The Beauty of the Sounds

I reviewed Bon Iver's new album a while back, but here's the quick summary. I expected a shift towards a mainstream sound, and although the brilliance and rawness of For Emma, Forever Ago was something that could not be replicated without being hackneyed, I was fearful of a poor sound. I was blown away. Since I'm lucky enough to see Bon Iver in concert when he visits Seattle, I've been listening a lot to all of his music, from For Emma, Forever Ago to the newest release, as well as the Blood Bank EP and the single from Dark Was The Night. I've listened to a lot of music, from all kinds of genres and time periods. The beauty of the sounds that Justin Vernon creates are unlike anything I've heard. When I think of some of my favorite songs ever: Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls, Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead, Dogs by Damien Rice, Beast of Burden by the Rolling Stones, the Temptation of Adam by Josh Ritter, they all have certain reasons why I love them so much, from specific lyrics to creschendoing choruses. But I'm rarely taken aback by anything. Yet every time I hear the initial notes of Holocene or Perth or Michicant I have to stop whatever I'm doing. I have to sit back and let the music wash over me because I'm incapacitated by the beauty of the sounds. Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah, Whitney Houston's F#5 in I Will Always Love You, Thank You For Hearing Me by Sinead O'Connor are a few rare examples of music that has the similar effect.

Music Review: Bon Iver

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver just released his second full album, Bon Iver, streaming on NPR. Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma Forever Ago, serenaded us with stirring sounds (ugh, alliteration). Recorded in desolation with bare bones recording equipment, it was raw and unfettered. The music swallowed you up, transferred you to a different world, and ripped through your soul with wondrous melodies and caustic lyrics. A follow-up EP, Blood Bank, gave us more of the same, but I was cautious about the future of Bon Iver. Already in Blood Bank, I heard sounds evoking a slight pandering to the mainstream. I hoped that Bon Iver wouldn't venture further down that trail.

So with a degree of trepidation, I fired up NPR on my bus ride home and gave Bon Iver a listen. One-and-a-half listens later, but seemingly only moments after leaving work, I was home. The record completely knocked me over. It was somehow more polished than For Emma and yet still raw. Vernon's musical genius shines through everywhere, much like Andrew Bird albums. The music is exceedingly beautiful, the lyrics mysterious and meaningful (there I go again). Go get lost in this album. It's tremendous.

Best Music of 2009 (Complete, without reviews)

1-5

96-The Airborne Toxic Event-The Airborne Toxic Event

92-Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King

89-Muse-The Resistance

85-Ingrid Michaelson-Everybody

84-Dashboard Confessional-Alter The Ending

6-10

83-Wilco-Wilco

82-Bon Iver-Blood Bank EP

82-The Avett Brothers-I And Love And You

81-Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

77-Ben Harper & Relentless 7-White Lies For Dark Times

11-20

76-Mat Kearney-City of Black & White

75-Ben Lee-The Rebirth of Venus

75-The Swell Season-Strict Joy

75-Pete Yorn-Back & Fourth

75-The Decemberists-The Hazards Of Love

74-Jay-Z-The Blueprint 3

72-Fruit Bats-The Ruminant Band

72-The Dodos-Time To De

71-Andrew Bird-Noble Beast

70-Cat Stevens-Roadsinger

21-30

70-Jason Lytle-Yours Truly, The Commuter

69-Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band-Outer South

68-Bob Dylan-Together Through Life

68-Rhett Miller-Rhett Miller

66-Mark Geary-Ghosts

66-Regina Spektor-Far

66-The Fray-The Fray

66-Dark Was The Night

65-Delta Spirit-Ode To Sunshine

64-Weezer-Raditude

31-40

63-Sondre Lerche-Heartbeat Radio

62-Norah Jones-The Fall

62-Bonnie Prince Billy-Beware

62-A Fine Frenzy-Bomb In A Birdcage

62-David Crowder Band-Church Music

62-Spiro-Elephant Song

62-Green Day-21st Century Breakdown

61-Matisyahu-Light

61-Blue October-Approaching Normal

59-Lou Barlow-Goodnight Unknown

41-50

58-Bon Jovi-The Circle

58-Volcano Choir-Unmap

58-Jay Sean-All Or Nothing

57-Mika-The Boy Who Knew Too Much

56-Away We Go Soundtrack

52-Bloc Party-Intimacy

52-Monsters of Folk-Monsters of Folk

51-British Sea Power-Man of Aran

51-Porcupine Tree-The Incident

51-Susan Boyle-I Dreamed A Dream

51-60

50-Grand Archives-Keep In Mind Frankenstein

49-Kanye West-808's & Heartbreak

49-Patrick Wolf-The Bachelor

49-Howie Day-Sound The Alarm

46-Imogen Heap-Ellipse

46-Flight of the Conchords-I Told You I Was Freaky

46-Mindy Smith-Stupid Love

46-Switchfoot-Hello Hurricane

46-Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion

46-Melody Gardot-My One And Only Thrill

61-70

46-Passion Pit-Manners

46-Glee Cast-The Music, Vol. 1

45-Black Eyed Peas-The E.N.D.

