Revinity by Andrew Heaton » Music

Albums of the Decade

Andrew Heaton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:02:23 +0000

So, I’m late getting my year-end lists out. But it’s the end of a decade, so cut me some slack.

Before I get to 2009, here’s a recap and revised history of the best albums of the decade.

2000

Doves – Lost Souls – Album
New Model Army – Eight – Album
PJ Harvey – Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea – Album
Shelby Lynne – I Am Shelby Lynne – Album
South – From Here On In – Album
U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind – Album

2001

Ash – Free All Angels – Album
Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour Of Bewilderbeast – Album
Joe Strummer – Global A Go-Go – Album
Magoo – Realist Week – Album
Ryan Adams – Gold – Album
Spiritualized – Let It Come Down – Album
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Album

2002

The Anniversary – Your Majesty – Album
David Bowie – Heathen – Album
Doves – The Last Broadcast – Album
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots – Album

2003

The Alarm – In The Poppyfields # 1 – #5 – Album
The Decemberists – Her Majesty The Decemberists – Album
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People – Album
Joe Strummer – Streetcore – Album
Over The Rhine – Ohio – Album
Regina Spektor – Soviet Kitsch – Album
The Stratford 4 – Love & Distortion – Album
T.S.O.L. – Divided We Stand – Album

2004

Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First – Album
Dungen – Ta Det Lugnt – Album
The Explosion – Black Tape – Album
Green Day – American Idiot – Album
Leatherface – Dog Disco – Album
Mission Of Burma – ONoffON – Album
Tilly and the Wall – Wild Like Children – Album

2005

Against Me! – Searching For A Former Clarity – Album
Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene – Album
Gorillaz – Demon Days – Album
The Kills – No Wow – Album
Reigning Sound – Live At Goner Records – Album

2006

Cat Power – The Greatest – Album
Defiance, Ohio – The Great Depression – Album
The Hold Steady – Boys And Girls In America – Album
Lilys – Everything Wrong Is Imaginary – Album
The Riverboat Gamblers – To The Confusion Of Our Enemies – Album
This is My Fist – A History of Rats – Album
The World / Inferno Friendship Society – Red-Eyed Soul – Album

2007

Against Me! – New Wave – Album
Bishop Allen – The Broken String – Album
David Vandervelde – The Moonstation House Band – Album
Fake Problems – How Far Our Bodies Go – Album
The Gaslight Anthem – Sink Or Swim – Album
The Innocence Mission – We Walked In Song – Album
The National – Boxer – Album
The World / Inferno Friendship Society – Addicted to Bad Ideas – Album

2008

Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts – Album
The Dutchess and the Duke – She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke – Album
Fucked Up – The Chemistry Of Common Life – Album
The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound – Album
HiFi Handgrenades – Carry On – Album
Poi Dog Pondering – 7 – Album
Street Dogs – State of Grace – Album

Krautrock, Berlin and Misplaced Thoughts

Andrew Heaton — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:36:22 +0000

I’m in the midst of a fascination with Krautrock. This was spurred on by two things : the fabulous BBC documentary and a discussion about moving to Berlin.

The documentary is well worth checking out. ~~Try the BBC iPlayer~~

BBC Link is dead, Here is the promo site with some video clips

It traces the Krautrock scene from it’s psychedelic origins though to the cold, yet somehow human, approach of Kraftwerk and other electronic-based bands.

They touch briefly on Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, and it’s obvious influences, and hint that Bowie intended on making an album with Krautrock musicians. (Note to David : Make that album, the world needs something extremely interesting from you).

This also took me around to giving Achtung Baby another listen. Long held as my favorite U2 album, it’s influences are unmistakable, and the imagery that Anton Corbjin provides are truly the romanticized version of Berlin that I’ve built up over the years.

So when the brief mention of moving to Berlin was brought up, all this came together in my strange little brain. Berlin! Destiny, concrete, art, harsh yet beautiful, minimalistic tendencies made real. I was sold for all of 30 seconds.

It all comes down to one thing, which only a few people will understand. My faith is not yet stronger than my fear.

