Favorite EPs and 7"s of 2013

Though I listened to more new releases in 2013 than any given year prior, and was still able to come up with a list of 40 favorite albums, and even an additional list of 15 favorite EPs and 7"s, I would consider the year a downer overall in music. I LIKED a lot of stuff, but LOVED very little. Oh well, it happens.


(15) Sore Subjects EP - Best Practices (self-released)
On the Sore Subjects EP, Best Practices play loud, messy, melodic, emo-y punk rock with nice, full chords and  some barking vocals that remind me of Bear Vs. Shark. It's only four songs, but these are some real jammers. Am I crazy, or does the bass guitar on the EP closer cleverly wink at Limp Bizkit's "Re-Arranged?" Am I crazy for noticing this and Googling the LB song to make sure?
Top jam: "Home for Halloween"


(14) Totale Night EP - Merchandise (Night People)
Merchandise's latest, the Totale Night EP, is nowhere near as good as last year's Children of Desire, but, it didn't really need to be. For such a young band, it still shows plenty of promise, and I respect the more difficult aspects of some of these songs. There are no outright 80s goth-pop bangers like "Time" (which was probably my favorite song from last year), but there's still plenty of that goth drama to go around, as are there the continued inevitable comparisons to Morrissey's vocal stylings. I'm intrigued to hear what a proper full-length from these guys would sound like now.
Top jam: "Winter's Dream"


(13) Jaws 7" - Multicult (Reptilian)
Multicult are a band that one of my bands had the pleasure of playing with back in the summer. They are a three-piece muscular rock group in the vein of Dischord/Touch and Go/Matador/Sub Pop records from the 90s, ie ALBINI-ROCK. At the show, when asked (by me) what kind of music they were inspired by, the drummer said, "Well, singer/guitarist is really into 80s Detroit techno, bassist is really into industrial music, like Ministry and Skinny Puppy, and I am SUPER into Prince and Michael Jackson. But, in reviews, we always just get compared to Big Black." Regardless, these two songs are really bad ass.
Top jam: "Luxury"


(12) The Worst Part EP - Martin (Square of Opposition/De Nada)
Here is some most excellent pop punk from one of the guys from recent technical pop punk legends, Spraynard. Martin is much more straightforward: simpler song structures, not nearly as much guitar noodling. There is some real bad assery going on, especially in "Sandy" and EP closer "Tiny Scratch." The Worst Part is a truly great debut and shows a ton of promise. Hoping for a full-length in 2014?
Top jam: "Sandy"


(11) Deer Widow EP - Deer Widow (Save Your Generation)
My friend Tony started a record label this year, Save Your Generation, and things took off very quickly for him. Deer Widow is made up of four guys who play or have played in The Most Dangerous Animal, Kid Brother Collective and Dead by Sunday. This is my favorite release that Tony has put out thus far, and it is 90s-style emo of very high quality. The catchy melodies, intermingling, clean guitars, bouncing bass and upbeat drums are things I would have loved in high school, and that I actually still love today.
Top jam: "The Path Forsaken"


(10) Analog Weekend EP - Their/They're/There (Polyvinyl/Topshelf)
Their/They're/There is a supergroup consisting of Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Pet Symmetry, numerous other projects), Matthew Frank (Loose Lips Sink Ships) and Mike Kinsella (Owen, ex-Owls, ex-American Football, ex-Cap'n Jazz). If that doesn't give you an emo boner, I don't know what does. And get this: Analog Weekend is their SECOND EP released in 2013. I know, right? They pretty much sound like exactly what you'd expect, considering their collective discography, ie mathy, intricate, extremely catchy emo. No ifs, ands or buts about it. It rules.
Top jam: "Travelers Insurance"


(9) Split 7" - Glocca Morra/Summer Vacation (Lauren)
Probably my favorite newer band, Glocca Morra, had a very quiet year, but, at least I got two songs out of 'em. "Burning Love, Burning Desire" and "Number 2" are groovy, melodic indie rock jams in the vein of Archers of Loaf, which is quite a bit different than the bright, noodly, uber catchy emo of Just Married (my favorite album of 2012), and I am totally okay with that. The Summer Vacation tracks don't even really matter, but they're fine exercises in poppy emo punk.
Top jam: "Number 2" (Glocca Morra)


(8) Empty Estate EP - Wild Nothing (Captured Tracks)
A new EP from Wild Nothing was quite a surprise in 2013, and though it didn't quite reach the heights of 2012's brilliant Nocturne, it did not disappoint, either. Some of these songs are bigger, more straightforward, and even poppier than anything Jack Tatum's done yet (see: fantastic opener and second-best moment of the EP, "The Body in Rainfall"). And, then there's more indulgence and experimentation than usual ("Ocean Repeating (Big-Eyed Girl)," "Data World"). The best moment, of course, is the jangly, funky synth-pop we've all come to expect in "A Dancing Shell."
Top jam: "A Dancing Shell"


(7) Split 7" - Pet Symmetry/Dikembe (Storm Chasers)
Pet Symmetry is another new project from Evan Weiss (see: three blurbs ago), this time in collaboration with two dudes from Chicago emo pop group Dowsing. Dikembe are a very good, technical poppy emo band from Gainesville. Both of these songs are fantastic, especially the Dikembe one, which is their best yet.
Top jam: "Keys to the Jeep" (Dikembe)


(6) Wish Hotel EP - Ducktails (Domino)
2013 was quite a year for Real Estate-er Matthew Mondanile. The Wish Hotel EP, which elaborates on the dreamier, funkier sounds of the fourth Ducktails LP, The Flower Lane (released earlier in the year), is a sort of victory lap. As much as I love The Flower Lane, I'm intrigued by how much progress was made even from those songs to these ones. There's a little bit more of a psychedelic element here, and throw in the even beefier production, this EP is sort of reminiscent of Tame Impala, which isn't a bad thing at all. A full length of songs like these could be dangerous.
Top jam: "Wish Hotel"


(5) Double Weirdo 7" - Double Weirdo (self-released)
This debut release from Ypsilanti boys Double Weirdo is shockingly stellar. It's been a while since I've been truly excited about an Ypsilanti band, and it feels nice. There's quite an interesting mix of sounds going on here, from folk (finger-picked guitar), garage and post-punk (driving bass and drums), bringing to mind The National and even The Sea and Cake in some instances, but still sounding entirely their own.
Top jam: "Tame Tame"


(4) Their/They're/There EP - Their/They're/There (Polyvinyl)
Here's the first EP released by Their/They're/There this year. It's definitely better than Analog Weekend, but not really by much, and possibly only because it has more songs. The only thing I'll add is that, man, it's so nice to hear Mike Kinsella playing drums in a rock band again.
Top jam: "Their/They're/Therapy"


