums and twinkles, drum taps, and xylophone. Ours to Alibi’s skillful sculpting of layered instrumental ambience is perfect for daily life soundtracks or losing yourself in the absence of syntax.

Little known fact, my friend Travis Shockely designed the album cover.

1. Circa Survive – On Letting Go

Not an entirely new sound for veteran musicians Circa survive, but definitely another great release. Still writing tracks that sound like they could well be Juturna b-sides. Cuts like “Living Together,” “On Letting Go,” “Close Your Eyes to See,” and “Your Friends Are Gone” all center around the blaring siren-like guitar wails, crackling percussion, and hypnotic vocals we have been exposed to thus far. Which any fan of the band would say to be amazing and is indeed no shame at all but nevertheless, a trait that will frustrate casual listeners looking for further experimentations into their sound rather than following previously blazed trails.

While similarity is indeed present, it does not overwhelm On Letting Go, as Circa still manages to break out of the mold they otherwise cast for themselves. This is most notable on tracks like “In the Morning and Amazing,” a prog-anthem that rockets out of the gate on a furious riff and pulsing drum lines, or the shimmering “The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose” – the closest thing to a pop song the band has written, which still manages to juggle random, irreverent lyrics, thoughtful instrumentation, and believe it or not, the type of massive hook notably absent from Juturna. The same type of pop-flirtation peeks out on “Travel Hymn” – a bouncy, mid-tempo song and “Carry Us Away” – a more spacey tune whose lonely verses converge and swell into epic chorus arrangements. These tracks do not, however, signify the band pandering to the mainstream throughout, as they test even their own boundaries on other tracks yet. From the funky verse breakdowns of “Mandala” to the concussive guitar blitz of “Semi-Constructive Criticism,” new territory is explored, and opens the door for the magnificent “Kicking Your Crosses Down.” Arguably the most ambitious track the band has penned to date, the song combines lonely, melodic guitar notes over a pressing drum pulse to underscore Green’s otherworldly, sensual delivery – ingredients which are all shaken and stirred into an urgent, theatrical, and almost sunny chorus.

While we (society) become more and more like a child afflicted with ADD, it is refreshing to see bands like Circa Survive return to give us music that hooks us early, but still rewards us each time we come back. On Letting Go might not be the game-changer that Juturna was, but it is still an inviting exhibition by one of the scene’s most talented bands honing its skill sets. Pick this album up, and listen to it ten times before you make your judgment on it – if you do not find something new to love on each spin, you are not listening hard enough. All in all, when the record is finished, it sounds like Circa Survive picked just the right time to let go.

That sums up the Ears We Trust segment. I think this was a great way to get some diversity on the site. Thanks to everyone for getting your picks in and writing a little. In a few hours I’ll be posting my top 25 of 2007…so stay tuned.

Talk about long time no see. It’s been months since I have been free/motivated enough to write. In fact, I wouldn’t even say I’m either of those right now, but there has been so much beautiful noise going through my stereo that I haven’t shared with you, and that needs to change. My best of 2007 list is right around the corner and I’m sure I will be plenty busy putting that together and writing it all out, but I need to get a post on here before that. So I’m just going to take a few minutes to give you a low down of what’s been going in my ears as of late.

Sam Beam has released a magnificent album under the stage name Iron and Wine. The Shepherd’s Dog was released late September. If you are familiar with Iron and Wine, you will be very happy to hear what I’m about to say. Beam has pulled off a magnificent transition from the traditional, simple folk that his fans have come to love into these sophisticated, intricate folk tunes that are almost too pleasing to the ears. Folk is tricky, especially in this day in age when it is almost necessary to branch out of your shell and expand. Beam really stepped outside of the box on this one. The music is flowing and involved, but not to the point where you have to listen over and over again to hear what’s going on. Instead, you’ll be listening over and over again to be captured in its melodies. The Shepherd’s Dog is a very big leap in the right direction for this folk genius and will definitely make the best of 2007 list.

