Guitars, drums, please?

I really need to get back into the blogosphere and there's no better way to do it than by doing the obligatory favorite albums of 2009. As much as I do love some good electronic music and a beat to dance to, I still prefer actual instruments being played and a gritty sound. As my dear roommate Nikola says, "your roots are more in punk, Rochte, all you want are some guitars!". So here goes:

5. Bibio - "Ambivalence Avenue"

After that whole spiel I choose a mostly electronic album at #5. What can I say? Dude produces killer tracks that span from folk to indie to hip hop.

4. The XX - "The XX"

I was trying to describe this band to someone last week,

but all I could come up with was laid back, pretty

sounding indie rock. I don't know, I just really got into

this album.

3. Drummer - "Feel Good Together"

What happens when you take five different drummers from

various bands and bring them all together to play

different instruments? An awesome album? Check!

Well, technically they didn't all get to switch instruments...

one of them had to stay a drummer. Formed by Patrick

Carney of The Black Keys fame (he plays bass in this band),

this album was spot on and a lot of people still haven't

heard of them. Do yourself a favor, check it out & tell yr friends.

2. Blakroc - "Blackroc"

(Speaking of) The Black Keys + hip hop's finest = Blakroc. It's a

good mix, I promise.

1. Japandroids - "Post Nothing"

Honestly, nothing even comes close to this album for me.

I'm talking the past couple of years even. Just a drummer and a

guitarist playing the catchiest rock & roll accompanied by the best

(yet simplest) lyrics I've heard in a minute.

From "Young Hearts Spark Fire":

We used to dream

Now we worry about dying

I don't wanna worry about dying

I just wanna worry about those sunshine girls

This album makes me feel young & alive & excited when I listen to

it. It sounds cheesy, I get that. I like music I can relate to, yknow?

If you haven't heard them, this video isn't the best portrayal of

how the music sounds, but these dudes don't have a music video.

I wanted to post something live rather than something a random

person on youtube made. But yeah, check out the energy and

listen to the crowd.

So that's that. Good luck, 2010.

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

Happy October!!

My favorite month of the whole year has finally arrived! A tribute...

The 1st: Happy Birthday, Daveman. I love you, brother.

The 13th: Oh dear...my 25th birthday!

The 15th: Sundowner in BG. This girl is ex-cit-ed.

The 31st: My favorite holiday, Halloween! Not to mention the parties, haunted houses, & everything that comes with it.

...& everything in between!

Tell me why you think October is awesome. Also, I could use some suggestions for Halloween costumes and obscure horror movies to watch this month.