The Lists: Top 20 Albums of 2009 (11-20)

Here it is folks! Expanded for 2009, my
Top 20 Albums of the Year - Part I.

20. Wye Oak - The Knot
Merge, 7.21.2009
It's a loud, alt-rock album kept country with a heavy dose of steel guitar. Wye Oak is Jenn Wasner (guitar, vocals) and Andy Stack (drums, vocals). If being signed to Merge Records isn't enough, the beauty of The Knot, their sophomore album, should help bring some attention going into the next decade.

Wye Oak - For Prayer
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

19. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Nonesuch, 6.26.2009
The boldly titled seventh album from alt-country mainstay Wilco did not disappoint. Jeff Tweedy continues to provide welcoming melodies and infectious guitar licks overlain with his unmistakably heavyhearted vocals. Each time I listen, I find a new favorite track. In fact, as I write this, I already wish I would have placed it higher in this list.

Wilco - I'll Fight
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

18. Slaid Cleaves - Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away
Music Road, 4.21.2009
Folk storyman Slaid Cleaves may not pump out albums, but for our patience we get carefully crafted song showcases that continually impress. While Everything You Love doesn't have a 'Broke Down,' there remain 11 songs filled with first-person experience that only Slaid could recount with such ease and grace.

Slaid Cleaves - Black T-Shirt
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

17. Stephanie Briggs - Birds Barely Know Us
Smith Entertainment, 3.31.2009
It's strange that out of all the Texas acts I used to follow, a female, Stephanie Briggs, would bring an album that follows the general direction to which my musical tastes have shifted. What's not so strange is that running around with the likes of Cody Canada, Stephanie learned how to use a guitar the right way. Calling New Braunfels, TX home, Stephanie (guitar, vocals) and husband Matthew (percussion, vocals) offer a freshly energetic album with an indie-edge.

Stephanie Briggs - Private Parts
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

16. The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock
Team Love, 4.7.2009
Since 2007's Tonight At The Arizona, each of The Felice Brothers' albums have become slightly less enjoyable - mainly due to too much album-filler. But just as I passed through Yonder Is The Clock to check inventory, I remembered just how good the good ones are. Ian Felice can strike my fancy just as easily with a raucous barn-burner as he can with a plaintive dirge. Read my original review.

The Felice Brothers - Boy From Lawrence County
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][iTunes]

15. Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses - Roadhouse Sun
Lost Highway, 6.2.2009
Another product of the Texas Music scene, Ryan Bingham emerged with the basics only to build upon them to gain national success. I'll admit, if I hadn't found this album for $3.99 on Amazon, I most-likely wouldn't have given it a shot this year. Sure glad I did - Roadhouse Sun is a dustblown disc expertly arranged with the fullest sound to come from Ryan yet.

Ryan Bingham - Change Is
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

14. Great Bloomers - Speak of Trouble
Maple Music Recordings, 4.21.2009
The Great Bloomers came out of nowhere (actually Canada) and brought us an easy choice for a top 20 list. Lowell Sostomi and crew offer piano-fueled, guitar-aided, harmony-highlighted folk-pop that oozes optimism. Listed first in their 'influence' column are The Beach Boys, and nowhere does that 'influence' ring truer than when they institute deft 4-part harmonies. Speak of Trouble jauntily guides you though 11 tracks of unique arrangements and sticky melodies.

Great Bloomers - Admit Defeat
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

13. Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend
ATO, 8.18.2009
This is Brendan Benson's fourth solo album, but remains the only one I've heard. I was first introduced to Brendan when he joined forces with Jack White in The Raconteurs. When I heard My Old, Familiar Friend, it was quickly evident how much of Consolers was influenced by Brendan. If you like the pop melodies and smooth vocals from The Raconteurs, Brendan Benson comes highly recommended. First order of business for 2010: check out Benson's back catalog.

Brendan Benson - Garbage Day
[Vinyl][CD][eMusic][iTunes]

12. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
Sony/American, 9.29.2009
Just two short years after The Avett Brothers topped my list of albums, it seems they are already the clichéd choice. Good news for them, but as you'll remember from my original review, (sorta) bad news for me. Their meteoric rise from obscurity landed them in the studio with Rick Rubin for 2009's I And Love And You. His polished touch on the album created a different sound that initially rubbed some of us the wrong way. From the small sampling of reviews I found that weren't fawning over the disc, one common theme emerged: This album will grow on you. While in its second listening round, the album hit me in a different way. Once I got over the production choices, all that was left were the songs. And they were good.

