2012 - Live Music

I decided I'd jot down, for the sake of posterity, some of my 2012 highlights - particularly with respect to live music.  This was a big year for me: I saw more concerts in 2012 than in any other year (possibly even combined), and most of them were good.  So here's a couple of lists.

Top 10 Concerts

1. June 24 - Punch Brothers at the Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO

This was probably the best show I have ever attended.  They were just having fun, and they played for probably two and a half hours.  The covered some of the usuals, like The Strokes, Beck, Radiohead, and Gillian Welch, but also got in a couple by the likes of D'Angelo and Weezer.  To top it all off, there was an Ed Helms appearance.  Oh, and I had a clear balcony view of the stage from about 15 feet away.

2. December 29-31 - Punch Brothers at the Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

OK, this is technically three shows, but I didn't want Punch Brothers to dominate this list more than they absolutely have to.  The second night, with Aiofe O'Donovan opening, was my favorite.  The best thing to come out of these shows?  A superb cover version of The Beach Boys' "Surf's Up."

3. November 24 - Brandi Carlile with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

Both nights I attended were good, but the Saturday show sticks out - she brought some young buskers from Pike Place Market on stage to play a song, did Voodoo Chile with Mike McCready, and just like on her Live At Benaroya Hall recording, they did "Turpentine" with the crowd participation.

4. November 25 - Punch Brothers with Milk Carton Kids at The Neptune Theater, Seattle, WA

This was my favorite Punch Brothers show that was part of a normal tour, mostly because they did the last three songs of the encore unplugged, in a sizable theater, and you could still hear them.  You could actually hear the door downstairs swing shut.  Really, I guess it was just my favorite crowd.

5. April 7 - Steven Wilson at House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA

Wilson, one of my favorite musicians, hadn't been to Phoenix since 2005.  So I decided, what the heck, I might as well make the drive out to LA and see him.  It was worth it.  I've never seen a guy switch guitars more times throughout the course of a show, or a song for that matter, than this guy.

6. December 5 - Punch Brothers with Milk Carton Kids at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ

I was surprised how different this show was from the Seattle show just a week and a half earlier.  This time, we got some Bach, The Band's "Ophelia," and "Watch 'at Breakdown" with some excellent solos and "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" sung in the middle.

7. October 27 - Calexico with The Dodos at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ

It's rare that I'm equally excited about finally seeing an opening band as I am about the headliner.  The Dodos were good, but Calexico still stole the show.  This was a solid evening.

8. August 28 - The Old 97's with Rhett Miller and Those Darlins at Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ

The show actually started before advertised, so I missed part of Rhett's acoustic set, and I didn't really care for the other opener, but The Old 97's were excellent.  This is just such a good, energetic live band, and one that you probably shouldn't miss next time they come to town.

9. October 6 - Jenny Lewis with Heartless Bastards at Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

I wasn't really familiar with either of these bands before attending this show, but now I like both of them.  Jenny Lewis is actually quite musically diverse, and it wasn't difficult to enjoy her show, even without any familiarity with her music.

10. April 6 - Carolina Chocolate Drops with David Wax Museum at Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

One of the rare occasions where I've seen the opening band steal the show.  CCD were good, but the David Wax Museum was thoroughly entertaining, creative, and energetic.  

Top 10 Concert Moments

To piggyback on the above list, I thought I'd pick out the 10 best memories from concerts this year:

1. Sam Bush plays Up On Cripple Creek and Big Bottom

Sam's headlining Telluride Bluegrass set this year ended with a tribute to Levon Helm - a fifteen minute version of Up On Cripple Creek - followed by a tribute to Spinal Tap, with about five bass players from various bands on stage.  Hard to forget something like that.

2. David Wax Museum joins the audience

I've seen a few bands go unplugged - probably about a half dozen times this year - but these guys took it to a new level.  The three musicians simply wandered around the auditorium while playing a song, sometimes standing on things, trying to make their way through rows of seats, and spreading themselves out to make it a true surround sound experience.

3. Chris Thile plays Bach

I first saw this on December 5 in Phoenix, but he did the same at the Bowery Ballroom as well.  His performance was absolutely amazing, and he's clearly deserving of the MacArthur Fellowship.

4. Punch Brothers play D'Angelo

Punch Brothers got a little soulful, with Noam Pickelny sporting cool shades and Gabe Witcher bringing his most emotive vocals in a display that shows that these guys can play anything, even if they did seem a little too ironic.

5. Brandi Carlile plays Hendrix

At the end of her 2nd Benaroya Hall show, Brandi mentioned that she had a sort of Seattle them going on for this show - she had brought out buskers from Pike Place Market, and now she brought out Seattle's favorite modern guitarist (Mike McCready, Pearl Jam) to pay tribute to Seattle's best historical guitarist (Hendrix, you idiot).  It was a little odd hearing her sing Voodoo Chile, but if you were there, you'd have appreciated it.

6. Ahoy!

Right before playing there version of Josh Ritter's "Another New World" at their free Elks Park show in Telluride, Punch Brothers verbally considered making "Ahoy!" the official Punch Brothers greeting.  Everybody quickly adopted this, and drunk crowds of rowdy men could be heard shouting "Ahoy!" at random times throughout the rest of the weekend.  "Ahoy!" stuck, and after the Bowery run, I think I am all "Ahoy!"ed out. For now.

7. John Paul Jones joins Giant Giant Sand

Raise of hands: who has heard of Giant Giant Sand?  I hadn't before I attended Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.  This Tucson band was playing an early Sunday morning set, when they were joined by John Paul Jones and his mandolin.  I had seen him play bass before, but this was a new one for me.

8. Punch Brothers Unplugged

How do five people in a theater play to hundreds of people without amplification?  Those people have to be very quiet.  And they were amazingly so.

9. Brandi Carlile rocks out with the orchestra

It's always fun hearing rock songs played with a backup orchestra, but this stood out.  "Dreams" is a particularly energetic tune, and a few of those old white guys on trombone were actually getting into it.

10. Glen Hansard plays The Weight

Glen Hansard's show was unexpectedly good in general, but my favorite part was when he paid tribute to Levon Helm by playing The Band's "The Weight."  

There you have it.  It was a good year.  Maybe I'll post a list of *all* the shows I attended, and if I have time, update this with some youtube videos.

New Years 2012 - Punch Brothers at Bowery Ballroom

In September, Punch Brothers announced they would be playing a three-night stand at The Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan.  I decided, what the heck, it would be a great excuse to go to New York, right?  I really didn't know what to expect, but after seeing them play two entertaining and memorable shows a week and a half apart in Seattle and Phoenix, my hopes were elevated, to say the least.  This is their adopted hometown, and many bands put on their best show in front of their hometown crowd.

