Happy New Year everybody! It’s hard to believe 2011 is already over. I could use another six months to fully digest all the music the year had to offer. I’ll try my best to post my favorite albums and tracks much sooner than that – hopefully by late January. In the meantime, I’ve decided to kick off my year-end coverage with a list that has nothing to do with music released in 2011.

Back in 2006, I decided to post an article about my favorite musical discoveries from the past year regardless of whether the artist had released a new album that year. I called it the “New to Me” list. It gave me a chance to write about those artists that would’ve otherwise been neglected, most likely due to my habitual laziness. I’ve decided to resurrect the “New to Me” list this year to make up for only posting one Artist Spotlight in 2011. Enjoy!

CHAD VANGAALEN

After browsing a fair number of year-end lists, I’m convinced Chad VanGaalen is one of the most underrated musicians today. I discovered him back in May when he released Diaper Island, his fourth studio album. It didn’t take long for his nasally warble and off-kilter melodies to hook me. Yet for some reason Diaper Island has graced very few “Best of” lists this year.

VanGaalen is pretty reclusive so perhaps he doesn’t mind. I, on the other hand, do. After falling in love with Diaper Island, I started exploring some of his older material. With each new album VanGaalen continues to evolve and grow. Soft Airplane, his third album, contains some of his catchiest songs. “Molten Light,” which tells the tale of two brothers haunted by a vengeful woman they tried to murder, is disturbingly infectious. Make sure you’re alone before belting out the song’s refrain (“I’ll find you and I’ll kill you“) or you might frighten those around you.

The two tracks below are pulled from the previously-mentioned albums. “Sara” is from Diaper Island while “Willow Tree” is the opener from Soft Airplane. Each offers a brief glimpse into VanGaalen’s strange little world. If you like what you hear, I recommend starting with Diaper Island and working backwards.

• Chad VanGaalen – Sara
• Chad VanGaalen – Willow Tree

LAURA GIBSON

Technically I discovered Laura Gibson a few years ago. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that I finally came to fully appreciate her music. Let me explain.

One of my favorite things in life is listening to music as I fall asleep. It helps distract my mind from replaying all the embarrassing things I did earlier in the day. I started using music as a sleep aid sometime during high school, but only recently did I realize certain genres are more effective at inducing sleep than others. For example, you probably shouldn’t listen to Girl Talk if you want to fall asleep quickly, or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon if you want to avoid nightmares.

To help keep track of my favorite nighttime albums, I recently started a playlist in iTunes called “Sleepy.” It’s got Sharon Van Etten, Beach House, South San Gabriel, Sun Kil Moon, and Jason Molina, to name a few. But my all-time favorite has to be Laura Gibson: I put her music on and I’m asleep 10 minutes later.

I realize this might not sound like much of a compliment, but it’s reality. Prior to this year, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate her music because I slept through most of it. Not because it’s boring but because it’s unbelievably soothing. At the center is Laura Gibson’s effortless, beguiling voice. I struggle to find the right words to describe it, you should probably just experience it yourself.

I’ve posted two songs below for your listening pleasure. The first track, appropriately titled “Sleeper,” is from Beasts of Seasons, currently my favorite album and a great place to jump in if you like what you hear. The second song is the title track from her upcoming album La Grande, out on January 24. It’s one of her most upbeat tracks to date and could mark an exciting new direction for an incredibly talented musician.

• Laura Gibson – Sleeper
• Laura Gibson – La Grande

I’m not trying to justify the four month delay in my year-end coverage, but I’ve always found it slightly disingenuous to talk about the year’s best music in December. A little extra time can provide a lot of perspective, allowing for complete digestion of everything the year had to offer. I probably didn’t need four months to do so but I think you get the point.

So without further delay I present my Top 15 Songs of 2010. Not surprisingly, the list culls a large number of songs from my favorite albums of 2010 (which can be found here), but there are almost an equal number of tracks from albums that didn’t make the list. And it is this latter category of songs that really shines. “Out Go the Lights” might be my favorite Spoon song yet. Joanna Newsom’s “Baby Birch” is epic, gorgeous, and devastating. And the violin on Seabear’s “Cold Summer” practically brings me to tears.

