Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer is one of the few celebrities that I miss and think about on a regular basis the way I would a close personal friend. I saw this wall painting during a marathon bar crawl on trip to New York in 2006. I couldn't remember exactly where it was, but a FaceBook friend reminded me that it's outside Jessie Malin's bar, Niagara at 7th Street and Avenue A. I was quite excited to hear that it's still there.

Touch and Go 25th Anniversary Block Party at the Hideout (2006) PART ONE: Didjits, Pegboy, Jon Langford, Sally Timms, and Katrin Bornfeld

The Touch and Go 25th Anniversary Block Party was the greatest music fests I've ever attended. On September 8, 9, & 10 twenty five Touch and Go bands got together to celebrate 25 years of Touch and Go Records. Along with many current artists on the T&G roster were several one-off reunions, including Scratch Acid, Big Black, and the one I was most excited for, Didjits.

CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE (there are plenty more photos in my T&G25 photoset on flickr)

Didjits @ T&G25

 Didjits @ T&G25

 Didjits @ T&G25

 Didjits @ T&G25

 Didjits setlist for T&G25

 Didjits @ T&G25

Didjits @ T&G25

MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP

Shuffle-a-gogo - some random MP3 player action

It's time for a little MP3 Shuffle-a-gogo action. The rules are simple: MP3 delivery device of choice set to shuffle/random, first ten songs, post em. Here's what I got today:

1. the CRAMPS - Faster Pussycat (Smell of Female 1983) Cramps do a killer version of the swinging theme song of the Russ Meyer film, recorded live at the Peppermint Lounge in LA.
2. X - I See Red (More Fun in the New World 1983) The fourth X album is my favorite, and pretty much every song is my favorite until the next one comes on.
3. the SPECIALS - Do the Dog (Specials 1979) Not the donkey!
4. IDLEWILD - There's Glory in Your Story (A Distant History: Rarities 1997–2007) One of the b-sides to "These Wooden Ideas" from the band's second album.
5. DURAN DURAN - Drowning Man (Duran Duran aka the Wedding Album 1993) I was never actually a big DD fan until their surprisingly great comeback in 93. This is an album that still gets regular play from me, although I always have to skip that horrifically misguided cover of "Femme Fatale".
6. the SINCEROS - Socially (Pet Rock 1981) This skinny tie new wave pop song from the London band's second album sounds like equal parts Greg Kihn and Joe Jackson
7. the ANGELS - I'm Scared (Darkroom 1980) Australia's Angels could always be counted on for at least a few great rockers on each album, but thanks in part to Doc Neeson's distinctive lead vocals even a basic pub rock song like this one sound great.
8. JETS TO BRAZIL - One Summer Last Fall (Four Cornered Night 2000) For me the 2nd JtB album is Blake Schwarzenbach's masterpiece. Everything clicks - the song writing, the playing, his vocals. Over a decade later it still sounds great.
9. BEACH BOYS - God Only Knows (Pet Sounds 1966) Hey, speaking of masterpieces!
10. MADNESS - Swan Lake (One Step Beyond 1979) Tchaikovsky is skanking in his grave.

2012 Top 20 - my favorite albums of the year (with reviews and links)

2012 was a stellar year for new music. By mid year I already had 20 albums that I'd have been more than happy to fill my year end list. Several of the titles that I couldn't fit into this year's Top 20 could have made it into my top 10 in previous years. My general rule for the albums that made the final cut was to focus on what I played the most and what albums seemed to always be on on my mind. This is by no means a critical evaluation of which albums "the best" - it's a list of what records I enjoyed the most. And this year, more than most, there were loads of most-likely great albums that I didn't even have the chance to get to.

#1 - the CLOUD NOTHINGS – Attack On Memory (Carpark) - Attack on Memory is a forceful big guitar indie rock album that expertly merges oversized pop hooks with punk rock intensity.

With 2 enjoyable albums of bouncy indie pop to his credit, Dylan Baldi could have easily settled into that style and make it work for another album. But instead he surprised everyone and upped the ante by significantly turning up the aggression and cranking the guitars. The change-up isn't entirely unprecedented. "Not Important" and "You're Not That Good At Anything" from last year's self titled album rocked, just not as intensely as anything on Attack On Memory. Comparisons can be made to Jawbreaker or Sunny Day Real Estate, but this most reminds me of Hope Is Important/100 Broken Windows era Idlewild (especially in Dylan Baldi's vocals) with it's high energy angst delivered via a tight batch of pushed-to-11 pop songs. And this isn't just a case of a band suddenly playing punkier, they are adventurousand  push conventions, and succeed  across the board. With 8 songs clocking in at just over 30 minutes they managed to get in a blistering instrumental and an almost 9 minute epic with a 5 minute Sonic Youth-like freakout that just keeps getting bigger. Cloud Nothings play with the power of a hardcore record, but the melodies are huge and despite the wall of noise (thanks in part to Steve Albini working the boards) they never lose sight of the rewards of a good hook.
Cloud Nothings site     
VIDEO: "Fall In"    
VIDEO: "Stay Useless"     
VIDEO: "Stay Useless" live at Pitchfork Music Festival 2012     
VIDEO: 4 songs live at KEXP     

#2 - NADA SURF - the Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy (Barsuk Records) For album number seven Nada Surf don't alter their pop formula - they just refine it and inject some extra energy. 
Everything I love about Nada Surf is here: ringing guitars, wonderfully catchy hooks, compelling lyrics, and Matthew Caws's charismatic vocals. But the band hit a bit of a rut on the last few albums and the songs sounded a bit too samey. This time the songwriting is a bit more distinctive and the songs sound fresh and more dynamic, which is enough to make this my favorite album by them and one of the records I've played the most this year.
Nada Surf site
VIDEO: "Waiting For Something"    
VIDEO: "Jules and Jim"    
VIDEO: "Teenage Dreams" live acoustic   

