Don't Forget To Dance

Titus Andronicus - “A More Perfect Union” (from The Monitor)

An album I did not expect to be enjoying as much as I am is Titus Andronicus’ upcoming release The Monitor. While I’ve enjoyed parts of their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, the overt angst in it made me only able to listen to it in small doses.

There are obvious changes to be heard in their sophomore album: songs are longer, the sound is more polished, and the kids seem less angry. I should also point out that this is a concept album centering around the Civil War, so history buffs can get extra excited.  The above track is my current favorite, with its requisite Bruce Springsteen reference.  If you really want to hear a departure from their previous work, go listen to “To Old Friends and New”.

The Monitor is due out March 9^th. Again, I figured I’d like a song or two off of it, as I did their first record, but I really kinda love the whole thing.  

Broken Bells - The Mall and Misery (from their self-titled debut)

There have been several albums that have piqued my interest in 2010, but the first that I’ve been meaning to talk about here is Broken Bells. Broken Bells is the collaboration between The Shin’s James Mercer and Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton). The word is that this is not just some solitary musical experiment, but a new band that both members have future plans for.

And it basically sounds as good as you’d think a combo of The Shins and Danger Mouse could sound. I could definitely get used to more of this. The album is due out in March, but it has already leaked (and you can find it in the usual places).

Good freaking riddance to 2009.

Happy New Year to my fellow DFTD-ers and readers out there. I wish you much luck and happiness in the coming year.

Because this WILL be a better year. Right? RIGHT?

(Harlem Shakes - “Strictly Game”)

DFTD’s Top Albums of 2009: The Dead Weather’s Horehound

2009 featured the debut of several musical “supergroups” (Monsters of Folk, Them Crooked Vultures), but my personal favorite was undoubtedly The Dead Weather.  In case you haven’t heard, The Dead Weather is the musical collaboration between Jack White, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart, Queens of the Stone Age’s Dean Fertita, and the Raconteurs’ Jack Lawrence . Together they made some of the dirtiest, loudest, and rawest rock music this year.

Horehound sounds like it’s meant to be listened to while shooting whiskey, chain-smoking, or watching someone twirl around a stripper pole. Their fusion of blues, metal, and punk is damn well-executed, even if it isn’t necessarily groundbreaking. The album isn’t all one-note; “Cut Like A Buffalo” has a funk undertone , while “Bone House” is a straight-up searing rock song. For me, Mosshart is the star of the band, a badass front-woman shrieking and howling and selling us all off to the devil.

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of the Year: Dirty Projector’s Bitte Orca

Personally, my favorite album of 2009 is Dirty Projectors’ Bitte Orca. The short reason?  It sounds like nothing else I’ve listened to recently and that excites me. I’ve heard plenty of people say negative things about Bitte Orca- it’s too weird, it’s unmelodic, it makes me uncomfortable.  I can’t relate. While I understand it’s challenging, I find so many moments I love: the opening guitar lines on “Temecula Sunrise”, the groove of “Stillness is the Move”, the harmonies in “Remade Horizon”.

I definitely think Bitte Orca is best listened to as an album, so take your iPod off shuffle if you’re giving it a chance.  This is one of the most innovative, challenging, eccentric, yet accessible albums to come out in years, and I think it deserves all the acclaim it’s received. I don’t know what the hell Dave Longstreth is referencing when he shouts “Bitte Orca” during “Useful Chamber”, but I can’t help and sing along.

DFTD’s Favorite Albums of 2009: I And Love And You by The Avett Brothers

Another standout record of 2009 is The Avett Brothers’ I And Love And You. It is a polished and earnest album, filled mostly with epic ballads, but with a couple quality rock songs that add whimsy. Scott and Seth Avett share songwriting duties and trade vocals, ruminating on themes of identity, adulthood, love, and family. One of the reasons I love this album is because it’s not a young man’s album; it’s one that’s written from the perspective of people who are leaving their youth and frivolity behind.

I And Love And You expands beyond The Avett Brothers’ traditional folk and twang roots, and Rick Rubin’s production adds a warmth and crispness that showcases their talent at songwriting. The brotherly camaraderie is a highlight of the album, especially when it’s put to use during their gorgeous harmonies. Most music fans should be able to find something they like on this record, whether it’s the lighthearted pop of “Kick Drum Heart”, the sincerity and sparseness of “January Wedding”, or piano-centered balladry of the title track.

Florence + The Machine - “Dog Days Are Over” from Lungs

Florence + The Machine is the moniker for British artist Florence Welch and her backing band. She has some crazy impressive pipes and appears to be the brand of eccentric that I admire most. I highly recommend listening to this song when you’re having a crappy day- it’s particularly cathartic. She just played her first show in the States a couple of weeks ago, and has been gaining popularity on this side of the Atlantic. Give Lungs a shot- it’s definitely not boring.

Neko Case - “Bowling Green”

Miss Maggie and I will be heading to see Neko Case here in Bowling Green tomorrow night. I am extremely excited because I’ve never seen Ms. Case live, her new album is among my favorites of the year, and nothing ever happens in our little college town. I’m hoping to hear her cover of “Bowling Green”; I know it’s about Kentucky, but I adopted it as our own years ago.

The Avett Brothers - “Kick Drum Heart” (from I And Love And You)

Now, I realize I am totally late to the game with The Avett Brothers, as some fans are already deeming their new Rick Rubin-produced, major label debut I And Love And You as evidence of them selling out. (Clearly their efforts to gain a larger audience have worked, as I am blogging about them now.) I’ve been aware of them for a while, but I don’t know how or why I’ve never bothered to listen to their previous work, considering I have a clear weakness for most any music that could be labeled as “Southern” or features banjos. Regardless, I am catching up, and most pleasantly surprised by what I’ve heard so far.

I And Love And You is full of both catchy pop songs (like the above-mentioned “Kick Drum Heart”) and soulful ballads (like the title track). If you’re unfamiliar with their previous work, I highly suggest you check them out, and if you’re already a fan, don’t write off this album as merely a sell-out. I’m still kicking around with it, but I think it could be included with some of the year’s best. I look forward to discovering what their previous efforts contain, if this latest is any indication.