Signs of Life 2008: Best Music
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Of the hundreds of CDs released this week (715, according to All Music Guide), here are my picks...
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This five-piece from Seattle is one of my absolute favorite new bands (along with Bon Iver and Islands) of '08. With CSN&Y harmonies. Like their labelmates, Band of Horses, they're a spiritual descendant of early My Morning Jacket with soaring melodies and vocals that sound like they're recorded in a grain silo. They add CSN&Y harmonies to boot. - Listen here.
William F. Gibbs - My Fellow Sophisticates
The hooks come with baroque ornamentation on this debut that was original and eclectic enough to cut through the dozens of singer/songwriters that come across my desk. The South Carolinian is all over the musical map, but it's an interesting trip. - Listen here.
Aimee Mann - @#%&*! Smilers
She's shed the electric guitars, but it still rocks. A full review is coming later today—in the meantime here's my interview with Aimee Mann from May. Listen here.
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This five-piece from Seattle is one of my absolute favorite new bands (along with Bon Iver and Islands) of '08. With CSN&Y harmonies. Like their labelmates, Band of Horses, they're a spiritual descendant of early My Morning Jacket with soaring melodies and vocals that sound like they're recorded in a grain silo. They add CSN&Y harmonies to boot. - Listen here.
William F. Gibbs - My Fellow Sophisticates
The hooks come with baroque ornamentation on this debut that was original and eclectic enough to cut through the dozens of singer/songwriters that come across my desk. The South Carolinian is all over the musical map, but it's an interesting trip. - Listen here.
Aimee Mann - @#%&*! Smilers
She's shed the electric guitars, but it still rocks. A full review is coming later today—in the meantime here's my interview with Aimee Mann from May. Listen here.
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Fleet Foxes - there will be no better band to emerge this year.
William F. Gibbs dominates like no other has dominated in a long long time
William F. Gibbs, you are the Best! Who wouldn't love this sound?
I love sophisticates so much I want William F. Gibbs to have my babies. Men can do that now, right?
It speaks well of this publication to take note of Gibbs...a great record full of surprises at every turn.
Glad to see the Gibbs fans represent. He's a good 'un.