So, seeing as how last year I had a hell of a time remembering all my favorite records, I figure we should split it up and do something for the beginning and end of the year. It'll also give people a decent chance to catch up. I could be a crackhead, and this could die, but I'm going to do it anyway. Participate if you want, we'll archive the post so we have it to reference at the end of the year.
Let's warm things up here...
Top five favorite songs of the first half of two-thousand and four:
1. The Decemberists - "The Tain" (I know I'm cheating, I don't care)
2. the pAper chAse - "Ready, Willing, Cain and Able"
3. Devendra Banhart - "This Beard is for Siobhan"
4. Sonic Youth - "The Unmade Bed"
5. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
Yeah, I'd go ahead and list reasons, but they're all fucking awesome, and that's what matters. Check 'em out if you haven't.
See, at this point, if you've seen a handful of shows, go ahead and list your top 5 favorite concerts you've seen this year so far. I've only seen 3, so I'll just say that The Wrens/Bottom of the Hudson show is one of the most amazing I've ever been able to partake in. The Wrens played me a fucking birthday song, does anything else more need to be said? (It was "Indie 500," by the way, with a few bars of "Happy Birthday" on the keyboard before the hot keyboard intro)
Now, because I can't make gigantic lists and order things well, I'm going to list
Top ten records that are awesome but not quite as good as the top five of the first half of two-thousand and four (in alphabetical order by band name):
·Les Savy Fav - Inches
·Mclusky - The Difference Between Me and You is That I'm Not on Fire
·The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation
·Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
·Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
·The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
·TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
·John Vanderslice - Cellar Door
·Vetiver - Vetiver
·Your Enemies Friends - You Are Being Videotaped
I don't want to write up detailed stuff about them, but they're all really good. If you want to know something about one, ask, and ye shall find out what you need to know.
And without further adieu...
My top five records of the first half of two-thousand and four:
5. Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles: Xiu Xiu keeps churning out tha hitz. I love you Jamie Stewart. This is my favorite of their records to date, it's so great. I'd heard 4 of the songs from the Jim Yoshii Pile-Up split quite a few times before it came out, but that didn't cheapen it one bit. It's extremely poppy for Xiu Xiu, I mean, shit "Clowne Towne" seemed so not-Xiu Xiu, musically, the first time I listened to it, I was shocked. I don't want to wait until next fall for their next record. Hopefully we get some sort of stop gap. Another Fag Patrol-esque release would be more than welcomed by me at least. Sounds like Jamie's pre-XX material from Ten in the Swear Jar may be reissued this year. That'd be hot.
4. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands: I was fucking blown away when I first heard this, not knowing what to expect at all. What I got was a near perfect folk record, with one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard. I'm in love with Mr. Banhart. I think if I could have his children, I would. I can't wait for his second 2004 release this fall.
3. The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree: The bassist from Ink & Dagger plays in this band, I don't think I need to say anything else. It took me a few listens to be able to crack through the wall of feedback and noise, but once I did? Heaven. They have so fucking much swagger and attitude it just oozes out of my headphones. It rocks, it rolls, it rules, I can't get enough of it. Blistering rock'n'roll.
2. the pAper chAse - God Bless Your Black Heart: At first listen, I was unimpressed. Every listen since I've liked this album more and more, and had I listened to it a few more times, I could definitely see it overtaking the top spot (I spent today listening to some of their older releases). It's a crazy record, and it just pummels you with sound. Guitar, strings, drums, piano, screamed vocals, and bizarre fucked up samples, it's all here. It's dark, wild, and truly awesome. The lack of love I've seen around for this record is shocking, as everyone I've played it for (even people who don't like any of the other pAper chAse material) loves it. You should definitely check it out if you're up for some spastic post-punk. Even if you aren't. Fuck. Check out a sample track here.
1. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand: It seems like just about everybody has heard this, so I don't need to say much about it. It's wonderful. I listened to it an obscene amount of times from the middle of February until a couple of weeks after its release date. It's so fun, and it rocks so hard. Say what you will about them, garage rock, or dance punk, but this is a fucking fantastic record. I'm eagerly anticipating the follow-up.
That's it so far. Hot stuff.
Here's what I'm anticipating most for the rest of the year
1. Hot Snakes - TBA (10/05/04)
2. Optiganally Yours - OY in Hi-Fi (TBA)
3. The Wrens - Abbott 1135 extended reissue (10/00/04)
4. The Kills - TBA (09/21/04)
5. British Sea Power - TBA (09/14/04)
Alright guys. Now it's your turn. Let's see them lists!
