Just was remembering how much I love the self titled album from Isbells after Adrian did a post on the album the other day over on I Pick My Nose.  Stand by this album – a total great listen and criminally overlooked last year.  So lets watch and listen to what most people missed in 2009.

Re-listen: “Time’s Ticking” – Isbells, from 2009′s self titled album (Purchase)

Please visit Isbells and spread the word

~Smansmith

Just thought I would share as I was listening to the above album on the way to work. The album is spectacular – this is roots banjo folk at its best. Released last year to little fanfare (why, oh why) this album is a mix of full on banjo honky tonk to slow folk(y) balladeer material. And it has grit. Grit that finds itself placed between an 80 year old tough as nails bluesman to a young punk rocker. And it really works. I have said many times that I can get down with a lot of folk themed styles but sometimes full on olde tyme folk or honky tonk country does get a bit lost on me but this album gives me hope that I will eventually be able to understand it all.

Highly recommended for the banjo lovers, fans of someone like “The Gunshy” and even a Scott Biram. Enjoy a couple of tracks below.

Graham Lindsey
“Tomorrow is Another Night” (mp3)
“Old Roger” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

~~~

Find more Graham Lindsey:

~Smansmith

p.s. I love the artwork on a few of his album covers (notably this album and his “The Mine EP”).

Now that I am choosing my official version of “best of”, I have thought that this year seemed like it had a good share of EPs that were great.  Hell, some were frickin’ great.  Hence I thought that I would list for you the EPs that I thought really held up their initial promise of great music and are as good (if not better) than any album around.  If you are going to actually read this post (kudos to you) you will even get an opportunity to get free music – and more than just the mp3 downloads in this blog post.

Also a note that I might not post a track with each EP as they are limited in tracks in the first place and giving away one sometimes doesn’t make sense.  When it does make sense, you will be rewarded with great music below, read on friends.

~~~

~The “It’s just as good as a full length album” awards
for favourite EPs of 2009~

This is a general order but not concrete, but if you are further down this post, I think your EP is pretty darn special.  Remember my little EPs, don’t let the LPs make fun of you…you are good enough, smart enough and gosh darn it, people like you!  So….

~

Hezekiah Jones – “Bread of Teeth”

Late entry and also why it is starting this list (and the fact it has 4 songs, 1 more song and it couldn’t be stopped from placing higher…or lower I guess…!).  Why this guy is not famous is beyond me and “Traffic to the Sea” is such a great track that it propels this release into the top 10 alone. I think that song is in my top 10 favourite tracks of the year also, it is a fairly simple song, with building vocals to harmonies all the while keeping it incredibly intimate. Both “I love My Family” and “Sorry Waltz” are solid tracks and the only one I am still 50/50 on is “Iowa Alligator” as it is a bit of a knee slapping porch ditty that while good, sticks out just a little alongside the other three.  Head to his Myspace page to stream the tracks!

~

Wentworth Kersey – “(0)”
“Adore” (mp3)

This album is part spaghetti western, part psychedelic trip and part folk band.  There is ambient moments, which is rare for a folk or singer songwriter styled Americana release, and it is just odd enough to keep you listening.  You get a feeling that you are at an art exhibition that happens to have great Americana and wonder what the hell is going on.  This is one of the 3 EPs being released in their “O” series by Wentworth Kersey and comes highly recommended.  Click the “(O)” above to “pay what you want” download on bandcamp!

~

Eulogies – “Homespun Sessions”
“This Fine Progression” (mp3)
“Bad Connection” (mp3)

Basically the acoustic teaser to their 2009 full length “Here Anonymous” album release that in my opinion outshines the actual album. This would not be a surprise to many that I would think this way because simply it is the Slowcoustic version of the album. Maybe it was also the way they released one track (for free download) each week leading up to the album…great plan by the label and band, they get huge kudos from me for that.

~

Basket of Figs – “Oh Eye, Oh Night”
“Rebirth” (mp3)

Gothic and haunting can only start to describe this EP.  This recluse of a diva is based out of Toronto (I believe) and I think she is very much an artist in a true sense of the word.  You listen and know she feels the music and it oozes emotion, grit and absolute beauty.

~

Joe Pug – “In The Meantime”
“A Thousand Men” (mp3)

While Pug has a penchant for consistently touring, he also finds time to release a couple of EPs that were both incredibly solid. Both 2008′s “Nation of Heat” and 2009′s “In The Meantime” were basically from the same recording timeframe but released separately (I believe) and if I am also not mistaken were considered “out takes”. If these are Pug’s out takes, then this man is the next great folk icon. He just might be making a fight for this title regardless.

~

White Pines – “A Face Made of Wood”
“Speak With the Dead” (mp3)
{THIRD FROM BOTTOM ON LIST!!!!!!!}

Michigan brings a lot of talent to the table in general with the style of music I enjoy and White Pines continue this tradition. The album is distinctly Michigan to me, I don’t know why I think I know what that means, but the sound makes me think that. It could be the comparison to artists of similar ilk like Chris Bathgate, Fields of Industry, Annie Palmer, etc. They combine acoustic with electric and layer strings, harmonies and the vocals of Joseph Scott.  Seriously great stuff.

~

Sarah Winchester – “Northeast Kingdom Demos”
“Northeast Kingdom” (mp3)

As a member of the band “A Weather” Winchester is known for her ethereal vocals overtop beautiful indie pop songs. This “demo” EP from the Team Love Library is still carrying on this scenario, only it is over solo acoustic recordings. Bedroom folk at its finest.  This is one of the most stunning set of “demos” I have ever heard.  Love this EP.

~

Meursault – “Nothing Broke”
“Nothing Broke” (mp3)
“Nothing Broke (Toad Session)” (mp3)

All 5 tracks are inspired shards of the new UK Folk scene. I say “folk” as while they might be generalized by the term Folk, it may only be in the same way everyone was labelled with “Alternative” about 10 years ago. While there are definitely aspects of folk in the sound of this UK quartet they have an edge that I find in the UK scene (from way over here, I speak of which I don’t even really know) and I find it incredibly refreshing. This is maybe the best “sampler” to get into this band as admittedly it is Meursault at their most approachable as a package. You like acoustic guitar and beautifully crafted songs, then this is it for you, you are done, finished in finding great music. It is diverse enough to not feel like you have 1 song and 4 identical soldiers lined up, but it is similar enough that if you like a track you are most likely going to like them all.

There is another page to Meursault that is not shown on the EP and while not disappointed, I don’t think their penchant for a bit of keyboard would have found a place on this mighty 5 track gem. Once this gets you hooked, you can visit their previous full length album and see for yourself. It certainly makes me wonder which direction the new album slated for early 2010 is going to go…I await with baited breath.

If you read this far, I guess you deserve something.  The third person to email me at admin [at] slowcoustic [dot] com with the answers to the below get a Festive Best of gift!

the current home city of Meursault
the label that released this EP
the name of their previous album in 2008

If you complete this task and are the 3rd person to email, you will receive a copy of the Nothing Broke EP mailed to you at no expense, from us good folks at Slowcoustic.  I ordered the CD and had to have a 2nd copy and it is for you, my dear readers, so go on email me!  Sorry no music bloggers allowed – you know who you are… ;-)

~Smansmith

~~~

So the lists include contributions from Olivier (France), Martin (UK), the US contingent of Trini (California) and Laura (Chicago) and then the Canadian me, Sandy.  So five heads have to be able to pick something good…right?  Right?

