02

February
2010

Mini-Beats - January 2010 - Edition 12

category: Mini-Beats
by The Beat, No Comments »

James Blackshaw - O True Believers (2006, Important) ♥♥♥½
-instrumental open-tuning odes in the same vein as Jack Rose; this would have gotten a higher rating but the 18-minute Middle Eastern homage slows the album’s momentum down-
Hussalonia - Know Your Eastern European Anthems EP (2010, self-released) ♥♥♥
-see upcoming front-page review-
The Turn-Ons - Love Ruined Us EP (2002, Bop Tart) ♥♥♥
-mellow Velvets inspired sounds; this is pretty much the pre-cursor to their excellent East album-
Andrew Cedermark/Family Portrait - Split 7-inch (2009, Underwater Peoples) ♥♥♥
-features the excellent ‘Mega Secrets’ track; one of my favorite singles of ‘09-
Make Your Exit - Make Your Exit EP (2008, self-released) ♥♥½
-i felt a jazzier American Analog Set vibe here with the occasional horn flourish-
Murder Mystery - Murder Mystery EP (2006, Detroit Sounds) ♥♥
-angular indie/garage rock with shouty vocals that unfortunately comes off a little amateurish-
Lemon Fresh Kids - Reason to Believe (2004, RockMePopMe) ♥
-power-pop that likely means well but comes off sounding like your favorite local bar band-
Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs (2009, Matador) ♥♥♥½
-this is the first YLT album I’ve enjoyed in quite some time; equal mix of catchy psyche pop and lengthy introspective instrumentals-
Fred Thomas - Flood (2007, Magic Marker) ♥♥♥½
-was never a big fan of Saturday Looks Good To Me but when Fred goes it alone he lets his freak flag fly and the results are psyche-pop bliss-
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! (2009, Lost Highway) ♥♥½
-standard fare garage-stomp rock much like King Khan but with less oomph-
The Life and Times - Tragic Boogie (2009, Arena Rock) ♥♥♥½
-you’d think these guys would have lost their touch after all these years; not as good as their debut but give it time…-
Owl City - Ocean Eyes (2009, Universal Republic) ♥♥♥
-this one got universally ragged upon for its blatant thievery of sounds; I look at it as the sophomore Postal Service album that we lkely will never see-
Spoon - Transference (2009, Merge) ♥♥♥½
-a surprise consider several trusted sources beat their fists off this one; love the syrupy post-punk feel of ‘Got Nuffin’-
Tap Tap - Lanzafame (2006, Catbird) ♥♥♥
-not as strong as their recent album reviewed a few months ago; Shins fans can still gape at how similar the vocals are to James Mercer’s-
Beach House - Teen Dream (2010, Sub Pop) ♥♥♥♥
-for whatever reason I loathed Devotion but this effort hit me in all the sweet spots, like all great dream-pop should-

01

February
2010

Monday Morning Shuffle - #37

category: Monday Morning Shuffle
by The Beat, No Comments »

Hussalonia - j.d. salinger
(officially unreleased)
Neko Case - people got a lotta nerve
(taken from her 2009 release Middle Cyclone)
The Radio Dept. - david
(taken from their 2010 release Clinging to A Scheme)
jj - let go
(taken from their 2010 release No. 3)

Quasi - repulsion
(taken from their 2010 release American Gong)
Northern Portrait - my new favourite moment
(taken from their 2010 release Criminal Art Lovers)
Tallest Man On Earth - king of spain
(taken from his 2010 release The Wild Hunt)
Surfer Blood - floating vibes
(taken from their 2010 release Astro Coast)
Caribou - odessa
(taken from their 2010 release Swim)
Drive-By Truckers - this fucking job
(taken from their 2010 release The Big To Do)
Jack Rose - woodpiles
(taken from his 2010 release Luck In The Valley)
King Of Prussia - waitin’ for something
(taken from their 2010 release The Time Of Great Forgetting)
Shearwater - black eyes
(taken from their 2010 release The Golden Archipelago)
The Ruby Suns - cranberry
(taken from their 2010 release Fight Softly)
The Soft Pack - answer to yourself
(taken from their 2010 release The Soft Pack)
Rocky Votolato - red river
(taken from his 2010 release True Devotion)
Yeasayer - o.n.e.
(taken from their 2010 release Odd Blood)

20

January
2010

January 2010 Mix

category: Mixtapes
by The Beat, No Comments »

