The Music of 2010... so far...

I've been checking out a lot of new music recently...

So far, here's what I've found.


Spoon "Transference"- solid effort, but not their best.  much more sparse than ga ga ga ga ga.  But if you're a spoon advocate, you'll dig it, just like you already do everything else.

Vampire Weekend "Contra"- more cheeky cheekiness from the ivy league of indie pop.  It's a bigger album than their debut, with some decent tunes.  But, like everything else they've put out, I find myself always yearning for just a bit more.

Gorillaz "Plastic Beach" - Disappointing, to say the least.

MGMT "Congratulations" - No more time to pretend.  No more electric feel.  No more future reflections (my personal favorite).  The youth are starting to change.  & albeit hitting an awkward stage of adolescence, they continue to grow and more become more interesting.  And finally, they've written a 10-minute song worth listening to 'til the end.  For that alone, Congratulations.

Broken Social Scene "Foregiveness Rock Record" - Uhm, Wow.  Picked up right where they left off five years ago.  Played a free show at amoeba just to celebrate the new-release, and I got a hug from Kevin Drew.  What more can I say?  I love these guys, and I love this album.  Glad they were able to get the whole gang back together...

Plants & Animals "La La Land" - If you aren't in brooklyn and you're making indie music these days, you better fucking be from Canada.  Lucky for these guys, they are.  And they're making music about...   California???  Another tremendous effort from these guys...  Might be my top pick of the year so far.  Can't wait to see them on the 27th!!!

Yeasayer "Odd Blood" -  Another killer sophomore effort.  HOWEVER-  I sure was not expecting this one.  now don't get me wrong, I LOVE yeasayer, but they traded in all the cool organic sounds that I know and adore them for, and replaced them with electronic whirls, beeps and bloops.  Lucky for them, they can still pull it off.

Seabear "We Built a Fire" - I love seabear!  That's all I have to say.

Broken Bells - Probably the most anticipated album of the year at the time of it's release, and I'm happy to say it does not disappoint.  Danger Mouse has done it again, this time with the Shins' James Mercer.  Go buy it.  I did.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings "I learned the hard way" - This is one funky bitch.  If you haven't heard her by now it's not too late.  New Album + New Tour = This is Your Chance!  Find a speaker with her voice coming from it, insert your face, and crank volume to capacity.  Musical Bliss awaits you, my friend...

The New Pornographers "Together" - w/ the Dap Kings...  (that should be all you need...)

The Radio Department- honestly, I haven't heard it yet.  but I love these guys. And the new single "Never Follow Suit" ain't too shabby!

plus newbies:

Free Energy - go put on your old air jordans, crank "Bang Pop" and try and tell me it ain't 1988.

Fang Island- this shit is loud, weird, and uhmm...  hold on, let me listen to it one more time...

Local Natives- AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!  Like the Fleet Foxes with a pulse.  A soulful, angry pulse.  Always reminds me of other bands I like, which I have firmly decided is an awesome thing.  Also has the best new band name in the biz...   except maybe-

The Morning Benders-  Yet another Sophomore album, this one produced by one of the dudes from Grizzly Bear...  so you know this shit is hot!

Mumford & Sons-  british folk music...  but don't call them Donovan, they might whip your ass!

Sleigh Bells "Treats"- Just got this today actually, and my brains been bleeding ever since.  In a rather tingly fantastic sort of way, actually.  Should possibly come with a WARNING:  This Product Has Been Known to Cause Epileptic Seizures and is Guaranteed to Melt your Mind.

Unfortunately there's been a lot of other killer music out that I haven't even gotten to yet:

Caribou, The National, Dr, Dog, etc etc etc...

Guess I'll get to it one of these days....

~swr

Close but No Cigar (the best of the rest... Sam's Music Picks 2009)

I'll keep it short and sweet. There were a lot of good efforts this past year that just barely missed the mark. So, in an effort to broaden horizons (and hopefully a few minds...) here is another list, to finally cap off the end of yet another long and arduous year. Similar to the "Top 5 over 40" category, this is merely a way to recognize other efforts that haven't been given their due...

So allow me to introduce...

The SINGLES category...

THE BEST* SINGLES OF 2009 (arranged in random categories as I see fit)!!!

Aren't you excited??? Back in the day I would have stuffed as many of these onto a mixtape as possible and given it to a girl, but now I just have them in their own little playlist called "The Best of 2009." Guess time will tell if they really are or not.

*(songs from albums already highlighted in other parts of Sam's Top Music of 2009 will not be recognized again)

Head Nodding Hip Hop:

#3) Big Boi feat Gucci Mane "Shine Blockas"

#2) Raekwon "New Wu" (featuring Ghostface Killah & Method Man

#1) Kid Cudi feat Kanye West & Common "Make Her Say"

(sorry folks, I just don't listen to a lot of hip-hop these days... and with jay-z & mos def out of the running, there ain't that much else to choose from. The fricking BEP's don't exactly fit my repertoire, and M&M melted in my hand, not in my mouth, per usual.)

