AWmusic

Here are this week’s posts:
Jess wrote a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright.

Nancy did one mother fucking long post. Covering some key concerts happening this fall in the T-dot.

Kojo spread the word on Amanda Davids a Canadian soul artist.

Christian reviewed the not-yet released on this part of the world, Glasvegas’ self-titled disc.

I also sucked up the courage to listen to MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular.

The National’s Virginia EP is solid. At least I thought the Pitchfork review was not cool.

Joe reviewed Ray Garrison’s EP.

Adam reviewed Toronto ska/reggar band Rebel Emergency‘s EP.

I just found out about Siberian’s break up last week and wrote on my sadness.

I shared my input on the critically acclaimed You & Me by The Walkmen.

We Landed On The Moon are an upcoming band with a frontwoman who sounds a great deal like Jenny Lewis.

Ghalib covered rica-review/”>The Wiper’s Youth of America. Ghalib also proves that he likes to go out a ton with another concert review.

News around the blogosphere:
Pitchfork dropped a 1.6 on The Airborne Toxic Event. The band apparently didn’t like that. One thing for sure though, it caused a lot of discussion between bloggers… because TATE’s open letter was sent through their PR firm (Big Hassle) in an effort to make the review a publicity stunt (it worked). I didn’t care before, I don’t care now.

I guess I’m done…

I rarely am personal on this blog when I think about it, reviews are generally mindless ramblings when listening to a review and I guess this isn’t any different. Siberian’s record With Me turned out to be so good, I listed it #4 on my top of 2007 list. Hardly of any importance since I had zero readers at the time…

I haven’t talked about Siberian…nor heard much news about them in the recent months. I read this on the weekend when navigating their myspace (like I usually do) the sad farewell note:

After a little over four years of playing music together, we’ve collectively decided to move on to other things. We’re all extremely grateful to everyone that’s supported us over the years. To all the bands we’ve played with, the folks that helped us make our records, and the fans that’ve come out to our shows and picked up our music, thank you. You’ve made everything worth it.

Love,
Siberian

I was never a friend of the band, or got to see them live… I just felt like they had all the talent in the talent in the world. I almost feel like I didn’t do enough as a fan… what if I wrote about them now when my traffic was 10 times the amount I had when I originally wrote about.. or what if I actually wrote a good review about them? I feel like I’ve progressed a whole lot since then and could do their album the justice it DESERVED.

For whatever reason or another, Siberian is no longer and that makes me rather sad. Sound Of The Sound was another blog that was saddened by the news. They knew about the break up early on… finding out late kind of sucks…

Here’s a new review of Siberian’s With Me:

There have been a few reviews of Siberian with comparisons to Radiohead. Usually comparisons to Radiohead are seemingly unfriendly and it barely does Siberian any justice to throw around Radiohead comparisons as great as they are. It doesn’t really give you the idea of just how good Siberian is.

Finn Parnell can be compared to Thom York in a sense because of their range in vocal harmonies and melodies but I prefer Parnell’s voice because it is a lot cleaner and much more natural/relaxed sounding.

Parnell’s vocals are definitely one of the strengths to Siberian, however their musical abilities should not be overlooked. Siberian uses a lot of subtle elements in addition to a space-rock style to accompany a very strong and structured sound. Siberian isn’t afraid to dabble with riffs and they really know how to start off a track. They also know how to progress a song slowly adding more and more and finishing off perfectly.

Maybe, their weakest section is the lyrics. They do have a lot of repeated lyrics which are structured like pop songs but they just add a ton elements that it becomes a non issue. Absolutely perfect singing and a ton of experimentation that makes With Me a great album to listen to. From random guitar muting, adding in extra riffs randomly, asymetric sections, to rocking intros…the question I had when I had finished listening to Siberian’s With Me…why aren’t they more popular?

That seemed to the prevailing thought around people who have heard of Siberian and it seemed things were looking up as they were touring parts of the country. Alas the ride has ended but I think some people are stilling missing out an absolutely wonderful record. Please check it out.. I mean it!

I’m not sure just writing them would do them justice and since they are broken up now… so I’ll be posting their whole album. It’s probably not kosher internet-wise but it’s probably the best way I can think of to promote a broken up band. I guess I’ll try to keep up with whatever side projects come about…

To download/stream the album click more.

(more…)

This show was actually really funny and most of all meaningful as a teen grows up in high school. The sad thing is that it wasn’t promoted and many viewers from outside of the US were forced to download the show via torrents. They also switched their lineup days and lost half their viewership. The Canadian channel fucked me over by not playing it and I looked forward to downloading this show weekly.

