I’ll check it out, but essentially I agree with ZebraShaSha. It’s like they made this incredible record, and then decided not to do any of the things that made it great on the next one.
Wow–I’m glad somebody else feels this way. I could count the Rilo Kiley songs I like on one hand, but both of her solo albums are brilliant.
I’ll do a more formal list for my radio show’s Year End Spectacular in a few weeks, but I expect these will be on it (in no order):
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!
Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Drive-By Truckers Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
The Knux - Remind Me In 3 Days…
Hercules and Love Affair (s/t)
She and Him - Vol. 1
Most disappointing:
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges. They played one of the best live sets I saw all year at Bonnaroo, but it’s just not a very good album.
Not sure about “overrated”. I’m confused by my inability to get into Fleet Foxes; on paper, it’s like they were custom-built for me. I think I just wasn’t in the mood.
Proof that I Am A Huge Geek:
Every year, I make mix CDs for my friends of “The Best Of” whatever year it happens to be. This year, I decided to do one a month (which I’ve actually done - got 11 discs so far). Both of those songs made the cut (as did songs by almost everybody mentioned in this thread, including some of the overrated ones) (even the ones I myself chose as overrated).
Sorry for the slight hijack, but can anyone comment on whether The Republic Tigers’ LP was solidly good, or more a one-hit wonder [their breakout single being “Buildings & Mountains”]?
I have a question as well: Lil Wayne fans, could you give me your recommendations for 1 song I should absolutely download from his album? I had reservations about buying it initially because I heard he used that shitty auto-tune on every song, just like the new Kanye West album. I can barely stand that effect when Bob Mould’s using it, and I’m a fan of his from way the hell back.
One song from the new album? Either “Dr Carter” or “Amillie”. I would say for sure “Amillie”, but he uses a bit of auto-tune on it, so you may or may not enjoy it. I should say, however, that even though I was pissed enough about his use of auto-tune to start a Pit thread on it a couple weeks back, I still think “Amillie” is one of the best songs he’s ever done.
Its three minutes of punchlines; one after another after another.
Excellent! Thanks. I’ll check it out. I can stand a bit of auto-tune, but a whole album of it is too much.
Seconded. Hated Kanye’s new one.
Just so there’s no confusion, people aren’t talking about Wayne’s The Carter 3 when they’re talking about autotune - Carter was released back in June. The new mixtape,Dedication 3, was released two weeks ago and is the one with autotune on every track. Wayne has released like four records this year already, so don’t mix them up. 
That aside, if you want to check out highlights from the one that we’re all nominating for album of the year, check out “Mr. Carter” or “Mrs. Officer,” in my opinion.
So for those who have listened to Kanye’s new album, is the first single a good indication of how the rest of it sounds? Because I can’t stand it, and that’s kept me from picking up the album.
Yup. Every single song.
Kanye West hates people who hate auto-tune.
Skip it. Send a message.
Jesus christ, not even 30 yet and I must be hopelessly out of touch. I’ve heard 0 albums in this thread and only heard of 2 of them - one because it’s been all over the news.
The Rational Academy - A Heart Against Your Own
Jacaszyk - Treny
Economics - Economics
Children of the Wave - Carapace
Hurra Caine Landcrash - Unanswered Questions
Team LG - The Way We Do It
Psapp - The Camel’s Back
Gregory and the Hawk - Moenie and Kitchi
Firekites - The Bowery
Rialto Decibel Choir - The Parade
I don’t really know what’s overrated/disappointing etc, but I know that despite expectations the Magnetic Fields, Qua and Squarepusher releases didn’t get played often at my house.
I suspect most of them are eclectic emo/indie bands that are only familiar to the kinds of kids who get beat up by kids who listen to Korn (or whatever kids who beat up other kids listen to these days).
I’m right in the middle of you two. I thought it was good but not quite as good as their first album. Vertigo is an excellent song.
Good lists so far gang. The only shock for me here is the startling lack of love for MGMT. I don’t have all my notes here, but off the top of my head:
- MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
- TV on the Radio - Dear Science
- Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
- Dr. Dog - Fate
- Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
- Indian Jewelry - Free Gold
- Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
- M83 - Saturdays = Youth
- Islands - Arm’s Way
- Mates of State - Re-arranger
Song of the year:
Megapuss - Crop Circle Jerk '94
Biggest Disappointment:
Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On. Love these guys, loved Death by Sexy. This one just didn’t do it for me.
Overrated:
Death Cab for Cutie is the heavyweight champ of this category.
Honorable Mention:
Apollo Sunshine - Shall Noise Upon
Evangelicals - The Evening Descends
Or maybe it’s just really good music that only a small percentage of the population has the time and desire to listen to and review.
Stick to your Nickleback, you small minded fuck, and quit thread-shitting.
:eek: Whoa! Sounds like me defending the Voodoo Glow Skulls in 1995.
(except I wasn’t wearing eye makeup :p)
I was mostly staying out of this thread because I have been out of the scene for 6 months or so but:
It isn’t even that small a portion of the population. In LA Indy 103.1 is one of the more popular radio stations, and MGMT, TV on the Radio, and Vampire Weekend shows are sold out by the time I hear about them.
Hell Pitchforkmedia.net is about as mainstream as Rolling Stone these days.
Anyway, thanks for the lists and the thread. I plan on gifting some of this music to myself for Christmas.
Both you and msmith came in to this thread awhile back to post that you had not heard of any of these bands, except the ones that got shit on, I’m assuming, like G&R and AC/DC. No one jumped to the bait to tell you that posting “I’ve never heard of these” isn’t helpful or even on topic, so mssmith, and then you, decided to get a little more blatant.
Why? What fucking purpose does it serve? Post your own top 10 albums fer christ’s sake. How is it ok to come into a thread, say “I have no idea what you guys are talking about, so I assume it’s for pussies.” It’s a piece of shit move, and no one here asked for it or deserved it.
What the hell is your problem? You need to get a grip, pal. “I must be hopelessly out of touch” = “I assume it’s for pussies”?