Regi's Top 10

2008 was such a good year for music, Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, and Bon Iver emerged and in 2009I found myself searching for that kind of music again. This year I felt began with a good start. Dark was the Night was released and I was amazed how beautiful and diverse that compilation was and how much talent was on that record. Panda Bear and Co. reinvented the Beach Boys harmonic sound in a modern way, Brooklyn seemed to be the place to be for new music except France, and Karen O pleasantly surprised me. However after February, I could not help but feel a lull in music this year. 2008 was such a good year in music, and I think 2009 just took a little slower for me to find what music I liked and what was out there. There were a lot of new notable artists but I kept finding myself rediscovering older music and reaching for those records more often. Of course I did gradually begin, I think in the fall, to find new albums I liked again.

Honorable Mentions:

Iron & Wine: Around The Well


Sam Beam can lull me to sleep anytime. His whisper coo is a little much on his new album. What I liked about his previous records is that there were dynamics between songs. These are good relaxing songs mind you, but a little too much of the same. Also, two songs off this record are from previously released soundtracks.

Volcano Choir: Unmap



Justin Vernon from Bon Iver has a side project! What it's a choir!??? Oh ok, cool. Mark Mothersbaugh would be proud. Ok, It's actually a pretty record, and I have found myself listening to it when I feel my teenage angst coming out or when I'm around my dad. (Bon Iver did release Blood Bank EP which I love, but it's also an EP.)

The Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca


The use of voices on this record is brilliant, not to mention there are some shredding guitars on some these songs. Lead singer Dave Longstreth has found his two muses, Amber and Angel. The entire record is reminiscent of the Talking Heads and in fact, they collaborated with TH front man David Byrne on Dark Was the Night. I really like this record driving and this almost ended up on my top 10.

The XX: XX



This album is stripped down to just the low pulsating notes and rhythms complimented by Londoner vocalists Oliver Sims and Romy Madley-Croft and it works. These kids are barely twenty but they know all about the importance of minimalism. Think Peter Bjorn and John's whistling song "Young Folks" except with a slower version of New Order. They definitely create an atmosphere I want to smoke to and maybe make out with my wife among other things.

Top 10

10. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down: Know Better Learn Faster


Thao Nguyen invites you to the party on "Cool Yourself" and moves your hips to "When We Swam" then takes you down after everybody's left for a some down time before your second wind. The party must go on! Even if your friends have already left. In fact the subject matter of this album is about failed relationships and Thao's lyrics meets more than the surface. She is able to construct catchy pop songs that don't always sound sad but more of a rally cry.

9. Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest


These guys remind me that the idea of the concept album is still alive. The way they use their voices and instruments at different times creates a story weaved together much like jazz or an opera. It's not jazz or an opera but it successfully tells a story and creates a mood that I find myself really enjoying. Some of their subtle guitar playing and singing is gorgeous and reminds me at times of The Blue Danube. Not to mention "Two Weeks" is one of the best and catchy pop songs since A-ha's "Take On Me."

8. Yeah Yeah Yeah's: It's Blitz!



Karen O, Nick Zinner and Mike Chase make a record that starts off with some strong danceable tracks and then get ethereal and and then danceable again but then end up ethereal. This record is the perfect mix of fun rock/ disco beat heavy songs and then Karen O croons to takes center stage and Zinner and Chase step back to create pretty subtle keyboard and guitar parts. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's reinvented themselves with this record and showed they had more depth to them as a band and proved they could write a ballad or three along the way.

7. Wilco: The Album


Wilco looooves me baby! Wilco have been around the block and this record reminds me that they still put out good music. Sky Blue Sky was a real let down for me with very few songs I liked and it's nice to know they're getting back to doing what they do best, rock and roll and poignant songwriting. I can't help but feel that Wilco could rock out a little more on this album and maybe be a little more experimental and mix a little electronic or synthesized sounds. Perhaps I'm longing for the followup to YHF still and the days of Summer Teeth, but I feel Wilco is headed back in the right direction. I just hope they don't get too old to reinvent themselves.

6. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion


This album starts out so bold and majestic and then winds up with some tracks that are reminiscent of the Sung Tongs days. This is no doubt a great album but was not one of my top 5. This was one of the albums I alluded to earlier that I found myself reaching for older music. I did find myself listening to it on repeat and my favorite part is not just the simple modern Brian Wilson song "My Girls", but the first track, "In The Flowers" about 2:33 in when those synthesized keyboard strings come in roaring and blow you away.

5. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart


I love this album and can listen to it anytime. I even saw these guys in concert this summer at the Capitol Block Party in Seattle and they made every hipster want to shake their Ray Bans. This album encapsulates my spring and summer and reminds me how much I love shoe gaze and distortion and even twee 80's pop music. Belle and Sebastian and The Jesus and Mary Chain fans unite, finally. The Cure, no, it's the pain of ...wtf? You need to own this record if you don't already.

4. The Antlers: Hospice


The concept of this album is death and dying and lead singer and founder Peter Sliberman narrates and his band mixes this album perfectly. This album is your introspective album of the year. It made me think a lot about my grandfather's death this year and just the process of death and maybe some Dylan Thomas poetry. I love how this album is constructed and it is so very haunting and lovely. One of my favorite songs of this year is the last track, "Epilogue" where Silberman just sings his beautiful melody from "Bear" over and over finishing the story.

3. Monsters of Folk: Monsters Of Folk


The Traveling Wilbury's then, now it's the Monster of Folk. Jim James of My Morning Jacket, M. Ward, Conor Oberst and the other guy, Mike Mogis, who actually produces alot of good albums for the record label Saddle Creek get together and make wonderful indie folk rock music together. I even like this record more than M. Ward's Hold Time which wasn't bad but I feel M. Ward is channeling his inner Chinese Translator on this one. Almost every song on this album I love, and the last track "His Master's Voice" is so poignant and gorgeous. Theologians beware and take heed.

2. Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


Phoenix was the band in 2009. They were all over the place and for very good reason. They made their album so catchy and bristling with danceable singable pop. "1901", "Liztomania" "Countdown" and "my favorite "Girlfriend" which I can't stop singing. However, it's the instrumental "Love Is Like A Sunset" which turns into a pretty boisterous ballad at the end that gets me every time. I like those songs that surprise me especially when the end is so beautiful. The more I listen to this album the more I pick up on how the lyrics refer to classical musicians displaying conflict and even existential notions into jangly song. Phoenix definitely surprised me this year of how much talent and arena packed potential they have, and now I'm definitely a fan.

1. Girls: Album




What made this my favorite album of the year was how rock and roll it is. From it's opening number "Lust For Life" you get the idea that you are about to listen to rock and roll songs about heartache and misery (to quote Nick Hornby) and how you really want a beach house. Girls front man Christopher Owens channels the geeky soul of Buddy Holly and Elvis Costello with maybe some 60's surf rock. "Hellhole Ratrace" is the sad song that becomes the rally cry that you can't stop humming. This record is about heartache and the simple things, and the lo-fi raw recording of shoegaze and energy only supports it's theme even more. The thunderous punk guitar riff on Summertime" reminds you of why the Velvet Underground were so good because they were so simple yet not afraid to be experimental much like Girls influences of old time radio. On "Big Bad Mean Motherfucker" you get a taste of late 50's rock and later a little Brian Wilson echo on "Lauren Marie." Much Like Pavement and the Ramones, Girls is just another garage band that knows how to write and play good simple songs about pain, misery, and the beach. Perhaps, my tendency to rediscover older music this year made me like Girls even more, because that's just what they do. They draw from the past to make new rock n roll.

I figure most of you had Phoenix, AC, GB, YYY's and TPOBPAH already so here' some music you may of not heard yet....

Sample of the Best of 2009

my musical 2009

last year, i started my best-of post with the realization that 2008 had a dearth of excellent music. 2009 was almost the exact opposite for me. when i started compiling this list, i probably had a good 20 albums that could have easily gone on the list. for everyone's sake, i trimmed the list down and added a few notables in addition to my top ten (none of this top 15 bs, will).

listen while you read.

