Ew

Reading everything I wrote it sounded most unlike what I wanted to say. I'm bad at reviewing music. But I hope you got some good songs from this blog atleast. Some people have told me they really like(d) it which means a lot. Thanks for reading, it was good to get out of my system.

Best songs of 07 (Part 2)

This time the lack of posting was due to me being in Virginia with my family without internet. as opposed to me being lazy. I write this with my grandma snoring across the room and as my little twin cousins are running out the door to go to the water park. I had a good Christmas and I hope you are having a good

Continued. I'm knocking them all out now.

Apostle of Hustle - My Sword Hand's Anger (National Anthem of Nowhere)
I had no clue who these guys were. BSS members? It sounded good to me and this song was awesome. But the rest of the album was super dull. They're pretty ethnic and have lots of songs that never go anywhere. But this song just has one of those hooks that stick with you all day. I listened to this song over and over for awhile.

Architecture in Helsinki - Heart it Races (Places Like This)
I had heard a little about them in the past but hadn't really spent the time to listen to them. A friend was talking about how amazing their live shows are and they were just in town with YACHT so I figured they must be good. I still haven't heard the rest of the new album. sounds like there were mixed responses. This track gets me dancing every time.

Cloud Cult - Pretty Voice (The Meaning of 8)
This album's easy to forget as on 07 release since it came out in early January. I could see people thinking Cloud Cult are a little lame on the albums but their sound definitely translates better live. The first time I saw them I was blown away. This albums really hard to choose on good song off of this album, pretty much ev.ery song is amazing. This song is an easy highlight though. Each harmony that gets added seems to brighten your day that much more

CocoRosie - Werewolf (The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn)
I get tired of reading people trying to describe Cocorosie. Freak-folk or hip-hop or whatever... I just think they're very original and have a very cool sound, I've been a fan for awhile. Their new album was good, and this song's incredible.

Bjork - Declare Independence (Volta)
I was not into Volta much. There are a few cool songs but nothing as overwhelming and powerful as some of my favorite albums of hers. I thought her dueting with Antony had to be amazing regardless, but it was surprisingly mediocre. But when I heard this song... man! It's just so powerful and loud. Those are really the two key words. I get chills.

BOAT - (I'm a) Donkey For Your Love (Let's Drag Our Feet!)
BOAT are the masters of writing the best hooks ever. Every song is undeniably catchy and great this album is now exception. One of my favorite local bands by far.

Devendra Banhart - Seahorse (Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Mountain)
Not that Devendra's newest album was bad, but it really didn't do it for me. I got excited when I heard this song but when I tried to listen to it all the way through I got bored after 2 or three songs every listen. The production just sounds really bad, there's no other way to put it. And most of the time it sounds like Devendra's channeling Jim Morrison, which doesn't really work for him (especially since I'm not a Doors fan). But this song is excellent, don't get me wrong. There are a few tracks which I really like.

Dizzee Rascal - Pussy'ole (Math + English)
Old school. This just makes me want to move, simple as that.

El-P - Tasmanian Pain Coaster (I'll Sleep When You're Dead)
This is the most epic hip-hop track this year, and probably every. The intro gets to so psyched for what's about to come. By the time the chorus drops your head is bobbing without even noticing. And El-P's beats are still noisy and heavy as concrete and cluttered but in the way that makes it interesting, not annoying. Plus he gets credit for getting Chan Marshall and Trent Reznor for his album.

Feral Children - Juandice Giraffe (Second to the Last Frontier)
This song is so dark and so different.Those opening coos really grabbed my attention. It doesn't build too much, it just stays in this really eerie state which haunts you if any of that makes sense. Very cinematic to me.

Fionn Regan - Snowy Atlas Mountains (The End of History)
This record is solid. Folksy with lots of finger picking and very charming. This song gets intense and I like it a lot.

