An Album Cover Blog

ZACH THAT:

There is this really cool music blog that focuses only on the art of the album cover. It's a great site to lose a lot of time reading. It's called The Cover Up....check it out. Thanks to the always wonderful blog The Needle Drop for the heads up.

Alela Diane - "My Brambles"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Alela Diane makes folk compositions the way that they're supposed to be made -- sinewy, filled with strings, and elegant. Her latest To Be Still has been heavy in the rotation lately and with good reason. If you haven't heard it yet, let this be your first taste.

Andrew Bird - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells" (Muisc Video)

ZACH THAT:

Crazy new video from Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza.

Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells”

Kanye West To Play Pitchfork Music Festival 2009

ZACH THAT:

This is not a 100% but I have some weird, yet reliable, sources that say it's pretty much a verbal deal that Kanye West will be playing P4K Fest 2009. Also, small clue in the new Pitchfork post about the fest:

The three-day fest will once again take place at Chicago's lovely Union Park, so get ready to gawk at the coolest sunglasses you've ever seen while soaking in the finest music known to man...on earth...and in space. It will be mega.

I'm might be looking to much into this, but Kanye is always wearing crazy sunglasses...even ones with moving images on them. We all know that P4k has been trying for two years to get him and now the music will be the finest known to man...on earth...and in space. I personally don't like Kanye West or his music, but feel obligated to report this because a lot of you readers love the man.

Look, you might call BS on this call, but let me put the neck on the line and prove that I'm serious about this claim. If Kanye does not play at the Pitchfork Fest this year, I will buy a three day pass personally and give it away on this site. He will be there and you heard it here first.

Neko Case Free LA Show!

ZACH THAT:

Neko Case will be doing a live in store show at Amoeba Hollywood March 5th at 7PM. Mark the calendars and make sure you show up to see Neko Case play the brilliant songs off her new LP, "Middle Cyclone!"

Tara Jane O'Neil - Drowning

HANK ALTOGETHER:

I don't know what part of your brain it is that allows you to recognize repetition. But, this part must have a field day when you listen to Tara Jane O'Neil. Her songs aren't so much songs as they are chamber compositions for the mythical parts of your brain: haunting, repetitive, melodic, you can just as easily imagine a tree growing as a snake eating it's own tail in the chords of her looped guitar. So, it's always a big day at my house when Tara Jane puts out a new song. I saw her last summer at Terrastock and was pretty amazed at how she pulled off her tunes live, constantly stamping and strumming, watching her plays is as cardiovascular for her feet as it is for your brain. Her new track "Drowning" sounds like it was pulled straight from one of these live sessions -- it's a bit more straightforward than you may be used to in TJO's work, but TJO's straight always usually contains a right angle.

Tara Jane O'Neil - Drowning

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (01!)

Nick Drake - Pink Moon

If I had to save one album from destruction this would be it. Light-years ahead of any favorite album for me is this stripped down folk album full of dark and haunting moments. Nick Drake transcends music, his voice and guitar drift slowly out of the headphones and take me to different place. It’s my most played album, as I do all my writing to it. I need it; it has become a part of me. I really don’t care that Drake became well known because of a VW commercial. I can put aside my hipster tendencies to hate shit like that and just be grateful that more people are discovering this precious collection of work. It’s always a shame when an artists dies before their genius is discovered by a mass audience, but every Garden State scene or commercial brings his ghost out to the people and if you haven’t heard this album, this is my loud plea. It’s a super simple album, but Drake is larger than life, he has that something different, that indescribable magic that makes him and his work extremely special. Just writing this makes me want to throw my laptop aside, grab his record and play it forever.

Favorite Track: “Things Behind The Sun”

ALBUMS: 05-02
ALBUMS: 10-06
ALBUMS: 15-11
ALBUMS: 20-16
ALBUMS: 25-21

Making of Fleet Foxes "Mykonos" Music Video

ZACH THAT:

You have to love Sub Pop for stuff like this:

Mykonos making of from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (05-02)

ZACH THAT:

Radiohead – OK Computer

When I think about art in music, “OK Computer” is the first thing that always comes to mind. They’re one of the greatest bands of all time and this is their opus. The range of sounds on this album is ridiculous. It moves from experimental rock to spoken word and then to the simply sublime “No Surprises”. It runs the gambit and does so in a way that the transitions from track to track work perfectly. If there is another Radiohead album that would challenge it’s “Kid A” but I selected this one because it mixes their earlier rock sound with the later experimental…and it’s flawless.

