Brett’s Top 10 Favorite Albums of the Decade!

December 24, 2009

These are Brett’s favorite albums of the decade. Find out why by reading below.

10. Of Montreal – The Sunlandic Twins

Why do people always forget about The Sunlandic Twins? I’ve seen Of Montreal on many “best of the decade” lists, but never for this album. This obviously confuses me because I think it’s their best album. Remember the O.C. Soundtracks and how cool California rock was? Well, Of Montreal mixed the novelty of that brief movement with their signature psych-pop sound to create a pop/rock masterpiece. You might recognize “Wraith Pinned” from the Outback Steakhouse commercials.

9. The Unicorns – Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone?

I’m sure you’ve notice that Independent Rock has become Mainstream Rock…no? Well it has. The Unicorn’s only album set the tone for the genre back in 2003. The synthesizer melodies…the Helter Skelter megaphone background vocals…the rockabilly guitar tone…the cymbal-heavy post-punk drumming…the nonsensical lyrics…the airy lead vocals…this is what Indie Rock is made of people. Better yet, its uplifting and fun as shit! We’re the Unicorns, we’re more than horses.

8. The Strokes – Is This It?

They were supposed to save Rock ‘n’ Roll. Instead, they never came close to matching this groundbreaking, revivalist half-hour party. The album took “cool” to a new level. Julian Casablancas’ distorted vocals and Albert Hammond Jr.’s ‘70s garage/punk riffs made the band almost worthy of how skinny their jeans were. The sound was novel, tight and everything awesome about New York rock. Oh, and “Last Night” is one of the best rock songs ever.

7. Nickel Creek – Why Should The Fire Die?

This is the most overlooked album I’ve ever come across. Maybe it’s the fact that Nickel Creek is a country/bluesgrass act that gets 0 love in the northeast. Well they do from me. The production is outstanding, the musicianship is amazing, and the vocals are god damn sexy. iTunes calls this album “the folk/bluegrass reply to Radiohead’s Kid A.” It pushes the boundaries of bluegrass music (sounds more like a Rock album sometimes) in a great way. “Tomorrow is a Long Time” and “Doubting Thomas” are emotional rollercoaster of doubt and longing. Don’t forget the lyrics… “why should the fire die, my mom and dad kept theirs alive.”

6. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Psychedelic is back. (did it ever really go away?) With “Merriweather,” Animal Collective transformed from noise rockers into psychedelic warriors. Look at that album cover–it moves. The MDMA-inspired electronic waves + blips are joined with acid-rock song structures and lyrics. The album will make you feel like you’re tripping. If not, you’re probably tripping already. “My Girls”, “Summertime Clothes”, and “Brothersport” are the bands best songs..and they’re all on one album. Go put on your iTunes visualizer and listen to this bad boy all the way through….you’ll thank me after.

5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

One album wonders. I once told a co-worker this was a perfect album, and he turned at me like I had 17 eyeballs. So maybe it’s not perfect, but its pretty close if you’re an Indie Rock fan. The entire album is in the same key, which gives a sense of uniformity. The David Byrne style vocals might be awkward, but they are unique. The songs could easily be deciphered as one long, continuous emotionless complaint…and for that I love it. “The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth” and “Over and Over Again” will have you nodding your head all night long (but don’t try to figure out what the lyrics are, nobody knows.) It doesn’t matter, as soon as you hear that drum beat and that synth I dare you not to feel something.

4. Stars – Set Yourself On Fire

“When there is nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.” It seems like good enough advice from Canadians. Female vocalist Amy Millan and male lead singer Torquill Campbel – along with lots of synths and lots of ‘80s post-punk drum loops – created their masterpiece under the moniker Stars. “Your Ex-Lover is Dead”, ”Set Yourself On Fire” and “Ageless Beauty” form the best trilogy since the Lord of The Rings. The albums theme of nostalgia for lost teenage years is not only unique, but also creates an emotional flashback that will have you starring out your window on a rainy day for years to come.

