Mike's Year In Review

As the year comes to a close, it's time for the year in review. I won't bore you with a top ten list or any profound insights, just a very brief overview of what caught my ears and eyes during the past twelve months.

BEST ALBUMS (Regional and National)

Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power

This album is exactly why I love Brit-Pop. Packed with stadium ready anthems ("Waving Flags") as well as the down tempo shoegaze much like their genres predecessors ("No Need to Cry)". Garnering rave reviews from just about everyone (Pitchfork and Pop Matters, are you actually listening to the same album?), it was also nominated for the coveted Mercury Music Award. Even for those unfamiliar with their previous work, this is a good introduction to the band.

mp3: Waving Flags


Rook - Shearwater

My love of Austin music is no secret. Couple that with my penchant for overly sad, almost mournful sounding songs, and Shearwater's June release was bound to make my favorites. As usual, Jonathan Meiburg uses the natural world, particularly birds (guess that happens when you are an ornithologist), as recurring themes. The vocals are soulful, yet slightly emotionally pained, while the instrumentation blends beautifully underneath. Again, almost universally acclaimed by the critics (got it right this time Pitchfork and Pop Matters) and picked by many as a 'must have'. I concur.

mp3: The Snow Leopard


We Belong to the Sea - Aderbat

Philly has been producing notable music since the '50s soul scene. Now as the '00s come to a close, the city is seeing a sort of revival. Not to say the music hasn't always been here, but bands are breaking from the local scene and garnering national acclaim. For pure indie, I give the nod to Aderbat. I only recently became acquainted with their music midway through this year and within the last month received their latest release. I am completely enamored with them since. Not much on the typical rock & roll stylings and ego driven individual contributions, Aderbat fuses everything into a tight package of subtle musical wonder.

mp3: Make You Run


On The Ground - Peasant

The Philly folk scene has always been a mainstay, with the annual folk festival camp out every summer, just outside the city limits. One man band Peasant (Damien DeRose) is the brightest light out of the many beacons the city claims. Well crafted lyrics sung with timid, muted vocals over simple yet complimentary instrumentation, this is the album to spend a rainy day with or as a cool down from a frantic week. The album is going through another release, this time with wider distribution, just after the new year.

mp3: We're Good


LIVE SHOWS

I got to see quite a few shows this year. Some I have seen before, others I caught for the first time. Most were locals, with some big names sprinkled in. Of course, the biggest show for me was seeing Robert Smith do his thing. But that's the obvious choice. I'm here to give love to the locals that deserve it.


Papertrigger is the must-see band in Philadelphia. I said it last year, and this year I double my emphasis. SEE THIS BAND! Whether it is the belled ankle coverings that are constantly jingling from the stomping feet of their owners, the upright bass getting bowed and rocked back and forth, or the stand alone bass drum with "Papertrigger" in electrical tape stuck to it being pounded, something will catch your attention and make you listen. It is an experience that must be had. With a new album coming out next year, this band is only going to get bigger. Now is the time to jump aboard.

mp3: Fox Hunting


And speaking of experiences, this time of the almost religious, you will be screaming 'Hallelujah' after seeing the gospel/folk/bluegrass blend of Hoots & Hellmouth. After seeing both of these bands within a week of each other, it was so hard to chose my favorite, so I suggest you take my word for it and see them both.

mp3: Want On Nothing


And I wouldn't be an IA writer if I didn't give a shout to These United States. Their two shows at IOTA for our anniversary were absolutely stellar. Never one to mail it in, they gave it their all both nights and we thank them whole-heartedly. A repeat showing next year? God, I hope so.

mp3: If You Gotta Go, Go Now (live)

Now I am sure my co-writers will have different opinions (if they put something together), but that's why we have so many. If you just listened to me, you would only be getting part of the picture. I hope that you enjoy what we bring to you here at IA. Let 2009 be just as musically relevant as this year was. Happy New Year!

Top 10 CD's For The First Half Of 2008

I thought that it would be interesting to poll 8 of our writers to see what our collective top 10 albums would be for the first half of 2008. Considering that approximately 60 albums received at least one vote, it's fair to say that our tastes are pretty diverse. As far as the final results go, I guess you could say that I was surprised. The fact that the headliner for our Second Anniversary show in August received top honors and that four regional bands made the list, is pretty cool though. Enjoy!