2009

deep breath, here we go:

in no particular order, the albums that didn't make the top 10 list:

neko case, middle cyclone

not as good as fox confessor brings the flood, but still an excellent album. her voice alone would be enough to recommend the album, but song writing takes it to a new level. there's an entire novel in the line, "this tornado loves you."

tokyo police club, elephant shell/a lesson in crime/smith ep

we all have guilty pleasures. we can admit our musical ones, but leave them off the "best of" lists. i'm using the runner up section to get tokyo police club in there. the music is fun, rowdy, and yet with a tight delivery. plus there's a song about the future robot take over. what's not to love?

bear in heaven, beast rest forth mouth

this one is hard not to put on the top 10. if i'd had more time to digest the album in it's entirety, it probably would be on there. i had the singles "wholehearted mess" and

"lovesick teenagers" on repeat for a few months.

dirty projectors, bitte orca

the dirty projectors were a slow development for me. i bought the album because of will atkins and then couldn't really get into it. after roughly a dozen times through, the album just clicked for me and i couldn't get enough. listen to it in it's entirety.

top 10, because i'm too

lame too order them and don't have the wherewithal to do it, you choose the rating.

the mountain goats, the life of the world to come

like will said, the is great songwriting pretty much at it's peak. heavy material, excellent music, though if you've never heard them before, the lo-fi style will take getting used to (this album is a step up, production wise). he/they are quickly becoming some of my favorite songwriters. david dark has an excellent article on the mountain goats here.

japandroids, post nothing

i've said most of what i think about this band already. loud and fast garage rock at it's best. just play the first song, "the boys are leaving town" and you're in. i'm really disappointed i missed them live.

camera obscura, my maudlin career

camera obscura continues to define excellent pop music for me--somewhat sentimental, derivative of a classic style in good way, and extremely easy to play.

jj, jj no. 2

i listened to a lot of electronically leaning music this year. while jj doesn't easily fall into the category of electronic, i can't help but think of them that way. at the same time the music is pretty and accessible. check out their rip of lil' wayne's "lollipop" on "ecstacy."

until the avalanches release another album, this is my pseudo tropical, electronic album of the year.

m. ward, hold time

m. ward is an old favorite of mine. hold time does not disappoint. he continues his brand of pleasant folk. it makes me want to learn an instrument to play while i sit on the porch. if it's possible, i mean that in the least sentimental way. this is music to be heard and played in community. which is probably why he has so many collaborators.

bibio, ambivalence avenue

speaking of the avalanches, i think they had a lot of influence on the bands i loved this year. bibio has a unique mix of sampled sounds (if not recognizable samples, they at least sound like they're pulling clips from somewhere), beats, and instruments sound well aged. it's as if they sat down with a portable record player, a drum machine and a guitar and took the best tracks they could churn out in one sitting. sometimes esoteric, not quite dance-able, but still very accessible. right up my alley. check out "sugarette" or the title track.

passion pit, manners

previous contributors have already said what should be about passion pit. it's fun, like a block party. i seriously can't stop listening to this album. against her will, my wife knows all their songs (and grudgingly likes them). the only thing i'll add is that their ep chuck of change is an absolute must, and has a cool remix of "sleepy head."

so i kind of lied, i'll add "top 3" to the following, they are interchangeable.

the antlers, hospice

i posted about this album, so i won't say much more. this is could be the best dramatic/depressing rock album of th decade. i don't really know what that means, but i love this album. you should only listen to this album in it's entirety, but "two," "antophy," "bear," and "wake" are some of my favorites. beautiful and sad art at it's best. check out their takeaway show. amazing (many thanks to ben for the link).

The Antlers - Two / Epilogue - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

the xx, xx

again, so much has already been said, i don't have much to add. i can find almost any occasion to play this album. it surprises me now that it took me a little while to get into it. subtle and almost dance-able (i really need another descriptor). in a word this album is sexy. which is probably appropriate given much of the lyrical content. again, i can't get enough. the spoken/whispered word delivery is beautiful. if you haven't, listen now.

phoenix, wolfgang amadeus phoenix

the pop album of the year, easily. all i'll say is that i was afraid i'd serious overplayed this album, but kept on playing it and never got tired. seriously, this is why pop music exists. well delivered, tight music.

