Monday, June 1, 2009

29. The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)




This is the tenth studio album from the great Canadian band, The Flaming Lips. This band has covered a lot of ground in their career, and this album is one of the best. This electro alt rock album focuses its lyrics on serious issues like death, love, pacifism and fighting the good fight, all while telling the epic tale of Yoshimi. Yoshimi is a black belt in karate and she fights a pink robot, yadda yadda. This story is told through a few of the songs, but it is not a real concept album. The psychedelic noises in some of the songs are a bit excessive for me, especially in the middle of the title track. I really do like this album however, and Are You a Hypnotist? And It’s Summertime.

28. T.I. - Paper Trail (2008)


In this album T.I. displays a perfect rap attitude; he is the shit, but he also warns other rappers not to follow in his gangster footsteps and focus on their rap careers. This album has some great songs featuring other artists such as Kanye, Lil Wayne, Jay Z, MIA, Ludacris, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Swizz Beatz, and John Legend. That is one hell of a lineup. There are some club songs that you’re going to hear all year in bars and on the radio, but there are also some great rap songs. My Illy is one of the best flows I’ve heard in a long time. Swagger like us is my other favorite, it was also nominated for Rap song of the year at the Grammy’s. Usually I wouldn’t mention it but I thought that all the people who contributed to this track did a good job performind at the Grammy’s, especially MIA who gave birth to her kid a few hours later. Props to that.
http://community.trapmuzik.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEFfsDiN1Z0&feature=PlayList&p=F42BE7C2B05AEEDD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=25

Monday, April 27, 2009

27. Manic Street Preachers – Holy Bible (1994)


This album was written by as journal entries by Richey James Edwards in the months before he disappeared. The dark lyrics only hint at his mental state. I love music written by people with mental problems, the lyrics always seem to have a darker tone. Most of the songs on this album start or end with a spoken word clip, such as Faster which starts out with a voice saying “I hate purity, I hate goodness, I don’t want virtue to exist anywhere, I want everyone corrupt”. Faster, 4st, 7lbs, and This is Yesterday are my favorite tracks.

Download.
Password required: 21thRevol

26. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema (2005)


This is the third album from The New Pornographers, a power pop band from Vancouver. This is a super group, whose members include Neko Case and Dan Bejar of Destroyer. I am far more familiar with Neko Case’s other work, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I heard this album that I knew it was well worth spreading the word. This album showcases Case’s beautiful vocals, usually backed up by at least one more singer. I don’t have a lot to say about this album, other than to let you know how impressed I am with it. Bones of an Idol, and Sing me Spanish Techno are my two favorites.

NekoCase.com
Download.

25. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)


The Smashing Pumpkins have several great albums but this one is a standout. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness proves that Billy Corgan is one of the great song writers, especially since this is their follow-up album after their hugely successful Siamese Dream. This album is a double CD release, with a play time of over 2 hours. The first disc is dawn and the other is dusk, the times mentioned in the songs roughly correspond to a passing day in the life of a teenager. If you feel like spending a few hours just chilling out with headphones on then this is what you should listen to. There are so many great songs on here that I couldn’t pick a favorite. Tonight, Tonight, Bullet with Butterfly Wings, 1979, and Here is No Why are all amazingly well written songs that you should already know.

Note: When I was in university I had to study Georges Méliès's silent film A Trip to the Moon (1902) It is one of the first silent films ever made. The Video for Tonight, Tonight is based off of Méliès film, and they did a great job. Here it is.

Myspace.
Download.

24. Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me (1987)


This alt rock group is one of my favorites. I hate when artists use feedback as part of a song, it sounds like garbage. Having said that, I love when Dinosaur Jr. does it. They the gain way too high and lots of feedback, both of these things are incorporated into their sound so well that it fits right in. The vocals sound similar, with Lou Barlow’s voice always on the verge of cracking, but never quite getting there. Poledo is totally out of place on this album, with Barlow singing and playing a Ukulele, then Lo Fi sound clips are thrown in to make it even worse. I really thought the album could have done without this song. The Lung and Sludgefeast are two great tunes that totally make up for Poledo.

