Blind Pilot

We’ve got Blind Pilot stopping by the studio for a live session the day before our trip to Austin for SXSW. I saw this video of their performance of “One Red Thread” on Carson Daly’s show and I can’t remember when I’ve been this excited about a session. It was ranked as one of our best albums of 2008, but their songs keep rising to the top of my playlists and 3 Rounds and a Sound is an album I’ve grown to love.

I’ll be finding them at SXSW and will situate myself front and center for the set.

Previously posted track:

Blind Pilot – Oviedo

Video: Blind Pilot – One Red Thread (Live on Last Call)

HearYa and Internet Explorer were in a pissing match for most of the day yesterday. For those readers that use that glorious browser, you may have had some trouble reading yesterday’s post. We corrected the bug – my apologies.

We’re back at it and almost done with our best albums of 2008. At the very end, I’ll post the complete list in its entirety along with all of the mp3’s.  It’s been kind of quiet out there. How we doing so far? Feel free to let us know if our collective head is up our collective ass.

11. Plants and Animals – Parc Avenue (our review)

At times wonderfully complex, at others beautiful in its simplicity.

Video: Plants and Animals – Feedback In The Field

12. The Felice Brothers – Self Titled (our review)

This is great American music the way it was meant to be played – slicked back, brash, and soaked in scotch. How can you not love the lyrics: “I left my blue-eyed lady and went with Tony Mercedes to the gambling ring. I lost my diamond watch, but in the parking lot I took it back again.”

The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun

The Felice Brothers – Wonderful Life

13. Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound (our review)

Portland, Oregon’s Blind Pilot sound like a potpourri of Wilco, Iron and Wine, and The Shins. If you don’t like them then you don’t have a soul.

Blind Pilot – Oviedo

14. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

They churn out great tunes like a machine. “Lord I’m Discouraged” is one of the best tracks of the year.

15. O’Death – Broken Limbs, Hymns and Skin (our review)

Fiddle-led chaos. Imagine listening to The Foggy Bottom Boys lit on fire after drinking half a bottle of grain alcohol. Is it for everybody? No. But give it a chance.

O’Death – Lowtide

16. The Moondoggies – Don’t Be A Stranger (our review)

The Moondoggies are The Band, the Dead, and Little Feet rolled into one. “Changing” is one of my favorite songs of the year and this Seattle band shows huge promise.

The Moondoggies – Changing

17. The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely

I might be in the minority, but I like them better than the Stripes. White with a top-notch rhythm section is mouth-watering.

Video: The Raconteurs (Live) – Consolers of The Lonely

18. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Real Emotional Trash

My favorite solo Malkmus disc. Have to say, that the addition of Janet Weiss, former drummer of Sleater-Kinney, didn’t hurt the cause.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Cold Son

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Baltimore

19. Dead Confederate – Wrecking Ball (our review)

Dead Confederate have a great shot for mainstream  success. They have an emotional delivery that will have you thinking of Nirvana or early Radiohead – think “Creep.” Their sound deserves to be heard in an arena.

Dead Confederate – The Rat

Hear more at our live session with Dead Confederate.

20. The Whipsaws – 60 Watt Avenue (our review)

Every time I describe The Whipsaws to somebody, I mention Lucero and Ben Nichols. I think that says plenty. Great alt-country from Alaska.

The Whipsaws – 60 Watt

Not too long ago, I reviewed Blind Pilot’s debut album, 3 Rounds and a Sound. It’s one of 2008’s best albums and a music video was recently released for “Go On, Say It.” The band is from Portland, Oregon and it looks like most of the video was shot on the Columbia River.  I once lived just down the gorge from P-Town in a little windsurfing town called Hood River, so it’s nice to see some familiar scenery.

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