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Favorite Album Covers of 2008

By: Lee H | in: Design, Music | 3 Comments



I gave up on CDs a long time ago. Yes, I do miss reading liner notes as well as the feeling I got from flipping through CD’s at Towers (R.I.P.) but I don’t miss paying $20 for what would probably become a shiny new coaster. I also don’t miss trying to pack up my entire collection every time I’ve moved. What I do miss are great album covers. Sure, they still make them but I mostly only see them on the 2″ screen on my iPod. So in memory of those times I’d like to give you my personal favorite (not “best” or “worst”) album covers of 2008 in no particular order.

Artist: Alain Bashung
Album: Bleu Pétrole

When I first saw this it reminded me of 8 ½ by Fellini. After actually looking at the movie poster I realized it didn’t. But anything that even remotely reminds me of Federico Fellini is worth listing.

alain-bashung

Artist: Anathallo
Album: Canopy Glow

Iamatree from Duxbury, MA had this to say about this cover on emusic.com: “could this possibly be the worst album cover of 2008????????” The cover is actually Tim Lowly’s “Temma on Earth.” But if you’re like Iamatree you probably won’t care.

anathallo

Artist: Grouper
Album: Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill

This is just creepy.

grouper

Artist: Lil Wayne
Album: The Drought is Over Vol 6

I have a love/hate relationship with Little Dewayne and I feel the same way about this cover. I love that someone went through all this work for a mixtape (1 of about 20 that he put out this year) but I hate it for the same reason. It’s so silly it’s cool and so cool it’s silly.

lil-wayne

Artist: William Fitzsimmons
Album: The Sparrow And The Crow

That is a magnificent beard. It only becomes more magnificent when you hear him sing out of it.

william-fitzsimmons

Artist: Wild Sweet Orange
Album: We Have Cause to Be Uneasy

This cover is kind of cute, kind of sad, kind of funny and considering the album title, wholly appropriate.

wild-sweet-orange

Artist: The Twilight Sad
Album: Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did

Anyone that saw my list from last year will remember this band. According to Amazon.com their next album ” Killed My Parents & Hit the Road” will be released on December 30, 2008. That day is also my birthday. Coincidence? Probably.

the-twilight-sad

Artist: Pipsqueak
Album: BABYDOLL

Do I really even need to say anything about this one?

pipsqueak

Artist: MC Chris
Album: MC Chris is Dead

With the track record of retired rappers staying retired I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear of mc chris and even if he really is “dead” by the looks of this cover I’m sure he’ll be back.
mcchris

Artist: Sigur Ros
Album: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

This is actually an image by Ryan McGinley. McGinleys’ show, I Know Where the Summer Goes, is a series of normal looking naked people doing normal things like grocery shopping, climbing trees, swimming, riding bikes, running across highways etc. etc. Definitely worth checking out.

sigur-ros

[Favorite Album Covers of 2007]


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Posted on December 26, 2008

Watch Dr. Dog Live!

By: Charbarred | in: Music | Leave a Comment



I know we’re always gushing about FabChannel, but frankly I still find it a mystery why this site isn’t more popular. Dr. Dog was one of my favorite bands of 2008 and this concert further showcases their talent. Being that their earlier stuff is not very well recorded, this gig also sheds more light on their earlier material. Watch it!

And when you’re done, head over to FabChannel to catch some other excellent concerts like MGMT and dEUS.


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Posted on December 25, 2008

Malajube Return with New Album out February: ‘Labyrinthe’

By: Rustycat | in: Music | Leave a Comment



malajube

I raved about Malajube when I got back from Berlin last year, where by chance I caught a glimpse of this amazing indie rock band killing it on stage.
Hailing from the streets of Montreal, Malajube have yet to follow up on their successful sophomore album ‘Trompe L’Oeil’ which was released back in 2006. After a very quite 2007 and 08′ Stereogum is reporting their comeback somewhere in February 09′ with a new album named ‘Labyrinthe’.
Stereogum was kind enough to also share ‘Ursuline’, a new track from the upcoming album, and it’s all I could ask for -  a proper 7 minute track with various themes, longing guitars and an amazing beat that keeps you going!

Did I mention it’s in French…? so don’t try to make sense of the lyrics unless you know some.

If you’re in Canada sometime during the winter, do yourself a favor and go see them live. Tour dates are on their Myspace.

Malajube – Ursuline


And just as a reminder here’s Monogamie from their previous album.


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Posted on December 24, 2008

Best of 2008 (Rustycat): Jagjaguwar Rocks!

By: Rustycat | in: Music | 4 Comments



doyou

I sifted through tons of albums while preparing my best of 2008 album list . It wasn’t until I really dug deep and had a good listen that I realized it wasn’t such a bad music year like I initially thought . I also came to the final conclusion that the Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian label, that I’ve been raving about for years, did it again with Bon Iver, Okkervil River, Black Mountain and Bodies of Water.

Here we go:

16.    Bodies of Water – A Certain Feeling
Probably not as kick ass as 2007’s release but still a great album. It’s the vocals and big 60’s sounds that got this album in my 2008 list.

Bodies of Water - Water Here

15.    Minus the Bear - They Make Beer Commercials Like This
Although only a 7 track album - they still manage to bring it. Check out the guitars on this track!

Minus the Bear - Houston We Have a Uh-Oh

14.    Dukes of Windsor – Minus
I surprised myself with this choice, I guess it’s the ‘PIL’ and ‘Carter USM’ influence in me.

