The Top 50 Albums of the Decade

The past decade has been good to us, beginning with the question that prelude's every decade:  what music will define this decade?  For me, the 2000s were absolutely the decade for indie rock!  I'm not alone in this thought either.  The genre exploded into mainstream consciousness over the course of the last 10 years, thanks in large part to the internet, iPods, and digital music in general.  I probably consumed more music in a single year of this decade than I had in all my years prior to it!

But the list below isn't just a list of indie music.  It is simply a list of my favorite albums, and the memories that each one of them bring to mind.  I hope you find some enjoyment in my reflections on the greatest decade I've yet to live through, and I hope that this next 10 years is just as kind to us.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP 50

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How I Was Abandoned by Modern Rock

I am a man.  Beyond that, though, I'm a muti-dimensional, complex human being; a person capable of feeling a wide range of emotions.  Why is it then that so much of today's modern rock songs only pander to the roided up, angry, "powerful" man?  Why is it that I can no longer turn on a rock radio station and hear something that caters to me?  Something that speaks to who I am?  I hope to examine this phenomenon and give you insight into how I became the indie rock-loving hipster that I am today with this Random Rant.

The 1990s

Favorite Bands: Live, No Doubt, Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, The Offspring, Oasis

Most of my youth I spent consuming the media that was presented to me.  Movies, music, television - I ate it all up.  This was before the time of the internet, before one could discover new music with a few mouse clicks and a pair of speakers.  Music was what MTV told me it was.  Grunge music was everywhere, sending hair bands and 80s metal bands to the curb.  Like most, the first time I can remember hearing an alternative rock song that I just flipped out for was probably when Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" first showed up on MTV.  As great as they were, though, I was still young and a few years away from being able to appreciate it all.

I hit my prime in the mid-nineties, with the groups listed above.  I remember the first time I heard "Lightning Crashes" by Live, knowing that it was a powerful song without fully able to comprehend what it was all about ("placenta" was a foreign term to a 10-year old).  And great music has always been able to do that, to take you to a place that you can appreciate without having experienced it yourself.  "Tonight, Tonight" or "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins are equally as touching, and beautiful.  And while these bands also had their moments when they rocked out like nobody's business, they were always at their best when toned it down to subtly express their inner anguish or turmoil.  Oasis is right up there with them, as "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" remain some of my favorite songs to this day.

The other bands on the list - No Doubt, Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters, etc. - were about having fun.  For as great as it is to have a song move you emotionally, a song that can make you smile, that can make you have a great time just by listening to it is also a wonderful thing.  And for as much as I hate the Offspring these days, as a 14-year old kid, "Pretty Fly for a White Guy" was good enough for me.

2000-2003

Favorite Bands:  Finger Eleven, Incubus, Relient K, The Grass Roots, System of a Down

It's a bit weird, but for the most part, this period of my life was overrun by two bands: Finger Eleven and Incubus.  There wasn't a whole lot else that mattered to me.  Looking at the above list of bands that I enjoyed, I notice that they all have the same thing in common.  They can be fun and a blast to listen to, and can also move you with lyrics that speak to you, or melodies that infect you.  I've always been a cheerleader for Finger Eleven.  Even now, though I don't listen to them, I'm glad to see they're finally achieving some mainstream success after all those years of being pushed aside by their label to make room for Creed and the likes.

But modern rock music started to change during this period.  As new bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand introduced people to an entirely new side of rock music, lesser bands began to garner much of the attention.  One look at the Billboard charts for 2003 can adequately show the change.  Bands like Trapt, Seether, 3 Doors Down, Chevelle, Nickelback, Staind, Saliva, and Cold had some of the top singles of the year.  Bands who worship the power chord, speak only in cracked, loud voices, and make rock music for the sex and the drugs were quickly becoming the norm.  

I felt abandoned by rock music because it was no longer speaking for me.  I didn't drink, spend my weekends on endless sexual conquests, and I required more of my music than a "powerful" voice from some "powerful" dude singing over "powerful" chords.  Testosterone-fueled music overran rock stations and tv channels.  What happened to making music that was original, that was real, that was multi-dimensional?  As I soon found out, it was there all along.  I just wasn't looking for it.

