The-shins | LovetheMusic

Damon : What We Heard in 2007

Like Jen, my 2007 wasn’t entirely fraught with new music. There’s too much that’s already happened that I need to catch up on, so my list has a lot of stuff that has already happened, but it’s what I did in 2007. Let’s look closer:

The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips

2007 will be remember as the year that I finally ‘got’ the Flaming Lips. While I didn’t really dislike the Lips, before this year I just couldn’t understand why everyone was always wetting themselves over Wayne Coyne & Co. Exposure Box listeners will remember me trying to do this towards the end of the show’s term.

Stunts - Rademacher

I know I’ve mentioned them before this year, but I love and will continue to love these guys. Their album’s out now! Dig it for real, but also remember that they are supremely choice in a live setting. Maybe you can get pizza with them, too!

Secrets From the Future - MC Frontalot

2007 was likely teh n3rd13st y34r EVAR!1!!1 For me, at least. I’m convinced,however, that, with advancements in technology and the increasing acceptance of online networking, all of Western Society is nerdening up. There’s never been a riper market for MC Frontalot than right now (though some say he should have waited until after the revolution of 2012, but if you’ve got rhymes, bust ‘em).

A Grand Don’t Come for Free - The Streets

Thinking about it now, I really can’t tell you exactly why I love this album so much, but I do. I was able to get pretty caught up in the story, and though I normally pull for a less-than-perfect ending to stories where that type of ending presents itself, I’m really glad “Empty Cans” does what it do.

Disintegration - The Cure

Even though I already owned Three Imaginary Boys, Paris, and Wild Mood Swings, along with both singles collections and the Greatest Hits, I considered this my first real Cure album, and in many ways it is. Of course I just got Wish this week and feel pretty much the same about that one.

Carnavas - Silversun Pickups

I’ve already apologized for underestimating this one the first time around, but I don’t think I really mentioned how it’s become one of my most listened-to albums of ‘07. I take back all the nasty things I said.

In Rainbows - Radiohead

Though not in the way that most people did In Rainbows, I ended up listening to the bootlegs of live versions of songs that were leaked last summer. Seriously, In Rainbows was a little disappointing, but I just had to mention that I’m better than you because I’d known these songs for a year before the album was released. Good gravy I’m lame. Sorry.

Batman - Prince

Seeing Prince perform at half-time of Super Bowl XLI may have gotten me a little obsessed. I may have ordered the Batman soundtrack that very day, and while I continue to catch flak for it (the Girl bought me the new album, Planet Earth, just to spite me) I won’t stop liking Prince.

Razorblade Suitcase - Bush

My first Bush album, The Science of Things, has long been my favourite simply because it’s the one I got to know best. This year, however, I realized that Suitcase is much more textured without resorting to some of the electronic elements of Science. Also, the songs are better. I actually went as far as to finally complete my Bush collection with the (I’ll admit) sub-par remix album Deconstructed. May have listened to a lot of Bush this year. Nineties Rock Mondays sure helped with that.

Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire and Wincing the Night Away - The Shins

I know these two are going to be on so many year in review lists, but they’ve earned it. Also, I’ve seen both of these bands live this year, that’s pretty kickin’, no doubt. They’re both amazing, by the way, and you have no excuse not to see them. Especially the Arcade Fire. You owe it to yourself, and your posterity. Regarding Neon Bible, “Intervention” is the reason you got those really nice headphones, or your buddy hooked up that home theater, or else it’s a complete waste of pipe organ.

So that’s pretty much my 2007. I honestly didn’t mean for this to be a list of ten. Because that cliche is much much worse than the year in review cliche. Sorry folks, I may just be lame, but maybe I’ll work on that for 2008. In the mean time I’m looking forward to new stuff from Saves the Day and Weezer, and I’ll probably get really into Dinosaur Jr. or Sonic Youth or Starland Vocal Band (not for “Afternoon Delight, and not ironically) or Pavement or something. New beginnings!!

~~MP3S COMING LATER….NEW YEARS PARTYING KEEPING US BUSY~~

MP3S ARE UP!

The Streets - Blinded by the Light [4:43m]: Play in Popup | Download

Prince - Partyman [3:12m]: Play in Popup | Download

Bush - Greedy Fly [4:30m]: Play in Popup | Download

Jen : What We Heard in 2007

Since a lot of what I listen to isn’t classified as ‘new’, or released in 2007, I’m going to write up some albums and/or artists I enjoyed during 2007. If I can remember. Since I probably won’t, my Last FM account will come in handy.

Each item is linked to a relevant item on LTM. If theres no link, it is evidence of us sucking. We know. Damon can’t believe we have nothing on The Decemberists’ Castaways and Cutouts. Shame shame.

