Contrast Podcast Best of 2009 (So Far) Part 2

     It's a mouthful, but it has to be said: today's episode of the contrast podcast finishes looking at the best of 2009 (so far) part two. My pick (Fanfarlo) was in last week's show but you should definitely check it out this week, too, which you can do right here. Next week we're moving on and the theme will be "Yes," so please say yes and join in the fun.

     I've been thinking a bit more about what I consider the best of 2009 and to tell you the truth, two of my favorite albums thus far are from 2008! If I'd heard Amanda Palmer's Who Killed Amanda Palmer and Windmill's Puddle City Racing Lights when they came out last year, they definitely would have been on my top-ten list. It hasn't stopped me from listening to them this year, of course, but I can't put them on any year-end lists.

     I've picked up some new stuff as well, including The Decemberists' The Hazards of Love and Maria Taylor's LadyLuck, both of which are good but probably won't be in my top-ten either.

     The Hazards of Love is actually quite wonderful, musically. I liked the instrumentation immediately and being that I'm a big fan of Colin Meloy, I love his vocals and also those of Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) who sings a few songs.

     My issues are with the lyrics and the repetition. Now, I understand it's a concept album, almost like an opera of sorts in that there's a story and repeating themes, both musically and lyrically. But there's too much of it. I think the album could be shortened by about a third and it would hold my interest much better. Either that or be sung in a language I don't understand so that I wasn't as aware of all the repetition! So I probably won't be putting it on very often by choice but if it comes up randomly on shuffle I certainly won't turn it off.

     Maria Taylor's LadyLuck is also a decent record, with a few really good songs, but on the whole it's too over-produced for my taste. There are songs that practically sound like Muzak, with strings that are so over-laden with schmaltz that it makes my teeth hurt. I really like her better when she pares things down and keeps the production to a minimum.

     What does that leave for today? Well, I can't say for sure that the album will be on my year-end best-of list (I just ordered it so haven't heard it in full), but I'm really enjoying this song by Canadian Invasion. It's extremely catchy, very clever jangly guitar pop (shades of R.E.M.). And despite their name, they're from the Philadelphia area. I first heard of them through A Free Man, who lives in Australia. Funny how sometimes it takes someone from around the globe to point out what's in your own backyard!

Canadian Invasion--"Standing on the Shoulders of the Carcass of John Mayer" mp3 off Three Cheers for the Invisible Hand (buy) Whatever you may think of the music, you've got to love the name of this song.

tags: contrast podcast  

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