None of the songs other than Do the Whirlwind on the AiH EP are on the record itself. It is absolute sweetness.

When is the new Architecture of Helskinki coming out? Allmusic says March 22, metacritic says April 12.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Seriously, here's an update of my current Top 10 for 2005:

1. Josh Rouse: Nashville
2. Clem Snide: The End of Love
3. Archer Prewitt: Wilderness
4. Ben Lee: Awake Is the New Sleep
5. Eric Matthews: Six Kinds of Passion Looking for an Exit
6. Graham Coxon: Happiness in Magazines
7. Ed Harcourt: Strangers
8. Low: The Great Destroyer
9. Doves: Some Cities
10. Iron & Wine: Woman King

I'll have to add a couple of records to this list, but I'm not sure I'm ready to redo the whole list. I'll certainly add Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers' self-titled record (great singer-songwriter Americana) and the new Soundtrack of Our Lives disc, along with the Kaiser Chiefs. I don't know why, but I just really like it.

ok, I just finished my first listen to Architecture In Helsinki - "In Case We Die."

I'll get the bad news out of the way: one of the songs is an absolute dud. "The Cemetary" is only two minutes long, but I hit skip halfway through. Annoying. Just in general, there's a side 2 dropoff. It's like they indulged in whatever makes their music kinda annoying. All the great songs come in the first half.

So, my first impression is that this isn't as good as Fingers Crossed. I'll keep listening and keep you all updated on any changes of opinion.

EDIT: I'm afraid I'll have to amputate tracks 8, 9, and 10 when I burn this. This means that I will not be buying this album, and that it will not be album of the year. I am very sad. Kinda reminds me of Basement Jaxx - Kish Kash; some really really great songs, but ruined by awful songs in the latter part of the album, but saved by a good closer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Buck "Sweetie" McGuck,

Okay, Arular is the first official shoe-in for my year end top ten.

I'm enjoying Picaresque....it stands above most of the stuff we've seen so far in 2005, but at any point we could get a surge of really good albums that would edge it out of my year end top ten.

I'm listening to MIA for the first time right now. This is pretty well-produced, and it isn't annoying. This would fit pretty well on top 40 radio. Good for what it is.

Some notable releases this year:
M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us
Matt Sweeney and Bonny "Prince" Billy - Superwolf
Six Organs of Admittance - School Of The Flower
Jesu - Jesu

And I haven't heard it yet but looking forward to the new Caribou (formerly Manitoba).

Almost forgot Crooked Fingers and M. Ward's latest.

More Music Reviews

Okay...I take it back. Whereas I seem to like Arular about the same every time I listen to it, Picaresque seems to be rapidly growing on me.

Cementing my 'first quarter' top 10 as:

1) The Decmemberists - Picaresuqe
2) M.I.A. - Arular
3) Beck - Guero
4) Josh Rouse - Nashville
5) Iron & Wine - Woman King
6) Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs
7) Low - The Great Destroyer
8) Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
9) Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now
10) Archer Prewitt - Wilderness

I've played both the new Decemberists and the new Queens of the Stone Age at least six times each in the last 27 hours, and they're both good, but nothing tops Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs for me. I do live a sheltered life!

1. Antony & The Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now
2. Archer Prewitt, Wilderness
3. The Decemberists, Picaresque
4. Josh Rouse, Nashville
5. M. Ward, Transistor Radio
6. Prefuse 73, Surrounded by Silence
7. Patrick Wolf, Wind in the Wires
8. Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Superwolf
9. Roots Manuva, Awfully Deep
10. M.I.A., Arular
11. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
12. Sage Francis, A Healthy Distrust
13. Amon Tobin, Chaos Theory
14. Buck 65, This Right Here Is Buck 65
15. Clem Snide, End of Love

Hi everybody !
I own 12 albums from 2005. So here's my current top 12 albums of the year so far :