Another interesting idea they had for this series was having a different opening act each night.  Jeffrey Lewis, a New York anti-folk musician who incorporates jovial low-budget slideshows into his set, opened the first night.  Aoife O'Donovan, lead singer of Boston string band Crooked Still, and occasional collaborator with Chris Thile and Noam Pickelny, opened the second night.  Finally, Michael Daves, flatpick guitarist who collaborated with Chris Thile, opened night three.

The whole party started Saturday night with their rendition of Josh Ritter's "Another New World," followed by "New York City" (which, amazingly, was played only once all weekend).  They played some of their standard songs ("This Girl," "Flippen," and "Rye Whiskey" would be played all three nights), as well as a few I haven't heard too many times.  "Down Along The Dixie Line," a Gillian Welch song on their new EP Ahoy!,  was played early in the set.  They also played their contribution to the Hunger Games compilation, "Dark Days," for the first time in New York (and also the first time for me).  They would play this again the third night.  Late in the set, guitarist Chris Eldridge sang a Seldom Scene song called "Through The Bottom Of The Glass", and they also treated us to the third movement of "The Blind Leaving The Blind."

The highlight of the set came, however, when they debuted a new cover version of The Beach Boys' "Surf's Up."  This may be the best Beach Boys cover I've heard, so it didn't annoy me that they played it all three nights.  Chris Thile gave credit where it was due after the performance, with the succinct announcement, "Brian F*@king Wilson!"

The encore started the same way it did in Phoenix: with Chris Thile playing Bach's Sonata #1 in G Minor on solo mandolin.  Go find this on youtube.  It will blow you away.  After an instrumental I couldn't identify, the band was joined on stage by Jeffrey Lewis for a bluegrass version of his song "Creeping Brain," complete with low budget slideshow.

Sunday night started with "Don't Get Married Without Me" and their version of Welch's "Wayside (Back In Time)."  It might be interesting to note that the opening act, Aiofe O'Donovan, and her boyfriend were standing right next to me against the side wall.  She disappeared during 2nd performance of the third movement of "The Blind Leaving The Blind" in as many nights, and that was because she would join the band on stage for "Here And Heaven" from the Goat Rodeo Sessions album and Punch Brothers' own "Soon Or Never" (I feel like they never play these songs without her).  They also played Radiohead's "2+2=5" and The Band's "Ophelia" and a rare performance of "The Woman And The Bell."

The main set ended with "Surf's Up," this time with a segue into their instrumental romp "Watch 'at Breakdown," which seems to have longer and longer solos each time they play it (and sometimes another song in the middle - in Phoenix it was "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas").

Chris Thile mentioned several times that they love playing in New York - at one point Sunday he said that his favorite people to play in front of are New Yorkers and, after a pause, "people who travel to New York for the holidays."  I'm glad he made a shout out for those of us who aren't New Yorkers.

The encore, which would end up being my favorite stretch of the whole weekend, started with Chris Thile and Aiofe O'Donovan's spur-of-the-moment Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch cover band playing "The Way It Will Be" (I knew there was a reason MOG kept playing that song whenever I'm using the radio feature).  They also played a John Hartford song called "Living In The Mississippi Valley" (with Chris Eldridge singing), followed by Beck's "Sexx Laws," with a segue into the traditional tune "Train On An Island."

The third night began with an old blues song called "Boll Weevil," which led into "Rye Whiskey."  "Rye Whiskey" is that one song that they play at every show - and it really is a good choice for a staple song.  It's fun every time.

They also played a song they described as a medley that was cut from their album Punch; I don't know what it was called, but I feel like I may have heard them play it once before.  They also worked in their version of The Strokes' "Reptilia," and Rob Moose joined them on stage for the third movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto.

Of course, the centerpiece of this set came at about 11:50PM - they began playing "Surf's Up," and again included the segue into "Watch 'at Breakdown."  Throughout the show, Noam Pickelny had been announcing the number of seconds left until midnight, and during Thile's mandolin solo, Noam, did this with increasing frequency... "67"... "38"... "18!"... "14!"... The crowd, of course, joined in for the final countdown from 10 to 1 (I think they were actually off by about 10 seconds), after which the band began playing and singing "Auld Lang Syne," after which they finished "Watch 'at Breakdown."

When the band came out on stage for the encore, a bunch of people shouted "Missy", after which Thile said, "Why not?"  He said they were going to play a holiday song, but would play the request instead.  I like "Missy," but this was pretty disappointing, as I estimated the holiday song he was referring to was "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  Would've love to hear that one.  They then played a raucous "Icarus Smicarus" from the Ahoy! EP, after which they were joined by Michael Daves for a whole bunch of bluegrass songs I had a hard time identifying.  Eldridge sang one more, "Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler" by Jimmy Martin, and they played a couple more bluegrass songs.

It really was a great stretch of shows - and I think it was worth going to each one.  This weekend still doesn't quite compare to their Nightgrass show in Telluride, though.  These shows were less intimate, and possibly directed at a different type of audience.  One thing that did impress me here is that the crowd really did know the songs - and not just the new ones, but the ones from the previous record as well.  At any rate, it was a great way to spend the weekend; it might be my most memorable New Years ever.

Setlists:

Saturday, December 29	Sunday, December 30	Monday, December 31
Another New World (Josh Ritter) New York City Heart In A Cage (The Strokes) Song For A Young Queen (Chris Thile) Down Along The Dixie Line (Gillian Welch) This Girl Dark Days New Chance Blues (Norman Blake) Don't Need No Surf's Up (Beach Boys) Flippen (Väsen) Through The Bottom Of The Glass (Seldom Scene) 1 The Blind Leaving The Blind Mvt 3 Rye Whiskey Encore: Sonata #1 in G Minor (Bach) 2 ? Creeping Brain (Jeffrey Lewis) 3 Patchwork Girlfriend Moonshiner (traditional) 4	Don't Get Married Without Me Wayside (Back In Time) (Gillian Welch) You Are Flippen (Väsen) Ophelia (The Band) The Blind Leaving The Blind Mvt 3 Here And Heaven (Ma, Duncan, Meyer, Thile) 5 Soon Or Never 5 2+2=5 (Radiohead) Cazadero This Girl The Woman And The Bell Rye Whiskey Surf's Up (Beach Boys) -> Watch 'at Breakdown Encore: The Way It Will Be (Welch/Rawlings) 4 8 Living In The Mississippi Valley (John Hartford) 1 5 Sexx Laws (Beck) -> Train On An Island (traditional)	Boll Weevil -> Rye Whiskey Who's Feeling Young Now? (punch outtake) Patchwork Girlfriend Dark Days -> The Beekeeper Reptilia (The Strokes) Next To The Trash Movement And Location Surf's Up (Beach Boys) -> Watch 'at Breakdown -> Auld Lang Syne (traditional) -> Watch 'at Breakdown Hundred Dollars No Concern Of Yours Brandenburg Concerto Mvt 3 (Bach) 6 This Girl Flippen (Väsen) Brakeman's Blues (Bill Monroe) Encore: Missy Icarus Smicarus Rabbit In The Log (Bill Monroe) 7 Billy In The Lowground (?) (traditional) 7 Cry, Cry Darling (Bill Monroe) 7 ? 7 Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler (Jimmy Martin) 1 7 ? 7 ? 7 ? 7

Setlist notes:
1 Chris Eldridge on vocals
2 Chris Thile solo
3 with Jeffrey Lewis
4 unplugged
5 with Aiofe O'Donovan
6 with Rob Moose
7 with Michael Daves
8 Chris Thile and Aiofe O'Donovan, both on guitar

Top 20 Records of 2012

OK, it's a week or so early, but since there's nothing on my radar the next couple weeks, I figured I might as well go ahead and list my top 20 albums of the year.

