I am currently writing and researching my "best of 1999" blog post. Every once in awhile I discover one of the bands I am writing about released an album I didn't know about, maybe because they reunited. Never has it been an obscure, underground, indie band. Especially not one I consider myself to be an expert on. Until today. Seconds ago.
Kerith Ravine (who broke up in 2001) has a new song. Except it's not new. I'll let the the webpage I discovered explain itself (thanks Google): "release date unknown the members of kerith ravine reunited for two days in the summer of 2007 - almost a decade after the band's inception - to write and record together one last time. "from the horse's eye" was produced during this brief session."
Um.
Wow.
The song is UNBELIEVABLE. So much better than anything Lovedrug has done in 7 years, or maybe ever.
Along with this song Kerith Ravine's entire obscure discography is also on their Bandcamp page. I have no idea when it went online, but it had to be recently.
UPDATE: Just discovered an entire Kerith Ravine concert on YouTube (and I never had a chance to see them):
Here are my top 10 albums of 1998 as I published them at the time (as what was probably one my first “mass emails” ever:
1. Sunny Day Real Estate- How It Feels to Be Something On*
2. Jennifer Knapp- Kansas
3. Pedro the Lion- It’s Hard to Find a Friend**
4. REM- Up*
5. The Smashing Pumpkins- Adore*
6. Mineral- EndSerenading*
7. Circle of Dust- Disengage
8. Aunt Bettys- Ford Supersonic
9. Starflyer 59- The Fashion Focus*
10. Common Children- Delicate Fade (later discovered was actually released in 1997, and ended up #8 on that list)
While I still like all ten of those albums, I have discovered a lot since. This is honestly a pretty weak year compared to the previous few. The top few are great, but my top 15 albums of 1995 are better than the fifth one below.
And as I write them today, here are my top 15 of 1998:
1. Sunny Day Real Estate- How it Feels to Be Something On* What can I say? This band is as impressive and groundbreaking today as they were at the time. I started listening to them after their initial breakup in 1994, so I was highly anticipating this one. I actually pre-ordered this album, and that might have been the first time I did that for any album. I remember it came late and Sub-Pop apologized and sent me all kinds of extra stuff (like a split-7”). Once a month I do “Sunny Day Real Estate” and “Jeremy Enigk” Google searches hoping for something new. Also waiting for the reissue of this album on vinyl, because I can’t afford the original for $50-100 on eBay. My final thought about this album is how much better it is at night. I feel that way about a number of albums, but for this one it is drastic. It is 10x better after the sun goes down. Next time you are on a road trip and it is past 11 pm, listen to How it Feels to Be Something On and be prepared to be blown away.
2. Pedro the Lion- It’s Hard to Find a Friend** Reissued on vinyl in 2012, and the remaster sounds incredible. In a way, this is probably the most complete album David Bazan has ever done. I like his recent solo work, and I loved how Pedro the Lion got more aggressive with the albums following this one. But I always come back to It’s Hard to Find a Friend and probably listen to it more than any other Bazan releases.
3. R.E.M.- Up* I am in the minority, but this is my favorite R.E.M. album. I recently made the comment to someone that they are America’s greatest rock band- original, creative, and relevant for three decades (80’s, 90’s, 00’s). In 1998 both the Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. lost their drummers. The Pumpkins couldn’t make it work, but R.E.M. ended up writing their most creative album, a huge departure from the previous albums. (Addition based on a comment I just got when I published this post...) If you are an R.E.M. fan (or not) who has never truly appreciated this album, try using this guide to re-sequence and shorten the album. I am currently listening to it with this new order for the first time.
4. Mineral- EndSerenading* So sad that this was the last we ever heard from Mineral (as this album was released after they had split). The Gloria Record was in some ways superior, but the energy of this band was never equaled. Lyrically this was probably Chris Simpson at his peak, at least as far as the way I could relate to what he wrote (although the stuff he writes today is still great). I spent time today tracking an eBay auction for a vinyl copy of this album, but just couldn’t drop $81 on it. In great vinyl news though, I was able to get a copy of The Power of Failing for $18 + shipping this week, which is incredible considering I have also seen it go for $50+ on eBay.
