The Pelican’s Perch

30.  Shugo Tokumaru – Exit

In the most recent Paste Magazine, the editor had given the a task to one of his writers to listen to Shugo’s latest album for four days and document the dreams they had as a result.  The reason: His latest album is full of songs he wrote based on recent dreams he had been having.  It was a novel factoid I didn’t know before, so I dove back into Exit to see for myself what kind of dreams this multi-instrumentalist has in his head.  What I found was childhood landscapes and bright optimistic worlds full of every instrument under the sun.  If you’re not familiar with Shugo’s music, it’s definitely in a world of its own.  He plays every instrument on his albums, and it’s some of the most upbeat stuff you’ll hear.  Someone introduced Shugo to me a while back describing him as the Japanese Sufjan.  I guess because of the multiple instruments.  I didn’t see it and I still don’t, but if you’re ever feeling down, pop this album in and tell me it doesn’t cheer you up.

Parachute [mp3]

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29.  Wild Sweet Orange – We Have Cause to Be Uneasy

Wild Sweet Orange impressed me right out of the gate with their Whale EP in 2007.  So, understandably enough, I couldn’t wait for their full-length.  And it didn’t fail to impress.  “Ten Dead Dogs” is a great song to start if you’re looking into them briefly, but I’d recommend checking out the whole album.  It’s a new take on indie folk and a refreshing new band in general.

Ten Dead Dogs [mp3]

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28.  Anathallo – Canopy Glow

It’s really a shame this album was released so late in the year.  Floating World remains one of my favorite albums released in the past few years, and while Canopy Glow is a great follow-up, it didn’t quite reach the Floating World status.  Of course, I wasn’t expecting it to,  but the downtempo nature of this album was a little surprising when their last album sounded like a marching band does rock.  Still, it’s a welcome change to their usual style, and it’s new Anathallo.  That’s all that really matters, and if you haven’t heard Anathallo yet, well, what are you waiting for.

The River [mp3]

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27.  Apollo Sunshine – Shall Noise Upon

I’m not going to lie.  Apollo Sunshine is one of my all time favorite bands.  Katonah ranks up there with my favorite albums of all time, and their self titled was just as good in a more rockin sort of way.  So, when Shall Noise Upon finally made it to me after some wait, I was disappointed.  Apollo Sunshine goes psychadelic?  At first, I was baffled.  Noise replaced pop, fun lyrics turned dark, and the upbeat optimism was strangely replaced by, well, I wasn’t sure what.  But, after a while I got over my confusion and gave it another chance and found a lot to enjoy.  It’s definitely different than their previous stuff, and the lack of their usual pop charm irks me a little, but overall I’ll give this new one my thumbs up and hope that next time they cheer up again and get back to their pop ways.

Singing to the Earth (To Thank Her For You) [mp3]

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26.  Ray LaMontagne – Gossip in the Grain

I can’t say I was a Ray fan before this album.  But then again, I can’t say I ever looked into him before now.  But, having friends that are big fans of him seems to make not listening to this new album nearly impossible.  But this time around I’m not complaining at all.  I sure missed the boat eh?  But I’m glad I caught his music later than never.  I’m usually not the biggest fan of the pure singer/songwriter like Ray, but this album is great.  The ode to Meg White was one of my favorite musical moments of the year and thanks to this new album, I can say I’m officially a fan.

Meg White (link to Stereogum stream)

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25.  Dr. Dog – Fate

Dr. Dog apparently have been around for a while.  I’d heard of them, but hadn’t heard a lick of their music until now.  My roommate threw me a copy of their latest album and I put it on out of curiosity.  By the time I’d had ample listens and found that I really liked the album, a promo copy arrived in the mail.  Oh the irony.  But that just kept me listening to this album that has a certain “timeless” aspect to it that makes me feel like I could be listening to this album 20 years from now.  It probably should have made it higher on the list, but I’m fine with it cracking the top 25.

Army of Ancients [mp3]

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24.  Emiliana Torrini – Me & Armini

I’ve become quite fond of Emiliana over the past couple years.  She’s cute as a button and her music simply cheers me up.  The Fisherman’s Woman was a great album, and this new one is no different.  As a whole though, I must admit she lets loose this time around.  More full band action, more drums, bass, and guitar, and more energy in general.  It’s a welcome change from her downtempo, rainy day style of her previous album.  “Jungle Drum” is undeniably fun and I’ve yet to meet anyone who didn’t smile when they first heard the her rum-pum-pum chorus.  Heck, I’ve yet to meet anyone that didn’t smile the whole time they were listening to this album.  So, all you grumpy pants people out there.  Do yourself a favor and get some Emiliana happiness in your life.  You won’t regret it.

Jungle Drum [mp3]

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23.  Metermaids – Nightlife in Illinoise

The same roommate who introduced me to Dr. Dog gets credit for this gem as well.  Do you like Sufjan?  Of course you do.  Ever wonder what a Sufjan/hip hop mashup would sound like?  Of course you have?  Well, Metermaids have provided that very thing.  I never thought I’d say we need some hip hop in our Sufjan jams sometime, but after hearing this mash-up, I’m giving that another thought.  Plus, just like the Amplive Radiohead remixes earlier on this list, Metermaids have made this album available for free as well.  So, all you Sufjan fans out there know you won’t be able to resist downloading this asap after reading this.  And, even though I enjoyed Welcome Wagon, Sufjan’s unofficial return to the music scene as their producer, slightly more than this, I almost think this is a more fun way to fill Sufjan’s absence until his next album.  Whenever the heck that will be.

Download the album for free

No Matter What You Will Feel The Illinoise Or We Will Punch You In The Mouth [mp3]

The Zombies Will Eat Your Brains Out But Will Leave Your Ears And Fingertips [mp3]

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22.  The Verbs (Redux) – S/T

Another LemonDrop band, and one I feel pretty proud of taking in and having join the LemonDrop family.  Most of you have heard of them through this blog and my LemonDrop ramblings, but this was one of the first albums I got to see recorded from front to back.  And even though I know every word of every song, whether I wanted to or not, I feel safe in saying this was one of my favorite albums of the year.  It’s classic rock brought back in a new and refreshing way, and as our time marketing the songs has proven, songs like “Champagne Bottles and Chandeliers” and “Lady Grey” are ones that everyone enjoys.  Like the Spacetones before, I’m not putting one of our bands on my list for selfish reasons, I truly love this album and feel everyone should hear it.  It’s great, and even now, after hearing it 400 time or so, I still play it every now and then and enjoy every minute.  Here’s looking forward to their upcoming album in the Spring, which they’re recording with the same person that recorded Boris Yeltsin’s Pershing.  I’ll let you know when we start working with that album.

Champagne Bottles and Chandeliers [mp3]

Lady Grey [mp3]

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21.  Bombadil – A Buzz, A Buzz

Bombadil sent me their album personally, and that always earns points in my book.  The fact that it’s fun and great to boot wins double points as well.  Bombadil have that Irish rock band vibe to them, but without sounding too much like an Irish rock band.  If that makes sense.  It makes me want to dance and drink, but I can also listen to it while doing something completely boring and not dance or drink-like and still enjoy it immensely.  If it weren’t for the band, I wouldn’t have heard their great album.  So, here’s a big thanks to Bombadil and hopefully they release a follow-up soon.

Johnny [mp3]

Rosetta Stone [mp3]