MUSIC THREAD

John Travolta loses tons of weight, looks great in stupid new music video w/Olivia Newton-John:

.be

 

Good God, that sucks.

 

Going through and listening to Paste's 50 best albums on Spotify. Gotten through about 12 so far. My faves are El-P's "Cancer 4 Cure", First Aid Kit's "The Lion's Roar", Alabama Shakes' "Boys and Girls", Fiona Apple's "Idler Wheel ..." and Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange."

I had never heard of First Aid Kit, but that's a great record if you're into the folky singer-songwriter sound.

 

I can't say enough good things about Vintage Trouble, which is on that and many of Paste's top lists this year. They are wonderful. Saw them do a free show on a trip to Seattle recently and fell in love. Their singer, Ty Thomas, is an absolute showman, full of charisma and charm. I think they are going to be on David Letterman Thursday night. They are currently opening for The Who.

 

Friend of mine saw them open for The Who in Toronto two weeks ago and raved about them.

 

Little late, but Janelle Monae? Yes please.

 

American Songwriter's Top 50 albums of 2012.

Pretty solid list for my tastes. Obviously it's going to skip over hip hop and some rock albums I like given the source. Plus, I'm sick of Mumford and Sons. They can find a new trick and they can find a new pony.

Top 10 were:

10. Alabama Shakes, Boys and Girls
9. Bonnie Rait, Slipstream
8. Mumford and Sons, Babel
7. The Avett Brothers, The Carpenter
6. Sharon Van Etten, Tramp
5. Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball
4. Leonard Cohen, Old Ideas
3. Shovels and Rope, O'Be Joyful
2. Neil Young Pyschedelic Pill
1. Bob Dylan, Tempest

http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/12/american-songwriters-top-50-albums-of-2012/

 

Absolutely shocked to see Shovels and Rope get recognition. I really like that album. It's a married couple who each put out their own CD called Shovels and Rope. Then they joined forces and called their band Shovels and Rope. Cary Ann Hearst is the wife. Saw her open for Butch Walker and she was outstanding; a mini Dolly Parton (even though Dolly is mini, well, most of her.)

 

As I said a page earlier, their album is my favorite of 2012. Perfect mix of country and rock. And she has pipes.

I believe they opened for Jack White a few times, meaning they won't be anonymous too much longer.

 

They were in last month's Acoustic Guitar.

 

The Lumineers record is fantastic. Still haven't gotten to Vintage Trouble yet. I was not that impressed with the Sharon van Etten album, but then again, she may just not be my bag.

 

I really like individual songs from the Lumineers' album when I hear them, but when I listen to it all the way through there's too much sameness to it. I could see their second album being like Mumford's if they don't diversify.