King of Prussia is a band from Athens, GA and I'm not surprised. I really can't believe how many bands keep coming up from this city.
"Save the Scene" is best described by anti-commercialism clashing into nostalgia. I could better define the nostalgia by saying the album reminds me a lot of The Byrds at their best on "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" mixed with some of what The Beatles did through-out their gigantic discography.
Honestly, there were not as many hooks as I would have liked coming from a band like this, but I almost think that this is the style of band leader/lyricist/singer Brandon Hanick.
19. The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost
The Black Angels are a psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in May 2004. Their name derives from the Velvet Underground song "Play The Black Angel's Death Song".
This album has the same exact feel through-out the entirety of the album but there are only a few spots that started to lose my interest, which is saying a lot for the creativity of The Black Angels in this genre. There were also, spots where I hear the vocal empathy of Jim Morrison styled melodies and I love the eastern feel of track 6 "Deer-Ree-Shee". I feel that this is a definitive original style the band has given to the ever growing popularity of the sitar sound.
The Black Angels have a way of droning you into the infectious grooves like sirens singing to the shipwreck. I feel like every time I listen to this album I'm in it for the long haul, because this is a lengthy album but I can't turn it off before it's come to its end.
18. The Shortwave Set - Replica Sun Machine
The Shortwave Set are a British psychedelic pop band who combine samples and songs to create a sound the group describe as "Victorian Funk".
After looking at the album cover and only listening to the first track "Harmonia", I knew this would be an amazing album. There are so many new melodies and vocal runs that really stand out to me as being a breath of fresh air. The band really utilizes the samples they add to their music as it layers the horizon of their solid song structures. Also, the band has a very unique and branding harmony that sticks throughout the album.
There are so many great albums for 2008 that this has taken spot 18 on my list for this year, but last year this could have easily been in my top 10.
17. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground - Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
First things first, I had no idea what to expect when I first heard this except for that it had amazing artwork. The cover has a giant eyeball with an irregular rainbow and a gathering of clocks with everything mirroring itself. Not to mention the record itself is a milky rainbow and the label is the same eye on the cover spinning over and over. Psychedelic in all the ways that I love it.
As I was listening to the music I noticed the voice sounded so familiar but it wasn't necessarily a good reminder. As the album went on I realized it was Gatsby's American Dream, sure enough I looked up the band on last.fm and it read two members from GAD. Now this initially was a bad thing for me but as the album went on I really started enjoying his vocal performance on all the songs, and there are a lot of songs on this double record gate fold which is limited to only 300 copies.
On the specifics of the album I'd have to say it reminds me a lot of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Also "Bowie the Desert Pea" (side B of record A - the first song) has a John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) drum beat right out of "When The Levee Breaks" at the beginning of the song. None-the-less this is a great group of songs by this fantastic new band.
16. of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Of Montreal (officially typeset "of Montreal") is an American indie pop band formed in Athens, Georgia fronted by Kevin Barnes. Barnes himself has described the album as a concept album, 'detailing his transformation from Kevin Barnes into Georgie Fruit. Georgie Fruit is the name of Kevin Barnes' African-American cross-dressing stage persona, similar in many ways to David Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust. Georgie Fruit was first mentioned on Of Montreal's 2007 album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? during the song "Labyrinthian Pomp".
With all the craziness that goes along with the album out of the way the music itself is very familiar to normal of Montreal, yet as much as the constant segues and stylistic shifts disorientate, they yield a harvest of magical moments. I'm definitely a sucker for Barnes' echo-soaked harmonies, sparkling guitars, and his eclectic electronic beats. To state all of what I've already said into a sentence; this is another solid of Montreal album to add to the ever growing discography.
15. The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
This young San Francisco indie pop quartet bring their youthful insight to the realm of music mostly dominated by older Beatles cover bands, and I think they've nailed their spot with this release.
The vocalist has a pretty unique voice that kinda hints on the side of The Shins' James Mercer, but it only adds to the thoughtful and bouncy melodies. I can only imagine that there will be more amazing releases from these young guys in the future.
14. The Beep Seals - Things that Roar
The Beep Seals may be the biggest secret in Manchester, UK. Their known for throwing huge warehouse parties and making their audiences participate in dressing up in absurd costumes.
As for the music, this album is just pychedelic indie pop at its best with the off key notes hitting so perfect you don't even realize it's off. Overall, this kaleidoscopic album flows better than most albums that flow well together.
