Music You Should Be Listening To v1

:::The first in a series, MYSBLTV1 is a collection of songs from the last few years that are aching to be heard.  Featuring Kathleen Edwards, Nada Surf, Aimee Mann, Badly Drawn Boy, and many others, this collection is sure to have you believing that, so far, the 2000's have been delivering the sonic goods in bulk.

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Kathleen Edwards :::Westby [from Failer , 2003] Rumor has it that Failer was a demo that turned out to be a surprisingly mature and impressive debut from the 24-year old Canadian.  Confident and vulnerable all at the same time, Kathleen takes a nod from Lucinda Williams.

The Long Winters :::Scared Straight [from When I Pretend To Fall, 2003] Curly-haired John Roderick and the northwestern nerd-music collective blast the indie scene with an inventive, listenable album that caught even the most staunch music nerds by surprise. When I Pretend To Fall flirts with coolness.

Nada Surf :::Hi-Speed Soul [from Let Go, 2003] Nada Surf wins the award for the most unexpected record of 2003. A stunning collection of rock with equal amounts of brain, emotion, and style, Let Go delivers every song on a melodic platter that satisfies listen after listen.

Get Up Kids :::Overdue [from On a Wire, 2002] Emo kids return with a record that none of the other emo kids liked. Perhaps the Get Up Kids grew up, perhaps they got bored. Or perhaps they were better than we all thought.

Aimee Mann :::Guys Like Me [from Lost In Space, 2002] Major label-allergic Ms. Mann has been able to secure queen status in the adult contemporary music category. She deserves it, even though in the 80's she had really big hair. Now she's got a big studio budget and good songwriting skills to go with it.

Badly Drawn Boy :::Something To Talk About [from About a Boy (Original Soundtrack), 2002] Funny hat wearing Damon Gough broke the no soundtrack rule early in his career. Luckily for us (and for him) it didn't suck. The English Elliott Smith.

Death Cab For Cutie :::Blacking Out the Friction [from The Photo Album, 2001] The indie scene poster boys with the funny name strike again with another shimmering collection of heart-wrenching, studio-defying songs. This isn't their latest, but it's the last time they really juiced up the metronome.

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives :::Sister Surround [from Behind The Music, 2002] Riding the wave of the recent Swedish rock invasion, these guys have actually been around awhile. Behind the Music broke them in the States, though, earning them a Grammy nomination.

Longwave :::Tidal Wave [from Strangest Things, 2003] The Brooklyn hipters' second release is a major label recording that is actually pretty good. Producer David Fridman's midas touch is subtle yet effective here. Listeners of early U2 will feel right at home.

Califone :::Vampiring Again [from Quicksand/Cradlesnakes, 2003] Chicago backporch tripsters lay down the bleeps and the blips on this critically acclaimed release. Mixing traditional instruments with unrecognizable noise, Califone spins a unique pallet of comfort music.

Matt Pond PA :::Fairlee [from Nature Of Maps, 2002] Chamber pop music is a weird notion. Luckily, it simply refers to good pop music with orchestral stylings. And, fortunately Matt Pond PA has no intention of lulling you to sleep with it.

The New Pornographers :::The Laws Have Changed [from Electric Version, 2003] Dubbed by CMJ as the best pop band in the world, the Pornographers are indeed a sound to behold. Electric Version, their second release, has critics clamoring over whether it topped their first one. Who cares?

Kings of Leon :::Molly's Chamber [from Youth & Young Manhood, 2003] These Tennessee boys got the rock & roll bug at an early age. Now they're stuck in era in which they weren't even born yet. The confederate version of The Strokes.

Convoy :::Gone So Quick Tomorrow [from Black Licorice, 2001] The band from that Mariott Hotel commercial playing "Let's Spend The Night Together." Unfortunately, like the song, they were gone so quick tomorrow.

Hem :::Stupid Mouth Shut [from Rabbit Songs, 2001] Delivering our favorite record of 2001, this Brooklyn band comes from absolutely nowhere with this NPR crossover hit. Sally Ellyson's voice soothes over you like a warm blanket. Rabbit Songs is amazing.

Canyon :::Magnetic Moon [from Empty Rooms, 2002] These retro rockers deliver alt-country songs filtered through steel-string callused fingers. Difficult to describe but not difficult to recognize, Canyon doesn't sound like anyone else playing today.