3. The Postal Service – Give Up

The Postal Service did something that seems simple nowadays, combining electronic beats with an emotional rock vocalist. In 2003, this was groundbreaking. Definitely my favorite album opener of the millennium: when Gibbard hits the notes in the phrase, “gaudy apartment complex”…well that’s just beautiful isn’t it. It’s easy to miss the point of the album entirely, it is after all and upbeat danceable album. Yet underneath the beats lays a deep remorse and sadness only the Death Cab man can expose. From a production point of view, beatmaker DNTEL reminds the world of the wonderful qualities of panning effects. Don’t forget the hit single “Such Great Heights” had every guy and every girl wishing they were in love, or at least a star in an indie movie, right?

2. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning

These are the lyrics that define the decade. Conor Oberst paints pictures with his words, and as one reviewer puts it “you feel like eavesdropping more than listening to an album.” His songs are stories, ones you can listen to again and again and find something new every time. “I’m Wide Awake” depicts one lonely, hopeless man living through Bush-era America. There are stories of depression, drugs, love, and a certain hopelessness only Oberst can express. And in the middle of all this self-loathing is the tune “First Day of My Life” – which battles any Ben Gibbard tune for the catchiest/ cutsiest song of the 2000s. Emmylou Harris’s harmonies transform Oberst’s signature tremolo vocal sound from emo-folk into a new notion of Americana. From the emotion filled acoustic narratives ‘Lua’ and ‘Poiston Oak’ to political, existential anthems ‘Road To Joy’ and ‘At The Bottom of Everything’, the album is flows like few others and will gratify any listener who makes it to Oberst’s final scream for help, “I’M WIDE AWAKE, IT’S MORNING!”

1. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

“I’m Wide Awake…” might define a generation, but “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” is timeless. The album’s story is a cult legend in itself, but let’s stick to the music. This is a country rock album of Jeff Tweedy’s honest singer/songwriter style delivery…yet there’s something else going on. It’s like Tweedy wrote the songs then played them to his band and said, “OK, now lets fuck with them.” The use of electronic fillers and obscure percussion bells on “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” creates a psychedelic wall of noise that cant be beat. Simple ditties like Kamera receive synth led melodies and African drums, and “I’m the man that loves you” has the heaviest (yet not cheesiest) guitar sound I’ve heard. It’s the only album I can compare to a Beatles album, where every sonic component fits so perfectly with frail vocals that it puts an immediate smile on anyone’s face that listens to it. Perfection.

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Albums of the Decade: Nicky’s Top 10

December 24, 2009

It’s the end of the world decade as we know it.

The decade is nearly over, and I’m forced (internally, of course) to analyze, contextualize, and dissect the last ten years in music. The 21st century has been a landmark time in my life—my introduction to music. Of course, the first half of my life had a background soundtrack as well, but it wasn’t until a certain 2004 release did I begin to realize that it was time for me to walk to the beat of the music, and not the other way around.

It’s bizarre to see how much my taste and listening habits have changed over the course of my immersion into the art. Napster downloads and carpool mix-tapes characterized the beginning of my musical indulgence, but now I literally lock myself in a room alone for hours, simply watching an album play down my iTunes window. It’s not even considered borderline obsession anymore, but it’s nice that society doesn’t frown upon a music geek the same way it would if I were spending my productive time fooling around with plastic Warcraft figures.

Considering I got into music relatively late, I’ve spent the last six years catching up. I’ve torn through the “greats,” of the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s, and 60’s, making sure I know every ironic line Morrissey has sung, and every line David Byrne snorted.
Every chord change the Pixies make, each time Bowie changed his hairstyle, and every time Elliot Smith hinted at his poetic suicide. But without hesitation, I can say that the last ten years in music have meant more to me than anything else.

If you’re a fan of electronic music, you’d have to agree with me. Technology = electronic music, and as we’ve gotten more and more sophisticated with computers, the music has mirrored this advancement. In the 2000s, we saw electronic music fuse with hip-hop, rock, pop and the mainstream-ization of house music. The most sought after live events (Daft Punk, Radiohead) use electronic elements as the backbone of their music, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a song sitting in the top legions of the Billboard charts that didn’t have at least a synth leaping across its chorus.

Not everyone will agree with this list—but for me, these are the albums that defined the decade in music. Without further ado, I present my top eleven (couldn’t do just ten) albums of the 21st Century (so far). For each album, I’ve included a key track available for download.

