This is it, this is a list of the TOP 25 BANDS FROM 2009. It is going to be sick nasty awesome.
25. RX Bandits - A progressive ska band with sweet time signatures. The singer is a tad weak but the drummer delivers. I'm not sure what to think of the guitarists and stuff. But seriously, it is a good band.
24. Cinemechanica - This is a band that people need to know about, especially KRUI because the only reason they have any songs from this band is because they do an incredible split with Maserati and We Vs. the Shark. The guitars are angular and incredible, turning on dimes and cutting holes in the rhythm section. Two thumbs up.
23. O Pioneers!!! - Most of the plays I have for this band are from their split with Bomb the Music Industry. Granted, Bomb the Music Industry didn't bring their A game, but I think that O Pioneers had the better side on that Split. That means a lot coming from me, just wait and see where BTMI! ends up on this list.
22. Lautrec - One of the very best bands I have seen live. They appear to be dead but while they were active they were leading the Chicago screamo scene and were a force to be reckoned with. The drummer of this band is possibly the most skilled I have ever seen.
21. Trinitron Meets the Mars People - Interesting tapping music from California. Got the download free from Last.fm and jammed this nonstop because it is good music for people to listen to.
20. Circa Survive - Anthony Green is a beefcake of music. This is his band. This is one of the only major label bands I feel like I can trust to not sell out and start sucking. The way they shape their music is unlike anything anyone is doing and people need to know about this band generally.
19. VCR - This is my absolute favorite electronic band. The singer has a distinct voice and the band composition is unique, with three synths and a bassist. Plus one is a total ginger and it is funny. Last I heard one of the members left and they've been inactive since.
18. Maps & Atlases - This band has a good sound that relies heavily on tapping and xylophones. The singer's voice pisses off some people but whatever.
17. Piebald - One of the best indie bands of all time. They ran their tourbus on greasel and the lead singer taught 1st grade and went on tour during summer break and I kind of could dig his life.
16. Paul Baribeau - A folk/acoustic guy who writes really emotional, positive in the face of overwhelming odds stuff. The material is great. Great! Sweet. Sometimes if I am feeling depressed I sit in my room and listen to this dude and weep. Weep.
15. Fiction Like Non-Fiction - Good, good screamo from the Bay Area. The guitar playing is what sets this band apart from other screamo bands, I don't ever feel like they just threw a guitar riff together. I hope they tour this summer so I can see them.
14. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Folk and Acoustic. The lyrics are about trivial and or funny things but they aren't cut from the same cloth as a band like Flight of the Conchords or anything. They are from Arizona and for some reason it's weird for me to think of bands coming from Arizona.
13. Colossal - American Football meets some other band that I can't remember. Pretty good music, yep, yep. There are moments in their songs that are really powerful artistically and make the listener want to sway violently whilst singing along.
12. Pattern is Movement - Music for fat people that like Beyonce. The band is made up of two fat people that like Beyonce and have beards. The drummer is really good at mixing things up and throwing new things into the song. They are in a rad band that is probably too weird for you.
11. The Fall of Troy - Totally emasculated in their latest LP, but before that was the Phantom on the Horizon EP which held up to their older stuff like Doppelganger and their self titled. Thomas Erak is intensely talented between the shredding riffs, howling vocals and biting screams that are laced with venomous emotion.
10. At the Drive-In - This band exploded the post-hardcore genre and influenced countless bands that are quite popular now. There was a rumor going around in June that they might get back together but it was squashed and now I am sad about it because both Sparta and The Mars Volta do not currently stack up to what At the Drive-In did.
9. This Town Needs Guns - British. The guitarist is totally insane and completely un-tabbable which frustrates me to no end. The guitar gives the band a distinct sound that is really laid back and relaxed but still interesting. Good stuff.
8. Henry Rollins - He's getting old, and his knowledge base is growing. He's like as old as my dad, it boggles the mind that he can be as in touch with what I'm feeling right now as he is but I think he's an individual that left a lot of himself in his youth and now can merely comment on it. Despite the bleak tone to what I said, he makes for an incredible mentor and a great source of advice.
7. The Beatles - Boring.
6. We Versus the Shark - Hailing from Athens, GA, this band put out a cover album in 2008 on Quote Unquote records which is how I was aquainted with them. They are a lot more electronic and industrial than Bomb the Music Industry and they have a girl in the band but it's good. Whatever.
5. Minus The Bear - I mainly listen to Menos El Oso but lately I've been listening to their old releases before they went major label because KRUI has them and they are also really good. I was a bit dissappointed with Planet of Ice and so I'm apprehensive about them going forward, if they are this high on my 2010 list I predict it will not be because of any new material, but that's okay.
4. Dance Gavin Dance - This band keeps losing members and delving into lyrical content that is frankly too dumb for me yet I still listen because I love tremolo picking and wish I was a badass.
3. Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds is old and has been married a lot of times. But he writes songs and plays piano really well and those are very good qualities if you want me to listen to your band and so he ends up at #3. It's funny that his solo stuff isn't even on this list I don't think.
2. The Arrogant Sons of Bitches - This is the band I wish Ska Band Go! had been, where every show was a party and every member played with as much energy and intensity as possible. I wanted everyone to have an incredible time at our shows, just like the shows that these guys put on.
1. Bomb the Music Industry - This band had twice as many plays as any other band. This music is a window into what I am as a person.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My 100 Favorite Bands of 2009, Part Three
Now we get into bands that for better or for worse, I can't talk out of liking. Without further ado, 50-26
50. Emarosa - This is the band that the one vocalist from Dance Gavin Dance is now in. Honestly, this band sounds like a less good version of Dance Gavin Dance but that's still solid and so here they are, halfway into the list.
49. Kickball - Hell yes, this band. This band is what awesome laid back music should sound like. If I had to pick, say, 3 bands that everyone should know about, this one would definitely be on there. I just feel like their sound is really generally good and not specialized or anything. Great band.
