Tag: ben folds

listen up!, music musings, music suggestion

before the best… there’s the rest

by  •  • 5 Comments

There were some massive albums this year. There were some massive singles as well. Unfortunately, not every album was as massive as a particular song might have been, and as such, it fell off of my list; but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve recognition for being great. Also, there were some fantastic albums that were released this year that didn’t meet the criteria for my year end list (EP, re-release, live album, best of collection), so, instead of just ignoring them, I thought I would compile a little “best of the rest list” before getting into the meat of my favorite 31 records of 2008. How does that sound?

Alright, here we go:
The Cardigans – Best Of: As much as I love the Cardigans (they are definitely amongst my favorite groups of all time), putting a Best Of collection amongst the other contenders kind of isn’t fair for the rest of the studio albums on the top 31 list; even if the record (a double record in this case) is amazing. That being said, it’s a great collection with a ton of songs that I hadn’t heard before, mostly because they were B sides or on soundtracks. If you love the Cardigans, it is a MUST have. It is a solid five star album.

Sara Bareilles – Between the Lines: Live at the Fillmore: What should I say that hasn’t been said before? Sara Bareilles is one of the most talented musicians out there right now, and she kills it on this live album. If you have seen her live, you know what I am talking about, and should already own this… if you haven’t seen her, get this, because the audio is amazing.

Robyn – Robyn: If this album would have been released this year, for the first time, it would have probably been number one (if not amongst the top spots) on this list. However, this CD was originally released in 2005, and there isn’t enough new here to make it a contender. That being said, IF this album had of been released this year, it would have fit perfectly; which is a testament as to how forward and amazing this record is… it can stand the test of 3 years, and do so effortlessly. I can’t wait for the next record from Robyn.

Antony and the Johnsons – Another World EP: I love Antony and the Johnsons, and if this EP is any indication as to what we have in store from his next full length release in January, well, you will see this name again next year around this time. The first song on this EP is breathtakingly amazing.

Kaiser Chiefs – Off With Their Heads: Here’s a great record that didn’t connect with me as much as their previous release, but it’s definitely a good record, and I am glad that it’s in my collection.

She & Him – Volume One: It was Paste Magazine’s number one, and while I do really love this record, it didn’t resonate with me on that level. Zooey Deschanel’s voice is amazing; I can’t wait for volume two.

M83 – Saturdays=Youth: And here’s our first casualty ladies and gents… if there were 32 spots, it would be on the list. Fantastic record throughout, it just waivers at the end with the ultra long track, and that is really all that hurts it.

Dave Barnes – Me + You + The World: Here’s another album that should have made the list, but didn’t because there are only so many days in December. It’s a great record in the same vein as Jason Mraz with a little bit more Marc Broussard. There are some eloquent and beautiful songs on this album that captivate me every time I hear them.

Jesse McCartney – Departure: A solid pop album, with some definite movers and dance floor shakers on there. There are a ton of singles on this record, so I don’t know why he has only released two. Either way, he’s maturing nicely.

Ben Folds – Way to Normal: Another solid, and hilarious, album from the great Ben Folds. Just missed the cut, seriously.

Matt Alber – Hide Nothing:This one is kind of a conflict for me, because there are some AMAZING songs on it, but there are more than a couple filler tracks that really drug it down. I am definitely happy to have this in my music collection though, because when Matt’s good, he’s GREAT, seriously, seriously GREAT.

My Favorite Highway – How To Call A Bluff: There are some stunning songs on this album, and they remind me a lot of last year’s top ten group Melee, but they just missed the mark for this year’s list. Note that you cannot by the physical CD on amazon, so the link is for the MP3 CD. If you must only get one song, you have to get Bigger Than Love. That song is amazing.

Aqualung – Words & Music: Lastly, I HAVE to mention Aqualung, not only because he made my top ten last year, but because he released possibly one of the most amazingly beautiful songs on this record, called Arrivals. It is the last track of a record that feels sort of hurried, but there is nothing about this song that isn’t beautiful, sweet, and oh-so elegantly constructed. This is a MUST have just because of that one song, I tell you; I only wish the rest of the album would have been as amazing.

Alright, I PROMISE that the next blog post will be your number 31 CD… stay tuned… it’s coming soon!

five song friday, listen up!, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: october 24

by  •  • 2 Comments

Today really is a rainy, kind of poopy day out, but no worries, that won’t stop the music. As for this week’s selection, I have been really getting into each of these songs, and there are definitely a few that come from amazing albums by amazing artists. I hope you enjoy these tracks as much as I do.

