November 8, 2009
New & Future Music Releases
NEW RELEASES
10/6 NO AGE - Losing Feeling EP
10/6 RAVEONETTES - In And Out Of Control
10/6 AIR - Love 2
10/20 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS - I Told You I Was Freaky
10/20 EDITORS - In This Light And On This Evening
10/27 TEGAN & SARA - Sainthood
11/3 WEEZER - Raditude
11/3 FOO FIGHTERS - Greatest Hits
FUTURE RELEASES
1/12 VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Contra
1/26 CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG - IRM
1/26 SPOON - Transference
NOTE: This list will be updated regularly and I'll highlight the changes in bold. To keep abreast of updates to this post, consider subscribing to this blog's RSS feed.
permalink | comments (0) | TrackBack | posted at 3:51 PM
December 18, 2008
Top Eight Albums of 2008
Unfortunately, I couldn't think of ten albums that I would put on this year's list of top albums, so I pared it down to eight instead. The strange thing is that there were plenty of releases I was looking forward to, but few matched my expectations. For example, bands like My Brightest Diamond, Death Cab for Cutie, The Hold Steady, and We Are Scientists have all been featured on my lists in previous years but none of their latest efforts matched up to my expectations. And it is on that purposely disappointing note that I hereby declare the following releases worthy of the title of Top Albums of 2008.
STUART DAVIS - Something Simple
Thanks to my college buddy Josh, Stuart Davis will probably always be one of my favorite solo artists. Although some of the tracks on this 2008 release have been reworked from Stu's previous independently released albums, it's still a great pleasure to listen to. Why some of these tracks are not radio singles is a "Twisted Mystery" to me.
NADA SURF - Lucky
Another solid effort from Nada Surf should, at this point, come as no surprise. I used to think Weezer were the catchy rock song geniuses but Nada Surf eclipsed them this year when the Weez put out the horrendous Red Album.
REM - Accelerate
Solid from start to finish, this album is filled with tons of catchy rock songs. This is REM's best effort since Monster and it's more accessible, too. When you're looking for a decent straightforward rock song with a decent hook, this is the go-to album.
GOLDFRAPP - Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp went a little softer on this release, compared to the previous effort (which also made one of my year end lists) but that didn't seem to matter as this album is just as great as the beat heavy electronica on the last record. "A&E" is my favorite song of the entire year and just might rank up there among my favorite songs of all time.
CSS - Donkey
CSS's 2008 album seems more musically refined than their self-titled release of two years ago without a loss of snarkiness in the lyrics. I never quite know what they're trying to say but the songs are so great that it doesn't really matter.
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
After hearing "Kids" from this album on the radio numerous times, I finally figured out who it was by and checked out MGMT. Few tracks on the album match up to that song, but that's more a testament to my high regard for the song and not the mark of poor album quality.
FLEET FOXES - Fleet Foxes
I felt stupid for getting into Fleet Foxes months after everyone else started raving about them, but better late than never, right? This album has been the soundtrack to many of my cold and snowy walks to work over the past month and it fits the bill perfectly. I owe thanks to many people for recommending this album to me and I'm glad I finally listened.
SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS - Alpinisms
This one was a late contender because I hadn't even heard of School of Seven Bells until about one month ago. Since then, few days have gone by where I haven't listened to at least one track off Alpinisms, the band's debut. Hints of electronica and lovely female voices are always a big hit with me (see Garbage, Republica, Venus Hum, etc). None of those bands are very similar to School of Seven Bells, which should tell you that this is album is a fresh and original piece of work.
To sample a track from each album, press play on the widget below:
And there you have it, the Top Eight Albums of 2008. As always, comments are welcomed.
permalink | comments (1) | TrackBack | posted at 12:10 AM
November 25, 2008
Cheap Music
I'm going to quickly and briefly turn into a shill for Amazon's awesome MP3 Music Store and let you know of some good deals they have going on right now. First, the new album from the Killers - just released today - can be yours for just $3.99. Hopefully that's not indication of the quality of the music. Secondly, recent releases from Fleet Foxes, Coldplay, TV on the Radio, Santogold, She & Him, Flight of the Conchords, Katy Perry and Vampire Weekend are all just $5.00.
And just like that, I suddenly love the music industry again.
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August 3, 2008
Radiohead's Live Show
I'm always interested in seeing what bands do at live shows in terms of lights and stage effects. I think this comes from setting up for dozens of concerts at the Fargodome back when I was in college. Since then, technology has moved quickly and Radiohead's set last night at Lollapalooza is a good example of some of the awesome light shows that are being produced these days. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to see it myself but there are a lot of videos online that give a pretty good idea of what the show looked like.
They seem to have some sort of LED strips hanging down from trusses above the stage. Not only do these light up, but they can actually create patterns which the audience (especially those at the back) can see. In the video below you'll see the lyrics to the song "Everything In Its Right Place" scrolling in midair across the stage. Not only that, but there are video displays at the rear of the stage showing the band members. The second video below is shot from further away and you can see the coordinated fireworks which were going off during the song.
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June 11, 2008
Raining Again
It's raining yet again today in St. Paul. About an hour ago I was in the process of creating a playlist of songs with titles that have the word "rain" in them. This task was interrupted when lightning struck my apartment building. Or, at least I think it did. The flash and crack of thunder happened simultaneously and the fire alarm was triggered. I had never heard the fire alarm in this building before but it is really, really loud. The buzzer is also attached to the wall right outside my door. So of course I went outside to investigate but, thankfully, there was no fire. Then I had to spend about 30 minutes listening to the annoying buzzing sound before someone finally turned it off. The ringing in my ears is slowly going away.