Will A's Top 15

15. Passion Pit - Manners
Six months ago this album could have been top 5, but it seems to have dropped with the temperatures. It's just harder to enjoy when I'm waiting for the train in in 5 degree weather. With that disadvantage aside, it's one of the catchiest albums of the year. See Wade's review for a much better description than I could give. Highlight: the keyboard riff that starts "Little Secrets"


14. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies
I'm not usually big on country stuff, but this year my folky/twangy side seems to be creeping out a bit more. This is an album that makes me wish I was more of a whiskey drinker. Think Wilco circa 1995, or even Uncle Tupelo. Highlight: the tearjerker "Mama's Eyes"


13. Wilco - Wilco (the album)
Speaking of Wilco... I've done a scientific study which shows that ever since the creative peak of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco's age has had an inverse relationship with the level of innovation and edginess in their songs. However, it also has a direct relationship with the number of badass guitar solos so it comes out about even. They've aged better in the 15 years they've been around than most bands do in just a couple albums. Highlight: track 1 chorus, "Wilco will love you, baby". I can count on one hand the number of bands that can get away with that.


12. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
If you asked me at the beginning of the year what albums I was looking forward to most, this one was up there with Animal Collective, so #12 is kind of a disappointment really. Although you just can't resist some of these songs. When it comes to layered arrangements, harmonies, sounds coming from instruments that don't sound like instruments, intricate and complex song structures, they are pros beyond their years. Highlight: the video for "Two Weeks", which is the definition of creepy/cool.


11. Iron & Wine - Around the Well
This one surprised me in a good way. I had started to lose touch with ol' Sam Beam the last album, but this double disc collection goes back to when he was at his best. Simple, acoustic with a focus on the song and lyrics instead of the production and percussion. For a b-sides, rarities, and covers album, this one is remarkably consistent all the way through. Highlight: the cover of The Flaming Lips' "Waitin' For A Superman" might be better than the original.


10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Another "surprising in a good way" album for me. Album 1 will always be a classic for what it symbolizes in NYC indie rock, Album 2 was more of the same, but this one finally shows them maturing a bit. If "Maps" was your favorite song on Fever to Tell then there is more of that on this album. The ballads are just as powerful as the rockers and probably are longer-lived. Highlight: the last 1:30 of "Skeletons" when the whole band has kicked in and swirls around the guitar melody


9. Alela Diane - To Be Still
I only listened to this because Joanna Newsom's name was attached to it. I think they were high school buds or something. (side note: Newsom is getting frighteningly close to the Thom Yorke zone for me, meaning I will listen to or read anything that she or her second cousins were remotely involved in. She's soooooo good.) This album isn't groundbreaking but I just can't stop listening to it. She has such incredible control over her voice that she does things that would sound like a nasty yodel coming from me, but she pulls them off amazingly. Highlight: closer "Lady Divine" is just straight-up beautiful


8. The Mountain Goats - The Life of the World Yet to Come
Every time this guy releases a new album I always give it a try, but very few (of the 573 so far) have actually stuck. This one is up there with The Sunset Tree for me. Some would see the songs written on a Bible verse to be a bit gimmicky, but I think it's really cool. I've even started incorporating the songs in to my quiet times... anyway... concept aside, even without the Bible theme, the songs and lyrics are some of his best. He's one of the best storytellers in indie music. Highlight: "Genesis 30:3" - becoming a dad probably has something to do with that


7. The xx - xx
The first time I heard this I thought, "this is such Grant music." I love albums where it's obvious that anyone can could play and sing what they are doing. There is nothing special about this band's musical talents - it's just exceptional writing and knowing how to not overdo it. Highlight: the first ("Intro") and last ("Stars") songs - warm up with a Euro guitar/drum instrumental, close it down with single chord piano


6. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Do not listen to this album (or especially) watch any of her music videos if you are prone to nightmares. This crosses the creepy/cool line in to creepy/cool(?) territory. Take the Knife, subtract the guy and about 85% of the sounds and you get Fever Ray. Yet, somehow its biggest strength is the hollowness and emptiness of the songs. Highlight: the video for "When I Grow Up" - has WTF written all over it


5. Japandroids - Post-Nothing
Probably the easiest album to describe: guitar w/ distortion pedal, loud drums, screaming. With that formula it would be really easy to suck, but it doesn't. Highlight: pick one - it's solid from start to finish


4. Wild Beasts - Two Dancers
I can see why a lot of people might not like these guys. There aren't many bands where the lead singer is in falsetto nearly every song (R&B genre excluded), so that takes some getting used to. But it definitely keeps the songs more interesting. Great guitar/bass work make this good, and the crazy vocals make it even better. Highlight: the lyric "This is a booty call... my boot, my boot, your asshole!" from track one


3. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Another guy quickly approaching the Thom York zone, Spencer Krug has yet to disappoint me in any way. But somehow I think his non-Wolf Parade band is one of the most underrated bands today. I went to see them in Madison, WI a few weeks ago and got there right on time at 7pm to make sure I was there if it packed out, and of course, it didn't. The club even kept them from playing an encore so they could clear people out and start karaoke at 9pm (no joke). Why don't they get more recognition? Every album has been on pitchfork's best new music but they never make the top 50 at the end of the year. I don't get it. But anyway, this album, just like all their others, is ridiculously good. 8 songs of completely unstructured, lyrically insane indie rock songs. Highlight: the one at a time build of muted guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, vocals, and then really loud guitar "You Go On Ahead For a While"


2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
So much has been and will be written about this album that I don't know what's left to say about it. All I can say is that I hope this isn't their peak. Each album has been consistently better so I have to think they will continue trending that way. If they do, they really are headed for Radiohead status, not just in my book but mainstream too. If I could buy stock in these guys I would have done it yesterday. Highlight: what else could it possibly be other than "My Girls"?


1. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
#1 and #2 are really a toss-up for me, but Phoenix wins out because I think I've listened to it more. And I can't stop listening to it. It will probably be the kind of album that I look back at this time next year and think "That was really 2009? But I was just listening to it the other day." These guys have always been catchy, but I didn't see this coming. They are as tight of a band as the Strokes in their prime, but with less chance for egos and addiction to make them fall of the earth. Well done, Frogs. Highlight: The one-two punch of "Lisztomania" and "1901"


That took me way too long to write. I'm going to bed. Merry Christmas.

Best Albums of 2009

OK, end of the year, time for a Top Seven Albums of 2009. (Why seven and not ten? Because, The Man wouldn’t let me have ten.) For all of you Albums out there who I neglected, or forgot, to mention I hope you can forgive me… you’re all winners in my book (and, the title of that book is Everyone’s a Winner).

Trying to get this list out before Pitchfork and all the other websites start doing their end of the year lists. One, so as not to be perverted by other people’s opinions. And, two, because I am quite certain that this list will change world history. Enjoy…

7. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
For people who got into the Flaming Lips over the past three albums this is quite a departure. For people have been Lip Lickers for years, this is almost a return to their original weirdness… not that it sounds at all like they’re earlier stuff, it just doesn’t have the pop-ness that the past few albums had and it seems that they feel a real freedom to explore on Embryonic. I mean, I know the last few albums haven’t at all been “safe” but, there is something much broader here.

6. U2 – No Line of the Horizon
Yeah, I’m old and I’m including U2 on my list. And, yes, I’m allowing the fact that I saw this tour, in all of its space ship absurdity, live to sway my opinion. But, I still like it. And, that’s all I have to say about that.

5. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
OK, first of all, let me just say that I’m a sucker for a concept album… Frank Sinatra’s September of My Years is my favorite Sinatra album and it contains no hits but works more as a single storyline, Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger is an album built on a single storyline and it is truly a thing of perfection. But, I digress, just saying that I know that I can get sucked into a concept album more than most people (and, I’m not absurdly claiming that this album is on the same level as those two classics, blah blah blah). Thus, I realize that Hazards of Love is not for everyone, but it really was one of my favorites of 2009. One thing that shocked me is how The (usually un-rocking) Decemberists threw out some nasty and dirty guitar riffs and wailing vocals.

4. Passion Pit – Manners
The song “Little Secrets”, or “The Sunny Day Playground Jump Rope Song” as I like to call it, is a three minute and fifty-eight second summer day party, complete with frozen Jumbo Jet Star Pops from the Ice Cream Man and chalk drawn games of Tic-Tac-Toe displayed on the sidewalk. So, throw on some S.P.F. 45, hop on your bike and call all the kids in the neighborhood… because there’s a party going down and you’re all invited.

3. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
In my opinion Wilco (The Album) is their best album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (which was certainly one of the best albums of the decade)… I realize that opinion means that I’m saying Wilco (The Album) is better than A Ghost is Born, but that’s what I’m saying. I know it sounds a bit stupid when someone who is a non-engineer or producer starts talking about the “production value” of an album… but, all I’m saying is “tell me any single instrument, (or sound effect) that doesn’t sound perfect on this album”. Great songs. Great melodies. Great band.

