blitzen trapper « [last year's girl]

Lists, lists, lists. Normally, I’m all over that shit but is anybody else becoming increasingly bored by the extra notch the end of the decade has ramped up the this time of year’s traditional list-making frenzy?

And yet, I still play along. It’s an interesting exercise by which to measure my changing tastes, and besides – how else to see the Gaslight Anthem’s 2008 album recognised as one of my near-constant musical touchstones this year?

It’s strange: a few months ago I remember distinctly wondering how to give this blog more of a “voice”, some kind of running theme that would tie the fractured threads of my thoughts together. Recently I’ve been working on a growing number of musical features – and yet, I wonder if that is really what I want to be doing.

Something to think about as we move into the next decade, perhaps.

Anyway, on the offchance you are interested, here’s a quick rundown of how my 2008 favourites have fared in my affections twelve months on. My 2009 list will follow next week.

10. Death Cab For Cutie: Narrow Stairs [5]
They’re not indie Death Cab. They’re not going to be indie Death Cab again. But they’re still going to produce gorgeously overpowering songs like “I Will Possess Your Heart” in all its eight minute splendour, so what’s to complain about?

9. Sun Kil Moon: April [4]
The perfect dreamy springtime shower to see you through any journey spent making finger marks in dirty windows.

8. The Indelicates: American Demo [NE]
Wickedly cynical, lyrical indie that seems to get better with extended listens.

7. The Hold Steady: Stay Positive [1]
Shush. I still love it. Just not as much as their older albums.

6. Laura Marling: Alas, I Cannot Swim [8]
One of those charmers you forget just how incredible it is until you listen to it. Side note: was listening to Marling’s Christmas single earlier, and now cannot wait for forthcoming album #2.

5. Blitzen Trapper: Furr [NE]
One of my Princeton treasures, an album of melodic alt.folk with secretly dark themes.

4. Amanda Palmer: Who Killed Amanda Palmer [NE]
Deranged, epic, angry, beautiful.

3. Kathleen Edwards: Asking for Flowers [=]
My own first lady of alternative country, whose third album is by turns both ballsy and tragic.

2. The Gaslight Anthem: The ’59 Sound [NE]
It’s a shame what has technically been my album of 2009 is inelligible for entry to this year’s list, but seeing them in Cincinnati was one of its highlights.

1. Matthew Ryan: Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State [2]
One of those go-to albums I suspect will pick me up on bad days for years to come.

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series best of the noughties

Surprisingly to nobody, in the end I couldn’t steer clear of the “best of the decade” chat that is dominating the blogosphere at the moment. Last time around, of course, there wasn’t a “blogosphere” – and I wasn’t really listening to music at all! This decade has seen my rebirth as a music fan and so, in a way, perhaps every album I call “special” or “personal” or “favourite” is could belong in this list – whatever nickname we ultimately give this decade. Personally, I’m more interested to see what trendy buzzword we come up with for the next one!

Over the next four weeks, I’m going to count down my favourite forty – one per artist – albums of the decade and, while there might not be any massive surprises, I’d be thrilled if you used this as an opportunity to pick up something you haven’t had a chance to listen to yet.

Kudos to Kate, for inspiring me with her similarly themed post on Facebook.

40. The Long Blondes: Someone To Drive You Home
2006, Rough Trade
In 2006, I fell hard for the Long Blondes’ sleazy charms – particularly those of glamorous frontwoman Kate Jackson. She might not have been the greatest singer in the world, but her attitude coupled with those jagged riffs made for a winning combination: smoky sixties imagery, teenage fumbles, clever references and pop songs you can shamelessly dance to.
If you download one track, make it: “Lust in the Movies”
BUY: Someone to Drive You Home at Amazon.co.uk

39. The Avett Brothers: Emotionalism
2007, Ramseur
A relatively new discovery, via Nick Hornby’s favourite mp3 blog, I had a couple of Avett Brothers tracks on near constant repeat until I finally caved and got a hold of this (not easy to import) album from North Carolina’s finest bluegrass brothers. Emotionalism is an at-times highly charged, at times gloriously lighthearted, delight of a listen.
If you download one track, make it: “Pretty Girl from San Diego”
BUY: Emotionalism at Amazon.co.uk

