Archive for December, 2009
Modern Mystery’s Top 25 Albums of 2009
1. The Wooden Birds-Magnolia
From the ashes of the classic indie band, American Analog Set, rose a new project from former frontman, Andrew “AK” Kenny, called The Wooden Birds. Shifting completely everything he’s done musicially, AK has come out with one of the most surprising releases of the year. Creating a record that is more folk than rock, no songs on the album contain any drums what-so-ever. The bass and vocals really take off and captivate you, the listener. The live sets of the song also include Matt Pond on guitar along with songstress Leslie Sisson. I’m not sure I’ve heard such a heart felt and warm record in the past 10 years.
2. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
It’s been a long time since we heard from The Strokes as a unified band. A lot of fans were hesitant on the thought of a solo album by the charasmatic leader, Julian Casablancas, putting out music that doesn’t resemble his band at all. What a surprise it was when we found he took his love for a bit of 1980’s dance and incoporated it with his unforgettable voice and lyrics. The end result? One of the coolest records of the year. We’d expect no less from him.
3. James Husband- Parallax 1
It took 10 years for multi-instrumentalist and drummer from Of Montreal, James Husband, to create his solo album masterpiece. Husband is in the spotlight for the first time in his career and wow, is he certainly taking advantage of it. Providing one of the best indie pop records of the past year, he lets out a 60’s retro sound that no one can mess with. The end result is something as charming as it seems. Raw, catchy, and glorious.
4. Alvin Band-Mantis Preying
Rick Schaier is not only an amazing drummer and artist, but he is also an extremely talented singer and songwriter. Schaier who spends most of his time playing drums in The Miniature Tigers has begun a new chapter in his book in the form of ‘Alvin Band,’ this year and completely blew our minds. Blending a retro sound with updated electronics, this is one album you should pick up if you haven’t yet. The catchy hooks and vocals will only leave you wanting more. That my friends, is a good thing!
5. Bishop Allen- Grrr
It’s been a long night since Bishop Allen gained attention by two teenagers named Nick and Norah, and fans were at the edge of their seat wondering what the Brookyln line up would come up with next. Taking a further step into their brilliant indie pop sound, the band did not disappoint at all with Grrr. See it as the next chapter in the Bishop Allen movie, one that is bound to have many sequels in store.
6. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you may have heard of a little band called Grizzly Bear. Somehow exploding this year, it was certainly one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2009. Every song is flawless. Catchy yet moody. Beautiful in every way. This album describes itself better than anyone ever could.
7. Bat for Lashes- Two Suns
Completely out of left field, the lovely miss Natasha from Bat for Lashes surprised us all this year with making a stunning, charming, and beautiful record. The combination of her voice and the spacey background music is enough to send chills down your spine. And it does just that. The haunting track “Daniel” captivated the attention of many, and the rest of the album is able to keep you around.
8. Flight of the Conchords-I Told You I Was Freaky
Yes, they are known for writing ‘funny’ songs, but on this record, FOTC became even witty and even more advanced it seems in their writing. Their songs, even though the lyrics are mostly ‘silly’, are composed perfectly from start to end. Jermaine and Bret are really on top of their game with this record. We can’t wait to hear more!
9. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
This band always makes a great record, and their 2009 hit was no different. Everyone wanted a piece of Phoenix and boy, did they get them. This classic indie dance pop record was a must have for everyone who ‘knew what’s cool.’ Apparently, this was the world.
10. Girls-Girls
An unlikely hit, this retro indie duo shocked us all with such a raw and appealing debut album. This lo-fi record filled with melodies, doesn’t need any frills or thrills to make it great. It hold’s its own firmly which is a hard thing to mess with.
11. Cass McCombs-Catacombs
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Its Blitz
13. Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Pains of Being Pure at Heart
14. Casper and the Cookies-Modern Silence
15. Headlights-Wildlife
16. Japandroids- Post Nothing
17. Cymbals Eat Guitars-Why There are Mountains
18. Kevin Devine- Brother’s Blood
19. Joan of Arc- Flowers
20. Passion Pit-Manners
21. The Antlers- Hospice
22. Loney Dear-Dear John
23. Neko Case-Middle Cyclone
24. The Mountain Goats- The Life of the World to Come
25. Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca
December 31, 2009 at 8:38 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Modern Mystery’s Top 20 Songs of the Year
2009 was an incredible year for songs. No doubt about it. Even some of the last minute yearly additions were able to sweep the early year competitors off of their feet. In 2009 there was a surprise around every corner with the quality of songs written. I’m not sure there could have been a better ending to the decade. Check out our Top 20 Songs below!