#3 SHOES - Ignition (Black Vinyl Records) - The power pop legends return with their first album in 18 years - loaded with the superior hooks and harmonies you'd expect. 
Ignition is instantly recognizable as a new Shoes album. Their signature harmonies, concise songwriting and tight, no-frills musicianship are all here. John Murphy, Jeff Murphy, and Gary Klebe have always been expert song craftsmen, and their ability to perfectly nail just the right performance song after song is unrivaled. But there's a spark in the band this time that makes the songs sound absolutely effortless. And this is probably the best sounding Shoes album ever. As always, the album has their traditional diplomatic songwriting/lead vocal splits, but one of the most dynamic songs on the album, the Stonesy "Hot Mess", is a rarity in that all 3 share writing credit. This isn't a great album because it's great that they're still doing it, it's a great album because the songs are top notch, the playing and production are fresh, and the band has an urgency they haven't had since the early 80's.
Shoes site    
VIDEO: "I'm On You"    
HEAR: "Hot Mess"    
HEAR: "Head vs Heart"     

#4 - CHUCK PROPHET - Temple Beautiful (Yep Roc) Chuck's 12th album features a wonderful collection of songs about San Francisco that reminds me of a roots-rock Ray Davies meets Alejandro Escovedo.
For over 20 years the former Green on Red guitarist has been making solid albums filled with slightly gritty barroom rock and twangy roots pop. He's a top-notch songwriter with a gift for lyrical imagery and the ability to create moods with seemingly little effort. For this album he turns the focus on his hometown and it's lesser known history and characters. Chuck tells his stories in talk-sing style reminiscent of Lou Reed (but with Lou's harsh edges toned down) or sung like a more relaxed Springsteen. He co-wrote and played on my favorite Alejandro Escovedo album, Real Animal, which is good reference point for the style that comes through on Temple Beautiful. I'd also compare the new record to 70's era Kinks or the straight out Tom Petty rockers. Along with being a standout songwriter and frontman, when he lets loose on the guitar he absolutely smokes. Chuck Prophett has been a reliable artist for so long it can be easy to take him for granted, but this album pushes on his strengths just enough to remind me of how special he is and how he deserves to be heard by a larger audience.
Chuck Prophett's site    
VIDEO: "Whate Night, Big City"    
VIDEO: tour San Francisco with Chuck    

#5 - LEE RANALDO - Between The Times & The Tides (Matador) - Ranaldo is more straight-ahead rock/pop focused on his first post Sonic Youth solo album, but there's still enough guitar experimentation and sonic twists that it's obvious where he came from.
Much has been made about how "conventional" this album is, especially since most of Lee's extra curricular projects have been more challenging boundary pushers. But the shift here doesn't seem so out-of-nowhere when compared to his contributions scattered throughout the Sonic Youth catalog. The new album is a natural progression of songs like "Eric's Trip" & "Hey Joni" from Daydream Nation, or even the music of "In the Kingdom #19" on 1986's EVOL. "Walkin Blue" from Sonic Youth's last album, 2009's the Eternal, could easily fit into this set without changing anything. Lee brought in a host of friends to help him out, including Wilco's Nels Cline, Sonic Youth drummers Steve Shelley and Bob Bert, free jazz guitarist Alan Licht, and John Medeski of Medeski Martin and Wood. He knows how to write great hooks and is smart enough to write within his limited vocal range. Between The Times & The Tides is an album full of riffs that keep popping into my head and it's an album that I keep coming back to.
Lee Ranaldo's page at Sonic Youth.com  
VIDEO: "Off the Wall"  
VIDEO: "Angels"    
VIDEO: "Xtina As I Knew Her" live  

#6 - DAVID MYHR - Soundshine (Strong Melody Productions) The solo debut from the former Merrymaker is filled with bright, summery power pop with ringing guitars and insanely catchy melodies.
This is pure, uncut power pop - rich with infectious choruses and gorgeous harmonies. David Myhr fronted Swedish pop greats the Merrymakers, and for his solo debut he doesn't deviate far from the sound that made his previous band so revered among pop nerds like myself. David's songs are confident and his delivery sounds effortless as he touches on many of the gold standard pop references: Paul McCartney, ELO, Jellyfish, 60's pop singles, bubblegum. He even brings in smatterings of handclaps, la-la-la's, and some very fun "Got to get You Into My Life" styled horns. The record is produced very cleanly, but not slick - there's a warmth to every song that's missing from many more recent power pop albums. While the style is retro in origin, David's upbeat performance makes the songs pop out with fresh and timeless energy that's made this one of my go-to records in 2012.
David Myhr's site    
VIDEO: "Got You Where He Wanted"    
VIDEO: "Looking For a Life"    

#7 - BOB MOULD - Silver Age (Merge) - Bob Mould is recharged and armed with an aggressively catchy batch of songs and ferocious playing, making this his best post Husker Du album since Copper Blue. 
New music from Bob Mould had become less essential to me over the past decade, so I've been cautious when approaching his new releases. I'm not sure if he's out to prove something, but he hasn't made a record this exciting in over 25 years. The album is a relentless attack of oversized hooks, fast tempos, and loud guitars. Mould returns to the trio format that's worked so well for him, this time with Jason Narducy on bass and Superchunk's Jon Wurster behind the drum kit. There's not much variety in style or sonics - the band rips through the 10 songs with everything pushed into the red resulting an almost punishing wall of sound. As with most of Bob's best songs, no matter how much noise you put on top, his incredible songwriting always shines though.
Bob Mould's site    
VIDEO: "the Descent"    
VIDEO: "Keep Believing" on Conan    

#8 - the dB's - Falling Off the Sky (Bar None) - My pop heroes return with the original lineup for the first time in 30 years and make a record tight enough to sound as if they've been together all along.
This is the fifth dB's album, coming 25 years after 1987's underrated the Sound of Music. And it's the first with the original Stamey/Holsapple/Rigby/Holder line-up since 1982's Repercussion. This is not a reunion of a band trying to pick up where they left off and recreate their glory days. It's a culmination of everything the individual members have done since they parted ways, yet it still sounds like a cohesive record. The jangley guitars are there and the hooks are plentiful. The songs are more straight forward this round, not as quirky the original Stamey era dB's, but far from sticking to any formula. They're more upbeat than Holsapple and Stamey's last venture together, 2009's Here and Now. Individually the dB's are great talents, but together they pull together their strengths for something truly special.
the dB's site
VIDEO: "That Time Is Gone" live at SXSW

