Archive
“Atlas” by Daniel Johns
Australian musician, Daniel Johns (of Silverchair & The Dissociatives), winner of 21 ARIA awards and three times winner of APRA’s songwriter of the year, has written, arranged and performed an epic new piece called “Atlas” in a unique collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Qantas Airways. The piece forms the soundtrack for the new Qantas brand and 2012 Olympics advertising.
Definitely different than his rockier Silverchair stuff, more in the epic arena he’d been moving in with their last two albums… file this under “interesting.” I’m curious how / where he’ll take this.
~Dan – np: Tin Hat & e.e. cummings – the rain is a handsome animal
My Mind’s Own Melody (trailer) with music from Daniel Johns (Silverchair)
As previously reported last June, My Mind’s Own Melody is a cinematic modern musical created by Josh Wakely and Daniel Johns (of Silverchair). A full feature film has been developed based on the concept but this trailer is for a short-film version. Keep an eye out for news of limited international screenings over the months ahead…
MY MIND’S OWN MELODY Trailer
A film by Josh Wakely, original music and lyrics by Daniel Johns (Silverchair), featuring the talents of Golden Globe winner Lisa Gerrard, starring David Lyons, My Mind’s Own Melody is a Grace films Production gracefilms.com.au.
~Dan – np: Sigur Rós – Valtari
Nick Cave’s The Ship Song Project
I found out about this via Silverchair, as lead singer/composer Daniel Johns recently took part in a special project for the Sydney Opera House. He joined an amazing cast of musicians including Neil Finn, Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly, Martha Wainwright & the Australian Chamber Orchestra interpreting Nick Cave’s iconic song, “The Ship Song.”
You can check it out at www.theshipsongproject.com
The link above has a making of video, photos and more.
~Dan – np: Spinal Tap – This is Spinal Tap
Daniel Johns & Josh Wakely at TEDxSydney
As previously reported, Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns is collaborating with filmmaker Josh Wakely on a musical feature My Mind’s Own Melody. Here they are talking about it at TED Talks Sydney (aka TEDxSydney):
TEDxSydney featured a selection of Australia’s leading visionaries and storytellers showcasing their Ideas Worth Spreading LIVE … as well as online to the world at large. TED is a not-for-profit enterprise devoted to the propagation of Ideas Worth Spreading. TED started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment & Design.
~Dan – np: Klezmerson – Siete
Silverchair “indefinite hibernation”
No, Indefinite Hibernation is not the name of the new Silverchair record. It’s the new state of the band. A sad day…
May 25, 2011
We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then … if the band stops being fun and if it’s no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop.
Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we’re putting Silverchair into “indefinite hibernation” and we’ve decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future.
We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. In fact we’ve been struggling with it for quite a while now.
Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record. Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it’s become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn’t there between the three of us at the moment.
As a result we’ve decided to put the band into ‘a deep sleep’ while we all do other things that we find more inspiring right now. This means that Silverchair won’t be making music together or playing shows any time soon. It also means that the three of us won’t be working together unless and until it feels right again.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this news but we really see it as a liberating and positive step for us at this point in our lives.
We also want to make it really clear that this decision has been made with the best possible intentions. We’ve always tried our hearts out to make the best music we could possibly make at the time – regardless of commercial consequences.
The three of us still truly care about each other. At the moment Ben’s busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you’ll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead.
In closing we’d like to acknowledge all the people ‘behind the scenes’ who’ve helped us keep this train on the tracks since we first started playing in a garage. There are too many to name but they know who they are and we truly appreciate all their love and hard work.
Above all though we want to thank you for all your support in good times and bad. You’ve put up with our long breaks between albums, our constantly changing musical styles and lots more. The unbelievable loyalty we’ve been shown by you our audience, and our friends, has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated. That’s why we wanted to tell you first.
With Sincere Thanks For Your Understanding.
Sweet Dreams.
Daniel, Ben and Chris
Perhaps there will be more music from the guys in the future (the aforementioned new material in 2010). I know we’ll see more from Daniel Johns. Whether that’s limited to film work, The Dissociatives (with Paul Mac), Hathaway+Palmer (with Luke Steele), or something different – well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
~Dan – np: Silverchair – Diorama 
Silverchair/Daniel Johns short film + free music from Owen Pallett
Two unrelated music new tidbits…
First off, Daniel Johns (frontman for Aussie rock trio Silverchair) will be part of a short film that received a grant under the 2010 Screen NSW Emerging Filmmakers Fund. Josh Wakely, an experienced actor and writer and an emerging director, will have the opportunity to make My Mind’s Own Melody, a short musical drama he has written with Daniel Johns. http://www.chairpage.com/news
Second, Owen Pallett just put out a free demo EP on soundcloud. It’s instrumental except for a spot vocal appearance from Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond). It is delightful. Get it while it’s still a free download. For other great Shara Worden guests spots… well, the Clogs record (with Sufjan Stevens guest spots, too) and Sarah Kirkland Snider‘s Penelope concept album rank high this year.