(3) I'll Wait 7" - Husband & Wife (Crossroads of America)
My friends from Bloomington, Husband & Wife, went out with a small bang in 2013. Before the release of their career-spanning b-sides and rarities collection (which I still need to pick up), they put out this little ditty, which features, probably, their two greatest songs. "I'll Wait" is an outright pop/rock jam with Mike Adams' typically catchy melodies and some nice fuzzy guitar leads. "Don't Rush" is a slower, groovier tune reminiscent of Built to Spill at the top of their game, with Tim Felton's best vocal melodies to date and a fantastic, cathartic ending (with some excellent, surprising chord changes to boot). I will miss these guys.
Top jam: "I'll Wait"


(2) Admiral Airwave 7" - Javelins (Suburban Sprawl)
I could spend this entire blurb complaining about how it took Javelins five years to release their first new material (two songs!) since 2008. But, I'll end it there, since "Admiral Airwave" and "Secret Safe" prove that even though they take forever to do anything at all, this band continues to get better. These songs may be a tiny bit darker, but they're still bouncy, and tend to focus more on a repetitive groove rather than intricate structures (nothing wrong with that). There's still the whole MBV-meets-The Sea and Cake thing going on here, but compared to 2008's Heavy Meadows, the vocals are catchier, the bass soars even higher, and the guitars sound more like outerspace and aliens than ever. No one else around sounds like this, and that is quite a feat. The only real issue I have here is the lack of artwork/packaging for the $6.00 I payed for this. The pink vinyl is really nice, but, c'mon, guys!
Top jam: "Secret Safe"


(1) Spring Songs EP - Title Fight (Revelation)
Are Title Fight the best band going right now? Quite possibly. Sure, the Spring Songs EP could be considered a continuation of 2012's instant classic (and my second favorite album of that year) Floral Green, but, it is more than just that. The band is scaling back their punk rock and hardcore tendencies even more to showcase a sound that harkens back to the beardy emo-punk of Dead Reckoning-era Small Brown Bike just as much as heavier classic alternative rock. An interesting thing about the track order here is that each song is better than the previous one, thus the EP ends just about perfectly. Title Fight's next full-length could end it all.
Top jam: "Hypnotize"

2013 Songs

For the third year in a row, I've decided to make two mixes showcasing my favorite songs from albums that either just missed the cut for my favorite albums list or that were from records that I didn't care about aside from this one song. I just wanted to at least highlight these particular diamonds in the rough. These are not listed in order of quality, but in track list order. Here you are:

Part One
1. "Spooky Action at a Distance" - Iron Chic, from Spooky Action EP
2. "Check My Heart" - The Pastels, from Slow Summits
3. "Kids Get Away" - Jamaican Queens, from Wormfood
4. "Man" - Neko Case, from The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight, the More I Love You
5. "Do You Remember?" - Radiator Hospital, from Something Wild
6. "Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)" - Unknown Mortal Orchestra, from II
7. "Here Comes the Night Time" - Arcade Fire, from Reflektor
8. "My Own World" - Eleanor Friedberger, from Personal Record
9. "Rage Flows" - Born Ruffians, from Birthmarks
10. "A Detailed and Poetic Physical Threat to the Person Who Intentionally Vandalized My 1994 Dodge Intrepid Behind Kate's Apartment" - Pet Symmetry, from Two Songs About Cars. Two Songs With Long Titles 7"
11. "Pond Rot" - California X, from California X
12. "Shout It Out" - Mikal Cronin, from MCII
13. "Collector" - I Kill Giants, from I Kill Giants
14. "Once" - Sebadoh, from Defend Yourself
15. "Rebirth" - Yuck, from Glow & Behold

Part Two
1. "Lucky Young" - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, from Fly by Wire
2. "Sleepwalking" - Deerhunter, from Monomania
3. "Cat Fantastic" - This Town Needs Guns, from 13.0.0.0.0
4. "Coffee With Pele" - Bars of Gold, from Wheels
5. "Shithead" - Potty Mouth, from Hell Bent
6. "Tight Sleeves" - Destroy This Place, from Destroy This Place
7. "Lux" - Braid, from Braid/Balance and Composure Split 7"
8. "Contractual Obligation" - Into It. Over It., from Intersections
9. "A Tout a L'heure" - Bibio, from Silver Wilkinson
10. "Grind" - Les Sins, from Grind EP
11. "Everything's Fine" - Minks, from Tides End
12. "Graceless" - The National, from Trouble Will Find Me
13. "Worlds Gone Weird" - Crystal Stilts, from Nature Noir
14. "Sorrow" - Frankie Rose, from Herein Wild
15. "Bad Blood" - Owen, from L'Ami Du Peuple

Favorite Books Read in 2013

(15) Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson (1995)
A beautifully written account of a murder trial and the events leading up to it in a post-World War II northern Puget Sound region of Washington state. I'm not sure if this was intended, but, there is an eerie element of impending doom throughout the novel, so, the (SPOILER ALERT - kinda) pseudo-happy ending is actually a nice twist.


(14) The Tortilla Curtain - T.C. Boyle (1995)
I love T.C. Boyle's writing style, even if he gets off track or lost in his own overwhelming detail a little too often. His sixth novel, The Tortilla Curtain, is about the middle class, illegal immigration, poverty and the destruction of the environment. While I did not love it as much as his previous novel, The Road to Wellville, that sense of impending doom  that I love (SPOILER ALERT: and it delivers!) is thankfully present. There are some truly terrifying moments that obviously are difficult to get through, but, are this novel's real strengths.


(13) Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates (1961)
A humdrum novel about marrying and having children at a young age, turning 30, trying to be successful at and care about a job you don't really care about, and then the dissolving of said marriage. A biting, subtly humorous, depressing domestic drama. The monotonous tone fits very well with the subject matter.


(12) World Leader Pretend - James Bernard Frost (2007)
An ambitious story written in an inspiringly unique and post-modern style. Four characters are deeply and obsessively invested in their MMORPG world, and tragic events in their real lives somehow bring them together. Completely unbelievable? Absolutely. Imaginative and really, really fun? Oh, most definitely!


(11) The Visible Man - Chuck Klosterman (2011)
The voice found in Chuck Klosterman's second novel, The Visible Man, is, without question, very much his. So, this original style of storytelling is much appreciated. The events in The Visible Man unfold via the therapist narrator's recollections of conversations with her newest, bizarre, unlikeable patient, until we are brought into real time, where the climax is unexpectedly shocking. Well played, Mr. Klosterman.


(10) 100% - Paul Pope (2002-2003)
Another insane sci-fi story written in Pope's conveniently simple form and drawn with his fantastic manga-esque flourishes. Not sure which I prefer between 100% and Heavy Liquid.


