love,
cj

steel train – fall asleep
summer camp – ghost train
candy claws – not strange winged snail
colour revolt – 8 years
tokyo police club – breakneck speed
the roots ft. joanna newsom – right on
cults – go outside
right away, great captain! – my body aches for you
laura marling – devil’s spoke
tennis – marathon

stream// health

As 2009 nears it’s end, it’s time to look ahead to a year full of more new music. I always get excited during the crossover from December to January when best of the year lists start dropping and the new release period starts picking itself up out of the holiday lull. Don’t forget to check out my best of 09 list if you haven’t already, in the meantime here’s some of the records I’m looking forward to for 2010.

Arcade Fire//TBA
Release Date//TBA
Theres been a lot of speculation as to when Arcade Fire would release their follow-up to Neon Bible, but speculate no more. The band are currently working on their third full-length with Neon Bible’s producer Markus Dravs. The band are also said to be prepping for some tour dates in early 2010.

The Bled//Heat Fetish
Release Date//TBA (Early February?)
Haters be silenced. The Bled might actually make Rise Records relevant again. Heat Fetish, the fourth proper full-length under the band’s name is the first release since the band’s massive lineup change (3 out of the 5 members who penned 2007′s Silent Treatment left the band) and is sure to be at the very least an interesting listen. Oh and vocalist James Muñoz has to be the wittiest bastard on Twitter (tweet tweet!)

Blink-182//TBA
Release Date//TBA
As with many people from my generation, Blink-182 was the centerpiece to my childhood playlist. The band are said to begin work on the new album in early January with a new single to surface around the same time. This will be the first Blink release in seven years, to say that it’s anticipated is a vast understatement.

Bright Eyes//TBA
Release Date//Fall
Back in July, Conor Oberst announced that he would be doing one more album under the Bright Eyes moniker before officially retiring it. Robb Nansel, president of Saddle-Creek records has also said that Oberst will be recording stuff over winter and spring to hopefully have something out by fall of next year.

Circle Takes The Square//Ritual of Names
Release Date//TBA
Circle Takes the Square has been one of my all-time favorite band’s since they released 2004′s As The Roots Undo, one of the few and far between releases that I would consider a 5 star record. Since then, the wait for it’s follow-up has taken on glassjaw-esque proportions. The band’s last update was in June in a blog which they stated things are still coming along, albeit a little slowly. One blog reader said it best, Ritual of Names must be a crock-pot album, but I’m sure when it’s done, it’s gonna be good.

Dillinger Escape Plan//Operation Paralysis
Release Date//March 23
One of the most influential bands in modern metal are back with their fourth studio full-length. The follow-up to 2007′s Ire Works should be everything fan’s have come to expect from this band. Uncompromising brutal and mind bending math metal.

Envy On The Coast//Lowcountry
Release Date//March
Lowcountry, the sophomore full-length from Long Island native’s Envy on The Coast could very well send this band into notoriety claimed by the likes of scene peers like Brand New and Glassjaw. The band have a sound that is beyond their years. Head over to their myspace to preview a new song. Lowcountry is said to be completed, with a speculated release date of late March
stream//the devil’s tongue

Four Year Strong//TBA
Release Date//February
Ever since I belatedly got a hold of Four Year Strong’s 2007 release Rise or Die Trying i’ve been instantly addicted to their perfect blend of catchy anthemic pop-punk. Hopefully the band can pick-up from where they left off with their next album due out February via Decaydance.

