Belated Best of 2008

At this point I'm pretty much over 2008, but alas what is a blog without a year-end list. Some call it lazy writing, others call it linking hell. I hand wrote a list of contenders for a top 20 of '08 but in counting my list I realized I had 44 contenders so I figured WTF I'll just do a top 40. Shall we begin at the end?

• 40

  
  Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line




• 39

  
  DevotchKa - A Mad and Faithful Telling




• 38

  
  Vivian Girls - The Vivian Girls




• 37

  
  {{{Sunset}}} - The Glowing City




• 36

  
  Blitzen Trapper - Furr




• 35

  
  Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping




• 34

  
  Harlem - Free Drugs;-)




• 33

  
  Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain




• 32

  
  Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer




• 31

  
  Coldplay - Viva La Vida




• 30

  
  White Denim - Exposion




• 29

  
  Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine




• 28

  
  Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads




• 27

  
  Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue




• 26

  
  Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair




• 25

  
  Hot Chip - Made in the Dark




• 24

  
  Portishead - Third




• 23

  
  Shearwater - Rook




• 22

  
  Santogold - Santogold




• 21

  
  Beck - Modern Guilt




• 20

  
  Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cardinology




• 19

  
  The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely




• 18

  
  The Black Keys - Attack and Release




• 17

  
  Girl Talk - Feed the Animals




• 16

  
  The Hold Steady - Stay Positive





• 15

  
  Deerhunter - Microcastles




• 14

  
  Diplo & Santogold - Top Ranking




• 13

  
  The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead




• 12

  
  My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges





• 11

  
  Department of Eagles - In Ear Park





• 10

  
  Kings of Leon - Only By The Night





• 09

  
  Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust




• 08

  
  Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend




• 07

  
  T.V. on the Radio - Dear Science,




• 06

  
  Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst




• 05

  
  Jamie Lidell - Jim




• 04

  
  MGMT - Oracular Spectacular




• 03

  
  Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours





• 02

  
  Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes




• 01

  
  Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

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The Walkmen - In the New Year

The Walkmen - In the New Year video via Youtube

Words and more after the jump...

The Walkmen's latest album, You & Me is a sleeper record that received a lot of critical acclaim but not a lot of purchase support. Like many listeners, I was a big fan of the Walkmen's earlier album, Bows + Arrows but hadn't really paid much attention to the band since. But You & Me has definitely grown on me since its release back in August. First of all it's really more of a winter album anyway, so if you didn't dig it in August, try again in December/January. Your mood to receive these songs may have been off in August. You can expect a lot Edge-style guitar work, lots of reverb, strained, pleading vocals. All the basic elements for some good heart-wrenching, indie-rock. But don't be mislead, this is a lot more dark and dramatic than, say, Death Cab for Cutie and it may even impress your wanky guitar buddies.


The Walkmen - Dónde Está la Playa video via YouTube

In case you couldn't tell, that was a fan-made video. Give me a break it had the best sound-quality, besides it's better than just a photo of the album cover right?

Here's one from Bows + Arrows that you definitely should have heard by now, but I'm not judging you:


The Walkmen - The Rat video via YouTube

If you're interested, the Walkmen have a few West-Coast dates scheduled for January then it's off to Europe. Incidentally they are touring with Beach House right now, who have also been receiving major buzz on the year-end lists for their album, Devotion.


Beach House - Gila video via YouTube

People in Portland, OR love to make quirky videos around town for haunted indie-rock tunes. That is what I have decided...evidenced 3 vids above and 1 vid below:


Beach House - D.A.R.L.I.N.G. video via YouTube

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M83 - Kim and Jessie

M83 - Kim and Jessie video via YouTube

Words and more video after the Jump...

Well I guess you should know that M83 are French...doesn't that video make much more sense now? They also put out one of the best records of the year. Saturdays = Youth is filled with beautiful melodies that emerge with and from within piles of reverb. I feel like all of their songs are from a John Cusak movie that is locked in John Hughes' vault. In my opinion that's a good thing.


M83 - Graveyard Girl video via YouTube

I had the pleasure of seeing M83 perform live at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston back when they were on tour for their album, Before the Dawn Heals Us. My lasting impressions were about some of the more technical aspects of the music. I was amazed that alot of the sounds I assumed were made by keyboards, computers, samplers, etc. were often done using guitars and effects trickery. I recall a screwdriver attached to some sort of spring loaded capo that they would bounce off the neck of the guitar and slide across the frets. Also, the drummer wore some serious noise-canceling headphones, which is smart considering some of the crazy precision drum work this guy has to pull off.


