Here’s my big intro to this blog: Its new. It’ll be mostly about music with a few pictures sprinkled in and also some posts about some of my other interests (but mostly music). So there you have it…lets get right to it.
Every year, long after I’ve completed my Albums of the Year List, I come across a few albums from the previous year that I never got around to getting a hold of for whatever reason. So for the first few months of 2009, I’ve been listening to a good bit of 2008 releases that I missed out on last year. So what are some of these albums? Well thank you for asking. Here they are in no particular order.
Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound
Blind Pilot is made up of a couple guys from Portland, Oregon and while they aren’t breaking any new ground, it’s clear they are great songwriters. I heard about these guys last year on NPR, but never really gave a listen until NPR featured Blind Pilot’s SXSW show on their Live Concert Series. After that, I got 3 Rounds and a Sound right away and haven’t stopped listening ever since. Currently on tour with fellow Portlanders The Decemberists, people like to consider them a folkier version of The Shins, which I can see. I can also see them experiencing a breakout similar to what The Shins went through as soon as they release a follow up to this wonderful debut. (And no, I didn’t get the name of the blog from this album title.)
[“One Red Thread” – 3 Rounds and a Sound]
Yet another folk band from Portland, Blitzen Trapper was actually one of the breakout bands of 2008, but for some reason I never got around to getting this release. Once I got an itunes giftcard for Christmas, this album was tops on my list to get. Furr is the fourth full-length from these guys but first on Sub Pop Records. It’s a fine album and the title track is easily the highlight of the album and one of the best tracks of 2008.
[“Furr” – Furr]
Marching Band – Spark Large
I checked these guys out thanks to a recommendation from a friend who discovered the band at this year’s SXSW. And man, this is catchy indie pop at its best. The Swedish band uses some great harmonies and fine percussion to create what I consider a more standard and twee version of Anathallo (although not quite as ambitious). I would like to see them change things up sonically a little more from song to song, as the album can get a little repetitive. However, Spark Large is only their debut album so there’s plenty of time to grow, but for now this is an insanely entertaining and fun listen.
[“For Your Love” – Spark Large]
Son Lux – At War With Walls and Mazes
At War With Walls and Mazes is the debut full length from New York based Ryan Lott, aka Son Lux. The album was released on anticon records which is home to some hip-hop and electronica versions of post rock acts. So yeah, Son Lux is kind of hard to describe. Robin Hilton of NPR’s All Songs Considered voted Son Lux as his best new artist of 2008 and this release as the top unknown album of last year. The music consists of tightly composed soundscapes and is an emotionally draining album. But it certainly isn’t for everybody.
[“Break” – At War With Walls and Mazes]
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
This guy was one of the discoveries Carrie Brownstein talked about on NPR’s SXSW ’09 Wrap Up show and the song featured, “Buriedfed”, starts off slow before erupting to anthemic proportions that took me by storm. I quickly got the album and have been very impressed by this self titled debut from Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. It takes a lot for me to get into any singer-songwriter, but there’s something special about MBAR and it doesn’t hurt that he gets contributions from members of Grizzly Bear and TV on the Radio to help out with this release.
[“Buriedfed” – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson]
The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
Of all the ’08 releases that I’ve gotten into since 2008 ended, this album (and maybe Blind Pilot’s) is the only release that could’ve battled for a top 10 spot in my albums of the year list. I was introduced to these guys when eMusic named The ’59 Sound their album of 2008 and after checking Pitchfork to find a review of 8.6, I still can’t figure out how I missed them. These guys are a straight up rock band similar to The Hold Steady, but even more of a retro throwback to Springsteen and pull it off perfectly. This is their second full-length album, but whenever they decide to release their follow up, I certainly won’t plan on missing out on that one.
[“The ’59 Sound” – The ’59 Sound]
A Round of Sound 
Yay, Brian! It looks great! I’m really excited about the music (and other stuff!) education I’m about to receive. 🙂
yes cate, you should be excited…very excited.
[…] loved loved loved MBAR’s self titled debut album released in 2008 (I even mentioned it in my first ever AROS post), which is why I am so disappointed in this absolute mess of an album, Summer of Fear. A few of […]