speed of dark

Now we're getting far enough up on the list that I can start talking about full albums. A couple in this group are a bit darker than some of the previous Favorites. I love those minor chords.

Favorites of 2006, 7 - 10

The Dears: Hate Then Love from Gang of Losers
This fall, for the first time, Indie Mom and I saw the same band not only twice in one year, but twice within a couple of months. The Dears are the reason for this recordbreaker, and both times they closed their set with this song. For me, it's the height of wonderfulness from an album with many wonderful songs. I used to think the Dears were Morrissey clones, but that idea has been thoroughly put to rest. I love how the melody rolls up and back down in this song.
Website | MySpace | Buy at Amazon



The Heartless Bastards: Brazen from All This Time
Of the three songs I liked a lot from the Heartless Bastards' sophomore album, this is the one that has stood the test of time. It's been on my exercise CD for six months, and I'm not sick of any of that stuff yet. See my previous October post, where there is a video of Erika Wennerstrom and Heartless Bastards in concert. They have a solid, rich guitar sound, and Erika's vocals drive it rather than get drowned in it.
Website | MySpace | Buy at Amazon



Razorlight: In the Morning from In the Morning
This is another track from the exercise CD that is guaranteed to make me pick up my step every time. I love the repeated "Areyoureallygonnadoitthistime?" and the accompanying jangly guitar. "America" from this CD is another really good song that could also have been a favorite. Unfortunately after those two and the equally-stellar "Girl with the Golden Touch" from 2004, you realize Razorlight's other songs are pretty much the same except they aren't as good as these.Website | MySpace | Buy at Amazon



Birdmonster: The Bar in the Back of the Basement from No Midnight
In one of our earliest posts back in September, Indie Mom posted "Janine" by Birdmonster. I wasn't impressed so much by that track, but now I think I should give it another listen. I found this one one night while letting the Hype Machine flash player just go down a page of songs. When "Bar in the Back of the Basement" played, I had to stop what I was doing and see what it was. Then I had to play it again. Then I had to have it! I love how it starts out really quiet and slow and then accelerates to full-out frenzy. I also like the spooky idea that some stranger could creep out from behind the tiki bar at the dark end of the rec room. Also good from this album: "Ball of Yarn," and "All the Holes in the Walls."
Website | MySpace | Birdmonster's blog | Buy at Amazon