I've enjoyed everything I've heard from the dreary and dark Woven Hand. Biblically and theologically haunting music/lyrics. Check this Tiny Desk Concert.
Here's a video (not great quality) of Jeff Tweedy, some Radiohead guys, and Liam Finn playing Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees." Because of the quality, it will probably only be really enjoyable for folks who already love Tweedy/Radiohead/Finn or who have "Fake Plastic Trees" streaming constantly running through their heads (like me). But as a fan of all, it's very cool. (via)
The Black Cab Sessions are always fun, and a great way to find new-to-you artists or some of your favorites singing newer songs. Ryan Adams...
I've been discovering some 2008 albums that are high on 'best of' lists but I hadn't heard. I mentioned Welcome Wagon last week, but now I have video...
Ra Ra Riot is a ton of fun. Try them out at Daytrotter and enjoy this Letterman appearance...
Let me end with The Gaslight Anthem. Matt Redmond commented on my blog last week, curious about what I think of The Gaslight Anthem. Having never heard of them I checked their MySpace and loved it. Pitchfork does too. Early Springsteenish. The title track is really great and I want to share it with you. Check the lyrics as you listen/watch...
Woven Hand has been a favorite band of mine, since I first ran into David Eugene Edwards first project with 16 Horsepower.
I'm excited to see them live for the first time, come this Thursday in Spokane, Wa.
Posted by: Chad | 01/13/2009 at 01:14 AM
even if I am a bit of a music jerk, you should take my album recs seriously... I listed Gaslight Anthem as the #5 album of the year;)
It is that good. But, then again, I am not Matt Redmond.
Posted by: Rick Bennett | 01/13/2009 at 07:53 AM
Rick,
Just to clear things up, I may not be who you think I am. I am but a lowly Student Pastor in Wichita, KS. who has been reading Steve's blog for a while now because of the music recs, Tim Keller resources and the "Why I Hate Us" posts.
Posted by: Matt | 01/13/2009 at 08:02 AM
Yeah, you are a music jerk! ;)
Honestly I didn't recall you listing it. I think at the time I was so angry at you for putting For Emma at #3 instead of #1, that I just couldn't hear anything else.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/13/2009 at 11:11 AM
Matt, don't listen to Rick. He put Bon Iver at #3 instead of #1. He's obviously delusional. :)
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/13/2009 at 11:12 AM
Hey Matt, I've got all your albums ;)
Steve, you got any interest in Scottish trad music? Have a listen to Julie Fowlis http://www.juliefowlis.com/
A lot of the stuff you list has folk roots that extend across the ocean, so thought you might be interested to hear some of the people on the scene over here. Celtic Connections festival is this month, so there's a lot of this kind of stuff converging on Glasgow just now.
Posted by: Beat Attitude | 01/15/2009 at 06:21 AM
Thanks BA. I'll check it out.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/15/2009 at 11:05 AM
Steve, Am I right to assume you have Bon Iver's Daytrotter Sessions and the Myspace Transmissions?
Posted by: Matt | 01/15/2009 at 01:59 PM
Yeah. I think I've linked to the Daytrotter sessions here. I don't think I've linked to MySpace, which is here.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/15/2009 at 03:39 PM