Iron and Wine – Boy with a Coin

Iron and Wine – House by the Sea

A lo-fi experiment out of Toronto has caught me ear lately. Their name, Holy Fuck, which has already caused problems for them in many aspects, is one reason I had to check them out. The only upsetting thing about this band is the fact that Coachella refuses to add them to the line up for 2008 because of their name. Lame, I know. Their music is very fast paced, and studies have shown it can cause seizures. As long as you’re not afraid to shake it on the floor, this band is for you. It’s abrasive to the max, and what makes is so great is that they don’t use a single computer. There is no looping, no programmed backing beats, no splicing, no laptops, none of that easy to use DJ shit that can turn your average 18 year old geek into a superstar these days. These guys work hard to make the sound they do, and it’s a job well done. The melodies are poetic, and it’s so easy to get entranced by their sound. It’s not overdone and there is no filler at all (the album is 9 songs, none of which are over 6 minutes). I strongly recommend them.

Holy Fuck – Lovely Allen

Holy Fuck – Royal Gregory

Pinback released their 4 album, Autumn of the Seraphs, on September 11. I was only vaguely familiar with their 04 release, but I knew I liked them enough to check out their newest release. This very much keeps with the Pinback style I remember; however this album has a few more gems for me. An overall good listen, but it’s the tracks that stand out the most that make this album so special.

Pinback – Good to Sea

Pinback – Walters

That should hold you over until the best of 2007 list comes out. Take care.

KEXP has done it again. The 5^th Annual BBQ was a complete success. All the bands put on incredible sets. Seattle natives The Blakes kicked things off. With the sun shining early on, it was nice to hear some rock and roll to get the party started. To quote Iggy Pop, “Who are these guys? This shit is great!” (Iggy wasn’t at the BBQ, but the quote was at their merchandise stand and I thought it was funny). They rocked the stage, and then proceeded to the 21+ section to get their drink on with the fans.

They were followed by a newer Seattle band known as The Cave Singers. I used the beginning of this set to go get in line for a burger, but wow did their sound blow me away. The lead singer, if you can twist this one up in your head, is an incredible cross between David Gray and Bob Dylan. His voice is marvelous. It was positively captivating. Their unique anti-climactic, down to the bare necessities sound filled the whole park with music. It’s always a nice treat to be taken back by one of the bands you thought of missing out on.

It only got crazier from there. The Brooklyn based Pela got on stage for what was undoubtedly the hardest rocking set of the night (note that Cloud Cult doesn’t really “Rock”). Their album, Anytown Graffiti, has been growing on me more and more with every listen. It’s a very powerful, moving album. And their show was tight. The people that knew the music, young and old, were enjoying every bit of it. And the people that didn’t I’m sure took note of how great the sound was. Strongly recommend this group.

Pela – Lost to the Lonesome 

Pela – Drop Me Off

The Blue Scholars are the best hip hop duo to ever come out of Seattle. Mostly due to the fact that I’m pretty sure they are the ONLY hip hop duo in Seattle. None the less, their music is great. The whole crowd loved their single “Back Home”, a song entirely about our troops and how they belong at home with their families and not dying across sea’s to make the CEO of Exxon Mobil a qua-trillionaire. They played a nice long set that was accompanied by an 8-piece band.

Apparently Geologic thinks I’m a loser.

Then there was Cloud Cult. This band has been an major part of my car stereo selection over the past few months. Their album “The Meaning of *” is both poignant and contagious. Their live show was just the same. Hitting some classic’s from the Happy Hippo album, they branched out for a diversity of songs, but also played a lot of the tunes that made us fall for them. They played a cute version of “Pretty Voice” in the beginning and one hell of a rocking closer in “Take Your Medicine”. Overall, this BBQ was great. Red Hook was there to provide the brews which were nice and cold on our 65 degree August day. The crowd was social, maybe a little too social for those who were there to enjoy the music, but everyone had a smile on their face so I guess that’s saying something. This was my first KEXP event, and you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be at the next.