48. Native - I'm really proud to say I've seen this band live. Kyle, Shane, and I drove to Chicago for Oceans last show. This band is quickly rising in its "scene" and it's nice to have known them since they were very very small. A very talented band that sounds unique is something to be reckoned with. Plus, I think they are all like 20 and 21 and stuff, so they're very young.
47. Saetia - Hot Cross guy's old band. His vocals have a tendency to shock people who are unfamiliar with them, they're really screachy, but the lyrics are positively dripping with emotion that can have a palpable effect on the listener and this is quite effective.
46. The Decemberists - Colin Meloy is an amazing musician, and the entire band kicks out sweet jams quite prolifically. Anyone who is indie pretty much knows and enjoys this band, and it's not a surprise listening to them.
45. Bridge and Tunnel - I found out about this band on a blog post from O Pioneers!!! They're decent, they mix male and female vocals well and do some interesting things, but after about a half dozen tracks one is pretty much ready to listen to something else.
44. The Strokes - I think what sets The Strokes apart is mainly the vocals. Julian Casablancas has a vocal style reminiscent to old, old pop singers. The guitars have a bit of a modern hint to them, but just so much. They mix really well and junk. Totally.
43. Mates of State - For a band to be this talented, around for this long, and not be insanely famous is not adding up in my head. They sound pretty radio friendly, or at the very least college radio friendly. They need to be more famous. It's been decided.
42. Faraquet - If I had the internet right now, I would tell you what genre this band belongs to. Instead, I'll just describe it myself. It's kind of progressive, tapping interesting stuff. Real descriptive, man. Tats.
41. N*E*R*D - Pharrell Williams is a musical genius. Perhaps not a poet or lyricist, but a musical genius surely. The beats and rhythms that N*E*R*D spit out on every song they release are great. This is a band that any music fan should check out, regardless of specific music tastes.
40. American Football - A Kinsella band, again. Probably their best in my opinion. One of the very best at any rate. This band tunes their guitars oddly. It works really well and a music fan can really tell that the guitars are different than they are in other bands. A lot of their lyrics have really rooted themselves into the indie/screamo lexicon. Age Sixteen quotes their songs at some point, some other band I can't remember right now took a lyric and made it their song title. All sorts of things.
39. Oceans - Oceans is a good band that died this November. They were from Chicago. I saw them live a couple times, including at their last show. Oceans was comprised of a lot of people that irradiated a love for music and a passion for their friends. All of the lyrics at the last show were screamed by the entire crowd, not just the guitarist. A group of people who really understood what a live show is supposed to be about, having fun with friends. I will miss this band a lot.
38. The Mars Volta - Rodriguez and Bixler. This is supposedly the band that they were meant to be in from the start, and they seem most satisfied with their work in this band, but it seems like lately they have gotten increasingly consumed with their own issues now that they are a big deal. Their music has consequentially suffered. Each release seems to be worse that the one before. Granted, they had a long, long way to fall because their first few were so masterful, but still.
37. Garage Door/Toy Car - This is my newest band, and thankfully, mercifully, the last one on this list. I enjoy playing shows in this band with two of my best friends.
36. The Thirty Years War - Thomas Erak's second of three bands he was in. He wrote a good chuck of The Fall of Troy's first album in this band so you know he was getting good, so were the other two. Even the songs that didn't end up as TFOT songs were really good, some of my favorites.
35. Elements of Something Really Beautiful - My go to ambient/post-rock stuff for when I do homework. I've desperately wanted lyrics to the last song on their album, I have even started writing them down. It's pretty inspirational. I am a fan.
34. Glassjaw - The angriest band I have heard. Too angry to be senselessly loud, Glassjaw is focused and biting. Controlled loathing in songs. Hard hitting lyrics (obviously) and one of the most dynamic and emotional singers I've ever heard.
33. Age Sixteen - One of the most solid, relatively new screamo bands in existence. In ten years, I predict we will be looking back on the next few years and Age Sixteen will get at least a mention, if not more, in a history of emo/screamo from this time period. That is, if they can find a new drummer.
32. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Over 20 years into the band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are still culturally relevant, even if their most recent release was largely a disappointment. The Peppers have taken all of the normal pitfalls of a band: Age, Drugs, in-fighting, and overcame them all. Impressive.
31. So Many Dynamos - So Many Dynamos went against convention this year when their second LP, The Loud Wars, eclipsed the first. It'll be interesting to see if going forward they can continue to surprise people and gain popularity. They have a signature sound, and that's as good as any starting point a band can have.
30. Hot Cross - Hot Cross seamlessly integrates intricate guitar playing with hardcore themes and the same emotional lyrics as Saetia, though the singer takes a wholly different approach this time around.
29. Fugazi - What a long tenured band!
28. Algernon Cadwallader - Another band that everyone should know about. They are quickly gaining popularity, eclipsing their contemporaries Cap'n Jazz in my eyes. One of the very, very best bands around right now, no foolin'.
27. Weezer - Weezer is not on this list because of their new material. Unfortunately, Rivers Cuomo is artistically tapped and has been for nearly a decade now. However, there is no ignoring the work he put in in the 90's. I wish he could've kept it up.
26. Bear vs. Shark - A band that died much, much too soon and is still compiling the recognition that they have rightly deserved. One of Michigan's finest. They have spawned many less talented bands because of their accessible sound.
50. Emarosa - This is the band that the one vocalist from Dance Gavin Dance is now in. Honestly, this band sounds like a less good version of Dance Gavin Dance but that's still solid and so here they are, halfway into the list.
49. Kickball - Hell yes, this band. This band is what awesome laid back music should sound like. If I had to pick, say, 3 bands that everyone should know about, this one would definitely be on there. I just feel like their sound is really generally good and not specialized or anything. Great band.
48. Native - I'm really proud to say I've seen this band live. Kyle, Shane, and I drove to Chicago for Oceans last show. This band is quickly rising in its "scene" and it's nice to have known them since they were very very small. A very talented band that sounds unique is something to be reckoned with. Plus, I think they are all like 20 and 21 and stuff, so they're very young.
