Currently Obsessing Over

These two bands are new to me.

If I would have gotten their cds last year they could have easily made my top 20.

Look 'em up, you won't be sorry.

The Gaslight Anthem are playing a very small bar in Sacramento in April. Tickets secured!

Anticipate

Noble Beast / Useless Creatures

The first great release of 2009 has arrived! Andrew Bird delivers another masterpiece, this time as a beautiful two cd set. Noble Beast is just what you would hope it to be, a layered and lush set of 14 new tracks.

Bird is the word!

The illustration artwork on this two cd set is done by Diana Sudyka and it really makes for a handsome package. If you are an Andrew fan don't skimp on this one, splurge for the two disc set, you won't be disappointed. I was just going to buy the regular cd, not being much for instrumental numbers. I am VERY glad I went big. Useless Creatures is a lovely cd that really fleshes out this release from Bird nicely. Not to mention that Glen Kotche is behind the kit on Useless Creatures, that man is king of the kit!

The track "Hot Math" is a barn burner! It is my favorite song on the set after about 3 spins. How is it possible that a self professed lyrics freak like myself is choosing an instrumental song as a favorite? Go pick this set up and you will find out!

http://www.andrewbird.net/

The Bird mans got an all new web site too, peep it.

Band of Horses tickets secured!

Friday, April 17th in Oakland, yeah!

Thanks to Hippies are Dead for the presale info!

I can't wait to see them, both of their albums are excellent!

2009 is shaping up to be a good year for live music!

Giveaway # 3: Saddle Creek Records!

In order to win these 2 promo CDs released by Saddle Creek in 2008, 5 stickers and 1 SC magnet all you have to do is tell me your favorite Saddle Creek band in the comments section. All entries will go into a hat and a winner will be drawn this Thursday.

Good luck and thanks to C.J. at Saddle Creek for sending this package of goodies!

Giveaway # 2 - Lucinda & Ryan / Lost Highway

For giveaway # 2 I have vinyl!

Two 2008 releases from our friends at Lost Highway (thank you Skye!)

Lu: http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/artist/releases/release.aspx?pid=1754&aid=60

Ry: http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/artist/releases/release.aspx?pid=1756&aid=58

To win these records all you have to do is leave a comment, pick a number between 1 and 100. The person closest to the number I have already picked wins!

My Top 20 Albums of 2008

In no particular order.

Happy New Year!

I have been away from the blog for 2 weeks. It so happens that those two weeks are usually when I run my holiday giveaways. :(

Well, I'm back! This year we'll call 'em the 2009 is gonna be fine giveaways!

For my first giveaway I'm giving away a brand new Ani bootleg cd (see more on the cd here: http://www.righteousbabe.com/ani/bootleg/boston.asp)

and an orange chunky RBR magnet. All you have to do to win is tell me your favorite Ani song in the comments. You also must leave an email where I can contact you if you are the winner. All entries that include an Ani song and a working email will be eligible to win. I will throw all the names into a hat and pick the winner on Thursday January 8th.

Good luck and of course, Happy 2009!

More lists goodness from the folks at Filter.

To continue their yearly tradition, FILTER Magazine asked some of the year's top artists what rocked their stereos this year and as a holiday gift to readers they will be releasing a selection of lists every day in December. I am including some of my favorites lists from the list in this here post.

The Walkmen's Walt Martin submitted some of the more interesting selections of the week, choosing not one, but three releases from Thee Oh Sees to top his list which then closed out with anniversary additions of the the Dirty Dancing and Animal House soundtracks, proving once and for all, there's nothing wrong with a little Patrick Swayze in your stereo.

Also going out on a limb was of Montreal's Dottie Alexander who hailed Queens of the Stone Age's technically 2007 release, Era Vulgaris, as her #1 record for its "blatant bad-assness."

Hear songs from all these artists and the best albums of 2008 on erockster internet radio - http://www.erockster.com/

The Faint: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17971&c=1

The Watson Twins: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17972&c=1

of Montreal's Dottie Alexander:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17990&c=1

Peter Bjorn and John's Peter Morén:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=18005&c=1

Peter Bjorn and John's Bjorn Yttling:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=18006&c=1

X's DJ Bonebrake: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=18012&c=1

The Walkmen's Walt Martin:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17926&c=1

Filter asks some artists for their top 10 lists.

ARTIST TOP 10 LISTS

M83's Anthony Gonzalez: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17915&c=1

Ladytron: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17916&c=1

Ra Ra Riot: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17919&c=1

Ryan Adams: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17931&c=1

The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17933&c=1

The Dandy Warhols' Peter Holmstrom:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17927&c=1

Grizzly Bear's Edward Droste:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17944&c=1

Sloan's Patrick Pentland:
http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17955&c=1

It's list season!!

I've been working on my top 20 albums for 2008. I have it narrowed down to about 35, and now I need to do some weeding. So while I am putting the finishing touches on this year, take a gander at last year's list:

http://onereallykillerline.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-top-20-albums-of-2007.html

I still stand firmly behind those albums - with two exceptions. With hindsight I would have cut Lilly Allen and Peter Bjorn and John and added Band of Horses - Cease To Begin and Bjork - Volta. I didn't buy Volta until 2009 and thus it missed my year end list.

Do you still love and listen to your top albums from 2007?

Top albums and shows list coming up in the next couple of weeks and a couple holiday giveaways!!

With Blasphemy So Heartfelt

Have You Heard Session: Jessica Lea Mayfield from HaveYouHeard on Vimeo.

Jessica Lea Mayfield is amazing!  Buy her new record, go see her live, check out this video.

CONTEST - The Dears

Thanks to Tristen at Filter for helping me run this contest!

We are giving away one copy of Missiles and an exclusive 7-inch single featuring “Money Babies” and “Halfmast.” All you have to do to win is enter a comment about The Dears on this post.

A winner will be chosen by a random number generator at noon on 11/7/08.

"The Montréalers' fourth full-length album is a beautiful collection of sonic masterpieces, further affirming their foothold on the celebrated indie-rock scene they helped erect."

– Glide Magazine

"Missiles is equal parts swirling electricity and angelic chorus. Its songs start out as familiarities, but end as head trips."
– Wired


"Missiles emerges as the best album of The Dears' musical career to date."
– Revolt Media

The Dears have unveiled the first visual offering to emerge from their sonic magnum opus, Missiles. The brand new video for "Money Babies" is as thoughtful as their arrangements, touching on ever-prevalent topics like material wealth, poverty, and class division. Director Anton Josef captures the band's powerful statement in a minimalist way, allowing the music to speak for itself while forcing the viewer to stop and think. Check out the new "Money Babies"


Video: http://www.dangerbirdrecords.com/videos/watch/dears-money-babies-video


Downloadable version: http://www.dangerbirdrecords.com/public/video/TheDears_MB.mpg

X

Johnny Davis ~ Lucero