I get excited for upcoming releases all the time. Honestly, I think this has topped the list for me. One of the most moving bands in music today, Sigur Ros, with their epic masterpieces that force soothing visuals through your speakers and into your shut eyelids, are releasing both a DVD and a double disc album on November 5^th. If ever there was a band that deserved to release a live DVD, it is Sigur Ros. Taking place in several scenic venues (and by venues, I mean houses, fields, and streets) in their home of Iceland, the DVD captures where the visions for their glamorous music originated. I have praised this band before (#2 best of 2005 review) and will continue to do so until they stop giving me goosebumps. The double disc is just as exciting. The first disc containing 3 unreleased tracks and a revamped version of the single “Von” from their debut. The second disc is probably going to be the more interesting as the band experiments with acoustic ballads of 6 of their works. I may forget birthdays, or first names, but rest assured I will not forget what will be in stores November 5^th. Just a little more to get you pumped up, below is a video from a track off of their 2005 release Takk called “Glosoli”. One of my favorite songs from the band. Enjoy.

I cherish the fact that other people turn me on to music. Friends, strangers, DJ’s, record store employees, everyone has an opinion when it comes to what to listen to. I think it says something about my character that I am able to believe in other people’s opinions and ultimately let them effect what I am going to be listening to. It’s like a music community. If someone recommends a band to me I more often than not will go out and look the band up. If someone, especially strangers, feels so touched by a band that they have the balls to recommend them to a perfect stranger, then it must be worth at least one listen. That is why I take this blog so seriously. I feel like this is my little gift to that music community. My recommendation. For a while there I lost touch. I got too caught up in trying to find the next best thing and it became this overwhelming task that drained all the fun out of writing. I want to get back to what I loved about this blog, recommending albums that mean something to me. It didn’t take long for this blog to turn into every other blog. That needs to stop. Sure, I’ll still write about new bands and albums, but I need to put my focus back on what matters to me. I needed a list. I needed something that would force me to write something longer than a few paragraphs. Something that would make me think. Here I present to you my Favorite 20 Debut Albums. These are all debuts that I personally recommend. Some of them didn’t start a musical revolution, some of them wouldn’t make a Rolling Stones list, but they are my favorites. Enjoy.

20: Deftones – Adrenaline (1995)

The American hard rocker’s first proper album was dynamite. I didn’t get into at the time of its release, but it is my favorite of the Deftones collection and one of the best debut albums to come from the 90’s. Chino’s intelligent poetry is delivered with such a heavy alternative sound that it is hard for one to turn away.

19: The Strokes – Is This It? (2001) (RS #367)

The first gem of the “The” bands, The Strokes put out this post garage punk hit in 2001. This was one album that really got me back into music. It was the fiery guitars and pondering lyrics that roll smoothly throughout the album that really got me hooked. It received plenty of deserved radio play with tracks like “Last Nite”, “Hard to Explain” and “Someday”. The Strokes debut was a sure fire indie hit to start of the millennium. . It was even ranked in Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums of all time list (#367). This band’s career has really taken off since 2001 with a sophomore album that just topped this one and a third highly anticipated album that didn’t score so highly in my book but was still considered a hit.

18: Pete Yorn – Musicforthemorningafter (2001)

Few artists have taken over my stereo like Pete Yorn did in 2002. For almost a year I considered this debut to be my favorite album of all time. Now obviously I never made an official list, and if I did this album would definitely not be at the top, but considering it never left my stereo and it was all I talked about, at the time it only seemed right to give it that title. Pete’s debut hits nearly every emotion on the human emotion spectrum. What makes Music for the Morning After so unique is that there isn’t a single song that isn’t worth listening to. Yorn’s career has blossomed into that of a talented, respected singer songwriter. His sophomore album Day I Forgot really showcased his growth as both a person and a musician.

17: The Beta Band – The 3 EP’s (1998)

Combining all the tracks from their first 3 EP’s, The Beta Band’s properly titled debut 3 EP’s is considered their first studio album. Though the band has been quoted as calling the album “fucking awful”, it has been hailed as one of the best British albums of all time. One of my first reviews was on this album, you can check it out here.

16: The Shins – Oh, Inverted World (2001)

Still reaping in the benefits of Zach Braff’s film “Garden State”, the Portland based Shins have taken off into mainstream stardom after the movie claimed their music has the ability to “change your life”. After 3 albums this debut is the best example of the Shins in their purest form. A simple, sunshine pop album that really delivers.