I could go on like this for each song but I think it’s better to let the music do the talking. Trust me when I say they’re all incredible. The playlist below is not ranked in order of preference but instead sequenced in a way I think flows best. Use the links at the end of the post to either stream individual songs or download the entire list.

• 1. Yeasayer – Madder Red
• 2. The National – Sorrow
• 3. Broken Social Scene – Sweetest Kill
• 4. Spoon – Out Go the Lights
• 5. The Walkmen – All My Great Designs
• 6. Joanna Newsom – Baby Birch
• 7. The Love Language – Summer Dust
• 8. Seabear – Cold Summer
• 9. The Tallest Man On Earth – Love Is All
• 10. Surfer Blood – Anchorage
• 11. Titus Andronicus – Theme From “Cheers”
• 12. A Silver Mt. Zion – Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)
• 13. Kanye West – Runaway
• 14. S. Carey – Broken
• 15. Sharon Van Etten – Love More
• Download entire mix

By now, 2010 is a distant memory for most people, but it was a truly amazing year for music. So amazing I had to expand my list of favorite albums from ten to fifteen. I realize it’s almost four months late, but it gives me great pleasure to present my Top 15 Albums of 2010. Better late than never I suppose. Enjoy!

All We Grow, the gorgeous debut album from S. Carey, doesn’t make much of an initial impression. Meticulously arranged, the album meanders quietly from note to note, thought to thought, song to song. It never feels forced or hurried, instead choosing to reveal its beauty slowly with time, which, coincidentally, is my favorite kind of music.

Highlights: Broken, In the Dirt, In the Stream

I normally avoid putting “best of” compilations on year-end lists, but the Carissa’s Wierd retrospective deserves an exception. It made me fall in love with the band all over again. For those of you unfamiliar with their distinctive brand of melancholy, They’ll Only Miss You When You Leave is a fantastic introduction.

Highlights: Die, Phantom Fireworks, Sympathy Bush, Drunk With the Only Saints I Know

Oh Frightened Rabbit, you dug yourself quite a hole. Following up a record like The Midnight Organ Fight was never going to be easy. So instead of trying to climb out, the band decides to dig even deeper on The Winter of Mixed Drinks. The result: another stunning album brimming with heartache and despair.

Highlights: FootShooter, Yes I Would, The Loneliness and the Scream, Swim Until You Can’t See Land

On his sophomore album Pope Killdragon, Strand of Oaks creates an oddly enchanting little world, full of bowling accidents, lost teeth, the plague, and Dan Aykroyd. Despite the absurdity of it all, the album remains relatable and sincere, blending in just enough sentiment to keep everything in balance. It’s quite the accomplishment.

Highlights: Kill Dragon, Sterling, Daniel’s Blues

Dark, melodic, and haunting, Warpaint’s The Fool is a perfect companion for rainy days and sleepless nights. The album has it all: entrancing guitar rhythms, heavy bass lines, frenzied drum beats, and reverb-drenched vocals. After dozens of listens, I’m still unraveling its many layers, captivated by each one as it slowly peels away.

Highlights: Baby, Bees, Shadows, Set Your Arms Down

After what felt like an eternity, Menomena finally released their follow-up to Friend and Foe, one of my all-time favorite albums. It was definitely worth the wait. On Mines, the band sounds a little less defiant and a little more defeated. The album still contains plenty of fiery moments, but I find the quieter ones more compelling. It’s a gorgeous new direction for a band that continues to amaze.

Highlights: Queen Black Acid, INTIL, Tithe, Killemall

Say what you want about Kanye West and his many idiosyncrasies, there’s no denying he’s an incredible musician. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is proof. No other rapper could tackle the range of emotions he does and make it sound so effortless. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride.

Highlights: Runaway, Blame Game, All of the Lights, Power

It may take a few listens, but when the hooks finally dig in (and they will), they dig in deep. On Libraries, The Love Language perfect their infectious, bombastic blend of indie rock and pop. Let this serve as a formal warning: if you want your subconscious free of easily hummable melodies, avoid this album at all costs.

