Best Songs of 2008

Bon Iver

Some have described 2008 as an "off" year for new music. In many ways I agree with this sentiment. If you asked me twelve months ago which albums I was most excited for in 2008, I would have answered the remastered and expanded Replacements records - well at least Let It Be, Tim and Pleased To Meet Me. And yes, they are awesome as are the remastered and expanded New Order catalog as well as R.E.M.'s Murmur. But what about new music, what was good? Albums by Bon Iver, Crooked Fingers, The Hold Steady, The Sea and Cake and Thao with the Get Down Stay Down topped my list. Save the Bon Iver album, none were mind blowing, just solid, well written rock and roll albums. So as we head toward 2009 (new Andrew Bird, Rival Schools, Neko Case, Morrissey) we'll leave you with our top 20 songs of 2008. Enjoy.

20. Paint It Black - Past Tense, Future Perfect
File this under "Mid 30's male who still enjoys a bit of the punk rock".

19. British Sea Power - Down On The Ground (stream)
I get the impression that the guitarist listened to Judas Priest in high school. At least, I hope he did.

18. Caithlin De Marrais - The Fire (stream)
Yet more evidence that Caithlin was the most important piece in the Rainer Maria puzzle.

17. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Baltimore
I will never know what Steve is talking about and I kind of don't care.

16. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
This one caught me by surprise.

15. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Being a 36 year old who has two children and still loves to go to rock shows I now realize that Craig Finn is talking to me directly through my record player.

14. French Kicks - Abandon
My buddy Josh's brother used to play guitar for the French Kicks. It would be cool if he still did.

13. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Same building as Death Cab for Cutie, though I can listen to this guy's voice for a lot longer without getting sick.

12. Crooked Fingers - Your Control
Eric Bachmann is quickly becoming my new Paul Westerberg. Having the great Neko Case to duet with doesn't hurt either.

11. Ladyhawk - S.T.H.D.
This came across my radar very late (like two weeks ago). I love any song that clocks in under two minutes with that kind of chorus.

10. Cansei De Ser Sexy - Rat Is Dead
The song that settles the argument - this band is no joke.

9. Gnarls Barkley - Run
Anyone else see them on Saturday Night Live? Genius!!!

8. Oxford Collapse - The Birthday Wars
The second best song of the year that sounds as if recorded in a vaccuum (see #1).

7. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
The best singer-songwriter to come out of Northern Virginia since Neko Case. Gets my vote for second best album of the year.

6. Mother Mother - O My Heart
Someone has been listening to Surfer Rosa on repeat... and that's a good thing, by the by. A shout out to 3Hive for introducing me to this song.

5. The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer
The best track one side one of the year - no debate. Craig Finn sets the tone for his murder mystery/long playing record with this little number and continues his name checking along the way - Joe Strummer, Dillinger Four (doublewhiskeycokenoice).

4. The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
John Darnielle is probably the best story teller in music.

3. Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh
Rule #491 of rock and roll: When you want your last chorus to kick ass take it up a half step (or even a whole) and the result will be magic. See Cheap Trick's Surrender for the best example.

2. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Haunting. From the best album of the year.

1. The Gang - Sea So
I first heard this song about a year ago as it was floating around the internet (yes, I think it was 3Hive that turned me on to it) although it wasn't released on record until this past summer on the album Zero Hits (Absoultely Kosher). How this song didn't break through is one of the greatest puzzles of the universe.

