Sigur Ros “Heima”

Sigur Ros is one of my favorite bands, period. Hopefully you have heard of them. If not, I hope you will give them a chance. Their music is mellow, but equally gorgeous.

They are from Iceland and I first heard them through their album Agaetis Byrjun which was released in 1999. Their two albums after that, ( ) and Takk, really blew me away. I mostly listen to their music with headphones late at night when writing, when laying in bed or when I simply need to decompress from life.

What I love most about their Sigur Ros is even though they are a four-piece, there is such an orchestral quality to their music. I also love the fact that their singer Jon Birgisson sings in Icelandic and Hopelandic (an invented language with no vocabulary or grammar). What I love about this is that I have never tried to search out any translation to his lyrics. Every song of their’s means something unique to me as I am interpreting his lyrics according to my mood at the time of listening. It is truly a moment where music transcends language. Music, the ultimate communicator…

To the point, they just released a documentary film entitled, Heima, and it is a wonderful piece of film making. They filmed it in 2006 in their native Iceland, playing in small villages, in houses for friends and family and at big open air concerts in the vast countryside. Beautiful film…

Here are three video clips from the documentary. If you are interested in checking out their albums, I’d recommend you start with ( ) – their untitled album released in 2002. If you are a fan, this documentary is a absolute must!

Sigur Ros – From “Heima”

“Heima”

“Vaka”

“Agaetis Byrjun”

Top Albums of 2007

This took a few weeks to compile and much thought went into it as well. I am sure you are going to discover that perhaps some of your favorite albums of the year are not in this list. If so, shoot me a note. Maybe I overlooked it, or maybe I just didn’t make my list. I hope you rediscover some albums listed here and perhaps discover something new as well. Happy holidays!

TOP 30 ALBUMS of 2007

30. Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours To Keep

29. Sigur Ros – Hvarf-Heim

28. Eddie Vedder – Into The Wild (Soundtrack)

27. Common - Finding Forever

26. Bruce Hornsby/Christian McBride/Jack DeJohnette – Camp Meeting

25. John Scofield – This Meets That

24. The White Stripes – Iky Thump

23. The Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

22. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

21. Jimmy LaFave – Cimarron Manifesto

20. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

19. Jay-Z – American Gangster

18. Tegan & Sara – The Con

17. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

16. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

15. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

14. Daft Punk – Alive 2007

13. Bright Eyes – Cassadaga

12. Brandi Carlile – The Story

11. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raising Sand

10. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

The Austin-based band, Spoon, returned in 2007 with their sixth studio release and achieved chart success (#10 Billboard 200) while continuing to make few concessions to the classic song structure. This album does have more of a”mainstream” sound but still continues to showcase their unique large sound with purposeful minimal arrangement. Their focus has always been on the song, and this album is full of them that grow on you with each listen. The album is a testament to Spoon’s continued growth and exploration and is a must for anyone who enjoys any form of rock.
9. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger

Easy Tiger is Ryan Adams ninth solo album, is full of the alternative country overtones he is known for and still continues to establish Adams as one of the premier singer-songwriters of his generation. The album is Adams’ most-polished to date and is his most complete work in years. The album was Adams’ highest charting album to date (#7 on Billboard 200) and is the perfect mix of concise pop-country singles and dreary troubadour songs that were so beloved on his early work such as Heartbreaker and Gold. His best studio release in years.

8. Radiohead – In Rainbows

Aside from massive the stir and sheer shakeup Radiohead caused throughout the music industry by releasing In Rainbows via optional-pay download, most people over-looked the fact that it was actually a GREAT album. The move was brilliant and so are many parts of this album. On In Rainbows, Radiohead continued in the vein of Amnesiac and Hail To The Thief, however they brought back subtle acoustic guitars, up-tempo electric guitar songs and even more intricate headphone sound effects. The album is a good medium for those who miss The Bends and for those who want more Kid A.

7. Feist – The Reminder

Simply put, Feist is blessed with a gorgeous and unique voice and her third solo release finally showcases what the Indie-world has known for years, that Feist is well on her way to becoming a premier female artist on a global level. The Reminder was recorded in a 200-year-old manor house outside of Paris in only two weeks and the intimacy shines throughout. Known for her subtle pop tendencies, The Reminder reveals a grown-up artist merging her pop sensibilities with jazz, acoustic folk, African rhythms, and intricate melodies.
6. The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism

The Avett Brothers are a non-traditional bluegrass band from North Carolina but they have something that is vital to the bluegrass tradition, songs. And boy do they know how to write them. Brothers Scott and Seth Avett each handle an equal duty of the songwriting and lead vocals, but it is in their accompaniment of each others’ songs where the true magic of this group and album lies. The simple instrumentation of acoustic guitar, upright bass, banjo, kick drum and high-hat allow for the songs and honest lyrics to shine and every song is a backwoods journey from first to last.

