Bon Iver is not so much a band as it is just one guy. The guy in question would be Justin Vernon. Following the dissolution of his previous band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon retreat to a cabin in Wisconsin in the dead of winter and ended up recording the album For Emma, Forever Ago. He adopted the moniker Bon Iver as a play on the French phrase “bon hiver,” which means “good winter.” According to Vernon, he did not intend to write and record an album when he decided to hide out in the middle of nowhere. For Emma is quite a bare bones record, consisting mostly of a somewhat out of tune acoustic guitar as well as drums and other percussion. Vernon's vocal range is impressive, especially when he opts for the higher register as he often does. He's not bad with hooks either, such as on the album's most popular track, “Skinny Love.” I have to say that while I enjoyed this record, I don't believe it's the masterpiece that so many critics would have you believe it is. Yes, it is pretty cool considering one guy recorded everything himself, but it's not necessarily life changing. The record is pretty bleak all around, which is understandable given the setting of the recording. “Flume” begins the album and is one of Vernon's catchier tunes. Bon Iver now performs as a full band when touring. The band's tour dates are currently sparse, so I wouldn't be surprised if Vernon is working on LP2 right now.
Wild Sweet Orange is a great indie band from Birmingham, AL that I recently discovered on Pandora. I'd been meaning to go ahead and pick up their full-length debut We Have Cause To Be Uneasy, but I didn't do so until last week. I shouldn't have waited so long because this is one great album. It's no coincidence that the title comes from a chapter title in the C.S. Lewis classic Mere Christianity. The album is full of spiritual allusions and mentions of God and the Church. I've always been intrigued when bands offer up deeper lyrics than usual and that's the case here. Front man Preston Lovinggood (another great name) is quite open about spiritual struggles and his honesty makes Wild Sweet Orange all the more appealing. Musically, the band has a slight Southern twinge to their guitar tone mixed with plenty of distortion. The acoustic guitar also plays a huge role on songs like “Sour Milk,” a scathing indictment of our parents' generation and their shortcomings. “Either/Or” boasts the catchiest guitar hook on the record while “Seeing and Believing” features one of the better crescendos I've heard in a while. Today's song is one of my favorite, with Lovinggood deftly moving from a whisper to a wail in the chorus. Wild Sweet Orange is currently on hiatus after the departure of a couple members. Hopefully they will forge ahead and continue to create music as excellent as this album.
Emery is an emo band that has been screaming their hearts out since their 2004 debut, The Weak’s End. Their sophomore effort The Question remains a favorite of mine as far as this genre is concerned. In 2007, they dropped the utterly disappointingI’m Only a Man, which left me wondering if Emery had anything left. Luckily, they proved me wrong last summer when they released In Shallow Seas We Sail, an album I would consider a return to form. I think the most noticeable difference about this record out of the gate is that there is a lot more screaming. I’m usually not a huge fan of that and yes, some of it is still off-putting, however the band seems far more confident with their songwriting now. It’s like they’ve realized what they do well and decided to focus solely on that instead of experimenting too much. Some standouts include “Butchers Mouth,” “Edge of the World,” and “Piggy Bank Lies,” which makes excellent use of the dual vocals of Toby Morrell and Devin Shelton. The album isn’t flawless, but it’s a huge improvement. That being said, you have to at least be somewhat of a fan of the genre to enjoy this record. Today’s song is one of the more melodic tracks with little screaming and even features some strings.
Mindy Smith is an excellent alt country artist I’ve featured before, so I’ll spare you the backstory. Her third full-length album Stupid Love, came out last year and is a nice step forward for her. While still embracing her original folksy sound, Smith has found a way to branch out ever so slightly and it pays off. Little things like reverse guitar effects, quirky keyboards and programmed drum beats lift this album slightly out of what you’d expect from Smith. She got some high profile Nashville friends such as Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and Leigh Nash to lend backup vocals. Stupid Love is true to its title and is mostly a breakup album, save for the excellent “True Love of Mine,” a beautiful duet with Jeremy Lister. “Love Lost” is probably my favorite track. It features all the aforementioned elements as well as one of the strongest hooks on the record. Consider this another win for Mindy Smith. She hasn’t disappointed me yet.