Grayskul - The Office (ft. Aesop Rock and Slug) (Bloody Radio)
4 incredible MC's on one track. Aesop delivers a really great chorus and nothing more which is a nice change of pace for hip-hop cameos. But then Slug gets his own verse, and when I was listening to it I was wondering if it would be all that good, as the beat wasn't really his usual style but his flow sounds as nice as ever. Plus the production and the drums are just vicious. Grayskul are by far my favorite local hip-hop group.

Iron and Wine - Carousel (The Shepard's Dog)
I was so nervous about this album. I love lo-fi and mellow Iron and Wine so much I had a hard time fathoming this heavily produced bunch of tunes, but they're all so great.Completely different, I almost think Sam Beam should have gotten a new band moniker. It was tough to choose a favorite but this one always stands out for me.

Kevin Drew - TBTF (Spirit If...)
I still haven't given this album a proper listen, I haven't gone this long with out craving some BSS, but I'm sure it's as great as everyone says. I know I really like this song though.

Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love - May Fly (Ends of June)
I still don't know too much about these guys, but this song is so good! The first time you hear it it's alright but everything is just so perfect about it. Short and sweet.

Menomena - My My (Friend and Foe)
I think a lot of people know how awesome this record is. It's fun, quirky, odd and this song proves it can be pretty sensitive. Another one that's hard to choose my favorites from.

PWRFL Power - It's Okay (Injured Fruits EP)
This guy popped out of no where into the Seattle music scene and began playing so many shows it made my head spin. I wrote about him awhile back, I think he's a nice breath of fresh air. But definitely an acquired taste.

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan (Asleep at Heavens Gates)
This record really disappointed me. I got all psyched up with this track and harmonium, I was really craving some new Rogue Wave. But the whole album is really over produced. They just threw as many instruments on a track as they could and it really takes away from each song, except on a few. This is one and it's killer.

Sage Francis - Going Back to Rehab (Human the Death Dance)
Sage Francis can sometimes be really odd in a bad way, but when he gets it right he gets it really right. This track is absolutely breathtaking. Lyrically he is on a whole other level.

Simian Mobile Disco - Love (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
What a great fusion of dance and indie pop (at least that's what it sounds like to me). How can you stay still when you listen to this? This record is solid.

Stars - Window Bird (In Our Bedroom After the War)
Despite what some reviews say, In Our Bedroom After the War is in fact incredible! I don't see how people disagree. There are a few weak songs but it more than makes up for it by having incredible songs like this one. The vocals are so sweet and pleasing, the way Amy Milan says 'ferocious' in the chorus. And the end is so dramatic. Stars actually pull off a guitar solo and it couldn't sound any more awesome.

Sunset Rubdown - The Mending of the Gown (Random Spirit Lover)
What an opener! That riff gets drilled into my head. This album grows on you so fast. The songs aren't so accessible at first but once you get to know them a little better they get better with each listen. This song gets me so riled up.

There are still many albums I haven't checked out, either I didn't have the time or I never got a hold of them. I'm still catching up. These are some

Arthur and Yu - In Camera
Battles - Mirrored
Caribou - Andorra
Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
Marissa Nadler - Songs III
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Shape of Broad Minds - Blue Experience
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
Tiny Vipers - Hands Across the Void
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is
Xiu Xiu - Remixed and Covered

I thought 07 was a great year. But I'm sure everyone's sick of all these o7 recaps. I am. I actually really did not like writing these after a point. I'm pretty sure I'm near the end of this blog. Expect one more post after this.

Oh and don't forget the other ones I posted below.

Best songs of 07 (Part 1)

All these 07 lists everywhere are really pissing me off. They all look a little something like this. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
M.I.A. - Kala
White Stripes - Icky Thump
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
The National - Boxer
Kanye West - Graduation
Tegan and Sara - The Con
Iron and Wine - The Shepard's Dog
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Justice - †
Feist - The Reminder
The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

All the sameness is driving me nuts. Woah, who knew that Spin thought Neon Bible was a good album? Who could have guessed that people like the new Radiohead? I like a good amount of these albums but it just feels so pointless to talk about them, so as a rule for these posts I'm not mentioning any of the afore-mentioned albums. If you want to hear about the, well you could probably find about 2,000 blogs who wrote about them, it's no biggie.