5. Elliott- U.S. Songs** Discovered this album and this band because of the unique CD packaging. This is one of my top five albums of all time as far as packaging is concerned. First of all, in a time period that was dominated by jewel cases, the album was a “digipack” (cardboard and paper). But what makes it so unique is that the cover opens down the middle and there are two half-sized booklets. So instead of one large square booklet, there are two narrow vertical rectangular booklets, dominated with great photography. I couldn't find any good photos of the packaging, so I decided to take some myself and make a gallery (below). I did just discover that Elliott’s albums have all recently been reissued on vinyl and CD, and here is a great blog post showing photos of the reissue and comparing to the original version that I own. I guess I should mention the music- it is intense and fairly similar to early Sunny Day Real Estate. Elliott only got better from here.
6. Starflyer 59- The Fashion Focus* At the time this album was actually a disappointment for most, including myself, because the wall of guitars we were accustomed to had largely been replaced by acoustic instrumentation. However, now we all know it was groundbreaking. Probably the most diverse album Jason Martin has ever released as it contains just about every style he has ever experimented with in his 20-year recording history. I bought the shirt for this album at a show and probably got more comments on it than any t-shirt I have ever worn; just like the album cover, the shirt has a large UPC on the front of it.
7. Hole- Celebrity Skin I am not a Hole fan, and honestly have never listened to much of anything else Courtney Love has ever recorded outside of this LP (and yeah I think she is gross). But this album is SO GOOD. I probably would have not have heard it if not for my deejaying job, but the radio station had it and I wore it out.
8. Smashing Pumpkins- Adore* Unlike other Pumpkins fans I knew in the 1990's, I actually enjoyed this album at the time, despite what a huge departure it was from what the Pumpkins had been. In 2013 though it is definitely the Pumpkins album I will listen to the least (well, except Zeitgeist, but that one is so bad I don’t even consider it a Pumpkins album). I still find Adore unique and interesting, but I listen to the Smashing Pumpkins for the walls of guitars, which this album has none of.
9. Vigilantes of Love- To the Roof of the Sky My biggest memories of this album are actually from before it was released. At Cornerstone in 1997 Vigilantes of Love played a set so long I fell asleep during it. The last thing I remember before I fell asleep was the line “Here comes the avalanche...” Vigilantes of Love hit their creative peak with this album and its follow-up, the amazing Audible Sigh (by far Bill Mallonee’s best work). You can credit a lot the fleshing out of these songs to multi-instrumentalist Kenny Hutson, who was also the highlight of that 1997 Cornerstone show.
10. Burlap to Cashmere- Anybody Out There? Really all I can say about Burlap to Cashmere is that if you haven’t seen them in concert, you have never really heard them. I have vivid memories of them playing on the Riverfront in Nashville in 1999 or so, and it brought all these songs to life. It was exciting to see the band make a comeback a couple years ago; and while they have mellowed out a bit, they are still writing excellent songs.
11. Jump, Little Children- MagazineThis is the third straight artist in this list that is all about their live show. I have no idea how I first heard of this band, but I do remember the night I began to like them. I drove up from Birmingham to Nashville and saw them play at 12th and Porter with some friends. It was on the Vertigo tour (2001), so three years after this one came out. Jump, Little Children is probably best known for their song “Cathedrals” that appears on this album and has been covered dozens of times.
12. K’s Choice- Cocoon Crash K’s Choice is best-known for their 90’s alt-radio hit “Not an Addict”. They played an alternative rock festival in Birmingham at some point off the popularity of that song when I was in college in the late 90’s. Attending that festival is how I discovered this Belgian rock band was far more than that song. Interestingly, Fleming and John also played the same festival. Until a few minutes ago I had thought K’s Choice final album was 2000’s Almost Happy, but just discovered they released a new album in 2010 and an acoustic live album in 2011, both of which became available in the US in Sept. 2012. I am somewhat stunned andmight buy them immediately.