Block Rocking Beats:

#5) Mstrkrft "Fist of God"

#4) Kid Cudi "Day & Nite" (Crookers Remix)

#3) Matt & Kim "Daylight"

#2) Discovery "So Insane" & "Swing Tree"

#1) Peter Bjorn & John "Nothing to Worry About"

So Much Better Than Disco:

#5) Simian Mobile Disco "Audacity of Huge"

#4) N.A.S.A. "Gifted" (featuring Kanye, Lykke Li & Santigold)

#3) Mstrkrft feat. John Legend "Heartbreaker"

#2) Madcon "Beggin'"

#1) Gossip "Heavy Cross"

Just like it's Summer, All Over Again:

#5) Washed Out "Feel it all Around"

#4) Kid Cudi, Ratatat & MGMT "Pursuit of Happiness"

#3) The Very Best "Warm Heart of Africa" (w/ Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend)

#2) JJ "Ecstacy"

#1) Empire of the Sun "The Sun Ain't Shining No More" "Around the Bend"

Rock & Roll Ain't Dead Yet:

#5) Silversun Pickups "Panic Switch"

#4) Japandroids "Young Hearts Spark Free"

#3) The Arctic Monkeys "Crying Lightening"

#2) The Black Keys "Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles"

#1) White Rabbits "Percussion Gun"

Kill Me... Softly:

#5) Decemberists "The Rake Song"

#4) M. Ward "Nobody Had A Fool Like You" (feat. Zooey Deschanel of She & Him)

#3) Grizzly Bear & Victoria Legrand "Slow Life"

#2) Ida Maria "Keep Me Warm"

#1) The Flaming Lips "Borderline"

Who Did You Say That Was Again?:

#7) YACHT "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

#6) Papercuts "Future Primitive"

#5) Camera Obscura "French Navy"

#4) St. Vincent "Washed Out"

#3) Rain Machine "Give Blood"

#2) Yeasayer "Amblin' Alp"

#1) Bat For Lashes "Daniel"

& that's it for 2009!!!

After months of sitting, dwelling, listening, writing, re-listening, re-writing... AT LAST... I can finally move onward...

Hello two thousand & ten. Pleased to meet you... My name is...

~swr

SAM'S MUSIC PICKS 2009 (pt. 2)

Here it is, folks! The list you've all been waiting for. (or... perhaps not)

Before rewarding you all for your hard earned time and patience, let me please take a few moments to first explain my purpose in wasting my hard earned time, and yours, on such a pretentious, self-indulgent creation as a "Best Of" List. Namely, it is to help those of you who don't have the time to wade through over 500 albums, or the ten's of thousand's of songs released every year in order to find what is "really good*" (* this is all subjective here folks, I'm just trying to help spoon feed you is all...)

So for those of you who come across titles you know about and don't care for, I apologize in advance, but it is my opinion (start your own blog for christ's sake..) And for the bands you've never heard of, I urge you to take a look, give a listen, and perhaps open your mind to a few artists that you don't want to fall too far behind on, because the near future brings great things for these emerging acts.

& lastly, don't let me fool you... I haven't listened to over 500 albums this year either... So if you've got favorites that you think I missed, please.. I beg of you... LET ME KNOW!!! There is nothing that I like more than finding new bands that I have overlooked. I waited until 2010 to begin my list just to make sure nobody slid one in on me at the last moment... but sadly, they didn't. Instead I only delayed my own list until after everyone else's was already posted. Cheating, you say? I think not. Try Meticulous... those extra syllables really help it roll off the tongue...

So... without Further ado...

SAM'S TOP TWENTY MUSIC PICKS OF 2009!

#25) Jay-Z : The Blueprint III

Like it or not, the second biggest douche bag in rap (mere milliseconds behind Kanye, not to mention a whole truck load of others), has still got it, and if you don't believe me, just try listening to "Empire State of Mind" with Alicia Keys blurting out "in New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of... there's nothing you can't do, in New York" and not want to move 3,000 miles to live there! Honestly, that and "Run this Town" are about the only songs I like on this album, but I have to give it more props than that... thank you Mr. Z for including a song making fun of the 00's biggest rap cliche, the auto-tuner, as well as including beats by some of Hip Hop's most talented producers Swiss Beatz, Kanye, & Pharrell... even if they are all sub-par to the norm. It may come up short of some of his more classic albums (see Reasonable Doubt, which ironically enough, leaves none) but it's still good enough to be #25 on this list.

#24) Bibio : Ambivalence Avenue

After three months of listening to this album, I still have no idea what it is... folk music? electronic music? simon and garfunkel-esque irish campfire sing-a-longs? 1970's era disco funk? Early 00's downtempo? I'm completely stumped. What I do know is that the songs are good... very good, in fact. And each one, although completely different than the last, manages to sound similar enough to make it a cohesive listen, front to back, side to side, and everywhere else in between. Try out "Jealous of Roses," stick it out thru "S'vive," and if you ever figure out a decisive genre to put it in, please, let me know.