1. Matt Pond PA- “Starting”
2. Wooden Birds- “False Alarm”
3. Grizzly Bear- “Two Weeks”
4. The Drums-”Let’s Go Surfing”
5. The Spinto Band- “Jackhammer”
6. Sloan-”Take it Upon Yourself”
7. Vampire Weekend-”Cousins”
8. Ryan Adams-”Go Ahead and Rain”
9. Julian Casablancas- “11th Dimension”
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs-”Zero”
11. James Husband- “A Grave in the Gravel”
12. Alvin Band- “Temple Pressure”
13. Darwin Deez- “Constellations”
14. Surfer Blood- “Swim”
15. Bishop Allen- “Dimmer”
16. Jupiter One- “Flaming Arrow”
17. Phoenix- “1901″
18. Pains of Being Pure at Heart- “Young Adult Friction”
19. Japandroids- “The Boys Are Leaving Town”
20. Julian Plenti- “Games for Days”
Modern Mystery’s Top 10 Videos of the Year
This year was a great time for videos. Sending off 2009 and the decade with a bang, we chose our favorite 10 videos of the year. We’ll stop talking your ear off and let the videos speak for themselves.
1. The Spinto Band “Jackhammer”
2. The Drums “Let’s Go Surfing”
3. Alvin Band “Temple Pressure”
4. Grizzly Bear “Two Weeks”
5. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin “Glue Girls”
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6. Flight of the Conchords “Carol Brown”
7. MGMT “Kids”
8. James Husband “Windows”
9. Vampire Weekend “Cousins”
10. Bishop Allen “Shanghaied”
December 31, 2009 at 3:46 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Modern Mystery Holiday Party Part Four
In this edition of our holiday party, we have a few of our Modern Mystery favorites entering the party. The lovely and charming boys of The Spinto Band, and the wonderful Ben Trokan from Robbers on High Street. Nothing says the holidays like great indie bands sharing some of their cheer with us. Enjoy reading!
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Ben Trokan- Robbers on High Street
King Khan and the Shrines – What Is?
Death – For the Whole World to See
Reigning Sound – Love and Curses
Yura Yura Teikoku – Hollow Me/Beautiful
Chocolate Watch Band – The Inner Mystique
Budos Band 12″ EP
Life on Earth! – A Space Water Loop
PW and The Ghost Gloves Cat Wing Joy Boys EP
The Breakaways – Walking Out on Love
The Soft Pack 12″ EP
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year
I went to India. Yeah, fucking India!
What do you love about the holidays?
Jingle All The Way. “Put that cookie down!”
The Spinto Band Year End List
top 11 records:
Generationals- Con Law
Alvin Band- Mantis Preying
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Neko Case- Middle Cyclone
MF Doom – Born Like This
Cryptacize – Mythomania
Sw!ms- Itemlord
Franklin Bruno: Local Currency: Solo 1992 – 1998
Drug Rug: Paint The Fence Invisible
Half-handed Cloud – Cut Me Down and Count The Rings
Nellie Mckay – Normal as Blueberry Pie
Crazy thing:
One wild thing that occurred was we found a chicken coop in Delaware and built a recording studio inside it. The construction and decorating has taken up much of the year for us, but as always a close second to crazy things that happened this year would be discovering new places and playing rock music inside those places. We hit up a bunch of new cities where we have never been and met a bunch of new people who we can now call friends.
Holiday faves:
Eggnog availability and acceptability.
Christmas lights getting more and more elaborate. Big ups to LEDs
Tom Hughes-The Spinto Band
Top 10 in Alphabetical Order:
Alvin Band: Mantis Preying
Broadcast and the Focus Group: Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age
Franklin Bruno: Local Currency: Solo 1992 – 1998
Circulatory System: Signal Morning
Cryptacize: Mythomania
Drug Rug: Paint The Fence Invisible
Generationals: Con Law
Half-handed Cloud: Cut Me Down and Count The Rings
Nellie Mckay: Normal as Blueberry Pie
The Sw!ms: Itemlord
Craziest Thing(s) That Happened To Me This Year:
1. We set up our own recording studio which has been a decade long dream come true.
2. Our tour of Europe at the beginning of this year was the best tour we’ve ever done. The most incredible crowds, sights, food and overall experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Favorite Thing About the Holidays:
The smell of fireplaces, both during and the morning after when it’s soaked into your sweater.
