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September 10, 2009lists, music, now playing
I mentioned yesterday a desire to post weekly on the things I’m reading. I also plan to do the same regarding the things I’m listening to. This will almost always be music, but I may also include other things (i.e. podcasts) on occasion.
In “blog 1.0″, I usually posted monthly on the new music in my rotation, but this time around I’m going to attempt to highlight a single album (again, usually) each week. It will more often than not be new(ish) music, but I will likely reach back into the past from time to time.
Before I start that, I thought I’d share my 2009 mid-year list. I posted this on Facebook in July, but thought I’d go ahead and share it again now that I am using this forum again. I’ve already acquired a few new titles that will change this list at year end, but here’s what the list looked like in July.
(NOTE: I didn’t go back and check out all of the links to see if any are now broken.)
#10: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (2009)
I first heard Isbell on a Drive-By Truckers album a couple of years ago, and enjoyed his solo album last year. But this newest release is my favorite of the three. If you’re looking for some good southern rock, check it out.
Listen to: “Seven-mile Island“, “Good“, “However Long”
#9: Outer South – Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band (2009)
I’ve yet to dislike any of Oberst’s work I’ve heard, and this is no exception. At the moment, I think I like last year’s self-titled album a bit more than this newest release, but it is nonetheless another winner.
Listen to: “Slowly (oh so slowly)“, “Cabbage Town“, “Nikorette“
#8: Hold Time – M. Ward (2009)
While I owned a couple of M. Ward albums, I didn’t become a big fan of his blend of musical styles until earlier this year with this newest release. It is really fantastic, and it is his best to date. Also enjoyed the appearance of “She & Him” collaborator Zooey Deschanel on a couple of tracks. Listen to: “Never Had Nobody Like You“, “Rave On“, “To Save Me“
#7: Seeing Things – Jakob Dylan (2008)
It seems almost wrong to place this album only one behind his father’s, but I have really loved this album from day one. No, he’s never going to be his father, yet I keep coming back to this one over and over. Listen to: “Evil Is Alive And Well“, “Valley Of The Low Sun“, “Something Good This Way Comes“
#6: Together Through Life – Bob Dylan (2009)
I never listened to much of Bob Dylan until I bought the Dylan collection a couple of years ago, so I don’t really know how this new one compares to classic Dylan albums. But I do know that, while I might not have had it in my top 10 a month ago, I continue to love this album more with each listen, and it keeps climbing. Listen to: “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’“, “My Wife’s Home Town“, “I Feel A Change Comin’ On“
#5: The Hazards of Love – The Decemberists (2009)
The Decemberists are back with a true concept album, including the expected dark and sometimes disturbing lyrics alongside some outstanding music that could have been recorded 30+ years ago. And, while I’m still quite fond of The Crane Wife, I think this is their best to date. Listen to: “The Wanting Comes In Waves / Repaid“, “Won’t Wait For Love (Margaret in the Taiga)”, “The Rake’s Song“
#4: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today – David Byrne & Brian Eno (2008)
I listened to a little Talking Heads back in the 80′s, but not much. Byrne’s collaboration with Eno, however, is more than worth a listen. It is an excellent album with influences from multiple styles of music (Byrne actually describes it as “folk electronic gospel”.) Check it out – you won’t be disappointed. Listen to: “My Big Nurse“, “Everything That Happens“, “Life Is Long“
#3: No Line On The Horizon – U2 (2009)
As always, I looked forward to a new U2 album, wondering what would come next. What came is probably my favorite since Achtung Baby, which seems to be a common sentiment. There are few bands who have the success U2 did in the 80′s and remain relevant 20+ years later. U2 is one of those few. Listen to: “Magnificent“, “You Know I’ll Go Crazy…“, title track
#2: Working On A Dream – Bruce Springsteen (2009)
The Boss is back, and rather quickly, less than 16 months after releasing Magic. Like U2, his ability to continue to produce such outstanding music so late in his career is remarkable. I thought The Rising and Magic were great records, but this is my favorite from his releases this decade. Listen to: “Outlaw Pete“, “Kingdom of Days“, title track
#1: 21st Century Breakdown – Green Day (2009)
I somehow missed Green Day’s American Idiot back in 2004, and just got around to getting it earlier this year. After hearing it, I was certain that it was their highest point, that they would never top that album. I stand corrected. I contend that this album does exactly that, and that’s one of the many reasons why it’s my #1 right now. It is an amazing piece of work by a band that has grown significantly since I first heard them in the early 90′s. Get this album today. Listen to: “East Jesus Nowhere“, “American Eulogy: Mass Hysteria/Modern World“, title track
That’s it. That’s the list.
-gf