#9 - FIRST AID KIT - The Lion's Roar (Wichita) - Country rock in the Gram Parsons tradition from 2 Swedish sisters with hauntingly beautiful harmonies.
This year's best Americana album comes from the suburbs of Stockholm. For their second album the Soderberg sisters went to Omaha to record with Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis, expanding the sparse folk of their debut to a full band without losing any of the intimacy. The economical instrumentation beautifully compliments the sisters' tight harmonies, adding little bits of pedal steel, accordion, and dulcimer in hust the right places without ever being gratuitous. There's a melancholia in their ethereal voices and lyrics thought could run the risk of being a downer, but the performances are stirring and there are enough upbeat flourishes in the arrangements to give the record and oddly uplifting feel.
First Aid Kite site 
VIDEO: "Emmylou" - this might be the song I played more than any other in 2012
VIDEO: "Emmylou" live on Conan 
VIDEO: "the Lion's Roar" 

#10 - JIMMY CLIFF - Rebirth (UMe) Jimmy Cliff sounds absolutely rejuvenated on this vibrant and highly enjoyable album of classic sounding rocksteady ska while still being vital for 2012.
The reggae legend returns after a 7 year absence reengaged with the help of Rancid's Tim Armstrong, who produces and plays guitar. The album features economical arrangements recorded using vintage equipment, which gives it the feel of a classic Studio One production. Most of the album is tailor made for skanking: upbeat reggae, ska, and rocksteady with crisp drumrolls, bouncing keyboards, and lively horns. Cliff's voice is in great form and the politically charged lyrics are as relevant as anything he's done. This latest Jimmy Cliff album is more than just another addition to the discography of a respected legacy act, it's a relevant statement and an essential piece to his catalog.
Jimmy Cliff's website
VIDEO: "One More" live on Letterman
VIDEO: the Rebirth album EPK

#11 - DWIGHT YOAKAM - 3 Pears (Warner Bros) Dwight tones down his Bakersfield side and stretches out even more than normal for his best album since 1993's This Time.
Dwight has never been one to stick with a formula, but on his first new album of original material in 7 years he is fearless in pulling references from 50 years of pop and country, resulting in the type of record that only he could pull off. He covers Merseybeat pop, 60's AM radio soul, soft ballads, bar-room rockers, and his trademark honky-tonk effortlessly and ends up with a diverse collection of songs that flows perfectly. And while Dwight reaches into the past for inspiration, he's made one of the most forward thinking country albums of the past few years.
Dwight's site
VIDEO: "Waterfall" live at the Live Room
VIDEO: "3 Pears" live on Jimmy Kimmel
VIDEO: "A Heart Like Mine" on Letterman

#12 - the WELL WISHERS – Dreaming of the West Coast (Well Wishers) - Rousing power pop from the Bay area that works the same territory as Velvet Crush, Material Issue, Sloan and the Posies.
Jeff Shelton is one of power pop's more reliable songwiters/frontmen, and on the 6th album from Well Wishers he's stepped up his game for an absolutely wonderful pop album. This is textbook powerpop with crunching guitars, big choruses, head bopping rhythms, and an embarrassment of riches in the melody department. Some times the best powerpop albums are the hardest to describe - they just work on every level and it's hard to call out exactly what pushes it to the front of the pack. This is one of those records. The songs work across the whole album and each one of them is my favorite until the next one starts.

the Well Wishers BandCamp page

VIDEO: "Here Comes Love"

#13 - the MARK LANEGAN BAND - Blues Funeral (4AD) - Blues Funeral is dingy, dark, and exactly what I want from the gravelly voiced former Screaming Trees frontman. 
Few artists can create a menacing mood as convincingly as Lanegan, but this time along with the brooding blues dirges he excels at he widens his palette with post-punk synths and electronic drums, which makes the album infinitely more interesting than anything's he done previously. Whether it's the slow burners, the pounding rockers, or the groove heavy electronic numbers there's a sinister tone throughout that pulls everything together. Individually the songs stand up, but the record definitely works better as a whole albums where it can slowly unfold and twist and turn. Lyrically the album can get a bit heavy handed, reaching for as many ways to describe death, sorrow, and pain as possible, But they work so well with the music I was able to set that aside the same way I still enjoy the Doors despite Morisson's often ridiculously over-the-top poetry. For me this album delivers on the feeling I always hope for in a Nick Cave record but never quite get.
Mark's site
VIDEO: "the Gravedigger's Song"
VIDEO: the 4AD Sessions - 4 songs from the album recorded

#14 - MICHAEL KIWANUKA - Home Again (Polydor UK/Interscope) - Stunningly strong debut from a British soul singer with a rootsy 70's soul and folk hybrid.
Michael Kiwanuka's debut sounds like a lost classic from 1972, rich in warm and relaxed grooves and wistful melodies. The album sounds like something from a veteran performer with a lifetime of experience to pull from, but the London based singer-songwriter is only 25 years old. As a soul singer he can be compared to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, but he's much more than just another talented neo-soul performer. His music also recalls the work of Tim Buckly, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, and James Taylor without ever directly referencing any of those artists. His songs are complimented by the vintage sounding organic production from Paul Butler of the Bees, who is no stranger to convincingly recreating sounds of days gone by.

