2008...so far

Rack up another vote for the Gary Louris album, Vagabond. I judge him one of the great songwriters of the last decade, and sthere are ome amazing tunes here. Such a shame The Jayhakws broke us (I love Sound of Lies and Rainy Day Music ~ both criminally overlooked... get the vinyl while you still can!) But having this album makes up for that loss.

Its out on Ryko, vinyl too, like the Joe Jackson (again, get it while you can...)The vinyl sounds warm, spacious and just right, good, clean, classic music, and the playing is solid, but not flashy. Produced by Chris Robinson, it baffles me how he can help make this, a superb slice of wax, and then put out his own album, sabatoged by a picture disc that was bound to be noisy...

Finally, some independent records stores still have copies of the promo Cd Acoustic Vagabonds, available with purchase of the Cd, which has just Louris, pure and simple, playing all of the first side, and the title track. I like it even better than the Lp, and that is saying something... Liked the Jayhawks? Like Wilco? Like good music? Then fear not... get it!!!

 

Rock on, brother. That album is still about 40 years newer than most of the records praised around here.

Jeff

 

the upcoming Aimee Mann CD!

 

Thanks for that! I ordered the Howlin' Rain LP as a result. Might get the Black Mountain 2 LP set as well, though I must say the vocals don't do much for me.

 

That's a 2007 release.

 

Eleven Modern Antiquities by Pugwash. Definitely a late March 2008 release, it's power pop-tastic!

 

Crap! I did not know this acoustic bonus version was available! Not sure how I can get a copy now since I'm some 400 miles from my favorite indie store (Denver's Twist and Shout). I ordered my vinyl copy from Music Direct weeks ago but it still hasn't arrived.

At any rate, I downloaded it from iTunes on the day it dropped and I love it. I can't wait to finally hear the LP.

Other than that, I can't think of anything this year that's moved me so far. Last year I couldn't keep up with all of the great new music. This year things have slowed down...for me at least. I gotta do a better job at keeping my ears open.

dan c

 

... fair enough, just took a while to get all the way to Oz.

 

... here are two fantastic new Jazz releases on ECM.

 

I bought the album of the year (so far) this weekend:

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!"

What an album! It's freakin brilliant, he's on such a roll at the moment.

 

More votes for Gary Louris, Black Mountain, and Trower/Bruce.

Looking forward to:
Supergrass
Black Keys
B-52s
REM

 

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!

 

Another vote for the Black Mountain. I been diggin it.

BuI have to be honest and say that it's the only new release I've bought this year.

 

I haven't heard the entire album but so far I've been extremely disappointed with 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig' and I say that as a big Nick Cave fan. He seems to have settled in a comfortable niche and is coasting a bit. The Bad Seeds are missing Blixa terribly. When he left he took along a lot of their edge with him. I'll still buy it but don't expect to play it too often.

 

Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree



My wife just picked up the new Magnetic Fields, so I'll be checking that out soon.

Still haven't heard the new Nick Cave.

 

What did you think of Grinderman, Jeff? Is this in the same vein?

Jeff

 

I liked Grinderman. A lot. The new album is similar with a little more emphasis on song-writing. The only problem for me is, the songs don't seem all that great. The title track especially didn't do much for me. But like I said, I'll buy it anyway in hopes that it'll grow on me.

 

Funny you should mention that, as it's the only other Fields LP I have.

Anyway: if you like Distortion, you might like the new Raveonettes album, Lust Lust Lust - it's got a very similar sound, all distortion and digital reverb married to poppy songs.

 

Judging by the songs from it performed on the Paul Jones show on BBC Radio 2 tonight 'Keep It Simple' by Van Morrison should be a good one when it is released later this month.

 

Hear hear...

 

Care to describe Goldfrapp's sound/music? For the curious... (Fab cover!)

And is Shelby country, or country pop, country rock? country lite? what?

Again, curious, as the local has it on Lp... I think...

 

Drive By Truckers
Gary Louris
Kathleen Edwards

 

I LOVE the louris, how are the other two?

DBT getting good reviews and lots of postive press...