2004 - Present

Favorite Bands:  Of Montreal, Death Cab for Cutie, Band of Horses, Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, The Shins, Muse

In 2004, a friend of mine showed me a CD from a group called The Postal Service.  A few days earlier, I had gone out and seriously considered buying Linkin Park's Meteora.  The first time I listened to this group, consisting of Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello, I was in love.  Literally.  This was music that spoke to who I was.  It was pop music, but its lyrics were deep and meaningful, its compositions fun and interesting, and the voice of Gibbard was astonishing.  I made my friend drive me to the local Best Buy so I could buy a copy for myself.  I wore that thing out over the next year or so.

However, the CD had a much larger impact on me.  It made me aware to and entirely different realm of music that they called "indie."  I went on the internet and looked up The Postal Service.  *click* Their singer is Ben Gibbard. *click* He sings in a band called Death Cab for Cutie. *click* A girl named Jenny Lewis did vocals on The Postal Service's album. *click* She sings for a band called Rilo Kiley. *click* Amazon.com says that if I like Rilo Kiley, I'd like a band called The Shins. *click* *click* *click*  

You see, as I was slowly becoming disenchanted with modern rock music, I was amazed by this wealth of different, talented, and interesting bands that were just waiting for me to listen.  Today, my favorite bands still share the same characteristics as they always have.  They are sometimes emotional, sometimes fun, and muti-dimensional.  Just like me. 

At the time of this writing, the Modern Rock Charts on Billboard.com still shows all of my least favorite groups.  But hidden amongst the Staind and 3 Doors Down are bands like Coldplay, Weezer, and, yes, Death Cab for Cutie.  As a society and a culture, we deserve more music like this:  music that speaks for itself rather than trying to prove its toughness, music that isn't afraid to show different facets of the artist's personality.  As humans, we are all different and equipped with the capacity to experience all that the world has to offer.  Shouldn't our music reflect the dynamics of our being?  If you're like I was, and you feel completely disenchanted with the music that the radio and MTV keeps sending at you in waves, look elsewhere.  There's a whole mess of music waiting to be discovered.

And that's about as cheesy of an ending as you're gonna get!

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Video of the Week - Week 79

So there was a whole bunch of hoopla this past week over Radiohead's new music video for "House of Cards." Why? Well, because it was shot entirely without cameras. I'll let that sit with you for a while. There were no cameras used in the "filming" of this "video." I'm not sure how it all works (something about lasers), but the end result is pretty awesome-looking.

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The Top 5 Albums That Need to Be On Rock Band

Since the video game juggernaut Rock Band was first announced over a year ago, one of the game's greatest, most intriguing aspects was the ability for users to be able to download whole albums to utilize in the game. Unfortunately, Harmonix and MTV Games have been slow to release these albums so far, and with the release of Rock Band 2 just a few months away, I have to ask, "What gives?" How many albums are available at this moment? Well, you can count them on one hand, if that means anything. So this post is my call for more albums, and 5 in particular that will actually get me excited about this feature of the game (sorry, The Cars just ain't doing it for me). These are the Top 5 Albums That Need to Be on Rock Band!


#5: Incubus: Science

Why?: For as cookie-cutter as Incubus' last album was, one forgets that their major label debut in 1997 was one of a kind and waaaay ahead of its time. For the most part, music on Rock Band is pretty straightforward. S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is anything but, with tracks that will make your head explode from the shear amount of craziness going on. There will be a few hurdles to jump, like how do you get "Magic Medicine," an instrumental song, on Rock Band? But I'll leave that to the powers that be.

Key Tracks: "Redefine," "Vitamin," "A Certain Shade of Green," "Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)"


#4: The Mars Volta: De-Loused In the Comatorium

Why?: If Harmonix is going to put a crippled version of The Mars Volta on the game (Coheed & Cambria), they might as well put on the real thing as well. The Mars Volta's debut album is still their best yet, and who wouldn't want to play "Eriatarka" on drums? Most importantly, however, this would show all those kids who love that damn C&C song what Prog Rock is supposed to sound like. And who knows, maye they'll realize how gay they've been acting all this time.

