Happy Apple Day
Monday, June 08, 2009
Sorry folks I know its been a while but I will see what I can do on getting back to my blogging. Anyways, today Apple had their big developer conference where they discussed the new OS Snow Leopard, laptops and the new iPhone and OS 3.0. Let me tell ya, it was amazing and something that will make everyone want a Mac or iPhone (or upgrade their current devices).
The new OS Snow Leopard has some great improvements over Leopard and can be purchased for only $29. This sounds great on the surface but I only see Snow Leopard as a really big patch to Leopard and not a full fledged OS upgrade. Apple can call it what they want but that is what it really is. Something to come out before Microsoft's new OS 7 and back to school. Exchange integration into the iMail & iCalendar apps is very cool and the big part is 64 bit support for the current chip sets. Basically things run faster and you can multi-task much more than before.
As for laptops, they transitioned the 13 inch Macbook into the Pro family and the only differences between the 13in and 15in are 2 inches on the display, a larger screen resolution and the speakers on the side of the keyboard. Pricewise its $200 more for the 15in so if you are buying one these are the only things to take into consideration when deciding.
Now onto the iPhone, the part everyone is waiting for. Well Apple is releasing the iPhone 3G(S) on June 19th and they will be $199 for the 16 gig and $299 for the 32 gig. You will be able to buy the current 3G 8 gig for $99 as supplies last. The new features are faster processor for increased speed, faster Data access (once ATT upgrades their network), 3 megapixel camera, video recording/editing capabilities, a digital compass, increased battery life and Voice control where you can hit the home button, call out a name to voice dial or band to start playing music.
The new iPhone 3.0 OS upgrade (which is free to existing 3G phone users) will include cut/paste, MMS text messaging (about time), landscape keyboard, increased search features, voice memos, ability to buy movies, tv shows and audiobooks, improved calendar, internet tethering (connect your laptop to internet if no WiFi is available and will probably cost you), shake to shuffle for music, iPhone locater and remote wipe (if you are a Mobile Me subscriber) and the latest in application push technology.
Do you need the new iPhone, no unless you have the 1st generation and you will want to upgrade ASAP. The new OS will contain most of the features sans the camera, video editing, voice control, better battery and digital compass. Now all of these things are great and will be nice to have but the OS upgrade will get you by until its time to get a new phone.
Hope you enjoy the Apple recap for today.
Posted by mardenhill 6/08/2009 04:15:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
Castelo do Papa Godello 2006
Monday, April 27, 2009
Just opened a bottle of Castelo do Papa Godello 2006 another Spanish white wine. The Godello grape is native to Galicia and over the last few years been planted in the Valdeorras DO. Wasn't pulling a ton off the nose but the taste was amazing. There is a nice acidity that hits you at the corners of your throat while the fresh and clean citrus flavors dance around your tongue. Lots of pineapple and pear and you must not be afraid of the acid otherwise this will will overwhelm you. This wine is thicker than I was expecting but its not rich and creamy. Its still clean and fresh and the finish goes on for days. No oak here just stainless steel fermentation and a 12.5% alcohol.
I have backed off the high acidic wines the last couple years but found myself back on them with my new love of Spanish whites. So far they are not killing me like Sauvignon Blancs have in the past so I will keep going until I need a break.
I couldn't find a website for the producer but you can check them out at the distributer's website.
http://www.oleimports.com/wines/ladera.htm
Posted by mardenhill 4/27/2009 09:37:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I hadn't written a record review in a while and thought it was time to do so. This time around I chose U2's "No Line On The Horizon". The cd was released last month and since then most people should have given it a number of listens. I for one have played this one over and over many times, trying to decide how I felt. The first listen was somewhat disappointing, I was jaded from the 1st single and couldn't pick up their tone for the cd. I threw it on my iPod and listened thru headphones which changed everything.
I began to understand the layers and where U2 was going. They were tossing the traditional boring rock that encompassed the last 2 records out the window and embracing the indie rock of the last decade. You could easily say this is a bunch of middle aged men trying to be Interpol and you wouldn't be far off.
