Besides: Hello Saferide

photo captured by Sandra Löv

MP3: Hello Saferide - I Fold

Let's have a killer weekend. Here is a b-side from last year's really great "More Modern Short Stories From..." by Hello Saferide. It totally wouldn't have fit on that record, clearly, but it's still completely awesome as it's own thing. This one showed up in October on Razzia's "There's A Razzia Going On Volume 2".

Take it easy everyone. See you Monday, I'm sure we'll be posting a best of at some point so watch out.

Quail Lungs Operation

MP3: Quail Lungs - Dumb Dadadum

Stereogum dropped this joint last night and I just gave 'er a listen. I like it! Quail Lungs is pretty DIY Americana which I miss and still holds weight I think. Why did we give up on this so soon? I think Quail Lungs will bring it back. PPM is putting this out and I guess PPM and Quail Lungs are homies since schooling and it's way different from the rest of their catalogue but that's great and awesome and we should support this!

The Dum Dadadum b/w You Can't Believe in Anything 7 inch comes out next month. 500 copies/all radical.

New Scout Niblett: The Calcination of Scout Niblett

MP3: Scout Niblett - The Calcination of Scout Niblett

More from Drag City today! Come January 19th, 2010, there will be a new Scout Niblett record! It's called "The Calcination of Scout Niblett". That's the album cover above and the title track is available for download. Spoiler: it fucking rules!

Bonny Billy & The Picket Line

MP3: Bonny Billy & The Picket Line - The Glory Goes/Wolf Among Wolves

Just released yesterday, "Funtown Comedown" is a bluegrass look at the grand catalogue of Will Oldham with 2 covers thrown in to boot. He totally pulls this off and the whole thing is a blast to listen to. Today's mp3 gives you a double shot peek of what you're in for as it starts as a song from "Lie Down In the Light" and segways into a song from my #1 album of the decade "Master and Everyone".

New Moon Duo: Stumbling 22nd St.

MP3: Moon Duo - Stumbling 22nd St.

The Moon Duo stuff has been pretty rad so far and this peek at the upcoming "Escape" lp coming in February 2010 from Woodsist is shown them to be even more radical. It's pretty obvious that it's going to rule.

Montymontymontymontymonty

MP3: Monty - En Till Himmel (featuring Lorentz)

This is the new Monty (nee Montt Mardié på Svensk for those who don't know) single. David Pagmar's songcraft has improved immensely over the past few years, and this is another step forward, but more in the direction of straight-forward pop. I cannot wait to hear this album, which is out in February via the mighty Hybris.

BLAKROC

MP3: Blakroc - Stay Off The Fuckin' Flowers (featuring Raekwon)

The concept of Blakroc was enough to rope me in: The Black Keys play live hip hop/bluesy psychedelia beats over verses by some of the best rappers alive and the more I listen to this LP, the more I dig it. Here is an mp3 from it featuring the great Raekwon and below are some Youtubes of the dudes and friends killing it on late night television.

N I T E F U N K

MP3: Nite Funk - Am I Gonna Make It

Dam Funk + Nite Jewel = Nite Funk = RADICAL. Don't miss this hit.

BIRTHDAY SONGS/FUCK YEAH: Karp

MP3: Karp - Bacon Industry

Karp is the greatest ever probably. This is afternoon snow music when you're just over it/afternoon birthday music when you're having a good time. Get Karp "Self Titled LP" asap and you'd feel like it was your very own birthday today too.

BIRTHDAY SONGS: Roy Orbison

MP3: Roy Orbison - In Dreams

What a goofy fucking album cover. It'll fool you, but inside that sleeve is a fucking legend. They don't make em like Roy Orbison these days: no one sings anymore. Singing used to be cool. Bummer, but singing and I will always be together in dreams.

BIRTHDAY SONGS: Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter

MP3: Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Don't Let Me Go

It's my birthday and it's snowing like a mother fucker here, so I'm going to post a ton of songs today, mostly some slow burners that are perfect birthday/snow songs (I don't know what the fuck that is, really these are just songs I like a lot).

So I'm kicking things off with Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter. "Reckless Burning" is a great album that's been in my arsenal for some time now and I feel like this band and I progressed at the same time because I really liked folksy music and then I too got into Sunn O))) a lot. Kismet.

