Best Albums of 2009

11 - Yeah Ghost, Zero 7

Zero 7 is back with their fourth album, Yeah Ghost. While I still think that their best album is their first, Simple Things, Yeah Ghost feels different from the start and continues throughout. For this album, they've worked with a largely new group of people - larger stars such as Sia and Jose Gonzalez aren't present here, but the new vocal talent, especially Eska Mtungwazi, who sings on Mr. McGee and Medicine Man. Furthermore, there's a real split in the sound of this album, ranging from fast to slow, which really makes the ever track interesting to listen to, and it adds a fantastic set of music to their already great lineup of songs.

10 - Magnolia, The Wooden Birds

The Wooden Birds were one of the best artists of 2009, so it stands to reason that Magnolia, their first, is one of the better albums of the year. In this instance, their first album has a great sound right off the bat with False Alarm and going through the next forty minutes. The album is wonderfully consistent, with a constant, driving beat running through the length of the entire record; the album feels very structured, even and laidback throughout, and while it's repetitive, it's not boring. Combining influences from country, folk and rock, this indie record has an interesting sound that's worth repeating several times.

9 - A Sucker's Dream, The Alternate Routes

I really dug the Alternate Route's first album, Good and Reckless and True, but A Sucker's Dream jumps out of the gate with On and On We Whisper, bringing back the same energy and passion that I've seen live at their concerts. This is repeated throughout the album, such as with Toe The Line and The Future Is Nothing New. After seeing these guys several times live, it's outstanding to see some of their live tracks become studio ones, and to watch the band improve quite a bit since their first album. A Sucker's Dream is refined, energetic and above all, fun. In the months that I've been listening to this work, I haven't gotten tired of it. I still get a huge burst of energy and a grin when I hear the opening track, and generally, when I'm driving, it means a burst of speed as well.

8 - Bring Back Love, Glide & Swerve

Glide & Swerve was listed as one of my best new artists of this year, and their album is likewise amongst my favorites for the year. Bring Back Love is much like what Simple Things was for Zero 7 - low-key, unassuming, interesting and laid back, with a fantastic overall tone and feel. Electronic down-tempo is a genre that is growing on me, and I really like the easy going, ambient nature that this album has. Each track is a joy to listen to, and as I listen to a lot of these albums when driving, it's the perfect soundtrack for driving home in the evening. Plus, while it's not connected to the music, they've got a fantastic cover for this album.

7 - Tarpits And Canyonlands, Bombadil

Bombadil is back with their quirky indie rock with Tarpits and Canyonlands. Like their first album, A Buzz, A Buzz, this is a refinement, but at the same time, they retained everything that made their first album so much fun to listen to - weird arrangements, sounds and bursts of energy that just add to the quirk factor. Every song is a pleasant surprise, almost like being thrust into a fantasy carnival. Seeing them in person this year was a treat as well - their stage performances have been great, not only to listen to, but to watch as well.

6 - The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists

The Decemberists have always been a weird band to listen to, and a difficult one at best, but The Hazards Of Love is by far their most ambitious and interesting album to listen to. Looking back to progressive and conceptual albums for some sort of inspiration, as well as the desire to do a stage musical, the Decemberists have put together an album that tells a story, making this album a rich, three course meal to be enjoyed. The downside is that the album can't really be listened to piecemeal - it's pretty much all or nothing, but with the right effort, this album's worth it.

5 - Middle Cyclone, Neko Case

Neko Case is an artist that has slowly crept onto my musical radar over the past couple of years, and Middle Cyclone is the best that I've heard from her thus far. The album is a rich, vibrant effort, one that just begs for one more listen. There's a lot going on with each song, from the lyrics to the sound, coupled with Case's absolutely fantastic voice that just moves from song to song. By a far margin, this is her best album, and one that will remain on my favorites list for a long time.