Cover artwork by (the potentially invincible) Stephen Smith

1. Deastro - michael, the lone archer of the north shore
(taken from their 2008 release Keepers)
2. Future Of The Left - throwing bricks at trains
(taken from their 2009 release Travels With Myself and Another)
3. Borrowed Beams Of Light - kids are great!!!
(taken from their 2009 release Borrowed Beams Of Light EP)
4. Cass McCombs - dreams-come-true-girl (feat. karen black)
(taken from his 2009 release Catacombs)
5. Mumford & Sons - little lion man
(taken from their 2009 release Sigh No More)
6. James Pants - the eyes of the lord
(taken from his 2009 release Seven Seals)
7. Death and Vanilla - ghosts in the machine
(taken from their 2009 release Beko Digital Single Series single)
8. Phoenix - love like a sunset (animal collective remix)
(taken from their 2009 release Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Remix Collection))
9. Ben Nichols - the last pale light in the west
(taken from his 2009 release The Last Pale Light In The West EP)
10. Alex Bleeker - these days
(taken from the 2009 Underwater Peoples Winter Review compilation)
11. Aarktica - hollow earth theory
(taken from their 2009 release In Sea)
12. The Antlers - sylvia
(taken from their 2009 release Hospice)
13. Camera Obscura - french navy
(taken from their 2009 release My Maudlin Career)
14. Ramona Falls - i say fever
(taken from their 2009 release Intuit)
15. Slowmotions - 1000 hurts
(taken from their 2009 release Quick Potions)
16. Kurt Von Stetten - ssdd
(taken from his 2009 release History EP)
17. Tigercity - a better place (daytrotter)
(taken from their 2009 Daytrotter Session)
18. Sharon Van Etten - much more than that
(taken from her 2009 release Because I Was In Love)
19. The Binary Marketing Show - fear
(taken from their 2009 release Pattern)
20. The Mantles - don’t lie
(taken from their 2009 release The Mantles)
21. Voxhaul Broadcast - shoot the breeze (daytrotter)
(taken from their 2009 Daytrotter Session)
22. Tin Star Orphans - miss you
(taken from their 2009 release Yonder)

Download Zip File 112MB

* Click the song titles to download each song individually.
* Click on the blue arrow to stream the song.
* Songs will only be available to stream until the following month’s mix is posted.

16

January
2010

BTID’s 50 Most Essential Albums Of 2009

category: Commentary, Reviews
by The Beat, No Comments »

1. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns (Saddle Creek)
The Deadroads
2. A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Ashes/Grammar (Mis Ojos)
Passionate Introverts
3. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast (Fat Possum)
Tenuousness
4. Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind (Temporary Residence)
Ashes In The Snow
5. Dark Mean - Frankencottage EP (self-released)
Lullaby

6. World’s Greatest Ghosts - No Magic (Lucky Madison)
Mazes and Monsters
7. Ola Podrida - Belly Of The Lion (Western Vinyl)
Donkey
8. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Glassnote)
1901
9. Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement (Stones Throw)
Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’
10. The Antlers - Hospice (FrenchKiss)
Sylvia

11. The Drums - Summertime! EP (TwentySeven)
Let’s Go Surfing
12. The Gifted Children - Open Windows EP (Tinhorn Planet)
A Forest (Version)
13. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (Slumberland)
Young Adult Friction
14. Bombadil - Tarpits and Canyonlands (Ramseur)
So Many Ways To Die
15. There Will Be Fireworks - There Will Be Fireworks (self-released)
Says Aye

16. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion (Domino)
My Girls
17. Ume - Sunshower EP (self-released)
The Conductor
18. The XX - The XX (XL)
Basic Space
19. Dead Man’s Bones - Dead Man’s Bones (Anti)
My Body’s A Zombie For You
20. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (Domino)
No Intention

21. Chris Richards and The Substractions - Sad Sounds Of The Summer (Gangplank)
I, Miss July
22. Dan Deacon - Bromst (Carpark)
Get Older
23. The Shivers - In The Morning (State Capital)
Just Didn’t Need To Know
24. The Invisible Cities - Houses Shine Like Teeth (self-released)
Marine Parade Road (Soupy)
25. Fanfarlo - Reservoir (self-released)
Ghosts