Key Tracks: "Inertiatic ESP," "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)," "Eriatarka," "Televators," and "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt."


#3: Queen: Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Why?: A greatest hits album may seem like cheating, but honestly, who would want to play a single Queen album when they could play their greatest hits? This collection has every great song that the band ever made, if you name it, it's probably on here. That's all I have to say. If you have a problem with that, meat me in the back after this post. (EDIT: So I just got finished re-reading this post and saw that I wrote "meat me in the back" which is probably the best euphimism for gay sex ever! Totally accidental, of course, but too good to fix. Enjoy!)

Key Tracks: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Bicycle Race," "Somebody to Love," "Seven Seas of Rhye," "We Will Rock You"


#2: Radiohead: OK Computer

Why?: Please don't make me explain myself on this one. This is arguably one of the best alternative albums of all time and I don't think you'd find many people who would be willing to argue that point. Really it all boils down to one thing: me getting to play "Paranoid Android." That's it. That's really all I care about. Sure, every song on this album is great and worthy of being on Rock Band, but come on!

Key Tracks: "Paranoid Android," "Karma Police," "Electioneering," "No Surprises," "Lucky"


#1: Eagles: Hotel California

Why?: It's one of the best albums of all time, featuring one of the best songs of all times, which contains one of the best guitar solos of all time. Is that enough of a reason for you? Yeah, I thought it would be. In case you're still a doubter, check out these tracks.


Key Tracks: "Hotel California," "New Kid in Town," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "Victim of Love"

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5/17/2008: Radiohead - The Woodlands, TX

It had been a night I'd been eagerly anticipating for months, and yet the events leading up to it were not filled with anticipation, but frustration and stress.  After logging on to Ticketmaster the exact moment tickets went on sale and winding up empty-handed, I was able to work some connections and score 4 fairly decent seats to the show.  I sold two to a gentleman with an incorrect address, was given 4 more for free (two for myself, and two to give away), had to run a last-minute contest, choose which friends were to receive tickets from me, and hand deliver those tickets marked "Return to Sender" to a hotel on the day of the show.  That's a lot of unnecessary rubbish when all you want to do is go see Radiohead.

But, of course, there was one more hurdle in the way by the time the doors opened, and that was Liars.  Now, as an indie music kind of guy, you would think that I'd be familiar with this band.  Totally not, outside of seeing reviews of them and hearing generally positive things.  But if their performance last night was any sort of indication, I don't think I'll be rushing out to pick up on of their albums any time soon.

Hey, it's Jim Halpert!

The most gracious comment I can bestow upon the group is that they're "Alright at best," and I'm not entirely sure that would even be 100% truthful.  The percussion was the only thing the band really had going for them, and they played one song with the drum kit being run through a phaser to give a truly cool sound.  Unfortunately, the vocalist was just flat out poor and either under the influence of something, or just naturally flimsy.  I was glad when their 45 minute set was over.  Let's just leave it at that.

This is the part where you stop skimming and start reading.  This is the part about Radiohead.  Now usually when I review a show, I always take some sort of notes or comments as the show is going on.  But for this one, I set that aside.  I wanted to take in every ounce of this show, every visual, every sound, every draft of pot smoke that blew in from behind me.

The setlist was huge, but not without its share of disappointments.  In Rainbows was all over the place, with nearly every song given the proper amount of time.  The biggest shock to me was the notable lack of OK Computer's better moments.  There was no "Karma Police," "Electioneering," "Let Down," "No Surprises," and much to the chagrin of me, no "Paranoid Android."  Kinda strange that the band would skip over most of their most popular album, right?  That didn't keep the show from being totally enjoyable, however.