Track 1 "No Line On The Horizon" is tense and droning with fuzz and feedback. Its a strange way to lead off a cd but U2 wanted to set the stage and show everyone this time around it was different. Track 2 "Magnificent" is classic U2 with Edge's jangle pop guitar and majestic overtones. It borders the sappy side of recent U2 but Adam's bass line keeps the song interesting. Track 3 "Moment Of Surrender" is U2's baby Radiohead experiment. It is slow, methodical and alluring. It comes in at over 7 minutes, not really radio friendly. The song is thick and one that takes multiple listens to comprehend. Track 4 "Unknown Caller" ventures back into familiar U2 territory and gives everyone a nice mid tempo sing a long full of Ohh, Ohh. Track 5 "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is the song for the fans that are utterly disappointed but are not ready to give up on the band. It's not bad and one that would probably sound even better live. Track 6 "Get On Your Boots" is the "Vertigo" of the cd and one that drove me nuts the first time around. There are 3 different songs going on, the tempo changes are out of place and its as if some highschool kid did a mashup. I will admit the song has grown on me but I am not ready to give it a positive rating. Track 7 "Stand Up Comedy" keeps the tempo going is a good rock n roll song. Track 8 "Fez-Being Born" is quite interesting, lots of vocal samples over layers of electronics and chill out beats. I don't like how it comes right after an upbeat song but if they put it last no one would really listen. It would be a perfect opening song for a live show. Track 9 "White As Snow" is the ballad of the cd and is quite good. They temper the over indulgence we expect from Bono and deliver a non sappy slow song. This song should demolish "One" or "With or Without You" but lyrically it does not grab you and will always take a back seat. Track 10 "Breathe" borders a B-Side and seems to be one that was just thrown together at the last minute. The cd closes with Track 11 "Cedars Of Lebanon" another ballad but more of a spoken word with a subtle music undertone.
The cd is a vast improvement over the last few but does not overtake Achtung Baby, my personal favorite. It breaks ground for U2 and not in a way that Pop or Zooropa did. It will be up there as one of the best and I for one am glad to see that they broke out of the rut they were in. Although they did not reinvent music, they gave it a shot and came out ahead this time around.
Posted by mardenhill 4/15/2009 10:08:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Latium Soave 2006
Monday, April 06, 2009
I went in blind with this wine, just took the bottle on recommendation from Scott at Cloverleaf. The producer is Latium, the region is Soave, the grape is Garganega and all is located in the north east area of Veneto, Italy. I am pretty clueless about Italian wines, they are my weak spot and every year I challenge myself to learn more about them. I promise I will sample more this year and keep you updated.
This wine is unique in that it's a white made from an unheard of grape. According to Wikipedia Garganega is Italy's 6th most planted white grape meaning that most people outside of Italy will know very little about it. The nose on the wine is nice but I'm not picking up a lot in regards to smells although it may be due to my constant stuffiness. The flavor is nice, there are hints of citrus with low acid and is quite creamy. There is no oak like a chard and has bits of a Gwertzaminer or Gavi. It's a short finish with a just a sliver of alcohol. Not complex but not bad for $10 either. Don't be expecting a dynamite wine here just enjoy it on a nice summer afternoon.
Would I buy again, maybe but I would rather sample a few more obscure Italian whites before circling back.
Posted by mardenhill 4/06/2009 09:42:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Wine Steward
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
I just found a new app for my iPhone and its called Wine Steward. It was only $1.99 and is much better than other programs that retail for more. I suspect this is an intro rate since the app should be selling for at least $4.99. The idea is simple, you can search for any food and it will give you a wine pairing based on your choice. It only gives you grapes not actual brands but its enough to help you narrow down your wine selection. The database is full of many types of food so you will find what you are looking for with just a few letters typed in.
