Five albums that have spent an unhealthy amount of time in my car stereo of late:
Have One on Me- Joanna Newsom
Call No.: CD ROCK RAP NEWSOM HAVE
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I avoided listening to this album for almost a year after it was released. While I like
Ys. initially, it wasn't a record that I wanted to listen to over and over again. And this album is three discs and over two hours long. It seemed exhausting. However, I find
Have One on Me a lot more enjoyable that
Ys. The songs are still super long and complicated, but they have an easygoing, seventies Joanie Mitchell vibe to them. Also, while the album works together well as a whole, it's not necessary to listen to all three discs in a row.
Track Obsessions: "In California", "Have One on Me", "Good Intentions Paving Company", "Does Not Suffice"
The Rip Tide- Beirut
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It's been four long years since Zach Condon's last album, 2007's
Flying Club Cup. Being a fan of both previous Beirut albums, this was one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Upon first listen,
The Riptide seemed a little bit underwhelming. It lacks the big, orchestral punch of the previous two albums and is, instead, more an understated synth pop album (but not of the Cut Copy variety). However, after repeated listens, my appreciation for the album has grown considerably. Though Beirut's sound has evolved,
The Rip Tide still has the moodiness and old-timey quality that I enjoyed on his previous albums.
Track Obsessions: I almost always hit repeat (at least once) on "East Harlem" and "the Peacock." "Payne's Bay" (especially the first two minutes) and "Santa Fe" are favorites as well.
Meadowlands- The Wrens
Call No.: CD ROCK RAP WRENS MEADOWLANDS
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I had never really listened to the Wrens before, having had them mildly confused with late 90s Canadian folk punk (that's a real thing, apparently) outfit the Weakerthans. I listened to the Weakerthans during my short-lived emo period, which is not a musical phase I like to revisit often. Anyway, I'm glad I finally checked out the Wrens.
Meadowlands is a breakup album, which always wins
bonus points from me, but it also rocks pretty hard on occasion.
Track Obsessions: "Hopeless" has become a recent favorite of mine, but "Everyone Chooses Side" is still my absolute obsession here. It gets repeated at least twice per album listen.
Apocalypse- Bill Callahan
Call No: CD ROCK RAP CALLAHAN APOCALYPSE
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I hadn't heard of Bill Callahan or Smog until his record,
Sometimes I Wish I Was an Eagle, was listed on fellow blogger Jason's
best of 2009 list. Because I refuse admit that there are musicians that I
haven't heard of, I immediately checked him out and I have been a fan ever since. Callahan has a lo-fi sound, mixed with witty lyrics and a gloomy baritone. Apocalypse is his latest seven song EP and it ranks among his finest work.
Track Obsessions: "Drover," "Baby's Breath," and "Riding for the Feeling."
Yuck- Yuck
Call No.: CD ROCK RAP YUCK YUCK
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The cover of this album (Google it, if you must) is one my least favorites of the year. In general, this would cause me to avoid listening to all together like Cocorosie's
Grey Oceans (click on link at your own risk- you cannot un-see it!). However, I was desperate for something new to listen to and had heard good things. Yuck's sound reminded me a lot of the 90's guitar driven alternative rock like the Smashing Pumpkins that I listened to early in my high school career. In fact, with hints of the Cure and guy/ girl vocals, Yuck would have totally been my favorite band ever, if I discovered them in high school. I'm glad I checked out the album in spite of the aesthetic unpleasantness of the cover, though
Grey Oceans is still gonna be a no-go.
Track Obsessions: "Get Away," "Suck," "Sunday," and closer "Rubber."
Justine Waddell portrays the central character, Molly Gibson, a sweet and innocent young woman. Her doctor father (Bill Paterson) is loving, but protective as Molly has grown up without a mother since childhood. However, as the main story begins Molly finds herself surrounded by maternal influences. In an effort to supply her with some female guidance her father proposes to Hyacinth (Francesca Annis), a local woman with ties to the Lord and Lady of the county. Molly is naturally upset at the prospect of someone new interrupting their peaceful existence, but Molly does her best to accept her new mother. Molly herself seeks out the companionship of Mrs. Hamley (Penelope Wilton), a more amiable female influence than her new step-mother (It becomes clear that Hyacinth is, to use a twentieth century term, high maintenance). In the process, Molly also becomes close to Mr. Hamley (Michael Gambon) and their sons Osbourne and Roger. Eventually, Hyacinth's daughter Cynthia (Keeley Hawes) enters the picture and adds to the list of influential women in Molly's life. Although Cynthia has a more negative impact, the two are genuinely attached to each other (not fake-friendly as many young women in that position could/would be).