#23) The Big Pink : A Brief History of Love

Okay, I just want to know one thing 2009... What the hell year do you think it is??? Over the past ten years I have watched, listened and heard music sound increasingly like... 1986? And this is no exception, except that finally (after twenty plus years of trying) we've finally got it right. This here is a mesh of everything 80's, from My Bloody Valentine to Depeche Mode with plenty of 90's shoegaze drone and 00's production value to fill your head for another twenty years. Welcome to 1986 my friends, where I'm turning 7 years old, and we're all having the time of our lives!

#22) Bon Iver : Blood Bank

Okay, so it's only 4 songs. And I don't even really like 2 of them. But still... I've been waiting for another release from this guy ever since I burned a hole in his last album after playing it on repeat for the past twelve months (alright, that's a slight exaggeration, but only slight). I can't quite put my finger on what it is that makes Bon Iver so magical, but that's the beauty of magic. His songs are so small, so personal, I can't help but feel like I'm entering into his house and listening to a private recording session that only I am privy to every time I hear it. He should listen to a little more Jay-Z, and maybe he'd figure out that the auto-tuner is a thing of the past, but beyond that, this guy has a great future ahead. Even with only four songs (& only one really great one), he is able to slaughter most of the competition. Not sure if that speaks volumes for him, or very little of everyone else, but either/or, he's well on his way...

#21) Atlas Sound : Logos

The brains behind Deerhunter has a solo project I dare say is even better than his original band. Not to mention this album includes one of my absolute favorite songs of the year "Walkabout" featuring 1/2 of the genius that is Animal Collective, Noah Lennox. That said, it takes a little while to appreciate the depth of these songs... trust me on that. But give it a whirl, or several whirls, in fact, and I promise you won't be disappointed. Try out "Criminals," & "Sheila," too. They'll help break you in for the long road ahead...

#20) Neko Case : Middle Cyclone

An early favorite this year, I personally prefer the Supergroup from whence she came The New Pornographers. Yes, she's been putting out solo albums since way before their debut, but honestly this is the first time I've really listened. She's been the country-alt-rock queen for years, so props to her for putting out an album of terrific beauty in a year that would otherwise be known as "The Taylor Swift Movement" (Not to be a Kanye or anything, the young beauty has an amazing talent, I just don't really care). Neko's voice has never sounded more beautiful, and the orchestrations on this record are stunning. If you read any reviews of it, you'll find endless comparisons to Pasty Cline and Dusty Springfield, however I feel that after this album, a whole new era of songstress will emerge, with dear Neko at the helm. & for that, I can't wait.

#19) The Antlers : Hospice

What are these guys, like 13 years old? And how... and when! did they become such masters of the subtle? What started off as a bedroom project for one (very young) guy (Peter Silberman) ended up becoming a two-year odyssey culminating in this fantastic psuedo-debut (they've got two other bedroom albums no one's ever heard of). This shit is deep, dark, and savory. Like Atlas Sound, it takes a little to get into them, but once you do you'll find the mastery within their tunes (re: "Kettering," "Sylvia," & "Bear"). Pay attention to this guy... good ol' Pete... 'cause he's gonna be around for a long, long time.

#18) Dan Aurbach : Keep it Hid

For those of you waiting for a crunchy guitar riff to explode over the bass boom snare of a hard-hitting drum (and who isn't?)... this ain't yer typical hard-rockin' Black Keys spinoff. No, in fact this is the more subtle underbelly of the blues which our parents' parents grew to love. But in it's own quieter, gentler way (did I just say gentle?), it still Rocks. Mr. Aurbach lives and breathes the blues, and there's plenty of raunchy swagger still around to fill the quiet void. Is it as good as a typical Black Keys album? That's a good question. I'll let you decide. But I, for one, am quite happy he didn't 'keep it hid' much longer...

#17) Mos Def : The Ecstatic

Like everyone else, I was ecstatic when I found out half of Blackstar was releasing another album, one in which he was going to keep his singing voice to a minimum (Sorry, Mr. Def). And from note #1, I flipped. But, then... it flipped. Mos has never been one to hold his creativity back, and because of this he usually has just as many misses as he does hits (see above, re: singing). The whole bhangra thing? Come on, dude, don't swipe M.I.A's schtick. However, when you've got tracks like "Twilight Speedball" "Priority" & "History" (Blackstar re-unites again, Hurrah!!!) how can you not stop and pay attention. My only regret is that I can't put it higher on the list, but who's fault is that, really? & Mos, in case you're reading... you're fine on the big screen, but please, for the love of God, stop with the singing.

