The music blogging world, of which I have become a part, is just as fluid as the music scene itself. The blogs of people who came into the scene around the same time I did, early in 2008, are growing and shrinking and reinventing themselves. I particularly think of Mouse of Classical Geek Theatre and Travis of Web In Front as sources of my inspiration, and Bronson of BuzzbandsLA continues to feed me historical context. I was also given the golden opportunity of joining the staff of Joe Fielder's Radio Free Silver Lake now that it has become a multi-writer enterprise.
I don't even know for sure how many albums I got this year, but I know I had to whittle this list down from about 40 that I considered. It involved local bands, national bands and international bands. I dump them all onto one list. In my mind, the little homemade self release that only gets heard by 200 people is just as valid as any international best seller. They're all part of our collective aural history now.
Once again I can say I had the immense pleasure of hearing all these albums performed live, often more than once. I think that has as much to say about living in Los Angeles as it does my own personal musical taste. Or it's just the happy collision of two worlds. Seven in the list are local bands and I'm glad about that. This is a reworking of the list that appeared at Radio Free Silver Lake on December 11th with the significant addition of a twelfth entry, making my top ten an even dozen.
Top Ten Albums (in order)
1. his Orchestra - Field Guide To the Wilds
his Orchestra have had a powerful hold on me ever since I saw half of their set last May at Spaceland where they were opening for Wooden Birds. I picked up this CD that night, plopping it into my CD player the next day it immediately became an instant compulsion. This was an easy choice as number one because, just as with last year's number one: Amen Namo by Amnion, I played it more than any other record this year, and for a months and months. It's like the perfect indie pop album; catchy melodies, full, rich orchestrations, intelligent lyrics and a real obvious joy at the creation of this music. Appropriately named his Orchestra, they are indeed a small orchestra with obvious classical training, headed by a gifted songwriter, Douglas, who conducts his army of musicians as tightly as a classical conductor. The crisp, structured compositions are fleshed out by an impressive array of instruments that on first hearing sound like sunny indie pop, but repeated listenings reveal layer after layer of surprising depth and seriousness. There isn't a bad song in the collection and one, in particular, "Interesting End of the Day", would be a perfect song...were it not so short. (Or is that why it's perfect?) In coming years, if I ever need to remind myself why I love this genre of music so much, I'll put on this CD. It's already a touchstone for me.
his Orchestra have had a powerful hold on me ever since I saw half of their set last May at Spaceland where they were opening for Wooden Birds. I picked up this CD that night, plopping it into my CD player the next day it immediately became an instant compulsion. This was an easy choice as number one because, just as with last year's number one: Amen Namo by Amnion, I played it more than any other record this year, and for a months and months. It's like the perfect indie pop album; catchy melodies, full, rich orchestrations, intelligent lyrics and a real obvious joy at the creation of this music. Appropriately named his Orchestra, they are indeed a small orchestra with obvious classical training, headed by a gifted songwriter, Douglas, who conducts his army of musicians as tightly as a classical conductor. The crisp, structured compositions are fleshed out by an impressive array of instruments that on first hearing sound like sunny indie pop, but repeated listenings reveal layer after layer of surprising depth and seriousness. There isn't a bad song in the collection and one, in particular, "Interesting End of the Day", would be a perfect song...were it not so short. (Or is that why it's perfect?) In coming years, if I ever need to remind myself why I love this genre of music so much, I'll put on this CD. It's already a touchstone for me.
