THIS JUST IN... 2007's Top 20 Albums

1. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

From the opening sounds of “Black Mirror,” you can tell this is going to be a huge album. Now believe me when I say, I understand that there is a lot of hype around this band and nobody wanted to dismiss this album to the sophomore slump pile more than I did, but I’m sorry, this album is amazing. The sound is big and beautiful and it leaves you wanting more from this band. If you have never had the opportunity, please make sure the next time they visit your town, you go and see them. This was my favorite album of the year as well as concert of the year at the Chicago Theatre.

Suggested Tracks: The whole fucking album! But if you have to listen to single tracks try these: Black Mirror, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go & Neon Bible

2. Radiohead – In Rainbows

The album the world was waiting to buy, or not to buy. That was the option the band gave their fans when the album was released. You got to pick the price you pay and I will tell you this, regardless if you got it for free or paid $1,000, you got your money’s worth. Their best album since OK Computer! From the opening track to the last song, this album plays off of the entire bands talents. You have your rock songs, your art songs, and your mellow chill ones. A very good piece of work that deserves all of the hype it received.

Suggested Tracks: Bodysnatchers, Nude, Faust Arp, Jigsaw Falling Into Place & Videotape

3. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup

Despite barely being able to buy a beer, Zach Condon can really arrange the fuck out of some vocals, horns and strings. The follow up to the acclaimed Gulag Orkestar, the Flying Club Cup is a great mix of melodies, harmonies and intrigue. Even if you do not like the Balkan sounds of this band, do your ears a favor and give it a listen. It is too interesting not to enjoy.

Suggested Tracks: Nantes, The Penalty, Cliquot & Forks and Knives

4. Interpol – Our Love to Admire

This is one of those bands that you look at and you just want to hate. One of those cocky New York poser bands that should really just suck, but you know what? THEY ROCK!!! Immediately after hitting play on your iPod, CD player, Turntable or whatever you use to listen to music these days, you find out that this album is a fantastic piece of work. Our Love to Admire is the third studio album released by Interpol and they just keep getting better.

Suggested Tracks: Pioneer to the Falls, No I in Threesome, The Heinrich Maneuver & Mammoth

5. The National – Boxer

Recommended by a friend, this album has quickly turned into one of my favorites. This is a very dark piece of work, but dark in the way a band like Joy Division can be, dark yet beautiful. Solid percussion work that stands out on its own accompanied by picturesque lyrics and delicate melodies makes this a must own for 2007.

Suggested Tracks: Fake Empire, Mistaken for Strangers, Squalor Victoria & Apartment Story

6. Apples in Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder

Two words to describe the new album: BILL DOSS. That’s right kids, the Bill Doss is a member of the Apples in Stereo. One of my favorite musicians from the Olivia Tremor Control is now playing keys, tambourine and providing sweet harmonies for the Apples. The new album is a quality piece of work ranging from their straight up beach boys pop sounds to their psychedelic beach boys sounds. Basically, Robert Schneider still has a hard on for Brian Wilson, but can you blame him? Not Elijah Wood, that‘s for sure. Yes, that Elijah Wood, the kid who played Frodo and North is a big fan of this band and made them the first group to sign on his new record label.

Suggested Tracks: Can You Feel It?, Energy, 7 Stars & Sun is Out

7. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Baby 81

The follow up to 2005’s Howl, BRMC loses the gospel rock and goes back to what originally made them special, psychedelic noise rock. From the opening notes on the first track, you realize that this album was going to be different then their last. A solid combination of noise and blues, these three guys from San Francisco show why they are one of the best American bands out right now.

Suggested tracks: Took Out A Loan, Weapon of Choice, Not What You Wanted, Need Some Air & All You Do Is Talk

8. Blonde Redhead – 23

Now these guys are just fucking cool! And on top of that, they are great live. Creating another very dark and moody album for the year, Blonde Redhead put together a fantastic group of songs made up of intriguing rhythm sections and soothing vocals. They are just as interesting to listen to as Sonic Youth only not as rocking. Don’t worry, it is still very good.