Yeah, my “Best Of” lists are still in the works. It’s still 2010; so I’m not late. (I hate it how some people start putting out their lists in October… argh…)
~Dan – np: The Weepies – Be My Thrill
Silverchair in studio / iPhone App (2010)
Per the latest Llama Appreciation Society newsletter, the boys of Silverchair – Daniel Johns, Chris Joannou, Ben Gillies – are in the studio, workin’ away:
…the provisional titles for two of the new Silverchair songs are “Machina Collecta” and “16”. Both are on the shortlist of contenders to make the set list for the Groovin The Moo and Bass In The Grass gigs during May. At this stage the band plans to play one or two newies in their set and may even rotate that slot around so they eventually get a chance to try out multiple new songs in the live environment.
“Machina Collecta” was among the first songs that came together when the band began jamming at The Grove Studios on the NSW Central Coast late last year. We could try to describe it but we probably wouldn’t do it justice. Think energy and chaos and a grinding mechanical quality and you’re on the right track.
“16” is much more melodic but in a pretty twisted way. It plays with some sounds and technologies the band has never tried before and is almost kinda … well … funky. This one first came together during one of Daniel’s trips to Tasmania where he was supposed to be recording vocals but one thing lead to another and, hey presto! Everyone’s been singing along with the chorus of this one ever since.
As we write this neither of these songs is fully recorded but both are well on the way and will almost certainly feature prominently on the new – as yet untitled – album. By the time you read this the band will be back in the studio laying down some more tracks before heading out for the May gigs. After that they’ll have a much better idea of likely release dates. At this stage all we can say for sure is that it won’t happen before October but it will hopefully happen before next March. Yes, we wish we could be more precise than that but making great music takes time and, like that paddling duck, the band is working hard no matter how it might look from a distance!
The other upcoming Silverchair moment is expected to be the launch of an iPhone app over coming months. The details of this are still a bit sketchy at press time but keep an eye on our site over coming weeks for more news on it.
Silverchair iPhone App? Yeah, ok, I’d buy it, but band iPwn Apps are usually underwhelming. Still no news on the “old news” of Daniel Johns working with Luke Steele (Hathaway + Palmer)… hopefully that hasn’t been lost…
~Dan – np: Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
Artists of the Decade – 2000s (#1 to 10)
Artists of the Decade – Honorable Mentions (1/1/2010 blog link)
- Dweezil Zappa
- Tori Amos
- Celldweller
- Iron & Wine
- King’s X
- Derek Webb
Artists of the Decade (#21 to 25) (1/1/2010 blog link)
25 ~ Ben Folds (solo)
24 ~ Peter Mulvey
23 ~ Opeth
22 ~ dredg
21 ~ Holy Fuck
Artists of the Decade (#11 to 20) (1/4/2010 blog link)
20 ~ Pedro the Lion (and David Bazan solo)
19 ~ Jurassic 5
18 ~ My Brightest Diamond
17 ~ Nellie McKay
16 ~ Secret Chiefs 3
15 ~ Over the Rhine
14 ~ Mike Patton
13 ~ Ani DiFranco
12 ~ Johnny Cash
11 ~ Dave Douglas
And now on to the final ten…
~*~*~
10 ~ Glen Phillips
At the turn of the decade / century / millenium, Glen’s band Toad the Wet Sprocket were breaking up. He went on to make several solo albums (Winter Pays For Summer being my fave thus far), several mostly brilliant side ventures (Plover, RemoteTreeChildren, WPA, Mutual Admiration Society), and even reunite with Toad for some tours. He’s as active as ever and also quite the tweeter (oft humorous / oft political).
~*~*~
9 ~ Porcupine Tree (and Steven Wilson projects)
Near the beginning of the decade, I was giving up on “prog rock.” Then a buddy told me about Porcupine Tree (thanks, SteveC). 2002’s In Absentia is amazing, and I quickly bought PT’s catalogue. The entire decade was full of Steven Wilson projects – whether Porcupine Tree or his many (and I mean many) side projects. Speaking of… Steven’s 6th and final Cover Versions CD and 7″ vinyl will be out sometime soon in the coming months.
~*~*~
8 ~ Sufjan Stevens
Illinoise was Paste’s #1 album of the decade. I think it’s in my Top 10 (as mentioned earlier, I honestly can’t bring myself to widdle down my album list to 20 or even 50 for the decade). Illinoise was my first foray into Sufjan’s world. The infatuation was near immediate. He ranges from poppy, to eclectic folk, to avant-electronic, to chamber music… and I think his song titles, while sometimes considered pretentious, put him in my hero list. :) The later part of the decade showed a more secluded Sufjan and a recant on the 50 States “promise.” However, I’m still very excited about what’s up his sleeves for the next decade.