Michael's site

VIDEO: "Home Again"

VIDEO: "I'm Getting Ready" on Letterman

#15 - DJANGO DJANGO - Django Django (Because UK) Debut album from a Scotish quartet armed with a diverse collection of innovative art pop songs big on catchy hooks and toe-tapping melodies.
The band is led by drummer David Maclean, which explains why the whole album is so percussive. The songs are driven by herky jerky rhythms and filled with sputtering synths, sharp guitar bursts and pristine harmonies. There's an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink element that brings in bits of surf, soul, prog, Bo Diddley, synthpop, Franz Ferdinand, Ennio Morricone, Eastern drones, Wendy Carlos, Krautrock, etc etc. Most of the time it works to great effect ("Default" was one of my favorite and most played songs of 2012), and even when they don't quite hit the mark they're always still interesting and worth hearing.
Django Django site
VIDEO: "Default"
VIDEO: "Hail Bop"

#16 - LA SERA - Sees the Light (Hardly Art) - The 2nd album from Vivian Girls bassist Katy Goodman is a rush of charming indie pop melodies pushed to the next level by her captivating honey sweet vocals.
Katy Goodman writes punchy verse/chorus/verse pop songs with the charm of classic 60's girl groups. Although the instrumentation is pretty basic, the record sounds full and has the feel of an indie-rock take on Phil Spector. The sugary melodies fall somewhere between 60's radio pop and the jangly guitar pop of the C86 bands. At times the record sounds like a stronger She & Him or an American take on the first Primitives album. Katy is a talented songwriter equally comfortable with punky toe-tappers as she is with the slow and mid-tempo numbers, and the record is perfectly balanced with each.
La Sera's page at Hardly Art
VIDEO: "Real Boy/Drive On"
VIDEO: "Please Be My Third Eye"

#17 - DISAPPEARS - Pre Language (Kranky) The Chicago band's third album features guitar heavy post-punk built around a Krautrock-like repetition punctuated with bursts of distorted freakouts.
The album is a moody dark affair loaded with hypnotic drones, icy guitars, and a vocal growl in the style of Mark E Smith. This is their first album with Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley sitting behind the drum kit. On each song the band locks in on a groove and rides it, layering on edgy guitar and the calm-cool intensity of Joy Division.
Disappears site
VIDEO: "Replicate"

#18 - CROCODILES - Endless Flowers (Frenchkiss) The San Diego band's third album is psychedelic shoegazer pop in the tradition of Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine.
Crocodiles take somewhat sunny, upbeat pop songs and then bury them under loads of fuzzy guitars, droning organs, reverb, and a metronomic rhythm section. It's hard not to compare them to the Jesus and Mary Chain, but there are also traces of Spaceman 3, Echo & the Bunnymen, My Bloddy Valentine, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in their songs. I can't claim that the band does much original, but it's been a while since I've heard a band do the wall-of-noise psychedelic pop as well as they do. In the hands of a lesser band these songs would have been mired in noise and not much fun. Crocodiles have the cool atmospherics down, but they also have a knack for a catchy hook which makes the whole thing quite enjoyable.
Crocodile's FaceBook page
VIDEO: "Sunday"
VIDEO: "Endless Flowers" - this video would have been right at home in the second hour of 120 Minutes in the late 80's

#19 - BAT FOR LASHES - the Haunted Man (Capitol) The haunted Man is a meticulously crafted album with just the right balance of dreamy Kate Bush-like pop and electronic experimentation.
For her third album, Natasha Khan is more focused and has stripped away some of the excesses of her previous two records. The album goes from sparse piano ballads and electronica to lavish arrangements with orchestration, held together by an ethereal atmosphere and the dramatic melancholia that has become one of her trademarks. Kate Bush is the obvious reference in both voice and style, but with electronic experimentation that recalls Radiohead's Kid A. At times the production is so clinical it takes away some of the intimacy of the songs, but overall this is Bat For Lashes most ambitious and rewarding album yet.
Bat for Lashes site
VIDEO: "All Your Gold" - one of my favorite songs of 2012
VIDEO: "Laura" on Later with Jools Holland

#20 - KELLY HOGAN - I Like To Keep Myself In Pain (Anti) On her first solo album in a decade, Kelly effortlessly shifts between traditional country, Americana pop, Adult Contemporary, and songs that sound like they could be standards from several generations earlier.
Kelly is a masterful interpreter of songs from top notch songwriters in the grand tradition of the country vocal greats of the 60's. She works in a wide palette of styles, all of which seem to be a natural fit for her stunning voice. For this album she gets songs from Robyn Hitchcock, John Wesley Harding, Robbie Fulks, Andrew Bird, Jon Langford, M. Ward, and more. The album is never flashy and flows quite smoothly for an album that genre jumps so freely - a mournful torch song one minute, a 60's girls group toe tapper the next. Kelly's voice is prominently up front where it belongs, but she's backed by an impressive band that includes Booker T. Jones, James Gadson (Bill Withers), and Gabe Roth. Kelly has backed up artists as diverse as Jakob Dylan, Mavis Staples, the Waco Brothers, The Minus 5, and Drive-By Truckers and might be best known as a member of Neko Case's band, but with this album it's going to be hard to think of her anything but a significant frontwoman.
Kelly's site
VIDEO: 3 songs from the album performed live as part of NPR's Tiny Desk Series

---

CLOSE BUT NOT QUITE: favorite albums that just missed the Top 20 

  

RICHARD HAWLEY - Standing At the Sky's Edge - For his 7th album Hawley significantly steps out of his comfort zone with a more urgent batch of songs with the guitars up front and the most aggressive riffing he's ever done on his own records. The album is layered with atmospheric psychedelia, which adds a whole new dimension to Hawely's top notch songwriting and guitar playing. [ Richard's site ]

the SHINS - Port of Morrow - James Mercer refines his pop formula and widens the pop references just a smidge. This might be his strongest and most distinctive batch of songs yet. [ band site ]

REDD KROSS - Researching the Blues - Classic Neurotica Redd Kross lineup returns after 15 years away and picks up right where they left off. This is the comeback record any Redd Kross could hope for - energetic glammy power-pop songs with crazy catchy melodies, big harmonies, and a grand sense of fun. [ band site ]

BEST COAST – the Only Place - 2nd album from the California duo offers more summery ear candy with jangley guitars and Bethany Cosentino's gorgeous voice, which reminds me of Neko Case. This time the band's lo-fi edges are cleaned up by producer Jon Brion. [ band site ]

DIVINE FITS - A Thing Called Divine Fits - Spoon's Britt Daniel teams up with Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) and Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks) for an album of solid new wave indie rock. [ band site ]