#16) Monsters of Folk : Monsters of Folk

Personally, I would love nothing more than to put this closer to #1, but the fact is, I just can't. One of the most highly anticipated album of the year, there's nothing really wrong with it, it just didn't hit in all the places I guess I was expecting. That said, there are numerous great tracks on here, some of my favorites stemming from the vocal chords of Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame, no less. (If you've ever heard him sing, you know why I cringe... he tends to croon in that awkward Bob Dylan kind of way). In case you've been living under a rock this past year, this Supergroup is comprised of Oberst, as well as his drummer Mike Mogis, the indelible M. Ward, and my personal favorite, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, who if you haven't seen live, you need to. Immediately. The guy is a God on stage, and they hail from my state of birth... so that's added bonus points if anyone out there is keeping score. Sadly, here Mr. James finds himself most comfortable while sharing harmonies and trading verses with the others, but I guess that's to be expected. All in all, he had a pretty busy year. Save the goods for you're next album, Jim.

On another note, don't let the name fool you... not only are there no Monsters in this group, there's only a handful of Folk. Instead they drift between the lines of new-grass, some kind of trippy neo-soul thing, and good ol' rock and roll. It's a good listen for sure. Just not quite as good as I'd originally hoped for.

#15) Modest Mouse : No One's First, and You're Next

A throwback Modest Mouse Album? Really?? Personally, after "Good News..." I rather enjoyed the addition of Johnny Marr for "We Were Dead before the Ship Even Sank." Although this long form E.P. was recorded amidst and in between the other two sessions, it has more of a rough and tumble flair to it, similar to the "Moon and Antarctica" days. Seven songs, and not a bad one between them... from the clever, whimsical "Guilty Cocker Spaniels" to the eerie wail (pardon the pun) of "The Whale Song" this record has enough to stand the test of time. And a well needed breather before the next uber-produced Modest Mouse effort, which is sure to be released within the next year or so. One can only sit and wait to see what happens next...

#14) Passion Pit : Manners

With everyone and their grandmother bursting out the funk freak on their new (insert your favorite electro-gadget here) it was only a matter of time before we started celebrating this krafty cheese as actual head-bobbing music. But hey, who am I to judge? "Little Secrets" got me shimmy shake-shaking just like the rest of you, and "Moth's Wings" proved they can actually write a song. Lot's of synth, plenty of good harmonies, but as a talented duo with insurmountable creativity proved a couple of years ago, it needs more psychedelia to really work. Do they want to be MGMT? Absolutely. Are they as good as MGMT? Absolutely not. But is it a valiant effort in a year when all we want is another MGMT album??? I guess it'll have to do for now.

#13) The Dead Weather : Horehound

Do we really need another Jack White spin-off album? Apparently the answer is yes! And until you've heard this thing, don't go knocking it quite yet (as I so ignorantly did at first.) First of all, he ain't playing the guitar, which would normally be an even bigger turnoff if he didn't rock so hard on, yes, you heard it, his first true love... THE DRUMS! This guy is the blues incarnate, and it really doesn't matter what he's doing, the shit sweats from his pores. And lucky for us, the rest of his band (consisting of The Kills' Allison Mosshart on vocals, Dean Fertita from Queens of the Stone Age on guitar & Little Jack Lawrence on bass) sweats it, too. This shit is funky, fresh, and DARK!!! It was recorded in three weeks at White's new studio in Nashville, came out in March, and it took me the better part of the year to finally break down and buy it. But, after all that wasted time, I can finally sit back and say "I'm sold."

#12) The Flaming Lips : Embyonic & Dark Side of the Moon

To rate a Flaming Lips album is like buttering a bears ass to give it a suppository... nearly impossible. With only a few listens so far, how can I realistically include this in any kind of accurate, objective list. The answer is, I can't. It's purely subjective at this point. And so I save myself (a little) by placing it right smack in the middle. There's spurts of genius all over this album. There's also spurts of sonic weirdness my mind will be unraveling for the next ten years... and that, my friends, is the beauty of the Flaming Lips. I've been waiting for years for an album that is as comprehensive and obtainable as The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (granted, I didn't give Mystics a fair shot).. and along with Dark Side of the Moon, I guess this is it. The first album, Embryonic, is an enchanting album filled with just as many dreamscapes and lushly textured rhythms as it is with crunked-up basslines and bleeps. Dark Side, of the Moon, which was just released on Dec. 22nd, is a raucous thrill ride through one of Rock's greatest albums, and besides Pink Floyd, there's nobody who could make it any weirder, or more fun. Coming to the Lips aid are Henry Rollins and Peaches... (Remember her? The Teaches of Peaches girl? Come on, of course you do... "Fuck the Pain Away"...) I can only imagine what this oddball clan looked like together in the studio. But they've managed to turn a classic into... well... a classic! Great job Flaming Lips! Maybe I should move you up after all.

#11) Girls : Album

Rule #1: Keep It Simple. Check (see: their name & album title, above).

Rule #2: Make Good Music. Again, Check.

These guys may be up against The Strokes "This Is It" for the most loved album of the decade, because, let's face it, this is quite lovable. Cheesy, quirky and fun in that irresistible smell-your-fingers-after-they've-been-in-your-crotch kind of way. Okay, so the Strokes did it. And so did Dr. Dog. And so have hundreds of other cheap imitators of good, classic music. But these guys are good. Really, really good. And the melodies in these songs draw me in deeper and deeper every time. If I were a fish, I'd be scaled, filleted & tossed on the grill, cause this shit's got me hooked! If you want to know more, you should check out allmusic.com and search for their page... if VH1 ever gets their ass in gear, Girls' story will make a great "Behind the Music" one day. Seriously.