~*~*~
7 ~ John Zorn (Masada and otherwise)
I knew of Zorn in the 1990s (via the connection to Mike Patton and specifically Mr. Bungle), but didn’t get into him until 2003 or so. Even still, I didn’t know about Masada (his klezmer-jazz quartet) until mid-decade. Their recorded studio work was all in the 1990s, but they stayed active touring throughout the 2000s… and John Zorn kept actively writing Masada Book Two – which is a book of music covered by other bands and has seen a dozen fantastic releases on his label, Tzadik. I just counted, and I have 82 John Zorn related disks from the decade (CDs, DVDs, vinyl). So, um, yeah, he’s prolific. The Masada / Bar Kokhba / Electric Masada is my favorite category of Zorn releases; but his Filmworks series, Moonchild Trio (Mike Patton, Joey Baron & Trevor Dunn), and The Gift / Dreamers band are also key releases. 2010 has 12 new Zorn releases on the docket. *drool*
~*~*~
6 ~ Maynard James Keenan (Tool / A Perfect Circle / Puscifer)
One of the best singers in the world of rock, Maynard has kept busy… this decade: three bands and eight or so albums, several DVD releases, remix albums & singles, vinyl singles, and a new winery. While he doesn’t always nail it every time, his and his bands’ hit rates far exceed most. His solid work ethic points to more releases next decade. A recent interview leads me to believe that the touring side of things may slow down some, but I’m hoping that just means “less touring” and not “no touring.” There have been hints of Tool and A Perfect Circle studio stuff in the near future… and Puscifer seems alive and kicking (and keen on the internet EP thing). Puscifer is hitting the Midwest and East Coast in early 2010.
~*~*~
5 ~ Daniel Johns (Silverchair & The Dissociatives)
2002’s Diorama (by Silverchair) is a contender for best album of the decade for me. Daniel Johns followed that up with a side project with Paul Mac called The Dissociatives. Their self-titled debut (2004) is also a contender for best album of the decade… then Silverchair came roaring back in 2007 with Young Modern – another strong contender. Daniel Johns and his couple of bands has large gaps between studio releases, but they all score high every time for me. They’ve moved well beyond their debut (which they released in the 90s at age 15). 2010 promises the follow-up to Young Modern… so, look out, Best of 2010 lists…
~*~*~
4 ~ Elliott Smith
I found out about Elliott in early 2000, a little bit after Figure 8 came out. I had the opportunity to see him live at Southgate House (Newport, KY) on the Figure 8 Tour. He quickly became an important part of my musical diet. His albums hit me emotionally, but he left us too early (he died of apparent self-induced stab wounds to the heart on October 21, 2003). I still get goosebumps with his music and quite frankly have never been affected by a celebrity’s death like I am by Elliott’s. An album and more of his unreleased material has made its way out since his death. I don’t believe in an afterlife, but if there were one, I’d hope to get to meet Elliott and have a beer with him.
~*~*~
3 ~ Sigur Rós
Ágætis byrjun and ( ) may be the most beautiful things that I don’t understand due to language barriers – two perfect albums, if you ask me. This past decade Sigur Rós went on to make four full length albums, a handful of EPs and soundtracks, several world tours, an utterly gorgeous tour documentary called Heima (that rivals Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii in stunning beauty), and still find time to take time off (well, time off except for Jónsi – who released a duo album with his partner Alex Sommers and is set to release a solo album in early 2010).
~*~*~
2 ~ Radiohead (and Thom & Jonny solo)
One of the most unarguably overrated bands of all-time… yet, one of my favorites. The decade started with Kid A and ended with some Thom Yorke solo activity… it was a full decade of albums, tours, solo work (the aforementioned Thom solo stuff plus two soundtracks from Jonny). They branch out and sometimes get more praise and credit than is merited (I know skads of indie artists doing the “pay what you want” method years before In Rainbows), but I suppose Radiohead were the first formerly major-label / international band to do so. Anyway, Radiohead, despite public pressure, continue to evolve as a band. That scores major points with me. They’re hitting the studio in January 2010… yippie.
~*~*~
1 ~ Kevin Moore (Chroma Key & OSI)
Yeah, the #1 of the decade who few know about… Kevin Moore left the progressive rock band Dream Theater in 1994, shedding the seemingly antithetic “progressive” constraints of the progressive scene to make his own music. Chroma Key’s debut Dead Air For Radios (1999) is my #1 album of all-time… but it came out in the late 90s. The 2000 album You Go Now is probably in my Top 10 of all-time as well. The branching out into scoring with Kevin’s solo soundtrack Ghost Book (for the Turkish horror movie OKUL), political/religious-imagery radio/mix-taping with Memory Hole 1, and the new band project with Jim Matheos called the Office of Strategic Influence (aka O.S.I.) solidified Kevin in my favorite artists list. I’m looking forward to more Chroma Key, O.S.I., Memory Hole, or solo work that Kevin puts out… hopefully soon.