Jen’s Best of 2007 HEARD List:

Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream Swimming Across the Sea

Tool - 10,000 Days

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Feist - The Reminder

Bjork - Volta (2)

The Cat Empire - Two Shoes (2)(3)

Danger Mouse - Grey Album

The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts

Dikanda

Explosions In the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

My Morning Jacket (2)(3)

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost

John Butler Trio - Grand National (more)

The Veils - Nux Vomica

Nickel Creek

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Sprout Soundtrack

Regina Spektor - Songs

The Killers - Hot Fuss

Lily Allen - Alright Still

Minnie Driver - Seastories

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank & Good New for People Who Loves Bad News

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

Fischerspooner - Odyssey

Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds

John Butler Trio - Better Than

Patrick Watson - Close to Paradise

Patrick Watson - Slip Into Your skin [3:38m]: Play in Popup | Download

Daniella - John Butler Trio [4:18m]: Play in Popup | Download

Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) [5:11m]: Play in Popup | Download

Dikanda - Lazito [2:34m]: Play in Popup | Download

Last Fm kicked my ass

To continue my love affair with Patrick Watson, I decided to hop onto my Last.FM radio and do a Pat Watson station. First I got to hear ‘Drifters’, and then right after that was a track by the Great Lake Swimmers, called ‘I Could Be Nothing’, which I can’t seem to find. And then, I heard ‘Peace Beneath the City’ by Iron and Wine. Now, I enjoy some Iron and Wine now and then, selectively–never heard this from him before. Sweet, sweet slide and lyrics and all was lovely. I’m thinking I may have found one of my Jenres. Like, a genre I can own. Whatever genre of music came out of Last FM radio because of Patrick Watson completely rocked my socks.

Forest House

Pat Watson, Iron and Wine, Great Lake Swimmers, The Shins, Beirut, Patrick Wolf

Brandenburg - Beirut [3:39m]: Play in Popup | Download

Slip Into Your Skin - Patrick Watson [3:38m]: Play in Popup | Download

Magpie - Patrick Wolf (ft Dusty Springfield) [3:58m]: Play in Popup | Download

Peace Beneath the City - Iron and Wine [4:45m]: Play in Popup | Download

Little Boxes - The Shins [1:58m]: Play in Popup | Download

Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers [3:37m]: Play in Popup | Download

Sweet Waves // Sprout Soundtrack

A couple of years ago while I was visiting my best friend, she gave me a CD she purchased, telling me she thought I'd like it. She enjoyed it, too, but thought the boyfriend and I would like it a bit more, and she was spreading the music love, something I totally agree with.

She was spot on. Turns out she bought the CD because it was related to Jack Johnson, and back in the day she collected almost everything he produced. This happened to be a soundtrack that was done for one of his many surf movies (Thicker Than Water, The September Sessions). I quickly fell in love with it, and have listened to it on and off since. Since this month is one of those 'on' times, I thought I'd share the prettiness with you.

Sprout Soundtrack @ JackJohnsonMusic.com

Buy Sprout Soundtrack // Film

Banderilla - Calexico MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/10%20Banderilla.mp3]

Spanish Flowers - Sprout House Band MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/12%20Spanish%20Flowers.mp3]

Practice Twice - Sam Prekop MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/01%20Practice%20Twice.mp3]

The Shins, Gomez - Live Rockin’ Updates!

So I've been to a couple of shows lately and been sadly slothful in my keepings you posted. Let's start with the Shins, in the Venue, Salt Lake City, February 16, 2007. This show was supposed to be opened by Viva Voce, a husband and wife duo from Oregon [via Alabama]. However there was some inclement weather that kept them out, so it was just the Shins, which is just as well, as my party was sadly late, but lucked out and missed none of the rocking. First of all, if you've heard that the Shins are afraid to rock, or if you've heard songs like "New Slang" or "Pink Bullets" and come to the same conclusion, you are mistaken. From the opening song, "Sleeping Lessons" from the new album Wincing the Night Away, you learn the truth of things. The Shins can, and will, rock when required to, and a live setting is perfect opportunity. Seriously, the Shins know when to hold 'em, etc. Other examples of rocking out include, but are not limited to, when frontman James Mercer complained that his voice was starting to sound like Lemmy from Motorhead, without missing a beat playing the bassline of "Ace of Spades"; and of free will playing a verse and chorus of Dio's "Holy Diver". This is rocking out. And they do it well. Also, the playing of "So Says I" should, according to my friend Dave, be played after each song. I think he might be right. It's that good. The following Friday I was lucky enough to partake in Gomez at Suede in Park City. Gomez's opener, Joe Purdy, were kind enough to show up to this one. During their set my party decided that they were a quaint little band of hobos. Fingerless gloves, beards, natty old suits, slide guitar, banjo, etc. They played nice bluesy numbers, some of which involved severely nice lead guitaring. They're good times. Gomez, for those who don't know, have been around for nigh on a decade but their popularity has been largely limited to the Uk. This, I must say, is a shame and a half, for the indie Brit-pop stylings are both catchy and classy. Being around as they have they have also learned how to put on a block-rockin' live show. Highlights include the constant switching of bass-playing duties, watching the percussionist rock out in his corner, and the extended jamming [especially on "How We Operate"]. Lowlights included being in Park City [seriously, that town blows], the drunk fellow yelling for "Shooting Holes in the Sky" between every song for the first quarter of the show, Gomez not taking the stage until after ten resulting in my being way tired during slow jams towards the end of the show. You may note that all these lowlights have to do with Park City and/or Suede, not Gomez. Final Verdicts: All the bands mentioned above are well worth seeing, even if you don't know that much of their music. Also, Park City sucks.