The stage itself was gorgeous - with dozens of, I don't know, plasma bulbs(??) hanging down and changing colors continuously.  A screen at the back of the stage kept an image on each member of the band at all times, and it was quite engaging, to say the absolute least.  On "You and Whose Army?," a personal favorite, the camera was mounted on Thom's piano, and while singing, he would peer creepily into the lens, as if staring straight out into the audience.  It was really, really cool...and very disturbing.  Check out this picture:

My favorite part of the night was the band playing "Everything In It's Right Place," from Kid A.  It's my second favorite song by the band, and having seen a video of them perform it at Glastonbury a few years back, I was pumped as soon as I saw the guitarist kneel down and grab a Kaoss Pad (always a sure sign that the song is coming up).  In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of songs they did from Kid A, my personal favorite Radiohead album.  "The National Anthem," "Idioteque," "Morning Bell," "Optimistic," and the aforementioned "Everything In It's Right Place" all got equal representation.  Really cool stuff.

Overall, the evening was undeniably awesome.  Radiohead is one of the few bands that play their songs perfectly live, perhaps even better than they are on the albums for some.  Thom Yorke kept his ADD-fits to a minimum (but he totally made up for lost time in "Idioteque"), and the crowd was pretty into everything that was going on.  And they were nice to the band, which is always good to see.  Quote of the night goes to Thom, when introducing "Optimistic."  He said, "This was on a record called Kid A that was number one in the US.  Back in England they thought we had completely lost it.  We thought that was the point."  Needless to say, if Radiohead ever strolls through your town (or state, really) you need to A.) have connections, and B.) go at all costs.  This was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

I've made a montage video below.  Nothing too special, just a bunch of clips from the show set to music.  If you went to the show last night, leave a comment below.  What was your favorite part?  Were there any disappointments?  I need to know these things!

Full-size photos (and more of them) available at my myspace page, if you're interested.

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Audio Overflow's Radiohead Ticket Giveaway!

It's no joke, people.  As of right now, Audio Overflow is hosting a contest, the winner of which will receive 2 FREE TICKETS to Radiohead's Houston, TX show taking place THIS SATURDAY, May 17, 2008!  This contest is being sponsored by Antics - Fueled by Toyota Matrix.

What do you have to do to enter?  It's simple: just send an E-Mail to audiooverflow@gmail.com detailing why you think you deserve these tickets!  That's it!  The sole winner of this contest will be chosen by the Audio Overflow staff based on no particular criteria, just whoever we think gave us the best explanation as to why they deserve to see Radiohead live.

Don't take your time getting those e-mails in, either.  This contest is officially closed at 11:59PM (CST) on the evening of Thursday, May 15, 2008 (tomorrow).

The full rules for entry and privacy policy are listed below.  Be sure to read them in their entirety, so that we can grant you the honor of seeing this amazing band live.  If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I will try my best to respond as promptly as I can.  Thanks for reading, and be sure to visit www.uptheantics.com in appreciation of their awesome contribution!

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Audio Overflow Radiohead Ticket Giveaway!

Brought to you by Antics - Fueled by Toyota Matrix.

www.uptheantics.com

What's Up for Grabs?

2 Free Radiohead Tickets for the Houston, TX show on May 17, 2008.  The tickets are for general admission lawn seating, which are running for around $150 apiece on Ebay.

Official Rules:

1. To enter the Radiohead Giveaway Contest, send an email to audiooverflow@gmail.com with the following information:
• Your First and Last Name
• Primary E-Mail Address
• Phone Number where you can be reached in case of emergency.
2. In your email, also be sure to include why you deserve to win these tickets. 
• Your explanation can be as long or as short as you'd like.  We are not hosting a literary contest, here.
• Your story does not necessarily have to be true, as we have no way to verify this information, just good enough to where we think you deserve the tickets.  Naturally, something that at least sounds true is going to stand a better chance of winning.
3. There will only be one winner decided upon by the Audio Overflow staff.  Together we will decide which explanation we like the best, and award the tickets to that person.
4. Upon winning the contest, you will be contacted by a member of the Audio Overflow staff via E-Mail, or by phone if necessary.  Should we be unable to contact you after a reasonable amount of time, we will move on to the next person on our list.
5. The contest will end at 11:59p (Central Standard Time) on Thursday, May 15, 2008.  You will be initially contacted on Friday morning (please provide an E-Mail address to which you can be reached at this time).
6. You will be able to pick up your tickets at the day of the show from the venue (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion).  Further details will be given to you upon winning the contest, as we are currently working things out with the venue.
7. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you, to verify that it is actually you picking up the tickets.  Tickets will not be released without a photo ID.
8. Due to ethical concerns, tickets will not be awarded to a person that knows the Audio Overflow staff personally.