Highlights: Summer Dust, Wilmont, Brittany’s Back

Comprising only seven tracks, Sharon Van Etten’s sophomore album Epic eschews quantity for quality. From the frenetic guitar chords of the opening track “A Crime” to the lulling harmonium notes of the closer “Love More,” the album packs an impressive range of sounds and styles into a mere half hour. However, it is Van Etten’s extraordinary voice that ultimately makes Epic so memorable.

Highlights: Love More, One Day, A Crime

Prior to Teen Dream, I was a casual admirer of Beach House. Their previous albums were intriguing, but I found them to be a little monotonous at times. Teen Dream isn’t a radical change of direction for the band; instead it’s a natural progression to a fuller, more engaging sound. And I’m 100% on board, no longer just a casual admirer but a true fan.

Highlights: Walk In the Park, 10 Mile Stereo, Zebra, Silver Soul

A Silver Mt. Zion makes music that defies categorization. It is simultaneously inspiring and devastating, beautiful and frightening, engrossing and disconcerting. On Kollaps Tradixionales, the band pushes these contradictions to the breaking point. It’s an epic journey, definitely not for the faint of heart.

Highlights: There Is a Light, ‘Piphany Rambler, Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)

Apparently The National can do no wrong. Each successive album brings the band fresh accolades and hordes of adoring fans. Yet through it all they haven’t lost focus on what matters most: the music. Each new album has improved upon what made previous ones so great. High Violet is no exception, expanding the band’s signature gloomy sound to fill both bedrooms and arenas.

Highlights: Sorrow, Conversation 16, Terrible Love, Anyone’s Ghost

Listening to Meursault’s All Creatures Will Make Merry is like trying to look out through a frosted window. Initially the outside world appears cold, uninviting, and slightly out of focus. But if you get a little closer and stare long enough, the frost begins to melt, slowly revealing a pristine, snowy winter scape. To borrow a line from the album: “Some things will take time, some things time will take.”

Highlights: A Fair Exchange, Another, Song For Martin Kippenberger, Weather

Surfer Blood’s debut album Astro Coast, with its amazing lyrics, awesome hooks, and endless supply of energy, is the complete package. After listening to it continuously for the past year, I’ve found it makes a great soundtrack to pretty much anything: beach bonfires, hipster parties, regular parties, long drives, sunny days, and quiet nights. Like I said, pretty much anything.

Highlights: Anchorage, Slow Jabroni, Harmonix, Floating Vibes, Catholic Pagans

An unrelenting and chaotic celebration of self-loathing, regret, and perseverance, Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor is without a doubt my favorite record of 2010. The first few listens can be a little intimidating, but if given proper time and attention, the album’s brilliance will eventually knock you on your ass.

Highlights: Theme From Cheers, To Old Friends and New, The Battle of Hampton Roads, A More Perfect Union, A Pot In Which to Piss

Initially I didn’t think I could write this post. It seemed like an impossible task. How on earth was I supposed to come up with and then rank my favorite albums from the past decade? I have enough trouble doing it for just one year. There’s simply too much good music out there (despite my occasional whining to the contrary).

But when I really started thinking about it, I came to the following conclusion: a decade is a terrible thing to waste. In all reality, I may not get another opportunity like this. After all, who knows what I’ll be doing ten years from now. Also, musically speaking, the past decade was an important one for me. Over the course of ten years, my muted appreciation of music gradually transformed into a full-blown obsession. I now spend most of my free time searching for, writing about, and listening to music.

In the end I guess it was a pretty easy decision. I would’ve been extremely foolish to let the decade pass without weighing in on my favorite albums. It was a lot of work, but I managed to compile a list of my 30 favorite albums from 2000-2009. Not necessarily the best or most important albums, but those that had the greatest impact on me.

With all that said, I proudly present the Top 30 Albums of the Decade.

albums 30 – 21

albums 20 – 11

albums 10 – 1

Like I said, compiling this list was no easy task. In the end, tons of amazing albums got axed. Check the comments to see which ones barely missed the cut. And leave comments to let me know which albums I missed completely!

