Reader’s Choice: Madvillain – Madvillainy Continue reading →
Posts Tagged: Arcade Fire
27
Sep 09
Best Album of 2004 Poll
Best Albums of 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09
We’re finally closing the first half of the decade. So far, we’ve had to make some obvious, almost obligatory choices… as well as some that you may not have expected. Either way, Jeff and I are still relying on your votes and comments, and we thank you for sticking with us this long.
2004 was a crazy year for music. So crazy that I had to take an extra day to finalize this list. There was Kanye West’s debut album, arguably my personal favorite hip hop album ever. Arcade Fire also brought their Funeral that year too (and as you might know, that has been my favorite album of the last 10 years). Brian Wilson chose to finally release his SMiLE, 37 years in the making. I won’t go on… but hopefully you get the point.
As always, I looked through various year-end lists published by some of our favorite publications. The shortlist was created by looking through year-end lists by the Villiage Voice’s Pazz & Jop Poll, Pitchfork, Tiny Mix Tapes, Drowned By Sound, Stylus and PopMatters.
A. Kanye West: The College Dropout
B. Arcade Fire: Funeral
C. Animal Collective: Sung Tongs
D. Brian Wilson: SMiLE
E. Madvillian: Madvilliany
F. Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand
G. The Streets: A Grand Don’t Come For Free
H. Elliott Smith: From A Basement On The Hill
I. Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Love Bad News
J. TV On The Radio: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
14
Sep 09
Favorite Albums of the Decade (2000-2009)
This list touches on my favorite albums of the last ten years. These picks are entirely personal. I am not taking cultural impact or game-changing ideas into account here (things Jeff and I are definitely taking into account with our ongoing “Best Albums of the 2000s” project); instead I took a look at what the album meant to me when it was released (or when I first heard it) and what it means to me now.
At the end of 2009, PMA will release our “official” Albums of the Decade list, incorporating reader votes along with our favorites. But for now, you can take a look at my favorite albums of the last 10 years.
Like I said before, the last 10 years have been the biggest of my life, especially my life as a music lover, so these next 50 albums are the albums that have shaped and molded me into whoever I am today. As always, if you’d like to take the time and list your favorites of the decade, please do. Your opinions and comments are always welcome. Chirp in on the comments and I will try to respond to as many as I can. Also: my Favorite Songs of the Decade. Continue reading →
8
Sep 09
pmaCAST #18: Post-Labor Day
pmaCAST #18 The “Post-Labor Day” Episode Tracklist Continue reading →
23
May 09
Most Listened To…, Week Ending 5/23/09
If you’re anything like me, you are a tiny bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to charts and numbers (and iTunes organization, album art work, et al). If you’re anything like me, you will agree with me when I say that cutting-edge innovations like FixTunes (they created a discount code for any readers that would like to purchase FixTunes. It’ll give you $5 off the purchase price. Discount code: D3968) and Last.fm are utterly indispensable and essential.
I look at my Last.fm stats often and connect every music outlet I use to my account. I starting using the account in December of 2008, despite opening it in October of 2007. Since December, I’ve made to make every listen count, whether it be on my iPod, iPhone, at home, or in the car. As you might have already guessed, almost every moment in my life is attached to some sort of group of songs. I want document each week’s listening achievements. Take this journey with me. Continue reading →
8
Apr 09
Miroir Noir – Arcade Fire Documentary Review
[rating:90/100]
There’s no other concert movie like Miroir Noir. This is probably because there is no other band like the Arcade Fire.
Yes, I understand that AF models their sound off of other bands. Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Bob Dylan are all cited as influences of the band, and countless others can be named. But no other band meshes such lush orchestration, such beautiful lyrics, such haunting vocals, and such broad concepts in such a fantastic way.