Favorite Track: “No Surprises”

Silver Jews – American Water

I’m still upset that this band broke up…here’s to hoping it’s temporary. “American Water” has the most poetic lyrics than any other album in my opinion. There isn’t a wasted track and I urge more people to fall in love with this album. I can put this record on and I’m so caught up in it’s magic that it’s over before I come out of my trance. I shake my head in awe and give it another spin.

Favorite Track: “Send In The Clouds”

Michael Jackson – Thriller

The greatest pop album ever written. If you don’t get up and dance when “Thriller” is played…go see a doctor immediately, there is something seriously wrong with you. Packed with an obscene amount of hits, Jackson proves that he is the King of Pop and no matter what he does with his personal life, “Thriller” will always be on my favorites list.

Favorite Track: “Billy Jean”

Leonard Cohen – I’m Your Man

Another poetic album with a very unique sound. In the early days, Cohen’s majestic deep voice would mix with just an acoustic guitar. While these albums are amazing, “I’m Your Man” brings forth electronic instruments that lifted his music into a whole new arena. The album is simultaneously sad, funny, dramatic, political, and sexy. In a cocky but true lyric, Cohen says, “I was born like this, I had no choice…I was born with the gift of a golden voice” It’s true, he has a golden voice and I could listen to it forever.

Favorite Track: “Take This Waltz”

ALBUMS: 10-6
ALBUMS: 15-11
ALBUMS: 20-16
ALBUMS: 25-21

The Boy Least Likely To - A Balloon On A Broken String (Music Video)

ZACH THAT:

A Balloon On A Broken String from The Boy Least Likely To on Vimeo.

RIP Touch and Go

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Fuck the bullshit, this is the biggest music news I've heard in years. Looks like Touch & Go is officially shutting down.

"It is with great sadness that we are reporting some major changes here at Touch and Go Records. Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly two decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels. Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records and Quarterstick Records.

"Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser-known yet important part of Touch and Go's operations. Over the years, these labels have become part of our family, and it pains us to see them go. We wish them all the very best, and we will be doing everything we can to help make the transition as easy as possible.

"Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label. We'll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure. It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go's history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings."

I'm not holding my breath. Touch and Go pioneered this shit and they've been keeping it up. The roster includes Ted Leo, Blonde Redhead, Tara Jane O'Neil, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Calexico...

We wish the best to those associated with Touch and Go, and hope that this isn't the beginning of what we'll be facing with the economy and independent music.

Blog Of The Month - Feb 09'

We’re going to start a monthly feature where we pick one music blog and give praise to it. Music blogs are slowly becoming the new record label, giving buzz to appropriate bands and allowing them to find a larger audience. Our blog has been around for a little more than a year and half now and one of the great things is becoming part of a community of sharp writers who have a strong passion for music journalism. Here we go:



Our first Blog of the Month has to go to Largehearted Boy. The blog is a necessary read with amazing weekly Music/DVD/Book releases, short recaps from the Internet, and the highly impressive feat of reading/reporting on one book each week for the whole year. Impressive. One of my favorite updates is the try it before you buy it section, where he posts several MP3’s of recent releases. It’s a great way to get to know a band without having to download a full album illegally. The site design is simple, easy to read, and easy to navigate. Updates are regular with no weekly let downs, a perfect fit for a google reader or rss add. The blog also gives back, with a rather large blogroll, unlike some sites that don’t even feature one.

Technical aspects aside, what’s unique here is a very sincere and extremely smart voice behind the content. If big music news leaks, it will be up on every site within the day, so what separates what I read on the Internet is original content or original voice. Lucky for us, Largehearted Boy has both. Please visit this site, bookmark it, rss it, and enjoy it as much as we do here at We Listen For You.

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (10-06)

ZACH THAT:

Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

Pavement is responsible for indie rock. For this selection it came down between Crooked Rain and “Slanted & Enchanted”. Both albums are incredible, but I just tend to enjoy putting on Crooked Rain more often. The genius Stephen Malkmus wrote eleven of the twelve songs and they all drip with his irreverent sense of humor and unmatched guitar writing skills. “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain” is the Citizen Kane of indie rock albums.