26. Drummer - Feel Good Together (Audio Eagle)
Feel Good Together
27. VA - Dark Was The Night (4AD)
The Books and Jose Gonzalez - Cello Song
28. Le Loup - Family (Hardly Art)
Beach Town
29. The Love Language - The Love Language (Bladen County)
Lalita
30. Generationals - Con Law (Park The Van)
When They Fight, They Fight

31. TVRBVL - TheTVRBVLep (self-released)
A Small Rock Holds Back A Great Wave
32. Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP (Jagjaguwar)
Blood Bank
33. Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins In Dearland (XL)
Shampoo
34. Alela Diane - To Be Still (Rough Trade)
Tatted Lace
35. Bowerbirds - Upper Air (Dead Oceans)
Beneath Your Tree

36. Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms (Secret City)
Man Like You
37. The Raveonettes - In And Out Of Control (Vice)
Suicide
38. The Ghost Is Dancing - Battles On (Sonic Unyon)
Dream Of A Failed Architect
39. The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love (4AD)
Velvet
40. Noah and The Whale - The First Days Of Spring (Mercury)
My Door Is Always Open

41. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (Warp)
While You Wait For The Others (feat. Michael McDonald)
42. Loney, Dear - Dear John (Polyvinyl)
Airport Surroundings
43. Autopilot Is For Lovers - To The Wolves (Bladen County)
Whale Belly
44. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us (Graveface)
Born On A Day The Sun Didn’t Rise
45. Deirdre & Conor - At Our Tiny Dinner Table EP (BTID)
How Are You

46. worriedaboutsatan - Arrivals (Gizeh)
You’re In My Thoughts (Edit)
47. Jack Rose - The Black Dirt Sessions (Three Lobed)
Fishtown Flower
48. The Paper Chase - Someday This Could All Be Yours Pt. 1 (Kill Rock Stars)
The Laying Of Hands
49. Anois - Tree House Whispers (Aerotone)
Beds and Dishes
50. Sophia - There Are No Goodbyes (City Slang)
Obvious

15

January
2010

Mini-Beats - January 2010 - Edition 11

category: Mini-Beats
by The Beat, No Comments »

Real Estate - Real Estate (2009, Woodsist) ♥♥♥
-can’t say this one is quite deserving of all the praise heaped upon it on the blogs but it had its saccharine, summertime moments like ‘Suburban Beverage’ and ‘Fake Blues’-
Eternal Summers - Eternal Summers (2009, self-released) ♥♥♥
-hazy, summer-fi pop with a lion’s share of hooks but lacking any kind of real depth to make it stand out from this heavily-tapped sound-
Tom McRae - Tom McRae (2000, BMG) ♥♥♥½
-you begin to see the initial stages of McRae becoming one of the greatest unknown songwriters of the 00’s-
Deastro - Spritle 7-inch (2009, Five Three Dial Tone) ♥♥♥½
-less sparkly than anything found on the Keepers album but still enough hooks to please-
Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds (2006, Tomlab) ♥♥♥
-Owen fiddles his way into the hearts of many; changes name-
Je Suis France - Fantastic Area (2003, Orange Twin) ♥♥♥
-Athens, GA staples creating mostly short, garage-pop bursts of fun-
The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers (2008, Team Love) ♥♥½
-the brothers folk draw obvious comparisons to Dylan…the fun kind of ends there-
Unsparing Sea - In The Diamond Caverns (2009, Broke Tusk Collective) ♥♥½
-US wed the intentions of backporch folk with dreary pop sensibilities; i expected more from this release based on their momentous debut-
Brilliant Colors - Introducing (2009, Slumberland) ♥♥♥½
-short, melodic post-punk influenced tracks sung by the throaty Jess Scott-
Ben Nichols - The Last Pale Light In The West (2009, ) ♥♥♥½
-full-time Lucero member steps out and releases 7 songs of earthy, Americana; great pipes on this lad-
Vic Chesnutt - At The Cut (2009, ) ♥♥♥½
-a powerfully premonitious and gloomy effort; this was just how we liked Vic R.I.P.-
Langhorne Slim - Be Set Free (2009, Kemado) ♥♥♥
-Slim has toned his shtick down a little - he now has that ‘mature’ sound going on; RIYL Josh Rouse-
Weinland - Breaks In The Sun (2009, Badman) ♥♥♥
-mellow folk that reminded me of Damien Jurado or the quieter moments of Pedro The Lion-
Cass McCombs - Catacombs (2009, Domino) ♥♥♥
-a couple brilliant tracks like the retro 60’s feel of the opener but the rest of the album is peppered with some seriously cheesy moments…uncomfortably cheesy-
Golden Shoulders - Get Reasonable (2009, Welcome Home) ♥♥♥
-the revolving cast of musicians including members of Cake and Joanna Newsom spit out another ‘eh’ LP that would have been a great EP-
Lissie - Why You Runnin’ EP (2009, Fat Possum) ♥♥♥½
-Lissie’s soulful voice alone makes this EP special; she gets help from Ed Harcourt and Band Of Horses members; bring on the full-length follow-up-
Vampire Weekend - Contra (2010, XL) ♥♥♥½
-definitely much less fun than their debut but there are still plenty of moments to warrant repeated listens-
Japandroids - Post-Nothing (2009, Polyvinyl) ♥♥♥
-I hear equal parts 90’s Chicago-style emo and slower-paced Built To Spill-like dirty guitar jams-
Thao and The Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Faster (2009, Kill Rock Stars) ♥♥♥
-it’s nice to see Thao cheer up a bit; the faster paced songs are top-notch-
Passion Pit - Manners (2009, FrenchKiss) ♥♥♥
-that dancey thing that focuses on perfectly placed electronic beeps and sugary, sweet harmonies; nothing groundbreaking but worth a listen-
Bat For Lashes - Two Suns (2009, Astralwerks) ♥♥½
-Natasha clears out a space between Tori Amos and Portishead/Massive Attack; i’m not sure what the ‘folktronica’ tag is all about here, its really fairly organic sounding to these ears-
Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist (2009, Equal Vision) ♥♥
-my initial experience with this buzzed about band leaves me confused and wanting; hopefully this isn’t wholly indicative of Equal Vision’s m.o. nowadays-
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone (2009, Anti) ♥♥½
-the familiar calm associated with Neko’s vocals is intact but there are no standout tracks to be found here-
Syme - Modern Love EP (2006, Karisma) ♥♥½
-really loved their LP but this side-dish of a few covers and remixes isn’t all that worthwhile-