I realize that I am biased, with AF being my favorite band. But that’s the thing: they WEREN’T- until I saw their intense, passionate live show, that is. And Miroir Noir, among other things, films Arcade Fire concerts in the only way that makes sense- with jittery, fast-paced motions, ever-changing color palletes, and a shaky camera that somehow never loses control. Continue reading →
26
Mar 09
Where The Wild Things Are + Arcade Fire = Best Trailer Ever
Okay. So Benjamin Button’s thirty-second spot scored by “My Body Is A Cage” from way back was chill-worthy to say the least, especially when the organs kicked in. But that was thirty seconds. This spot for Spike Jonzes’ upcoming, much-hyped adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are takes “Using Arcade Fire songs in a movie trailer” to the next level, giving us just about two minutes of “Wake Up” as we see images of an imagination run wild. Wow, I guess “Wake Up” is the best youth rebellion song since…”Rebellion (Lies).” Click on for the trailer. Continue reading →
4
Mar 09
Updated: Wayne Coyne vs. Arcade Fire
Please let this not be true. It seems that Flaming Lips frontman Coyne may actually be the prick in this situation, as he has dissed many bands and artists in the past (Arctic Monkeys, Beck, Duffy, and Oasis, to name a few). But he claims that my idols, my music heroes, Arcade Fire, “treat people like s***.” It sounds like Mr. Coyne may be just a tad bit jealous if you read the full quote, which is posted after the jump. Can we trust Coyne’s word? Or is Arcade Fire still the best? Warning: Intense language and Arcade Fire-dissing after the jump.
UPDATE: Win Butler has responded on his blog. Just click on “Win” and “Win’s Scrapbook” HERE. All hope is redeemed- Arcade Fire is the best.
28
Feb 09
You Oughtta Know: Fanfarlo
As I Guess I’m Floating says, you’ve heard this a million times: “there’s this new great band with the perfect mixture of Arcade Fire, Beirut, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!” And also a million times, you’ve been disappointed that this band doesn’t live up to the hype.
While Fanfarlo’s stuff does not yet match the emotional power of Arcade Fire’s or Beirut’s, it comes MUCH closer than all of the other wannabe anthemic, orchestral songs we hear all the time. This is because THESE Arcade Fire similarities aren’t forced, but true to the band’s music. It’s epic, fantastic instrumentals, with a Zach Condon-esque voice at the top to bring it all together.
The London-based band has just released their first full-length, Reservoir, and it is excellent. Filled with building bridges and anthemic moments, it’s just the right medicine for what could possibly be an Arcade Fire-less 2009. Check out two of the band’s best songs, “I’m A Pilot” and “Fire Escape,” below. Thanks to Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good (an awesome blog) for introducing me to the band. They think that “I’m A Pilot” has a “Crown Of Love” feel, but I get more of a “Well And The Lighthouse” vibe- the song kind of flows along like slowed-down part that goes “Resurrected, living in a lighthouse.” Listen below. What do you guys think of Fanfarlo? Continue reading →
25
Feb 09
Album Updates- Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, James Taylor, and Team B
- Let’s start off with the Beastie Boys. The boys are finishing up their 8th studio album, and its apparently shaping up to be a “pretty weird” one, says lead rapper Adam Yauch. Far from their all-instrumental album The Mix-Up, this one includes “a lot of rhyming and playing and sampling — all combined.” It should be pretty cool…thanks to Entertainment Weekly for the heads-up.
- The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ new album was prematurely evaluated over at Stereogum, and they seem to like it. A lot. Judging from the first two singles, I think PMA is going to like it, too.
- James Taylor is working on another covers album, coming out April 7th, called Other Covers. Good title! It’ll have seven more covers from his original studio session, including “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,” along with Chuck Berry’s “Memphis. His last Covers album was pretty well-received. (Via MOG).
- Team B, a band formed of members from Beirut, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem (woah) is streaming their new album on MySpace…I haven’t taken a listen yet, but Beirut, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem? It should be pretty good. Thanks to Tiny Mix Tapes.