4 - Nothing Rhymes with Woman, Carbon Leaf

Carbon Leaf returned this year with their latest studio album, Nothing Rhymes With Woman to mixed expectations. By far and wide, they're one of my absolute favorite bands, but comparatively, their last album hasn't held up to its earlier predecessors, Indian Summer and Echo Echo. Nothing Rhymes With Woman, however, harkens back to their independent days, but with the sound that they've been polishing over the past couple of years. This album reminded me why I loved their music so much - the band tells stories, and there's an incredible effort here, with some of their best songs, from the opening track, Indecision, Lake of Silver Bells, Mexico and Pink. Carbon Leaf's always been good with evocative music before - I dare you to listen to Pink and not be moved, or to Lake of Silver Bells and not feel good.

3 - Bible Belt, Diane Birch

Diane Birch burst onto the music scene in grand fashion this year with her first album Bible Belt. I caught her this year in Burlington for a free show, picked up her album and simply could not stop listening to it. Her indie soul sound is both nostalgic and refreshing at the same time, with an incredible voice that sweeps across the album, full of energy and zest. Very song on this album just nails the quality level here, sounding perfect almost across the board. Furthermore, Birch is able to navigate the delicate maze of lyrics, telling stories of love and loss, of childhood fun, all without labeling the album as any particular sound or theme. Rather, she puts together an album that sounds, feels and says all the right things.

2 - Death Won't Send A Letter, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons have put together an absolute masterpiece of an album, one that I cannot stop listening to. Death Won't Send A Letter is a dark, emotional and absolutely fantastic record - it is both rich and textured throughout. Chisel brings out influences from country/folk rock and Baptist music, woven together to bring out a unique sound. The album ebbs and flows between tracks - starting off with the mind-blowing Born Again and cooling down on the aptly named second track Calm Down. This is an artist to watch in the singer/songwriter market, because I don't think that we've heard the last from these guys. I certainly don't want to.

1- Crooked Measures, Myra Flynn

Vermont singer/songwriter Myra Flynn takes my top spot for the album of the year with her first album, Crooked Measures. Of the numerous new artists and albums that I've been able to listen to over 2009, Flynn has put together a highly emotional, driven and exceptional album that demonstrates her skill as a singer/songwriter. I hate to keep repeating it, but each song is richly conceived and executed, making a wonderful and memorable album to listen to. Crooked Measures is by far and wide the best album that I've listened to all year, and I hope that we will hear more from her in the very, very near future.

Medicine Man - Zero 7
Hometown Fantasy - The Wooden Birds
On and On We Whisper - The Alternate Routes
Healing Overture - Glide & Swerve
Sad Birthday - Bombadil
The Rake's Song - The Decemberists
Magpie To The Morning - Neko Case
Indecision - Carbon Leaf
Don't Wait Up - Diane Birch
My Heart Would Be There - Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons
Sunshine - Myra Flynn

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Concert Review: Alternate Routes / Carbon Leaf

Last night, I ventured out once again to the Higher Ground music hall in South Burlington, Vermont, where Carbon Leaf came out with another CYA favorite, The Alternate Routes played a fantastic concert.

I've seen the Alternate Routes a couple of times now, and really had a lot of fun seeing them again. Once again, they played a fantastic set of music, mainly songs from their new album, A Sucker's Dream. I've noted this a number of times, but these guys really go all out for their shows, and the energy level was about normal for them here. Their set was a little shorter than other opening acts, and they didn't play their fantastic song Time Is A Runaway (they must be getting tired of it or something), but they did play a number of favorites, such as Toe the Line, On and On We Whisper, and The Future is Nothing New, which went over very well.

Set List:

Toe The Line

Ain't No Secret

California

All That I See

On and On We Whisper

Standing At Your Door (Cover?)