Throughout most of 2009, I struggled to find inspiration to write on my blog. If not for my monthly Mike Mixes, my site would’ve been rather quiet. So what gives? After some thought, I’ve decided that 2009 just wasn’t that great of a year for music. There was plenty of hype but very few albums actually delivered.

With that said, I’m pleasantly surprised by how my list shaped up this year. Initially I couldn’t even come up with 10 albums worthy of the honor. But after spending several weeks reexamining the year’s output, I’ve assembled a list of 10 truly amazing albums. Normally I would write short blurbs about each one but I’m a little tired after the New Year’s Day tragedy (aka accidentally deleting my entire website and having to rebuild it from scratch).

So without further ado, I present the Top 10 Albums of 2009.

I kick off my year-end coverage with the Top 10 Songs of 2009. Unlike previous years, I assigned a specific order to the songs on the list. Use the links at the end of the post to either stream individual songs or download the entire list. Leave a comment to let me know if I forgot a song or two!

10. The Big Pink – Velvet

A late addition to the list, “Velvet” is big, dramatic, and grabs your attention on first listen. Too bad the rest of The Big Pink’s debut can’t quite measure up to this fantastic song.

• The Big Pink – Velvet

9. Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot

This song pretty much has it all: great lyrics, gorgeous strings, beautiful piano melodies, thunderous drums, and (of course) an epic climax.

• Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot

8. Deer Tick – Smith Hill

What’s the best way to lament losing your true love? There are many options, but on “Smith Hill” Deer Tick choose to sing an incredible, soaring chorus. I think it’s pretty effective.

• Deer Tick – Smith Hill

7. Camera Obscura – Forests and Sands

I’m not the biggest Camera Obscura fan, but something about “Forests and Sands” really gets me. I love how the instrumentation perfectly matches the sorrowful lyrics.

• Camera Obscura – Forests and Sands

6. Hurray For the Riff Raff – Daniella

I’ve said this before but it needs repeating: the intro to “Daniella” is one of the most beautiful and relaxing pieces of music I’ve ever heard. The rest of the song is icing on the cake.

• Hurray For the Riff Raff – Daniella

5. Built to Spill – Things Fall Apart

The song title pretty much says it all. On “Things Fall Apart” Built to Spill temporarily abandon their signature detachment for a more personal (and vulnerable) sound.

• Built to Spill – Things Fall Apart

4. Loney, Dear – Distant Lights

I had a very difficult time picking just one song from Dear John. On an album full of amazing tracks, “Distant Lights” shines slightly brighter than the rest.

• Loney, Dear – Distant Lights

3. Arctic Monkeys – Dance Little Liar

Every time I listen to this song I fall in love with a different part. First it was the hair-raising guitar solo. Then the monstrous drum beat. Now the cryptic lyrics. I can’t wait to see what’ll be next!

• Arctic Monkeys – Dance Little Liar

2. Brand New – Bought a Bride

On “Bought a Bride” Brand New sound almost unhinged. I thought their old material was as intense as it gets. I was wrong. This song is on another level.

• Brand New – Bought a Bride

1. The Antlers – Two

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. I’ve been obsessed with this song since first hearing it back in June. Heartbreaking and epic, “Two” is damn near perfect.

• The Antlers – Two

Download all 10 songs in a zip file below!

• Download entire mix

I didn’t actually see that many concerts in 2008, but the ones I did were incredible. So incredible that I’ve decided to spend an entire post reliving my favorite ones. This will effectively end my coverage of the best music of 2008. ‘Twas a great year, but I have a feeling 2009 will be even better!

MY MORNING JACKET
Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA :: September 19, 2008

From the very start, I wasn’t feeling this show. A heavy mist blanketed the Greek as My Morning Jacket took stage. They quickly launched into newer songs like “Evil Urges,” “Off the Record,” and “Aluminum Park” — definitely not my favorites. I worried the rest of the show would be similar. I thought about leaving early: the risk of catching pneumonia outweighed any enjoyment I might get from staying for the entire concert.