A sampling of the blogosphere

We Are Scientists

A quick sampling of songs from some of my favorite blogs. Enjoy

From 3Hive
Mother Mother "O My Heart" (mp3)
We Landed On The Moon! "Re: Your Letter" (mp3)

From Aquarium Drunkard
Crooked Fingers "Let's Not Pretend (To Be New Men)" (mp3)
Crooked Fingers "Modern Dislocation" (mp3)

From Aural States
We Are Scientists "The Great Escape" (mp3)

From Sixeyes
Parts & Labor "Nowheres Nigh" (mp3)

From Pitchfork Media
Eddie Vedder & Corin Tucker "The Golden State" (stream)

Rival Schools reunited at Ottobar

The recently reunited Rival Schools hit Baltimore last night on their abbreviated East Coast tour. Spurred on by the surprisingly enthusiastic crowd (have I seen too many shows in DC?) and the Obama victory the night before, the band blew through much of their 2001 release United By Fate. Front man Walter Schreifels (ex-Quicksand, Youth of Today) didn't appear annoyed by all the members of the audience calling out songs from any one of his former bands - unlike say, yelling out a Minor Threat song at a Fugazi show; bad bad idea. As reported on Brooklyn Vegan, the band had been featuring a cover of The Smiths' "How Soon is Now", a song Quicksand famously covered in the mid-90's.

Good Things (mp3)

Take One For The Team (mp3)

Quicksand - How Soon is Now (mp3)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists Live in DC

The seemingly never ending tour of Ted Leo and his Pharmacists made yet another stop in DC this Wednesday night, this time opening for Against Me!. Despite the role as support act the crowd was out in force for this (sort of) homecoming. Members of Fugazi and French Toast were in the house and ex-Warmers/Faith/Ignition frontman Alec Mackaye played the role of guest vocalist on the unrecognizable closer. The 45 minute set drew largely from last years Living With The Living as well as several new tracks, including one from the new Rapid Response EP (see below for track). From the sound of the new stuff, Ted is continuing to evolve on the punk/ska/soul fusion that informs his last two releases.

Paranoia (Never Enough) (mp3)

New Andrew Bird

Everybody's favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/whistler/violinist has a new single out from forthcoming album Noble Beast (out January on Fat Possum). Entitled "Oh No", it is vintage Andrew Bird replete with smart lyrics, wonderful melodies and the aforementioned requisite whistling. Head on over to Pitchfork Media to stream the tune.

"Oh No" (stream)

And while you're at it, check out some more Andrew Bird.

"Skin Is, My" (mp3) from Live in Montreal

"Heretic" (mp3) from Armchair Apocrypha

"Fiery Crash" (mp3) live at First Avenue, Minneapolis

Braid reissued on vinyl

All of the sub-genres of independent music at sometime or another jump the shark and become yet another category of music disdained by the elite. New wave, grunge, hip-hop inspired rock were initially seen by the music industry as foreign. But as the music industry became better and better at establishing youth culture in America these sub-genres became victim of a force more interested in financial potential than artistic integrity. In the last ten years, no sub-genre was more affected by these market forces than so-called "emo".

Culling a bloodline that starts with Rites of Spring in 1985 and making its way in to the 1990's with bands like Texas is the Reason and Braid, emo was, in its purest form, just a subset of post-punk. The call and response, non-traditional time signatures, octave chords were just a few of the hallmarks of emo. But just as bands like The Get Up Kids and The Promise Ring looked poised to break out of the underground, the industry caught wind of something - suburban high school kids really dig this music. And what do suburban high school kids have? Money. Enter the Yellowcards and Fall Out Boys of the world. Result: emo is ruined.

So Mike, thanks for the history lesson. Why don't you get off your high horse and tell us why this all matters.


Time allows us the distance to reflect back on history with some degree of objectivity. Ten years have passed since one of the seminal albums of this sub-genre was released, Braid's Frames & Canvas. Produced by J Robbins of Jawbox/Burning Airlines/Channels and recorded at legendary Inner Ear studios in Arlington, VA, the album holds up in time. In celebration of the 10th anniversary, Polyvinyl Records is re-releasing Frames & Canvas on 180-gram vinyl for your listening pleasure on August 29th. My copy is already pre-ordered.

from Frames & Canvas
Killing A Camera (mp3)

from Movie Music Vols. 1 & 2
Please Drive Faster (mp3)
Do You Love Coffee? (mp3)

from Where is My Mind? a Pixies tribute album
Trompe Le Monde (mp3)

New Jennifer O'Connor

The good folks at Matador have taken it upon themselves to sneak a couple of tracks from Jennifer O'Connor new release Here With Me (release date: August 19th). I could go on for hours gushing about Jennifer but you're better off just listening for yourself.