Privacy Policy:

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will Audio Overflow provide your personal information to third parties.  In fact, we'll probably delete it it from our E-Mail after this is all over with.  Antics is simply providing the tickets to this show, and we have no obligation to share your information with them.  Trust us, your personal information is of the utmost importance to us.  It's not going anywhere.

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Thanks for participating in this contest.  We wish you the best of luck and we're rooting for you to win these tickets.  No one else.

Cale Reneau

Editor In-Chief

Audio Overflow

PS:  Oh, yeah.  Death Cab for Cutie!

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Radiohead Tour Begins - Are You Going?

Image Courtesy of Pitchfork Media

Well it's finally begun. After several months of anticipation, us North Americans are finally able to enjoy a little bit of Radiohead action in a live setting. The tour, which began last night and will continue for the next month or so, is sold out pretty much everywhere. That leaves me to ask, are YOU going to any of the shows?

Here's another question: would you like to? I've got two reserved seats for the Houston, TX show up for auction right now on eBay, and for the right price, they could have your name on it! They're not pit tickets (I'm not a miracle worker...or millionaire), but they're not too shabby either. If you're interested, head over to the auction page and check to see how things are going. The bidding will end sometime Thursday morning, so there's not much time to snatch these things up.

And hey, even if you're not going, Audio Overflow will definitely have some coverage for you on the 18th of May. That's almost like going. Possibly better.

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The Top 5 Alternative Rock Albums (Albums 10-6)

We've made it to the Top 10! In case you're just joining us, here are some links to get you caught up.

Albums 25-21
Albums 20-16
Albums 15-11

#10 - Radiohead: Kid A (2000)
Cale says: "Kid A was probably the first big release of the internet age in music. As such, it's often remembered as one of the first albums that absolutely everybody downloaded - song by song, from Napster. Good times! Personally, I remember the album for other reasons: dark, late night road trips, relaxing in bed, making a fool out of myself at some random stoplight in front of perplexed onlookers. Kid A is a brilliant album, and my personal favorite by Radiohead. It definitely deserves a spot on this list!


#9 - Stone Temple Pilots: Purple (1994)
Erin says: "Purple was one of the first alternative albums that I bought, but definitely one of the best. They had several hits from this album and it's well deserving of its place in the top 25. My only complaint is that their following albums were not as awesome. "

Cale says: "There are a couple of really great songs on this one that just define alternative rock better than any other could. "Vaseline" and "Interstate Love Song" are obvious favorites that have never gotten old at all.

#8 - Beck: Odelay (1996)
Jill says: "I love it because it's different yet average and doesn't get to the spectacular point until the end when you're treated with "High 5 (Rock the Catskills)" and "Ramshackle.""

Erin says: " Beck, what can I say? You're Where It's At...the New Pollution...with a Devil's Haircut in my mind. OMG that's not only the cheesiest thing I've ever said, but also the most incoherent statement I've ever made. Somehow it seems appropriate. I love Beck and Odelay is fantastic! ...and did I mention...Beck's a musical and lyrical genius?"

#7 - Cake: Fashion Nugget (1996)
Erin says: "Who ever though that speaking most of your words to a background of music could be so popular? Well, Cake did, and their fans agreed. Fashion Nugget is not only one of the most fun albums to "speak" along with, but it's also super entertaining and a really great contribution to the entertainment industry."

Jill says: "I don't know what's better: "Stick Shifts and Safety Belts" with its lyrics that make me think of cars in a whole new way or "I Will Survive", a version of a classic anthem I like better than the original."