Suggested Tracks: 23, Dr. Strangeluv, SW & Top Ranking

9. The Good, The Bad & The Queen

This just in… Damon Albarn is a genius. What originally started off as a solo album turned into an unnamed band created by Albarn that includes Simon Tong (the verve), Tony Allen (Afrobeat) and the Clash’s Paul Simonon. Now, how cool is that? The creator of Blur and Gorillaz gets members of the verve, clash and one of the best percussion players in the world to start a band. The music of this band is dark and tells tales about life in London, which I hear is also very dark. The organ and crazy drums give this album sort of a crazed carnival feel. Definitely worth a listen!

Suggested tracks: Hurculean, Northern Whale, Kingdom of Doom, Three Changes & The Good, The Bad & The Queen


10. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

You knew this album was going to be good before it even came out, because if you pre-ordered the album, they were going to send you a koozy with a dead bird on it that said band of horses. Now what kind of a band creates koozys for their fans? Two kinds, ones that rock and ones that suck. Yes, very scientific, but luckily for these guys they are of the rockin’ category. A great album that combines good old fashioned southern folk music with some straight up rock and roll!

Suggested tracks: Is There A Ghost, Ode To LRC, No One’s Gonna Love You & Island On the Coast


11. Broken Social Scene PRESENTS… Kevin Drew – Spirit if…

Some may say this is a solo album for Kevin Drew and for the most part it is, but considering that just about every member of the scene was on this album and the fact that album sounds exactly like a broken social scene album, I will consider this their new album. All of the ingredients are there. You have the slow intros orchestrated by the brass section, great melodies and guitar riffs, beautiful harmonies and amazing percussion. Sounds like another victory for the broken social scene.

Suggested Tracks: Farewell to the Pressure Kids, Lucky Ones, Safety Bricks & Bodhi Sappy Weekend

12. The Shins – Wincing the Night Away

Probably their most commercial album to date, Wincing the Night Away plays well for the traditional fans and opens up a new audience with such singles as Australia and Phantom Limb. Highly recommended and a great listen for anyone who needs a nice pick me up

Suggested Tracks – Sleeping Lessons, Australia, Phantom Limb, Sea Legs & Turn On Me

13. Albert Hammond Jr. – Yours to Keep

I picked up this album because of my allegiance to the strokes and to be honest, I had very low expectations for it, but after just one listen I was very impressed. In all honesty, as a strokes fan it is hard not to like this album. Why? Because it sounds just like the strokes, minus the major commercial rock song and the angry singing. So I guess it can best be described as a strokes album minus the “edge,” but either way a very good album.

Suggested Tracks: In Transit, Call an Ambulance, 101 & Hard to Live in the City

14. Feist – The Reminder

Wanna buy an iPod? Just ask Fiest, she has been selling them with her single “1 2 3 4” all over the world. Despite being overheard and seen every 20 minutes on the TV, this is a very good piece of work. Someone should ask her if she rents or owns those wings, because she has the voice of an angel. She has amazing range that can be used for jazz, pop or rock music and has done that on this album as well as her work with Broken Social Scene.

Suggested Tracks: I Feel It All, My Moon My Man, See Lion Woman, Past In Present & 1 2 3 4

15. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare

OK, I really hate to say this, but I actually like these guys. I mean kids. I think the oldest might be 23, but if you can write good songs, does it really matter how old you are (see Beirut for example)? This album is a nice mix for the band and you can really hear how they are influenced by such bands as the jam, the kinks, oasis, the clash and the smiths.

Suggested Tracks: If You Were There, Beware, Teddy Picker, D is for Dangerous, The Bad Thing & Fluorescent Adolescent

16. Travis – The Boy With No Name

Back in the late 90’s early 00’s, this was one of my favorite bands on the planet. I had seen them about 7 times during those years, but it seemed over time their music became extremely boring and adult contemporary, which is a shame for a band with great talent and whose opening track on their first album was called “all I wanna do is rock.” Despite the rock still not being there (and that’s ok), this album should have been the follow up to “the Man Who,” because it seems to pick up where that album left off. This is a great listen for anyone who at one time was or is a Travis fan.

