The Wheel's Still In Spin

Best Albums of 2008

1. Thao and the Get Down Stay Down – We Brave Bee Stings and All | Read the short story review | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD, Vinyl, or MP3
   Download “Beat (Health, Life and Fire)” (mp3)
   Download “Bag of Hammers” (mp3)

   These songs are propelled in Thao’s sultry voice and bolstered by music that is a jazz-infused variety of folk rock. The arrangements include horns, organs, melodica, and banjo added to the intriguing voicings used by the adroit four-piece band. The percussion playing is creative and selective for 4 beat rhythms. As a testament to the catchiness of these songs, nearly all eleven have been caught in my head during some part of this year.

   
   
2. These United States – Crimes | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD
   Download “Honor Amongst Thieves” (mp3)

   The majority of these songs have an addictive, rollicking feel. This album doesn’t sound sterile. The production – from the intro count-ins and commentary to the sing along style group choruses – gives the album a live quality. With this album and A Picture of Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden both released this year, These United States demonstrated their diversity and productivity. On Crimes, the folk rock band showcases more of an indie rock sound than their aforementioned debut album.

   
   
3. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend | Read the short story review | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD, Vinyl, or MP3
   

   Most of the songs on this debut album were self-released by the band in 2007 on CDR. After signing to XL, the album saw massive distribution. It followed with a performance on Saturday Night Live and worldwide festival performances. It became impossible to ignore this band. What elevated the band to such massive popularity was their unique version of indie rock that incorporates chamber pop and Afrobeat qualities.

   
   
4. TV on the Radio – Dear Science | Amazon Deluxe Edition CD, CD, Vinyl, Deluxe Version MP3, or MP3 | Insound Deluxe Edition CD or CD

   Rarely can any band seamlessly meld so many divergent genres to make an album that is cohesive, original, and captivating. But that’s exactly what TV on the Radio have done with Dear Science. There are elements of soul, disco, hip hop, indie rock, and punk throughout this cognizant and intelligent, diverse and danceable album. There are enough sonic subtleties in these songs to notice new nuances with each listen while engaging both your body and your mind with the main melodies and rhythms.



5. Hayes Carll – Trouble In Mind | Read the short story review | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD
   Download “She Left Me For Jesus” (mp3)

   Hayes Carll has created an alt country album that is functions as both a guilty, melodic, country treasure and the sound of the tortured artist. From the opening song, “Drunken Poet’s Dream” – with a muse who says, “You be the sinner honey, I’ll be the sin” – to the final track, “She Left Me For Jesus,” these songs are full of drinking and misguided love. The album sounds like Steve Earle or Townes Van Zant fronting the Flying Burrito Brothers.



6. Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster... | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD, Vinyl, or MP3
   Download “Death to Los Campesinos!” (mp3)
   

   This is an impressive debut full length album. With the addition of a second full length release this past year (that is nearly as good and also on this list), the productivity of this band is amazing. Los Campesinos! continued the quality combination of abrasion, intelligence, and wit that made their debut EP, Sticking Fingers into Sockets, not only one of the best EPs of 2007, but also one of the best overall albums of that year.



7. The Cool Kids – The Bake Sale | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD
   Download “‘88” (mp3)
   

   It’s good to have a throwback to old school rap and The Cool Kids are exactly that. The beats have distorted bass and the lyrics are about trips to the grocery store, the year 1988, and BMX bikes. As the rap duo christened themselves, they are “the new black version of the Beastie Boys.”



8. Langhorne Slim – Langhorne Slim | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD or Vinyl
   Download “Rebel Side of Heaven” (mp3)
   

   Langhorne Slim is an acoustic-based singer-songwriter. On this album he supported by natural instruments – cello, trombone, piano, upright bass, and drums slapped with brushes. These songs are rooted in folk and country influences, but with a decidedly endearing and conventional trait. Above these traditional arrangements is a voice and melodies that give this album an enthralling and heartfelt sensibility.



9. Noah and the Whale – Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down | Read the short story review | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD
   Download “2 Bodies 1 Heart” (mp3)
   

   Ultimately, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down is a palpable power pop album. With the utilization of violin, horns, and harmonium, the album has a prodigious chamber pop sound. But rooted in the acoustic guitar picking and sonorous vocals of Charlie Fink, Noah and the Whale have a personal and responsive quality that transcends the well crafted layers of instrumentation.