Dukes of Windsor - It’s a War

13.    Asaf Avidan & The Mojos – The Reckoning
Out of nowhere comes this promising Israeli singer with a voice that makes Janis Joplin wish she never did drugs.

Asaf Avidan - The Reckoning

12.    The Twilight Sad - Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did
I’ve always been a big fan since Stereogum broke them last year. I caught them live in London and they rocked!

The Twilight Sad - And She Would Darken the Memory

11.    Black Mountain – In the Future
From Last.FM: “The band is a psychedelic amalgamation of Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, and Black Sabbath.” Spot on.

Black Mountain - Angels

10.    A Silver Mt. Zion – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
As always they rock, with long melodic tracks you can just get lost in this album is at par with all their previous stuff.

A Silver Mt. Zion - 1,000,000 Died to Make this Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHBQFLxzy0

9.    Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
I have to admit I was a bit disjointed at first because I liked the previous album much more and this one is a bit more “produced” but I guess it grew on me and since Okkervil are one of my favorites of all time.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

8.    British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?
I love the intensity and raw power this album brings to the mix.

British Sea Power - Lucifer

7.    Neil Young - Sugar Mountain-Live At Canterbury House 1968
In this release from Neil Young’s archive series, I feel like it’s the first time that you could really get a closer feel to what Neil Young is like and what that era was for the 24 year old musician on the road to success.

Neil Young - Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing

6.    The Black Keys - Attack & Release
I thought I was the only one who loved this album but I see it coming up on a lot of 2008 lists. You just don’t get mean sounding guitars like these anymore.

The Black Keys - Lies

5.    Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
All that’s left to say about this album is WOW. Very inspiring.

Bon Iver - Flume

4.    Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
I guess people were a bit disappointed with this album, but I think it’s an amazing collection of songs and am staying true to Death Cab on this one.

Death Cab for Cutie - The Ice is Getting Thiner

3.    Calexico – Carried to Dust
Totally reminded me why this band is one of my favorites.

Calexico - House of Valparaiso

2.    Kings of Leon – Only by Night
This one just took me by surprise completely - what an album!

Kings of Leon - Closer

1.    MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Well, I guess this one was the biggest surprise of them all. I’m sure the production and fresh sounds off this album will pave the way for many Brooklyn acts in 2009.

MGMT - Weekend Wars


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Posted on December 19, 2008

Top 20 Albums of 2008 (Charbarred)

By: Charbarred | in: Music | 11 Comments



2008 was a brilliantly diverse year. There were a lot of good albums yet it also lacked immortal classics. Looking at other lists, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who has committed to less than 20 albums. More so, it seems that there are no clear winners this year. As usual, I made a list of the albums I actually listened to rather than trying to convince myself that the Fleet Foxes was anything more than a nice album.

20   Ani DiFranco - Red Letter Year
Return to real shape for DiFranco. A rich and satisfying album.

Ani DiFranco - Red Letter Year

19    The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Springsteen like rock with better stories. Their best effort to date.

The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis

18    Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
It’s not easy to come up with fast catchy tunes that don’t suck.

Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate

17    Why? – Alopecia
A fine marriage of hip hop and rock with a bedroom mentality.

Why? - Good Friday

16    MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Almost as astounding as the fact that a major record label managed to sign a credible band in this day and age.

MGMT - Weekend Wars

15    Santogold – Santogold
Impressive, rich and most of all real.

Santogold -I’m a Lady

14    Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
May seem like endless noodling to some, but Malkmus managed to finally bring a piece of himself into the mix.

Stephen Malkmus - Out of Reaches

13    Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
They used to be one of my least favorite bands. The Seldom Seen Kid is a musical triumph for a band that finally settled on substance.

Elbow - Starlings

12    TV on the Radio - Dead Science
Guitars, disco, soul and attitude. A truly impressive album.

TV on the Radio - DLZ

11    Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago
Turns out that endlessly shoving something down one’s throat actually works. It may take some getting used to, but it’s a hell of an album.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

10    Kathleen Edwards - asking for flowers
Much of the same from Edwards means a lot in this case.

Kathleen Edwards - Buffalo

9    Metallica – Death Magnetic
The band that hasn’t delivered anything good in 17 years makes up for it big time.

(song not included…you know why…)

8    Ghosty – Answers
Think Nada Surf but with better song writing. I dare you to find a finer collection of songs this year.

Ghosty - You are a Big Screen

7    Ladyhawk – Shots
Real rock n’ roll. Recorded in a barn in less than a week. Take that Axl Rose!

Ladyhawk - I don’t always know what you’re saying

6    The New Year - The New Year
Great songwriting and musicianship topped with delicious guitar work.

The New Year - The Company I Can Get

5    Bound Stems - The Family Afloat
Slacker math rock with excellent tunes.

Bound Stems - Happens To Us All Otherwise

4     Damien Jurado - Caught in the Trees
Satisfying melodies and a fitting production makes this Jurado’s best album to date.

Damien Jurado - Gillian was a Horse

3    Dr. Dog – Fate
Half Beach Boys tribute half Motown Soul. Forget The Fleet Foxes, Dr. Dog is where it’s at.

Dr. Dog - The Old Days

2     Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free
A worthy contender offering diversity that is not often found in today’s bands.

Mason Proper - Point A to Point B

1 Trouble Books - The United Colors of Trouble Books

Haunting and beautiful. This may have been recorded in a bedroom using old school technology, but every emotion is exceptionally portrayed. Proves that all you need is the willingness to express yourself. The ultimate headphones album.

Trouble Books - CFHC

So what are your favourite albums of the year?


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Posted on December 13, 2008
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