I already mentioned Death Cab For Cutie’s major label debut Plans on my Top 10 list of 2005, but I actually got it when I returned to Japan in 2006. I am enjoying it, however, I don’t think it’s as strong as their previous release Transatlanticism. But there are several well-crafted songs (like “What Sarah Said” and “Different Names for the Same Thing”) and it seems to get better on repeated listens.
Last year was the year of Ryan Adams, as he released 3 albums, and in the course of completing my collection of his backlog-he has become one of my favorite artists. However, I didn’t have much of his Whiskytown material, just some songs ripped from a friend, so I went out and bought Faithless Street and the maturity of Adams at 19, when he recorded the album is astounding. It is an alt country classic. I discovered several new gems like: “Top Dollar”/ “Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight”/”Revenge”/”Factory Girl.”
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about The Kaiser Chiefs from Leeds, so I picked up Employment after reading a blurb on them in Metropolis last week comparing them favorably to Franz Ferdinand. I do think they’ve got that 80s influenced sound and upbeat delivery, but they aren’t as polished as Franz Ferdinand. There definitely are some standout tracks like, “I Predict A Riot”/”Everyday I Love You Less And Less”/”Oh My God.” They really wear their Britpop influences on their sleeves, which is fine being a fan of Britpop. I guess I’ll have to check out some of the other bands that they have been thrown together with, like Bloc Party and Futureheads.
There is a better version of "Excuse Me..." on "Strangers Almanac," which is still my favorite Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams of all time, followed closely by "Heartbreaker."
Posted by: Eric | January 20, 2006 at 03:09 PM
I guess I'll have to get the other two Whiskeytown CDs as well-might as well complete the set.
Posted by: MC | January 21, 2006 at 08:46 PM