The Temper Trap are a fairly new indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. Formed in 2005, the band released a self-titled EP in 2006, but their debut full-length Conditions, came out only last year. The album is a great 10 song collection that has a nice Brit-rock feel throughout. Lead singer Dougie Mandagi (great name) has a soaring falsetto that brings a lot of soul to each track. Album opener “Love Lost” immediately makes you want to move with a bouncing keyboard intro that gives way to a wall of guitars. Another standout is “Fader” with one of the catchiest “woo-hoo” choruses you’ll ever hear. My only complaint is that the album gets a little inconsistent in the second half. “Ressurection” sounds like a b-side at best, with distorted guitars that sound out of place compared to the chorus and delay guitars they used up to the point. Today’s song may be familiar to you if you saw (500) Days of Summer. The song was featured on the soundtrack as well as in the film itself. Conditions is a worthy purchase and a promising debut from a band I hope to be hearing more from in the future.
MGMT is an interesting indie rock band. The band is a duo consisting of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VonWyngarden. Am I the only one who thinks those names sound made up? In any event, the two got together in 2005 and released an album under the name The Management. Due to legal reasons, the name was later changed to MGMT. Their proper debut, Oracular Spectacular, came out in 2008 to much critical acclaim. MGMT were a band that garnered a lot of press and because of said buzz, I was skeptical about how good they might actually be. After hearing today’s song in a number of different places, I decided to give the album a chance. There are some real winners on this record such as the poppy opener “Time To Pretend” and the funkadelic “Electric Feel.” In addition to the fun funkiness of these tracks, the band also drops in some interesting songs like “Weekend Wars” that feel a lot like 70s rock. Their sophomore album Congratulations is due out in April and I’m looking forward to see which direction they’re going to lean. “Kids” remains my favorite track from this album because it’s just an incredibly fun song. From the catchy synth line to the soaring chorus and even the background noise of kids on the playground, the song is outstanding.
All Get Out is a great indie band from Charleston, SC that I've featured a coupletimes before. The band has been around for a few years now, but only have only released two EPs, the second of which was just a reworking of the first with two new tracks. I really like this band, but up until now, they've only actually released seven songs. I suggest you check out their self-titled EP, because it's the best seven bucks you'll spend on music this month. The band recently announced that they will soon be heading to the studio to record their first proper full length and I am eagerly anticipating the results. As a means of tiding over their fans, they stopped by the Daytrotter studios and laid down some new tracks for our listening pleasure. I stumbled across Daytrotter.com a while back and I am greatly impressed with the premise of the site. Every day, they offer up three to four songs from a different band, all of which are recorded live in their studios with no overdubs. A majority of the bands are quite obscure, but they have had some bigger names like Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes and Thrice stop by. The tracks are available for free download and it's a great way to get some rare music from some of your favorite bands or as a way to get into new bands. In the case of All Get Out, it provided them with the opportunity to release some new music before their record gets done. The three songs from this session are outstanding and I've been humming or singing all of them at some point in the last couple weeks. Daytrotter sessions are usually quite stripped down instrumentally and theirs is no exception. All three songs feature acoustic guitar heavily and I wonder if they'll be amped up on the record. Today's song is the standout for me because the lyrics are great and the tune is infectious. So if you're unfamiliar with All Get Out, check out the EP and definitely the songs from this session. I'll let you know about the full length, as it's on my list of most anticipated records of the year.