(9) Ready Player One - Ernest Cline (2011)
This was a complete blast. Ready Player One is laced with hilarious and truly fun references to some very popular, but, mostly obscure 80s pop culture (television, music, board and video games). Additionally, it tells a highly enjoyable, suspenseful, and intense story with  characters that may lack depth, but are a joy to follow along with. This is a novel for the nerdiest children of the 80s who are sentimental about their childhoods.


(8) Life of Pi - Yann Martel (2001)
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Life of Pi. It is incredibly captivating for focusing on one character who doesn't interact with another human for 80% of the book. The fantastical moments are understated in an awesome way, and the terrifying moments overwhelm with intensity. And, I am always a fan of the ambiguous, open ending when it is done this well.


(7) Shock Value - Jason Zinoman (2011)
Shock Value documents the history of 70s cult classic horror films, namely the most highly lauded ones like Rosemarry's Baby, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist, Halloween, Alien, etc. Fascinating stuff, for sure.


(6) Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris (2007)
A novel chock full of smart, hilarious office humor. The plot is disjointed, but, that helps the zaniness of the characters (which is the most appealing aspect of the story) to really come out. Reading Then We Came to the End really reminded me of watching those first three seasons of the American version of The Office, minus any sentimentality.


(5) Catch-22 - Joseph Heller (1961)
It's a shame that it took me until 2013 to finally read Catch-22. Also, I feel stupid that I don't think I got the whole effect of the novel, as I read it during a time where I was extremely distracted (lots of travelling, playing shows, transitioning from jobs, etc.). About half-way through, I finally hit my stride in reading it, and this, supposedly one of the great American novels of all-time, utterly terrified me while making me laugh out loud for the first time since when I read Portnoy's Complaint the year prior. This probably should have been the best book I read all year. I regret that I didn't feel that way, and hope to make amends with Joseph Heller when I read it again in a couple years.


(4) Wonder Boys - Michael Chabon (1995)
Wonder Boys, Michael Chabon's second novel, which came seven years after his 1988 debut, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, was a real shocker to me. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh was a nice coming-of-age story with some great darker twists. Wonder Boys is a desperately paced novel about desperate adults making THE WORST decisions. It felt like a lesser Franzen novel in that all the characters were unlikeable, but, also less believable.


(3) The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Eugenides (2011)
I appreciate when a writer takes his or her time between novels (authors who publish multiple novels in a year, AHEM Stephen King, HAVE to write bad stories all the time, right?). However, Franzen and Eugenides take this concept to a ridiculous degree. The Marriage Plot is Eugenides' third novel. It was published in 2011. His first, The Virgin Suicides, came out in 1993, and Middlesex in 2002. He's averaging one novel per decade. It's stupid to have to wait that long for a novel, especially when the author is this good. Anyway, I feel the public's response to The Marriage Plot was pretty middling. It seemed to be critically acclaimed, but, I've always heard plenty of complaints about it being boring and pretentious. This is crazy. The characters in The Marriage Plot are believable in a very real, attractive way. In some instances within the story, this is incredibly frustrating. In others, it is entertaining and laughable. I lived a very different college life than most people, and the drama and poor choices detailed in The Marriage Plot make for a hell of a read. With all the literature critique thrown in too, I can't say I've read many novels as unique as this one.


(2) Glamorama - Bret Easton Ellis (1998)
Thanks to their disturbingly graphic nature, simply put, it is very difficult to read a Bret Easton Ellis novel. Glamorama is no different, and, in fact, out of all the Ellis novels I've read, might be the greatest offender (and, yes, I've read American Psycho). What Glamorama also has, though, is brilliant character development (no real room for that in his other novels), even funnier dialogue than I'm used to from him, and an amazingly original, complex, mind-blowing plot that never grows tired. I loved this so much, though, it is hard to recommend because of the gore and how messed up and long a lot of the sex scenes are. This would have been the best book I read all year if it weren't for a certain fantasy series I got way into...

 
 
(1) A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000), A Feast for Crows (2005) - George R.R. Martin
Holy cow, do I not regret spending roughly six months slowly trudging through the first four books of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Obviously these books are dense (probably too much so), but every word is worth it. Intelligent storytelling combined with prose that is the right combination of poetic and direct. The twists are many, and always shocking in a fresh way. I can't rave about these four books enough (though I will say A Feast for Crows, due to its lack of focus on my personal favorite characters, is my least favorite so far). I cannot wait to finally read the fifth book in the next couple of months.

Emotional Drumming Mix #7

Here is a mix compiling tracks from the last 20 albums I have covered in my Emotional Listening posts. It is zipped and shared on my Mediafire account. This might be one of my favorite ones yet!

Download HERE!

1. "Make Up With Me" - Let's Active (1983)
2. "Dreams Never End" - New Order (1981)
3. "Shape of the Fear" - Knapsack (1998)
4. "Tom Courtnenay" - Yo La Tengo (1995)
5. "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five" - Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)
6. "One Sunday" - Idaho (1993)
7. "4010" - Christie Front Drive (1995)
8. "Tension" - Minutemen (1981)
9. "So Sick" - Unrest (1993)
10. "Jungle of Fear" - Chin Chin (1985)
11. "Equators to Bi-Polar" - June of 44 (1999)
12. "I Hope I Know You" - The Clientele (2007)
13. "Help Me" - Joni Mitchell (1974)
14. "I Fall Away" - The Bats (1990)
15. "You Tear the World in Two" - Pale Saints (1990)
16. "Oriental Alarms" - The Joggers (2003)
17. "Dose of You" - Nick Lowe (1979)
18. "Water Turns Back" - Cloud Nothings (2009)
19. "Always" - Velocity Girl (1993)
20. "That's How We Do It in L.A." - Lindsey Buckingham (1981)

Emotional Listening #37

Turning On - Cloud Nothings (Bridgetown, 2009)
I got into Cloud Nothings with 2011's self-titled jangly pop punk/emo fest, yet, perhaps sadly, was unknowble to join the indie rock world in celebrating 2012's Albini-produced, critically acclaimed follow-up, Attack on Memory. Sure, the production was great and all, but the songs just weren't really there for me, and I wasn't into the dark turn the band's music had taken. I am just more into  the brighter tones and faster tempos of the earlier material, includuing now the 2009 debut, Turning On, of which my friend and ex-coworker Tim-Tom opened my world to. This record is definitely lo-fi (almost annoyingly so), and a little more garage-y, but the poppy melodies and smart guitar chord usage are still there. Opener "Can't Stay Awake" and deep cut "Whaddya Wanna Know" are pretty much in line and on par with the songs on the self-titled record (aside from the shitty production), nerdy, high pitched vocals and all. My favorite moment, though, is the ballad, "Water Turns Back" (simple, nice melody, great chords). This dude was a pretty good musician and songwriter at such a young age, and Turning On is a fun, quality look at the early stages of that.
Top jams: "Can't Stay Awake," "Old Street," "You Are Opening," "Water Turns Back," "Whaddya Wanna Know"