December 31, 2009 at 2:45 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Modern Mystery Holiday Party Part Three
Welcome to the third installment of our Modern Mystery Holiday party! Today our list is filled with our favorite up and coming indie bands that will be making huge waves in 2010. Sit back with your glass of eggnog and enjoy reading!
Neko Case-Middle Cyclone
Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
Kings of Convenience- Declaration of Dependence
Atlas Sound-Logos
Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Camera Obscura- My Maudlin Career
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-It’s Blitz!
Yacht- See Mystery Lights
Wye Oak-The knot
M.Ward-Hold Time …
Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse-Dark Night of the Soul
Black Moth Super Rainbow- Eating Us
Top 10 Albums of 2009
1. Reservoir – Fanfarlo
2. The First Days of Spring – Noah and the Whale
3. Hospice – The Antlers
4. Actor – St. Vincent
5. Monsters of Folk – Monsters of Folk
6. Mean Everything to Nothing – Manchester Orchestra
7. Hold Time – M Ward
8. Aim and Ignite – Fun
9. 2.0 – The XX
10. My Maudlin Career – Camera Obscura
Ivy Weir- Modern Mystery Writer
The best albums of 2009 (in Ivy-Noelle’s humble opinion)
5. God Help the Girl- s/t
I love Belle and Sebastian…so of course I love this weird indie-musical written by Stuart Murdoch. Catherine Ireton’s voice is absolutely beautiful, especially when giving new life to an old Belle & Sebastian staple, “Funny Little Frog”. Plus, the eponymous track is essentially the themesong to my entire life, haha.
4. Handsome Furs- Face Control
I’m in love with Dan Boeckner. And his wife, too! Handsome Furs have a truly unique sound and they’ve perfected that on their second album. It’s different enough from Boeckner’s other band, Wolf Parade, to be interesting- but similar in the repetetive guitar hooks and almost yelped vocals. Seriously great.
3. The Duchess & The Duke- She’s the Duchess, He’s the Duke
I almost didn’t give this album a chance, but boy am I glad I did. It’s raw, lo-fi, garage acoustic indie rock goodness. The male vocals are purely rock-n-roll, and meshed with the female back-ups it’s a great, vintage, 1960s feel. The lyrics are blunt and honest and work extremely well with the overall sound.
2. M. Ward- Hold Time
In my mind, M. Ward can do no wrong (well…She & Him. But that’s just because of my irrational hatred for Zooey Deschanel). “Hold Time” is classic M. Ward at his best- soaring melodies that somehow still seem as simple as the Appalachian folksongs from which he draws influence. Production value on this album is much higher than his past works, but it works- and Ward’s raspy, unique voice still shines through. Indie superstar collaborations make this one of the best albums of the year, and certainly of M. Ward’s career.
1. Matt & Kim- Grand
This is the album that broke Brooklyn’s Matt & Kim onto the mainstream scene- with “Daylight” featured in a Bacardi commercial, many of their hardcore followers accused them of selling out. But who cares? They are making unique, perfect pop music and if they’re also making money, good for them! This album is fantastic- there’s not a bad track on it. The whole thing flows like one crazy dance party from beginning to end. I also had the pleasure of seeing the duo in concert in July, and it was one of the craziest experiences of my life. I hope these two keep making music for a long time.
Songs:
5. “All We Want, Baby, Is Everything”- Handsome Furs
4. “Good Ol’ Fashioned Nightmare”- Matt & Kim
3. “Insane Lullaby (ft. James Mercer)” -Dark Night of the Soul
2. “Empire State of Mind” – Jay Z and Alicia Keys
1. “Two Weeks”- Grizzly Bear
Tucker Riggleman-The Demon Beat
Top 10 Albums of the Year
1. Japandroids – Post-Nothing
2. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. Bon Iver – Blood Bank EP
6. Dandelion Snow – It’s Just A Bad Dream
7. Lucero – 1372 Overton Park
8. Dead Weather – Horehound
9. Stephen MacDonald & The Okay Win – We Are Bound
10.Kevin Devine – Brother’s Blood
Explanations:
1. This record had such a huge impact on me that I braved it to D.C. to catch them at a small club, which is hard to do since I hate D.C. – my car was broken into and I had some valuable things stolen. I was barely upset because their show was so awesome.