Other features are your wine cellar and the use of Cover Flow. Unfortunately you need to manually type in your collection and while the database does some of the type ahead for you don't expect it to find everything. You have to build the wine profile with the name, region, grape etc but the one feature that stood up was the integration of the iPhone camera. You can take a picture of the label/bottle and when your iPod is turned sideways you can flip through your cellar like you do with albums. I really find this feature quite cool and one that I would definitely utilize. As with most wine apps you cannot take an existing wine cellar database and upload it into the app or even through a web interface. I don't have the time to sit down and type each bottle in, if I were able to upload a spreadsheet I wouldn't mind snapping photos and using this feature. Until then I will just use it for my pairings and wait for further application updates. You can check out the app at the website below. You can also play with the wine pairing portion on the web.
http://smartywine.com/
Posted by mardenhill 4/01/2009 07:14:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology, Wine
Volvo V50 with Roof Rails
Friday, March 27, 2009
The Volvo is now perfect, the roof rails are now installed. The great thing about the rails is that they are not drilled into the top of the car rather inserted into the pre-designed space. I just felt the car was naked for the first week without them. Now its time to sell the 7 year old Yakima on Craigs List, if anyone is interested let me know.
Posted by mardenhill 3/27/2009 08:09:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Cars
New Volvo V50
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Here are some photos of my new Volvo V50 I just got this weekend. Right now I am still waiting on the roof rails which should be in next week. I love the car, it rides great, has lots of amazing features and above all its a Volvo. Its a 5 cylinder, 170 horsepower automatic with the option of manual shifting without a clutch. There is stability control and tons of airbags. I have 6 months of free Sirius radio which is really cool but we will see if I keep it. Besides the satellite radio there is bluetooth so you can pair your phone for handsfree, heated seats and power sunroof. I scored a great deal on it, I got the $1533 incentive, A Plan pricing, great trade in on my car, and additional savings. Right now there is a problem with the air conditioning, either I am really dumb and can't figure it out or its indeed broke. It continues to blow hot air even when you turn the air on and when you open the windows and sunroof it seems to intensify. I am taking it back tomorrow morning so they can figure out what it is. Hopefully its something minor and can be fixed quickly. It does bum me out but on the other hand I am used to things like this. My heat went out on my focus right after I bought it. I think I am just jinxed with new cars.
Posted by mardenhill 3/22/2009 06:18:00 PM 5 comments
Labels: Cars
Shorts Brewery, MI
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Just opened a bottle of Short's Bellaire Brown Ale, a dark, rich and malty American Ale. The malt hits you up front but the beer does finish a little on the sweet side with hints of molasses. Its quite good and one that you could drink a few of.
Shorts is a brewery in Bellaire, MI which is up north, between your pinky and ring finger on your right hand (for all you MI folks who use your hand to give non locals a perspective. The micro brew is quite popular and has a wide range of brews. I have had a few on tap at different bars but they finally got their bottle distribution going and down here in the metro Detroit area. My local wine store Cloverleaf sent out an email on Thursday and by Saturday they had a few six packs left. A few other stores sold out the first day. I was able to pick up a Pale, IPA and Brown which I will be sampling over the next week.
The beer doesn't come close to Bells or Dogfish Head but those breweries are in a different class and very few others can compete. The beer is quite good tho and I highly recommend you try it. One of these days I will get up to the actual brewery.
http://www.shortsbrewing.com/index.htm
Posted by mardenhill 3/08/2009 10:28:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Beer
Twitter
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
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Twitter has entered the mainstream over the last few weeks with political pundits and politicans harnessing the technology. What I find quite funny is how Newt Gringrich believes he will snake this technology from the left and use it to rebuild the GOP brand. Sorry Newt, the GOP lost the internet years ago and trying to use Twitter to combat the blogs won't work. The Left has been all over Twitter from the start so you are still playing catch up.
Expect to see more politicans jump onboard over the next month and bloviate about how cool it is. Problem with these people is that the staff tends to write the postings and not the actual people. You will see some candid spots but for the most part they are just more campaign fodder. There are a few that are still doing it themselves and I hope it stays that way.
Posted by mardenhill 2/26/2009 08:57:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: Technology
Leonard Cohen
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Time to get your pocketbooks out, one of our favorite legends is in quite a bind. Depending on how much tickets are and how fast they sell, I plan on going to the Detroit show....
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Leonard Cohen performed his first US show in 15 years at New York’s Beacon Theatre last night, and today it was announced that he will head out across the continent on an extensive summer tour.