Here's the playlist, in the order that it's playing right now:
Rain King - Counting Crows
English Summer Rain - Placebo
Let It Rain - OK Go
Spring Came, Rain Fell - Club 8
Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
Lightning Is My Girl - Melissa Auf Der Maur
Rain - Corrs
Raindrops + Sunshowers - Smashing Pumpkins
Rain City - Turin Brakes
Umbrella (Feat. Jay-Z) - Rihanna
Raining Again - Moby
Still Rainin' - Lang, Johnny
Steel Rain - Cornell, Chris
Are You Lightning? - Nada Surf
Lightning Crashes - Live
Dreadful Wind and Rain - Jerry Garcia and David Grisman
Rainin' - Sponge
She Gathers Rain - Collective Soul
And It Rained All Night - Thom Yorke
Dig The Lightning - Robbers On High Street
The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks
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December 23, 2007
Top Seven Albums of 2007
Every year since 2005, I've posted a list of my favorite albums of the year (2006, 2005). This year I've chosen seven. Of course, there were more than seven good albums this year and figuring out which ones would make the cut was a tough decision. However, after much deliberation, here are the top seven of 2007:
7. BAND OF HORSES - Cease to Begin
This was a late '07 release which means it hasn't had as much time to grow on me. That's the hard thing about making lists of the best of the year before the year is even finished. The band's previous album, Everything All the Time, made it all the way to number four on last year's list. This album isn't quite as good but still worth listening to.
6. RILO KILEY - Under the Blacklight
Although this album doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, Jenny Lewis' voice is still phenomenal and she sounds great. The songs here are a bit of a departure for Rilo Kiley and some of the lyrics are a bit naughty but as long as Lewis is singing, I'll be listening.
5. TEGAN AND SARA - The Con
I really started to enjoy Tegan and Sara over the past couple of years and The Con has tracks just as catchy as their previous releases. These girls have the formula for a catchy pop-rock song ingrained in their brains and might be the long lost sisters of Rivers Cuomo. In fact, a tour with Tegan and Sara opening for Weezer would be pretty much perfect. Can someone make that happen please?
4. KINGS OF LEON - Because of the Times
Once you learn to enjoy the strange vocal stylings of Caleb Followill, Because of the Times is a great album. It build on the success of Aha Shake Heartbreak which was a 2005 favorite of mine and Kings of Leon's sound remains completely unique.
3. RADIOHEAD - In Rainbows
Toss the marketing gimmicks and revolutionary music industry business practices aside and you'll find that this album is incredible. Thom Yorke decided that going solo was perhaps not the best way to go and Radiohead came back with a vengeance on In Rainbows. This album is filled with some trademark Radiohead noises and strange sounds but the songs are, at their heart, melodic and powerful like the tracks on Kid A. Although I paid nothing for it, this album is good enough to buy.
2. SMASHING PUMPKINS - Zeitgeist
Long time readers won't be surprised to hear that I listened to the Smashing Pumpkins' reunion album more than anything else this year. As far as I'm concerned, Billy Corgan can do almost no wrong. Although Zeitgeist loses steam towards the end, this album is front loaded with tracks that evoke classic Pumpkins without retreading old territory. What's even better is that the band isn't going to stop. A five-song EP is due out on iTunes on January 2nd and the mighty SP will be back on tour in early 2008.
1. ARCADE FIRE - Neon Bible
I remember at Christmas last year listening to Intervention nonstop. The heavy organ was incredible and the rest of the album turned out to be great as well. Funeral was a widely hailed as one of the best albums since 2000 and some predicted that Arcade Fire would drop the ball on their sophomore effort. Happily, they didn't. Their live show also remained highly regarded and I was lucky enough to see them twice over the course of the year. This band is definitely the real thing and I'm very excited to see what they come up with next.
So there you have it, the manyhighways.com list of the best of 2007. I would have liked to see the latest releases from Interpol, the National and the New Pornographers live up to their hype and make this list but they were ultimately disappointing.
I will close with a bright spot, however. There happen to be a bunch of albums by bands that start with the letter "P" that came out in '07, just barely missed making this list, and are worth checking out: PALOMAR - All Things Forests, PELA - Anytown Graffiti, PINBACK - Autumn of the Seraphs and THE PONYS - Turn the Lights Out.
Finally, for another take on the year's best, check out my friend Sarah's list of the top 20 albums of the year.
permalink | comments (1) | TrackBack | posted at 1:34 PM
November 18, 2007
Catching Up
A few people have started to comment that my blog has been neglected for nearly three months now so I'm going to cave and write a little update on what's been going on.
Basically, my new job is keeping me very, very busy. This, however, is good because the old job in New York City was quickly draining my energy and enthusiasm. Now, I'm experiencing the opposite effect. I'm more motivated and excited now than I have been for years and the new job makes me feel like I just got out of college again and am bursting with enthusiasm and ideas. It's awesome.
At the same time, I'm looking forward to this week's Thanksgiving break and am excited for the holidays. Earlier this week I made plans to go back to New York for a visit the week after Christmas. During the four years I lived in New York I would spent New Year's here in Minnesota so I figure it's time to reverse that trend and spend it in New York. As great as things have been going here, I really miss the bustle of New York, its subways and bridges and, of course, all the friends I made there.
Other developments include my purchase of a slick alumninum and glass 24" iMac which I am throroughly enjoying with the latest iteration of Apple's Mac OS X: Leopard. I've been nothing but happy with it so far and am beginning to learn Aperture, Apple's photo management and editing application. This has had the effect of making me want to buy a true SLR camera so I will hopefully be purchasing one of those before Christmas.
My reading list has been dominated by non-fiction lately, especially of the Civil War variety. Recent reads (along with my review - lifted from my Facebook profile - of each) include:
Grant & Twain by Mark Perry: This is the first time I've read a detailed account of Grant's last days and it's only made me respect the guy even more. Perry writes simply but knows how to tell the story without getting too academic.
Cry Havoc! The Crooked Road to Civil War by Nelson Lankford: This book is unlike any other Civil War history that I've ever read as it deals not with battles, but with the politics of secession and the often-overlooked events that led the North and South to full fledged civil war. With this micro-history approach, Lankford has composed an intricate, wonderfully written, day-by-day and sometimes hour-by-hour account of the crooked road to Civil War.
Hey Ranger! True Tales of Humor and Misadventure from America's National Parks by Jim Burnett: Although I once worked with Jim, the ranger who wrote this book, his writing style is a bit too conversational for my tastes. It feels like every sentence is being delivered with a chuckle and it gets annoying after a while.