I guess the problem is that a sitcom with rather real situations when a Muslim exchange student is living in the US but it’s a shame that the stuff on TV is that popular do you people buy into that crap? This television show had SOUL and was just hilarious.. it didn’t glamorize the rich and fashion and the idiotic. It was believable and sometimes I just don’t understand why things are popular.. Like Undeclared, this show is only going to last one season. It’s officially canceled with one more episode to go. I think that I just hate people and “pop culture” in general or else shows like these would stay alive and that bitch Tila Tequila would be off the air. Like Undeclared this show is ahead of its time I guess. Judd Apatow sure has been successful since Fox are a bunch of retards. Stupid CW.

If you’re in the US you can watch episodes here. Otherwise just download the first and ONLY season on The Pirate Bay.

Watch the pilot here it still makes me laugh and I’ve seen this episode 50 times:

Right now I’m still pretty sad about the cancellation but here’s a playlist.

1. Futuristic Kids by Siberian
2. Subterranean Homesick Alien by Radiohead
3. Alone in The World by Everybody Else
4. Teen Creeps by No Age
5. Little Sister by Queens of The Stone Age
6. Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
7. Island of an Honest Man by Hot Hot Heat
8. F–K Up Kid by Kevin Drew
9. We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives by Los Campesinos!
10. Big Kid Table by Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down

I did hate uploading tracks though and the linking stuff (takes forever). I also had to re-upload some tracks after annoying my friend Jack with bandwidth usage. Look out for the rest tomorrow.

50. A Girl in Port by Okkervil River
49. Shirin by Jens Lekman (link)
48. I Know I’ll See You by A Place To Bury Strangers (link)
47. For Science Fiction by Maritime (link)
46. Freak Out by Liars (link)
45. Phantom by Justice (link)
44. Sleep Deprivation by Simian Mobile Disco
43. Take Me To the Ballroom by the Moonbabies
42. Tthhee Ppaarrttyy by Justice (link)
41. Myriad Harbour by The New Pornographers (link)
40. Objects of My Affection by Peter, Bjorn and John
39. Blue Headlights by The Shout Out Louds (link)
38. No I in Threesome by Interpol
37. My Moon, My Man by Feist
36. Kookaburra by John Vanderslice
35. Paper Birds by Siberian (link)
34. Make A Plan To Love Me by the Bright Eyes
33. Philadelphia Grand Jury by the Fiery Furnaces
32. I Believe by Simian Mobile Disco
31. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb by Spoon
30. I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You by the Black Kids
29. You Can’t Hold the Hand of the Rock and Roll Man by Okkervil River
28. Airship by Siberian (link)
27. Turn On Me by The Shins (link)
26. White Winter Hymnal by the Fleet Foxes (link)

I am going to go on a blogging break due to exams so look out for the top 30 songs of the year when I come back. This blog has made some huge strides in the last two months and while it seems hard to keep on rolling with taking a huge break.. we’ll see what happens.

# 10 Tegan & Sara – The Con
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
I still love this album after posting a very generous review of The Con. Granted it’s probably not that cool to have this in my top 10 but I just can’t do that. From top to bottom this is the perfect pop record in my opinion. It arguably had me singing (not a sigh to see) along whenever I had the album playing on my computer. Sure stylistically this is NOT for everyone but it’s still very enjoyable with good lyrics and overall catchiness despite rather depressing lyrics. Overall this album produced some great tracks and while they may not bring anything new to the table, music isn’t always about that.
Back In Your Head by Tegan and Sara
The Con by Tegan and Sara
Burn Your Life Down by Tegan and Sara

#9 John Vanderslice – Emerald City
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Other then Pitchfork hating on this record. This album was praised by most as being a great record and upon listening to it I agreed. It is just soothing all the way throughout and I call it the perfect album to fall asleep to (not due to boredom). The lyrics are rather complex and do I understand what it all means? No but do I have to? I’m not that good at interpretations anyway. Artistically just how it’s put together the contrast of singing “White Dove” about a seemingly depressing story of a kidnapped and raped 8-year really had me amazed and thus the high ranking.
White Dove by John Vanderslice
Kookaburra by John Vanderslice
Numbered Litograph by John Vanderslice

#8 Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Les Savy Fav simply just rocks and they are the type of band I’d love to see live. While this album may not be something original/unique I could care less. From song to song it feels like they switch up stylistically and nothing is quite the same back to back. This band had the best intros to each song and really backed it up with strong bridges and really didn’t disappointed despite a strong intro to each song. I really want to see them live the more I listen to this album.
Scotchguard the Credit Card

