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Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Jim Connelly's
Favorite Recordings Of 2006
Monday, January 15, 2007
Jesse Steichen's Favorite Recordings Of 2006
Friday, January 12, 2007
Bill Bentley's Favorite Recordings Of 2006
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Tom Ridge's Favorite Recordings Of 2006
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Lee Templeton's Favorite Recordings Of 2006
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Anthony Carew's 13 Fave Albums Of 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
SXSW 2006: Finding Some Hope In Austin
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Letter From New Orleans
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Jennifer Przybylski's Fave Albums of 2005
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Music For Dwindling Days: Max Schaefer's Fave Recordings Of 2005
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Sean Fennessey's 'Best-Of' 2005
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Lori Miller Barrett's Fave Albums Of 2005
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Lee Templeton's Favorite Recordings of 2005
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Michael Lach - Old Soul Songs For A New World Order
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
Found In Translation — Emme Stone's Year In Music 2005
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Dave Allen's 'Best-Of' 2005
Monday, January 2, 2006
Steve Gozdecki's Favorite Albums Of 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Johnny Walker Black's Top 10 Of 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Neal Block's Favorite Recordings Of 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Jenny Tatone's Year In Review
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Dave Renard's Fave Recordings Of 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Jennifer Kelly's Fave Recordings Of 2005
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Tom Ridge's Favorite Recordings Of 2005
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Ben Gook's Beloved Albums Of 2005
Monday, December 5, 2005
Anthony Carew's Fave Albums Of 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Prince, Spoon And The Magic Of The Dead Stop
Monday, September 12, 2005
The Truth About America
Monday, September 5, 2005
Tryin' To Wash Us Away
Monday, August 1, 2005
A Psyche-Folk Heat Wave In Western Massachusetts
Monday, July 18, 2005
Soggy But Happy At Glastonbury 2005
Monday, April 4, 2005
The SXSW Experience, Part 3: All Together Now
Friday, April 1, 2005
The SXSW Experience, Part 2: Dr. Dog's Happy Chords
Thursday, March 31, 2005
The SXSW Experience, Part 1: Waiting, Waiting And More Waiting
Friday, March 25, 2005
Final Day At SXSW's Charnel House
Monday, March 21, 2005
Day Three At SXSW
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Day Two In SXSW's Hall Of Mirrors
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Report #1: SXSW 2005 And Its Hall Of Mirrors
Monday, February 14, 2005
Matt Landry's Fave Recordings Of 2004
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
David Howie's 'Moments' From The Year 2004
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Lori Miller Barrett's Fave Recordings Of 2004
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Noah Bonaparte's Fave Recordings Of 2004
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Kevin John's Fave Albums Of 2004
Friday, January 14, 2005
Music For Those Nights: Max Schaefer's Fave Recordings Of 2004
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Dave Renard's Fave Recordings Of 2004
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Neal Block's Top Ten Of 2004
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Jenny Tatone's Fave Albums Of 2004
Monday, January 10, 2005
Wayne Robins' Top Ten Of 2004
Friday, January 7, 2005
Brian Orloff's Fave Albums Of 2004
Thursday, January 6, 2005
Johnny Walker (Black)'s Top 10 Of 2004
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Jennifer Przybylski's Fave Albums (And Book) Of 2004
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Mark Mordue's Fave Albums Of 2004
Monday, January 3, 2005
Lee Templeton's Fave Recordings Of 2004
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Thursday, December 18, 2003
Joseph Larkin's Fave Albums of 2003
Neumu's Michael Goldberg writes: As 2003 draws to a close, it's time for those much-anticipated Neumu "best-of" lists. Each year we ask our contributors to consider all that they've listened to during the past year, and to come up with a list of their favorite albums (and, if they are so moved, their fave songs, concerts or whatever). Today we feature a list of questionable albums from the man who calls himself Joseph Larkin. We think this guy is up to no good, but anyway....
Joseph Larkin writes: 2003 was a great year to go deaf, thanks in no small part to the release of new CDs by Radiohead, Jane's Addiction, Blink-182, The Strokes, Liz Phair, the White Stripes and Joss Stone. But there were some bright spots in this otherwise dreary year, and I will obsessively catalog some of those bright spots below for yer bored-at-work-Web-surfing-leisure-time-reading-enjoyment. I can only dream as I type out this missive that one day I will be a world-famous rock journalist/poet wedged inside a sandwich comprising Henry Rollins and that guy from Ed, which will open up like a flower in bloom every so often so that we three men of ill repute may give running commentary on VH-1's nostalgiapalooza Hey, Man, I Also Fondly Remember the '80s! Thanks for reading and please remember to rock the vote in 2004! ... or something.
Yers truly,
Joseph Larkin
Cheap Trick: Special One (Cheap Trick Unlimited/Big3 Records): Admittedly, this CD is a huge pile of shit, but it does have its moments ("Pop Drone," "Best Friend" and "Scent of a Woman," which can easily be called the world's most embarrassing guilty pleasure) — even when Cheap Trick phone it in, you gotta answer the call.
Chokebore: A Part From Life (Pale Blue): A Part From Life is Chokebore's first live album and I haven't actually heard this CD due to the fact that it was only released in Europe and I refuse to download MP3s; however, I have heard a bootleg CD-R of the show in question and can say without a shadow of a doubt that this disc is essential listening if you can actually find it and listen to it. Bands like Chokebore will change yer life — bands like Thursday and Taking Back Sunday will change yer oil for you five years from now when they're working at Quick Lube 'cos their rock careers long ago dried up and they've spent all their savings on dope.