2. Red Cortez - Hands To the Wall (EP)
This EP earns it's spot near the top of my list because the initial 4-song release contains four of the best single songs released this year and any one alone could qualify as year's best song. It shows just what Red Cortez is capable of and why everyone is paying attention. I was especially pleased with this release because their previous recordings as The Weather Underground only hinted at the power and passion of their live act. Leading off with "In The Fall", which puts Harley's vocals out front and at the proper level, revealing a very powerful voice, you could introduce people to the band with this CD and they would all say, "Ahh yes, this is great". The whole band appears to be at a performance peak that continues through "World At Rest", "Laughing Streetcar" (love that title) and "All The Difference". The subsequent five song edition entitled Hands To The Wall includes "Fell On The Floor", another fine song. The second this CD ends I play it again. This band's live shows this year were electrifying and I love the fact this recording is as great as they are live. I wasn't sure the explosive talent of Red Cortez could be captured on disc, so now that we know, just imagine a full length by these guys.
3. The Happy Hollows - Spells
This white hot blast of musical energy is the near perfect representation of the band's live show. The dizzying blend of styles and influences that shape this band's unique sound is on display for all to hear. A lot of local bands, whose live shows are amorphous, spontaneous blasts of talent and energy, surprised me with their faithfulness to their live act, yet at the same time, bringing the discipline necessary to the recording medium. And The Happy Hollows did it maybe better than anyone. From Sarah Negahdari's vocals and virtuoso guitar playing, to Charlie Mahoney's thundering bass and Chris Hernandez' frantic drumming, everything you love about them live is here. And none of it sounds canned or 'by-the-numbers'. Even after repeated listenings it stays fresh. Production values are top notch and the addition of Charlene Huang's violin adds unexpected poignancy to a couple of numbers. This band's spectacular year has culminated in a signing with Autumn Tone records.
4. Le Loup - Family
I had so appreciated The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly by Le Loup yet I still could not contain my joy at their new CD Family (released on September 22) by Hardly Art. Quirky, inventive, resourceful, this odd blend of various styles from around the world is beautifully realized. The elaborate vocal intricacies of this band are beyond parallel, from early Gregorian chants to tribal African vocal patterns and ordinary (hardly) three part harmonies, they seem to get their inspiration from any source available. The album also represents a real step forward for the songwriting, now that all members are contributing, Sam Simkoff's compositions are more focused and structured. The lyrics are intelligent, thoughtful and wonderfully cryptic. And on top of that, their live performances, like at The Echo last October, are explosions of music and dance. Their infectious set showed off a pride in the material and a love of performance few groups can equal. If you can get through this album without dancing around the room, you have no pulse. I wish they came around more often.
5. Silversun Pickups - Swoon
Oddly enough, I thought this album was a disappointment when I first heard it. I found the repeated use of the dropped beat a bit of a gimmick. But something kept me going back to it and gradually the songs took hold of me. In fact, I think it represents a step forward in their songwriting because the music seems more varied and sophisticated than on Carnivas. Embellished with some atmospheric ambient noises and nice orchestral flourishes, the production sounds even more ambitious. Brian Aubert's vocals are more powerful and assured than ever. Again traversing the darker edges of life, they take an unflinching look at what their fame has brought them. The sacrifices as well as the rewards. The lyrics are probing and honest, and very smart. The driving, propulsive energy in the music keeps it constantly swimming forward, like a shark. There's a 3 dimensional quality to the music, as if you're hearing it from deep in a well. I finally got to hear them perform it live this summer at Gibson Amphitheatre, and they brought all the passion and energy the music deserves to an electrifying performance that, unfortunately was ruined by over-zealous and unruly fans with an unseemly penchant for texting during the performance. Still, Swoon qualifies as an album of the year.
6. Telegraph Canyon - The Tide and the Current
This has got to be one of the most self assured and confident albums by a new band I've ever heard. So accomplished are all the elements that there's not one wasted note on the entire album. Solid and evocative songwriting is wedded to extraordinary gifts as singers, musicians and performers. This band is the real deal and all parts are in place for this enterprise to take hold in a huge way. A solid roots music background has obviously fueled this Texas band, aided by the current Southwestern indie rock/alt country sound. Telegraph Canyon adds their own twist to the genre with lush orchestrations and rich instrumentation, all impressively displayed whenever I've seen them live. Chris Johnson's vocals are of such strength and character, he sounds like a voice from another era, or a voice you think you've always known. The songs are all solid and quite remarkable. I played "Shake Your Fist" and "A Light In The Field" over and over and over again all summer long. In fact, I would say "A Light In The Field" could be considered one of the best songs of the year.