So here are a few to start it off. More posts with more songs are coming

Dntel - To a Fault
Dntel - Natural Resources
Featuring Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear and Fog. Dumb Luck was probably my favorite record of the year. It's ridiculous how little hype it got. There was a little bit of buzz around it upon it's release but it's not even being remembered now, while everyone's making their best of lists. Jimmy Tamborello has mastered his sound. He knows exactly what sounds right when. Every little beep, buzz, or swell sounds perfect. I couldn't just choose one track, but it's hard enough to choose two. I hope you go back and listen to it. In no order whatsoever.


Cave Singers - Seeds of Night
I was sketchy about these guys at first. I didn't think a new band with members from Pretty Girls Make Graves/Murder City Devils and Hint Hint would make for great acoustic music, but they just came outta nowhere with some of the most authentic, new folk music I've heard. I got to catch them live at the KEXP BBQ with Cloud Cult and I was totally won over. Invitation Songs is such a sturdy debut, I hope we see more records from them in the future. It almost makes me not sad about Pretty Girls Make Graves breaking up.


Elliott Smith - New Disaster
I think a lot of people have mixed feelings about calling this a 2007 release, but these songs were all new to me upon it's release so I think it deserves a spot. This was one of the best records of the year to me. I listened to it endlessly. I think it's some of Elliott's finest work and stands up just as well to all his other albums (which is pretty damn impressive). This track is so amazing. The guitar part, the dynamics, the structure, the melodies. There are so many gems like this on this 2-disc set that are big steps outside Elliott's normal sound, and every track works so well.

YACHT - So Post All 'Em
I was introduced to YACHT (Jona Bechtolt) earlier this year when he was onn the bill for a free opening show for Seattle's Vera Project. My friends were there for him, I hadn't heard him or the Blow before. Fuck man! That show was incredible. He had won me over. I went to the table and bought Mega, which is an instrumental glitch album, not really what he played. I think all of his set was from his 07 album, I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real. I can see some people not getting into this record too much without imagining his energy, but for the most part I think it's really impressive and gets me going. Fun, addicting rhythms.


!!! - All My Heroes are Weirdos
I was all over Myth Takes when it came out. I listened to it nonstop. Now that the hype has died a bit I admit it's not as good as it was initially for me but that's not to say it's not a fantastic album. It's the most complete album of theirs and it shows so much growth, and in a way that dedicated fans aren't dissapointed and asking "what happened to !!!?" This songs definitely one of the highlights. It's shorter that most songs on the album but still really fucking loud. Dance your heart out. (Also, in my book this is the best album cover of the year. It even beats Menomena's!!!)


Feist - 1 2 3 4 (Van She Technologic Remix)
OK, I know I put Feist up there on that list, but this isn't really from the reminder. I'm sure we've all got our fill of 1 2 3 4 but this remix kills! It's so damn good I can't believe it. Words can't describe.




Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
I played this song to death. I almost didn't list it cause I overplayed it and now I'm a bit tired of it, but there's no denying how great it is. Many argue but I don't think this year had the best hip-hop releases. This is one of the few that really caught my ear. I was expecting an album that was all in this vein of dark and excellently produced music, but the album's way different. It's his most laid back album yet. It sounds amazing. Aesop Rock's at his best lyrically and blockhead throws down some killer beats. Definitely one of my favorites of the year, no doubt.


Andrew Bird - Plasticities
It took me awhile till I got into Mr. Bird's latest but this song is so addicting. I think it has something to do with only having the chorus twice, and that's the part that sticks in your head so hard. I always listen to this song over and over again. Majestic.