Favorite Track: “Range Life”

The Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs

Three volumes, sixty-nine songs, covering every aspect of love…this album just does it for me. Stephin Merritt’s deep voice takes the listener on a crazy adventure perfect for anyone who has just had a bad break up. It’s simple and complex at the same time, just listen to “The Book of Love” and you’ll understand that statement. The ultimate reversal on the romance album, “69 Love Songs” will be unmatched in its length and it’s examination of love.

Favorite Track: “Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long”

Outkast – Aquemini

This is an easy justification. Simply put, “Aquemini” is the greatest and my favorite Hip-Hop album ever created. Case closed.

Favorite Track: “Skew It On The Bar-B”

Of Montreal – Cherry Peel

Like The Fiery Furnaces, Of Montreal is my other favorite current band. They get put in an unfair category of being this crazy band that dresses up and puts on a good electro rock show. This saddens me, because, and yes I’m crazy, “Cherry Peel” (their first album) is up there with any Beatles album ever written. It’s lo-fi, heavily acoustic guitar, stripped down, and raw. If you ever doubted Kevin Barnes as a songwriter, then listen to this album and the conversations will be over. “Don’t Ask Me To Explain” would be in my top ten tracks of all time and “Montreal” really gives you a window into Barnes as an emotional songwriter. Before you judge Of Montreal, please listen to all their records (NINE LP’s) to understand how their sound has grown and how special “Cherry Peel” truly is.

Favorite Track: “Don’t Ask Me To Explain”

Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

I imagine this album would be on a lot of favorite lists. It’s a hard album not to love. One of the things I talk about constantly is how you can’t fake die-hard passion…especially with the vocal and Jeff Mangum yells through half this album, believing and living through each work he speaks. I think a lot of you would agree that it’s simply a transcendent album and for some reason reaches deep inside my emotions every time I give it a listen.

Favorite Track: “Two Headed Boy”

ALBUMS: 15-11
ALBUMS: 20-16
ALBUMS: 25-21

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (15-11)

ZACH THAT:

The Fiery Furnaces – Blueberry Boat

Mozart and his buddies would be extremely proud of the lush electronic orchestral arrangements created by Matthew Friedberger on this album. Let’s remember that this is a favorite, not best, list…so I can throw this album on here due to the fact that The Fiery Furnaces are one of my two favorite current bands. I’ve never heard an album quite like “Blueberry Boat” and I think it’s a treat for anyone with an open mind.

Favorite Track: “Blueberry Boat”

A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory

One of my two favorite Hip-Hop albums of all time. What lacks today in this genre is the notion that art can exist with beats. Tribe constantly pushed boundaries and “Low End Theory” remains one of the most unique Hip-Hop albums of all time. With a bass driving every song, jazz horns as accompaniment, and lyrics that hit on both political and emotional levels… “Low End Theory” is the must have album for any future artists who want to challenge the limitations of Hip-Hop.

Favorite Track: “Scenario”

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

This is one of the few albums that would appear both on this, my favorites, and also my best albums of all time lists. The album is perfect from start to finish, we all know this, and makes my favorite list simply because of its brilliance…and it’s just so damn fun to listen to.

Favorite Track: “I’m Waiting For The Day”

Tom Waits – Small Change

This is the ultimate hole-in-the-wall bar tribute album. Waits pours his heart out on these eleven tracks, his voice riddled with the trace of whisky and cigarettes. This album is fantastic because you feel like you’re sitting on a bar stool next to Waits and he’s singing you these stories as you share some libations. “Small Change” gives me one of my favorite lyrics of all time: “No, the moon ain’t romantic…it’s intimidating as hell…and some guy’s trying to sell me a watch.”

Favorite Track: “Bad Liver And A Broken Heart”

The Unicorns – Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone

I will argue until the day I die that this album is one of the greatest indie rock albums ever made. It’s a shame that they disbanded shortly after this masterpiece, but what remains is a beautifully conceived electro rock album. I can’t convince you to love this album with words…it’s all there in the music, and if you haven’t heard it I plead with you to go out and buy a copy. Fantastic album.

Favorite Track: “Sea Ghost”

ALBUMS: 20-16
ALBUMS: 25-21

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (20-16)

ZACH THAT:

The Kinks – Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part 1

Lyrically this is one of the weirdest Kinks albums out there but the songs are so damn catchy. With razor sharp, blaring guitars and Ray Davies belting on top, this album stands out in a very impressive Kinks discography.