The Avett Brothers - And It Spread
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

11. These United States - Everything Touches Everything
United Interests, 9.1.2009
Reigning Best Album champs These United States released their third disc in just two years. Last year's Crimes was my choice for Best Album last year, but interestingly enough, I couldn't find a song from it to include in my Best Songs list. The same approach was taken with 2009's Everything Touches Everything, in which Jesse Elliot crafted a cohesive album. None of the songs were written with a single in mind, but rather each was written as an equally important element to the disc. Maybe it's not quite as good as Crimes (due mainly to the fact that its opener was a stellar, thematic lead-in), but still an immense joy to listen to - and that's all that matters.

These United States - I'm Gonna Assemble A City
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]


----------------------------------
Continue to Part II (Albums 1-10)....
2009's Top 5 EP's
2009's Best Videos

----------------------------------
Refresh your memory with last year's lists:
Top EPs
Top Songs
Top Albums, pt 1
Top Albums, pt 2

The Lists: Best Videos of 2009

Here's an unranked group of some of the best music videos from 2009. I didn't scour the internet (or god-forbid watch MTV/CMT) for every video made this year. They are basically taken from those artists in my Top 20 Albums list (coming soon) that happened to make videos this year.

These United States - Everything Touches Everything


The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin


The Avett Brothers - Slight Figure of Speech


Bombadil - So Many Ways To Die


Dan Auerbach - Heartbroken, In Disrepair


Middle Distance Runner - The Unbeliever


Sea Wolf - Wicked Blood


Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better

I And Love And You: The Curious Case of the Missing Banjo...

I've had a digital copy of The Avett Brothers' I And Love And You for over a month now. The fact that I haven't said anything about it yet is a little telling. For one, because of the brothers' new label/record deal, I have been afraid to post (leak) any songs too far prior to release day (tomorrow). On the other had, maybe I haven't shared anything from the album for the simple reason that I'm not too thrilled with it.

Upon learning about the band's label switch and plans to record with the famous Rick Rubin, I was immediately torn. Good for them. Potentially bad for the music. As I've made clear before, I grew up on 'Texas Music' and was indoctrinated with the "Nashville Sucks" mentality, which despised anything considered major label or big-time. To say the least, the term Sell-Out was heedlessly thrown around at the first sign of an increased paycheck. While I've since learned that the devil doesn't reside in Tennessee, and in most cases, a band's musical direction is ultimately an inside decision, a little part of me dies inside every time a favorite band jumps a rung in the music world.

I And Love And You is a good album. There are a couple of great songs. But it will never compare to Emotionalism. End of story.

OK, well... not the end of this one. I've got a few points to hit on. The biggest turn-off from the disc is the blatant lack of banjo. It may be a genre-polarizing instrument, but Lord, don't completely take it away. Scott admittedly doesn't play the banjo in the traditional fashion - but that's what makes it so exceptional. At some point he picked up the instrument and figured out how to make music with it. So what he's not playing clawhammer. He makes the banjo as much a percussion instrument as a stringed one. It only makes a few scattered cameos on IALAY, the first of which may just be my favorite song from the album.

January Wedding

In place of the banjo and overall sparing instrumentation from their earlier efforts, Rubin' s product employs an increased presence of a full drum kit and heavy piano. Both of which The Avetts have included in their music before, but never like they do on IALAY. Oftentimes the barroom style piano riffs come as hokey, a little forced (see Kick Drum Heart). Before, The Avett Brothers have excelled in gradually building songs upon themselves, starting simple and unfolding into a more layered sound throughout. On the new album, too many songs start full-formed and have no room to grow.









On the positive side, Seth and Scott's vocals are as strong as ever. At times smooth, other times perfectly raw. Taking twists and turns and carrying the melodies throughout. But in the past, they've used their voices as the primary emotion-harboring instruments, proving they can get their message across without a room full of symbols and amps. Ill With Want, for example, could have been equally impressive without the huge chorus backlit with synthesized aahs and crashing symbols.

Most of my disappointment with the album can be attributed to production. The songwriting still shines through. In fact, it's the saving grace it. The trifecta of Head Full of Doubt, And It Spread, and The Perfect Space provides an insight to Scott and Seth's inner struggles. They lead into the album's high note at track 6 in the form of a perfectly-written song.

Ten Thousand Words

Had we not been supplied with The Avetts' Tiny Desk Concert at NPR, I would be fawning over the album version of Landry Room. While it's still a superb tune, having been introduced to the live version first leaves me feeling a bit cheated when I hear the song on the album. The phrasing and lack of energy, coupled with piano in place of banjo causes the song to simply get lost within the album. One place I do enjoy the beefed-up sound is in Slight Figure of Speech, where the instruments match the energy in the vocals. It reminds me of very early Avett Brothers.