47. Saetia - Hot Cross guy's old band. His vocals have a tendency to shock people who are unfamiliar with them, they're really screachy, but the lyrics are positively dripping with emotion that can have a palpable effect on the listener and this is quite effective.
46. The Decemberists - Colin Meloy is an amazing musician, and the entire band kicks out sweet jams quite prolifically. Anyone who is indie pretty much knows and enjoys this band, and it's not a surprise listening to them.
45. Bridge and Tunnel - I found out about this band on a blog post from O Pioneers!!! They're decent, they mix male and female vocals well and do some interesting things, but after about a half dozen tracks one is pretty much ready to listen to something else.
44. The Strokes - I think what sets The Strokes apart is mainly the vocals. Julian Casablancas has a vocal style reminiscent to old, old pop singers. The guitars have a bit of a modern hint to them, but just so much. They mix really well and junk. Totally.
43. Mates of State - For a band to be this talented, around for this long, and not be insanely famous is not adding up in my head. They sound pretty radio friendly, or at the very least college radio friendly. They need to be more famous. It's been decided.
42. Faraquet - If I had the internet right now, I would tell you what genre this band belongs to. Instead, I'll just describe it myself. It's kind of progressive, tapping interesting stuff. Real descriptive, man. Tats.
41. N*E*R*D - Pharrell Williams is a musical genius. Perhaps not a poet or lyricist, but a musical genius surely. The beats and rhythms that N*E*R*D spit out on every song they release are great. This is a band that any music fan should check out, regardless of specific music tastes.
40. American Football - A Kinsella band, again. Probably their best in my opinion. One of the very best at any rate. This band tunes their guitars oddly. It works really well and a music fan can really tell that the guitars are different than they are in other bands. A lot of their lyrics have really rooted themselves into the indie/screamo lexicon. Age Sixteen quotes their songs at some point, some other band I can't remember right now took a lyric and made it their song title. All sorts of things.
39. Oceans - Oceans is a good band that died this November. They were from Chicago. I saw them live a couple times, including at their last show. Oceans was comprised of a lot of people that irradiated a love for music and a passion for their friends. All of the lyrics at the last show were screamed by the entire crowd, not just the guitarist. A group of people who really understood what a live show is supposed to be about, having fun with friends. I will miss this band a lot.
38. The Mars Volta - Rodriguez and Bixler. This is supposedly the band that they were meant to be in from the start, and they seem most satisfied with their work in this band, but it seems like lately they have gotten increasingly consumed with their own issues now that they are a big deal. Their music has consequentially suffered. Each release seems to be worse that the one before. Granted, they had a long, long way to fall because their first few were so masterful, but still.
37. Garage Door/Toy Car - This is my newest band, and thankfully, mercifully, the last one on this list. I enjoy playing shows in this band with two of my best friends.
36. The Thirty Years War - Thomas Erak's second of three bands he was in. He wrote a good chuck of The Fall of Troy's first album in this band so you know he was getting good, so were the other two. Even the songs that didn't end up as TFOT songs were really good, some of my favorites.
35. Elements of Something Really Beautiful - My go to ambient/post-rock stuff for when I do homework. I've desperately wanted lyrics to the last song on their album, I have even started writing them down. It's pretty inspirational. I am a fan.
34. Glassjaw - The angriest band I have heard. Too angry to be senselessly loud, Glassjaw is focused and biting. Controlled loathing in songs. Hard hitting lyrics (obviously) and one of the most dynamic and emotional singers I've ever heard.
33. Age Sixteen - One of the most solid, relatively new screamo bands in existence. In ten years, I predict we will be looking back on the next few years and Age Sixteen will get at least a mention, if not more, in a history of emo/screamo from this time period. That is, if they can find a new drummer.
32. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Over 20 years into the band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are still culturally relevant, even if their most recent release was largely a disappointment. The Peppers have taken all of the normal pitfalls of a band: Age, Drugs, in-fighting, and overcame them all. Impressive.
31. So Many Dynamos - So Many Dynamos went against convention this year when their second LP, The Loud Wars, eclipsed the first. It'll be interesting to see if going forward they can continue to surprise people and gain popularity. They have a signature sound, and that's as good as any starting point a band can have.
30. Hot Cross - Hot Cross seamlessly integrates intricate guitar playing with hardcore themes and the same emotional lyrics as Saetia, though the singer takes a wholly different approach this time around.
29. Fugazi - What a long tenured band!
28. Algernon Cadwallader - Another band that everyone should know about. They are quickly gaining popularity, eclipsing their contemporaries Cap'n Jazz in my eyes. One of the very, very best bands around right now, no foolin'.
27. Weezer - Weezer is not on this list because of their new material. Unfortunately, Rivers Cuomo is artistically tapped and has been for nearly a decade now. However, there is no ignoring the work he put in in the 90's. I wish he could've kept it up.
26. Bear vs. Shark - A band that died much, much too soon and is still compiling the recognition that they have rightly deserved. One of Michigan's finest. They have spawned many less talented bands because of their accessible sound.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
My 100 Favorite Bands of 2009, Part Two
Part two! Are you ready? I know you're anxiously awaiting this. What am I listening to anyway? That crazy kid. Crazy.
75. Something to Do - I played a show with this band one time, no big deal. Seriously, no big deal. I'm pretty sure everyone in this band is like in their thirties and has a family and a career. But this band is nonetheless good ska. I wish I had been a little older and better and guitar when I met them, I might've empathized with them more and we might've played somewhere cooler than the House of Bricks.
74. Saves the Day - This is a band that achieved success when they were young, so I'm threatened by them and therefore I HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THIS BAND. But this band is good. No big deal? No big deal.
73. Pink Floyd - What a stereotypically prog thing of me to have on my list. This is another band that if I'm really honest, don't like that much. But they've done so much for music! But they're so boring. Blah.
