NodzzzThis was the first offering from the Bay Area's Nodzzz. It was basically the anthem of the summer—sweet, innocent, dumb, witty and infectious, all at the same time. For this trio 2009 looks pretty damn bright.
Love TanThis tiny little record is chocked full of a band that's not exactly sure which Messthetics volume they like best. I called it a drunk and colorful noise capsule that takes into consideration everything the Fall did best. Wish I could say the same for their first LP.
Meth TeethPortland's Meth Teeth may not have created the term "cave-pop," but this precious collection of amplified death-folk and near seismic distortion shifts kind of defines it. Seeing it unravel in the flesh is particularly moving.
Box EldersOmaha's Box Elders did create the term "cave-pop," soon making it a part of the vernacular on the beach and in the streets. Nothing these kids do is pretentious or complicated, like say the Black Lips; it's simply shambolic and catchy garage rock of the highest order.
Electric BunniesWord is Southern Florida's actually got a wonderful scene gestating these days. That would probably make the Electric Bunnies the breadwinners. They're never the same band twice, and "Chewing Gum" proves it, sounding like something off the Nuggets box filtered through a decade of slacker indie rock. Hardest on this list to pry from the head.
Times New VikingNot sure why the world hasn't applauded this perfect companion (epilogue) to the sublime/visceral Rip It Off; it's every bit as good and proof of TNV getting better. In a year when the presidential campaign and the state of a nation in economic peril were all we thought about, TNV's theory of "romantic nihilism" was the perfect antidote. "Pagan Eyes" magnified and adrenalized that sense of emergency.
WavvesPutting this cassette on for the first time was like discovering your long lost cousin was an idiot savant when it came to cranking out grotesque, four-track skate-punk. Though it leans more towards the juvenile pop side of the spectrum, this is fully blown out with not a lot of airspace in between. Yet another wunderkind with infinite horizons in 2009. Don't blow it.
Mississippi Records
Grave BlanketsThis is the only "gold" edition I have in my possession, so I'm glad it's a goodie. Reminds me of the late great Monster Truck Five from around these parts (and in a smaller capacity, My Uncle Wayne). This here thrives on the essential tug-o-war at the heart of their music; Nick chugging and growling brute riffs and Lula giving the apocalypse siren calls a desperate immediacy. Cross-reference Fey Gods for more action.
Them, Themselves, Or TheySpooky and minimal, led by Sally Strobelight's ominous coo, like sunshine trying to ooze slowly into black holes. Easily the most confounding release on this list.
DaycreeperBesides the obvious, these guys (and girl) are currently the best band in Columbus. Feature here.
Psychedelic HorseshitThis cassette and the "New Wave Hippies" 7-inch fiasco (?) were lobbed out by Psychedelic Horseshit just to remind us all that no matter what you hear in the present, parameters always abound that Matt Whitehurst is planning on further fucking with. The only Siltcult band that can be remixed and not sound a bit like the original, this begs the question of whether there's a possibility that the next record will be released in a dubbed version. The 10-minute B-side of "Bob Dylan's 42nd Annual Report" is proof the man rarely misses, even when it's just noise.
Wounded LionGoofy and charming, from the same band with a song called "Muppet Babies." 'Nuff said.
Eat SkullThere was a ton of gabber about this band all year, basically because they've toured a trail of fire and released one head-scratching vital pop record. Still, I played with this bauble more, if only for the New Order bridge of the title track and the epic balladry of "No Intelligence." Rob Embom is the new Malkmus.
Columbus Discount RecordsCDR is only four months in and has already stolen the heart of millions. By spreading their wings and recruiting bands outside the I-270 corridor, this Colummbus imprint is bound to be one of the most essential underground labels in the country. What a great idea this was, and its popularity is only bound to produce more great records outside of this club.
Vivian Girls I hate to think that we'll look back and say that this unassuming cloud of reverb and fey melody was where the Vivian Girls peaked. Let's hope we don't have to, but even if that turns out to be truth, it was a joyous climb.
Francis Harold and the HologramsThere's always a need for harsh. Whether the need is for Sex Vid, Rusted Shut or Sword Heaven, evil souls need spiritual levels of release. Last year it was Pissed Jeans and Clockcleaner, Francis Harold tends to eclipse both and be irritatingly magnetic to boot.
Die StasiMuch like the CDR boys, Die Stasi have cultivated the harsh climes of Lafayette, Indiana to find a secret cult of like-minded weirdos and punkers, only to turn it into a cottage industry. Why the whole label? It's hard to choose between label herdsman TV Ghost, Zola Jesus, and that brilliant Leper Print 7-inch. Now comes the XXperiments comp, pressing bedrock for the Crimson Wave.
Yussuf JerusalemI suppose this is an album by definition, but it jangles by so fast the listener is eager for more. One guy doing a damn fine Roky Erickson/Skip Spence impression.
DucktailsStill discovering exactly what this record means to me, for now it's a tropical diversion on the Blues Control scattered clatter.