Thursday, December 27, 2007

Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate

Fresh from under the christmas tree, this is Rogue Wave's newest album, and it's pretty darn spiffy. Word.

EDIT: For those who want some additional info, here's what I got. This is Rogue Wave's third album, and it's great. I've really been digging this genre lately, with new albums from the likes of Iron & Wine, The New Pornographers, and Band of Horses taking up most of my listening time. Rogue Wave fits right in there, and their progression musically is great to follow. Their first album is basically all acoustic guitar, and it wasn't until their second album that the band's front man Zack Rogue really embraced the full band sound. This third effort elevates their sound even further. These three albums have become staple listening in the house for Kristen and I. Here's the first single they released from this album:

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Atmosphere - Strictly Leakage



A nice little Christmas present from our friends Sean and Anthony. Those Atmosphere boys must've had a busy year. Grab this free album while you can and sit tight while you wait for their next release.

http://rhymesayers.com/atmosphere/

Monday, December 10, 2007

Top Ten of 2007 plus One



These are not necessarily my best songs of 2007, but they are the ones that summed up my year.

1. Fiery Crash - Andrew Bird
I spent a lot of time in airports and airplanes over the past year. This song sums up the feeling of waiting helplessly in Airports, and the only way to have a good flight is to imagine it crashing before you get it on.
2. Goodnight Rose - Ryan Adams
This song gets me every time. It is kinda cheesy, but damn if it doesn't make me want to go follow the Dead
3. I'm impressed - They Might Be Giants
TMBG is the first band I started liking on my own. I was glad to see them take a more rocking turn on this song. The kiddy stuff can get kinda annoying.
4. Wild Mountain Nation - Blitzen Trapper
I just found out about this band a last week. Described as Pavement meets the Dead scared me away, but damn if this isn't a fine album and a great song.
5. Between My Legs - Rufus Wainwright
Ah Rufus, you are so unabashedly gay you nearly become a stereotype. Do we need the Phantom of the Opera reference in this Song, no. Did we need the album of Judy Garland covers, prolly not. Are you one of the best song writers alive today, maybe. This song goes from Rocking to weird in the span of 4 minutes and 30 secs
6. Life on Mars - The Bad Plus
From their release Prog, takes my favorite Bowie song to its natural prog-rock/jazzy conclusion
7. What Would Jay-Z Do? - Ben Lee
I love Ben Lee, yes he has been described as a rainbow riding a unicorn, but damn if he doesn't write clever pop songs. And who hasn't wondered what would Jay-Z do?
8. All the Old Show Stoppers - The New Pornographers
Damn, damn, damn. Is there a better album out this year? Is there a better song on the album? I'll fight you if you want.
9. Lyndale Avenue User's Manual - Atmosphere
Remind of the early fall days of living in Minneapolis.
10. Dreamworld - Rilo Kiley
Yeah the album was boring, but I really like the Fleetwood Mac-esque song on this album
11. It's Only Divine Right - Michael McDonald
technically from 1979, but unearthed this year, it is truly a great song. Unfortunately the audio recording does not do it justice. Check out the video here