This Conversation is Ending Starting Right Now - Knapsack (Alias, 1998)
In my high school and early college days, when I was especially all about the emo, I always knew about Knapsack, but never took the time to develop a sonic relationship with them. This is unfortunate, because I would have been obsessed with this record. This Conversation is Ending Starting Right Now, the band's third LP and swan song, is chock full of hooks and quality melodies that are somewhat reminiscent of Jawbreaker. The sound here is huge (especially the drums), and that works really well with the band's pop sensibility. I was expecting something more along the lines of Four Minute Mile and Nothing Feels Good, but instead hear a slightly more emo version of, I don't know, Dear You or Goddamnit? Regardless, this album RULES.
Top jams: "Katherine the Grateful," "Change is All the Rage," "Shape of the Fear," "Skip the Details," "Arrows in the Action," "Hummingbirds," "Please Shut Off the Lights"


Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell (Asylum, 1974)
I found a new go-to fall album, and it is Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark. Whooooooo boy, what an album. I was not surprised by the overall folk-y sound here, but was by the amount of jazziness in a lot of the songs' structures and arrangements, and also the element of sexiness that is present in places throughout. There are some insane moments, the greatest of which is the noodly, almost 90s Chicago emo guitars that come in and out of "Help Me" (which is easily THE jam of the album), and the blatant nod to soul music in the very same song. And, this happens a lot. It is so much more than just a folk record, and that is what will keep me coming back to it. Very much looking forward to diving into some of her other work.
Top jams: "Court and Spark," "Help Me," "Free Man in Paris," "Car on a Hill," "Just Like This Train," "Raised on Robbery," "Trouble Child"


Movement - New Order (Factory, 1981)
I was pretty bummed when at first I felt a little disappointed in New Order's debut LP, Movement. I started with their second one, 1983's Power, Corruption & Lies, and to this day am still enamored by it. I was expecting to have even stronger feelings with Movement. Even though that's not the case, it only took a few listens to get over that initial disappointment and recognize it as the solid, introductory statement of the band that it is. It is very dark, and not as guitar-oriented as I had hoped, but I've come to realize that it still has a really cool sound. It's more goth than bright, guitar-driven post-punk, aside from the album's bookends, "Dreams Never End" and "Ceremony" (which are definitely the best songs). But some of the more goth-y moments have turned out to be quite spectacular, namely in "Truth" and "Senses." And seriously, "Dreams Never End" just might be new favorite New Order jam.
Top jams: "Dreams Never End," "Truth," "Senses," "Chosen Time," "ICB," "Ceremony"

Emotional Listening #36

Solid Guild - The Joggers (StarTime, 2003)
The Joggers were (are?) an awesome guitar rock band that I would have LOVED in college. Solid Guild is their 2003 debut LP, and it features angular, technical yet melodic guitars within the context of a more complicated pop song structure. I dig the vocals, though they can be a little too 2002-era Hot Hot Heat at times, and the barber shop-style harmonies that pop up every once in a while are a nice touch. The songwriting is good, but the real draw for me is the musicianship all around. I'm always a fan of the merging of technicality (almost to a mathy degree) and pop sensibility. Seriously, this is a great record.
Top jams: "Loosen Up," "Hot Autism," "Back to the Future," "Neon Undercarriage," "Natural Novice," "Oriental Alarms," "Blurred Digits," "Same to You"


The Punch Line - Minutemen (SST, 1981)
I can already tell that the insanity of the band Minutemen over their career is going to be a hard pill for me to swallow. I have listened to some of their seminal Double Nickels on the Dime, and frankly it is way too silly for me. Their debut, The Punch Line, on the other hand, as ridiculous as it is (18 songs in 15 minutes!), is quite enjoyable. It's still zany as hell with some tougher punk vocals, pretty sparse, almost post-punk guitar, and some ridiculously funky (and awesome) bass playing via Mike Watt. It's hard to separate each song and all that I like about them because of the way they are all jumbled together due to the quick and urgent nature of the record. These dudes were having a lot of fun being both artsy and punk, and it is a blast to listen to.
Top jams: "Search." "Tension," "Games," "Disguises," "Monuments," "Issued," "Song for El Salvador," "History Lesson," "Fanatics," "No Parade," "Straight Jacket," "Static"


Perfect Teeth - Unrest (Teenbeat/4AD, 1993)
I think it was around this time last year that I was spending some time with Unrest's Imperial F.F.R.R., which is too inconsistent, but, still has some outright jams. Perfect Teeth, their 1993 follow-up, is much more cohesive, has even more jams, and, is just generally the superior album. Combining post-punk rhythms with punk urgency and 90s indie rock dynamics and melodic styles, this is an album for me. Admittedly, it did not blow me away quite like I expected, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is excellent, and even gets better with each listen. The tracks that stand out the most are "Cath Carroll" and "So Sick."
Top jams: "Cath Carroll," "So Sick," "Light Command," "Make Out Club," "Breather X.O.X.O.," "West Coast Love Affair," Six Layer Cake"


Electr-O-Pura - Yo La Tengo (Matador, 1995)
As you all know, Yo La Tengo is one of the greatest modern bands around. It's insane how long they've been going, and still every three to four years they release an excellent album. That being said, I must say that 1995's Electr-O-Pura has to be my least favorite of theirs at this juncture. I do appreciate that it rocks a bit harder than 1993's Painful (even if I prefer that album), yet still maintains a lot of its moodiness. Don't get me wrong, it is a solid album, it's just that the number of standout tracks is fairly thin. However, a nice bonus here is that this is some of the strongest drumming I've heard from Georgia Hubley. Also to note - "Tom Courtenay" is one of THE GREAT Yo La Tengo jams. I love it when they do the melodic-yet-droney guitar thing.
Top jams: "Decora," "Flying Lesson (Hot Chicken #1)," "Tom Courtnenay," "Pablo and Andrea," "False Alarm," "The Ballad of Red Buckets," "(Straight Down to the) Bitter End," "My Heart's Reflection," "Blue Line Swinger"

Emotional Listening #35

God Save the Clientele - The Clientele (Merge, 2007)
I have no idea why this record didn't hit me so hard when it first came out. God Save the Clientele (the band's fourth proper LP) is fall music at its finest: soft whispers for vocals, arpeggiated guitars, strings, brushed drums and somber vibes all around. I finally came around on 2009's Bonfires on the Heath, and also have no idea why I haven't gone to their earlier stuff. "I Hope I Know You," "From Brighton Beach to Santa Monica" and "Somebody Changed" are all SO GOOD, and should have been considered for my 2013 fall mix.
Top jams: "Here Comes the Phantom," "I Hope I Know You," "The Dance of the Hours," "From Brighton Beach to Santa Monica," "Winter on Victoria Street," "Somebody Changed," "Bookshop Casanova," "The Garden at Night"