2. I played the fuck out of this record at work last year. I was a hall security guard type of a thing and I would just blare this stuff. Probably didn’t make me seem any tougher. The hooks are monumental.
3. Took a while to grow on me, but the slow pretty songs are gorgeous and abundant.
4. Great summer record. “Summertime Clothes” is one of my favorite songs of the past 5 years.
5. Justin Vernon could shit on a CD and I’d buy it.
6. Good friends of ours. Myself and BIG BULLET RECORDS helped put this out. I love the way Roger can take a song and make it so everyone feels something.
7. Their most well-rounded album to date, though I’ll still prefer the old classics.
8. Raunchy as fuck. Love it.
9. Another BBR artist, this one from Massachusetts. Steve is heavily influenced by Kevin Devine and I think his record is better than the one Kevin put out this year.
10. I still liked “Brother’s Blood”, but the demos that KD put out all year leading up the the album are more intimate and better overall in my opinion than the final versions.
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
I’d say going to NYC and making a record in basically a day. It was surreal, and we are overwhelmingly happy with the results. Also, our first trip to NYC in late January was interesting. Jordan had a girl run on stage and stick a vial of weed in his shirt pocket while we were playing. Insane.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Seasonal alcoholic beverages.
Jordan Hudkins-The Demon Beat
JORDAN’S TOP TEN SONGS THAT HE LIKED OF THE YEAR:
1. Surfer Blood – “Take It Easy”
2. Henry’s Dress – “Zero/Zero/Zero”
3. Flake Music – “Sue Defender”
4. Kid Cudi – “Pursuit of Happiness”
5. The Who – “Tattoo”
6. Librarians – “Hard to Unwind”
7. Hammer No More The Fingers – “Nobody Knows”
8. Royal Bangs – “Poison Control”
9. Weezer – “Let It All Hang Out”
10. Enigma – “Return to Innocence”
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
The craziest thing that happened to ME this year was a wild rickshaw ride I took in Raleigh, NC. The driver took me and two friends up into a parking garage, and then we sped down the spiral exit ramp. It was like a ROLLERCOASTER. Apparently, this kind of behavior is forbidden for a rickshaw driver, thereby exponentially increasing the thrill-index of our lil’ adventure.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Cranberry Sierra Mist…but I think that is always available now. C’est la vie!
Adam Meisterhans- The Demon Beat
1. i didn’t like any records that came out this year. especially not kevin devine records.
2. i started taking anti-depressants.
3. egg-nog.
Jason Meeks-Binary Marketing Show
cass mccombs — catacombs
grizzly bear – vecktimest
antony and the johnson’s — the crying light
tUnE yArDs — bird-brains
jim o’rourke — the visitor
micachu and the shapes — jewellry
animal collective — merriweather post pavillion
bill callahan — sometimes i wish we were an eagle
st. vincent — the actor
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
i guess it was breaking down in the middle of nowhere ohio while we were on tour and staying with complete strangers that told us their life stories. not to mention, some really weird secrets that we really didn’t want to know about..
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
i suppose the terrible holiday food to be consumed. it’s always fun to eat a 7 course meal that’s probably worth 5000 calories.
Abram Morphew-Binary Marketing Show
marissa nadler – little hells
thinguma*jigsaw – (awakeinwhitechapel)
blair harris – watercolor
bachelorette – my electric family
dead man’s bones – dead man’s bones
circulatory system – signal morning
bill callahan – sometimes i wish we were an eagle
two eyes meet redux – pop songs on illusions and tragedies
cass mccombs – catacombs
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
seeing a naked gentleman painting himself white in a field of burning trash.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
the silence that follows snow.