~~~

This is just a start!  If you like what you are hearing – you can download the playlist by clicking HERE.  Thanks Olivier!!

~~

Laura has been a bit slammed by work and such lately, but she did advise that besides meeting J. Tillman in Chicago a month or so back she thought the below was the best of the year.

Gregory Alan Isakov – The Empty Northern Hemisphere

Listen: “Evelyn”

~~

Martin found some love for a lot of music from his Brighton home and between Radio23.org and Simple Folk Radio shows he has found some real great offerings.

Best albums of the year (in no particular order, but you know..still numbered..so you know)

01. Roadside graves – My Son’s Home

02. Hush Arbors – Yankee Reality

03. Steve Abel & The Chrysalids – Flax Happy

04. The Sumner Brothers – The Sumner Brothers

05. Nurses – Apple’s Acre
Bonus: “Technicolor”

06. The Felice Brothers – Yonder Is The Clock
Bonus: “Run Chicken Run”

07. Woods – Song Of Shame

08. Serious Sam Barrett – Close To Home

09. Timber Timbre – Timber Timbre
Bonus Video:

Timber Timbre – Demon Host from Scott Cudmore on Vimeo.

10. Wye Oak – The Knot

~~

I (Sandy) have managed to like a lot of music this year and I don’t care what anyone is saying about 2009 being bit light on quality releases.  I tend to be able to find much to like, adore and obsess over each year, so no real problems here.

I have decided to simply mention a few albums that for lack of a better term are “in my top 20″ of favourite listens for the year.  Sure there will be more once I finally listen to the numerous albums that I haven’t given enough time to, but damn it, it’s just a music blogger best of list and you know – we are mostly about telling other bloggers what is good or bad!  ;-)  We (music aficionados) tend to be overly opinionated on what is “good” and what is “great” and what is “totally and utterly disappointing”.  I find my niche being Slow and Acoustic makes for bit of an auditory “tunnel vision” when it comes to judging music, but I’m okay with that.  Also, despite how I may bitch about how too many people list “The xx” or “Animal Collective” or even “Grizzly Bear” in their top lists, they probably aren’t as bad as I might think that they are.  But my choices are better….{sarcasm intended}.

In order to make this fairly easy format-wise, my top albums are from my Rate Your Music profile (a needed website for all music nerds)!

1		J. Tillman Year in the Kingdom “Earthly Bodies” (mp3) Another triumph for Tillman, gentle and yet showing growth to a fuller sound.  You get the dark dusky corners of an old farmhouse and the sombre timbre of Tillman’s breathy voice over, at times, sparse acoustic songs
2		The Black Atlantic Reverence for Fallen Trees “I Shall Cross This River” (mp3) Such a surprise to get this out of nowhere and fall in love with the harmonies.  Another folk gem to hold onto.
3		Mumford & Sons Sigh No More “White Blank Page” (mp3) Entire package of laments, sing a longs, get onto your feet and still get pensive mid way.  Stunning.
4		The Deep Dark Woods Winter Hours “The Gallows” (mp3) Best Alt Country coming out of Canada today.  Period.
5		Doby Watson Twenty Two “Pummel” (mp3) Dark, introspective and just makes me want to sing along.  Underplayed everywhere, come on people!
6		Sharon Van Etten Because I Was in Love “For You” (mp3) SVE is finally starting to get her deserved praise, this is another great solo “girl and guitar” showing for her.
7		Bowerbirds Upper Air “Northern Lights” (mp3) Overwhelmingly overlooked by many, but still such a great album.   They are bringing their sound into the mainstream but it is still so lovely to listen along to.
8		Gregory Alan Isakov This Empty Northern Hemisphere see above for “Evelyn” This is definitely one of the most underrated songwriters around today, every album is great and this one does not disappoint.
9		Huck Notari Very Long Dream “He Rode Off” (mp3) Folk from long ago is still being released today.  So dusty you need a drink alongside your headphones.  This song is absolutely amazing and one of my favourite songs of the year.
10		Isbells Isbells “Time’s Ticking” (mp3) Another great album out of nowhere – some of the best indie pop recordings of the year.
11		Oweihops Viburnum “Proximity” (mp3) Always a fan of Oweihops, it is such a “real’ album – you feel like you are there with him as he sings of the world that both of you share.  Keeper.
12		Timber Timbre Timber Timbre “Lay Down in the Tall Grass” (mp3) Gothic Canadiana – it feels dark, it sounds dark but it really isn’t.  It is just plain good.
13		Tiny Vipers Life on Earth “Dreamer” (mp3) This whole album is dreamy, maybe too dreamy for some, but the it is an album you just want to float away with.
14		The Antlers Hospice “Two” (mp3) This album is an experience – you feel exhausted and satiated at the same time when listening.  Headphones are a must.
15		Cam Penner Trouble & Mercy “Thirteen” (mp3) Late entry for me, but this Manitoban hit a nerve (maybe because I am from Manitoba), but this is the future of roots country in Canada.
16		Laura Gibson Beasts of Seasons “Sleeper” (mp3) Gorgeous, stunning.  Gibson never disappoints and this album might be a grower for some, but damn its good.
17		Jon-Rae Fletcher Oh Maria “Oh Maria” (mp3) This is the sound of Southern gospel folk.  The voice that comes out of this unassuming guy is incredible.  Hand to god.
18		Haruko Wild Geese “Man In The Moon” (mp3) More acoustic and traditional than most, Haruko is a young lady destined to be the next folk goddess.
19		Andrew Bryant Galilee “Chicago Wind” (mp3) Dirty, dark and destined to find every last piece of yourself splayed out before you.  A little bit rock, folk and singer songwriter mixed in for good measure
20		Strand of Oaks Leave Ruin “End In Flames” (mp3) This song-crafter/school teacher is making some of the loudest quiet music around.   He sounds graceful but sings of real life, tragedy and the meaning of it all.

~~

I (Trini) am going to start of with my top ten albums of 2009. They are really in no particular order other than that each one of these has helped me heal in ways that only music can. I started the year feeling a little lost. Songs from each of these albums helped me find my way back.

1. Cory Chisel and The Wondering Sons – Death Won’t Send A Letter
Song: So Wrong For Me

2. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Song: White Blank Page

3. Treetop Flyer – To Bury The Past EP
Song: Is It All Worth It?

4. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
Song: You and I

5. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
Song: Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise

6. J. Tillman – Vacilando Territory Blues
Song: Masters House

7. William Fitzsimmons – The Sparrow and The Crow
Song: Even Now

8. Jack Savoretti – Harder Than Easy
Song: Harder Than Easy

Bonus: Mother (mp3)

9. A.A Bondy – When The Devils Loose
Song: A Slow Parade

10. The Felice Brothers – Yonder Is The Clock
Song: All When We Were Young

In my attempt to gain some sanity, I’ve taken up baking. It is by far the only thing aside from music that helps me relax. I can say with absolute confidence that I’ve mastered the chocolate chip cookie recipe and will forever be making root beer float cupcakes. These two should be a staple in everyone’s baking repertoire.

http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/05/root-beer-float-cake/
http://livefireonline.com/2007/10/18/jaays-best-ever-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Now, let me introduce you to my new toy which I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival. The Digital Harinezumi 2 Audio and Video camera. http://poketo.com/shop/archives/1009 What is it you say? Check out this cool little video, can’t wait to start shooting with it.

