Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ten (or eleven) records I liked in 2008
Okay, we decided rankings are for college football and the FBI, so this is in alphabetical order. I'm also putting together an MP3 mix with a song from each record; I hope to have that up tomorrow. My Krysmopompas MP3s are at home.
Blank Dogs - On Two Sides - Sacred Bones / Troubleman Unlimited
GBV’s Propeller if Pollard was more into ‘80’s British synth-pop. Probably my most listened to band of ’08, between all the singles, December’s Fields EP, and this excellent full-length.
Endless Boogie - Focus Level - No Quarter Records
Another round of extended riffin’, but unlike their first two you can actually find this one in stores. Relatively restrained as far as zoned out, psych-blues drone goes, at least compared to stuff like the Bad Trips or Wooden Shjips, but still unrelentingly awesome.
Krysmopompas - Heute Schlafen-Morgan Aufwachen - S-S Records
Fantastic double-LP collecting this German’s band’s first two ltd. ed. CDs. Sounds a bit like Wire, a bit like Devo, underneath some dude ranting in German. Best use of a Casio SK-1 since the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth.
Kurt Vile - Constant Hitmaker - Gulcher Records
This here’s a Philly guy who makes modest space pop that sounds like a less confused Ariel Pink. I think he’s also in that Secretly Canadian band War on Drugs. Constant Hitmaker is full of beautiful songs with enchanting, non-intrusive production. Also excellent live, a nice gentle swirl of subtly psychedelic good vibes that didn't sound all that much like the record.
Love Is All - A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night - What's Your Rupture?
These guys maybe played the best show(s) I saw this year. Second record pumps the same super-posi noisy dance-rock as the debut. They know what works and will work it until it doesn’t. The “Tally Ho” riff in “Wishing Well”: best homage / rip of the year. They also put out an awesome covers EP, too.
Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash - Matador Records
I’m pretty sure this is the best thing Malkmus has done since Wowee Zowee. This record kinda exists to show off how thoroughly legendary he’s become with the guitar. And the lyrics, so often nettlesome since Brighten the Corners, aren’t at all a drag. Great stuff, I think maybe a little overlooked for some reason.
No Age - Nouns - Sub-Pop
Not on this list just ‘cuz it sounds like the classic indie-rock I loved in high school, but ‘cuz it sounds like really great classic indie-rock I would’ve loved in high school. Another record that deftly combines noise and melody, which I guess is the thing I most prize in music. I am amazed at the racket two dudes can kick up when they want to, between this and Sic Alps.
Sic Alps - US EZ - Siltbreeze Records
Snippets of fuzzy, shambolic rock classicism from two dudes who used to play in Henry’s Dress and the Ropers. It’s pretty ‘60’s, pretty psychedelic in a mellow non-freak-out way, pretty pretty despite occasional dust-ups, etc. Some fine Who-reverence at times. Reminds me of a better / more focused Gris Grig / Mirrors / Greg Ashley. Also played, again, maybe the best show I saw in '08.
Times New Viking - Rip It Off - Matador Records
The semi-indie-rock big-time hasn’t ruined ‘em. Rip It Off is just as ridiculously catchy and noisy as their first two, but also more consistent. They kinda only deal in anthems, I think. Great live, too.
Zola Jesus – Poor Sons 7” on Die Stasi; Soeur Sewer 7” on Sacred Bones
Not an album, but two excellent singles from a Wisconsinite named Nika on two very good small labels. If a boom-box could capture the audio of a Kate Bush song collapsing in on itself, it could very well sound like Zola Jesus. Some fine arty atmospheric noise that never loses site of songcraft, and maybe the most exciting stuff on this list.
also: some seven-inches I dug:
Blues Control: Snow Day - Subpop
Catatonic Youth - Piss Scene - HOZAC
Electric Bunnies - Chewing Gum - Florida's Dying
Estrogen Highs - She Don't Bother - Milk'n'Herpes
Hearts of Animals - s/t - Dull Knife Records
Leper Pring - Coma - Die Stasi
Love Tan - This Land is No Good - Sweet Rot
Nice Face - Thing In My Head - Sacred Bones
Oneida - Heads Ain't Ready - These Are Not Records
Times New Viking - Stay Awake - Matador
Titmachine - I Wanna Be Your Dog - Meeuw
Titmachine - We Build a New City - Siltbreeze
Vivian Girls - Wild Eyes - Plays With Dolls
Wounded Lion - Carol Cloud - S-S Records
alright cool thanks
Okay, we decided rankings are for college football and the FBI, so this is in alphabetical order. I'm also putting together an MP3 mix with a song from each record; I hope to have that up tomorrow. My Krysmopompas MP3s are at home.