38. The Indelicates: “American Demo”
2008, Weekender Records
Since the Twittersphere is the centre of all moral authority at the moment, I feel qualified enough to state that performance poets Simon and Julia – the lynchpins of the Indelicates – are working on a second album. Assuming it’s as angry, as funny and as wicked as their debut, it’s sure to be a winner. American Demo takes the listener on a journey through the cynical heart of popular music, from Elvis’ first breath to what would have been Jeff Buckley’s had he outlived his relevance. Simon spits out his caustic reflections on popular culture and society behind what sounds like a perpetual sneer, while Julia hovers behind a curtain of white lace, cool and aloof and reminding her lovers that “the stars don’t shine for me and you – they shine no matter what we do”.
If you download one track, make it: “Heroin”
BUY: American Demo at Amazon.co.uk

37. Vivian Girls: Vivian Girls
2008, In The Red
It became cool to hate on this New York three-piece relatively quickly, and I’ll happily admit here that I’ve yet to hear their second, but in the absence of my mid-90s girl-grunge pleasures I’ll happily give the new brat pack a place on this list. I unashamedly adore the Vivian Girls’ scuzzy debut and their punk-rock slumber party live show, and I think you should too.
If you download one track, make it: “Damaged”
BUY: Vivian Girls at Amazon.co.uk

36. Withered Hand: Good News
2009, SL Records
Recent opportunities to support Scottish bands elsewhere have opened my eyes to the fantastic music being made in my homeland. Chief among these new finds Edinburgh’s Dan Wilson, whose sometimes painfully introspective lo-fi ramblings have been something of an obsession these past few months. Here’s hoping the coming decade sees much more from him.
If you download one track, make it: “Cornflake”
BUY: Good News at SL Records

35. Sera Cahoone: Only As The Day Is Long
2008, Sub Pop
Somewhere in between me abandoning riot grrl and discovering alternative country, my music collection took a major gender shift with the boys now outnumbering the girls. Colorado singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone bucks that trend, sneaking into my consciousness last year with a voice like mountains and bitter honey.
If you download one track, make it: “Baker Lake”
BUY: Only as the Day Is Long at Amazon.co.uk

34. Richmond Fontaine, Thirteen Cities
2007, Decor
I suspect that, if ever a band existed to be listened to on vinyl, it would be Richmond Fontaine. The timeless feel and the warmth of the format fits frontman Willy Vlautin’s songwriting style perfectly, and breathes life into his unlikely cast of characters: the late-night losers, the lovelorn bartenders and the people you’d never think to ask. Thirteen Cities has it all: from “Moving Back Home #2″‘s opening horn section to the stripped down piano dive sparsity of “Lost In This World”. And “Capsized”, which is just a brilliant song.
If you download one track, make it: “$87 And A Guilty Consience That Gets Worse The Longer I Go”
BUY: Thirteen Cities at Amazon.co.uk

33. The Libertines: Up The Bracket
2002, Rough Trade
It’s not a massive leap to describe the Libertines as “my Britpop”. What they did wasn’t unique by any standards, but like the 90s movement they seemed to ape they captured a moment in time with their messy, glorious rock n roll. Fans of the band have been accused of canonising them for what they accomplished in their pitifully short lifetime, but years on their debut sounds as fresh as it ever did.
If you download one track, make it: “The Good Old Days”
BUY: Up the Bracket at Amazon.co.uk

32. Blitzen Trapper, Furr
2008, Sub Pop
One of those random discoveries, this Portland-based sextet produce what can only really be described as experimental folk rock – beautiful melodies and dark lyrics tied together with instruments traditional and… not so.
If you download one track, make it: “Black River Killer”
BUY: Furr at Amazon.co.uk

31. Emmy the Great: First Love
2009, Close Harbour
My love for Emmy can be traced back to various demos which have been kicking about for almost as long as there was an internet, but while the songs which make up First Love already sound familiar what makes this debut from the young singer-songwriter an astounding one is that they have lost none of the stripped-down hauntedness that made me fall for them in the first place. “24″ and the album’s title track display a weary resignation beyond Emmy’s tender years, and “MIA” is even more disturbing than the demos in its final recorded form.
If you download one track, make it: “24″
BUY: First Love – Bonus Edition at Amazon.co.uk

NOTE: Album title links almost always take you via my referrer page on Amazon.co.uk. I’m trying to save up for Christmas, so help a blogger out and pick up a fantastic album into the bargain!