(I included videos of songs from all the albums that didn't make my first half list.)

Ahem.

1. Lost in the Trees - A Church That Fits Our Needs

The tone of this album is just amazing, and the music is stunningly beautiful.  Written as a tribute to Lost In The Trees mastermind Ari Picker's mother, this album feels heavy but not depressed.  This is a band that deserves far more attention than it gets.

2. Punch Brothers - Who's Feeling Young Now?

When you write a groundbreaking album, what do you do next?  Most bands struggle with that challenge, because they basically try to do the same thing again (Mumford & Sons...cough).  Punch Brothers went in a completely different direction, and made an album far more accessible than the last, yet just as masterfully constructed.

3. Anathema - Weather Systems

This band used to be a doom metal band back in the 90s, but now there's really nothing about it.  It's more art rock than anything else, and there are some amazing stretches here.  The whole thing is solid, and includes some of the most memorable transitions of any album I've heard.  This thing just flows.

4. Brandi Carlile - Bear Creek

I used to think Brandi Carlile was OK.  I enjoyed listening to her stuff, but not to the point where this album was anywhere on my radar.  I went ahead and downloaded it, and I was knocked off my feet by this one.  Here we have Carlile and the Hanseroth twins attempting what is basically roots music, and they pull it off very well.

5. Rhett Miller - The Dreamer

Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller has released a few solo albums.  This one is very good.  It's a little more poppy and less raucous than his Old 97's material, and I think that's why I like it - there's a reason for him to have a solo project.  I like the Old 97's better probably, but this is a completely different style of Americana.

6. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here

The Zeros' debut album was quite popular.  I thought it was decent, but not mindblowing.  This one is much better, with a strong revival feel throughout.  This one works much better as a folk/roots album.

7. Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill

It's the first album of new material from the NY&CH configuration since Greendale ten years ago.  Some say it's the best since Ragged Glory.  Some even say it's the best since Rust Never Sleeps.  Either way, it's good.  And it might be the longest record Neil has made, as well.

8. Ben Sollee - Half Made Man

I saw Ben at Telluride Bluegrass in 2010, and I thought he was talented but boring.  Then a few weeks ago, I listened to Dear Companion, and for some reason, I was really, really digging it.  And then I heard his new record, and was actually a little disappointed that it wasn't as mellow.  But after repeated listens, I really like it.  There are some real gems here.

9. Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Bad Moon Ritual / The Magic Door

Yeah, I know this is two albums, but I'm putting them together because to me, they're both solid, but neither stands out.  It's like The Black Crowes became a jam band.

10. David Wax Museum - Knock Knock Get Up

This duo is so unknown that they have been self-releasing their records; this one was funded with Kickstarter.  But you know what?  It's really good.  This is just fun music, and David Wax has found a niche (indie folk with traditional Mexican influence) that really works.

11. Calexico - Algiers

This is definitely not the most well-received Calexico album, but I had the advantage of just discovering these guys from Tucson, so I didn't have any expectations whatsoever.  And on its own, it's a good album.

12. The Lumineers - The Lumineers

These guys seem to be this year's new folk sensation, and it's very fitting.  They're like a better The Head And The Heart.

13. Darrell Scott - Long Ride Home

Darrell Scott is one of my favorite songwriters.  This record is more country than his previous album, but it still has soul, which is something missing from mainstream country.

14. Gary Clark, Jr. - Blak and Blu

There is some really awesome blues guitar here.  There is also some pretty good R&B spread around.  He's like a much more talented, better singing, and more diverse Black Keys.

15. Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal

Another bit hit this year.  I like it, but it tends to get a little stale with prolonged listening.  All of the songs are enjoyable, though, but they could stand to be a little less derivative.  It will be interesting to see which direction they go with their sophomore record.

16. Patterson Hood - Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance

I haven't listened to Drive By Truckers much, but I checked this record by Truckers member Patterson Hood out on MOG, and it didn't strike me at first as being that great, but by the end, I was really feeling it.

17. Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio - Across The Imaginary Divide

Being a jazz record, this one is hard to listen to when you're in the car, but the musicianship here is amazing.  And the banjo is certainly a novel instrument for a jazz quartet.

18. Justin Townes Earle - Nothing Is Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now

Not as good as some of his previous work, but there are enough keepers here to make it worthwhile.  I like that he's trying a new musical style.

19. Farrar, Johnson, Parker, Yames - New Multitudes

Initially, this was one of my least favorite Jay Farrar projects.  It stands up well with time, however.  Not as good as Son Volt or the Ben Gibbard collaboration, but it's a solid tribute to Woody Guthrie.

20. Great Lake Swimmers - New Wild Everywhere

I initially had this much higher, but it gets a little boring after awhile.  There are still some really good songs, though.

My best photos of 2012

It's that time of year when you start to make lists.  Music lists are popular, and I intend to make a few.  Movie lists are popular, too.  This list, however, is one I was working on today while editing some random photos: my favorite photos I've taken in 2012.

I have taken a lot of photos this year.  And I mean a lot.  Probably well over a thousand.  These have been on hikes, while Jeeping, and trips to various cities around the US.  Sometimes, with my relatively low-budget camera, I do a poor job capturing a memory.  But I like these ones (well, I like all of them, but these ones stand out).

In chronological order:

Sunrise at West Boulder Saddle

Date Taken: January 2

Location: West Boulder Saddle, near Peralta Trail here in Arizona.

Why I like it: Mostly I like the radiance of the sun.  This photo is SOOC, and I just love how warm the colors are.  I also feel like I included just the right amount of bush in the right half of the photo.

Cholla Forest in the Superstition Wilderness

Date Taken: January 7

Location: Dutchman's Trail a mile or so north of Miner's Needle, near Peralta Trailhead, here in AZ.

Why I like it: For a place so forbidding, this place just felt serene. This is one that is probably hard to appreciate if you weren't there.

Enshrouded by Clouds

Date Taken: January 16

Location: On the Superstition ridgeline, right above Hieroglyphics Canyon.