Here With Me
Valley Road '86'

Bonus MP3
Exeter, Rhode Island

Charm City Roller Girls

So I took the kids, the Mrs., my brother and his lady to the roller derby Saturday night at Du Burns Arena in the scenic and lovely Canton neighborhood in Baltimore. It did not disappoint. The Mobdown Mods squared off again the Night Terrors and Speed Regime did battle with the Junkyard Dolls. From top to bottom the packed house was treated to high quality entertainment - Pabst Blue Ribbon was the only beer available and the head referee's name was Justice Feelgood Marshall - how's that treating you. So in celebration of the Charm City Roller Girls, here's a little Baltimore mix. Enjoy

Beach House - Gila

The Death Set - Negative Thinking

Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah

Pontiak - Shell Skull

Pontiak - The Brush Burned Fast

Arbouretum - I Am A Somnabulist

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat

The Gang

So I realize it has been forever since my last post. Work has been nuts and the younger kid is teething so sleep has been a little on the inadequate side. Through it all, I've been able to find some new stuff to get excited about. Which brings us to The Gang.

Thanks to the good folks at 3Hive, I was turned on to this New Jersey fourpiece (most famous for the fact that Ted Leo's little brother, Danny, plays drums) a few months back. Relatives of Ted aside, these guys ROCK. Fans of Les Savy Fav, We Are Scientists and The Go! Team take note - there is a new kid on the block. If you want a kick ass anthem in the spirit of the aforementioned outfits, check out The Gang's first single, "Sea So", which is currently holding the spot of My Favorite Song of 2008. Check out their full length Zero Hits on Absolutely Kosher Records when it hits June 3.

Sea So (mp3)

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 5

Southeast Engine

Well, it has been a long time between posts as I've been working a ton. Looking forward to my first day off in a couple of weeks - play with the kids, hang with the wife and listen to some good music...among other things. Enjoy the weekend.

Southeast Engine Quit While You Are Ahead

Centro-matic Triggers and Trashheaps

Hallelujah the Hills Hallelujah the Hills

Sleeping States Rivers

Palomar Our Haunt

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 4

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Aloha - Body Buzz - from the album Light Works

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die - from the album Pershing

Metal Hearts - Foothills - from the album Socialize

Minus the Bear - Dr. L'Ling - from the album Planet of Ice

Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything - from the album This Harness Can't Ride Anything

764-HERO - Sunburnt - from the album We're Solids

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 3

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You - from the album Cease To Begin


Elliot Smith - Memory Lane - from the album From A Basement On A Hill

Refused - New Noise - from the album The Shape Of Punk To Come

The Weakerthans - Pleas From A Cat Named Virtue - from the album Reconstruction Site

Youth Group - Sorry - from the album Casino Twilight Dogs

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Coma Girl - from the album Street Core

Radio Flyer - (312) - from the album In Their Strange White Armor

Slumberland Mix

Sarandon

The time: 1991-1997
The place: Washington, DC

So many competing forces came together during this time period to make this period the most vital musically (in a rocknroll sense) in DC's history (all apologies to 1981-85). A quick sampling of the bands and artists at work in DC during that time - Fugazi, Jawbox, Tsunami, Velocity Girl, Lois, Bratmobile, Nation of Ulysses, Chisel, Hoover, The Impossible Five, Girls Against Boys, Shudder To Think, Make Up, Unrest, Lucy Brown, Bluetip, The Dismemberment Plan, Slant 6, Smart Went Crazy, Warmers, Frodus, Edsel, Eggs, Air Miami, The Ropers... - one can see the great diversity as well as the profound influence cast upon all things post-punk, alternative and indie.

