Blitzen Trapper

In May of 2004, the English Football team that I support, Arsenal, put on a tour de force that was simply magical to watch. They defeated another top team, Everton by the scoreline of 7-0. They were led by one of my favorite players on all time, Dennis Bergkamp, as he pulled the strings on a magical game. They scored almost every way imaginable and it was simply a joy to behold. As I watched Blitzen Trapper the other night at The Bottle, I had the same feeling. This is a band that is firing on all cylinders you cannot help but be slack jawed watching them perform.

Mostly working off of our top album of 2008, Furr, and 2007’s Wild Mountain Nation, Blitzen Trapper blended folk, alt-country, pop and 90’s indie in the spirit of Pavement. Highlights of the night included a slowed-down, bluesy version of “Miss Spiritual Tramp” and a slightly tweaked version of “Murder Babe” with perfect vocal harmonies. “Black River Killer” has been my favorite tune from Furr, but after watching them kick out “Not Your Lover Anymore,” that may no longer be the case.

I have a bad habit of singling out one member of a band in a review, but much like that Arsenal performance in ‘04, this was a true group performance. Each and every member is so damned talented – Eric Earley (guitar/vocals), Erik Menteer (guitar/keyboard), Brian Adrian Koch (drums/vocals), Michael VanPelt, (bass), Drew Laughery (keyboards), and Marty Marquis (guitar, keyboards, vocals).

At one point in the night I felt the need to scream “These Guys are the tits!” which was immediately backed by my buddy, Jefe, who said “and the balls!” You know what? They are the tits, the balls and any other superlative you can think of. I see a crapload of live music and this was one of the best shows I’ve seen in quite some time. Do yourself a favor see them now in a small venue before they leave them behind.

Blitzen Trapper – Gold For Bread

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

The best part of doing these year end lists is rediscovering every album we loved in 2008. While we chose Blitzen Trapper as the best album of the year, it may as well be a three-way tie. How do you choose between Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes and The Black Keys?

Hopefully y’all liked our choices. I’m always interested in hearing about what we overlooked.  So, what were your favorite albums of the year that we missed?

1. Blitzen Trapper – Furr (our review)

The cover art is made of wood and that’s what the album gives me. I don’t have enough good things to say. It’s my favorite album of 2008 and “Black River Killer” is my favorite song right now.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

Blitzen Trapper – Bread for Gold

Video: Blitzen Trapper – Furr (Live on Conan)

2. Black Keys – Attack and Release

After Magic Potion, how do the Akron boys take it to the next level? They let Danger Mouse take over production and add in more instruments like banjos and flutes. The results are wondrous.

Video: The Black Keys – I Got Mine (Live on Letterman)

3. Fleet Foxes – Self Titled (our review)

As stunning a debut as you’ll see in years. Woody saw them at SXSW and said “I thought angels were singing to me.” I called him a pussy at the time, but he’s right. So angelic. To say I am looking forward to their 2nd release is as big of an understatement.

Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal

Fleet Foxes – He Doesn’t Know Why

Video: Fleet Foxes – Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Live In London)

4. Dr. Dog – Fate

Jeff Tweedy loves Dr. Dog and so do we. Production is getting tighter and the songs are taking on bigger, often biblical themes.  See them live to really appreciate the band.

Dr. Dog – The Ark

Dr. Dog – The Old Days

Video: Dr. Dog – Hang On

5. Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life

Justin Townes Earle is what country music needs right now. If you’ve had enough of the mainstream pop garbage, listen to the music as Hank, Townes, Kris, Willie, Waylon and Johnny intended it to be heard. Justin has a voice and bravado that’s a throwback to country music’s legends.

Exclusive: Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (from the HearYa Live Session)

Exclusive: Justin Townes Earle – Who Am I To Say (from the HearYa Live Session)

Hear more from our live session with Justin Townes Earle.

Video: Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (Live)

6. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark

DBT’s first album without Isbell and, although I miss him dearly, Hood and Cooley show that the show will certainly go on. It’s 19 tracks deep and “Ghost To Most,” “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,” and “Daddy Needs a Drink” have all become favorites.  I’m also craving more Shonna Tucker after hearing “I’m Sorry Huston.”

