Best Albums of 2008

1. The Dodos, "Visiter" (French Kiss)
2. TV on the Radio, "Dear Science" (DGC/Interscope)
3. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar)
4. Frightened Rabbit, "The Midnight Organ Fight" (Fat Cat)
5. Delta Spirit, "Ode to Sunshine" (Rounder / Umgd)
6. The Black Keys, "Attack and Release" (Nonesuch)
7. Apollo Sunshine, "Shall Noise Upon" (Headless Heroes)
8. The Ting Tings, "We Started Nothing" (Columbia/ Red Ink)
9. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (Xl Recordings)
10. Department of Eagles, "In Ear Park" (4ad Records)

Will Sheff : : Other Music : : 12.11.08

As a prelude to his headlining show tonight (12/11) in Williamsburg, Will Sheff--lead singer of the Austin based band Okkervil River--treated fans to a solo in-store gig at the cozy East Village record store Other Music on Wednesday night (12/10). The rain was an almost welcome prologue to the evening; a line of umbrellas curved around the block while Sheff finished a last-minute sound check. The tiny room felt miniature as ever--shelves pushed flush against the wall to accommodate the crowd and video equipment. White Christmas lights draped over CD racks served as a perfectly minimalist backdrop.

Clad in brown corduroys and draped in harmonicas, Sheff possesses that characteristic balance of a weary traveler and a stately scholar. In other words, he looks like a college English major. I didn't recognize the first song for obvious reasons; he later revealed it hadn't quite made the cut when assembling the companion Okkervil River albums "The Stage Names" and "The Stand Ins." Segueing straight into the standout track "Lost Coastlines" from the band's most recent release, Sheff tackled both his vocal part as well as those verses shared with (former) bandmate Jonathan Meiburg. This song is, perhaps, the ideal number to showcase the complimentary voices of the two troubadours. Still, with lips kissing his mic, Sheff managed a shimmering solo rendition.

The remainder of the eight-song set featured a gem Sheff said he'd never performed before, as well as one sung by Wrens frontman Charles Bissell (who opens Sheff's show tonight in Brooklyn). Aside from a few slight head bobs, the crowd appeared hauntingly subdued. Although I had already been treated to a set of bull body chills during the first five minutes of the performance, I was holding my breath for one final emotional jolt, which came with the opening chords of "Unless It's Kicks." Maybe it's the lyrics ("On a dark windless night/With the stereo on/With the towns flying by/And the ground getting soft"), or the galloping guitars--but this song makes me pine to drive down a deserted ocean road at night, windows down, hair wild. I had foolishly neglected to eat dinner before the show, yet I walked out completely full.

Jens Lekman : : The Living Room : : 11.11.08

Early Tuesday afternoon (11/11), a friend mentioned that Jens Lekman might be making a guest appearance upstairs at the Living Room. Recognized as an unassuming spot for local artists (particularly singer/songwriters) to solidify their act, the venue serves as a sort of safe haven in the occasionally overwhelming Lower East Side club scene.

Originally hailing from Sweden, Lekman somewhat recently made a home in Brooklyn--so, not out of the question; he just may show up. I wandered over a bit past 10, and shortly thereafter Jens took the stage, accompanied Joe McGinty on piano and some gal with sparkly tights armed with a recorder.

First things first: there's a reason they give recorders to third graders. I can't recall the last time I saw a recorder as the focal point in any musical performance; I now realize why. Though it's been a while since I picked up the instrument, a small part of me entertained the idea that I might just witness something spectacular. This was not the case--though I can't quite say what a "good" recorder player might sound like. Three songs later (perhaps the word "ditties" is more appropriate), the girl with the recorder called it quits, leaving Jens the job of making things right.

If velourious was a word, that's how I'd describe Lekman's voice. As soon as his lips part, I expect thousands of tiny flowers to start spilling from his mouth and then dissipate into thin air. He wasted no time, launching straight into "Sipping on the Sweet Nectar." A veritable master of microphone placement, Jens knows how to make the most of his voice in any room. Whether he's alone with a guitar and a CD player or backed by a coterie of gals clad in white (as was the case during his last tour), the setup always seems to work.

