MUSIC THREAD

That's what people say. That's what people say.

 

Degenerate the faithful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ9r8LMU9bQ

 

If you're looking for something similar to Florence + the Machine to pass the time until they come out with a new album, check out the most recent album from Australian Kate Miller-Heidke, O Vertigo! I saw her four years back or so open for Ben Folds and she did more singer/songwriter stuff then. She has a strong voice, and has moved into more rock/pop stuff in the past few years. This is the song from her recent album that most made me think of FATM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NnMD4jrYwQ

 

Happy NFL Week 1 opener eve, members and moderators.
For FART, one of the greatest days of the year.
Get down Saturday night.
Let us have peace.

 

What I'm realizing is that I'm going to have a difficult time sorting the albums from this year into a coherent top 10 at the end of the year. I have a playlist of albums I like, and it now has 22 albums on it, with the most recent inclusions being the albums from Sinkane, Shovels & Rope, and Delta Spirit. One listen through Delta Spirit and I quite like it. If they're coming through your town on their tour, I highly recommend them. I saw them on their last tour and they put on a great show; same thing with Shovels & Rope.

But yeah, other than HEAL, which is the runaway number one for me at this point, finding a way to sort the rest of these solid, but often not great, albums will be tough.

 

Absolutely loving the new song from Damien Rice: https://soundcloud.com/damienrice/my-favourite-faded-fantasy. It's a very slow build, but the flourishes at the end make the wait of the slow build worth it. It kind of reminds me of something Jeff Buckley could have done.

 

At this point, for my top 10 I'd go:

1. St. Vincent - St. Vincent
2. Spoon - They Want My Soul
3. Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal
4. Real Estate - Atlas
5. War on Drugs - Lost In The Dream
6. Jack White - Lazaretto
7. Shovels & Rope - Swimmin' Time
8. Swans - To Be Kind
9. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Wig Out at Jagbags

 

Wow, I gave the new Shovels & Rope one listen and pushed it aside. Usually I go back to bands I have previously liked, but it didn't capture me.

There is a Spoon side project called Split Second that's very good. Forget which guy did it. Also a duo called The Wind and The Wave that might have done what I wanted S&R to do.

 

This year thus far doesn't even compare to 2013 or 2012. Even the Top 40 hits have been weak.

My top five at this moment:

1. St. Vincent, St. Vincent
2. The Antlers, Familiars
3. Real Estate, Atlas
4. Mick Jenkins, The Waters
5. Jenny Lewis, The Voyager

 

The top 40 hits are always weak. Actually, I don't dislike them as much this year as I have in past years. And I think this year is fine, especially in terms of solid to good albums. It just doesn't have as many really good to great albums, at least not yet.

My attempt at a top 10:

Strand of Oaks - HEAL
St. Vincent - St. Vincent
Jack White - Lazaretto
First Aid Kit - Stay Gold
La Roux - Trouble in Paradise
Jenny Lewis - The Voyager
Bleachers - Strange Desire
Sharon Van Etten - Are We There
The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Lykke Li - I Never Learn

 

I think my 25 favorite albums from last year would all crack my top five this year.

And I'll take "Blurred Lines and "Get Lucky" any day over "Fancy" and "Happy."

 

After Electric Lady at the top, I think last year and this year would be about even for me if I ranked a top 20. And agreed on Get Lucky, but I never liked Blurred Lines.