7. Fol Chen - Part 1: John Shade Your Fortune's
This first full length album from the talented, genre-defying circus of a band, Fol Chen, is a terrific introduction to their live act, as the songs are faithfully recreated with all the studio flourishes this top production provides. The surprise is the quiet, introspective songs they don't perform live, which reveal different sides to this band that I was real pleased to learn about. I love the "John Shade" song and long to hear it live. Dense, swirling compositions has been a key element of this band ever since I saw their first concert at a "Let's Independent!" a couple of years ago, and they only continue to grow and mature. Beautifully produced, this CD has some of the best sound of any release I've heard this year. I also have the pleasure of knowing what great people this band is made of and I predict 2010 will promise great movement for this band. As a live act this band is always a surprise, trying out new variations of favorite songs... and they have charisma to spare.
8. Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer (EP)
Blitzen Trapper's Furr had an easy position on my best list last year, and Black River Killer feels like extra recordings and outtakes from that album so it's inclusion is unavoidable this year, even though it only gives us six new songs. But every one of those six is a catchy attention getter that I couldn't get out of my mind. Another band from the fertile Northwest, their music is as instantly classic sounding as the way The New Pornographers or Calexico or The National are. There's just a solid songwriting skill that's undeniable. Watching the songs performed live at an El Rey show a couple of months ago only confirmed my suspicion that these are some of the finest songs this band has yet written. That was the best of the three times I've seen them. It's just perfect Americana folk-indie rock with thoughtful, intelligent lyrics, skilled playing and addictive melodies.
9. J. Tillman - Year In the Kingdom
This was one of my favorite finds this year. Though I'd met and chatted with Joshua a few times at Fleet Foxes shows where he plays drums, I had no idea the extraordinarily gifted singer/songwriter he is in his own right. The discovery was a revelation. These are some of the most heartfelt and moving songs I heard all year and played with amazing virtuosity by his own band. Also remarkable is the fact he released another full length CD this year, Vacilando Territory Blues, which actually also deserves to be on this list too. Another product of the Northwest, J. Tillman shares an affinity for nature with other musicians of the area which extends into Canada to include bands like Great Lake Swimmers whose writing this most reminds me of. Sharply attuned to the rugged geography surrounding him, he filters life's emotions through that prism and sees everything in it's relationship to it's place in the natural world. One thing I must add is that live, the music displays a power and sweep only hinted at in the recording that replaces some of the lush orchestrations of the CD with a passionate, sometimes ferocious, stage performance.
10. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians - Life and Death
After about a year hiatus, The Stevenson Ranch Davidians suddenly reemerged on the scene in October with this new CD. I was really into this band a couple of years ago and devoured the last CD, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Anxiously awaiting this CD, Life and Death didn't disappoint. They are among a group of L.A. bands that appeal to the ever-present '60's flower-child that still lives within me, with their distant, vaguely anachronistic , pre-digital age music (see The French Semester... and Seasons often work this territory). I enjoy the utterly unpretentious lyrics and the simple, classic forward thrust of the melodies coupled with Dwayne's plaintive, world-weary vocals. It's a very simple formula, but they execute it with creativity and intelligence.
11. The French Semester - Good Friends Only I Could See
One of the earliest releases of the year (in January) and easily the record that got me through the cold winter months. This CD seems to come from a different time and era. It has a perfect, space-agey sixties feel to it that is so strong it could be a long lost recording from that era unearthed by a later civilization. I saw the band at Silver Lake Lounge, got the CD and was blown away by the surfy '60's jangle they recreate so beautifully. All the more astonishing as the band hails from all over the world and yet make the perfect sunny California sound. But it's the fresh and innovative songs that keeps The French Semester from being a nostalgia trip and very much of the current local scene. Like The Stevenson Ranch Davidians, they mine territory close to my heart, and they do it so well I followed them around most of the year.
