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 —
Guest post this week from Michael “Mick” Flores of my new fave band, Gidgets Ga Ga, self-described as a “Midwestern powerpop trio with grit, wit, spirit and musicality. Imagine The Replacements getting jumped by The Beatles and The Monkees then molested by The Who & Nirvana.” I couldn’t have said it better. Take it away Mick…
Dear 7-year-old Me,
I’m writing this letter to you because you are 7 years old and you don’t know what life has in store for you. So I am going to fill you in on some things.
I’m still knocked out by the musical tsunami I heard in the basement. You know exactly what I am talking about. When you heard that song for the first time. It still happens to you when you hear it.
Music was and still is the answer. Music is your call. You will never have a doubt that music is calling your name. You were scratching before it was cool and an art form. (Note to self: scratching a record with a needle makes it skip!)
Remember when Mom gave you your first guitar? It was really a gift to Mom from Dad for Valentine’s Day. Mom wanted to learn how to play but it was too hard on her fingers so she did what any good mom would do. She gave it to you. Remember her handing it over and looking you in the eye when you told her you wanted to be a musician? And her words of wisdom as she handed it to you were: “That’s great son, just remember musicians suffer and a musician’s life is a hard life. Great musicians have to suffer and you have to suffer to make great music. You my son, have not suffered enough.” So you said what any smart-ass kid would say and told her, “Let the suffering begin!” Needless to say, that guitar wasn’t any kinder to you than it was to Mom. It was a lot harder on your fingers as they blistered, peeled and bled out.
I still admire the fact that Mom has a deep understanding of the heart and soul of artists and musicians. Although she was not a musician herself, she sure knew how to enlighten you as an aspiring one. She still does to this day. She taught you how to hear the tinge of sadness in the happy music you listen to, never letting you forget how that emotional duality is what makes a great song great. The lyrics, the melody, and the music working in unison to create songs that live on forever. Out of all the advice she has given, this was the most useful and absolutely true.
So, dearest 7-year-old Me, you’ve learned and continue to learn so much. But the below list might make your musical journey easier, so refer to it. The order of the list is unimportant as each item is of equal importance. Print this list. You will need to, Grasshopper, if you want to walk the toilet paper.
- Never give up.
- Balance is essential. Be the moderation man. Too much is never enough and not enough is sad.
- Never give up.
- Wear clean underwear just in case you’re in an accident.
- Wash, rinse, repeat!
- Never give up.
- Please and thank you never go out of style. Be grateful.
- Never give up.
- Spinal Tap is required movie viewing for all musicians.
- Remember Stompy Joe!
- Never give up.
- Never use a house vocal mic. It’s like using someone else’s hanky. Live healthy!
- Never give up.
- Choose your bandmates wisely. Seriously — this is way important.
- Never give up.
- Beware of hired guns and those who carry them.
- Never give up.
- Patience; great things happen in their own time. Remember the harder you push, the more you may elude the very things you seek.
- Never give up.
- We are nothing without love. Money can’t buy you love (except in Vegas and it’s a wee bit expensive). You will never have to pay for it.
- Never give up.
- Happiness is our own creation and we choose to create it.
- Never give up.
- Make peace, get a piece.
- Never give up.
- Great songs are the ones you want to finish. Always serve the song.
- Never give up.
- Have as much fun as you can and get caught having it.
- Never give up.
Sincerely Yours in Rock & Roll,
— Me (that means you!)
12/7/09 | Comments (1)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Gidgets Ga Ga, KATE BRADLEY, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
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 —