72. Joan of Arc - This is a solid band and they are so consistent, which to me is their calling card. I play this band a lot on my radio show because it's there and it's perpetually labeled "new" much like Owen's CD.
71. Fatter Than Albert - This is one of my favorite ska bands. I remember when I was freaking out because I thought I didn't like ska anymore (which turned out to be mostly true) but the bright spot in all of that was I discovered this band and The Flaming Tsunamis.
70. The Sound of Animals Fighting - This is a good band. This is a real good band. When Anthony Green screams, the stars explode and shit. The RX bandits are good too, so since they have combined powers it works out well. Clearly.
69. Rumah Sakit - My high school English teacher introduced me to this along with Don Caballero and it was really good. He also introduced me to Sonic Youth and Rocket from the Crypt, which I like less. But the point is that he is a rad dude, and this is a rad band. This is a pretty content-free entry.
68. Modern Life Is War - This band is what I think of when I think of hardcore music. My best momory from this band is driving around after dark during the summer in Shane's car while he was blasting this band. They're also from Cedar Falls or some shit like that, or were anyway, so that's another plus.
67. Don Caballero - Here is the other band that my high school english teacher introduced me to. They have album titles that all have the word "Don" in them and so I can never remember which ones are older and which ones are newer. It's a major fucking bummer.
66. John Legend - Check it out, this one doesn't fit in with the rest. But I like R&B and John Legend is the cream of the crop. He also understands the ethics involved with being a commercially successful artist, which is important, I think. He advocates for music in schools and such.
65. Ratatat - This is good electronic music. I first heard this band on albinoblacksheep.com, I also heard The Arrogant Sons of Bitches there too. I can't believe a site I liked as a kid had such good musical taste.
64. Black Sabbath - When I want to feel like a badass, I listen to Sabbath. Henry Rollins likes Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and now it's my favorite song by them, I don't think it's a coincidence. I do whatever that guy says.
63. Nirvana - There is a kid in my dorm that looks like Kurt Cobain, but he's really good at guitar, so it's not a perfect imitation of Cobain. He does lots of drugs, but goes into class and is in college. It's a conundrum.
62. Carry the Torch - Under "Musical Blue Balls", this band is pictured. Four songs, each one a masterpiece, no follow up. What the hell is goin' on? Lame as hell. I want to seek out this band and inspire them to release new stuff because come on, shit is weak if they don't release anything else.
61. Tribune - This is Thomas Erak's High school band. I know what you want to ask, and yes, he shredded back then too. His career went uphill until Doppleganger, and has gone downhill since and it's sad to see because he's still only 23. I can't help but believing he's got more in him if he can avoid the major label producers and stuff like that. It's scary what commercialization can do to unprepared bands.
60. The Anahiem Basement Symphony - The second of my projects on this list, FML. I think that as much as I wrote Ska Band Go!'s songs, I had even more of a creative influence on this project. I even wrote some drum beats for this, which I never ever did in Ska Band Go! I don't view this as dead, either. I want to do more dumb, fun recordings with my friends here, though Kyle and I have Green Version now. So that's that...
59. Coheed and Cambria - Once upon a time, this was my favorite band by far. They are another band like The Fall of Troy that has really fallen off since their first few albums, and it's sad to see. They have a prequel album coming up that is set within their concept before their first album, and my fingers are crossed, for better or for worse. I'm expecting good things now.
58. Q and Not U - This band reminds me of driving to Grandview University last year for classes. They sound really weird and I would blast this in my car and sing the lyrics as loud as I could driving down I-80. I never fully appreciated how much fun I was having, much like right now, and virtually every other point in my life pretty much.
57. Say Anything - This band is really really quickly becoming one of my favorites. To illustrate this, I have basically been writing this for two hours on parts one and two, listening to this band, and now they're actually at 53 on this list. Crazy right? I want to be this sincere when I write lyrics because it seems to always yield powerful, original material. I can't say enough about Max Bemis' skill.
56. Ampere - This is the new or old band of some other band that I like, but I can't remember. I really like how short these songs are because I don't have an attention span of significance. It's hard though, good? Okay.
55. The Flaming Tsunamis - Crossover screamo/ska. Pretty good but it's essential to listen to this in small doses. They sing about how people over prescribe Ritalin and it's a bad thing and I totally get behind that so I guess idealistically we are the same so that's a plus.
54. Misfits - I want to have dark flowing hair and a fishnet top so I can CRUSH THINGS with my awesomeness. Glenn Danzig has lived the dream for decades. I want a piece, Danzig. It's time to select an apprentice.
53. Desaparecidos - Conor Oberst does not get much better than this, Bright Eyes can suck it (not really). But this band is his finest work for sure, no question about it, no sir.
52. Druids - I see these guys a lot. A lot. In the front row. This is probably the best band in Des Moines right now, in my opinion, though I suppose they are actually from Pella, but you understand, right? Right? The guitarist in this band has a huge beard and I don't think he can possibly be awkward, probably because he is often drunk when I see him.
51. Castevet - When Oceans broke up, I was worried that this band was done too but apparently these dudes are going strong and releasing new music and I am pumped as hell. I envy Chicago's music scene.
75. Something to Do - I played a show with this band one time, no big deal. Seriously, no big deal. I'm pretty sure everyone in this band is like in their thirties and has a family and a career. But this band is nonetheless good ska. I wish I had been a little older and better and guitar when I met them, I might've empathized with them more and we might've played somewhere cooler than the House of Bricks.
74. Saves the Day - This is a band that achieved success when they were young, so I'm threatened by them and therefore I HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THIS BAND. But this band is good. No big deal? No big deal.
73. Pink Floyd - What a stereotypically prog thing of me to have on my list. This is another band that if I'm really honest, don't like that much. But they've done so much for music! But they're so boring. Blah.
72. Joan of Arc - This is a solid band and they are so consistent, which to me is their calling card. I play this band a lot on my radio show because it's there and it's perpetually labeled "new" much like Owen's CD.