Map of Awesome Record Stores

Andrew Heaton — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:35:14 +0000

View Awesome Record Stores, North America in a larger map

I’ve been keeping a google map of the finest record stores in ~~the U.S.~~ North America.

I’m sure there’s dozens out there I don’t have shown, but these are the ones I’ve personally visited.

Check it here

Mid-Year Best Albums ('09)

Andrew Heaton — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:13:13 +0000

Yes, it’s time.
I’ve been bouncing around a shitload of albums this year. Lots of good stuff, lots of different stuff, lots of older artists releasing fantastic, re-energized albums.

Without ado, the top 10 albums of 2009, so far.

New Model Army – Today is a Good Day
An amazing, surprising, refreshing album from a band I’ve been listening to for over 20 years. After all this time, they can still give me something new. Touring the US and Canada next month, catch them if you can, you won’t be the same after seeing them play.
New Model Army Official Site

Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Another surprising, energetic, hopeful and remarkable record. 25 years after I picked up Bad Moon Rising, I’m still astounded at how in the moment they sound.
Sonic Youth Official Site

Danger Mouse / Sparklehorse – Dark Night of the Soul
Google it, you’ll find it. Total record label fiasco makes it unavailable at retail. With a guest list to die for, and photos by David Lynch, it’s easily the definitive artistic statement of the year, stifled by inept money grubbers.
DNOTS site

Metric – Fantasies
Previous Metric albums were good, but failed to grab me the way this one does. When the last 2 songs are the best on the album, you know it’s good.
Metric Official Site

Japandroids – Post-Nothing
Loud, noisy, and awesome… this Vancouver duo bashes out great songs on guitar and drum like it’s all they know how to do.
Japandroids Official Site

John Zorn – O’o
Can’t really say I’m a John Zorn fan, but this album is great to listen to anytime, anywhere.
John Zorn MySpace

Stardeath and White Dwarf – The Birth
Great crazy music from the Flaming Lips former roadies. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but don’t think they’re Lips Jr… they are their own flavor of crazy.
Stardeath Official Site

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
Dance music? me? Apparently so. I wasn’t sure the move to a more polished, synth heavy sound would suit the band, but I was happy to be proven wrong. A great album, beginning to end.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Official Site

Life is short… filled with stuff

Andrew Heaton — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:19:56 +0000

I read that Lux Interior died yesterday, which made me sad. All the punk rockers are starting to die of predictable and natural causes.

In a strange coincidence, this week is the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death.

I put a notice on Twitter about Lux and was a bit astonished at the small, but fervent outpour of related comments. There was a lot of hopeful skepticism about it, which got me thinking about how few iconic figures were left in music.

If the dude from Nickelback died, there’s a dozen to fill his place. Lux died, and he left a giant hole that won’t likely be filled.

My Favorite Video, pt. 1

Andrew Heaton — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:29:22 +0000

This is usually the type of thing that goes on inside my brain everyday. I have a strange surreal thing happening to me these days.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fusKcZjj7dg&hl=en&fs=1]

Mercury Rev – Opus 40 by the remarkable Anton Corbijn

With My Old Man Shoes and My Scientist Heart – Great Songs of 2008

Andrew Heaton — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:57:14 +0000

Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis?
by The Gaslight Anthem from the 7″ EP Señor And The Queen
My unofficial theme song for this year. Yes, they put out an EP as well as the best album of the year.
Download

Wishing Well
by The Airborne Toxic Event from the album The Airborne Toxic Event
Some pop songs grab you, some don’t. This one did, despite the horrid band name.
Download

I Feel Better
by Frightened Rabbit from the live album Liver! Lung! FR!
After listening to this live version, I wasn’t sure why he bothered with the studio
Download

Burn Bridges
by The Grates from the album Teeth Lost, Hearts Won
Great pop band fronted by crazy girl with crazy name #1 (Patience Hodgson)
Download

The Kelly Affair
by Be Your Own Pet from the album Get Awkward
Great pop band fronted by crazy girl with crazy name #2 (Jemina Pearl Abegg)
Download

