2008: The Euphonic Year
Teen Drama
Times New Viking | Rip It Off
Great trio from Ohio who take the Guided By Voices thing to new levels. Neil suggested this band and after listening, I became a big fan. There are more than a few songs that could have made the album, but this one summed up their sound.
Time to Pretend
MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
Heard this on NPR All Songs Considered, and could not stop listening to it. I like the lyrics and the hooks. Seems to fit the times as well, perhaps you will agree.
Olerud
Cap'n Jazz | Analphabetapolothology (Disc 1)
This is an oldie but a goodie from one of my favorite emo bands. Would have loved to seen these guys back in the day, but alas it was not meant to be. It is cheesy line but true, "When you finally realize how lucky you really are to have a few heartbreaks"
Atlas
Battles | Mirrored
This is the evolution of Don Caballero in my opinion. I highly recommend checking out a few of their videos on YouTube when you get a chance.
Live at Dominos
Avalanches | Since I Left You
I really fell in love with this album over the course of the year, there are so many great songs on it, making it another candidate for multi-selections, but alas, I had to pick this toe-tapper.
We Exhale and Roll Our Eyes In Unison
Los Campesinos | Hold On Now, Youngster
Great Energy from these Welsh upstarts. Will be keeping a keen eye on these youngsters in 2009.
Change Is Hard
She & Him | Volume One
I luckily caught Zooey Deschanel in a short film Raving, where she sings Hello Dolly and was very impressed. That led me to this, and perhaps you will follow my bread crumbs. Sara and I saw these two live in NYC, and it was great.
Thumb
Dinosaur Jr. | Green Mind
I stumbled across this gem, while thumbing through my iPod.
Hiphop-poptemus Vs. Rhymnoceros
Flight of the Conchords | AVAC 07
Andy Moore included this on his 2007 compilation and I laugh every time I hear it. These guys are great; between the show and YouTube it is a welcomed pick-me-up when you are having a bad day.
Unhappy Departure Dub
Gregory Isaacs | Night Nurse
Played this song over and over again when I was on vacation this summer. This track marks the only reggae on the album, which I think is a first for me.
C.R.E.A.M
Wu Tang Clan | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Read an article in the New Post Sunday Edition where one of the Wu talked about listening to this song on the Staten Island Ferry smoking a bone as the city faded into the background. Now that I am officially a hedge fund manager, it seemed appropriate.
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
Arcade Fire | Funeral
Really love this band, and while I was a little late to the party on this album, I think that it is one of the few albums where I like all of the songs. Watched these folks on Austin City Limits, and was blown away by the performance.
Star Sign
Teenage Fan Club | Bandwagonesque
This one popped into my head rather unexpectantly, while I was reminiscing about high school.
Red Pen
Bottomless Pit | Congress
This is just the newer version of Silkworm, and I saw these guys at the Knitting Factory before I left the big city. I have seen this band well over 10 times, and this show was filled with people exactly like me. I caught up with the band after the show, it was great. Looking forward to more stuff in 2009.
Lullaby Haze
Mates of State | Rearrange Us
Another album that both Sara and I listen to in the car together. I like the interplay between the piano and drums on this one, and it seemed fitting to end the comp on this track.
All the best in 2009, Conor