'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 11

Like ( )
The National Bank - Come on Over to the Other Side
These guys would be the biggest Discorock stars if they were to have come out with this album when that sound was more in. Granted this album is better than any old disco album (it doesn't sound dead), but still, it's pretty groovy. (see original post)
The National Bank - Home

Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
There can only be one Tenacious D. If you think about it, even they couldn't repeat the awesomeness that was their self-titled. I'm not saying FotC are trying to be The D, but it's similar. Flight of the Conchords have a great deal of more interesting releases. This is good at times, but never spectacular or very memorable. I will never forget moments of their radio show though. Maybe check that out?
Flight Of The Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique
Good. Dancy. But their music is live music. And when it's not live, it's not very lively. It works well with a good group of people too.
Ghostland Observatory - Heavy Heart

Lyrics Born - Everywhere At Once
A smart hip-hop album, which, unfortunately, usually goes hand-in-hand with boring, unmemorable beats. This is kind of the case here. Some stellar moments though. (see original review)
Lyrics Born - Homeland Security
Lyrics Born - Don't Change

1997 - On The Run
I remember being reminded of Cake when I listened to this album, but I didn't ever really get a grasp as to why that was.
1997 - Sunset Beyond Black Clouds

B(l)ogged Down, Pt. 5

Murder by Death - Red Of Tooth And Claw
Verdict: Love (<) +
Johnny Cash would be proud ... if Johnny fancied things with a little bit of punk that is.
Murder by Death - Comin' Home
Murder by Death - The Black Spot
Murder by Death - Rumbrave

Robots In Disguise - We're In the Music Biz
Verdict: Like ()
Like The Sounds meets the White Stripes, but dumbed down a little.
Robots In Disguise - We're In the Music Biz
Robots In Disguise - I Don't Have A God
Robots In Disguise - Everybody's Going Crazy

The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
Verdict: Like ()
The Ruby Suns - There Are Birds
The Ruby Suns - It's Mwangi in Front of Me
The Ruby Suns - Ole Rinka

Sian Alice Group - 59.59
Verdict: Love (<)
Man. I really enjoyed this album. It was slow and soothing and strange and sexy and wow ... just amazing.
Sian Alice Group - When...
Sian Alice Group - Motionless
Sian Alice Group - Contours

Ursula 1000 - Undressed...remixed
Verdict: Like ()
Nice and Dancy but no album of the year
Ursula 1000 - Hello! Let's Go To A Disco ((Robosonic Remix))
Ursula 1000 - Kaboom ((All Good Funk Alliance Remix))
Ursula 1000 - Boop ((Skeewiff Remix))

Warbringer - War Without End
Verdict: Didn't Like (ø)
This album just weirded me out. Having an Angry Yell Death Metal band sing about Satan is just weird and unexpected. I mean, guttural yelling Death Metal, that just makes sense, but this is just strange to me. Plus, it's honestly not the most impressive album.
Warbringer - Instruments of Torture

The Lisps - Country Doctor Museum
Verdict: Love (<)
Sweet and soulful folk. Haunting in more ways than a few.
The Lisps - I'm Sorry
The Lisps - Heaven
The Lisps - The Familiar Drunk

Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique
Verdict: Love (<)
The album had me torn. I think that the whole effect is lost on me since I'm seeing it performed live right before. Given that, it's still fun and ridiculous :)
Ghostland Observatory - Heavy Heart
Ghostland Observatory - Dancin' On My Grave
Ghostland Observatory - The Band Marches On

Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair
Verdict: Love More (<3)
You know how you were looking for that perfect dance party album? The one that would go well with LCD and !!!? well here you go. This album is so much fun I'm afraid it's going to set my house on fire.
Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (HECK YES!)
Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules' Theme
Hercules and Love Affair - Athene

Why? - Alopecia
Verdict: Love More (<3)
A shining beacon of hope in the dismal sea of horrible music.
Why? - Good Friday
Why? - Gnashville
Why? - These Few Presidents

Beach House - Devotion
Verdict: Love (<)
More chill than Greenland, this album will lull you into a false sense a security so comforting that it will make you gloriously comatose.
Beach House - Gila
Beach House - Some Things Last a Long Time
Beach House - Turtle Island

