2009 End Of Year Music Post - If It's Not Scottish, it's CRAP!
Weird how this stuff works out, aye?
First, I'll start out with what was easily my favorite album of the year:
Handsome Furs - Face Control
As I've mentioned elsewhere, it reminded me of a lost New Order album, with vocals that are a litte more urgent and desperate. The record announces its intent with 808 claps and sinister synths on "Legal Tender", dancey and frantic.
So many parts on this album are visceral - the refrain from "Talking Hotel Arbat Blues" - "I don't know/but I been told/every little thing/been bought and sold" is an example of the desperation and the desolate landscape that this album expresses, in stark juxtaposition to the bouncy beats and driving guitar.
I want to say more, but you have to listen. I don't know how else to describe the interplay of the multitracked guitars, the groove beneath the bleak lyrics. When Dan Boeckner yelps "Radio Kaliningrad/Static on a broken wire!" you have a frantic feel of cold war angst propelled by technology just out of reach. Please, buy and listen.
Second, the Scottish part. The Scottish Part.
I've gotten into a groove where I have an album from the previous year that locks its hands around my heart and captivates me to the point where I don't dare leave it off the list. This year, it's Glasvegas. The album starts with "Flowers and Football Tops," a song about the murder of Kriss Donald as told from the viewpoint of a parent. It's harrowing enough, but then the guitars wash out, you feel like you're falling...and then James Allan starts singing "You Are My Sunshine," and you want to curl up on the ground and cry. As the outro rings into the next song "Geraldine," the tempo picks up and James starts singing from the point of view of the titular girl, professing her loyalty to her case: "I will be/the angel on your shoulder/my name is Geraldine/I'm your social worker!" All the while, James tells his stories in a Scottish brogue that somehow lends weight and truth to the tales. When he calls out "I'm feelin' so guilty/for any old shite/and how I think my missus/is fuckin' every guy that she looks at!" you realise you've felt that way. The mistrust. The worry. And then culminates with the admission: "It's my own cheatin' heart/that makes me cry!"
These are some of the most heartbreaking songs I've ever heard, but somehow, uplifting. The tunes are almost directly ripped off from 60's girl groups, run through a Jesus and Mary Chain echo filter, and yet somehow still manages to sound fresh. Another band I heard this year (not from Scotland), Pains of Being Pure At Heart, sounded straight out of the early 90's, and rooted there. Somehow, Glasvegas transcended those shackles and took me forward.
Before I move on, I have to say, if nothing else, please listen to "Go Square Go", if only to hear James' tale of a schoolyard fight that ends with the refrain of "here we fucking go!" It must be administered at the proper volume (hint: loud).
The next Scottish band that captured my attention came at the end of the year, but was a tornado that ripped through a friend's end-of-year list. He only included one song, "It's Thunder and It's Lightning", but it reminded me to check the band out. Scott Castro on Twitter had sung their praises and when I heard it, I was captured. The band is We Were Promised Jetpacks. The songs have a driving intensity and yet a melodic tinge, reminiscent of the Wedding Present. I'll admit, I'm a sucker for a Scottish accent, but seriously, if the songs were shite, I'd not bother. But this album (These Four Walls) is worth the trip.
I never got to listen much to Forget The Night Ahead by the Twilight Sad, but I have a feeling it would belong here, in spades.
Thus endeth the Scottish lesson.
Next up was the feel-good album of my summer, a band that my kids even liked, a poppy-punky confection that I was turned on to by Twitter friend Jason Dunham: Nothing Personal by All Time Low. It kicks off with "Weightless", a song that promises "Maybe it's not my weekend/but it's gonna be my year", an anthem of positive vibes that I couldn't ignore. The next song, "Break Your Little Heart" starts with a riff that's undeniable, and the song after, "Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)" should give you an idea of the wordplay. Genius? Not by a longshot. But with lyrics like "I took a walk for the very first time/on the darkside of the dancefloor/Lit a match just to heat things up/but I got more than I bargained for", you know these guys aren't just meatheads. There's feeling beneath the drunken pinings for "Stella", and "Too Much" (one of my favorite songs on the record) sounds like a great lost Blake Lewis track. A great pop album.
Best Show: Matt Wertz with Alternate Routes. I've sung the praises of Matt Wertz before. He's a great singer/songwriter. The Alternate Routes have a great song on their album A Sucker's Dream called "The Future's Nothing New" that is amazing to watch them play live. Just go see it. And buy all of Matt's records, or at least the newest one.
Single of the year: 1901 by Phoenix. Duh. Oh, and if you don't like it, you're broken.
Last but not least, I leave you with my three favorite videos of the year, lowest to highest. Watch and love:
#3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXSovfzyx28 Somewhat of a layover from last year but it's a wonderful video. So smart and well done.
#2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auzfTPp4moA (FUCKING INCREDIBLE VIDEO. Art to the nth power. The guy dances like MJ, and red confetti as blood is genius. This whole album kicks ass. I'd include it on the top albums list, but it's implied. Go buy it!)
#1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I There was never any doubt, was there? This video punches you in the face and dares you to not flinch, and look back into it's eyes.
Can you?
I'm psyched for 2010 because 2009 was so great. BRING IT!
33
MOG it up!
Locating MOG account...
Comments (8)
that Jetpacks album is immense.... "Quiet Little Voices" was one of my favorite tracks of the year. But then again, I've got an "If it's not scottish, it's CRAP!" thing going on too....
And I'm glad that it's now ok for me to unabashedly love that Gaga video... thanks!
Most excellent..A year well spent and recorded. The Scottish phase.
I'm a sucker for a Scot accent also and Jetpacks blew me away. Oh, if only I hadn't missed the Frightened Rabbit/Twilight Sad/WWPJP tour stop in Seattle. Still crying in my haggis over that...
But, but, but...best single---aren't Phoenix a French band?
(nice to see you around, Sam!)
@Jameson - I'm glad that I'm not the only one who loves that video! It seems really fashionable to bag on her, but her music is catchy and the video is amazing.
@Cody - Yep. I seem to get more into the music of the year as the year gets closer to ending. I found that much of the music that I liked last year was released in the first half! I totally slept on a lot of good stuff.
@Amber - I was bummed that I missed Monolith because I missed a lot of good bands, Phoenix included. I believe Frightened Rabbit was there as well, and another Scot band, either TS or Jetpacks. I listed one show because I only went to one, but missing Monolith was really disappointing.
Hopefully I'll be around a bit more so as not to miss so much good music. :)
will it make you sad to know that FF, TS AND WWPJP were all at Monolith? it made me sad. :(
Not sad, just would liked to have gone. :) My back wouldn't let me - I'm glad I stayed home, but it was a great chance to see some great bands. Who knows when they'll be back this way.
damn, just take a look at your head. Looks like an orange stuck on a toothpick............
I wish I knew what you were talking about. :)