Portugal. The Man - M80 the Wolf

I just read about these guys. This is the first song i've heard by them and it's awesome. Really awesome. be prepared for a lot of 3am text messages extolling the virtues of Portugal. The Man. They get huge bonus points for being from Wasila, Alaska, hometown of a certain former vice-president nominee.

Now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to listen to this song 37 more times.

Hum - Green to Me

There are about 20 songs that i listened to tonight before i decided on this. I was going to put up a song for Bri, a song for Osman and a few that i thought might appeal to the constituents of this blog in general, but in the end i decided to please myself.

Hum - Downward is Heavenward is my favorite CD of all time (Gould, even your cynical ass has to admit i've been consistent with this since i've known you). Everyone knows the song Stars by them (she thinks she missed the train to mars, she's out back counting stars). That was on the previous album. This album is approximately 200 times better.

They broke up in '99 or 2000 i think. Before i knew they were perfect. We decided on monday to go to the Winter Classic in chicago for New Years this year. Well, about 20 minutes after making that decision over going to Tampa I found out Hum are playing a reunion show on New Year's day in Chicago. So, in conclusion, 1/1/09 will be the culmination of my being. I'll watch the magic that is Henrik Zetterberg on the ice during the day, then reach Nirvana through the majesty of Matt Talbot's searing guitar riffs (I would love to write for columbia house).

After a lot of indecision it was obvious to choose Green to Me off of this album. For one, some of the best songs don't have a video. But also, this song epitomizes what is so great about them. The sheer enormity of the guitars in all of their songs is incredible. Listen to this with headphones, not shitty laptop speakers. There are at least 5 guitar tracks layered over every part. And his voice is so amazingly calm over all of it.

Johnossi - Man Must Dance

Alright, so my crush on this band - and this song specifically - borders on pathetic. I heard this on my girlfriend's XM radio while we were in the Wendy's drive-thru in brighton (i was going to get drunk at my friends house and i wanted to stock up on jr. cheeseburger deluxes because i didn't trust him to have enough fat guy food at 3am). We ended up sitting in the parking lot of wendy's and rewinding this song endlessly because you can't rewind it after you turn the car off.

The lyrics to this song are great. They're basically telling you to stop taking yourself so seriously and have a good time. I love the guy's voice and the little guitar ditty. The entire CD is fantastic, but this is easily the best song.

I'd say that if i could make a list of the songs i've listened to the most in 2008, this would definitely be in the top 5, and possibly #1 (Cracker - Low and Ween - Your Party would also be in the top 5. I can't figure out what other 2 songs would qualify).

Oh yeah, and they're swedes but they have really clever lyrics written in english. I think that's enough gushing for now.

Black Angels - Black Grease

Well, i've never been bashed in the press before. I have to say, it was kind of exciting.

This is a peace offering to young Osman until i can return his book at the Future of the Left show in a couple weeks.

These guys are the black angels. I saw them open for Mute Math a few years ago, and they completely stole the show. All of the songs on the first album seem to be about the Vietnam War. I don't really understand how it could have that much relevance to a bunch of 20-somethings, but maybe they just want to be consistent with their 60s-style sound.

There are a ton of songs i want to put up, but i figured i owe Osman something first.