M83 - Don't Save Us From the Flames video via YouTube

Also, if you happen to be shelling out the dough to catch the Killers, here in Austin or elsewhere, you'll see M83 as the Killers opening act (tourmates more PC?). Should be one of the most transcendent yet pretentious shows of the season, I'm excited but not showing it.

This is the area where I had intended to embed the new Killers' video for Human in which Brandon Flowers wears this ridiculous shoulder pad jacket with feathers. But, ya know, they're on Universal Music Group (UMG) <----Not indie, hence embedding is disabled. So instead I'm going to give you some wonky A Capella group given it their all on Mr. Brightsides.


M.I.T. (wonky) A Capella Group - Mr. Brightsides video via YouTube

Don't get me wrong, I love me some wonky A Capella, those Carleton Knights kids keep it indie with their covers of MGMT, Sufjan Stevens, Vampire Weekend as well as 2008 indie darlings Fleet Foxes:


The (wonky) Carleton Knights - Ragged Wood video via YouTube


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Vivian Girls' Drone-Harmony

Vivian Girls - Tell the World video via YouTube

It looks like Brooklyn is most-definitely the epi-center of the indie-rock universe at the moment. Vivian Girls sprang out of the loft movement, which refers to bands that play in lofts...instead of say, a music venue. Like 'em or hate 'em they're the next Vampire Weekend. Not that they are necessarily clever and twee, although they are both of those things, but rather that they are the next blog-hype, bubble band.

At first you may find their sound a bit drone-y and basic, but trust me, if you give it a chance it grows on you. I love me some disaffected vocals and it's even better when the disaffectedness is split up over three part harmonies. Besides, can you really resist the surf rock from Brooklyn? I didn't think so.


Vivian Girls - Where Do You Run To? video via YouTube

Vivian Girls - Where Do You Run To?
(Link Jacked from StereoGum)

You can also download the Vivian Girls' NPR session here

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Blitzen Trapper Bring the Folk

Blitzen Trapper is one of those bands that I had heard a lot about but I hadn't actually heard their music until I saw them live at SXSW. In person their music is very textured, energetic and folk-rocky. What can I say revivalist folk rock is the order of the day for indie-rock, which is a pleasant change from the dance-rock revival of the last couple of years. What's old is new again and I think everyone has been listening to their parent's copy of The Band's, Music from Big Pink and Mountain's, classic record, Climbing.

Blitzen Trapper's latest release is called, Furr and it's already appearing on a lot of year end lists. The new record sounds intimate, like you're sitting in the same room with the band. It also has a very vintage sound, as if this record was just unearthed from a time capsule, only the textural keyboard embellishments give it away as a contemporary LP.

Portland, Oregonians, Blitzen Trapper will be playing the Mohawk on Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve), with like-minded indie folkies, the Parson Red Heads.

Parson Red Heads are from L.A. and although their name is awkward their melodies will stick with you for days. You'll feel like you already know the songs even though it's the first time you're hearing them. If you don't believe me check out the track, Punctual as Usual below.

Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Blitzen Trapper - Gold for Bread

Parson Red Heads - Punctual as Usual
Parson Red Heads - Days of My Youth

Video after the jump...


Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation video via YouTube


Blitzen Trapper - Furr video via YouTube


Parson Red Heads - Punctual as Usual video via YouTube

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Delta Spirit's Ode to Sunshine

Delta Spirit's latest release, Ode to Sunshine is one of the most instantly like-able albums I've heard this year. It will most definitely be a late entry into my top albums of the year list. Call it America's answer to the Kaiser Chiefs these guys do straight ahead rock-radio ready, blues-based tunes.

I might lump them in with the folk-revivalist scene with Iron & Wine and Fleet Foxes but think less drowsy. Not all of the songs are, what I would call, sunny but they certainly aren't intricate folk songs either.

They are currently on tour with Nada Surf, which is a great pairing both bands do 3-4 minute rock songs with understandable lyrics. They'll be playing at Emo's outside stage for a mere $15.

I first heard this song on KGSR but didn't realize it was Delta Spirit until I had Ode to Sunshine. If this song isn't on your local, rock radio station...it should be.

Delta Spirit - Trashcan

Video after the jump...


Delta Spirit - Trashcan (Live Acoustic Performance) video via YouTube


Delta Spirit - Motivation video via YouTube


Delta Spirit - Parade (live in Austin) video via YouTube

Oh yeah, and you can also find a Delta Spirit Daytrotter Session, which is streamable or downloadable.

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Nigel Godrich + White Denim?