13. Inside- My Funeral Once there was a thing called AOL. No Facebook, no Twitter, no MySpace, just AOL. In the late 90’s, it was really the only way to interact with people online. As I explored the internet and AOL during this time, I remember spending countless hours searching people’s anonymous, text-only profiles (that’s right, no pictures). I was looking for band names. I made a few new friends this way, and in the case of this story, I ended up meeting up with this person at Cornerstone Festival a couple times. One of our discussions on AOL that I still remember was “what are your top 5 albums”. Well, 4 of the 5 this person mentioned I was already in love with (one of them was The Violet Burning’s s/t album, can’t remember the others). You guessed it, Inside’s My Funeral was the 5th. I ordered the album per their recommendation, and to this day we are the only two people in the world I know of that have heard it. I know pretty much nothing about this band, although I did a quick Google search and did discover that they played a reunion show in 2010. Update: I continued my Google search, and found this album on colored vinyl for FIVE DOLLARS. Bought.
14. Pinback- PinbackIt is crazy for me to think that this Pinback album came out in 1998, because I didn’t discover the band until 2004, and probably didn’t hear this one until 2006 or so. Was fortunate enough to finally seem them live in 2012.
15. Nada Surf- The Proximity EffectI wish someone had told me in 1998 that Nada Surf was actually good. Just like everyone else, I knew them for the song “Popular”, which I found irritating and terrible. It wasn’t until 2003’s Let Go that I became aware of Nada Surf as a terrific band. Another album from 1998 that I didn’t hear until at least 6 years later.
Honorable mention:
The Appleseed Cast- The End of the Ring Wars -and- Brandtson- Letterbox
Despite a couple of songs, these albums are very average. But they are the debuts from what would become two of my favorite bands of all time. I saw both for the first time on the same night at a skate store called Slacker 66 in Birmingham the year these albums were released. The Appleseed Cast was not very good, all I remember is the terrible saxaphone solo in one song. Brandtson was very impressive however and far better than this album would have let on. I also ranked both band’s 2006 albums together, as you can see on this list. Unfortunately 2006 was the end of Brandtson, but the Appleseed Cast is arguably better than ever in 2013 (new album Illumination Ritual in early 2013!). It is kind of strange how many things in these bands careers parallel. They both started out on Deep Elm in 1998, both moved on to the Militia Group in the mid-2000's. They couldn't sound more different though.
Other 1998 albums I enjoy:
Aunt Bettys- Ford Supersonic
Circle of Dust- Disengage
Dear Ephesus- The Absent Sounds of Me
The Gloria Record- EP (If this had been an LP, it would have made the top-10.)
GRITS- Factors of the Seven
JeJune- This Afternoon’s Malady
Jennifer Knapp- Kansas
Jewel- Spirit
The Lassie Foundation- Dive Bomber EP
P.O.D.- The Warriors EP
Poor Old Lu- Chrono (Greatest Hits)
Poor Old Lu- In Their Final Performance (Live. Thankfully it wasn’t their final performance after all!)
The Prayer Chain- So Close... Yet So Far (2-disc compilation)
Project 86- s/t
Rufus Wainwright- s/t
Elliott Smith- XO
Soulfood 76- 8 Track
Starflyer 59- Fell in Love at 22 EP
Stretch Arm Strong- Compassion Fills the Void
Tess Wiley- Sings with Teenagers (demo tape)
The Violet Burning- Demonstrates Plastic & Elastic
The World Inside- Roobrik Pearl Jam- Yield Refused- The Shape of Punk to Come Andrew Bird- Thrills
Beastie Boys- Hello Nasty
Beck- Mutations
Blonde Redhead- In an Expression of the Inexpressible
Bright Eyes- Letting Off the Happiness
Gomez- Bring it on
Cake- Prolonging the Magic
Cat Power- Moon Pix (I need to buy this immediately.)
Coldplay- Safety EP (Honestly had no idea this existed until today.)
Death Cab for Cutie- Something About Airplanes (Used to own it, but sold it in 2002. Wouldn’t mind having it back.)
Evanescence- EP
Garbage- Version 2.0
MxPx- Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo
Snow Patrol- Songs for Polarbears
Spoon- A Series of Sneaks
Superdrag- Head Trip in Every Key
Zao- Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest (I actually saw them live on this tour, but I bought the t-shirt instead of the album.)