10. Lemuria – Get Better | Read the short story review | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD
    Download “Pants” (mp3)
    Download “Dog” and “Dogs” (mp3)
    

    After releasing a batch of split albums, singles, and EPs, this Buffalo, NY, band finally releases their first full-length album. The indie power trio is equal parts punk and pop without delving too far into the typical qualities of either genre. Guitarist Sheena Ozzela and drummer Alex Kerns share lead vocals and all three members, including bassist Jason Draper, contribute to the songwriting. The outcome is an assemblage of distorted and restless ear candy.

Best EPs of 2008

1. The Decemberists – Always The Bridesmaid | Insound Vinyl | from the band Vinyl and more | at indie record stores

   This album was released digitally as a complete EP. The band also delivered it on vinyl as three 12”s. In classic Decemberists style, these music ranges from the chamber folk of “Valerie Plame” to the stripped down acoustic splendor of “Raincoat Song,” while the melodies gallivant from sing-songy to indelible.



2. Herman Dune – 1-2-3 / Apple Tree | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD
   Download “Song for Golda” (mp3)

   This EP includes 3 tracks from the French duo’s 2006 album, Giant, and two unreleased songs. All five songs are upbeat, anti-folk songs with alluring arrangements. The title track is a kitschily catchy love song. “Song for Golda,” one of the two new songs, is an endearing digression about the singer’s dog. The other new one, “Song of Samuel” is a heartwarming love story filled with realism and obstacles within less than 6 minutes.



3. Todd Snider – Peace Queer | Amazon CD, Vinyl, or MP3 | Insound CD

   This album expressly narrates Snider’s principles as an International Peace Queer in 8 tracks. The first song, “Mission Accomplished (Because You Gotta Have Faith)” rhetorically asks and answers, “Fighting for peace? That’s like screaming for quiet.” He covers dreams and realities with the wit and viewpoint that make his songs intriguing and refreshing. As he states at the end of “Ponce of the Flaming Peace Queer,” “I did not do this to change your mind about anything. I did this to ease my own mind about everything.”



4. Miracles Of Modern Science – Miracles Of Modern Science
   FREE download from Amazing Wow
   Download “MR2” (mp3)

   This is the debut release for Miracles of Modern Science and is available as a free download from the Amazing Wow label. The band consists of an upright bass, 2 cellos, violin, mandolin, and drums. This is a true chamber pop band that has the capability of duplicating their studio ensemble sound in a live setting. The 20 minutes of this debut EP are beguiling and nonpareil.



5. The Mountain Goats – Satanic Messiah
   Download (and donate/pay what you want) at http://satanicmessiah.com

   This EP contains 4 tracks that John Darnielle recorded with Scott Solter. The main instrument is an acoustic piano, but Darnielle’s rhythmic acoustic guitar playing has its place. The subjects on these songs are waiting – waiting for a savior, waiting for a rock concert, waiting. As is always the case with The Mountain Goats, the lyrics are intelligent and the music is captivating.

Best Albums of December 2008

Typically, there is not a wide list of strong new releases in the month of December. Luckily, there are a handful of good ones this year. With a handful of EPs, here is The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s list of the best new releases of this month.

1. The Decemberists – Always The Bridesmaid [EP] | Vinyl, Volumes I-III Vinyl, or at indie record stores

   The third and final volume of The Decemberists’ singles series is released this month, and thus the EP is also complete. This is a diverse collection of Decemberists songs. There are minimalist acoustic arrangements, layered chamber pop, and descriptive specific lyrics with songs “Valerie Plame,” “I’m Sticking With You,” and “Raincoat Song.”



2. Jump Back Jake – Brooklyn Hustle / Memphis Muscle | Amazon CD or MP3
   Stream the entire album at jumpbackjake.com

   Thanks to everyone who left a comment on the December 16th New Release post, I had to check this album out. It has a great Memphis soul sound to it. Building on the history of Booker T. & The MG’s, The Memphis Horns, and the Bar-Keys, the band has a tight groove. Jake Rabinbach, with his vocal chords, could fill the shoes of Sam or Dave.



3. Spinnerette – Ghetto Love [EP] | Amazon MP3

   Formed from the remains of the punk band The Distillers, Spinnerette is primarily the project of lead singer Brody Dalle. The band is expected to release their debut full length album in early 2009 and released a digital EP as their first release this month. The music is upbeat, rhythmic indie pop. At the end of this post is the Liam Lynch directed video for the lead single, “Ghetto Love.”



4. The Welcome Wagon – Welcome To The Welcome Wagon | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD, Vinyl, or MP3
   Download “Sold! To The Nice Rich Man” (mp3)

   Welcome to the Welcome Wagon was produced by Sufjan Stevens and, unsurprisingly, sounds very similar to the producer’s albums. The band consists of the husband and wife duo Reverend Thomas Vito and Monique Aiuto. Within the Stevens’ style of folk-based chamber pop, The Welcome Wagon perform religious songs.