New Liars: Scissor

MP3: Liars - Scissor

Thanks Liars, I needed this. First glimpse from 2010's "Sisterworld" is here in the form of "Scissor", the opening jam. It's bad ass, so don't miss it.

Sisterworld is out March 9th from Mute.

The Best Song Ever: I Could Drive Forever

MP3: Smog - I Could Drive Forever

I could probably do a Smog week or month of all of the best songs ever Bill Callahan gave us. But "I Could Drive Forever" from 1999's "Knock Knock" was one of the first songs I heard from him that really stopped me in my tracks and made me sit down & shut up. It's a common emotion with his material, but the first is always the deepest and lately for me this one has sang true.

New Best Coast split with Jeans Wilder

MP3: Best Coast - Up All Night

Best Coast have yet another 7 inch coming out, this one is a split with Jeans Wilder and it sees release in January 2010. Here is her track from it, which according to her "is a demo I recorded when I first started the band, but I never got to re record it..so it's a super simple/bed-roomy jam...."

It sounds demo-ish, but pretty killer. The 7 inch is limited to 350 copies and comes out on Atelier Ciseaux. Order yours now.

FUCK YEAH: New Saviours

MP3: Saviours - Livin' In The Void

It's been way too fucking long since we did a FUCK YEAH post. I missed them too, don't worry. It hasn't been much of a fuck yeah year, but when it was, it went big. I saw Saviours live for the first time back in October with Red Fang and they may have stolen the whole show. A great live band for sure and their new record "Accelerated Living" is still fresh. Get this shit instantly, you need it to breathe.

Mean fucking Jeans.

MP3: Mean Jeans - 2 Much Cocaine

Holy damn, I posted about Mean Jeans back in Oct and said their 7 inches were sweet but their recently released full length "Are You Serious?" already kicks way more dick. They're still partying and writing about drugs, sticking in your head like that bubblegum found on the sidewalk. Dirtnap is still killing it as a label, but that's expected. Thanks for releasing this and thanks for making this dudes. You're cool with me.

New Shout Out Louds: Walls

MP3: Shout Out Louds - Walls

Here we are with a taste from a brand new Shout Out Louds record called "Work", out next Feb from Merge. I hated their first lp but "Our Ill Wills" was quite enjoyable, though admittedly it had no replay value for me and now only exists merely on a computer's shuffle function.

"Work" boasts production from the great Phil Ek and it shows: this song SOUNDS great. It's some fine production, seriously. The song itself is another story. I do enjoy the calming of the vocals but overall it's missing some umpf. Or zazz. Something. I am still curious enough to check to check this sucker out, but now I am dipping my feet in first, as this does not seem to be worthy a cannonball.

Best Coast is the BEST

MP3: Best Coast - When I'm With You

Sorry for the week off, I'd moved and been without internet for like a month. So you may get a few posts of shit I loved but couldn't express it through my blog at the time and that you're probably over already. Like today!

Best Coast released a 7 inch (which looks to be only digital) single for "When I'm With You". If you read the comments to our coverage of BC in the past, everyone seemed to be over the lo-fi recording sound. At first I disagreed, because some songs really seemed charming like that, but eventually I caved. It wasn't just Best Coast, it was everyone. But I think this single is an answer to that and shows that this music only gets better with a little sprucing up on the recording end.

And holy shit, is "When I'm With You" the most perfect fucking song ever! The lyrics kick ass and it is a catchy number, embedded in my head since I'd first heard it and even right up to this minute. Highly recommended!

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #1 - Saturday Night

MP3: The Bear Quartet - Birds Are Singing Deep Within the Greenery

#1 - The Bear Quartet - Saturday Night
A West Side Fabrication 2005

Matt On Saturday Night:

The middle of the decade, saw, unbeknownst to itself, it's musically defining moment. Largely neglected by most of the world, The Bear Quartet had constantly been getting better in their previous 15 years as a band, and when Saturday Night appeared, it signaled a change. Elements that would not work on their own do as a whole. Where music dared to tread in the early part of the decade it went, and whereas music in the latter half attempted to poorly imitate this masterpiece.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #1 - Master and Everyone

MP3: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Wolf Among Wolves

#1 - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Master and Everyone
Drag City Records 2003