Lovedrug have always been a favorite of mine since their 2004 debut Pretend You’re Alive. Being on The Militia Group label, they always seemed to get lumped in the emo category which I think is terribly unfair for such a great rock band. Their sophomore record Everything Starts Where It Ends was just as impressive, adding a even a bit more guitar crunch. In 2008 came The Sucker Punch Show, Lovedrug’s darkest album to date. The album had an ominous feel throughout with lots of piano and some crushing guitar licks. The lyrics bordered on cynical to say the least and it left me wondering just what kind of mental trauma front man Michael Shepard had endured. Early last year, the band released online Sucker Punched: The Alternate LP. It was a complete reworking of The Sucker Punch Show. Faster songs were stripped down, slower songs were sped up, piano replaced guitar and vice versa. It was an excellent reimagining of an already amazing record. Lovedrug showed off their true talent and musicianship. Then in November, they posted 5 new songs on their Myspace. According to the band, these were “crap demos we recorded on our 16 track.” Nevertheless, the songs are quite impressive. For a time, they were available for download from Purevolume.com. Luckily I snapped them up and have been listening non-stop. According to a blog entry from the band, the songs are a preview of a new EP that should be coming out soon. Three of the songs are available on Noise Trade for free (provided you tell five friends about them.) I would suggest checking it out. I can’t wait for the EP, but until then I’ll be enjoying the demos, especially today’s song which boasts some great guitar work and an amazing hook; one of the best I’ve heard from Lovedrug in a while.
Surfer Blood are new band hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida. Their surroundings no doubt inspired their name and probably even the album art for their debut Astro Coast. As for their sound, it seems inspired by any number of 50s and 60s surf rock artists. There’s a definite Beach Boys vibe to some tunes on the record. The guitars take precedence on most tracks with waves of distortion and effects sometimes seem to wash out the soaring vocals of front man John Paul Pitts. Astro Coast has a fun vibe throughout and it feels like a summer record. Surfer Blood have garnered a lot of buzz in the last month or so, making them one of the bands to watch in 2010. While the record is enjoyable, I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. They sound similar to many other indie bands that are out right now. I’m not saying I don’t like it, but I’m not going to label them the saviors of rock and roll just yet. Astro Coast is only $5 at Amazon mp3 and it’s definitely worth the price. So go ahead and check out Surfer Blood for yourself so you can say you were listening before they show up on a million critics’ best of lists at the end of the year.
Phoenix is a French indie band that has seen a rise in popularity in the States in the past year. Their first album United came out 10 years ago. They saw a little success with the single “Everything Is Everything” from their sophomore record Alphabetical in 2004. Last May, they released their fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix to much critical acclaim. The album is a pretty fun collection of 10 tracks that showcase Phoenix’s excellent pop sensibilities. First single “Lisztomania” starts off the record and immediately gets your toes tapping. Keyboards are prominent throughout the record as well as some additional electronic elements, mainly on the instrumental “Love Like a Sunset Part I.” The record ended up on many critics best of 2009 lists but I guess I was a little late to the table when it came to this record. I do enjoy it and I can see the appeal, but my only complaint is that a lot of the songs have a sameness about them that make them difficult to distinguish from one another. Frontman Thomas Mars doesn’t offer much variety in his vocal delivery and even some melodies seem recycled from earlier tracks. The album is still worth checking out however. Today’s song was the second single released. You may have seen them performing it on late night TV and I think it’s even in a car commercial.
Moneen is a guitar heavy rock band from the Great White North. They’ve seen more popularity in their native Canada than they have here in the U.S. but there’s really no good reason for that. The band recently released their fourth full length entitled The World I Want To Leave Behind. I haven’t had a chance to check out that record yet. Today’s song come from their 2006 album The Red Tree. Moneen has a knack for excessively long song titles, like the title track from the 2003 record Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now. Today’s song is no exception. If you’re a LOST fan, you already know why I chose this song for today. The song is named for John Locke, a character on LOST who doesn’t really enjoy being told what he can and can’t do. Tonight marks the season premiere of the final season of LOST and even though the lyrics have nothing to do with the show, I thought this would be quite fitting for today.