Glassjaw//Glassjaw
Release Date//TBA
It’s hard to think of anything else that would make me happier in 2010 than a new Glassjaw release. From what it seems, 2010 is a good a year as any for them to put it out and if you’ve been following vocalist Daryl Palumbo on twitter at all, it looks like he’s been working on it, but honestly who knows with these guys? It could be tomorrow, or it could be another decade. One thing’s for sure though, if it gets released this year, 2012 might be coming a little bit early.
mp3//you think your john fucking lennon

Kay Kay and His Weathered Undergound//Introducing Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
Release Date//TBA
While the release date is still being worked on for Kay Kay and His Weathered Undergound’s sophomore full-length, that didn’t stop the band from streaming their new album in it’s entirety back in August. Here’s to hoping that the release date isn’t too far away.
mp3// passed out

MGMT//Congratulations
Release Date//TBA
MGMT stole the show in 2008 with Oracular Spectacular, which was more or less an album chock-full of psych-pop singles that has had the majority of the northern globe on their feet since it’s release. “Congratuations” was produced by David Fridmann and just got done being mixed.

OK Go//Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
Release Date//January 12
If the album’s single WTF? is any indication of the step-up in songwriting on OK Go’s sophomore release, we should be in for a treat and with Fridmann turnin the knobs, you can expect just that.
video// OK Go – WTF?

Past Lives//Tapestry of Webs
Release Date//February 23
From the remnants of the now defunct chaotic post-hardcore group Blood Brothers arose Past Lives featuring three members of the brother’s fame including co-vocalist Jordan Billie. Tapestry of Webs promises to be a step up on the calm and collected groove oriented post-punk demonstrated on the band’s debut EP.
mp3// hex takes hold

Portugal. The Man//American Ghetto
Release Date//TBA
Back in early November, we got word that the prolific Portugal. The Man were holding listening parties for ANOTHER completed album, entitled American Ghetto. Since then, it’s been hard to track down any more info on the release, much less a release date. I still can’t get into Satanist, but this is still right up there with my most anticipated

The Strokes//TBA
Release Date//TBA
Rumors have been running rampant regarding the new Strokes album since the beginning of 09. Will 2010 finally be the year that the gods of american modern rock can finally get it together? It seems so, as recent reports state that the band have already booked studio time starting in early 2010, along with some festival gigs set for the summer.

Wild Orchid Children//TBA
Release Date//TBA
Capitalizing on one of the catchiest songs I’ve ever heard in my life with 2007′s “Ahead Of Us The Secret” Wild Orchid Children is the second project on this list from former Gatsbys American Dream bassist Kirk Huffman (the other being Kay Kay and His Weathered Undergound). It’s been nearly three years since the band put out their debut EP, and with their last studio update coming in April, one can only hope a proper release isn’t too far off the horizon
mp3// gasoline rainbows

Yeasayer//Odd Blood
Release Date//February 9
Mark my words. By the end of 2010, Yeasayer will be a name learned and remembered by many. The brooklyn natives are set to release their sophomore effort Odd Blood February 9th. Check out their first single “Ambling Alp” which is just about as catchy as a cold in December.
mp3// ambling alp

Whilst these are some of the confirmed releases out next year, there is still a lot to be said for some of the artists that haven’t confirmed anything, but theres a good chance that we will be hearing something from them sometime in the near future.

