A.A. Bondy Contest

One of the best records of 2009 that I have failed to mention thus far is the sophomore effort from singer/songwriter A.A. Bondy, When the Devil’s Loose.  This record just barely missed my top 10 list for the year (coming soon).  And today I am offering you the chance to win this record for yourself.  All you have to do to enter  is leave your favorite record of ’09 as a comment. Be sure to use a valid e.mail address so that we can contact the winner.

Bondy has been on the road practically non-stop since release of Devil’s Loose back in June.  And as the new year rolls in he’s hardly wasting any time before heading out on tour again.  A week from tomorrow he’ll be making a stop in Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge, and we’ll be there covering the show.  Bondy will be preceded on stage that night with up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Amy Cook.  Take a listen below to the first single off of her forthcoming record, Let the Light In.   For those of you not in the Fayetteville area, check out the tour dates listed below. We’ll be sure to let you know if it’s worth your time.

JAN. 8           MEMPHIS, TN                       HI-TONE CAFÉ
JAN. 9           FAYETTEVILLE, AR          GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE
JAN. 11         FORT WORTH, TX                LOLA’S
JAN. 12         SANTA FE, NM                     SANTA FE BREWING COMPANY
JAN. 13         PHOENIX, AZ                       RHYTHM ROOM
JAN. 14         TUCSON, AZ                          SOLAR CULTURE
JAN. 15         SAN DIEGO, CA                    THE CASBAH
JAN. 16         LOS ANGELES, CA              EAGLE ROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
JAN. 18         SANTA BARBARA, CA      MUDDY WATERS
JAN. 19         VISALIA, CA                        CELLAR DOOR
JAN. 20         SAN FRANCISCO, CA        CAFÉ DU NORD
JAN. 22         PORTLAND, OR                    MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
JAN. 23         SEATTLE, WA                       THE TRACTOR TAVERN
JAN. 25         SPOKANE, WA                      THE BLVD
JAN. 26         BOISE, ID                                NEUROLUX
JAN. 27         SALT LAKE CITY, UT        URBAN LOUNGE
JAN. 28         DENVER, CO                          HI-DIVE
JAN. 29         LAWRENCE, KS                    JACKPOT MUSIC HALL
JAN. 30         AMES, IA                               MAINTENANCE SHOP
FEB. 1           MADISON, WI                        HIGH NOON SALOON
FEB. 2           ANN ARBOR, MI                   BLIND PIG
FEB. 3           BUFFALO, NY                        MOHAWK PLACE

Justin’s Favorite Albums of 2009

The year (and decade for that matter) are over in 1 day, and I wanted to wait to the last possible moment to write out my picks.  So after much deliberation and consideration, here are my 10 favorite albums of 2009 (And to make things interesting, I am going to attempt to tell you why they are awesome in 140 characters or less):

10: Fanfarlo Reservoir

Better with each listen, I am continually drawn into this heavily layered, lush album.  Every song so far has been my favorite of the album.

Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time

9: Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers Songs in the Night

Lyrics read like poetry, her voice carries sincerity, and the music insists that your feet should tap.  Just the way folk was meant to be.

Samanthan Crain and the Midnight Shivers- Songs in the Night

8: Company of Thieves Ordinary Riches

This genre defying album incorporates blues, jazz, rock, and folk.  The resulti is something reminscient of a sound from another era.

Company of Thieves- In Passing

7: Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything to Nothing

Andy Hull continues to write heavily emotional and personal songs without coming off as angsty or annoying.

Manchester Orchestra- I’ve Got Friends

6: fun. Aim and Ignite

This album is fun, period.  Sorry, that was dumb.  But seriously, it is fun.

fun.- All The Pretty Girls

5: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion

How in the world does Animal Collective not only put out consistently great albums, but produce arguably their best for their 9th?

Animal Collective- Summertime Clothes

4: Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeaus Phoenix

The first time I heard “Lisztomania” I started dancing alone in my apartment.  Then “1901″ came on and the party really started.

Phoenix- 1901

3: Grizzly Bear Veckatimest

I am embarrassed to admit that I shrugged this off after the first listen.  Then I picked it up a few months later and pitied my former self.

Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks

2: Passion Pit Manners

Far and away the most danceable album I have ever heard.

