10. Hidden Lands
by Candy Claws
Certainly a nice Brian Wilson Pet Sounds tribute from this indie band from Colorado. If you made an entire album of different versions of the song Pet Sounds and added some somewhat buried fluffy vocals along the forest floor, you might get something like this record. Best song: “Sunbeam Show.”
9. Congratulations by MGMT
Another nice mash up, this time the Cure meets about a hundred different 60s garage bands with an eye toward something kind of progressive. Best Song: “It’s Working.”
8. Old Angel by The Lost Dogs
Terry Taylor and the boys return with their best record since Gene’s passing. A welcome and nice return to what they do best, folk rock with Taylor’s wit and spiritual insight intact. Best Song: “Israelites And Okies.”
7. The Courage Of Others by Midlake
A pretty big drop from their last record “The Trials Of Van Occupanther” which is only my favorite record of the entire decade. You can tell they tried to do something different, but somehow it turned into a very narrow record without almost any range. Still it has two great songs on it that are so good they almost make up for everything else. Best Song: (tie) “Bring Down” & “Acts Of Man.”
6. Destroyer Of The Void by Blitzen Trapper
A strange, but nice mash up of Queen ELO Bowie and maybe somehow Jethro Tull. As weird as all that might sound, it somehow works and with this record they don’t throw in the kitchen sink as often, except for the first song, which I swear is like some kind of lost track from a lost Daniel Amos record (whom I’m sure BT have never heard of). It’s uncanny and then the song Dragon’s Song sounds even more like Terry Taylor than Terry Taylor does. Best Song: “The Tailor.”
5. Big Echo by The Morning Benders
Super sweet pop piled high with the layers of the Specter sound. Nothing here is going to change the world, but it’s all done so nicely, so just-right, that it’s hard not to be taken into its perfect little pop world. Best Song. “Stitches.”
4. Shame, Shame by Dr. Dog
This has it’s charms, but it might be my least favorite of all their releases, but that’s less of a knock that a tribute to how great the other releases are. Like all of their records, it’s a bit of a grower. Everything is here we all have come to expect and love, The Band meets a great songwriter from tin pan alley with a smart mouth. Yes, it’s still Dr. Dog. Best Song: “Stranger.”
3. Brothers by The Black Keys
I have no idea how two white guys from Ohio can be so soulful, but they are just that, a power duo with some real foot stomping early 70s funk blues. They’ve made the move with this record from Jimi comparisons to Marvin comparison (that is a unplugged stripped down Marvin at his soulful best, well maybe not that soulful, but then what is?). Oh baby. Best Song: “Never Give You Up.”
2. Panorama by Birds & Batteries
A wonderful little simple record that just rolls on, great song after great song. This is really good pop music with dashes of influences everywhere but nothing overbearing. They are now on the indie label Velvet Blue Music. This record is worth checking out. Best Song: “We’re An Industry.”
1. My Room In The Trees by Innocence Mission
A still quiet record that just stuns you into silence. There are few things in this world as great as the voice of Karen Peris. Kudos to her husband Don and bass player Mike Bitts for so lovingly surrounding this wonder with just the right music. Their records are all great, but this is their best since “Birds Of My Neighborhood” in 1999. Best Song: “God Is Love.”