71. Fatter Than Albert - This is one of my favorite ska bands. I remember when I was freaking out because I thought I didn't like ska anymore (which turned out to be mostly true) but the bright spot in all of that was I discovered this band and The Flaming Tsunamis.
70. The Sound of Animals Fighting - This is a good band. This is a real good band. When Anthony Green screams, the stars explode and shit. The RX bandits are good too, so since they have combined powers it works out well. Clearly.
69. Rumah Sakit - My high school English teacher introduced me to this along with Don Caballero and it was really good. He also introduced me to Sonic Youth and Rocket from the Crypt, which I like less. But the point is that he is a rad dude, and this is a rad band. This is a pretty content-free entry.
68. Modern Life Is War - This band is what I think of when I think of hardcore music. My best momory from this band is driving around after dark during the summer in Shane's car while he was blasting this band. They're also from Cedar Falls or some shit like that, or were anyway, so that's another plus.
67. Don Caballero - Here is the other band that my high school english teacher introduced me to. They have album titles that all have the word "Don" in them and so I can never remember which ones are older and which ones are newer. It's a major fucking bummer.
66. John Legend - Check it out, this one doesn't fit in with the rest. But I like R&B and John Legend is the cream of the crop. He also understands the ethics involved with being a commercially successful artist, which is important, I think. He advocates for music in schools and such.
65. Ratatat - This is good electronic music. I first heard this band on albinoblacksheep.com, I also heard The Arrogant Sons of Bitches there too. I can't believe a site I liked as a kid had such good musical taste.
64. Black Sabbath - When I want to feel like a badass, I listen to Sabbath. Henry Rollins likes Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and now it's my favorite song by them, I don't think it's a coincidence. I do whatever that guy says.
63. Nirvana - There is a kid in my dorm that looks like Kurt Cobain, but he's really good at guitar, so it's not a perfect imitation of Cobain. He does lots of drugs, but goes into class and is in college. It's a conundrum.
62. Carry the Torch - Under "Musical Blue Balls", this band is pictured. Four songs, each one a masterpiece, no follow up. What the hell is goin' on? Lame as hell. I want to seek out this band and inspire them to release new stuff because come on, shit is weak if they don't release anything else.
61. Tribune - This is Thomas Erak's High school band. I know what you want to ask, and yes, he shredded back then too. His career went uphill until Doppleganger, and has gone downhill since and it's sad to see because he's still only 23. I can't help but believing he's got more in him if he can avoid the major label producers and stuff like that. It's scary what commercialization can do to unprepared bands.
60. The Anahiem Basement Symphony - The second of my projects on this list, FML. I think that as much as I wrote Ska Band Go!'s songs, I had even more of a creative influence on this project. I even wrote some drum beats for this, which I never ever did in Ska Band Go! I don't view this as dead, either. I want to do more dumb, fun recordings with my friends here, though Kyle and I have Green Version now. So that's that...
59. Coheed and Cambria - Once upon a time, this was my favorite band by far. They are another band like The Fall of Troy that has really fallen off since their first few albums, and it's sad to see. They have a prequel album coming up that is set within their concept before their first album, and my fingers are crossed, for better or for worse. I'm expecting good things now.
58. Q and Not U - This band reminds me of driving to Grandview University last year for classes. They sound really weird and I would blast this in my car and sing the lyrics as loud as I could driving down I-80. I never fully appreciated how much fun I was having, much like right now, and virtually every other point in my life pretty much.
57. Say Anything - This band is really really quickly becoming one of my favorites. To illustrate this, I have basically been writing this for two hours on parts one and two, listening to this band, and now they're actually at 53 on this list. Crazy right? I want to be this sincere when I write lyrics because it seems to always yield powerful, original material. I can't say enough about Max Bemis' skill.
56. Ampere - This is the new or old band of some other band that I like, but I can't remember. I really like how short these songs are because I don't have an attention span of significance. It's hard though, good? Okay.
55. The Flaming Tsunamis - Crossover screamo/ska. Pretty good but it's essential to listen to this in small doses. They sing about how people over prescribe Ritalin and it's a bad thing and I totally get behind that so I guess idealistically we are the same so that's a plus.
54. Misfits - I want to have dark flowing hair and a fishnet top so I can CRUSH THINGS with my awesomeness. Glenn Danzig has lived the dream for decades. I want a piece, Danzig. It's time to select an apprentice.
53. Desaparecidos - Conor Oberst does not get much better than this, Bright Eyes can suck it (not really). But this band is his finest work for sure, no question about it, no sir.
52. Druids - I see these guys a lot. A lot. In the front row. This is probably the best band in Des Moines right now, in my opinion, though I suppose they are actually from Pella, but you understand, right? Right? The guitarist in this band has a huge beard and I don't think he can possibly be awkward, probably because he is often drunk when I see him.
51. Castevet - When Oceans broke up, I was worried that this band was done too but apparently these dudes are going strong and releasing new music and I am pumped as hell. I envy Chicago's music scene.
My 100 Favorite Bands of 2009, Part One
I'm going to talk about the bands I listened to most according to last.fm since I joined on December 1st, 2008, since I let last.fm control my musical life for the most part.
So today I will start with 100-75, I'm not even going to try and guess when the other parts will get done, but it'll be okay, I promise.
First, I want to start with 5 bands that just missed the cut because I like them all, more so than some of the bands that are even high up on this list.
Lion of the North
Built to Spill
Owen
Iron & Wine
Cap'n Jazz
Lion of the North is screamo, I believe it was a free download on last.fm. I really like one of their songs, the rest are just okay, but I thought I liked "I am Orion" enough to get it on this list.
Cap'n Jazz is a Kinsella band and also the most direct link to Algernon Cadwallader, which may be the most promising band out there right now, but I just haven't been able to really get into this band like I thought I would. I would also like to note I spent real money on this discography, days before I discovered Lyrics Will Not Reach the Audience.
