Mid-Year Observations

I know it has been a very, very long time since I last posted, but I have been very busy with Sweden and then my summer internship. I apologize to all three of my very loyal readers.

However, I do have a surprise. A mid-year top twenty albums list. Some of these albums aren't out yet, but I can assure you I will buy every one of the ones on this list and I suggest you do too (even if you can get it for free on the internet) because these artists are just so damn good.

1. Silver Jews - "Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea"

Dave Berman is one of the best lyricists in the business and this album does not disappoint. Though some have been critical of this album cough:Pitchfork:cough I think it is better than "Tanglewood Numbers" and narrowly the best album in a year lacking an absolute stand-out album. LMLS manages to find the perfect balance of humor ("Party Barge") and melancholy ("Candy Jail"), as well as having a great story song ("San Francisco, BC") and possibly the year's best song ("Strange Victory, Strange Defeat"). I could do with less female accompaniment (courtesy of Berman's wife) and I wish the album was longer, but otherwise it's pretty damn good.

Score: 9.4
Key Tracks: "Strange Victory, Strange Defeat", "Party Barge"

2. The Mountain Goats - "Heretic Pride"

Another one of music's best lyricists, John Darnielle produces another fantastic album in the mold of "The Sunset Tree". While lacking TST's continuous themes and personal viewpoint, "Heretic Pride" sees Darnielle moving away from the melancholy of "Get Lonely" in favor of a more balanced emotional album. Filled with all sorts of emotions from intensity ("Sax Rhomer #1") to desperation ("So Desperate") to redemption ("Heretic Pride") this is a very complete feeling album that I am always in the mood to listen to. Unfortunately Darnielle fell ill after the release of this album, here's to a speedy recovery and a return to full health for him and his family.

Score: 9.3
Key Tracks: "Michael Myers Resplendent", "Autoclave"

3. The Tallest Man on Earth - "Shallow Graves"

Who would have thought that the years best folk album would come from a Dalarna-raised Swede? A brilliant combination of folk and Americana a la early Bob Dylan, "Shallow Graves" manages to feel raw within the confines of traditional song structures. The vocals are right out of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" and the lyrics are flat out brilliant. "A Gardener" tells the tale of a man willing to commit countless offenses to stay pure in the eyes of the one he loves and "The Blizzard's Never Seen the Desert Sands" touches on the realm of unknown possibility. Good crisp length and excellent songwriting make this guitar and vocals album a must for 2008.

Score: 9.3
Key Tracks: "A Gardener", "I Won't Be Found"

4. Okkervil River - "The Stand-Ins"

This yet to be released gem is a perfect example of what a great band can do in their prime. Only a year after releasing the brilliant "The Stage Names", Will Sheff and crew (now minus Shearwater frontman Jonathan Meiberg) have struck gold again with 2008's "The Stand-Ins". Touching on many of the same themes like the price of fame and the relationship between band and audiance, as "The Stage Names"; "The Stand-Ins" shine a decidedly darker light on the life of the rock-star. As the second part of a conceived double album, TSI's is strongest when it just rocks. Tracks like "Lost Coastlines" (a duet between Sheff and Meiberg), "Pop Lie", and "Calling and Not Calling My Ex" are just great rock songs that can be appreciated on many levels from the cerebral lyrical quality to the thumping of drums and wailing of guitars. Though not much of an evolution from their previous work, TSI is a testament to Okkervil's genius and flow of creative productivity.

Score: 9.3 (and rising)
Key Tracks: "Lost Coastlines", "Pop Lie", "Singer Songwriter"

5. A Weather - "Cove"

As someone who has been inundated with Dylan-inspired folk albums so far this year, "Cove" represents a welcome change of pace. The first element of "Cove" that really stuck out to me was the male-female vocal harmony achieved by Aaron Gerber and Sarah Winchester on standout tracks like "Pilot's Arrow" and "Shirley Road Shirley". A Weather's song manages to be both understated and extremely moving. Hushed vocals blend with a wandering piano, rhythmic bass, and militant snare drum to completely hypnotize the viewer. The lyrics are also brilliant, "I never hated you/I loved you all at the time" whispers Gerber on the first track "Spiders, Snakes", being just one example of numerous one-liners that hit you right in the gut. Though "Pinky Toe" is a bit of a misstep, the positives outweigh the negatives by such a wide margin and even the missteps sound beautiful (they tend to be lyrical).

Score: 9.1
Key Tracks: "Small Potatoes", "Shirley Road Shirley", "Pilot's Arrow"

6. Laura Marling - "Alas I Cannot Swim"

The diminutive 18-year-old Marling is not what one thinks of when they assess the future of popular folk music, but maybe she should be. Even at such a tender age Marling writes incredibly mature songs that can be enjoyed by young and old. Marling is at her best when singing about loss, but this is no emo whiner crying about having her allowance taken away, "Ghost" sees her discussing "The ghosts that took my heart before I met you" and "Failure" devotes an entire song to unrealized dreams. But it is not all doom and gloom, "You're No God" is a call-to-arms and "My Manic and I" is a love song with a twist. What is amazing about Marling is how young she is and how much potential she has to improve. The voice is there, the emotion is there, the songwriting acumen is there, hell even the live show was impressive. With folks like Marling representing the future of folk music, I would say that the future is in good hands.

Score: 9.0
Key Tracks: "Failure", "Ghost", "My Manic and I"

7. The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive"

It is hard to be disappointed by a Hold Steady album, there are always a plethora of great one-liners, roaring guitars, and sing along choruses. But I can't help but feel like "Stay Positive" maybe be a step back for the kings of the bar rock scene. Sure the great songs are still there: "Magazines", "Constructive Summer", and "Sequestered In Memphis" just to name three. But a lot of the humor is gone, the production is getting almost too polished, and there is not a single mention of any of the characters in The Hold Steady universe (Charlemagne, etc.). This is still a very good album and even the weak tracks like "Navy Sheets" aren't oppressive, but I fear that this might be the beginning of the Hold Steady drifting too far away from their roots and turning into just another indie band. I hope that this doesn't happen, since they are one of my favorite groups and seem to be some of the nicest guys in the business.

Score: 8.7
Key Tracks: "Magazines", "Lord I'm Discouraged"

8. Sun Kil Moon - "April"

This is a very polarizing album. Quiet and long, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the lyrical density and seeming musical sameness of "April", but I caution you, dear reader, to not pass judgment on "April" too hastily. Most of the songs are over five minutes and consists mostly of understated vocals and quietly strummed guitar, but the lyrics are deep and each song has a few achingly beautiful moments. "Lost Verses" is the real gem here, being heart-rederingly sad, yet incredibly beautiful. One of the year's best tracks. "April" may be a bit overlong and certainly isn't for the faint of heart or the easily distracted, but for the patient, devoted listener "April" is a very rewarding record that has the depth to stick around in my rotation for years to come.

Score: 8.7
Key Tracks: "Tonight in Bilbao", "Lost Verses"

9. The Burning Hell - "Happy Birthday"

A delightful oddity, "Happy Birthday" like "Scientific Cricket" before it, is a strange but fun album with quirky lyrics, brilliant orchestration, and severe identity crisis. At times Mathias Kom sounds like Leonard Cohen, The Magnetic Fields, Jens Lekman, and The National on song topics ranging from an epic battle between a moth and a lightbulb ("General Electric vs. The Imperial Moth"), geesers in cover bands ("Dinosaurs"), and a bond between lovers that lasts after death ("A Grave Situation Part II). "Happy Birthday" must be heard to be appreciated (I hear their live show is absolutely fantastic as well). Sometimes the most refreshing music has a sense of humor and puts a smile on your face.

Score: 8.6 (rising)
Key Tracks: "A Grave Situation Parts I and II", "The Second Cigarette"

10. Micah P. Hinson - "Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra"

Another gorgeous baritone voice. Hinson's orchestration and mellow voice are beautiful. Maybe not as fully realized as it could be, another guy with a lot of potential. Might have the best voice of anyone on this list. If you like William Eliot Whitmore or Silver Jews you should also like this guy. "The Fire Came Up to My Knees" is a brilliant intense song that really showcases his vocal talent.

Score: 8.4
Key Tracks: "The Fire Came Up to My Knees", "Throw the Stone"

11. Noah and the Whale - "Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down"

Delightful pop album that should be fully embraced by lovers of Belle and Sebastian, Jens Lekman, and Herman Dune. Songs like "5 Years Time" and "Give A Little Love" never cease to put a smile on my face. Could raise much higher on my list as I listen to it more.

Score: 8.4 (rising)
Key Tracks: "5 Years Time", "2 Atoms in a Molecule"

12. Neil Halstead - "Oh! Mighty Engine"

Very laid back summer folk album in the vein of Kings of Convenience. Hushed vocals and muted guitar glide the listener through each delightful folk track. A very consistent album, nary a misstep. Might sound too samey to some. "Paint a Face" is a really exceptional track. Need more time with this one to fully review it, but it is so obviously a quality album that I had to put it here.

Score: 8.3 (rising)
Key Tracks: "Paint a Face", "Oh! Mighty Engine"

13. Elliott Brood - "Mountain Meadows"

Boy is this a fun album. Straight Americana guaranteed to get your foot tapping. No frills here, just well written fun songs. "Miss You Now" is the highlight here, but the album is very consistent overall. "Write It All Down For You" is defintely a top five rock song this year (or any year) for me, just gets those toes a tapping.

Score: 8.3
Key Tracks: "Miss You Now", "Write It All Down For You"

14.Jason Anderson - "The Hopeful and the Unafraid"

Was it love with this album at the beginning of the year, but it has a weak middle. "El Paso" is a lyrically brilliant rock song and "Watch Your Step" is another highlight. "This Will Never Be Our Town" really hurts this album, as it just has nothing going for it. Definitely a step in the right direction of Anderson though.

Score: 8.2
Key Tracks: "El Paso", "Watch Your Step"

15. Langhorne Slim - s/t

Collette is a brilliant song and the whole album makes me feel good. More straight Americana occupies a similar spot to Elliott Brood.

Score: 8.0
Key Tracks: "Collette", "Spinning Compass"

16. The Felice Brothers - s/t

Bob Dylan sounding guys, great straight folk album with a few big missteps. Maybe a better collection of songs then a cohesive album.

Score: 8.0
Key Tracks: "Frankie's Gun"

17. Slim Cessna's Auto Club - "Cipher"

Southern Gothic country stars release an album with five awesome tracks, but a bunch of really bad songs. I am afraid they are moving away from their country sound and more into straight rock, Woven Hand territory.

Score: 7.8
Key Tracks: "Ladies in the Know", "Boom Magalina Hagalina Boom"

18. Jens Carelius - "The First Songs"

If you like Nick Drake you will like this guy. Norwegian folk singer who sings in English, very consistent, but also very samey. Lots of potential here.

Score: 7.8
Key Tracks: "Summer Skin"

19. Fleet Foxes - s/t

A few great songs, but their EP was much more consistent. Fades away at the end. Lots of hype around these guys and they sound beautiful, but could be more consistent.

Score: 7.6
Key Tracks: "White Winter Hymnal"

20. Breathe Owl Breathe - "Ghost Glacier EP"

Great, even if it's just an EP. More of the same from these guys.

Score: 7.5
Key Tracks: "Drop and Roll"

Got a little tired out there at the end, hope you guys enjoy this! Be back soon hopefully!