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Top 25 Albums of 2009
2009 is almost over and boy was it a big one for music: Michael Jackson died, The Beatles became Rock Band legends, and dozens of bands reunited, including Blur, Blink-182, and The Jesus Lizard. It’s that time of year: to list my Top 25 Albums of 2009. Click through the gallery below to see my picks!
Images: Amazon… More »
Six New Bands You Should Hear
There is always a glut of new music to hear around CMJ time and from that glut certain bands and musicians stand out. Here’s a list of some of my favorite new bands (in no particular order):
Image: Amazon
Neon Indian is the latest project from producer Alan Palomo of VEGA. His tunes are poppy and joyful, but not cheesy. While the stuff sounds professional, he did it in his bedroom so it doesn’t suffer from over-production and you’re left with fun… More »
YACHT CD Release at Santos and More
Image: Amazon
YACHT has a new album coming out today called See Mystery Lights and to celebrate he will be at Santos Party House tonight (Tuesday) with Special Disco Version (DJ’s James Murphy & Pat Mahoney) and Bad Brilliance. Tickets are still on sale.
Santos Party House has some other great shows coming up. You can see the whole schedule here, but here are some highlights:
Noisettes with Apache Beat on August 3. Tickets
Jovanotti and Soleluna NY Lab with special guest on August… More »
What I’m Listening To Now
Image: Emily Rawlings via Pavement PR
Ann Courtney and The Late Bloomers
A lot of great songs have come out so far this year so I thought I would give you a heads up on some of my favorites that I’m currently listening to (in no particular order):
“Seven” by Fever Ray
“Don’t Be A Fading Bruise” by Ann Courtney and The Late Bloomers
“Lakeside” by Blk Jks
“Andrew” by Crystal Antlers
“Fake IDs” by Deleted Scenes
“Evangeline” by Handsome Furs
“Bits & Pieces” by Junior Boys
“Sleepyhead” by Passion… More »
White Lies Interview
The UK’s next big thing, White Lies, are poised to take over the US as well. They will be here with Friendly Fires on March 26 and 27 at the Bowery Ballroom (tickets still available). Their debut album To Lose My Life comes out on March 17. What to know more? Check out this interview with drummer Jack Brown:
Big Apple Music Scene: Your music has a great energy. What kind of process do you have when you are writing new… More »
TOP 15 ALBUMS OF 2008
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath, so I will keep you waiting no longer. Forthwith are my Top 15 Albums of 2008.
15.
Image: Amazon
Lykke Li, Youth Novels
14.
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Clark, Turning Dragon
13.
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Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple
12.
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Jamie Lidell, Jim
11.
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Shearwater, Rook
10.
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The Dodos, Visiter
9.
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Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
8.
Image: Illegal Art
Girl Talk, Feed the Animals
7.
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Thao Nguyen, We Brave Bee Stings And All
6.
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Hot Chip, Made in the Dark
5.
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Magnetic Fields, Distortion
4.
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Cut Copy, In Ghost Colors
3.
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M83, Saturdays=Youth
2.
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Quasi Curates Show at the Knit
Quasi (ex-Sleater Kinney) is curating a show at the Knitting Factory tomorrow (Saturday) night which looks pretty great. It’s a full club event with Quasi, Sic Alps, Marnie Stern, Crystal Stilts, Soft Circle, and Jeff Lewis. Tickets here. Lots of those bands were in Pitchfork’s recently announced Top 50 Albums of 2008…. More »
Filter Releases More Top 10 Lists
Image: Amazon
Filter Magazine has released more bands’ and musicians’ Top Ten Albums of 2008 lists. This week MGMT was the most frequently named artist. Check out who Diplo, the Black Kids, and others named as their favorites:
The Faint
The Watson Twins
Diplo
Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody
The Dead Trees’ Michael Alan Cummings
The Duke Spirit
Of Montreal’s Dottie Alexander
Black Kids
Midnight Juggernauts
Peter Bjorn and John’s Peter Morén
Peter Bjorn and John’s Bjorn Yttling
The Jealous Girlfriends
X’s DJ Bonebrake
The Walkmen’s Walt Martin
Glasvegas’ Paul Donoghue
White Denim’s James Petralli
Arbouretum
The Panics’ Jae Laffer
Ed… More »
Top 15 New York Concerts 2008
Well, I suppose it is time for a Top 10–or 15–list, right? Let’s start with my Top 15 New York concerts from 2008. Of course, these are only culled from concerts that I attended so I’m sure everyone has their own list. Post yours in the comments!
Runner-Up. Man Man and Yeasayer at Brooklyn Masonic Temple on 4/11. I couldn’t leave this show off my list because it really was a great night. Man Man were entertaining and energetic as always… More »
Bands’ Top Ten Albums of 2008
Image: Amazon
Wondering what Ryan Adams’ favorite album of 2008 is? Or maybe you want to know Chromeo’s choice for Best New Artist? Filter Magazine asked some of this year’s top artists to name their Top Ten and will be releasing a selection every week in December. Here’s who they have out so far:
M83′s Anthony Gonzalez
Ladytron
Kaiser Chiefs
Ra Ra Riot
Chromeo
Ryan Adams
The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle
Steve Wynn
The Dandy Warhols’ Peter Holmstrom
The Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner
Grizzly Bear’s Edward Droste
Earlimart
Butch Vig
Everest
Starsailor’s James Walsh
Sloan’s Patrick… More »
What Are You Doing On Halloween?
