I am on a roll with the '...of the year' stuff now.
Firstly, I should mention the criteria the t&g jury (me) were using when the turntable came out and this year's best 7" singles were considered. Any of the following were immediately disqualified..
- Singles released in digital formats only.
- Singles without an authentic 'b side', i.e with another track from the parent album on the b side, or an instrumental version of the a side, or a live version of the a side.
Basically, it is nice to see an effort made. Mentions should be given therefore to Jenny Lewis' 'Carpetbaggers', a great single with an Elvis Costello track featuring Jenny on the b side and all for charity....and Tindersticks' 'What Are You Fighting For?', an exclusive tour 7" with a brand new non-LP track. But in reality, there is a clear and obvious 'single of the year'...
Beck 'Chemtrails'
One of the greatest sounds I have heard this year.
This track is just a blast. Sounding like it is coming from outer space, it is a disorientating but somehow warm and familiar bundle of sound. The reverb dances around, making it seem like the music is going from one ear, through your head, and ending up in the other ear. It seems to float about! The drums and the bassline are old school, the vocal is an otherworld falsetto and it is pure pleasure for the ears, you don't want it to end.....and then when you think it has, you get, from nowhere, a stunning electric guitar break.
Absolutely bloody brilliant. And single of the year by a mile.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Top 10 Albums of the Year
here at last are the T&G top 10 records of the year....and after all the stuff written on here about American bands, the top 3 albums this year are from English, Scottish and Irish artists...
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
Friday, 12 December 2008
Single of the Festive Season
Not just 'single of the week' you'll notice, but 'single of the entire festive season', the best Christmas song I've heard so far this year (and it isn't that effort by The One Show)...
Frightened Rabbit 'Its Christmas So We'll Stop'
I'd somehow missed hearing much from Frightened Rabbit, which is strange as they are on Fat-Cat Records, home of the truly awesome Twilight Sad, but I will be seeking out more from them now, cos this is ace. A Christmas song soaked in 'Fairytale of New York' style realism, this is a grim tale about people deciding to be nice to each other for just one day of the year. However, it manages to sound utterly joyous due to the lovely, simple arrangement and the swooning strings and singalong backing vocals. You just don't want it to end. Plus they are Scottish. Everyone buy this and keep the X Factor person away from the top of the charts. PLEASE.
['Its Christmas So We'll Stop' is out now on 7" single and digital download (if you must, the 7" is much nicer)]
Frightened Rabbit 'Its Christmas So We'll Stop'
I'd somehow missed hearing much from Frightened Rabbit, which is strange as they are on Fat-Cat Records, home of the truly awesome Twilight Sad, but I will be seeking out more from them now, cos this is ace. A Christmas song soaked in 'Fairytale of New York' style realism, this is a grim tale about people deciding to be nice to each other for just one day of the year. However, it manages to sound utterly joyous due to the lovely, simple arrangement and the swooning strings and singalong backing vocals. You just don't want it to end. Plus they are Scottish. Everyone buy this and keep the X Factor person away from the top of the charts. PLEASE.
['Its Christmas So We'll Stop' is out now on 7" single and digital download (if you must, the 7" is much nicer)]
Album of the Year (11-20)
I do find doing these lists difficult. Its hard to sum up how you've felt about an album for, in some cases, 12 months in a couple of easy sentences. Nevertheless I have managed to come up with numbers 11-20, which are below. The top 10 will follow on Sunday, and I can reveal that the 10 will feature, in alphabetical order, records by AMC, Beck, Fleet Foxes, Jenny Lewis, Stephen Malkmus, The Dodos, The Mountain Goats, The Sleeping Years, The Twilight Sad and Tindersticks...
11- Micah P Hinson ‘and the Red Empire’
Gorgeous, warm album of country noir standards. Minimal backing allows Hinson’s deep croon to take centre stage, but when the strings soar and the electric guitar attacks, it all sounds sensational.