11) Daft Punk – Discovery (2001)
This wasn’t the first time the robots lit up dance floors (that would be their first release Homework, with such jams as “Da Funk”) but for me, this was my discovery of the works of the two French DJs. The first half is cut with pop-friendly singles like “Aerodynamic,” “Harder Better Faster Stronger” and “One More Time,” and the second side creeps up on you with more subtle tunes like “Face to Face” and “Voyager.” Regardless of your preference, there’s something for everyone here. No other album released nine years ago still has the same relevance that this has today—a true testament to the pop perfection of Discovery.

Key track: “Digital Love”

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10) The National – Boxer (2007)
Just three years old, the fourth album from the National already feels timeless. Matt Beringer’s soothing croon makes us feel like we’re sitting alone in a dark and damp bar late at night, but there’s something incredibly moving about this collection of songs that cures any sense of lonesomeness. Each song, from the opening chords of lead-track “Fake Empire” to the epic “Start a War” has a beautiful emptiness quality that is filled by your own emotional response to the songs. It’s dark and gloomy, yet simultaneously uplifting. You leave Boxer feeling at ease and content with all of your problems—finally.

Key track: “Fake Empire”

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9) Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)
Every music critic has exhausted the story behind this album—a heartbroken Justin Vernon travels to the woods of Wisconsin seeking isolation and returns with this album. It’s unimportant really—listening to this batch of acoustic wonders, I could’ve guessed as much. Vernon’s voice is the real instrument here—he reaches high notes Chris Martin could only dream about, and does so with incredible ease. There was no album that evokes as much emotion as For Emma does that was released this decade. Thoreau went into the woods and came back with his masterpiece, Walden. Justin Vernon came back with his—this.

Key track: “Skinny Love”

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8: Kanye West – Late Registration (2005)
Egomaniac Kanye West has made himself hard to love these days, but before his epic breakdowns at award shows and overly-glitzy production, he released two incredible hip-hop albums. College Dropout’s minimalist beats had some of West’s best verses, but his 2005 follow-up encompasses everything great about him. Turning Curtis Mayfield’s classic tune into his own on “Touch the Sky” and remixing the Bond theme for “Diamonds are Forever,” he showcases his creative genius. There’s not a dud on this 20 song masterpiece, though glad to see he’s since done away with the useless skits.

Key track: “Gone (ft.Consequence & Cam’ron)”

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7) The Field – From Here We Go Sublime (2007)
Minimalist electronic music hit a genre highpoint with The Field’s debut album, From Here We Go Sublime. It’s endlessly repetitive, looping the same beats for minutes on end, but the result puts you in an inescapable trance. A dangerous album to drive to, your mind reaches new levels of thought and daydream during, and after, the conclusion of this record. He made this with only his laptop and a vision, but the sound is huge and otherworldly, a soundtrack to my most philosophical and transcendental moments.

Key track: “A Paw in My Face”

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6) Bloc Party – Silent Alarm (2005)
The mid-decade Brit-rock invasion was led by an unusual group of musicians. Led by an openly gay Kele Okereke, Bloc Party tore apart the emerging hipster crowd with lead singles “Banquet” and “Helicopter,” which still sound as fresh as they did five years ago. Thousands of bands tried to copy Bloc Party’s sound (here’s looking at your Kaiser Chiefs and Maximo Park– though even they themselves could never recreate it completely), but all fell prey to the fact that there was no surpassing this group of lanky and awkward Brits. Powerful and thought provoking, light-hearted and witty, Silent Alarm opened the door for electronic music and rock to fuse without sacrificing the integrity of either genre.

Key track: “So Here We Are”

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5) Deadmau5 – Random Album Title (2008)
Well, this really came out of nowhere. First introduced to Deadmau5 (pronounced dead-mouse) through his EPIC remix of “The Longest Road” by Morgan Page, I had no idea this man was capable of topping himself there. I have never been more wrong. Random Album Title is the culmination of the decade’s foray into electronic music. It fuses house, electro, minimalism, dubstep and arguably any other tag you want to throw out there. Bass is this man’s middle name, and he crushes eardrums and hearts alike with such gems as “Slip,” “Brazil,” “I Remember” – I’ll stop naming tracks because there isn’t one on here that’s not worth it’s own paragraph. The most original and unique sounding electronic album this decade (ever?), Random Album Title is the answer to any naysayer who says they can’t understand the appeal of lyric-less music. Immense.