13

January
2010

The Internets Giveth, BTID Readers Taketh

category: Commentary, The Best Things In Life Are Free
by The Beat, 1 Comment »

I heaped some praise on Chris Richards earlier in the year after spending some time with his latest release with The Substractions, Sad Sounds Of The Summer. The guys have released a short, 5-song cover EP to accompany their full-length. Artists covered are more or less from the classic power-pop canon that Chris has been tapping into since first making splashes on the power-pop scene. And, yes, it’s posted on their Bandcamp page for free download. Check out the track listing below and stream my favorite of the bunch.

You Like Me Too Much (The Beatles)

Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand (The Who)

Wah Wah (George Harrison)

No Action (Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
Thirteen (Big Star)

Occasionally its nice to bypass the straightforward side of the ‘indie sound’ and delve into more experimental ventures. New Weird Australia is a website dedicated to ‘eclectic and experimental Australian music’ and every fortnight or so they compile a sampler of artists thinking outside the proverbial box. I’ve given the second volume a few listens and, while I may not enjoy everything (usually the lengthy sound collages and empty-space pieces), there is wide enough variety to pique my interest. You can download all four volumes from the NWA release page or click the images above for direct links. Also, check out a few of my favorite tracks from Vol. 2.

Broken Chip - summer stars
Maddest Kings Alive - measels

Strangers Family Band aren’t afraid to wear their Doors influence firmly on their sleeve. I can’t say that the Doors have ever done much for me - well, maybe not on the scale most critics say they should. However, this isn’t repulsive in any way. In fact, the songs that are carved out of the Nuggets soundscape are quite good…like the track posted below, which sports a sweet, snakey bassline. You can grab their album para gratis from their Bandcamp page.

Strangers Family Band - Girl, I’ve Been Taken

The Line Of Best Fit has been compiling mixes featuring Canada’s finest musicians. There are currently 6 volumes plus a recent holiday edition - all available to download. There is no denying the amount of talent making its way down from our neighbor above. In fact, my favorite album this year hails from Canada but we’ll save that for my upcoming year-end list. See links to all the volumes below and don’t hesitate to favorite TLOBF - it’s also an exceptional music news and commentary blog.