12- Conor Oberst ‘Conor Oberst’
Surprisingly fresh and angst free collection of country/rock songs. Oberst has never sounded more confident and never made a more cohesive record.
13- Port o’Brien ‘All We Could Do Was Sing’
Hugely enjoyable collection of songs, sometimes sounding like Arcade Fire, at other times more like Sufjan Stevens. And who needs a log shed….this was written on a fishing boat!
14- Bon Iver ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’
High quality and initially highly affecting collection of folk/soul tunes written and recorded in a….need I go on?? Hasn’t quite stood the test of time as well as some other albums on the list but still excellent.
15- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy 'Lie Down In The Light'
A long way from 'I See A Darkness'. Oldham sounds happy and content and this is a gorgeous, uplifting country record that contains some stunning duets. A light touch and a joyful album.
16- Sun Kil Moon 'April'
A really difficult album to get into. The songwriting is as strong as ever from Kozelek but the melodies take a while to 'click'. When they do, you realise that this is a really beautiful album and an album in the truest sense of the word - it works best played for start to finish.
17- Damien Jurado 'Caught In The Trees'
Slight change of direction for Seattle songsmith Damien Jurado. More upbeat songs with terrific harmonies, makes this his most rewarding set to date.
18- She and Him 'Volume One'
Collaboration between M Ward and Zooey Deschanel. When it was good, it was a joyful, Spector-ish heaven! The 60s girl band style stuff sounded stunning and it was only held back from greatness by the slighly predictable country ballads.
19- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'
Mixing blues, folk and alt.country, this was a consistent collection of songs, some of which (like the supreme 'Trouble') already sound like standards.
20- Willard Grant Conspiracy 'Regard The End'
A sombre, majestic, return to form from Robert Fisher and co.
11- Micah P Hinson ‘and the Red Empire’
Gorgeous, warm album of country noir standards. Minimal backing allows Hinson’s deep croon to take centre stage, but when the strings soar and the electric guitar attacks, it all sounds sensational.
12- Conor Oberst ‘Conor Oberst’
Surprisingly fresh and angst free collection of country/rock songs. Oberst has never sounded more confident and never made a more cohesive record.
13- Port o’Brien ‘All We Could Do Was Sing’
Hugely enjoyable collection of songs, sometimes sounding like Arcade Fire, at other times more like Sufjan Stevens. And who needs a log shed….this was written on a fishing boat!
14- Bon Iver ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’
High quality and initially highly affecting collection of folk/soul tunes written and recorded in a….need I go on?? Hasn’t quite stood the test of time as well as some other albums on the list but still excellent.
15- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy 'Lie Down In The Light'
A long way from 'I See A Darkness'. Oldham sounds happy and content and this is a gorgeous, uplifting country record that contains some stunning duets. A light touch and a joyful album.
16- Sun Kil Moon 'April'
A really difficult album to get into. The songwriting is as strong as ever from Kozelek but the melodies take a while to 'click'. When they do, you realise that this is a really beautiful album and an album in the truest sense of the word - it works best played for start to finish.
17- Damien Jurado 'Caught In The Trees'
Slight change of direction for Seattle songsmith Damien Jurado. More upbeat songs with terrific harmonies, makes this his most rewarding set to date.
18- She and Him 'Volume One'
Collaboration between M Ward and Zooey Deschanel. When it was good, it was a joyful, Spector-ish heaven! The 60s girl band style stuff sounded stunning and it was only held back from greatness by the slighly predictable country ballads.
19- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'
Mixing blues, folk and alt.country, this was a consistent collection of songs, some of which (like the supreme 'Trouble') already sound like standards.
20- Willard Grant Conspiracy 'Regard The End'
A sombre, majestic, return to form from Robert Fisher and co.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
The Innocence Mission 'Street Map'
Well, this is a nice early Christmas present. I didn't even know about this EP until a week ago (see last wednesday's post), ordered it straight away and received it incredibly quickly considering it was coming from the States.