Favorite Track: “This Time Tomorrow”

Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come (OST)

In my opinion it’s the greatest soundtrack ever made. In the film Jimmy Cliff plays a musician recording an album and this album is the soundtrack we hear. The scene where Cliff records the title track, displays his love for music and more importantly the power of music. I agree with Cusak in High Fidelity, at my funeral I want “Many Rivers to Cross” to be played and if you’ve heard the song, you know why. I recommend everyone see the film, buy the soundtrack, and embrace the greatest marriage of song and moving frame of all time.

Favorite Track: “Many Rivers To Cross”




Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith

It was Elliott Smith’s second album that really captured my attention. I love Elliott Smith for his darkness and it doesn’t get much darker than this album. This self-titled release seems to be his most personal full work, the album defining the man and vice versa.

Favorite Track: “Southern Belle”




The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico

I love Lou Reed. I love Nico. Throw in bat-shit crazy Andy Warhol as the producer and you have pure musical art. The minimal sound bothers some people, I tend to embrace minimalism when recording is concerned…if done properly. This is one of the must have albums that will never leave my collection.

Favorite Track: “Femme Fatal”

Mississippi John Hurt - Today

I just got into this brilliant man’s music a few weeks ago and now here he is at number sixteen. This is one of the greatest folk/blues guitar albums of all time. Anyone can learn to play an instrument, but for Hurt, it’s built within him, each pluck not a calculated move, but an instinct of his soul. Sound corny? Listen to this album and see if there isn’t something more to Hurt’s music, something behind the lyrics/melodies that makes Today a very special album.

Favorite Track: “Spike Driver Blues”


ALBUMS: 25-21

Top 25 Albums Of All Time (25-21)

ZACH THAT:

What follows is a list of my twenty-five favorite albums of all time. I’ll go ahead and save some time…there are no Beatles albums on my list. Ok. Anyone still here? Look, this list is not the best, most influential, or any of that jazz…it’s simply my favorite albums. The following twenty-five albums do not reflect the opinions of Hank, Pierce, or Phil (the other writers on WLFY). I’m open to all hate comments/love/why isn’t ____ on there?/etc. Each day I will unveil five albums more until I reach the top spot.

Joanna Newsom – Ys

There are a ton of albums on my top 25 and I already see some of you raising eyebrows about this pick. No Beatles and you put this album on here? This album and a few others on the list hit me so hard emotionally that I have to put it on the list. With full orchestra arrangements from the great Van Dyke Parks and Steve Albini behind the recoding, how can you go wrong? While the melodies are simply amazing, it’s Newsom’s voice and creative lyrics that boost Ys into the best of the best for me. Don’t agree? Grab the lyric insert that comes with the album and read along to the songs…it’s breathtaking how perfectly placed every word seems to be.

Favorite Track: “Cosmia”

The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead

I knew I had to put a Smiths album on my list and it was a brutal street fight between The Queen Is Dead and their self-titled debut release. I had to go with The Queen Is Dead because it’s Morrissey at his best, the epitome of cool with just pure rock through in through.

Favorite Track: “Bigmouth Strikes Again”

Patti Smith – Horses

Patti Smith’s music was very hard for me to understand at first. Everyone kept telling me how great it was and I kept listening and never really “got it”. That’s because I never heard her album Horses. To this day, it’s the only full album from Patti Smith that I think works and it’s a treat every spin. She has this raw power that comes sprinting off the record and punk rock (I like how her sound is referred to as proto-punk) owes a ton to this woman and the album Horses.

Favorite Track – “Break It Up”

The White Stripes – Elephant

I remember thinking when this album came out in 2003 that it will be one of the few from this decade that will be considered a classic down the road. It’s flawless from start to finish and unlike The White Stripe’s newer albums; there was something in Jack White’s guitar playing that just paralyzed the listener. It’s really fun rock that is mainstream yet in your face aggressive. You can bash Meg White’s drumming all you want, but it works. Sometimes complexity and simplicity coming together can be a beautiful thing.

Favorite Track – “Black Math”

The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle

When doing favorite lists, you have to leave off a ton of influential/classic albums. This is one of those albums I consider a classic, but I could care less about its history, I just have fun listening to the record. From “Care of Cell 44” all the way to “Time of the Season” I’m just on board with The Zombies work. As a full album it’s highly focused and moves from sound to sound seamlessly. Current albums have a problem sticking in that “hit” track and making the album work as a whole. Odessey and Oracle doesn’t have a hit to fit in…it has twelve of them.

Favorite Track – “Care of Cell 44”