The Year In Review

 These have been the top 10 albums I've enjoyed this year. They are listed in no particular order. So, enjoy!

1. Sigur Ros- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Splium Endalaust

I had heard about this band through the wire and saw an add for their MOMA concert on Current. This is a pretty solid album. I loved the ambience through out the record.  "Festival" is a great song. It's about nine and a half minutes long. It starts off slow and finishes off with a huge orchestra and trumpets blasting in the back round. One great song among many more.

2. Hostage Calm- Lens

Hostage Calm is an excellent band that recently rose out of the ashes of another local CT favorite, At All Costs. I'm not into too much hardcore/ punk but this is definitely one of my favorites. Fast, melodic, and energetic are only a few words to describe this album. Some of my favorites off the album would have to be "Audible," "400,000 ," and "(I'm Left With All These) Holes."  This band also has a stellar live performance. 

3. Via Audio- Say Something

Ok, so this album came out during 2007 but is one of my favorites. Everything I've ever heard from this band has been flawless. All the members shine in this album. Awesome band. The only way I can do justice to this album is to tell you to check it out!

4. The Fad- Kill Punk Rock Stars

Another 2007 album!? I listened to this a lot this past year. Sadly, this band has since broken (So bummed about missing their last show(s)!) I've been following this band for a while. They've always had awesome energy and had a unique sound that blended both punk and ska. Kill Punk Rock Stars is full of a lot of catchy songs like "Creepshow" and "Oil Spills." I suggest you get your hands on this album if you can!

5. Balkan Beat Box- Nu Med

Imagine if you went to a Bar/ Bat Mitzvah party but instead of a shitty DJ your synagogue's klezmar band is a New Orleans brass band thats playing middle eastern and electronic music. Oh, and just like your Torah portion,  you can't understand a damn word! This is an awesome album that I've definitely fallen in love with.

6. Tomar Yosef- Laughing From Underground

This album came out in the U.S. recently. If you like Nu Med, you will definitely love Laughing From Underground. If the name doesn't sound familiar, Yosef is one of the energetic singers of Balkan Beat Box. His solo stuff is equally as good if not better. Tomar blends rap and reggae to make an amazing album. Singing in both Hebrew and Arabic (at least I think so for the latter), it is definitely a lot of fun to listen too.

7. Caddywhompus- Self Titled EP

New Orleans based duo, Caddywhompus, is a very promising band. I love their recent release. I have yet to see these guys live and can't wait. Their EP is available for free download at www.caddywhompusband.com . Check it out!

8. Safety- A Season Of Bad Dreams

Safety hails from Tampa, FL. They often come to New Orleans and I love the new EP. The recording is great quality, the riffs are catchy, and the lyrics at times emotionally charging. I dig it. This EP is also available for free download at Community Records (www.communityrecords.org). If you like Lens, you'll like this as well.

9. Man Man

I had a hard time picking one album by this band so I'm just going to tell you to check both of the following albums. I've been listening to Six Demon Bag (released in 2006) for a majority of the year and recently picked up Rabbit Habits. I enjoy both albums a lot. Man Man was tons of fun to see at Voodoo Fest. I can't wait to see this band again!

10. Fatter Than Albert- The Last Minute

Fatter Than Albert (affectionately referred by many as FTA) recently released their new album this fall. The sound quality is SO good and really does justice to their live performance, music, and energy. FTA puts a unique New Orleans twist on ska that only they can do. Download it free or buy the record from them at Community Records (www.communityrecords.org).

Sonic Boom Six

Yesterday I saw a great band. Sonic Boom Six, a band with an eclectic mix of styles that range from reggae, hip-hop, punk, ska, and dance music. I had been waiting to see them for quite a while since I missed them when they played at a few of Public Access' last shows last spring. Needless to say, their set was a lot of fun. And they are all very nice people! Check out this band! 

Sonic Boom Six

In other news, I'm playing trombone in a band called Maddie Ruthless and the Champagne Players. We're playing a show this Friday and you should come! Here is the information if you're interested:

Friday, November 21st

Dragon's Den

New Orleans, LA

The Duppies

The Stellaphonics

Maddie Ruthless and the Champagne Players

$5 

8PM

Be there!

-Zack

Via Audio

Via Audio. This is a band I've been following for quite a long time. Since I got their self-titled EP a few years back I've been hooked on them ever since. 

They're all really talented musicians who have a knowledge of many different instruments. I've only seen them twice but was throughly impressed each time. Anyhow, I'm here to talk about their most recent album Say Something. This album was released last year but could easily carry the title of one of  best indie albums in 2008.

The album starts out with "Developing Active People," one of their first songs that was also on their self-titled. This song has a very melancholy feel to it but at the same time it holds a certain warmth to it.

Modern Day Saint is a great song on this album. The song is actually about the lead singer of the band, Modern Day Saint, Dan Lang-Gunn. Back in 2004, Dan suffered an arrhythmia and cardiac arrest (I could be wrong, correct me if I am!) during his bands set. He's alive and well but suffered a lot brain damage. This song is dedicated to him, telling this story and telling him to hang on. I personally think this is a beautiful song. Via Audio along with many bands, promoters, and labels in the northeast have gotten to together and showed so much support for this guy. I find that a great thing and this song is a shining example of people coming together, supporting a friend, and showing their love.

We Can Be Good and Presents are two songs I think will really strike listeners well. They remind me of true love, happiness and the struggle to find it. 

Collaboration is another one of my favorites. The chorus that band member Jessica Martins sings "I need friends, family, and security..." is a powerful line, mentioning some basic human needs and desires that I think is fair to say we all want. A very beautifully written song that you need to hear to appreciate.

These were only a few tracks that struck me but the album is a gold mine. I suggest you buy it! The CD is available on SideCho records and on their myspace, website, and online store! 

Check them out! I sincerely hope you enjoy this band as much as I do! 

www.viaaudio.net

www.myspace.com/viaaudio

-Zack

*Photo taken from Via Audio myspace/ website. Photo by Lev Kuperman.