It pains me to say this, but winter is officially over. I put in my last day of snowboarding earlier this week and after today my favorite Lake Tahoe resort is closed for the season. I could easily spend the next few paragraphs complaining about how I won’t be able to snowboard for the next 8 months. But no one wants to hear that. And truthfully, I’m pretty excited for spring (and summer).

So to help gear up for all the fun in the sun, my latest Mini Mix highlights 3 albums that are poised to get a ton of plays as the temperature rises. Also, this post should purge the backlog of music created by my recent lack of activity. Enjoy!

PETE AND THE PIRATES
Little Death

I must’ve debated buying this album for over a month. Looking back, I don’t know why I waffled so much. Over a dozen glowing reviews on eMusic should’ve clued me in to what I was missing: effortless, off-kilter indie pop from the UK. In their debut, Pete and the Pirates have crafted an album brimming with infectious hooks and clever lyrics. “She Doesn’t Belong to Me” is a fantastic example. In just under two minutes, the band packs in more hooks and one-liners than most can fit in an entire album. The rest of Little Death is just as good.

Learn more about Pete and the Pirates at the following sites:

         

[mp3] Pete and the Pirates :: She Doesn’t Belong to Me

HARLEM SHAKES
Technicolor Health

I just started listening to Harlem Shakes but already I can tell their debut has a lot of potential (and also a beautiful album cover). The band has generated a fair amount of buzz and it is well deserved. Technicolor Health is both energetic and engaging. And while it might not break any new ground, it sounds great from start to finish (which itself is quite an accomplishment). It’s a little too early for me to say much more about the album, but I definitely look forward to blasting it in my car as I cruise around this summer.

Learn more about Harlem Shakes at the following sites:

         

[mp3] Harlem Shakes :: Strictly Game

MILES BENJAMIN ANTHONY ROBINSON
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

I’m surprised by how quickly I’ve warmed to Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. After my first few listens, I felt overwhelmed and somewhat put off by the chaotic nature of his music. The 10 songs on his self-titled debut seemed to lack both structure and melody. At the same time, however, I was also intrigued by the chaos. After the next few listens, melodies began to emerge. Right now, my favorite track is the epic opener “Buriedfed,” though I’m sure this will change as I continue to untangle this gem.

Learn more about Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson at the following sites:

       

[mp3] Miles Benjamin Anthony Davis :: Buriedfed

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

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.

[mp3] My Morning Jacket :: Tyrone

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE :: HSBG 8, GOLDEN GATE PARK, SAN FRANCISCO, CA :: OCTOBER 5

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 singlehandedly saved HSBG 8.

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle :: A Desolate Angels Blues

GRAND ARCHIVES with SERA CAHOONE :: SLIM’S, SAN FRANCISCO, CA :: JUNE 28

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!

[mp3] Sera Cahoone :: Happy When I’m Gone
[mp3] 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 the above songs are not my Top 10 Songs of 2008 for several reason. 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. And third, my most-played tracks in iTunes are not necessarily my favorite songs of 2008.

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!

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.

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,” which can be downloaded for free at the band’s website here. 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).

[mp3] Drive-By Truckers :: Goddamn Lonely Love

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.

[mp3] Josh Ritter :: Here At the Right Time

CARISSA’S WEIRD

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.

[mp3] Carissa’s Wierd :: Ignorant Piece of Shit

For the past year or so, I’ve felt the overwhelming desire to move up north for the winter and live by myself in a cabin. Kind of like Bon Iver, but not really (mostly because I doubt anything as beautiful as For Emma, Forever Ago would result). Also, I’d want to go somewhere more mountainous and snowy than Wisconsin. Probably either Alaska or western Canada.

The reasons for this are multiple. First, I want to experience the full intensity of winter (I love cold and snow). Second, I want to gaze upon the Northern Lights in all their glory. And third, I want to see how I respond to prolonged periods of darkness and isolation.

So when a good friend suggested I read North Into the Night, a story about a guy who spends a winter alone in the Arctic, I happily obliged. At the very least, it would be an entertaining read, and might even help me prepare for my adventure.

Without giving too much of the book away, the guy nearly goes crazy after spending over 5 months in complete darkness and isolation. He sleeps for days on end and often loses control of his temper and sanity. Even though my proposed adventure wouldn’t be as intense, his story filled me with apprehension. Could I really go 5 months without seeing another person?

All of this got me thinking about the nature of isolation. After some serious reflection, I’ve come up with two kinds (though I’m sure there’s more). The first type of isolation, as described in North Into the Night, is largely physical; the author (Alvah Simon) ventured to a part of the world that few inhabit, so quite naturally he was alone. The second kind of isolation is best illustrated by the story told in Justin Townes Earle’s heartbreaking song “Yuma.” The isolation he portrays is mostly psychological; the (hopefully) fictional character feels completely alone even when surrounded by scores of people in a city.