Digital Harinezumi 2 from 2122748828 on Vimeo.

Insert shameless plug here→ I’m putting together this little nifty music festival next year you should join me.  NOZZAFEST! ←

Ending my year for the first time not wishing for it to end, I’ve learned a lot about myself and am looking forward to new beginnings in 2010. Enjoy the tunes, bake something and go record life. It’s what I’ll be doing.

YCD ~ Trini

~~~

~Smansmith

~~~

The year was 1983…

…the year when I started participating in the obligatory yet mildly excruciating, I would come to realize, tradition of creating end of year lists.  What drew or prompted me to create such a list, I don’t really quite remember, but I blame either Casey Kasem or my buddy Dominic’s old bro, Dan.  No matter how I got there, really, all that matters is that I did…and have every year since.  For those keeping score that would be 26 years of em.  Ouch!

For those that weren’t around in 1983, or maybe not paying attention, but that year featured two records of epic proportions.  Committing hari kari seemed like an easier choice than having to decide which one would be my favorite.  I thought if I chose one over the other the other band would somehow find out and I would be responsible for their breakup or at very least some very hurt feelings.  Yet I moved past that, and proclaimed there could be only one!  The days leading up to 1984 were incredibly stressful, cause I knew my choice of record of the year, 1983 could not be made in haste.

To help ease the pressure and maybe clear my head, I participated in some very intense games of pitfall and barnstorming but all the while I listened to each repeatedly.  As it turns out, both were perfect soundtracks to my 8 bit attempt of escapism and only made me more confused.  Frustration began to set in and I was not amused.  I may have cried, I don’t remember?  Days turned to nights, nights to days and I was still without any resolution.  Then on December 30, 1983 over a delicious meal of Swedish meatballs my mother had prepared it hit me.  The choice was so obvious, but my judgment was clouded.  What could possibly cloud a 9 year old’s judgment you maybe asking yourself?  Well, one of the bands in question had/has a saxophone player, and guess what?  I played sax too!  Its like I was in the band!

Yes, my favorite record of 1983 would be Styx’s groundbreaking release Kilroy was here.  A concept record about robots taking over and replacing mankind.  I mean seriously, the record is about freakin robots!  Sure, I didn’t get the whole concept thing nor did I really care.  Again, it was about robots!  Hello, Mr. Roboto?!?  Maybe you’ve heard of it?  Oh, yeah the other record in question was Huey Lewis and News’ “Sports”.

What does that story have to do with anything?  Absolutely nothing.  Yep, you just wasted possibly 2-3 minutes of your time reading nonsensical drivel.  So, to make up for it, I present you my top ten favorite songs that didn’t appear on any of my top ten favorite records.

1. Heartbroken, in Disrepair off Dan Auerbach’s “Keep It Hid”
2. Ojibway Diner off Ox’s “Burnout”
3. What About Us off Doug Paisley’s self titled record
4. Mama’s Eyes off Justin Townes Earle’s “Midnight at the Movies”
5. Who Stole the Soul off William Elliot Whitmore’s “Animals in the Dark”
6. Restless Year off Caledonia’s “We Are America”
7. When They Fight They Fight off the Generational’s “Con Law”
8. Gas Tank off Truckstop Coffee’s “For Dear Life”
9. New Paris off Strand of Oak’s “Leave Ruin”
10. Come Dig Me Up off the Tailors’ “Come Dig Me Up”

~~~

~Smansmith

~~~

I have no idea how to approach all this. When Sandy first asked me to participate in this collective best of, I was pretty damn excited and enthusiastic. About 5 minutes later I began to experience panic and dread, as I realized exactly what it was I’d committed myself to.  How do you go about summarizing a year? I’ve tried it in the past and it always felt half-assed and incomplete. After all, how can you have any perspective on something that’s just happened? Ask me in 10 years what the best record of 2009 was and I could speak with greater authority.  Well, I’d speak more confidently, at any rate.

I looked back at my Best of 2008, and aside from being poorly written, I still felt pretty comfortable with the choices. But then I looked back at my Best of 2007 when I wrote for Rock Sellout, and it was quite the shit pile. Of course, I think part of that was related to the fact that we had so many writers on staff, and weren’t allowed to overlap with our choices. Thus, a lot of second string records ended up being my top picks. Plus, I know for a fact that I put about 10 minutes thought into it.  I actually found myself arguing with my own choices. In a way I guess that means I succeeded; after all, isn’t the purpose of these lists to provoke conversation and debate? Probably not with yourself, but I’ll ask for a bit of leeway there.

I have never laid claim to being a writer or a critic (both should be obvious by reading my blog).  I think critics have a need for bands to innovate, to dazzle, to astound with every sampling, whereas all I really need a band to do is make something that speaks to me. The method they use doesn’t matter much, whether it’s via traditional, well-worn routes or experimental, avant-garde magic. Just make something good, and I’m happy. Either critics have excessive expectations or I have too few, I haven’t quite figured it out yet. This all may naturally lead to the question “Why do you write a blog, then?”  And that’s a good question.  I don’t really have a good answer, unfortunately, other than “Because I enjoy it”. But that seems as good a reason as any.

This whole state of affairs had me thinking about the purpose of lists, which I either hate or love depending on my mood and the time of day. My friend Casey who writes my favorite Tumblr – more on that later – recently posted this quote from Umberto Eco (he wrote a novel  called The Name of the Rose which became a movie with Sean Connery that no one but my mom apparently likes, but I suppose that’s neither here nor there) on the purpose of lists that seems to put them in the right context:

“The list is the origin of culture. It’s part of the history of art and literature. What does culture want? To make infinity comprehensible. It also wants to create order — not always, but often. And how, as a human being, does one face infinity? How does one attempt to grasp the incomprehensible? Through lists, through catalogs, through collections in museums and through encyclopedias and dictionaries. There is an allure to enumerating how many women Don Giovanni slept with: It was 2,063, at least according to Mozart’s librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte. We also have completely practical lists — the shopping list, the will, the menu — that are also cultural achievements in their own right.”

It’s hard for me to equate a list of ‘Best Music I Heard This Year’ from an unknown blogger with an exhibition in The Louvre, but point taken. This is me trying to comprehend infinity and contribute to culture. Sure, why not?  I may not be successful, but it’s always better to try. It’s still hard for me to label something as ‘the best’ without being a little waggish about it, so this list is less a best of and more a haphazard, less than profound and slightly sarcastic yet miraculously sincere appreciation list – the bands, blogs and events of 2009 that managed to consistently entertain or educate me this year.