~*~*~*~*~
As pointed out the other day, the 2010s are shaping up to be a great decade… see you on the other side!
My Other Favorites of 2009 Recaps:
- Fave Concerts of ‘09 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/more of ‘09 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave Vocal Albums ‘09 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave Instrumental Albums ’09 are *HERE*
- Old Years: 2008I, 2008V, 2008ep, 2008C, 2007V, 2007I, 2007C, 2006, 2005
~Dan – np: Charlie Hunter – Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid
Oh, and for those who say that the decade ends at the end of 2010… meh. I’m starting with 0 and ending with 9 (like a LOT of people). Rationale: the 80s, the 90s… you don’t say the 80s went from 1/1/1981 to 12/31/1990 or the 90s from 1/1/1991 to 12/31/2000.
2010 anticipated albums
So, the year end and decade end recaps are in process (the monkeys I ordered are in the back room typing away) … I needed something to fill the gap… here are some artists who are expecting to release new material in 2010, all of which I’m looking forward to…
The Album Leaf‘s A Chorus of Storytellers, My Brightest Diamond‘s Shark Remixes box set, Go from Jónsi Birgisson of Sigur Rós, French singer Jeanne Cherhal‘s Charade, George Hrab‘s Trebuchet, 12 new albums from John Zorn, Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane and hopefully Crudo (if they’re both not put off due to Faith No More reunion touring), Derek Webb‘s Democracy Vol 1 (and he’s even recording with Caedmon’s Call for a 2010 release or two), guitar phenom Kaki King, maybe the Secret Chiefs 3 will finally release Book of Souls (it’s their “Chinese Democracy”), Eisley & Perma (a side project with Sherri from Eisley), Ellery from Cincinnati, Ty Tabor of King’s X, A.N.M. featuring Doug Pinnick of King’s X and Jimi Hazel of 24-7 Spyz, Ken Andrew and Co’s Digital Noise Academy, Trent Reznor’s just announced new Nine Inch Nails album, Silverchair are working on one, Radiohead are hitting the studio (maybe something out by year’s end), and… Ani DiFranco – I mean, it’s inevitable… right?
Plus many more great albums due out in 2010, I’m sure.
~Dan – np: Skerik / Dead Kenny G’s – Bewildered Herd
Daniel Johns (Silverchair) on JJJ
Silverchair front-man Daniel Johns called into Australia’s Triple J to give info about the upcoming album. You can go listen to the 7+ minute interview at Triple J. He’s back in Australia and has worked on the new songs with his band mates. Gleaned from the interview… the album currently comes off as “dirtier than Young Modern” (per Daniel), and there is a less frequent use of guitars so far (only on 4 of the 15 or so songs currently in the works).
Who knows how things will turn out, but I think we can expect a new Silverchair album in 2010. No album name yet… unless it’s gonna be called Fly Fishing. ;)
~Dan – np: Works Progress Administration – WPA
Silverchair 2009
This little blurb in from the Llama Appreciation Society today (6/1/09)…
It is with great pleasure to confirm SILVERCHAIR have been back in the studio working on a bunch of new songs.
I expect this means… early 2010 for a new album? In any case… awesome news!!!
~Dan – np: Secret Chiefs 3 – Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini
no torrents or free downloads
Daniel Johns + Luke Steele = Hathaway / Palmer?
Hey, Silverchair fans… check out this update (6/1/2009 news)… (click for update blog)
Silverchair & the Dissociatives frontman Daniel Johns has a new collaboration with Luke
Steele… now called Hathaway/Palmer. Yeah, I don’t understand the name either… As of now, there are no concrete plans to release the “acoustic pop” record, but Chairpage will post any news once they get it.
For people uninitiated with Daniel Johns… he and two school mates, Ben Gillies & Chris Joannou, started the band Silverchair at age 15. What were you doing at age 15?
(no, they’re not Hanson)
Silverchair grew out of their grunge & teen angst and by their third album (Neon Ballroom) started making more diverse music. Their last two albums (Diorama and Young Modern) are two of my favorite albums as of late. Daniel was also in a side project, The Dissociatives, with DJ/keyboardist Paul Mac.
Some choice Daniel Johns’ albums:
For those uninitiated with Luke Steele (like myself), apparently he’s the singer from the Australian band The Sleepy Jackson. His music seems like a good mix with Daniel’s… I’m excited for what’s to come…
From Luke Steele…
“Dan is William Hathaway and I’m Walter Palmer so it’s going to be Hathaway and Palmer,” Steele said. “It kind of started out a White Album thing because we don’t have a band, it was acoustics. And from there it kind of went a bit haywire. It’s pretty pop. I guess it’s quite low down, there’s country songs…”
~Dan – np: Mitch Hedberg – Do You Believe in Gosh?
iRandom {28 Aug 08}
Some random listening this morning from the iPod’s shuffle option…
- Mogwai “Kappa” from Government Sessions
This was fortuitous, as I’m going to see Mogwai in Portland next week. :) The Government Sessions was my first experience with Mogwai.
