By Rebekah Goode-People and Ryan Peoples
Our best of half list wherein we reveal our musical crushes.
The National – High Violet
I know many of the music bloggers say The National isn’t cool anymore, but Matt Berninger’s sexy-as-hell vocals will never get old for me. I skip the last few tracks, like “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”, but repeat “Runaway” and “Bloodbuzz Ohio” over and over. The sound is lush, emotive, and catchy. -Rebekah
The Knife – Tomorrow, In A Year
Swedish duo’s Darwin inspired opera is high-concept but keeps me entranced the whole time. These guys really have taken the torch from Phillip Glass. Amazing. -Ryan
Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
No one else sounds like Joanna Newsom. We all hear so much talk about how derivative bands have become. “They sound like (…)”. I challenge anyone to come up with such a condescending comparison with Joanna Newsom. She is perhaps the most gifted and unique musician releasing material today. And Have One on Me delivers the sought after but rare sense of place and time that exists outside of this world. Unreal. -Ryan
Night Driving in Small Towns – Serial Killer
I’ve listened to this record consistently over the last few months on my ridiculously long drives to and from work. The lyrics are so sing-a-long that I like to imagine I’m a back up singer for the band. Sweet, melodic and touching, Serial Killer is a quarterlife crisis album that goes down easily. -Rebekah
Bonnie “Prince” Billy & the Cairo Gang – Wonder Show of the World
I’m a long time fan, but this record moved me in a different way. Will Oldham’s voice sounds mature and powerful, and the stripped down production without all the squeals and distortions from the early Palace stuff is welcome. -Ryan
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
Night Driving in Small Towns – Sum + Its Parts