Or so I thought. After 30 minutes, the mist began to lift and MMJ started playing some older stuff. Before I knew it, I was rocking out on my air guitar (like an idiot) to songs like “Phone Went West” and “Dondante.”

Never before has this happened to me at a concert. Not the air guitar. I do that more than I care to admit. No, what I’m talking about is the complete turn around in my attitude. Usually once I lose interest, I’m not coming back. Yet somehow MMJ brought me back. Not an easy task. Well done, boys, well done.

• My Morning Jacket – Tyrone

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
HSBG 8, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA :: October 5, 2008

This is the story about how Justin Townes Earle singlehandedly saved my first experience at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (or HSBG for short).

Getting to Golden Gate Park was quite the adventure, involving a Muni train packed to the gills, a cab ride cut short by insufficient funds, and a 15-block walk. When we finally arrived, we navigated through a sea of people to the stage where Iron & Wine was scheduled to play. We grabbed some overpriced (but delicious!) food and eventually found a spot to sit.

Despite a huge tree blocking my view of the stage, I was excited to see Iron & Wine play again. I became even more excited when Sam Beam took the stage for an entirely acoustic show. Sadly, my excitement didn’t last long. Sam listlessly stumbled through a set of music that should’ve been amazing.

After the disappointing first act, we again cut through a sea of people to the stage where Justin Townes Earle was playing. Thankfully, he was on a smaller stage. The sparse crowd made it much easier to find great seats. By the time Justin took stage, I felt a little better.

Over the course of the next hour my mood would only improve. Justin put on a remarkable show. Every song he played was a journey, transporting us to a simpler time and place. We were no longer in Golden Gate Park; we were somewhere in the south. Perhaps Tennessee or Georgia.

Throughout this journey, Justin effortlessly jumped between genres — from folk to rock to swing to blues. His bandmate Cory (aka “Swiss Army knife”) helped make it all possible. He played nearly every instrument under the sun. But he absolutely killed it on the harmonica. It was quite the sight.

But the true highlight of the show came at the end. Justin closed his set with an incredible version of “A Desolate Angels Blues.” The studio version of this song sends chills down my spine, especially the part near the end when everything cuts out except Justin’s vocals. But the live version was even better. The concert couldn’t have ended on a better note.

And that’s how Justin Townes Earle single-handedly saved HSBG 8.

• Justin Townes Earle – A Desolate Angels Blues

GRAND ARCHIVES w/ SERA CAHOONE
Slim’s, San Francisco, CA :: June 28, 2008

I already wrote about this concert here. Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything new to add to my review except for the following thoughts.

The timing of this show was perfect. My obsession with Sera Cahoone was beginning to fade and I hadn’t really given Grand Archives the attention they deserved. But witnessing both bands put on an amazing show rejuvenated my interest in their music.

I’m seeing Sera again at the end of this month (unfortunately, Grand Archives have been replaced by Fruit Bats). If it’s even half as good as the first time, we are all in for a real treat!

• Sera Cahoone – Happy When I’m Gone
• Grand Archives – Sleepdriving

According to iTunes, my 10 most played songs of 2008 come from only two albums: Frightened Rabbit’s The Midnight Organ Fight and Sera Cahoone’s Only As the Day Is Long. Which probably explains how these two albums found themselves at the top of my Top 10 Albums of 2008 list. But my most played tracks in iTunes are not my Top 10 Songs of 2008 for a couple reasons. First, it would be a little boring. Second, I would probably run into legal issues if I posted half the songs from those two albums.

With that said, I present my actual list below. The songs are ordered in a way that I think flows best. A zip file containing all 10 tracks is provided below for your convenience. Enjoy!

• 1. Drive-By Truckers – Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife

  Starts the mix off on a sad note, though it’s hard to tell because it’s such a pretty song.

• 2. Shearwater – Rooks

  So intense and haunting, yet so gorgeous. Amazing guitar riff.

• 3. Sera Cahoone – Only As the Day Is Long

  Simple but powerful drum beat. Probably my favorite song of 2008.

