Ohmpark Mixtape #13: Our Favourite Songs of 2009
If you’ve been paying attention around here this year, there is no doubt you will be familiar with everything on this list, and perhaps even a little burnt out on some of these tracks. But each of these songs are strongly linked to different moments and memories I have of 2009, and they make up the ultimate soundtrack to an amazing year in music. So jam them out one last time:
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse w/ Wayne Coyne : Revenge
Animal Collective : My Girls
Atlas Sound w/ Noah Lennox : Walkabout
The Dirty Projectors : Useful Chamber
Grizzly Bear : Two Weeks
Bat For Lashes : Daniel
Andrew Bird : Anonanimal
Here We Go Magic : Fangela
Loney, Dear : Airport Surroundings
Mew : Introducing Palace Players
St. Vincent : The Strangers
Do Make Say Think : Do
Phoenix : Lisztomania
Nomen Novum : Miracles Come True
- Posted by Davy Minor on December 7, 2009 at 5:02 pm
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SXSW Day 1 (Wednesday): Return To The Center Of The Universe
All photos by Clint Miller
We left Savannah, Georgia a few hours after the St. Patrick’s Day parade and made the cross country trek to Austin, Texas. Upon arriving at SXSW around noon, everyone in our crew was already exhausted from traveling, but there is certain adrenaline that carries you through upon arriving to such a magical experience, and we were poised to tackle the day regardless of our condition.
We started things off at Paste magazine’s day show, and it was a fantastic way to kick this thing off. First up, I finally got to see Anathallo and they were everything I had hoped for. They churned out a set mostly made up of Canopy Glow tunes, and they sounded spectacular. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the day.
We hung out a little while and then checked out Port O’Brien. I had listened to their last album and enjoyed it, but it didn’t really blow me away. Live, the songs took on new life, and the dueling solo contest between the two guitarists was fun to watch. In typical SXSW fashion, the band had arrived in town about 10 minutes before their set and even said their manager was driving their van around in circles during their set because they didn’t have time to find a parking spot. It was apparent they were “winging” the set, but it sounded tight despite that.
Click here to read the entire post…
- Posted by Davy Minor on March 19, 2009 at 4:15 pm
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A Random Mp3 Trilogy: Loney Dear, Abe Vigoda, Mount Eerie
I know I have already done a post for the new Loney Dear, but I seriously can’t stop listening to this album. It is one of those rare pieces where I can appreciate every single artistic choice, and all of them are executed flawlessly. I mean just the way he pronounces ’story’ as ’storwy’ on “Harm/Slow” is such a miniscule detail, but it sticks out so vividly. Loney Dear, aka Swedish songwriter Emil Svanangen, has produced one of the best albums of 2009 so far, so don’t miss out.
Loney Dear : Everything Turns To You
Los Angeles based Abe Vigoda’s 5 track follow up to last year’s Skeleton sees the band moving into a more matured, darker direction that doesn’t quite as easily wear the fun, tropical punk name tag. This may not be good news to some of their fans, but I think this EP, Reviver, proves they are more than just a No Age clone. If you read this blog regularly, you know I always prefer my music to be interesting over fun, so if that is how you like your punk served up as well, then make sure to grab this:
Lost Wisdom, a Mount Eerie collaboration with Julie Doiron (Eric’s Trip) and Fred Squire, has made its way back into my heavy rotation again. I liked it a lot when I stumbled across it at the end of last year, but it has taken me a while to appreciate some of the slower songs on this thing. I love returning to an album and getting obsessed for a second time, and it is a true testament to a record’s greatness. If you never heard this one, you are missing out:
Mount Eerie w/ Julie Doiron & Fred Squire : O My Heart
- Posted by Davy Minor on February 23, 2009 at 7:11 pm
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Tonight In The A: Andrew Bird, Loney Dear
Wednesday, February 4: The authors of two of my many favourite records from January 2009 play at the Variety Playhouse.
I grossly underrated how popular Andrew Bird is, so unfortunately I won’t be going to the sold out show tonight at The Variety Playhouse with him and Loney Dear. I first got acquainted with the Birdman years ago when he was hitting up the festival circuits heavily, and I really dug him back then. But Armchair Apocrypha just didn’t do it for me, and I guess I sort of ignored him for a little while. But his EP from last year was nice, and so is his newest, Noble Beast. Those of you catching him tonight are in for a treat, and lots of sweet, sweet whistling. Here’s a preview and this first song is freaking incredible:
I first got introduced to Loney Dear back in the beginning of 2007 when they were opening for an Of Montreal show, and while they had a good sound, I thought they were too boring. But their recently released record, Dear John, is one of the better albums to come out so far this year. After doing some research, I learned that “they” is actually a “he”, as Loney Dear is just Swedish multi-instrumentalist Emil Svanängen (he puts a band around him for shows though), and he has actually made quite a few records before this that I haven’t heard. What I love most is the production on this thing, and I’m guessing most of what I enjoy about this record probably wouldn’t translate very well to a live setting, so even if him and his band don’t blow you away tonight, do not overlook his remarkable studio work. This stuff is great:
Loney Dear : Airport Surroundings
Loney Dear : Under A Silent Sea
- Posted by Davy Minor on February 4, 2009 at 4:51 am
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