#6 - Fiona Apple: Tidal (1996)
Jill says: "Tidal is my essential break-up album. It has been since the first time I heard it. Soulful, sexy, angry, deep. It's good for the girl anger."

Erin says: "This chick can sing. True the music on this album is not as "trendy" as some of her other music, but it's all really real, well thought out, and well performed. She not only has an amazing voice, but her lyrics are to her music like syrup is to waffles. One without the other would seem a little strange, but both together leave you wanting more!"

The top 5 will be announced next Saturday. See you then!

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The Top 25 Alternative Rock Albums (Albums 20-16)

Welcome back to week two of this 5-week countdown of the Top 25 Alternative Rock Albums. Last week's list included albums 25-21. This week, we'll pick up where we left off. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out the rest of our Alternative Rock related posts in observance of Alternative Rock Month here at Audio Overflow!


#20 - Incubus: Morning View (2001)

Cale says: "Incubus had already released two great albums by the time their third major-label LP, Morning View, was released. It was this one, however, that has gone down as their masterpiece. Filled start to finish with quality songs of varying styles, Morning View is an absolute blast to listen to, sing along to, or rock out with - depending on which song you choose to listen to. Listen to the whole thing without stopping, now that's the real treat! It is one of the best mainstream rock albums of the 21st century, or hell, any century."

#19 - 10,000 Maniacs: Our Time in Eden (1992)

Jill says: "I still very happily wear my 10,000 Maniacs tee shirt from the tour supporting this album. White, with the cover on the front, and on the back, lyrics from "Stockton Gala Days". "That summer fields grow high. We made garland crowns in hiding, pulled stems of flowers from my hair." An album that is the best use of Natalie Merchant's unusual voice and probably the only thing they produced worth listening to. "

#18 - The Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)

Cale says: "It's hard to believe that an album like this ever existed, and that it was as good as it was. How many double-albums do you know of that feature quality songs on every track? How many double-albums do you know of that go own as the best in an artist's catalog? It doesn't happen very often, or ever for that fact. The Smashing Pumpkins' 1995 masterpiece was the height of their career. It's almost as if they put everything they had into this one effort. Perhaps that's why everything that has come since has been somewhat of a disappointment."

#17 - Radiohead: OK Computer (1997)

Cale says: "Widely considered to be the best alternative rock album of all time, OK Computer is a true work of art in music form! It was the album that transformed Radiohead into a talented band into the "saviors of rock and roll." Their future efforts would try to distance themselves from the style that they perfected in this album, but few of their efforts can hold their own against such a great record.


#16 - Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Erin says: "Freakin' Awesome! I love this album and still know EVERY WORD to EVERY SONG! It's truly a shame that her best songs from this album were mostly hidden to radio stations, but her fans loved them. This will always be one of my favorite alternative albums!"

Jill says: "People don't get this, but I only like one Alanis Morrisette song. "Wake Up." That's it. Her kind of girl anger just doesn't do it for me. I can't identify, I can't make it my own. I will say this, though, she makes a great God. "

Tune in next week for picks 15-11.

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U.S. Radiohead Dates Officially Announced!

As promised, I have brought you a news story that I feel is pretty damn significant. Of course, if you've been refreshing Dead Air Space for the last few months, you already know what I'm about to tell you.

Pitchfork is reporting that Radiohead will indeed head out on tour in the next few months, and that Live Nation will be promoting what will undoubtedly be one of the most-hyped tours of the year! A full list of tour dates can be found by clicking the word, "expensive."


EXPENSIVE




Fortunately for me, Radiohead is coming to a venue that is all of 5 minutes from me, and is operated partially by the company I work for. How lucky is that? Here's hoping I won't have to shell out 60 some-odd dollars to see this one. I think I would've much preferred a "pay what you want" system for the tour, but I guess you can only milk that cow so often before you realize that she's dry as a bone.


Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Februrary 16th. You can purchase them by clicking the phrase, "No really, they're super expensive!"


