Wednesday, December 24, 2008

2008 Top Ten

So I've always wanted to make a top ten list and now I finally have the opportunity to do so. I understand that a lot of people will not agree with my top ten list, but these are the albums that have consumed me for the past 12 months and I can't help it if critics disagree with me. These are my favorites:

10. Glasvegas by Glasvegas
9. Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
8. Red Yellow & Blue by Born Ruffians
7. Black Forest (Tra La La) by Young Pale Gentlemen
6. Ode to Sunshine by Delta Spirit

5. Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down by Noah and the Whale - Rocks and Daggers

4. Animal! by Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - Mariel's Brazen Overture

3. Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust by Sigur Rós - Ára bátur

2. The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine

1. Arm's Way by Islands - I Feel Evil Creeping In

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Pale Young Gentlemen



I just wanted to take this opportunity to rave about a band that I have just come across, but that is not neccesarrily new. Pale Young Gentlemen is a large and elaborate band from Wisconsin. They use an array of instruments such as: Guitar, Piano, Cello, Violin, French Horn, Harp, Flute, Xylophone, Bass and Bell Kit. All contributing to a rather folky, ragtime, Eastern European sound. It's magically delicious and I highly recommend it. If you're looking for something upbeat I recommend their first album Pale Young Gentlemen, which almost sounds like songs you would hear in a European Pub if all the drunk men were to get together and start a band. The new album Black Forest (Tra La La) still has the same feel, but it is much tamer and shows how the band has matured. In my opinion it has an uncanny resemblance to an Andrew Bird album, but dare I say...better? It's different to say the least.

Pale Young Gentlemen- An Appeal to St. Peter

Friday, December 12, 2008

Animal Collective Adds a show at the Troubadour!

Everybody's favorite avant-garde freak folk band has added a new date at the Troubadour on January 24, 2009 just after their show at the Henry Fonda Theater. If you know the right people then you've probably already bought your ticket to the show via secret link and ultra secret password. But not to fret, the concert goes on sale to the public Saturday December 12 on Ticketmaster, however I reccommend purchasing the tickets via fax from the Troubadour itself. They'll only charge you $2 extra, which is nothing compared to the way Ticketmaster will rape your wallet.