Suggested Tracks: 3 Times and You Lose, Selfish Jean, Colder, Big Chair & My Eyes

17. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

OK, this is one of those “it” bands that I tend to write off because they are all hype with little to no substance, however after seeing these guys at Lollapalooza this year, I decided to give the album a chance, and I am glad I did. This upbeat groovy New York group makes you want to sing and dance. Albeit in the hipster dork-robot way of dancing, but still dancing nonetheless.

Suggested Tracks: All My Friends, Time To Get Away, North American Scum & Someone Great

18. The Polyphonic Spree – The Fragile Army

After their last album, I thought this band had worn off on me, but after seeing them perform live at Lollapalooza, I remembered why I liked them. Their sound is big and full of energy and because of that, they rarely disappoint me. Because of that, this album exceeded expectations and because of that, it squeezed into my list.

Suggested Tracks: Guaranteed Nightlife, Running Away, Watch Us Explode & The Fragile Army

19. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

The third album from the band that was labeled as “the southern strokes” comes off a bit different than their other albums. Why? Because they are taking that “we’re getting older,” “we’re more mature,” “we don’t need to rock as much” approach with this album. Now don’t get me wrong, the songs that do rock on this album will kick you in the chest with the distortion pedal of god, but then again there are others that will only hit you like a slap bracelet.

Suggested Tracks: Knocked Up, Fans, On Call, Camaro, Arizona & McFearless

20. I’m From Barcelona – Let Me Introduce My Friends

The only reason this album is not higher on my list is because it was on my list last year. Yeah, I could have put another album on here to close out the 20, but this album is still the feel good album of the year. First, the reason it made both lists is because it was released in the states this past March and second, you cannot listen to this album and not clap your hands, stomp your feet of bob your head. It’s just fun! Just sit back, relax and let those crazy Swedes take you away to land filled with great pop music.

Suggested Tracks: Oversleeping, Collection of Stamps, We’re From Barcelona, Treehouse & Barcelona Loves You

Other notables (in no order)
• White Stripes – Icky Thump
• The Thrills – Teenager
• The Sea and Cake – Everybody
• The New Pornographers - Challengers
• Bjork – Volta
• The Hives – The Black and White Album

Disappointments (in no order)
• Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, are you the destroyer?
• Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
• Jarvis – Jarvis
• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Some Loud Thunder
• Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

Lollapalooza Photos

Here's the link to some of the photos that I took during Lollapalooza weekend.

Lollapalooza Photos

enjoy,
JP

Finally, a new post

It has been some time since I put anything on here, so I figured why not start all over by posting about Lollapalooza, the reason I started this blog.

I will write more about the show later, but I thought I would share some pictures for the time being. Enjoy - JP


Viva Voce


LCD Soundsystem w/ Skyline


Daft Punk = French Robots


I'm From Barcelona - I could not fit the whole band in the photo. I counted at least 20 of them on stage.


Clap Your Hands Say Yeah


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Karen O is the coolest

Athens Baby, Athens!

As I do every week or so, I get on a Athens, GA kick. Everything from the B-52's to the Olivia Tremor Control. Here are a few videos to put you in the same mood.

Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse (This is the first single of their new album Hissing Fauna Are You the Destroyer)




Elf Power - All the World is Waiting (from the album Back to the Web)




The Apples in Stereo - Energy (First single from their new album New Magnetic Wonder)




The Masters of the Hemisphere - The New Freemdoom




The B-52's - Rock Lobster (from SNL)




Coming Soon - My reviews of the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah & The Good, The Bad & The Queen albums.

too fucking rad

What's on tap for 2007?

Here is a list of albums that could see the light in 2007. The list consists of some old familiar names to go along with some of the newer more popular names in modern rock. What albums are you looking forward to?

I wouldn’t expect all of these bands to actually come through and provide us with new music in the upcoming year, but if most of this list becomes a reality, it would be another really good year for music lovers.