The Future Is Nothing New

Ordinary

Sucker's Dream

There's not much that I can say about Carbon Leaf that I haven't already talked about at length in my numerous other concert and album reviews for these guys. Once again, they put together a show that absolutely rocked, playing a number of favorites from their prior albums, going pretty far back, which surprised me a little - given that their new album is a day out the door, I expected a setlist dominated by a number of new songs, but there was a rather good mix of new and old songs, plus a couple new covers that I hadn't heard before (and I really hope will be popping up online at some point via Archive.org or something). Like the Alternate Routes, they held up a high energy level, and even reworked a couple songs a bit, such as On Any Given Day and Love Loss Hope Repeat, almost spoken word at points (I think it was those two), which was interesting to hear. Let Your Troubles Roll By and Sweet Emotion both saw members of the Alternate Routes on stage, which was fun to watch, and they had a great time jamming to the end of the night.

Miss Hollywood

What About Everything?

Cinnamindy

Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young)

Love Loss Hope Repeat

One Prarie Outpost

Under the Wire (Acoustic)

Lake of Silver Bells

Carter Solo

> Paloma

Desperation Song

Drops of Rain

Another Man's Woman

Life Less Ordinary

On Any Given Day

Changeless

Pink

Day-O (Trad.)

> The Boxer

Encore:

Block of Wood (Acoustic)

Let Your Troubles Roll By (With the Alternate Routes)

Sweet Devotion (Aerosmith) (With the Alternate Routes)

Drops of Rain (Live)- Carbon Leaf

Seed (Live) - Carbon Leaf

Lake of Silver Bells (Live) - Carbon Leaf

The Future Is Nothing New (Live) - The Alternate Routes

Ordinary (Live) - The Alternate Routes

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Warm Weather Drive

So, it's getting warmer, and as such, it's high time to get back to some fun drives. Here's some of what I've been listening to on the occassions that I've been out and about on the road thus far. These songs in paticular are forever associated with the coming warmer weather.

All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

Clocks - Coldplay

Flyin' - Adam Ezra Group

If There's A Rocket Tie Me To It - Snow Patrol

Kids - Goodtimes Goodtimes

The Long Goodbye - A Girl Called Eddy

My Maria - B.W. Stevenson

Queen Bitch - David Bowie

Stay (Wasting Time) - Dave Matthew's Band

This Is My Song - Carbon Leaf

Time Is A Runaway - The Alternate Routes

Waiting - Josh Clayton-Felt

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Image from Flickr

Album Review: A Sucker's Dream

The Alternate Route's sophomore album kicks off the deck as a strong album, one that amply follows up their first release, 2007's Good and Wreckless and True, which I really enjoyed. The group has been around for a couple of years, and broke into the music scene with an energetic and solid rock sound that, while not totally, completely orginal, was resfreshing and easy to get into. This second album, titled A Sucker's Dream, represents not so much a depatrure from the sound of their first album, but more a refinement throughout, from the lyrics to the overall sound.

I first saw the Alternate Routes during the summer of 2007, and again later that fall with Paulo Nutini, and came away from both shows impressed with their sound and energy. They were able to really build up the energy with a great set of songs - which included some new songs that ended up on this album, such as The Future Is Nothing New and Desdamona.

Where Good and Ordinary and True stumbled - it was a bit scattered with a number of good, but disjointed songs - A Sucker's Dream picks up. This album is far better structured, largely around a couple dedicated themes of love, and regaining love. The album has a questioning feel to it, as if the singer is working desperately to figure things out as life speeds past. It's something that I find highly relatable over the past year.

The album is filled with a ton of absolutely golden lyrics, throughout the album. Their songwriting has certainly matured and grown since we last saw them.

The one downside that I really saw to this album was that there wasn't necessarily a breakout song like Time Is A Runaway, off of Good and Wreckless and True. There are a number of absolutely fantastic songs on this disc, but none necessarily felt as free and clear as that song, which recieved wide radio play on adult alternative stations. The opening track here, On and On We Whisper, comes close, but overall, this album sounds far tighter, and moves with a purpose. While the first one felt like the group was trying to find their best sound, this album sounds like they've found it, but they didn't really deviate from that.

In the end, it's clear that there is something fantastic here. From their first album, these guys had a fantastic sound that really grew into something better with this second release (as well as the two EPs that they have released in the past two years). The sound has been refined, there's a clear theme and aim, and it all sounds good.