The Innocence Mission have never given the slightest hint that they are even capable of making a bad record and their last two albums ('We Walked In Song' and 'Befriended') have been utterly beautiful, sad but at the same time full of hope and joy, so I had high hopes for this EP, which contains tracks from their forthcoming new album and other exclusive tracks.
There is nothing new here at all, The Innocence Mission are hardly likely to make a drastic change of direction now. Karen Peris sings beautiful lyrics, always sounding as if she is smiling as she sings and Don Peris still plays with his distinctive, expressive guitar sound. Their songs always sound so fresh and wide eyed. In particular, 'You Draw the Streets of Rome'is gorgeous, layers of guitar, piano and harmony vocals over a simple melody and a lyric about seeing the world anew and "being braver than I am here".
Elsewhere 'From A Homeland' is a classic comforting Innocence Mission song, sounding like it could have been on 'Befriended', with Karen Peris opening it by singing "let's not be restless my darlings". 'A Thousand Miles' is a reworking of an old song and the drums and fast pace make it sound like it would have fitted well on 'Small Planes'. 'Pioneering' is probably my favourite though, piano led and featuring really visual lyrics which seem to provide commentary on a tour of a city; "Oh drive on, drive on".
There are eight tracks in all, three of which are really pretty instrumentals. Sounds like the new album, due next Spring, will be something special again.
As ever, impossibly beautiful.
*****
['Street Map' is out now on cd direct from www.theinnocencemission.com ]
The Innocence Mission have never given the slightest hint that they are even capable of making a bad record and their last two albums ('We Walked In Song' and 'Befriended') have been utterly beautiful, sad but at the same time full of hope and joy, so I had high hopes for this EP, which contains tracks from their forthcoming new album and other exclusive tracks.
There is nothing new here at all, The Innocence Mission are hardly likely to make a drastic change of direction now. Karen Peris sings beautiful lyrics, always sounding as if she is smiling as she sings and Don Peris still plays with his distinctive, expressive guitar sound. Their songs always sound so fresh and wide eyed. In particular, 'You Draw the Streets of Rome'is gorgeous, layers of guitar, piano and harmony vocals over a simple melody and a lyric about seeing the world anew and "being braver than I am here".
Elsewhere 'From A Homeland' is a classic comforting Innocence Mission song, sounding like it could have been on 'Befriended', with Karen Peris opening it by singing "let's not be restless my darlings". 'A Thousand Miles' is a reworking of an old song and the drums and fast pace make it sound like it would have fitted well on 'Small Planes'. 'Pioneering' is probably my favourite though, piano led and featuring really visual lyrics which seem to provide commentary on a tour of a city; "Oh drive on, drive on".
There are eight tracks in all, three of which are really pretty instrumentals. Sounds like the new album, due next Spring, will be something special again.
As ever, impossibly beautiful.
*****
['Street Map' is out now on cd direct from www.theinnocencemission.com ]
Monday, 8 December 2008
mutterings
- How am I supposed to get more of the T&G Albums of the Year list done, when all I can do (apart from work of course..) is listen to the incredibly good Tindersticks 'Live in Glasgow' and the unbelievably comprehensive Pavement 'Brighten The Corners' re-issue. I have to admit, I have not yet found time to listen to the vinyl live album, but the second cd is keeping me very occupied. Loving the session tracks and the early versions of 'The Hexx'.
- Heard some lousy news today. Pinnacle Records, one of the biggest UK indie music distributors has gone into administration. Pinnacle distribute(d) for a huge number of quality indie labels including Rough Trade, Fat Cat, Bella Union and Drag City. A lot of quality releases are going to be delayed. This is really sad, as well as worrying. Keep buying records folks, and buy them from independent shops.
I'll continue the top 20 of the year, tomorrow...
- Heard some lousy news today. Pinnacle Records, one of the biggest UK indie music distributors has gone into administration. Pinnacle distribute(d) for a huge number of quality indie labels including Rough Trade, Fat Cat, Bella Union and Drag City. A lot of quality releases are going to be delayed. This is really sad, as well as worrying. Keep buying records folks, and buy them from independent shops.