The singer songwriter has not released a new album since 2004’s ‘Dear Heather’, and recently resumed live shows to earn money after his business manager and lover Kelley Lynch misappropriated more than $5 million of his money, leaving him with just $150,000.
A court awarded him a $9 million in civil judgment, but he has not been able to get the money from Lynch.
The tour calls at:
Austin, TX Michael and Susan Dell Hall at Long Center (April 2)
Grand Prairie, TX Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie (3)
Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre (5)
San Diego, CA Copley Symphony Hall (7)
Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre (10)
Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre (13)
Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (17)
Vancouver, British Columbia General Motors Place (19)
Victoria, British Columbia Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (21)
Seattle, WA WaMu Theatre at Qwest Field Events Center (23)
Edmonton, Alberta Rexall Place (25)
Calgary, Alberta EPCOR Centre's Jack Singer Hall (26)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Credit Union Centre (28)
Winnipeg, Manitoba MTS Centre (30)
Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre (3)
Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre (5)
Detroit, MI Fox Theatre (9)
Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion (11)
Philadelphia, PA Academy of Music (12)
Waterbury, CT Palace Theater (14)
New York, NY Radio City Music Hall (16)
Hamilton, Ontario Copps Coliseum (19)
Quebec City, Quebec Pavillon de la Jeunesse (21)
Kingston, Ontario K-Rock Centre (22)
London, Ontario John Labatt Centre (24)
Ottawa, Ontario National Arts Centre (25)
Boston, MA Wang Theatre (29)
Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre (June 2)
Posted by mardenhill 2/22/2009 10:08:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Obama and the GOP
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Well Obama just got Rick Rolled this afternoon by his Commerce Secretary nominee Sen Judd Gregg (R-NH). Gregg who agreed a few weeks ago to position somehow came to the notion that there are irreconcilable differences and he must step down. It blows me away that Judd didn't think about this before, that he would be supporting Obama's positions and not the positions of the GOP leadership. Well in typical Washington fashion, one of the few remaining senators who actually believed in bi-paritisanship just showed his true colors. I don't know if the GOP leadership or Rush Limbaugh spooked him but someone did for him to bow out and throw Obama under the bus.
This speaks volumes of the GOP, they are nothing but a bunch of crybabies that still can't realize why they are no longer in power. Everything to them is politics, scorched earth policy and when someone is willing to work with them will strike out when their backs are turned. They are just a bunch of useless twats that only want to see Obama fail and use it as a political weapon in the next election. Now Obama will stand tall and take the current political menuevering as same old DC but I have a feeling the GOP will get burned big time in the near future. I see Obama steam rolling them and laughing all the way.
With next to no GOP support on the stimilus I say use it againt the GOP in the next election cycle. Expose them as the frauds that they are and how they put politics above the country. And btw, this will be the biggest tax cut passed in US history, and by a democrat. This is what pisses the GOP off most.
Posted by mardenhill 2/12/2009 06:00:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Politics
Dogfish Head - Theobroma
Monday, February 02, 2009
Dogfish Head, you have made my day once again. The Theobroma rules, its an ale brewed with with Aztec cocoa powder, cocoa nibs , honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds). The recipe comes from a chemical analysis of Honduras pottery dating back to 1200 BC. Like the Midas Touch, the Theobroma looks to recreate drinks from previous civilizations. Ignore the whole cocoa flavor, there is little chocolate going on, mostly honey and chilies which provides a nice heated finish. The beer reminds me of the Rogue Chipolte Ale but is much lighter and actually has a more powerful chili flavor. This is one that I would buy again, I am impressed and highly recommend.
http://www.dogfish.com/brewings/Occasional_Rarities/Theobroma/66/index.htm
Posted by mardenhill 2/02/2009 10:41:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Beer
The Kills - iTunes Exclusive
Sunday, January 25, 2009
iTunes just released an Exclusive EP with the Kills. It features 5 live tracks with one cover of Patsy Cline's "Crazy". 2 of the tracks, "Pull A U" and "Kissy Kissy" are acoustic and very good. The whole EP is great but "Pull A U" is raw and primal which showcases the Kills at their very core. The files are iTunes Plus meaning there is no DRM, just .m4a format. I don't buy a ton of things from iTunes but do enjoy the exclusives and going back thru their catalog there are a few others I want to download.
