or…. My Retro Can Beat up Your Retro
Steering clear of politics and death. Just music; hooks in the mouth, holes in the cheek and the wind blowing through. A lot, maybe too much, of what I liked this year piles on the MC5, Johnny Thunders, Only Ones, psych-garage or Tin Huey, but I prefer it to sounding like Seals and Crofts, America or Bread. The WNPR list was pretty close to the one in Pitchfork; both had me suppressing the gag reflex.
But New or Used via Amazon
1. Simone Massaron featuring Carla Bozulich- DANDELIONS ON FIRE
But New or Used via Amazon
2. Evangelista- HELLO, VOYAGER:
A one, two punch for Carla. A Wonder of the Western World.
But New or Used via Amazon
3. Giant Sand- PROVISIONS:
Perennial faves in a mellow mood; and as sharp as Howe’s own songs are, a highlight is a tender P.J. Harvey cover.
4. Nathaniel Meyer- WHY DON’T YOU GIVE IT TO ME?:
Late ’07, but whose counting? Dirty psych-blues from R&B vet. Died with his boots on.
But New or Used via Amazon
5. Jay Reatard- MATADOR SINGLES:
Two great singles comps, but the Flying Nun echoes put this one over the top.
But New or Used via Amazon
6. Terakaft- AKH ISSUDOR:
West African guitar drones, perfectly recorded without falling into that Real World sterility.
But New or Used via Amazon
7. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-DIG, LAZURUS, DIG:
Self-parody with a wink, rocking hard and straddling the line with his scroat sac.
But New or Used via Amazon
8. Katjon Band- S/T:
Spare duet featuring members of two of the best bands in the world. I would use the word “angular,” but The Rock Bible said not to.
But New or Used via Amazon
9. Barnacled- CHARLES:
On a merry-go-round with live horses. More bassoon, please.
But New or Used via Amazon
10. Cheap Time- S/T:
Short, sharp, perfect gem of nonsense.
11. Vic Chesnutt with Elf Power- DARK DEVELOPEMENTS
12. Mudhoney- LUCKY ONES
13. Kasai All Stars- IN THE 7TH MOON
14. Black Hollies- CASTING SHADOWS
15. Alexander Tucker- PORTAL
16. Notorious Hi-Fi Killers- WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
17. Sam Shalabi- EID
18. Graham Day and the Jaolers- TRIPLE DISTILLED
19. Ribeye Brothers- NEW WAYS TO FAIL
20. The Cute Lepers- CAN’T STAND MODERN MUSIC
More stuff:
Antietam- OPUS MIXTUM ||| Stephen Malkmus- REAL EMOTIONAL TRASH ||| King Khan- SUPREME GENIUS ||| Chris Knox- A WARM GUN ||| Portishead- 3 ||| The Breeders- MOUNTAIN BATTLES ||| Bill Dixon- 17 MUSICIANS IN SEARCH OF A SOUND ||| Wooden Shjips- VOL. 1 ||| Holly Golightly- DIRT DON’T HURT ||| Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan- SUNDAY AT DEVIL DIRT ||| Wild Billy Childish- THATCHER’S CHILDREN ||| The Royal Purple- TIME ELEMENT |||
Reissues and things found under the bed:
V.A.- VICTROLA FAVORITES
V.A.- WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED?
CCR
Replacements
Neil Young- SUGAR MOUNTAIN
Charlie Pickett- BAR BAN AMERICANUS
The Individuals- FIELDS
Bill Cosby- BADFOOT BROWN
Ike Turner- CLASSIC EARLY YEARS
Sun City Girls- YOUR NEVER ALONE WITH A CIGARETTE
Flat Duo Jets- TWO HEADED COW
V.A.- SNATCH AND GRAB IT
V.A.- AFRICAN SCREAM CONTEST
V.A.- THANK YOU FRIENDS- THE ARDENT RECORDS STORY
V.A.- OH RUN INTO ME, BUT DON’T HURT ME
Shows:
At Maxwell’s-The Individuals, the Woggles, The Sadies, The Ribeye Brothers, Holmes, The Breeders at Webster Hall. The Waco Bros at the Highline. Sonic Youth/Feelies at Battery Park. Katjon Band, Jon Langford with the Burlington Men’s Choir and Antietam at the Knit. Best show of 2008, maybe ever: Getachew Mekurya w/ the Ex, Mohammed Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete at Damrosch Park.
Movies:
REPRISE, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, THE WRESTLER, SLUMDOG MILLIONARE, HEARTBEAT DETECTOR, IRON MAN.
In one hole and out the other:
Bon Iver, the Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, Ryan Adams, She and Him, Byrne/Eno, My Morning Jacket, Coldplay.