DinosaurJr.com
Download.

23. Philip Glass – Solo Piano (1989)


Philip Glass is one of the most important composers of the last century, and he writes music for Symphonies, movies, television, operas, and just about anything else that has music involved. This recording is just what it sounds like, beautiful minimalist piano. I love the simplicity of this music, and it is just pretty to listen to. Philip Glass is also apparently friends with Aphex Twin and Bowie.

PhilipGlass.com

22. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum (2007)


The first 500 copies of this album came with a bubble gum scented scratch-and-sniff sleeve, I’m jealous. Anyways, this album is a mix of electronic and folk and a lot of experimental noise, I can’t begin to accurately describe the music without you listening to it, but I have a feeling that these guys do a lot of drugs. I liked the songs Sun Lips, Jump in my Mouth and Breathe the Stardust.

Myspace.
Download.

21. Armor For Sleep - What To Do When You Are Dead (2005)


What To Do When You Are Dead is a great concept album from Armor. There seems to be a resurgence in concept albums lately, this one stands out for me though. The basic idea is that this kid kills drives his car into a lake, because of his shitty relationship, and then haunts his former girlfriend as a ghost. He doesn’t really haunt her, just floats around her house. Sounds like the dumbest thing you ever heard right? Well it is, but the songs are great. As the album progresses you see the dead guy change his mind from being mad, to wanting to go back to life, then realizing that what he did is final. Car Underwater, Truth about Heaven, and Basement Ghost Singing are really good songs. Go check it out.
Note: There is a pretty good album called An Acoustic Tribute to Armor for Sleep’s What to do When You are Dead. If you like the Punk Goes Acoustic compilations then you’ll love it.

Myspace.
Download.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

20. Kyuss – Sky Valley (1994)


This band is classified as stoner metal, and they apparently took the name Kyuss from a Dungeons and Dragons character. That is enough for me to like them, but this is one of my favorite albums. The version that I have is only 4 tracks, even though there are ten songs. This is to encourage you to listen to it as a whole, rather than playing songs individually. I wish more artists would do that. Some songs are so much better when heard with their companions. The flow that this album has is exactly what I am talking about. This album has all the goodness of Queens of the Stone Age, with a 1994 attitude. You will enjoy.

Note: I saw Tool a few years ago and they covered the song Demon Cleaner. I hope that you are one day lucky enough to see Tool cover your favorite Kyuss song. This song is also in one of the Guitar Hero Games, if you care.

Myspace
Download

19. Joy Division – Closer (1980)


I only really started listening to Joy Division after watching the film Control and realizing what a cook Ian Curtis was, and you know crazy people make good music. I was right, Closer is a great album. The drums on the opening song, Atrocity Exhibition are so strange yet not too tribal. Curtis matches them beat for beat with his vocals, also reminding me a lot of Jim Morrison. That song alone had me hooked. Heart and Soul is my favorite song on Closer, the bass is perfect. I love the scene in the film Donnie Darko, when Donnie descends the stairs into the Halloween party and Love Will Tear Us Apart Again is playing. That is one of my favorite ‘music in movies’ moments, so I was a little bothered when I noticed that Love Will Tear Us Apart Again is not on this album. There is a 2007 re-mastered version containing bonus material, of which Love Will Tear Us Apart Again is a part. So go listen to this album, then watch Control, then watch Donnie Darko.

Note: The director’s cut of Donnie Darko changes the music in the scene I mentioned, so go find the original. And fuck you Richard Kelly, I’ll make a Director’s cut out of your face.

Donnie Darko IMDB page here.

Control IMDB page here.

Joy Division Myspace here.