Following the lead of Dischord and TeenBeat records, other DC-based labels sprung up during this period, most notably DeSoto (created by members of Jawbox), Simple Machines (created by members of Tsunami) and Slumberland (created by members of Velocity Girl and Big Jesus Trash Can). So much has been written about the DC sound - namely the post-punk sound of the late 80's/early 90's Dischord bands (Fugazi, Jawbox, Hoover, Capitol City Dusters, etc) - but a careful examination of the sound coming out of DC at that time demonstrates that a number of bands owed a lot more to the Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride than they did Bad Brains and Minor Threat.

Slumberland Records started operations in 1989 in nearby Silver Spring, MD as a means to release efforts by Brit-Pop/Shoegaze inspired bands like Velocity Girl and Black Tambourine. Like the pop influenced TeenBeat Records, Slumberland looked beyond the Beltway for its roster releasing efforts by Stereolab (UK), Small Factory (RI), The Swirlies (Boston), The Softies (Pacific NW) in addition to locals like The Lilys, Velocity Girl and The Ropers.

Having moved the operation to the left coast, Slumberland has weened its roster significantly now with a predominance of British bands - bringing it back to the source, I guess. 2007 saw releases from London's Sarandon and The Lodger from Leeds - both bands clearly read the label's formula for creating tight brilliant pop songs. Enjoy the new with the old.

Sarandon - The Linguist (2007) - London, UK
The Lodger - The Story's Over (2007) - Leeds, UK
The Lodger - Let Her Go (2007) - Leeds, UK
The Lilys - February Fourteenth (1991) - Washington, DC
Velocity Girl - My Forgotten Favorite (1992) - Silver Spring, MD
Small Factory - Giant Merry Go Round (1992) - Newport, RI
The Ropers - Waiting (1993) - Washington, DC
The Ropers - I Don't Mind (1994) - Washington, DC
Boyracer - Passionflower (1994) - Leeds, UK
The Aislers Set - California (1998) - San Francisco, CA
The Saturday People - Slipping Through Your Fingertips (2001) - Washington, DC

and plenty more music to sample at the Slumberland website.

Weekend in Baltimore vol. 2

Steve Malkmus and The Jicks
A nice collection of both new and old songs to chew on this fine winter weekend.

Nada Surf - See These Bones - from Lucky

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Beat (Health, Life and Fire) - from We Brave Bee Stings and All

Chris Walla - Sing Again - from Field Manual

Steve Malkmus and the Jicks - Baltimore - from Real Emotional Trash

Smoosh - Find a Way - from Free to Stay

The Soviettes - Multiply and Divide - from LP III

Paul Westerberg - We May Be The Ones - from Stereo

Braid - Killing A Camera - from Frames & Canvases

Get Up Kids - Holiday - from Something to Write Home About

Rainer Maria - Tinfoil - from Past Worn Searching

Saves the Day - At Your Funeral - from Stay What You Are

Preview Cat Power's Jukebox

A Few Songs for the Weekend

Wye Oak

Wye Oak "Warning" - Baltimore indie-folk-shoegaze outfit recently signed to Merge. Think Rainer Maria meets Ida meet My Bloody Valentine.

Fiery Furnaces "Ex-Guru" - From the brother/sister indie-folk duo's 2007 release Widow City.

Andrew Bird "Fiery Crash" - Live version of track one from his 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha.

Ida "Lovers Prayers" - The first single from the aforementioned Ida's new album of the same name due out on Polyvinyl on January 29th.

New Mountain Goats single

I finally came around to the Mountain Goats sometime in the last year or so. In the end, it was their 2006 album Get Lonely and specifically the single, "Woke Up New" that did it for me. Quirky lyrics and simple song structures augmented with just the right amount of percussion and strings.

Now, John Darnielle and Peter Hughes will be releasing their new album, Heretic Pride, on February 19th. Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster, who gives Davey Grohl a run for his money in the funniest man in rock category, continues his work with the band. The first single, "Sax Rohmer #1", clearly benefits from Wurster's drum work. They will be hitting the East Coast this March so check them out.

listen to Sax Rohmer #1

and check out the video for Woke Up New from the album Get Lonely.