Why I like it: I originally intended to go hiking farther east, but I saw that the Superstitions were completely enshrouded in clouds.  So I decided to hike up into them.  It was an eerie feeling, but my favorite parts where when I was in a break in the clouds, and could get a shot like this.

Devil's Chasm

Date Taken: March 17

Location: Devil's Chasm, in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, northeast of Roosevelt Lake, Arizona.

Why I like it: I just love the U shape of this canyon.  It was just a very unique place, and a remote one that relatively few people have visited.

Four Peaks

Date Taken: May 26

Location: Atop Browns Peak, northeast of Mesa, AZ.

Why I like it: I lived most of my life in the shadow of this mountain, and it took me until this year to finally hike to the top.  I had to endure two bee stings, but for a view like this, it's worth it.

Havasu Creek

Date Taken: June 9

Location: Havasu Creek, a couple miles below Mooney Falls

Why I like it: Ben is at one with the creek.  The colors and perspective are perfect.  I feel at ease just looking at this picture.

Delicate Arch side view

Date Taken: June 17

Location: Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, near Moab, UT

Why I like it: Everybody takes pictures of Delicate Arch from the north.  From the side, it only looks like an arch because of its shadow.  The shadow makes this picture.

Fawn at Dead Horse Point

Date Taken: June 18

Location: Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab, UT

Why I like it: If you don't like this photo, you have no soul.  I was wandering around Dead Horse Point, and ran across a deer with two fawns.  One of them left before this photo, but I was able to make a pretty close approach and snap this photo.  The mother didn't seem to mind my presence at all; I got probably 10 feet away at one point.

Devil's Garden

Date Taken: June 19

Location: Arches National Park, near Moab, UT

Why I like it: I took a lot of pictures I like in Arches.  This place was my favorite.  While hiking to Double O Arch and back, I climbed up this rock fin behind Navajo Arch.  The couple in the picture followed me up there.  The view was incredible, and the best I have found anywhere in the park.  I also like the La Sals in the background, and that is Landscape Arch in the bottom left corner.

Corona Arch

Date Taken: June 19

Location: Corona Arch, west of Moab, UT

Why I like it: I snapped about a dozen photos of this giant arch, but this one turned out the best.  The sun is behind the arch itself, and I just love how its radiance dominates the background.  This is one of my favorite photos ever.

Canyonlands Sunset

Date Taken: June 19

Location: Grandview Point, Canyonlands National Park, near Moab, UT

Why I like it: Another successful sunset picture.  I love the triangle shape the light makes, I think because of that little notch on the horizon.

Bored Puppies

Date Taken: June 21, 22, or 23

Location: Telluride, CO

Why I like it: The dogs, duh!

Sun Setting in Chicago

Date Taken: August 16

Location: Chicago, IL

Why I like it: That building on the left.  With the sun coming in at an angle, the lighting looked amazing.

Home Run

Date Taken: August 24

Location: AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA

Why I like it: Because it went over the fence.  And because it looks like the batter's right ankle should have snapped in two.

The Narrows From Angel's Landing

Date Taken: September 2

Location: Angels Landing, Zion National Park, UT

Why I like it: Rock layers and the windy canyon.  And the clouds provided some nice shadows.

Near-Death Experience

Date Taken: September 2

Location: Angels Landing, Zion National Park, UT

Why I like it: Because he didn't fall off.  Almost did, though.

Ore House

Date Taken: September 7

Location: Ouray, CO

Why I like it: Normally, I get terrible night shots.  But this one turned out pretty good.

Fall Colors

Date Taken: September 8

Location: West of Lake City, CO

Why I like it: Most of the trees in this area are coniferous, with the exception of aspens.  And this thicket of aspens was great.

Ouray, CO

Date Taken: September 8

Location: Ouray, CO

Why I like it: The sun shining on these mountains with a cloudy backdrop made these mountains seem that much more majestic.

Sunset on Clouds

Date Taken: September 8

Location: Ouray, CO

Why I like it: I like taking pictures of red/orange clouds, and this is the best I've done.

Wet Rose

Date Taken: September 21

Location: Washington Park Rose Garden, Portland, OR

Why I like it: The dew droplets on the rose, and the unfocused background.  If you didn't know any better, you might think this was taken with an expensive camera.

San Francisco Peaks

Date Taken: October 13

Location: Jerome, AZ

Why I like it: Hard to get a good picture of the peaks from that far away. I love the early-season snow on the mountains.

Sashimi

Date Taken: November 23

Location: Seattle, WA

Why I like it: The sashimi was decent, but the lighting was excellent.

True Love

Date Taken: November 24

Location: Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA

Why I like it: My brother and his wife-to-be in the most yellow elevator ever.

Space Needle

Date Taken: November 24

Location: Seattle Center, Seattle, WA

Why I like it: This is about ten feet from where that picture that sometimes shows up on my desktop background was taken.  I like mine more, though, because this one has clouds reflecting off of the museum.

Halfway Through 2012...

We're over half way through the year... I figured I'd rank all the new albums I've heard so far.

1. Lost In The Trees - A Church That Fits Our Needs

Emotional.  Rich.  Textured.  Atmospheric.  It's hard to find enough words to describe how beautiful this album is.  It's a perfect tribute to Ari Picker's late mother.  It's simultaneously sad and uplifting.  Rarely do you find an album with such a coherent bond between the lyrics and the music.  Here, Picker proves he's an expert in tone.

2. Punch Brothers - Who's Feeling Young Now?

I initially met this album with trepidation, since their previous album is one of my favorites, and I wasn't too keen on the first track, which was released online a few weeks before the full album.  But here they've proven that they can make music that is more accessible, but just as interesting... While staying true to their acoustic instruments.  

3. Anathema - Weather Systems

This is excellent prog rock.  It takes you through a range of emotions, it is intricately constructed (listen to the layered vocals on "The Gathering of the Clouds" in surround sound, and prepare to be blown away), and it just gets better with each listen.

4. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here

I'm probably in the minority, but I like this better than their previous record.  It doesn't have a hit song, but it does a great job capturing a traditional revival feel.

5. Great Lake Swimmers - New Wild Everywhere

Nice sincere folk rock.  All of the songs are pretty good, and there are some nice, catchy melodies here.

6. Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal

This is a fun listen.  Lots of bombast; probably closer to the first Edward Sharpe album than the new Edward Sharpe album is.  

7. Darrell Scott - Long Ride Home

Darrell is one of my favorite songwriters, and here we see him making back porch country music.  Simple, honest, and genuine.

8. The Tallest Man On Earth - There's No Leaving Here

I was never the biggest fan of this guy, but he does have an interesting Dylan-esque quality, and I like the acoustic guitar.