NO REALLY, THEY'RE SUPER EXPENSIVE!

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Go News Go! - The Weekly News Recap

Da dadadada da. Da dadadada da. DaDAAAA! It's the return of Go News Go! YAY!

General

• You had me at Zooey Deschanel
• Radiohead announce cities for US tour!!! No dates?!!?! F***!
• Asthmatic Kitty DVD? Yes, please.
• Bruised Shins.

Tour Dates

• Clinic (England and US)
• The National (Worldwide)
• HEALTH and Crystal Castles (N. America)
• The Breeders...really? (N. America/UK)
• British Sea Power (Europe/US)
• Islands (Europe/US)
• Xiu Xiu (US)
• Broken Social Scene (Worldwide)
• Spoon (Worldwide)
• Jens Lekman (Worldwide)
• Blitzen Trapper (N. America)
• Justice (Worldwide)

Ugh....

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Winners of the 4th Annual Cale Awards.

Well folks, after a month of polling, campaigning, and annoying you with updates you don't care about, the 4th Annual Cale Awards have finally finished. Below you'll find the winners according to the general readership of Audio Overflow, as well as my own personal pick for each category. Thanks to all of you who participated! Have a Merry Christmas!

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Britney Spears: Blackout
2nd - Boddicker: Big Lionhearted and the Gallant Man
3rd - Interpol: Our Love to Admire


Cale's Pick:
Boddicker: Big Lionhearted and the Gallant Man - Because I've been trying to think of worse albums for the last 10 months and I'm still coming up empty. It's the single worst thing I've ever heard!

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Britney Spears – “Toy Soldier”
2nd – Boddicker - “Bon Vivant”
3rd – Maroon 5 – “Kiwi”

Cale's Pick:
Boddicker – “Bon Vivant” - Because I've been trying to think of worse songs for the last 10 months and I'm still coming up empty. It's the single worst thing I've ever heard!

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Readers' Pick
1st - Rilo Kiley: Under the Blacklight
2nd - Feist: The Reminder
3rd - Air: Pocket Symphony

Cale's Pick:
Rilo Kiley: Under the Blacklight - I waited 3 years for a new Rilo Kiley album and what I got was a mediocre attempt at trying to sound like Fleetwood Mac. Personally, I'd aim a little higher.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Caribou: Andorra
2nd - LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver
3rd - ContraNova: Infinity in all Directions

Cale's Pick:

ContraNova: Infinity in all Directions - I went in expecting the worst, and came out with one of the most memorable and lasting musical experiences of the year.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - The Decemberists: The Crane Wife
2nd - The Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics
3rd - The Pipettes: We Are the Pipettes

Cale's Pick:
The Decemberists: The Crane Wife - It wasn't my album of the year in 2006, but I've been surprised to find that it is just as good today as it was way back then. Perhaps better.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - The Flaming Lips
2nd - Of Montreal
3rd - The New Pornographers

Cale's Pick:
The Flaming Lips - What can I said that I haven't already ranted about? The Lips are the best live act I've ever seen in my life, and when I saw them a few months back I was spinning for days. Pure 100% awesomeness.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Spoon - "The Underdog"
2nd - Bjork - "The Dull Flame of Desire"
3rd - Okkervil River - "A Girl in Port"

Cale's Pick:
Architecture in Helsinki - "Hold Music" - The brass in this song is strong and biting. Playing at triple forte to enhance an already out of control song has never sounded so good!

