The U & U's Best Songs of 2018: 100-76

100. Parquet Courts : Total Football

Wide Awake (2018)  |  Official Site

99. Monks : Dreamboat

Dreamboat 7” (2018)  |  Soundcloud

The U & U Show 544 | Now I'm Really Livin'

Stream and Download the Show Here! (Right click and save to download)

 

Nine Inch Nails : Last

Broken (1992)  |  Official Site

 

(Thee) Oh Sees : Sentient Oona

Smote Reverser (2018)  |  Official Site

The U & U Show 540 | Spiritualized + Idles + Sudakistan

Stream and Download the Show Here! (Right click and save to download)

  

Spiritualized : On the Sunshine

And Nothing Hurt (2018)  |  Official Site

 

Spectrum Meets Captain Memphis : When Tomorrow Hits

Indian Giver (2008)  |  Official Site

The U & U Show 538 | GØGGS & The Brotherhood

Stream and Download the Show Here! (Right click and save to download)

GØGGS : Pre Strike Sweep

Pre Strike Sweep (2018)  |  Official Site

 

Vacation : Deflector Head

Mouth Sounds #2699 (2018)  |  BandCamp

The U & U 331 | King Krule, Willis & Weirdness

Stream & Download Here!

Les Savy Fav : Adoptduction : Go Forth (2001)

-       3^rd album.

-       Debut album 3/5 was out 1997.

-       Led by comedian, artist, author and crazy person Tim Harrington.

-       Art, punk rock that is reminiscent of the Pixies at times.

Official Site

King Krule : Has This Hit : Six Feet Beneath the Moon (2013)

-       Full length debut. 1 EP out.

-       Aka Archy Marshal… formerly Zoo Kid

-       18 year old British singer/songwriter.

-       Unique vocals highlight the musically restrained tracks.

Official Site

Record Store Day 2013 | 16 Releases To Hunt For Saturday

The post-SXSW let down is a real thing. Even before I was migrating down to Austin, February and March were a flood of new music. Nothing really rivals it. This puts a lot of pressure on April. After weeks of drinking music out of a firehose how does one deal with the fallout following this glut. Thankfully, April has an answer. A day full of special, appetizer-sized bites of new music celebrating brick, mortar, vinyl and community. Record Store Day is a good thing and I'm thrilled to see what the New York shops have to offer. Here's the little wish list I came up with after combing through the list of releases found here.

The U & U Show 313!

Stream & Download Here!

Marnie Stern : The Chronicles Of Marnia : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Window Sill : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

The U & U SXSW 2013 Recap Show!

Stream & Download Here!

Songs:Ohia : John Henry Split My Heart : The Magnolia Electric Co. (2003)

-          9th and final Songs:Ohia release before he launched his next band Magnolia Electric Co.

-          Leader Jason Molina died at 39 this past Saturday night (3/17/13) in Indianapolis. He was battling alcoholism for years and it finally was too much.

-          It’s an odd feeling to describe, but he was without question one of my all-time favorites and the person I’ve been the biggest fan of to die.

-          I feel fortunate to have seen him perform.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Well, Well : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

Suuns : Mirror Mirror : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Tied for my favorite show of SXSW 2013.

-          Pronounced like ‘soons.’

Official Site

Devendra Banhart : Golden Girls : Mala (2013)

-       8^th studio album

-       Full Name: Devendra (Hindu god of rain and thunder) Obi (Star Wars inspired) Banhart

-       His solo electric SXSW 2013 set was breathtaking. Charming, funny, delicate, restrained beauty.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Diamond Rings : Mellow Doubt (Teenage Fanclub Cover) : You & Me b/w Mellow Doubt (single) (2011)

-       B-side of a single off his debut album, Special Affections.

-       2^nd album was 2012’s Free Dimensional and much more beat driven and dance.

-       Powerful solo acoustic performance at SXSW 2013.

Hiss Golden Messenger : Red Rose Nantahala (Live) (2012)

-          Unreleased track recorded at a festival in late 2012.

-          Provided a perfect solo acoustic set on the back patio on a sunny afternoon at SXSW 2013

-          His album Poor Moon is a highlight of 2012.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Marnie Stern : Nothing Is Easy : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Phosphorescent : Ride On, Right On : Muchacho (2013)

-          6th album

-          Singer/songwriter alias for Matthew Houck.

Official Site

Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down : We Don't Call : We The Common (2013)

-       4th album. Also one collab album with Mirah called Thao & Mirah.

-       if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correctly that quickly

-       If she ever were to propose to me, I would say yes.

-       SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

You Won’t : Three Car Garage : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)

-          Debut album.