• 4. Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines

  I loved this song the first time I heard it – very infectious and fun.

• 5. Frightened Rabbit – The Twist

  Another catchy song. Sounds best when played loud. Very loud.

• 6. Frightened Rabbit – Backwards Walk

  Amazing lyrics. Eases the transition to the slower songs that follow.

• 7. Grand Archives – George Kaminski

  Didn’t really appreciate this one until I heard it live – simply stunning.

• 8. Bon Iver – Skinny Love

  You can literally hear the emotion pouring from Justin Vernon as he belts out the chorus.

• 9. Justin Townes Earle – Far Away In Another Town

  Perfectly captures a sentiment I’ve always hoped to be true (but probably isn’t).

• 10. Sera Cahoone – Seven Hours Later

  Ends the mix on a sad note – bringing the whole thing full circle.

• Download entire mix

SHEARWATER
Rook

It’s official. With Rook, Shearwater has fully stepped out of the giant shadow cast by Okkervil River. This isn’t the first time I’ve said this, but it’s definitely true. It’s been fun watching the band’s progression. With each new release, Shearwater continues to put more and more distance between itself and Okkervil River. Hopefully, Rook is just one of many more albums to come from this incredible band.

• Shearwater – Rooks

GRAND ARCHIVES
The Grand Archives

This may sound a little strange, but Grand Archives’ self-titled debut is like an old friend. No matter how much time passes between contact, conversations continue as though you’d just talked to your friend yesterday. And the time you spend together only reminds you why you liked this person so much in the first place. Every time I listen to The Grand Archives, I wonder why I don’t listen to it more often.

• Grand Archives – George Kaminski

THE WALKMEN
You & Me

When I wrote about You & Me a few months ago, I said, “Right now, ‘On the Water’ is my favorite track, but this will probably change on a weekly basis.” As it turns out, I was right. My favorite song this week is “If Only It Were True.” I consider this to be the hallmark of a great album – one that reveals itself slowly in layers.

• The Walkmen – If Only It Were True

THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE
Hometowns

Hometowns was a last minute addition to this list. If I had a little more time with the album, it probably would crack my top 5. But the mere fact that it even made the list stands as a testament to its amazingness. Normally I wouldn’t even consider an album I just started listening to 3 weeks ago, but The Rural Alberta Advantage is one of the best new bands I’ve heard in a long time. They definitely deserve this spot.

• The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place

BON IVER
For Emma, Forever Ago

Technically first released in 2007, For Emma, Forever Ago was easily my most anticipated album of 2008. And it did not disappoint. Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon) manages to do a lot with very little. He makes sounds with an acoustic guitar I didn’t think possible. He loops and layers his gorgeous vocals to haunting effect. It all adds up to one of the most original and innovative albums of 2008.

• Bon Iver – For Emma

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH
Shallow Grave

The most impressive thing about Shallow Grave is how effortless it sounds. There must be something in the water in Sweden. Using just an acoustic guitar and occasionally a banjo, The Tallest Man On Earth (aka Kristian Matsson) walks a narrow line between intensity and beauty. It’s an impressive debut from a talented singer-songwriter.

• The Tallest Man On Earth – Where Do My Bluebird Fly

SIGUR RÓS
Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

I’m getting a little worried. I’m starting to hear Sigur Rós everywhere: commercials, TV shows, movie trailers, soundtracks. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Their music is disgustingly gorgeous. And Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust is no exception. If anything surprises me, it’s that it took the TV and movie people so long to discover this amazing band.

• Sigur Rós – Illgresi

FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes

The first time I heard Fleet Foxes I got a little angry. They sounded eerily similar to early My Morning Jacket, which I did not appreciate. But because I was desperate for some classic MMJ, I decided to give them a try. I’m glad I did. The more I listen to them, the less they sound like MMJ. It took a little time, but Fleet Foxes’ soaring vocals and melodies definitely grew on me. Much more than I ever imagined.