Rachael Yamagata – What If I Leave
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1024_rachaelyamagata-whatifileave.mp3]
Wow. Pure. Raw. Emotion. You can literally feel it in each downbeat, and in each whisper from Rachael that she is contemplating something so intimate and difficult, that she almost doesn’t have the strength to utter it. Then, the simplicity of repeating, “what if I leave?”, is so palpable, that in hearing this song, you can truly tell that she has been through some shit in a relationship with someone who clearly didn’t understand the ramifications of their actions. Wow. This is such a powerfully contemplative break up song, that I was blown away by it. I absolutely love it for it’s simplicity, which actually makes it so elegant and sophisticated. If you liked this track as much as I do, I highly suggest you pick up Rachael’s most recent release, Elephants… Teeth Sinking In, because it is chock full of bittersweet gems like this one.

Wild Sweet Orange – Either/Or
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1024_wildsweetorange-eitheror.mp3]
This song initially didn’t sway me, because I was skeptical (as you know I can be) for no real reason at all. However, there was something about it that I liked… the guitars, the way the used the starting and stopping of the riffs and the beats, the tenderness of the lead singer’s voice… something kept me coming back to this song. Whatever it was (perhaps the amalgamation of all of those things), I have been listening to this track over and over, and I can say now, without a shadow of a doubt, that I freaking love this song. It is so catchy, and so well crafted, that just begs to be played. I love the toe-tapping beat, and especially enjoy the lead singer’s voice. It is just a great song. After a few listens to the rest of the Wild Sweet Orange record, I definitely think that I have stumbled onto something here, and I am very glad that I kept going back to this track and gave it the shot it definitely deserved. Let this song grow on you if you don’t love it instantly… trust me. It is excellent!

MuteMath – Typical
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1024_mutemath-typical.mp3]
This is one of those songs that I have heard many, many times, and even though I really liked it, I wasn’t motivated enough to download it (what can I say, I’m lazy). Maybe it was because the song is kind of “old” (out in ’06), or maybe it was because it is played a LOT on XM, but whatever the reason, I didn’t pick this one up until the other day (after I heard it again on XM). Well, I have to say, that I am glad that I did, because after listening to it on my ipod, I really realized that this song is MAJOR. This song harnesses some great rock power and great guitar riffs, and it sounds like a blending of the best of Filter with the raw power of Fuel. Now I can see why XM loves this track so much… it’s freaking great. Oh, and after listening to it once, you WILL be singing along. It is infectious… don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Ben Folds – You Don’t Know Me
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1024_benfolds-youdontknowme.mp3]
Oh Ben Folds. How I love thee!!! I have loved Ben Folds for MANY years (since back when he was with the Ben Folds Five), and my love only grew after his first solo release, Rockin’ The Suburbs, which is a fantastical album. Well, he just released his newest solo effort, Way To Normal, and even though I wasn’t initially blown away, I have definitely enjoyed this record more and more with each passing listen. There are so many fun things about Ben Folds, and his quirky stories and silly lyrics really make him a joy to listen to. I absolutely LOVE the teaming with Regina Spektor on this track, which is a fun, and almost sugary piano-pop track that just can’t be listened to without a smile on your face. There aren’t many artists out there like Ben Folds who are willing to take a stab at music, and make it less serious, and ultimately more fun… he is a welcome addition to my music collection, and has been for quite a while. I am glad that he is still bringing the goods, and making fun music that I definitely enjoy.

Shiny Toy Guns – Ricochet!
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1024_shinytoyguns-ricochet.mp3]
I was torn about featuring this track, because of the response a fellow Jiingo writer had to this song. He felt that this was a major departure from the synth-rock style of previous Shiny Toy Guns recordings, and at first, I really agreed… and I was really beginning to worry that a band that released such an AMAZING debut record was completely abandoning their sound for something kind of, well, off-putting. Well, I downloaded the song, because I wanted to really give it a chance, and I have to say, that I have really changed my mind about it. Yes, it is hard, yes it is a bit different, but I can still hear the Shiny Toy Guns that I love in there. I was lucky enough to see these guys (and girl) in concert last year, and that show was fucking AMAZING. They completely kill it live, and they met and exceeded every one of my expectations. In this track, they have really brought some of that raw power of their live shows, and infused it with something fresh that will no doubt attract new fans; even if it turns off a few previous ones. Yes, the new female lead is a bit different, but I think that she really melds well with the other lead singer; much like the previous female lead did, and much of their trademark that was found in that melding is still there (even if it is harder, and more powerful this time around — I really feel like they are moving more in the direction of Le Disko; which was definitely a hard track). I can say that after a few spins, I have definitely changed my mind about this song, and I actually think it is a great track… it also has me REALLY looking forward to their next record; which is only a few weeks away from being released. I guess the proof will be in the pudding, but I for one, can’t wait for a taste. I am SOOOO glad that I gave this another, well deserved, chance.

Well kids, I hope that you are staying dry today, and I hope that you enjoyed this week’s five song Friday. As always, let me know what songs are blowing up your appropriated music device, and I look forward to discovering more music and bringing it to you in the future. Have a great weekend!