Hello again. I know it’s been forever. I’m not even going to apologize. I think we’ve already established that I’m lazy when it comes to this thing. In any event, I feel it necessary to provide you with a list of my favorite records of 2009. I was going to do the standard 10 item list, but there were several that were hovering just outside the top 10 so I decided to go ahead and do 17, because that seems just random enough. As in previous years, please note that I’m not calling these the top 17 tracks of the year, but these are the albums that I spent the most time listening to. And here we go…
17. Audrye Sessions - Audrye Sessions Audrye Sessions are one of a couple bands on this list that I had never heard of until this year. I was turned onto their self titled debut after finding that they were touring with one of my favorite bands. I got the record for cheap online and was quite impressed with their sound. Front man Ryan Karazija has a soaring voice that delivers some solid melodies all over the disc. Musically, Audyre Sessions moves from straightforward rock to acoustic balladry to even more epic arrangements such as closer “Dust and Bones.” Audrye Sessions have big things ahead of them and I can’t wait to hear the follow up.
Audrye Sessions - "Julianna"
16. David Crowder Band - Church Music David Crowder Band have been a staple in Christian worship music for much of this decade. Crowder has always had an affinity for electronic elements in his music, but Church Music takes it to another level. Synthesizers and drum machines take the forefront on many songs, and each track segues seamlessly into the next, giving the album the feel of one big song at times. This song is one of my favorite that DCB has ever released and includes everything that makes them great. Amazing lyrics, melodies, and an epic guitar solo to boot.
David Crowder Band - "God Almighty, None Compares"
15. Silversun Pickups - Swoon Like many rock fans, I became familiar with Silversun Pickups after hearing “Lazy Eye,” the hit single from their 2006 debut Carnavas. I liked it alright, but never gave the band too much thought. That is until I heard “Panic Switch” from their sophomore release Swoon. The band had amped it up considerably and produced a gem of a song. I bought the record and found that on the whole, it was more mellow than “Panic Switch,” but I enjoyed it nonetheless. This song is one that got stuck in my head and one of the best rockers on the record.
Silversun Pickups - "The Royal We"
14. The Swell Season - Strict Joy The Swell Season, a collaboration between lead singer of The Frames Glen Hansard and Czech singer/songwriter Marketa Irglova, first rose to popularity in the States following the underground success of the 2007 movie Once, which starred both Hansard and Irglova and their original songs. Now comes their second proper album, Strict Joy, a release that finds them spreading their wings and coming more into their own sound. The duo generally trades off on lead vocals, such as on the Hansard helmed acoustic ballad “In These Arms” and the Irglova led “I Have Loved You Wrong.” Of course the other is always there to provide beautiful harmonies on each song. This an excellent record that I recommend to anyone who loves the singer/songwriter genre.
The Swell Season - "The Verb"
13. Mae - (m)orning Mae has chosen to go about releasing their music differently in 2009. Absent of a label, the band set out to record and release one track a month for the entire year, compiling every four month section into EPs titled (m)orning, (a)fternoon, and (e)vening. The EP versions of the songs sometimes include extended musical breaks and each EP features previously unreleased music. While the EPs are released on the band’s own Cell Records, they teamed up with former label Tooth & Nail Records for distribution purposes and the retail version of each EP will include a DVD with documentary footage. The (m)orning EP finds Mae sounding more like themselves after the departure that was 2007’s Singularity. Despite being now reduced to a three-piece, Mae sounds as full as ever, with added instrumentation ranging from keys to strings and even flutes on some of these songs. Mae has once a again proven that they are a band with something to say and I look forward to hearing the (e)vening EP sometime in early 2010.
Mae - "A Meldoy, the Memory"
12. Thrice - Beggars Thrice had a relatively quick turnaround after their epic four-part release The Alchemy Index. Beggars finds the band returning to a more organic sound that was mostly recorded live by the band and engineered by guitarist Teppei Teranishi. Dustin Kensrue’s voice sounds as good as ever, leaving behind the throat shredding for a more melodic growl on some tunes, and letting his voice soar on slower ones like this.