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey: This book really sucked. It was written by a park ranger who kills a rabbit within the boundary of a national park for no apparent reason. That would be a federal crime by the way. The incident basically confirmed my opinion of the author as a complete moron and total asshole.
For music, I've seen three great shows since my last entry: Arcade Fire, Smashing Pumpkins and New Pornographers. At home and work I've been digging the latest albums from Band of Horses, Pinback, Radiohead, Palomar, The Ponys, Voxtrot, Rilo Kiley and The New Pornographers.
Well, that pretty much covers what I've been up to. I really ought to write more often, shouldn't I?
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July 3, 2007
Smashing Pumpkins @ The Orange Peel
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Having your favorite band break up really stinks. Luckily for me, Billy Corgan missed his band, the Smashing Pumpkins, as much as me and reunited the band quite a while ago. I've been keeping an ear to the internet since May 22nd when they played their reunion show in Paris and have been listening to as many recordings from their European festival tour as my BitTorrent client can handle.
The first shows the Pumpkins played here in the United States started two weeks ago in Asheville, NC. It's a nine night stand at the Orange Peel, a little club that holds less than one thousand people. The Ticketmaster gods smiled upon me a few weeks ago when I went online and tried to get a ticket, just for kicks. They were only $20 so I figured that even if I didn't end up making it down for the show, it was worth a shot anyway. I ended up getting a ticket to last Wednesday night's show and came up with a crazy plan to go and see it. Here's how it at went down...
I left my apartment in New York (which I will be moving out of soon) at 4:00 am on Wednesday morning and took the subway to JFK where I got on a JetBlue flight to Charlotte. Luckily, I had a voucher from last year which paid for a lot of my transportation for this little trip. I arrived in Charlotte and picked up a rental car. I had gotten a steal on an economy car by going through Priceline but didn't complain when they gave me a brand new Ford Mustang. I drove the 2.5 hours to Asheville, arriving around noon, and immediately went to see what the situation was like at the Orange Peel.
Not surprisingly, there were already about two dozen people in line. I circled a couple of times and then found some parking not too far away and walked over to check out what was going on. When I got to the Orange Peel everyone from the line was gathered at the back of the building in front of a huge vent. As I got closer, I quickly found out why - the Pumpkins were doing their soundcheck and we could hear everything vividly. Not only that, but they were playing "F-You (An Ode to No One)," a song they hadn't played live since their "final" show at the Metro in December of 2001.
I quickly joined the dozen fans clustered in front of the vent and joined in the speculation of what other gems the Pumpkins would come out with that night for the show. This is also when I met Mike, an awesome Asheville native who I sat next to in line for the next seven hours.
The seven hours actually went by quite quickly. More and more people joined the line and various people came and went. Mike had a friend come by and take his spot at one point while he went to go feed his dog. I took little cat naps now and again and we of course continued to listen to the band soundchecking through the vent. I enjoyed a steak sandwich from Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria for lunch and a couple of hot dogs (with sauerkraut) from Hot Dog King which was just down the block, for dinner.
Finally, we started going into the Orange Peel around 7:30. In order to avoid scalpers, the ticket policy was very restrictive. We had to show ID and the credit card that we purchased the ticket with in order to get in and we had to enter the venue immediately. This way, no one would be able to go back outside and sell their tickets for exorbitant amounts of money. It was handled very well and the Orange Peel staff did an excellent job with everything.
The opening band was Scissors for Lefty and they were not very good. Chia Karaoke, formerly of the Minneapolis band Flipp, jokingly used to call himself the world's worst guitar player but I think the guy from Scissors for Lefty has him beat. Everyone cheered very loudly when they walked off stage.
Finally it was time for the Pumpkins and they put on an incredible show. I had a spot in the second row, right at the center of the stage and the view was incredible. Billy Corgan opened with three new acoustic numbers and then the whole band played The Aeroplane Flies High, a rocker they hadn't played in over ten years which is one of my favorites.
The next three hours were incredible. Highlights of the show included Hummer, F-You, Zero, Starla and Cherub Rock. The final song of the set was Untitled, a song which I had never heard live and really impressed me. It's become one of my favorite Pumpkins songs and I was thrilled that they played it. The songs off the new album sounded fantastic and the even newer songs just written within the past week sounded great as well. (View the entire setlist)
I really only have two complaints about the show. Because I was so close to the stage the mix was way off. Most of what I was hearing was Billy's guitar because it was literally only a few feet away from where I was standing. I'm sure that had I been standing further back I would've been able to hear a better mix of instruments. The only other problem was the lights. Many of them weren't really aligned all that well and I actually felt like I couldn't see Billy as well as I should've been able to. None of the above should be taken as evidence that the show wasn't good. In fact, it was incredible. I'm just being picky.
The final song of the show was With Every Light, probably the one Smashing Pumpkins song that means more to me than any other. In fact, the one time I met and spoke to Billy Corgan, I told him how amazing this song was. Since I'll probably never hear it performed live ever again, it served as the final confirmation that making the effort to come down to Asheville to see the show was a very, very good choice.
Once the show I ended a bunch of us hung out at the Orange Peel a bit longer. We saw all the Pumpkins exit the venue. New bassist Ginger Reyes and keyboardist Lisa Harriton came out and said hello as did Billy Corgan. Once they departed I drove back to Charlotte, returned the rental car at 5:00 am, flew to New York, then to Chicago and took a third flight to Minneapolis in the evening. After getting literally no sleep the night of the show, I was exhausted but it was all worth it and I'd do it again right now if I had the money (and a ticket to another show of course).
permalink | posted at 2:06 AM
May 18, 2007
New Smashing Pumpkins Song
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May 17, 2007
Smashing Pumpkins Unveil "Zeitgeist" Cover
These days I devour even the tiniest bit of Smashing Pumpkins news and the past few days have been pretty good.
A 30-second clip of the first single, "Tarantula" was released a few days ago. Then the album cover (left) was unveiled (press release). And finally, two "residency" stands were scheduled for San Francisco, CA and Asheville, NC (press release).
But stay tuned - the full single will be played on radio stations this coming Monday and the first show is Tuesday in Paris.
permalink | comments (0) | TrackBack | posted at 9:25 PM
March 20, 2007
The Stills Were in Spanish Harlem
This is too weird to not write about...