Bethany Carder-Binary Marketing Show
Sun City Girls- Napoleon & Josaphine
Alela Diane- To Be Still
Mount Eerie- Winds Poem
Castanets- Texas Rose,the thaw and the beast
Woods Family Creeps- Woods family creeps
Dear Olive- the ocean the sea
Diane Cluck- black with green leaves
Larkin Grimm- Harpoon
Orion Rigel Dommisse- What I want from you is sweet
Bacherlorette- my electric family
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
Newton Falls Ohio. Being lifted atop a flatbed, while sitting inside a jeep watching the rapid lights, strange feeling…yes
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Sharing a few moments with the ones ya Love, however far they may be..or near. it’s a swell feeling
December 31, 2009 at 2:12 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Modern Mystery Holiday Party Part Two
Ah, Welcome to part two of Modern Mystery’s Holiday Party! Today we have some very special guests, including an indie up and comer, and a music journalist that inspired me to write. Yes, I’m excited about this! Prepare yourself for the sequel, and there is more on the way tomorrow. Enjoy!
James Wells- The Gay Blades
Top 10 Albums of the Year
Nothing really moved me this year, so there’s some singles in there…
- Kevin Devine “Brother’s Blood” – Still the best lyricist around, if a bit wordy.
- Jay Z “The Blueprint III” – Party jams for days.
- Metric “Fantasies” – BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM.
- Why? “Eskimo Snow” – only because Why? is so fucking awesome.
- Electric Six “Kill” – Great tour mates!
- Friendly Fires “Kiss Of Life” (Single) – Its that good….
- Portugal The Man “Satanic Satanist”
- Millions of Brazilians “MoBz EP”
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
Finding out my estranged little brother overdosed on Heroine and died.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Setting up my xmas tree. Seeing other xmas trees set up. I understand that means that all those folks without xmas trees don’t provide me with what I love most, but its kind of like, how I prefer brunettes over blondes. Ya know?
Jason Nesmith-Casper the Cookies
Top things I liked this year
1. Faust at the 40 Watt / Faust workshop
It was as if Heather MacIntosh brought Athens an enormous present. It gave people that enormous-ribbon-sporting-brand-new-car-in-the-driveway feeling.
2. Os Mutantes live
I didn’t know what to expect, but it was certainly not to be blown away by an unashamed display of guitar pyrotechnics that would make Santana weep. Sometimes kids need to be reminded that knowing how to play really, really well doesn’t preclude them from making strikingly original music.
3. Beatles mono remasters
This is how remasters should be done. Except less expensive. If as a child I’d been deaf to their siren call to a life in music I would’ve learned a more lucrative trade and been able to buy both box sets and the Rock Band. Psych on me.
4. Pylon Chomp More reissue
It’s so nice to hear this record restored to its full, glorious potential.
5. Aquaserge- unreleased third album
The best new music I heard all year hasn’t even been released yet. This band will renew your faith in progressive music.
6. Playing a show with Karl Blau and Lake
7. St. Vincent / Pattern Is Movement concert
8. Yo La Tengo- Popular Songs
9. Venice Is Sinkning- Azar
10. Big Fresh- BFF
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
A few crazy things happened. I watched the public’s value of music sink to an all-time-low. Musicians that were able to break even through touring and record sales in 2008 are now unable to do so. Maybe someday soon we’ll all be singing songs around the campfire again.
In New Orleans, Jandek came to our show. Jandek. Came. To. Our. Show.
But the weirdest thing that 2009 brought was far more serious than any of that. Athens lost many great musicians in sudden and unexpected circumstances. After two years of knowing Randy Bewley, I felt like I’d only just gotten to befriend him when he was suddenly taken from us. The day after his memorial service Athens had about 7 inches of snow dumped on it. We can’t wait to get rid of this year.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
During the holidays even the crustiest old people allow themselves to be child-like. If it weren’t for Christmas lights I would be far more depressed in December, as I am in January and February.
Rob Sheffield-Legendary Music Writersongs:
Adam Lambert, “Mad World”
Beyonce, “Halo”
Das Racist, “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Zero”
The XX, “Crystalised”
Jarvis Cocker, “I Never Said I Was Deep”
The Horrors, “Sea Within A Sea”
LaRoux, “Bulletproof”
Lady Gaga, “Lovegame”
Mogwai, “Scotland’s Shame”
albums:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s Blitz
Franz Ferdinand, Tonight
The XX, The XX
A Place To Bury Strangers, Exploding Head
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Japandroids, Post-Nothing
The Dream, Love vs. Money
The Horrors, Primary Colours
Black Dice, Repo
Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer
December 29, 2009 at 10:15 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Modern Mystery’s Holiday Party Part One
Welcome friends! Come out of the cold and be intrigued once again this year by our Modern Mystery Holiday Party! This year we’re doing things a bit different. Posting several bands and artists at once for maximum, er, readage. That isn’t a word, we know, but we’ve been trying to pass ‘Radtacular’ as one for about a year now in hopes that it takes off. Maybe it will. Sigh.