SAINT ETIENNE - Words and Music by Saint Etienne - The band's first album in 7 years is a Europop love letter to the enthusiasm of being a music fan [ band site ]

 CHICHA LIBRE – Canibalismo - This is one of most wonderfully weird records I've heard in the last few years. The Brooklyn band plays an updated version of Chicha (a dancable Peruvian hybrid of surf and psychedelia from the 60's and 70's), incorporating vintage synthesizers, looping mellotrons, twangy guitars, cumbia rhythms, and exotica atmospherics. You can hear bits of Martin Denny, Serge Gainsbourg, Mano Chau, Henry Mancini, and Messer Chups, yet they really sound like no one else. [ band site ]

JD McPHERSON - Signs & Signifiers - The Oklahoma native masters vintage rock and roll and R&B swing on his debut album. Although the sound is authentic in recreating a byegone era, the songs and performances are sincere enough to avoid feeling kitchy or forced. [ JD's site ]

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD - Hypnotic Nights - Jeff the Brotherhood play a weird hybrid of big dumb stoner rock and infectious Weezer-like pop. The band locks in on an insanely catchy hook and bludgeons you with it with the help of plodding drums and fuzzy guitars. [ band site ]

surf-a-gogo: Lennon's Poster

Lennon's Poster: This short film by Nick Esdaile & Joe Fellows appeals to both the Beatles nerd and graphic design geek in me. The film follows the recreation from scratch of the Pablo Fanque circus poster that inspired John Lennon to write "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite". With meticulous attention to detail they were able to rebuild the poster using traditional wood engraving and letterpress printing techniques.

MP3 Shuffle-a-gogo - where she stops no one knows

Shufffle-a-gogo: MP3 player set on shuffle, hit play, first 10 songs - no skipping.

1. EMITT RHODES - Somebody Made For Me (Emitt Rhodes 1970) This is one of the great DIY home studio albums - with Emitt delivering an album of Paul McCartneyish songs that out McCartneyed what McCartney was doing at the time.
2. LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III - the Doctor (History 1992) If you had to explain Loudon to someone and could only use one song as an example, this wouldn't be a bad choice for the task. For me History was the album where Loudon seemed recharged and stepped up his game after a series of decent but undistinctive albums. 
3. SWERVEDRIVER - Sci-Flyer (Raise 1991) Huge guitars from the Oxford band's band debut. They venture into Sonic Youth territory a bit in the guitars, but with a much heavier groove than SY dabbled in.
4. NAKED RAYGUN - Camarilla (Raygun...Naked Raygun 1990) A mostly forgettable song from the only Raygun album I don't love.
5. RANK AND FILE - Pistol Dawn (Rank and File 1987) By the third album R&F had lost much of the charm of their first 2 albums and were making more generic radio friendly rock. The big meaty guitar intro here sounds like something Drivin & Cryin would have success with five years later.
6. RANDY NEWMAN - Lover's Prayer (Randy Newman Live 1971) Damn South park has tainted my enjoyment of Randy Newman. Now when I hear him I think of "Fatty Doo Doo". Hopefully this doesn't long and I can go back.
7. LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III - I'm Alright (Career Moves 1993) Recorded live after the album mentioned just a few song earlier in this shuffle. Just Loudon, a guitar, and a very appreciative audience.
8. DODGY - Intro (Free Peace Sweet 1996) A 45 second instrumental - not much to speak of really.
9. the SUBURBS - Goggles (Ladies and Gentlemen the Suburbs Have left the Building) Hey look Cudahys - you aren't the only ones with Suburbs loaded on the MP3 player! 
10. SPARKS - Rockin' Girls (In Outer Space 1983) I used to play this album quite a bit when it came out, but this and it's follow up Pulling Rabbits hardly get any play from me anymore. I didn't even remember this song when it started. I think I need to go back and give those two albums another listen.

Gearing up for the end of the year best-of list: 50 candidates

It's time for me to start obsessing over my list of favorite albums of 2012. The first step is whittling the list down to something manageable, so here are just over 50 albums that will most likely be what I pull from. There are a few albums I've heard songs off of that are probable strong contenders that I still need to pick up, but generally this list represents what I've enjoyed most this year.

For those of you that are Spotify inclined, here's a Spotify playlist with a cut from each album. I'm a bit stunned that Spotify had all of the albums.

The list is alphabetical - I haven't dug in and started ranking since I did my half year best-of list in July.

• BAT FOR LASHES - the Haunted Man - The 3rd (and best album) from Natasha Khan is more intimate and compelling than her previous work, and spectacularly updates the Kate Bush sound [ band site ]
• BEST COAST – the Only Place - 2nd album from the California duo offers more summery ear candy with jangley guitars and Bethany Cosentino's gorgeous voice, which reminds me of Neko Case. This time the band's lo-fi edges are cleaned up by producer Jon Brion. [ band site ]
• JOHN CALE - Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood - Cale's first new album in 7 years is erratic, but like everything he's done, well worth hearing. He merges melodic pop ideas with a constantly expanding and diverse palette of experimentation like no one else. [ John's site ]
• CARDNINAL - Hymns - It took 18 years, but Richard Davies and Eric Matthews finally release the follow up their much loved debut album. The album is a bit more diverse than the debut, but still touches on their orch-pop strengths and influences (ie early Bee Gees, Left Banke, and Love). [ band's page at Fire Records ]
• CEREMONY - Zoo - Aggressive guitar post-punk from the one-time hardcore band from San Francisco. The band's punk roots are obvious, but I also hear bits of Wire, Joy Division, the Wipers, and the first few Green Day records. [ band site ]
• NENEH CHERRY & the THING – Cherry Thing - Neneh teams up with a Scandinavian free-jazz trio for a wonderfully exciting album of originals and covers (Stooges, Don Cherry, Suicide, MF Doom, and Ornette Coleman) that melds avante garde spontaneity and funky grooves, capped off with some of Neneh's loosest vocals ever. 
• CHICHA LIBRE – Canibalismo - This is one of most wonderfully weird records I've heard in the last few years. The Brooklyn band plays an updated version of Chicha (a dancable Peruvian hybrid of surf and psychedelia from the 60's and 70's), incorporating vintage synthesizers, looping mellotrons, twangy guitars, cumbia rhythms, and exotica atmospherics. You can hear bits of Martin Denny, Serge Gainsbourg, Mano Chau, Henry Mancini, and Messer Chups, yet they really sound like no one else. [ band site ]
• JIMMY CLIFF - Rebirth - The Reggae great returns with a vibrant and highly enjoyable album of classic sounding rocksteady ska while still being vital for 2012. Cliff's voice is in great form, the politically charged lyrics are as relevant as anything in his catalog, and the horns are some of the best I've heard in years. Rancid's Tim Armstrong gives a crisp, economical production that highlights the strength of the originals and well-chosen covers. [ Jimmy Cliff's site ]
• the CLOUD NOTHINGS – Attack On Memory - Cleveland band turns up the volume and intensity for an album of big guitar pop with huge hooks [ band site ]
• CROCODILES - Endless Flowers - Less Echo & the Bunnymen and more Jesus & Mary Chain for the San Diego band's third album of big guitar psychedelia. It's poppy shoegazer stuff - totally retro, but quite enjoyable. [ band's FaceBook page ]
• the dB's - Falling Off the Sky - The pop gods return with their first album in 25 years (and the first with the original Stamey/Holsapple/Rigby/Holder line-up since 1982's Repercussion). There are elements of everything the individual members have doing over the past two and half decades, yet it still sounds like a cohesive record. [ band site ]
• DINOSAUR JR - I Bet On Sky - Loving a new Dinosaur Jr album is a surprise to me, since 1987's You're Living All Over Me is the only album I really like by them (and 1991's Green Mind is the only other one I even play anymore). But the songwriting this time is stronger and the hooks catchier than anything I recall from their catalog. The band sounds totally committed to serving the songs first, which actually compliments the band's signature sound and riffing rather than fighting it. [ band site ]
• DISAPPEARS - Pre Language - Chicago post-punk band's third album is a moody dark affair loaded with hypnotic drones, icy guitars, and a vocal growl in the style of Mark E Smith. This is the band's first album with Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley sitting behind the drum kit. [ band site ]
• DIVINE FITS - A Thing Called Divine Fits - Spoon's Britt Daniel teams up with Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) and Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks) for an album of solid new wave indie rock. [ band site ]
• DJANGO DJANGO - Django Django - Debut album from the much buzzed London quartet  armed with a diverse collection of innovative art pop songs big on catchy hooks and toe-tapping melodies. [ band site ]
• DR JOHN - Locked Down - Dr John's most most consistent album in 20 years, thanks in part to production from Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. It's a surprisingly strong album of funky, gritty blues swamp rock that somehow sounds current and timeless at the same time. [ Dr John's site ]
• BILL FAY - Life Is People - Praised by the likes of Jeff Tweedy, Jim O'Rourke, Nick Cave and Julian Cope, British singer/songwriter/pianist Bill Fay releases his third proper album after 41 years. The album is a beautiful collection of almost hymnal songs centered around Fay's wonderfully aged voice and piano. There's an intimacy and weightiness to the songs, which range from sparse piano/vocals to lushly arranged numbers with strings and a grand Hammond organ wash. [ Bill's page at Dead Oceans Records ]
• FIRST AID KIT - The Lion's Roar - Country rock in the Gram Parsons tradition from 2 Swedish sisters with hauntingly beautiful harmonies. [ band site ]
• the FRESH & ONLYS - Long Slow Dance - The San Francisco band's new album sounds like an American indie pop version of the Church or early Go-Betweens. With it's jangley guitars and shimmering melodies the band has shed their garage rock past in favor of a richer sound along the lines of an updated Paisley Underground. [ the band's blog ]
• the FURIOUS SEASONS - My Analog Face - Delicate and relaxed pop from David Steinhart, front man of the underrated 80's California jangley pop band Pop Art. The songs feature gentle guitars mingling with violins and a rich, clean production. At times the band leans towards to folk, but others have the feel of Del Amitri or Reckoning era REM. [ band site ]
• GUIDED BY VOICES – Let's Go Eat the Factory - The classic Guided By Voices line-up returns with an adequate facsimile of their glory days. Like most GbV albums - at times it works wonderfully and other it times it's just interesting. [ band site ]
• RICHARD HAWLEY - Standing At the Sky's Edge - For his 7th album Hawley significantly steps out of his comfort zone with a more urgent batch of songs with the guitars up front and the most aggressive riffing he's ever done on his own records. The album is layered with atmospheric psychedelia, which adds a whole new dimension to Hawely's top notch songwriting and guitar playing. [ Richard's site ]
• KELLY HOGAN - I Like To Keep Myself In Pain - On her first solo album in a decade, Kelly effortlessly shifts between traditional country, Americana pop, Adult Contemporary, and songs that sound like they could be standards from several generations earlier. [ Kelly's site ]
• HOWLER - America Give Up - Minneapolis' Howler play hyperactive guitar pop with a little Jesus and Mary Chain fuzz and a lot of youthful sugar rush enthusiasm. The songs are short and punchy and tailor made for a summer party mix. [ band site ]
• JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD - Hypnotic Nights - Jeff the Brotherhood play a weird hybrid of big dumb stoner rock and infectious Weezer-like pop. The band locks in on an insanely catchy hook and bludgeons you with it with the help of plodding drums and fuzzy guitars. [ band site ]
• KAISER CHIEFS - Start The Revolution Without Me - This is the US version of the band's 2011 "create your own album" the Future is Medieval. The songs are decent new wave/post punk pop, but sound more like b-sides or album cuts. They don't sound inspired and none of the songs jump out. [ band site ]
• the KIK - Springlevend - Bouncy Nederbeat (early 60's influenced beat music movement from the Netherlands) from the Dutch band's debut album. Not very original, but fun as hell. [ the band's site ]
• MICHAEL KIWANUKA - Home Again - Stunningly strong debut from a British soul singer with a rootsy 70's soul and folk hybrid [ Michael's site ]
• MARK LANEGAN - Blues Funeral - Moody, dark, and sinister - just what I wanted from the former Screaming Trees frontman [ band site ]
• CATE LE BON - Cyrk - Folky pyschedelic pop from a Welsh singer who sounds a bit like Nico era Velvets. The slightly eccentric songs pull various elements (including fuzzy guitars, odd arrangments, and krautrock delivery) into a charming and very original album. [ Cate's site ]
• LE SERA - Sees the Light - The 2nd album from Vivian Girls bassist Katy Goodman is a rush of charming indie pop melodies pushed to the next level by her captivating honey sweet vocals. [ Katy's site ]
• the MAGNETIC FIELDS - Love at the Bottom of the Sea - Stephin Merritt returns to synths and more direct songs (well, as much as Stephin Merritt can be direct). It's quirky, catchy, often funny, and always interesting - which is exactly what I want from Magnetic Fields. [ band site ]
• MAXIMO PARK - National Health - Newcastle's Maximo Park came out of the box strong with their debut album of bouncy angular pop, but lost their way quickly and I had written them off as a one album fluke. But here they've got a strong batch of high energy songs and revitalized delivery, making for quite an enjoyable album. [ band site ]
• JD McPHERSON - Signs & Signifiers - The Oklahoma native masters vintage rock and roll and R&B swing on his debut album. Although the sound is authentic in recreating a byegone era, the songs and performances are sincere enough to avoid feeling kitchy or forced. [ JD's site ]
• MIND SPIDERS - Meltdown - For their second album, Mark Ryan (perviously of the supercharged Texas garage band Marked Men) and the expanded Mind Spiders deliver a hyper garagey batch of powerpop/punk songs in the same vein as Jay Reatard. [ Band's FaceBook page ]
• MOONS - Fables of History - 60's rooted Britpop from Paul Weller's keyboardist Andy Crofts. The album is solid and catchy, but not quite as memorable as the debut.
• BOB MOULD - Silver Age - New music from Bob Mould had become less essenential to me over the past decade, but Bob is back and he's absolutely recharged. This album is ferocious and loaded with huge hooks in line with Copper Blue.
• DAVID MYHR - Soundshine - Bright, shimmering power pop from the former frontman for Sweden's Merrymakers [ David's site ]
• NADA SURF - the Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy - 7th album from the incredibly reliable New York pop band [ band site ]
• A.C. NEWMAN - Shut Down the Streets - Not as immediate as his other records (solo or with new Pornographers), here Newman is in a more traditional singer/songwriter role with a more subtle, but highly rewarding, group of songs.
• GRAHAM PARKER & the RUMOUR - Three Chords Good - Graham reunites with the Rumour for their first album together in 31 years. [ Graham's site ]
• CHUCK PROPHET - Temple Beautiful - 12th solo album from the San Francisco singer/songwriter (and former Green on Red frontman) reminds me of an Americana Ray Davies meets Alejandro Escovedo [ Chuck's site ]
• REDD KROSS - Researching the Blues - Classic Neurotica Redd Kross lineup returns after 15 years away and picks up right where they left off. This is the comeback record any Redd Kross could hope for - energetic glammy power-pop songs with crazy catchy melodies, big harmonies, and a grand sense of fun. [ band site ]
• LEE RENALDO - Between The Times & The Tides - The first post breakup album from the Sonic Youth solo guitarist is surprisingly melodic [ Lee's site at SonicYouth.com ]
• SAINT ETIENNE - Words and Music by Saint Etienne - The band's first album in 7 years is a Europop love letter to the enthusiasm of being a music fan [ band site ]
• the SHINS - Port of Morrow - James Mercer refines his pop formula and widens the pop references just a smidge. This might be his strongest and most distinctive batch of songs yet. [ band site ]
• SHOES - Ignition - The power pop legends return with their first album in 18 years - loaded with the hooks and harmonies you'd expect. This is a great album not because it's great that they're still doing it, it's a great album because the songs are top notch, the playing and production are fresh, and the band has an urgency they havven't had since the early 80's. [ band site ]
• SUMMER GIRLFRIENDS - Shockwaves - Toe-tapping melodies and Summer pop fun from Chicago. They play the same style of punked up 60's rooted pop as the first Ramones albums that also reminds me of an American version of Fuzzbox. [ band's FaceBook page ]
• LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III - Older Than My Old Man Now - As with most of his best records, Loudon sings about mortality, family, memories, and his place in the world with equal parts humor and deeply personal reflection. [ Loudon's site ]
• PAUL WELLER - Sonik Kicks - An eclectic and uneven album from the Modfather, but amongst the genre-hopping experiments are some fabulous songs. As you'd expect, he's brought some classic R&B pop, and rock rooted songs, but he also dabbles in dub, electronica, and even Krautrock. The songwriting is strong, but I wish he was a bit more focused and made a more consistent record rather than one that sounds like a Damon Albarn b-sides collection. [ Paul's site ]
• the WELL WISHERS – Dreaming of the West Coast - Classic power pop from the Bay area that works the same territory as Velvet Crush, Material Issue, and the Posies. [ BandCamp page ]
• DWIGHT YOAKAM - 3 Pears - Dwight has never been one to stick with a formula, but on his first new album of original material in 7 years he tones down his Bakersfield side and stretches out even more than normal. He covers Merseybeat pop, 60's AM radio soul, soft ballads, bar-room rockers, and honky-tonk effortlessly and ends up with a diverse collection of songs that flows perfectly. For me it's his best album since 1993's This Time. [ Dwight's site ]

A few possible last minute additions are MADNESS, GRAHAM PARKER & the RUMOUR, CALEXICO, and KEN STRINGFELLOW, which I've only given a few listens to but like what I've heard.

There will be a lot of shuffling of rankings over the next month, but I'm pretty sure the top of the list will include Nada Surf, Cloud Nothings, Bob Mould, Shoes, Mark Lanegan, Redd Kross, and Michael Kinanuka.

Now it's time to figure out what I forgot. At this stage, there's always a big album or two I somehow left off the list. That's the kind of stuff I lose sleep over.

Restocking the fridge: new beer arrivals

Not that the fridge was running low, but the Mrs and I were itching for some new beer so we made our first trip to 20 West Wine & Spirits in Lombard and added 4 new beers to our repertoire.

Really glad to get some Mole Stout from Ska Brewing for the house - had some on tap last week and absolutely loved it. Grabbed two from Brooklyn's Six Point, Bengali Tiger IPA and Autumnation Punpkin Ale. I guess Sixpoint was hit hard by Sandy and flooded, which is a drag. And from Chicago's Revolution we grabbed some Eugene Porter.

And now a few more doodles...

Here are a few recent doodles from the sketchbook....

MP3 Shuffle-a-gogo - now with Retsyn!

Simple rules: Set your MP3 delivery device of choice on shuffle, write down the first 10 songs. No skipping. Let's shuffle!

1. TALK TALK - Living in Another World (the Colour of Spring 1986) A luxuriously rich song from the third Talk Talk album (the one with the hit "Life's What You Make It"). I'm a big fan of Mark Hollis' voice, which sounds extra fab on this captivating mini epic of a song.
2. HUSKER DU - Something I Learned Today (Zen Arcade 1984) The lead off cut to the band's second studio album. Remember when Bob used to scream with wild abandon? I loved that.
3. DAVE ALVIN and the GUILTY WOMEN - Boss of the Blues (Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women 2009) A jazzy walking blues tune about Big Joe Turner with some nifty guitar from the former Blaster. I wasn't blown away by this album when it came out, but I love every song off it when they come up on a shuffle.
4. MANASSAS - Down the Road (Down the Road 1973) Off the second album from Stephen Stills short lived twangy side band. The record is erratic, but this song is pretty likeable even though it sounds sort of like it could have come off of a Dr Hook album.
5. the SUBURBS - Black Leather Stick (Ladies and Gentlemen, the Suburbs Have Left the Building compilation) Quirky Minneapolis new wave - this one was originally on the band's 1980 debut. I sometimes forget how weird their early stuff really was.
6. X - White Girl (Wild Gift 1981) I had a song off of this album on last week's shuffle, which is OK with me. You can never have too much X.
7. the dBs - Nothing Is Wrong (Ride the Wild Tom Tom 1993) My shuffle seems to love this and the other non essential dB's album (Paris Avenue). There are 5 stellar dB's releases, but my shuffle loves those 2 weird collections.
8. BIG BLACK - the Model (Songs About Fucking 1987) Big Black absolutely kill on this cover of the Kraftwerk song. And the cover of the 7" single is one of my favorite album parodies ever.
9. XTC - The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul (Skylarking 1986) The CD player just turned 30 years old last week and there was some talk around the web about "what was your first CD?". Mine was Skylarking, which I bought almost a year before I got my first CD player just so XTC could be my first CD purchase. As a bonus, I think a Mummer import ended up being the first used CD I ever bought.
10. MANASSAS - Rollin' My Stone (Down the Road 1973) This isn't bad, but it's sort of generic. Two Manassas songs on one shuffle? 

MP3 Shuffle-a-gogo

And now it's time for another round of Shuffle-a-gogo. You know the drill: set your MP3 delivery device of choice on shuffle, hit play, write down the first ten songs. No skipping. This week I'm working off of my Creative Zen, which means 6,851 songs to pull from. Let's shuffle...

1. ANY TROUBLE - Growing Up (Girls Are Always Right: the Stiff Years) A bouncy new wave Springsteen cover from the band's debut album. 
2. CHINA CRISIS - Christian (Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain 1982) This song from the band's debut sounds like a light synth pop take on Roxy Music's Avalon.
3. SAD LOVERS & GIANTS - Man of Straw (Feeding the Flame 1980) SL&G play moody post-punk that mines much of the same ground as Joy Division. But they did it better and more convincingly than most of the other bands that tried to pick up where Joy Division left off.
4. the POSIES - 20 Questions (Frosting on the Beater 1993) For album #3 the Posies recruited Don Fleming of Velvet Monkeys and Gumball to produce, which resulted in surprisingly heavier album than the first two. Now it seems perfectly in line with what the Posies were doing at the time, but I recall at the time it being a pretty jarring listen the first time I heard it.
5. JETS TO BRAZIL - One Summer Last Fall (Four Cornered Night 2000) This was my #9 album in 2000. but twelve years later it's easily the album I play the most form that year. For the second JtB album Blake Schwarzenbach abandoned most of his punk angst in favor of a more optimistic album with the keyboards up front and the guitars more restrained. 
6. X - When Our Love Passed Out on the Couch (Wild Gift 1981) Thirty plus years later Wild Gift still sounds fresh and exciting. Actually, I'd say that about the first four X albums. Billy Zoom's guitar is stellar as always here, but the Doe/Bonebreak rhythm section absolutely kicks and this is one of my favorite John Doe/Exene harmonies.
7. XTC - Ten Feet Tall (Drums and Wires 1979) A fine Colin Moulding song from the band's third album. For me this song is the bridge where Colin went from trying to write in Andy Partridge's style to writing uniquely Colin Moulding songs.
8. ENGLISH BEAT - Night and Day - 1983 Kid Jensen session (English Beat BBC Sessions) A throwaway take on the Cole Porter song with a goofy lounge singer style vocal.
9. the EQUALS - the Skies Above (Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys Anthology) I take every opportunity I can to convert more people over to the wonderfulness of Eddy Grant's first band, the Equals. They're one of my favorite bands of the 60's - playing a nice mix of British Beat, maximum R&B, and pop (and on occasion dipping their toe in the bubblegum pool). If you don't have one already - pick up an Equals comp.
10. LEE SCRATCH PERRY and the UPSETTERS - Drum Rock (Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle 1973) One of the first dub albums - hypnotic and weird, which is par for the coarse for Perry.

Well, I quite like this shuffle. I think all 10 songs put a smile on my face when they came up and made me want to break out the whole albums, which doesn't happen often with shuffles.