Owen is Mike Kinsella, surprise surprise. The Kinsellas show up a lot on the list, too. I got this from KRUI, I tend to play this in between speed metal to catch my breath but at 4am if I played too much of it I'd fall asleep.
Built to Spill is a band that I just assume everyone would love. They are very much like Weezer though, their early stuff from the 90's is just incredible and now it's pretty underwhelming, with a few "moments" periodically.
Iron & Wine is a Band I thought would for sure be on the list. This is an amazing folk project. I know a handful of his songs on guitar, it shocks me to no end that this band didn't get enough plays to get into my top 100 of 2009.
Onto the real list!
100. Loma Prieta - San Fransisco. A lot of good bands come from the bay area, I find this interesting. The singer looks kind of small and fragile, but delivers. This showed up on my Last.Fm, it's pretty good but nothing sticks out in my mind when looking back on the songs this band played or anything. Whatevs.
99. Be Your Own Pet - I heard about this band in Rolling Stone magazine after I had watched Almost Famous and I was convinced all good music fell straight from the inkwells of Stone's writers. I got their "new" album from KRUI this year, didn't listen to it until a few weeks ago, and then remembered that this band is good. Good. Plus, Jemina Pearl is really hot and crazy. Hard hitting analysis, Ben.
98. Boy Problems - I like this band, but I'm a bit surprised they are on here. I pretty much listen to the song "I Swallowed a Bug" over and over. It's got lots of taps and skreamz, which is right up my alley. It also begins with a Superbad sample, which is sweet as hell. Thinking about it, it really sets the emotional tone for the song very nicely. I recommend checking it out.
97. Black Flag - Because I'm hard.
96. Sonic Youth - I don't even particularly like Sonic Youth, I just feel like I should. I'm enticed by the ideas that this band had, really exploring possibilities with stringed instruments, but for me it never translated into something I really enjoyed listening to or found catchy. Virtually all of these plays are from Daydream Nation.
95. Snowing - This is a good, lesser known scream-esque band. I tend to thing of Snowing and Boy Problems as a unit because I downloaded them together, though I listen to most of Snowing's songs and have them stuck in my head much more than Boy Problems. This is probably because of their singer, who has an admittedly annoying voice that I really enjoy. They also talk about kissing girls and listening to At The Drive-In, which is what I hope my life someday consists mostly of.
94. The Dillinger Escape Plan - I am hard pressed to think of a band that is as heavy AND as technically skilled as this one. When I befriend people that listen to bad metal, this is the gateway band I use. I've heard that without their original drummer they suck, but I wasn't really interested in traveling to see them play anyway so it's not a big deal. What a cynical guy I am.
93. Adorno - I downloaded this band like two weeks ago and have been listening to it nonstop. They are from Portugal but the lyrics are in English, though they are pretty hard to understand because of the sweet guitar and stuff. The song I like is called "Life. Love. Don't Need Regret." and it's basically what I need a song to be for me, a pick-me up and a pleasure to just sit down with. So kudos to you, Adorno.
92. Refused - I hope I get hardcore credit for this one. This band is from the early 90's and fairly seminal I guess. Honestly, I'd usually rather be listening to something else.
91. The Fall on Deaf Ears - Q. How many bands with Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez appear on this list? A. Like 4. Srsly. This band is one of the first they were in, and it's actually a joy to listen to, unlike De Facto in my opinion, which is higher on this list for some reason. This is worth checking out.
90. The Hunt for Yoshi - This is an 8 bit band that covers all of my favorite bands and released their music free online. What's not to like?
89. Jimi Hendrix - Wow, how boring.
88. Wu Tang Clan - Only 36 chambers. One of my favorite rap albums of all time. OF ALL TIME. Check out Method Man, that song is the shit.
87. For the Mathematics - I don't understand why more bands don't make some of thier music free to download online. I downloaded this band because there was no risk because I wasn't paying anyone any money. They are good, and then I spent money on one of their other albums. I could learn a lesson from this if I was paying attention.
86. Circlepit Assholes - I saw this band live the first time I went to the Haunted Basement. Going back, I never realized that a lot of people standing around at shows I went to were in this band. I ended up having a conversation with a member of this band about this band without even knowing. It was weird and cool.
85. Death From Above 1979 - I don't understand why this one isn't higher. Probably my favorite Drum and Bass duo. Catchy as hell, good drumming, unique, memorable melodies and basslines.
84. Saosin - The EP done when Anothony Green was still in the band stacks up to anything else Green has done in his life. It is good, and if you've dismissed Saosin because of their mainstream success or something, take another look.
83. Laura Stevenson and The Cans - The first Quote/Unquote band on this list, another band that benefits from free music being availible for download. I've seen this band live, I was even in the front row. I also covered one of her songs, you can listen to it here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=198303611986&subj=575771986
(I don't know if that link'll work, whatever)
82. Shinobu - The second Quote/Unquote band on this list. Pretty good, but nothing amazing again. Some catchy songwriting present, enough to download for free fo' sho'.
81. Ska Band Go! - Unfortunately, three of my own projects end up on this list. I miss this band a lot. I miss having all of my friends around so often. I don't think I'll ever forget all of the great memories I have from this band, and that's nothing to be sad about.
80. Light the Fuse and Run - Did a split with Hot Cross, and ALL of my plays are from that split. I should really look in to getting the rest of their stuff. Good screamo, for some reason though the lyrical delivery reminds me of Colin Mochrie from Whose Line is it Anyway? That's good show, I should look into watching it again. I'll have to check and see if ABC family still plays it...
79. Minor Threat - I empathize heavily with this band's ethics and it makes me want to root them when otherwise this band might be too old for me to really enjoy. I recognize this, though I can't say if it's a bad thing or not. Though I do enjoy this more than Black Flag in general, so I think I'm okay.
78. Green Day - Kill me now. All of these plays are from Dookie. The first song I learned to play on guitar was St. Jimmie. I was totally blown away because I was making a guitar sound like it did on an actual song, and I was hooked, and I ended up here.
