When I think of this fall’s soundtrack, three artists come to mind…
arcade fire
(1) Arcade Fire. Surprise, surprise. These guys are my favorite band and I’ve been bugging all my friends to immediately buy “The Suburbs” – the best album of the year. After seeing them this month at Lollapalooza (I’ve been a fan for years, but this was my first show!) their music has been on constant loop in my car, office, and brain. Check out a video and my review of the show here.
sufjan stevens
(2) Sujfan Stevens. This quirky songwriter has written some of the most hauntingly beautiful, shockingly emotionally honest songs around. (Check out Romulus or Casimir Pulaski Day or Chicago. Even his more uplifting music, thankfully, never loses that twinge of melancholy.) Sufjan recently released the “All Delighted People EP“, which starts with the ridiculously inventive, beautiful, odd, 11-minute opus “All Delighted People”. I’m thrilled to get to see him live when he comes to Chicago on October 15th.
jonsi
(3) Jonsi. This spring, I saw Jonsi (lead singer of Sigur Ros) on tour and became consumed with his solo album. So inspiring! (My review here.) Fortunately, we have tickets to see him again in November, and I have the feeling that his music will return to heavy rotation again soon after. (Photo by Jenny O’Neill, jennyoneill.co.uk)
What about you? What will be on your soundtrack this fall? What music should we immediately drop everything to check out? What shows should we make sure not to miss?
Mt. Desolation after it “drops” in October.
The Mynabirds.
Mumford and Sons.
The National “High Violet”
And every late fall at first snow, I listen to Magnet’s the Tourniquet.
Along with a steady dose Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers for every season!
Be Well Aaron. The new Arcade Fire is great…
Comment by jeremy batten — August 30, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
Sigh No More- Mumford & Sons (IMO, it tops The Suburbs as best album of the year)
The Five Ghosts – Stars
The King of Spain – The Tallest Man on Earth
Conditions – Tempter Trap
Habits – Neon Tree
I’ve also been coming around on “Plastic Beach” by Gorillaz. Didn’t like it the first couple of times, but it’s been growing on me a lot and getting heavy playtime lately.
Comment by John J — August 30, 2010 @ 5:06 pm
This project from Archade Fire is blowing up on twitter.
You gotta check it out:
http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/
Make sure you watch all the way to the end.
Truly amazing!
Love Derek Trucks Band new CD right now.
Comment by Luke — August 30, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
“Slow Life”- Grizzly Bear
Nora Jones
Kim Walker
“Love Like a Sunset”-Phoenix
Bon Iver
Comment by Katie — August 31, 2010 @ 1:49 am
Ahhh, fall. My favorite time of year. I anticipate a lot of the following:
Stars of Track and Field – A Time for Lions
David Gray, esp. Foundling
Brandon Flowers – Flamingo (his solo show was short, but great!)
Bear McCreary (composer)
Comment by Marie — August 31, 2010 @ 11:13 am
Definitely Janelle Monae’s new concept album entitled “The Arch Android”. It’s transformative, fresh, bold & carries a deep message without being too heavy handed. It’s accesible. Musically she’s blending so many different genres without being jolting or over the top. The transitions on the album are simply seamless!
I am most inspired by the following quote about the album’s message:
“Conceptually, Kot described the album as “a self-empowerment manifesto couched inside a futuristic ‘emotion-picture’ about an android’s battle to overcome oppression. The notion of space travel and ‘new worlds’ becomes a metaphor for breaking the chains that enslave minorities of all types – a theme that has a long tradition in African-American music, from Sun Ra and Parliament-Funkadelic to Cannibal Ox and OutKast”
anyway, check out this pitchfork review & interview to learn more. enjoy!:
review: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14271-the-archandroid/
interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4AE7r51Dqc
new music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqmORiHNtN4
Comment by Sharon Irving — September 6, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Hi, the yellow pic of Jonsi is one I took at Latitude back in 2008 for the BBC. Please could you add my name and website as a credit. Thanks.
Comment by Jen — November 8, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Absolutely! I’m very sorry to post is without giving you credit. Great picture!! Thanks.
Comment by aaronieq — November 8, 2010 @ 7:19 pm