15: Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)

As my grandfather would say, “If you looked shit up in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Pearl Jam in the right hand column.” Although the Seattle band jumped on the grunge bandwagon, their twelve times platinum debut is hard to argue against. I really didn’t want to add this album to the list. Eddie Vedder is an arrogant, conceited prick and his music hasn’t been the same since Vitalogy in ’94. But you can’t deny that while his band may suck, this album started the 90’s in the right direction. Every now and then I’ll hear “Alive” on the radio and I’ll leave it on the station just because I am lazy. Then after the singing stops and the jamming begins, I remember how much the album meant to me back in the day. This may be low on the list to some of you, but this list is the best debut albums that launched the band in the right direction. And though this album may have been damn near perfect in its day, the band didn’t make the magic last very long, yet they still put music out and that my friends, loses you points in my book.

14: NIN – Pretty Hate Machine (1989)

Did you know that Trent Reznor was a janitor at a studio in Cleveland and when the building was down he would use the recording equipment to record what would turn out to be his magnificent debut Pretty Hate Machine? This dark 3 times platinum debut would turn out to be the first of over 18 albums in NIN’s Halo series. Talk about starting a career on the right foot.

13: G.Love and Special Sauce (1994)

This summer time favorite of mine hasn’t lost its shine for me. I still put this album in and listen to it like it was just released last year.

12: Led Zepplin – I (1969) (RS #29)

11: Elliott Smith- Roman Candle (1994)

This album, made in a friends basement, was never meant to be heard by anyone. Yet here it sits on the brink of the top 10 debut albums. If Elliott were still around, he would be so proud. If you want the real review, check it out here.

10: The Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)

Really picking up the slack of the Art rock movement and carrying it all on their shoulders, this Canadian band really pulled out a masterpiece in their 2004 debut. This list was meant to showcase debuts that have launched a bands career in the right direction. I say you know you’re going in the right direction when your face is on the cover of Time Magazine (deduct points for it being Time Magazine the Canadian version). I doubt Funeral let any of it’s listeners down. Full of organs, accordions, and expressive lyrics, this album, once absorbed, conveys the sorrows of death in an extraordinary way. It took me a while to really get the magic of this band. It didn’t hit me until I received a DVD bootleg in a trade a while back. The Arcade Fire put on such an enchanting show. It is hard to look away when there is so much emotion on stage. That is when I went back to the album and actually gave it the honest listen it deserved. It blew me away. I couldn’t believe I had passed up on the band the first time around. Now, it is an album that I make sure is always near in case I need to “Wake Up”.

9: Coldplay – Parachutes (2000)

This somber debut was a blessing in disguise. When I first picked it up, I half expected it to be a one hit wonder. A friend burned this album for me as soon as he got it because he couldn’t take his headphones off. I was overindulged in Dave Matthews for years and it was time to start branching out again and I liked the single I was hearing on the radio, so I gave it a shot. “Yellow” was all over the radio in a hurry and I half anticipated the album to bomb under my standards. I knew right away I was wrong. It’s eerie, slow paced, and kind of depressing, and I loved every minute of it. From “Shiver” to “Everything’s Not Lost”, this album did more than spark something in me, it sparked something in millions of others around the world. This album won the Best Alternative Album Grammy and The Best British Album from the BRIT Awards. Today, the band is compared to U2 on a daily basis. They have 2 other solid studio albums after Parachutes that are both critically acclaimed and soar in my book. I think Parachutes certainly gave them a nice plateau to start from.

8: Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairytales (2000)

Looking at all these debut dates, I’m starting to realize that the start of the new millennium was a monumental period of my musical journey. I was certain my list was going to be filled with 90’s bands, but looking at it I am glad I have a diverse selection. This pick, however, could be argued. I am sure it would not be worthy of such a spot on most people’s lists but to me, this album was a significant part of my growing up. I was driving to the Adirondacks to go camping for the weekend with a friend. He only had a few cd’s with him. We were both Dave Matthews buffs so we listened to him for a while and talked about the concerts. Then he popped this in. Our conversation only lasted a few minutes longer before we both shut up and just listened to the sandy guitar and Jack’s poetry. I was blown away. We literally listened to Brushfire Fairytales the entire weekend. When I came home it was all I could think about. When an album takes over your entire thought process for an entire weekend, it definitely has to rank up there. Now, it is a campfire sing along favorite.