77. De Facto - As I said before, The Fall on Deaf Ears is a better project of Bixler and Rodriguez than this, but it's by no means a bad band. I just never really got into Dub.
76. Orville Sash - Zach Walther and Shane McChurch played in this band. This band was funny and interesting to listen to, I'd daresay more than anything either is doing now though I haven't heard new Boy Meets World. Walther is a good vocalist, with a distinct voice and a good sense of humor.
So today I will start with 100-75, I'm not even going to try and guess when the other parts will get done, but it'll be okay, I promise.
First, I want to start with 5 bands that just missed the cut because I like them all, more so than some of the bands that are even high up on this list.
Lion of the North
Built to Spill
Owen
Iron & Wine
Cap'n Jazz
Lion of the North is screamo, I believe it was a free download on last.fm. I really like one of their songs, the rest are just okay, but I thought I liked "I am Orion" enough to get it on this list.
Cap'n Jazz is a Kinsella band and also the most direct link to Algernon Cadwallader, which may be the most promising band out there right now, but I just haven't been able to really get into this band like I thought I would. I would also like to note I spent real money on this discography, days before I discovered Lyrics Will Not Reach the Audience.
Owen is Mike Kinsella, surprise surprise. The Kinsellas show up a lot on the list, too. I got this from KRUI, I tend to play this in between speed metal to catch my breath but at 4am if I played too much of it I'd fall asleep.
Built to Spill is a band that I just assume everyone would love. They are very much like Weezer though, their early stuff from the 90's is just incredible and now it's pretty underwhelming, with a few "moments" periodically.
Iron & Wine is a Band I thought would for sure be on the list. This is an amazing folk project. I know a handful of his songs on guitar, it shocks me to no end that this band didn't get enough plays to get into my top 100 of 2009.
Onto the real list!
100. Loma Prieta - San Fransisco. A lot of good bands come from the bay area, I find this interesting. The singer looks kind of small and fragile, but delivers. This showed up on my Last.Fm, it's pretty good but nothing sticks out in my mind when looking back on the songs this band played or anything. Whatevs.
99. Be Your Own Pet - I heard about this band in Rolling Stone magazine after I had watched Almost Famous and I was convinced all good music fell straight from the inkwells of Stone's writers. I got their "new" album from KRUI this year, didn't listen to it until a few weeks ago, and then remembered that this band is good. Good. Plus, Jemina Pearl is really hot and crazy. Hard hitting analysis, Ben.
98. Boy Problems - I like this band, but I'm a bit surprised they are on here. I pretty much listen to the song "I Swallowed a Bug" over and over. It's got lots of taps and skreamz, which is right up my alley. It also begins with a Superbad sample, which is sweet as hell. Thinking about it, it really sets the emotional tone for the song very nicely. I recommend checking it out.
97. Black Flag - Because I'm hard.
96. Sonic Youth - I don't even particularly like Sonic Youth, I just feel like I should. I'm enticed by the ideas that this band had, really exploring possibilities with stringed instruments, but for me it never translated into something I really enjoyed listening to or found catchy. Virtually all of these plays are from Daydream Nation.
95. Snowing - This is a good, lesser known scream-esque band. I tend to thing of Snowing and Boy Problems as a unit because I downloaded them together, though I listen to most of Snowing's songs and have them stuck in my head much more than Boy Problems. This is probably because of their singer, who has an admittedly annoying voice that I really enjoy. They also talk about kissing girls and listening to At The Drive-In, which is what I hope my life someday consists mostly of.
94. The Dillinger Escape Plan - I am hard pressed to think of a band that is as heavy AND as technically skilled as this one. When I befriend people that listen to bad metal, this is the gateway band I use. I've heard that without their original drummer they suck, but I wasn't really interested in traveling to see them play anyway so it's not a big deal. What a cynical guy I am.
93. Adorno - I downloaded this band like two weeks ago and have been listening to it nonstop. They are from Portugal but the lyrics are in English, though they are pretty hard to understand because of the sweet guitar and stuff. The song I like is called "Life. Love. Don't Need Regret." and it's basically what I need a song to be for me, a pick-me up and a pleasure to just sit down with. So kudos to you, Adorno.
92. Refused - I hope I get hardcore credit for this one. This band is from the early 90's and fairly seminal I guess. Honestly, I'd usually rather be listening to something else.
91. The Fall on Deaf Ears - Q. How many bands with Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez appear on this list? A. Like 4. Srsly. This band is one of the first they were in, and it's actually a joy to listen to, unlike De Facto in my opinion, which is higher on this list for some reason. This is worth checking out.
90. The Hunt for Yoshi - This is an 8 bit band that covers all of my favorite bands and released their music free online. What's not to like?
89. Jimi Hendrix - Wow, how boring.
88. Wu Tang Clan - Only 36 chambers. One of my favorite rap albums of all time. OF ALL TIME. Check out Method Man, that song is the shit.
87. For the Mathematics - I don't understand why more bands don't make some of thier music free to download online. I downloaded this band because there was no risk because I wasn't paying anyone any money. They are good, and then I spent money on one of their other albums. I could learn a lesson from this if I was paying attention.
86. Circlepit Assholes - I saw this band live the first time I went to the Haunted Basement. Going back, I never realized that a lot of people standing around at shows I went to were in this band. I ended up having a conversation with a member of this band about this band without even knowing. It was weird and cool.
85. Death From Above 1979 - I don't understand why this one isn't higher. Probably my favorite Drum and Bass duo. Catchy as hell, good drumming, unique, memorable melodies and basslines.
84. Saosin - The EP done when Anothony Green was still in the band stacks up to anything else Green has done in his life. It is good, and if you've dismissed Saosin because of their mainstream success or something, take another look.
83. Laura Stevenson and The Cans - The first Quote/Unquote band on this list, another band that benefits from free music being availible for download. I've seen this band live, I was even in the front row. I also covered one of her songs, you can listen to it here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=198303611986&subj=575771986
(I don't know if that link'll work, whatever)
82. Shinobu - The second Quote/Unquote band on this list. Pretty good, but nothing amazing again. Some catchy songwriting present, enough to download for free fo' sho'.