5. DM Stith – Curtain Speech [EP] | Amazon CD or MP3 | Insound CD or MP3
   Download “Just Once” (mp3)

   This is relaxing album that aurally falls somewhere between Antony & The Johnsons and Will Oldham. It doesn’t quite capture the intimacy of those references, but the album is very captivating and a strong release for an EP.

Two Gallants, Crystal Antlers, and The Tallest Man on Earth – The Fillmore, San Francsico, CA – December 26th, 2008

Friday, December 26th, Two Gallants headlined the Fillmore in San Francisco. This marked the first time I had seen the band since SXSW 2006, when I had the opportunity to interview Adam and Tyson. Also, as a new resident of the Bay Area, this was my introductory visit to the Fillmore.

The Fillmore is a great place to see a live show. After you climb the entrance staircase, there are free apples to enjoy. The bar areas are decorated with classic Fillmore posters from 40 years of live shows. Granted Live Nation now runs it, but you really feel that you are in a legendary venue. I had been to the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver shortly after it opened in 1999 and I completely understand what they are aspiring to.

Internet Radio News

With the rise of Internet radio, The Wheel’s Still In Spin is introducing a new weekly feature. Every Monday, we list the recent online news articles about the future of Internet radio. With the holiday week, there was little news to report, but here’s the rundown.

Radio Revs Dial Down 20% In November
MediaDailyNews recites that, “radio had its steepest monthly decline in revenue in years in November, when overall revenues tumbled 20% compared to the same month in 2007, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau.” “Even worse, the rate of growth for off-air revenues--which include Internet radio ad revenues--slumped to just 1%, down from an average growth rate of 9% in the third quarter.”

Predictions on 2009
At Radio Business Report, Doug Perlson, CEO of TargetSpot (handles online ads for more than 1,000 stations – CBS Radio, AOL, Live 365, etc.), makes predictions for 2009 about the increase of mobile devices and restructuring of marketing from record labels and bands. Also, he “predicate[s] that Sirius/XM will begin distributing their programs free online – but with ads paying for the cost.”

New WiFi Radios/Devices:
ASUS
Denon
RCA

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Bay Area Concerts - 12/26/08-1/1/09

Here are this week's recommended concerts.

Fri 12/26:

Two Gallants | Crystal Antler | The Tallest Man On Earth – The Fillmore

X | Fat Skeleton – Slim’s

Qbert | Mochipet | Joyo Velarde – The Independent

Hai Karate – Boom Boom Room

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Sat 12/27:

Cracker | Camper Van Beethoven – The Independent

Blackalicious | The Mighty Underdogs | Raashan Ahmad – The Fillmore

X | Steve Soto – Slim’s

Melvins | The Lewd – Great American Music Hall

Dave Grisman Bluegrass Experience – Freight & Salvage

Kajillion | The Bad Hand | Big Blue Whale – Kimo’s

Fleeting Trance | Andy Mason (Record Release) | Laurie Henry – Hotel Utah Saloon

Tainted Love | Mike Relm | Mr. Vigs – Mezzanine

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Sun 12/28:

Cracker | Camper Van Beethoven – Mystic Theatre

The Radiators – Café Du Nord

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Mon 12/29:

The Radiators – Café Du Nord

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Tue 12/30:

Butthole Surfers | F*@kemos – The Fillmore

Phil Lesh & Friends | Bob Weir | Ratdog | Jackie Greene Band – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

ALO | Big Light – The Independent

The Radiators – Café Du Nord

Tea Leaf Green | Poor Man’s Whiskey – Mezzanine

Tainted Love – Red Devil

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Wed 12/31 - NEW YEAR'S EVE:

Butthole Surfers | Negativland “The Booper Symphony No. 1” – The Fillmore

Les Claypool | Zappa Plays Zappa | Tim Fite – War Memorial Opera House

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic | Greyboy Allstars – The Warfield

Phil Lesh & Friends | Bob Weir | Ratdog | Jackie Greene Band – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Lyrics Born | Mavrik | DJ Tru – Shattuck Down Low

Fantomas “The Director’s Cut” | Tipsy | Zach Hill – Great American Music Hall – SOLD OUT

Diplo | Jesse Rose | Plastician + MRK1 | Ghislain Poirier | and more – 1015 Folsom

Thievery Corporation | Bassnectar | The Mutaytor | BLVD | Boca do Rio | Goddess Alchemy Project | and more – Sea of Dreams at San Francisco Concourse