Year After Year - Idaho (Caroline, 1993)
A few months ago I downloaded some Idaho EPs and their 1993 debut full length, Year After Year, on a whim. Not long after, while I was working at Cafe Ollie in Ypsilanti, my boss Mark was raving about them, as did my friend from Bloomington, Frank Schweikhardt, a couple weeks later. So, I went for it, and while I didn't like this record as much as I was hoping (it is definitely too slow and boring in places), I still found plenty to appreciate. "God's Green Earth" is a gnarly opener, and "Skyscrape" is a slowcore anthem that absolutely had to have played a huge role in influencing David Bazan/Pedro the Lion. "One Sunday" is by far the most upbeat jam, and also the album's best, with its almost electro-sounding drums and jagged, jangly guitars that borderline on shoegaze. Shit gets pretty dark and dire as the album goes on, but, ends on a strong note with the title track and the appropriately titled closer, "End Game." I'm interested in moving forward with these guys. Anyone have any ideas as to where I should go next?
Top jams: "God's Green Earth," "Skyscrape," "Gone," "One Sunday," "Save," "Year After Year," "End Game"


Anahata - June of 44 (Quarterstick, 1999)
I don't mean to be a culturist, but it is shocking to me that a band so weird as June of 44 came from Louisville. They are one of those classic math rock bands from the 90s, and Anahata was their final album. There are certainly some quirky rhythms and sounds going on here, but nothing quite as complex as I had expected. I was surprised by the (sometimes) tuneful vocals. Even if the singing on "Southeast of Boston" goes a little out of tune, the melody is quite good and at least interesting. "Equators to Bi-Polar" showcases some tropical vibes in the guitars and drums, and is probably my favorite song here, while "Cardiac Atlas," with its nice and moody guitars, comes in at a close second. I don't love this record, and it's not something I'm going to feel called to listen to all the time, but I greatly respect it for its originality, and am glad I own it on vinyl.
Top jams: "Escape of the Levitational Trapeze Artist," "Cardiac Atlas," "Equators to Bi-Polar," "Southeast of Boston," "Five Bucks in My Pocket"


Band on the Run - Paul McCartney & Wings (Apple, 1973)
I won't argue with anyone who thinks Paul McCartney's solo material is cheesy, because most of it is. But you cannot tell me that the guy didn't know how to write a great pop song (not that he's dead, I just assume he's lost that skill by now). After getting entirely into Ram last year, I've decided to go ahead with Band on the Run, which also features McCartney's official backing band, Wings. It is nowhere near as good as Ram, but is still a solid power pop album with one tremendous jam: "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five." Admittedly, that is pretty much the only bright spot on the second half of the record, but, man, is it a big one. The first five songs, however, are a different story: they are all good. Yes, even the title track. Obviously.
Top jams: "Band on the Run," "Jet," "Bluebird," "Mrs. Vandebilt," "Let Me Roll It," "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five"


Velocity Girl EP - Velocity Girl (Slumberland, 1993)
It is so crazy to me that Velocity Girl were on the Clueless soundtrack. Anyway, this EP is a collection of early singles from this Slumberland band, two of which are different versions of the same song (both being good). The Clueless song, "Forgotten Favorite" is so ridiculously corny, I have difficulty taking it seriously, even if it isn't that bad of a song. "Why Should I be Nice to You" and especially "Always" (LOVE the drony guitars) both rule, in all their fuzz pop glory.
Top jams: "I Don't Care if You Go," "Always," "Why Should I be Nice to You," "I Don't Care if You Go (Acoustic)"

Fall 2013 Mix

Fall is officially here, and I present to you my eight annual mix of fall jams. 20 songs to get you in the mood. Enjoy, and if you have any issues downloading, please let me know!

http://www.mediafire.com/download/hht2hywivuqwzcp/Fall+2013.zip

TRACKLIST
1. "Bird and Flag" - The Sea and Cake (1997)
2. "Honey Lake" - Frank Schweikhardt (2013)
3. "FBI and Their Toronto Transmitters" - Lilys (1994)
4. "Heart Beat" - Chris Cohen (2012)
5. "I'll Tell You Now" - Lindsey Buckingham (1981)
6. "An Impression" - No Age (2013)
7. "Hardly Getting Over It" - Husker Du (1986)
8. "Winning a Battle, Losing the War" - Kings of Convenience (2001)
9. "Fling" - Built to Spill (1994)
10. "Burial Ground" - Alec Jensen (2008)
11. "Andmoreagain" - Love (1967)
12. "Thirteen" - Big Star (1972)
13. "Bedlam" - The Bats (1990)
14. "Petrified Forest" - Cass McCombs (2007)
15. "I'll be Around" - Yo La Tengo (2013)
16. "It All Feels Right" - Washed Out (2013)
17. "Ms. Dot" - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (2013)
18. "She is Staggering" - Polaris (1999)
19. "Rainbo Conversation" - Stereolab (1997)
20. "Coffin Companions" - Owen (2013)

Emotional Listening #34

The Law of Things - The Bats (Flying Nun, 1990)
I've gotta say, The Law of Things, The Bats' sophomore follow-up to their glorious debut, Daddy's Highway, is by far my least favorite album of theirs yet. That's not to say it isn't good, because it totally is. There just isn't anything like "Block of Wood" or "Mid City Team." Not even close. Still, these jangle pop masters were just getting started in their triumphant run of consistently great records beyond this, and this here backstep is still a valuable entry. I particularly love the perfect meshing of electric and acoustic guitars on "I Fall Away" and "Bedlam," and also the amazing song title that is "Yawn Vibes." The Law of Things is still entirely The Bats, structurally and melodically, the quality just fell off a smidge.
Top jams: "Other Side of You," "Never Said Goodbye," "Yawn Vibes," "Ten to One," "Mastery," "I Fall Away," "Nine Days," "Bedlam"


Anthology - Christie Front Drive (Caulfield, 1995)
So emo. Seriously. Christie Front Drive is one of the most classic, perhaps criminally underrated of the mid-90s emo/post-hardcore movement. They were more in line with their slower, more straightforward contemporaries (Texas is the Reason, Mineral) than the more complex and upbeat (and my personal favorites), Braid, Cap'n Jazz and The Promise Ring. As far as I understand, CFD never released a proper full length, only 7-inches and EPs. This particularly release compiles ten of those songs. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the production here, nor the drumming, which is pretty bland. There also are some pretty cheesy, very dated moments, which you won't catch on legendary emo albums like Frame and Canvas or Nothing Feels Good. But, at the same time, there are some really great moments too, most notably the vocal melody during the chorus of "Away," and the guitar interplay on songs like "Pipe," "Slide" and "4010." These guys seemed to be way more into big chords than guitar wankery, which I actually appreciate with these mid-tempo, moody pop jams. It's funny, I don't love any one song here all the way through, but each one has it's own one (or a couple) specific moment(s) that blow(s) me away.
Top jams: "Turn," "Dyed on 8," "Long Out," "Pipe," "Dirt," "Slide," "4010," "Away"