5. Kanye West – Graduation

Everyone knows that Kanye West is an egotistical, stuck-up asshole, but you know what? He knows how to make brilliant hip-hop albums. Gone are all the skits from Late Registration. The Graduation is pure hip-hop from start to finish. Praised by many to be his best album to date, his lyrics effectively express the ambition, desires and wishes of someone influenced by pop-culture who has nothing or has not “made it yet.” But leave it to West to let the listener know repeatedly that he has. West has found himself as an artist by means of being someone who is not afraid to experiment with his art form and in return he has created the most innovative hip-hop album of the year.

4. Fionn Regan – The End of History

I can’t remember the last time I was so excited about a new musician, most particularly a singer-songwriter. Regan hails from Ireland and is only 26-years-old but he understands something that David Grey, Damian Rice and James Blunt have not yet fully gotten, that an album should be a complete flow of songs telling a greater story than any one song. Fionn’s first album is a breath of fresh air in the singer-songwriter genre. It flows seemingly from song to song and never has a dull moment. Regan has the intricate capability to play guitar like Elliot Smith or Nick Drake, but lacks the melancholy nature and lyrics of both. He is his own artist and The End of History is a brilliant introduction to him.

3. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

As I read in a review of this album earlier this year, it does ‘take balls to start your make-or-break third album with a 7-minute song about knocking up your girlfriend.’ Kings of Leon simply wanted to announce to the world that they were grown up. Gone are the 4-minute power pop tunes that had defined this band on their first two albums. Rarely does an album take a band from clubs to arenas, but Because of the Times made all that seem possible. Kings of Leon’s sound got bigger, their songs got better and the result is the best rock release of the entire year. Even more, songs 8-13 make up the most brilliant album side released all year.

2. Stephen Marley – Mind Control

Whoever said reggae is dead has clearly not heard Mind Control. This album should have been bigger than it was. It should have been one of the biggest albums of the entire year, but where does reggae find regular radio play these days? Stephen Marley has spent years behind the scenes in the Marley family as a member of his brother Ziggy Marley’s group the Melody Makers and as producer for his brother Damian Marley’s three solo efforts and brother Julian Marley’s solo album as well. Mind Control was the world’s introduction to Stephen Marley as an artist and clearly the most-talented of the Marley crew has emerged as the new shining light of reggae. What Stephen was able to do with Mind Control was perfectly combine the traditions of roots reggae with the beats of hip-hop and dance hall. Mind Control should give hope to all lovers of reggae as it shows that genius sometimes does run in the family.

1. Iron & Wine - The Shepard’s Dog

Every so often and artist takes a risk. Radiohead did it with Kid A and it worked. Dave Matthews Band did it with Everyday and it didn’t. Sam Beam (Iron & Wine is his stage name) took a BIG risk with only his third album, The Shepard’s Dog, and it worked brilliantly. Known for his acoustic albums, with minimal instrumentation and hushed vocals, Sam Beam created a kaleidoscope of sound on The Shepard’s Dog and it has clearly expanded the genre of the singer-songwriter. For the album, Beam enlisted the help of Joey Burns and Paul Niehaus of Calexico, as well as jazz musicians Matt Lux and Rob Burger and Beam is not bashful in sharing the musical space with them. Beam could have easily recorded the songs on this album in the same vein as his previous albums and it would have been a success, but he broke from the mold, took a chance, and created the most refreshing and original release of the entire year.

TOP 10 REISSUES of 2007

10. Elliot Smith – New Moon

9. Counting Crows – August & Everything After (Deluxe Edition)

8. Miles Davis – Steamin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet

7. Al Green – The Definitive Greatest Hits

6. Sly & The Family Stone – Stand! / There’s a Riot Goin’ On

5. Neil Young – Live at Massey Hall

4. John Lee Hooker – I’m John Lee Hooker

3. Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen

2. U2 – The Joshua Tree (Deluxe Edition)

1. The Doors – The Entire Catalog

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – “Follow The Lights”

Fresh off the critically acclaimed release of Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals return with a new extended play, Follow The Lights, released by Lost Highway. Leave it Adams to release an EP just four months after releasing a full-length album. I can’t complain though, this new seven-song EP makes up for what Easy Tiger lacked in intimacy and track flow.

When I received the advance copy in the mail I was a little skeptical of the EP tag when I flipped to the track listings on the back, as it seemed more like CD single considering the last three songs on Follow The Lights had already been released on three different, previous Ryan Adams albums. But it is in those reworked songs where the magic on Follow The Lights lies.

The EP starts with three songs that are basically extensions of the Easy Tiger album. All three songs, “Follow The Lights,” My Love For You Is Real,” and “Blue Hotel,” all sound like they could have been recorded on the same day as Easy Tiger’s “Two.” They are in the same alt country vain as most of Adams’ recent songs and are a pleasure to listen to but do not offer the exhilaration and drive as great, more recent Adams songs like Cold Roses’ “Let It Ride,” or Jacksonville City Lights’ “The Hardest Part.” These newer songs seem to mosey about, lacking the drive that even Easy Tiger’s “Two” had. “My Love For You Is Real” is my favorite of the first three.