Band people were too cool to realize was totally kick ass

Spinnerette

Band that deserves way more recognition than they get

The Joy Formidable

Best record based on multiple personality disorder

Bat for Lashes – Two Suns

Band I missed the most this year

The Retrosexuals RIP

The Grandaddy Award for adorable songs about robots

Beautiful Small Machines – Robots in Love

Favorite musician that constantly sounds
on the verge of a nervous breakdown

Polly Scattergood

Best model turned musician

Lissy Trullie

Best girl in her bedroom making avant-electro with GarageBand

George Pringle

Best revival of 60s girl pop

God Help The Girl

Best foreplay band

The xx

Best haircut of 2009

Elly Jackson (La Roux)

Best dance album that it seems no one listened to

Filthy Dukes – Nonsense in the Dark

Best comeback from a band I wasn’t sure would come back

White Rose Movement

Best comeback from a band that made us wonder
if they were really a different band

The Horrors

Best Podcasting duo

Rosie Swash & Paul MacInnes

Proof that online radio isn’t dead

Guilty Pleasure on East Village Radio

Best remixes that should make a lot of other remixers realize
they’re doing it all wrong

The xx – Crystalised (Rory Phillips Remix)
Fever Ray – Seven (The Twelves Remix)
Burns – First Move (Fred Falke Remix)

Best soundtrack that wasn’t exactly a soundtrack

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – White Lunar

2 great blogs to discover new music you’d otherwise never hear
(and the songs I found there)

Song, By Toad
Jesus H Foxx – I’m Half The Man You Were (mp3)
&
Love Shack, Baby
Jihae – My Love (mp3)

Best Tumblr

http://crumbler.tumblr.com/

Blog that makes you feel smarter just by reading it

http://heartachewithhardwork.blogspot.com/

The blogosphere’s greatest musical archeologist

http://thevinylvillain.blogspot.com/

Best Cinematic Moment of 2009

~~~

~Smansmith

**Note, I (Slowcoustic) have placed a few tracks via mp3 links under each of the artists from IPMN – these ARE NOT from the performances listed below, but just something to sample while envisioning the live performances.  Just sayin’.

~~~

Of possibly everything related to music that people rate, probably one of the most subjective is live performances. There’s so much besides the music that factors into the experience–what else happened that day, were you with friends or alone, what your expectations were, what the people standing near you were like–that one’s review sometimes not even up to the performers.

With that in mind, I present to you, in chronological order, very personal list of most memorable music moments from 2009.

• David Bazan @ house show, Berkeley (2/18)
  I saw two of Bazan’s house shows this year but this was easily the better. Attentively sitting on someone’s living room floor, about thirty big-time Bazan fans watched him perform without amplification a few feet away. The music was great, the between-song conversation was good, the crowd was awesome–there wouldn’t be a lot of ways to make this show better.



*bonus: “Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover)”

• Yoni Wolf @ Apple Store (2/28)
  I hadn’t much considered Why? before this. This show with the frontman and an electric piano changed that somewhat. But what is most memorable about this performance was the once-off cover of “This is the Day.” I remember the hymn from church growing up but Wolf’s version that day was dark and haunting and still sticks with me.



• Les Savy Fav @ the Mezzanine, San Francisco (3/1)
  I’d heard many stories about the antics of Les Savy Fav live show and, in particular, frontman Tim Harrington’s antics. This show did not disappoint whatsoever. Harrington came out covered in toilet paper but quickly stripped down to his shorts. Before the night was up he spit beer into the crowd, licked the lens of the photographer standing next to me and ducked taped a girl to him. In between all of this, he managed to sing some songs.



• The Rural Alberta Advantage @ Central Presbyterian, Austin (3/19); @ Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco (7/9)
  Two very different shows but both very memorable. At the Central Presbyterian show during SxSW, I saw the band completely win over an audience of people largely unfamiliar with their music. They were on top form and I had chills for about half the show. When the finished the show acoustically in the main aisle of the church, I was in awe like everyone around me. The Bottom of the Hill show was the last Ipickmynose Presents show and it was a rousing success. Two days after their debut album came out to much acclaim, the band seemed to still be surprised by their success and performed a fantastic show.



*bonus: “Edmonton (HearYa session)”

• The Tallest Man on Earth @ the Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco (3/25)
  I’d been obsessing about Shallow Grave for months leading up to this show, which was just a week after I’d seen the Swede, Kristian Matsson, at SxSW. This show was more noteworthy than the SxSW in that this performance was just perfect. Matsson has a way of performing that is just as much about movement as it is about music. He sits during the slow beginning of a song and then stands moves fluidly to the front of the stage and looks out into the audience. After this show nearly everyone I talked to said they thought he was looking right at them, bringing the performance to each audience member in a way few artists do.



*bonus: “I Won’t Be Found (Daytrotter session)”

• Damien Jurado @ Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco (5/5)
  I’ve seen Jurado perform about six or seven times now, but this show seemed to have what would have been my hand-picked set list of favorites performed with intensity. In his first four songs were “Ghost of David”, “Medication” and “Ohio” and I knew it would be a good night.



*bonus: “I Had No Intentions (Tour CDR)”

• Iron & Wine @ Swedish America Hall, San Francisco (5/7)
  I’d seen Iron & Wine a few times, including one magical time in 2004 at the Great American Music Hall, but even that time wasn’t at a venue as small as the Swedish American. Maybe this show stuck with me because his set list, chosen by fans on his website, was filled with nostalgic favorites. Maybe it was because the Swedish American has great acoustics for solo shows. Maybe it was just a great performance.



*bonus: “He Lays in the Reins (Home Sessions)”

• Or, the Whale @ the Independent, San Francisco (6/6)
  I love Or, the Whale and this show was good, but the experience here wasn’t about the music (which was great as always). Two months before I was to leave for South Africa, the experience was noteworthy because every time I turned around there was a friend of mine or someone I wanted to talk to. It was a blast and I went home thinking I might be making a mistake moving away.



• John Vanderslice @ Secret House Show, San Francisco (7/25)
  I’m still not sure how this all came together but my going away party in San Francisco was a secret show by John Vanderslice in my apartment to me and thirty of my friends. Completely without amplification, JV was accompanied by Jamie Riotta on upright bass and vocals. My cheeks hurt from grinning so much. It was utterly spellbinding and will probably go down as one of my most memorable music experiences in my entire life.

White Plains from ipickmynose on Vimeo.

*bonus: “Dead Slate Pacific (I Pick My Nose Session)”

• “Oh How I’d Miss You” @ my apartment, San Francisco (7/25)
  Following JV’s performance, I played a killer soul playlist with this Marvin Gaye/ Tammi Terrell number on it. After people trickled out, my lady friend and I spontaneously danced in an empty living room to this song. But, given that I was leaving the country a week later, the lyrics were a bit too topical and near the end of the song I looked up to see her crying.
• Sangoma Ceremony @ private home, Khayelitsha, South Africa (8/15)
  Saying yes to a series of opportunities led me to be in a tiny tin-sided house off a dirt path in a township outside Cape Town. A new sangoma (sometimes translated as ‘witch doctor’) was being initiated and there was much dancing, singing and clapping among the couple dozen people packed into the house. It was an experience that few outsiders get to have.



• Zulu hymns @ small church, Ingwavuma (9/6)
  This church is at the end of the road, literally. The tar road ends about 2km before it and the dirt road ends right at it. A few hundred meters father, the hill drops off steeply into Swaziland. The hymns during the actual service were sung in both Zulu and English but were largely not noteworthy. While I was sitting waiting for the service to begin, though, women scattered around the room spontaneously and seemingly without coordination started the most beautiful hymns I’d ever heard. Four part harmony filled the room. It was baking hot in that room and I still had chills.

~~~

In regards to the below, who says you can’t take an indie icon and call them out onto the mat?  Definitely not Knox Road.  Who can make you think that a legitimate song might actually be an inside joke?  Definitely Knox Road.  I mean, despite shouts from the studio audience and crazy shenanigans ensuing, they just might have a point!  Sometimes we get lost in all these lists and honestly, you need a bit of fresh air in the form something to make you say “hmmmm”.

~Smansmith

~~~

Best Song of 2009 To Secretly Be…

A 90s Sitcom Theme!