10. Wye Oak

If Children (Buy) - "Family Glue"

09. The Black Angels

Directions To See A Ghost (Buy) - "Doves"

08. Thao

We Brave Bee Stings And All (Buy) - "Beat (Health, Life and Fire)"

07. Lykke Li

Youth Novels (Buy) - "Little Bit"

06. Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend (Buy) - "A-Punk"

05. Cut Copy

In Ghost Colours (Buy) - "Lights and Music"

04. Bell

EP (Buy) - "Brown Bear"

03. Jukebox The Ghost

Let Live and Let Ghosts (Buy) - "Hold It In"

02. The Black Keys

Attack & Release (Buy) - "Strange Times"

01. These United States

A Picture of The Three Of Us... (Buy) - "The Business"

IA Honored

No, IA did not win indie site of the year from any prestigious news organization. Instead, we won something a little more personal. I have always had sort of a mutual admiration society with Jesse, These United States and most of The Fed. Lately, it has gone sort of public. Earlier today, I named them regional band of the year. In return, Jesse and the crew named us the winner of their first ever semi-annual "Blog That Loves Us Of the Year" Award! Thanks, guys. Hilarious stuff. Their quote is below, or you can read the whole thing here.

Congratulations, IA, on winning These US’s First Ever Semi-Annual “Blog That Loves Us Of the Year” Award!! We hope you will love us more in the Coming Years, lest your title be brutally and publicly stripped from you in humiliating fashion, leaving you naked and sobbing in the middle of the proverbial super information highway! Good luck!

Joe's 2007 In Review

Alright, so I am last like always. However, I do promise that this is it. Finally, the end of our 2007 retrospectives. After this one, we move forward and start talking about some music from 2008. Anyway, here is my Best of 2007 post. For my list, I decided to stick to the Baltimore/Washington region. Enjoy...

3 Best Regional EPs

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3. Bellman Barker - Anise & Anisette

Last spring, I was putting together the bill for the site's anniversary show in DC. Around the same time, Aaron e-mailed me to see if I would give him some promo for their EP release. When he heard about the show, he immediately campaigned to be on the bill. A couple of weeks later, I had a couple of bands drop out and the rest is history. As far as this release goes, Bellman Barker's debut EP hints at great things to come. It's much more polished than their live shows, but it works.

Charles Kil
Molly Maroon

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2. Telograph - Little Bits of Plastic

Telograph released this on January 1st, 2007. Yet, it has managed to continue as the most played release of the year on my iPod. Catchy songs, relentless hooks and stellar musicianship pretty much define this release. Their latest EP is out this week.

We Won't Settle Down
Eye For An Eye

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1. Jukebox The Ghost - EP

Sometime around last January/February, I was searching the net and I was on an NYC indie site. There was an article on there about a DC band called Jukebox The Ghost. My initial reaction, was who? I'd never heard of them or even seen them listed for any local shows. Around March, I met Tommy and he sent me a copy of their EP. A couple of months later, they graduated college and started touring relentlessly. Now, everybody that is interested in DC's indie scene knows who they are. They seem to be everywhere in the northeast these days and the buzz is about to increase, as their debut full length drops later this month. Anyway, this 5 song EP is spectacular. Great song writing and fantastic execution. If you get the chance to see them live, they are even better in that setting.

Good Day
Hold It In


5 Best Baltimore CDs


5. Squaaks - Rock Control

This album is full of fun 3 minute pop gems. It's a great, fun debut and Squaaks has only become a better band since they added Charles Cole in late summer to solidify their rhythm section. I expect even better things from them in the future.

Be Dry My Bleeding Heart
Hot Tub


4. AVEC - Lines

This CD is exhausting to listen to. Brooks and Shawna sing their asses off and it's about as sound as you can get instrumentally. AVEC is definitely a band at the top of their game.

Albina Krobata
Dysplasia


3. Celebration - The Modern Tribe

This album is filled with great musicianship and powerful songs that are a natural progression from 2005's self-titled debut. However, Celebration's greatest asset is the voice of Katrina Ford. That definitely shines through here.