2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimist
Fact: “Two Weeks” was the best track of 2009. Fact: the recent rebirth of Beach Boys based harmonies is the only thing that will end Global Warming and cure leprosy. Fact: unicorns are real and leprechauns are not. Having said that, this album is freaking awesome. The poppy, hooky harmonies are wonderful. There’s something full yet hollow about this album (“hollow” is not the perfect word… but the feeling of listening to this album in a huge wooden-walled room yet the sound is not empty at all, it is full and surrounds you on all sides).

1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Shockingly, 2009’s best album came out so long ago that I had to check the release date just to make sure it was released this year… it was released in January 2009. I had never gotten into Animal Collective until this year and all I can say is “Wow!” This album has it all (that’s a freaking generic statement), but nonetheless, it takes you up, then it takes you down, then it takes you straight to Chinatown. OK, now I really don’t know what I’m saying but what I’m trying to say is this album has a subtle beauty to it as well a bright and obvious warmth to it… it really has so much to offer on both ends and it needs to be appreciated on both ends of that spectrum. The beauty of the overt poppiness cannot be fully appreciated apart from the beauty of the subtle sounds taking place here. Me likey long time.

Big Ears

When will Vampire Weekend, Joanna Newsom, Bryce Dessner (of The National), St. Vincent, Andrew WK, The Ex, Gang Gang Dance, Clogs, 802 Tour (Nico Muhly / Doveman / Sam Amidon with Nadia Sirota), The xx , Javelin, DJ/Rupture (solo), DJ/Rupture and Andy Moor, My Brightest Diamond, the Calder Quartet, Gyan Riley, and jj all come to Knoxville at the same time?


In March.

miike snow

So have you heard of these guys?

I'm really digging "Sans Soleil" right now.

build me this by joshua james

This past weekend, I did something that I don't do nearly as often as I should - I went to Grimey's. And even better, I went there with no specific purchase in mind. I left with this:


Build Me This by Joshua James

Take a listen...

Joshua James - "Coal War"


Joshua James - "Pitchfork"


and a B-side from his debut, The Sun Is Always Brighter
Joshua James - "Lovers Without Love"

the antlers

i've had this album on repeat for the last month. which is kind of demented because it's one of the most depressing albums this year. with a title like "hospice," you should know you're getting into trouble. the band pretty much covers all the topics: death, depression, inadequacy, abortion, cancer, abuse. not exactly light listening. but it's really, really good. the music is beautiful, almost like a soundtrack to your dreams/nightmares.

so if music has a way of overcoming your emotions, listen with care. but i highly recommend this album.

Hospice - The Antlers

lil record player

[click on the image to get a good look]

I know this isn't music, but I think my love of industrial design overlaps into TLE territory here. Who collects vinyl? I might start again if I had one of these.

a gift for your wives

Taken by Trees is the solo project of Victoria Bergsman, better known to me as the girl from PB&J's "Young Folks" (I never listened to The Concretes). This is her cover of the best Tarzan-chest-pound inducing anthem 2009 has ever seen, just from a different perspective. I'm sure all your wives will love it:



I guess I'm the "covers guy" on here or something.

Jill Andrews

Another WDVX friend (I call her a friend because I am secretly in love with her, but she probably doesn't remember my name -- story of my life, you guys), Jill Andrews is currently journeying into a solo career after the very unfortunate breakup of The Everybodyfields. I saw them perform on the Blue Plate stage during the aforementioned summer of 2007, and they immediately became one of my favorite bands. Then a few months later, they moved from Johnson City to Knoxville, and Jill moved in with my friend Matt Morelock two blocks down the street from my house. I almost needed professional help to suppress my inner stalker (my roommate at the time had the fortunate experience of seeing her in a bathrobe once). Then she had a baby with an acquaintance... and she will forever be just far enough removed from my social life to be out of reach. Kind of like Kevin Bacon.

Anyway, the past few months she has been releasing videos of herself performing acoustic covers in her home. This month's cover is special because my brother (claims he) suggested the song choice to her via Twitter. And also because it's an old My Morning Jacket favorite:

August Update from Jill Andrews on Vimeo.