Andrew Bird - Soldier On
Verdict: Like ()
Few EP's or short releases find their way deep into my heart. Granted there are a few exceptions, but its pretty rare. This release, being so closely released to his last magnificent album, is kind of overshadowed and feels like a bonus disc more than anything. That said, it does have a good song or two. Check that, every song is pretty good.
Andrew Bird - The Water Jet Cilice
Andrew Bird - Oh Sister

I've Got Some New Dance Moves ... Thanks Ghostland ;)

Ugh, so I'm not going to be able to fulfill my promise to have everything reported on by the end of the week, because things have been just toooo crazy. but here's a bit more on Monolith:

After leaving The Broken West, I went down to the main stage to see the much acclaimed Ghostland Observatory. I'd first heard about them by eaves dropping on a couple who had apparently gone to the show they did with The Magic Cyclops. So I checked them out and discovered that the pairing of Ghostland and Magic couldn't have been better, because Ghostland is essentially an upscale version of the Magic Cyclops, with a dash of power-stancey Daft Punk, and a hint of machismo-y Ratatat. Hella dancey. All I really have to say about their stage performance is that I certainly have some new moves to try out on the dance floor.

Ghostland Observatory - Rich Man

Back up the stairs I went to see one of the bands I was just dying to see: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. I got to the stage as they were finishing up a jam that seemed to have gone over well, as the crowd just ate them up. The rev launched into a story about the next song, talking about how it was based on true events, and will most certainly be on the next album (even though they just released one two days prior to this performance). The song? Your Cousin's on COPS. Funniest ... shit ... ever. Awkwardly one of the most memorable moments of the festival (for me). I sure with I had an mp3 of it to share with you, but alas, I cannot track down a live recording of it.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - That Train Song

After RPBDB ended I moseyed on down back to the main stage to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, who seemed to be about as thrilled to be there as they always seem (i.e. not very, save for the one crazy member). I'd seen them live at the Gothic about a year or so ago, and I'd have to say that even then, near the end of the huge typhon of fame that hit them all at once, they were still rather bland. Granted, some of their songs are just righteous, but they just don't seem to be into it. I hate to say it, but I like the albums more...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth (if you don't all ready have this song ... who are you?)

Ra Ra Riot was one of biggest surprises of the festival. Like the Trickster, I just didn't seem them coming. I admit that I had only heard 2 or 3 songs by them prior to seeing them at the festival, but after their performance, I tracked down as much as I could. These kids rock. They played their flippin souls out. Their new drummer was also one of the best drummers I saw all weekend. They .... I don't even know ... they were just good. Since they played the WOXY.COM Stage, you'll be able to hear their performance in it's entirety on their site. DO SO. Check the WOXY Monolith Recap Site for updates. I'm sure it'll be there at some point.

My fellow Colo-blogger Josh is all about Kings of Leon. I'd heard the hits, and a few of the other songs, but nothing too much. He said I'd love them. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was disappointed. I, however, equate this to the fact that they played the main stage and, if I haven't said this before, I just didn't enjoy the Main Stage bands as much as I probably would have had 1) I been closer, 2) it been louder. Sorry Esurance Stage, I like my music in front of me, and making my body shake it's so loud. I'll just have to see them again I guess.

Kings of Leon - Wicker Chair

Last 4 bands of Day 1 still to come. Plus Day 2 and then the Arcade Fire/LCD Soundsystem show! Again, sorry I'm busy :(

Monolith Sampler 1

Monolith Music Fest. will eat you:

(this is broken up so I can fit the labels for all the bands. Make sure to check out part 6 for mp3's not included in the Whole Dang Thing)

The Whole Dang Thing, .rar'd up nice and easy for you.

If that's too big for your computer to do in one go, here is the EXACT SAME THING, just split into 3 parts:

The Whole Dang Thing Part 1
The Whole Dang Thing Part 2
The Whole Dang Thing Part 3

If you'd like to pick and choose, here ya go:

Day 1
Cake - Shadow Stabbing
The Decemberists - Think About Me (Fleetwood Mac Cover)
Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Heavy Metal
Ghostland Observatory - Silver City
Editors - Lights
Juliette & The Licks - You're Speaking My Language
Flosstradamus - Yea Yeah (Flosstradamus Remix of a Matt & Kim song)
Kid Sister - Pro Nails (feat. Kanye West) (thanks to Cause=Time for this one)
Das EFX - Kaught In Da Ak (Dj-Premier-Remix)
Vienna Teng - Cannonball (Damien Rice Cover)