Passion Pit- Little Secrets

1: Other Lives Other Lives

This past summer a friend insisted I go see Other Lives in concert.  He informed me it would be the greatest live show I had ever seen.  I was skeptical.  I was wrong (by the way, forget the 140 characters on this one).  Is it fair to rank an album #1 because of how much I was blown away by their performance?  Probably not, but that isn’t completely the case here.  Sure every time I hear the album I am drawn back to that ethereal experience, but even outside of that it is an incredible album.  Musically polished and incredibly orchestrated, their sound is so intricate I can’t help but feel like I am being taken on an epic journey.  And lead singer Jesse Tabish sings with such conviction and sincerity, his voice works its way through my whole body.  A remarkable album in a remarkable year of music.

Other Lives- End Of The Year

Cody’s Favorite Christmas Songs

I need to preface this post with four simple words.

I HATE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Why do I hate it? Well, in recent years it has just become a platform for crappy pop stars to keep re-covering the same christmas songs over and over. I don’t need to hear Carrie Underwood sing White Christmas, or Wynonna singing Silent Night, or any big shot artist covering a christmas classic to get me into the spirit.

I think I should stop being such a grinch, and just let the infographic do that talking. So here are some of my favorite original Christmas songs:

1. Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland by Grandaddy
2. Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert
3. Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day (Well, You Deserved It!) by Sufjan Stevens
5. Don’t Shoot Me Santa by The Killers
6. I Hate Christmas Parties – by Relient K
7. Love Came Down At Christmas by Jars of Clay
8. When I Get Home for Christmas by Snow Patrol
9. Xmas Party by Middle Distance Runner

I love Grandaddy‘s rendition of “Walking In a Winter Wonderland,” but that may also be because I’m a fan of The Alan Parson Project. The song features some subtle humor about Parsons, but knowing a thing about him is not required to enjoy the track. Stephen Colbert is getting exactly what he wants with the next song, he has become part of my holiday listening tradition, and it is hilarious. Fans of Arrested Development, Peanuts Cartoons, and The Royal Tennenbaums will recognize the next little gem by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.  Sufjan Stevens put out his giant box set of Christmas music a few years ago, and song #4 is probably my favorite from that whole collection. The Killers’s song about a guy potentially getting murdered by Santa is interesting to say the least, watching the music video is a must. If Christmas time just gets you down, then be sure to listen to the track by Relient K. I love the next song by Jars of Clay, who took an awesome beat and made an enjoyable new Christmas classic. Snow Patrol fans should not be without song #8. I’m a huge fan, and that song is just awesome. And finally, song #9 is by Middle Distance Runner. If you’ve never checked them out, I hope this song drives you to do so.

Okay. I was a bit of a Grinch earlier, but if you examine the chart you will see that there does exist a small sliver of well done covers. So here’s three Christmas covers I do enjoy, and are part of my holiday canon:

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Death Cab for Cutie
2. Holly Jolly Christmas covered by The Format
3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel covered by Belle & Sebastian

These songs may not be original compositions, but I much prefer these to the originals. Death Cab’s version of “Baby Please Come Home” is just great. And a classic from Belle & Sebastian.

I hope you’ve found some new additions to your holiday listening list, and we here at IHYEB wish you a very Merry Christmas!

New Norah Jones Record, “The Fall”

There has been a decent amount of buzz over Norah Jones making a rock record.  Not sure if that is the way I would describe it. But it is definitely worth talking about.  While staying true to who she is, Jones has indeed managed to shake things up a little.  But it’s not a rock record.  It’s got more soul in it than it does rock and it doesn’t stray all that far from her jazzy roots.

The key component for change here was the switch to Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon producer Jaquire King.  He definitely adds a little edge to the final product on several tracks.  She is also playing with a completely new band who have collectively recorded with the likes of Beck, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, The Roots and Herbie Hancock.  Also the “retired” Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Shef gave a helping hand and each helped Jones co-write a different song on the album.

The Fall is easily Norah’s best effort since her delightful 2002 debut.  Norah Jones enthusiasts won’t be disappointed and it is sure to attract a brand new batch of fans.  Take a listen to the opening track, which gives you a great idea of the shift taking place on this fantastic record.