2009 is going to be the year that I dive a little deaper into music. Last year was a light year for me. I am going to dedicate myself to listening to more stuff this year.
January is usually a pretty light month of music releases, but there are a lot of good albums that got released already in 2009. I have been wanting to do more detailed reviews of all of them, but this will have to do for now:
A.C. Newman - Get Guilty
It’s interesting, I got into the solo albums of different parts of The New Pornographers (Destroyer, Neko Case, A.C. Newman) before I really have gotten into the band. I really like this CD. Nothing jumps out as totally amazing, but it is pretty good power-pop indie music. It has some musical depth. I like A.C.’s voice. It is fun to listen to. I find myself listen to the first three songs on the album a lot. They are really good. I need to have a little more attention and listen to all of them. (I’m listening to this album while I am writing this review, and it is getting better and better. This will be a Top 10 contender this year.)
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP
Blood Bank is my favorite Bon Iver song. It has a little more warmth than the songs on “For Emma”. The other three songs on the EP don’t do as much for me. But when someone releases an EP, I am not expecting much. Not every EP can be Alice In Chains “Jar of Flies”. Woods is an interesting aragement, but not something you would listen to over and over again. If you have one extra eMusic download for this month, download Blood Bank. I know David and Alicia will like the entire EP, but even those that didn’t like “For Emma” should still give this song a chance.
Antony and the Johnsons - The Crying Light
I knew what I was getting into with this album: A very unique sound and lots of falsetto. This album is not for everyone. I don’t love it, but I don’t dislike it. Their 2007 CD was a grower, and I know this one will be the same. The song “Epilepsy is Dancing” jumped out on me at first listen. I really like it. It will take a few more listens before I can give a full review.
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Andrew gets a lot of critical aclaim. I don’t quite understand it. He is a good singer songwriter, but I don’t quite get why he is considered “better” than other songwriters in his genre. With that said, I enjoy this CD. I have sat down and listened to it by the computer a few times, and it played through without me really noticing. Antony and the Johnsons is next on the 2009 playlist, so I for sure know when it is over. I guess that is a good endorcement for the album. It is listenable, but not realy memorable. Another CD that I need to give a more dedicated listen to before I can make up my mind.
Derek Trucks Band - Already Free
The gripe that Derek gets is that he is a GREAT guitar player, but not a great songwriter. Derek is one of the best guitar players playing today. Already Free might be the album that proves that the band is great all around. I found myself liking many of the songs lyrics first, and the guitar riffs and arrangement second. I have listened to this album more than any others this year. It has been a staple in my CD player at work. I am really enjoying it. Great guitar play, and adiquate lryics make this Derek’s best all around album. I would pick this disk up for sure.
John Frusciante - The Empyrean
I think John is the mastermind behind the recently great Red Hot Chili Pepers. The Empyrean really knocked me on my ass when I listened to it the first time. It begins with a 9 minute instrumental that you really do not want to end. It is that good. The rest of the album really does not let you down either. It is an interesting sound that constantly seems to change. It is hard to explain, other than to say if you like great guitars and enjoy being challenged to listen to music that is out of the box, then you will enjoy this disk.
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
I have been scared to listen to this after reading the most negative Paste review ever. I’ll get to it at some point.
Disks that I need to buy:
Gary Louis / Mark Olsen - Ready for the Flood
Animal Collective - Meriweather Post Pavilion
Matt and Kim - Grand
Lonley Dear - Dear John
The Gourds - Haymaker
Springsteen - Working on a Dream
Disks to be released soon:
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
M. Ward
Heartless Bastards
Beirut
Ben Kweller
music 2009, bryan, review