Key track: “Slip”

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4) Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it In People (2002)
The rotating cast of characters in Broken Social Scene, the Canadian band at the heart of the Arts & Crafts label, means a constant dose of new energy and new sounds. Throughout YFIIP, the band’s second and best album, the songs ring with a sense of creative unity, but at the same time, you can often hear the disagreement amongst instruments. But this lack of togetherness in the traditional sense is what gives the album its unique charm. Part shoe-gaze, part jam-band and part ethereal-rock, You Forgot it in People is every indie-kid’s golden egg. Without it, we wouldn’t know how to express our emotions with the sincerity and emo-ness that defines us. This album did more to soundtrack my life—it helped teach me how to feel. Beat that, Coldplay.

Key track: “Anthems For a Seventeen Year Old Girl”

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3) LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver (2006)
The brainchild of multi-talented musician and overall hipster-god James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem’s Sound of Silver is what happens when a brilliant musician is given time, money, and artistic freedom. Released on his own label, Sound of Silver fuses wavy electronic elements with rock anthems to create an intimate, personal and instantly lovable sound. The mid-album combo of “Someone Great” and “All My Friends” just might be the most killer back-to-back track listing in all of music. Murphy finishes the album by stripping away all the other elements that he hid behind before; on “New York, I Love You, but You’re Bringing Me Down,” it’s only his voice leading a soft piano far behind him. At his most vulnerable state, we finally see the man behind the mask, the hero behind Sound of Silver—and after this rollercoaster of an album is done, we take a deep breath and tip our hat to the man who just gave us a lifetime of music in only fifty-six minutes.

Key track: “All My Friends”

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2) Radiohead – Kid A (2001)
My complete indulgence—nay—mania—nay—obsession with all things Radiohead came into full swing about three years ago. After years of “not getting them,” I spent one solitary night alone with headphones on listening to OK Computer, and it was like getting hit in the face by a brick wall. I soon moved on to their following album, the 2001 electronic-fused Kid A. Whoaaaa. That was probably my first reaction upon hearing the opening chambers of “Everything in its Right Place.” Thom Yorke’s signature, melodic yelp echoes behind a synthesizer that in no way, shape, or form can be from this planet. On “The National Anthem,” a thundering bass-line propels the song again into outer space, and only further disconnects from Earth at the orchestral breakdown. How has no one thought of those four simple chords before! This is an album made for humans by creatures that have seen the light from somewhere far beyond. You will never hear an album described as sounding like Kid A because that’s simply not possible. Trying to describe this album is like trying to describe sex to a nun; sure, I can explain to you what it feels like, but until you experience it for yourself, you’ll never quite understand the hype. If you happen to be a nun (i.e., have not heard this album), I urge you, I beg of you, I’m on my knees praying for you—break your commitment. Listen to Kid A.

Key track: “How to Disappear Completely”

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1) Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)
No, this is not my number one album of the last ten years because it’s the album that got me into music. No, I don’t uncontrollably break a smile every time the violin opens on “Neighborhood #1.” No, I haven’t written an entire essay on why this is my favorite album of all time for my own personal use and have never shown it to anyone. No, I’m not actually convinced that if I got one wish it would be for me to play the two piano keys that jumpstart “Rebellion” with the band live in concert. I wouldn’t say that this album transcends every other rock record made this decade because no other album has even come close to matching the intensity, the passion, the fire, the wit, the humor, the laugh, the tears, the sadness, the vivacity. No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s not like “Neighborhood #3” has the most spine-chilling and bone-shattering bass-line this side of the year 2000. No, the tribal chanting, earth-shattering and emotionally derailing crescendo on “Wake Up” doesn’t make me want to jump up and celebrate life and love and happiness and eternal ecstasy. I definitely wouldn’t say this album is completely, utterly, entirely, unquestionably and indisputably perfect. No, I don’t have chills writing this right now. No, Funeral has never brought me to tears, unable to decipher just why I’m crying

Oh wait—I mean yes. This is the album of our generation.

Key track: “Rebellion (Lies)”

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The 50 Best Songs of the 2000s

December 14, 2009

Post-911 Hysteria! Disco is cool again! Hand written block letters! Rap turned into pop! Garage Rock revivalism! I wish I wasn’t a baby during the ‘80s, they seemed sooooo cool! What the fuck is Indie Rock? Sounds like the new millennium!

To most Tripping Franklins readers, the 2000s mark the decade of our lives. High school + College = Life, right? We’ve had some great songs. Brett, Nicky and Javi have decided to rank the 50 best.

What constitutes the ‘best’?

1. general awesomenes

2. lyricism

3. Influential-ness

What are the rules?

1. No more than 3 songs from one album

2. Can be anything released in stores, online, or a bootleg mix on the internet in the last ten years.

Brett’s List

1. The Arcade Fire – Rebellion (Lies)

2. The Postal Service – Such Great Heights

3. Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood

4. Coldplay – The Scientist

5. Jay-Z – 99 Problems

6. Radiohead – Everything in It’s Right Place

7. Outkast – Hey Ya

8. The Strokes – Last Night

9. Wilco – Jesus Etc

10. The White Stripes – Fell In Love With A Girl

11. Eminem – Stan

12. Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life

13. Air – Alpha Beta Gaga

14. The Killers – Mr. Brightside

15. M.I.A. – Paper Planes

16. Radiohead – Idioteque

17. Feist – 1234

18. Kanye West – New Workout Plan

19. Modest Mouse- Gravity Rides Everything

20. Eels – Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues

21. Peter Bjorn And John – Young Folks

22. Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

23. Daft Punk – One More Time

24. Jack Johnson – Flake

25. Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why

26. The Shins – New Slang

27. Bloc Party – Banquet

28. Fedde Le Grand – Put Your Hands Up For Detroit

29. The Hives – Main Offender

30. Of Montreal – Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games

31. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

32. Guster – Amsterdam

33. Coldplay – Clocks

34. Animal Collective – Grass

35. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy

36. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps

37. Franz Ferdinand Take Me Out

38. Sigur Rós – Hoppipolla

39. Coldplay – Yellow

40. Wilco – Heavy Metal Drummer

41. Stars – Set Yourself On Fire

42. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth

43. Interpol – Evil

44. Liars – The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack

45. Kanye West – Gone (Feat. Consequence & Cam’Ron)

46. M83 – Kim & Jessie

47. MGMT – Kids

48. The Walkmen – We’ve Been Had

49. Muse – Stockholm Syndrome

50. The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize??

Nicky’s List

1 – Arcade Fire- Rebellion (Lies)

2 – Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

3 – LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends

4 – M83 – Teen Angst

5 – Broken Social Scene – Anthems for a Seventeen-Year Old Girl

6 – TV on the Radio – Wolf Like Me

7 – Hot Chip – And I was a Boy From School

8 – The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize??

9 – Bon Iver – Skinny Love

10 – Bloc Party – So Here We Are

11 – The Arcade Fire – Haiti

12 – Daft Punk – Digital Love

13 – Radiohead – Everything in its Right Place

14- M.I.A – Paper Planes (Remix ft. Bun B and Rich Boy)

15 – Morgan Page – The Longest Road (Deadmau5 remix)

16 – The National – Fake Empire

17 – LCD Soundstem – Tribulations

18 – Page France – Chariot

19 – Gui Boratto – Beautiful Life

20 – Broken Social Scene – Stars and Sons

21 – The Postal Service – Such Great Heights

22 – Shinichi Osawa – Star Guitar

23 – The Field – A Paw in My Face

24 – LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great

25 – Cut Copy – Feel the Love

26 – Lil’ Wayne – Mo Fire

27 – Jens Lekman – Black Cab

28 – Radiohead – How to Disappear Completely

29 – Kanye West – Gone

30 – Josh Ritter – Thin Blue Flames

31 – Simian Mobile Disco – I Believe

32 – Lemon Jelly – The Staunton Lick

33 – Broken Social Scene – 7/4 (Shoreline)

