I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that you're gearing up to see the new year/new decade in tonight. Since my 2009 post just before Christmas, I've become quite addicted to the 'Sea Sew' album by Lisa Hannigan that I mentioned briefly. There's so much music out there that I need to listen to and when I stumble upon an album as good and as fresh as this, it fills me with happiness. Every little thing about the album makes me smile, especially the cover art (above) and this perfect video for 'I Don't Know', the first song I heard from the album and quite possibly my favorite.
That video was uploaded to Youtube on my Birthday this year, how I've managed to miss out on this album for so long, I don't know. I was never a huge follower of Damien Rice, who Lisa has worked with on two albums, despite having both those albums. So that may explain why I've been slightly out of the loop. Here's an awesome live cut of the same song, filmed in an Irish pub in a very small space next to the bar. I'm going to go and listen to this song on repeat for the rest of the year, see you on the other side. . .Happy New Year.
Well, everyone seems to be doing either their 'best of 2009' or 'best of the decade' lists at the moment and I think I've got the bug a little. I've been thinking about posting a 2009 type thing on here since mid November, but have been finding it very hard. I did the same thing last year, but for one reason or another never got around to it.
I've heard so much good music this year, but I know there's a lot that I've not yet heard, which makes it hard to make a definitive list. For example I've only just discovered Sea Sew by Lisa Hannigan through the Fuel/Friends 'favorite things of 2009' list. I love blog surfing this time of year, because if you stumble across a list with some of your favourite albums of the year on, then the others on there are ones that should be checked out. Something that has helped me with this is Grooveshark, a place I stumbled upon a few months ago where you can listen to virtually any track you want, whenever you want and for free. Certainly helps the wallet, the ears and the soul.
So what has been enlightening me this year? Here goes. . .
Dead Man's Bones -Dead Man's Bones.
I think that I've probably listened to this album the most out of all the albums I've bought this year. There is something timeless about the music that draws you in and demands your attention. Ever since seeing the 'Name In Stone' video the band posted on the internet earlier in the year, I was hooked. Typically that's the one song that didn't wind up on the album, but I'm hoping for a special vinyl version to be released next year. Here's the video for 'Name In Stone'.
Fanfarlo - Reservoir.
The debut album from UK/Sweden band Fanfarlo is probably my second most listened to album of the year. I got a bit addicted to all the live videos that the band posted on the internet before the album came out, filmed in many different locations, but all showing a warmth and soul that you don't find in music everyday. As much as I love the album, it's still the live videos that I find myself going back to. I really hope to catch them on tour next year.
The band have done a series of 'laptop' sessions , including this awesome cover of 'In The Aeroplane Over The Sea' originally by Neutral Milk.
Brendan Benson - My Old Familiar Friend.
As great as it was to see Brendan Benson with Jack Black in The Raconteurs, I must admit that he was doing that and not releasing another solo album. Now that Jack White is concentrating on other projects (including The Dead Weather, who I saw live earlier this year and were amazing), Brendan has gone back to doing what he does best. This effort may be a little more polished than previous releases thanks to Gil Norton on production duties, but it's probably my favourite album by him.
His touring band consited of Cardinals drummer Brad Pemberton, who can be seen rocking along in this video for 'A Whole Lot Better'.
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers.
This album reminded me how great the Manics once were and how much I loved their earlier stuff. The album was dedicated to Richey Edwards, their lyricist and guitarist who went missing in 1995, with all the lyrics having been left by him to the band a few weeks before he disappeared. The lyrics make the band seem fresh and relevant again and long for the days when Richey was still around.
The band released this video for 'Jackie Collins Existential Question Time', a fitting tribute to Richey who is till missed my many.