(your're almost there....!!!)

#10) Yeah Yeah Yeahs : It's Blitz!

Well, it certainly is... Blitz that is. I feel like I'm at Studio 54 in the late 70's and my favorite punk band just got up and played a disco set. But I LIKE it. (Note: Like does not, and will not ever equal LOVE.) Gone are the days when Karen O squawks over an out-of-tune guitar and a manic singular drum beat. Oh, 2004, where have you gone? But, as far as progressions go, this wasn't so seemingly out of place as everyone else tends to think. Show Your Bones was quite a produced bit of artistry, and I think this is no different. Do I wish they would jump off the glam-boat and dig in deep like they used to? Of course. But as long as they're riffing out tunes as good as "Dragon Queen," I'll funk along for now.

#9) the xx : xx

Okay, to begin with, at first the name alone was a put off. Simplistic to a fault. But then I gave it a whirl, and honestly, I didn't see it. Then I gave it another whirl and thought to myself, "How did I not love this to begin with?" (Okay, perhaps love here is a bit strong a word.) But Like, at least. A Lot. The "Intro" in and of itself is awesome. (Not to mention "Crystalized," "Shelter," "Infinity," & "Night Time.") Production value: incredible. And you say this is their debut??? It's gonna be hard to top this, XX, you've set the bar very high. A true milestone in minimalism. I've never grooved so hard to Bleep Bleep, Boop Boop, Bleep Bop Boop in my life. And I'm loving every second of it.

#8) Phoenix : Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I know you knew this would be here. I also know that you're probably as sick of hearing about it as I am, but that does not negate the fact that it is a great album, even if it is a few years late. Once again, we're stuck in a dance/rock crossover, and once again, it's not The Rapture making our heads nod (Note to The Rapture: RELEASE A NEW ALBUM ALREADY!!!... I know it's only been two years since the last one, but that was wayyyy too long. WE'RE WAITING!!!)

Okay, sorry about that. Back to Phoenix.

Here is a band that's been plodding along for several years now, never to really make their mark on the American Public. And now they have, and it's already getting old. Granted, "Listzmania," "1901," & my personal fave (& as yet UNDER-played) "Fences" are killer tracks... but like Santogold (Santi-gold, these days) every commercial marketing company in town has the rights to this song and they are quickly becoming over-exposed, which, ask Brittany, is a very BAAAAAD thing. So props to Phoenix for making an absolutely rocking, yet easily accessible record. And a big middle finger to every Ad exec who thinks that this song is the key to selling their newest greatest so-and-so that America probably doesn't need.

(END OF RANT.)

#7) Devandra Banhardt : What Will We Be

I don't care about you, or your mother, or that hippie freak train you road in on... I Love this album. (Yes, I used the word Love. & I meant it!) I never got into the whole freak folk movement a couple of years ago... apparently I'm getting older now... or maybe it's just taken a while for that train to make it back to earth. But now that they're here, I'm loving it. "Baby" gives me hope that the jamband revolution that went AWOL after the first Bonarroo might still have a chance of recovering from their drug haze hiatus. "Goin' Back" is as good a southern rock as the Allman Brothers ever wrote, and "Rat's" is like a daft blend of 60's rock stylings, like the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osborne teamed up with The Guess Who on a seven-minute kick-ass rollicking jam. If the remaining members of Led Zeppelin ever hear this we may get another reunion tour before we know it... 'cause this kind of ROCK& ROLL AIN'T DEAD YET! Are all the tracks stellar? Granted, no. But is it a valiant, interesting effort from beginning to end? Absolutely. That's why I'm the only person on the planet who put it in their top ten.

#6) The Avett Brothers : I and Love and You

If you told me a couple years back that Rick Rubin would produce The Avett Brothers next album, I would've smacked you upside the head and called you Sally Struthers. And if I hadn't heard Johnny Cash's album produced by the same man, I would've thought the whole idea was udderly ridiculous. But ol' Rubin has proved to have more than just the ability to crank up the rock in our rap, or vice versa, whichever the case may be. Fact of the matter is, this album happened. And once again, he's created a classic. The worst song of the set is the title track and album opener. Yet somehow Rubin was able to capture the electricity that is the Avett Brothers, without squashing their spark, which I'm sure every true Avett Bros fan was afraid of. As a long-time resident of North Carolina, I've been listening to these guys on and off for years. And finally, they get their day in the sun. Bluegrass no more, fellas. You guys ROCK! And it looks like you're gonna be breaking strings and bursting vocal chords for a long time to come, because your fanbase just quintupled (at least!) over the last six months. Congrats on a long road ahead. & Congrats to me, seeing as how I no longer have to travel back to the east coast just to see you perform!

#5) Yim Yames : Tribute To E.P.