I think psychological isolation is easier to sympathize with and understand. Most of us live in populated areas. Yet somehow the constant presence of other people doesn’t always fight back feelings of isolation and loneliness. Especially with the rise in popularity of iPods and personal music players. Just pop in those little white ear buds and the surrounding world disappears!

Anyways, if you like the song posted below, I highly recommend listening to the rest of Justin Townes Earle’s EP Yuma, as well as his LP The Good Life. He has an amazing voice and a knack for penning gorgeous songs that perfectly articulate those universal feelings of heartbreak and loneliness. Which, coincidentally, sound amazing through the ear buds of an iPod.

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle :: Yuma

I write this post from a strange and distant land: I am currently visiting the frozen, sunless wilderness known as Canada. Specifically, I am in Lake Louise, a gorgeous glacial lake nestled in the Canadian Rockies.

Despite the weak dollar, I recommend all Americans venture north of the border at least once before passing judgment upon their quirky neighbors. Canada truly is a unique place, not a “frozen, sunless wilderness” (at least not all the time).

On top of all the natural beauty, Canada also has a pretty amazing music scene. As many of you probably know, several popular indie rock bands call Canada home, including The New Pornographers, Wolf Parade, and The Arcade Fire.

What you may not know, however, is that Canada also hosts a solid alt country/folk scene. Canadianicana, if you will. This regional mix highlights a few of my favorite artists.

JULIE DOIRON

Blessed with an amazingly expressive voice, Julie Doiron plays music that reminds me of early Cat Power (which is, coincidentally, my favorite Cat Power): dark and moody, somber and bluesy. Doiron’s best tracks feature just her voice, an electric guitar, and maybe some drums. Goodnight Nobody is my favorite album, though I have yet to explore her extensive catalog in depth.

[mp3] Julie Doiron :: Snow Falls In November

KATHLEEN EDWARDS

Kathleen Edwards (unfairly) had some big shoes to fill. After discovering (and becoming obsessed with) Sera Cahoone, I desperately tried to find similar female singer-songwriters to satisfy my insatiable appetite for quiet, thoughtful Americana. Luckily, I stumbled upon Kathleen Edwards. A little feistier than Cahoone, Edwards’ music is also more emotionally charged. The track posted below, however, is one of her mellower songs. To get a more complete taste of Edwards’ style, check out a stunning acoustic version of “Asking For Flowers” at Amazon (it’s free – download it here).

[mp3] Kathleen Edwards :: Goodnight, California

HAYDEN

Lyrics tend to take center stage on Hayden’s albums. Consider, for example, the following excerpt: “Women adored me / For the sad look in my eyes / Now they ignore me / For getting on with my life.” Simply amazing. And the music usually keeps pace. It’s been fun delving into some of Hayden’s older material; he has definitely matured and mellowed with age. The track posted below is off his latest album In Field & Town, which is his most concise and consistent to date.

[mp3] Hayden :: Damn This Feeling

JUSTIN RUTLEDGE

Justin Rutledge is an underrated singer-songwriter from Toronto. Though his latest album sometimes veers into the dangerous land of adult contemporary, his debut album No Never Alone is spectacular. Listening to “1855″ makes me wish I could travel back to a more simple time. And “Alberta Breeze” may very well be the theme song to my vacation.

“Now I try to keep a steady hand / ‘Cause I’m living in a shaky land / Lord I try to be an honest man / But it’s tougher than I ever planned“

[mp3] Justin Rutledge :: 1855
[mp3] Justin Rutledge :: Alberta Breeze

Last night was, in a word, amazing. Simply amazing. One of those experiences that rejuvenates your soul and makes the daily grind seem almost tolerable. My previous encounter with this feeling came a year ago when I saw Menomena at the Independent (and probably also this past winter while snowboarding).

Last night Sera Cahoone and Grand Archives played at Slim’s in San Francisco and it was easily one of the best concerts I’ve seen. Both acts were exceptional. Sera opened the show with a set that couldn’t have been more perfect. Highlights included “Only As the Day Is Long,” “Baker Lake,” “Happy When I’m Gone,” “Couch Song,” and an incredible version of “You’re Not Broken.” Her vocals were spot-on and her backing band equally impressive (especially the guy on lap steel).

Following her set, she sat at the merch table and chatted with fans. I asked her to sign my copy of Only As the Day Is Long and happily purchased a t-shirt from her. I hope she starts headlining shows in the future. She is a phenomenal musician and songwriter.

It took me a little while to come down from my Cahoone-induced high, but when I did, I found myself in the middle of the Grand Archives’ set. I honestly would’ve been happy if they played “Sleepdriving” and nothing else, but I actually enjoyed some of their other songs more, especially “Torn Blue Foam Couch,” “George Kaminski,” and a raucous version of “Crime Window.” The true highlight, however, was a duet version of “Louis Riel” featuring Sera Cahoone and Mat Brooke.