13. Brightblack Morning Light - Motion to Rejoin
Brightblack Morning Light (formerly Brightblack) is a band based in New Mexico, specializing in permutations of folk rock and psychedelic music.
"Motion to Rejoin" is a great album to chill/relax/reflect and discover something new to. It's a down-tempo listen that has the same feel as the last album, but the mystical shimmering of the rhodes piano mixed with the fuzzy guitar sounds accompanied by slightly brushed drums and shakers is just the perfect style to continue forward with. Each song brings about the experiences of living the simple life that the members of this band live day to day, and I think that really shines through the music because they are so open to those feelings.
This is an album I'm going to have to keep going back to so that I can reconnect to the feelings of the simple but yet spiritually amazing sounds of this duo.
12. Deerhunter - Microcastle
Deerhunter, based in Atlanta, GA began in 2001 with the ambition of fusing the lulling hypnotic states induced by ambient and minimalist music with the klang and propulsion of garage rock. The band has weathered chaotic line-up changes, the death of a member, and much discouragement. Their live performances almost always leave audiences polarized, and have been referred to by Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs in NME as bordering on "a religious experience."
The album starts with such an amazing intro that possibly rivals for one of the best beginnings to an album I've ever heard. These songs are so beautiful and have the gentle hints of the neo-psychedelia movement that give this lush recording the individual creativity that a lot of new bands lack. This is a solid album with a lot of catchy hooks that the last album "Cryptograms" could have used a bit more of, but I think this is just the steady progression of where this band will take us in the future.
11. Gary War - New Raytheonport
Gary War's "New Raytheonport" is the most rare release that I have found this year in 2008. There are hardly any press reviews on this release and it is one of those lo-fi recordings which tend to get less attention.
This whole album was recorded on a Tascam 488 which gives it that 70's tape feel which really works well for War. I feel like War is bridging the gap that has existed between lo-fi recording and other more professional ways to record by adding a lot of reverb and warbling effects which really help to soften the sound.
This record seems to have the right mix of catchy pop hooks and a swooping melted aural explosion that continues to blow my mind.
10. Beach House - Devotion
Beach House is a two-piece band based out of Baltimore consisting of guitarist/keyboardist Alex Scally and vocalist/organist Victoria Legrand.
The hype for this album seemed to be coming from everywhere including the internet (where I do a lot of searching for new bands) and in a lot of magazines that I was reading they were mentioned a considerable amount. To say no more about that; I was really excited about hearing this album so I pre-ordered the album on vinyl.
The album has not disappointed me, infact it has only grown on me more. Legrand's vocal melodies float so perfectly over the organs/keyboards/guitars. The percussion is mostly airy in that it almost never takes the forefront, but the instrumental hooks are non-stop. The album is down-tempo for sure and I've read how people have criticized it for the eerie vibes, but for anyone that appreciates great song writing and cohesiveness you'll be amazed.
9. Black Mountain - In the Future
Black Mountain is a Canadian psychedelic rock-band which by day, three members of the band work for an organization (Insite) that meets the basic living requirements of the chronically poor, drug addicted and mentally ill near Vancouver's infamous Main & Hastings intersection, in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, widely considered to be the heroin capital of Canada, if not North America.
After reading that on wikipedia I felt like I instantly connected to the members of this band. I love the name of the album, because it gives me the feeling of living in the moment as I'll be listening the rest of the album going into the future. Musically, this record just a great solid psychedelic rock album. On this recording there is reverb, echoes, harmonies, and the leslie function, to mention just a few of the elements that contribute to the creating of nuances and feelings I get from listening. "Wucan" is a track that you must listen to if any of the things I mentioned above interest you.
8. The Dodos - Visiter
The Dodos formed in the early part of 2006 in San Francisco; shortly afterward, band member Meric Long released an EP entitled "Dodo Bird".
On "Visiter", the very interesting thing that first stood out was the slapping of acoustic guitar strings against the frets meshed with the layered drum beats. Usually, musicians try to avoid the strings hitting the frets, but it really works on these songs.
This album is one of those that just keeps growing on you, although on the first listen I was already loving it. As I keep listening to this album, I continue to find places through-out where the intricacies of certain parts engage me to really listen to everything going on. It really amazes me how much the band is able to accomplish with such few instruments.