Yim Yames, aka Jim James of My Morning Jacket fame, released this beautifully haunting portrait of one of Rock's greatest artists late last summer, and I've been boo-hooing over it ever since. For those that haven't heard, this particular portrait is of the Beatles' late great George Harrison, perhaps the least appreciated fab four troubadour (but still appreciated, if not praised, many times over), and if nothing else, this album pays homage to the subtle genius behind his music, without the frills of the original recordings. In most cases it's just James, his guitar, and that resonating silo reverb we've all grown to love. He squawks, twangs and howls his way through this one, but with so much raw emotional power I'm sure Mr. Harrison himself is sitting up in his grave to applaud. Credit is due both artists, each a genius of their own right: Harrison, for the ability to write a song that reveals the deepest aspect of the human soul, and James for the masterful ability to perform with every ounce of his being, in turn revealing the deepest corners of his own soul. On this record, they're bearing the load together, and no cover album has ever seemed more right. But since Harrison unfortunately is no longer with us, credit must be given to James, who, in a year filled with side projects and, hopefully, a few brainstorming sessions with the mighty before-mentioned band from Louisville, had the brilliant mind to sit down, hit the record button, and pay tribute to an artist that is dearly missed by all.

#4) Animal Collective : Merriweather Post Pavilion

Animal Collective is an interesting beast. How they do it is beyond me. Hell, what they're doing is beyond me. But I like it. And, I guess more importantly for them, I'm liking it more and more. I've been listening for a while, but honestly, they never really did anything for me, until now. Merriweather Pavilion is filled with bountiful treasures, gorgeous harmonies and mind melting beat fantasies (see: "Brothersport" or, "What Would I Want, Sky" on the Fall Be Kind E.P. released in November). Finally, they are hitting all the right notes, sampling all the right sounds, and pumping out all the right beats, at exactly the right time. If you haven't heard it yet, download "My Girls" a.s.a.p. and get back to me in the morning... trust me, you'll be playing it all night long. And tomorrow, you'll get up and do it again... it's that good. Everyone is falling all over themselves for this album, and rightfully so, Animal Collective has finally proven that they are a contender in the big race.

Incidentally, this album is a year old, almost to the day, and it hasn't lost steam yet. I expect it isn't going to, either. If it was any other year it might stand a spot in the top, (of my list that is, if you look around any, I think it is at the top of everyone else's...) but this year, things got really competitive for me...

#3) Dark Was the Night (compilation album)

I don't know what to say here that the album doesn't say for itself. With names like David Byrne, The Dirty Projectors, Feist, Ben Gibbard, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Kevin Drew, Iron & Wine, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, My Morning Jacket, Bon Iver, Connor Oberst... and more... I mean, what else is there to say?

This album is incredible... that's what. A few covers, a few originals, a few re-imaginings of originals... all like you've never heard before. Whether it's Samuel Beam's one-minute masterpiece, or Sufjan Steven's ten-minute epic masterpiece, this thing hits from beginning to end. No, it's not perfect (what were you thinking, Spoon?) but it's still THE compilation album of the year, not to mention of the decade, celebrating some of the most important emerging artists of this decade. Props to the Red Hot Organization for putting this together, for they're the only one's who could've ever pulled it off as well as they did (they've been doing this kinda thing for years...), not to mention the producers of the album, Aaron & Bryce Dessner of The National, who gave up years of their life to make this event happen. Like I said before, what else can I say? This album speaks for itself... The New Pornographers, David Sitek, Beirut, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Andrew Bird, Blonde Redhead, Spoon, Jose Gonzalez, My Brightest Diamond, Riceboy Sleeps...

#2) The Dirty Projectors : Bitte Orca

Finally, we're here. I've been waiting to write this review for days... The biggest surprise of the year, I think, was The Dirty Projectors. Sure, their last album was alright, and I dug them with David Byrne on Dark was the Night. And I flipped when I heard "Stillness is the Move" for the first time just like everyone else (and still do, for that matter). And then I got the album. Whoa. For a Dirty Projectors album, this thing really moves. Like Animal Collective (although they are nothing like animal collective, don't let me confuse you, except maybe creative), they have finally hit their stride, hitting all the right everything at just the right time. This album is surprisingly tender and touching... just as much as it is rugged and rigid... all at just the right moment. It peaks, it fiddles; there's a technical mastery here that few other bands really show. The melodies and harmonies are gorgeous, and the complex arrangements build toward smart, resonating choruses before breaking it all down again. My biggest problem is that it's wayyyy too short with only 9 songs and 41 minutes of play time. Then again, that leaves plenty of time for a second run-thru. Amazon.com calls bandleader David Longstreth the next David Byrne. I hate those kind of comparisons. But I really like both of those guys.

