QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (31-40)

31. Black Heart Procession - Six

“More dirges from the dark, cold, sad town of San Diego, California. Oh, that ocean is so depressing. Oh, this 75 degree weather really taxes one's soul . . . “ - Rain

“This album makes you either want to drink a pint of whiskey or hide under the covers. Melodic, hypnotic, moody and dark- exactly what was expected.” - Layne




32. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

"Reminded me of a darker Mazzy Star but full of substance. Reminds me of how a dark red wine warms your tummy but has a bit of bite on the palette." - Layne







33. Laura Gibson - Beasts Of Seasons

"I love her bunches. She played here like 3 times this year and I didn't go to any of the shows. How big of a douche am I?” - ancient indian wizard

“Laura Gibson is, for me, a reminder that opening acts can be wonderful. Thanks Colin Meloy!” - The Crane Wife





34. Volcano Choir - Unmap

“Larson and Serena showed me their copy of the "Indie Rock Coloring Book", which features a page depicting the Wisconsin cabin where Justin Vernon notoriously wrote "For Emma, Forever Ago" along with a diagram of the water supply line that led to the 'Magical Water Source' that made that album possible. Well, either Justin and his collaborators from fellow WI rock institution, Collections of Colonies Of Bees, recorded in that same cabin, or JV's got more than gnome-enchanted water going for him.” - Tex

“Seriously... any album that has a reference to old tits being on a harddrive simply must be one of the best albums of the year.” - Jeremiah H.



35. Nurses - Apple's Acres

“Jingly jangly indie pop.” - HotCatato

“Fragmented whistles, bells, knocks, and gurgles make for fantastic shambling indie rock.” - awmercy






36. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (Self Titled)

“Good Album. I get it... I really do . . . “ - Jeremiah H.

37. Throw Me The Statue - Creaturesque

“Chock full of summer indie pop jams. Rock that tinny keyboard!” - awmercy

“Visited QuickCrit's creator awmercy in Portland a few weeks ago and was introduced to TMTS's new album whilst driving around. I got a copy of it last week and have listened to it at least twice a day since. Modern pop at it's best - More hooks than a hardware store. Yeah, I just came up with that. You're welcome.” - Tex

38. Matt & Kim - Grand

“Oh, Brattleboro, VT. What is it about you that produced such amazing bands as Matt & Kim, the Devil Makes Three, Witch, and Feathers? It must be the Nuclear power plant down stream, or perhaps the med-infused water from the Retreat (a mental hospital/rehab clinic). Whatever it is...keep it up. Matt and Kim....you've come into your own with this one. Fantastic.” - Tex

“Is it possible this album just came out this year? Again, perhaps I should be embarrassed by this, but I refuse to be. The key here is the energy. When he sings, you can tell in his voice that he is smiling and it makes you smile too.” - WarMachine



39. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

“Bill could say the dirtiest things to your mother and she'd still make him a cup of warm milk, and put him to bed, while looking at you with a "why couldn't I have had a son like him instead of you" expression.” - Rain

40. Mastodon - Crack The Skye

“Shredding record from the very unique Mastodon that made me a fan of Prog in 2009.” - Justin Slaughter

“In one epic track "The Czar" Mastodon have mastered the past, present & future of metal. Sick.” - Lucas C.

Throw Me The Statue - Creaturesque (2009)

Throw Me The Statue's Creaturesque delivers on the potential of last year's Moonbeams, with "Dizzy From the Fall" probably being the closest in tone, catchiness, and just general awesomeness to "Lolita" (mp3). Or the spirited "Waiting At The Shore". Or... well, suffice to say the rest of the album is just as good. Overall, its way more polished and consistent than the debut. It's clear that they have mastered summertime indie pop, balancing light and wistful lyrics with bouncy drums and cheap tinny keyboards. "Hi-fi Goon" (mp3) and "Ancestors" (mp3), two more of my favorites, both feature simple catchy riffs and singalong choruses. All the handclaps, hooks, and well-placed whoops add up to a very fun album.

awmercy's Summer Short List

1. Les Savy Fav Concert @ The Black Cat
   Renewed my faith that punk rock could be exciting, interesting, and fun.
   


2. The Blondes "Teenage Foxes"
   Classic, catchy (and creepy?) power pop with the sweet line: "I would like to meet teenage foxes/The kind that like blow pops/See me on the street/Looking spicy." Looking spicy?
   


3. Jay Reatard
   Everything I've heard from this guy is awesome; I can't wait to listen to his new singles collection.
   


4. Amoeba Records
   After living in DC (apparently the land of tiny record stores) for six years, every visit to Amoeba is a highly anticipated pilgrimage. Last time, I sacrificed precious moments at my brother's graduation to hunt down a $2 bargain bin copy of the Boggs' Forts.
   


5. Nudity
   So far it's been a good year for nudity in music! My favorites so far include the Throw Me The Statue album art, Tim Harrington's onstage costume changes (see #1), and the BPA's "Toe Jam" video (see below), which gave me a new appreciation for censorship. The enormity of all that skin is enough to induce some awesome indie rock inspired interpretive dancing.

THE BPA - THE BPA 'TOE JAM' FEAT. DAVID BYRNE & DIZZEE RASCAL

Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams (2008)

The summery album art seems like a good fit for the happy and lo-fi indie pop. The casually sung vocals and cheesy Casio keyboard background beats might deter some people, but they compliment each other nicely. They sound a little bit like the Magnetic Fields and Jens Lekman.