Last April I posted what has become the most popular post in the history of my blog, "An Open Letter to Sixpence None the Richer." I wrote about a lot of things including my dissatisfaction with their setlists. For awhile Sixpence did not play any of the songs from their older, great albums. The only real response I desired from the band was for them to start playing songs from their back catalog.
Well, Sixpence is on tour now, and while I have not been able to see them, I am paying attention. And the setlists have dramatically improved. Check out the one from Milwaukee a couple nights ago:
What I would have given to see those last four songs in a row!
Unfortunately most of the people going to these shows are leaving the video cameras at home, but here is a terrific video of "A Million Parachutes" being performed on January 30. It is over 8 minutes long! Sixpence remembered how to jam, and the world is a better place. Matt's guitar solo is absolutely incredible (thanks Matt!).
After having it on my Amazon wishlist for over a year (and no one buying it for me), I finally bought Gemma Hayes 2011 album Let It Break. It is terrific and honestly is filling a hole in my music listening.
I discovered Gemma Hayes in 2008 and her previous album Hollow of Morning I ranked my #5 album of the year. Despite loving that album, I never did complete background research on her, and I inexplicably did not buy her newest album the day it was released. I'll never make that mistake again.
If you read about her online you'll often see her described as an "Irish folk singer". While true, that pigeonholes her and doesn't give her credit for the diversity and breadth of her songwriting. Not to mention sometimes her songs are almost shoegaze and feature lots of rock and electronic elements. Most of the time her music is pretty quiet, but it is not just her and an acoustic guitar as "Irish folk singer" would imply.
I am embedding two videos below. The first is the lead single off Let it Break. While a strong video, it is one of the weaker songs on the album in my opinion and not a good showcase of her talents. The second video (ironically a weak one), is my favorite Gemma Hayes song from the Hollow of Morning. While these two songs are an incomplete and imperfect picture of what you can expect to hear on her albums, it is a good start.
Her music is currently providing the perfect soundtrack to my life in this cold month.
Tegan and Sara are set to release their sixth studio album on January 29, titled Heartthrob. My wife and I have big been fans ever since seeing them open for Cake in Nashville in 2004, and saw them play again at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta a few years later. They are hilarious entertainers and outstanding musicians. Stream three of their new songs below.
If you'll remember last Spring Nashville indie/folk/country band Roy Ira had a Kickstarter campaign to fund their first full-length album. Well, that has come to fruition and today is the official release day for Still Be My Love. Stream the whole album for free below, buy a digital copy for $6, or the best option get it for $15 on vinyl.
For anyone that reads my blog you know that making and publishing lists is my favorite part of blogging. However this year a detailed, complete, best-of 2012 list just isn't possible. 2012 brought our third child and expanded work duties; a thorough list will have to wait. My goal is one sentence per album.
Someday I will flesh out this list, and complete the other lists I have in progress. I started publishing year-end lists on this blog in 2003, so this marks the 10th anniversary of Turn Off The Radio. I started writing detailed lists in 2006, and then I have also been working my way up through my teenage years, and have completed detailed lists for 1991-1997. 1998 has been in the works for over a year and still not published. Stick with me for a couple decades and I'll have a detailed year-end list for every year of my life!
Top 20 Albums of 2012: 1. mewithoutYou- Ten Stories* They almost lost me with their last album, but this one is terrific. Even the band agreed that this was the proper follow-up to the amazing Brother, Sister. The biggest change to their unique style is the addition of lots of female background vocals, which honestly change the whole feel of the band's music. The album starts more aggressive than the band has been in 5 years, and then settles in to the mellowest the band has ever been. The bonus tracks are essential and the best songs on the album (so make sure you listen to the 13-track version).
2. Cat Power- Sun* It's been a long time since The Greatest, and this is Chan Marshall at her creative peak.
3. Smashing Pumpkins- OceaniaNever thought the Pumpkins would make a top-20 list again, much less top-3. Zeitgeist was forced, and the Teargarden by Kaleidoscope songs up until this point were average at best. This album is Corgan at his best, and as if the band had never stopped more than a decade ago. He is letting his "new" band members collaborate more and more and the results are fantastic.