1. The Blue Van - "The art of rolling"
2. Mercury Rev - "The secret migration"
3. Josh Rouse - "Nashville"
4. M83 - "Before the dawn heals us"
5. The Mars Volta - "Frances the mute"
6. Queens of the Stone Age - "Lullabies to paralyze"
7. Kaiser Chiefs - "Employment"
8. 3 Guys Never In - "3 guys never in"
9. Antony and The Johnsons - "I am a bird now"
10.M.Ward - "Transistor radio"
11.Doves - "Some cities"
12.Bright Eyes - "I'm wide awake, it's morning"

Top Ten of 2005:

1. M.I.A. Arular (by a landslide)
2. Beck Guero
3. Fiona Apple Extraordinary Machine (whenever it gets released)
4. Roots Manuva Awfully Deep
5. Bloc Party Silent Alarm
6. Bright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
7. Prefuse 73 Surrounded By Silence
8. The Decemberists Picturesque
9. Antony and the Johnsons I'm a Bird Now
10. Fiery Furnaces EP

Runners Up:
QOTSA Lullabies to Paralyze
The Game The Documentary
Iron & Wine Woman King

Umm..question. Have you heard Fiona Apple's new release? I loved 'When The Pawn', so if her new one's already 'acquireable', I want to 'acquire' it ASAP.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobthespirit:
Umm..question. Have you heard Fiona Apple's new release? I loved 'When The Pawn', so if her new one's already 'acquireable', I want to 'acquire' it ASAP.

A friend of mine, who works in the music biz, tells me that the new Fiona record is permanently on the shelf. Sony apparently is not interested in releasing it, and Fiona may have to buy it back from them to get it released. But I've heard much of it is available online, which is (I'm sure) how Platypus Quest is able to put it on his list.

Updating my list:

1. Josh Rouse: Nashville
2. Clem Snide: The End of Love
3. Archer Prewitt: Wilderness
4. Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers: S/T
5. Ben Lee: Awake Is the New Sleep
6. Brendan Benson: The Alternative to Love
7. Kaiser Chiefs: Employment
8. Eric Matthews: Six Kinds of Passion Looking for an Exit
9. Graham Coxon: Happiness in Magazines
10. Ed Harcourt: Strangers
11. The Soundtrack of Our Lives: Origin Vol. 1
12. Low: The Great Destroyer
13. Doves: Some Cities
14. Iron & Wine: Woman King

Yes, I did hear the new Fiona album 'unofficially,' if you will. And for anyone who is interested in hearing Extraordinary Machine, follow this link:

http://www.geekdreams.com/mp3/fiona_apple/

I hear they're trying to shut it down, so be hasty.

I don't think I like it more that When The Pawn..., but it's still rather excellent. She has a way with her words, I have to admit. For some reason, the third song has particularly grown on me. Enjoy!

Hope the site is still up!

Cheers!

Also, and yes, the word on the street is that it is being shelved indefinitely for 'lack of commercial interest.' Several Fiona fan groups are currently rebelling, sending apples and apple-related items to Sony headquaters. Go figure.

But whatever. Her new album is far better than most albums being put out right now. So tragic, I say. I hope it does find a commercial release.

i'm blown away by the new decemberists album. i think it'll make my top 5 of the year for sure.

Everybody talks about The Decemberists and it seems to be an outstanding band, but I don't know this band.
What kind of music is it ?

quote:

Originally posted by Dumbangel:
Everybody talks about The Decemberists and it seems to be an outstanding band, but I don't know this band.
What kind of music is it ?

Common opinion is that they're a lot like Neutral Milk Hotel. I haven't really heard either band in depth, though, so I couldn't really say. Basically, it's supposed to be weirdly orchestrated folk-pop, or something like that.

I'm quite intrigued to check out both of those bands myself, actually, although I've never seen a Neutral Milk Hotel album on store shelves in my life. Haven't really checked for the Decemberists.