Heartbreak
Evergreen


2. Wye Oak - If Children

This band makes a lot of noise for a 2-piece. You expect a cute little folk group and many of the songs start out the way that you would expect. Then they break into a wall of sound and blow you away. In a live setting, Jenn Wasner's vocal cut right through you, yet soothes. Andy Stack holds down the fort, drumming with one hand playing bass keys with the other. When this album was released, they were known as Monarch and recently changed their name to Wye Oak. Regardless of what they are called, this is a band on the rise. They just signed to Merge and will be nationally re-releasing this CD on April 8.

Family Glue
Please Concrete

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1. Thrushes - Sun Come Undone

We are in the midst of a major shoegaze revival and Thrushes have managed to single handedly put the genre on the map in Baltimore. Lush vocals, lavish soundscapes... they are all here. It's obvious that the band paid excruciating attention to detail and went out of their way to make every sound exactly the way they wanted it. This is a fine debut and if you have seen them live, you know that they have more great songs on the way. If you haven't seen them live yet, you are missing out.

Heartbeats
Into The Woods


5 Best DC CDs

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5. Lejeune - For Club and Country

Lejeune is not the kind of band that blows people away. What they do instead, is craft infectious pop songs that get stuck in your head for days. They have a knack for creating hook-laden gems and this album is a testament to that, as it is jammed full of them. They are probably the best DC band that you are not listening to and that is sad, because this CD really deserves to be heard.

The Latest Greatest
Bizarre Histrionics

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4. Le Loup - The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations' Millennium General Assembly

They haven't even been around for a year, but Le Loup's debut is forever entrenched in DC lore. Sam recorded the whole thing on his computer and after he received label interest, he put a band together. They started playing out in March, were signed to a Sub Pop imprint about a month later and dropped this beauty in September. The songs sound even better live and there is much more to come.

Le Loup (Fear Not)
Planes Like Vultures


3. Jette-Ives - In The Deep

Jette-Ives played about 3 shows to support this February release and broke up in March. Due to that, it did not get anywhere near the attention that it deserved. It's really a shame, because it recalls bands like Portishead and was one of the best trip-hop CDs released in recent memory.

Darker Than You
Proximity

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2. Greenland - Call Message

I didn't know a whole lot about Greenland before they sent me a copy of this debut. Once I received it, I was blown away by this 3-piece. They have managed to create a sound entirely their own, yet it still sounds completely familiar. This CD is full of sing-a-longs, dual vocals and one of the best rhythm sections in DC.

Forward Frame To Frame
Shipwreck On The Watery Eye

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1. Vandaveer - Grace & Speed

If Vandaveer being my choice for DC's Best CD of 2007 is a surprise to anyone, join the club. It shocked me too. This album came out in early spring to little fanfare and I finally got a copy in September. Sure, this is a subtle folk album. The dynamics of it's subtleties are what makes it great.

However Many Takes It Takes
Marianne, You've Done It Now


Best Regional Video

Squaaks - "Everything Twice"

This starts out as an innocent concert video, then it changes. Low budget flight sequences, band members blowing up their evil alter egos, Voltron moments, cheap effects... this video has it all and it manages not to suck. In the end, Baltimore's Squaaks made the best video the region had to offer in 2007.

Squaaks - Everything Twice



Best Live Show

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The Shackeltons

It was a couple of weeks before Christmas and we were in the middle of a snowstorm, but Chambersburg, PA's The Shackeltons delivered the most vital set that I have ever seen. There was a feeling that I had seeing them. I was like, "I am really going to gloat about seeing these guys so early in their careers one of these days." They take the best parts of music from the past 20 or so years and shape into one package that just works. It's mesmerizing really. You really have to see them live to understand this pick. The band drapes their amps in Christmas lights and there are flowers everywhere. Mark Redding runs around the stage in a tight cadence, when he is not flopping on the ground. He might command your attention, but the great musicianship from this very young band is what allows the package to work. Their debut CD comes out later this month and they will be touring, so you will have the chance to see what I am talking about.