#1) Grizzly Bear : Veckatimest

Here we are folks, my #1 album of the year. I've been waiting since June for somebody to knock these guys off the mountain, but in my mind, nobody could. For all practical purposes, this album is perfect, and I know I for one will be listening to it for years to come. Every song is epic in scope, even the bubbly pop song that put them on the map, "Two Weeks." Listen to the maniacal drummer if you don't believe me... he plays that thing like his life depended on it. & Not only have Grizzly Bear hit a peak in their own performance and songwriting ability, but it came at a year when we needed it the most. If you think about it, there weren't ever really any major contenders in the fight this year. No Radiohead. No TV on the Radio. No Broken Social Scene, or My Morning Jacket, or M.I.A, or MGMT... so who else is gonna step up and lead the battle? Grizzly Bear, that's who. & here's why...

Grizzly Bear has grown from a meandering bedroom art-project (not unlike BSS) to a fully fledged, fully realized band. Their compositions are intense, to say the least. Their harmonies are goose-bumpingly gorgeous. Their orchestrations and arrangements make them the most dynamic band on the scene right now, and if you ever doubt any of this, their live act proves it. Same emotional intensity. Same beautiful harmonies and orchestrations. Same four guys, giving it their everything as if nothing else mattered in the world. As a matter of fact, I came out of the show wondering how on earth those four guys were able to re-create the magic of their most recent album all by themselves. They had to have had an entire back-up band behind the stage to put out as much sound as they did that night, or so I thought. But nope, it was just the gay band from Brooklyn up there that night... plus Victoria LeGrande... a soon to be staple, I have a feeling. (Okay, so one of them's not gay... who really cares, anyway). Every song on this album is a hit in it's own right, and it only gets better with every listen. Their tunes build in such an honest and compelling way you can't help but go with the flow, until they finally release you on their own terms. Oh yeah, and they're also Johnny Greenwood's favorite new act. & I can't say I blame him. If anybody knows his music, it's Johnny. And honestly, I'd say he and Thom better start watching their backs.

So, that's it for 2009!

Well, almost....

Check back again soon for a list of bands, albums and songs that just barely missed the mark this past year. If nothing else, it's a way for me to throw in a few extra ingredients without spoiling the flavor of the whole pot...

Thank you very much for joining me this year and checking out all of my favorite new tunes. I appreciate your visit, and hope you'll check me out again real soon.

'Til next year-

~swr

Opinions are like Assholes (and here's mine...)

I suppose it is only fitting that in a year that ends in a Full Moon (or begins, depending on how you would like to look at it), that there are more people spouting off their opinion than ever. Talk show hosts, radio disc jockeys, elected elder statesmen, celebrities, wanna-be "reality celebrities," babbling idiots on the corner of Santa Monica & La Brea... they're everywhere... People that would like nothing more than to fill your head with their ideas. And most of their "ideas" are little else but pandering insights full of thoughtless dribble.

List making is a prime example. For every year I scour the intertronz in search of little bits of hope in what I usually see as an unremarkable year for film, tv and music... with this year being no exception. I saw a third less movies in the theater this year as I did last year, which was at least a third less than the previous one. But now we are becoming inundated by everyone's "Best Of..." creations... from the viably acute Golden Globes, Critic's Choice and SAG awards, to the not so viable (uhm... insidemovies.com top 50! of 2009!!! REALLY... 50??? ). And do we really need 10 nominees in the Best Pictures Category of the Academy Awards this year? I think not.

And in music, its even worse... from the overrated rags of Rolling Stone and Spin (BEP's "Boom Boom Pow" was one of the best songs of the year? Really? I must be 2000 & late... ) to the oft overlooked gems of PrettyMuchAmazing.com, sentientdevelopments.com and gorillavsbear.com. Granted, some of these lists are as overindulgent as one can get, but they also offer a glimpse into a few bands and albums that one might otherwise overlook completely accidentally, for many years to come. Some really good albums are just that small.

So, having prefaced my own over-indulgences with that, let me now share with you a few of my personal pics in this years "Best of" category, beginning with MUSIC.

Since I am still compiling my top 25 (organizing may be a better word, it's harder than you think) let me begin with a few teasers...

Up first...

TOP 5 OVER 40 list...

(a collection of artists who although have passed their ruby anniversary, still aren't too far behind the pack)

#5) Pearl Jam : Backspacer

Eddie Vedder... the crooner? Where the hell did all these ballads come from? Unfortunately this album did not live up the the hype of their eponymous album released a few years ago. However, I did get a chance to see these guys in concert right around my birthday, and they rocked it... just like they always have. And for that, a deserving place in my top 5.

#4) Phish : Joy

I've all but given up on these guys. My absolute favorite band of the 90's has reunited, yet again, and put out an album that, surprisingly, is their best since 00's Farmhouse. If you never liked them before, you ain't gonna start now. But for those of you, like me, who think the band has completely fallen apart since their heyday of '94-'99, who now can hardly hold a tune or play a jam that doesn't sound like a variation of an ascending chromatic scale, try Joy. if nothing else, you're head will bob to "Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan" (arguably the most fitting name on the album.) I know mine did.