Sugar & Gold | Damon & The Heathens – The Uptown Nightclub

High Country | Dix Bruce | Jim Nunally – Freight & Salvage

Lee Presson & The Nails | Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums | Stompy Jones | The Cottontails | Kitty Kitty Bang Bang Burlesque | The Girl In The Fishbowl – Bimbo’s 365 Club

The Slackers | The Impalers | The Struts | DJ Diesel – Slim’s

La Plebe | The Fucking Buckaroos | Banda Newsense | Blackbird Raum | DJ Chaos – Bottom Of The Hill

Shiny Toy Guns | DJ Low B. – Rickshaw Stop

Pebble Theory | Bonafide | The Sapien Causa | Jay Trainer Band – Hotel Utah Saloon

ALO – The Independent

The Radiators – Café Du Nord

Monophonics | Tornado Rider – Boom Boom Room

Tea Leaf Green | Moonalice – Mezzanine

Tainted Love – Red Devil – SOLD OUT

Roy Hargrove Big Band – Yoshi’s Oakland

Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta II – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Late Nite Superstar Jam (2AM-4:30AM) – Boom Boom Room

Thu 1/1:

Scissors For Lefty – Popscene

Are there any other good shows I missed? Or any you recommend? If so, please leave a comment.

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New Releases - 23 December 2008

With most Christmas shopping done and the year almost at an end, there are no new releases this week to report. So, essentially, this is a post to announce the absence of a post.

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Internet Radio News

With the rise of Internet radio, The Wheel’s Still In Spin is introducing a new weekly feature. Every Monday, we list the recent online news articles about the future of Internet radio.

CRTC Internet regulation proposals take shape
TheStar.com details arguments that will be presented at Canada’s new media hearings. “The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission new media hearings are not scheduled to begin until mid-February, yet they have already attracted more than their fair share of controversy. With talk of imposing a tax on Internet service providers to fund Canadian content or the imposition new licensing and Canadian content requirements, the outcome could dramatically reshape the Internet in Canada.”

New alliance tunes into the 'net
The Register announces the formation of the Internet Media Device Alliance, the IMDA. “As stated on the new alliance’s website, IMDA’s goal is to ‘develop and promote a set of open, interoperable standards and device profiles to maximise the growth of a global consumer market in internet-connected media devices.’”

Rogue Amoeba Releases Radioshift Touch for iPhone
As PCWorld.com/MacWorld.com relates, this is a new iPhone application that allows the user “find the stream for your local radio station, listen to popular stations, or browse stations by genre.”

Pandora Hits Windows Mobile
After the Pandora iPhone application was announced as the most popular free download in Apple’s App Store, PCMag.com is reporting that “Pandora Media just announced that Internet radio station Pandora is now available for Windows Mobile smartphones — at least in a limited fashion.”

Pandora Now Available For Free on Sprint Phones
Sprint was the first cellular carrier to offer a Pandora application. Now, as MarketWatch.com reports, “Sprint subscribers who are currently paying the $2.99 subscription to access Pandora on existing Sprint phones will no longer be charged for the Pandora service and the free Pandora application will be available to all Sprint customers who have compatible handsets and a Sprint data plan.”

New WiFi Radios/Devices:
Reciva
iRadioPop

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Bay Area Concerts - 12/19/08-12/25/08

Here are this week's recommended concerts.

Fri 11/14:

Fri 12/19: Will Sheff | Bird Of Youth – Café Du Nord – SOLD OUT

The Mother Hips | Matt Butler | Ride The Blinds – Great American Music Hall

The Black Crowes – The Fillmore

Taj Mahal Trio – Yoshi’s Oakland

Charlie Hunter Trio – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Sat 12/20:

The Mother Hips | Lebo | Chuck Gonzalez & Campo Bravo | DJ Superchill – Great American Music Hall

Metallica | Lamb Of God | The Sword – Oracle Arena

The Black Crowes – The Fillmore

Taj Mahal Trio – Yoshi’s Oakland

Charlie Hunter Trio – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Sun 12/21:

Taj Mahal Trio – Yoshi’s Oakland

Charlie Hunter Trio – Yoshi’s San Francisco

Tue 12/23:

Lil Wayne | T-Pain | Keyshia Cole – Oracle Arena

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New Releases - 16 December 2008

As the end of the year draws near, there are usually very few strong new releases. Of the albums I listened to that come out this week, not one has stood out. Instead of making any recommendations of this week's new releases, I'm just going to include the list after the jump.

If you can recommend any of these albums, leave a comment.