Remember the ’90s?  Hahaha!  Such great times, right?  And nothing represents the decade better than those wonderful sitcom opening themes.   “I’m busy fixing a bicycle. Oh!  Hello camera!  I’ll pose coyly.”  “Frisbee at the beach? Perfect! No worries here.  Computers and shoulder pads!”

Although The Mountain Goats had nothing to do with zany situations involving moral values and a good chuckle at the end of the day, they did write “Genesis 3:23” for this year’s The Life Of The World To Come.  And boy, is it special.  Not only is it a wonderful song, but the intro is secretly a theme to one of those sitcoms.  Shhhh!  Just watch any opening and play the song over top.  You’ll see what we mean.

The Mountain Goats – “Genesis 3:23″ [MP3]

You know what?   We’re taking this award back.  “Genesis 3:23” wins the Best Sitcom Theme of 1996.  Congrats!

~~~

~Smansmith

~~~

Well here we are again at the end of another year, and yet again I find myself wondering where it went. 2009 has been yet another fantastic year for music, and while the blog took a bit of a hiatus while I spent a couple of months travelling overseas, I’ve done my best to catch up with what I missed. Here’s my favourite 5 releases from 2009.

1. Withered Hand – Good News

I’ve been trying for weeks to write about this album and how much I love it, but as is the case with albums that really resonate with me, I find that it’s difficult to do it justice with mere words.

Withered Hand is the performing name of Edinburgh’s Dan Willson and somehow he’s managed to produce a stunning collection of songs that I’ve not been able to get out of my head. There’s an honesty about the way he writes, nothing’s hidden from view but is all laid out before you, every last twisted bitter thing. It’s a melancholy album, an album that questions and provokes, with countless moments of pure sweetness to be found in the turn of phrase, the imagery, the wavering not-quite-there vocals and the subtle percussion. All of these elements combine to create a brilliant, raw and organic piece of work that feels deeply personal and intimate, yet totally accessible at the same time. Wonderful stuff.

Highlights include my pick for song of the year ‘Religious Songs’ as well as ‘Love In The Time Of Ecstacy’, ‘No Cigarettes’ and ‘Providence’.

“Religious Songs” – Withered Hand

I’ve not numbered the rest of my top 5 as I love them all equally – only ‘Good News’ stands above the rest – so the next 4 are in alphabetical order by artist.

The Antlers – Hospice

This was another album I struggled to write about for quite some time, and it probably would’ve been my top pick if it had not been for the discovery of Withered Hand.

‘Hospice’ is an album about a man who watches a loved one die of cancer. It’s a heartbreakingly gorgeous album, and I don’t think it’s enough to just have a digital version of this album either – you really need the physical copy to fully appreciate its beauty. The artwork is haunting and lovely and the lyrics, written out as paragraphs and not lines, give the feeling of an epic novel, rather than just a collection of songs. While this is a concept album specifically about somebody dying of cancer, what I love about it is that it can be interpreted in so many ways.
Every track is magnificent, truly, but the standouts for me are ‘Kettering’, ‘Bear’ and ‘Two’ (a track which also featured up high in my song of the year list).

“Two” – The Antlers

~~~

Meursault – Nothing Broke EP

Meursault have been on my radar since 2008′s Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues, but it wasn’t until I heard this year’s Nothing Broke EP that I really started to warm to them (now you know why this post is about the best releases and not the best albums!) Pissing…. is more of an electro-type album, where as Nothing Broke is purely acoustic – warm and melancholy and absolutely gorgeous. It’s only 5 tracks, but they’re all magnificent.

The two highlights for me are ‘William Henry Miller Part 1′ – its simple twangy banjo beginning grabbed me immediately, and Neil Pennycook’s vocals are outstanding, complete with that lovely Scottish tinge that enhances every wonderfully chosen word. Closing track ‘William Henry Miller Part 2′ follows directly from ‘Part 1′ and features piano and guitar and a greater ambiance than ‘Part 1′ – just listen to those ‘ohhhhh’ moments. You’ll know the ones I mean.

“Nothing Broke” – Meursault
Bonus: “William Henry Miller, Pt. 1 (Single Version)” (purchase)

~~~

Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More

The debut album of London’s Mumford & Sons is nothing short of wonderful. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit alt-country, it combines gorgeous instrumentation and harmonies to create an album that is both rollicking and melancholy all at the same time.
There are so many highlights on this album, from opening track ‘Sigh No More’, which takes its inspiration from the words of Shakespeare, to ‘The Cave’, ‘Winter Winds’, ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ and ‘White Blank Page’. Expect more great things from these guys in the future.

“White Blank Page” – Mumford & Sons

~~~

Roadside Graves – My Son’s Home

Capping off my top 5 is New Jersey’s Roadside Graves. With a name that sounds more like a metal outfit than a troupe of country rockers, these guys have created a richly narrative driven collection of songs. Each track touches on death and mortality, exploring it through the use of husky vocals, tinkling piano, multiple tempo changes and countless sing along moments. This album has accompanied me on many a road trip and many an evening run and remains a frequent favourite.

Highlights include ‘Ruby’, ‘Far And Wide’ and ‘Valley’.

“Far and Wide” – Roadside Graves

~~~

Now kids, what do you need to know when taking that special someone back to your “Love Shack”?  Well if it happened this year, hopefully were prepared…if not, Tart provides all you need below.  Enjoy!

