Two Lone Swordsmen
Wrong Meeting Vol. II
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
#31
Rihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad
I know, I know, you are reading this and shaking your head in disbelief that I Christopher Brandon loves Rihanna. At first maybe it was that case of Boy finds Girl Hot. So boy watches videos and boy slowly likes the music. Boy now is the proud owner of G.G.G.B. & admits it freely. The first half of this record is really really really good. The last half has that typical lame modern day "R&B". But the first half is that good to out-weigh the bad & should be owned by anyone who appreciates good pop music. And besides how can you watch the video for Umbrella and not bob your head?
Umbrella:
#32
Jesu
Conqueror
Releasing a stand alone EP & a full length in the same year is basically the best birthday & christmas present a Jesu fan could ever ask for. Especially with the quality material on both. Typical sludge/drone/gaze/metal by the much admired Jesu, a must for metal fans that need to get with the times. (i.e. guys who still only listen to priest or maiden.)
transfigure live:
#33
The White Stripes
Icky Thump
Jack & Meg are back with another release of their not-so-lo-fi brand of White Stripes tunes. Which I found the dirty garage sound so charming in the first place. I do think this record is mostly average with the exception of a few good cuts & one completely amazing song, "A Martyr For My Love Of You".
conquest:
#34
Handsome Furs
Plague Park
With minimal electronics & a guitar Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner releases his side project with his wife Alexei Perry. Now I never bothered to listen to Wolf Parade, mainly because Wolf Parade is to close to sounding like Wolfmother, who I hate. So I was surprised how sneaky this record was, as in sneaky good. Maybe one day I will give Wolf Parade a listen. But I am sure I will not like them as much as The Wolfhounds. And if you listen to or even know who the Wolfhounds are then you are pretty cool.
Cannot, Get Started:
#35
The Brunettes
Structure & Cosmetics
Get out your flat-iron & makeup, call your girlfriends over, it's time for a slumber party & I couldn't think of a better record to listen to while dolling-up my bitches! Okay, jokes aside, The Brunettes are a cutesy-pop band from New Zealand who make me happy.
Her Hairagami Set:
#36
Celestial
Dream On
There is something in the water of Sweden, band after band seems to crank out perfect little Indie Pop gems, and Dream On is no exception. Boy/Girl feel good harmonies fill this disc with little distorted guitars, so sugar-sweet.
#38
Little Name
How To Swim & Live
A beautiful slice of bedroom-made chamber pop from a talented shut-in. Highly recommended for fans of Belle & Sebastian.
#39
The Voices
The Sound Of Young America
Not American at all, these Shoegazers hail from Cardiff & make some beautiful noises on their sophomore release.
#40
Rob Sonic
Sabotage Gigante
Hip-Hop's Rob Sonic releases his second release with less dope beats but with improved lyrical delivery.
Friday, February 8, 2008
#41
Television Personalities
Are We Nearly There Yet?
Dan Treacy's ultra lo-fi record borders on genius & annoying.
#42
Neil Young
Chrome Dreams II
Everyone's favorite Canadian/Half Moon Bay resident releases his best record in years.
#43
Of Montreal
Hissing Fauna, are You The Destroyer?
Another slice of abstract fantasy-esque pop done by this Georgian band.
#44
Bracken
We Know About The Need
Chris Adams of Hood fame, releases his lo-fi electronic solo project on Anticon.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
#46
Lyle Lovett
It's Not Big It's Large
My favorite singer returns with his gigantic band. However, I prefer the more scaled down numbers on the record.
Monday, February 4, 2008
# 47
Thee More Shallows - Book Of Bad Breaks
Quirky San Francisco band's debut on Anticon records, a perfect fit for both parties.
# 48
Japancakes - Loveless
My Bloody Valentine's masterpiece re-worked into an alt-country instrumental record.
# 50
Airiel - The Battle Of Sealand
After a series of great EP's this Chicago shoegaze band finally releases their debut.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
#1 Norma "1 EP"
Powerful, Epic, Sweeping washes of bliss are just a few ways to describe the debut Ep for Sweden's Norma. "1" consists of four songs & clocks in at a wonderous twenty-seven minutes of pure genius. The first time I heard the EP I knew there was no way anything else could top it this year.
#2 Arctic Monkeys "Brianstorm"
The "Brianstorm" EP is really top-notch. This band keeps cranking out music at a ridiculous pace. I thought last year's album was weak compared to the earlier singles & now I think the new material makes all previous songs sound a bit weak! 'What If You Were Right The First Time?' is the band heaviest & my favorite song of theirs to date & 'Temptation Greets You Like A Naughty Friend' features a rap by Dizzee Rascal!Brianstorm Video:
#3 Glasvegas "Daddy's Gone"
Not since The Libertines have I heard so much praise for a new U.K. act, And unlike The Libertines this one is actually good. James Allen sings in a thick Scottish accent, backed by a Phil Spector-like backdrop. Everyone loves the A-side, 'Daddy's Gone' but I think the stronger cut is the B-side, 'Flowers & Football Tops'. Daddy's Gone video:
#4 Get Shakes "Sister Self Doubt"
Brothers Matt & Darren Farrow are to me, the most exciting & promising thing in dance music. 'Sister Self Doubt' is easily the best dance song I have heard all year. Sister Self Doubt Live video:
#5 Jesu "Lifeline"
The drone of Shoegaze, the powerful sludge of metal & electronic flourishes are the makeup of Jesu. "Lifeline" is the best thing that Jesu has yet to release. If Phil Spector had the "Wall Of Sound" then Justin Broadrick has the Barrier Of Resonance! 
Monday, January 14, 2008
#6 The Virgins "Virgins 07 EP"
NYC's The Virgins are gonna be big in the Indie Rock scene. Not since a little band called Orange Juice, have I heard some white boys with funk. This EP is a teaser of things to come, including two demo's which are even cool. Which is amazing because I usually dislike the thin sound of a demo. To me The Virgins would be the best band to get to play your party. Rich Girl Live video:
#7 The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart "self-titled"
C86 will never die! And why should it? The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart sound like they are a Sarah band. You can hear the Pastels, Field Mice, Shop Assistants, it's cutesy, good-time for the heart & those two left feet!This Love Is Fucking Right! video:
#8 Alcian Blue "Years Too Late"
This is the remains of a truly awesome band. A final hurrah for Virginia's Alcian Blue, which is just awful considering this is their best EP yet. Or should I say, "was their best EP". That just seems unfair. This is the Alcian Blue I always wanted, this EP has more melody, without losing their edge-y goth-gaze sound. A real pity to see this band finally hit their stride, only to end.Fall behind video:
#9 Tears Run Rings "A Question And An Answer"
It is impossible not to hear Slowdive when listening to "A Question & An Answer". However, instead of Rachel Goswell's voice, you hear a much sweeter sounding Laura Watling instead. It really does sound like like it came from the original shoegaze movement, it's beautiful. And the production sounds so nice & warm, it sounds so huge, begging to always be played loud!
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