Labour of Lust - Nick Lowe (Columbia, 1979)
My interest in Nick Lowe first came about when I first discovered his song "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" thanks to my friend Julian sometime in 2008, I think? Perhaps stupidly, I still have not spent any time with the record that song is featured on, Lowe's 1978 debut, Jesus of Cool (I'll get there eventually). But, I have been enjoying his 1979 follow-up,  Labour of Lust, quite a bit. It is some quality, truly well-produced power pop not unlike Elvis Costello's classics (which isn't surprising, as Lowe has produced for Costello). These songs are blatantly catchy, but, also very smart, which is how I typically prefer my blatantly catchy pop songs. "Cruel to be Kind" is an obvious hit, but the best moments are in "American Squirm" and "Dose of You."
Top jams: "Cruel to be Kind," "Cracking Up," "American Squirm," "Skin Deep," "Switchboard Susan," "Without Love," "Dose of You"


The Comforts of Madness - Pale Saints (4AD, 1990)
My girlfriend Sara first shared Pale Saints with me on an awesome back deck on a beautiful summer day when we were dog-sitting for some friends last year. Obviously, they stuck with me since I can clearly remember that very moment (I believe I was partaking in one of my fantasy football drafts). Unfortunately, I can't remember which album we listened to exactly, but I do not think it was The Comforts of Madness, their 1990 debut. I don't necessarily love every song, but, this is quite an album, and their sound is very much up my alley right now: an epic mix of melodic, dramatic post-punk (ala The Smiths), twee, shoegaze and dream pop (I feel pompous and dumb for dropping so many hip genre titles, I apologize). Chimey guitars, mostly quicker tempos, catchy vocal melodies, driving bass, but, an overall dreamy atmosphere. "You Tear the World in Two" and "Time Thief" are THE jams. Sara tells me this isn't even close to them at their best, so I am very excited to listen to some more.
Top jams: "Way the World Is, " "You Tear the World in Two," "True Coming Dream," "Language of Flowers," "Fell From the Sun," "Sight of You," "Time Thief"

2013 NFL Preview

I know this is more than a week late, but I'm gonna do it anyway. I came up with these predictions about two or three weeks before the season started. I am always wrong, and am certain that will be the case again. I'm gonna rush through some blurbage, instead of ramble and rant. Anyway, here we go!

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5)
2. Buffalo Bills (5-11)
3. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
4. New York Jets (3-13)

Sure, Tom Brady has lost some weapons, but the Patriots are still the class of the AFC East, if not the entire AFC. Remember when they won three Super Bowls with great defense on little talent but Brady on offense? Not that that's what things are like this year (defense-wise), but I'm just saying. The only other things worth mentioning here are: C.J. SPILLER! And, the Jets are doomed.

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Now is the time for the Bengals to take over this division. It will probably be short lived, but I feel like they're on this upward trajectory thanks to A.J. Green, and that will move them beyond the grasp of Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who will both be decent, but definitely have a lot of work to do after all their turnover. The Browns are the Browns.

AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
4. Tennessee Titans (4-12)

Between what I consider their underrated passing attack, Arian Foster, and that nasty D, the Texans will legitimately compete for the AFC championship. I think Andrew Luck and the Colts are the real deal who made some moves to get even better. And, the Jaguars and Titans are both terrible.

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
3. San Diego Chargers (5-11)
4. Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Even before that seven touchdown performance in week one, and in spite of the suspension of defensive super stud Von Miller, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are far and away the best team in the AFC, possibly in the entire NFL. The Chiefs, under Andy Reid and Alex Smith, will be much better, and may even compete for a playoff spot NEXT YEAR. The Chargers should be bad, and the Raiders even worse.

NFC East
1. New York Giants (10-6)
2. Washington Redskins (9-7)
3. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)

The NFC East is a pure clusterfuck. Anyone can win it, but that's not because it's this great division or anything. It is just a mess. My odds are on the Giants or Redskins. Weirdly, I'm sort of rooting for the Cowboys because so many people hate them and Tony Romo. I would also be happy if the Eagles took it. I don't care that much though, this is just the way I think it's going to play out based on the talent these times have. What a vague preview!

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
2. Chicago Bears (10-6)
3. Detroit Lions (7-9)
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)

Despite their defensive woes and losing Greg Jennings, the Packers are still by far the best team in the North, and second best in the NFC. The Bears are going to be just about as good as they've been the last three years, and still somehow miss the playoffs. Will their offense finally be as good as it should be? Probably not. My Lions. They're going to be way better, and I am pleasantly surprised by their week one performance. Still, mediocre at best. They need a lot of help. Adrian Peterson is an awesome super human, but even he is not enough for the Vikings to make a repeat performance of last year.

NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

This has got to be the best division in all of football, right? The Falcons' defense is just a little better than the Saints', and that's why they barely pull out the division title. That will be such a fun race to watch. And, I truly believe that both the Buccs and the Panthers are on the cusp of becoming playoff teams. The NFC is just too deep in talent right now.

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
3. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

I felt a little guilty of jumping on the 49er bandwagon, until discovering the true depth of Colin Kaepernick's talent in week one. Take away the run game from him, and he will throw the ball all over you and kick your ass. I love this guy, and he makes the 49ers the best team in the NFC. Believe it. The Seahawks will compete big time, but I think the 49ers have the edge. The Rams could be considered in that same tier with the Panthers and Buccs, but not quite yet. Larry Fitzgerald will have a return to fantasy glory, but that is the only good thing coming to this Cardinals team.

POSTSEASON AWARDS

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick (New England)
Comeback Player of the Year: Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Eric Reid (SS, San Francisco)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Montee Ball (RB, Denver)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aldon Smith (OLB, San Francisco)
Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota)
Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

AFC
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. New York Giants
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Seattle Seahawks

AFC Wild Card Round
Baltimore Ravens over Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wild Card Round
Atlanta Falcons over Seattle Seahawks
New Orleans Saints over New York Giants

AFC Divisional Round
Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans over New England Patriots

NFC Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers over Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints

AFC Championship
Denver Broncos over Houston Texans

NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLVIII
Denver Broncos over San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl XLVIII MVP
Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)