The show ended around 11:30pm but I wanted more. Unfortunately, this was the last stop of their tour, so I can’t tell you to go see them for yourself. Which is a true shame because they all looked like they were having a great time playing together. Instead of catching them live, I recommend reading my previous posts (here and here), downloading the songs below, and purchasing their albums if you enjoy. And then hope they decide to tour together again in the future.

[mp3] Sera Cahoone :: Only As the Day Is Long
[mp3] Sera Cahoone :: Happy When I’m Gone
[mp3] Grand Archives :: Sleepdriving
[mp3] Grand Archives :: Torn Blue Foam Couch

As it turns out, coming up with full length mixes is not only difficult but also takes up a lot of space on my server. Also, I’ve found that attention spans tend to be pretty short. So to address these issues, I’m introducing yet another project. I call it the “Mini Mix:” 4 or 5 songs revolving around a central theme.

This post is dedicated to my Aunt Judy, who passed away March 29 and will be dearly missed.

I apologize for the long hiatus, but the songs on my first Mini Mix should make up for my absence. They are nothing short of brilliant. Upon first listen, the songs are strikingly beautiful, packed with catchy melodies and gorgeous harmonies. Subsequent listens, however, reveal an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. I think the word that best describes this mix is bittersweet (hence the title).

Appropriately, all these songs fit my current mood: happy on the surface, yet for some inexplicable reason tinged with a profound sadness on the inside. I think I will let the songs do the rest of the talking.

• [mp3] Drive-By Truckers :: Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife
• [mp3] Hayden :: Home By Saturday
• [mp3] Sera Cahoone :: Only As the Day Is Long
• [mp3] Jason Collett :: Somehow
• [mp3] Justin Townes Earle :: Far Away In Another Town

Hell, you might even call this straight-up country music, except I fear that that label could repel potential listeners. After all, how many times have you heard or said, “I listen to pretty much anything except country music.”

Instead of going on one of my nonsensical rants about why the majority of country music sucks, I’m going to use this post to explain what I think good country music should sound like. Specifically, why I love each and every one of the tracks below. As always, enjoy in the order posted!

Without a doubt my favorite Josh Ritter song, I had an extremely difficult time writing his Artist Spotlight without mentioning this song. A rollicking country rocker, “Golden Age of Radio” starts the mix off on an upbeat note. “Have mercy on this boy who did it all by the book but still kinda has his doubts”

[mp3] Josh Ritter :: Golden Age of Radio

Another classic Josh Ritter song, “Me & Jiggs” even mentions sitting on the porch. When I listen to this song, I’m reminded of all the good times I’ve had with friends in the past. “Sitting on the porch singing Townes Van Zandt”

[mp3] Josh Ritter :: Me & Jiggs

This is the song that got me hooked on Drive-By Truckers. One of their more mellow tracks, “Danko/Manuel” serves as a nice transition to the slower songs coming up. It also serves as a great introduction to an amazing band. “I ain’t living like I should”

[mp3] Drive-By Truckers :: Danko/Manuel

Possibly the twangiest song on the mix, “Can’t Have It” only reinforces why I love The Everybodyfields: great melodies and vocal harmonies. “Can’t sleep if my eyes won’t let me”

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Can’t Have It

Similar in sound to the previous song, “Annabelle” features the gorgeous vocals of Gillian Welch as she laments about bad luck and hard times in the South. “Until we’ve all gone to Jesus we can only wonder why”

[mp3] Gillian Welch :: Annabelle

Another powerful Truckers song, “Sounds Better In the Song” deals with letting go of a love who has moved on. Acoustic and intimate, the song is a nice change of pace for the band. “A heart that wants to live and a soul that wants to give can’t just sit at home alone”

[mp3] Drive-By Truckers :: Sounds Better In the Song

NOTE: If you download only one track, make it this one! “I Can’t Sleep” is perfection. Words cannot describe the love I have for this song. The lyrics are about as personal and affecting as they get. “I can’t sleep ’cause I don’t dream of you anymore”

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: I Can’t Sleep

The title of this track pretty much tell the story. If you aren’t sold on the Drive-By Truckers by now, there might not be any hope left. “Well I ain’t really falling asleep I’m fading to black”

[mp3] Drive-By Truckers :: Goddamn Lonely Love

A great story about a booze-smuggling son and his untimely encounter with the cops. Despite its subject matter, “Out On the Highway” is surprisingly emotional and affecting. “Out on the highway, son be careful, your mother sure loves you”

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Out On the Highway

Not originally part of the mix, this song brings everything full circle. Amazing how different the live version sounds, which is no doubt a tribute to Josh Ritter’s talent.

[mp3] Josh Ritter :: Golden Age of Radio [live]