4. Of Monsters and Men- My Head is an AnimalI probably listened to this album more than any other this year, because my 3- and 4-year-old kids both love it. Who can't help but sing along to "Little Talks?"
5. Hammock- Departure SongsI have been a fan of Marc Byrd since his first band Common Children in the late 90's. While appreciating Hammock over the last 5 years, I never truly got that into them because of the lack of song structure in their ambient songs. This double-album brings more full instrumentation and a lot of vocals; some for texture and some as actual lead.
6. Pinback- Information Retrieved* I was actually able to see Pinback live this year, and it gave me a new appreciation for the band that I discovered in 2004. The driving, melodic bass lines have never been better. I actually thought their last album, 2007's Autumn of the Seraphs, was their least interesting; and this one picks up right where 2004's outstanding Summer in Abaddon left off.
7. Metric- Synthetica I only discovered this band a couple of years ago, but I think this is the best album they have ever released.
8. Sleigh Bells- Reign of Terror* Not as unique or interesting as their debut, but still fun and powerful. My son really digs about half this album, and whenever he and I were in the car by ourselves over the summer he would ask to listen to it, because, in his words, "Mama doesn't like Sleigh Bells".
9. Rosie Thomas- With Love* I prefer Rosie with less instrumentation and less production, but she has never sounded better.
10. The Shins- Port of Morrow* Arguably the best album the Shins have ever released. "Simple Song" could be my favorite track of the year.
11. Lana Del Rey- Born to DiePretty amazing album vocally, highlighted by my personal favorite track "Off to the Races". The only thing preventing this album from being ranked higher is the lyrics.
12. Norah Jones- Little Broken HeartsForget the Norah Jones you have heard before, she reached new heights with this album. Four key words: Produced by Danger Mouse.
13. Mindy Smith- Mindy SmithProbably the album on this list that I have unfortunately and inexplicably listened to the least. Mindy at her best on her first indie release.
14. Nada Surf- The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy*Nada Surf keeps churning out great albums. None including this approach 2003's Let Go, but that is unnecessary.
15. Fiona Apple- The Idler Wheel...*Most reviews seem to love this album, and I have seen it ranked #1 on a couple of year-end lists. A disappointment for me really. I love Apple, but I don't think this comes close to Extraordinary Machine. Much more simple and stripped down, and the songs just don't stick with me.
16. Roy Ira- Still Be My LoveAfter a few low-fi EPs, this band finally released its first LP in 2012 and it impresses. The production is excellent and highlights the vocals. Stylistically all over the map, and their self-label of "indie-folk-country" could not be more accurate. Stream the full album here and buy the vinyl that releases in January.
17. Forget Cassettes- O CursaForget Cassettes released two amazing albums in 2003 and 2006, and had been on hiatus ever since. They (or "she", as Forget Cassettes is Beth Cameron) are back, and this album is spectacular. Lead single/video for the album is below and one of the greatest "angry" songs I have ever heard...
18. Sixpence None the Richer- Lost in TransitionProbably here only because of their past work. It is a fine pop album, but pales in comparison to all their other albums. If it was the first time I was hearing the band I would probably appreciate the album more, but after being a fan for 20 years it is very disappointing.
19. POD- Murdered Love Never thought POD would be relevant again, and they are probably not (except in my car), but this is the first album of theirs I have enjoyed since Satellite. Title track is brutally heavy.
20. Benjamin Gibbard- Former LivesI had pretty low expectations for this and waited a long time after its release to even listen to it. Actually, if not for a $2.99 temporary price tag on Amazon I probably wouldn't have purchased it. That said, it impressed me greatly. More diverse than the recent Death Cab albums, and with thoughtful and honest songwriting.
2013 albums already available that are top-20 worthy: Starflyer 59- IAMACEOJason Martin's 13th studio LP, this time sans-label and funded by Kickstarter.
Sandra McCracken- Desire Like Dynamite Her first proper solo album in a few years, and she has never sounded better. I was very impressed by her voice when seeing her in concert earlier this year, and made the comment that I didn't think her vocals had ever been recorded properly. This might be the first album where she actually sounds like her impressive self.