The Flaming Lips :::Fight Test [from Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, 2002] Regardless of the Cat Stevens' lawsuit against it, this song is undeniably catchy. The Lips are probably the smartest rock band on the planet right now. They probably will be tomorrow too.

Music You Should Be Listening To v2

:::Because one volume just isn't enough, MYSBLTV2 picks up where the first one left off.  Featuring The Shins, The Decemberists, Elliott Smith, Broken Social Scene, and a host of other artists that will have you asking "who was that, and why don't I have that CD?"
 

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The Shins :::Kissing the Lipless [from Chutes Too Narrow, 2003] Crashing into the indie scene from out of nowhere, The Shin's debut caught fire instantly. Chutes Too Narrow, their second, is equally combustible with smoldering pop brevity.

The Decemberists :::Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect [from Cutouts and Castaways, 2003] Literary smarty-pants, The Decemberists, spin quirky tales of shanties and petticoats. Lyrics and accompaniment so precise you'll be smarter after listening to it.

Ben Folds :::There's Always Someone Cooler Than You [from Sunny 16, 2003] After dissolving from five to one, our favorite piano-man-with-heart-on-sleeve returns with a series independently released EPs. This one is dangerously close to being a classic.

The Doves :::Pounding [from The Last Broadcast, 2002] Cinematic in timbre but heartfelt in sentiment, these English lads play music for the movie in your head. This one had the critics stumbling for their laptops.

1969-2003 Elliott Smith :::Son of Sam [from Figure 8, 2000] Everyone's favorite sad troubadour with an acoustic guitar was truly a gift to us all. His music was brilliant. All to follow must contend with comparisons that typically don’t end in their favor.

Shout Out Louds :::My Friend and the Ink on his Fingers [from Howl, Howl, Gaff, Gaff, 2003] David Fricke gave these unassuming Swedes their permit for American consumption by writing about them in Rolling Stone. They don't need his toothy endorsement. Just listen for yourself.

Interpol :::Say Hello to the Angels [from Turn On the Bright Lights, 2002] Trumping all other critic's darlings, these four peculiar gents from Brooklyn spin intelligent rock with a rhythm section that will shake your hip dark-rimmed glasses off.

Broken Social Scene :::Anthems For a Seventeen Year-Old Girl [from You Forgot It In People, 2002] These Canadians seemingly weave their audio curiosities in a musical vacuum, influenced by nothing but their unending creativity. You Forgot It In People is astounding and unexplainable.

Beck :::Lost Cause [from Sea Change, 2002] Constant chameleon, Beck, delivered Sea Change in a sea of depression. Don't let it make you so gloomy that you don't realize what great songs these really are.

The Notwist :::One With the Freaks [from Neon Golden, 2003] Neon Golden appeared in everyone's Top Ten because of its hazy electro-pop melodies. It appears here because it is undeniably guilty as charged.

Beulah :::You're Only King Once [from Yoko, 2003] San Franciscan treat, Beulah, normally coat you with sugary bliss, but not here. Excellently tempered and expertly played, this one sticks much longer than a piece of Bubble Yum.

Wheat :::Don't I Hold You [alt] [from Per Second, Per Second, Per Second… Every Second, 2003] Boston's Wheat seemed to get lost in the major label shuffle, but came out smelling like a rose on this latest release. Sweet and velvety, this song also appeared on the less-produced Hope and Adams.

Ben Kweller :::In Other Words [from Sha Sha, 2002] This teenage prodigy surprised everyone when he a delivered a record that was mature beyond his years. Clever songwriting and intricate instrumentation apparently equals less angst.

Phoenix :::Too Young [from United, 2000] Made famous recently in a bad movie with Jack Black and a good movie with Bill Murray, French retro rockers, Phoenix, write Hollywood's feel good song of 2000.

Pernice Brothers :::Baby In Two [from Yours Mine & Ours, 2003] Sleepy kings of indie rock wake up momentarily to deliver the finest record of their career. Yours Mine & Ours slathers on gorgeous instrumentation and well-groomed vocals.

Okkervil River :::Blanket and Crib [from Down the River of Golden Dreams, 2003] Austin's Okkervil River defy most genre labels. Written like a book, their words and music are a trip to a familiar place that can ease the murkiest of souls. This one is a record of the year contender.