Oh Canada! Vol. 1
Oh Canada! Vol. 2
Oh Canada! Vol. 3
Oh Canada! Vol. 4
Oh Canada! Vol. 5
Oh Canada! Vol. 6
Ho! Ho! Ho! Canada!

The recent interest in artist’s evoking Creative Commons licensing for their music combined with a wealth of invaluable netlabels has yielded an incredible amount of music that’s not only free to download but relevant and sometimes downright essential. The BEKO Digital Single Label has joined the corps of important online music distributors. Every Monday (and sometimes in between) the label releases a 2-song single from the likes of Eternal Summers, Death and Vanilla and the locally-based Cough Cool (from New Hope, PA). There’s nothing fancy or complicated about the Beko website or message - grab singles, enjoy the sounds and spread the word.

Amsterdam Acoustics pretty much is what its name implies - musicians take up acoustic guitars and peddle their wares around a city park in Amsterdam. The results are recorded and put up for our viewing pleasure. The AA team have assembled quite a repertoire including BTID faves Pete and The Pirates, William Fitzsimmons and The XX (see them ‘rock out’ for four people below).

11

January
2010

Monday Morning Shuffle - #36

category: Monday Morning Shuffle
by The Beat, No Comments »

Vic Chesnutt (1964-2009)

The Besnard Lakes - albatross
(taken from their 2010 release The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night)
Quasi - repulsion
(taken from their 2010 release American Gong)
Xiu Xiu - gray death
(taken from their 2010 release Dear God, I Hate Myself)
Vampire Weekend - horchata
(taken from their 2010 release Contra)
The Rural Alberta Advantage - edmonton
(live from the HearYa Sessions)
IfIHadAHiFi - get killed, get noticed
(taken from their 2010 release Fame By Proxy)
Serena Maneesh - ayisha abyss
(taken from their 2010 release S-M 2: Abyss In B Minor)
Rogue Wave - good morning
(taken from their 2010 release Permalight)
Sam Doores - when i’m out in the wind
(officially unreleased)
Lou Barlow - gravitate
(taken from his 2009 release Goodnight Unknown)
Unsparing Sea - diamond caverns
(taken from their 2009 release In The Diamond Caverns)
Vandaveer - parasites and ghosts
(taken from his 2007 release Grace & Speed)
Weatherbox - trippin’ the life fantastic
(taken from their 2007 release American Art)
65daysofstatic - when we were younger and better
(taken from their 2005 release The Destruction Of Small Ideas)

Bombadil - So Many Ways To Die

09

January
2010

ZOMG 2010

category: Updates
by The Beat, No Comments »

A new year means it’s about time for a few news updates and happenings here at BTID headquarters. I don’t have any wholesale changes to announce thus far other than I would like to add 2-3 more writers to the ’staff’ this year. I struggle with the concept of other people contributing but I’ve come to the conclusion that variety adds color and character to the routine. The bandwidth usage for BTID in December was the highest its ever been - a whopping 250gigs worth! This means more people are tuning in and I’m very excited about this so I will do everything in my power to keep the ball rolling here. Features like the Monday Morning Shuffle, Mini-Beats and monthly mixes will continue. I would, however, like to add more actual commentary than I have in the past like interviews, full-on reviews and industry essays.

Last week I posted my favorite albums of the past decade and it was met with mixed reviews. I received several e-mails that either called me out or praised this/that selection. I intend to continue updating this list as I see fit - this will include links to mp3’s and commentary so please check back on occasion. There will be a link to it over thar’ in the sidebar shortly.

And lest we forget…2009 was a pretty solid year for music. We needed it. That ‘best of’ list is on the way, maybe as early as this coming week. I’ll be spending a little time listening to choice selections from other respected blogs’ end of year lists before I finish up.

I’ve been ‘threatening’ to release 7″ vinyl pressings of all the BTID netlabel releases and this will indeed come to fruition this year, I promise. It’s only a matter of when (and artist permissions pending, of course).

Speaking of the BTID headquarters - I will be moving in a few weeks so if there is a temporary lapse in posting, I blame this.