The group is currently on a short set of stops along the east coast. If you're nearby, do yourself a favor and check them out:

• Mar 21 2009 9:00P WorkPlay Theatre Birmingham, Alabama
• Mar 22 2009 8:00P Sudworks Taphouse - Acoustic Duo Columbia, North Carolina
• Mar 23 2009 9:00P Local 506 - Acoustic Duo Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Mar 26 2009 7:30P StageOne Fairfield, Connecticut
• Mar 27 2009 9:00P World Cafe Live (Upstairs) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Mar 28 2009 8:00P 9:30 Club - w/ Honor By August Washington DC
• Apr 8 2009 7:45P The Mercury Lounge New York, New York

All That I See - The Alternate Routes

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Coming Up: The Albums of 2009

As 2008 comes to a close, everyone is starting to think about the upcoming year and what will be coming out. There's never a shortage of artists who we always want to be releasing new materials, and already, I've started looking for what will be coming out in 2009. Here's what I'm really looking forwards to:

Untitled - Carbon Leaf
Carbon Leaf is my all-time favorite band. I've seen them numerous times in concert, and for the past year and a half, there's been talk of first two albums, then a new album and a remake of an old one, and now another one. Their concerts have featured several new songs, such as I'm In Love (With Another Man's Woman) and Meltdown, two fantastic songs. The album was finished earlier this fall, but we haven't seen a title or track listing yet. The band has said that the album should drop around February sometime.

Untitled - Dave Matthews Band
All this year, I've come across rumors that Dave Matthews and his band will be returning for another studio album. I always look forwards to these, because they can really shape up and change their sound from album to album. Compare Stand Up to Under the Table and Dreaming, and you'll see what I mean. Considering that their last studio album was released in 2005, we're long overdue for another one. No title, release date or track list yet. I don't know if the death of bandmate Leroy Moore will affect this or not.

Untitled - Coldplay
With the highly sucessful release of Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends and Prospekts March this year, Coldplay has been unstoppable, it seems. Their songs are ever more popular, and for good reason - this has been their strongest year yet. With all the press, they've said that they'll be releasing a followup album next year, most likely in the fall/winter. Hopefully it'll be just as good.

Untitled - Cary Brothers
I've been seeing little bits here and there, so this is mostly speculation on my part, but Cary Brothers is back in the studio, recording a followup album. I was a big fan of Who You Are, and it was one of my favorite albums of last year.

Bloodbank EP - Bon Iver
This easily has to be the most anticipated album. For Emma, Forever Ago was brilliant, heartwrenching and emotional, and easily one of the best albums of the year. (You'll see it on my best albums list coming soon). There's an EP being released in January, entitled Bloodbank, and it can't come soon enough.

A Sucker's Dream - The Alternate Routes
The Alternate Routes released their first album last year, Good and Reckless and True, which I really enjoyed, and it likewise made it onto my best albums list last December. After the release of an EP this year, they'll be back with a new album with some of their new songs. From the first single, The Future Is Nothing New, this one will be another good listen.

Hazards of Love - The Decemberists
2006's The Crane Wife is a wonderful album, and it's fully turned me to the Decemberists (whom I really didn't like at first). It was a fantastic album, and while they've been releasing new materials this year via 3 EPs, Always the Bridesmaid, a new LP from these guys will be a welcome thing for sure. Should be due out May of 2009.

Battler - Gregory Douglass
Battler is the latest album from Gregory Douglass, and one of the tracks will be featuring Grace Potter. The first track, Broken Through is fantastic, building on some of the sounds from his last album, Up and Away, which I loved. Battler is coming in February of 2009.

Stay tuned for the Best Albums, New Artists and Songs lists, coming soon!

New Alternate Routes Video + Album

The Alternate Routes have a new video for an upcoming single from their next album, due out February 24th, 2009. Add it to the list people! The album is called A Sucker's Dream, and will have the following tracks on it:

01 On and On We Whisper
02 Ain't No Secret
03 All That I See
04 The Future's Nothing New
05 Just A Dream
06 Desdemona featuring Patty Griffin
07 Tow The Line
08 A Sucker's Dream
09 Already November
10 Never Gonna Be Rich
11 A Better Way

..

