Top 10 Albums
Times New VikingPro-Buckeye bias aside, this is one of the two albums released this year that I will undoubtedly go back to regularly for years to come. Both live and on record, TNV has become quite a force.
PrisonshakeThe other one that's definitely going to stay in my rotation. In addition to a good handful of instant 'Shake classics, the album as a whole becomes increasingly rewarding upon each listen.
Thomas Function
The Feeling of Love
Sic AlpsSic Alps checked in with the headliner of another excellent batch of Siltbreeze offerings. Weird pop for when you'd rather be on another planet.
Jerusalem and the StarbasketsThere's something about the country-tinged lo-fi rock of Jerusalem and the Starbaskets that resonates with me. The Howling is loaded with great melodies and enough noise to keep everything on the up-and-up.
Terrible TwosNot to be confused with the dude from Kansas who writes children's songs, Terrible Twos (no "the") did well in adding their brand of dangerous heavy punk to the Motor City's gritty legacy.
CheveuIt's becoming commonplace for S-S Records to put out classic albums by bands from the farthest reaches of the globe. Mark down Cheveu's collection of drum machine–driven, angular guitar rock as another hit.
Dan Melchior und Das MenaceDan Melchior seems to be one of the most prolific songwriters in rock right now. With Christmas for the Crows, he cements his position as one of the best at his craft.
The Dreadful YawnsAnother year, another incarnation for the Yawns. Take Shape is their best showing yet, amping up the old sound and adding a groovy, psychedelic element.
Top Shows of the Year
Mike Rep (with Times New Viking)—Siltbreeze SXSW Showcase, March 13, Austin, Texas
Rep seemed to revel in having TNV as his backup band for the night. Classics like "Rocket to Nowhere" and "The Village Idiot" were delivered with extra bite.
Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments—Comfest, June 27, Columbus, Ohio
TJSA tore through a chronological sprint of the band's catalog. Between Bob Petric's riffs and Ron House's screams, it was like we'd boarded a time machine back to the '90s.
Thurston Moore—Ecstatic Peace SXSW Showcase, March 14, Austin, Texas
The main set of songs from Moore's 2007 solo record was just okay. The night went to an epic level, though, when the band dusted off a scorching cover of the Velvet Underground's "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore" for the encore.
Mirrors—Beachland Tavern, July 19, Cleveland, Ohio
The legendary Cleveland proto-punkers exceeded expectations and sounded in vintage form for this reunion of almost the entire original lineup (drummer Michael Weldon was the lone missing Mirror). This was one reunion that was actually a good idea.
Thomas Function/Pink Reason/Outer Spacist—house party, April 16, Columbus, Ohio
An awesome line-up, and every band was on. Thomas Function's Columbus debut was made that much better with the help of my favorite Pink Reason and Outer Spacist sets of the year.
What's Going to Keep Me Interested in 2009
• How the economy, increased vinyl pressing costs, and increased demand for vinyl will affect the currently thriving network of small underground record labels.
• How touring bands will react if the price of gas increases again.
• A Sonic Youth album on Matador Records.
• Whether Dr. Dre's Detox ever sees the light of day.
• A Guinea Worms double-album.
Other Writers
Kevin J. Elliott • Dorian S. Ham • Tom Butler • Michael P. O'Shaughnessy • Josie Rubio • Jennifer Farmer • Phil Goldberg • Stephen Slaybaugh