Keep One Eye On...

A few years ago now, I watched a video by a band who was really just a difficult name to Google. The name of the band was Performance and apparently they've finally got a full album coming out this year. Their MySpace site (which is equally hard to search for), had some hit or miss songs on them, but I'm keeping an eye on their full album because it's anything like "Love Life", it should kick much ass to a retro UK band beat.



Some new songs and songs off their singles can be found on their MySpace. The newest track, "Sexy Etc", sounds decent, not as good as "Love Life", but enough to make me look forward to more. Their album comes out in the UK sometime in the next few months - not sure about the US yet.

Performance's MySpace Site

Interesting feeling, interesting feeling...

Another Great Overlooked 2006 Release

Over the weekend I was dealing with one of those "life happens" situations, and in an introspective mood I threw Mahogany's Connectivity! on and kept it going. I don't know if it's that it was because it reminded me of Slowdive, Sweet Trip, and Cocteau Twins (bands that calm the nerves), but it sure did help fill the room I withdrew into sound much, much better. What a great album and one that should receive your attention if you're into any of the bands I mentioned above or are a fan of shoegaze or dream pop. It's put out by Darla, whose shoegaze/electronica output has been consistently blissful.

Of course, here's a link:

Mahogany's MySpace page

Hope that's satisfying.

News I Didn't Break

NEW THEE MORE SHALLOWS!


Thee More Shallows announced their new album on MySpace Friday. It's called Book of Bad Breaks and they've posted a track along with the news. Thee More Shallows' exceptional More Deep Cuts was one of my favorite albums of the last few years. Check the new track and their old ones out at this link:

Thee More Shallows - Night at the Knight School (MySpace)


New Ulrich Schnauss


Ulrich Schnauss announced earlier this week that he would have a new album out in a few months. That's pretty exciting if you listened to his first two albums. In case you didn't, his music is a cross between shoegaze and electronica and is very nice to put on while you're writing, or chilling, or fixing a waffle iron. No new tracks up yet, but hopefully something will appear soon-ish.

News and tracks on Ulrich's MySpace page

New Modest Mouse track

Modest Mouse's new album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank will be released March 20. Of note is a promising new single called "Dashboard", which can be found here:

Modest Mouse - "Dashboard"

Fleeting Joys Works in Progress

The band hasn't released any definitive titles or dates for the new album yet, though they have put up samples of their "works in progress" for fans to see what direction their followup to Despondent Transponder will take. I really appreciate the glimpse at the new stuff, but it's like they're teasing me. Check it out on their MySpace page:

Fleeting Joys MySpace Link

Shout Out

So, I'm listening to Lupe Fiasco's album when I get to the last track and hear what has to be the longest shout out track I've ever heard. I think I got a shout out - that's how many people he mentioned. Man, I hate when a good album mars itself with either bad skits, shout out tracks, or too many guest spots. As far as shout outs go - that's what the booklet is for. I mean, if Interpol's next album featured a droning guitar while Paul Banks thanks people for twelve minutes, they would be fucking slaughtered by the music press, and yet, rap albums don't get docked at all. Man, is that why I've been listening to fewer rap albums lately? Or is it just that critics have low expectations? Don't get me wrong, there are some good damn songs on here, way, way better than the Fiddy Def Dogg stuff that's clogging up the rap section at the local Best Buy, it's just that the Outro should've been left off and mailed to anyone mentioned.



Bonus points for having a robot in the video!

And speaking of robots, here's the video from Madvillain's track on Chrome Children. Maybe most rap sounds weak because Doom exists. Yeah, that's probably it.



Join me tomorrow when I acknowledge everyone who's ever influenced or helped me in any capacity for pages and pages to a flash player looping a kick drum to snare beat.

Wednesday Whatever

This morning as I was shoving breakfast tofu sausage in my mouth, I read the interview with Nic Offer of !!! that Pitchfork had up and a section of it spawned a desire to address one of Offer's answers. On the topic of file sharing, Offer basically states that he supports it, but then goes on to talk about how he doesn't make any money making music. Now, it's a musician's choice to stay in a band for the excitement over the money of a more stable position, but as someone who also works in the entertainment industry, I think what Offer doesn't go into is that while file sharing promotes his music to a much wider audience than it would have ten years ago, the problem is that A LOT of the people who file share don't purchase the album after they've decided they like it and have played it silly.

I don't really think most people can comprehend how little some artists (especially musicians) make and that what they are doing is theft. As someone who has released a product that people admitted to downloading and getting the full experience from, I have to say that I actually get upset to know that "fans" would rationalize not buying a product from an artist because they either perceive it as money going to business types (who fund us) or because they've got to spend it on stuff they believe it's wrong to steal (like groceries). Sales = interest by business types in future projects and, yes, sometimes even more money for the artists. I think it's fan-fuckin'-tastic that the internet has exposed us to all kinds of music, art, writing, movies, and games that wouldn't have found an audience years ago, but if you've appreciated something by its creators and they're trying to make a living from it, then don't cheap out or you may never see anything by them ever again.

And don't get me started on how most people will crucify you for leaving less than fifteen percent for horrendous service but will download movies, music, and games without batting an eye. Seriously, I can't make sense of it.



Now that the rant is off, here's a link to an artist whose 2006 album I didn't find until recently. The name of the band is Belong, and the album is called October Language. It's ambient music that sounds like the in-between song drones of My Bloody Valentine songs stretched into several minute pieces. The end effect is subtly powerful and the layers of each song hide melodies floating in and out of the haze that make each composition hold up well to repeat listens.

Check out their song "October Language" and others here:

Belong's MySpace site

Tomorrow, join me as I debate the ethics of fueling robots with old people's medicine.

2007 - This Better Be Good

January's been jampacked with high profile releases, so it's already turning out to be a musical bonanza of a year, though since I haven't listened to all the stuff I have lying around, it could very well turn into a big, musical dump.

Here's what I'm looking forward to this year, based on early MP3 samples, notoriety, and Ouija board answers.

Autolux – [Title TBA]
I think this was supposed to come out earlier this year but has been pushed back to the summer or so. If it's anything like their debut Future Perfect, it's probably worth waiting for, which means I want it now!

Deerhoof – Friend Opportunity
This is out but not yet in my hot, not so little hands. I didn't like Runners Four as much as Green Cosmos (which I wore out), but I always look forward to new Deerhoof. Here's a link to a new song off Friend Opportunity:

Deerhoof - "+81"

Clinic – Visitations
This has been out in the UK but I get it this week. Clinic's sound rubs me just the right way, in fact, those of you who were a fan of a game I worked on called Bloodlines, Clinic's "Come into Our Room" was my choice for the music that plays in the Asylum, which I didn't get to use for all kinds of reasons. I never, ever get to pick any of the music for any of my projects...

Menomena – Friend and Foe
Early reviews look great, and since I get it this week, I'll probably be talking about it here. Their first album made that year much, much better, so I'm hoping their third album is along those lines. Sounds good already:

Menomena - "Wet and Rusting"

The Shins – Wincing the Night Away
Have it, listened to it once at the time I'm writing this. Still digesting. Liked two or three of the songs quite a bit, but nothing jumped out at me like "Caring is Creepy" did the first time I heard it.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Some Loud Thunder
Again, I think it's out, but... Heard one track and I'm not sure if I'm digging the new direction, but I did love quite a few songs on their first album so I'm still holding out for something as good as "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth". Here is Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's tribute to "Under the Sea":

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Underwater (You and Me)"

!!! – Myth Takes
Loved Out Hud, like !!! almost as much. The new track from their upcoming album makes my mouth water and my head nod - that's real close to dancing for me. If this track is any indication, this may be one of the Top Ten of 2007. Really hope these guys get super gigantic this year.

!!! - "Heart of Hearts"

LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem went from indie darling to household name (a household that greatly exaggerates) after their last album. Hoping to keep this one "On Repeat" too. I hate myself for that. "North American Scum" sounds very similar to the debut's tracks. New track at the LCD Soundsystem MySpace:

Link to LCD Soundsystem MySpace

Arcade Fire – The Neon Bible
You may have heard of these guys. If not, go get Funeral right now. Then after you've worn that out, pick up The Neon Bible when it hits in March, same day as !!!... Man, good thing I get to listen to music while I work. Supposedly this is a concept album, and I hope that that concept is Frankenstein wrestling dinosaurs.

MF Doom and Ghostface – Swift & Changeable
It's Doom, I'm picking it up. MF Doom = better than almost any other rap act out there. And 2006 was the first year without a proper Doom album, some I'm beginning to worry. Hopefully King Geedorah will make a reappearance one of these years too.

Jesu – Conqueror
Jesu has become one of my favorite acts since I picked up Silver. If Jesu's new album (coming in February) features an entire album as good as the four songs on Silver, it may be album of the year material. While waiting for Conqueror, give Silver a few more spins. If you don't have Silver, why not?

Black Moth Super Rainbow – Dandelion Gum
Black Moth Super Rainbow have released several good to great albums now without crossing Pitchfork's radar. Hopefully, they'll get some major exposure for their next proper album which is out in April. If you haven't heard them and was a kid in the 70s or early 80s, something about the music will fill you with nostalgia for the sounds of PBS bumpers from that era - though they're much better than those.

Check out new tracks on their MySpace

Wolf Parade – [Title TBA]
Heard they might have a new album out this year. Wolf Parade's debut was incredible and Spencer Krug is involved, therefore I'm picking up the album. Even though Swan Lake wasn't as good as I'd hoped, Krug's songs were still great.

The Go! Team – [Title TBA]
Again, I'm not sure but I think it's about time. Avoided the first because of the hype, then regretted not picking it up sooner. Hopefully they can put something as catchy and positive as Thunder, Lightning, Strike and sell more cars - really, I don't care if they sell cars, just put out some new songs (that don't explicitly sell cars or whatever).

Panda Bear – Person Pitch
This is coming out in March and early reviews claim it's phenomenal. Early track releases back this up. And it's by Panda Bear, member of one of the finest bands around today. It's like Brian Wilson never died... wait a sec!

Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica

Interpol – [Title TBA]
I think this is coming out this year or their studio bills are going to be ginormous. They're batting two for two, as far as I'm concerned and am comfortable using sports metaphors. I'm really hoping the Antics haters don't force them to rehash their first album's songs, but since they could sell thousands of copies of just them sitting around talking about things they found in their car, I'm not worried.

future of the left– [Title TBA]
I will be talking about these guys a great deal on this site. Why? It's Falco from mclusky's new band. The late, great mclusky was a band that could write a hook in their sleep and make you like the song even it was making fun of you, which was highly probable. From the samples on their MySpace, future of the left will continue where mclusky left off (no pun fucking intended). Please support these guys if you can - Falco looks like he can't afford vittles lately. And if you're in SoCal and book acts, could you please, please bring these guys here? I'll throw in.

future of the left's Myspace - clicking on it will make my day

Running a blog, it's a good bet that I will spend most of the year talking about stuff coming out in 2007. Prelude, over.

Jesus and Mary Chain at Coachella!

HOLY CRAP - Friday night the Jesus and Mary Chain will be headlining at Coachella! The Jesus and Mary Chain! And some other bands! Woo!

Looking at the lineup, I'd say Friday and Saturday are the strongest. Rage is reuniting for Sunday, which makes me want to stay the hell away from the crowd that will be there for them. Friday with the Jesus and Mary Chain (that's three times I've mentioned that now) is a for sure thing. Let's see, I'll probably catch:
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Bjork (Mobbed, I'm sure - plus the tickets will fly)
Interpol (Still haven't seen these guys live)
Sonic Youth (WAIT A SEC, THEY'RE NOT HEADLINERS AND ARCTIC MONKEYS ARE?!)
Jarvis Cocker (Wish it was a Pulp reunion)
Tokyo Police Club
Maybe El-P

Saturday is also strong, but what's with the Chili Peppers? Not that they can't be amusing, but couldn't we get My Bloody Valentine to reunite or even 3rd Bass or something that won't fill Empire Field with Rage AND Chili Peppers fans. Will probably see:
The Arcade Fire
LCD Soundsystem
The Rapture (Man... Hated their last album, but their live show was great a few years back)
Blonde Redhead
New Pornographers (Neko coming?)
!!! (Their last Coachella performance was one of the best)
Hot Chip
Sparklehorse
Cornelius
Andrew Bird

Sunday has some good artists, but I don't really care about the headliners much. Okay, Air might be worth checking out (never have seen their live show), but the rest, really, not my thing and Rage is a cheap cash-in. If I were to go Sunday, it'd only be to see:
The Roots
Explosions in the Sky
Ratatat
Junior Boys
CSS
Klaxons
Tapes n Tapes
Lupe Fiasco

Sure, I'd wander around and walk into whatever sounded good, and sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, I bet most of the artists I'd go for would with my luck be playing at the same damn time or in the case of most Coachellas, cancelled after I bought tickets (fuck you for cancelling, Cocteau Twins, even though I still love your music). And I only stay at Coachella as long as there are bands worth fighting the crowds, traffic and unreasonable hotel rates for. This lineup still doesn't seem as strong as previous years, possibly because they've stretched it into three days. Nothing will ever beat the day I saw the Pixies and Radiohead and the Rapture and Kool Keith and MF Doom in the same night (and the Flaming Lips the next day). As I've said to many people before, I would pay a grand for tickets if they just got My Bloody Valentine to reunite. Dammit, Goldenvoice, make my dreams come true already!

Best of 2006 - Top 25 Albums, Final 10

Here goes the top 10, AKA the biggest pain in the ass to decide. Most of these have slid back and forth in number throughout 2006. They're all great albums that should be checked out, regardless of rank.

#10 Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
How many bands started over twenty years ago can say that they've not only remained active but also maintained their popularity and importance? Sonic Youth does not simply exist to play "Teen Age Riot" over and over and over again as a sad, self-parody, in fact they've put out some of their most critically acclaimed albums in this decade, including Rather Ripped. Rather Ripped finds the Youth turning out one of their more accessible albums here, meaning you don't have to be a Sonic Youth fan to enjoy the warm, driving guitar sounds that sound like they could be the soundtrack of a movie about the career of a fake band modeled after Sonic Youth.
#9 Wilderness - Vessel States
This was a very difficult album at first, in fact, it didn't really grab me until one day it all clicked and went on repeat. The instruments and singing on this album seem to go in all different directions, but if you listen carefully, they're extremely cohesive, moving around each other deftly and occasionally converging in an atomic fashion. What may sound discordant is actually a complex structure of mesmerizing tones and raw emotion. This is a band with energy, attention to detail and something to say. Vessel States is a forceful album, but also a cerebral one. It may take a few listens, but overall I think Wilderness' second album is not only better than their debut, but also better than it received credit for in the press this year.
Link To Wilderness - "Emergency"
#8 Icy Demons - Tears of a Clone
Wow. Icy Demons haven't been talked about much on music sites, but for what reason I have no idea. On their album, they take jazz, indie rock, pop, and experimental sounds, fuse them together into their own sound and create charming songs that are hard to categorize, but are nonetheless exciting and fun to listen to. Bands that create material that doesn't immediately recollect ten other similar albums are my favorite kinds of bands. For an example of their uniqueness, the second song about a snake called Mr. Squeezy combines bouncy strings, a jazz-ish acoustic guitar, and vocals reminiscent of XTC. As a bonus, the cover of the album is just as awesome as the music.
Link to Icy Demons' MySpace
#7 Chad VanGaalen - Skelliconnection
VanGaalen plays almost all the instruments on his song experiments and also does the album art and videos. I have no idea what else he's capable of, but as far as his songs go, I'm a huge fan. VanGaalen doesn't often repeat the same song idea twice, so his albums can generally cover all sorts of territory, but that's okay since almost everything he creates is worth hearing. VanGaalen journeys throughout the lo-fi experimental pop wilderness and collects another album's worth of delicious sounds. I'd rather he never puts together a focused album or concept album and just continually retreats to his isolation chamber/studio, exploring whatever musical inspiration grabs his fancy at the moment.

#6 Snowden - Anti-Anti
A lot of songs off Snowden's first album immediately hooked me and made me very grateful that I had stumbled upon the title track of this Atlanta band. It would be very easy to lump Snowden in with the New York Strokes-type band category, though Snowden doesn't appear to speak to the pretentious art-school hipsters, rather they come off as legitimately inspired by a lot of the same bands but build on the sound rather than rehash it. Great bass lines, riffs, and enthusiastic singing help lift the songs above so many similar bands, but thankfully the lyrics are actually saying something and aren't there to be cheekily ironic or give the singer something to do. A great debut that hopefully doesn't get lost amongst the next round of hipster iPod contestants.
#5 Asobi Seksu - Citrus
Bands inspired by the shoegaze sound are becoming more common, which is bringing back awareness of a genre that never got its due and most importantly the sound. Asobi Seksu released a lush, dreamy album in early 2006 and have been touring almost non-stop in support (hell, they even came through Costa Mesa!) The guitars, keyboard, and sugary vocals mix together in an instantly engaging dream pop that never loses its charm. All the songs on the album, including my favorite song of the year "Thursday", are beautiful examples of a band that takes its roots and combines them to form something as strong as their influences without merely mimicking them.
#4 Liars - Drum's Not Dead
I've been a fan of the Liars for a long time. It seems to strange to me that the music press would embrace Drum's Not Dead when it's along the lines of their last, great album, but I'm just happy that a band that makes music this unique is getting the credit it deserves. Drum's is a concept album, loosely, more of a movement that builds to something through each song and releases at the end. The recording process itself was experimental, recording in multiple studio environments to give each song a different texture. The tribal percussion and haunting vocals seem to indicate sinister conflict brewing, but the last song on the album washes away all the strife in a contrast I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of hearing before. The Liars have created an enigma that must be listened to from start to finish multiple times to truly appreciate the artistry of every song as it relates to the whole.

#3 TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
TV on the Radio are another band that sound little like other bands, not in an eccentric way, but in a "goddamn, how do they pull off such awesomeness in each song" kind of way. There is not a bad or even slightly worse than great song on the whole album. From mainstream to music blogs, TV on the Radio has been featured on almost every best of 2006 list because their sound isn't gimmicky, it's universally solid.

#2 Fleeting Joys - Despondent Transponder
Seems like recently if you make something that recalls The Arcade Fire's Funeral, you're instantly the next big thing. If you make a spiritual successor to My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, you're mostly ignored? Fleeting Joys hasn't been mentioned on a lot of year-end lists, and that's a shame. Despondent Transponder is a phenomenal resurrection of the classic shoegaze and My Bloody Valentine sound, even more so when you realize they got it so right on their first, self-produced album. Highly recommended for anyone who is still waiting for Kevin Shields to get the band back together.

#1 Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Spencer Krug is quickly becoming one of the most important people in music today. Sunset Rubdown is the second album he's been involved with that's been superlative from start to finish. When he says things like "I'm sorry that anybody dies" on "Stadiums and Shrines II", he convinces me of his sincerity. Spencer's vocals aren't the only draw, as the album also contains song structures that are accessible but complex, with lots of keyboards, guitars, and xylophones employed in the creation of stunning melodies that propel vivid images of myths and childhood fears within. If there's any album from last year that I'd happily put on almost any time of day for any reason, it's Shut Up I Am Dreaming, and I can't say that about most music. I greatly anticipate the next Spencer Krug project.

And that's it - thanks 2006! Next up, I'll be discussing my most anticipated albums of 2007, including whatever links I can dig up to set the hype fires.

Best of 2006 - Top 25 Albums

And finally, I come to the most frustrating of all lists - the top 25 albums. I've been really good this year about keeping up with most everything, so selecting a handful and actually ranking them was a feat. Of course, there will be many that sink in or get noticed several months from now, so I'm going to post a revised list in the Spring. Until then, here goes the first annual Coffee with Robots Top 25 Albums of the Year!

#25 Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
The first time I listened to this album, I thought it sounded off from Last Exit (which I loved) and was less impressed. The second time it was the middle of a sunny day, and that doesn't seem to go well with Junior Boys' music. The third time I was writing with it on in the background and not paying attention. Finally, after wondering why I wasn't getting into it, I just spent some time listening to it late one night, and it clicked. Sullen songs with smooth electronic beats, it's a great album to unwind to after a long, stressful week.
#24 Xiu Xiu - The Air Force
Xiu Xiu puts an album out almost every year, not a bad one yet but their last one was a bit difficult and less accessible than their work on Fabulous Muscles. The Air Force is reminiscent of some of their poppier songs on their last three albums, as poppy as their experimental electronic sounds and unorthodox instrumentation can stretch the definition of poppy. Keep it up, Jamie Stewart and the band!

#23 Thee More Shallows – Monkey VS Shark EP
Somewhat of a continuation of the sound and themes of More Deep Cuts, but since that was one of my favorites of 2005, that's not a bad thing at all. An appendix to that album, if you will, it went nearly ignored by the mainstream, like More Deep Cuts and like the band, for whatever criminal reason fate has chosen.
#22 Hot Chip - The Warning
Hot Chip has issued a warning and let me spell it out for you - they're going to make some fun music without getting too sloppy or stupid and they defy you to not like some of it. The more I listened to this album, the more I found myself singing along to the songs and enjoying another go around. I'm very much looking forward to their new album for the DFA coming out this year.

#21 The Knife - Silent Shout
A lot of sites gave this album of the year, and while I didn't agree, that doesn't mean I didn't dig it. This album is a lot like stumbling upon goblins at twilight and having them chase you through the frozen North. Afterwards, you're terrified and exhilirated, but at the same time, you kind want to go back and maybe do it again. Some really great tracks on this album and some that don't do anything so groundbreaking that it deserves a spot at the top - but that's my opinion.
#20 Built to Spill - You In Reverse
A very welcome suprise from Built to Spill after a several year album drought. Not only was it one of their best, it became an early contender for album of the year when it was released in the Spring. Consisting of a great many songs over the five minute mark, it suceeds at keeping these long song structures vibrant and engaging without padding them with repetition or noodling. Proves that guitar-driven alt rock is not finished.


#19 Professor Murder - Professor Murder Rides the Subway EP
Professor Murder delivers everything I was expecting from the Rapture's album (but didn't get) and makes me very excited to hear anything these guys might put out in the future. Parts !!!, Lucious Jackson, and Gang of Four, there's plenty of ass-shaking jams, hip hop beats, and frenetic cowbell to go around on their all-too brief but fun debut. Bonus points for taking their name from a Mr. Show sketch.
#18 Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
What can I say about Neko Case's voice that hasn't already been said... RED HONEY. These songs feel less like she's aping her favorites and finds her growing into her own as a songwriter. I think Neko Case could sing the alphabet and it would be haunting. Most importantly, of most of the "divas" out there, Neko Case's national treasure of a voice isn't machine enhanced.
#17 El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar
There's music that's sad and depressing, as well as plenty that's just histrionic whining, but it's rare to find an album that's sad but uplifting and still somehow poppy. Swede Sarah Assbring's delicate voice resonates bittersweet (heavy on the sweet) fragility as she ressurects the classic sound of 60's sha-la-la girl groups. It's the stuff of tears and smiles.

#16 Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Probably one of the most successful albums on this list and well-deserving, Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo team up for an instantly likable eccentric showcase of their respective production and soul-styling. You may have heard a little song called "Crazy", and if that was the only highlight of the album, it might have been a one-hit novelty, but damn if they don't mostly get it that right on every song. I'm definitely looking forward to future team-ups, including the rumored sequel to St. Elsewhere coming out this year.

#15 Jesu - Silver EP
Wow, this came to my attention recently, and I was truly addicted from the first song. On paper, Jesu shouldn't be this great - epic-length songs of blended metal, shoegaze, post-rock, ambient, industrial and experimental, the results could have gone wildly different. But here, Justin Broadrick expertly combines them to form hypnotic, gloomy beauty. Listening to the four songs (clocking in at almost 30 minutes) reveals something new and mesmerizing going on within each layer of dense instrumentation that goes into the lush drone of Jesu's sound each time. Silver has made Jesu's new full-length one of my most anticipated releases of 2007.
Link to Jesu's MySpace
#14 Danielson - Ships
At first, I was hesitant to check out Danielson because someone told me they were a Christian rock band, but it turns out that, like Starflyer 59, they're just Christians who are in a rock band. All it took was a listen to "Did I Step On Your Trumpet" and I had to check out their album, which is full of odd, energetic songs sung in Daniel Smith's unique sideshow announcer-like voice. Fun, polished and weird tracks with plenty of hooks and sing-along moments.
Link to Danielson's MySpace
#13 Matmos - The Rose Has Teeth, In the Mouth of A Beast
This was another recent acquisition and if there's one thing I love, it's eclectic collections of electronic whiz-bangery songs based on the theme of well-known gay artists and icons. Actually, this is the only album I posess like that, but it's damn good, and Matmos creates so many soundscapes with samples, standard beats, and unidentifiable sounds that there's sure to be something on the album that gets your attention. There is not one song that sounds like any of the others. It evokes the works it pays homage to and creates audio paintings of the subject matter. The chops displayed by Matmos on the album should serve as a high-water mark for all electronic and sample based musicians.
#12 Ratatat - Classics
How about we sell a song on a dog's bark - nah, been done. How about a cat's meow - nah, too soft. How about we throw down a beat that would make (old) Daft Punk proud and throw a fucking wildcat on top? Yeah, and that's just one of the great songs on Ratatat's newest album. A blend of electronic synth bleeps reminiscent of videogame music, plus a dance bass beat, and stitched together with effects pedal on guitar riffs, this album always offers up a new favorite song with each replay.
Link to Ratatat's MySpace
#11 The Flaming Lips - At War with the Mystics
It's not Yoshimi or Soft Bulletin, but it seems like most music sites and magazines dislike it for that. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed at first that the Lips did not remake Yoshimi. However, after many listens, I feel that the songs on their latest album are just as polished and tuneful as their last few albums, a bit different direction, but with some gorgeous, cosmic melodies throughout. Part planetarium show and part Seventies' FM, the songs here are not exactly competing with a lot of similar modern sounds. The fact is, the Lips do what they want - sometimes they go off towards an unpopular inspiration, but there are still very few artists that can match them for consistency, signature sound, and quirkiness. If the Lips only delivered albums as good as At War with the Mystics for the rest of their career, I wouldn't be disappointed at all.


To be completed soon...

Best of 2006 - Top 30 Songs

Why 30? Why not? I'll probably have some regrets, quibbles with placement as time goes on, but for now I commit my top 30 songs of 2006 to the internet FOREVER (or at least until rogue AIs send the robots after us and we're forced to create a massive EMP that fries every storage device on Earth, though my dreams are rarely prophetic).

30. Herbert – “Down”
Conjures up images of a nurse getting freaky as an operation goes bad... what?
29. Norfolk and Western – “A Gilded Age"
Banjos and electric guitar plus melody for a song you can't get out of your head.
28. Xiu Xiu – “Save Me Save Me”
27. Sound Team – “Born To Please”
26. Tapes & Tapes – “Insistor”
25. Neko Case – “That Teenage Feeling”
Neko acted as somewhat of a muse in 2006. This was my favorite off Fox Confessor.
24. Oh No! Oh My! – “Jane Is Fat”
JANE...IS...GET-TING...WAY...TOO...FAT! Or something like that.
23. Beck – “The Information”
I'm still not sure what to make of the album - love the beat on this track though.
22. Icy Demons – “Jump Off”
Great start to a weird and wonderful album - highly recommended.
21. Professor Murder – “Champion”
Holy crap, this could make anyone dance, even me!
20. Ratatat – “Gettysburg”
19. El Perro Del Mar – “Party"
I'd be lying if I said I didn't think it was hot that a girl like Sarah Assbring sings a song that's basically begging a guy to come over. It's also a sad, striking song... maybe do I have a conscience.
18. Built to Spill - "Goin' Against Your Mind"
17. The Knife – “We Share Our Mother’s Health”
16. Danielson – “Did I Step On Your Trumpet”
15. Mogwai – “Glasgow Mega Snake”
If the rest of the album had been this strong, it could've killed people. Unfortunately...
14. Thee More Shallows – “I Can’t Get Next To You”
I'm usually not a fan of covers unless the band takes a song and makes it completely their own, which is what Thee More Shallows (AKA the most super underrated band of today) does, to great effect.
13. Matmos – “Roses and Teeth For Ludwig Wittgenstein”
12. Sunset Rubdown – “The Men Are Called Horses There”
This is a powerful song with something ancient and mythic within it. There's fucking too.
11. Hot Chip – “Over & Over”
Profoundly repetitious.
10. Peter Bjorn and John - "Young Folks"
This song is catchy as all hell with a video that's just as sweet. Stateside release in February.
9. CSS – “Alala”
Alala Alala, I'm so worried, I have this song in my head but I still feel unhip.
8. Fleeting Joys – “While I’m Waiting”
This song is so sublime - optimistic but with a heavy feeling of loss evoked. Seemingly simple, it tends to bring out much in the listener every time it plays.
7. Sonic Youth – “Jams Run Free”
From the melody, to the guitars dancing around each other, to Kim's voice, I love everything about this song.
6. Snowden – “Walk Like Bullets”
This also has personal relevance to me, being somewhat of a theme for a writing project. Exudes cool and danger with a catchy melody - a damn fine song all around.
5. Liars – “The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack”
The end track to an exhilirating album. Like the calm after a storm. A beautiful song that inspires hope that everything will be okay in a non-Wil Smith movie sort of way.
4. Oneida – “Up With People”
Oneida attacks with a laser hook that knocks lesser songs the fuck out. This song's crunchy sonics and dance tempo are better than an energy drink at revitalizing the room.
3. Love Is All - “Felt Tip”
Great bassline, cute lyrics, goes down smooth. It's like the song version of an innocent first date between middle school students.
2. TV on the Radio – “I Was A Lover”
From the first time I heard this I was hooked and immediately repeated it multiple times. What are those noises - elephants, french horns, high-speed winds, sitars... this song has everything. Tight production and Tunde's vocals always make for a good song.
1. Asobi Seksu – “Thursday”
This was my favorite of 2006. From the time I heard it, I had a feeling it would not be dethroned. Yuki's voice is ethereally beautiful as it calls out from layers of warm, dreamy sounds. Asobi Seksu's shoegaze and pop mix is nearly always refreshing, and on "Thursday" it's majestic. If you check out one song from this list, make it this one.

WHEW... That took longer than I thought. Years are long! Albums to come starting tomorrow, followed by months of readjustment.

Best of 2006 - Odds and Ends

Before I post my favorite songs and albums of 2006, here’s the odds and ends of 2006 to give me time to make sure my list complies with music blog standards.

Favorite Collections

mclusky – Mcluskyism

Oh, man, I’m still reeling from the mclusky breakup, but this collection of b-sides, rarities/unreleased material, greatest hits, and a live show was the greatest thing Falco and the guys could’ve done for their fans. Not only was it comprehensive, it was cheap - $12 bucks on sale. No hunting for obscure songs – they’re all here, even stuff the band didn’t remember recording. This album should serve as the new requirement for bands that split. Thanks, mclusky, your music and this collection is the reason you guys were one of the greatest bands of this decade.

Cocteau Twins – Lullabies to Violaine Volume 1&2

I hate tracking down obscure stuff from my favorite artists, so I was ecstatic to hear Cocteau Twins were releasing all their b-sides and rarities on four discs. Okay, the Xmas songs were a little embarrassing, but they still included them. If only more defunct bands would compile their rare stuff for old and new fans. Hopefully this and the mclusky release will start a trend.

Most Welcome Reissue(s)

The Jesus and Mary Chain Reissues

About time to expose a younger generation to these. I couldn’t even find Darklands before the reissue.

Wrens – Seacaucus

Wrens – Silver

No longer do you have to pay $6000 dollars or whatever the Wrens’ older albums were going for on eBay. Now if they’d only release a new album before The Meadowlands gets so old that it needs a reissue.

Les Savy Fav – 3/5

Another great band whose entire catalog can now be bought nice and legal.
Best Album Not From 2006 Discovered in 2006

Disco Inferno – Technicolour

How did I miss this one? I happened to fortunately hear the song “It’s a Kid’s World” and I was instantly scrambling for all Disco Inferno related tracks. This album from the far, far before time of 1996 does not disappoint. If I had been keeping a music site from way back then, I would edit my top ten of ’96 to include this album, plus erase all the stupid stuff I wrote as a way too serious college kid.

High Expectations Dashed

The Rapture – Pieces of the People We Love

This was my biggest “what the fuck happened?” album of the year. All of the Rapture’s previous albums frequently blast out of my speakers and I’ve told gushing tales of their live show, but this… this is insulting to long time fans and people with IQs over 100. The Rapture’s never been a strong band for lyrics, but PotPWL’s lyrics are so bad that you can’t ignore them. And while there’s a weak revamp of “House of Jealous Lovers”, there’s nothing close to that quality track. Also, there’s a song on the album that was undoubtedly created to get some sweet commercial money from a certain car company. It also finishes weaker and, after some thirty blank punish you for buying the CD tracks, there’s a “cleverly” hidden bonus track that you’ll never wait to listen to again. Music sites and bloggers that want to hate on some former indie darlings should think about leaving Trail of Dead to tend to their wounds and line up to cock punch The Rapture.

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – So Divided

Trail of Dead have become the band to scorn in indie rock. After releasing Source Tags and Codes, absolutely nothing they would do would be seen as essential or even worthwhile compared to their third album. Well, I have a confession to make – I liked World’s Apart. There, I said it. And you know what, even So Divided has a few songs that make it worth listening to, but at the same time, it’s no Source Tags and Codes and feels like exactly what it is – an EP with some padding. I really hope the band doesn’t disband or kill themselves before releasing a more focused album that doesn’t try so hard.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones

Having loved Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ EPs and lots of songs on their full-length debut, I was a bit underwhelmed by Show Your Bones. Karen O seemed to lack the energy of their past stuff and the songs seemed more Radio Disney friendly. Show Your Bones wasn’t terrible, it just lacked the raw energy or hooks of some of their earlier stuff.

Prefuse 73 – Security Screenings

Prefuse 73/Guillermo Scott Herren has done some great songs/albums in the past. I can’t remember really being blown away by anything on Security Screenings, even after listening to it several times. Here’s hoping the next effort reaches the heights of One Word Extinguisher.

The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth

I like The Strokes, despite whatever hit to indie cred that might bring. First Impressions of Earth had two major flaws, it needed to be edited down to a tighter set of songs and Julian Cassavetes’ vocals needed to be lost in the mix rather than the focus. This wasn’t a terrible album, just an okay one that could have been much better.

The Stills – Without Feathers

What can I say about this but… I really have nothing to say. The Stills debut was a welcome surprise, one that I listened to quite a lot. Without Feathers… I paid almost nothing for it in a certain late chain store’s closing sale and I now know why there were stacks of these left. An exercise in forgettable.

Good Album, Horrible Album Cover

Mew – And the Glass Handed Kites

Mew… step away from the photoshop! If Mew had scrawled “Mew”, maybe misspelled it even, in crayon, it would have made for a better cover. I almost didn’t pick up this album because of the cover. Whose idea was that? They should be forced to wallpaper their house with that image.

Don't want to post the image, let the song sell the album

Great Album, Terrible Title

Mission of Burma – The Obliterati

No, really, it’s good – it’s friggin’ Mission of Burma! I saw stacks of these sitting at the Tower clearance and I almost wanted to force them upon folks.
Donna Sumeria

Best Concert Attended

Eels at the Galaxy

It started off with the surprisingly catchy songs of the adorable band Smoosh, then headed into strange territory when a circus strongman of a roadie stood in front of the audience menacingly, then truly a spectacle when E entered in welder goggles and a jumpsuit launching into Old Shit/New Shit. Since I live in Orange County, getting an act like the Eels to concern themselves with putting on a show and performance to a bunch of dinner crowd types sitting at tables instead of standing in front of the stage, well, I’m definitely going to catch their next show no question in appreciation.

Least Welcome Disband of 2006

Out Hud

NOOOOOOO! Where will I get my white boy dance music that I won’t actually dance to fix now? I guess there’s always !!!, but both of Out Hud’s albums belied their cover art and were composed of some of the most fantastic dance/rock/electronic beats of this decade. Was it money? See kids, this is who it hurts when you buy that Angels and Airwaves record instead of a brand new copy of S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Most (Undeservedly) Hyped Band of 2006

Arctic Monkeys

These guys are important? No, no, no… seriously?

Retire This Rhyme, Please

“love, heaven above”

And variations of. Guess what, it’s been done A LOT, there are other words that rhyme with love, shove, dove, mud, C.H.U.D. – whatever, just strike this lyric when you’re meth-staring at the cocktail napkin in the studio and throw in a guitar solo or a human beatbox or an unidentifiable electronic noise or a censored sound to make people think they missed something good.

...Songs and albums to follow shortly.

Cheap CD of the Week

Just came back from Best Buy where this week they're offering CSS' Cansei De Ser Sexy for $6.99. That's pretty damn cheap compared to anywhere else in the world (talking legally now). If you haven't already gotten this song stuck in your involuntarily singing brain circuit, click this link:

Just what the internet needs, more music blogs...

Right, so I thought about it and I felt that if I was actually going to ponder music, compile lists, and suggest music to people, I might as well make it public - and so, Coffee with Robots (because all the cooler names were taken) was created. Over the course of the next [span of time] I'm going to be posting first my 2006 year-end lists and then start posting about shit I'm looking forward to in 2007.

If you're reading this, wow, how the hell did you get here? I'd think about changing my internet travel agent.

More to come...