~Smansmith

~~~

Kissing to the right soundtrack can make making-out feel like being in a movie. You’re already transported to another time and place in your mind, wrapped in the arms of someone who’s literally causing you sensory overload. And music is the best way to help take that to a whole other level. Music quickens the rate at which your hands roam their body, … or slows it, depending on what’s streaming out the speakers. Timing is everything, darlings. Let’s get this right, eh? The following songs are tired and true, tested in the laboratory of Tart head/bedquarters. While you really need to know the musical taste of the person you wish to woo, I couldn’t help myself and ended up making you a mixtape. But, ultimately, remember, I’m choosing to give you some music and some ideas and let you take it to it’s final, screaming climax. While this reflects my taste, in all it’s eclecticism, your mileage will vary ;)

You’ll want to start out easy, draw them in… don’t make it too obvious. No one wants to be sledgehammered right away with that big, thick, heavy track you’re just dying to lay on them. Save that one for later, darlings. Ease them into your comfort zone with something sweet and melodic. The Bony King of Nowhere’s album Alas My Love (only available on itunes UK) was released early this year and I’m hoping it doesn’t get neglected at year-end lists because I love it. “The Sunset” is a gentle, soft track that is easy to whisper over, snuggle up to and generally sit down and get comfy. Now, I know I just told you not to hit them over the head with the obvious, but Jessica Lea Mayfield’s “Kiss Me Again” is so perversely romantic that it has to play in here somewhere. By the time you get to this second track you’ll appreciate the irony of it. And besides, I did some of my best work to this song so it holds a special place in my, uh… heart. Yeah, I know With Blasphemy So Heartfelt came out in 2008, but I saw her sing this song in 2009, so I’m sneaking it in.

And you can’t really have too many beautiful women singing in your ear when you’re smooching someone. So let Amanda Zelina take you away with “Love Leads The Way” off her debut, Love Me Till I’m Me Again before we up the ante here. Man or woman will pause to admire her voice, giving you time to run your fingers through their hair, sneak a peek over their body to see what effects your kisses might be having. Oooh, can I have one more song, please? I’d be remiss if I didn’t add a track by J. Tillman and what better song than “Earthly Bodies,” from his latest record, Year in the Kingdom if only for the way he sings the word “belly.” Damn, that makes me…. uh, … warm. How about you? Warmed up yet? As you’re nibbling on their lips, those soft little kisses that tease and make them want to draw you closer, don’t move too fast. Enjoy all the breathy vocals on these, they’re so intimate. Men, don’t think this is just a woman’s game. I’ve had plenty of guys pull this on me as well. It totally works both ways! A real player knows that what’s good applies to all.

Now we hit them with one of the sexiest songs of 2009, seriously. With undulating, synthesized sounds and languid vocals, Still Life Still just ooze sexual energy out their pores on “Planets” from Girls Come Too. I find it unfathomable that two people can listen to this song and not feel the heat rise. So once you’ve got them pressed up tight, perhaps hearing a bit of sighing in your ear, (see why all that music is nice and quiet so far?), and you’ve worked your way down their neck and not abandoned that spot at the base of their throat, (you know the place; always kiss them there, eh?), …then with their hands unbuttoning your shirt, Jogger’s “Napping Captain” comes on. You’ll need this to mask the little groan you’re gonna make when their hand slides onto your chest, or better yet, under your waistband. Sure, let them hear, but not too much. Let them wonder a bit just how much noise you made, trust me. This Great Pressure is a criminally underheard album of 2009. It’s full of surprises and experiments and genre-hopping madness. This track is one of my favorites because it really transverses the divide between indie-folk and electronica in such a cool way. And those are two types of music that I really enjoy, so let this song segue you into the next stage of our session. It’s soft in all the right places and it lulls you into a nice firm (if somewhat frenzied) beat ;)

By this point there definitely should be some repositioning going on. It helps to have a groove going, get settled into a nice beat but a slow one, hope to gain some more familiarity with your victim partner at this stage in the game, or start aiming for those places you already know they like if it’s someone you’ve been on this couch with before. “AVO” by Pure Reason Revolution is my current addiction. In fact, the whole album, Amor Vincit Omnia is a record to get down to. And by the end of this song you’d better have some skin to skin contact or else step away and cool the fuck off, or risk some major friction trauma. This track is not to be attempted by the undecided. If smooching on the sofa is your limit, get off the couch now, m’dear, and bonus points for being honest and not begging, ok?

Now, of course the situation might call for something else entirely. You just might not be the one begging here. If so, dig in! Give them what they want, already! We move on to Apse’s “Blown Doors” from their sophomore album Climb Up (I gave you a clear break between tracks if you need to turn it off and back on to change rooms or something, thank me later.) And well, fuckme, if you’re not negotiating lube, condom, and how to keep their head from banging the headboard soon, then you’ve no business listening to this song! (And darlings, yes… condom, every time, safety first.) Depending on your stamina, how long you’ve been seeing this person (we all know the first time is a write-off, nobody expects a marathon at that point, honest) and how well planned this is, you could get through three or more songs. So be ready; either way you want to have droning, beat-heavy, but still interesting tracks in here. I’ve given you School of Seven Bells‘ “Iamunderdisguise” (another 2008 entry from Alpinisms but again, they were so gorgeous performing it a few months ago, forgive me!) with its intricate, yet not exactly delicate, harmonies and insistent, in all the right ways rhythms.

Warpaint’s “Elephants” is just deliciously all over the place. It’s from their debut Exquisite Corpse, an amazing record by this band who, when they came through Chicago, played one of the most memorable shows of the year with School of Seven Bells and The Depreciation Guild. I like having these small, quiet moments in music with just simple instrumentation and a woman’s voice when I’m fucking. Just a few moments is all you need to catch your breath, or get your head together enough to remember to pay attention again to where your hands are, or to open your eyes, or close them, or whatever it is that you’re not consciously doing because you’ve been so caught up in the moment of whatever delirious stage of the fun you’re in right then. Of course if that moment coincides with the moment when you’re screaming your head off in ecstasy then it makes for a good laugh too; that’s the chance you take! And with a song like “Elephants” that changes pace so often and has more than a few tripped out effects, … well, be brave young lovers. I usually am.

Finally, I’m giving you my favorite, romantic, take-me-in-your-arms-and-gaze-right-into-my-eyes-when-you-kiss-me song of 2009. I’ll be honest here. I’ve seen The Depreciation Guild perform “Dream About Me” twice this year and each time I blushed. It’s simply one of those perfectly calculated crushed-out girl songs and the 13 year-old girl in everyone can’t help but fall for it (guys you know it’s true, you feel it too if you let it happen.) Well, really, it’s more than that. It’s lyrically that crushed-out girl song. But listen to the music. The guitars are lush, the same languid feeling from “Planets” comes out here but in a different way, it’s all Kurt’s smooth voice and the way he and Christoph meld their guitar style into a cohesive piece of sound. Anton’s drumming fills it out along with the 8-bit Famicom-programmed beats. When you look at the audio spectrum of the song in a sound editing program it’s one long, almost solid-looking bar of sound and that’s what it feels like. It’s thick and soft and it envelops you. So… deep breath here, a fitting ending to our session, yes? 11 tracks, that’s what you’ll need. Hopefully I’ve prepared you for the best. Remember, it’s not about the destination, but the journey. Enjoy your lover, my loves! xoxo

The Sunset (mp3)
Napping Captain (mp3)
Love Leads The Way (mp3)
AVO (mp3)
Iamunderdisguise (mp3)
Elephants (mp3)
Best of 2009 Blogger Crew… Tart’s Make-Out Mix.zip (40 mb)

~~~

It just so happens that Tsuru runs one of the newest and best blogs around – always a treat to read and full of numerous playlists and a penchant for oversized plastic discs who’s grooves provide sound in the form of music.  Oh, and their is a whole music “community” over in Tsuru-ville  in which I am a proud member.

Dig in below and don’t peeter out midway, give it an honest read – it is more than a declaration of good music, it is a peak inside the mind of what many of you know as a music blogger.