How Chill

So I realized how annoying it is to read blogger's apologies about not posting. No one wants to read that shit. Not me. So I'll post whenever the hell I want to, so that's that.

For this set of music I was coming home from driver's ed (I did terribly) and I went to the bus stop. It was taking forever. I was feeling very chill and just kept picking songs that sounded fit. It works awesome! So listen to this when you're very chill. yes.


Tarkio - Eva Luna
Radiohead - Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was (Live)
Andrew Bird - Imitosis (Four Tet Remix)
Bjork - Earth Intruders (Spank Rock Remix)
Gorillaz - El Manana (Metronomy Remix)
Zero 7 - Warm Sound
The Notwist - Chemicals
Madvillain - Strange Ways (Koushik Remix)
The Roots - Dynamite!
Gang Starr - Betrayal
Sage Francis - Climb Trees
DJ Shadow - Mutual Slump
TV On the Radio - Modern Romance (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover)
Feist - Secret Heart
+/- - Thrown Into the Fire
Giant Drag - Blunt Picket Fence

It really gets good near the end I think.
And no picture! I'm too lazy!

A pleasant surprise

This sort of caught me off guard. I picked up the Easy All-Star's tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer entitled Radiodread, from the library thinking it would be fun but what totally shocked me was how good it was. Seriously. It brings out a side of all the songs that were there, but now they're totally rocking. I actually am not a big fan of reggae in general but this is really enjoyable and easy to get into. Very much recommended:

Let Down (ft. Toots and the Maytails)
Paranoid Android (Ft. Kristy Rock)
Karma Police (ft. Citizen Cope)

While we're on the subject of surprisingly good covers...
Queens of the Stone Age - Christian Brothers (Elliott Smith Cover)

I thought they'd through on the distortion and turn this song into a real heavy groover that they like to dip into so often but they really just play the song how it was intended. The studio production and extra instruments give the song a new flare and Josh Hommes gets to sing the chorus in that charming but tough falsetto he's so good at.

Dan Rossen (Grizzly Bear) - Too Little, Too Late (JoJo cover)
I hadn't heard the original, so I youtubed it before listening to this. It's a pretty average waterd-down pop song and I didn't think there'd be that much creative room for him to do anything cool, it would probably just end up being another band trying to joke around and try to make a top 40 hit good, but he takes it to new heights, it's really incredible. It was recorded for fellow Grizzly, Ed's birthday. Speaking of Grizzly Bear
here's a remix of Dntel's To a Fault which feature Ed Droste of GB, off the album Dumb Luck (Which is by far one of my number one albums of the year)
Dntel - To a Fault (James Rutledge Remix)


Also, check out these sweet remixes from Amplive of some In Rainbow tracks:
Radiohead - Nude (Amplive Remix)
Radiohead - Weird Fishies (Amplive Remix)



That's all for now, enjoy. More playlists coming soon.

A mix for a friend

I got to make another mix for a friend of mine and I finished it up last night, here's a part of it.
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!!! I've never been a huge fan of this holiday (I'm a big picky eater) but it's still sort of fun.

The Prom - Jean Alexander Waltz
Feral Children - Spy/Glass House
Genius/GZA - Liquid Swords
Soul Position - No Gimmicks
Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow
De La Soul - The Magic Number
BOAT - Last Cans of Paint
Ben Gibbard - Indian Summer (Beat Happening Cover, from About a Son soundtrack)
Annuals - Brother
Sage Francis - Crack Pipes

It may not look like it would flow too well but believe me, it does.

A dark set of music

Some of my favorite songs from some of my favorite artists... for when you're feeling down and blue. Get deep in your thoughts and get emotional. Good for rainy days and night time walks.

Damien Jurado - Tonight, I will Retire
Sparklehorse - Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd Cover, w/ Thom Yorke)
TV On the Radio - You Could Be Love (Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes b-side)
Antony and the Johnsons - Cripple and the Starfish
Cocorosie - Ohio (Damien Jurado Cover)
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Bullet Charm