07

January
2010

Mini-Beats - December 2009 - Edition 10

category: Mini-Beats
by The Beat, No Comments »

Boxwood - The Secret Life Of Rocks (2006, Pollen) ♥½
-mostly acoustic bedroom-pop with terribly whiny, melodramatic vocals; gave it a shot because it’s on the same label as the great Subterraneans album-
Elusive Parallelograms - And Everything Changes (2009, Rainbow Quartz) ♥♥♥
-an eclectic mix of fuzzy lo-fi garage cuts, 70’s power-pop and melodies galore; what you’ve come to expect from Rainbow Quartz-
Dark Dark Dark - The Snow Magic (2008, Supply and Demand) ♥♥½
-Eastern European gypsy folk influenced thing loosely-strummed guitar, accordion, banjo etc.; i usually gobble this stuff up but the actual songs were lacking-
The Novel Ideas - The Sky Is A Field (2009, self-released) ♥♥½
-boy/girl vocals tapping into the story-telling Decemberists thing-
Chriss Sutherland - Worried Love (2009, self-released) ♥♥½
-mopey folk that bears a good bit of resemblance to Neil Young
Systems Officer - Underslept (2009, Temporary Residence) ♥♥♥
-you know the deal - Rob Crow fronts band, makes no less than decent music-
Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend Of A Friend (2009, Acony) ♥♥½
-country folk/old-timey songwriter performing songs by such notable acts as Conor Oberst and Ryan Adams-
Sharon Van Etten - Because I Was In Love (2009, Language Of Stone) ♥♥♥½
-Sharon weaves her tales of love lost with a beautifully warm and relaxing coo; RIYL Alela Diane, Cat Power-
Strangers Family Band - Strangers Family Band EP (2009, self-released)
-see upcoming front-page review-
Tin Star Orphans - Yonder (2009, Sparks) ♥♥♥½
-ecelectic mix of back-porch folk that turns up the volume as well on a few tracks; includes a clever rendition of ‘Plastic Jesus’-
Discovery - Discovery LP (2009, XL) ♥♥♥
-heavily sampled bro-fi sunshine pop featuring a member of Vampire Weekend; has its moments including a cover of the Jackson 5’s ‘I Want You Back’-
Kurt Von Stetten - History EP (2009, Static Motor) ♥♥♥½
-mid-fi poppy garage tunes not unlike Jay Reatard but not as slammin’; keep an eye on this joe-
The Mantles - The Mantles (2009, Siltbreeze) ♥♥♥
-aggro-pop with hints of all the great 80’s post-punk acts; takes a little time to grow on you since there’s not much variance between the songs-
James Pants - Seven Seals (2009, Stones Throw) ♥♥♥
-electropop with more samples than you can shake a stick at; quite hit or miss-
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic (2009, Warner) ♥♥
-whatever Wayne Coyne and the guys are on about here…I’m not understanding; there were a few moments where big, smashing drums were employed like the good ol’ days but the fun ends there-
Deastro - Keeper’s (2008, Ghostly) ♥♥♥½
-compilation album of shimmery, electronic indie-pop (duh, it’s on Ghostly….); a few songs here were sheer bliss-
Audiotransparent - Chekhov Guns (2009, Katzwijm) ♥♥♥
-Dutch indie that carries the same feel and pace of Say Hi To Your Mom but less catchy; start with Nevland (a much more memorable beast of an album)-
Micachu (& The Shapes) - Jewellery (2009, Rough Trade) ♥½
-sounds like spoons on furniture and dying animals; caveat emptor-
The Antlers - Hospice (2009, FrenchKiss) ♥♥♥♥
-i got a very heavy Jeff Buckley/The Walkmen vibe here; dreamy, emotive indie stuff commonly mistaken for slowcore but it’s really just awesome-core-
Daniel And The Lion - Handmade EP (2009, self-released) ♥♥♥½
-sad, acoustic/piano based pop songs with a little bit of sheen; RIYL Ray Lamontagne-
David Bazan - Curse Your Branches (2009, Barsuk) ♥♥
-David may still flex lyrical prowess but the accompanying music seems to keep getting cheesier…in like a bad 80’s kinda way-
Open Work Stocking - Diademia (2009, Fluttery) ♥♥½
-mellow electronic stuff that really didn’t go anywhere-
Apollo Ghosts - Hastings Sunrise (2009, self-released) ♥♥♥
-short concise pop songs that are as varied as they are melodic-
The Decemberists - Hazards Of Love (2009, Capitol) ♥
-terrible and annoying; in their defense I’ve never met a ‘rock’ opera that i liked-
Libbie Linton - Bird Wings In The Bleak (2009, Metrowake) ♥♥♥
-folk sung and played in a traditional old-timey manner but modern enough to appeal to the kids-
Binary Marketing Show - Pattern (2009, The 8088 Record Collective) ♥♥♥♥
-a clever mix of weirdo-pop, sunshine fixes and tribal beats; never heard anything like it before-
Aarktica - In Sea (2009, Silber) ♥♥♥
-long gone are the days where females ruled the vocal duties, i miss them; this effort is mostly instrumental and sometimes haunting and powerful-
Sloan - Hit & Run EP (2009, Murderecords) ♥♥♥½
-5 very promising songs that hopefully hint at the sound they exhibit on their upcoming full-length-
Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career (2009, 4AD) ♥♥♥½
-not as instantly catchy and memorable as past releases but there are moments like the two brilliant openers-