7. The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
Headed by writer Ryan McPhun, the New Zealand's The Ruby Suns formed in Auckland in 2004. Ryan and his Dictaphone (portable tape recorder) have ventured into the wilds of Africa, the ancient monasteries of Thailand, and the haunting landscapes that surround his everyday. This really shows through as I was instantly feeling the raw vibes and colourful tones wrapped into this shoegaze/world indie pop album.
The harmonies this year have been outstanding, and The Ruby Suns may just have some of the most unique blends. There are some intense sounds on some places through-out the album that I have no idea how they were made which fascinates me more than anything else. I think these sounds are so special because it really shows that the band is fishing for new ideas and feelings that haven't yet been dropped into existence.
6. The Explorers Club - Freedom Wind
The Explorers Club are a pop rock band from the coast of South Carolina. They are a 6 man band who are heavily influenced by the harmony styles of the Beach Boys.
Although, the band has stolen the style of the Beach Boys, I can't say they've stolen anything else, nor can I say anything bad about this release. With each listen I continue to love each song more. I can't help but feel that this album in it's concept was sent through the cosmos and reincarnated into the present as the lost Beach Boys album; and not only the lost album, but possibly even the best album
5. Dr. Dog - Fate
Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which formed in 1999.
"Fate" is a really catchy album that brings back the feelings I get when I hear Bob Dylan and The Band, because it has the bluesy soul that so much of the music today has forgotten. It definitely has the newer edge to it that you would expect, but instead of letting the music from the past define them they manipulate it to their individuality to create something new and unpredictable.
4. Jim Noir - Jim Noir
Jim Noir (real name Alan Roberts) is an English singer-songwriter from Davyhulme, Manchester. This is his sophomore release and I have to say he just keeps getting better. Roberts goes deeper into his electronic side which normally I don't like too much of, but everything that goes on through-out the album just continues to uplift me. The harmonies are reminiscent of The Beach Boys but they have such a great tone that I never really caught myself thinking that until now. Honestly, this reminds me the most of the writing style of Caribou, because not only are the harmonies, electronic, and guitar wonderful, but the percussion on this album stays on par with all the other instruments. I'd have to say there is no lull in this album, everything continues to flow until it is finally over.
3. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse
The Besnard Lakes are an indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Formed by the husband and wife team of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. The band are currently a six-piece centered around the atmospheric songs of Lasek and Goreas, whose expansive sound culls from numerous aspects of rock 'n' roll history.
This band does more than just the "indie" sound that we've all come to know the meaning of in our own ways, but I feel they are creating their own niche in this ever expanding genre by adding psychedelic and atmospheric elements. The album starts out with a falsetto vocal part layered over top of tremolo guitar and a violin, which I think just sets the perfect mood for any listener about to experience the rest of these songs. And it doesn't hurt to have amazing bass lines that draw you deeper into the vibes and feelings saturated all over this recording.
This is the year where the "Beach Boys" harmonies and vocal styles are coming back stronger than ever, and this not an exception. With that said, I think anyone can listen and still appreciate the complete originality of the beautiful musicianship.
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes is a five-piece Seattle based band who describe their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams". This is a perfect way to describe it because in some places you'll hear 5 part harmonies that are just so beautiful paired with an up-tempo drum beat.
I bought this vinyl from my local record store "Speakertree Records" after I'd heard the internet leak, which I was immediately digging upon my first listen. I was also really impressed to see the band was releasing not only their full-length but also the ep "Sun Giant" together with the gate fold packaging. The artwork alone is a great reason to purchase these two records but once you start listening to the music you realize the talent and songwriting is rarely matched.
There are so many tracks I could highlight but they all take you on an amazing journey. Overall, I can't get over the earthy tones, harmonies, and natural feeling this one gives me.
1. Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane
VanGaalen was an artist that I stumbled upon while listening to one of the radio stations I had created on Pandora.com. When I found out he had an album coming out this year I was really excited, and I had a lot of expectations based upon the earlier material he's composed. One listen all the way through and I knew it would already be one of my top albums of the year. This album has all the bells and whistles of the normal VanGaalen songs, except I think this is his best songwriting. The songwriting is so good I don't feel any low points on the album, he just keeps bringing the goodies we all love.
VanGaalen is also an amazing artist in animation. Watching the songs he's made videos for on YouTube just makes the experience of this album even more amazing than just the mental visual images I get while only listening.