Hair Pool
by Defiance, Ohio from the Pink Couch Sessions
Live track from the wonderful Pink Couch (Link). Can’t wait for a new album.
Download

Falling Down
by Scarlett Johansson from the album Anywhere I Lay My Head
Yes, yes… I know. Just close your eyes and pretend it’s a This Mortal Coil track from ‘83.
Download

Everything Is Not the Same
by Zita Swoon from the album Big Blueville
Great track from an album I picked up in Paris and haven’t put down.
Download

Blackboots Blackhearts
by Sweet Jane from the EP Blackboots & Blackhearts
Taking up the Velvets / JMC mantle the Ravonettes couldn’t keep up with.
Download

Out Of Time
by Jason Collett from the album Here’s To Being Here
Great track with a Lou Reed groove.
Download

Hey Momma’
by Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground from the album Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
Crazy and funky and fun.
Download

Two Angry Kids
by Street Dogs from the album State of Grace
Yes, I remember.
Download

Storm Rising
by In Tua Nua from the album When Night Comes Down On Sunset
Lovely bit of Irish rock, recorded in 1987. Some stuff is too good to leave on a shelf.
Download

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
by She & Him from the album Volume One
Super sweet song. I still love it even tho Zooey decided to marry that chode from Death Cab instead of me.
Download

Don’t Stop Believin’
by Marnie Stern
Only Marnie could make this song cool. I love the bit when the drums kick in.
Download

Threat Level Midnight
by The Riot Before from the album Fists Buried In Pockets
Just a great song. Fun to sing along with.
Download

House
by Vetiver from the album Thing Of The Past
One of those songs that knocks it all back into place.
Download

Last Day of Magic
by The Kills from the album Midnight Boom
Great song from an album that should have made my top 10 albums, but somehow got lost in the shuffle.
Download

The Captive Mind
by The Helio Sequence from the album Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Another great song from an album that should have made my top 10 albums, but somehow got lost in the shuffle.
Download

Back To Me
by The Dutchess and the Duke from the album She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke
Great bit of throwback rock and roll. I need an army jacket and a boogie hat.
Download

Bad Old World
by New Model Army from the live album Fuck Texas, Sing For Us
Always been one of my favorite NMA songs. Love the intro.
Download

Have a Nice Day
by Kinetic Stereokids from the EP Have a Nice Day
Freakshows.
Download

2008
by Hello Saferide from the album More Modern Short Stories From Hello Saferide
A fitting song for the end of the year
Download

The Best Albums of 2008

Andrew Heaton — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:05:28 +0000

The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound

Undoubtably the Album of the Year. I can’t say enough good things about this album, just buy it and listen.

Buy CD or Vinyl from Side One Dummy

Listen to High Lonesome : DOWNLOAD

Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts

Every person I share this album with is an instant fan. It only takes one to get you hooked. Amazing songwriting, astounding lyrics, moments of epiphany.

Buy from the band

Listen to Journey of the Featherless : DOWNLOAD

Fucked Up – The Chemistry Of Common Life

Quite possibly the best punk-rock head-trip concept-album that is not a concept album of all time. Your brain may not be the same after this.

Buy from Amazon

Listen to Crooked Head : DOWNLOAD

Poi Dog Pondering – 7

Another in a long string of amazing records. Some bands just keep getting better.

Buy from the band

Listen to Butterflies : DOWNLOAD

HiFi Handgrenades – Carry On

Speck and Co. release yet another gem of punk/power pop songs, yet again criminally overlooked. Carry On is my song of the year, it’s that fucking good.

Buy from New Romance For Kids Records

Listen to Carry On : DOWNLOAD

Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is

Elemental.

Buy from Red Floor Records

Listen to Bladesteel : DOWNLOAD

Marnie Stern – This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That

She’s hot. She plays guitar like no one else. She writes crazy songs you can’t stop listening to. Bonus points for best album name of the year.

Buy from Insound

Listen to Transformer : DOWNLOAD

Menahan Street Band – Make The Road By Walking

I can only wish my life was cool enough to have this as a soundtrack.