Posted by mardenhill 1/25/2009 05:28:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Travel Alaska
Sunday, January 18, 2009
While getting the mail this weekend I noticed a letter with a giant Seal of the State from Alaska and the Office of the Governer. Quickly I opened it thinking, wow Governer Sarah Palin must be congratulating me for helping defeat her and John McCain but no instead it was a travel brochure request. Interesting that Palin would use a photo of herself, I would think a moose, whale or sled dog would have been much better. Over the last 4 months we have all learned that Sarah Palin loves the attention and will do anything to remain in the spotlight and that includes pimping out her own state.
I have been to Alaska twice, once to the interior where I stayed in Anchorage, went whale watching in the Kenai Peninsula and flew around Mt. McKinley. The 2nd time was on a cruise where we walked on a glacier, canoed thru a rainforest and rode bikes thru the changing elevations. Alaska is a beautiful state and one I would definitely go back to but pleas from Sarah will not bring me there. Sorry Sarah I am not giving up my information to your "travel dept" because if I know anything about Alaska and their local politics this information would only be used by you to further advance your crazy agenda.
Posted by mardenhill 1/18/2009 11:53:00 AM 0 comments
Bells Third Coast Old Ale
Monday, January 12, 2009
This weekend I was over at Cloverleaf where I tend to buy much of my beer since they allow you to mix and match and price each bottle accordingly. I came across Bell's Third Coast Old Ale a barley wine that I havn't had in years. Unfortunately I only bought 2 bottles ($2.50) a piece which is really a steal and now they are gone. I guess I will be heading back over soon to pick up some more. Anyways, getting back to the beer, if you have never had an Old Ale, its quite a treat. Its not as heavy as a stout or porter but it does have some unique characteristics. For starters, it packs a punch, the beer comes in at 10% and is only served in a brandy snifter when at the brewery due to liquor laws. 2nd, the flavors are intense, right off the bat you have toasted malt with carmel and molasses. The hops take over and give you a bitter finish but it's not one that is overpowering. The heavy texture coats your tongue and gives a hint of sweetness to savor. You won't be pounding these but many Bell's beers are not meant to. Go to your local beer store and look for the Old Ale. Pick up a 6 pack and drink one now. Have a few later and save the last 2 until next year. At that point revisit and see how much has changed.
Posted by mardenhill 1/12/2009 10:24:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Beer
5 Years And Counting
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Back in 2004, the Spirit Mars Rover landed with Opportunity landing 21 days later. NASA gave the American public a 3 month windows on these machines but 5 years later they are still moving around, collecting data and sending it back to Earth. According to NASA the rovers have returned 250,000 images, driven more than 13 miles, climbed a mountain, descended into craters, struggled with sand traps and aging hardware, survived dust storms, and relayed more than 36 gigabytes of data via NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Thank you NASA.......
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer-20081229.html
Posted by mardenhill 1/04/2009 12:58:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Science
Riedel Vitis
Monday, December 29, 2008
Erika bought me a few more Riedel Vitis glasses for xmas to add to my current collection. At this time I have the Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Champagne. I would like to get the Chardonnay and Martini as well as multiples in all catagories. These are amazing glasses, the Cab stands over 10 inches and have huge bowls. They are not heavy and although not dishwasher safe are not fragile where you feel that you're going to break them by just looking or breathing. The design is very modern with the deepest curves and blowing away the Vinum Extreme series. You can find them on sale at Amazon.com.
http://www.riedel.com/
Posted by mardenhill 12/29/2008 02:27:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Sigg vs Contigo Thermal Coffee Mugs
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Unfortunately the the other day I lost one of my thermal coffee mugs (one that I had for at least 7 years that I loved) and it was time to buy a new one. Last Christmas Erika bought me a SIGG thermal coffee mug which I was really excited about but after using was very disappointed. They turn coffee cold within 2 hours and leak water at the bottom. Their water bottles are still very cool and I use mine every day so don't confuse the two.