~Smansmith

~~~

2009? I Haven’t Got A Clue

To write “anything” about 2009 seems almost impossible. Do you talk about key concert events, like the Decemberists show a few months back? Your biggest suprises & disappointments of the year? Do you float your own boat a bit as Tsuru World Domination continues unabated? Do you write a thank you list for all that is and was for the year that holds a special fiber in your bleeding heart?

No clue.

When asked to join in the “Best Of 2009 Blogger” series, I was stoked, blabbering on about shit I love is right up my alley! But then it came time to write the post and I sat there (here) staring at a Notepad.exe that was as blank as my mind. What have I or someone else to say that hasn’t already been said?

Again, no clue.

I mean, it’s been an amazing year, should be plenty to hone in on and get out a couple paragraphs, right? I mean, take the concert-going mentioned above, the Decemberists or even Neko, you can talk about the beauty of the show, or rant about the idiots in the audience. Albeit an easy target, I mean, really, who the hell spends $20, $30, whatever dollars to treat a concert like a bar, hanging out talking to your chaps, loudly, while the band performs? Shut the fuck up! Do you really need a picture, taken right in front of me, of your friends hoisting up their Bud Lights/Coors/PBR/cheap swill during the joint-suicide song of “Hazards Of Love 4″? But it was a glorious show, “fans” excluded. Someone even recognized me from the blog, making me feel famous for 10 seconds. Strange.

Yeah, I could also talk about surprises and disappointments, easy enough. I mean, I can’t stand all that Eee-lectronic dance crap, but what the hell Dan Deacon, Bromst kicked my ass, called me Sally, took advantage of me, made me like it, and left me wanting more! Disappointments? Guess the easy route is to say Weezer, but then again it says more about me, like a stupid rat, going back to the Weezer well, hoping to find food & treats, getting only electric shocks. Stupid rat.

Such a clueless ignorant rat.

Interesting year. So much changed yet nothing at all, because even though TSURURADIO is bigger than ever, we have a full community in our board and on the facebook/twitter/social networking “revolution”, more “hits” than an irreverent blog like mine should be allowed to have, and even though Baby sold tons of purses and my photography really stepped out of the shadows, here I still sit, in the same chair, with the same view, with the same (if not less) money in my pocket than I would’ve otherwise.

So, 2009… I think when me of the future looks back to the me of the now, I think, if anything, even though it may sound as corny as candy corn, this year will have been one of growth & transition. Musical growth, personal growth, biological growth (thanks Enzyte! just kidding, actually biological shrinkage, thanks cycling!), and tons and tons of interior introspection (is that the correct phrase? oh well, you get me right?) as we, the Tsuru familia, try to figure out just exactly where we fit in in this world. The IRL world looks at two of us as oddballs & weirdos, hell we don’t even get invited to departmental parties, even when, for example, I’m one of only 9 people in my department.

Sigh.

And the online world… all we can do is “keep it realz, dawg”, and hope those who get it, get it, and the rest, well, I guess they can go to hell, or maybe just carry on and ignore the two giggling eccentrics in the corner.

We are just going to have some fun or die trying, you know?

So, where were we? Ah yes, 2009. The end of one decade and the 2nd to last year of another. Reminds of the doom & gloomers of the Y2K thing 10 years back. We sure do love our zeros don’t we. Car turns 100,000 miles, striving to hit 6,000 miles on my bike (sooo close!), the end of the world at year 1,000 and 2,000 and probably 3,000, all putting some kind of major importance on a man-made invention, miles don’t mean anything, hell, neither do the man-made calendars, the “new year” could’ve just as easily been on May 22, another man-made thing.

But I digress (love that phrase, as pompous as it is)… Again.

When people look back to 2009, what will be the big story? I guess it will be the rise and genuine maturation and mainstreaming and etc of the “social networking revolution”, twitter & facebook won. What’s a myspace? Band fodder and home to goths. Remember friendster? Me neither. Tied closely to this, of course, is the genuinely smart phone, yeah, it was pre-09, sure, but it’s finally fast enough, and when tied in to twitter & facebook, fun enough to “need” one. Hell, even I got one for an early holiday present just the other day! But you know what? This kinda talk is for the Newsweeks, NY Times, Pastes, and other dying paper rags out there….

So, I’ll tell you what, let’s talk about music, something I know, or at at least something I love and I know I love. And because, like I mentioned earlier, we love our zeros, so this has also become the year of “best of the decade” list. Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin putting in order a whole 10 years worth of songs, albums, whatevers, the shear volume, man, so instead, here, today, for you, Sandy, and the whole Slowcoustic team, I will offer up an exclusive, what I believe to be is one of the best if not THE BEST album of the 00′s. I don’t even think I was going to do this on TSURURADIO! But, here goes…

One of the best, if not THE best album of the 00s is…

.

.

.

*drum roll, please*

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An album that requires no introduction….

.

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But we’ll talk about it anyway after we announce it…

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Drum roll still, uh, rollin’?

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The Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

by Neko Case

Yep.

It is. You know it is. We listened to this as the sun set on our ride back from Neko’s adopted country of origin (Canada), and though I’ve thought fondly and lovingly of Case’s masterpiece before, it was under those conditions, “on the road”, sky fading from blue to orange to pink to navy to black, volume up to ear-bleed, passing exit after exit, mile after mile, where it took on a 3rd and maybe even a 4th element and dimension. The thing just EXUDES mood, feeling, atmosphere, intelligence, well, Neko every single moment. The only thing that would’ve made it perfect would be a stop at a neon motel, something Ohio has a lot of (trust me, I know)…

So, as this decade wraps for decade list makers and more importantly, as this year wraps up, and finally as (thankful, I’m sure) this post wraps up, I’d like to spend my last few moments of this post;

1) thanking the wonderful folks at Slowcoustic for letting me potentially ruin their blog and their reputation and,

2) listening to Fox Confessor the way the good lord meant it to be listened to…on vinyl.

Side A

Margaret vs. Pauline
Star Witness
Hold On, Hold On

The most tender place in my heart is for strangers
I know it’s unkind but my own blood is much too dangerous
Hangin’ round the ceiling half the time
Hangin’ round the ceiling half the time

A Widow’s Toast
That Teenage Feeling
Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

Side B

John Saw That Number
Dirty Knife
Lion’s Jaws
Maybe Sparrow
At Last
The Needle Has Landed

So, I guess in the end, my 2009 post is a best-of-the-decade-type post, just like every other bloggy blog out there in internetland, ironic, eh? Thank you again, Sandy, and thank your readers for giving me these few moments of their time!

Peace, love, & LPs,
Cheers,

Aaron (aka Tsuru)
http://www.tsururadio.com

~~~

~Smansmith

~~~

2009 has been a shit year for albums. Bloody hell, it really has – stodgy, uninspired and disappointing. There were a ton of albums which could have been brilliant, but pretty much none of them excited me anything like I had been hoping they might have. There are plenty of albums out there which I had been looking forward to and which turned out to be quite good, some were even very good, but hardly any really got me excited. Bill Callahan, The Builders & the Butchers, Samantha Crain, Bombadil, George Pringle, Alela Diane, The Willard Grant Conspiracy, Richmond Fontaine, Casiotone – so much has just been solid rather than thrilling.

And yet, musically, 2009 has still been an immensely exciting year for some reason. Maybe that’s all down to participation, that great gift that the dominance of the digital and the increasing irrelevance of the major labels has given to the rest of us. You can actually chip in, now – you can help! – and that’s something which has made 2009 an incredible year from my point of view.

Increasingly, I have found myself able to watch it happen in front of my very eyes. I’ve seen bands record in our house, watched friends release their debut albums, argued with people over the sequencing of their records, hosted gigs, helped people with self-releases, and it’s been amazing. It doesn’t take much – put on a gig, let a promoter friend know that bands can sleep in your house if needed, help someone design a poster, start a blog, write guest posts for someone else’s, or just turn up at loads of stuff. Fuck it, it doesn’t take much, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help out.

I remember seeing the Billboard Chart for 2008 and seeing it dominated by infantile, laughable rubbish – Now 87 (or whatever), the Hannah Montana Soundtrack and shit like that – and being absolutely giddy with glee. That chart ignored download sales and independent labels, and it was hilarious. They have absolutely dropped the fucking ball, I thought. The big boys have no fucking idea what they’re doing, that chart does nothing at all except loudly announce their total cultural irrelevance, and if there was ever a time when the ball was squarely in our court, this is it.

These things don’t last long, of course. As any ecologist will tell you, any mass-extinction is pretty quickly followed by an incredibly nimble arms race to fill the vacated niche. Stereogum, Drowned in Sound and Pitchfork already hold a pretty scary dominance over online conversations and new entertainment entities (I won’t call them just labels, because they’ll need to be a lot more than that) will very quickly spring up to occupy the space vacated by the lumbering dinosaurs of the past. That won’t happen immediately of course and right now we have the chance to stake a claim to being a serious part of culture.

DIY and alternative movements are unlikely to ever be huge, of course. That’s the whole point of being alternative – it means not a lot of people are going to be into it. But because the audiences are spread so thin these days there is a lot of love to go around, and that’s the most inspiring thing I’ve noticed this year: that if you have the balls and the work ethic and the dogged persistence to really try and make something happen, there genuinely is an audience out there for you.

This is from the record which finished second in my Top Twenty Albums of the Year list: Bad Children by Navigator. The band have overloaded every mic and every channel, even in this relatively quiet, acoustic song. In the past how the hell would they have found even a shred of an audience. They’re from Salt Lake City, but I know of at least a dozen people in Edinburgh, Scotland who think their album is brilliant.

Navigator – Work is Done

Navigator – Blood