Matt & Kim and Marching Band @ McCarren Park Pool July 2008
Photo Permission: Devorah Klein
There is always a plethora of musical performances on Halloween and 2008 is no different. If you want to go to any of these shows, you should get your tickets now…hell, some New Year’s Eve shows have already been announced!
Portugal the Man, Earl Greyhound, Wintersleep @ Bowery Ballroom TICKETS
Matt & Kim, DMBQ, Ponytail, AIDS Wolf, The Homosexuals, Screens, Fiasco, Child Abuse @ Danbro Brewery Warehouse in… More »
What to Look Forward To
High Places
Photo by: Hisham Baroocha
Photo Permission: Paco Barba, Thrill Jockey Records
Serendipitously, a few days after I did my post on the best albums of the year that have come out so far, Pitchfork has done a list on what to look forward to in the rest of 2008, and boy is it all-inclusive. I’m personally psyched for the new albums from Ratatat, Annie, Brazilian Girls, Chad VanGaalen, Missy Elliot, Of Montreal, Deerhunter, Fujiya & Miyagi, Re-Up Gang, and Clipse,… More »
CDs You Should Have Heard By Now
Happy Independence Day! Since it is halfway through the year I thought I would do a roundup of my favorite releases so far. These are in no particular order…
Girl Talk: Feed the Animals
The ultimate dance party album, the samples Greg Gillis uses this time around are out of control.
Sam Sparro: Black and Gold
New electro-soul master originally from Down Under, sounds like Jamie Lidell with a dash of LCD Soundsystem.
Beach House: Devotion
Baltimore’s dreamy duo is back with another moody opus.
The… More »
What’s on b5 Music Channel’s iPods
Start your week with music.
b5media’s Music Channel offers 38 tracks to get you through your Monday.
The selection is vast. The tracks are ones we feel you should hear. Discover music and let us know what we should be checking out.
Have fun and welcome to a great selection of music.
Every Monday should start off with some quality Jazz. The Jazz and Blues Lounge is our online authority. Keeping with the jazz era The Good Musician gives us two of the greatest of all… More »
Two Songs to Add to Your iPod
Looking for some new music? Here are two great songs to add to your collection:
Atlas Sound: Another Bedroom
Architecture in Helsinki: Like It or Not (El Guincho Remix)
*songs via Pitchfork Media … More »
My Favorite CD Stores in NYC
The truth is, I don’t buy CDs all that often, but when I do I definitely have my favorite shops:
1. Academy Records at 12 W. 18th St. between 5th and 6th Ave.
Even though this store is small and their rock/pop selection even smaller (they specialize in jazz and classical), their prices are great for the actually good selection of used indie albums. I almost always find what I’m looking for, plus more. They also have a larger warehouse store called… More »
Happy Earth Day
Bear Mountain, NY
Image Source: Devorah Klein
In honor of Earth Day, b5 Media Music Bloggers are all listing a song in honor of Earth Day.
Mine is “Grass” by New York-based band Animal Collective.
Check out the video here.
Although the lyrics are kind of “out there” I think the song celebrates the joy we get from the good green earth. Plus, it’s got animals and grass in the name!… More »
Everyone Else’s Soundtracks
Check out the rest of the B5 Media Music Blogger’s soundtracks here.
Our Digital Music builds the track listing from morning to night.
The Rock Dose offers songs and lyrics to start your day.
Oz Music Scene plays a wide variety of tracks both new and old.
Toronto Unplugged gives you a chance to listen to 5 standout tracks from a Sunday on the road.
Hip Hop Roll has one album that is taking over the rotation. Find out what album it is.
Pop Music… More »
Soundtrack of My Day
Some people might be wondering what I listen to on any given day…well probably not, but just in case here’s a sampling of what I listened to this weekend:
1. “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” -Paul Simon
2. “Sunrise” -Yeasayer
3. “Blind” -Hercules and Love Affair
4. “Shove It” -Santogold
5. “That’s My DJ” -Girl Talk
6. “Engwish Bwudd” -Man Man
7. “Are You Ready for the Floor?” -Hot Chip
8. “Crap Kraft Dinner” -Hot Chip
9. “Cover Me” -El Guincho (cover of Bjork)
10. “Eyelids” -Dodos… More »
Recent Albums That Are Awesome
Here’s a list of some great albums that have come out in the last few weeks to get you in the mood for spring:
The Breeders: Mountain Battles
Kim and Kelley Deal are back after a four year hiatus and deliver the goods.
Man Man: Rabbit Habits
Philly’s favorite mustachioed musicians return with another rollicking album.
Nick Cave at the Plug Awards 2008. Image Source: D. Klein
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Iconic legend still has it and delivers it with his trademark… More »