One of my favorite bands since last summer's Siren Festival at Coney Island has been The Stills. In fact, I just saw them a few months ago at Bowery Ballroom. I was poking around YouTube tonight looking for a good music video and came across The Stills' video for "Lola Stars and Stripe" which happens to be one of my favorite songs. Lo and behold, I'm watching the video and I realize that they shot it in my neighborhood, right near the 103rd Street subway station. What's even more strange is that I was there when they filmed it! I specifically remember walking out of the station and seeing a bunch of white people run right past me down the big hill on 103rd and Lexington - and that's the opening scene of the video. Check it out:
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February 7, 2007
Zeit·geist [tsahyt-gahyst] –noun German
Zeit·geist [tsahyt-gahyst] –noun German
1. the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.
2. title of sixth Smashing Pumpkins album; to be released on 7/7/07.
Note: albums are released on Tuesdays and July 7th is a Saturday. I have no idea what this means.
permalink | comments (1) | TrackBack | posted at 4:29 PM
January 26, 2007
Smashing Pumpkins Booked for German Festivals
My favorite band, the Smashing Pumpkins, announced two tour dates today at Germany's Rock Am Ring (June 2nd) and Rock Im Park (June 3rd) festivals. This is big news for several reasons. First, it means that they will almost certainly be playing a reunion show in the US before June because they can't exactly reunite at a random German festival. Second, the shows will undoubtedly be part of a European tour. Third, Billboard says that their comeback album is due in late spring or early summer. And finally, the band's website says to "stay tuned for many more announcements."
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January 20, 2007
The Dears and Annuals @ Webster Hall
I've been going to more concerts lately and last night saw The Dears and Annuals at Webster Hall. The Annuals album "Be He Me" didn't make it onto my Top 15 of the year because I only picked it up a few weeks ago but it is excellent and I've been very impressed. So I was excited to see them on the bill opening for The Dears, who I had been going to see anyway, having recently become a fan of theirs at the insistence of some friends of mine.
The Annuals played a frenetic, excellent set. There were six band members on stage during the show with as many as four of them playing percussion at one point. It's hard for all those beats and instruments to stick out which made the mix a bit muddled and the album is a better representation of their worth and skills as a band.
The opposite is true of The Dears. Though very good, their albums don't come across as being all that energetic. Live, however, they are truly amazing. Their set was flawless and tight with minimal banter and some great guitar work that isn't heard on their studio recordings. It felt like they wanted to cram in as many songs for us as they could. In short, they rocked and I came away very impressed.
Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos at the show but someone put up a great photoset on flickr that has some nice shots of both bands.
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January 7, 2007
More New Arcade Fire
Perhaps as a consolation prize to people like me who weren't able to score tickets to Arcade Fire's five upcoming NYC shows, the band posted on their website what they're referring to as the "first single" (?) from Neon Bible, "Black Mirror". I haven't been this excited about a new album by any band for years.
Arcade Fire - Black Mirror (via Obscure Sound)
NOTE: there are two other Neon Bible songs floating around already. "Intervention" (download it on iTunes - profits go to charity) and "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" which was leaked accidentally last week.
permalink | comments (1) | TrackBack | posted at 1:05 AM
December 22, 2006
New Arcade Fire Song [UPDATE: Plus 5 NYC Shows]
So many people (thanks SL, MM, KC, etc.) told me about Arcade Fire that I finally bought Funeral a while ago and I'll be damned if it isn't one of the best albums I've ever heard. And I'll be damned if this new song "Intervention", recorded off BBC Radio isn't just as good, if not better, than their older stuff. Enjoy!
Download: Arcade Fire - Intervention (via You Ain't No Picasso)
PS - Weird... according to a fan site, "The new the record is entitled Neon Bible, which, while it is the name of John Kennedy Toole's first novel, it was not inspired by the book according to the band." Why is that weird? Because I'm about to read Confederacy of Dunces by the same author on the recommendation of a friend (EG) who tells me it's the best book she's ever read.
UPDATE: Arcade Fire will be playing five shows in NYC on Feb 13-17 at Judson Memorial Church near Washington Square. Tickets go on sale January 5th.
permalink | comments (0) | TrackBack | posted at 8:55 PM
December 20, 2006
The Year in Music: Top 15 Albums
Well, folks, here are the top 15 albums of 2006 as determined by manyhighways.com. It was difficult to narrow everything down and this list will constantly morph and change as time marches on and I discover the nuances and depth of each of these albums (and perhaps others that I haven't purchased yet), but without further ado...
15. ASOBI SEKSU - Citrus
I got this just a few weeks ago so I haven't fully absorbed it yet but the "shoegazer" label certainly applies. Lots of fuzzy guitars make this one a winner.
14. EDITORS - The Back Room
Seeing Editors at Lollapalooza earlier this year added even more appreciation for this album and because it came out early this year, it's one of the albums I've listened to the most.
13. WE ARE SCIENTISTS - With Love and Squalor
This came out the same day as Morningwood's debut and I still love it. The Morningwood album gets skipped almost every time it comes up.
12. JENNY LEWIS WITH THE WATSON TWINS - Rabbit Fur Coat
Cat Power and Neko Case were both contenders for this list but Jenny Lewis held her own a bit better. This album is quirky and the girls are kind of hot and scary at the same time. Their voices sound wonderful and the collaboration of big indie rock names on "Handle With Care" is excellent.
11. KT TUNSTALL - Eye to the Telescope
This is the only album on here that I discovered through mainstream media. Tunstall was on the Today show and the stamping feet, guitar and loops in her one woman performance impressed me a lot. This album is full of great poppy, folksy songs.
10. HOLD STEADY - Boys and Girls in America
Critics loved this album and, although it didn't grab me as much as I wish it would've, it was a huge improvement over their previous album. Plus, they were one of the best performances at Lollapalooza.
9. CANSEI DE SER SEXY - s/t
I delved into this one late in the year also and it's full of great tracks. It's also much, much better than the Brazilian Girls album which came out this year.