Aesop Rock// Aesop Rock has reportedly been recording his follow up to 2007′s None Shall Pass for the latter part of 09. There’s a good chance we’ll hear something from him early next year
***
Annuals// Earlier this year, they announced they would be putting out an EP, but have failed to deliver any release or any news on it since then.
***
Circa Survive//Remember all the sweet studio updates the band posted for a solid 3 months? The album’s done, but since it’s completion the band have been hush hush on any further details.
***
Colour Revolt//Haven’t heard much from these guys since their best of 08 release Plunder, Beg, and Curse. Currently they’re still signed on with Fat Possum and have been playing a few local shows. Vocalist Jesse Coppenbarger is supposedly still working on his solo debut, maybe a new colour revolt release will soon follow?
***
Evangelicals//Dream-pop best of 08 darlings have been touring the latter part of 2009 with some new songs that should hopefully be out on a new release next year.
***
Fleet Foxes//Demo’s are already flowin for Fleet Foxes second full-length. In a recent interview, vocalist Robin Pecknold told Pitchfork that he expects it to be out the latter half of 2010.
***
Head Automatica//Earlier this year, Daryl Palumbo announced that Head Automatica’s third full-length was finished and had even been titled Swan Damage. Since then, news on the release has run dry
***
Interpol//The band announced in March that they were working on their fourth full-length. Since then, Paul Banks has gone on to release a solo album and is currently playing some shows in Europe and information on the new album has since dried up
***
La Dispute//Got a chance to speak with adam vass, the bassist for La Dispute who said they’ve been piecing together some new ideas. Not sure whether we’ll see another full-length from the band in 2010, but we should see some kind of new release.
***
Lydia//Another best of 08 alumni who is rumored to be currently penning the follow-up to their gorgeous sophomore release Illuminate
***
Miniature Tigers// Sure, why not?
***
Panda Bear//News arose earlier this month that animal collective’s Panda Bear was working on new material for a full-length he hopes to put out next year. He has since then put the project to a halt while Animal Collective finish up their touring which is supposed to be over with later this month.
***
Right Away,Great Captain!//With the prolific nature and the exceedingly fast nature of Andy Hull’s songwriting pace, it’s highly probable that the Manchester Orchestra frontman will release the finale to the trilogy of his solo moniker.
***
Tokyo Police Club//The band are currently in studio writing their sophomore full-length. Check out a new song here

While many will be mourning the death of summer, I for one am ecstatic for the change. Fall is without a doubt my favorite time of the year. October means a few good things in particular
-The upcoming line-up of all the good holidays is drawing near.
-The start of the NBA season is right around the corner.
-I don’t need an excuse to stay inside, eat and be lazy.

In addition to all these great things, my musical preferences always seem to change during this time. Cutting back on the poppier and heavier sides of the musical spectrum, I always seem to dive headfirst into a pool of stark acoustics, greyish ambients and, lazy pop. Hopefully this mix reflects that, and will accompany you through the best time of the year.

DOWNLOAD:: i know a girl with cuts on her legs [fall mix 09] [zip]
MORE MIXES

TRACKLIST
01. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream
02. Atlas Sound – Shelia
03. The Republic of Wolves – Spill
04. The Big Pink – Dominos
05. Dead Man’s Bones – Pa Pa Power
06. Devendra Banhart – Baby
07. Grizzly Bear – All We Ask
08. Brand New – Daisy
09. Small Black – Despicable Dogs
10. The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin
11. The Strokes – Is This It
12. The Good Life – Night and Day
13. Monsters of Folk – Temazcal
14. St. Vincent – Marrow
15. The Notwist – Consequence
16. Right Away, Great Captain! – What A Lullaby, What A Way To Die
17. Wolf Parade – Grounds For Divorce
18. Emily Haines – Reading In Bed

as always, if you dig the song, support the artist!

the picture is of my brother getting punched in the face. i stole it from my good friend’s expansive collection of photography. his name is trevor christensen , do him a favor, hit him up and show him some love.

download:: best of the decade pt 1 (songs 1-25)
download:: best of the decade pt 2 (songs 26-50)

#50
wild orchid children – ahead of us the secret
from elephant ep (2007) ::purchase

#49
city and colour – as much as i ever could
from bring me your love (2008) ::purchase

#48
blood brothers – trash flavored trash
from crimes (2004) ::purchase

#47
forget cassettes – quiero, quieres
from salt (2006) ::purchase

#46
straylight run – big shot (hands in the sky)
from prepare to be wrong ep (2005)::purchase

#45
the arcade fire – wake up
from funeral (2004)::purchase

#44
arctic monkeys – fluorescent adolescent
from favourite worst nightmare (2007)::purchase

#43
moving mountains – 8105
from pneuma (2008)::purchase

#42
manchester orchestra – i can barely breathe
from i’m like a virgin losing a child (2006)::purchase

#41
underoath – everyone looks so good from here
from define the great line (2006)::purchase

#40
kevin devine – time to burn (another bag of bones)
from brother’s blood (2009)::purchase

#39
parallax – the romance
from mediums and messages(2006) unavailable for purchase