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18. Beast – Beast (2008)


It seems that I have been stumbling across more and more French musicians lately, at least this one is singing in English. If you know who Betty Bonifassi Is then good for you, I didn’t. But once I looked her up I found out that she has been a part of several music projects that I really liked, such as DJ Champion. This is her new one, an electro duo from Montreal with Jean-Phi Goncalves. I remembered Bonifassi’s voice from the song No Heaven with DJ champion immediately, her voice is not raspy but it’s almost there, and the French accent is a perfect touch, (for some inexplicable reason.) Mr.Hurricane is the first single which was released free on Itunes, that’s how I heard Beast for the first time. My picks were for Devil and Mr. Hurricane. If you like slower tempo electro or trip hop then this is where it’s at. I included the link to the Mr. Hurricane music video, which is fabulous.

Note: The Toronto Star called it “one of the most strikingly original and swaggeringly bad-ass Canadian albums to rear its head in recent memory”. I love when a mainstream newspaper uses the word “Badass”. Badass.

Myspace
The great video I mentioned
here.

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17. The Tallest Man On Earth – Shallow Graves (2008)


This is Kristian Matsson’s new folk album. I don’t know why I threw that out there; His name means nothing to me, so it probably means even less to you. Anyways, Matsson is a brilliant folk singer from Sweden. This album is very early Dylan, with simple song format and brilliant lyrics. I know that Bob Dylan has been used as the yardstick of folk music since the beginning of time, but it is more than true when speaking of Matsson. This album sounds more like he is playing beside a campfire than in a studio, but in a good way, as if he isn’t trying all that hard. (I stole this idea from a review I read on Pitchfork, I couldn’t think of anything nearly as fitting**.) The song The Gardner, is so lyrically beautiful about his secrets getting away to his girl. I loved it, whatever it was about.
P.S. I said it sounds more like he’s at a campfire than in a studio. Just for the record, there is a picture on his Myspace where he is playing beside a campfire. I swear that I saw the picture after I wrote that. I guess I’m just that awesome.

**
myspace
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16. Alcest - Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde (2007)


I don’t know any background about this band, but I can tell you that they’re French and they play amazing tunes. They sound like Aves, and Amesoeurs and I don’t know what else. This band has got their metal roots shining through this post-rock, shoe gaze album and it works out perfectly. I first heard this because the album art is wicked, and I wanted to know what a French rock band would sound like. This is the only album by Alcest I could find, but they also have a great EP called The Secret with only 2 songs, but the playtime is close to twenty minutes. Printemps Émeraude and Souvenirs d'un autre monde were my two favorite tracks. Go, do it.

Myspace
Download.

15. Alexisonfire – Alexisonfire (2002)


Okay kids, this is probably the only time I will ever recommend screaming, but is so beautiful. This band from St.Catharines Ontario is the fucking shit. I loved this album, and I love the two that came since, but this is still my favorite. The instrumentals are just spectacular. 44. Caliber Love Letter has wicked guitar, and the opening for Polaroid’s of Polar Bears gives me shivers of excitement every time I hear it, and then the double kick only makes the song better. I saw this band when they were small time and I was impressed with their live show. I saw them for a third time this past winter, and they’ve only gotten more impressive. If you don’t like post-hardcore, or any screaming, I still think you’ll enjoy this for the pure talent that went into making this music.

Myspace

Download.

14. The Tragically Hip – Trouble At the Henhouse (1996)


This is the fifth album by The Hip, and it’s softer than their old stuff and harder than their new stuff. This is my favorite Hip album because when I first heard some of the songs they made me say “Wow, who is this great band?” The versatility shown throughout this album makes me love them even more. Butts Wigglin’ makes me smile more than it should, Sherpa is a trippy song that makes me wish I was high every time I hear it, and Put it off is the best dark brooding song you could ask for.

Their website here.

13. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland (1968)


I don’t know what I can say, if you love good guitar then you already love this album. The Bob Dylan cover of All Along the Watchtower is amazing. There are some trippy songs that you forget you’ve been listening to for the past 8 minutes, such as ‘Moon, Turn The Tides... Gently, Gently Away.’ My favorite is House Burning Down or maybe Cross Town Traffic, where the girl just doesn’t get the message. I read a review that said House Burning Down was a social commentary, but I just think it’s a badass song. Hendrix usually gets all the glory, but Noel Redding was an amazing bass player. RIP Hendrix and Redding.

12. Sebastien Grainger - Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains (2008)


You’re a woman, I’m a Machine is on my top 10 album list, and Heads Up is up near the top too, so I knew I would like the solo material from the drummer and singer of Death From Above 1979, but not this much. This is the first solo stuff I have listened to from Sebastien, and it is great. It is electro pop without the aggressiveness that came with DFA1979. I hate my friends, American Names, and Meet New Friends are great. Go get put headphones on.

His Myspace.

11. Paul Simon - Graceland (1986)


I love this album. It is very heavily influenced by South African music and I don’t really like “Homeless” and “Under African Skies” because the African influence takes over too much for my taste. Those two songs do nothing to distract from the brilliance of the rest of this album. The mix of styles on the rest of the album is perfectly balanced. In university I wrote an essay about the title song, Graceland, and listening to that song a hundred times only made me like it more. “The Boy in the bubble” and “That was your Mother” two of my favorites on the album and they’re pure zydeco, complete with accordions. Go listen and I know you’ll wake up the next day with Graceland lyrics stuck in your head.

10. Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking (1988)

Wow, I always put the year in with the album name, and I am amazed that this record is that old, it sounds like it was influenced by 90’s rock bands. At the same time as I say it sounds like 90’s rock, this album also reminds me of Led Zeppelin in the way Perry sings his lyrics right into the flow of the music and improvises with vocal sounds. I was listening to this album, and I usually make a list of songs that I want to mention, but I wrote down every song, They all stuck in my head. Standing in the shower thinking is my favorite, and Ted Just admit it… is one of those songs that goes on for about a year and a half, and I loved all of it. Go listen to Nothing’s shocking.

Here is a video from Youtube for Up the Beach, and it is a surfer on the biggest wave I’ve ever seen, check it out.

And to back up what I said about Perry singing like Robert plant, here.

9. Grateful Dead – American Beauty (1970)


This album is good hippie folk music, it continues the folk feel of Working man’s dead, The Grateful Dead’s previous album. The songs on this album sound different because everyone in the band can be heard singing together on almost all of the tracks. The opening three songs, Box of rain, Friend of the devil, and Sugar magnolia are my three favorite of the album, go listen to this album if you like this type of music.
On a side note, I started listening to the Grateful Dead when I watched the TV show Freaks and Geeks and the hippie kids tell the main character to go listen to American Beauty, and her own problems won’t seem so bad. I feel the same way about this album, so thank you to Freaks and Geeks.
Another side note: If a grateful Dead fan is called a Dead Head, then a Radiohead fan is called a HeadHead. LOL GET IT?

8. Beck – Guero (2005)


This album is awesome. If you like beck you will cream your pants for this. The Dust Brothers, producers of his first album Odelya, are back for this, Beck’s 8th album. Beck is the guy everyone knows for the song loser, off of his Odely album, but he is so much better than that song. Guero goes back to the sound that Odelay had, after venturing in very different directions with the 6 albums in between, and I don’t blame him for going back to his roots because it worked. I shouldn’t give the impression that those 2 albums are the same, because in odelay beck sounded like an eager kid, now he sounds like a bummed out old man. This album hops around from genre to genre with the weirdest shit you ever heard thrown in. The song Emergency Exit actually incorporates a modem dialing noise, and it sounds good. There is also a great album of remixes done on all the songs of this album (called Guerolito). Broken Drum is one of my favorite songs on this album, and it is remixed by Boards of Canada, which makes it great. Go it alone is a phenomenal song, and Que’ Onda Guero makes me smile every time I hear it.