Enjoy the first round of our Holiday Party. You never know who will drop in, and sometimes, neither do we!
Charlie Brand- The Miniature Tigers
Top 10 Albums of 2009:
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Alvin Band – Mantis Preying
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young
Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind EP
Micachu – Jewelry
Peter, Bjorn & John – Living Thing
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
The craziest thing that happened to me this year was touring for the first time. It’s been a life changing experience.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
The thing I love most about the holidays is the overall smell in the air. I guess you could even classify it as a vibe more than a smell. Very warm and cozy.
Alex Gerber- The Miniature Tigers
Top 2 of 2009:
Curse Your Branches by David Bazan
Craziest thing to happen is that I joined Miniature Tigers.
The craziest thing that happened to me this year was touring for the first time. It’s been a life changing experience.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
What I love most about the holidays is family, warmth and love.
Said The Whale – Islands Disappear
Arkells – Jackson Square
Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms
Zeus – Sounds Like Zeus EP
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus
Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young
Hey Rosetta! – Into Your Lungs
Joel Plaskett & The Emergency – Three Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
The craziest thing that happened to me this year was probably the time that my girlfriend and I attempted to cross into the US without proper ID. We were just going into the states to buy some breakfast cereal that they no longer sell in Canada, i.e. Trix and Coco Pebbles, and we were planning on being there no more than half an hour. We told the border guard that and said “if you don’t let us in, it’s no big deal, we’ll just go another time.” and he just kept getting more and more mad, as if our nonchalance was offending him. Anyway, in the end Myself, my lovely girlfriend, and her Toyota Tercel were allowed to cross but we were marked as “Non-compliant” at the border, whatever that means. Sounds like we were bein tough. We crossed back into Canada a bit later. the Canadian Guard said “Whatcha get?” We said “Cereal!” He said “Neat!” and we went back to our lovely country. It was then that I thought “Whoa, that was crazy. The craziest thing that’s happened to me this year? Perhaps.”
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Craziest Thing that Happened to You This Year?:
- Playing in Caribou Vibration Ensemble with Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra
- Listening to Marshall Allen tell me about the Sun Ra Arkestra dancing on the Sphinx in Egypt.
What do you love the most about the Holidays?
Well, being Sudanese and growing up in The U.S. I have become very confused about the holiday season. My family doesn’t really celebrate the American holidays. I mean, we used to get a Christmas tree and make our parents buy us stuff. But we always picked out exactly what we wanted and wrapped the gifts ourselves. There wasn’t ever a surprise element involved. I guess we never really got the whole concept in the first place.
Anyway, I like hanging out my with my mom and dad a lot. Lately I’ve been having a lot of girl problems so I talk to them about it. The conversations usually go like this like this:
Me: Hey guys, I’m really down. I want a girlfriend
Mom: Get a job
Dad: Get a haircut
Matt Pond PA Preps New Album, Single Available Now!
Matt Pond PA has been an indie staple for the past 11 years, and in 2010 this will be no different. Set to move ahead with Pond and Co.’s new venture, the band will release The Dark Leaves (Altitude) in March of 2010. Yes, that seems like a long time away, but they have just what you need to hold you over until then. Their label Altitude Records is offering for sale on their site, your chance to get the first in the MPPA Threeep Series (Part 1) titled Starting. The three song vinyl only EP can also be ordered in a limited edition 250-colored version which is a nice last minute holiday gift.
Continuing in Matt Pond fashion, the title track on the EP, “Starting,” brings back into play the classic strings sound that the band left out of the loop for a while. Pond’s voice and lyrics send a chill down your spine amongst the layers of instruments and incredible harmonies that fill the song throughout. This track will be on The Dark Leaves and I can only imagine what the rest has to offer. I’m at the edge of my seat waiting…
Give a listen to “The Starting” on Matt Pond PA’s Myspace
December 22, 2009 at 10:53 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Secondhand Sunday: Sufjan Stevens “Put the Lights on the Tree”
We’re kicking the holiday week off with a charming secondhand Sunday with Sufjan Stevens! One of my favorite Christmas albums is Songs for Christmas, as it captures the holiday spirit without being cheesy or too off beat. Sufjan can make anything sound good, can’t he? Today’s video is for “Put the Lights on the Tree,” with a little cartoon band and Sufjan in tow. You got to love it. Also check out our Mixmas mix below! There’s more Sufjan there for you!