Joey On Master and Everyone:

"Master and Everyone" is the album I judge any Will Oldham record on. There isn't much to be said as a whole because the music really speaks for itself, but the time and place that created it birthed a bloom of perfection in my soul that probably can never be replicated, but that's okay: all I need is this, forever and ever.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #2 - Alice

MP3: Tom Waits - Fish and Bird

#2 - Tom Waits - Alice
Anti Records 2002

Matt On Alice:

Released over a decade after its inception (due to the masters being stolen) perhaps might have made Alice even better. Originally a score, it's contextual separation from that event allowed the album to form its own visuals for the listener, and such a world that only Tom Waits can create. Our imaginations were always where a record such as this is meant to live.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #2 - Out Of The Fierce Parade

MP3: The Velvet Teen - Radiapathy

#2 - The Velvet Teen - Out Of The Fierce Parade
Slowdance Records 2002

Joey On Out Of The Fierce Parade:

This album changed my life completely. And I don't mean listening to it. I mean I never would've left Connecticut, made the connections I made or anything without the existence of this album. For that it will always be special, but musically it is so perfect it only adds to the myth of it for me. And for the record, I would like the closing song "Death" to be played at my funeral.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #3 - Springtime Can Kill You

MP3: Jolie Holland - Mexican Blue

#3 - Jolie Holland - Springtime Can Kill You
Anti Records 2006

Joey On Springtime Can Kill You:

I was a pretty casual fan of Jolie Holland until "Springtime Can Kill You" came out and caused me to re-evaluate her back catalogue. It's such timeless music that again I can never see myself hating at any point in my life. "Mexican Blue" might be the saddest song ever written.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #3 - Let It Come Down

MP3: Spiritualized - Don't Just Do Something

#3 - Spiritualized - Let It Come Down
Arista Records 2001

Matt On Let It Come Down:

Grandiose opulence is what Jason Pierce aimed for, and such is what he got. On what is his most hopeful album, and most beautiful. The songs within contain so much depth, it takes tens—maybe hundreds—of listens to begin unravelling the web of beauty.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #4 - My Gods

MP3: Laakso - True Love

#4 Laakso - My Gods
V2 Records 2005

Matt On Mclusky Do Dallas:

On their second album, the Laakso finally came into their own. Mixing their pop sensibilities with noisy, angular indie rock complimented Markus Krunegård's self-depricating lyrics better than before. The music is tense and dark, making that step from autumn into the cold Swedish winter.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #4 - What's For Dinner?

MP3: The King Khan & BBQ Show - Why Don't You Lie?

#4 - The King Khan & BBQ Show - What's For Dinner?
In The Red Records 2006

Joey On What's For Dinner?:

Another game changer for me. Real dirty with plenty of doo-wop and rollicking punk something or others. Fuck yeah!

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #5 - Let Go

MP3: Nada Surf - Killian's Red

#5 - Nada Surf - Let Go
Barsuk Records 2003

Joey On Let Go:

Nada Surf were good but they got great and reached a peak with "Let Go" that I don't know they've ever reached again. A perfect album and one that got me out of the gutter of growing up on what Connecticut calls "music". Gross.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #5 - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus

MP3: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - O Children

#22 - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
Mute Records 2004

Matt On Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus:

After the uneven (in Cave/Seeds standards) Nocturama, the Bad Seeds reconvened and this was the result. A refocusing found them reaching highs (and loudness) that they had not done prior.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #6 - Let's Get Free

MP3: Dead Prez - I'm A African

#6 - Dead Prez - Let's Get Free
Loud Records 2000

Matt On Let's Get Free:

Nary two months into the decade, this debut was a statement to the world. Mixing leftist politics with amazing beats and flows, Dead Prez released what has since become one of the best hip-hop albums of all-time.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #6 - When

MP3: Vincent Gallo - Yes I'm Lonely

#6 - Vincent Gallo - When
Warp Records 2001

Joey On When:

The loneliest record I ever heard. It's so magical and cold, stuck between the window and the bed at the night. I remember so much when I hear this record and it's probably why I can only do it so often. But it is very great and when I can do it, there is nothing I'd rather be doing.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #7 - Unonou