I'll continue the top 20 of the year, tomorrow...
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 'Keep Me In Mind Sweetheart'
One could say that Isobel Campbell's record company are finally putting some effort into giving her career the promotion it deserves. Her second album with Mark Lanegan 'Sunday At Devil Dirt' was only released in May, yet last month we had a totally un-necessary re-release with a live bonus disc (and a version of 'Sand' that made it hard to resist) and now we have a new EP of songs from the album's sessions that didn't make the cut.
Far from being a pre-Christmas cash-in though, this EP is a revelation and well worth a fiver of anyone's money. 'Sunday At Devil Dirt' combined some dust ballads with less successful attempts at blues and soul, this EP focuses on the former, with stripped down, simple arrangements that best suit Lanegan's marvellous baritone.
'Keep Me In Mind..', the only track here to appear on the album, is a lovely, gentle ballad but is bested by 'Asleep On A Sunbeam' a woozy lullaby that sounds a lot like a Christmas Carol that I can't quite place. 'Fight Fire With Fire' is great too, a description of the fine line between love and hate that humourously namechecks several dodgy 1980s heavy metal albums. Elsewhere 'Violin Tango' does what it says on the tin, 'Rambling Rose, Clinging Vine' is a country standard and 'Hang On' is a pretty ballad, sung by Campbell who is sounding stronger on vocals with every record she records.
Much of this EP is as good as or better that the material on 'Sunday At Devil Dirt'. The six songs fit together well so there was obviously a grand plan behind leaving them off the album. This is a really warm sounding record with lots of piano, acoustic guitar and of course Mark Lanegan's voice. No song mentions Christmas or has anything to do with the festive season, but it all feels strangely seasonal.
****
['Keep Me In Mind Sweetheart' is out now on V2]
Far from being a pre-Christmas cash-in though, this EP is a revelation and well worth a fiver of anyone's money. 'Sunday At Devil Dirt' combined some dust ballads with less successful attempts at blues and soul, this EP focuses on the former, with stripped down, simple arrangements that best suit Lanegan's marvellous baritone.
'Keep Me In Mind..', the only track here to appear on the album, is a lovely, gentle ballad but is bested by 'Asleep On A Sunbeam' a woozy lullaby that sounds a lot like a Christmas Carol that I can't quite place. 'Fight Fire With Fire' is great too, a description of the fine line between love and hate that humourously namechecks several dodgy 1980s heavy metal albums. Elsewhere 'Violin Tango' does what it says on the tin, 'Rambling Rose, Clinging Vine' is a country standard and 'Hang On' is a pretty ballad, sung by Campbell who is sounding stronger on vocals with every record she records.
Much of this EP is as good as or better that the material on 'Sunday At Devil Dirt'. The six songs fit together well so there was obviously a grand plan behind leaving them off the album. This is a really warm sounding record with lots of piano, acoustic guitar and of course Mark Lanegan's voice. No song mentions Christmas or has anything to do with the festive season, but it all feels strangely seasonal.
****
['Keep Me In Mind Sweetheart' is out now on V2]
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Tindersticks 'Live From Glasgow'
It doesn't happen often that your favourite band make no new music for five years, you pretty much give up on them releasing an album ever again and then they return, sounding fresher and better than ever and make perhaps their most cohesive record to date and become your favourite band all over again.
That is what happened this year with me and Tindersticks. Without giving too much away about my 'Album of the Year' list, 'The Hungry Saw' completely floored me. It is a beautiful, creative album and its the sound of a band falling in love with making music again. Without Dickon Hinchcliffe's violin and string arrangements, missed though he is, the music is allowed to breathe more and David Boulter on keys and Neil Fraser on guitar make their most telling contributions to a Tindersticks album in a decade.
Seeing them play live this year has also been a joyful experience. I've seen them twice so far and will see them again in a couple of week's time. Mixing the whole of the new album with assorted oldies has worked perfectly and the band have never looked happier or more confident.