This past weekend we were at Costco where we came across the Contigo 2 pack for $20. Usually I tend to shy away from these "great deal" Costco bundles due to previous experiences but I decided to take a chance. I have to say I am very happy I did so and highly recommend these mugs to anyone who is in the market for one. They come in 2 styles stainless steel and plastic. The claims about spill proof and length of heat time are right on, these mugs hold heat like you wouldn't believe. The hardest part was getting used to the vacuum opening, the hole is much smaller and a bit more work to drink out of. You get the swoosh sound every time you push the button and it feels very futuristic as if you are always traveling around in an air lock. These mugs are also BPA free which is good although Nalgene has since switched as well. Right now I just have the travel mugs without the handle but may have to add one to my arsenal in the future.
http://www.gocontigo.com/index.html
Posted by mardenhill 12/24/2008 10:27:00 AM 73 comments
Labels: Coffee
Anne Amie - 2003 Deux Vert Pinot Noir
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Anne Amie is one of my favorite Oregon Vineyards and if you are ever out west this is one you must visit. The view is amazing and rivals many places in Napa Valley. The tasting room overlooks a patch of vines on every side as well as beautiful rolling landscape in all directions. They specialize in Pinot Noir which is usual for many Oregon vineyards. Upon pouring the wine was a deep ruby red with a strong nose. The start was classic pinot with the plump fruit but it didn't end there. This wine was complex enough to stand up to many Burgundians with layers of oak, earth and hints of pepper. The finish lingered on your tongue while your brain begged for more. This isn't a cheap bottle either, you are looking at a $45 bottle but let me tell ya, its well worth it. When buying Oregon Pinots I tend to set my starting price point at $25. You can find some as low as $20 but the good ones are really at the $30+ level. Though these are not everyday wines, you should treat yourself to a great Oregon Pinot a few times a year.
http://www.anneamie.com/
Posted by mardenhill 12/21/2008 10:35:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Best of 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Looking back at 2008 I am very pleased with the music that was released. Many heavy hitters dropped new records which did crowd out some of the newer bands but on the other hand I was really hard pressed to find any debuts that really struck me. There were some that were good but none "Knock Your Socks Off, WOW".
As usual, Pitchfork compiled their top 50 when compared to mine, only share 1 cd. Hey that's ok, at least my list is interesting and not the same as every other pretentious indie rock wanker out there. No Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, Crystal Castles, Girl Talk or Deerhunter here, instead good music that you can enjoy not dwell over while trying to one up your tight jeans and scruffy face friend.
20. The Brilliant Mistakes
This is the 3rd cd from a band who has been around for about 13 years. They took an extended break between their last one and this and it seems to have paid off. This small NYC band packs a huge melodic punch with catchy riffs and harmonies.
http://www.thebrilliantmistakes.com/
19. Supergrass – Diamond Hoo Ha
What happens when a bunch of punk kids grow up but continue to play music. Either it gets really boring or the brash and cockiness returns in a new form. Supergrass is the latter and their latest cd captures the energy and layers it with years of influence and wise decisions. Their last cd was great but also very melancholy, this time its rock n roll full of swagger and little remorse. Supergrass does a bit of genre jumping here, pulling from the glam era, current garage scene and 90’s Brit Pop.
http://www.supergrass.com/
18. Jakob Dylan – Seeing Things
I stumbled onto this cd by accident but found myself listening to it over and over. Whether it is an early weekend morning or late evening session, this cd would usually be played from start to finish. Jakob’s voice has hints of his fathers but in an acoustic format shines thru. This is no Wallflowers, no heavy organs or full band, instead its an intimate picture into Jakob’s life.
http://www.jakobdylan.com/
17. Jennifer O’Connor – Here With Me
This is a new artist for me, I discovered her thru eMusic one day and fell in love. The style is pure alt country with a dark and lonely approach. Jennifer reminded me of Jesse Sykes with her vocals but throughout the cd finds her own sound.