#3) U2 : No Line on the Horizon

Personally, I'm a little bored with these guys. Instead of Coldplay sounding too much like U2, these days U2 sounds too much like Coldplay. But, every ten or so years they release an album to remind us all why we all liked them so much in the first place, and I guess this is supposed to be it. It's not bad, it's just not great. After 30 years of making music these guys refuse to give up, and for some reason it's Rolling Stones Album of the year... so not to include it in this list would be blasphemous to the Gods of Rock. I snugged it in safely at #3 as to not piss off any purists out there...

#2) Wilco : Wilco

Given the circumstances, I really like this album. The "circumstances" being that they were able to ruin a perfectly good song by putting their own name in it! What the hell is that all about? Anywho, for any Wilco fan out there, there's plenty of what you like about them in this album to go around, and enough depth to keep it around for a long, long time.

#1) Them Crooked Vultures : Them Crooked Vultures

Should it really be #1 in this category? Probably not. But the fact remains, much props has to be given to the Supergroup in 2009 that ain't afraid to let it all hang out again like they did 40 years ago...

Okay, so Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) was just coming out of his mother's love hole back then, and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal) wasn't even born yet, but John Paul Jones (If you don't know who he is, I'm not going to tell you. Try a Google Search, moron) was not only a part of the next decades biggest band, but we've been waiting for his full-on return ever since. Them Crooked Vultures puts each player back in the seat audiences like them in most... Drum stool for Grohl, Guitar stool for Homme, and, at age 63, JPJ can sit where ever he likes! Thank you John Paul, for crawling back out of your hole, and taking everybody else down there with you!

#0)

Okay, I'm cheating. This is #6. But it occurs to me that in the "over 40" click, nobodies been working harder than New Jersey's real boss, Bruce Springsteen. The man put out 5 albums in ten years, performed over 500 concerts, including a Super Bowl and two Presidential Campaign Fundraiser's, was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2009, and pulled in a whopping $416.4 million in ticket sales. This guy really is the Boss! Plus, he endorsed one of my personal faves of the 00's from an early start, The Arcade Fire, so the man's definitely proven he's got his ear to the ground. Granted, I haven't listened to the new album all that much. But I will. Bruce is one of those artists that, like a fine wine, keeps developing over the years, and when the time is right, he will have mellowed enough to pop open and take a sip. Frankly, I'm still reeling from 2006's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions." If you haven't heard this, run, don't walk, to your nearest Mp3 dealer, AND BUY IT!!

So there you have it, Part One of a Three Part Series of SAM'S PICKS IN MUSIC, 2009. Hope you enjoyed. Be on the lookout for another peek at my ass crack (read: opinion) when Part 2 arrives later this week.

'Til then-

~swr

Words to Live By...

"I just need to express myself, because that's what I do. It's the only way I can live my life: to embrace the possibilities, instead of fear the realities."

-Michael J. Fox

I've been carrying around this quote with me for a couple of months. Didn't really know what to do with it, but I knew as a creative person that it meant a lot to me. If I recall it was said during the promotion of his recent book, and in the context of why he wrote it, as well as in dealing with his own personal struggle with Parkinson's, but I believe it is a universal feeling that can be applied to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

I hope that it means as much to you as it did to me.

Embrace the possibilities...

~swr

To Blog, Or Not To Blog (is that a question?)

Over the past few weeks I have been brainstorming ideas and gathering lovely tidbits of knowledge from the world wide web which I will be sharing over the next couple of months... but frankly I don't know where to start. Originally I sat down today to write a blog about writing a blog, which would include some of the inane stuff that's currently happening in our ever-devolving world-- from social networking indulgences, to political hypocrisy, to the best music of the day, to the newest words Merriam Webster has added to it's ever expanding catalogue of words... (could be useful, right?)

But then I came across this, which pretty much speaks for itself. So instead of filling your mind with a bunch of senseless information you'll never need in the first place, I decided to let CRACKED do it instead with their recent article: 9 Words That Don't Mean What You Think.

So without further ado, take it away CRACKED....

http://www.cracked.com/article_15664_9-words-that-dont-mean-what-you-think.html **

(**this link is being used without proper clearance. screw you if you don't like the free advertising)

until next time-

~swr

My First Time...

Welcome everyone to the inaugural posting of my new blog! If you are here at all, I am sure you are wondering what the hell this is all about, and why am I spending my hard earned, uhm, time on this? Well, like the rest of you, I spend a lot of minutes in front of the computer every day... and since there aren't already enough time suck outlets across this world wide web, I figured "Hey, why not create another one!"

So here it is, folks. A place for me to share my thoughts, my music, my artwork... funny things I find online, or whatever happens to be on my mind. Perhaps I'll put a script or two up here. Who knows? My goal is to keep it creative... to keep the juices flowing when I should be preoccupied with potentially more important things... but most importantly to keep it interesting for my fair readers so they will continue to visit me again and again.

And, although I don't have any plans for the near future, I do have one update you won't want to miss...

Check back soon for what I plan on making Sam's Annual Top Twenty Five Songs of the Year, commencing this December 2009!

See ya next time

~swr