This live cd is a document of a gig in Glasgow in October. It follows much the same setlist as the gig I saw in Brighton a month earlier, so see that review for a more detailed description of the set. It sounds fantastic. Without a string section, the arrangements are more stripped down and on songs like 'Boobar' and 'The Other Side of The World' this works so well, the guitar really taking the lead. The middle section of the set is devoted to 'oldies' and actually showcases some of the band's overlooked gems from more recent albums, like the pocket symphony 'Say Goodbye To The City' and their most beautiful ballad to date 'Dying Slowly'.
When I saw Tindersticks play in Brighton, I was struck by how happy they looked, particularly Stuart Staples and what a contrast this was from their last few gigs in 2004. This shines through here again. Rather than just running through the songs, each gig at the moment has a creativity and a spontaneity right from the memorable opening with David Boulter playing 'Introduction' whilst the band walk on, one by one. Tindersticks always send an audience home with a slow number, and here they finish with a sparse, intimate version of 'The Not Knowing' from their first album. It is spellbinding.
No mark out of 10 here because I am rapidly losing objectivity when it comes to Tindersticks, but this is a perfect souvenir for anyone who has seen them play live this year.
['Live From Glasgow' is out now on beautifully packaged and designed cd. Onlyy available from shows on their current tour]
That is what happened this year with me and Tindersticks. Without giving too much away about my 'Album of the Year' list, 'The Hungry Saw' completely floored me. It is a beautiful, creative album and its the sound of a band falling in love with making music again. Without Dickon Hinchcliffe's violin and string arrangements, missed though he is, the music is allowed to breathe more and David Boulter on keys and Neil Fraser on guitar make their most telling contributions to a Tindersticks album in a decade.
Seeing them play live this year has also been a joyful experience. I've seen them twice so far and will see them again in a couple of week's time. Mixing the whole of the new album with assorted oldies has worked perfectly and the band have never looked happier or more confident.
This live cd is a document of a gig in Glasgow in October. It follows much the same setlist as the gig I saw in Brighton a month earlier, so see that review for a more detailed description of the set. It sounds fantastic. Without a string section, the arrangements are more stripped down and on songs like 'Boobar' and 'The Other Side of The World' this works so well, the guitar really taking the lead. The middle section of the set is devoted to 'oldies' and actually showcases some of the band's overlooked gems from more recent albums, like the pocket symphony 'Say Goodbye To The City' and their most beautiful ballad to date 'Dying Slowly'.
When I saw Tindersticks play in Brighton, I was struck by how happy they looked, particularly Stuart Staples and what a contrast this was from their last few gigs in 2004. This shines through here again. Rather than just running through the songs, each gig at the moment has a creativity and a spontaneity right from the memorable opening with David Boulter playing 'Introduction' whilst the band walk on, one by one. Tindersticks always send an audience home with a slow number, and here they finish with a sparse, intimate version of 'The Not Knowing' from their first album. It is spellbinding.
No mark out of 10 here because I am rapidly losing objectivity when it comes to Tindersticks, but this is a perfect souvenir for anyone who has seen them play live this year.
['Live From Glasgow' is out now on beautifully packaged and designed cd. Onlyy available from shows on their current tour]
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
new Innocence Mission EP
TracksandGigs couldn't be more excited if we had just been told we'd won the lottery. A new Innocence Mission EP is out....NOW!
Titled 'Street Map' it is their first self-released record since 2000's 'Christ Is My Hope' and contains songs from their new album, due in the Spring, as well as some songs that didn't make it onto the album.
You can order it now from www.theinnocencemission.com and unless you are completely crazy, that is what you will be doing as soon as you finish reading this. You can also listen to a couple of the songs on their site, but as of 2.21pm on 3/12/08, I am trying to resist doing this until the cd arrives.
Track listing? Here you are...
1. From a Homeland
2. Sunshine Roof
3. Pioneering
4. We Wake Up in the Earliest Blue of All
5. A Thousand Miles
6. Fair Hill
7. You Draw the Streets of Rome
8. Suitcase Waltz
Titled 'Street Map' it is their first self-released record since 2000's 'Christ Is My Hope' and contains songs from their new album, due in the Spring, as well as some songs that didn't make it onto the album.