http://www.jenniferoconnor.net/
The Verve had a tumultuous history and a very public implosion leading to one of the worst solo careers ever. If reforming was the only way to get Richard Ashcroft from recording, I would take it in a heartbeat. The time off did the band well, it allowed them to get sober, heal old wounds and take a shot at what made them great in the first place. The layered and psychedelic sounds are fresh again and the cd takes you back to the early 90s/shoegazing era. There are long drones and fuzzed out haze sessions that create a wall of sound the world has been longing for.
http://www.theverve.co.uk/
15. The Watson Twins – Firesongs
The Watson Twins received a good introduction when they recorded with Jenny Lewis back in 2006. They returned this year with their official full length shedding any doubt that they were just a backup band. The Watson Twins are actually identical twins from LA by way of Kentucky who brought their southern roots with them. The cd is full of folk rock, Americana, gospel and country. Besides the great originals they do justice to the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”.
http://www.thewatsontwins.com/
14. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig Lazarus Dig
After a quick side project Nick Cave returned with the Bad Seeds fire in hand and ready to rock out. Grinderman allowed Nick to tap into his dark and sleazy side while keeping his soul searching moments for the Bad Seeds. Instead of making a piano based record Nick decided it was time to take on the Bible and write a concept record based on Lazarus set in modern day.
http://www.nickcaveandthebadseeds.com/
13. Martina Topley Bird – The Blue God
For those of you who may not know Martina, she sang along side Tricky back in the 90s but left after his 3rd album. Surprisingly this is when Tricky started to really suck and go downhill big time. Martina doesn’t rely on the old Trip Hop sound for the whole cd, she plays around with funk, soul and jazz and weaves this into a beautiful electronic sound. You can never grow tired of Martina’s voice, its soothing, alluring and intoxicating all at the same time.
http://www.martinatopleybird.com/
12. The Cure – 4:13 Dream
The Cure is back and now a 4 piece once again which means no keyboards. This takes some getting used to since they perfected both the gloomy and cheerful side of love and loss. The Cure aim to recapture their youthful punk side and remind people that although Robert may be bloated and nearing 50, he still has something to say.
http://www.thecure.com/
11. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals – Cardinology
With only 1 release, this year may be a record for Ryan. Cardinology contains his full band and one that at times plays it too safe which is why he didn’t end up higher in my list. There are some amazing songs here but a few bland ones that seem to have been thrown together and lack the attitude we have come to expect. I will admit I wrote this before seeing him live last weekend and since then came to appreciate this record much more. Hearing some of the songs live really explained the record and what Ryan was going for.
http://www.cardinology.com/
10. Coldplay – Viva La Vida
I will admit it, I like Coldplay, I sing along to many of their songs and I keep them on my iPod. I will say their last cd sucked and I could probably count the times I actually listened to it. I never expected that I would include Coldplay on my best of but this time around they did it and I give all the credit to Brian Eno. He took the band out of their comfort zone and forced them to visualize a new sound and not just play it but also embrace it. The band did so and produced some amazing songs that even after the radio saturation I still find myself enjoying.
http://www.coldplay.com
9. Stereolab – Chemical Chords
Stereolab are unique in the sense that you really don’t sing along, a lot of the vocals are in French and the ones in English you can never really make out anyways. They are not a drive around with the top down band either. They are in their own category and are meant to be enjoyed with a nice set of headphones or live. They sonic landscape they create allows you to visualize their music as a piece of art. The heavy drones are not here, instead some free jazz and a bit of Motown.
http://www.stereolab.co.uk/news/
8. Beck – Modern Guilt
Like REM, Beck overproduced last time around and lost many people with his extra long cd. Taking a que from them, Back hammered out a 36 minute cd with the help of Danger Mouse. The mood is consistent throughout but after close listening, you discover the crazy melodies and instrumentation that made Mutations my favorite Beck record. I love the current layers and tone Beck has settled into, I feel it’s an area that he feels most comfortable in and one that he can own and manipulate on further releases.