• Fleet Foxes – Your Protector

SERA CAHOONE
Only As the Day Is Long

For the record, Only As the Day Is Long could’ve easily held down the No. 1 spot on this list. 2008 was the year I discovered the beauty of Americana/folk music and, without a doubt, Sera Cahoone was the highlight of this incredible genre. Sadly, I never featured her on my Artist Spotlight series as I originally planned. I just couldn’t find the right words (and doubt I ever will). Just know that Sera writes simple, gorgeous, heartbreaking music.

• Sera Cahoone – You’re Not Broken

FRIGHTENED RABBIT
The Midnight Organ Fight

There’s not much more to say about these guys that I haven’t already said. Maybe the only thing left to do is justify why they grabbed the top spot. On a typical album, I usually figure out my favorite track(s) within the first few listens. But on The Midnight Organ Fight, this didn’t happen. It is truly a complete album, which in the age of the digital single is a remarkable achievement.

• Frightened Rabbit – Head Rolls Off

I begin my coverage of the best music of 2008 by resurrecting an idea from two years ago. It’s called the “New to Me” list and it has nothing to do with music released in 2008. Instead, it gathers a few excellent bands that I discovered this year, even though they have been around much, much longer. You might also call it the “I’m Embarrassed to Admit It Took Me So Long to Discover These Bands” list.

JOSH RITTER

Last time I talked about Josh Ritter, I got a little carried away. I went on a mini rant about how Ritter, as a singer-songwriter, gets very little love from certain critics. Since writing that post, I’ve come to terms with the fact that not everyone will like the same music as me.

Despite a few lukewarm critical reviews, I really like Josh Ritter. Over the course of 5 albums, he’s changed his sound quite a bit. On Golden Age of Radio, my favorite Ritter album, he sounds like a twangy Dylan. On Hello Starling, he sounds like a folk troubadour. And on Animal Years, he sounds like an apocalyptic indie rocker.

Regardless of his sound, Ritter has maintained his knack for writing simple, affecting songs. To understand what I’m talking about, just listen to “Here At the Right Time,” the closing track on The Animal Years. It doesn’t get much better.

• Josh Ritter – Here At the Right Time

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

It’s crazy to think about how a simple action or decision can have huge consequences. At the trivial end of the spectrum, there’s the decision about which song to first listen to when you discover a new band. If you choose the wrong one, you might never listen to that band again.

That’s almost what happened to the Drive-By Truckers. A few year ago, after reading some glowing reviews, I decided to give the Truckers a try. I think I listened to “Puttin’ People On the Moon.” The song’s odd pacing and hostile tone turned me off big time. I probably stopped the track halfway through, shelving the band after hearing only two minutes of their music.

Earlier this year, the Truckers released Brighter Than Creation’s Dark and again I read some pretty good reviews. I decided to give the band one last shot. This time, however, I listened to “Goddamn Lonely Love.” What a difference a song makes: it’s way more mellow than “Puttin’ People On the Moon.” If you’re a fan of sad bastard music like I am, you will absolutely love it. After a while, you might even warm up to “Puttin’ People On the Moon” (as I have).

• Drive-By Truckers – Goddamn Lonely Love

CARISSA’S WIERD

Why is it nearly impossible to track down anything released by Carissa’s Wierd? I’d really appreciate it if someone could answer this question for me. I’ve only been able to track down Songs About Leaving, which isn’t even their best album. The rest I had to download “illegally.”

I put the word illegally in quotes because I seriously doubt I’m breaking any laws by downloading an album that is out of print (and therefore can’t be purchased legally). Please correct me if I’m wrong. Anyways, after a little searching, I found a blog where you can download the band’s entire catalog (here).

And while I love free music, I wish I at least had the option to purchase their albums. Carissa’s Wierd wrote some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard (though sometimes their song titles can get a little out of hand — see below for proof). Unfortunately, the band split up in 2003 after releasing only 3 albums. I guess they wanted to end on a high note.

Update (11/30/2011): the band has recorded two new songs “Tucson” and “Meredith & Iris.” In addition, their entire catalog is now available for purchase here or through your favorite digital retailer. Please consider legally purchasing their music if you like what you hear!

• Carissa’s Wierd – Ignorant Piece of Shit