9. Bela Fleck & The Marcus Roberts Trio - Across The Imaginary Divide

Saw these guys at Telluride Bluegrass, and was impressed.  It's like a very tight jazz ensemble with a banjo.

10. Leftover Salmon - Aquatic Hitchhiker

I haven't been able to fully digest this one yet, but there are some quality cuts here.

Other albums I like that didn't make my top 10 yet:
Old Crow Medicine Show - Carry Me Back
Farrar, Johnson, Parker, Yames - New Multitudes
Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden
Trampled By Turtles - Stars And Satellites
Rhett Miller - The Dreamer
Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself

2012 Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Every June, I attend the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Telluride, Colorado.  This was my third year, and I have to say, it was the best yet.  This year I flew solo, rented a place in town, and enjoyed the dry weather and fluffy clouds wafting through the sky.

It started with a three day trip to Moab, UT, after which I made a Wednesday afternoon arrival in Telluride, just in time to enjoy the free FirstGrass show in Mountain Village.  This year, Della Mae opened it up with Peter Rowan as a guest, and delighted the audience with some first-rate upbeat all-girl tradgrass.  They were followed by the first of many (by my count, four) official Greensky Bluegrass appearances.  They played a good set, although, admittedly, my head was not really in it.

Later on in the evening, Yonder Mountain String Band played their annual kickoff party at the conference center.  I made it to my first one last year, but found this one to be far more entertaining.  They were just on this year... And they had Bela Fleck sit in during the first set, and Sam Bush during the second.  Someone later told me that Jeff Austin had "cleaned up" in the past year--either that is unfair speculation, or a reasonable explanation for a more exciting Yonder.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Things officially got started with an hour-long gapless improv by Chris Thile and Bela Fleck, under the name of "Thelma and Louise."  This performance was not for everybody, as it was abstract and improvisational in nature, and most improvisations tend to have sections that miss the mark.  I, personally, was impressed by the performance, even though I was a little drowsy during stretches (which, perhaps, could've added to the enjoyment).

I skipped Della Mae in order to catch up on sleep, and returned prior to Dan Mangan's set.  Mangan was a hit for me; I enjoyed his use of feedback and noise, and his philosophical ramblings, although the general consensus seems to be that he was too loud for a bluegrass festival.  Too each his own.

Mangan was followed by Greensky Bluegrass's 2nd official performance, which I skipped in order to see Punch Brothers at the free Elks Park stage.  This is a show that kicked off one of the most pervasive storylines of this year's festival, not just because of their Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Levon Helm tributes, but because, while explaining the seafaring nature of Josh Ritter's "Another New World," they proposed "Ahoy!" as the official Punch Brothers Telluride salutation.  Thus, "Ahoy!" became the most commonly heard word this year, typically shouted in unison by large groups of inebriated men.  This set was mostly covers; besides the Ritter song, they played The Car's "Just What I Needed," The Strokes' "Heart In A Cage," The White Stripes' "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," and, most memorably, The Band's "Ophelia." Ophelia was the first of four Helm tributes of which I am aware.

After Punch Brothers' Happy Hour, I returned in order to see Laura Marling take the stage 15 minutes late, and perform a slightly unenthusiastic set that was, nonetheless, enjoyable.  I guess I just had really high expectations for this set, after seeing her impress while opening for Andrew Bird a few months ago.

I didn't stay long into John Prine's set (which sounded good from the first few songs) in order to return my chair to the hotel in preparation for a long night, which began with Alison Krauss and Union Station.  As expected, I was highly impressed by their talent, but a little bored with their pop structures.  I like the songs sung by Dan Tyminski, who introduced himself as "the singing voice of George Clooney," because they tend to be closer to bluegrass than pop.

I finished the evening with the Elephant Revival show at the Sheridan Opera House.  I saw them play in Phoenix in January, and they were just as impressive, if not more so, in Telluride.

This was a very strong opening day, and the highlight was Punch Brothers at Elks Park.  

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday started off with a laid back set from Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall.  I appreciate their skill, but it's difficult to watch them on the main stage.  It would be easier to appreciate their technical abilities in a more intimate Elks Park workshop.  Needless to say, I fell asleep.

Seryn fortunately got things moving on Friday around lunch time.  This band, from Denton, TX, is almost completely unknown, they don't play bluegrass, but they use banjos sometimes, so I guess it "counts."  Bluegrass or not, they were impressive, and despite the lead singer's voice sounding a little too much like Eddie Vedder's, I like this band.

The always-entertaining Head For The Hills were next, but I skipped them in order to see Joy Kills Sorrow at Elks Park.  I figured I would see Head For The Hills later that night anyways, and JKS was one of the bands I was most looking forward to... So I couldn't wait for their Sunday morning set.  I was not disappointed with my decision.

I went back to the main stage for O'Brien Party of Seven and Bela Fleck & The Marcus Roberts Trio.  The first was enjoyable, at least during the part during which I managed to stay awake.  Bela Fleck & The Marcus Roberts Trio was one of the more unique shows of the weekend, as Bela projects are wont to be.  This was straight up jazz music, and it was tight.  I really enjoyed this show; it was one of my favorites of the weekend.

I skipped Del McCoury in order to rest up for John Fogerty, and return my stuff to the hotel.  There was some speculation as to how much of Fogerty's set would be CCR, and how much would be his solo/country set; if you were hoping for mostly CCR, you would not have been disappointed.  This was the set that was talked about for the rest of the weekend.

Rather than see Leftover Salmon, I saw Head For The Hills at the Fly Me To The Moon Saloon.  The first half was totally enjoyable, on account of everybody still being at Leftover Salmon, but once the Salmon crowd started showing up, it started becoming overcrowded.  The band was spectacular, however.

Friday, again, was solid, and the highlight of the day was, far and away, John Fogerty.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Saturday was all about Elks Park.  While at the main stage the band contest was going on, and Run Boy Run was following up as last year's winners, there was an instrument building Q&A with the makers of Shanti Guitars and San Juan Mandolins, featuring some "instrument demonstrations" (i.e., playing) by two of the guys in Head For The Hills.  If nothing else, I learned how difficult and interesting the art of luthiery can be.

This was followed up by a "workshop" entitled Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer: How To Play Badly Without Anybody Noticing.  This was, of course, tongue-in-cheek, and they did not play badly at all, but joked about some techniques to hide mistakes (their favorite was pretending to tune the instrument, so the audience thinks they just went out of tune).  They noticed Chris Thile on the side, and invited him to join... He ran and grabbed his mandolin, and half the show was Fleck/Meyer/Thile.  The Bela Fleck Elks Park performance seems to always be a highlight of the festival: it wasn't as memorable this year as it was last year, but it was still very impressive.

Following Fleck/Meyer, I went to the main stage for The Devil Makes Three, and witnessed some upbeat, energetic bluegrass/folk/whatever-they-call-what-they-do.  These guys are fun, and they have an old time style all their own.