- John Scofield “Whatcha See is Whatcha Get” from Up All Night
A little bit too hotel lobby jazz for me compared to some of J.Sco’s other stuff… but great for reading through employee benefit audit guidance.
- Frank Zappa “The Moon Will Never Be the Same” from Joe’s Xmasage
More of the avant-garde meanderings from FZ. Short, but not sweet.
- Sigur Rós “Bíum Bíum Bambaló” from Angels of the Universe
This is easily my favorite track from this soundtrack / score.
- Silverchair “No Association” from Freak Show
Ah, from their good ol’ gah-rung-ah era…
- The Sheds “Rootwings” from You’ve Got a Light
Cincinnati quirfolk duo… but one of their more straight forward songs… they haven’t put anything out lately, I don’t think. I may have to poke by their website when I get home tonight. http://www.theshedsmusic.com/
- Tim Sparks “Where Are You My Lover?” from Tanz
Gentle guitars on this overall beautiful Tzadik release.
- Frank Zappa “Flakes” from Beat the Boots #7: Saarbrücken
Two FZ tunes in the 10-song spin… what are the odds? Well, actually, they are 1,110 available FZ songs out of 14,678 non-replacing permutations (all songs currently on my iPod) would be a 0.57% chance for 2 FZ to land somewhere in the first 10 spins (unless I did the math incorrectly – which is highly likely, as my stats book from last term was borrowed from a colleague). Anyway… fun song, complete with a pretty bad, but funny, Bob Dylan impression.
- Caedmon’s Call “I Just Don’t Want Coffee” from I Just Don’t Want Coffee -EP-
This one has different lyrics from the Warner debut version. It’s one of the more compelling, and thankfully not Jebusy, Derek Webb-penned early Caedmon’s tunes. Derek Webb is a great songwriter. Even though I have philosophical differences with him, I still love him and his music.
- Yann Tiersen “Soir de fête” from Rue des Cascades
Yann, you wiley devil. Great instrumentalism with the grounded feel of folk music, but the fun of a circus parade.
Well, I shant type robustly about the 11th and so on shuffled tune… even thought I want to (#11 was Estradasphere and #12 was Isis). Anyway, that’s just a peak inside my ears this morning… check any of them out on iTunes or the Amazon.
~Dan
* Favorite VOCAL Albums of 2007 *
My Other Favorites of 2007 Recaps:
Fav Concerts of ’07 are recapped *HERE*
Fav Local / Vinyl / Internet-Only / Podcasts of ’07 are *HERE*
Fav EPs / Compilations / Music DVDs of ’07 are *HERE*
Fav Instrumental Albums of ’07 are *HERE*
Favorite Vocal Albums of 2007
1) Silverchair – Young Modern – Daniel Johns, leader of Silverchair, is one of my rock heroes. On Young Modern, he and the boys didn’t disappoint. This album is a continuation of the feel from Diorama, but perhaps more cohesive. Diorama was fantastic (A++), but this one seems less disjointed. Best album of the year, by far.
http://www.chairpage.com/
http://www.myspace.com/silverchair
2) Radiohead – In Rainbows – This is a quintessential Radiohead album. Check out my track-by-track review HERE.
http://www.radiohead.com/
http://www.myspace.com/radiohead
3) Elliott Smith – New Moon – I had many of the songs on this double-CD already from the demo stockpile on the internets, but this collection also had many new tunes from my favorite long lost songwriter. His death affected me more than any other “celebrity.” His words really cut through, and I’m glad that his unreleased music still made its way out.
http://www.sweetadeline.net
http://www.myspace.com/elliottsmithnewmoon
4) Ken Andrews – Secrets of the Lost Satellite – Another rock hero of mine… I got into Ken Andrews via Chroma Key (Ken’s 1st On record was highly talked about by CK’s Kevin Moore, or Kevin was touring with Ken). Anyway, this newest solo album is a bit like On but also a bit like Failure & Year of the Rabbit. You can’t go wrong in my book, Ken. Some great hooky hardrock.
http://www.kenandrews.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kenandrews
5) Puscifer – V is for Vagina – Another Maynard James Keenan side project. His main band (Tool) is still my favorite of his artistic outlets, but Puscifer has a really good vibe. Poor choice in album title (in my opinion), but I realize that it’s a stand against censorship (which I support.. meaning I support the stand against, not the actual censorship). Alas, the packaging for this album wins the Best Packaging Award for 2007. It’s built like an emergency airline pamphlet… and it’s quite hilarious. Kudos, Maynard!