Arcade Fire
The Shins
Bloc Party
Doves
The Good the Bad and the Queen
Apples in Stereo
B-52’s
BRMC
Blanche
Kings of Leon
The Cure
Feist
Hives
Interpol
My Bloody Valentine (every year, you have to hope)
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Polyphonic Spree
Portishead
Radiohead
The Sea & Cake
Stereophonics
Subways
The Thrills
Travis
Wilco

Also, here is a list of the Onion’s essential 2006 list
http://www.avclub.com/content/node/56969

2006 Top 20 Albums

The wait is over, my list is complete. It has taken a bit of time, but I am pretty happy with the way this turned out.



1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones


These guys sure do know how to rock. I remember when I first got this album; I immediately sent messages to a lot of my friends telling them that I just heard the best album of the year, by far. Several months later, I was right. From the opening drum beat on the album and Karen O’s powerful voice, you knew that the trio from New York was going to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

Key Tracks – Gold Lion, Cheated Hearts, Dudley, Warrior, Turn Into



2. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife


In my opinion, this was the surprise of the year for me. Not because I dislike the Decemberists, but because of how incredible the album is from start to finish. The band has gotten better with each album, but the jump from last album to the Crane Wife goes from good to great. The band also switched from a small label to major label and that is usually the kiss of death for artsy bands, but Colin Meloy and company didn’t let that get in the way from their best work to date. Oh yeah, their live show for this album was by far the best concert I have seen all year.

Key Tracks – The Crane Wife 1 & 2, The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia



3. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped


These guys have been around forever and in my opinion, they are still getting better. I have always been a fan of Sonic Youth, but I have also found myself not being a fan of their albums as a whole. For me, it was always one good track followed by a lot of noise. Don’t get me wrong, I like noise rock, but after a while, that is what it was, just noise. Rather Ripped is an incredible piece of work for these “old” rockers. The album flows with beautiful melodies and strong rhythms throughout. Definitely one of my favorite albums and I don’t just mean for this year.

Key Tracks – Incinerate, Jams Run Free, Reena



4. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth


The critics will bash them with every new album they put out, but I think their songwriting continues to get better with each release. Despite the awful title, the album starts off strong and finishes with a nice kick, just like every other strokes album. However, you do hear Julian Casablancas write one of those ever popular “respect me, I’m an artist” songs, “Ask Me Anything,” which is right dead in the middle of the album. Well, that song sucks, skip it. The rest of the album is the rock you are searching for.

Key Tracks – You Only Live Once, Razorblade, Electricityscape, Fear of Sleep



5. Elf Power – Back to the Web


Is Athens, GA the rock capital of the world? It might be if it continues to produce great bands and albums like this one. From the Elephant 6 collective, Elf Power strips down their normal crazy guitar rock sound and provides the world with a gentler form of the Athens Rock scene. Even with a heavier use of the acoustic guitar and violins, you still know it is an Elf Power record by the great hooks and melodies.

Key Tracks – Come Lie Down With Me (and sing my song), Peel Back the Moon, Beware!, All the World is Waiting




6. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar


The Doors had no bass, the Gypsies had no homes and Beirut had no guitars. Despite the heavy collection of string instruments on this album, there are no guitars, which is not a bad thing. A great Middle Eastern sound with a bit of a Neutral Milk Hotel feel to it and you got the latest hot album from a 19 year old from Albuquerque.

Key tracks – Postcards from Italy, Mount Wroclai (Idle Days), After the Curtain



7. South – Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars


Despite the awful name, this is a really good album. In fact, this is the best New Order album to be released since Republic. I still can’t find Bernard Sumner or Peter Hook in the album notes, but I’m telling you, they are there somewhere.

Key Tracks – Shallow, You are One, A Place in Displacement



8. Built to Spill – You in Reverse


The boys from Boise do it again by creating another solid rock and roll album for the masses. The songs tend to run a bit long and Doug Martsch does let his guitar run a bit wild, but this is still their best work since 97’s “Keep It Like A Secret.”