Song four on the disc was a very pleasant surprise. It is a cover of the Alice In Chains song, “Down In A Hole,” written by Jerry Cantrell. On this track, Adams is somehow able to turn this grunge classic into an alt country gem, making it uniquely original. Much more unique and original than Love Is Hell’s “Wonderwall.” This is simply a great working of an off-the-wall cover choice.

Song five, “This Is It,” originally released on Rock N’ Roll, is a completely rearranged version with acoustic and electric guitars, soaring choruses and busy drums. I hated this song when I first heard it on the Rock N’ Roll album, but this newer version has made me realize that it is actually a pretty good song. Not a great song, but a good one.

Song six is a real gem. “If I Am A Stranger,” was previously released on Cold Roses. This new version was recorded live in the studio with minimal arrangement; two acoustic guitars, pedal steel and crystal-clear lead vocals. This arrangement takes an often under-looked Adams song and shows you how special it really is. The acoustic guitar work by Neal Casal is excellent and the pedal steel noodling, by Jon Graboff, allows for Adams’ gift of vocal melody to shine.

Track seven is clearly the highlight of the album for me. “Dear John,” was originally released on Jacksonville City Nights as a duet with Norah Jones. Let me put this simply, this acoustic, live in-studio reworking of this song is worth the $5.98 amazon.com is charging for the disc. This track alone. For what Norah Jones lacked in emotion on he original recording, Cardinals’ guitarist and background vocalist, Neal Casal, shines like he has never shined before. For anyone who saw Ryan Adams & the Cardinals this past summer on tour, you will recognize this version. It is basically the duel-lead vocal version they played all summer. However, this version puts more emphasis on the vocals with only acoustic guitars, piano, pedal steel, bass and drums in the arrangement. The driving electric guitars of the summer tour are gone and in their place are pure vocal emotion, gorgeous rolling piano (Jamie Candiloro), and perfectly placed acoustic guitar fills, not to mention a superb acoustic guitar solo by Casal after the second chorus. This is the type of song that should be played at funerals for really cool people who are named John. It is a pure goodbye of sorrow and perfectly placed as the last song on the disc.

This EP is definitely worth checking out. For Ryan Adams fans, it is a must for the collection; simply for the last two songs on the EP.

Buy Follow The Lights

Ryan Adams’ Website

Ryan Adams’ Bio

Ryan Adams’ MySpace Page

Iron & Wine, “The Shepard’s Dog”

Alright, so I overdid it this past weekend with baseball games, dance party and more baseball games. I feel like crap right now with sore throat, but new music has made me feel better. That new music is The Shepard Dog, the new album from Iron & Wine. I couldn’t sleep last night and at about 12:30 am I grabbed the headphones, put the album on, grabbed a book and 30 seconds into the first song put the book down. I listened to the entire album from start to finish and I have to say it is a gorgeous piece of work!

For those you don’t know Iron & Wine, it is a guy named Sam Beam. Iron & Wine is his stage name. Here is a picture of Mr. Beam:

Yes dreamy, I know…anyways, the guy has released two, primarily acoustic, albums and a few EPs. If you seriously have not heard him check out Our Endless Numbered Days. That album lit a light in my body when I first heard it a few years ago. He is also the guy who sang the Postal Service song, “Such Great Heights,” on the Garden State Soundtrack. So, his new album is a leap forward in such a positive direction for both him and folk music in general. The album has many other musicians all over it and it works so well! He has typically been an acoustic guitar, voice man, but on this album, grooves are set to his typical acoustic songs with drums and bass with all sorts of other instruments weaving in and out of the music at the perfect times. It is pure delight for the ears. The guest musicians on the album include Joey Burns and Paul Niehaus of Calexico, as well as jazz musicians Matt Lux and Rob Burger.

Iron & Wine has made a huge change in his sound, going into a new direction, and it absolutely works. I am writing this blog because he is an artist that I feel deserves to be liked, or at least given the chance to be liked. You are not going to hear him on the radio or see him on the television, however, this new album might change that.

The entire new album is up for listen on his MySpace page. Check it out. Play “Lovesong of a Buzzard.” That song makes me want to drive into the night. Great “headphones” album.

Iron & Wine’s MySpace Page

No videos for the new album yet but here is one of my older favorites:

Fionn Regan

This guy is from Bray, Ireland, but is now based out of England. He has had some success in Europe, releasing three EPs, and is about to try his hand in America, having just signed to Lost Highway (Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Bernard Fanning). Later this summer he will be embarking on his first U.S. tour and will unfortunately not be coming to Colorado. Well…long story short, I like this guy very much and his only album, “The End Of History,” is definitely worth checking out for anyone that enjoys singer songwriters. Fionn has a very interesting singing style, particularly with his phrasing and I have really enjoyed his lyrical ability. Not to mention his debut video is a piece of pure glorious art. All sections of the video were recorded live in the settings they were filmed in. Here it is:

Also, feel free to check out his website:

Fionn’s Website

Check out more tunes on his MySpace page:

Fionn’s MySpace Page