34 – Damien ‘Junior Gong’ Marley – Road to Zion

35 – Deadmau5 – Slip

36 – 2pac & Elton John – Ghetto Gospel

37 – The Go Team! – Huddle Formation

38 – MGMT – Kids

39 – Lupe Fiasco – Daydreamin

40 – Kidda – Under the Sun (Herve Remix)

41 – UGK – Intl Players Anthem (I Choose You)

42 – The Decemberists – The Crane Wife 3

43 – Little Boots – Stuck on Repeat

44 – Modest Mouse – The World at Large

45 – Sebastian Tellier – La Ritournelle (Mr. Dan’s Magic Wand remix)

46 – Stars – Set Yourself on Fire

47 – Flosstradamus – Overnight Star (Twista vs. Sigur Ros)

48 – The Streets – Dry Your Eyes

49 – The Strokes – What Ever Happened

50 – Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

Javi’s List

Wow. This was really tough. Compiling 50 songs from the 2000’s. I am definitely not worthy. But because I love music oh so much, I’ll make an attempt. Enjoy!

1. Air – Alpha Beta Gaga (2004)

2. NERD – Run to The Sun (2003)

3. Royskopp – Remind Me (2003)

4. Etienne de Crecy – Am I Wrong (2000)

5. Klaxons – Golden Skans (2007)

6. The Knife – Pass This On (2005)

7. MGMT – Kids (2007)

8. Moby – Porcelain (2004)

9. MSTRKRFT – Easy Love (2006)

10. Mylo – In My Arms (2004)

11. Justice – Phantom (2007)

12. Passionpit – Folds In Your Hands (2009)

13. Phoenix – 1901 (2009)

14. The Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar (2002)

15. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks (2009)

16. Animal Collective – My Girls (2009)

17. Weezer – Hash Pipe (2001)

18. Zoot Woman – Hope In The Mirror (2003)

19. Vampire Weekend – A-Punk (2008)

20. Simian Mobile Disco – I Believe (2007)

21. Radiohead – Idioteque (2000)

22. Boys Noize – Oh! (2007)

23. Andre 3000 – Prototype (2003)

24. Gabriel & Dresden – Eleven (2006)

25. Booka Shade – Body Language (Interpretation) (2006)

26. Outkast – B.O.B. (2000)

27. Benny Benassi – Satisfaction (2003)

28. Radiohead – Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (2007)

29. Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulder (2003)

30. Digitalism – Idealistic (2007)

31. Boards of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy (2005) [check out the music video too]

32. Aphex Twin – Vordhosbn (2001)

33. Deadmau5 – I Remember (2008)

34. Daft Punk – Face to Face (2001)

35. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy (2006)

36. Empire of the Sun – We Are The People (2008)

37. Simian – Never Be Alone (2002)

38. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (2003)

39. M83 – Kim & Jessie (2008)

40. Lupe Fiasco – Daydreamin’ (2006)

41. Maroon 5 – This Love (2002)

42. Kanye West – Addiction (2005)

43. Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (2008)

44. Modeselektor – Sucker Pin (2007)

45. Fischerspooner – Never Win (2005)

46. Gorillaz – Dare (2005)

47. The Shins – Sleeping Lessons (2007)

48. Jay-Z – Song Cry (2001)

49. Arcade Fire – Rebellion (Lies) (2004)

50. The Darkness – I Believe In A Thing Called Love (2003)

15 Songs We Agree On (in quasi-order)

1. Arcade Fire- Rebellion (Lies)

2. Radiohead – Everything in its Right Place

3. M.I.A – Paper Planes

4. Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

5. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire

6. The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize??

7. The Postal Service – Such Great Heights

8. Kanye West – Gone

9. MGMT – Kids

10. Air – Alpha Beta Gaga

11. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy

12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps

13. Radiohead – Idioteque

14. Simian Mobile Disco – I Believe

15. Lupe Fiasco – Daydreamin’

Every time you close your eyes, lies!

– tripping franklins quote of the decade

check back next week for the top 10 albums of the decade!

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The Rock Canon: No Wave.

December 8, 2009

Instead of another history lesson I’m just going to say two things: punk happened in the mid ’70s, and then post-punk happened in the late ’70s. Post-punk refers to the bands who blended the signature punk rock sounds of the 70s (think Ramones+Sex Pistols) and expanded/experimented with the music. From 1976-79, New York’s East Village was home to the post-punk subgenre/movement known as No Wave.