Key Tracks – Going Against Your Mind, Conventional Wisdom, The Wait




9. I’m From Barcelona – Let me Introduce My Friends


Swedish pop music at it’s best. Well, some of it’s best. This is the kind of album you put on and all of a sudden you are in a good mood. You may not make it through the whole album because too much happiness might turn you into a Panda bear or something like that, but still a nice surprise for the year.

Key Tracks – Oversleeping, Collection of Stamps, We’re from Barcelona



10. M. Ward – Post-War


Recommended by a friend and NPR, this album caught me by surprise considering how pretentious and overrated his other albums were, but this one is a solid piece of work. Great guitar playing and solid melodies over a melancholy album make this one of the year’s best.

Key Tracks – Poison Cup, To Go Home, Chinese Translation



11. Mojave 3 – Puzzles Like You


Neil Halsted and company continue to create great music, however this album is slightly different then their previous works. Normally when you come across a pop album, one of the last bands you would think of would be Mojave 3. After all, this was the reincarnate of the Reading, England shoegazing band Slowdive, not really a beach boys pop band, but this album is filled with great pop tunes. They are getting older, but the music continues to be great!

Key Tracks – Truck Driving Man, Breaking the Ice, To Hold Your Tiny Toes



12. Graham Coxon – Love Travels at Illegal Speeds


OK, this guy is becoming a really good solo artist. The former guitar player for one of my favorite bands of all time, Blur, Graham Coxon released his 6th studio solo album in May and in my opinion, this is his best work to date. Graham, do me a favor, put the solo act down and get back and tour with Blur, trust me, it will be FANTASTICAL!!

Key Tracks – Standing On My Own Again, You and I, Tell It Like It Is



13. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit


In all honesty, I want to kick my own ass for liking these Scots. So cheesy, so lame, so trendy, yet so good. The past couple of albums have gotten away from that whole sad bastard genre of music, and this one is no different. Silly lyrics with incredible hooks. I think Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity would reconsider calling this band’s music sad bastard music if he heard this album. However, I do like that sad bastard stuff.

Key Tracks – Another Sunny Day, We Are the Sleepyheads, Funny Little Frog




14. Beck – The Information


I honestly don’t need to write a lot about this album, because what needs to be said about Beck has already been said. Very original and not afraid to challenge his audience is all I have to say. Yeah, I know he is a Scientologist, but if they could all channel their ways into great music, I might not be so critical of space alien spirits being sent down from space into volcanoes, so when the volcanoes erupt, those spirits are spread across the world into all of us. Isn’t that what they believe?

Key Tracks – Strange Apparition, Nausea, No Complaints




15. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block


If I had heard this album earlier in the year, it would have been much higher on my list. I’m telling you, the Swedes got it! I don’t know what it is, but between these guys and the Barcelona band, they got it. This trio really puts together a full sound for a small group. Their songs range from straight out rock to mellow dance grooves. Think of them as a poppier version of Soundtrack of Our Lives with a hint of Of Montreal, only not as crazy.

Key Tracks – Objects of my affection, Young Folks, Up Against the Wall, Paris 2000




16. Be Your Own Pet – Be Your Own Pet


I will let the band describe themselves with a line from one of their songs, “I’m an independent mother fucker and I’m here to take your money. I’m wicked, rad and I’m here, to steal away your virginity.” Now that is tough and it is coming from a female singer. This band from Nashville is all energy and a lot of fun. Just a pure punk rock album, the way punk rock is supposed to be done.


Key Tracks – Bunk Trunk Skunk, Bicycle Bicycle You Are My Bicycle, Adventure



17. Artic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I Am, That Is What I’m Not


Stupid name for a band and a stupid name for an album, but then again, that is why we listen to the music or never judge a book by its cover. This band swarmed on to the scene with nothing but hype. Being compared to the Clash, well let me tell, the clash they are not. A good modern punk band, yes, they have accomplished that. As a good friend of mine says, “There ain’t no monkeys in the arctic,” he’s right, they are instead from South Yorkshire doing the modern punk movement a good deed by putting this album out.