8. NINE BLACK ALPS - Everything Is
I don't think these guys ever made it very big on the mp3 blog scene, perhaps because they are a throwback to the 90s. That's the reason I love them though and they are one of the most rocking bands on this list.
7. YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Show Your Bones
The YYYs are like a good version of Elastica and Karen O sounds great on this album. It took me a while to appreciate this one but I've been listening to it a lot lately.
6. SILVERSUN PICKUPS - Carnavas
The biggest surprise of the year, I picked this up after it was recommended by the Smashing Pumpkins. I wasn't disappointed. This album contains the best guitar work on this list and tons of 4-5 minute songs combine to make a great album best listened to at high volume.
5. GOLDFRAPP - Supernature
I was thinking this came out last year but Amazon is telling me it's 2006 so I was happy to put it on the list. Goldfrapp is like a peppier Imogen Heap with thumpin' beats and contains several of my most played tracks of the year.
4. BAND OF HORSES - Everything All the Time
This is one of the most stereotypically "indie" albums on this list and it's made tons of top ten lists for the year. Everything you've heard about it is well deserved.
3. BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - The Life Pursuit
This is the first and only B&S album I have and it was a great introduction to the band. It has a very unique sound which makes me excited about delving into their back catalog.
2. MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND - Bring Me the Workhorse
I came very close to putting this in the top spot and I'm quite proud of myself for getting into it well ahead of most of the acclaim it received. It's like Tori Amos with an orchestra, a better voice and better lyrics. Some of the songs are downright haunting and they all have a ton of emotion behind them. It's probably not for everyone and it takes a few close listens to appreciate but it clicked with me like nothing else that I listened to this year.
1. THE DECEMBERISTS - The Crane Wife
If you'd have told me last year that the Decemberists could improve on Picaresque I would've laughed. But somehow they did, and on their first major label release at that. With its ten minute songs and a track about the Civil War, this one earns top honors for the year.
So there you have it! Clicking on the album cover of any of the above will take you to Amazon where you can purchase these albums at fairly decent prices. Comments are open if anyone would like to criticize, agree or argue amongst yourselves.
permalink | comments (2) | TrackBack | posted at 8:37 PM
December 6, 2006
The Year in Music: Workflow
I said in my previous post that I bought a lot of music this year; more than ever before, in fact. Like a lot of people these days, I rarely listen to the radio. I hear a few songs here and there while I'm at work on 107.1 The Peak between the constant ads for Hudson Valley Lithotripsy (there must be a lot of people out there with kidney problems). So where do I hear about all this stuff? The same way any 20-something, indie music fan living in NYC does - the internets!
"Workflow" is a word often associated with digital photography (import, organize, resize, rename, etc.) but it fits for music as well. Here's my workflow:
1. Finding the Music
I'm subscribed to a bunch of music blogs (maybe I'll list them later) that post tracks and that's how I find out about nearly everything I listen to. RIAA take note: letting blogs post a song or two from an upcoming album is very, very effective marketing tool! Another site I read is Pitchfork - ha, just kidding! I hate Pitchfork and put absolutely no credence in what they think of an album. In fact, I don't pay attention to any of the "critics". The only people I trust are the aforementioned blogs, KEXP's "Song of the Day" podcast, KCRW, NPR, The Current (MPR) and anything that my favorite artists recommend.
2. Downloading and Exploring
So from all of the above sources I end up with a bunch of mp3 files of the songs that the blogs have posted. I usually download everything I see on these blogs by using an Automator workflow which scrapes the webpage for URLs ending in ".mp3". Once I have a healthy number of files, I import all of them into iTunes. Next, I select all the files I've just imported and fill in the Grouping tag of said files to read "Probation". Finally, these probationary files are placed into a smart playlist which automatically syncs to my iPod. Then, whether I'm on the go or at home, I have fresh tracks to listen to at all times. Anything I don't like, I delete. If it's good, it stays. If I find something I really like I'll often get a few more tracks from the Hype Machine before deciding whether or not to purchase the album.
3. Making the Purchase
After getting a flavor for the album and deciding it's good, there are several means I can use to obtain it. If it's mainstream and popular I'll watch for it to go on sale at Best Buy and I'll get it there, usually for $9.99. But since a lot of the stuff I'm listening to right now is on independent labels, I usually end up going to the internet. I highly recommend the following sites:
eMusic - $9.99 a month for 40 songs (30 now for new subscribers - thanks ADM)
lala - CD trades at $1 per disc (I've traded 45 discs so far)
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December 1, 2006
The Year in Music: Introduction
The end of the year is just a month away and my promise to write more about music has gone unfulfilled except for a review of the Hold Steady's latest release. So, in honor of a great year, there will be several posts about music to close out 2006, starting with this one.
2006 was a huge year for me in terms of music. I decided at the beginning of 2005 that I was stuck in a musical rut. Yeah, the nineties were awesome but it had been years since I heard anything new that really excited me. I don't think it was coincidence that this musical apathy began around the time the Smashing Pumpkins broke up (thankfully, they're now back together). It was a scary time. Poppy manufactured junk was all over the place and the only rock being played on the radio was too heavy for my taste. So I did some investigating and bought some really great new stuff and became excited about music again.
This year turned out to be even better. I keep a list of all the music I acquire throughout the year and it turns out that I have purchased (yes, I said "purchased") nearly 60 albums this year! Most of these albums came out in 2006 but there are a lot from 2005 that I was slow to catch on to as well, and some albums that came out as much as four years ago.
So what were the best albums, how did I end up buying so much stuff and how do I sort through it all? Answers to those questions will follow over the next few days and weeks. Right now, I'm off to see The Stills at Bowery Ballroom.
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October 7, 2006
Boys and Girls in America by The Hold Steady
After seeing The Hold Steady at Lollapalooza, and watching them put on one of the top five shows I saw that weekend, I finally bought Separation Sunday, an album which had been on my wishlist for months. It lived up to expectations and, with it's frequent references to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, listening to it brought me back to my hometown. A fan has even created the Hold Steady Guide to the Twin Cities using Google Maps.
