The Two Hour Hiatus: Top Ten Albums of 2008

Looking back at the year, I have to say, it wasn't too bad for music. Sure there were some ups and downs. Sure Madonna hasn't hung up her tights for good, and sure Weezer haven't remember how to rock like they used to in '96, but still we had some amazing releases this year. I have to say that the top three were all competing for the top spot but after much deliberation I think I sorted it all out. Anyways, shall we get into it?
Note: You will see the word "psychedelic" a lot in this probably. It is really not my fault, it's just been that kind of year.

10. Seventh Tree - Goldfrapp
There is something about this album that is just impossible to not love. Maybe it's the psychedelic synthesizers, the occasional rush of crashing drums, whatever it is, this album just exudes a hazy feeling of summer. And the 1970s. Yes, it is a magnificent summer '70s album (look at the album cover, you'll understand). The big single "A&E" is an automatic favourite, "Little Birds" will enthrall you with it's churning keyboards and truly epic drum climax. "Some People" will make you want to walk into the street and sing on a car, thrusting your fists to the sky. Admittedly, this is the most pop-oriented album on the list, but there is enough aural nostalgia from the '70s pop-folk era (think Kate Bush) on this album to please even the most stuck-up indie snob. And really, who doesn't love sweeping mellotron-esque strings?

9. Hello, Voyager! - Evangelista
Two groups side-by-side both fronted by women, but Evangelista and Goldfrapp couldn't be more different. Evangelista is raw, brutally emotional, and for the most part, frightening. Nearly every song pushes you to the edge of your seat with its crackling, shrieking, recorded pain. Carla Buzolich's voice is truly the driving point of this album. Her voice makes every song that much more powerful. These aren't the kind of songs that you are going to walk down the street humming, unless you live in some kind of demeneted Southern ghost town. Never before has the line "It's gonna be swingin'" sounded so fucking scary. The title track is easily one of the most memorable of the year. Twelve minutes and 13 seconds of Ms. Buzolich preaching and screaming of the meaning of love. You have to hear it to believe it.

8. Parallel Play - Sloan
I'm just going to say it. I fucking love Sloan. I find that once you start listening to them, you can't stop. This truly Canadian band released their 9th album, and though it is not their best yet, it still sits above most rock music around today. "Burn For It" and "Otherside" are enormous rock-outs with choruses that are perfect for singing along to at the top of your lungs. "The Dogs" takes a more psychedelic take, and "Down In The Basement" is pure Dylan. Every song just seems to fit onto this album so well. If you like rock music, you will like Sloan, it just works that way.

7. Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power
Speaking of liking rock music (honestly that happened by accident, really) British Sea Power may actually be "rock music". They are big and loud, and they show it on Do You Like Rock Music? in spades. Every song is slathered in a nice layer of reverb, giving it an even bigger feel. Even though the songs are so big and so injected with rock, they manage to keep an emotional side. The lyrics, though vague, are tender and feeling. Each song just flows into the other, making this album a cohesive unit instead just a collection of songs. "Lights Out For Darker Skies" is a must listen, everyone should have to hear this song. It will make you want to have an enourmous sing-a-long to the chorus.

6. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Okay really, where did these guys come from. One week it was all "Vampire Weekend are the best band of the year" and then all of a sudden everyone was listening to Fleet Foxes. I'd like to keep it that way, Fleet Foxes have a way better name, and a way better debut album. Starting off with a bluegrass acapella hymn it quickly switches to the folky reverby indie whatever-kind-of-music-this-is that Fleet Foxes are. The songs are reminiscent of decades past, and lull the listener into a calm feeling with its beautiful melodies and smooth reverb. Also, sometimes the vocals remind me of the choral singing from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, (cough, "He Doesn't Know Why, cough) which is a huge bonus. There is nothing scary here, no odd time signatures or grating walls of feedback, these guys have written a truly beautiful album and deserve every bit of publicity they get. Also, it is going to be really hard to find a more beautiful song from 2008 than "Blue Ridge Mountains".

5. Dear Science - TV On The Radio
I heard about the released of Dear Science about 4 days before it was released. Needless to say I was excited, and surprised that I hadn't heard about it sooner. I went to the record store before my twelve o'clock class and bought it. When the second track hit, I ran out of my room and got my friend Emma from Jon's room. I was feverish with excitement. "Emma, they have funk riffing. Funk riffing!" They were a number of surprise in TV On The Radio's latest album. Most surprising of all, this album almost seemed... happy? Maybe hopeful. The lyrics are still dark, but the instrumentation gives a lighter feeling. "Dancing Choose" and "Red Dress" both have rap inflections that just add to the surprises, but this is still mixed with the shoegaze electronics and guitars, and the classical TV On The Radio drum machines. I think we all just need to come to terms with the fact that when TV On The Radio release an album, it is going to be one of the best of the year.

