Ohmpark’s Top 20 Best EPs/Short-Length Albums Of 2008

I decided to do something a little experimental this year with my best EP list. When I was comparing very short “full-length” albums to longer albums on my best LP list, I kept wanting to hold the time duration against the shorter album. Also, it seems the difference between EPs and LPs can be a bit arbitrary sometimes, so I decided to just draw a line completely based on album length to split up my best album lists. This list, then, is the best of all albums less than 35 minutes, regardless of what the record is labeled. I’m happy with the end result, as I’m able to really highlight some extremely worthwhile briefer albums and it made the competition on this list a lot tighter. When you really think about it, any classic album this short feels like it is in a different weight class. I want to give an honorable mention to Cynic‘s Traced In Air, Parade‘s Ghosts, and Mount Eerie with Julie Dorion and Fred Squire‘s Lost Wisdom because all three were awesome, but here are the 20 best albums under 35 minutes:

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A Random Mp3 Trilogy (Castanets, Zach Hill, A Armada)


Castanets

I’ve begun compiling all the albums from this year I have yet to hear, but before I dive into that, I need to address the last few good albums I’ve already heard. The Castanets‘ newest, City Of Refuge, is a weird hodgepodge of electronic bleeps and sounds combined with emotional folk jams. The juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory musical ideas could result in a gimmicky feel in less capable hands, but the original avant-folk record written and recorded by Castanets’ Ray Raposa was tweaked with these digital overdubs by such big names as Sufjan Stevens, Jana Hunter, Scott Tuma, and Dawn Smithson (Sunn O)))). This album shouldn’t be missed and this song is killer:

Castanets : Shadow Valley

Buy City Of Refuge



Zach Hill

It took me a few listens to get into Zach Hill‘s latest album because it doesn’t have much cohesiveness besides his unbelievable stick action. But this sonic kaleidoscope from the Hella drummer, Marnie Stern collaborator is one of epic proportions. The album features guest spots ranging from No Age to Les Claypool, so pretty much anyone who is a fan of music can find something to love here. The track I have for you is basically an eight minute drum solo from Hill, and it is ridiculous:

Zach Hill : Uhuru

Buy Astrological Straits



A Armada

Finally, when A Armada amazed me at Athfest earlier this summer, i picked up a copy of their debut EP, Anam Cara, and totally went bonkers for it. But, since the album wasn’t yet available to purchase anywhere but from the Athens band themselves, I decided to hold off talking about it until later. Well, you can now pick it up online, so you should really go do that. This Cinemechanica offshoot tackles instrumental post-rock and kicks it in the ass:

A Armada : If Only You Knew What The Lost Soldiers Did To Me

Buy Anam Cara

A Armada will be at the Drunken Unicorn November 14th

Corndogorama 2008 Saturday (Day 3)

Josh and I have both been covering Corndogorama, so we’re going to tag team you with yesterday’s events complete with photos from Biggie C:

JW: Following a super-charged Friday night, I managed to make it back to corndog land in time to catch Morning State. As usual, they put on a solid performance. “Never So Strange” kept the truly devoted satisfied. I listened to them through my hangover – something not afforded to lesser bands.

SK: I didn’t make it to the fest until Thy Mighty Contract had taken the stage. This ATL supergroup certainly combined the best elements of their respective sounds into a serious sonic assault. I wish I could have heard a few more songs from them, but good Corndog sets always leaving you wanting more.

Since Untied States canceled due to some legal troubles, I ran down to East Atlanta and grabbed some grub at the Australian bakery and Josh went to see the Corndog Eating Contest.

JW: OK – that Boone guy showed up again with the belt just to show it off. 17 corndogs in 7 minutes. This anomaly has no competition. I was waiting for the little girl about a third of his size to spew when she got 5 of them down and started kneeling on the ground.

SK: Upon my return we caught Sonen. Their show was ok, but not anything that grabbed me. They struck me as a par, average Atlanta band. Not bad, but not good. Right after that it was time for A Armada and the explosions of sound washing across everyone’s ears was unstoppable.


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Corndogorama Video: A Armada

We’ll have our full report from yesterday up soon, but I think the highlight of the day for me was seeing these guys again. In a related note, make sure not to miss Cinemechanica tonight!

Live Review: Athfest (6/21/2008) Athens, Ga

Last Saturday I left the Big A for the Little A. I arrived in downtown Athens mid-afternoon and checked out the scene. There were lots of arts and crafts tables setup along the road and the crowd was very family friendly. It reminded me of the Atlanta neighborhood festivals like Inman Park Fest or Virginia Highlands Summerfest. None of the musical acts on the outdoor stages were really my style, so I went to check out the Wired Dance Musical Festival at some bar called Blur.

The place itself was really cool, with video game machines and TVs setup everywhere and a swank looking waterfall behind the bar. They had a DJ and people doing art on the stage inside and then another DJ outside on their deck. I hung out there for a while, but it wasn’t really my style of techno either.


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