-          Liked them at CMJ. LOVED them at SXSW.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Nick Cave : Wild Lovely Eyes : Push Away the Sky (2013)

-          15th studio album

-          Most recent was 2008’s ‘Dig, Lazarus! Dig!!!’ and then his two Grinderman albums.

-          Like a few artists out there, like Lou Reed and Tom Waits, he has a huge cult following and a unique/distinct sound.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Cloud Cult : You’re the Only Thing In Your Way : Love (2013)

-       10th album

-       Led by environmentalist Craig Minowa

-       'Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus' was their 6th and best album.

-       I reference this band a lot when talking about newer bands taking on this style because these guys are so good at it!

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Youth Lagoon : Pelican Man : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)

-          2^nd full length

-          Lusher, wilder, trippier follow up to their understated debut.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Turf War : Ain’t Living Long Like This (Waylon Jennings cover) : Turf War Plays the Hits (2013)

-          EP of covers

-          Favorite band of SXSW 2012

facebook : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 303!

Stream & Download Here!

Wooden Wand : No Bed For Beatle Wand/Days This Long : Blood Oaths of the New Blues (2013)

-          James Jackson Toth project's forthcoming album.

-          This song will be on my best of 2013, and I know I'm saying that in January.

-          Last release was 2011's Wooden Wand and the Briarwood Virgins.

-          Also released music as WAND after his band left him.

-          SXSW 2012

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Todd Snider : West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown : Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables (2012)

-          9^th album

-          He’s truly a great song writer.

-          His 8^th, The Devil You Know, garnered him tons of praise.

-          todd snider and the Nervous Wrecks

-          first album, Songs for the Daily Planet’ came out in 1994

-          SXSW 2012

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Raymond Byron & the White Freighter : Some Kind Of Fool : Little Death Shaker (2012)

-          Debut full length from this new project from Ray Raposa, of the Castenets.

-          Out on Asthmatic Kitty Records… Sufjan's label.

-          Rootsy, easy folk.

-          RIYL The Tallest Man on Earth

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

DUNE RATS! : Lie and the Liar : Sexy Beach EP (2011)

-          Debut EP of 2

-          Sloppy garage, REM-leaning act starting to carve out a name for themselves in a similar way as FIDLAR.

-          Tied for best act of CMJ 2012 with the Grizzled Mighty

BandCamp : HypeMachine : @DUNERATSS

Fletcher C. Johnson : Happy Birthday : Salutations (2012)

-          2^nd album.

-          One album out in 2010.

BandCamp

Donnie & Joe Emerson : My Heart : Dreamin' Wild (1979)

-          17 & 19 year old brothers who had their catalog rereleased in 2012.

-          I feel a little sad I've not found this song til now.

Label Site

Devendra Banhart : Für Hildegard von Bingen : Mala (2013)

-          8^th studio album

-          Full Name: Devendra (Hindu god of rain and thunder) Obi (Star Wars inspired) Banhart

-          He has perfected and pioneered the genre called ‘freak folk’

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Turf War : Where I Belong : Years of Living Dangerously (2011)

-          Debut album

-          2nd full length has been recorded in NYC

-          Produced by Ian St. Pe’ of the Black Lips.

-          Atlanta band.

-          CMJ 2012

facebook : HypeMachine

The Grizzled Mighty : Stuck In My Head : Thick Hand Grip (2013)

-          Latest release.

-          Debut s/t full length out in 2012.

-          Huge Seasick Steve and pre-Dangermouse Black Keys sound. Mean blues rock.

-          Tied for best act of CMJ 2012 with Dune Rats

BandCamp : @GrizzledMighty

Local Natives : Heavy Feet : Hummingbird (2012)

-          First single off forthcoming album.

-          debut album was 2010's L'Aventure.

-          Check out their DayTrotter Session Here!

Official Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

Phosphorescent : Song for Zula : Muchacho (2013)

-          6th album

-          Singer/songwriter alias for Matthew Houck.

Official Site

Nightlands : So Far So Long : Oak Island (2013)

-          2nd full length

-          Act on Secretly Canadian, sister label of Jagjaguwar.

Official Site

Tunde Adebimpe : Unknown Legend (Neil Young) 

-          Lead singer of TV on the Radio

-          Track he did for the Soundtrack for ‘Rachel Gets Married’

-          He has a new band just playing their first shows in NYC, Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band.

-          Hear their first recording here!

