Top Albums: Snowed In Edition

Due to the weather, I've decided to do another Top 5 post on music. This list consists of my 5 favorite record purchases this year. It's a bit more personal than the last, but I had fun deciding.


5. Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson (1971)



Get yourself into some Serge. It's pure sex.



4. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)



Why did I wait so long to listen to this band? Why did I flip past this record for so many years? I suppose I thought they were super emo based on their name. Thank you for proving me wrong, Sir Alex.

**When I searched Youtube for this band I only got trailers for what looks like a terrible movie, but I thought that this was appropriate.



3. The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band with Choir - "This Is Our Punk-Rock", Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing (2003)



Such an incredible album from a phenomenal band. I may have not left my room and kept flipping the record at least 4 times one day. Wow.




2. Holy Fuck - LP (2007)



I think I actually said the band's name is response to hearing their music for the first time. Usually when I go record shopping I don't know what I'm going to pick up, but I actually went out with the intent of purchasing this one.




1. Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit 2007 Re-release (Originally released in 1998)



One of my favorite punk (you can argue whether this is "punk" or not somewhere else) albums of all time. Goddamnit was re-released for a very specific reason in that it really made us kids feel something. Something we understood and related to. It may sound lame, but it's so true! Brendan Kelly (from The Lawrence Arms wrote an amazing intro; here's part of it:

"You know that feeling of having wasted your life? I'm not talking about looking back to faded, half-remembered olden days from some wrinkly shell. I'm referring to waking up and thinking 'Woah, last night was a complete blur, I made a real dick of myself in front of that girl I can't stop thinking about and barfed in the sink at the bar. I'm wasting my life. What's wrong with me?' That's wasting your life. Little moments that swirl, fade and descend into obscurity, never to be retrieved."

I was feeling very nostalgic that day and this was the perfect thing to pick up.

Top Albums of '08

Happy 2009, friends! It's been awhile since we (I) here at oh! how silly have written. Well, I wouldn't be quite cliche enough of a blogger if I didn't do the obligatory top albums of 2008 list, now would I? Here are my top 5:

5. Lykke Li - Youth Novel


I first heard Lykke Li when a friend sat me down and made me listen to her this summer. Upon hearing her voice I thought "Oh great, another indie Swede with a peculiar voice who's going to grace Pitchfork's Best New Music page" and dismissed her immediately. What a jerk, right? Later, when her songs would come on at random I found myself asking "who is this?" and really getting into the music. Her voice grew on me as well. This album is fantastic, and I now admit that I was wrong (except I was right about the Pitchfork thing). Lykke - 1, Sarah - 0.



4. Russian Circles - Station


When I saw Russian Circles open for fellow Chicago band Pelican, they blew my mind. Upon the release of their second album Station, they already had a following. Think post-rock meets metal and melody.



3. Black Mountain - In The Future


How does Canada produce these amazing bands and musicians? I'm going to guess something with the de-criminalization of ma... nevermind. I've heard Black Mountain's latest played often in between sets at Frankies Inner City and at tattoo shops just the same. Two vocalists (a girl & a guy) switch on and off for this AMAZING psychedelic rock band. Some ominous tracks, a couple super indie, and a lot of rocking out (to sound as Wayne Campbell as possible).



2. Foals - Antidotes


I don't know how to talk about this band. Dance-punk or math rock? Maybe. Catchy as hell? Yes. The guitar is super distinctive, the entire album is a cohesive working machine, and they make me want to dance. That's all I can think of and it probably doesn't make much sense. Do yourself a favor and just listen!!



1. Ratatat - LP3


One of my favorite bands since their self-titled 2004 debut. Most of you know this band already, and if you don't I'd recommend the entire discography. I've heard complaints, but LP3 did not let me down at all. Nice work, dudes.



**Honorable Mentions: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours, Man Man - Rabbit Habits, The Mae Shi - HLLLYH

Raise your fist!

Can I talk about something? Ok. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I've wanted to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for so long now. I feel like admitting this automatically gets me funny looks, but I have to ask: What isn't completely awesome about epic Christmas metal? Have you even heard about their light show? I want to dress in the classiest number I own (do I have a gown?) and go to one of these concerts! Unfortunately they aren't coming to Toledo this year and I have yet to find someone else around here that thinks it sounds like fun. The tickets are relatively expensive, but I guarantee they're worth it. Tell me, am I being ridiculous? Will you go with me? I'm looking to L.Gozleee, A.Gleghore, R.Lonard...