December 21, 2009 at 1:35 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Ryan Adams’ Bass Player, Chris “Space Wolf” Feinstein Found Dead
Early last night, Chris Feinstein, known significantly for playing in Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, was found dead in his New York City apartment at the age of 42. The cause of death has not yet be determined, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and bandmates.
For anyone who has ever met Chris, he was truly a strong prescence. Always one of the first people out to greet fans after a show, you could tell he was charasmatic about his craft and the people who admired him as a musician.
Feinstein joined The Cardinals in 2006 and appeared on the albums Cardinology, Easy Tiger, and Follow the Lights. Earlier this year Adams and The Cardinals split ways for him to discover new creative outlets. Feinstein then went on to play bass for Albert Hammond Jr., as well as writing songs for Santogold’s first album. Cardinals drummer Brad Pemberton posted on his facebook last night: ”This is the saddest day of my life. I lost my best friend today…things will never be quite the same.”
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists to Drop “Bricks” Early Next Year
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have always been on the watch list of notable indie releases. Leo and the boys are set to release their newest album titled The Brutalist Bricks on March 9, 2010, which will be released on their new home, Matador Records. While no tracklisting has been leaked yet and details are still a bit sparse, the label is offering fans a chance to download the first single “Even Heroes Have To Die,” for free via Matador’s website. The track shows a more mature side of the Pharmacists though does not lose the spirit and sound of the band that we have come to known and love. With acoustic guitars blending with a bit of indie punk, Leo’s voice is catchier than ever. This is certainly an album to be excited about for ’10!
December 15, 2009 at 9:42 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
A Very Merry MIXMAS!
The holidays are soon approaching and we here at Modern Mystery have just the right thing to get you into the Christmas spirit! Holiday music is one of the best things about the season and we hope you enjoy this little, well, er, big mix. It’s our second Mixmas and we went all out with 38 songs this year. Everyone from Matt Pond PA to Of Montreal, you have to check it out below to believe your little eyes. This is the one gift you can peek at this Christmas!
Dressy Bessy- All the Right Reasons
The Sixth Great Lake- Always After Christmas Boring
Asobi Seksu- Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Belle and Sebastian- O Little Town of Bethlehem
Blitzen Trapper- Christmas is Coming Soon
Bright Eyes- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Casper and the Cookies- Kiss Me Beneath the Christmas Tree
Ladybug Transistor- Christmas Extravangza
My First Keyboard- Christmas is Only Good If You’re a Girl (Boy)
Of Montreal- Christmas Isn’t Safe for Animals
Essex Green- Deck the Halls
Denison Winter- A Christmas Song
Drive-By Truckers-Mrs. Claus’ Kimono
The Features- Christmas Wish Book
Felice Brothers- Murder by Mistletoe
The Music Tapes- Freeing Song for Reigndeer
Frightened Rabbit- It’s Xmas So We’ll Stop
Fun.- Believe in Me
Gentlemen Auction House- Don’t Want Another Christmas Like Last Christmas
Marbles- Gift for You
Fabulous Bird with Bill Doss-It’s Christmas Time Again
Long Winters- Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas
Low-Just Like Christmas
Matt Pond PA- Holiday Road
My Morning Jacket- Christmas Time is Here
Of Montreal- My Favorite Christmas (In a Hundred Words or Less)
Reigning Sound- If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home
Rilo Kiley- Xmas Cake
Robbers on High Street- Seasons Greetings
Ryan Adams- Hey Parker, It’s Christmas
Summer Hymns- Santa Couldn’t Fit You Under My Tree
Slow Club- Christmas TV
Sufjan Stevens- That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!
The Wedding Present- White Christmas
The Raveonettes- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Wombats- This is Christmas
The Damnwells- Xmas Eve
The Knife- Christmas Reindeer
December 12, 2009 at 9:04 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
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