Let's warm things up here...
Top five favorite songs of the first half of two-thousand and four:
1. The Decemberists - "The Tain" (I know I'm cheating, I don't care)
2. the pAper chAse - "Ready, Willing, Cain and Able"
3. Devendra Banhart - "This Beard is for Siobhan"
4. Sonic Youth - "The Unmade Bed"
5. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
Yeah, I'd go ahead and list reasons, but they're all fucking awesome, and that's what matters. Check 'em out if you haven't.
See, at this point, if you've seen a handful of shows, go ahead and list your top 5 favorite concerts you've seen this year so far. I've only seen 3, so I'll just say that The Wrens/Bottom of the Hudson show is one of the most amazing I've ever been able to partake in. The Wrens played me a fucking birthday song, does anything else more need to be said? (It was "Indie 500," by the way, with a few bars of "Happy Birthday" on the keyboard before the hot keyboard intro)
Now, because I can't make gigantic lists and order things well, I'm going to list
Top ten records that are awesome but not quite as good as the top five of the first half of two-thousand and four (in alphabetical order by band name):
·Les Savy Fav - Inches
·Mclusky - The Difference Between Me and You is That I'm Not on Fire
·The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation
·Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
·Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
·The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
·TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
·John Vanderslice - Cellar Door
·Vetiver - Vetiver
·Your Enemies Friends - You Are Being Videotaped
I don't want to write up detailed stuff about them, but they're all really good. If you want to know something about one, ask, and ye shall find out what you need to know.
And without further adieu...
My top five records of the first half of two-thousand and four:
5. Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles: Xiu Xiu keeps churning out tha hitz. I love you Jamie Stewart. This is my favorite of their records to date, it's so great. I'd heard 4 of the songs from the Jim Yoshii Pile-Up split quite a few times before it came out, but that didn't cheapen it one bit. It's extremely poppy for Xiu Xiu, I mean, shit "Clowne Towne" seemed so not-Xiu Xiu, musically, the first time I listened to it, I was shocked. I don't want to wait until next fall for their next record. Hopefully we get some sort of stop gap. Another Fag Patrol-esque release would be more than welcomed by me at least. Sounds like Jamie's pre-XX material from Ten in the Swear Jar may be reissued this year. That'd be hot.
4. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands: I was fucking blown away when I first heard this, not knowing what to expect at all. What I got was a near perfect folk record, with one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard. I'm in love with Mr. Banhart. I think if I could have his children, I would. I can't wait for his second 2004 release this fall.
3. The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree: The bassist from Ink & Dagger plays in this band, I don't think I need to say anything else. It took me a few listens to be able to crack through the wall of feedback and noise, but once I did? Heaven. They have so fucking much swagger and attitude it just oozes out of my headphones. It rocks, it rolls, it rules, I can't get enough of it. Blistering rock'n'roll.
2. the pAper chAse - God Bless Your Black Heart: At first listen, I was unimpressed. Every listen since I've liked this album more and more, and had I listened to it a few more times, I could definitely see it overtaking the top spot (I spent today listening to some of their older releases). It's a crazy record, and it just pummels you with sound. Guitar, strings, drums, piano, screamed vocals, and bizarre fucked up samples, it's all here. It's dark, wild, and truly awesome. The lack of love I've seen around for this record is shocking, as everyone I've played it for (even people who don't like any of the other pAper chAse material) loves it. You should definitely check it out if you're up for some spastic post-punk. Even if you aren't. Fuck. Check out a sample track here.
1. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand: It seems like just about everybody has heard this, so I don't need to say much about it. It's wonderful. I listened to it an obscene amount of times from the middle of February until a couple of weeks after its release date. It's so fun, and it rocks so hard. Say what you will about them, garage rock, or dance punk, but this is a fucking fantastic record. I'm eagerly anticipating the follow-up.
That's it so far. Hot stuff.
Here's what I'm anticipating most for the rest of the year
1. Hot Snakes - TBA (10/05/04)
2. Optiganally Yours - OY in Hi-Fi (TBA)
3. The Wrens - Abbott 1135 extended reissue (10/00/04)
4. The Kills - TBA (09/21/04)
5. British Sea Power - TBA (09/14/04)
Alright guys. Now it's your turn. Let's see them lists!