1/26/08: World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
1/27/08: The Red and The Black, Washington, DC
2/02/08: Gullifty's, Camp Hill, PA
2/15/08: The Abbey, Harrisburg, PA

Your Movement


Regional Rookie of The Year

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Le Loup

This is a no brainer really. As recently as March, pretty much nobody ever heard of Le Loup. They quickly rose to the top of the DC scene and now they are everywhere. If you haven't seen them, they will be coming to a town near you really soon.


Regional Band of the Year

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These United States

They never did manage to release their debut CD, but it really didn't seem to matter. They were a force to be reckoned with. Between DC, 25 states and 5 countries, they played somewhere around 130 shows in 2007. Everywhere you turned, there they were and I have never met anyone that wasn't touched by their music. They are a true do it yourself success story. 2008 will finally see the release of their debut album and there will undoubtedly be more touring. Know them, love them, they are about to explode.

Burn This Bridge

Chris' 2007 In Review

Keeping with tradition, it's time for my favorite albums and EPs of 2007. This list is culled from every album I listened to this year and the ones I liked the most are represented here. If you have followed my mixes for any extended period of time, you should be able to guess most of the albums that will appear on here. Enjoy!

LPs:

Pela - Anytown Graffiti

My favorite release of the year is from one of the greatest bands around. These guys put their heart and soul into every song and it shows on the record that is amazing from start to finish. It got even better after I saw them live this summer and they were some of the nicest guys I've had the chance to meet. Their live show is amazing and it just gives the album that extra polish to solidify it at the number one spot. I look forward to the next album and seeing them live once again.

Waiting On The Stairs
Song Writes Itself

SOFT - Gone Faded

This is an album that I was introduced to by Joe in early fall and I have not stopped listening to it since. The band worked on it for a long time and it really shows. Their synth rock sound is perfect on just about every song.

Ten Times Strong
Droppin'

Holy Fuck - LP

This release really compliments the band's name well. A heart pounding electronic thrill ride is really the only way to describe an the album that has you dancing from the first beat to the final clash of sound. I saw these guys briefly when they opened for !!! and was blown away. This album is the best electronic album released all year, hands down.

Royal Gregory
The Pulse

Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

Baltimore's Animal Collective is the first of the regional bands to find their way on to my list. Strawberry Jam gets better and better with every listen and puts these guys at the top of my list for Baltimore/DC bands this year. They traveled all over the world and one of the members, Panda Bear, even had an amazing solo release. The electronic rock sounds that these guys put out are just mind blowing.

Winter Wonderland
Peacebone

AVEC - Lines

Another local band that really put themselves on the map (in my eyes at least) is AVEC. This album really encapsulates what it means to rock. Brooks and company are really making some great music up in Baltimore and this is one of my favorite rock releases. It is hard not to feel the emotion put forth in the release.

Dysplasia
In Character

Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams

This CD barely made it into 2007, but it got in right before the end. Although the group itself isn't as thrilled with the direction RZA took with the release, I find myself enjoying it almost as much as 36 Chambers. There were some great tributes to their fallen comrade ODB and just solid hip hop overall. Not following the trend of making "club hits," Wu Tang just makes some great rap for all to enjoy.

Underworld - Oblivion With Bells

Another group that has waited a long time for another release, Underworld makes up for it with this one. I didn't even realize these guys had been back in the studio until I read on Pitchfork that they were working on an album and I was excited waiting for it to come to fruition. Reminding me of their previous album Beaucoup Fish, this release just cements them as one of my favorite bands of all time. Here's hoping we don't have to wait as long for the next album.

Crocodile
Beautiful Burnout

Radiohead - In Rainbows

The third in a string of bands waiting a long time to put out their albums, Radiohead storms back with an album that shows they are just as talented as ever. With songs that had been previous released on solo albums or on singles in Japan, In Rainbows goes to show that Radiohead is one of the best bands on the planet right now.

Reckoner
House of Cards

Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

Zach Condon cannot stop making good music. He was born to make music and thankfully, he has accepted this fact and put out songs that are as original as they are nice to listen to. With his solid band backing, the master of Balkan music gives us songs with great lyrics and great sounds. The beautiful ballads are matched perfectly with the drums and strings accompanying them and The Flying Club Cup really shows off what this 21 year old is capable of.

In the Mausoleum
Forks and Knives

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

After almost breaking up, Rilo Kiley stormed back with their newest release and Jenny Lewis showed why she is such a great vocalist. The album had a subtle seductiveness to it, which made it more endearing overall. The great guitar styling helped back up Jenny's vocals.

Silver Lining
The Moneymaker

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer

With one of the earliest releases on this list, Of Montreal proved once again why they are at the top of the indie-pop world. Kevin Barnes is a fantastic musician and proved it with this disc. I got to see these guys early this year and I have to say that it was one of my favorite shows of 2007.

She's A Rejector
Suffer For Fashion

Zulu Pearls - Zulu Pearls

After the band finally got a solid group together this summer, they released their debut, self-titled album. Even thought it is a quick release, the album packs a lot of great music into those songs. Getting to see them play again on New Year's Eve along with The Epochs was a delight as well.

Ways To Wind You Up
Dancing + Drinking

!!! - Myth Takes

!!! are another electronic rock group that does the genre justice. After I became a fan of Ghostland Observatory, I had to seek out all of the other groups that sounded similar. After stumbling upon these guys, I was hooked. They basically have a great rock sound that I can dance to. I saw them at the 9:30 Club and ended up on stage dancing with a few other fans.

Heart Of Hearts
Break In Case Of Anything

Yeasayer - All Hour Symbols

Even though this album came out a few months ago, I only recently had a chance to get my hands on the whole thing. Now that I have it, I really wish that I would have heard it sooner. Mixing African sounds and beats with modern rock and roll works really well for these guys. I really like the direction this band is going in and can't wait to hear their next release.

Sunrise
Waiting for the Summer

Pelican - City of Echoes

Probably the most hardcore rock on this list, Pelican released a perfect album for guitar heads everywhere. The album is metal without words and even has a few mellower songs. I am always a fan of instrumental albums as I usually appreciate the musical aspects of songs more than the singing. I am always surprised at how talented musically some metal bands are, but cannot stand the hardcore singing. Pelican gives me the best of what I want.

City Of Echoes
Winds With Hands


EPs:

Jukebox The Ghost - Jukebox The Ghost

Possibly my favorite release of the year, it's too bad that it wasn't a full length. This is definitely my EP of the year, as all five songs from this DC trio are just remarkable. The scary thing, is that they are even better live. I'm highly anticipating their full length that will be released in late January.

Good Day

Tokyo Police Club - Smith EP

I love Tokyo Police Club and everything they put out. This EP was only a short 3 song release, but you can't really fault them when they keep putting out solid music without ever actually having an official debut album. Quick songs, great music, great lyrics and catchy as hell.

Box

Grizzly Bear - Friend EP

Even though there were very few original songs on this album, the remakes and covers more than made up for it. The only label that is really needed for the album is 'great sounding'. I still believe that "Knife" is the most covered song in the indie scene and I love every new version of it.

Knife (Atlas Sound Cover)

WakeThisDay - In The Shadow of Paper Mountains

This is a band that I discovered on MySpace (or rather they discovered me) and couldn't get enough of. It's hard to love everything about a band when they only have a limited amount of songs released and no official album to speak of. I asked them for a demo to preview for the blog and they graciously handed over their demo. They have since released more songs on their page and promised a release for 2008.

Signal Lost

The Airborne Toxic Event - Does This Mean You're Moving On? EP

These LA guys sure are great. Not yet having made their way east other than for CMJ, I see 2008 as a big year for them. Their debut album finally comes out and they will be hitting the road. This EP is also only three songs, but it's a nice appetizer. If you want some pure indie rock and roll, this is the band for you.

Does This Mean You're Moving On?

Middle Distance Runner - Middle Distance Runner EP

I started the EPs with a local band, so of course I had to finish with one. This EP was the first release since 2006's Planes In Flames and evnethough only half of the songs are new, it shows great growth. The songs sound more professional and polished. This has only increased the attraction of a great band putting out good music. They also happen to be some of the funniest and nicest guys in DC. I hope that this EP is a sign of things to come, because I personally am very excited with the direction the band is going.

The Sun and Earth