'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Love, Pt. 13

Love (<)
Ayreon - 0101100
I had a lot of trouble placing this album on the list. I knew I enjoyed it, but depending on the day, I either loveloveloved it or I found it interesting but boring. I'm settling with this section of the list because I am in awe of Arjen Anthony Lucassen's many talents. The album makes me wonder what he's going to do next though, because this album marks what would appear to be the final chapter in the storyline that he has been developing since the first Ayreon album. To The Future!
Ayreon - Age Of Shadows

The Raveonettes - The Raveonettes REMIXED + Sometimes They Drop By + Beauty Dies + Wishing You A Rave Christmas EP
I, as a few people may or may not have noticed, LOVE the Raveonettes. These EP's, alone, were all right. Each one had it's own charm, but nothing too lasting. If you put them all together, it's not really a cohesive feeling, but it still feels a bit like a new album, which is what I'm basically always ready for when it comes to the Raves. All in all, the songs are fine, but they kind of feel like songs that they just needed to get out of their system so they could get ready for their next LP. Here's a sample from each:
The Raveonettes - Lust (Trentemøller Remix)
The Raveonettes - Way Out There
The Raveonettes - Here Comes The End
The Raveonettes - Christmas in Cleveland

Yoda's House - Yoda's House
New Mexican sextet Yoda's House is, in my opinion, up there with the big boys of post rock. This being what appears to be their first release ever, I'd say these kids have a fine grasp on what it is to be a musician.
Get the entire Cassette here for free

Various - Not Wave
A very eclectic mix of peculiar music, to say the least. I'd only heard of one of the artists, and that was because I'd heard their cover of Spoon's song "I Turn My Camera On" (which is included in the compilation). The entire albums does sort of accomplish what the compilers wished (to compile music they deem "Not Wave," which is like "New Wave" music, but not [so they say]), but since I the whole thing is kind of vague, I suppose I'm still a little confused. Either way, the comp is interesting and certainly has me on the look out for some of the artists on there, which was the real point I suppose.
Tussle - Elephants Meandering
Freshro - I Turn My Camera On (Spoon Cover)
Welcome Stranger - Smoke Machine

The Raconteurs - Counselors of the Lonely
I had forgotten about this album until just the other day, actually, when my housemate Joe was listening to it. I remembered that my buddy Brian was all over this album when it came out, and I was skeptical. At some point over the summer I decided to give it a chance and by about 1/2 way through I realized it was actually pretty good. A White Stripes fan 'til the end, I liked the Jack White sung songs more, but t'others were pretty good too. A little on the country side, but if you know anything about the band, you all ready knew that.
The Raconteurs - Carolina Drama

Again, make sure to come back for the next 2 sections, "Love More" and "Love More Than Music," and the favorite album of the year post :).

"Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake the Frame of This House"

Despite how much I honestly don't care, today is a sort of "Love Appreciation Day," so, in keeping with the tradition, today's blog will only be concerning music that I've recently come across that I absolutely love (that I haven't all ready talked about). I even posted a live set at the bottom of the post. It's top notch!
p.s. that picture has nothing to do with anything, except that it's funny, especially out of context.

The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Now, I know I said I'd be waiting until the release date of the album to post songs from this album, but I figured I'd give some early lovin to the Goats fans out there. Oh, and in case you missed what I had to say about the album, just check out this track-by-track review that I did.
The Mountain Goats - Lovecraft in Brooklyn
The Mountain Goats - Autoclave
The Mountain Goats - San Bernardino

Ayreon - 01011001
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Remember when I said this album was going to be astonishing? Well I wasn't lying. This album is one of Arjen's best. I haven't had the chance to listen to it about a million times like I have with the other albums, so I'm not as attached, but I can all ready tell that some time in the future I'm going to be rather nostalgic over this album. Still pretty Pink Floyd influenced, but not as much as the last one. Prog Rock Operas are where it is freakin at. [remember, the songs I'm hosting here are only 3 of like 20, and the since the album is an opera, and you're only getting a glimpse, the lyrics are going to be a little weird. Trust me, it all makes sense in order and with all the other songs]
Ayreon - Age Of Shadows
Ayreon - Web of Lies
Ayreon - River of Time

Xiu Xiu - Women as Lovers
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Xiu Xiu's newest effort is a dream. Awkward as always but just ... oh man ... I can't even really say why this album is so spectacular. Please listen up to them. I can't wait to see them with Thao Nguyen here in a few weeks.
Xiu Xiu - I Do What I When I Want
Xiu Xiu - Black Keyboard
Xiu Xiu - Child At Arms

Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Verdict: Love More (<3)
(speaking of Thao Nguyen ...) Some people may know that there is a certain spot in my heart for Thao Nguyen (see these older postings for the back story on why I love her so much). Well there is no way that we live in a universe that would house a non-amazing-Thao Nguyen album, and that's a fact. Still amazing.
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Yes So On and So On
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Travel

Also, here is a live set recorded just yesterday on NPR:
Band: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Date: 2008-02-13
Venue: NPR Studio

(Intro)
Geography
(Interview)
Beat (Health, Life & Fire)
(Interview)
Big Kid Table
(Interview)
Swimming Pools (really good version)
(Outro)

"We Never Saw This Coming, Pride Comes Before Our Fall."

OH! I almost forgot! A day or so before my computer brokc (by-the-by, I'm on a family member's computer currently, which is why I'm able to post) I was looking up stuff on stuff (you know, general time-wastery) and I found out that Ayreon's new album, 01011001, is soon to be released! Jan. 23rd or 29th depending on where ya live. Can anyone say best album of 2008? because I can. seriously, look at the cast for this opera:

Vocals:

Anthony Lucassen (duh)

Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards)

Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation)

Tom S. Englund (Evergrey)

Jonas Renkse (Katatonia)

Jørn Lande (ex-Masterplan, ARK)

Anneke van Giersbergen (Agua de Annique, ex-The Gathering)

Steve Lee (Gotthard)

Bob Catley (Magnum)

Floor Jansen (After Forever, Star One)

Magali Luyten (Beautiful Sin, Virus IV)
Simone Simons (Epica)

Phideaux Xavier

Wudstik

Marjan Welman (Elister)

Liselotte Hegt (Dial)

Ty Tabor (King's X)

Instrumentalists:

Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Guitar, keyboards, synths, bass guitar, programming

Ed Warby (Gorefest) - Drums and percussion

Lori Linstruth (ex-Stream of Passion) - Guitar solo

Michael Romeo (Symphony X) - Guitar solo

Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Dream Theater) - Keyboard solo

Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings) - Keyboard solo

Joost van den Broek (After Forever) - Piano and Keyboard solo

Jeroen Goossens (Flairck) - Flutes Ben

Mathot (Dis) - Violins

David Faber - Cellos

CanNOT wait for that shit.