For nearly a month I’ve been planning to post my mid-year music list, but just haven’t been able to carve out time to write such a post. I’ve put a list together, but have nothing else so far.
These are not in order – again, I didn’t get around to ranking them. But I include my top 10 for the year so far along with my second ten and nine others from 2009 that I missed at the time but have been listening to a lot this year.
Top Ten
American Slang – The Gaslight Anthem
American VI: Ain’t No Grave – Johnny Cash
Heaven is Whenever – The Hold Steady
Letting Go – Jennifer Knapp
Sea of Cowards – The Dead Weather
So Runs The World Away – Josh Ritter
Something’s Coming – Ty Tabor
The Learner – Griffin House
True Believer – Matthew Barber
Women and Country – Jakob Dylan
Second Ten
Contra – Vampire Weekend
Court Yard Hounds – Court Yard Hounds
End Times – Eels
High Violet – The National
Little Vigils – Mark Erelli
Mojo – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Scream – Ozzy Osbourne
Together – The New Pornographers
Transference – Spoon
Volume Two – She & Him
9 from ’09
Get Lucky – Mark Knopfler
Horehound – The Dead Weather
Love Remains – Alice Peacock
Strict Joy – The Swell Season
Swoon – Silversun Pickups
Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
The Mountain – Heartless Bastards
This Is War – 30 Seconds to Mars
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix
I have only downloaded a few recent releases since my last “now playing” post. With the recent death of Ronnie James Dio, I’ve actually been downloading some of his early albums via eMusic, albums which I owned in high school (on cassette.) I’ve managed to get his two albums with Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules) and his first two solo albums (Holy Diver, The Last in Line). Those four are his best work by far, in my opinion, and all four are excellent. Dio will definitely be missed.
I’ve also started to fill in some Van Halen holes in my catalog as well, downloading two of their early works as well (Van Halen II, Fair Warning). Great stuff.
But it’s not all reminiscing. There are new albums on my iPod as well, so here’s a few words about those and some others that will soon be joining them.
Mojo
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
I was underwhelmed after my first listen to this newest from one of my all-time favorite bands, but it grew on me quickly and I’m really starting to appreciate it. As I’ve said before, I pretty much love all things Tom Petty. Definitely a must-have if you love what these guys do.
Here’s “I Should Have Known It”:
American Slang
The Gaslight Anthem
I’ve been pumped about this album since I first heard a release date. After loving their last release The ’59 Sound so much, I also feared my expectations would be too high and I would be disappointed. But there was no need to worry as they are back in fine form with another excellent album. Matt endorsed it earlier today, and I echo that as well.
Here’s an acoustic version of the title track:
This Is War
30 Seconds to Mars
A daily deal on amazonmp3 introduced me to 30 Seconds to Mars. This album reminds me at times of a less-heavy Dream Theater, with a bit of My Chemical Romance thrown in. The fair amount of synths used also brings back memories of something born in the 80′s on occasion. Overall, I like it a lot.
Check out “Kings and Queens”:
As for upcoming releases…
The Learner
Griffin House
Thanks to eMusic, I’ve come across a lot of music I probably would have missed out on (for example, the aforementioned The Gaslight Anthem.) Singer-songwriter Griffin House is likely among those as well. He’s recorded some great albums already, and Tuesday, 6/22, can’t come quick enough. I’ve heard two songs from this one so far, and can’t wait for the rest.
Here’s “River City Lights”:
Scream
Ozzy Osbourne
I’ve been an Ozzy fan since high school and at this point, that doesn’t look to change. His last few albums haven’t really impressed me as a whole (although they provided a few great songs), but I’ve already listened to this newest (due out Tuesday as well) via his MySpace page and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. I just might have to pick it up (for the right price.)
Check out “Let Me Hear You Scream”:
God WIllin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
Ray’s last album, Gossip In The Grain, was a gem I discovered via Scott‘s recommendation. It is just outstanding, and his next offering will be available in August.
If this first single, “Beg, Steal or Borrow”, is any indication, I’m going to like it a whole lot.
I will also mention briefly that Eels and Arcade Fire also have new releases due out in August, which I will anxiously await as well.
However, the biggest release of the year is – without question – the fifteenth studio album from my favorite band of all time.
The Final Frontier – Iron Maiden
That’s right. Iron Maiden will be releasing The Final Frontier in mid-August and I am just beside myself. I can’t really put into words my love of the music of Iron Maiden, and so after a four year wait – the longest ever between Maiden (studio) releases – I will be blessed with new Maiden material.
Later this summer, I’ll likely be beginning a countdown of sorts by reviewing the first 14 albums in the Iron Maiden catalog, so you’ll know to avoid this blog during late July and early August.
There have been rumors that this will be the last studio effort by Iron Maiden, based on something Steve Harris once said about making 15 albums. It wasn’t set in stone, of course, and nothing ever is with musicians. I believe Ozzy recorded his “last album” back in the mid-90′s, and KISS had a farewell tour about a dozen years ago and yet they refuse to go away. (Their Dr. Pepper commercials really suck, by the way.)
However, with an album title like “The Final Frontier”, the speculation will be there until they dispel the rumors or release number 16 in a few years. We’ll see.
I will not dwell on that too much, though. A new Iron Maiden album is on it’s way. And there is much rejoicing.
For nearly a month I’ve been planning to post my mid-year music list, but just haven’t been able to carve out time to write such a post. I’ve put a list together, but have nothing else so far.
