MY BEST ALBUMS OF O7

I am anal and refuse to read anyone else's top album lists until I post my own. I don't know why, its kinda pathetic, who even cares what I think, right? Well if you do indeed care here it is. I honestly believe that each of these albums have the power to open up your eyes musically to what's out there aside from the top 40 charts. They aren't in any particular order, wait, are they, well maybe in a random way. Whatevs. Here we go...

1. FEIST- THE REMINDER
Please dont even get me started on this album. I was devastated when 1,2,3,4 was on the ipod commercial for fear of every tom, dick and grandma singing it, but hell yeah, she deserves it. Its one of those albums that just flows nicely when you play it all the way through. My moon, my man was a fave, The water gave me the chills, Mushaboom makes me want to go out without a jacket in the rain and get soaked... etc.

2. PANDA BEAR- PERSON PITCH-
I've blogged about this one before. Granted it sounds a lot like the BEACH BOYS PET (animal, is the name i prefer) SOUNDS, but who cares. I listened to Comfy in Nautica on repeat maybe 20 times in a row for days on end. My mom begged me to change the chanting after an hour long car ride into the city from NJ. So soothing and different. Take pills is another fave.

3. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB- BABY 81-
There are no words to describe the way All You Do Is Talk affects me. Ugh, total heaven, pitch black dark style, having a bad day validation style. Just fuzziness. Berlin is a great pump up song, 666 Conducer amazing- dont even get me started Am I only, wow.. This album is it. Break into the psychedelic rock genre with this one.

4. BLACK LIPS- GOOD BAD NOT EVIL-
These guys exude coolness. Their sound is kind of harem-like with a pop rock feel that ropes just about anyone in. Oh Katrina is a foot tapping song with a lets do 3 shots all together vibe. Veni Vidi Vici, Ive blogged about before, seriously one of my favorite tracks to date. Listen once and you're hooked.

5. COCONUT RECORDS- NIGHTTIMING-
Two words JASON SHWARTZMAN. Hes the lead singer and is absolutely adorable. His music is so cheery. I loved Phantom Planet and everything else he was ever involved with. West Coast makes me smile every time I hear it. I want to be in a convertible listening to this at the loudest setting. Nighttiming is a great song to get ready to go out to. This Old Machine is such a sweet little song. Again- all over happiness.

6. ELLIOTT SMITH- NEW MOON-
Sadly, I am still not over his death. This unreleased album has a little bit of everything. Miss Misery gives me the goose bumps, Thirteen takes me back to seventh grade romance. Georgia, Georgia is great too. I cant even go through my favorites because I truly love them all. No one strums a guitar like him and never will there be another ES. His music makes me calm and mellow and yes EMO.

7. BRIGHT EYES- CASSADANGA-
If anyone reads this blog, they know about my undying love for this man. His lyrics make me swoon and his voice is entrancing. It took me a while to really get into this album but once I did, I was hooked. Its always hard for me to fall in love with an album thats so different from that artists last album, but it happened eventually. Seeing him in concert is always a treat. If the Brakeman Turns My Way is one of my faves and so is Soul Singer in a Session Band. Four Winds was my first favorite.

8. BEIRUT- THE FLYING CLUB CUP-
One of the best live shows Ive ever seen. I am learning the ukulele because of this man. Postcards from Italy and Scenic World are my faves on this album. The boy can play a million instruments and we arent talking bass and drums here. Anyone that can rock a horn basically rules at life.

9. THE BLOW- PAPER TELEVISION-
Yum. So different. That sweet little girl voice was the soundtrack of my spring. True Affection is a song ill never get sick of. So great. A great warm and fuzzy chill out song. Super romantic. Pardon Me is great too. Its so unexpected when she gets vulgar with her baby like voice. Great atmosphere music.

10. THE NATIONAL- BOXER-
I saw these guys play a show with CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH a few NYE's ago. The energy vibe was pumping. They are all so cute on stage. Mistaken for Strangers is a great track, Im still in love with Secret Meeting from last album, but this one is more forward. Almost an Interpol feeling.

11. THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- CHALLENGERS-
These guys are fun fun fun. I love the contrast of the girls sweet voice with the dudes deep dude like voice. Myriad Harbour is definitely one of my most played. Great uppity car song on the way to a party. Ive been a fan of them for a while.

12. RADIOHEAD- IN RAINBOWS-
I say this with a bit of pull because, I really do like this album, its just that I dont click with all of the songs. With that being said, the ones I do like, I LOVE. Mainly the first track and 15 step. Weird Fishes is great too. Whatever, I guess im kinda snobby because I know this will be on everyones list and I like to be a bit different.

HONORABLE MENTION goes to- SHOUT OUT LOUDS- OUR Ill WILLS- Im really getting into that record. Love the first track.

So anyway, if anyone reads this and ends up a fan of any of these albums mentioned, drop me a line. Id love to hear what you have to say. Or just lurk and enjoy.

Happy new year!!!

8 DAYS??

Today is the second day of Hannukah, well really the first, well wait, I dont know. Bottom line is tonight we light 2 candles. Lately people have been saying "wow, you get 8 presents?? thats so awesome" I'd kinda smile back and think to myself, well no, not really, not since I was like 7 did I ever get that many presents but I was secretly baffled by that statement. You celebrate Christmas dont you? Arent there like 12 days? Id say to myself. I never actually verbalized it because the time just passed me by and it would seem weird to say that in passing. Finally I got the gall up to say it the other day. It went something like this.

Person 1- "So wait, you lucky fool, you get EIGHT whole presents??? thats so awesome!!, Gosh, so lucky"

Me- "Well, not really, I get like one or 2 tops"
HMMM, awkward silence. PAUSE.

Me- " Wait, but dont you guys have like 12 days of Christmas? I mean you have a radical tree with lights and stockings and stuff, presents all around it TWELVE of them, that song "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...." I never understand why people are so hung up about the whole 8 days thing"

Person 1- " Oh no!!!! We only get one day of presents on Christmas, not 12"

Me- "Well then. It seems that we are all screwed, huh? If you ask me you guys are even more screwed after all that false representation in that song. Bummer for you."

Person 1- HMMM. Yeah I guess youre right"

The moral of this story is, no matter what you celebrate, its is all under false pretenses, we all get one or 2 presents, hopefully they are cool and somewhat useful. PS- I hear im getting a super rad camera, SCORE!! We all have our little gags to play with whether it be some eggnog or a dreidel, a stocking or some golden chocolate coins, holiday time is holiday time. Traffics a bitch. Parking lots are expensive. People are annoying in their festive sweaters and people still say CHHHHHanukkah, where it sounds like they are hocking a major loogie while doing so.

On another note, I still laugh my ass off everytime I hear ADAM SANDLERS- HANUKKAH SONG.

So funny, OJ SIMPSON, not a jew.

Happy Chrismakkah.