Looking Forward

    After putting up my favorite albums of 2006, I thought I'd venture in the other direction by making a list of personal disappointments from this year. But then I changed my mind. After all, I'm trying to be more positive and not dwell on the negative, right? Right.
    So instead, I'm going to mention a few bands/artists that I'm looking forward to hearing from in 2007. If you really want to see the albums that disappointed me, go here. Otherwise, let's look forward.
    Andrew Bird has got a new album coming up, and I'm certainly excited about that. 2005's Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs is something I can listen to and be soothed and entertained by at the same time, a really glorious record. The new one is called Armchair Apocrypha and should come out in March. Here's a video of him playing "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" live at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville, back in Nov. 2005. It's pretty amazing how he does it all by himself, what with the looping and the whistling and so on.
Andrew Bird--"A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" mp3 off Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs (buy)
    John Vanderslice has also been in the studio, according to his website. Pixel Revolt was one of my top-ten favorites of 2005, and he is one of my favorite songwriters, so it will be great to have something new from him. Last year at this time, I remember reading about the influence John Darnielle (of the Mountain Goats) had on his last record, and vice versa, and I remember thinking, who IS this John Darnielle and what's the big deal? I'm so much better educated this time around that I'm sorta amazed myself.
John Vanderslice--"The Kingdom" mp3 only available on vinyl release of Pixel Revolt (buy) (it's also on his website, I cannot tell a lie)
    If you've been reading my blog for very long, you'll know I'm fairly obsessed with Moonbabies (in a good way, of course). They've been working on their next release for several months and according to Ola, it should be out in March (whether that's Europe only or the US too, I don't know). I have one cut from it, which appeared on a compilation disc I have (see below). However, chances of the final edit ending up just like this one are slim, as I think Ola and Carina like to mess around extensively with their sound.
Moonbabies--"Take Me to the Ballroom" mp3 off It's a Trap! Reader's Companion Vol. 2 (buy)
    My favorite album of all last year, which actually came out in 2005, was Cloud Cult's Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus, and they are releasing their new one in April. It's called The Meaning of 8, and they'll "tour extensively" in support of it from March to May. According to them, the record will be available for pre-sale online only in late January but won't show up in stores until April.
    Do you know the Cloud Cult backstory? Aside from being one of the most environmentally conscientious bands on the planet, founder and lead singer/songwriter/frontman Craig Minowa has been dealt some big blows personally. He lost his son when he was only about 2 years old, after which his marriage fell apart. Two of their albums, They Live on the Sun and Aurora Borealis, deal extensively with that pain. Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus, however, is a work that moves beyond the devastation into hope. He's able to find meaning and look forward in spite of everything he's been through. He's my hero.
Cloud Cult--"Living On the Outside of Your Skin" mp3 off Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus (buy) This song is a must for those of us trying to regroup and rebuild.

tags: andrew bird  john vanderslice  moonbabies  cloud cult  

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