You can order it now from www.theinnocencemission.com and unless you are completely crazy, that is what you will be doing as soon as you finish reading this. You can also listen to a couple of the songs on their site, but as of 2.21pm on 3/12/08, I am trying to resist doing this until the cd arrives.
Track listing? Here you are...
1. From a Homeland
2. Sunshine Roof
3. Pioneering
4. We Wake Up in the Earliest Blue of All
5. A Thousand Miles
6. Fair Hill
7. You Draw the Streets of Rome
8. Suitcase Waltz
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
continues....
17- Damien Jurado 'Caught In The Trees'
Slight change of direction for Seattle songsmith Damien Jurado. More upbeat songs with terrific harmonies, makes this his most rewarding set to date.
16- Sun Kil Moon 'April'
A really difficult album to get into. The songwriting is as strong as ever from Kozelek but the melodies take a while to 'click'. When they do, you realise that this is a really beautiful album and an album in the truest sense of the word - it works best played for start to finish.
15- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy 'Lie Down In The Light'
A long way from 'I See A Darkness'. Oldham sounds happy and content and this is a gorgeous, uplifting country record that contains some stunning duets. A light touch and a joyful album.
14-12 coming soon.
Slight change of direction for Seattle songsmith Damien Jurado. More upbeat songs with terrific harmonies, makes this his most rewarding set to date.
16- Sun Kil Moon 'April'
A really difficult album to get into. The songwriting is as strong as ever from Kozelek but the melodies take a while to 'click'. When they do, you realise that this is a really beautiful album and an album in the truest sense of the word - it works best played for start to finish.
15- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy 'Lie Down In The Light'
A long way from 'I See A Darkness'. Oldham sounds happy and content and this is a gorgeous, uplifting country record that contains some stunning duets. A light touch and a joyful album.
14-12 coming soon.
Monday, 1 December 2008
albums of the year...
between now and Christmas, T&G will count down our top 20 albums of the year. Before I start, I should mention the 'disappointment of the year'. If anyone had told me on January 1st that a new Hold Steady album wouldn't make this top 20, I wouldn't have believed it, but 'Stay Positive' didn't make the 20. The problems with the record just show themselves more and more as you continue listening, the rushed feel, the ugly production and the '...kitchen sink' mastering. Very, very disappointing and I notice that even the monthly music mags are now retreating slightly from their initial, hysterically positive reviews. Anyway, here's the first few from the T&G Top 20....
20- Willard Grant Conspiracy 'Regard The End'
A sombre, majestic, return to form from Robert Fisher and co.
19- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'
Mixing blues, folk and alt.country, this was a consistent collection of songs, some of which (like the supreme 'Trouble') already sound like standards.
18- She and Him 'Volume One'
Collaboration between M Ward and Zooey Deschanel. When it was good, it was a joyful, Spector-ish heaven! The 60s girl band style stuff sounded stunning and it was only held back from greatness by the slighly predictable country ballads.
15-17 coming up in the next couple of days. 'Film of the Year', 'Single of the Year', 'Reissue of the Year', 'Shop of the Year' and other such stuff coming all through December.
20- Willard Grant Conspiracy 'Regard The End'
A sombre, majestic, return to form from Robert Fisher and co.
19- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'
Mixing blues, folk and alt.country, this was a consistent collection of songs, some of which (like the supreme 'Trouble') already sound like standards.
18- She and Him 'Volume One'
Collaboration between M Ward and Zooey Deschanel. When it was good, it was a joyful, Spector-ish heaven! The 60s girl band style stuff sounded stunning and it was only held back from greatness by the slighly predictable country ballads.
15-17 coming up in the next couple of days. 'Film of the Year', 'Single of the Year', 'Reissue of the Year', 'Shop of the Year' and other such stuff coming all through December.
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