Lucky for me, The Hold Steady's new album Boys and Girls in America (the title is a reference to Kerouac's On the Road) continues the trend of straightforward lyrics and geographic references but ups the bar musically, ensuring that it will appear on lots of "Best of 2006" lists. Other reviews, including one in New York Times, agree - leading one to wonder when the album will appear at the "overhyped" point on New York Magazine's Curve of Shifting Expectations.
Don't get me wrong, Boys and Girls in America is good. It might even make my "Best of" list at the end of the year but in terms of lyrics, it doesn't progress very far beyond the band's previous album. Craig Finn still insists on singing about his teenage years which, as far as I can tell, consisted solely of drinking, drugging, girls, wandering around the Twin Cities, and getting kicked out of the prom.
Putting my problems with the lyrics aside... I will credit Finn with a much-improved singing voice. On previous albums, he basically spoke, making it seem like he didn't know how to actually sing. On this album he shows that he can sing, making this album better than its predecessor.
Musically, this is a stellar album. Nearly all of the songs are strong, with crashing guitars, whining solos and the occasional piano, organ and harmonica. "Massive Nights" (inexplicably near the end of the record) and "Chips Ahoy!" (download) are highlights but "Chillout Tent" throws in the singing voices of Elizabeth Elmore and Dave Pirner (from Soul Asylum) - yuck.
"Southtown Girls" is a decent album closer made even better by the lyrics which name-check the streets and neighborhoods of Minneapolis:
take Lyndale back to the Southside
take Nicollet out to the Vietnamese
take Penn out up to the Northside
take Lowry east to the Quarry
meet me out in front of the Rainbow Foods
I got a brown paper bag and black buckles shoes
and if anything seems weird then just cruise
There's something very cool about hearing a critically acclaimed band sing about the streets you grew up on. Since they now live in Brooklyn, perhaps the next album will be about New York City.
Rating: B
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October 2, 2006
Tomorrow's New Music Releases
I've been thinking and talking to friends a lot about music these days and plan to start writing more about what I'm listening to. This week is very busy so I'm going to keep this entry short.
Here are the CD's I will definitely be purchasing tomorrow:
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
The Killers - Sam's Town
And I might eventually get these if they're any good:
The Dears - Gang of Losers
Beck - The Information
Evanescence - The Open Door
Jet - Shine On
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August 19, 2006
Doing the iPod Shuffle
The king of all Minnesota Twins bloggers, Aaron Gleeman, pressed shuffle on his iPod and listed the first 50 songs. It sounded like fun so I decided to do the same. Warning: there's going to be a lot of Smashing Pumpkins.
Feel free to ridicule these artists/songs in the comments or post your own list.
1. Garbage - Thirteen
2. Coldplay - Speed of Sound
3. Smashing Pumpkins - Stand Inside Your Love
4. Interpol - NYC
5. Smashing Pumpkins - The Everlasting Gaze
6. Pinback - Fortress
7. Collective Soul - Perfect Day
8. Editors - Lights
9. Smashing Pumpkins - Because You Are
10. Bright Eyes - At the Bottom of Everything
11. Perishers - Trouble Sleeping
12. Go! Team - Feelgood by Numbers
13. Collective Soul - Energy
14. Madonna - Future Lover
15. Modest Mouse - Ionizes & Atomizes
16. Melissa Auf Der Maur - I Need I Want I Will
17. Dave Matthews - When the World Ends (live - Central Park Concert)
18. Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking Out the Friction/Brand New Love (live - The John Byrd EP)
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers - I Like Dirt
20. Green Day - Tight Wad Hill
21. Zwan - Desire
22. Green Day - Bab's Uvula Who?
23. Snow Patrol - Whatever's Left
24. Nine Inch Nails - The Line Begins to Blur
25. Jem - Missing You
26. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Around the World
27. Neutral Milk Hotel - The Fool
28. Giant Drag - Bonus Track
29. She Wants Revenge - Sister
30. Pinback - This Red Book
31. Smashing Pumpkins - Heavy Metal Machine (demo - Friends and Enemies of Modern Music)
32. Smashing Pumpkins - A/Ab/E/B/F# (demo - Gravity Demos)
33. Lindsay Lohan - Fastlane
34. KT Tunstall - Universe & U
35. Nirvana - Stain
36. Chemical Brothers - Shake Break Bounce
37. Dave Matthews - Cortez, the Killer (live - Central Park Concert)
38. Smashing Pumpkins - Tear
39. Smashing Pumpkins - Bleed (live - The First Show)
40. Guillemots - Trains to Brazil
41. Interpol - Evil
42. Green Day - Basket Case
43. Smashing Pumpkins - Beautiful
44. Phantom Planet - California
45. Pearl Jam - Get Right
46. Smashing Pumpkins - Go
47. Chemical Brothers - Believe
48. Pearl Jam - Betterman
49. Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?
50. Go! Team - Ladyflash
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August 7, 2006
Lollapalooza
I'm in Minneapolis after enjoying a phenomenal weekend at Lollapalooza in Chicago with my friends Sarah, Stacy and Rachel. We had a blast. It was so awesome that I don't think I can begin to describe it. Great music, great people and a great city.
The Top Five Bands: Death Cab for Cutie, Nada Surf, The Flaming Lips, The New Pornographers, The Hold Steady
Saturday was the best day for our group of four because we had won a tour of the artist area backstage by raising over $50 for stopglobalwarming.org. How did we raise the money? Well, actually I'm not going to get into that right now but it was quite creative and it made a lot of people happy. Anyway, we went backstage and hung out with... well, nobody really. We didn't see anybody we recognized. But we did get free ice cream and we did get to watch the end of Coheed and Cambria's set from the side of the stage which was pretty neat.
The other beautiful moment was when the we joined a train at the end of the New Pornographers' set and danced our way through the crowd. I don't usually dance but the band was so good that I just couldn't help myself and neither could most of the people in the crowd.
Other Bands We Saw: The Subways, Aqualung, Editors, The Raconteurs, Matt Costa, The Go! Team, Coheed and Cambria, Wolfmother, Gnarls Barkley, The Dresden Dolls, Mucca Pazza, The Redwalls, Ben Kweller, Matisyahu, Of Montreal, She Wants Revenge, Queens of the Stone Age, Broken Social Scene, Red Hot Chili Peppers
I think I got them all. The amount of music was almost overwhelming but the festival was well organized and I can't say enough about all the people. Everyone from the employees, volunteers, artists and fellow concertgoers were great. I can't wait for next year.