Rather than hang out for Jerry Douglas' set, I opted for some lunch, followed by a trip to Elks Park for the Woody Guthrie tribute.  This involved Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Tim O'Brien (Tim O'Brien), Emma Beaton (Joy Kills Sorrow), Peter Rowan (Peter Rowan), and some other lady whose identity I'm unsure of.  By now, the air was rather smoky due to the fire burning down by Mancos, which was so pervasive that Vince Herman even referred to it in an impromptu verse of Woody's "This Land Is Your Land" (although he argued that the smoke was related to the fact that it was about 4:20 on the clock).  The Guthrie tribute was entertaining, enlightening, and probably more political than what we're used to at the festival.

Seryn was next at Elks Park.  Rather than witness the Yonder Mountain String Band marshmallow war, I decided to watch the little-known band play an intimate set and chat about polyrhythms, unusual use of bows, etc.

Next, it was dinner/sleep time (I skipped k.d. lang), and back over to the main stage for the annual Sam Bush Band set.  I've always enjoyed Sam's set, but this one was even better.  Midway through, he started a song with Jerry Douglas, during which the rest of the band came out armed with electric guitars, and proceeded to rock the crowd's socks off for about ten minutes.  A guy standing near me remarked that they should've ended with this, as there was no way to possibly top this.  One thing I've learned is you never assume Sam Bush can't top himself; he did when he brought out Douglas, Bela Fleck, John Cowan, Jeff Austin, and Dave Johnston for a rousing, 16-minute rendition of The Band's "Up On Cripple Creek" (the second Helm tribute for those who are counting).  He then brought out all the bass players backstage for an encore performance of Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom."  Only in Sam Bush's Telluride set can you see six bass players playing Spinal Tap at a bluegrass festival.

The final main stage set of the night was Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, who delighted me with their piano-based jambandery.  Bruce was joined by Thile and Fleck, but I left too early too see Sam Bush's appearance.

The reason I left Bruce early was to catch The Devil Makes Three play Fly Me To The Moon Saloon.  This was my biggest mistake of the festival; the show was more crowded than Head For The Hills the previous night, it was hot in there, I couldn't see the band, and they apparently just played basically the same set they played on the main stage.  I left by 1AM.

The highlight of the day was easily Sam Bush Band.  His performance included some of my all-time favorite Telluride Bluegrass moments (though my TBF career only spans three years).

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunday was a main stage day for me.  It started with John Cowan Band Gospel Hour, which was entertaining, though I didn't really know any of his songs.  I do know his voice from New Grass Revival, so it wasn't completely unfamiliar.

Joy Kills Sorrow was next.  It was similar to their Friday Elks Park set, just with less intimate chat and more music.  The audience seemed to like them.

I watched the beginning of Peter Rowan's Big Twang Theory, but didn't stick around long, as I wanted to grab some lunch and catch Paul Hoffman and Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass at Elks Park (their fourth official performance of the festival).  Their music and banter was enjoyable.

Next was Brett Dennen at the main stage; I was unsure of how I'd like his folk-pop stylings, but I actually found it enjoyable and refreshing.  Perhaps unfortunately, the most memorable part of his set occurred when Marshmallow War Part II broke out near the end.  It was so out-of-control that after the set, a stern warning was issue to the audience to refrain from throwing projectiles on stage.

Punch Brothers were next, and played their most typical show of the festival, with more songs from their new album than at any of their other performances.  This, of course, came with plentiful greetings of "Ahoy!" from the crowd, and Thile even changed the lyrics in "Rye Whiskey" to "A-hoy!" instead of "Oh Boy!" as promised.  The most interesting part of the set came when Rob Moose joined them onstage for a performance of the third movement of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto."

Glen Hansard took the headlining spot Sunday, and floored me with his emotive voice and more-energetic-than-expected band.  He played a couple of Once/Swell Season tracks ("Leave" and "When Your Mind's Made Up"), several songs from his solo work, and, memorably, The Band's "The Weight" (the third Helm tribute of the weekend).  Hansard impressed.

The Telluride House Band closed the night, but I skipped their set in order to guarantee a balcony seat at the Punch Brothers nightgrass show at the Sheridan Opera House.  Unfortunately, I missed the house band play "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down:"

The Punch Brothers nightgrass show was excellent: they played Weezer, The Strokes, Radiohead, some traditional bluegrass, some of their own music, some wicked solos, and even some R&B (with Noam Pickelny sporting some cool shades).  They were just having fun all night, and they were joined onstage by Bryan Sutton, Mike Witcher (brother of Gabe Witcher), some girl they found to sing the female vocal part in "Here Or Heaven," and even Ed Helms and one of his Lonesome Trio bandmates.

The highlight of the day was, as expected, Punch Brothers.

Overall, this was my favorite Telluride Bluegrass Festival.  The music was solid all around, I met a lot of interesting people, and just had an all around good, carefree time.  I already can't wait for the 40th anniversary next year.

Anathema - Weather Systems

Release Date: April 16, 2012
Label: Kscope


Let me tell you about Anathema.  They are a British prog rock band that started off playing doom metal.  Their past alone is probably enough to turn off most prospective listeners ("you want me to check out a doom metal band???), and their present is enough to turn off most doom metal fans, so they are in an interesting position, as far as niche is concerned.

I first heard Anathema several years ago, when I was in my prog metal phase.  The record I heard was A Natural Disaster, which surprised me with its overall mellowness and delicacy.  There really isn't anything metal about Anathema anymore.  I more recently heard We're Here Because We're Here, which I wasn't totally impressed with, despite its relative popularity.  Nevertheless, when I saw that Weather Systems was due, I went ahead and ordered the vinyl.

After a few listens, I was floored.  This might be even better than A Natural Disaster.  The record starts off with a split track, "Untouchables," with a hard first half and a more delicate second half.  This is followed by another pair of songs that flow into each other, "The Gathering of the Clouds," and "Lightning Song."  "Gathering" is a fine specimen of layered vocals and effective buildup, and by the time it climaxes and segues into "Lightning Song," it is difficult to resist the urge to start pumping your fists.

Another highlight is "The Storm Before the Calm," which features one of my favorite prog tropes: tearing down the song after a few verses, and building it back up again with more grandeur than before.

Really, this whole record is solid.  So solid that I decided to purchase the surround sound edition, which I had the chance to spin for the first time today.  The sound is more crisp, with more separation between the concrete musical instruments and more abstract atmospheric elements.  The layered vocal parts especially shine; in "The Gathering of the Clouds," I heard vocal lines I hadn't heard even after a dozen or so listens.

If you're a prog rock or art rock fan, check this out.  If you're not... Well, there still might be cuts you really like.  This music is really difficult to categorize.