30

December
2009

BTID’s 150 Most Essential Albums of The ’00’s

category: Commentary
by The Beat, 5 Comments »

It seems like just yesterday…

1. DeVotchKa - How It Ends (2004)
2. The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up - It’s Winter Here (2001)
3. The Wrens - The Meadowlands (2003)
4. The Kamikaze Hearts - The Kamikaze Hearts (2003)
5. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)

6. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000)
7. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven! (2000)
8. Emperor X - Central Hug/Friendarmy/Fractaldune (And The Dreams That Resulted) (2005)
9. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (2008)
10. Wintersleep - Untitled (2005)

11. Matt Costa - Songs We Sing (2005)
12. Old Canes - Early Morning Hymns (2004)
13. Easterly - Easterly (2003)
14. The Everybodyfields - Nothing Is Okay (2007)
15. Kings Of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)

16. Owen - No Good For No One Now (2002)
17. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)
18. Ray LaMontagne - Trouble (2004)
19. Sufjan Stevens - (Come On Feel The) Illinoise (2005)
20. Songs:Ohia - The Lioness (2000)

21. Minus The Bear - This Is What i Know About Being Gigantic (2001)
22. of Montreal - Aldhils Arboretum (2002)
23. Last Days Of April - Angel Youth (2001)
24. Paul Hogan - Frances (2004)
25. Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump (2000)

26. Menomena - I Am The Fun Blame Monster (2003)
27. Penfold - Our First Taste Of Escape (2002)
28. Cloud Cult - Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus (2005)
29. M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (2003)
30. The Milwaukees - Missile Command (2000)

31. Malcolm Middleton - 5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine (2002)
32. Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll (2005)
33. Astronautalis - You And Yer Good Ideas (2005)
34. The Mysteries Of Life - Distant Relative (2001)
35. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (2005)

36. Summer At Shatter Creek - Summer At Shatter Creek (2003)
37. Gogol Bordello - Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony (2002)
38. The Joggers - Solid Guild (2003)
39. The Postal Service - Give Up (2003)
40. Kite Operations - Dandelion Day (2005)

41. Augie March - Strange Bird (2002)
42. The Broken Family Band - Hello Love (2007)
43. The Gifted Children - Chinese Food Takeover (2001)
44. Hammock - Kenotic (2005)
45. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (2004)

46. The Glands - The Glands (2000)
47. Machine Go Boom - Thank You Captain Obvious (2004)
48. Thinking Machines - Dream In Lo-Fi (2002)
49. Isolation Years - Inland Traveller (2001)
50. The Argument - Recess Serenade (2004)

51. Brendan Benson - Lapalco (2002)
52. The Hidden Cameras - The Smell Of Our Own (2003)
53. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns (2009)
54. The Alexander - City In Ruins (2004)
55. Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer - Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer (2002)

56. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Pocket Symphonies For Lonesome Subway Cars (2001)
57. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)
58. Phosphorescent - A Hundred Times Or More (2003)
59. Dark Mean - Frankencottage EP (2009)
60. Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary (2005)

61. Owen - At Home With (2006)
62. The Dodos - Visiter (2008)
63. Mobius Band - The Loving Sounds Of Static (2005)
64. The Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl Vol. 1 & 2 (2001)
65. Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (2008)

66. The Capstan Shafts - Chick Cigarettes (2004)
67. The London Apartments - Romanticism Aside (2005)
68. Starlings, TN - Between Hell and Baton Rouge (2004)
69. The Gazillions! - Have Landed (2000)
70. Spoon - Kill The Moonlight (2002)