Thrice - "In Exile"
11. Lorien - Esque Lorien is another band I had never heard of until 2009. This Nashville quintet released quite an impressive debut full length with Esque, a collection of dance worthy rock songs, mixed with a few truly epic tunes that make great use of piano and strings. Lorien is a talented band that deserves your attention in 2010.
Lorien - "Sowing Bad Seeds"
10. Mute Math - Armistice Mute Math finally released their long awaited sophomore album in August with Armistice. It’s been reported that they scrapped a few albums worth of material before delivering the finished product. The result doesn’t stray too far from their debut, but it could be said that there is a higher energy on this record. It’s really great, but believe me when I say that hearing them on record is no match for their live show. If they come anywhere remotely near you, do whatever it takes to be at the show. You won’t be disappointed.
Mute Math - "Electrify"
9. Brand New - Daisy Brand New took their time before releasing their fourth album Daisy. It had been three years since their last release and if nothing else, they proved that they can’t be pigeon-holed. Daisy opens with a sample of an old hymn and jaggedly segues into “Vices,” easily the most abrasive song they’ve ever released. After the initial shock wore off, I was able to dig in and find that some of the band I previously loved so much was still there. Even so, Daisy is a much different record for Brand New, most notably in Jesse Lacey’s vocal delivery which involves a lot of yelling this time out. Despite its initial shortcomings, I kept coming back to Daisy over and over again. I guess it was catchy after all. This song is the best on the album and probably the one that most sounds like the Brand New that fans have grown to love.
Brand New - "You Stole"
8. As Cities Burn - Hell or High Water As Cities Burn had officially disbanded before their third album was even out, but it’s still one of the best collections I’ve heard in a long time. It’s almost impossible to tell that this is the same band that released Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest in 2005. Gone are any traces of their hardcore sound that may have remained on sophomore release Come Now Sleep. Hell or High Water is notable for it’s distinct guitar tone that is somewhat similar to Colour Revolt. Cody Bonnette’s voice and lyrics are more on point than ever, touching on everything from struggles with lust, to televangelists, to the pursuit of fame. It’s a shame that this is the last we’ll hear from these guys, but I have to hope they haven’t given up on music forever.
As Cities Burn - "Pirate Blues"
7. Matthew Good - Vancouver Matthew Good was back in 2009 with his fourth solo album, this time focusing his attention to his hometown. Vancouver finds Good returning to the big sound that was prevalent on his solo debut Avalanche, with lots of orchestration. “Us Remains Impossible” is one of the most accessible songs he’s ever written, with a hook that sticks in your head. Vancouver is a dark outing for sure, but Good has never really been about sunshine. “The Vancouver National Anthem” remains the standout track for me. It’s a commentary on the state of the city from Good’s viewpoint and it has some killer backing vocals from Pete Yorn.
Matthew Good - "The Vancouver National Anthem"
6. Paper Route - Absence Paper Route are a band that I knew I’d probably be including on this list even before hearing their full-length debut Absence. I was thoroughly impressed with 2008’s Are We All Forgotten EP and when I heard “Carousel,” the lead single from Absence, I knew Paper Route weren’t going to disappoint me. Absence shines from start to finish with great melodies and all manner of electronic flourishes mixed nicely with guitar and keys. “Dance On Our Graves” closes out the album perfectly with an amazing string breakdown at the end.
Paper Route - "Dance On Our Graves"
5. fun. - Aim and Ignite Never has a band more lived up to their name than fun. It’s pretty much impossible not to smile and tap your toes when listening to any song from Aim and Ignite. Front man Nate Ruess, formerly of the Format, hits new highs with his voice and his heartfelt and clever lyrics. The band is rounded out by Steel Train guitarist Jack Antonoff and former Anathallo mulit-instrumentalist Andrew Dost. The result is a ten song set that is perfect for a sunny day and even better as a cure for a dreary one.
fun. - "All the Pretty Girls"
4. Jars of Clay - The Long Fall Back To Earth Jars of Clay have long been one of my favorite bands. I think part of the reason for that is that they have the uncanny ability to reinvent themselves on each record while still managing to sound like themselves. This time out, they leaned more in the direction of pop than ever before and the results were stellar. The synths move to the forefront on many songs and there is a distinct 80s feel. At its core, the album is all about relationships and “There Might Be a Light” may be one of the best unrequited love songs ever.
