So when we thought making an albums of the year post was hard, this one proved to be even harder. How do you take literally thousands of songs and narrow it down to the best 40 of the year? Not too sure how to answer that question, but we tried. Each of these songs scream 2008 in our ears. As evident by this list, the year in music was quite a good one and we had some tough choices to make. We’ve got some of the songs streaming for you or links to the song on youtube. Follow the jump to see if your favorite tune of the year made the list.
ATH photographer Jonathon Edwards took some fancy pictures this past weekend at Fun Fun Fun Fest, and we tried to compile a few photos of each of our favorite acts. If you like what you see, say hello to Jonathon on Myspace. Follow the jump to check out all the hot shots.
Anti Records is doing there part to remind you about some of their better releases of the year by giving away a free end of the year sampler. The sampler features pretty solid stuff from Islands, Devotchka, Billy Bragg and a bunch of other great artists. You can read the entire track listing on the Anti Records website or download the whole thing from their blog. Here’s a standout track from the sampler called “Big Mistake” by Tim Fite.
During our triple the fun weekend at Fun fest, ATH had the good fortune of speaking with Nick Thorburn and Patrice Agbokou of the Montreal based band Islands. Nick and Patrice offer insight into a few various topics about Canada, music and some secret new side projects. Follow the jump to read our entire interview.
We here at ATH are getting really pumped about this weekend’s Fun Fun Fun Festival. But, as we all know, it’s difficult to figure out who to see when there are so many bands playing. You have time conflicts, you don’t know who some of the bands are and you wonder who will put on the best show? Well, our Friday Top 5 is a compilation of bands that ATH is excited to see. Hopefully this helps you make some decisions before you head out to the festival. We’ve also got some MP3s you can stream for each band in the list, so fire up the ATH Radio and enjoy.
This album didn’t receive too much press, nor did the band, but this is definitely an ex-Unicorns side project worth noticing. Human Highway consists of former Unicorn-Islands front man Nick Thorburn and singer-songwriter Jim Guthrie–it’s about as Canadian as you can get.
Opening track, “The Sound,” will probably make a cut for many singles of the year lists, and probably mine. It’s got sort of an island feel to it–by that I am referencing the volcanic ocean formations rather than Thorburn’s band, though that is there too. Guthrie closely resembles Patrick Wolf here, but the overall feel pushes you for a little beach time. It’s probably the most upbeat song on the album.
From here they go on to pursue their original intentions in creating this record, that of chasing after the harmonies of 50s/60s R&B groups. They can achieve this fairly easily considering Thorburn’s abilities to tie harmonies in twisted knots, and they do this throughout the record. In fact, this really is the record for the most part. It’s a stripped down affair full of matching harmonies with accompanying guitars and minimalist percussion.
Those of you searching for the awkward catchiness of the Unicorns and Islandswill probably have a momentary lapse of judgment when you listen to this album. Immediately, it won’t be accessible to your ears, but I beg you to go on for a few more listens. This album resembles all those bands and projects you love from Thorburn, but in a more traditional singer/songwriter vein. It’s like an acoustic Islands album, which probably garners it more longevity than Arm’s Way–the album by the aforementioned band that came out this year.
You’ll find all the great harmonies you’ve come to love, and you will find Thorburn’s vocal styling all over the place–he frequently goes from casual crooner to that soft whisper we’ve come to know so well in his productive career. I don’t want to take away from Guthrie’s presence here either–his heavier voice, though gentle, definitely adds a sublime contrast to the higher pitched Nick T. And of course, you will find that the lyrics, though a bit more personal, still have that hint of absurdity.
At the end of the day you will come to find that this album is hard to put away. Each song continuously unfolds for me, turning me into fans of different songs throughout the day, only coming back to revisit the album in its entirety. I might be on an island all by myself listening to this, but damned if I don’t enjoy every instant.
Nick Thornburn’s (Islands) latest side project with folk singer Jim Guthrie, Human Highway, has their entire new album Moody Motorcycle streaming over on myspace. A lot of critics are raving about Mr. Thornburn’s newest venture. What do you think? You can take the song “The Sound” along with you if myspace crashes your computer as much as mine.
Islands are forever. Islands showed me at Waterloo on Monday what they were trying to do with the new album. If you read our review of their most recent album Arms Way, you know that we were kind of indifferent to the new direction the band was taking. We don’t hate the songs, but we don’t love em either. After Monday, Islands changed my mind about the album as so many bands can do when playing new material live. (more…)
Islands will be playing a couple of dates around Austin on Monday. Waterloo records will be hosting the first performance with a free in-store show with free keg beer as always. Get there early so you can post up near the front. Later in the evening, Islands will be moving on over to Emos to showcase a full set with all the trimmings. You can buy tickets for the late night show at Emos website. The band is becoming more and more well known for their live shows, so check out a great set from Islands at Emos at 10 p.m. or Waterloo at 5 p.m. Preview the shows with a song off the bands new album Arm’s Way entitled “Creeper”:
Immediately, I want to say that this record is probably worth the purchase–albeit one when there isn’t much else out there to buy. Initially, I listened to this album four or five times in a single day, but therein lies the problem–I can’t recall great moments about this one–I can’t recall the shapes of the songs, give or take one or two. Care to explain you ask? I do indeed.
For starters, this album is far too long to listen to in one sitting, and if you do, you will find it does nothing more than blend into the background as you and your buddies make dinner–steaks right? By my count, 8 of the 12 songs go over the 5 minute mark. Sorry, Nick Thorburn, I just don’t have that sort of time these days. Sure, they dabble in length, but not quite like this.
Now, is the music worth it? Yes-but not like you want it–not like your “Rough Gem.” The closest Islands come to replicating that playfulness is on the 4th track “Creeper,” and it doesn’t quite hit its mark. Here is our problem listeners: the affinity for clever, circus-laden melodies is gone. But, on the plus side–so are all those faux hip-hop moments. I miss the former–its always been the attraction for me.
What I do like about this album, especially apparent in the last three tracks, is the new darker side of this band, and I don’t mean that in regards to lyrics–I mean it in reference to the somber mood apparent in these tracks. We all know that Jaime Thompson is no longer a member, and this is really apparent, or at least to me, in these lyrics. I could be off, but, whatever the cause, it makes for some of the more special moments on this record. Like I said–I bought it. I listen to it from time to time, but I can’t tell why. Maybe you can?
Islands is playing Emos Austin on June 23rd. Click here to purchase tickets for da show.
So when we thought making an albums of the year post was hard, this one proved to be even harder. How do you take literally thousands of songs and narrow it down to the best 40 of the year? Not too sure how to answer that question, but we tried. Each of these songs scream 2008 in our ears. As evident by this list, the year in music was quite a good one and we had some tough choices to make. We’ve got some of the songs streaming for you or links to the song on youtube. Follow the jump to see if your favorite tune of the year made the list.
