This is probably the first year that I’ve listened to enough current music that I feel comfortable making a top ten list. Some of my favorite bands released new records that I loved, a few released records that I don’t love as much as I wanted to, and I found a bunch of new bands that took me by surprise, overwhelmed me, and wouldn’t let me go. This list reflects both the bigger bands (though still not big by mainstream, stadium-going standards) and the local bands that I’ve grown to love – I’ll admit my bias for mixed-gendered bands with a focus on female vocals right now, because you’ll notice it anyway.

Click through for my top ten albums of 2009, some honorable mentions, and a rundown of some of favorite live shows of the year.

Read More

Last year’s Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago was certainly a highlight of the year – maybe THE highlight of the year. The logistics of how the entire thing was pulled off was nothing short of spectacular. If you missed it, never miss is again!

The official Lolla web site is pretty intuitive and as the concert(s) scheduled date approaches ever closer, the site will become even more interactive with band bios and streaming listening posts. Added this year is the social networking tool with which you can share your lineup and schedule with friends, post everything to your Facebook profile, get editable mobile schedule and of course a Twitter feed.

And now for the good news: today the full lineup was announced. Umm… holy shit?

Depeche Mode, Beastie Boys, Jane’s Addiction (a band I would cut off my pinky finger to see), Band of Horses, Neko Case, Kings of Leon, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, SNOOP DOGG!, Gomez, Silversun Pickups, TV on the Radio, Santigold, Crystal Castles, Of Montreal, Raveonettes, Portugal. The Man, Thievery Corp, Atmosphere, The Killers and Lou fuckin Reed along with a shit ton more.

See the full lineup over at the official web site. Barring death, I’ll see you in Chicago on August 7th!

Tuesday saw the release of the new record from Neko Case: “Middle Cyclone.” Neko has been high on my list of daily listening choices since early 2007. After really getting into the greatness that was The New Pornographers‘ “Electric Version” (of which Neko has a strong presence with) and then their follow-up, “Twin Cinema” I discovered Neko’s solo efforts. The first album I became aware of was “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” of which I instantly fell in love with. Going back to her earlier works I was equally enthralled with those previous efforts. But “Fox Confessor” just seemed to have a little more ‘oomph’ and little less ‘twang’ than the others; so I always went back to that record and as I mentioned, it was always on my list of possibilities for the “what shall I listen to today” daily conundrum.

So needless to say I was quite excited when I found her new album was being released. Neko Case has a very distinct act. It sort of reminds me of the 70′s and early 80′s country music the folks in the north country were listening to when I was a kid, but it’s got much more deep tonal qualities and a just slight edge to the music. Some slightly darker chord changes give Neko’s sound the feeling as if it were from a lost Quentin Tarantino soundtrack.

Take a little bit of a Patsy Cline feel, add a dash of Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) with the slight indie edge of someone like Ani Difranco and then light it all up with a deep, rich musical back-up and damn if you don’t have one of the sweetest sounding acts playing today. I’ve heard live recordings and can’t wait to experience it first hand. The new album is entitled “Middle Cyclone” and is available now everywhere.

iTunes
Amazon
Official Site
Facebook

Here is a little taste of goodness from Neko. The first two tracks are from the new record.

People Got a Lot of Nerve

Magpie to the Morning

…and my favorite Neko Case song from the album “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood”:
Hold On, Hold On

Neko Case will be releasing a new album titled “Middle Cyclone” on March 3. I found this short “behind the scenes” promo and it’s too good not to share.   “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” from 2006 was a remarkable album and after watching this (although it’s still early and I’ve only heard snippets), it really sounds like this one will be a contender for the cream of the crop of ’09.  Enjoy.