Nurses: Apple's Acre (4/5)

Jonathan's #10 out of 20 Album of 2009



Year: 2009
Label: Dead Oceans
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia Indie Folk
TRT: 35:33

I'm actually surprised that this is rated as my 10th favorite album of the year....because I really like this. It seems this year has been exceptional and there's more that I prefer than the last few years had to offer.

I like the atmosphere this album gives. It sounds like your in the room with the guys recording. This album may have some of the most unique vocal runs I've heard in a long time although I can imagine that some may not like the vocals here because it is different in many ways...but I think they really sit well in this atmosphere. The drum sound has that acoustic set in a room with natural reverb sound...and there's some nice piano runs sprinkled throughout....but the main vocal part and harmonies take the forefront in this record.

01 Technicolor
02 Mile After Mile
03 Caterpillar Playground
04 Manatarms
05 Apple's Acre
06 Bright Ideas
07 What Then
08 Winter
09 Lita
10 Orange Cymbals

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Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #7 out of 20 Album of 2009



Year: 2009
Label: Domino
Genre: Psychedelic Electronic Pop
TRT: 54:05

I'm not a big fan of electronic music so for this to make my top 10 this is a huge exception. Textures should be the title of this album. The cover itself has some pink/purple photo or something under the neon green moving (optical illusion) pattern. The music has so many great layers of sounds from tamborines > stick clicks > claps > bells > and other random noises tweaked with echo or delay. This recording has some flourishing harmonies that I wish the guys could pull off live [from most of the videos I've seen they're always off key]. But, no matter how they sound live...this recording is pristine and perfect in structure and the moods created.

My favorite thing about this album is that I can put it on and without taking any substances...I kind of feel like I'm tripping. So go dream (day-dream or otherwise) to this recording.

01 In the Flowers
02 My Girls
03 Also Frightened
04 Summertime Clothes
05 Daily Routine
06 Bluish
07 Guys Eyes
08 Taste
09 Lion in a Coma
10 No More Runnin
11 Brother Sport

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The Ruby Suns: Sea Lion (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #7 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Neo Psychedelic World Indie Pop
TRT: 53:14

Headed by writer Ryan McPhun, the New Zealand's The Ruby Suns formed in Auckland in 2004. Ryan and his Dictaphone (portable tape recorder) have ventured into the wilds of Africa, the ancient monasteries of Thailand, and the haunting landscapes that surround his everyday. This really shows through as I was instantly feeling the raw vibes and colourful tones wrapped into this shoegaze/world indie pop album.

The harmonies this year have been outstanding, and The Ruby Suns may just have some of the most unique blends. There are some intense sounds on some places through-out the album that I have no idea how they were made which fascinates me more than anything else. I think these sounds are so special because it really shows that the band is fishing for new ideas and feelings that haven't yet been dropped into existence.

01 Blue Penguin
02 Oh, Mojave
03 Tane Mahuta
04 There Are Birds
05 It's Mwangi in Front of Me
06 Remember
07 Ole Rinka
08 Adventure Tour
09 Kenya Dig It?
10 Morning Sun

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Brightblack Morning Light: Motion to Rejoin (4/5)

Jonathan's #13 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Matador
Genre: Neo Psychedelia
TRT: 49:16

Brightblack Morning Light (formerly Brightblack) is a band based in New Mexico, specializing in permutations of folk rock and psychedelic music.

"Motion to Rejoin" is a great album to chill/relax/reflect and discover something new to. It's a down-tempo listen that has the same feel as the last album, but the mystical shimmering of the rhodes piano mixed with the fuzzy guitar sounds accompanied by slightly brushed drums and shakers is just the perfect style to continue forward with. Each song brings about the experiences of living the simple life that the members of this band live day to day, and I think that really shines through the music because they are so open to those feelings.

This is an album I'm going to have to keep going back to so that I can reconnect to the feelings of the simple but yet spiritually amazing sounds of this duo.

01 Introduction
02 Hologram Buffalo
03 Gathered Years
04 Opressions Each
05 Another Reclaimation
06 A Rainbow Aims
07 Summer Hoof
08 Past a Weatherbeaten Fencepost
09 When Beads Spell Power Leaf

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