Blank Dogs - On Two Sides - Sacred Bones / Troubleman Unlimited
GBV’s Propeller if Pollard was more into ‘80’s British synth-pop. Probably my most listened to band of ’08, between all the singles, December’s Fields EP, and this excellent full-length.
Endless Boogie - Focus Level - No Quarter Records
Another round of extended riffin’, but unlike their first two you can actually find this one in stores. Relatively restrained as far as zoned out, psych-blues drone goes, at least compared to stuff like the Bad Trips or Wooden Shjips, but still unrelentingly awesome.
Krysmopompas - Heute Schlafen-Morgan Aufwachen - S-S Records
Fantastic double-LP collecting this German’s band’s first two ltd. ed. CDs. Sounds a bit like Wire, a bit like Devo, underneath some dude ranting in German. Best use of a Casio SK-1 since the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth.
Kurt Vile - Constant Hitmaker - Gulcher Records
This here’s a Philly guy who makes modest space pop that sounds like a less confused Ariel Pink. I think he’s also in that Secretly Canadian band War on Drugs. Constant Hitmaker is full of beautiful songs with enchanting, non-intrusive production. Also excellent live, a nice gentle swirl of subtly psychedelic good vibes that didn't sound all that much like the record.
Love Is All - A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night - What's Your Rupture?
These guys maybe played the best show(s) I saw this year. Second record pumps the same super-posi noisy dance-rock as the debut. They know what works and will work it until it doesn’t. The “Tally Ho” riff in “Wishing Well”: best homage / rip of the year. They also put out an awesome covers EP, too.
Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash - Matador Records
I’m pretty sure this is the best thing Malkmus has done since Wowee Zowee. This record kinda exists to show off how thoroughly legendary he’s become with the guitar. And the lyrics, so often nettlesome since Brighten the Corners, aren’t at all a drag. Great stuff, I think maybe a little overlooked for some reason.
No Age - Nouns - Sub-Pop
Not on this list just ‘cuz it sounds like the classic indie-rock I loved in high school, but ‘cuz it sounds like really great classic indie-rock I would’ve loved in high school. Another record that deftly combines noise and melody, which I guess is the thing I most prize in music. I am amazed at the racket two dudes can kick up when they want to, between this and Sic Alps.
Sic Alps - US EZ - Siltbreeze Records
Snippets of fuzzy, shambolic rock classicism from two dudes who used to play in Henry’s Dress and the Ropers. It’s pretty ‘60’s, pretty psychedelic in a mellow non-freak-out way, pretty pretty despite occasional dust-ups, etc. Some fine Who-reverence at times. Reminds me of a better / more focused Gris Grig / Mirrors / Greg Ashley. Also played, again, maybe the best show I saw in '08.
Times New Viking - Rip It Off - Matador Records
The semi-indie-rock big-time hasn’t ruined ‘em. Rip It Off is just as ridiculously catchy and noisy as their first two, but also more consistent. They kinda only deal in anthems, I think. Great live, too.
Zola Jesus – Poor Sons 7” on Die Stasi; Soeur Sewer 7” on Sacred Bones
Not an album, but two excellent singles from a Wisconsinite named Nika on two very good small labels. If a boom-box could capture the audio of a Kate Bush song collapsing in on itself, it could very well sound like Zola Jesus. Some fine arty atmospheric noise that never loses site of songcraft, and maybe the most exciting stuff on this list.
also: some seven-inches I dug:
Blues Control: Snow Day - Subpop
Catatonic Youth - Piss Scene - HOZAC
Electric Bunnies - Chewing Gum - Florida's Dying
Estrogen Highs - She Don't Bother - Milk'n'Herpes
Hearts of Animals - s/t - Dull Knife Records
Leper Pring - Coma - Die Stasi
Love Tan - This Land is No Good - Sweet Rot
Nice Face - Thing In My Head - Sacred Bones
Oneida - Heads Ain't Ready - These Are Not Records
Times New Viking - Stay Awake - Matador
Titmachine - I Wanna Be Your Dog - Meeuw
Titmachine - We Build a New City - Siltbreeze
Vivian Girls - Wild Eyes - Plays With Dolls
Wounded Lion - Carol Cloud - S-S Records
alright cool thanks