71. 65daysofstatic - The Fall Of Math (2004)
72. Maestro Echoplex - Last Night I Saw God On The Dancefloor EP (2001)
73. C’est Mortel - C’est Mortel (2002)
74. The Mendoza Line - Lost In Revelry (2002)
75. Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson - Unnoticeable In A Tiny Town Invisible In The City (2005)

76. Binary Dolls - Too Much Thinking Sinks Ships (2005)
77. Weakerthans - Left and Leaving (2000)
78. The Thermals - The Body The Blood The Machine (2006)
79. William Fitzsimmons - Until When We Are Ghosts (2005)
80. Anathallo - Floating World (2006)

81. Solly - Get It Wrong It’s Alright (2005)
82. Say Hi To Your Mom - Numbers and Mumbles (2004)
83. Tom McRae - All Maps Welcome (2005)
84. Oxes - Oxes (2000)
85. Jens Lekman - When i Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog (2004)

86. The Mountain Goats - Tallahassee (2002)
87. Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind (2009)
88. Langhorne Slim - When The Sun’s Gone Down (2005)
89. The Stars Of Track and Field - Centuries Of Love and War (2006)
90. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (2005)

91. Shearwater - Rook (2008)
92. James William Hindle - Town Feeling (2005)
93. The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain (2007)
94. The Hotel Alexis - Goliath, I’m On Your Side (2007)
95. Sigur Rós - Hvarf/Heim (2007)

96. Flotation Toy Warning - Bluffer’s Guide To The Flight Deck (2004)
97. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar (2006)
98. Halley - Forget The Leaves, Autumn Will Change Us (2002)
99. My Education - 5 Popes (2001)
100. Bikeride - Morning Macumba (2002)

101. Jay Reatard - Matador Singles ‘08 (2008)
102. Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) (2008)
103. Astronautalis - The Mighty Ocean And Nine Dark Theaters (2006)
104. The Slats - Boom Patrol (2006)
105. First Coat - Move Like Sparrows (2005)

106. The Prayers and Tears Of Arthur Digby Sellers - The Mother Of Love Emulates The Shapes Of Cynthia (2005)
107. Destroyer - Your Blues (2004)
108. A.A. Bondy - American Hearts (2007)
109. The Gifted Children - Colorfast Anthems (2000)
110. Bluebottle Kiss - Come Across (2003)

111. The Kallikak Family - The Vineland Social Maturity Scale (2004)
112. Cars Can Be Blue - All The Stuff We Do (2005)
113. Akron/Family - Akron/Family (2005)
114. Dealership - TV Highway To The Stars (2001)
115. The Drift - Noumena (2005)

116. Clue To Kalo - One Way, The Only Way (2005)
117. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike (2005)
118. Soltero - Defrocked and Kicking The Habit (2003)
119. The Dollyrots - Eat My Heart Out (2003)
120. Jamie Barnes - Honey From The Ribcage (2005)

121. Syme - Swing Swing (2005)
122. Five Dollar Day - Black Bears (2005)
123. The Long Winters - When i Pretend To Fall (2003)
124. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast (2009)
125. Idaho - The Lone Gunman (2005)

126. The Slats - Pick It Up (2004)
127. Jack Rose - Kensington Blues (2005)
128. The Broken Family Band - Balls (2006)
129. Matt Pond PA - Emblems (2004)
130. Songs:Ohia - Didn’t It Rain (2002)

131. Damien Rice - 9 (2006)
132. The Turn-Ons - East (2004)
133. Tullycraft - Disenchanted Hearts Unite (2005)
134. Mono - You Are There (2006)
135. A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Ashes/Grammar (2009)

136. Islands - Return To The Sea (2006)
137. Say Hi To Your Mom - Impeccable Blahs (2006)
138. Fionn Regan - The End Of History (2006)
139. The Clientele - Strange Geometry (2005)
140. Longwave - The Strangest Things (2003)

141. Joel Plaskett Emergency - Down At The Khyber (2001)
142. Silence Kit - Pieonear (2004)
143. The Unlovables - Crush-Boyfriend-Heartbreak (2004)
144. Biirdie - Morning Kills The Dark (2005)
145. Sprites - Starling, Spiders, Tiger and Sprites (2003)

146. Two-Minute Miracles - Vol. 3: The Silence Of Animals (2003)
147. The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic (2003)
148. The Potomac Accord - Silver Line On A Black Sea (2001)
149. 65daysofstatic - One Time For All Time (2006)
150. James Orr Complex - Chori’s Bundle (2003)