I'm looking forwards to this new release. Their first album, Good and Reckless and True was fantastic, one of my top ten of last year, and this one sounds very good.

The Future's Nothing New (Live) - The Alternate Routes

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The Best of August

Once again, it's the close of one month, and in with another one. This past month saw the return of a number of favorites of mine with new material, and all around, some fantastic material from a numbe of really good bands.

Shelly - The Alternate Routes

This is a song that I've been hearing live when I've seen the Alternate Routes over the past year. This is an appropriately bitter song, when one of the band members found that an ex was getting married. The song has a good drive to it, and is light enough that you don't catch the edge to it. It's a good sign of things to come with their upcoming album.

You Don't Know Me - Ben Folds & Regina Spektor

I've never been big on Ben Folds, but he does turn out some good pieces every now and then - I mainly just haven't had a chance to really listen to his repetoir. You Don't Know Me is a fun duet between Folds and Regina Spektor with a deep beat that sticks out with Fold's piano work. This song works paticularly well as a duet, given the subject matter.

Silver Lining (Rilo Kiley) - Ben Gibbard

Last year, one of my favorite albums was Rilo Kiley's Under the Black Light. Back in June, Ben Gibbard, of Death Cab for Cutie covered the song Silver Lining. This is a fun cover - it's very well done, and Gibbard, while he pretty much sticks to the same song, has a good voice to match the original.

Blood Bank (Live) - Bon Iver



Untitled - New Song - Bon Iver

I've raved about Bon Iver quite a bit. There's not a whole lot that I can add to what I've said, except that these two songs are new, live and will hopefully be on the next album. Bloodbank is a fantastic song, a little more structured than some of the songs on For Emma, Forever Ago, which is interesting. The new song is from earlier this year, and is also quite good and has a fanastic beat to it.

Indecision - Carbon Leaf

This song starts with a wonderful Rock & Roll feel to it with great guitar work from Carter, and some even better vocals and lyrics with Barry, before transitioning into a very familiar feel that is typical of Carbon Leaf. I'll be seeing these guys in September, and I can't wait to hear this one live.

Love Song - The Dandy Warhols

The Dandy Warhols have been on my radar after Veronica Mars and the earlier release of this album, and the funky folk-electric/a sound really catches one's ear here. This is a really neat song with a truely unique sound.

Strange Overtones - David Byrne and Brian Eno

NPR turned me to this song. Starting off with a wonderful, laid back beat, the vocals kick in about 30 seconds in for another really unique song. Very catchy.

Running Down A Dream (Tom Petty)- Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones) - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Grace Potter & Co did a fantastic concert in Burlington, again. Listen to the entire thing here, while you take in a couple new songs and a couple new covers that just plain rock.

Bird Of Prey - Jentri Colello

This is an up and coming indie singer who's got a promising voice and some fun lyrics. Bird of Prey has a great, laid back beat reminiscent of Rilo Kiley.

Let It Be Me - Ray Lamontagne

You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne is back with a new album, soon. These two albums take cues from his first two big releases, Trouble and Till the Sun Turns Black. These two tracks are tantalizingly hopeful and optimistic, and make this one of my most anticipated records left this year. If these two tracks are anything to go by, the next one is going to be absolutely fantastic.

Falling Stars - Sarah Siskind

Lone Tree - Sarah Siskind

Sarah Siskind is a country/folk/rock singer out of Memphis, and man, she has a wonderful voice and sound. She reminds me a lot of Nanci Griffith and Alison Krauss, with a great background beat and sound, and she has a fantastic, soothing way with words.

Every Drop - Sonya Kitchell

Sonya Kitchell is another fantastic singer/songwriter who's up and coming, and this track from her latest release has a great energy and feel to it, with a beat that makes you move, and builds and builds over the song. I'm wishing that I didn't miss her when she came up to the area.



That's all for this month. Let's see what next month brings to the table.

