You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:
1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up 
Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick. |
2. Chris Velan, Solidago
Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner. |
3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent
A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits. |
4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot. |
5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory
Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck. |
6. Contramano, Contramano
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. |
7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear 
The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style. |
8. Passion Pit, Manners 
A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth. |
9. Gary Yerkins, Compass 
Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem. xo |
Tags: Bob Marley, Cheap Trick, Chris Velan, Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fountains of Wayne, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, Gidgets Ga Ga, Glasvegas, Jason Lehning, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, Mike Gent, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Paul Simon, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Roman Candle, Steely Dan, Steve Forbert, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Supertramp, The Bees, The Figgs, The Jackson 5, The Silver Seas, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Wilco —
Been digging through the holiday stacks here at Outlandos HQ, getting ready to program THE DAILY DOSE for December. I tell you, it nearly killed me trying to figure out what to play next to the McKenzie Brothers doing the 12 Days of Christmas. But it’s my favorite holiday song so I have to play it for you guys. Be sure to check in each day to see what we’ve got cookin’ for the holidays along with our hand-picked wine and cheese recommendations to go with each song. Yes, we are bonkers.
That said, if you haven’t already, join THE DAILY DOSE on Facebook and become our friend (it still always feels sooooo high-school asking that). We’ll look forward to checking out pictures of you when you were 12… or whatever it is you’ve got posted there.
Now for what’s been playing at Outlandos HQ so far this month:
1. WDST’s Unleashed
One of the best new music shows out there. Mostly new but they pipe in some older gems as well. Sound familiar? Ida and Dave have killer taste and a great on-air presence. It’s my new Sunday night must-listen. You can catch whole episodes by clicking here.
2. Gary Yerkins, Compass
Totally reminds me of Robert Cray/Gerry Rafferty. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem, you should own it. Hear Gary on THE DAILY DOSE December 3.
3. Sam Prekop, Who’s Your New Professor?
Wow, wow, wow. Thanks to NEXT Music’s Chris Bro for the intro to Sam, of The Sea and Cake. Is it electro-jazz rock? I don’t know how to describe it, except to say smart. Hear Sam on THE DAILY DOSE 11/24.
xo
11/16/09 | Comments (0)Tags: Cris Bro, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Sam Prekop, The Sea and Cake, Unleashed, WDST —
Just getting ready to program The Daily Dose for November, for sure, these guys will be showing up alongside older tunes we think make sense as well as our wine and cheese picks.
What’s that you say? You couldn’t stand to miss a single Dose? We hear ya. So, an RSS feed to solve your woes, because we love you. We really do.
Now for what’s been playing at Outlandos HQ so far this month:
1. The Dimes, The King Can Drink the Harbor Dry
Portland Oregon 4-piece. Mellow but not in the annoying Gray’s Anatomy way. Sounds a whole lot like John Stirratt’s (of Wilco) side project The Autumn Defense. Simon & Garfunkel too. Ten Days After even. Buy it.
2. Dodos, Time To Die
Also mellow but edgy, lots of unexpected syncopation. Hints of XTC and even… Phish. Strange, I know. Bet you’ll like it
3. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Fiasco
Remember those Nuggets
xo
10/19/09 | Comments (0)Tags: Cheap Trick, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Dodos, Gidgets Ga Ga, KATE BRADLEY, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, The Dimes —
No one’s a bigger fan of social media marketing than me. But lord, lord, lord… it is motherfucking exhausting. Imagine running 2 companies (including 21 people working for free, miracle of God, I am beyond thankful every day) and still finding time for newsletters, status updates, and of course, blog posts. Let’s just say, more often than not, the basics (eating, cleaning, dressing, exercising, brushing teeth) take a backseat. Oh, priorities.
But the truth is, I count on YOU to help me keep at it. Your feedback (your e-mails, your retweets, your comments, your fandom, your forwards); that’s the FUN part. And I can’t do it without you. Just plain can’t.
So, thank you.
Now on to what’s been playing around Outlandos HQ:
1. One eskimO, One eskimO
Wow. Wow. Wow. Smart, clever and remarkably (I hate this word but it’s true)… fresh. And it takes a little bit creep up on you, which is my favorite. Seal/FYC meets 70s Stones meets Tom McRae, translation: singer-songwriter-pop-dance-rock. What? Really. Buy
2. Led Zeppelin, How the West Was Won (DVD)
Need a reminder of what exactly melt-your-face-off rock ‘n roll used to be? Arm hairs, beware: you’ll be standing on end for hours. Own
3. 7 Worlds Collide, The Sun Came Out
This one’s our Bang-for-the-Buck of the Month. I mean holy crap, it’s a Finn Fest (Neil, Tim, Liam), Wilco, and most of the members of Radiohead. Plus a ton more. Double album. And it’s a benefit to boot. It’s not gonna blow your mind but definitely worth your dollar. Straight up the Starbucks’ alley (if Starbucks had a clue). Do some good and buy
xo
9/14/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, KATE BRADLEY, Led Zeppelin, Liam Finn, Neil Finn, NOW PLAYING, One Eskimo, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Radiohead, Starbucks, Tim Finn, Wilco —
Has summer even happened? Good Lord, it’s almost over and it feels, with the recent swelter-fest (at least in the East Coast) that it just started.
Lots of good stuff cranked at Outlandos HQ to keep us feeling somewhat cool, see below.
But first, petite favor to ask you kids. This will literally take you 2 seconds, it’s super easy and you don’t even have to give a rats tail about SxSW but… would you vote for us? 30 seconds of your life. It’s a BIG deal in our world and would mean so much! How could we ever do it without you? Seriously. Thanks zillions. If we get in, not only do I get a free badge (let me tell you, those suckers are expensive) but we get some handy-dandy publicity.
Help me, help me? Just click the 2 links below and then click the “thumbs up” next to each one:
The Value of Emotional Value (Interactive Version)
VOTE HERE
Doing It like Trent: DIY for the Little Guy
VOTE HERE
Now on to the fun stuff:
1. Contramano, Contramano
Buy
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. In case you missed it, they were featured on the Dose last week.
2. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear
Buy
The Bees (US) are easily one of my favorite bands of all time. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out this year (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades of the Dan.
3. Division Day, Visitation
Buy
Soooooo very Radiohead… not that there’s anything wrong with that. But there’s kind of a fresh twist. Really digging this one. Headphone listening for sure.
4. Passion Pit, Manners
Buy
Been loving this one for a while now, it’s dance music. Who knew. Fun fun fun. Featured on the Dose earlier this month.
5. David Mead, Almost and Always
Buy
He’s always wonderful. Not my favorite of his catalog but still worth it. And just a sweetheart of a guy with a crazy-lovely voice. It might take a little while to grow on you, more complex than you think on the first listen.
xo
8/17/09 | Comments (4)Tags: Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Mead, Division Day, KATE BRADLEY, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Radiohead, Roman Candle, The Bee Gees, The Silver Seas —