#38
explosions in the sky – greet death
from those who tell the truth shall die, those who tell the truth shall live forever (2001)::purchase

#37
death from above 1979 – romantic rights
from you’re a woman, i’m a machine (2004)::purchase

#36
gym class heroes – everydays forecast
from the papercut chronicles (2005)::purchase

#35
mgmt – time to pretend
from oracular spectacular (2008)::purchase

#34
manchester orchestra – i was a lid
from let my pride be what’s left behind (2008)::purchase

#33
david bazan – cold beer and cigarettes
from fewer moving parts ep (2006)::purchase

#32
evangelicals – midnight vignette
from the evening descends (2008)::purchase

#31
the strokes – you only live once
from first impressions of earth (2006)::purchase

#30
animal collective – the purple bottle
from feels (2005)::purchase

#29
conor oberst – milk thistle
from conor oberst (2008)::purchase

#28
aesop rock – daylight
from labor days (2001)::purchase

#27
the sound of animals fighting – act IV – you don’t need a witness
from tiger & the duke (2005)::purchase

#26
bloc party – positive tension
from silent alarm (2005)::purchase

#25
colour revolt – swamp
from plunder, beg, and curse (2008)::purchase

#24
brand new – untitled 05
from leaked demos (2006) unavailable for purchase

#23
the good life – inmates
from album of the year (2004)::purchase

#22
la dispute – damaged goods
from somewhere at the bottom between vega and altair(2008)::purchase

#21
circle takes the square – kill the switch
from as the roots undo(2003)::purchase

#20
mewithoutYou – four word letter pt. 2
from catch for us the foxes(2004)::purchase

#19
modest mouse – night on the sun
from everywhere and his nasty parlour tricks (2001)::purchase

#18
grizzly bear – ready, able
from veckatimest (2009)::purchase

#17
cursive – staying alive
from the ugly organ (2003)::purchase

#16
glassjaw- two tabs of mescaline
from worship and tribute (2002)::purchase

#15
bright eyes – lets not shit ourselves (to love and to be loved)
from lifted: or the story is in the soil, keep your ear to the ground (2002)::purchase

#14
the strokes – is this it
from is this it (2001)::purchase

#13
bright eyes – hit the switch
from digital ash in a digital urn (2006)::purchase

#12
brand new – limousine (ms rebridge)
from the devil and god are raging inside me (2006)::purchase

#11
manchester orchestra – pride
from mean everything to nothing (2009)::purchase

#10
emily haines – winning
from knives don’t have your back (2006)::purchase

#9
brand new – okay i believe you, but my tommy gun don’t
from deja entendu (2003)::purchase

#8
portugal. the man – telling tellers telling me
from church mouth (2007)::purchase

#7
la dispute – new storms for older lovers
from somewhere at the bottom between vega and altair (2008)::purchase

#6
right away, great captain! – right ahead, young sailor
from the bitter end (2007)::purchase

#5
rx bandits – tainted wheat
from …and the battle begun (2006)::purchase

#4
the sound of animals fighting – this heat
from lover the lord has left us (2006)::purchase

#3
as cities burn – timothy
from come now sleep (2006)::purchase

#2
mewithoutYou – o porcupine
from brother, sister(2006)::purchase

#1
bright eyes – loose leaves
from brother, sister(2006)::purchase

download:: best of the decade pt 1 (songs 1-25)
download:: best of the decade pt 2 (songs 26-50)

Let me gush for a minute over a man that (should) need no introduction.
I’ve been on an Andy Hull binge recently. For those that don’t know, Hull fronts Manchester Orchestra and is the man behind this years best record (so far) Mean Everything to Nothing. (read my review here)

While he’s not fronting MO, Andy Hull also writes for his side-project/solo machine Right Away, Great Captain! which saw it’s 2nd installment of a trilogy detailing an olde time sailor/captain’s descent into madness after he discovers his wife cheating on him with his brother (read my review here)

The latest release under the Right Away moniker features some of Hull’s best work.  Standout tracks “I Was a Cage” and “Anna, No” in particular rank among the best songs penned by him.   Check out the two songs in rare live fashion:

If there is any question to Hull’s extreme prolific nature, Hull answered it with his recent interview with AltPress in which he claimed he’s written 38 full-length albums including MO’s and RAGC’s respective releases.   At the meager age of 22, Hull seems to have already filled shoes unfilled by many artists twice his age, covering ground that many artists today can’t even imagine.