4. Third - Portishead
I am going to be completely honest here, I never have listened to any other Portishead besides this album. I know, I know. Anyways, I have no way to compare this album to their other two releases, but what I can say is that this album has haunted me for weeks. I cannot get "The Rip" out of my head, or the pounding industrial drum beats of "Machine Gun". This is an opus of the unsettling. Every song just seems menacing, save for the lo-fi old school ditty that is "Deep Water". The vocals are quivering and gothic, and contrasts but at the same time fits with the stuttering and dark music. In fact this is album is more of a psychedelic rock album than a trip-hop album. Whatever you want to call it, this album is unforgettable.

3. Parc Avenue - Plants and Animals
Okay, people, for the love of whatever giant invisible guy you pray to, listen to Plants and Animals! This is one of the best Canadian bands out there and I have met three other people who listen to them. I saw them live early this year. There were enough people crowded into the tiny room we were in that the enormous windows behind the band were wet with condensation. They played their incredible set as if they were playing for an arena of people, and no one in the room knew who the fuck they were, and it was awesome. Parc Avenue is a beautiful collection of, what the band describes as, "post-classic rock". It's got the rock, it's got the folk, it's even a song with faeries in it. What more could you want? "Good Friend" is probably my favourite song of the year. It has the most delicious reverb you will hear, anywhere, and some beautiful lyrics. In fact, the entire album is full ingenius song writing, songs about love, recording an album, and keeping it real. Montreal just seems to be a birth place of a good music, and Plants and Animals is one of them.

2. Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
I love this album, I love My Morning Jacket, and I love Jim James. This was so close to getting the top spot, you have no idea. I listened to this album for months, over and over again, and yet it stayed interesting. It was a hard descision, but sadly, My Morning Jacket came second, but about the closest second there possibly can be. Anyways! Evil Urges shows a band at the top of their game, mastering different genres and making everything sound so god damn easy to play. Seriously, track one MMJ are Prince, track two they are the Flaming Lips, track three they are '80s glam rock. That's not an easy transition to make between track without sounding all over the place, yet it works. It works so well. "Thank You Too" is a '70s love epic, while "Look At You" is tender and intimate. "Sec Walkin'" is pure country while "Remnants" is face-melting rock 'n roll. Rarely will an album blow you away with its sheer amount of variety and musicianship. I can't much more because I will begin to drool all over my keyboard. Ah, I almost forgot to mention the hilarious placement of the song "Two Halves" (hint: check the track number). Oh shit, there I go.

1. Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. - Deerhunter
Yes, Deerhunter, the winners of this year. What made me choose this album over Evil Urges was the fact that, this album is so utterly astonishing to listen to.Every time I listen to Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. it's just so god damn interesting. There is so much going in their songs. It is hard to explain the feeling when you hear this album, it's just that Deerhunter have nailed it on Microcastle. Every song is so dense with sounds. The guitars churns and chime out, fuzzing out into a shoegazey bliss. The metronomic drums keep time perfectly. It's a fascinating, tense album that keeps you listening. This is the sort of album that will leave you feeling so fulfilled. Once the last cymbal crash fades out on"Twilight On Carbon Lake" you will sit back, breath out, and just want to start over again. But wait! It comes with the companion album Weird Era Cont. which is just as dense and enthralling as the last 12 songs. What more could you possibly ask for. Honestly, an album that has to heard to be believed, go and get it any way you can and enjoy the everliving fuck out of it.

-Lucas Thurston

Okay, here's the deal..

I want to talk about albums that came out earlier this year that I liked but it seems too late, I'll just wait a bit and do a year round up! Yay!

-Lucas Thurston

Oh Jesus! A Post!

So 2008 is nearing its end and it has been over a year since I have posted here. I know, I know, all you adoring fans miss my writing, but hey, I have been busy. "Busy doing what?" you may ask, well let's just say university takes up time, even though that was only 3 months ago.
Anyways, just expect updates now, okay?
-Lucas Thurston

A DOUBLE BLOG EXBLOGOVANZA BLOG: The Hives, What The Crap

The Hives, what the crap? Timbaland? Justin Timberlake? Pharrell "Timbo" Williams? To many "timb"'s. If you haven't heard, the Hives are coming out with a new album, The Black and White Album, due on October 9th in North America, the 15th in the UK. They've recorded 20 to 30 songs, 7 of which produced by Pharrell "Timbo" Williams. Some guests include Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland.
What has happened to my new favourite band? I've always known the Hives for their unbridled rocking RAWK. Alas, it seems time has changed, and hip-hop is now sneaking it's fingers into garage music. None of this makes sense to me. What does Timbaland want with these Swedish rockers, can't he be happy with, ugh, the Pussycat Dolls? And, Justin, bring your friggin' sexy back somewhere else! Leave indie music alone. Last but not least, Pharrell Williams. Does he even have an album? I swear he features in everything that has to do with hip-hop or pop music. New Toy Story movie? Pharrell is fucking in there being the sly looking bastard crooning over Mary!
All in all, I just wanted promising news about the Hives, not some crap about the recent flavour of the month rapper (Hint: It starts with a Timb)
-Lucas Thurston

A DOUBLE BLOG EXBLOGOVANZE BLOG!!!