44-Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest

44-John Vanderslice-Romanian Names

44-Pearl Jam-Backspacer

44-Portugal. The Man-The Satanic Satanist

43-Glee Cast-The Music, Vol. 2

42-Harlem Shakes-Technicolor Health

42-Neko Case-Middle Cyclone

71-80

42-Mount Erie-Wind’s Poem

41-Third Eye Blind-Ursa Major

40-The Flaming Lips-Embryonic

40-Paolo Nutini-Sunny Side Up

40-M. Ward-Hold Time

40-Casting Crowns-Until The World Hears

40-The Lonely Island-Incredibad

40-Michael Buble-Crazy Love

39-Son Volt-American Central Dust

38-Mason Jennings-Blood of Man

81-90

37-Eminem-Relapse

37-Arctic Monkeys-Humbug

37-Taylor Swift-Fearless

36-U2-No Line On The Horizon

36-Peter Bjorn & John-Living Thing

34-Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson-Break Up

33-Handsome Furs-Face Control

31-Tegan & Sara-Sainthood

30-K'Naan-Troubadour

27-John Mayer-Battle Studies

91-101

26-Ke$sha-Animal

25-Rihanna-Rater R

24-Iron & Wine-Around The Well

23-Owl City-Ocean Eyes

22-Colbie Caillat-Breakthrough

22-Lady Gaga-The Fame Monster

21-50 Cent-Before I Self Destruct

20-Papa Roach-Metamorphosis

20-Vertical Horizon-Burning The Days

17-Joe Henry-Blood From Stars

6-Lady Antebellum-Lady Antebellum

Best Music of 2009 (6-10)

Here is the next installment, 6 hours early, because I don't know when I'll have internet access tomorrow. You'll see I'm quite a tease as you only get 5 and have to wait with bated breath for the top 5. I have highlighted my favorite track for my top 10 albums.

6-10

83-Wilco-Wilco

Best Track: Solitaire

Talent oozes out of this recording like strawberry preserves out of a well-made PB & J sandwich. It made me pause for a few seconds as it washed over me. “Solitaire”, “One Wing”, “You And I”, and “I’ll Fight” are wondrous tracks.

82-Bon Iver-Blood Bank EP

Best Track: (Tie) Babys and Woods

The follow up to the brilliant For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon awes me again. Every single track transports you to a magical land. His music has an other-worldly aura to it. Much like the dish of ratatouille that impacted Anton Ego so much. Bon Iver’s music reminds us of simpler times. I eagerly await his next full-length release.

82-The Avett Brothers-I And Love And You

Best Track: I And Love And You

I only discovered the Avett Brothers this year, and was won over by their performance on the Letterman Show. They just have so much fun on the stage, and their songwriting is magnificent. Occasionally the bluegrass sound wins me over and this is one of those times. I’ve already begun listening to their older stuff, and it is simply fantastic. The title track is hard to beat. From “When at first I learned to speak. I used all my words to fight. With him and her and you and me” To “Three words that became hard to say. I and Love and You” the lyrics to this first song display the genius of the Avett Brothers.

81-Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Best Track: 1901

Phoenix was one of my absolute favorites from 2009. They’re music is different, happy, and makes you want to dance. And there’s just something about dancing. 500 Days of Summer and Slumdog Millionaire taught us that again this year. “Lisztomania”, “1901” “Lasso” , and “Rome” are my favorites, but every single song on this disc is a winner. I hope I get to see them in concert soon.

77-Ben Harper & Relentless 7-White Lies For Dark Times

Best Track: Fly One Time

The instant I first heard this CD, in a yet-to-be-moved-into bedroom in Holland, Michigan, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites from the entire year. “Up To You Now” is a great track; “Skin Thin” is a haunting and brutally honest track: “Fly One Time” is one of the best tracks of the year; “Faithfully Remain” is just another of the intimate tracks where Ben Harper pours himself in front of you. That level of vulnerability wins me over instantly. The disc as a whole falls down a bit, but the sheer brilliance of those few tracks boosts it up.

Current music

I love music and listen to copious amounts. It guides me through moods and on occasion makes me think.

I recently fell in love with an unreleased Norah Jones song "Moon Song" from a 2004 DVD. It has easily become one of my favorites, capturing her stunning voice and soft jazz elements. Norah Jones is one of my very few favorite artists.

Bon Iver's new EP "Blood Bank." A great follow-up to tide fans over after "For Emma, Forever Ago", Blood Bank soothes. My favorite song is "Woods' followed by "Babys", "Blood Bank" and "Beach Baby."

Matt Peterson has an unreleased single "Something Good." It's catchy, jazzy, and sweet.

Brett Dennen's semi new disc "Hope for the Hopeless" is also good.

I'm excited for Ben Kwller's new CD "Changing Horses." I listened to three songs from it on myspace last night. Kind of more twangy sounding than past discs. Hopefully there isn't too much twang.

I'm also listening to the Jayhawks, Sara Bareilles, and Josh Ritter.