The Stooges I "Fun House" I 1970 Punk rock prime, Iggy Pop and the boys giving rise to the loud and primitive style of punk that was disregarded at the time but soon led rock to a whole new level. What I would give to have seen them live in their short but momentous life span as a band (the reformation just isn't the same). No one lets all inhibitions out the door quite like Iggy did on stage in the 70s, the man is just other worldly doing his thing up on the mike. Highlights... Down On the Street -zealous anarchy doesn't get any better than this. (Although I do really enjoy the Rage Against the Machine cover!) Loose -I dare you to find a more danceable punk rock song, just try. haha Dirt - the slyest and raunchiest stooges track, right down to nitty gritty of what punk rock is all about.
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros I "Up From Below" I 2009 Fronted by former Ima Robot member Alex Ebert, the idea for the band stemmed from a story Ebert was writing, about a mythological character named Edward Sharpe sent to spread the healing power of music across the world. Taking on the persona of this character thats exactly what Ebert set out to create. Bringing together a large group of musicians including his girlfriend at the time, singer Jade Castrinos, the band was formed in 2007 and gradually as they developed their friendships and love for making music they starting recording the songs for the debut album. The intention of the music was to create songs that focused on bringing about positive energy rather than songs that were fighting against something. The result is an album that will truly put you in the happiest mood you could possibly feel. Since its debut it has continued to grow into one of those albums I can't stop listening to and became a staple for road trips to the cottage this summer. I saw them live at the Phoenix at the end of July and I can't even begin to put in words what an experience it was. To feel the energy created by these guys is something fantastic. Not one person there wasn't smiling, singing, and dancing all night and to see how gracious they were to feel the energy they had created among the crowd reciprocated back to them was something very special to experience at a concert. They finished the night with Alex walking as far out into the audience as his mike would let him and got everyone to sit down on the ground around him while we sang along to"Brother" with him. Call them new age cult hippies, call them what you will, their is an amazing feeling that comes from this album and they have created something powerful without setting out to preach about anything other than love and music. Which when it comes down to it, is all this world really needs. Highlights... "40 Day Dream" - great opener to clap to and the lyrics are just priceless. "Up From Below" - a redemption song that really expresses Ebert's past battles with drugs. "Carries On" - never fails to make me smile through the entire day, pure joy. "Desert Song" - possibly my favourite on the album, their is just this surreal energy in the core of the song that was phenomenal to hear live. "Home" - the epic love song that has caused quite a sensation.
The Black Keys I "Rubber Factory" I 2004 This is the album that made me fall in love with the blues. I would have been about sixteen at the time of first listening to this album and I was dying to find more music of its kind which led me to start discovering some of the classic masters like Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, and Son House. From there it just opened up whole new world of music to me that wasn't being played on the radio but fit so true to my soul more then any other style of sound. This eventually led to my love for the modern masters of blues rock from Jimi Hendrix, to Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The White Stripes, and of course The Black Keys amazing body of work. For that I owe so much to these guys and their third (and best!) of many great albums from the band. It's one of those albums I love just as much as the first moment I heard it no matter how many times its played. Highlights... "10am Automatic"- love the magnitude of energy that comes from just the guitar and drums of the band and this song is the best example of the power they have. "When The Lights Go Out" -words can not describe how much I love this song. Sensual, sexy and soulful to the core. Rachel you know what I mean. haha "Girl Is On My Mind"-this is a great one to dance and sing to. "Aeroplane Blues"-the guitars rising and falling in such riveting wave of intensity. This is blues at its sexiest. "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down" -you can really feel the soul in this one.
Devendra Banhart I "Cripple Crow" I 2005 It's hard to find the words to describe this bizarre talent of a man. Never failing to amuse with his curious quirky nature, Banhart creates irresistible folk music for the twenty first century hippie in us all. I can always count on him and his music to leave a smile on my face. Cripple Crow was the album that made me fall in love with Devendra and all his wonder. Highlights... Now That I Know - quiet, calming, bliss. A gentle beauty of song. Long Haired Child - the kind of informal subject matter Banhart does best with simple charm and jubilance. Cripple Crow - a free spirited hymn of magnetic proportion. Just Like A Child - tapping into the pristine wisdom, simple absurdity, and pure exuberance of childhood with lyrics that strangely ring so true. "I need you to please explain the war" haha
Yeah Yeah Yeahs I It's Blitz! I 2009 Karen O and the boys took a surprising turn on their latest album. Dance floor friendly tracks, that are guaranteed to put you in great mood, are beautifully melded in with gentle rock lullabies. From start to finish this album is full of songs that are to be cherished for all their poetic splendour and melodic joy. Though I still love the harder edge of their previous albums, I cannot praise the band enough for departing into this brilliant new territory. Highlights... Zero - "shake it like a latter to the sun" says it all. Heads Will Roll - new age goth rock meets electro dance brilliance. Soft Shock - the vocals, the beat, the lyrics...magnificent. Dull Life - the bands hard edge comes shining through, picking the pace of the album up a notch Shame and Fortune - down and dirty guitar anthem with a pulsating sound Hysteric - this song is on a level of its own, a whimsical rock ballad of a new generation.
Baby Shambles I "Shotter's Nation" I 2007 The band definitely hit their mark with this album, surpassing anything Pete Doherty did with the Libertines. Putting aside Doherty's heroine antics and infamous relationship with Kate Moss, you've got to give it to the guy for making fantastic music through it all. His wildly outlandish character is what drives the band's sound and his unmistakable persona makes each song on this record a brilliantly eccentric masterpiece that perhaps could only have been conceived from the mind of a tragically dysfunctional drug addict. Highlights... UnBiloTitled - beautiful song, honest and infectious, there is just something about the guitars in between the chorus that is simply magnificent. Baddie's Boogie - an overall cheerful & carefree song juxtaposed with the bridge of "lousy life for the washed up wife of a permanently plastered pissed off bastard". Brilliant. There She Goes - jazzed out base rhythms with Doherty's vocals some how managing to be delicate and brute all at once. Side Of The Road - put this song on, and dance like mad in you're room to let loose some steam.
Kasabian I "Kasabian" I 2004 Brit band Kasabian's self titled debut album is a masterpiece that has yet to be topped by their two follow ups. Start to finish this album is loaded with songs that will get you're pulse going, wickedly fusing rock with high energy electro beats. Highlights... Club Foot - viciously vibrant, pulsating rock beats, played best driving in the car. LSF - an addictive anthem to scream at the top of you're lungs. Running Battle - a stunningly mellowed out track with striking lyrics. Processed Beats - GREAT song, awesome video.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club I "Take Them On, On You're Own" I 2003 The second of many great albums from B.R.M.C. Sex, politics, and blues are what these boys do best and Take Them On, You're Own blends all three into a hot rage of fire and desire. Highlights... Red Eyes and Tears is dripping with the nostalgia of new love. Six Barrel Shotgun is an unruly fury of strong lyrical work Ha Ha High Babe pure sex, raunchy tantalizing guitars, brilliantly blended with a single line of lyrics.
Said when she was just five years old you know there's nothing happening at all. Every time she puts on the radio there was nothing goin' down at all. Then one fine mornin' she puts on a New York station, she couldn't believe what she heard at all. She started dancin' to that fine fine music you know her life was saved by Rock 'n' Roll.
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