The Future Is Nothing New: New Alternate Routes!

There's so many bands out there that I really like, it's pretty hard to keep track of them. While I generally despise myspace, it's brilliant for finding what artists are up to, blog updates, new music, etc. Such is what happened today with The Alternate Routes. I discovered that they're not only releasing new material, they did so back in July, with The Watershed EP. On it, there's several songs that they've been playing in concert, such as Shelly and Louisiana. There's a couple newer ones that I hadn't heard before yet, but from my first listens, they're absolutely fantastic. I'm looking forwards to their next record already.

Their last album, Good and Reckless and True was a favorite of mine last year, for their easygoing style, and fantastic live shows that I attended. Last fall, they said they were doing some new tracks, and it looks like we've got part of their efforts here. Hopefully, they'll be back up in Vermont again, because I'll certainly be making that show. You should too, if they come near you.

Live Tracks: (Live at Gathering of the Vibes; Seaside Park, August 2nd, 2008)

Louisiana - The Alternate Routes

The Future Is Nothing New - The Alternate Routes

Asked You Twice - The Alternate Routes


The Watershed EP:
Love Me For Nothing - The Alternate Routes

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The Best of January

So, it's that time of the month again, and it's a new year with a bunch of really good songs to start off the month. It's been an interesting year so far, with the markets going all wacky and a Presidential primary that's really heating up, so here's something to distract you:

Who Cares? - The Alternate Routes
Are You Lonely - The Alternate Routes

The Alternate Routes released a limited CD that took many of the songs off of their first album and turned them acoustic. The result is spectacular - the songs here are plunky and take on a life of their own.

All In It - British Sea Power

British Sea Power released their latest album, Do You Like Rock Music?, recently, with this as the first track - which has a good beat, sound and feel to it - this one's a winner. And it just builds and builds, and does it well, which is always fantastic to hear with a song.

Gravity - Coldplay

Here's a live song from Coldplay that's new - something that might be on the upcoming album, which is due out sometime in the first half of the year. This feels like classic Coldplay - it's nice to hear that they haven't lost their touch.

Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irgolva

This song is almost the perfect ballad

Kids - Goodtimes Goodtimes
Sunshine Sunshine - Goodtimes Goodtimes

Goodtimes Goodtimes is a band that released their first album last year, and which I've since picked up from a couple of music blogs. They have a fantastic guitar groove and vocals. Vocally, they sound a little like Josh Ritter and Paolo Nutini. These are some songs that really get me up, which I like.

Pretty Good (John Prine) - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Josh Ritter

A great cover from Grace Potter, and a fantastic duet that I got to see this past summer, and one that I've been looking for for ages. Finally!

Spaceship - Jason Spooner
Black and Blue - Jason Spooner

Jason Spooner has a nice laid back feel, with some comforting lyrics and a delicate guitar to boot. Lazy driving songs, perfect for the highway.

Little Black Sandals - Sia
Soon We'll Be Found - Sia

Sia, whom Zero 7 fans might know from her collaborating work with them, as well as her prior solo albums, is back with problems. Some Real Problems, and this album is no sweat - light, tight and a fantastic listen. Sorry, did that sound corny?

A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

One of the biggest bands from last year before they even released their first album, A-Punk is a fantastic example from these guys. Great guitars, drums and vocals here.

Lying For The Song - We'll Write
Never Seems To Rain - We'll Write

These guys have a good feel for rhythm and sound, one that takes me back to some nostalgic college days before I began to worry too much about things. It's a refreshing sound and one that I'll be keeping my eyes on.

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New Alternate Routes

One of the best groups that I came across last year was The Alternate Routes, who I was able to see twice when they came up to Vermont. They've been on the road for a while, and they've played a couple of songs that either didn't make it onto their first record, Good and Reckless and True, or they've since been writing. Here's some new things from them:

Louisiana - The Alternate Routes
Desdemona - The Alternate Routes
I Go Away Stoned - The Alternate Routes
My Old Lady - The Alternate Routes

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