Slight Figure of Speech

Although I've been a ball of negativity in this post, I And Love And You will end up being much better than many albums this year. But it's hard to be completely subjective and not make comparisons to their last album (and my undisputed top album) from 2007. If I were to take each of the 13 tracks from the album separately and express my thoughts, you would find a much more favorable review. On the whole, however, I just don't find myself in the state of awe that The Avett Brothers have so often put me in.


I still encourage you to make your own decisions regarding the album. Maybe with a little time and some high fidelity vinyl, it'll grow on me.


Purchase I And Love And You: [Direct][Amazon][iTunes]

--------
Just as I finished writing this review, The Avett Brothers came on Letterman to play the title/lead-off track from the album. I And Love And You was the so-called single and the first track unleashed from the album. I was less-than impressed then, but as an album-starter, I think it serves its purpose well. The performance tonight portrayed everything I dislike about the album. Seth on the piano, Bob playing an electric bass, and someone on a full drum set in the back. Scott played the banjo, but I couldn't hear it. I feel bad for anyone getting their first taste of Avett from this Letterman performance. They used to be considered a punk/folk string band, but just showed the nation a low energy, out of context, mainstream song.

Top 10 Songs of 2008...

Ok, i've put this off long enough. We're now only 2 weeks away from 2009, and i might be one of last to get their lists up. And to be completely honest, my top 10 album list is not yet complete - well not the back half. But i have made final decisions on the Best Songs of the Year. But first....

What makes a song great?

That question has been tossed around since the first single was ever recorded, and if we (or anyone) knew the answer, there would be nothing left. The truth is, there is no answer. Music is subjective - some people simply listen, and if they like it, it's a good song. Some look for originality, some for familiarity. Many people want emotive lyrics. Many want to hear words they can relate to. Many people (who are no doubt Dylan fans) are looking for groundbreaking wordplay that will blow their minds.

Of course, certain instruments excite certain people. i, for example, love the plunk of a banjo in an otherwise non-bluegrass tune. Acoustic guitars picked with purpose will grab my attention far earlier than a hard-strummed electric. Lately hand claps and tambourines make me happy.

What about vocals? Let's be honest - the Folk/Americana/Alt-Country (what have you) world doesn't possess the greatest or most talented vocalists. Many lead voices are of the love it or hate it variety, and can immediately turn someone off from a song. If i can't listen to the lead vocals, the band is going to have a hard time getting on my good side. That said, there is no formula or standard that i judge by, and i have a fairly wide acceptance range. The most important thing a singer can possess is believability.

Growing up listening to mainstream country (and shifting between rap phases), i was under the impression the only song structure consisted of verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus. While that simple formula still works, an artist can expand or abbreviate to an indefinite degree as they see fit. Adding dynamic to a song with a tempo or key change can seem strange at first, but is one the most vital factors in keeping the listener engaged.

A particularly separating attribute for a list like this is enjoyability. This doesn't mean that the song has to have uplifting lyrics; it's often the opposite. The best judge for this element is how fun the song is to sing along to. The songs that i found myself belting out (severely off-key) in my car were the first to be added to the list.

So where does this leave me? Basically back where i started. There is no formula, no set of rules, and no boundary to great songs. That is what keeps music interesting, fresh, versatile, and what makes it an essential part of life. Taking these factors into consideration, here are my picks for the Top 10 Songs of 2008.


10. The Greatest Hustler of All ~ Old Crow Medicine Show
from Tennessee Pusher, written by Willie Watson/Ketch Secor



9. Who Am I To Say ~ Justin Townes Earle
from The Good Life, written by Justin Townes Earle



8. Skinny Love ~ Bon Iver
from For Emma, Forever Ago, written by Justin Vernon




7. Souled Out!!! ~ Conor Oberst
from Conor Oberst, written by Conor Oberst



6. Sideman Blues ~ The Dedringers
from Sweetheart of the Neighborhood, written by Jonny Burke



5. Murder In The City ~ The Avett Brothers
from The Second Gleam, written by Scott Avett



4. Traipsing Through the Aisles ~ Samantha Crain
from The Confiscation EP, written by Samantha Crain



3. White Winter Hymnal ~ Fleet Foxes
from Fleet Foxes, written by Robin Pecknold




2. Rattlin' Bones ~ Kasey Chamber & Shane Nicholson
from Rattlin' Bones, written by Chambers/Nicholson




1. Frankie's Gun! ~ The Felice Brothers
from The Felice Brothers, written by Ian Felice

"My car goes... Chicago.
Every weekend to pick up some cargo.
I think I know the bloody way by now, Frankie,
Turn the god damn radio down, thank you.
Pull over. Count the money.
But don't count the .30 in the glove box, buddy.
That's for to buy Lucille some clothes.

Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille!
Bang Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille! (He shot me down!)

Work zones, double fines.
Don't pass the double lines.
Trailer McDonald's, rest stop trailer double wide.
I saw a man hit my mom one time, really
I hurt him so damn bad I had to hide in Jersey.
Called my mama told her, 'In the dresser
There's ten or twenty dollars but there ain't no lesser.'
That's for to take my sister to the picture show.

Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille!
Bang Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille! (He shot me down!)

Sha nay na sha nay na na na na na...
Sha nay na Sha nay na...

Slip make a fender shine,
Frankie you're a friend of mine,
Got me off a bender after long-legged Brenda died.
I thought we might be on a roll this time, Frankie.
I could have swore the box said Hollywood blanks, but
You see my mama
Please tell her
I left a little rock in a box in the cellar.
That's for to wear till kingdom come.

Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille!
Bang Bang Bang Bang went Frankie's gun!
He shot me down Lucille! (He shot me down!)

Sha nay na sha nay na na na na na...
Sha nay na Sha nay na...

Yodelea he hoo."

Click the album covers to purchase.

Check out last year's list (my 2nd post on This Mornin'...), and stay tuned for the definitive Top 10 Albums of 2008.

The Lists Begin: Top EP's of 2008

Sorry for the lack of updates - been finding other things to do (movies, games, even a trip to the zoo) trying to stave off adulthood as long as possible, i guess. But here we are, nearly halfway through the last month of the year... and it's list time.

As a warm-up, here is a mini-list for EP's of the year. My motive for this post is the need to highlight the band who holds the top spot - newcomers whose 2008 EP would've easily made my album list had there been twice as many songs.

1. Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers - The Confiscation EP

Beloved, We Have Expired
Youthful Okie Samantha Crain emerged on the folk scene this year with an EP released by Ramseur Records. i first posted on this EP in a New Digs here. The disc has remained in my rotation since i picked it up, and it simply keeps growing on me. Songs In The Night, the band's first full-length effort is scheduled for an April 28th, 2009 release. Also, check out their brand new website.

Buy it.

2. Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP

English House
The precursor to the Fleet Foxes self-titled debut offered a smooth introduction into the classical yet contemporary stylings of this Seattle band.

Buy it here.
Get the Fleet Foxes on vinyl and it comes with the Sun Giant EP.


3. The Avett Brothers - The Second Gleam

Tear Down The House
The Avett Brothers' Emotionalism was my top pick for album of 2007, and i wouldn't change that choice a year later. While the second edition in their Gleam EP series was not near as impressive, it shows that the band is still the most creative act on the scene, espicially with regard to their instrumental decisions.

Buy the CD.
Buy the Vinyl.

Super Photo Post: Costa Rica

i've just about finished going through the hundreds of pictures taken while in Costa Rica.

If you like a laid-back place with lots to do, and some of the most amazing scenery - get your ass to Costa Rica. The locals are super-friendly, everyone accepts the American dollar, cabs and vans are cheap and plentiful, and - according to our driver, César - every town, no matter how small, has at least one bar, and one soccer field. They got their priorities lined up down there.

So to show off my newfound hobby of photography (my family kept begging me to take pictures of them, but i feel that people just mess up the shot - trees don't blink), i've decided to post some of the best pictures of Costarrican scenery with a related song (or two) to accompany it.

------------------------------------------------------------


(pictures are thumbnails - click them for full size)

mp3: Charlie Robison - Sunset Boulevard

mp3: Old 97's - She Loves The Sunset

mp3: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Run Through The Jungle

mp3: Old Crow Medicine Show - Big Time In The Jungle

mp3: Cross Canadian Ragweed - Flowers
mp3: The Great Divide - Wildflower

mp3: The Avett Brothers - If It's The Beaches
mp3: Ryan Adams - Waves Crashing

mp3: Squeeze - Tempted (by the Fruit of Another)
mp3: Bright Eyes - Lime Tree

mp3: South Austin Jug Band - Falls So Fast
mp3: Reckless Kelly - Floodwater

mp3: The Rolling Stones - Monkey Man
mp3: The Beatles - Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me & My Monkey

*Scroll down to my slideshow at the bottom to see even more pictures.....

Stay tuned for the first-ever

This Mornin'..... guest post.