Comments on: The 2008 USSM Music Post

By: Nayners

Nayners — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:25:54 +0000

Shucks, I missed out on this! Some great recommendations here. I will be checking a bunch out. Thanks!

By: andy w

andy w — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:15:55 +0000

The Notwist was an interesting one. After the years of anticipation building up from Neon Golden, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from the new album. But on first listen it felt a horrible let down. I’m not sure if I was hoping for something completely new and unique or just Neon Golden 2, but either way I didn’t think The Devil, You + Me really cut it. However after a few listens I found it worming its way into my head from where it just wouldn’t leave. Now it would definitely make my top 5 albums of the year.

1. Mogwai – The Hawk Is Howling
2. Lambchop – Oh (Ohio)
3. Sigur Ros – Meo suo i eyrum vio spilum endalaust
4. The Notwist – The Devil, You + Me
5. Calexico – Carried to Dust

Fleet Foxes looks like it is also going to be really superb, but I only got it a couple of weeks back, so I haven’t had chance to listen to it properly yet.

By: marc w

marc w — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:58:18 +0000

Gentlemen,

This is the most overlap we’ve had in many years, mr. Zumsteg. ‘Nouns’ should be on my list too, though I find myself pulling out their old LPs more and more now.

Frightened Rabbit – I just got into this. I was in Glasgow last summer, where I had a conversation with a bartender who kept playing The National. He mentioned his friend was in a band, and they were going to open for them soon. Called themselves ‘Frightened Rabbit.’ I totally forgot that until i got their tune ‘It’s Christmas, so We’ll Stop’ which became my xmas song of 2008 and reminded me of this drunken conversation.

This Will Destroy You – wow. It took me a long, long time to get into this. I liked their previous LP much, much more at first. But this is a grower.

Raveonettes – Totally agree. I’ve heard most everything they’ve done, seen them a few times, and yet still didn’t really get all the hype they got. Then Lust, Lust, Lust came out. Brilliant; I really didn’t think they had it in ‘em.

Notwist – I like it, but I think I keep comparing it to Neon Golden.

The one big disagreement has to be the Black Keys. I love that band, but their last record was just…bad. I blame the production. Yikes, I’d just like to forget that happened. Kind of like Parts and Labor’s 2008 offering. My god. ‘Mapmakers’ was one of my favorite albums of the decade, and you follow it with…that?

Conor: Thanks for putting the Dillinger Four album up there. What a great record… at least SOMEONE can release a long rumored album that most fans had finally given up hoping for, and then have it kick ass.

Totally agree on Los Campesinos! too. WABWAD is better than their hyped debut. And Fleet Foxes deserve the plaudits they’ve received.

Other things I listened to a lot in 2008:
Why? – Alopecia (maybe my favorite of 2008)
Auburn Lull – Begin Civil Twilight
Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel – Dual Hawks
Thee Oh Sees – The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending a Night In
Deerhunter – Microcastles
The Rural Alberta Advantage – hometowns

By: vj

vj — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:47:37 +0000

Since I have a soft spot for blue eyed soul I would like to endorse Eli "Paperboy" Reed. One musical eye opener I had last year was Tina Turner's performance in Gimme Shelter. Anyway thanks for the post. I always appreciate those.

By: BobbyAyalaFan4Life

BobbyAyalaFan4Life — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:52 +0000

Wow…I didn’t realize everyone on here was so music saavy as well. Most my friends who are into music aren’t big sports fans and vice versa…nice to see there’s others who can merge the two. Oh yeah…fav’s of 2008 (no order)
Songs: MGMT – Electric Feel; Bad Relgion – Sorrow (acoustic); NIN – Discipline; Vampire Weekend – A-Punk; Spoon – Don’t you Evah; Cold War Kids – Something is Not Right With Me. There’s a ton more.
Albums: MGMT – Oracular Spectacular; Beck – Modern Guilt; Sonic Youth (and others) – Andre Sider Af Sonic Youth (it’s more of their experimental stuff, but they can do no wrong to me); Black Keys – Attack and Release; I’m sure there’s many others.
Bands I saw live: The Toadies at the Showbox; Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, Fall of Troy, Walkmen, Black Keys, Band of Horses and more at Bumbershoot; Nada Surf at Showbox; The Poises reunited at Winterland in Bremerton (I’m sure there’s many more here too I’m forgetting now).
It was a good eyar for music in my overall opinion. I heard more I liked and less I didn’t; a stark contrast from 2005-07 (not that they too didn’t have their moments).

By: unkrusty

unkrusty — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:45:16 +0000

I loved Parc Avenue by Plants and Animals. Not seeing it listed so far (I think). Add it to your Library Queue.

By: TylerDurden

TylerDurden — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:00:12 +0000

Oops I guess you’re right. I just considered it from 2008 since it wasn’t released in the US until January. Regardless, a great album from my favorite band of all time.

By: vj

vj — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:52:20 +0000

In Rainbows is from 2007. And was mentioned in last year's post.

By: TylerDurden

TylerDurden — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:24:30 +0000

Not much love for In Rainbows by Radiohead or Attack and Release by the Black Keys?? Two very good albums.

1. Dear Science- TV on the Radio
2. At Mount Zoomer – Wolf Parade
3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
4. Rising Down – The Roots
5. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
6. Oracular Spectacular – MGMT
7. You & Me – The Walkmen
8. Attack and Release – Black Keys
9. In Rainbows – Radiohead
10. Furr – Blitzen Trapper
11. Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
12. Loyalty to Loyalty – Cold War Kids
13. Acid Tongue – Jenny Lewis
14. The Renaissance – Q-Tip
15. Dig Lazarus Dig!!! – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

By: Cowboy Dan

Cowboy Dan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:23:44 +0000

These are some nice lists. I’m looking forward to checking out a bunch of these albums I missed. I’ll throw in a few I liked quite a bit that didn’t get too many mentions above.

The Hands – The Hands. A small Seattle band that is a ton of fun live. ‘Praying Hands Will Make Fists (Or Be Chopped Off)’ is a good place to start if you’re curious.
The Dodos – Visitor
Pete and the Pirates – Little Death
Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
New Faces – Two Years. Another local band, give ‘Impulse’ a listen.