Best of 2008 so far

A list of artists with the best music coming out of 2008 so far would definitely include the band

Vampire Weekend.

As I was traveling to the scene of a story early this week, I came across one of the songs I would normally skip through on my iPod. Though I've added new music I want to get into, I generally feel like listening to something I already know when I need to concentrate on something other than what's coming out of my car speakers. This time was different for some reason. The song was "Bryn" by Vampire Weekend.

The band appeared on "Saturday Night Live" this past Saturday and played the song "M79" (see video below) complete with accompanying violinists. Hearing clips of their other stuff, I figured I'd like the band if I gave their songs a closer listen -- but when I heard "M79," I was instantly a fan. As a budding musician learning to play the fiddle, it's obvious why this song in particular appeals to me.



Since I already loved two songs on the album, I decided to give the other songs a chance. I was not disappointed.

Most of their tunes are upbeat and fun. Lead singer Ezra Koenig has a great voice, which I think is pretty unique, just like the band's sound, which has obvious African-beat and British pop (which I love) influences.

My fave top 5 on the album, in order:

Honorable mention: "Campus"
5. "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance"
4. "Oxford Comma"
3. "Mansard Roof"
2. "Bryn"
1. "M79"

MTV.com describes the band:

"New York City's Vampire Weekend mixes preppy, well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms. Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, and Chris Tomson formed the band early in 2006, when they were finishing up their studies at Columbia University. Taking their name from a movie Koenig made during his freshman year, the band started out by playing gigs at the university's literary societies and at parties.... The buzz around Vampire Weekend reached a peak in 2007... The Mansard Roof EP was Vampire Weekend's debut release... followed by their self-titled first album early in 2008."

http://www.vampireweekend.com/
Listen to some of the band's music here, or on their MySpace page.
http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend

Metacritic.com users rated the band's self-titled album an 8.3 out of 10. Critics felt similarly about the album. I think you will too.

Love that Southern Rock

This week I've been slacking. I'm sorry it has taken so long to update, but now that I am getting to it, I want to talk about

Drive-By Truckers.

While a little tardy, this post is actually quite timely -- according to its official Web site, the band is slated to appear on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on March 11. I encourage you to check them out if you are not familiar.

The band's newest album, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark," just came out in January 2007 and was well recieved from what I am reading here.

Pitchfork Media rating: 8.2
Metacritic.com: 84 out of 100 (based on 27 reviews)

Many reviewers have compared the Truckers to the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other Southern Rock greats. I, too, am a fan. (They are definitely on my list of must-sees at the festival this year.)

According to drivebytruckers.com, 2007 was a year of transition and reinvention.

In the spring, they parted ways with Jason Isbell, who had been in the band for five years and three albums. As a result, they moved away from the “big rock show” to focus a little more on the stories and music and playing new stuff in front of a live audience.

According to the site, the band finished recording “Brighter than Creation’s Dark" in August and
mixed it themselves to keep to the album’s “homegrown feel.”

The album comprises music from three different writers, including bassist Shonna Tucker, whose songs have not been featured before, the site reads.

The band considers the album to be its best yet.

Two of my favorite tracks on the new album are "Two Daughters and a Wife," and
"Perfect Timing." But don't take my word for it (wow, I sound like Levar Burton
on "Reading Rainbow")...

Check out Drive-By Truckers on their site, http://www.drivebytruckers.com/. You can watch video performances or listen to audio if you like. I will be adding new tracks to the playlist below.