Emotional Listening #33

Law and Order - Lindsey Buckingham (Asylum, 1981)
I can't believe that I haven't even touched on any of the five classic and near perfect Fleetwood Mac albums from 1975-1987, and here I am writing about a Lindsey Buckingham solo record. I'll get to the Mac juiciness some day (or will I?), but I was that floored by this, Buckingham's first solo effort. And, it only gets better with each listen. It pretty much details Fleetwood Mac's transition from 1979's Tusk to 1982's Mirage in the best way possible. The "ra-ta-ta-tas" in "Bwana," unnecessary second drum track and fills in "Mary Lee Jones," and wacky shouting in "That's How We Do It in L.A.," all call back to the weirder Buckingham moments on Tusk, while smooth, sulky ballads like "Trouble," "I'll Tell You Now," and "Shadow of the West" all hint at what was to come on Mirage and then Tango in the Night. If you like those classic Fleetwood Mac albums, and you should, then there is plenty to love on Law and Order.
Top jams: "Bwana," "Trouble," "Mary Lee Jones," "I'll Tell You Now," "Shadow of the West," "That's How We Do It in L.A.," "Love From Here, Love From There"


Sound of the Westway - Chin Chin (Farmer, 1985)
I know I'm a couple years late at getting really into this, but, that's the wonderful challenge of good music. There is way too much of it out there, and that is not a bad problem to have. I purchased the 2010 Slumberland reissue on the cheap maybe a year or so ago at Encore in Ann Arbor. Sound of the Westway offers up some bad ass summertime girl punk. I think it's pretty clear that Chin Chin played quote a role in the development of Vivian Girls. Big 80s drums, great open chords, catchy melodies, tuff attitude. "Jungle of Fear" and "Stay With Me" both rule big time.
Top jams: "Dark Days," "My Guy," "Jungle of Fear," "Room of Sadness," "War," "Proud Soldiers," "Stay With Me," "Dead Life"


Afoot EP - Let's Active (I.R.S., 1983)
In addition to producing R.E.M. albums in the 80s, Mitch Easter had a band called Let's Active. Afoot was their debut release, and it is fantastic. I love every song, especially "Every Word Means No," "Make Up With Me" and "Edge of the World." Easter's nasally voice is a nice contrast to the big, yet sometimes subtle 80s production, and those jangly and chimey guitars that I love are all over the place here. The song structures are a little askew, which is another draw for me. But, seriously, all six songs are awesome. Now, tell me, is it worth it to go forward and devote some time to the LPs that followed?
Top jams: "Every Word Means No," "Make Up With Me," "Edge of the World," "Room With a View," "In Between," "Leader of Men" (AKA, all of them!)

Emotional Drumming Mix #6

Here is a mix compiling tracks from the last 20 albums I have covered in my Emotional Listening posts. It is zipped and shared on my Mediafire account.

Download HERE!

1. "All This I've Done for You" - Husker Du (1986)
2. "Carried Out to Sea" - Fucked Up (2006)
3. "Ripeness" - Echo & the Bunnymen (1983)
4. "When My Baby's Beside Me" - Big Star (1972)
5. "The Escape Engine" - Burning Airlines (1999)
6. "What's Happend to You My Dearest Friend?" - Another Sunny Day (1992)
7. "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" - T. Rex (1971)
8. "Love Action" - The Human League (1981)
9. "Distopian Dream Girl" - Built to Spill (1994)
10. "Borderline" - Camper Van Beethoven (1989)
11. "Darling Daughter" - Camber (2002)
12. "Pregnant Pause" - Cass McCombs (2007)
13. "Tears of Joy" - Black Tambourine (2010)
14. "Tired of Waiting for You" - The Kinks (1965)
15. "Off the Wall" - Michael Jackson (1979)
16. "Something That I Need" - Cheap Girls (2009)
17. "Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault" - Jawbreaker (1995)
18. "Hardcore Pops Are Fun" - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (2002)
19. "Come On Let's Go" - Broadcast (2000)
20. "Laugh Track" - Chavez (1995)

Emotional Listening #32

#1 Record - Big Star (Ardent, 1972)
About a year ago, my girlfriend Sara gave me quite a push to invest in Big Star. I eventually found #1 Record and Radio City for very good prices on vinyl, and put in some good time. I've mainly focused on #1 Record to start, and it was a pretty great choice. It really is insane that Big Star was not enormous in their time, as it is plain to see that every power pop band since has been deeply inspired by them. Sure, the songs aren't quite at that grandiose classic rock level like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, but, the hooks are pretty much endless. I have my preferred songs, but there isn't a stale moment to be heard here. Admittedly, I felt that the album was a lot too ballad-y at first, but, I'm over it. Those songs are gorgeous and sound like fall, which is a lethal combination. I'm not even going to touch the rock songs, because I could go on forever. This is just a bad ass pop record that is going to stick with me for a long time.
Top jams: "Feel," "The Ballad of El Goodo," "In the Street," "Thirteen," "The India Song," "When My Baby's Beside Me," "My Life is Right," "Watch the Sunrise"


My Roaring 20's - Cheap Girls (Paper + Plastick, 2009)
Cheap Girls, from Lansing, MI of all places, are awesome. I slept on them for too long, and finally woke up with last year's Giant Orange, which is excellent, and was #11 on my year-end list. My Roaring 20's is their sophomore album, and I don't like it nearly as much. Don't get me wrong. It's totally good, and there are some nice standouts ("Ft. Lauderdale," "Something That I Needed," most of "One & Four"). Here's the thing: A lot of the songs are hard to tell apart, and also the production is mediocre at best. Not that there is much variety on Giant Orange, but it just sounds better and the songs are of a higher quality. The band still does the 90s-alternative-rock-meets-pop punk thing well here, it's just not as charming. I'll stop whining. Still a fine album with some total jams.
Top jams: "Sunnyside," "Ft. Lauderdale," "Hey Hey, I'm Worn Out," "I Had a Motorcycle," "Sleeping Weather," "Something That I Need," "One & Four"


Kinda Kinks - The Kinks (Reprise, 1965)
I've been meaning to devote a lot of effort to The Kinks for a long time now. It seems like it would be an overwhelming process, so I'm going to take my time with it. I have started with Kinda Kinks, which I get the feeling that, in the Kinks' universe, is sorta comparable to the early Beatles records. However, Kinda Kinks is better. They had already started dabbling in psych rock ("See My Friends," which is actually a single that wasn't even on the album, it just happened to be tagged on toward the end of the version I had downloaded), and a lot of these songs are more off kilter than those cheesy, straightforward, but totally good Beatles hits. "You Shouldn't be Sad" and "Something Better Beginning" are pleasant surprises. And, I know it's one of their most popular songs, but I haven't been able to get over "Tired of Waiting for You" since it was one of my favorite jams as a little kid. Two observations: The drumming is subtle but really, really great. Totally impressed. Also, I've been told Alec Jensen sounds like Ray Davies. On multiple songs here, that comparison really comes through. Pretty cool. Anyway, I'm excited to eventually move forward with these guys.
Top jams: "Look for Me Baby," "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl," "Tired of Waiting for You," "Don't Ever Change," "So Long," "You Shouldn't be Sad," "Something Better Beginning," "See My Friends"