http://www.puscifer.com/
http://www.myspace.com/censorshipisacancer
6) Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog – Hush-toned singer-songwriter tour de force. Gritty and witty, subtle brutally honest lyrics. Nice story telling…
http://www.ironandwine.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ironandwine
7) Dug Pinnick (of king’s X) – Strum Sum Up – I love Dug/Doug. This is by far his best album. Great songs, and the extended jams are exciting, too (I kinda was disappointed when I first heard of the idea, but loved it once I heard the music). Wally Farkas (of the Galactic Cowboys) and Hal Sparks helped out on this record.
http://www.dugpinnick.com/
http://www.myspace.com/dugpinnickpoundhound
8 ) Michael Kelsey – The Way It Rolls – Michael Kelsey gets added to the list of things I’m sad about moving away from Ohio. Michael Kelsey (not from Ohio, but neighboring Indiana) is a fucking Midwestern U.S. musical TREASURE. His records are always great, but his live show is one of legend. He blows your mind, the mind of the guy next to you, and the mind of the lady in the parking lot paying the meter… all with 6 strings and 37 fingers. I mean, the way he plays, he has to have 37 fingers. Doesn’t he?
http://www.michaelkelsey.com/
http://www.myspace.com/michaelkelseymusic
9) Wussy – Left For Dead – Best local CD (Cincinnati, OH) for me in 2007. Lisa and Chuck are a great songwriting team. I dig both of their vocals, and the band knows how to kick it! Great rock and a well-produced sophomore record!
http://www.wussymusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/therealwussy
10) Nellie McKay – Obligatory Villagers – Quirky, cute, brilliant songstress and obfuscator of journalists. Short and sweet third record. We got to see her this year in Eugene (concert review) this year. Fantastic show!! She rarely disappoints. I hope to hear more of her music now that she’s out of the clutches of Columbia/Sony/Artist Screwers Int’l.
http://www.nelliemckay.com/
http://www.myspace.com/prettylittlehead
11) Tegan and Sara – The Con – Great indie pop rock record from this twin sister songwriting duo. This is their 5th record (by my count), and they truly get better with age.
http://www.teganandsara.com/
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara
12) Abigail’s Ghost – Selling Insincerity – For fans of Porcupine Tree… get this album now. It did for me what Steven Wilson didn’t do for me this year… get to 12 on my list. ;) Don’t worry, Steven Wilson continually impresses, too. Regardless, Abigail’s Ghost is right up a PT fan’s alley — lush progressive rock without the spandex, frizzy hair and crotch-too-tight falsetto.
http://www.abigailsghost.com/
http://www.myspace.com/abigailsghost
13) Blackfield – Blackfield II – Ok, Steven Wilson made it to 13. I got to see Blackfield in NYC this year (concert review). Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson have a great chemistry. Blackfield II continues on the path laid out by BF I.
http://www.blackfield.org/
http://www.myspace.com/blackfield
14) Eisley – Combinations – A harder-edged Sixpence None the Richer, perhaps. This five-piece band of siblings astonishes me. Mainly because if I could never be in a functioning band with my 3 other siblings. Add another… fahgetaboutit. Eisley brings great vocal harmonies and a rocky edge to what might have otherwise been sugary pop. Kudos on the sophomore album! I dig it.
http://www.eisley.com/
http://www.myspace.com/eisley
15) Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace – You may have heard some of their songs on the radio. Dave Grohl and Co know how to rock and grab you with a hook. That’s all I can say.
http://www.foofighters.com/
http://www.myspace.com/foofighters
16) Megadeth – United Abominations – Chunka chunka chunnk. I’m glad Dave Mustaine is back at it. Sometimes cheesy lyrically, usually brutal and fun listen, though. A+.
http://www.megadeth.com/
http://www.myspace.com/megadeth
17) Dream Theater – Systematic Chaos – Complex and more rewarding after each listen.
http://www.dreamtheater.net/
http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater
18 ) Crunchy – Loserville – Monty Colvin (of the Galactic Cowboys) knows how to write a good pop-punk song about being an outcast. Some may say that’s his downfall. Oh, but what a sweet downfall… or… er… resulting record. His 3rd record under the Crunchy moniker… it’s a welcome addition to my collection of Colvin art (I also own one of his paintings… he’s a superb painter, yo!).
http://www.montycolvin.com/
http://www.myspace.com/montycolvin
19) Finger Eleven – Them vs. You vs. Me – I had no idea that “Paralyzer” was big this year. Just shows you how much I know about radio (I haven’t purposefully listened in going on 20 years). Anyway, I’ve been a big fan of F11 since Tip (late 90s), and I’m glad that their last two records have been solid consistent hard rock… with vocals that I love.