The photo above is from the Red Hot Chili Peppers set on Sunday night. Lots of other people have posted great pictures on Flickr and Lollapalooza.com.
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July 19, 2006
2006 Siren Music Festival
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Bands pictured in the gallery are (in order): Deadboy and the Elephantmen, The Rogers Sisters, The Stills, She Wants Revenge and Scissor Sisters.
[UPDATE] I had promised a more comprehensive view but I don't feel like writing one. I did post some videos on YouTube at my friend Matt's insistence. Check them out: Rogers Sisters, The Stills, Scissor Sisters.
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December 17, 2005
Albums of the Year
The Best:
Billy Corgan - TheFutureEmbrace
Coldplay - X & Y
Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
Fischerspooner - Odyssey
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
Louis XIV - The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift
Decemberists - Picaresque
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
The Bravery - s/t
The Worst:
Garbage - Bleed Like Me
The Overrated:
Bright Eyes
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June 29, 2005
Billy Corgan Live at Webster Hall
It's been awhile since I've written about music, despite having purchased more than usual this year. It's also been awhile since I've been to a concert, but I wasn't about to miss out on seeing Billy Corgan (formerly of the Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan) when he announced a North American tour in support of his debut solo album "TheFutureEmbrace".
The show last night at Webster Hall here in NYC was decent but not spectacular compared to what Smashing Pumpkins shows were like. Perhaps it's unfair to compare his solo work to that of his former band but the comparison is worth making in light of Corgan's recent revealation that he wants to reform the Pumpkins. Another reason I'm making the comparison is because I got the vibe throughout the entire show that Corgan wanted to let it rip, but was holding back.
But first, the basics. The stage setup was sparse: a microphone for Billy, two strange silver metal flowery type stands holding keyboards and a 20" iMac, and a set of electronic drums on the right side of the stage. The lighting was different from anything I have ever seen before. There were no overhead lights of any kind. Behind the band was a curved wall of light, with individual squares that showed bright colors and patterns throughout the show. The only frontal lighting came from the side of the stage where a few tall skinny things which looked like LEDs shone on the band members.
The show itself felt a bit too programmed for my tastes. Much of the sound seemed to come from the computer and nearly every song with perhaps one exception sounded exactly like the album. Billy's guitar work was sparse compared to his two previous bands and I had the overwhelming impression that he wanted to go all out and wail on the guitar but was holding something back. The guy running the computer looked like he was at a funeral and I wouldn't have been surprised to see him roll his eyes. Backup vocalist Linda Strawberry was happy and excited to be performing as was drummer Matt Walker. Corgan himself was somewhat restrained until the latter half of the show when he smiled a few times and motioned to the audience.
The crowd's reaction was a bit confusing. A few people were bobbing their heads but I expected a bit more considering the songs have very heavy beats and are quite danceable. Despite the lack of movement, the applause and cheers were long and loud between songs and Corgan showed his appreciation by shaking hands from the stage at the close of the show even as the house lights came up.
This may sound like I didn't enjoy the show and I'll admit that it wasn't the greatest but it was different and interesting. Plus, it was great to see Corgan back in all his onstage glory. I hadn't seem him since the final Pumpkins tour five years ago and it made me even more hopeful that the Pumpkins will come back. Because deep down, I know Billy just wants to rock.
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March 18, 2005
Brand New Weezer
There's been a lot of nothing going on here at manyhighways.com lately so I figured I should point my loyal reader(s) in the direction of the latest Weezer track, "Beverly Hills", which was played on some radio station somewhere. It's from their forthcoming album "Make Believe" which is due out May 10th. Looks like they'll also be touring North America and Europe around that time as well. Don't forget to let me know if you find a better version of this song or *gasp* the entire album somewhere on the internets.
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January 16, 2005
New Years Resolution: More Music!
I bought or received six albums for Christmas this year which probably doubles the number of albums I purchased in all of 2004. It's nice to be listening to music I'm actually a bit excited about because that hasn't happened for several years. Here's a run down of the latest additions:
Earlimart - Treble & Tremble: This one is the best of the bunch. Crisp production perfectly highlights the melodies and soft, near whisper vocals of this surprisingly rocking album. The arrangements are beautiful and the price of the album is worth the first two gloriously perfect tracks alone. The only complaint I have is that one of the songs midway through the album seems way too loud and has some banging drums which really kills the euphoric vibe that the first half creates. Still, this album is pretty close to brilliant. Rating: A-
The Killers - Hot Fuss: I know everyone has been going on about these guys for some time and I've finally jumped on board. What makes this album are the basslines which seem to punctuate each song perfectly. Strip away the slightly spacey noises in the background and it is still a good album which, to me, is a sign of great songwriting. The songs are highly contagious in a completely un-cheesy way. This album makes me dance and, if you know me, that says a lot! Rating: A-
Interpol - Antics: This sophomore effort is disappointing. I haven't listened to the album really closely yet but many of the songs seem like not-quite-as-good brothers and sisters of the songs on the first album. Still, that first album was pretty darn good so this one is still a cut above a lot of other stuff out there. Rating: B
Franz Ferdinand - self titled: I only bought this one because it was cheap and because I figured I should find out what everyone has been raving about. Although the album is good, I was still a bit disappointed. It's hard to live up to so much hype I suppose. Rating: B-
U2 - How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb: Of all six albums here, I've listened to this one the least. It's pretty standard U2 stuff which means that it's pretty good. Just go buy it. I'm still upset that I missed their "secret show" at the Brooklyn Bridge. Rating: B-
Collective Soul - Youth: Another slick album with guitar chop pop makes a Collective Soul one of those bands that keeps rocking and is always solid despite not ever seeming to evolve. Luckily, it hasn't gotten tiring just yet. Rating: C+
permalink | comments (0) | posted at 1:34 PM
June 25, 2004
"JJ72" by JJ72
Your mom always told you not to judge a book by its cover and the same is true of an album. If you judge JJ72's debut album by its cover, you would think the band was boring, drab and dull. Thankfully, this Irish band is none of the above.
