Here I am, posting our new band for the month at the end of said month. I dont mean to post these so late, but that just seems to be how things happen to work out.
This month we go across the pond yet again (see New month, new band pt. III), this time to Scotland, to meet a band called We Were Promised Jetpacks. I started hearing about this band not too long ago. Just about the time that I started to hear the name via word-of-mouth I started to hear their single (Quiet Little Voices) playing on the radio. I was a little nervous. I thought this was going to be another case of hearing a single on the radio and assuming the rest of the album is just as good only to find that it is, in fact, terrible. I took a risk, bit the bullet as it were, and decided to get the album based on a few YouTube videos and 30 second iTunes clips. I must say, the gamble paid off. These guys are fantastic. Ive found that Ive become less and less a fan of "loud" music. Im more of a Folk person, but I really dont mind that these guys play loud guitar riffs and yell at me from time to time.
So, for future reference, if you're Scottish you can yell at me any day of the week.
At the behest of a friend Ive decided to do my top 10 songs of 2009. This is, by no means, a definitive list. It is by no means a list that a took any large amount of time to construct. It is simply a list of some of the songs that Ive enjoyed listening to that happened to be released in the past year. They are in no particular order, whatever you may think. I'm not too good at putting into words why I like a song, so Ill simply link them for your listening enjoyment. There may or may not be a few words said about some of them, that remains to be seen. So, without any further delay, I give you my list.
The Beetle King on a Coconut Estate - MeWithoutYou
MeWithoutYou is a band that you'll either love or hate. Regardless of how you feel about them, the message of this song speaks for itself.
Broken Horse - Freelance Whales
These guys aren't even well enough known to have their songs stolen and put on YouTube so you're forced to find live footage. Never the less, they still amaze me every time I listen to them.
Waitin' for a Superman - Iron and Wine
I heard this song one day at work on my Iron and Wine Pandora station. It was soon after this that I was unable to use Pandora at work anymore. While this song was playing I couldn't help but wonder what album it was on and why I hadn't heard it before. Come to find out, it was on the album that I had bought mere days before. Ive listened to it too many times to count.
60 Feet Tall - The Dead Weather
I agree with Richard that there isn't much depth to this album. If you want stripped down, dirty rock then this is the band for you. And let me tell you, sometimes I just want some stripped down, dirty rock.
Ghosts - Fanfarlo
I don't even remember where I first heard of Fanfarlo. I think it may have been from a banner ad on Stereogum. It doesn't really matter anymore how I came to find them, but the fact that I did.
Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Of course you're going to be drawn to a band with a name like that. I first heard this song on the radio and immediately knew I had to have the album. It didn't disappoint.
Your Ghost - Greg Laswell
I think Greg Laswell is what you would call a 'guilty pleasure' of mine. With songs of his being played on Grey's Anatomy it would seem he would be too mainstream for ol Kurtis (I know I know, there are plenty of bands I listen to with songs on those shows). I saw him at the Ingrid Michaelson show and almost fainted. True story.
Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise - The Avett Brothers
Ah, The Avett Brothers. I do love these guys. I'm not a fan of country music and these guys are, arguably, teetering on the edge of that. The good thing for them is they don'twant to play country music. Alt-country was the genre invented to classify this band, of that I have no doubt.
The Ghosts Who Write History Books - The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem is another bunch of merry music makers that aren't quite as widely known as others. That, however, is perfectly fine with me. I like having little gems for myself from time to time. This is one of those.
Sugalumps - Flight of the Conchords
To end the list of course I have to go with a little Flight of the Conchords. If there is anyone out there who doesn't at least crack a smile during this song then there is a serious problem with the world we live in.