http://www.fingereleven.com/
http://www.myspace.com/fingereleven
20) Over the Rhine – The Trumpet Child – Well, I got “fired” by the band for being a “bad fan.” It was equal parts embarrassing, and equal parts rewarding. Alas, I still liked this record enough to crack the Top 20. “If a Song Could be President” (while quaint in lyric) is one of the worst songs ever for me (way too country for me), but “Don’t Wait For Tom” makes up for it. Totally fun track… and a solid record overall. Oh, and, Karin… sorry for being a bad fan. I still like ya.
http://www.overthewhine.com/
http://www.myspace.com/overthewhine
21) Greydon Square – The Compton Effect – Great rap style with free-thinking atheist lyrics too boot. Infectious rhythms and vocals. I hope his follow-up this coming year tops it. :-) I also hopes he catches on more and can tour more beyond skeptical/atheist conferences to which I can’t afford to travel.
http://www.greydonsquare.com/
http://www.myspace.com/greydonsquare
22) Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam) – Into the Wild – Got this for xmas from my brother (and sis-in-law). Fantastic short set by Eddie. I really need to see this movie, too… it’s from a book that I actually read. :P
http://www.pearljam.com
http://www.myspace.com/intothewildmovie
23) Tori Amos – American Doll Posse – Solid album by pop’s bad girl. I think her many personas are getting tiring (see, I’m a “bad fan” of more than just Over the Rhine), but she still brings her A game for 95% of this CD. I wish I’d have seen her on her latest tour, too… I heard it was killer.
http://www.toriamos.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toriamos
24) Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet – Their material on the Nil Recurring -EP- should have made its way onto this record. Great stuff nonetheless… it grows on me, slower than prior PT work, but solid songs nonetheless.
http://www.porcupinetree.com/
http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree
25) Tomahawk – Anonymous – Mike Patton and Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard) on Native American sourced rock songs. Not as all over the place like prior Tomahawk records… which is unfortunately missed. Alas, Mike and Duane still bring it, and over up a wonderful take on traditional tribal melodies.
http://www.ipecac.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tomahawkofficial
honorable mentions:
Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV – Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow / That1Guy and the Magic Pipe – The Moon is Disgusting / La Mar Enfortuna (aka Elysian Fields) – Conviviencia / Ozomatli – Don’t Mess With the Dragon / My Brightest Diamond – Tear It Down (remixes)
myspace/coheedandcambria – myspace/that1guy – myspace/lamarenfortuna – myspace/ozomatli – myspace/mybrightestdiamond
That’s it for my 2007 lists… whew… next year it’ll take less time to do (hopefully)…
~Dan – np: George Hrab – Interrobang
Another Wave of Fave (2007)
My Other Favorites of 2007 Recaps:
* Fav Concerts of ’07 are recapped *HERE*
* Fav Local / Vinyl / Internet-Only / Podcasts of ’07 are *HERE*
Well, this “Round 3” is decidedly less flashy (sans pics)… I’ve got too much homework to do to be putzing around on my 2007 pontifications… :-) I have included MySpace links for artists represented on MySpace, whether officially or fictionally represented (just click their names and check out their stuff).
Favorite EPs
1) Porcupine Tree – Nil Recurring
2) Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck
3) Kelly Evans – Easy
4) The Album Leaf – Green Tour
5) Auragami – +/-
6) Sia – Lady Croissant
7t) Sarah Masen – Magic That Works
7t) Sarah Masen – A History of Lights and Shadows
7t) Sarah Masen – Woman’s Work is Alchemy
8 ) Múm – The Peel Session
Favorite Compilations/Re-issues
1) Secret Chiefs 3 – Path of Most Resistance: In History and Presence
2) Ani DiFranco – Canon
3) Sigur Rós – Hvarf-Heim
4) Peter Mulvey – Notes From Elsewhere : solo acoustic
5) Derek Webb – One Zero (Acoustic & Remixes)
hm) Nick Drake – Family Tree
Favorite Live Albums
1) Dave Douglas Quintet – Live at the Jazz Standard
2) Ken Andrews – Never Say Never – Tour CD
3) Ellery – What I’ve Said Out Loud
4) Dub Trio – Cool Out and Coexist
5) The Cracow Klezmer Band – Remembrance: Live in Warsaw
hm) Ani DiFranco – Boston, 11.10.06
hm) Over the Rhine – Live from Nowhere Farm, Volume Two
Favorite Music-related DVDs (huge tie for 5th, obviously a rigged election… or a sign of getting too many DVD for xmas from family)
1) Sigur Rós – Heima
2) Silverchair – Across the Great Divide
3) That1Guy and the Magic Pipe – Live in the Land of OZ (late-late 2006 release)
4) Ellery – An Evening with Ellery
5t) Ben Folds – Live at MySpace
5t) Estradasphere – Palace of Mirrors Live
5t) Incubus – Look Alive
5t) Kaada / Patton – Live
My final two rounds (Fave Instrumental & Fave Vocal Albums) should be posted next week or so. Yeah, I know. Whatever. :-)
~Dan – np: Crunchy – Loserville
<prelim.oh.seven.fav.list>
Well, my 17-day vacation/ holiday break/ hustle-and-rent-the-house-2,600-miles-away trip went well… alas, my oft “too time consuming” year-end list of all that is fantastic to my ears is not done/barely started.
