The Best of 2011: Part Three

Merge Records

East River Pipe – We Live in Rented Rooms

Fred Cornog’s output as East River Pipe has always had a downer vibe to it, but the depress-o nature of his music has never felt gratuitous. For instance, if you were listening to a Nine Inch Nails record, it’s likely that about 1/3 of the way through, you would say “Trent, how can you still be this angry after all this time? What sort of pain have you actually experienced other than your white boy guilt?” Cornog has lived it – he battled depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, and ended up homeless in a Hoboken train station.

Arcade Fire Poised for Great Takeover—Long Live Rock!

Merge 2010

Canada’s Arcade Fire—one of the world’s most beloved modern rock bands—put out their new album “The Suburbs” today on Merge Records. After a few strategically released mp3 downloads to stir the pot a bit, the band’s third album—the follow-up to two of the most talked –about releases of last decade—should be able to accomplish what “Neon Bible” just missed, and debut comfortably at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Listening Log: February 22nd 2010

Warner Bros. 1999

2/22/10

Album of the Day: The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin

There’s almost no competing with this album. Even after listening to it for over a decade, I still believe it represents a key evolution in rock music, and that it’s one of the top 5 albums of all time. Is there a better album opener than “Race for the Prize”, one that is more distinct, memorable or awesome? It has become an album of glorious little details that have burrowed into my psyche over the years, like an old movie you watched a thousand times as a kid and every time you hear a sound or a line from it, you automatically get transported back to whatever or wherever you associate it with. Hearing this album helps to move any day up a notch.

Listening Log: Wednesday, February 17th 2010

4AD 1993

Album of the Day: Red House Painters Red House Painters (Rollercoaster)

I didn’t hear this album until the very end of the day, and right now as I am about to go to bed, I am still listening to it. Red House Painters are perfect music for any night, or for foggy days, or for driving around at dusk or something. It’s usually pretty depressing stuff, but even listening to it now, I can’t say I am particularly sad or anything. I mean, like anyone else, I have worries in my life, but I really just enjoy this record for its elegant and spacious songwriting and, of course, Mark Kozelek’s iconic voice.