7: Ben Harper – Welcome to the Cruel World (1994)

You’ll notice that a lot of these albums were recommended to me from someone else. Ben Harper is one act I discovered for myself. I saw him perform at my very first concert (which ironically was the last HORDE Festival in 1998). I didn’t run out and get his music right away, but I never forgot the name. I never did get into a Harper “phase” either. I can’t explain it. Once I started listening to him I just connected with him so much that I didn’t feel the need to over do it. I listened to him on a regular basis for a long time. All of his albums mean something different to me but his debut was the first one I got. It was stolen in the locker incident freshman year (someone broke into my locker and stole my cd wallet…it’s never been the same since) but I picked it up years later. He had a band on this album, but mostly it is just Harper doing his acoustic folk thing that is so moving. He sings like Martin Luther King with a guitar. Definitely launched Harper in the right direction and personally one of my favorite artists of all time.

6: The Beastie Boys – License to Ill (1986)

This 9 times platinum album started it all. The sampling, the partying, the remixes, the instrumentals, the punk, the hip hop, everything. What these three white boys have done with their careers is nothing less than brilliant. No other album on this list started a livelier, more vigorous career than this one did. If you were alive in the 80’s you’ve heard of the Beastie Boys. Nearly the entire album has had some kind of radio play over their 20 years since it has been released. For me it started my Beastie devotion back in middle school. This is certainly not my favorite album from the band (Paul’s Boutique) but it established their spot on the hip hop world.

5: Rage Against the Machine (1992) (RS#368)

A Guest Review From the Biggest Rage Fan on Earth: Jesse James Jeffers

Furious. Unrelenting. Extremely fucking loud and unapologetic. This self-titled 1992 debut album from a then-burgeoning Social rock powerhouse is in-your-face before you even put it in stereo, with the infamously graphic 1963 photo of a Buddhist monk burning himself to death in protest on the cover. If that isn’t fair warning for what awaits inside the CD case, I can’t think of what would be, given the “Burn, burn” hook in the opener “Bombtrack. The album’s most well-known release, “Killing in the Name,” features the definitive line of the band’s discography when Zack de la Rocha launches into a frenzied chant of “Fuck you, I won’t do what ya tell me.” However, for my money, the album’s claim to this list is firmly established by the tracks “Bullet in the Head” and “Know Your Enemy.” Not only does each of these songs showcase the talents of bassist Tim Commerford and guitarist Tom Morello, respectively, but they are also de la Rocha’s most inspired lyrical deliveries of what has to be one of the most-thoughtful and well-composed debuts in the past 20-plus years. Other hits “Wake Up” and “Freedom” would be top singles off of most albums, yet really are relegated to being gravy on top of a delicious plate of thunderous political rock. New hard rock acts could learn many lessons about genuine anger – and for that matter music – from a debut like this.

Bullet in the Head

4: Weezer (1994) (RS#297)

Ahh yes, Weezer. The first emo kids to pick up guitars and bitch about sex, dungeons and dragons, and lesbians. This album is more than just a good debut. It is holy. I flip through my collection and every time I see it I want to put it in, but I don’t because I feel that the timing is not significant enough. It is by far the best drinking album of our generation. So great in fact, that it has become a drinking tradition right up there with beer goggles and hangovers. Getting drunk just isn’t the same without the “Blue” album. Hearing people sing this album inebriated is home for me. Rivers Cuomo should be the first man credited for making the comic book nerd cool in the 90’s. I mean just look at the band on the album cover. If you had no idea what they sounded like, would you look at those 4 guys and say to yourself “Gee, I bet these fellas make some outstanding music.” Don’t lie, you wouldn’t. His nerdiness has spawned singles such as “The Sweater Song”, “Say it Ain’t So”, and “Buddy Holly”. From start to finish, this album accomplishes so much.

Surf Wax America

3: Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994) (RS#303)

This debut may not have lifted Buckley’s short lived career into stardom, but most singers these days, when asked who their influences are will put Jeff Buckley near the top of their list. His angelic voice can not be disguised. Few debut albums contains as much passion and sentiment as Grace. One listen to this album is all it takes for most people to become Buckley fanatics. This album may not have generated an offspring of classic Buckley albums, but that is only because Jeff’s life was cut short in 1997. Even after his demise, Grace is still selling copies worldwide and continues to gain fans worldwide. For an album that was made 13 years ago by an artist who is no longer with us, that is saying a whole lot. Personally, this album packs so much power that I can hardly contain myself when I listen to it. If I’m in the car with other people I tend to block out all other conversations just so I can hear it and hope to get something new out of it. Buckley is a poet, a romantic, and a hero.