I wasn't familiar with the second song Lekman sang, but later learned it was a Boyz II Men cover ("not a guilty pleasure, just a pleasure," he said). Closing out his short but sweet performance was "The Opposite of Hallelujah," the obvious gem on his most recent album, "Night Falls Over Kortedala." I knew I'd sleep soundly that night

Deer Tick : : Southpaw : : 11.08.08

The first time I experienced Deer Tick live, lead singer John McCauley took the stage by himself. For months after, I couldn't stop referring to Deer Tick as "him." Something about his performance was just so lonesome, so bare.

Having since witnessed the full band's show, it's apparent there's much more force behind this than one single man. Sure, it might be McCauley's raw (at times almost invasive) voice that first draws the listener in, but it takes you someplace else--someplace further down a poorly lit country road where his band members patiently wait … ghosts with a makeshift drum set. The music isn't particularly dark or depressing; it's sobering. It's one big exhalation--the realization that this is just how things are.

McCauley showed up at Southpaw on Saturday (11/8) shirtless, with just a black vest and a guitar strap covering his chest. The vest was promptly removed after the first song, making it clear from the get-go the band meant business; it was, after all, their record re-release party. McCauley also promised to be short on the between-song banter, announcing their plans for an "ambitious" set. It took a few songs to warm up; McCauley admitted, "I'm usually wasted when I play. I'm not tonight." There must have been enough whiskey in the audience's collective breath to do the trick.

While parts of the set may have dragged slightly, the overall momentum never suffered. I always admire bands whose sound and style is inherently loose, but whose live performance is so tightly executed. One might be quick to label Deer Tick as blues folk; this would be overlooking just how much these guys can r o c k. Sure, there's a healthy dose of twang nestled in there, but they still seem to possess an unfettered rock band mentality. Bottom line, this is music meant to be heard in a barn: a barn that's starting to fall apart, so we need not be concerned with how hard we stomp our feet.

jeff tweedy

I want to look where hes looking.

I almost love this town...

Attempted to go see Dan Deacon play the Whitney last night – not very successful. While we were able to cut the line that wrapped around the corner of the block (my friend has museum membership cards), there were already so many people inside that we couldn’t get downstairs to the performance area. The staircase was blocked off, as they weren’t letting any more people down, so we (along with a few other kids) figured we might as well try taking the elevator down. We got off, but didn’t manage to make it very far at all – the museum staff started freaking out at us and instructing us to get back upstairs. Oh well.

We couldn’t see Dan Deacon from the upstairs area, so we watched the crowd of high school kids for a while instead. Every different kind of ugly. Very confused looking kids. Lots of bright colors and hipster flare. We didn’t last very long. On the way out a group of kids – “These people don’t know what a Dan Deacon show is supposed to be like! An all night dance party!” They don’t know what a museum is supposed to be like.

I decided I’m not a Dan Deacon fan. Quirky for the sake of being quirky. Ugly for the sake of being ugly. Not good music. Plus it smelled bad in there.

Onwards to Nada Surf!

I got to the Bowery later than I had hoped to, and only caught a couple Illinois songs. That band is pretty great. This was the first time I had seen the full band. I heard the lead singer play solo a bit ago (opening for Jamie T) and thought it was really good as well. With that solo set in the back of my mind, the full band sound was not what I had expected...more pop I guess.

Nada Surf put on a great show as usual. This is a band that disappeared for a while and came back ready to do things right. They really have their shit together. I still haven’t heard the new record, but recognized a good few of the newer songs from past shows. I was glad to see they’re still using the mirror setup they’ve had the last few years – such a good idea, and so simple. They played a pretty long set (about and hour and forty-five minutes). Every song on Let Go is a treat to hear. I have such a wintry association with that album - listening to it stoned in a parked car in D.C. while the snow is falling...walking in the middle of the road down the Bowery to see the band after a huge snowstorm (almost exactly five years ago!), climbing over mounds of not-yet dirtied city snow...

Where’s winter when I need it?

Top Albums of 2007

10. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
9. The National - Boxer
8. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
7. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
6. Okkervil River - The Stage Names
5. Menomena - Friend and Foe
4. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
3. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
1. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam