#12 Album of 2014, COPE by Manchester Orchestra

My love for all things Bad Books and Kevin Devine are well documented on this blog...  one part of the Bad Books is composed of members that perform in a band called Manchester Orchestra.

I listened to a number of tracks off of Cope in advance of the album coming out and I wasn't quite sure what to make of it really... 

The album sorta drips with a specific sound.  A loud, crunchy, guitar power chord buffet that reminded me of Jimmy Eat World's BLEED AMERICAN...

It wasn't until I caught them live that I realized this album and more importantly the sound within is more like a very focused Built to Spill record.   I've listened to this album a number of different ways... at home on my turntable, in my car while driving, live in concert and mainly on headphones.

The album kinda captured a specific window of time for me in early 2014 and I think that's why I look back on it so fondly.  The band later went on to re-record this album in an acoustic setting and released it as HOPE.

That release felt a little self indulgent... despite having beautiful re-arrangements.  If I re-numbered my top 20 this afternoon, I think this would have slipped a number of slots.

Recommended tracks:

COPE.jpg

#13 Album of 2014, So Long, See You Tomorrow by Bombay Bicycle Club

At the height of my Album A Day music project, I ran across a single for this album - earmarked the release date for it - secured my copy, found myself listening to the album around the clock and was kinda gobsmacked when I saw a number of critics shit on the record.

If memory serves me correctly a few people felt their sound has changed considerably in hopes of striking through with a larger audiences.

I'm not really sure what to make of that assessment...  the album is well balanced and to my ears, delivered with incredible intentions to reward the band and anyone who takes time to listen to it.

It's catchy as all get out and it's one of the best albums to have on when sharing drinks with friends on a patio... 

Recommended Tracks:

#14 Album of 2014, Built on Glass by Chet Faker

I kinda committed to my top 20 albums of 2014 in late November, share that list with friends and have realized that I will never do that again.  I had originally planned to pen 20 thoughtful entries about albums I really loved thru Mid December so that I wouldn't be sitting in front of a computer screen on X-Mas Eve - hammering out little blurbs to meet a self imposed deadline.

I also found myself listening to albums like this one a lot in recent weeks so that I can get familiar with it again.  After many, many listens at the office it's occurred to me that this should could have crashed my top 10 albums of the year.

I'm not going to spend to much time describing the sound of the album or the genre this kinda music falls into...  The record is amazing and I can see myself listening to this for many years to come.

Pour a glass of your favorite tipple, sit incredibly close to a loved one and play this in the background.   Sparks will occur and you will thank me and the musical stylings of Chet Farker later.

#15 Album of 2014, Memory Palace by Stone Cold Fox

Memory Palace will always have a soft spot in my heart for being the record I wanted to share with everyone on my blog before the Summer kinda got away from me and my Album a Day project went to shit.

Stone Cold Fox sorta has a Generationals, Foxtrot and Britt Daniel of Spoon kinda feel to it...  this album dropped right before the start of the summer and I remember thinking that this was going to soundtrack my Summer after launching STORIS.

I ended up falling in love and the soundtrack to my summer took another turn...  I kinda wonder what would have happened to this record and how I would think back on it if I listened to it all throughout the summer, fall and winter?   I think it would have influenced me to listen to albums with a similar pop toot sensibility and I think my top 10 would look incredibly different.

This album has amazing potential within it and I suspect I'm going to be hearing deep cuts from it on Movie Soundtracks in the years to come.

Stand out tracks:


    #16 Album of 2014, Deep Fantasy by White Lung

    One of the best things about picking up albums on Vinyl this year was seeing a number of full lengths get released on 45 speed.   Deep Fantasy by White Lung is a 22 minute assault on the senses that hits all the right notes at all the right times.

    It's great to see this album recognized on so many Album of the Year polls this December.  It's genuinely well deserved.  

    #17 Album of 2014, Trouble by Hospitality

    I discovered Hospitality by accident a few years ago and I earmarked the band name in hopes of picking up their debut  album if I ever saw it in a record store.  Earlier this year, they released a follow up record and I picked it up on vinyl after streaming a few songs and instantly falling in love with it's chilled out production.

    In many ways it reminds me of a Rolling Stones recording, specifically the song Going Out - a song that I would often describe to my friends as the greatest song that Metric never wrote.

    I out on catching them perform in Austin earlier in the year and they sit atop my list of artists I hope to catch live in 2015...  If you haven't had a chance to check this album yet - I can't stress how incredible it is.


    Reality Fantasy: Real World Skeletons | Week 1 - the Roomies Arrive

    The first episode of Real World Skeletons aired last night and I have a lot of thoughts and reactions to share on this season’s cast…  The show’s format is nearly identical to last year in respect to the look and feel of the show.  They’re going to go beyond the realm of “ex’s” to bring in siblings, stalkers and baby mamas?

    The show is a total departure of the show I grew up watching in the 90’s.  Specifically in the IQ and general “social awareness” department… 

    While watching the show last night, I mentioned to Rhiannon that there was a character last year by the name of Cory.  He was one dimensional in that he was interested in getting with girls and working out.

    Three male cast members were introduced last night and I couldn’t help but feel that they too were one dimensional.   If a riot or protest broke out into the streets of Chicago during the taping of this show - not only would these cast mates not care to become involved - they don’t strike me as a collection of people who have pulse on current events.

    I know this sounds incredibly critical of people I’ve only seen on TV for an hour… but the show is no longer looking to looking to make any form of social commentary.  Unless they’re documenting the fall of Rome, which is the only reason I watch this show.  This show showcases our darkest reflection.

    But enough about that shit, lets get to the BALLERZ of the WEEK.

    Violetta - 55 points
    I have nothing but mad respect for Violetta.  Not only did she arrive at the Real World House in a slutty dress but the first thing she unpacked was a bottle of Cuervo.  She took it out of a clutch that was designed to carry and only carry a bottle of Cuervo.

    When she wasn't impressing me with her boozy ways, Violetta dropped her bottom lip and let us all know that she's THUG LIFE 4 life.  I need the internets to make Violetta and I friends in real life.  Lets make this happen people. 

    Was anyone else amazed by how small she was in real life?  This is actually something that Rhiannon brought up while we watched the show together.  While laying in the swing bed with Date Rape Bruno (more on why I call him that in a minute) - regular sized bracelets fall all the way down to her fucking elbows.

    Violetta straight up came out to play last night.

    20 points for being drunk
    5 points verbal fighting
    10 points throwing coat rack
    5 points kissing bruno
    5 points kissing Sylvia 
    10 points unintentional nudity

    Honorable Mentions - 
    Nicole -25 points     (got hammered and passed out)
    Sylvia - 25 points (carefully put together 25 by way of kissing multiple people 10 points, 10 points for being drunk, 5 points verbal fight with Madison)

    Date Rape Bruno - 20 points - Bruno, aka #1 pick of the 2014 Real World Reality Fantasy Draft - displayed some big time 'point production potential'.  He kissed half of the women in the house within 24 hours of moving in and it kinda felt like he wanted to close in on Madison while he kicked it in the hot tub - promising to keep all of her dark secrets. 

    He may have banged Sylvia in the confessional and we were tipped off to this possibility because we saw him putting his belt back on before they cut to commercial.

    The thing that intrigued me most about Bruno last night was his interactions with the girls when he split up fights.  He kinda pulled them uncomfortably close to him to calm them down and potentially slip his tongue into their heads.  The thing that really felt slimy was his decision to hang back when the roommates went out to the second bar so he can try and creep on Violetta.   She asked him if he wanted to cuddle and told him they would never hook up...  this made him visibly disappointed.

    The biggest reason for me calling him Date Rape Bruno, was the awkward conversation he had with Violetta the following morning after hitting up the bar.  Violetta said she didn't know what happened to her the night before... she thought she was ok and then got crazy drunk and felt it.  The same Violetta who started drinking Cuervo at noon the first day into the house...

    Anyhoo - Bruno made a joke that was something to the effect of  "I roofied you".  

    How crazy is that?

    Real World Skeletons and the return of Reality Fantasy League

    There’s a pretty good chance that you didn’t know that Real World Skeletons returns to MTV this evening…  as luck would have it, I did and I’m brining Reality Fantasy back from the DEAD.

    I got a few co-workers to participate in a live draft a few weeks ago and here are the results of the draft.

    Link to the Rules and Teams/Point Totals: Here

    We drew cards to determine the following draft order:

    • Team Hurricane RhiRo
    • Team Mercernaries
    • Team Launders

    With the first pick of the reality fantasy draft, Team Hurricane RhiRo selected cast member BRUNO.  His online bio, leads us to believe that he’s certified nuts and he will single handedly bring home another Reality Fantasy Trophy.   The second pick of the draft, called on Team Mercernaries to pick up cast member SYLVIA.  She ranked #4 in our draft board and I kinda felt like this was a reach by Ashley…  I’m hoping all my years of watching the show will pay off.  Jaime picked third in the draft and selected cast member NICOLE for team Launders.  Nicole is kinda tricky because her bio was kinda scant on details…  we know that she’s a lesbian but we don’t really know much beyond that and she appears to be athletic. 

    Each team went on to select a 2nd cast member… much to my surprise – Bruno fell into the second round and I’m pretty sure we have solidified our case for first place.  Guys are historically more combative and promiscuous on the show – so we should be dialing up big time points this season.

    Scores and recaps to follow every Tuesday night.

    #18 Album of 2014, Tomorrow's Hits by the Men

    One of my go to records in 2014 has been "Tomorrow's Hits" by the Men.  This album was actually recorded a number of years ago but it was released earlier in the year making it the third incredible release by the band in as many years.

    When I saw the album covered I wondered if It was going to be dripping with Big Star influence... which it doesn't exactly have, but it does have a lot of southern 70's rock feel tho'.

    I had the privilege of catching them perform most of the album at the Mohawk when they were opening for the Cloud Nothings earlier this year and it was one of those performances that kinda help you look back at an album more fondly.


    #19 Album of 2014, Habibi by Habibi

    Do you remember the opening moments of Ghost World starting Thora Birch?  She's in her bedroom watching the iconic dance number (Jaan Pehchan Ho)  from the movie Gumnaam?

    Thora Birch's character is letting is in the privacy of her bedroom, wearing a graduation gown and bedroom dancing like no ones business.  That's what I feel like on the inside when I listen to this album.

    It's equal parts Ramones & Sleater-Kinney...  11 tracks weighing just under 30 minutes that will win you over in one complete listen.

    I learned about the album, by way of a friend (Sonia, where the hell are you?  We need to get coffee and catch up) earlier this year and I instantly hooked when I heard the song: I Got the Moves. 

    I noticed a song on the album titled Detroit Baby and wondered why they name checked so many familiar locations such as Woodward Avenue.  Turns out the band originated from Dearborn, Michigan - a small city that neighbors the Motor City.

    I've been singing their praises throughout the year so it's truly no surprise to see this album sneak into my top 20 releases.  I've been listening to it a little more regularly in recent days before taking time to pen this entry.  I forgot how infectious this album was to have on in the background.

    Highly recommend having this on when getting ready to go out for the night and getting your pre-drink on in your home.  It's also really great for Ghost World/Bedroom Dancing too.

    Standout Tracks:

    Artist: Habibi
    Produced: Jay Heiselmann, Eric Cambell
    Recorded: Death by Audio
    Label: Burger Records