So half of you are so over White Denim it's ridiculous and the other half of you have no idea who I'm talking about. But, to be honest this post has more to do with Nigel Godrich. He's the super-genius producer behind Radiohead, Beck and many, many others. Well he films a webcast show called From the Basement and he features some Austin Bloggy Limits favorites. Including White Denim, Beck, Architecture in Helsinki, Jamie Lidell, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Jose Gonzalez and many many others. All of the vids are done with HD cameras with Nigel Godrich mixing the live sound to perfection. So I recommend you head on over and scope out all the hot indie rock goodness before it goes mainstream and magically sucks.

Bonus Radiohead vids after the jump...

You may have heard of this band called Radiohead well they did a whole webcast From the Basement most of which is on YouTube and was rebroadcast on VH1 between Celebreality shows.


Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi video via YouTube


Radiohead - House of Cards video via YouTube


Radiohead - Bodysnatchers video via YouTube

The White Stripes actually played From the Basement way back in 2005:


The White Stripes - Little Ghost video via YouTube

PS.

If you want to see Austin's own White Denim From the Basement you'll have to link.

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Future Clouds & Radar New Album + Shows

One of the best things about living in Austin, is getting to hear bands develop their sound. Local act, Future Clouds & Radar have been playing around town for the last year or two and I feel like they are just starting to gain momentum. Their songs are simple pop arrangements with lots of heart and layers. Sort of like Austin's answer to Death Cab for Cutie crossed with some solo John Lennon.

In any case their newest album came out on Election Day, but you can still pick it up in a local retailer, online or on iTunes. It's called, Peoria and to be honest I don't know what it's relationship is to Illinois, but there must be a story in there somewhere. If you want to catch Future Clouds & Radar they are playing for free right now at Waterloo and then tonight at the Mohawk. You can find more dates on their MySpace.

On a side note may I add that it seems like a few Austin bands have been listening to Love's classic Forever Changes. You can definitely hear the influence on Peoria not to mention White Denim's latest release, which features a song called IEIEI, that sounds like it might be a lost Love song.

Video after the jump...



Future Clouds & Radar - Holy Janet Comes on Waves video via YouTube


Future Clouds & Radar - Dr. No video via YouTube


Future Clouds & Radar - Green Mountain Clover (Live) video via YouTube

The sound quality on this video sucks, but I love this song and they are performing at Shady Grove, which is a cool restaurant on Barton Springs Rd.


Future Clouds & Radar - Back Seat Silver Jet Sighter video via YouTube

Ok, so this is one of those fake videos but I want you to hear what Love sounded like so you have a frame of reference.


Love - Alone Again, Or video via YouTube

And here's the White Denim song I referenced, which also sounds like a song by Love:


White Denim - IEIEI video via YouTube




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Gang Gang Dance New Album + Shows

I feel like I've been a bit out of touch as of late. But even at a cursory glance/listen I can tell you there's a lot of buzz around the latest Gang Gang Dance album. The name of the new LP is Saint Dymphna and it is some of that genre-hopping unclassifiable stuff. The closest musical comparison I could make is probably Animal Collective so be prepared this stuff is from another planet.

There's some crazy skittering electronic noises layered with little-girl vocals and all sorts of textural guitar playing. The record certainly has some 80's pop music influences but it's pretty far from pop music. In any case you can sample a couple of tracks from the new album below.

Gang Gang Dance - Desert Storm
Gang Gang Dance - House Jam (XXXchange Remix)

Also you'll find some tour info and videos after the jump...

GGD will be here in Austin on November 21st and tickets are available today.

For other tour info, check GGD's MySpace


Gang Gang Dance - Retina Riddim Excerpt video via YouTube


Gang Gang Dance - House Jam (Live) video via YouTube

Just 'cause I mentioned them earlier here's a sample of Animal Collective in case you don't know what sort of mayhem they inspire:


Animal Collective - Peacebone video via YouTube

This is somewhat of a reach BUT Panda Bear is one of the 3 members of Animal Collective and I just wanted an excuse to post this song:


Panda Bear - Bros video via YouTube

Just for fun you should try to decipher the lyrics to that Panda Bear song...no cheating!

You may, may, may find that you're alright

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ABL = MIA

Austin Bloggy Limits is headed to Maine for a week. It is not a fun trip, but rather a trip for a funeral. Thus, you will not see any new posts for about a week. Unless I can somehow find a way to use the internet whilst there. But, somehow, I don't really see that happening.

Video after the jump...



Band of Horses - The Funeral via YouTube


Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You video via YouTube


Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day video via YouTube
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