★★★★

75 Awesome 70s Songs, Part I: 75-51

I've been listening to a lot of 70s music lately.  What a great decade, when many timeless musicians wrote their most timeless music.  Anyways, I have all kinds of 70s records sitting on my shelf that I haven't listened to more than once or twice... And I didn't grow up in the 70s, so there are obviously all kinds of musicians from that time that I haven't even heard.  So I'm not going to have any pretense that these are the 75 best songs from the 70s; they're just 75 great songs, roughly sorted in order of how much I like them.

75. Neil Young - Hold Back The Tears
American Stars 'N' Bars - 1977
American Stars 'N' Bars kicked off a sort-of country/folk era for Neil Young.  This album is one of the least awesome in the strongest stretched of albums produced by any artist, but it's still solid.  This is probably my favorite track from the album, though "Like A Hurricane" is probably the most well-known.


74. Gentle Giant - Mobile
Free Hand - 1975
Gentle Giant weren't quite as successful as other such prog acts as Yes, King Crimson, ELP, etc., but they certainly didn't lack in originality.  I don't know what to say about "Mobile," other than it's an excellent prog track.

73. King Crimson - Ladies of the Road
Islands - 1971
"Ladies of the Road" is interesting for both its funky bass line, and the accusations of misogyny that resulted from this track.  It is most definitely naughty.  Ranks high in both humor and crudeness.


72. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - Helpless
Deja Vu - 1970
Truth be told, I like this one better when Neil does it solo, but I'll reference the CSNY version, anyways.  Nice, mellow, melodic pop song.


71. Elton John - I've Seen That Movie Too
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1973
I may be criticized for choosing this over more popular songs from the same album, "Bennie and the Jets," and "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting."  But this one simply has a better melody, and a nice feel.


70. Yes - Turn of the Century
Going For The One - 1977
I really like the sound of this one... Little, if any, percussion; just atmosphere.  It actually builds up nicely, despite its relative sparseness.


69. Gentle Giant - On Reflection
Free Hand - 1975
This song is a clinic on vocal harmony.  It sounds like there are at least 30 vocal parts playing off of each other.  Also, the band member switch instruments during the song, even when playing live.  Cool.


68. Jackson Browne - Under The Falling Sky
Jackson Browne - 1972
An excellent track from Browne's debut album, "Under The Falling Sky" really works because of its interesting traditional/minimalist percussion.


67. Yes - Release, Release
Tormato - 1978
Tormato was not well-received in the Yes community due to the perception that they were shunning prog in order to write pop music.  But it's hard for me to denounce this album, because it has some great music, even if they are slightly poppy.  "Release, Release" is certainly better than that completely unlistenable "Owner of a Lonely Heart" that somehow became their biggest hit in the 80s.


66. Crazy Horse - Dance, Dance, Dance
Crazy Horse - 1971
Crazy Horse has actually been Neil Young's backing band on many an occasion, but they did release an album or two on their own.  I believe "Dance, Dance, Dance" was actually penned by Neil, but it sounds great here.


65. Neil Young - Campaigner
Decade - 1979; Chrome Dreams - 1975 (unreleased)
"Campaigner" is the best Neil Young song never to make it onto a Neil Young studio album, besides maybe "Ohio."  I like the feel of this song, from the acoustic guitar, to the vocal dynamics.


64. The Rolling Stones - Far Away Eyes
Some Girls - 1978
I like the Rolling Stones when they get weird, and this is a weird song.  It features a spoken word verse with Mick Jagger talking like a country bumpkin, which makes the chorus that much more catchy.


63. Led Zeppelin - The Battle of Evermore
Led Zeppelin IV - 1971
At some point in time, John Paul Jones fell in love with the mandolin, and this was one of the first songs to really showcase the instrument.  Pair a few mandolins up with a renaissance-sounding vocal melody, and you get one of the more interesting songs Zeppelin conjured up.


62. Billy Joel - You're My Home
Piano Man - 1973
This is one of those songs that doesn't really stick out when you're listening to the record, but when you hear it in a mix, it shines.  I think it largely has to do with the guitar sound.


61. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - Ohio
Decade - 1979; So Far - 1974
"Ohio" was one of the most well-known protest songs in the 70s, but it never appeared on a record until CSNY's So Far collection.  Penned in response to the Kent State shootings, Ohio sometimes resurfaces when the issue of police violence enters into the public consciousness.


60. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band
Cosmo's Factory - 1970
John Fogerty was never accused of making his songs too complex, and this song is a perfect example of how great a really simple song can be.  It almost sounds like a late 50s rockabilly tune, except with Fogerty's distinctive vocal style.


59. The Rolling Stones - Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
Goats Head Soup - 1973
This track is the perfect marriage of the British Invasion sound better characterized by early Stones work, and the 70s rock they were fully immersed in by Beggar's Banquet or Exile.


58. Led Zeppelin - Tangerine
III - 1970
Led Zeppelin's III has some great work, but this song best epitomizes Zep's folky side, which is my favorite side of Led Zeppelin.


57. Yes - Clap
The Yes Album - 1971
Possibly an unconventional choice, since it's really just a guitar solo, but it is one of my favorite guitar solos.  I'd consider my guitar playing ability sufficient if I could just learn this song.


56. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
Second Helping - 1974
Who doesn't like this song?  It has one of the most popular guitar riffs ever.  The history of this song makes it even better; it was written in response to one or two Neil Young songs about racism in the South (hence the reference to Neil Young in one of the verses), one of which is


55. Neil Young - Southern Man
After The Gold Rush - 1971
Neil Young is great when he stirs up controversy, and this one made quite the dig at the South.  Besides its being a scathing critique of racism in the South, it is just a great song.


54. King Crimson - Cat Food
In The Wake Of Poseidon - 1970
Poseidon was one of Crimson's weaker albums in the 70s, but it still produced some gems... One of which is the weird little track "Cat Food."  This one may need to be heard in surround sound, due to its many instrumental and vocal tracks.


53. King Crimson - Fallen Angel
Red - 1974
By the time Red came around, King Crimson was a trio, creating a much different feel than classical- and jazz-influenced work from Poseidon, Lizard, and Islands.  "Fallen Angel" has a nice melody and great dynamics, and is possibly the song that best utilizes the trio format.


52. Billy Joel - Why Judy Why
Cold Spring Harbor - 1971
Cold Spring Harbor, Joel's debut record, never achieved the fame his later records did, but it is, in my opinion, one of his best.  "Why Judy Why" was one of his first great ballads, and served as a great starting point for one of the best songwriters of the 70s.


51. Kris Kristofferson - Don't Cuss The Fiddle
Waylon & Willie - 1978
This song was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, but it was written by Kristofferson, generally considered one of the best country songwriters ever.  I'm not hugely familiar with Kristofferson's work, but this is probably one of my top five country songs ever.