Now that I’ll be back to school, I’ll have some time to re-listen to my 2007 music. Expect something in mid-to-late January (perhaps). In the meantime, for those that care (all 2 of you)… here are some preliminary choice tunes from last year (in no particular order, except for likely the 1st two):
2. Radiohead – In Rainbows
Wussy – Left for Dead
Ken Andrews (from Failure/On/Year of the Rabbit) – Secrets of the Lost Satellite
Puscifer (Maynard from Tool) – V is For Vagina
Elliott Smith – New Moon
Antibalas – Security
Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Hiromi – Time Control
Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck LP2
Marc Ribot – Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 7 (Asmodeus)
John Zorn – Six Litanies for Heliogabalus
Dave Douglas & Keystone – Moonshine
The Lithuanian Empire – The Lithuanian Empire
The full “Top ??” list will be jam-packed with more info, pictures, and links than you cared to know about said artists… as I would have it no. other. way.
~Dan – np: Gaston Zirko‘s experimental music on myspace
Favorite Concerts of 2007
Well, there are still some 2007 CDs that may or may not arrive in my hands before the year’s over (specifically Eyvind Kang, Dave Douglas, Greydon Square, Radiohead, Doug Pinnick & La Mar Enfortuna — all of which have Top 20 potential); so I’m not ready to post my “Best CDs of 2007” list, yet. Look for that one sometime in early 2008…
This blog is for my favorite concerts of 2007. I went to too many to recount in detail, but these are the tip-top ones…
- Music Now Festival 2007 (Pedro Soler, Bryce Dessner, David Cossin, the Clogs, the Havels, Osso, Amiina, My Brightest Diamond, Sufjan Stevens) at the Memorial Hall, Cincinnati-OH (4/5/07 to 4/7/07) my review
- Masada (John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron) at the Rose Theatre at the Lincoln Center, New York-NY (3/10/07) my review
- Nellie McKay at the Shedd Institute, Eugene-OR (10/5/07) my review
- Silverchair at the Fillmore @ the TLA, Philadelphia-PA (7/28/07) review snippet
- Secret Chiefs 3 at the Bowery Ballroom, New York-NY (3/15/07) my review
- John Zorn’s Moonchild (Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, Joey Baron) at the Moore Theatre, Seattle-WA (11/4/07) my review
- Holy Fuck at the Southgate House, Newport-KY (4/1/07) my review
- Antibalas at the Southgate House, Newport-KY (4/29/07) review snippet
- Noctaluca at the Taste of Cincinnati, Cincinnati-OH (5/28/07)
- Blackfield (Steven Wilson & Aviv Geffen) at the Bowery Ballroom, New York-NY (3/16/07) my review
OK, I guess I’ve still got coming up in 2007 Iron & Wine in Portland (12/2) and maybe David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) in Eugene (12/14); but the above concerts were my favorites of 2007…
Happy thanksgiving, yo! One thing I’m thankful for is definitely music… :-)
~Dan – np: npr jazz profiles (podcast) – duke ellington: the bandleader, pt. 1
12/24 Update: wow… I totally forgot the kick ass Zappa Plays Zappa show at Moonlite Gardens in Cincinnati, OH on 7/24/07. I think I forgot because I didn’t blog about it when it happened (gettin’ ready to quit my job and pack up and head west at the time)… but now reading this week’s CityBeat, tons of people listed it as a favorite, and man, I was at that show, too… Dweezil = awesomes! Ray White = awesomes! Frank on a big screen behind the band, singing and soloing with the live band = awesomes! 2nd time seeing the ZPZ tour in 2 years (completely different setlist, too). I think it needs to be a once-a-year thing… in perpetuity.
mini-REVIEW: Silverchair in Philly & Detroit (late-July & early-August ’07)
two little blurbs… two great shows… too much driving…
Philly~ I drove too much over this past weekend (16 hours of driving in a 34 hour window)… but I got to see Silverchair for the first time. It was at the Fillmore at the TLA in Philadelphia. The opener, We Are the Fury, was “alright.” I’ve seen better, but I’ve definitely seen worse. Silverchair came on around 10:10 and played around an hour and a half. The first two songs were muddy as hell, all bass and vocals, but luckily the sound guy fixed it by the 3rd song. They played most of the new album, Young Modern, “The Lever” and “Greatest View” from Diorama, “Emotion Sickness” and “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” from Neon Ballroom, “The Door” and “Freak” from Freakshow, and none from Frogstomp (thankfully).
Detroit~ great show!! “Without You” instead of “The Lever” and no “Low” when compared to Philly. Fantastic set regardless!!!
~Dan
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
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