10. Is a tie between
Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures
This is the supergroup of people who music i only like in passing. (dave grohl, and Josh Homme) But this album has been rocking me threw traffic for the last week or so.
Favorite tracks: No One Loves Me & Neither Do I, New Fang
+
Muse- The Resistance
OK OK OK, I know i give everyone of my friend shit for listening to muse. Here is why, the albums NEVER deliver for me. I kind of feel like they can be a bad interpol rip-off... This album sounds like a statement, I love how driving this album is comparatively. So, here is me eatting crow... muse isn't bad... I still think there is a fuck-ton of asshats who listen to this band.
Favorite Tracks: Unnatural Selection, I belong to you/Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Toi
9.
The builders and the Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
This band blows me away the more and more i listen to it. the simplicity of it's recording and the complexity of the instrumentation make this albums one of those where you find a new thing to love each time you listen to it.
Favorite Tracks: Devil Town, Down In The Hole
8.
The Dead Weather- Horehound
I have a huge love for Jack White, i think he can be genius when he wants to be. Combine this with the explosive Alison Mosshart (of the kills) and what is there not to like. This album is the kind of album that oozes sex... Love love love it.
Favorite Tracks: Cut Like a buffalo, Treat Me Like Your Mother
7.
Danielle Ate The Sandwich- Things People Do
This girl and her Uke make some of the cutest sweetest songs I've ever heard. I built a uke this year and so this album has some warm fuzzy memories of that attached to it.
Favorite Tracks: Handsome Girl, Goodbye Frankie
6.
Death Cab For Cutie- The Open Door EP.
I normally do not put EP on this list... but OMG finally something that sounds like the old DCFC. As much as I love Plans and have grown to love Narrow Stairs. I will always pine for things that sound like they came of We Have The Facts and We Are Voting Yes and Photo Album... Death Cab has aged well, and this is some of their finest work to date.
Favorite Tracks: Little Bribes, My Mirror Speaks
5.
The Avett Brothers- I And Love And You
I've been holding my breath and wishing on a star that the major label debut of these fine gentlemen was not clean and clinical like some other major label debuts of bands who's sound is a bit different than the mainstream. (Decemberists i am looking at you) They HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK. I have listened to this album in whole or part almost everyday since its release. Seriously if you haven't listen to this album what are you waiting for?
Favorite tracks: Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise, Kick Drum Heart
4.
Dusty Rhodes And The River Band
Ok it isn't well known but.. I love The Band... You know that late 60s and 70s Canadian rock band. Apparently so does this quintet from Anaheim. When it is late and I cannot sleep, I put on The Band (self titled) on vinyl, or this album. The modern take on that old country/rock blend makes me a bit less mad while i waste away the hours that most people sleep away.
Favorite Tracks: Andy, Blind Lead The Blind, All One
3.
The Devil Makes Three- Do Wrong Right
I love this trio, I've had the pleasure of not only seeing them live a few times this year. I also got the joy of seeing them perform in a parking lot with another great band at 2 in the morning. This album seems to take them to the next level. It really shows of the talent more so then their self titled album.
Favorite Tracks: All Hail, Help Yourself, Aces And Twos
2.
The Good Old War- Only Way To Be Alone
This trio bring a new meaning to harmony. They sing beautiful songs with amazing harmonies. The music is sad, yet up beat, full of longing, and hope. It is just great! Nothing is over produced, or pushed to hard, it is simple and flat out amazing.
Favorite Tracks: Just Another Day, Looking For Shelter We've Come A Long Way
1. *if you know me this should be NO shock at all.
The Decemberists- The Hazards Of Love
Ok people LOVE this album, Or HATE this album... From the very first listening of this album. I was in love, deep, passionate, lustful, geeky love. First, it should be said that I had kind of written off The Decemberists The Crane Wife was Clinical, Clean and didn't take very many risk. All of the B-sides and alternate recordings that came out from that album over shadowed it in my mind. (remember i when I was talking about unusual bands and bad major label debuts?) The first time I listened to HoL I about jumped out of my skin! The Story of this concept album is SOLID, The Music is SOLID, The live performances of this album from front to back SOLID (and i should know i saw it 4 times this summer). Not only does this show off the depths of Mr. Meloy's Songwriting abilities, it also shows his ear for talent in picking the WONDERFUL Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond to voice the queen. (such a HUGE voice from such a little person) This album also holds a special place in my heart because it has the distinct pleasure of containing my favorite song OF ALL TIME, The finale track "The Hazards Of Love 4" (The Drowned). Seriously Chris Funk's petal steel solo is heart breaking and some of the best petal steel playing I've ever heard. Seriously, I plunked down 600 dollars for a semi-broken down pedal steel, and gave up the idea of ever having nicely manicured hands to learn how to play said pedal steel after hearing this song. Go listen to this album, listen to it's romantic and tragic story and forget about the world for an hr.
Favorite Tracks: Hazards Of Love 4 (the Drowning), Hazards Of Love 2 (Wager All), The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid, Annan Water.
So there it is. the last 365 days or so captured in the music i listened to and loved the most.




