Josh Preston, Oh Boy Records, Nashville, TN
1. David
Mead – Indiana
I discovered this album just after moving to Nashville. It’s simple
and beautiful. Click here to buy.
2. Matt Pond PA
– Emblems
I saw them open for Keane @ the Knit in NYC. They blew me away. I spent
the money I was going to spend on beer on their record. It was well worth
it, as my girlish figure will now attest. Click here to buy.
3. Ryan Adams
– Love is Hell EPs
Mr. Adams. What can you say about Mr. Adams? I don’t want to hear
any crap from anyone about this being two albums. Who am I kidding? Only
I would bitch about something that lame. Click here to buy.
4. Ray Lamontagne
– Trouble
05 is going to be very kind to this brilliant man if there is any justice
in the world. Click here to buy.
5. Bill Frisell
– Unspeakable
You my boy, Bill. Click here to buy.
6. Magnet –
On Your Side
Magnet was the very last show I saw in New York before moving to Jesusland.
The night after his show at Rothko, I took the record home to my empty
Brooklyn apartment and while rather intoxicated, played it very loud while
listening through headphones. If you can find an empty apartment in Brooklyn
and a good set of headphones, it’s a moving experience. Click here to buy.
7. Bjork – Medulla
La, la, la. Sing, sing, sing. Crazy, crazy, crazy. Love ya, love ya, love
ya. Click here to buy.
8. Kaki King –
Legs To Make Us Longer
This album is one of the boldest and most innovative instrumental recordings
released by a major label for as far back as I can remember. It’s
stunning and I actually claimed after the first listen that “this
album has changed my life”. I still feel the same way. Click here to buy.
9. The Album Leaf
– In A Safe Place
The sleeper album of the year. Actually, it’s still asleep and will
probably make you sleepy. It’s enshrouded in sleep. “Enshrouded
in Sleep” sounds like a new emo band. Click here to buy.
10. Feist
– Let It Die
It should be called “Let it be released in the frigging US already”.
Who’s the over-dressed pile of brilliance that’s sitting on
their thumbs waiting for the right moment to release this record? No one
can afford to pay $30 for the import. I’m actually encouraging piracy
now. Click here to buy.
Honorable Mention (a.k.a. Mad Ups)
Styrofoam - Nothing's Lost
I can not tell a lie. I discovered this record at 6:30 am this morning and bought it on iTunes the minute after the song “Beequeen” ended on KEXP. To my surprise, Ben Gibbard is on a track. Super duper frigging awesome.
The Dears - No Cities Left
I’ve come to grips with the fact that the Smiths are probably never going to reunite. Screw em. I’ve got the Dears now.
Todd Snider – East Nashville Skyline
Although this record also came to me late in the game this year, it’s great and I think many of you will really dig it.
Pinback – Summer in Abandon
I love this record. It sounds incredible. Unbelievably defined sonically.
Keane – Hopes and Fears
Swagger on you swaggering little man.