~~~

~Smansmith

~~~

Top 50 albums in 2009

*****

1. Scott Matthew – there is an ocean that divides…
scott matthew – for dick (live)

****1/2

2. yo la tengo – popular songs
yo la tengo – here to fall
3. evangelista – prince of truth
evangelista – the slayer
4. the felice brothers – yonder is the clock
the felice brothers – run chicken run
5. bill callahan – sometimes i wish we were an eagle
bill callahan – eid ma clack shaw

**** – ****1/2

6. alasdair roberts – spoils
alasdair roberts – hazel forks
7. laura gibson – beasts of seasons
laura gibson – sleeper
8. karl blau – zebra
9. alela diane – to be still
alela diane – white as diamonds

****

10. magnolia electric co. – josephine
magnolia electric co – josephine
11. vetiver – tight knit
vetiver – miles apart
12. charlie parr – roustabout
13. simon joyner – out into the snow
simon joyner – out into the snow
14. bonnie prince billy – beware
15. james blackshaw – the glass bead game
james blackshaw – cross
16. julie doiron – i can wonder what you did with your day
julie doiron – consolation prize
17. tara jane o’neil – a ways away
tara jane o’neil – drowning
18. simone white – yakiimo
simone white – a girl you never met
19. sonic youth – the eternal
sonic youth – sacred trickster
20. heartless bastards – the mountain
heartless bastards – searching for the ghost
21. megafaun – gather, form & fly
megafaun – the fade
22. michael hurley – ida con snock
michael hurley – wildegeeses (sample)
23. great lake swimmers – lost channels
great lake swimmers – pulling on a line
24. j. tillman – year in the kingdom
j. tillman – earthly bodies
25. the ballet – bear life
the ballet – the house on fire
26. michael j. sheehy – with these hands
27. condo fucks – fuckbook
28. dent may – the good feeling music of dent may & his magnificent ukulele
dent may – meet me in the garden (daytrotter session)

***1/2-****

29. pastels/tenniscoats – two sunsets
pastels / tenniscoats – about you
30. laura veirs – july flame
laura veirs – wide eyed, legless
31. pink mountaintops – outside love
pink mountaintops – vampire
32. red heart the ticker – oh my! mountains below
red heart the ticker – yellowbird
33. the allender band – outer dark
the allender band – riverrun
34. emeralds – what happened
35. black flowers – i grew from a stone to a statue
black flowers – polly on the shore (sample)
36. marissa nadler – little hells
marissa nadler – river of dirt
37. dirty projectors – bitte orca
38. mv & ee with the golden road – drone trailer
39. hope sandoval & the warm inventions – through the devil softly
40. six organs of admittance – luminous night
41. the curious mystery – rotting slowly
the curious mystery – black sand
42. nurses – apple’s acre
nurses – caterpillar playground
43. samara lubelski – future slip
samara lubelski – evolution flow
44. tenniscoats – temporacha
tenniscoats – ichinichi
45. le loup – family
le loup – forgive me
46. kurt vile – god is saying this to you

***1/2

47. leonard mynx – vesper
leonard mynx – valley of sickness and death
48.the duke and the king – nothing gold can stay
the duke and the king – if you ever get famous (daytrotter session)
49. patton – hellénique chevaleresque récital
patton – astar clusters
50. blues control – local flavour
blues control – losing game

~~~

There you have the best 50 albums of the past year from one of the best (and hardest working) bloggers around!  You will find this ongoing list over on Das Klienicum as well and if you speak German, you have just found your favourite blog!

~Smansmith (again)

Today is the first day of the “Best of 2009″ Blogger crew submissions here on Slowcoustic!  To recap, what is happening is my fellow bloggers are submitting to me some things that struck them as “best” of this year (as this year winds to a close).  It can be about absolutely anything in relation to music and quite possibly everything (as we have an example of right here in the very first post).

The launch begins with WE LISTEN FOR YOU blog in the house providing their bests, nay, their recommendations, nay, their companion to all that is music for 2009.  You want a great album…check.  You want a video…check.  You want something you might have missed…check.  You want to have a beverage to down alongside that music…check.  Even if you want to fall in love…check.  See below for a breakdown of all you needed this past year.

~Smansmith

Best Album of 2009:

Clues – Clues

It’s hard to call a recent album timeless…but I’m a risk taker…the self titled album from Clues is timeless.  This majestic collection of perfect songwriting hit me with such strength that it’s the only album I’ve given a perfect score.  For more info, read the 10/10 review: REVIEW: Clues – Clues

“Ledmonton”

“Remembered Severed Head”

“Perfect Fit”

Best Soundtrack of 2009:

Fantastic Mr. Fox

In the wrong hands a soundtrack featuring The Beach Boys can be disastrous.  With Anderson, he uses “Heroes and Villains” and “Ol’ Man River”, staying away from the diner hits that most directors abuse in film.  Sprinkle in a Rolling Stones track and original work from Jarvis Cocker and you have a very smart soundtrack.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack)

Best Overlooked/Never Looked Albums of 2009

These three albums are all must spins that sadly didn’t get the thumbs up from Pitchfork…which meant they gathered dust in the attic.  Pull the draw string, climb the steps, and dust off these amazing albums…they deserve some time in your ears.

Tap Tap – “On My Way”

“Feeling Funny”

The Mint Chicks – Screens

“Hot On Your Heels”

Mint Chicks – Hot on Your Heels from Mint Chicks on Vimeo.

Uninhabitable Mansions – Nature Is A Taker

Best Drink to consume while listening to music of 2009:

If you are of legal age, I require you to spend a night with a nice glass of Woodford Reserve.  Put on your gem vinyl and sit back with the greatest drink in the world.  Take it straight with a cube or two…if bourbon is too strong for you add a small hit a ginger ale.  No other soda.  Do not put other sodas in this drink or I will find you.  Straight or ginger ale.  Cheers.

Best Music Blog of 2009:

AD might not give away the most mp3s but if you’re looking for the best music writing, this blog is it.

Best Record Store of 2009:

Music Crush of 2009:

Sophie Madeleine

I don’t know what crushes me more, her beauty or talent.  In the end it’s the talent with a sweet and smooth voice that kills.  Her star is just now rising, so jump on her bandwagon early…go buy her album.

Best Music Video of 2009:

Lucky Pineapple – “Moment In An Empty Street”

~~~