Grace

2: Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced (1967) (RS#15)

The genius career of one of the greatest guitar players of all time started off with this masterpiece. With a ton of classic singles like “Hey Joe”, “Wind Cries Mary”, “Purple haze”, and “Manic Depression” this album has to make the top 5. Hendrix did so much for rock and roll in the 60’s and 70’s. His solos are some of the tightest stuff you’ll hear. Though “Voodoo Child” is not on this album, I feel like this is as good a time as any to make my argument between the Stevie Ray Vaughn version and Hendrix’s version since this debut inevitably lead to the making of the classic song. Though Stevie Ray’s version may have the better guitar solo, the better version has to go to the man with the original concept. If it weren’t for Hendrix’s mind altered song writing, we would never have to have this debate.

Purple Haze

The Best Debut Album of All Time is…

The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) (RS#13)

Debuting in Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable Multimedia event tour, this collaboration between the Velvet Underground and Nico is by far my favorite debut. Talk about starting a musical revolution, The Velvet Underground took the 60’s to where they had never been before. Their description of drug use and sex was unheard of. The climactic and eerie “Heroin” is the best example. Literally depicting a heroin trip, this chaotic masterpiece comes together perfectly. It takes you from the beginning of the hit then slowly builds into a disaster resulting in commotion and chaos. And that is just one song! I purchased this album on a whim and never regretted it. They are one of my favorite bands to this day. Their range of music is astounding. They hit everything from drowning to affectionate to quiet to anger. I doubt the music scene that we are accustomed to today would be anywhere near as crazy as it is if it weren’t for Lou Reed. He had the courage to break apart from the mainstream and say “Here is what I am, and fuck you if you don’t like it” (not a direct quote). The band lead a fulfilling career with many hits and many other classic albums, but none of them have come close to the tell all magic of their debut. With a little help from Andy Warhol, their music became a cultural phenomenon. Unfortunately it didn’t happen in their time. It took a while for their music to catch on. It was once said that only a few thousand people bought the album, but every one of those few thousand were inspired to start a band (I would find the direct quote, but I have no idea who said it). Today it is looked at as a masterpiece. An album before its time. Most debuts are lucky to hit the mediocre mark. This one blew away the competition for years to come.

Heroin

There is always one album. One album that always manages to get stuck with the back shelf in your mind when you are shopping. You always see it, but tell yourself you will grab it another time. For almost a year a put off this highly praised album by Spoon. Then I found the answer, I’ll put it on my Christmas list. So I finally got Gimme Fiction last Christmas, and I have been meaning to write this review for a long time now, but there has been so much good music over the past few months that I haven’t been able to write about it. I don’t usually do quotes from other reviews, but I copied it a while back cause I thought it was a very accurate description of the album (sadly, I never wrote where it is from, so my apologies for the plagiarism). “Nearly every song comes off as unassuming in its rightful place. Each track has a designed role, and for that reason you won’t need to use the skip button.”  This chaotic, genuine, well thought out pop album is phenomenal. The music rarely explodes with chaos, yet it is so delicately climactic that you almost feel ripped off when it doesn’t detonate with fury. That feeling goes away quickly once you learn to appreciate it for what it is. When I first got it, it didn’t leave the stereo for a month solid. Now, almost 6 months later, it is still in heavy rotation. Every song has something special to offer your ears. It’s been said that Daniel Britt is a pop genius. And until I heard this album, I thought that was some heavy overrating. Spoon’s early stuff (aside from Kill the Moonlight, which is a great album as well) is mediocre at best. But once you become enthralled and wrapped up in Gimme Fiction you will agree. Most of you have heard this before and would hopefully agree with me. But if you have somehow missed out on the sensation, check it out before their new album either launches them into stardom or crashes them down to nothing. Either way, this album will always have a spot in my rotation.

The Beast and Dragon, Adored

The Delicate Place

Sister Jack