myspace

7. Lil’ Wayne - The Carter II


Fuck the carter III, this album is where it is at. This album came after “The Carter,” and after all the mix tapes this rapper has out and it blows my mind when I listen to it. The Mobb, Weezy Baby, Shooter, Receipt, Oh no, Hit em up, Money on my mind. Those songs alone would have make a great album. I love rap, but it is very rare for me to love an entire album. This album is just plain funny, and funny rap is good rap.

myspace

6. Magneta Lane – Constant lover (2004)


This is a girl band who plays guilty pleasure girl band type music, I don’t know how to describe it but it’s really good. The lyrics are poignant, especially the song “Party days” and the title track “The Constant Lover.” I don’t know why I like this band, maybe because they are babes, but more likely because it’s really good.

Myspace

5. Iron & Wine – Shepherd’s dog (2007)


This is the 3rd album from this band, but they also have several good EPs that you can easily find if you’re good at the internet. This is really folky rock, but it is not gross like that sounds, it’s very poppy and listener friendly. “Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car” was on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of best songs for 2007.** but I like “Boy with a Coin” better. I hope this doesn’t put anyone off, but "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was used in the movie Twilight and is also on the movie’s soundtrack. Sounds a bit like Fleet Foxes and Bone Iver.

Myspace
**Rolling Stone top 500 songs.

4. The Notorious BIG – Ready to Die (1994)


The next person who tells me that “But Tupac is a poet man…” is gonna get a smack. I shouldn’t even be writing anything about this album, because I know it will turn into an essay and I’ll run on about how fucking amazing this man is. This is the debut album from notorious BIG, and it’s the best rap album I have ever listened to. I should start at the beginning. The intro starts with Biggie’s birth and the audio continues through his life to a point where biggie is heard saying “I got big plans.” The intro samples lots of songs, such as rappers delight by the sugar hill gang, and Superfly by Curtis Mayfield, and a snoop dogg song that I can’t name. This is honestly the only introduction that I don’t skip over when I listen to an album. Things done changed is track 2, about how life in the ghetto isn’t the same as it was before with the basic message (and chorus) being “Back in the day, they used to thump but now they blast.” Every song on this album is made of pure Win. I could write at least 300 words on how amazing each song is, but Wikipedia has this album covered with a great article about it.
I want to say more about how amazing this album is but I don’t think I need to, go listen to it, twice.
RIP the notorious BIG.
Great Wiki Article

3. Aves – Demo (2009)


Aves, is Latin for bird. I learned that when I tried to Google this band. I didn’t find anything else. They have a MySpace page with fewer views than my profile probably has. That’s about all I could find out. This demo has 4 songs with no vocals, and they’ve been playing me to sleep at night for a few days. They list their influences as Dinosaur Jr., Joy Division and The Smiths. I also think they sound a lot like Amesoeurs and The cure. Very mellow metal, if you would even call it that, check them out.

Their Myspace

2. Crippled Black Phoenix – A Love Of Shared Disasters (2006)


This band played last week at the Casbah in Hamilton and I heard they were amazing, turns out I heard right. They are a post rock group from England, but to call them post rock is bullshit. They sound like pink Floyd and have long epics that make you say wow when they are finished. ‘A love Of Shared Disasters’ has 5 songs that are longer than 6 minutes, and I honestly didn’t notice. They sound a lot like Sigur Rós too, with a large band including a cello, piano, accordion, “saw”? banjo and tons of other abnormalities.
Sharks and storms was a standout, as well as the northern cobbler, even though it was on the borderline of what can be considered music.

Myspace

1. Waxwing – For Madmen Only (1999)


Waxwing, here it is. I had a conversation about how much my friends and I liked the song Deadly Wisdom in high, so I decided to seek them out again. This band didn’t disappoint me, it is from 1999 so it is early emo, but without the suck factor associated with more recent emo bands. ‘For madmen only’ is a solid album that you should check out if you like little brown bike or older modest mouse. (That’s who they reminded me of.) I still love the song Deadly Wisdom, and starfish was another standout.

Their Myspace