Despite the lack of creativity in the album's design, the music of JJ72 is anything but uncreative. Sure the male lead singer may sound like a woman but that doesn't mean that this three piece Dublin based band doesn't rock.
The hardest thing to describe about JJ72 is the voice of its lead singer Mark Greaney. Greaney's voice is higher than the common male's but not in an annoying boy band way. He manages to display incredible range across the span of the album, yet never comes across as whining. Think of Wheatus's "Teenage Dirtbag" but with less annoying vocals and you have a good description of JJ72's sound.
Layers of clean, barely distorted guitars are the foundation of the majority of the tracks from the album, as evident in the lead-off track "October Swimmer." But by integrating stringed instruments with the bass-guitar-drums formula, JJ72 have succeeded in creating a fresh sound.
The third track on the album, "Oxygen," is the song which gave JJ72 its break and for good reason. The song builds and soars above the others on the album before it comes back down with a gentle swell of stringed instruments. It is easy to see why major labels were pounding on the band's door after hearing this song.
"Willow" is a wistful love song with clean acoustic guitars and more strings in the background. Greaney shows his diverse vocal talents on this track. In the span of three minutes his voice rises and dives, making this song another highlight of the album.
On "Broken Down" Greaney's voice is accompanied by the wailing of a single guitar in the background. The song is poignant and heartfelt even if the lyrics are difficult to decipher, and it sounds as if Greaney's voice is about to break at several points throughout the song.
The lyrics of the self-titled album are metaphorical almost to the point that they are incomprehensible in some places, making this a difficult album to sing along to. But although it is nearly impossible to understand what Greaney means in each line of the songs, they all still have their own distinct vibe.
"Improv" is a good example. "Clown stumbling through patches of flowered mortality," sings Greaney in a scratching voice. Incomprehensible lyrics such as these are scattered throughout the album, but choruses often make more sense. The meaning behind "Improv" becomes clear in the chorus when Greaney painfully
sings, "I know I am failing."
Calling JJ72 the next U2 is a big stretch but the band was certainly worthy of the "Best New Band" award which was bestowed upon them at last year's Irish Music Awards.
permalink | comments (0) | posted at 1:13 AM
"Limited Lifetime Guarantee" by Marc Copely
"Limited Lifetime Guarantee" might not be on store shelves if Marc Copely hadn't nearly been killed in a car accident. In fact, the album might not even have been written at all. An argument could be made that it was the severe head trauma that gave birth to the album.
But the point is that Marc Copely has both survived and arrived. And despite his debut record having a contradictory and cliche title, it's not half bad.
Upon first listen, the album sounds familiar. Like maybe you've already heard some of the songs. This is the main drawback of the album. Copely doesn't break any new ground. But who says every album has to be revolutionary?
"Limited Lifetime Guarantee" is unabashed straight ahead rock. In fact, Copely has done a very good job of taking a well trod musical landscape and improving upon it. He has taken the typical verse, chorus, verse format along with typical rock band instruments and created an album that, if not brilliant, is certainly enjoyable.
"Cellophane", the first track is a case in point. It is the best cut on the album. It rocks and is both catchy and notable because of its uncommonly aggressive bassline. Bassist Dave Hull's talent is brought the to forefront early, but then qickly fades into the background at the end of the song and doesn't reappear for the rest of the album.
The following two songs, "Surprise" and "Right to My Head" are also good. It appears as if Copely has taken his three best songs and put them 1-2-3 on the album. Which leaves the rest of the record a bit disappointing.
Although Copely is only a small step above dime a dozen bands like Matchbox 20 he shows promise. In short, the album is good for a major label debut. It's format will sell well and keep the record company happy. But next time, Mark, show us some of that talent that got you into the prestigious Berklee school of music and create something a little more fresh. Hopefully, it won't take another car accident to get the creative juices flowing.
permalink | comments (0) | posted at 1:10 AM
June 23, 2004
"Wild Horses and Dreams" by Vic Pellerano
The pols in Bismark ought to hire Vic Pellerano to be it's spokesman and all around booster for North Dakota. Forget the newspaper editorialists who try and think of ways to keep young people in the state; just have Pellerano come to college campuses and sing about this place and it would almost be enough.
At first glance, the cover of Pellerano's album, "Wild Horses and Dreams," looks eerily similar to something you'd see on a Garth Brooks album. The only difference is that Pellerano doesn't wear a cowboy hat. In fact, the album isn't even really country at all. You won't hear any steel guitars or violins or fiddles or banjos in the background. The only instruments on the album are acoustic or clean electric guitars and a hint of keyboards, the only instrument on the album that the talented Pellerano doesn't play himself.
Upon first listen, the album exerts a folksy vibe, not unlike John Denver. Pellerano's voice, although unspectacular, is a good match for his music. His lyrics about North Dakota's wide open spaces evoke a nostalgic feeling. There is something slightly cheesy but more often romantic in the way Pellerano sings about North Dakota. Song titles such as "Dakota Western Skies," "High on North Dakota," "Discover the Spirit," "Red River Nights," and "The Tale of the Medora Roughriders" almost speak for themselves. Pellerano sings about North Dakota in a way that those of us who live here can understand, while at the same time helping listeners realize and appreciate the state. It's clear that this man loves North Dakota and lives for it's open spaces and history.
For a locally produced album the recording is not slick by any means, but certainyl above average. The only downfall in this respect is Pellerano's voice, which sounds different on almost every song. The vocals also tend to sound as if they were recorded in a canyon but perhaps this is done purposely to simulate North Dakota's wide open spaces. The only other production quirk is Pellerano's constant use of echoes, which can grow a bit annoying by the end of the album. However, what the album lacks in refinement and production, Pellerano more than makes up for in enthusiasm.
In short, this album is as good an advertisement for the state as anything, and listeners won't be able to avoid visualizing North Dakota when they listen to it. This means that it will be difficult for Pellerano to appeal to a wider audience but perhaps that is what he wants. After all, it doesn't sound like he wants to leave anyway.
permalink | comments (0) | posted at 12:17 AM