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I miss Everyone
2nd - Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam
3rd - Radiohead: In Rainbows

Cale's Pick:
Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam- It's such a strangely satisfying album. One that makes absolutely no sense, and yet it makes even less sense to deny the genius of it. It is, quite simply, amazing.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Band of Horses: Cease to Begin
2nd - Dillinger Escape Plan: Ire Works
3rd - Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist

Cale's Pick:
Dillinger Escape Plan: Ire Works- Band of Horses? Seriously? It's a great album, but Dillinger Escape Plan would eat them alive, regurgitate them, and then sacrifice the regurgitation to Vulcanus! That's what this category was really all about.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Kanye West: Graduation
2nd - El-P: I'll Sleep When You're Dead
3rd - K-Os: Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

Cale's Pick:
Absaining - I didn't really hear any hip hop this year that I enjoyed. K-Os was good at times, but not his best, so I can't credit him for that.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Caribou: Andorra
2nd - Justice: †
3rd - LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver

Cale's Pick:
Justice: † - While all of the top three are great albums, I have to say that I enjoyed Justice's log-awaited debut the most. Big ups to Caribou too though, that album is stunning.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Okkervil River: The Stage Names
2nd - Iron & Wine: The Shepherd's Dog
3rd - Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir

Cale's Pick:
Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir - It's folk from Sweden, poppy folk, singer-songwriter folk. Hell, it's just good.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War
2nd - Apples in Stereo: New Magnetic Wonder
3rd - Beirut: The Flying Club Cup

Cale's Pick:
Field Music: Tones of Town - It's brilliantly composed and executed, and one of the most relentlessly enjoyable albums of 2007! Not bad for a pop album.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
2nd - Tegan and Sara: The Con
3rd - The New Pornographers: Challengers

Cale's Pick:
Band of Horses: Cease to Begin - I missed out on their debut, but I was fortunate enough to hear this one. It is without a doubt one of the best albums of 2007, and sure to please most everybody.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Radiohead: In Rainbows
2nd - Apples in Stereo: New Magnetic Wonder
3rd - Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist

Cale's Pick:
Radiohead: In Rainbows - Probably the only award that Radiohead actually deserves this year. The hipsters are out in full force, proclaiming In Rainbows to be the second coming of Christ, but it's not. It is an awesome album though, and a long time coming for Radiohead.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
2nd - Bright Eyes: Cassadaga
3rd - Stars: In Our Bedroom, After the War

Cale's Pick:
Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? - It may not have been Of Montreal's most artistic cover to date, but everything from how the album is opened, to the insert, to the clear, glossy sleeve it comes packaged in is beautiful.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - St. Vincent
2nd - Feist
3rd - M.I.A.

Cale's Pick:
St. Vincent - This really isn't even a contest. Annie Clark not only put out the best female album of the year, but one of the best...period. She is 2007's Shara Worden.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Iron & Wine
2nd - LCD Soundsystem
3rd - Loney, Dear

Cale's Pick:
Loney, Dear - His debut album here in the states was absolutely breathtaking from start to finish and he's got one of the most unique styles in music today. That's why I love it!

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Readers' Pick:
1st - St. Vincent
2nd - The Twilight Sad
3rd - Dan Deacon

Cale's Pick:
St. Vincent - She put out an album that most established artists only dream about; a perfect album with clever lyrics and beautiful performances on both vocals and intruments. Annie Clark blew away the competition, and ended up winning this category with over 70% of the votes tallied: the most lopsided category of the year! That's how good she is.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Feist - "1,2,3,4"

2nd - Band of Horses - "Is There A Ghost"
3rd - Architecture in Helsinki - "Heart it Races"

Cale's Pick:
Feist - "1,2,3,4" - Feist should be writing a letter right now to whoever directed this video. It should read, "Dear director, thank you for making my career. I love you."

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Radiohead

2nd - The Besnard Lakes
3rd - Of Montreal

Cale's Pick:
Band of Horses - 2007 is the year that first heard and fell in love with Band of Horses. They may not have had the best album of the 2007, but their music will stick with me for years and years to come.

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Readers' Pick:
1st - The New Pornographers - "Challengers"
2nd - Of Montreal - "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse"
3rd - Feist - "1,2,3,4"

Cale's Pick:
Find out on December 31, 2007 in the Top 31 of 2007 Countdown

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Readers' Pick:
1st - Radiohead: In Rainbows
2nd - Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
3rd - Band of Horses: Cease to Begin

Cale's Pick:
Find out on December 31, 2007 in the Top 31 of 2007 Countdown

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Again, thanks to all of you who voted! And thank you for reading Audio Overflow.

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