All Is Well by Samamidon

The summer of 2007 saw my already growing love for American folk music climbing exponentially. I spent the summer riding my bike through the Old City to WDVX studios on Gay Street, where I attended The Blue Plate Special every single day. I also helped produce Matt Morelock's "Happy Camper" radio show on Monday nights. We played two hours of old American recordings followed by two hours of music from Matt's obscure world music collection. I often wore overalls, I was the new owner of a little hound dog, and my car was smashed. And it rained three times in as many months. Something about that summer seemed very antique. It was very James Agee, if I may use that as an adjective.

Shortly after the summer ended, I was introduced to Samamidon, a musician from New York. A Vermont native, his parents were folk musicians with an affinity for Appalachian traditionals. Samamidon's most recent album, All Is Well, is a collection of covers of some of those very songs. Even though it didn't come out until the following winter, I always think of summer 2007 when I hear it.


All Is Well was recorded in Valgeir Sigurðsson's Greenhouse Studio in Iceland (as was Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's The Letting Go, Mum's Finally We Are No One, and most of Bjork's albums), with arrangements by Nico Muhly (Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest, Antony and the Johnsons' The Crying Light, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's The Letting Go), and it is beautiful and chilly.

A few All Is Well tracks along with the oldest recording of the song I could find (most were written before the recording industry blossomed):
_______________

"Saro"

Doug and Jack Wallin (mp3)


Samamidon (mp3)

_______________

"Wild Bill Jones"

Dock Boggs (mp3)


Samamidon (mp3)

_______________

"Fall On My Knees"

Fred Cockerham, Oscar Jenkins & Tommy Jarrell (mp3)


Samamidon (mp3)

_______________

"Little Satchel"

Fred Cockerham (mp3)


Samamidon (mp3)

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"Sugar Baby"

Dock Boggs (mp3)


Samamidon (mp3)

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true love will find you in the end

several months ago, i watched the devil and daniel johnston with a few friends. i thought the film was really good. it seemed to capture both the creativity and depression of an artist struggling with serious problems. this may sound like a typical rock documentary, but this film is anything but. i think the description from the film's about page gives a summary that i can't beat:

Director Jeff Feuerzeig exquisitely depicts a perfect example of brilliance and madness going hand in hand with subject Daniel Johnston. As an artist suffering from manic depression with delusions of grandeur, Daniel Johnston's wild fluctuations, numerous downward spirals, and periodic respites are exposed in this deeply moving documentary.

though you may not have heard of daniel johnston (i hadn't), you certainly have heard of many of the artists who covered his songs or worked with him: kurt cobain, wilco, beck, sonic youth, tv on the radio. curiosity compelled me to look up a few of these covers. i think the song "true love will find you in the end" is one my favorites. jeff tweedy and the late jay bennet recorded an excellent version of this song below (my thanks to ben for the sweet flash player--i stole it from your post).

True Love Will Find You in the End
(Daniel Johnston cover)
Wilco (mp3)

beck also has an excellent cover of the song.

True Love Will Find You in the End
(Daniel Johnston cover)
Beck (mp3)

and the original.

True Love Will Find You in the End

Daniel Johnston (mp3)

if you haven't seen the movie, it is highly recommended. prepare to be happy, sad, and a little uncomfortable.

music in film

Hey guys, the idea for this blog is neat-o. You should use it more! I know you all don't have much time for it, with all your wives and mortgages and children and everything. BUT WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT? Just kidding, of course....

Anyway, to the music: I "grew up" loving the the way directors like Cameron Crowe and Wes Anderson used music in their movies (probably because they were both incendiary enough to use Sigur Ros in their soundtracks), but I have since changed a little bit. I still love a soundtrack full of obscure 60's British Invasion songs and German models turned singers, of course, but I'm not necessarily going to love your movie just because the soundtrack includes cool music. Sorry, Zach Braff.

So, I have here, four movies that came out semi-recently, and each use music that is potent and moving. All of these movies were some of the very best I've seen in a while, and the music was a huge part of why they worked so well.



Rachel Getting Married
"Unknown Legend" (Neil Young cover)
by Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio (mp3)
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The Visitor
"Je'nwi Teni (Don't Gag Me)"
by Fela Anikulapo Kuti (mp3)
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The Wrestler
"The Wrestler"
by Bruce Springsteen (mp3)
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Into The Wild
"Hard Sun" (Indio cover)
by Eddie Vedder (mp3)

This is Ben Rucker by the way. Grant invited me here. Thanks Grant!