Review: Frienship Opprortunity by Deerhoof

Every freaking time I hear a Deerhoof song I wish I was in the band. I can just seem them rocking the fuck out. They are one the most exciting and vibrant bands out there. It is always hard to explain Deerhoof to people who have never heard them either. To quote Jeph Jaques from Questionable Content, "Unlike your typical Guitar Center shredders, they take what is obviously a lot of technical ability and translate it into a batch of rock songs that are alternately rollicking, surreal, psychedelic, and HEAVY." The sheer amount of rock that Deerhoof produces in 2 minutes is more than some whole bands do in a lifetime. Ah, but that is the Deerhoof from the absolutely mind-blowing The Runners Four from 2005. The question every asks now, can they top it?
No, not really. This album is completely different than The Runners Four, but that doesn't mean it is not as good. Friendship Opportunity is more like Milk Man or Apple 'O because of its use of synths. The songs are more poppy, but poppy in the sense that they don't melt your face and then explode your skull. These songs make there way into your mind and imbed themselves over time. This is more like the thinking man(woman)'s Deerhoof album. The band is trying new things. For example, "Whither The Invisible" is an emotional piano/synth song with Satomi Matsuzaki singing softly. The most surprising thing is that it works.
Then there's "The Perfect Me". An odd organ with blistering drums beats drive this song along at break neck speeds. "Kidz Are So Small" probably is the most disturbingly odd song on the album. With lyrics like 'If I were a man and you a dog, I'd throw a stick for you' it's got to be good.
Of course Deerhoof does pull out the ol' guitars on some tracks "+81", "Cast Off Crown", and "Matchbook Seeks Maniac" all are more guitar driven. Yet, only "Look Away" is the most like the Deerhoof of the past. At 11:46, with the classic Deerhoof guitar tones, it takes the listener back to days of yore with Reveille.
Deerhoof is changing, at least they did for this album and I welcome the new 'Hoof with open arms.
Rating: 4/5
Tracklisting:
1. The Perfect Me
2. +81
3. Believe E.S.P.
4. The Galaxist
5. Choco Fight
6. Whither The Invisible
7. Cast Off Crown
8. Kidz Are So Small
9. Matchbook Seeks Maniac
10. Look Away
-Lucas Thurston

Review: Exit Decades by Cut City

A couple months ago, news got out that the, at the time untitled, new Interpol album had leaked. With eyes alight with excitment at the chance of hearing the work by everyone's favourite gloomy New York post-punk band, everyone flooded to their respective torrents sites. A torrent of the album Mastodon was waiting. Eagerly, people downloaded it, and were oddly surprised. Some thought it was indeed Interpol, but no, Mastodon was obviously a false leak. False leak or not, this album wasn't half bad. As it turns out, Exit Decades by the Swedish bad Cut City was said false leak. It's lovely little mistakes like these that can turn out to be amazing discoveries.
I heard about this false leak and I was interested in Cut City. I aquired Exit Decades, and immediately the reason for the confusion with Interpol was obvious. Every song has a nice layer of reverb. The guitars are spiky and fast and the bass plays driving and jumping riffs. Hell, even the singing and lyrics sound similar. But, Cut City manages to constantly keep my interest. All too often some Interpol songs sound all too similar, but Cut City manages to keep me utterly enamoured.
The 80's definitely shine through on these songs. You can see Cut City really going back to the roots of the post-punk movement on this album. Unlike other 80's-ish bands, none of these songs sound rehashy or tired. In fact, each song can be easily imagined on college radios now or even in the 80's.
Certain songs stand out, of course, one being "Just Pornography (For M.E.)". Shimmering reverb-drenched guitars and interesting drumming make this song a must hear. The best song on the album, for me, is "The Dull Miles (Exit Decades)". The sorta-title track is driven by an amazing bass riff, which just keeps plowing on. Everytime I hear I can't sit still. Then it all fades into this janky soundy synth with odd feedback. It is a perfect song, utterly perfect.
My only small problem with the album is that it never slows down, ever. Nearly every song just rockets along. There is not a peaceful song on the album. Furthermore, it seems they may have just used almost the same tempo throughout the whole album. These are just small problems though, and it will never stop a band that was, at first, mistaken for Interpol, and is now one of my favourite post-punk bands.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tracklisting: Exit Decades By Cut City
1. Like Ashes Like Millions
2. Manoeuvers
3. Numb Boys
4. Anticipation
5. Damaged
6. Such Verve
7. Rival Trial
8. Just Pornography (For M.E.)
9. The Dull Miles (Exit Decades)
-Lucas Thurston

Howdy

Hey, I'm Matt, no use really introducing myself since the only readers of this blog already know me, but I'm here to show off the thinly veiled musically inclined Matt, as seen on the Tricowinc blog. As my first order of business, I'm going to post a music video! Yeah!



This here is the D.A.N.C.E. video, by Justice. I first heard about Justice on some other indie blogs way back, but wasn't really formally introduced until Lucas here sort of forced it on us. Good thing he did, because I absolutely LOVE them.