Oh, and did I mention he also runs his own label? Favorite Gentleman Recordings, home of six different bands is also responsible for the aforementioned releases. Check them out (along with info on his two acts) here

if you like it, tell a friend and support the aritsts. That’s what it’s all about.

Special thanks go out to my roommate Trevor Christensen for the mix art. Trevor is a phenomenal photographer and you can check out more of his work at his blog or website.

download::  loose leaves [summer 2009 mix]

bright eyes – loose leaves (there is no beginning to the story ep)
anathallo – john j. audubon (canopy glow)
animal collective – summertime clothes (merriweather post pavillion)
maylene and the sons of disaster – step up (im on it) (III)
black moth super rainbow – the sticky (eating us)
the blood brothers – spit shine your black clouds (young machetes)
danger mouse and sparklehorse – little girl (ft. julian casablancas) (dark night of the soul)
deerhunter – saved by old times (on platts eyot island sessions)
dirty projectors – useful chamber (lock and key)
animal collective – what would i want sky (bbc sessions)
mewithoutYou – Allah, Allah, Allah (it’s all crazy!…)
modest mouse – dramamine (this is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about)
mogwai – glasgow mega-snake (mr. beast)
nightmare of you – hey sweetheart (infomaniac)
portugal. the man – the sun (the satanic satanist)
right away, great captain! – anna no (the eventually home)
rx bandits – mientras la veo soñarr (mandala)
yeah yeah yeahs – hysteric (it’s blitz!)
grizzly bear – ready, able (veckatimest)

10. The Sound of Animals Fighting – The Ocean and The Sun
The third full-length from prog-rock supergroup saw the band combining the best aspects of their previous two albums to create something that was progressive enough to warp your brain without being completely off the wall and elusive to the listener. This album has something for everyone and reveals something new with each listen.
Myspace :: The Sound of Animals Fighting
Purchase The Ocean and The Sun
MP3 :: The Sound of Animals Fighting - I, The Swan

9. Evangelicals – The Evening Descends
When I first heard this record, I would have laughed at the thought of it appearing on this list, but with time, these guys have proved to me that my first impressions aren’t always right. This gem is full of spacey atmospheric dream rock that has a replayability factor that is through the roof. Not to mention these guys put on an insane live show.
Myspace :: Evangelicals
Purchase :: The Evening Descends
MP3 :: Evangelicals – Midnight Vignette


8. Underoath - Lost In The Sound of Separation
After the initial hype of this album began to die down, it sort of lost it’s luster. While it fails at reaching the intense and heavy peaks that their breakthrough release “Define The Great Line” did, LITSOS is still an album that I’ve enjoyed too much to not put it on this list.
Myspace :: Underoath
Purchase :: Lost In The Sound of Separation
MP3 :: Breathing In A New Mentality

7. Stray From The Path – Villans
This record is a perfect example that some bands still believe in making music with a message. Villans was recorded by this virtually unknown hardcore outfit out of Long Island, New York and mixed and mastered by Converge’s Kurt Ballou. At just 11 songs in length, Villans blisters through its socio-political message in a mere 23 minutes, which never really gives you much time to realize you’ve just been hit by a fucking train.
Myspace :: Stray From The Path
Purchase :: Villans
MP3 :: Stray From The Path – The Art of Reprisal

6. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

An album that will probably be on a lot of year-end lists, MGMT took the indie mainstream by storm with Oracular Spectacular. An album filled with sexually charged indie-pop gems. It’s really hard to pick out a bad song off this “spectacular” record.
Myspace :: MGMT
Purchase :: Oracular Spectacular
MP3 :: MGMT – The Handshake

5. Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
Oberst shines on his self titled effort which displays his calm, reposed romanticism and natural songwriting talent in songs like “Lenders in the Temple” and “Sausalito”. The simplicity of the songs on this album like the epic closer “Milk Thistle” all retain their intricacies making this one that will keep finding its way back onto your playlist.
Myspace :: Conor Oberst
Purchase :: Conor Oberst
MP3 :: Conor Oberst – Milk Thistle

4. Lydia – Illuminate
Lydia return with their second full-length that shreds any notion of the so called “sophmore slump”. Illuminate is filled with dualing male/female vocals and big instrumentation that create the perfect backdrop to one of the most stunning efforts of the year. Illuminate proves that this band is capable of very big things.
Myspace :: Lydia
Purchase :: Illuminate
MP3 :: Stay Awake

3. Colour Revolt – Plunder, Beg, and Curse
These guys have a sound wise beyond their years. Upbeat songs like “Naked and Red” “A Siren” and “Swamp” showcase the melodic brutality of their triple guitar assault, backed by one of the most dynamic vocal performances I’ve heard all year. Plunder Beg and Curse is one of the most aggressive, dynamic, thought provoking records of 2008.
Myspace :: Colour Revolt
Purchase :: Plunder, Beg, and Curse
MP3 :: Swamp


Right Away, Great Captain! – The Eventually Home
The Eventually Home paints the bleak, depressing tale of a sailor bent on revenge. RAGC founder and sole member Andy Hull crafts his tale through simplistic layered acoustics and deafening builds of emotion from beginning to end. This album is sure to captivate and engross you in its dark brooding tale.
Myspace :: Right Away, Great Captain!
Purchase :: The Eventually Home
MP3 :: I Was a Cage

1. La Dispute – Somewhere At The Bottom of The River Between Vega and Altair
This little known group of friends out of Grand Rapids, Michigan have released the best record of 2008. SATBOTRBVAA is an album that is relentless in its ferocity and honesty. The music itself can be described as a progressive post-hardcore melding pot of bands such as At The Drive In, Glassjaw, mewithoutYou, and Circle Takes The Square. Dual guitars intertwine to create the jagged musical base for frontman Jordan Dryer’s vocals. At first listen, the comparisons between Dreyer and mewithoutYou vocalist Aaron Weiss are inescapable. Like Weiss, Dreyer is able to wield his words together in a way many wish they were capable of, creating an intensity throughout that is nearly tangible. La Dispute represents the little hope left in today’s music industry, where things like brotherhood, love, and community are the defining factors for their creation.
Myspace :: La Dispute Purchase :: Somewhere At The Bottom of The River Between Vega and Altair
MP3 :: Damaged Goods
MP3 :: The Castle Builders

I have been waiting for this day for months now since I vowed not to listen to a single song until I had my hands on a full copy. After my first listen, it is even more apparent to me than before that very few songwriters can craft songs like Hull.

In celebration I am including downloads to 2 of the songs below, but please support the man! You can buy it at local indie retailers or online at the Favorite Gentleman Webstore.

Myspace :: Right Away, Great Captain!
MP3 :: Right Away, Great Captain! – Devil Dressed in Blue
MP3 :: Right Away, Great Captain! – Cutting Off The Blood to Ten

RAGC @MYSPACE

1. Down To Your Soul
2. Devil Dressed In Blue
3. Cutting Off The Blood To Ten
4. Once Like You
5. What A Pity
6. Father Brian Finn
7. Anna No
8. Memories On A Shore
9. i Am A vampirE
10. I Was A Cage

Right Away, Great Captain! @myspace

Manchester Orchestra @ Myspace
Right Away, Great Captain! @ Myspace
MP3: Right Away, Great Captain! – Right Ahead, Young Sailor!