#7 The Long Blondes – Someone To Drive You Home
Original Rating: 5 out of 5.
This album DID come out in the UK in 2006 but it only caught my attention when it was released over here. Wanting to see them live but couldn’t due to not having turned 19 (I was pretty bummed out). This album is another of the pop-rock variety but hey I love this album from top to bottom and maybe they should be a guilty pleasure but it has that catchiness that reels you in and doesn’t let go. This album does have longevity with me unlike a lot of poppy albums. It is almost 6 months since I’ve reviewed it and I am still quite high on this album if that says a lot. This album has spawned my two favorite songs of this year “Weekend Without Makeup” and “Once and Never Again”. I may decide to use the line of “You’re only 19 for godsakes, You don’t need a boyfriend” on a few girls on my age .
Weekend Without Makeup by The Long Blondes
Once And Never Again by The Long Blondes

#6 The White Stripes – Icky Thump
Original Rating: 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 is the lowest original rating I gave on both lists. It just says that I severely undervalued this album. This album SHOULD’ve been a 5 out of 5. Not that it was the White Stripes best effort but they took some major risks and went all over the place when in terms of style and still managed to have the songs addictive though the songs were definitely were complex compared to their “minimalist” style. Revisiting this album now makes me regret my original review but hey I can say I was wrong. Anyway I believe this album has the strongest 2nd half of album, most bands place their best stuff at the start but I start really loving this album surprisingly after the song “Conquest”. Icky Thump is proof that The White Stripes are one of the best bands of this decade.
I’m Slowly Turning Into You by The White Stripes

#5 Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Of Montreal IS my favorite band if I forced to only pick one. HFAYTD is arguably not one of my favorites by them. It is still good though. I had a tough time adjusting it and it was a lot more complex in my opinion (at the time I really shied away from it). Being an Of Montreal fan I gave it as much time as I could and I was able to take it for what it is. While it may not rank high with me compared to their previous work, in comparison to other albums released this year, it’s still top 5 material so it says a lot about my love for Of Montreal doesn’t it? I still enjoy the simpler stuff by Of Montreal but this album is great from top to bottom and catchy despite being quite depressing.
Gronlandic Edit by Of Montreal
She’s a Rejector by Of Montreal

#4 Siberian – With Me
Original Rating: 5 out of 5.
I did my review last month after reading an e-mail from frontman Finn Parnell. This album was just off the charts amazing. I’ll promote them like crazy because they were one of the first bands to e-mail me about checking out their work and nothing else has really compared – seriously. What makes this album great? Well from top to bottom this album is amazing, great lyrically and musically solid. Currently a relative unknown but look out for them. I STRONGLY recommend you check out my past review and the tracks below and you should be changed into a fan of them. After listening to this album I keep pushing it higher and higher.
Airship by Siberian
O Orien by Siberian

#3 Okkervil River – The Stage Names
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Okkervil River’s The Stage Name simply just rocks and can get you out of your seat dancing but the lyrical depth they display is just amazing. Almost every song on this album could make it on my top 30 songs on the year list but the only thing stopping this from being #1 or #2 is the lack of more songs… only 9 songs to set our hearts on. It is quality over quantity in the end but when you can get quality in quantity you definitely take it. I really like the mix of softer acoustic songs (A Girl in Port) and harder songs (Unless It Kicks). I already uploaded Unless It Kicks so I’ll upload Our Life Is A Movie or Maybe.
Our Life Is A Movie or Maybe by Okkervil River

#2 The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
Neon Bible isn’t as good as Funeral. I tend to go back and listen to Funeral over Neon Bible any day. However, I really believe this effort is as good as it gets when it comes to a follow-up. Instead of songs about love, death and growing up you have something more serious on Neon Bible. It’s the grown up version of Funeral where we ponder god, politics, the effect of television and overall it gives off a more serious vibe. A much different album then Funeral but I enjoyed it immensely.
(Antichrist Television Blues) by The Arcade fire

#1 Sunset Rubdown – Random Spirit Lover
Original Rating: 4.75 out of 5
After listening to this album over a period of time, with the artistry, how could I not put this #1? I asked myself this and I couldn’t give an answer. I didn’t rate it perfect because I felt this album wasn’t for everyone and was difficult to like. I think that put it over the top for me. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but after sitting through it a few times… it has left me speechless. I probably will never understand the randomness that is this album but it fulfills what I would call a piece of art. Both ambiguous yet adding carnivalesque elements that my brain thinks is crack. This album takes a LONG time to really start liking but if you give it a chance you probably will see why some have rated this album so highly. I don’t think this has the best songs but as a collective whole this album just blows everything else away. This album has gotten reviews from across the spectrum but I really believe this is one of the most amazing things I’ve heard in my life!
Setting vs. Rising by Sunset Rubdown