TVOTR Official Site : TVOTR Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown and Unheard Show 114!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 114 Right Here, Right Now! M. Ward – Stars Of Leo – Hold Time (2009) - forthcoming album. - streaming on NPR’s site… exclusive first listen. - makes me think of when I heard the fleet foxes in early 2008… this will end up being one of the year’s best albums. - I’m not sure why but the album makes me think of chugging along in a boxcar of a train enjoying the view of the country side from the open sliding door. The songs just bounce along in such a pleasant way. Official Site: www.mwardmusic.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/mward Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stream the Dreamy Video for ‘Hold Time’ Stream Entire Album on All Songs Considered (A competitor that I dislike due to their misuse of their reach and resources.) Iran – Buddy – Dissolver (2009) - 3rd album - Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio) and Aaron Aites (a filmmaker) project. - This song/album has the signature distortion found on a TVOTR record. - Almost an eerie 50’s/60’s pop feel to this track. Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/iranband Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Heartless Bastards – The Mountain – The Mountain (2009) - 3rd full length - Powered by the big voice of lead singer Erika Wennerstrom and some big rock riffs - Just played Letterman - Out of Dayton Official Site: www.theheartlessbastards.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/heartlessbastards Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Love Burns – BRMC (2000) - brilliant debut album from one of the 00’s leading rock outfits - seen them the past two times in Indy and they play long energetic set with a mixing of crowd requests - last year they put out a ‘statement record’ ‘The Effects of 333’ of very odd distortion and noise to speak out for their originality. I think it back fired, it’s pretty unlistenable and garnered harsh reviews Official Site: www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/blackrebelmotorcycleclub Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Darker My Love – Blue Day – 2 (2008) - second album and one I regret missing for the most part - another LA rock band.. they seem to have a bit more glam rock feel more than other genres - huge catchy guitar riffs, a trait they share with BRMC Official Site: http://www.darkermylovemusic.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkermylove Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – So Everyone – Lie Down in the Light (2008) - new album from this William Oldham alias. - Surprisingly more upbeat than some of his other stripped bare recordings - This song it a country rock duet that is highlighted with some excellent electric guitar builds mixed in with the acoustics - Playing Bloomington and Indy in the next couple months Myspace: www.myspace.com/princebonniebilly Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stream and Download Their DayTrotter Session Phosphorescent – I Gotta Get Drunk – To Willie (2009) - Latest album - folk singer/songwriter - Willie Nelson Tribute album Myspace: www.myspace.com/phosphorescent Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Southeast Engine – Black Gold – From the Forrest to the Sea (2009) - forthcoming 3rd album - upbeat rolling rock song - this is similar to what Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy sounds like when he amps up his sound Official Site: www.southeastengine.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/southeastengine Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream and Download Southeast Engine’s DayTrotter Session Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Vulture Whale – Shoulda Been Rockin’ – Vulture Whale (2007) - 2nd album - I think that this is their 2nd self titled album, not positive. Gets confusing when bands switch labels and don’t catch on til later in their career. - swamp/southern rock mixed with tom petty sounds on the vocals at times Official Site: http://www.vulturewhale.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/vulturewhale Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Lips – Short Fuse – 200 Million Thousand (2009) - 5th album… out February 24th - Velvet underground/Guided By Voices - Known for their wild live shows Official Site: www.black-lips.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/theblacklips Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Yeasayer - Tightrope - Dark Was The Night (2009) - star studded forthcoming charity compilation for The Red Hot Organization (AIDS & HIV) - it seems weird to want to pick a compilation as one of the year’s best albums but the talent and quality of these tracks is undeniable. - Almost every artist on the 2-disc album is responsible for a great album on their own. Yeasayer Official Site: www.yeasayer.net/ Yeasayer Myspace: www.myspace.com/yeasayer Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) The Video that sold me on Yeasayer. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's – As Tall As Cliffs – Not Animal (2008) - 2nd album… sort of o Animal – the album they made and are releasing on their own. o Not Animal – the album their new major label wanted them to put out. - Indianapolis band with a large following - Combo of bright eyes and arcade fire, but songs don’t pack quite the punch Official Website: www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples & Buy on Amazon Dan Auerbach – Trouble Weighs A Ton – Keep It Hid (2009) - solo debut - done a bunch of producing since last Black Keys’ album - a very solid effort… not quite as straight forward rock as The Black Keys can be… a nice variation. Official Site: www.nonesuch.com/artists/dan-auerbach Myspace: www.myspace.com/danauerbachmusic Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch - Lua - Dark Was The Night (2009) - star studded forthcoming charity compilation for The Red Hot Organization (AIDS & HIV) - it seems weird to want to pick a compilation as one of the year’s best albums but the talent and quality of these tracks is undeniable. - Almost every artist on the 2-disc album is responsible for a great album on their own. - This is a cover of the Bright Eyes’ song. Conor Oberst is/was the leader of Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst Official Site: www.conoroberst.com/ Conor Oberst Myspace: www.myspace.com/conoroberst Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) Stream Bright Eyes on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy Bright Eyes on Amazon