MP3: Danava - Where Beauty & Terror Dance

#7 - Danava - Unonou
Kemado Records 2008

Joey On Unonou:

Solid record is metal goodness, kind of prog, all sorts of amazing. Danava was a shining star this decade, and I am grateful for them. Also maybe the best show I ever saw.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #7 - Spirit Stereo Frequency

MP3: All Night Radio - Oh, When

#7 - All Night Radio - Spirit Stereo Frequency
Sub Pop Records 2004

Matt On Spirit Stereo Frequency:

Coming out of the ashes of Beachwood Sparks, Farmer Dave Scher and Jimi Hey collaborated on what was one of the best psychedelic pop albums in years. Ebbing and flowing every instrument used, as well as the samples, they have created mind-bending subdued music seldom seen this side of Spacemen 3.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #8 - Supreme Clientele

MP3: Ghostface Killah - Apollo Kids

#8 - Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
Sony 2000

Matt On Supreme Clientele:

The sophomore slump was thrown off Mount Everest on this one. Tony Starks delievered an epic 21 Burroughsesque view of the world barely two months into the decade, and, almost ten years later, the world is still trying to decipher it.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #8 - Wonderful Rainbow

MP3: Lightning Bolt - On Fire

#8 - Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow
Load Records 2004

Joey On Wonderful Rainbow:

It's fair to say my life changed entirely once I heard and got into Lightning Bolt. The sounds, the art, everything about them was completely mind melting and inspiring. "Wonderful Rainbow" is the best of the bunch, but they're all winners.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #9 - Spirit Stereo Frequency

MP3: All Night Radio - Daylight Till Dawn

#9 - All Night Radio - Spirit Stereo Frequency
Sub Pop Records 2004

Joey On Spirit Stereo Frequency:

Half of Beachwood Sparks doing the best drugs and hitting a whole other plane. They created and quickly destroyed a universe of endless possibility, one that is unique and special. I bet DMT elves helped shape this one, I swear it.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #9 - At Dawn

MP3: My Morning Jacket - Phone Went West

#9 - My Morning Jacket - At Dawn
Darla Records 2001

Matt On At Dawn:

One would think that the connector album between The Tennessee Fire and It Still moves would be awkward, but in true My Morning Jacket fashion it's an ethereal twilight trip through an Ozark-like countryside—and the one that put them on the map.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #10 - Penance Soirée

MP3: The Icarus Line - On the Lash

#10 - The Icarus Line - Penance Soirée
V2 Records 2004

Matt On Penance Soirée:

On Penance Soirée, The Icarus Line, thirty years after the release of Raw Power, picked up where The Stooges left off. Thirteen noisy, brutally loud rock and roll songs, oozing sex and violence in every note. Yet, in our times, an album like this is unfortunately an anomaly instead of the norm.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #10 - Madvillainy

MP3: Madvillain - Meat Grinder

#10 - Madvillain - Madvillainy
Stones Throw Records 2004

Joey On Madvillainy:

Duh.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #11 - The Woods

MP3: Sleater-Kinney - Entertain

#11 - Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
Sub Pop Records 2005

Joey On Album:

This album still rocks harder than anything in the past couple of decades. Sleater-Kinney went out beyond on top, closing the curtain on the best album they ever made and maybe that Sub Pop could ever put out since. "Entertain" is the ultimate fuck off song to the music industry at the time and, what a surprise, it still applies today. Download this album.

ALSO: I would also post "Modern Girl" in a perfect world as it is an incredible song, but if you've never heard this album/band it's not the best place to start. Nonetheless, here is a video from Burn To Shine of them playing it and it's awesome.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #11 - A New Chance

MP3: The Tough Alliance - Something Special

#11 - The Tough Alliance - A New Chance
Sincerely Yours 2007

Matt On A New Chance:

Cementing 21st Century pop music, TTA mixes the gorgeous Islamic prayer songs with pitch-shifted samples over the course of the this record. Combine those elements with their own musical prowess and the knack for a damn fine melody, and you assume that in Göteborg it's always summer.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #12 - Wonderful Rainbow

MP3: Lightning Bolt - 2 Towers

#12 - Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow
Load Records 2004

Matt On Wonderful Rainbow:

Pummeling and brutal, the second proper Lightning Bolt record finally captured the intensity of their live sets in a take home package, complete with the ever so grand art of Brian Chippendale. However, we are also still waiting for a Barkley's Barnyard Critters hologram to accompany one of their records.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #12 - Ghosts Of The Great Highway

MP3: Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

#12 - Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts Of The Great Highway
Jetset Records 2003 / Caldo Verde Records 2007 (reissue)

Joey On Ghosts Of The Great Highway:

I had just turned 21 in Portland and went to my job at 6 in the morning. Ezra gave me a copy of this for my birthday and I could only listen to it on a disc man because a few weeks back someone broke into my car and stole my stereo. I was pretty hung over from the night before so I went home early from work and bought some gloves, because my hands were endlessly cold in Portland for some reason. I felt great and the sun was rising slowly and this album played. Total magic. There are a million other stories to this record like pretty girls on trains and bummer lonely nights, but the first time is still the best.

Oh, but one time when I worked at the record store in Indianapolis, Mark Kozelek called because he was friends with the boss. He sounded like a pussy, but I was still pretty stoked. I left the note "Mark Kozelek called. - Joey" on the big boss man's desk and I'm sure it's still there, even though he fired me.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #13 - Songs III: Bird on the Water

MP3: Marissa Nadler - Mexican Summer

#13 - Marissa Nadler - Songs III: Bird on the Water
Kemado Records 2007

Joey On Songs III: Bird on the Water:

I will listen to this album forever. It is truly one of the best things to come from music.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #13 - Shivering King and Others

MP3: Dead Meadow - Everything's Going On

#13 - Dead Meadow - Shivering King and Others
Matador Records 2003

Matt On Shivering King and Others:

Three records in, and Dead Meadow drops a fucking bomb. In addition to superior production when compared to their previous albums, Shivering King takes the sludge, drone and shoegaze up into a shroomed-out bliss.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #14 - Superwolf

MP3: Matt Sweeny & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Blood Embrace

#14 - Matt Sweeny & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Superwolf
Drag City Records 2005

Matt On Superwolf:

Who knew of the most quiet and tense albums of the decade could be also be one of the most cathartic? Slowing plodding through a midwinter's field, our heros take a jackhammer to the permafrost to hibernate in.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #14 - Beat Romantic

MP3: Talkdemonic - Dusty Flourescent/Wooden Shelves

#14 - Talkdemonic - Beat Romantic
Arena Rock Recording Company 2006

Joey On Beat Romantic:

Maybe the best band out of Portland currently. I love Talkdemonic. "Beat Romantic" is so fucking great and enjoyable and the song I posted is my favourite song from it. The part where it is strings and banjo is the most beautiful part of any song ever.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #15 - Black Mountain

MP3: Black Mountain - Don't Run Our Hearts Around

#15 - Black Mountain - Black Mountain
Jagjaguwar 2005

Joey On Black Mountain:

This shit is right on. If I had a band it would be this band: stoner metal with drone chick and dude vocals, completely capable of taking it down a notch and then skullfucking you when you become complacent. Don't sleep on that new record too long homies.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #15 - Reconstruction Site

MP3: The Weakerthans - One Great City!

#15 - The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site
Epitaph Records 2003

Matt On Reconstruction Site:

Personally, I find this record to be criminally underrated in large circles. The Weakerthans finally found their home in slightly slicker production values to finally put the focus on John K. Samson's lyrics and give the music the light it had always deserved.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #16 - I Get Wet

MP3: Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet

#16 - Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Island Records 2001

Matt On I Get Wet:

The party album of the decade. AWK takes the gash slaying so far up the totem pole on his debut that he's in hedonist utopia. A must for everyone; hit play and everyone gets wet the old fashioned way.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #16 - The Milk-Eyed Mender

MP3: Joanna Newsom - Inflammatory Writ

#16 - Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
Drag City Records 2004

Joey On The Milk-Eyed Mender:

Great album. I saw her at UConn one time right before Ys came out and it was just her playing those songs. It was nuts. Chris and Maggie were there and I ran into Sean and Ryan from Quiet Life too. It was a romp. The Milk-Eyed Mender is the one for me and I remember Ezra made me a birthday mix one time before I moved in with him and this was the first song on it. Since then it's seemed like a great way to start a mix or album, even though this is the 5th song on the actual album.