pop

Hey guys, guess what isn't cool? Punctuality. Screw all that "being timely" bull, I've got a midwinter treat for you. My annual mix of some of my favorite songs released in the last year is here for your enjoyment. Sorry you don't get the full physical package that I sent some lucky souls (trust me, it's impressive), but cover art and track numbers are embedded. If you really want the full cover art, just click the thumbnail to the right.

Enjoy! I'll try to be back with more soon.

Stars - The Night Starts Here
Coconut Records - West Coast
Bloc Party - Waiting For the 7.18
Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
Jens Lekman - I'm Leaving You Because I Don't Love You
Loudon Wainwright III - Grey In L.A.
National - Fake Empire
Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Wilco - Hate It Here
Arcade Fire - Intervention
Misha - Delovedly
Feist - My Moon My Man
Swell Season - If You Want Me
Cloud Cult - Pretty Voice [YouTube]
Shins - Split Needles
Twilight Sad - That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy
Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash
John Vanderslice - The Parade
Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost
Finches - House Under the Hill

Download:
You Don't Live Here Anymore [zip]

Everyone knows the music of Billy Joel, though now his driving antics are more likely to be mentioned than his music. It's a shame, because it makes people forget just how damn good he was as a songwriter and musician.

When Storm Front was released in 1989, the biggest hit was "We Didn't Start the Fire," which sounds dated now with its synth chorus and choppy shout-singing. But even without that song, it's a classic album; Joel doesn't settle for singing the same song over and over like some bands of today. The album covers the spectrum of his oeuvre, from the girl-focused rock opener "That's Not Her Style" to the beautiful piano ballad "And So It Goes," which closes the album.

One of Joel's songwriting strengths is his ability to craft a narrative through the use of a distinctly seperate voice for the lyrics of a song; he can successfully seperate the speaker of the lyrics from his identity as the author. His narrators are frequently blue-collar or downtrodden, seen throughout his career from "Piano Man" to "Allentown" to my favorite on this album, "The Downeaster 'Alexa,'" a Celtic-tinged folk ballad. His other sea-faring song "Storm Front," featuring Joel in full eighties bombast and backed by horns and gospel singers, isn't as effective and betrays the age of the album.

After relistening to Joel's penultimate pop album, I was reminded both of his songwriting abilities and occasional missteps. I hope he someday reconsiders his retirement and releases another album, and maybe someday I'll be able to have the money and opportunity to see one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time perform live.

Listen:
Billy Joel - The Downeaster "Alexa"
Billy Joel - And So It Goes

Buy Storm Front

I've been waiting for Two Thousand, the new album from the French Kicks, ever since I heard their last one, Trial of the Century. It will officially hit stores next Tuesday, and though it doesn't quite live up to my hopes, it's still a good time.

The opening track "So Far We Are" is a great start to the album. It hooks you in, just like "One More Time" from Trial of the Century. Unfortunately, Two Thousand shares another characteristic with its predecessor: many of the following songs run together and sound pretty much the same. It's entirely possible that the new album will grow on me, but it's not the instant classic I had hoped for. The only other standout track from the first few listens is "England Just Will Not Let You Recover." It's a laid back midtempo track, but I'm a sucker for the "ooh-oooh"s and the piano hook.

Trial of the Century was a huge change in sound and direction for the French Kicks, and it gained them tons of well-deserved critical praise. Sadly, the new album doesn't do very much to build on the potential they've shown. It's a fun little indie pop record to throw on during a nice summer drive, but the band hasn't acheived the pop perfection they seemed capable of.

Listen:
French Kicks - So Far We Are
French Kicks - Also Ran
French Kicks - England Just Will Not Let You Recover
French Kicks - One More Time

Buy Two Thousand

Phoenix's new album came out two months ago, but it's hardly left my stereo since I picked it up.

Some albums are perfect for summer, and this is one of them. Reviews from longtime fans are mixed; it's somewhat of a departure from their earlier albums. I confess I've only recently come around to the band, but with this album they won me over quickly.

When you pop in the disc, the jangly guitars at the beginning of "Napoleon" let you know immediately what's in store. The sound is a bit like the first Strokes album, but with more competent musicianship. The disco-flavored first single "Long Distance Call" prompted me to buy the album, but there are two other standout tracks. "Sometimes In The Fall" is a five-plus minute jam that justifies its length by being straight damn catchy. "Consolation Prizes" is due to be the second single; you can imagine the band untucking their shirts and letting themselves get sloppy, but they can't quite escape the tight arrangements they're used to playing.

According to some reviews, It's Never Been Like That reflects a lot more of the energy of a live performance by this French band. Unfortunately, their upcoming US tour (with the French Kicks) is sponsored by Camel cigarettes and is supposedly "invite only," so it's been nearly impossible for anyone to actually get tickets. New and old fans are understandably pissed, though they're scheduled to swing through the states again in September. If I can get hooked up with tickets to the July 29th show at the Double Door, I'll let you know just how much more they rock live.

Listen:
Phoenix - Sometimes In The Fall
Phoenix - Consolation Prizes

Buy It's Never Been Like That

Dodge has more tracks (including a couple from their first two albums) at MOKB.

Growing up, my taste in music sucked. I've since come to terms with this, and thankfully my cd collection is nowhere near as lame as it was in high school. Much of the credit for my broadened musical horizons belongs to the internet. But just as much is due to The Shins.

During my senior year of high school, I heard Oh, Inverted World at a listening station at Borders. The music was catchy and new and unlike anything I listened to. Needless to say, I didn't buy it; who pays $14.99 for 11 three-minute songs? But I kept it in the back of my mind. A month or two later, I was reading a music magazine which had an article about the band's video (.mov download) for "New Slang." The video, as the article explained, pays homage to various punk and indie album covers, like The Replacements' Let It Be and Husker Du's Zen Arcade. Husker Du? Slint? Cat Power? I had never heard of any of these bands. A whole new genre of music was out there, ready for me to listen.

Natalie Portman made it cliched in Garden State, but this band changed my life. Maybe you can remember the band that changed yours.

Listen:
The Shins - Know Your Onion!

Buy Oh, Inverted World