In no particular order:
Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago (Album of the Year)
Genre: Indie Folk
First Heard It: On KRCL, they played "Flume," it floored me. I didn't hear them say the name of the artist. For the first and only time in my life i called the radio station to find out who it was and if the record had been released yet.
Favorite Bon Iver Moments: Seeing him play on Letterman. It was just him and three drummers. Feel free to follow the link and watch it on you tube. I hope it gives you goose-bumps like it did to me, and if it doesn't do it for you....please don't tell me.
Best Songs: "Flume" - "Lump Sum" - "Skinny Love" - "For Emma" - "Re: Stacks"
Mixes Well With: Ears
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Genre: Electronica
First Heard It: On my brother Andy's girlfriends myspace page (thanks wren!), the song was "time to pretend" I probably listened to it 5 times right then.
Best MGMT Memories: a.)The song is super energetic, and triumphant. The beat is steady and strong. It was on just about every hill climb bike mix i made. I feel pretty confident in saying that i made it up many hills as a result of this song. If you bike you need to try it!
b.) Playing "electric feel" far too loud in Courtney's car while dancing like fools and drumming on the dashboard. You should also try this some time.
Best Songs: "Time to Pretend" - "Electric Feel" - "Kids"
Mixes Well With: Exercise and dancing in the kitchen
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Genre: Folk?
First Heard It: While working on a deck in Farmington with my brother-in-law John.
Best Frightened Rabbit Memories: Courtney Jacobsen "Is this a new counting crows album" yeah it was funny, but he really does sound like Adam duritz sometimes.
Best Songs: "Backwards Walk" - "Old Old Fashioned" - "Floating in the Forth" - "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms"
Mixes Well With: Scenic car rides
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Genre: Indie Rock
First Heard It: For some reason i was skeptical about this album. However, my fears were put to rest when KRCL played "Grapevine Fires" the day the album was released. (I should note that again i was with John in Farmington building a deck.)
Favorite DCFC memories: Not getting rained on at their concert despite the clouds looking very ominous.
Best Songs: "Your New Twin Sized Bed" - Great Great story telling! Breaks my heart every time.
Mixes Well With: Saturday Chores.
The Broken West - Now or Heaven
Genre: Indie Rock
First Heard It: Saw them on Letterman playing "Auctioneer." It was my second favorite talk show performance of the year.
Favorite Broken West Memories: I heard them for the first time like a month and a half ago so i am sure many great moment are a head...but none yet.
Best Songs: "Auctioneer" - "Gwen, Now and Then" - "Terror for Two"
Mixes Well With: Road Trips
Dan Tyminski Band - Wheels
Genre: Folk and/or Bluegrass
First Heard It: On the "Live on KXEP" Podcast. The info section said that he was the singing voice for George Clooney on "O' Brother Where Art Thou" and i figured i would give it a listen. It lead to my recent bluegrass infatuation.
Favorite Dan Tyminski Memories: Thinking from the very first listen - "If Joe Hinckley doesn't like this guy i just don't think we can be friends."
Best Songs: "Wheels" - "How Many Times"
Mixes Well With: Barn Dancing
Mates Of State - Re-Arrange Us
Genre: Indie Pop
First Heard It: This one is fuzzy, i am pretty sure the song "Lullaby Haze" was on a music sampler CD from PASTE magazine.
Favorite Mates of State Moments: For the better part of 3 months, every time i would get in my wife's car this CD was playing. When you are first married you sort of think that you and your spouse will love all, or at least most of the same things. As the months roll on you come to understand that the reality of the situation is that she will likely never play golf and you will have to be tricked in some way to watch "P.S. I Love You." And that is OK. That being said, one of the better parts of being married is loving stuff together. I love this album, it was one of my top three of the year...I has been a lot of fun to see Courtney love it too! (that was a long one)
Best Songs: "Lullaby Haze" - "Re-Arranger" - "Get Better"
Mixes Well With: Happiness, Chores, Road Trips, Exercise, In Car Karaoke....
Paul Jacobsen & The Madison Arm - s/t
Genre - Folk Rock?
Bias Disclaimer: Yes, i have my reasons to be biased here but the truth is the album is great!
First Heard It: In rough form...for the last five years. Finished Product....At the CD release show. It was a great show. I have been to many many PJ concerts and this was his best.
Favorite PJ &TMA Moments: Again the CD Release show. Sharing it with friends.
Best Songs: "Time" - "At That Day" - "You Were" - "Lung" (Of all the albums i have enjoyed this year this is the one that i know i can unapologetic ally encourage people to buy, and be pretty certain that everyone will like almost every song)
Mixes Well With: A good sound system, headphones, relaxing...
Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long
Genre: Folk/Alt Country
First Heard It: John Connors makes his third appearance. I heard it on my computer, but it was via his recommendation
Favorite Sera Cahoone Moments: Not being able to find the album because i can't spell her name (Sara, Sarah, Cahone, Cahoon Etc.)
Best Songs: "Baker Lake" - "You Might As Well" - "The Colder The Air"
Mixes Well With: Feeling Lonely
Albert Hammond Jr. - Como Te Llama?
Genre: Rock
First Heard It: On the way to the Radiohead concert. we were listening to the Boston equivalent of KRCL. They played "GfC." It was super catchy and i had Courtney write down the name and song when it was announced.
Favorite ABH Jr. Moments: Hearing the song on the way to Radiohead. This album also kept me alert while on a LONG drive to Augusta, MT.
Best Songs: "GfC" - "Victory In Monteray" - "In My Room"
Other Albums I Enjoyed:
Ben Folds - Way to Normal
Shearwater - Rock
Conor Oberst - s/t
David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Matthew Ryan - Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
HoneyHoney - First Rodeo