25 Favorite Albums of 2011

Last year I did mini-reviews of every album I listened to in 2010.  However, given that I listened to over fifty new albums which were released in 2011, I figured I'd just make a list of the 25 best.  All of these are good albums, but only three achieve greatness.  It was a solid year, but light on the eventual classics.

25. Crooked Still - Friends of Fall
Just an EP, but a solid one.  Aiofe O'Donovan was involved in three of the albums on this list, but this is the one that is carried by her delicate, whispery voice.  Can't wait to see her open for Punch Brothers in March.



24. Noam Pikelny - Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail

Punch Brothers banjo player Noam Pikelny made this record in October, which I bought mostly because of his hilarious pitch in the Punch Brothers email newsletter urging me to do so.  Fairly standard, but expertly arranged, bluegrass fare, and all instrumental besides a contribution from Aiofe O'Donovan.

23. REM - Collapse Into Now

This was the first REM record I listened to in some time, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  And truthfully, I'd probably move it up if I got around to listening to it more.

22. Opeth - Heritage

Mikael Akerfeldt's music keeps getting more and more complex, but for some reason, it doesn't seem to have quite the impact it had back in the Blackwater Park days.  The loud/soft dynamic that made them so awesome as recently as their previous album is missing here.  Even so, it's a very good progressive rock album.

21. Chris Thile & Michael Daves - Sleep With One Eye Open

Never before had I thought anyone could do so much with just a guitar, a mandolin, and two voices.  This album is not groundbreaking, but very, very fun.

20. The Head And The Heart (self-titled)

These indie-folksters had a fair amount of attention there for awhile.  Solid, melodic folk balladry with a pleasant piano-heavy sound, but may not survive the test of time.


19. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong
2011 will go down in my personal history as the year I fell in love with alternative country.  This alternative country/rock band from LA made a solid record here with a bit of a jangly pop feel.



18. Paul Simon - So Beautiful Or So What

Paul Simon always writes solid music, but this is said to be his best since Graceland.  Admittedly, I haven't heard any of his work during that stretch, so it's true by default.

17. Greensky Bluegrass - Handguns

This is a recent find for me, a result of their being revealed as part of the 2012 Telluride Bluegrass lineup.  Starts out OK, and gets better and better as the album progresses, and ends with a solid 12 minute jam.

16. The Jayhawks - Mockingbird Time

These guys were pioneers in the alternative country genre, and they're back together, and stronger than ever.... Well, maybe not ever, but at least since Tomorrow The Green Grass.  It's almost criminal how good they are at vocal harmony.

15. Old 97's - The Grand Theater, Vol. 2

Confession: I haven't even listened to Vol. 1.  That's weird, right?  Either way, more solid alternative country from another influential alternative country band.  This one seems, to me, to be a little more artful than the two above similarly-styled albums.

14. Dead Man Winter - Bright Lights

What do you get when you take much of Trampled By Turtles, and add drums and electric guitars?  You get Trampled By Turtles-flavored alternative country.  A few of the songs have a nice TBT flavor (and one doubles as an actual TBT song), and a few others are closer to being alternative rock.  At any rate, they're better as a progressive bluegrass band, but this is still thoroughly enjoyable.

13. Blackfield - Welcome to My DNA

I was really tentative about this album before it came out, but it turns out that everything Steven Wilson touches sounds good (this is one of three albums on this list with which he was involved).  This time around, Aviv Geffen was almost solely responsible for writing the songs, but what makes this record great is not the writing, but the recording and production.  Wilson did his usual phenomenal work here.

12. The Dodos - No Color

This progressive indie-folk duo has a sound that is all their own.  It is fairly minimalist, but they use acoustic guitars in a way I've never heard them used before.  For their minimalist instrumentation, their songs can actually be somewhat complex.  I like it.

11. David Lowery - The Palace Guards

It's really difficult to pinpoint what exactly Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery's first solo album is... Is it art rock?  Whatever it is, it's Lowery's best work since Greenland, with more mellow and introspective music than what we get from his bands.  Well, maybe "All Those Girls Meant Nothing To Me" isn't introspective, but that's the exception...

10. The Roots - Undun

I always kind of respected the Roots, but I was never one to sing their praises.  But this album is good.  One of the most intelligently-penned rap albums I've heard.  It's nice to have rappers who actually have something interesting to say, which hasn't been mainstream since Public Enemy (maybe an exaggeration...).

9. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Rocket Science

For this album, the Flecktones reformed their original incarnation, with piano player Howard Levy.  The result is one of their best albums ever.  These guys are one of the most entertaining instrumental bands around, and they're doing their part to keep jazz music alive.

8. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two

It's not as good as Road Salt One, but it still has enough stellar tracks to make it a worthy record.  My favorite is the mandolin tune "Healing Now."  Gildenlow is doing a great job alienating his prog-metal fanbase, but I always respect a musician who makes music for music's sake.

7. Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive

This is my pick for country record of the year.  Earle's country-folk style comes across as incredibly authentic, and he actually has something to say here.  Steve Earle is an excellent songwriter and a man with something to say, and that combination often results in timeless works.

6. Okkervil River - I Am Very Far

Okkervil River have managed a very long string of good-but-not-spectacular records.  It's nice when a rock band has this much instrumental depth.  It gives them a sound much richer than most bands around, and Will Sheff's overly narrative vocal style adds some valuable uniqueness.

5. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know

This album is like crack.  I get one of the catchy melodies from this record stuck in my head, and I absolutely must listen to it.  The usual culprits are "Sophia" and "Salinas."  Her writing is accomplished and intelligent, and her sexy British accent certainly doesn't hurt her cause.

4. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

For half the year, this occupied my top spot.  This is not The Decemberists' most interesting album, but it is very accessible and likable.  It is well documented that they're paying homage to REM here, but they do it in a way that maintains their own unique style.

3. Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile - The Goat Rodeo Sessions

What happens when you take three of the best bluegrass musicians in the world, and add the world's most accomplished cellist?  This.  You get this.  This is the most recent of the three great records to come out this year, and it is simply thoroughly enjoyable and impressively performed progressive bluegrass instrumentals, with two tracks with vocals by Chris Thile and Aiofe O'Donovan.  I constantly have the urge to listen to this disc.


2. Abigail Washburn - City of Refuge
This album came out in January, but never struck me until I saw her perform the material live in Telluride.  After that I was hooked.  This record is sheer beauty and texture, and her voice fits like a glove.

1. Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning

Steven Wilson has spent the past few years remixing old King Crimson records, and here it finally manifests itself in his songwriting.  Grace For Drowning is the best all-around package I've run across in some time; the music is up there with his best work, the visual artwork (both the physical packaging and the music videos) is stunning, and the sound is better than any other I've heard.  The Blu-ray version has a clarity I never thought possible.  If you're someone who likes to immerse yourself in your music, rather than relegating it to rhythmic background noise, you have to listen to this record.