Drive-By Truckers – Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (Live)

Drive-By Truckers – Opening Act (Live)

Drive-By Truckers – Ghost To Most (Live)

Video: Drive By Truckers – Ghost To Most

7. Calexico – Carried to Dust (our review)

In our review, I compared these guys to the scene in Young Guns when the gang visits the spirit world. Calexico are true musicians that explore new sounds and bend genres. This album comes with some spicy, southwestern flavor.

Calexico – Two Silver Trees

Video: Calexico – Two Silver Trees

8. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

Do I even need to write anything about My Morning Jacket? This would have been higher on the list, but there are one or two tracks on Evil Urges that I can’t even listen to – “Highly Suspicious” is one of them. I still respect the constant experimentation and will remain a captive listener with each release.

My Morning Jacket – I’m Amazed

Video: My Morning Jacket – Librarian (Live)

9. Port O’Brien – All We Could Do Was Sing (our review)

Lead singer-songwriter Van Pierszalowski is an Alaska fisherman (think Deadliest Catch) and All I Could Do Was Sing always feels inspired by a bit of cabin fever with soft, sweet, finger-picked tunes like “Fisherman’s Son” offset by extended jams and heavy guitar riffs on “Pigeonhold” and “The Rooftop Song.” Damn good people too.

Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today

Port O’Brien – Close The Lid

Hear more at our live session with Port O’Brien.

Video: Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today (recorded exclusively for HearYa.com)

Port OBrien I Woke Up Today for Hearya.com – Port OBrien

10. Langhorne Slim – Self Titled (our review)

I’m not sure what the rebel side of heaven looks like, but I hope when I’m bellied up to the bar at The Big Guy in the Sky’s Bar and Lounge, that Langhorne strolls up in his fedora so I can buy him cocktail.

Langhorne Slim – Rebel Side of Heaven

Exclusive: Langhorne Slim – Collette (from the HearYa Live Session)

Exclusive: Langhorne Slim – Restless (from the HearYa Live Session)

Hear more tracks at our live session with Langhorne Slim and The War Eagles.

Video: Langhorne Slim – Restless (Live on Letterman)

For those of you sick of seeing us post the track “Furr” from Blitzen Trapper’s album by the same name, I’ve got some good news. Sub Pop just released “Gold for Bread.” I still think this is the best album of 2008…

Blitzen Trapper – Gold For Bread

Are you wondering why the cover art for Blitzen Trapper’s latest release, Furr, is made of wood? Maybe it’s because that’s exactly what this album will give you. It should include a disclaimer to help you avoid any potentially awkward public situations.

Blitzen Trapper are a potpourri of all things good in music. Furr is like a big bowl of The Beatles, Pavement, Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and The Grateful Dead all mixed together for an end result that smells magnificent. The album kicks off with “Sleepytime In The Western World,” a song that’s impossible not to compare to Wilco. From there Furr takes a 12 song rock and roll, space-country journey that’s damn near perfection.

If you had trouble falling in love with Blitzen Trapper’s last album, then Furr might exactly what you’re looking for. They’ve abandoned much of the noise and distortion that was front and center on Wild Mountain Nation and now let the purity of the songs take center stage.   The title track, “Not Your Lover” and “Lady On The Water” are well-penned folk songs with phrases that cling in your head. “Not Your Lover” is a heartbreaker that starts off with the lines:

In my sleep I’m not your lover anymore. When I wake I have to remind myself that I’m lying on your shore. Cuz I’m a moon-walking cowboy, dusty ridin’ and I don’t know what’s in store.

While those songs are a few of my favorites, there are others that pop out at me each time I listen. “Black River Killer” is a dark story about a brutal murder and “God + Suicide” is an upbeat pop song masked with a contradictory title.  Then “Saturday Nite” comes out of the blue and drops some disco beats with its misspelling.

It’s not worth writing much more about the album, to be honest. Furr cannot be listened to just once because new songs will continue to sneak up on you after your third, fourth and fifth spins. I don’t have enough good things to say. Furr is my favorite album of 2008.

MySpace | Sub Pop Records

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

Aw, snap. Sub Pop just posted the title track from Blitzen Trapper’s upcoming release, Furr. Take a listen below. I love it and I promise you will too. The album is set to drop on September 23, their first record on the Sub Pop label (which can only mean great things). Mark your calendars and be careful not to put “Furr” on continuous repeat until then.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr