Yes.

i think i'll do a similar thread as well.

this is a really great idea Drinky. looking forward to seeing what else you've been listening to this year.

Antony- I really liked the first record, but this one just didn't as much do it for me. Seems like a lot of people feel that way. That being said, from what I understand Nico Muhly actually redid a lot of the arrangements for Antony's orchestra dates earlier this year, and I would be very interested in hearing those, as that guy's string work is spectacular (see Oldham's The Letting Go for reference).

Themselves-It's unfortunate how burnt out I am on Anticon. That being said, if I wasn't I think this would still be a horrible album. Couldn't agree with your review more on this one Drink.

Again, I really like these threads.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (CD purchased 1/30/09, vinyl purchased 2/17/09)

Well this is totally throwing me off. I was all ready to write about how I'm not really happy with AC's current direction, how I got stuck buying the vinyl because Amazon wouldn't let me cancel my order after it didn't ship for nearly a month, and a bunch of other bullshit. But right now I'm loving this. Maybe it's because I'm tired, because I've been working too much, because I need something to make me feel better, to ease stress, to get me through another hour of unpaid overtime. This does the trick.

It's great. This is a great, creative band, and maybe this really is their best album. I don't know. I do know that this is what pop should sound like in 2009. For all the Beach Boys comparisons that get thrown at them now, this is absolutely not a throwback. There are too many other things in the mix. This is distinctive. It's original. It's current. It matters.

But none of that really matters. All that really matters is that this is great music. Music's that's uplifting, that can actually make you feel better. That can make you wistful, excited, transfixed. Whatever. Turn it up.

My favorite song on it is still probably "Bluish":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs7ZP4zKLm0

(Edit) Rating: 9.5/10

One of the most exciting bands and albums in 2009. I honestly wasn't expecting this to be as great as it is, and was floored after hearing it the first time. It's an album that I can throw on at any time and it instantly puts me in a good mood.

Definite Top 5.

it may possibly be in my top 20.

MPP has definitely grown on me. My only issue with it, at this point, is that it's too long. By the time "Summertime Clothes" comes and goes, I'm exhausted, and I believe that's only track four.

On the other hand, anytime I hear a track off of MPP on a mix, it always seems to stand out.

its only 55 minutes.

It feels a lot longer.

"only" and "55 minutes" should never be in the same sentence regarding the length of an album.

55 minutes is kind of long, but this album doesn't feel too long to me. Maybe one track could have been left off, but I don't know which one.

Apparently Opa wanted an ep.

Drinky + music blurbs = an idea I support!

Keep it coming man.

I love MPP. I have yet to be able to put my finger on what it is about it, but there's something there. Still not my favorite of theirs, but still a great album from a great band.

Nice review of it Drink.

i mean, compared to a band like Tool, 55 minutes is nothing.

So I pulled MPP out because of this thread, and I have to admit, damn, it's good. I still think, however, it's a little too long. Most of the 11 songs (8 of them I believe) are over 5 minutes long.

Bump. Oh Drinky...

Yeah, it'll be a couple of days. I didn't forget.

Compared to a band like Tool, I enjoy 55 minutes of my dentist drilling into my skull.

OK, I've gotta speed this up or it'll never get done. Skipping ahead a little:


Japandroids - Post-Nothing (emusic download - 6/3/09)

I guess few albums are going to feel the same on the drive home from work after a long day and on the way back to work the following morning. This album is definitely suited more to the former. That, and I think it really falls off in the second half. It just so happens that I managed to split it right down the middle on this last listen, making it just to the beginning of "Heart Sweats" as I pulled into the driveway last night. And I hated to leave it at that. Up through that track, I really feel like this album doesn't miss. It maintains a great momentum and totally nails what it seems to be going for - simple, reckless abandon. Regardless of how dumb the lyrics are (which seems so deliberate and obvious as to make ridicule seem a little pointless), I found myself wanting to yell along with them. I love the off-key vocals, the sloppy-yet-still-sharp guitar, and the driving, simple drums. Who cares if the drummer doesn't have an arsenal of fills?

This morning I was a little bummed-out with the second half. "Crazy/Forever" in particular has gotten to be pretty annoying, and the closing track is pretty dull. It especially paled in comparison to what I put on next, Women's s/t album from last year. Really drove home the fact that Japandroids don't have much in the way of their own ideas, but they do manage to have tapped into a pretty solid formula that works most of the time.

So this band album was never anything to write home about, but they have a handful of really fun songs. This is a decent, but not great, album, and I'm sure I'll be pulling it out from time to time when I'm in the mood for it.

(Edit) Rating: 6.5/10

Most of your thoughts about Animal Collective - MPP mirror mine. However, I don't think it's the best thing they've done, but I do agree that it's current and original, and that's a quality I definitely appreciate, especially with all of the young hipsters ripping off music of the near past. The description of a record that can lift your spirits is totally true and sometimes that's all I need out of music.

Should have done this yesterday when I listened to it, but I was too busy:


Thee Oh Sees - HELP (emusic download 6/6/09)

This is just a good, straightforward, kinda retro-sounding garage rock record. Usually not the kind of thing I go for, but I really, really dig this. I'm pretty sure "Ruby Go Home", one of my favorite tracks off of the record, is a direct rip-off of something, maybe several things. It really doesn't matter. Great, fun record from start to finish.

Couple tracks:

"Rainbow"

Live version of "Ruby Go Home"

(Edit) Rating: 8.5/10

2 for 1 here. Two solid EPs from two of my favorite bands right now, released at around the same time.


Abe Vigoda - Reviver EP (emusic download 2/23/09)


Times New Viking - Stay Awake EP (Matador direct download 2/23/09)

These bands are pretty different from each other, but both of these are of similar quality and could each make for a good introduction to either band.

The Abe Vigoda EP shows them relaxing a little bit from the considerably more tense and more uniform-sounding Skeleton. They managed to develop a pretty unique sound on that album, but it's nice to know that they haven't painted themselves into a corner. Considering how far they've come since the rough and ragged Kid City from a couple of years ago, I'm pretty excited about what these guys will do next. Their only problem is that name.

(Edit) Rating: 8/10


Times New Viking continues to make ear-splitting but incredibly satisfying indie pop on this EP. It's not any kind of departure or development as far as I can tell, but who needs that? These guys have it down. Great, catchy songs played through a blistering wall of distortion. If it ain't broke, etc. They never fail to bring the hooks and the energy. I can't wait for their new album coming out in a couple of weeks. (Criminally under-appreciated band, by the way. Guess most people are turned away by the oppressively lo-fi aesthetic.)

(Edit) Rating: 8/10


Abe Vigoda - "Wild Heart" (Stevie Nicks cover, unnofficial video)

Times New Viking - "Sick & Tyred"

HELP is good. It's a fun listen. So is the Abe Vigoda EP. I'm truly anticipating their next album. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Times New Viking is a band, in theory, that I should really like, but I just can't seem to get past 2 or 3 songs before I lose interest.

Really liking that Times New Viking EP. I don't think I paid their album last year enough attention for some reason, very cool sound those guys have.