http://www.beck.com/default.aspx
7. Crooked Fingers – Forfeit Fortune
I was on the fence with this one, the first listen I was disappointed since I was expecting another Dignity and Shame. The songs do not really flow; you can tell many were recorded at different times and places. Since I have been a fan of the band for years I decided to listen a few more times. Finally the brilliance came thru, Eric Bachmann’s unique voice and uncanny ability to arrange alt country/indie rock with horns overtook any reservations I had. Eric also assembled an all-star cast on this cd and one many bands would be jealous of. Eric plays around with ethnic and world sounds throughout the cd and pays homage to distinct American sounds.
http://www.crookedfingers.com/
6. James – Hey Ma
James took a break after the 2001 Pleased to Meet You and everyone thought it might be the end. Even if it was, James went out on top with that cd and one the band couldn’t be prouder of. 7 years later they resurfaced with a collection of songs that brought back the horns of the late 80s and reflections on the different styles throughout their career. This may be the last James cd, and why its not their best it does do a good job at showcasing the range Tim Booth and Company have given us.
http://www.wearejames.com/
5. REM – Accelerate
People dogged the last REM record and there were rumors that members would leave if they tried the same approach again. I for one loved the cd but not the whole thing. It was too long and could have been cut in half for an amazing EP. This time around REM cut out the filler and clocked in at 35 minutes. They brought the guitars back but not in the same style as Monster. Its not all feedback and reverb, it’s raw and under produced. It’s REM at their core and a sound that has been missing for many years. The songs remind me of the off kilter arrangements on New Adventures in HiFi which is probably why I fell in love with it.
http://remhq.com/index.php
4. Aimee Mann – Smilers
I have always been a fan of Aimee, her voice is unique as well as her style. Many people can play the acoustic folk rock but it tends to get boring, Aimee seems to have a way of keeping my attention. The cd is fresh from start to finish and after a few listens you can start to notice the subtle arrangements that provide a lyrical landscape for Aimee to play in.
http://www.aimeemann.com/
3. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul
Oasis has yet to top Definitely Maybe but may have come close with Dig Out Your Soul. The heavy reliance on Classic Rock is gone and there is emphasis on layers and Psychedelia. This isn’t a 60’s record it’s an updated sound full of confidence and attitude. The brash and cocky Liam returns ready to start a fight with the first shoe thrower and any subpar English band that needs to be knocked down a few pegs. Live these songs open up and prove why Oasis is one of the best live bands around.
http://www.oasisinet.com/
2. The Kills – Midnight Boom
The Kills are a 2 piece with a guitar and drum machine but you would never know from listening. They got their start during the garage scene a few years ago and built upon that sound with Midnight Boom. This cd still has a bit of garage but it is more polished and layered with a few more electronic elements. There is a sense of electro groove going on and Alison “VV” Mosshart picks up where Justine Frischmann left off blending sex and rock n roll and showing that its not just men who can pull off gritty music. This is a band that if you have never listened to, you need to start from the beginning to understand their style and the progression.
http://www.thekills.tv/
1. The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
The Gutters Twins are Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers fame). Anyone who thought that the two couldn’t get along or pull off such a project have been proven wrong. The cd is brilliant and a huge stretch for anything Greg has done. The mood is dark, tense and angry and one that drags you down into the seedy underbelly of the Twins souls. There are a few songs that are in a lighter key and more Greg’s forte but even those are still out of his comfort zone. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a depressing record, its one that is complicated and needs many listens to open and reveal itself.
http://www.theguttertwins.com/
Honorable Mentions (no order)
David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell – Sunday At Devil Dirt
Mark Morris – Memory Muscle
Brett Anderson – Wilderness
Spiritualized – Songs In A&E
Brothers & Sisters – Fortunately
Old 97’s – Blame It On Gravity
Primal Scream – Beautiful Future
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
Brian Jonestown Massacre – My Bloody Underground
The Kooks – Konk
The Honeydrips – Here Comes The Future
She & Him – Vol 1
Jack Johnson – Sleeping Through The Static
Duffy – Rockferry
Gary Louris – Vegabonds
Moby – Last Night
Spoon – GaGaGaGaGa
The National – The Virginia EP
Ladytron – Velocifero
Foo Fighters – Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace
Travis – Ode To J Smith
Posted by mardenhill 12/19/2008 08:06:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
