I don't think anybody visited here frequently to begin with. That coupled with my sporadic posting habits probably creates a situation of increasing loneliness here. Oh well, for the potential visitor, I've got some new music recommendations for you at last. 2008 has not been the bearer of a massive amount of new music, but the records I have heard have been pretty great.
First off, go buy the new Dr. Dog album. It's lots of fun. I still like it, even after hearing it at work every day for the last two or three weeks.
If, for whatever reason, you don't have the new Hold Steady album, I highly recommend it. I don't think it's quite as good as Boys and Girls in America, but it's still excellent. I saw them play a couple of weeks ago at the Rialto Theatre and they tore the place apart. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.
If you like bluegrass, pick up the new Dan Tyminski record. It's straightforward and pretty traditional, but there's nothing wrong with that when you play great bluegrass. A good mix of slow country tunes and some faster picking numbers.
Ben Folds and Regina Spektor just released a fantastic single. I hope this bodes of more collaboration to come. Their styles mesh so well. I hadn't really thought of it before, but Regina Spektor seems like a kind of female extension of what Ben Folds started in the mid-90s, taking that simple piano-pop format and adding her own unique brand of quirkiness to it.
In soundtrack land, the record from Wall-E is top-notch. It was one of the most unique and fitting soundtracks I've heard since There Will Be Blood. It also features a great Peter Gabriel song at the end.
Peter Gabriel's Big Blue Ball is really good. It's been out for a little while, but I haven't plugged it. Similarly, Fleet Foxes' self-titled debut record is AWESOME. I like it a lot.
As for upcoming music, be on the lookout for the new Calexico record in September. They're Tucson's best band, in my opinion, so I've got to support the local flavor. The Decemberists are going to be releasing a series of singles throughout the last few months of the year and are purportedly working on a new record.
Other great news, it looks as though Meg White may be overcoming her anxiety. It's said that she showed up briefly during a Raconteurs concert. Maybe the White Stripes will tour again? They've already started working on another record. There have been rumors of another Jack White band as well, so lots of things to anticipate from them. He's also working with Alicia Keys on the theme song to the new James Bond movie. Weird pairing, no? I'm still excited to hear it.
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2 comments:
Always enjoy the suggestions you throw out. I've listened to several of these and what I heard sounded great! I still need to check out the others though.
Glad you enjoyed the Wall-E soundtrack as it was a favorite of mine as well. 2008 has been a great year for soundtracks and it's looking like that won't stop any time soon.
Here's to hoping for a few more tours from the White Stripes. I'd really like to see one someday. :-/
I read everything you post because I'm subscribed to your feed, but I don't always comment because I'm a lurker sometimes. Thanks for the music suggestions. I'll have to check them out.
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