Key Tracks – A Certain Romance, Dancing Shoes, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor



18. The Flaming Lips – At War With The Mystics


“With all your power, what would you do?” That’s a great question by a band who continues to make quality experimental rock and roll with an inspirational touch. This is the weakest of the last three albums, but it is still a quality piece of work. I know, everybody can say this, but if you get a chance, listen to this album on your walkman, discman or ipod, basically through your headphones, it’s great!

Key Tracks – The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Free Radicals, It Over Takes Me




19. Band of Horses – Everything all of the time


One of the indie rock kids “it” albums of the year. Surprisingly, it is pretty good. Generally when I read about an album on the interweb and in magazines and they all say the same thing “amazing” I tend to go away from it. Well, the hype brought me in and it’s pretty good. Not complete, but it does have its moments.

Key Tracks – The first song, Weed Party, Funeral



20. …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead – So Divided


This is what happens when you put cocaine, guitars, black t-shirts and two drummers in a band in Austin, TX. ROCK and ROLL!!!

Key Tracks – Stand in Silence, Wasted State of Mind, So Divided

WEEKEND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Liberace, Pure Genius - Guest Post by Matt Erwin

When I say the word, "Liberace," what do you picture in your head. Pianos, candelabras, gays? Well, all those things are right while at the same time they are so very very wrong. When I say "Liberace," you should think one word. Genius.

The man from West Ellis, Wisconsin was a rockin', albeit glam rockin', bad ass of the first order. Allow me to prove this and in the process, blow your Liberace-biased little minds. He was a rock star for the simple reason that to this day, you will never find a popular performer that can even touch the amount of excess Liberace wrapped himself in. Michael Jackson has an amusement park and a monkey? Good for him. Elton John spends 200 grand on flowers a year? How quaint. Keith Richards gets his blood changed so he doesn't fall out of more trees? Shakin' in my boots. Liberace had diamond buttons on all his suits. Diamond. Buttons. The plastic things that hold your shirts on, his were made of fucking diamonds. He has a Rolls Royce painted with REAL FUCKING GOLD. He put an underwater piano in his pool. For Christ's sake, he owned the worlds largest rhinestone! I don't even know what that is, but Liberace's was the biggest.

Liberace made a living putting on rock concerts without rock music. He flew in like a gay bat out of hell, played some Chopin, made a wise crack about how the girls loved him, and people creamed their shorts. Watch a video of the man some day. Showmanship must have been his mantra. Liberace could entertain anybody anywhere. He makes Bobby Short look like a crack-addicted rapist. The man had charisma!

In conclusion, give Liberace a chance people. He devoted his life to making people enjoy classical music with a pop twist and also to advancing the cause of the outrageous yet closeted homosexual. The least you can do is help to keep that dream alive.


Flight of the Bumblebee


Stage Flying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMWZuzdfs8

Noel & Gem

Noel & Gem from Oasis did a small club tour to promote their newest compilation album, Stop the Clocks. Here are some songs from their performance in Paris.

PS - Coming soon, the 2006 top 20 albums list.

Listen Up




Slide Away




Wonderwall




Whatever




Strawberry Fields Forever

Rock Video of the Day, maybe week.

A.S.S.

This should get the oscar for best documentary

FEEL GOOD VIDEOS OF THE DAY!

Grandaddy - Nature Anthem


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts (acoustic)



The Raveonettes - Love in a Trashcan

Worst band names ever

pretty good check it out.

http://www.progressiveboink.com/archive/worstbandnames.html

bad ass images of the day

The world certainly has changed

COMING SOON, THE PAGE TO VENT

As most of you know, I am busy doing something special for the world right now, well maybe not completely special, but doing something for someone and it has me pretty busy.

Since, I am going crazy, I think I am going to use this page to vent or ramble over the next few months.

check back for crazy stuff or attend my concert on Sept. 16.