No Wave blends punk rock attitude+lyricism+guitar with elements of jazz and disco to create a truly avant-garde sound. It’s called No Wave to contrast it with New Wave: the sound that pretty much turned punk into synth pop.

Bands like Teenage Jesus and The Jerks, Mars, DNA, and The Contortions essentially turned Punk into art music. Teenage Jesus and The Jerks created abrasive noise also accompanied by a frantic saxophone. The band used traditional rock instruments like guitar, bass, and drums…yet made music that seemed to break almost every Rock n Roll tradition.

check out this video of Teenage Jesus’s “Orphans”

Lead singer Lydia Lunch created a solo career and recorded Jazz cafe-style tunes filled with nihilistic poetry, dissonance, and noise.

Lydia Lunch -Intervista

The Contortions was another offshoot of Teenage Jesus that blended Jazz and Disco to the post-punk sound of New York.

Despite what you indie kids might think, Disco-Punk wasn’t born in the 2000s. Check out James White & The Blacks, a band that incorporated a distinct Disco meets Jazz drum style (note the high hat). this band also contained members of Teenage Jesus… they were all friends.

James White & The Blacks – “Contort Yourself”

Sonic Youth is perhaps the most famous offshoot of the No Wave scene. Throughout the early ’80s, Sonic Youth created music (read: Confusion is Sex) that is sometimes referred to as No Wave.

Most of these bands are pretty far from the Rock Canon. For one thing, the music is not easy to listen to. Another reason, the “jazz meets punk” sound never became popular. However, such iconic Rockers as Brian Eno, David Bowie, Debbie Harrie, and David Byrne were all fans of No Wave. This music is original, and a prime example of experimentation and avant-garde in Rock history.

For more on No Wave, check out the compilation “No New York”, an album mixed by Brian Eno that captures the No Wave sound.

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What’s Going On Tonight in Philly? (tues)

December 8, 2009

Designer Drugs @ The Barbary

join the TF crew tonight at our new favorite venue, The Barbary (near Z Bar). Tickets are only $3.

click HERE to download a live set by Designer Drugs.

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What’s Going On Tonight in Philly? (mon)

December 7, 2009

Brendan Benson @ World Cafe Live

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The Rock Canon: Lists

December 3, 2009

Much of what we consider a part of the Rock Canon are artists, songs, and albums found in “greatest ” lists. ’Greatest lists’ can be found on TV, the radio, websites, and in magazines.

two main types of ‘greatest lists’ exist: 1. as voted by the fans or 2. staff picks

As voted by the fans lists, such as the annual Q104.3 “Greatest 1043 Rock Songs Countdown”, seem to succeed due to the fact people enjoy hearing the ‘best songs’. Also, people who vote will listen to see where their favorite songs place on the list. However, does this really constitute a ‘greatest list’? The radio station is predominantly listened to by middle aged men and tends to broadcast primarily 1970s classic rock. Lets see the results.

The second type of ‘greatest lists’ is the Staff picks list. These lists, such as Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Song of All Time”, are not merely based on personal preference for the song. These lists examine influence, lyricism, and overall enjoyability of the songs. Rolling Stone affirms its desicions through such quotes as “Just as Dylan bent folk music’s roots and forms to his own will, he transformed popular song with the content and ambition of “Like a Rolling Stone.”…No other pop song has so thoroughly challenged and transformed the commercial laws and artistic conventions of its time, for all time.” Lets look at Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Songs”

Let’s compare. So the top 3 songs according to Q104.3 (aka the fans) aren’t even in the top 30 on the Rolling Stone list! Rolling Stone placed Bob Dylan’s “like a rolling stone” as the ‘greatest song ever’…. but its #32 on the Q104.3 list! The one thing they agree on… The Beatles wrote a lot of great songs.

You might say, “these are only 2 lists, who cares?” Well, friend, you should care. My point is not ‘don’t trust the lists’ … Conversely, trust ALL the lists. Go download every song on both the lists. They are all great songs. There’s a whole lot of Rock songs, and there’s enough room in the Rock Canon for all of them.

Collini out.

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