Emotional Listening #31

Mission: Control! - Burning Airlines (DeSoto, 1999)
Burning Airlines was a post-Jawbox project from J. Robbins, producer extraordinaire of a lot of seminal/popular albums in emo/post-hardcore/punk/indie rock. Mission: Control! was their debut, and it is phenomenal. While Robbins certainly knows his way around a melody or hook, these songs aren't of the typical pop song structure. They are heavy, complex (with some truly insane but completely rock solid drumming), and yet still, very catchy. Mission: Control! is a melodic, technical rock 'n' roll record of the most excellent type. If you like jagged, distorted guitars, intricate drumming and pop melodies, this record is for you.
Top jams: "Wheaton Calling," "Pacific 231," "Scissoring," "The Escape Engine," "3 Sisters," "Flood of Foreign Capital," "Sweet Deals on Surgery"


Gone Glimmering - Chavez (Matador, 1995)
I hesitate to call Chavez math rock, as they were quite a bit more melodic and accessible than, say, Don Caballero. So, I will describe them as heavy, melodic, technical rock. A couple years ago my bud Julian called me crazy for not being familiar, and now I understand why. The sounds on Gone Glimmering are not unlike those of Hum, Shiner, Burning Airlines, etc. Huge guitars, vocal melodies akin to J. Robbins and Allen Epley, and impressive, intricate drumming that somehow is both focused and aimless (and also big). This record is right up my alley, and I regret not realizing that until now.
Top jams: "Break Up Your Band," "Laugh Track," "The Ghost by the Sea," "Peeled Out Too Late," "Wakeman's Air," "Relaxed Fit"


Porcupine - Echo & the Bunnymen (Sire, 1983)
Last year, I got way into Echo & the Bunnymen's 1984 masterpiece, Ocean Rain. This year, it's their prior LP, Porcupine, that is completely slaying me. While the highlights on Porcupine aren't quite as obvious as those on Ocean Rain, they are two equally stellar albums. Porcupine is brighter, louder and more full (more electric guitars and upbeat tempos), but, there is still a goth element to these songs. I wouldn't be surprised if I come to prefer this to Ocean Rain. This band was really good!
Top jams: "The Cutter," "The Back of Love," "My White Devil," "Clay," "Heads Will Roll," "Ripeness," "Higher Hell," "Gods Will be Gods"


Dear You - Jawbreaker (DGC, 1995)
I've known since high school that I am supposed to care about Jawbreaker, and I just never had. That was until I came across a used copy of an awesome vinyl reissue of Dear You at Underground Sounds in Ann Arbor a year or so ago. I've been listening to the record pretty frequently of late, and it's about damn time, right? I don't know that I would agree with those who throw the band under the emo umbrella, though I also do recognize that these songs have some elements of that genre. However, Dear You is simply a dark, melodic punk record with plenty of pop sensibility. The first three tracks here set the tone with Blake Schwarzenbach's thought provoking storytelling and excellent sense for melody. "Accident Prone" is one of the more emo jams, with all of its drama and dynamics. "Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault," a straight up pop punk song, takes the title for best moment on the album, though. I am very happy that I've finally come around.
Top jams: "Save Your Generation," "I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both," "Fireman," "Accident Prone," "Oyster," "Million," "Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault," "Sluttering (May 4th)"

Emotional Listening #30

Black Tambourine - Black Tambourine (Slumberland, 2010)
Black Tambourine are considered one of the more seminal bands of the indie pop/twee movement of old. I get it, though I still find bands like Beat Happening and The Pastels a bit more interesting. Still, Slumberland's 2010 collection compiles quite a set of good jangly and fuzzy pop tunes. Call me crazy, but my favorite of the original batch of tunes is the short, aimless instrumental "Pam's Tan." Also, it's telling that the later recordings, including the "Lazy Heart" and "Dream Baby Dream" covers, are better than said original material. Bands like this once were and again have become a dime a dozen, but I do sense something special to Black Tambourine, even if I can't elaborate any more.
Top jams: "Black Car," "I Was Wrong," "Throw Aggi Off the Bridge," "We Can't be Friends," "By Tomorrow," "Pam's Tan," "Heartbeat," "Lazy Heart," "Tears of Joy," "Dream Baby Dream"


Key Lime Pie - Camper Van Beethoven (Virgin, 1989)
Last year I spent some good time with CVB's debut LP, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, and while somewhat inconsistent, it definitely grew on me and I came to appreciate it in all of its silliness. Next up for me is their 1989 pre-reunion swan song, Key Lime Pie, which I'd say is a much more serious listen. It's interesting because sonically, this is a much more cohesive album, but the band still incorporated a lot of the same genres they toyed with on TFLV (ska, polka, etc.). There are still moments here where I get distracted, but man, their are some great songs here. "Borderline" is a current knock-out jam for me.
Top jams: "Jack Ruby," "Sweethearts," "When I Win the Lottery," "(I Was Born in a) Laundromat," "Borderline," "June," "All Her Favorite Fruit," "Flowers," "Pictures of Matchstick Men"


Off the Wall - Michael Jackson (Epic, 1979)
As a youth, I didn't give much thought to MJ. I knew the singles and liked 'em fine, but that's as far as my relationship with his music went. I acquired Off the Wall and Thriller several years ago when I first started to collect vinyl, and I fell for them both pretty hard, especially thanks to the fact that I had since acquired immense appreciation for other music like this (smooth, sexy, funky, awesome chords). Lately I've listening to Off the Wall a bit more intimately, and my love for it has grown exponentially. If only it weren't for "She's Out of My Life," this record would be just about perfect. No joke.
Top jams: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Rock With You," "Workin' Day and Night," "Get on the Floor," "Off the Wall," "I Can't Help It," "It's the Falling in Love"


Dropping the Writ - Cass McCombs (Domino, 2007)
I developed an interest in Cass McCombs' third album, Dropping the Writ, after a friend had put a song from it on a "best of 2007" mix she had made in early 2008. I'm not exactly sure why it took me until now to give it the opportunity it deserves, as it is a completely gorgeous record, and another in this batch that I'm focusing on in this post that is nearly flawless. I like if not love all ten songs here. This record is nowhere near as boring as 2009's Catacombs and 2011's Wit's End, and is much more in line with, and far surpasses, McComb's other 2011 album, Humor Risk. I guess I would generally describe this music as a mix of folk and classic pop music, and there are instances that really remind me of XO-era Elliott Smith and a smidge of Jim O'Rourke's more accessible albums. I wonder if I had started with Dropping the Writ, I would have experienced a higher level of enjoyment from McCombs' more recent albums?
Top jams: "Pregnant Pause," "That's That," "Petrified Forest," "Moving Shadows," "Deseret," "Crick in My Neck," "Full Moon or Infinity," "Wheel of Fortune"