Albums I got for Christmas that might break into my top-20 with some spins: Hospitality- Hospitality Two spins in I am really digging it. Sunny, energetic indie rock.
Sucre- A Minor Bird Solo album from Stacy Dupree King of Eisley. Quite a departure musically, most of the instrumentation is strings and unique percussion. Arguably much more interesting than what her band has been recording lately.
Stars- The North My opinion of Stars for the last decade has been, "they write good songs, but not good albums." That opinion changed with Five Ghosts, which blew me away. Well, they are back to their lesser, old form. Half the songs are terrific, half are boring or worse.
Albums I got for Christmas that are fun, but will not break into the top-20: Demon Hunter- True Defiance*Got on vinyl, and I haven't been home to use my turntable. And frustratingly, it is the only vinyl record I got this year that did not come with an MP3 download. What's up with that Tooth & Nail?!
Taylor Swift- RedI enjoy Taylor Swift far more than 99% of the pop music in the world, but I look forward to her aging and recording more folk-type songs.
No Doubt- Push and ShoveOK, so it's not fun, it's TERRIBLE. Not that I was ever a huge No Doubt fan, but man they should have just called it quits.
Most disappointing album of 2012: Sarah Jaffe- The Body WinsNot disappointing because its not good, but disappointing because it is such a drastic departure from the Sarah Jaffe I loved. If you are hearing her for the first time, you might love it. I prefer the quiet, folk of her old work to the electronica/rock of her new stuff. Best 2011 album I bought a year late: Haley Bonar- GolderHave been aware of her for a decade, but just never dove that far into her work. Her 2012 single Bad Reputation stunned me, and I am now exploring her back catalog.
Looking forward to... CUSH- A newEP for sure and maybe 1 or 2 LP's!? Pretty incredible after almost nothing in a decade. Appleseed Cast- Illumination Ritualout soon. And just this week they released a new song that appears on a 7":
Email recieved from cush@cushkuxh.org at 3:16 EST:
It's midnight in California. Maybe you're awake, too. If so, you can watch the video for "The Gift Of Hope And Fear" now on YouTube. This is song 01 on the upcoming SP3 album. It is also the beginning of the Story. Each of the album's 07 songs is set in the context of 07 main arguing points of/for/against Christianity, based on 07 identified 'moments' or movements in the life of Christ. It should be clear which one this song addresses. The lyrics of each song are written from the perspective of someone who was 'there', a witness, characters in the Story, rather than someone who has lived with the result of 2000 years of various forms of propagandic, cultural, and financial influence on the Story. At least that is the attempt. To see in something you've seen many times what new can be seen by looking at it as if it were for the first time. Please enjoy whilst you Celebrate the Mass of Christ.
Email recieved from cush@cushkuxh.org on December 19:
Tidings. Thank you for registering at cushkuxh.org. If you haven't yet, you can hear a preview sample from the upcoming SP3 album by going to this link: http://cushkuxh.org/2012/12/18/hope-and-fear/ If that doesn't work, you can try this link: https://soundcloud.com/cushkuxh/hope-and-fear/s-bJz1r Either way, thank you for your patience and understanding. While Facebook is the current best way to interact with people near and far, nobody knows what the future of Facebook will be. Conversely, our website has a determinable future, and enables us to more directly communicate and interact with you. So, again, thank you for subscribing. The release of the SP3 album will be non-traditional. The first song will be released on December 25th, 2012, in video form only. The rest of the songs will also be released in video form as well, one at a time, spread out over the next few months. The release of the digital and packaged album (which will include a great deal of artwork and supplemental material) will be on May 7th, 2013. As it all unfolds, it will make sense why this release schedule was chosen. Previews and early releases will arrive to Subscribers first. As a Subscriber, you will also receive access to download (if you so choose) the song "Always Disappear," which has been up on the Bandcamp site for quite some time. It will most likely 'reappear' on the record that will be released next year, in a modified form. So this current version will be unique. Other scheduled items: live, in-studio performance videos, of old and new songs, the KUXH Super G album, and new material by CUSH 'proper', as we refer to it. Thank you for listening.