Jars of Clay - "There Might Be a Light"
3. Say Anything - Say Anything Say Anything had quite a task on their hands when it came to following up their 2-disc 2007 opus In Defense of the Genre. Max Bemis and company came through though, scaling back and writing more straightforward rock songs that are incredibly catchy. Bemis’s acerbic wit is still intact, but his bipolar musical tendencies aren’t as evident, save for a few songs. The album as a whole has a more hopeful feel than any previous releases and Bemis proves to us that he can write songs about being in love too without being cheesy. (Ok, maybe a little, but in a good way, trust me.) “Eloise” is Bemis’s goodbye to a destructive relationship. It may sound dark, but I dare you not to sing along.
Say Anything - "Eloise"
2. Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome Derek Webb threw his label and the Christian music industry at large for a loop when he decided to drop some profanity into one of the songs on his fifth album Stockholm Syndrome. The controversy was interesting, but I fear it might have overshadowed the fact that Stockholm Syndrome is a truly great album that has a lot to say and musically shows that Webb is far more than a singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Samples and drum loops are used throughout and the result is nothing short of impressive. Even if you’ve never liked Webb before, Stockholm Syndrome is a worth your time.
Derek Webb - "I Love/Hate You"
1. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing Manchester Orchestra are easily my favorite band making music today. I know they’re young and only have two albums under their belts, but these guys play with the confidence and cohesion of a band that’s been together for 30 years. Andy Hull proves his worth lyrically and vocally on this record with a talent that seems to far exceed his age. Above all else, Mean Everything To Nothing is a rock record in the purest sense. It even made my hard to please older brother admit that rock and roll might not be dead just yet. The band is just as incredible in concert and they’re doing a headlining run in the U.S. this spring. Don’t miss it if you get the chance. “Shake It Out” is one the many standout tracks on the record and my pick for song of the year.
Manchester Orchestra - "Shake It Out"
So there it is. Late at usual, but you’ve come to expect that. There is always great music to be found and I encourage you to seek it out yourself and don’t just listen to what the radio shoves in your face over and over again. There’s more to come here in 2010 so please stay tuned.
One new song everyday until I get tired of doing it again. Click on the artist's name to get more information about them. Click on the album art for purchase information. Click on the play button to listen for yourself. Enjoy.
Bon Iver is not so much a band as it is just one guy. The guy in question would be Justin Vernon. Following the dissolution of his previous band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon retreat to a cabin in Wisconsin in the dead of winter and ended up recording the album For Emma, Forever Ago. He adopted the moniker Bon Iver as a play on the French phrase “bon hiver,” which means “good winter.” According to Vernon, he did not intend to write and record an album when he decided to hide out in the middle of nowhere. For Emma is quite a bare bones record, consisting mostly of a somewhat out of tune acoustic guitar as well as drums and other percussion. Vernon's vocal range is impressive, especially when he opts for the higher register as he often does. He's not bad with hooks either, such as on the album's most popular track, “Skinny Love.” I have to say that while I enjoyed this record, I don't believe it's the masterpiece that so many critics would have you believe it is. Yes, it is pretty cool considering one guy recorded everything himself, but it's not necessarily life changing. The record is pretty bleak all around, which is understandable given the setting of the recording. “Flume” begins the album and is one of Vernon's catchier tunes. Bon Iver now performs as a full band when touring. The band's tour dates are currently sparse, so I wouldn't be surprised if Vernon is working on LP2 right now.