81. Ska Band Go! - Unfortunately, three of my own projects end up on this list. I miss this band a lot. I miss having all of my friends around so often. I don't think I'll ever forget all of the great memories I have from this band, and that's nothing to be sad about.
80. Light the Fuse and Run - Did a split with Hot Cross, and ALL of my plays are from that split. I should really look in to getting the rest of their stuff. Good screamo, for some reason though the lyrical delivery reminds me of Colin Mochrie from Whose Line is it Anyway? That's good show, I should look into watching it again. I'll have to check and see if ABC family still plays it...
79. Minor Threat - I empathize heavily with this band's ethics and it makes me want to root them when otherwise this band might be too old for me to really enjoy. I recognize this, though I can't say if it's a bad thing or not. Though I do enjoy this more than Black Flag in general, so I think I'm okay.
78. Green Day - Kill me now. All of these plays are from Dookie. The first song I learned to play on guitar was St. Jimmie. I was totally blown away because I was making a guitar sound like it did on an actual song, and I was hooked, and I ended up here.
77. De Facto - As I said before, The Fall on Deaf Ears is a better project of Bixler and Rodriguez than this, but it's by no means a bad band. I just never really got into Dub.
76. Orville Sash - Zach Walther and Shane McChurch played in this band. This band was funny and interesting to listen to, I'd daresay more than anything either is doing now though I haven't heard new Boy Meets World. Walther is a good vocalist, with a distinct voice and a good sense of humor.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
So the idea is this: I got onto the music staff at KRUI in Iowa City, the University of Iowa's radio station, meaning that I will be going through cd after cd of random music and deciding which tracks are worth putting on the radio. Why not expand my thoughts in blog format?
The meeting went smoothly on monday and I was directed with a bunch of other glassy-eyed freshmen into the vault: a shelf with a hundred cd's strewn across it with a sign that said "For Immediate Review"
My selection method was less than scientific. The first one I picked, Cougar's Patriot was selected because the promo sticker on the front mentioned Fugazi. The second one I picked up, Pere Ubu's Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi was picked because the blue piece of paper accompanying the modular white cd sleeve said post-punk somewhere on it.
The last one I selected and the first one I listened to was Fox Fagan with his debut, Never Fall in Love with a Stranger. The promo sticker attached to the plain, clear jewel case with a single sheet paper insert claims that "With his alluring English slur wrapped around 60's inspired pop tones, Fox Fagan is a stand out amongst his contemporaries", which is wrong on multiple accounts.
First, Fox Fagan is, in fact, from Melbourne. This is stated in the album during the live track, "Undercover". The sticker also claims that the EP "features... a tasty brand of indie pop and a British swagger reminiscent of the old English punk rockers".
Fox Fagan sounds nothing like Johnny Rotten, and I don't think he aspires to be any such character. If anything, Fox Fagan drones and howls into the microphone in like Thom Yorke.
Ultimately, Fox Fagan's fatal flaw can be seen from a mile away from his song titles: "Wouldn't Change a Thing", "Brothers", "Please Don't Cry", "Shiela", and "Undercover". His writing is rife with cliche and underdeveloped stories. The band does not move the listener to root for them, and the distance between the band and the listener is magnified instead of minimized.
The actual music is similarly uninventive, though not necessarily bad. It simply feels like I could go down the street on a weekend to a bar and here many tracks, especially "Shiela" from any band of 50-somethings that still picks up their instruments and puts something together simply because they love it.
Perhaps Fox Fagan just has some growing up to do. The musicianship is there, and the frontman clearly has the pipes and an endearing accent which can temporarily suspend the chagrins resulting from lyrics. As it stands now, with this album, Fox Fagan does not warrant a second listen from me.
---
The other two reviews will come soon.
The meeting went smoothly on monday and I was directed with a bunch of other glassy-eyed freshmen into the vault: a shelf with a hundred cd's strewn across it with a sign that said "For Immediate Review"
My selection method was less than scientific. The first one I picked, Cougar's Patriot was selected because the promo sticker on the front mentioned Fugazi. The second one I picked up, Pere Ubu's Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi was picked because the blue piece of paper accompanying the modular white cd sleeve said post-punk somewhere on it.
The last one I selected and the first one I listened to was Fox Fagan with his debut, Never Fall in Love with a Stranger. The promo sticker attached to the plain, clear jewel case with a single sheet paper insert claims that "With his alluring English slur wrapped around 60's inspired pop tones, Fox Fagan is a stand out amongst his contemporaries", which is wrong on multiple accounts.
First, Fox Fagan is, in fact, from Melbourne. This is stated in the album during the live track, "Undercover". The sticker also claims that the EP "features... a tasty brand of indie pop and a British swagger reminiscent of the old English punk rockers".
Fox Fagan sounds nothing like Johnny Rotten, and I don't think he aspires to be any such character. If anything, Fox Fagan drones and howls into the microphone in like Thom Yorke.
Ultimately, Fox Fagan's fatal flaw can be seen from a mile away from his song titles: "Wouldn't Change a Thing", "Brothers", "Please Don't Cry", "Shiela", and "Undercover". His writing is rife with cliche and underdeveloped stories. The band does not move the listener to root for them, and the distance between the band and the listener is magnified instead of minimized.
The actual music is similarly uninventive, though not necessarily bad. It simply feels like I could go down the street on a weekend to a bar and here many tracks, especially "Shiela" from any band of 50-somethings that still picks up their instruments and puts something together simply because they love it.
Perhaps Fox Fagan just has some growing up to do. The musicianship is there, and the frontman clearly has the pipes and an endearing accent which can temporarily suspend the chagrins resulting from lyrics. As it stands now, with this album, Fox Fagan does not warrant a second listen from me.
---
The other two reviews will come soon.
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