This year has also brought about personnel changes that keep the band evolving and developing and I will willingly follow wherever they lead.
12. Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today I'm Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I'm Tired Let's Wash Away
This is a recent addition since this list appeared at Radio Free Silver Lake as this album was a delayed starter for me. Mew really impressed me when I saw them three times during 2006 with their grandiose, symphonic combination of arena rock and pensive ballads, but I really hadn't paid much attention lately. When they came back to town earlier in the fall I got this new CD, No More Stories Are Told Today... and didn't immediately get into it. Even after the tremendous show at The Troubadour in September I still preferred their previous CD And The Glass Handed Kites. I was so blown away by that show that I got a ticket when they announced a show at The Fonda this month and recommitted to listening to this new CD. And it grew and it grew until all I wanted to hear were these new songs. I'm still in the obsession cycle with this album, playing it more than once a day. Songs like "Cartoon and Macrame Wounds" and "Sometimes Life Isn't Easy" are so rich and strong, vocally and instrumentally they make me swoon. Seeing them live is mandatory as they always play among the most professional and inspiring sets by any band I've ever seen.
Honorable Mention:
I have to make this quick or I will never publish this list until 2010...(these were all strong contenders for the above dozen)
Manhattan Murder Mystery - Manhattan Murder Mystery (EP)
This is another local band I didn't believe could capture their unique live sound on disc, but they did and they even enhanced it with inspired performances of some of their audience favorites. Rough, raw and full of life.
Iron And Wine - Norfolk 6/20/05
This CD was a giveaway at the Hollywood Cemetery show and it's my favorite recording by this band. 18 songs and all of them among the best Sam Beam has written., beautifully performed both acoustic and with full band from a concert in 2005.
Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
Latest album by the golden throated troubadour Tony Dekker is filled with the same beautiful dark melancholy compositions that he confidently delivers, further confirming his reputation as a highly gifted songwriter.
Vetiver - Tight Knit
The most solid, cohesive album yet by this member of the freak-folk movement that he performed splendidly at the Eagle Rock Center For the Performing Arts last April.
The Faraway Places - Out of the Rain, the Thunder and the Lightning
Another terrific band with a strong writing style and an assured and positive stage energy.More in the tradition of the pop songsters of the '60's than the jangle rock of other bands, there's a refreshing crispness and directness of intent in their music that's very wlecome.
Grizzly Bear - Veckatemist
Though not quite at the level of Yellow House, this is nonetheless a compelling chapter in this bands evolving sound. Big, sweeping song structures that resemble architecture as much as music, involve the heart as well as the intellect.
Great Northern - Remind Me Where The Light Is
Great Northern came roaring back to life with this aggressive, forceful and very beautiful album. They gave a compelling live performance of the material at Silver Lake Lounge last March.
Sea Wolf - White Winter
Great sophomore album by this popular band shows confidence and growth both as a band and as writers.
J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
This other J. Tillman release of the year was as good as Year In The Kingdom, but only one could make the cut. More songs by one of my favorite voices in music today.
Last but not least...
Jefferson Airplane - The Woodstock Experience
This recording, released to coincide with the famous concert's 40th Anniversary, was a revelation to me, because I'd alway been told their performance was sloppy. Imagine my surprise to hear a sharp, powerfully played and sung set with some of my favorite Airplane songs and Grace Slick sounding astonishingly pitch-perfect in spite of the circumstances. The vocal duels with Marty Balin are very special indeed. I heard they had been up all night, were on acid, and exhausted when they played at 7 AM in the morning, but you'd never know it by this incredibly professional performance. It's why they were my favorite band. And, in fact, Rolling Stone finally gave one of their albums a good review!
Coming next... my favorite shows and sets of the year.
whrabbit
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