Clutch: Live at the Googolplex (Megaforce Records Inc): This one was also on my Best of 2002 list that no one read, but seeing as Live at the Googolplex was re-released this year with two bonus tracks, I figure I can get away with pimping it twice. So just buy this damn disc already so I won't have to pimp it again on my Best of 2004 list — if the subtle Simpsons reference in the title doesn't sway yer vote, then the music itself should; the music is best described as post-grunge and, yes, I am laughing as I type this.
Devics: The Stars of Saint Andrea (Bella Union): In a word, shimmery, which isn't even a real word. The Stars of Saint Andrea is a stunning album that would make a nice addition to yer MP3 collection.
Julie Doiron / Okkervil River split CD (Acuarela): Julie Doiron: An antidote to Cat Power. Okkervil River: An antidote to anything and everything alt.country. The music found on this CD is more beautiful than the Virgin Mary.
Matt Elliot: The Mess We Made (Merge)
: I want this CD to be played at my funeral, which will be two weeks from next Thursday if anyone wants to come. "Forty Days" is such a gorgeous song...
R. Kelly: Chocolate Factory (Jive): R. Kelly — a sex-freak on a winning streak! Wouldn't you agree that Chocolate Factory would still be an immensely creepy title for a record even if we didn't know that R. likes to videotape himself peeing on pre-teen girls? Doesn't Chocolate Factory sound like a euphemism for "asshole"?! Heck, I wouldn't put it past R. to name his CD after the asshole... Regardless, most of the CD is schmaltzy pap, but "Ignition — Remix" is pure unadulterated genius and it alone almost makes up for the fact that R. Kelly is a monster. Almost... When you see him, hug a thug!
Avril Lavigne: My World (Arista): I dunno if this particular title counts as it is a DVD and not an actual CD album release, but I'm including it anyway because it comes with an unintentionally hilarious CD of live tracks, which includes the curious covers of Green Day's "Basketcase," Metallica's "Fuel" and Bobby Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." Jeezus, I know Avril's young and very stupid, but doesn't she know that G n' R did the definitive "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in 1991?! For shame, Avril! Ms. Lavigne strikes me as the kind of gal who ironically wears boys underpants instead of panties and would never go down on a guy because "ew, that's where the pee comes out!" I watched as much of the DVD as I could handle and it left me thinking that Ms. Lavigne's future is not so bright that she should have to wear shades. In the DVD we see drunken backstage hijinks: Avril falls down repeatedly and is later pulled over by the police for driving a golf-cart on the street whilst intoxicated. We see Avril flash the camera Girls Gone Wild-style. Three times. We see Avril and company flip the "fuck you" bird at the camera countless times. We watch in horror as Avril mistakenly locks herself in the bathroom of her private jet and has to be rescued by an unsympathetic bandmate. We learn that Avril was kinda sorta discovered by Shania Twain (seriously!). Call me cynical if you must, but I'd wager a guess that any rock musician whose first headlining tour is of arenas is clearly headed for a crash-landing! I predict Avril's next CD will tank. I predict Avril will be a fall-down drunk by the tender age of 25. I predict that one of her band members, probably the drummer, will go crazy and quit her lousy group only to resurface years later to play the skins with the Foo Fighters when Taylor Hawkins is found dead of an "Oxy" overdose in the arms of actress/Mother of the Century Courtney Love. But, shit, until then I beseech you to quit Americorps and join the Avrilution!!!
Limp Bizkit: Results May Vary (some major label): Aw, damn, son! Snap! This is the shiznit! Just joshing. I knew Freddy Durst was lying about fucking Britney Spears when he said Britney's breasts were real. C'mon, Fred, you've had enough experience with fake plastic boobs to know the difference between them and the real deal! Yeah, Brit's boobs are real, all right —' real fuckin' fake, as is Freddy D. and his phony fuckin' band o' knuckle-draggin' numbskulls. Kurdt Kobain's ghost should haunt Durst forever for tattooing K.C.'s mug on his big dumb chest.
P.W. Long: Remembered (Touch and Go): I caught P.W.'s recent gig at the Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans a couple o' weeks ago. The club was nearly empty and I snuck up to the balcony to watch the show in isolation. P.W. kicked like a mule and I taped the show if anyone wants proof. I left the Howlin' Wolf that night dejected and sad knowing that My Morning Jacket will sell more CDs in the upcoming year than P.W. has sold in his entire career as a solo artist and member of numerous excellent rock bands such as Wig and his very own Mule. Hopefully this disc will live up to its name and not be lost among Long's amazing and woefully overlooked back catalog. The man in his own words: "Some would see the glass half-empty, some would see it half-full — I just put it to my lips and take another pull."
Murder City Devils: R.I.P. (Sub Pop): Death rattle never sounded so good.
Pleasure Club: Here Comes the Trick/Live from the Pulpit (Sixth Man/Purified Records): This CD actually came out in 2002, but it was re-released this year along with a bonus live disc by Sixth Man, so technically I can pimp this CD yet again this year. If you're looking for earnest and impassioned white soul rock 'n' roll that sends chills up the spine, then Here Comes the Trick should do the trick. Live from the Pulpit doesn't quite capture the majesty and might of Pleasure Club's live show, but it is nonetheless required listing for those about to rock — seeing Pleasure Club live is not unlike what I'd imagine seeing The Who live in their prime was like, minus much of the homoeroticism and all those lousy songs about pinball. And, for what it's worth, Pleasure Club is bar none the best-dressed band in rock.
Poison the Well: You Come Before You (Atlantic): Poison the Well have performed a miracle worthy of Christ himself: They've made a CD that combines two of the most annoying genres of music (emo and hardcore, respectively) that is somehow not only very listenable but also a thrilling work of art to boot. Poison the Well, I salute thee!
Superchunk: Cup of Sand (Merge) I'm just including this one in an effort to up my credibility with cute emo girls who post pics of themselves in their underwear on Only Undies Club.com.
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