Chris Sisson's Best of 2012

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 11th Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus.  We've selected 19 tracks from our 18 favorite albums of 2012 for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

1. Now, Now "The Pull"
2. Now, Now "Prehistoric"
Album: Threads
We kick things off nice and gently with the opening two tracks from the very lovely Threads.  "Prehistoric" is the star of the show, but "The Pull" bleeds into it so nicely we had to give you both.  Formerly Now, Now Every Children, Now, Now is a trio based in Minneapolis.  They've recieved some nice buzz this year and were recently featured on a Windows 8 commercial.  Here's the title track, "Thread" and "Separate Rooms".

3. Adam Arcuragi "The Well"
Album: Like a Fire That Consumes All Before It...
Adam Arcuragi has what doctors call, "a fantastic voice."  He's also the inventor of a genre he calls Death Gospel.  Based in Philadelphia, he hails from Georgia, which makes him the first of three Birthday Bash participants from the Peach State (that would make a great trivia question...hmmm).  Here's "Oh I See" and "President's Song".

4. Murder By Death "Lost River"
Album: Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
We at Team Sisson have become increasingly aware that The Birthday Bash has become somewhat predictable over time.  Early in 2012 we decided that this year we would only include artists that have never been included.  This rule turned out to be pretty easy to follow since really none of the usual suspects (Wilco, Spoon, Black Keys, etc.) released any new material.  However, there were two records from previous participants that were just too good to leave out, and Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon was one of them.  MBD first appeared on the 2008 Birthday Bash with Red Of Tooth And Claw, which remains in heavy rotation at Team Sisson headquarters.  Bitter Drink features the usual dark themes and baritone vocals of Adam Turla, but also includes several welcome vocals from cellist Sarah Balliet.  That's right, cellist.  If there's one thing rock music couuld use more of, its the cello.  Also check out "No Oath, No Spell"

5. The Polyphonic Spree "What Would You Do?"
Polyphonic Spree isn't really in the running for album of the year.  They did put out a record of Christmas music, but "What Would You Do?" was released back in the spring, and appears to just be a one-off single.  Since it just may be our favorite song of the year, we'll bend the rules and include it on the Bash.  We haven't really heard much from The Polyphonic Spree in several years, and frankly were never all that impressed to begin with.  You may remember hearing about a band that had like 30 members and wore choir robes when they performed.  That was them.  I almost always like bands that have a ton of people on stage, but this was gimmicky, and more importantly I just didn't dig the songs.  Of note, 2011 Bash participant, St. Vincent was in the band prior to making a go of it on her own.  However, whatever I used to think about this band went out the window when I heard "What Would You Do?"  It is such a great, rocking, uplifting song!  We love it, and we bet you will too.

6. Japandroids "The House That Heaven Built"
Album: Celebration Rock
Our favorite song of the year sets up what is hands down, no question about it our favorite record of not just this year, but maybe of the past 5 years.  It is impossible for me to listen to Celebration Rock without wearing a big goofy smile.  It begins and ends with audio of a fireworks display and in the middle are 8 tracks of sweaty guitar and relentless drums with sing along choruses, remember the good ol' days lyrics and so much noise it's hard to believe Japandroids is just a two-piece.  On their end of the year wrap-up show, one of the NPR music guys called this the most appropriately titled record of the year.  He also mentioned how the theme of the record appeals to 30-something guys nostalgic for the youth of their not too distant past.  Maybe that's why I like it so much.  Or maybe it's just damn good.  Here's "Fire's Highway", "Adrenaline Nightshift", "Younger Us" and "Evil's Sway".

7. Killer Mike "Reagan"
Album: R.A.P. Music
Altlana rapper and Dungeon Family associate Killer Mike rhyming over El-P beats?  Hell yes!  This is exactly what is missing from rap these days.  El-P's production hits like a sledgehammer and Killer Mike puts on a lyrical clinic on R.A.P. Music.  El-P, who appeared on the 2007 Birthday Bash also released a solo record this year (Cancer 4 Cure) that is peppering best-of 2012 lists.  While I like Cancer, I am in love with R.A.P. Music.  Looking at the total plays on i-tunes, it appears this record wins the "Most Listened To" prize at Team Sisson HQ.  As with several of this year's artists, it was very difficult to pick which track to include on the Bash.  We went with "Reagan," because more than any other track I think it showcases how on point both of these guys were making this record.  Also check out "Big Beast" (featuring Bun B, T.I., and zombie strippers) and "Untitled".

8. Alt J "Fitzpleasure"
Album: An Awesome Wave
Big thanks to Mike Kallenberger for making "Fitzpleasure" one of his songs of the day back in the spring.  I was pleasantly surprised when An Awesome Wave finally came out in September that the whole record was worth a spin.  The sound is fresh throughout, and while the vocals could be grating, I think they fit the music nicely, becoming another instrument creating intersting noise.  These guys won the Mercury Prize this year, which I would compare to our Grammy's, except the Mercury Prize seems to always go to deserving artists.  Here's "Tessellate", "Breezeblocks" , and here they are doing a Take Away Show at a Parisian cafe playing "Matilda/Dissolve Me". 

9. Lost In The Trees "Red"
Album: A Church That Fits Our Needs
We stumbled on North Carolina's own Lost In The Trees after innocently clicking a link on the All Songs Considered blog early in the year.  "Red" may be in the running for both prettiest song of the year and prettiest video of the year.  If you like what you hear, why don't you innocently click on the links for "Icy River",  "Villain" or "Garden"?

10. Sharon Van Etten "Serpent"
Album: Tramp
Sharon Van Etten's Epic was an epic miss for the Birthday Bash back in 2010 (see "Save Yourself" and "Don't Do It").  Our apologies.  "Serpent" was released as a single ahead of Tramp in December of last year and immediately set the bar for the 2012 Bash.  At the time it seemed like a lock for song of the year, although it was eventually beaten out by the one Polyphonic Spree song and every song on Celebration Rock.  It almost didn't matter how good the rest of the album turned out to be since it was such a great tune.  Luckily for all involved Tramp revealed itself to be worthy.  Sharon is a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn (surprise!) and a lot was made of the super cool brooklynite indie cameos on the record.  Tramp was produced  by Aaron Dessner of The National and features appearances by members of Wye Oak and the Walkmen.  Honestly, I never would have noticed the star studded guest list if I hadn't read about it.  What I did notice is the more fleshed out sound.  While her previous work was mostly her and an acoustic guitar, Tramp comes complete with electric guitars, keys and even drums!  If you liked "Serpent", please enjoy "Give Out" and "Magic Chords".

11. Jack White "Sixteen Saltines"
Album: Blunderbuss
Unbelievably, The White Stripes never made it on to a Birthday Bash.  That's not to say we weren't fans.  I think it was more that we assumed everyone had already heard enough of any White Stripes album since they all seemed to have 4-5 singles.  These days it's hard to know what people have heard since we're all getting our music from places other than the radio.  For all I know, you're already heard Blunderbuss, learned to play it on a keytar, and included it on your own Best of 2012 list.  But if you haven't.....you should.  Well listen to it at least, and maybe the keytar thing.  While "Sixteen Saltines" sounds awfully White Stripesy, the rest of the record is much less so.  There are keys, melodies and backup vocals all over the place here.  Check out "Love Interruption", "Freedom at 21", or  "I'm Shakin'" and tell me that's not awesome.  Go ahead.

12. Aesop Rock "Zero Dark Thirty"
Album: Skelethon
Aesop Rock has been a Team Sisson favorite since we first heard "Daylight" back in 2001.  Skelethon, out on the Rhymesayers label, makes this something like the 5th year we've featured a Rhymesayers artist (I honestly haven't listened to the new P.O.S. or Brother Ali records yet, but as stated above, we're trying to keep the Bash free of previously included artists).  Aesop used to be on El-P's Def Jux label in Brooklyn until it folded, and has since moved to San Francisco and teamed up with those afforementioned Minnesotans.  I think this is the strongest Aesop Rock record from top to bottom from both a lyrical and production standpoint.  Our favorite track may be the closer, "Gopher Guts" where in between giving pep talks to baby snakes, green frogs and ghost crabs he puts aside his impossible to follow metaphors to spit one of the most unbelievably introspective verses I've ever heard in a rap song.  "Ruby '81" paints a vivid picture of a July 4th party that narrowly avoids tragedy thanks to an alert dog.  Here's "Homemade Mummy", "Cycles To Gehenna", and "ZZZ Top".  Basically, if you like "Zero Dark Thirty" you'll like the whole record, and probably Aesop's whole calatog.....which we celebrate.

13. Baroness "Take My Bones Away"
Album: Yellow and Green
This one may surprise you.  I took a listen to Yellow and Green (which is actually a double album, one Yellow, one Green) after reading a favorable Pitchfork review this summer.  Since then I've thought many times about how much different it is to be a metal fan now versus being a metal fan 20 years ago.  We like Yellow and Green because it take the heavy sound and ridiculously technical musicianship required of today's metal artists, and adds melody and decipherable lyrics.  The end result is something really beautiful, and something I haven't really heard in a long time.  I'm not saying there aren't other bands that sound like this, but this one caught my ear, and now it's catching yours.  In some sad news, this August while on tour in England, Baroness' bus crashed sending nine people to the hospital.  All involved survived, but the band and crew are still recovering.  Here's the gorgeous "Eula".

14. Cloud Nothings "Stay Useless"
Album: Attack On Memory
Attack On Memory came out pretty early in 2012, and despite being on near constant repeat all year, we here at Team Sisson HQ have yet to tire of it.  I wasn't too familiar with Cloud Nothings prior to 2012, but apparently it started out as a bedroom recording project for Cleveland's Dylan Bialdi.  Memory seems to come as somewhat of a surprise to the indie music media based on previous work.  Produced by Steve Albini, I've heard some people talk about how 90's this record sounds.  I'm not sure if I agree with that.  The lo-fi nature of the production and sometimes screaming vocals disguise the fact that for the most part, this record is chock-full of super catchy songs that really really rock, with "Stay Useless" maybe being the catchiest.  These guys are also reputed to be fantastic live.  Why don't you also enjoy "Fall In", "No Future/No Past" and "No Sentiment"?

15. Drop Electric "Empire Trashed"
Album: Drop Electric Sampler Platter
I really know very little about Drop Electric other than I heard "Empire Trashed" and loved every second of it.  Their website (linked above....you know all of these things are linked right?)  says "Drop Electric is an experimental rock band based in Washington D.C. and NYC. Based in melody and distortion and deeply inspired by cinema, their live show is a combination of evocative music, unique vocals and narrative film."  OK, sounds good to me.  Of all the great tunes on the Bash in 2012, this one may the one you're still humming the next day.  The rest of the EP is pretty killer too.  Here's "Santo Domingo"

16. Of Monsters And Men "Dirty Paws"
Album: My Head Is An Animal
Special thanks goes out to Derick "The D-Man" Miranda for bringing Of Monsters And Men to my attention, then keeping it there.  In the end, it wouldn't be a Birthday Bash without hearing something from Iceland.  These guys are like a cross between Arcade Fire, Sigur Ros and Los Campesinos, so of course I like them.  You've probably heard "Little Talks" at some point this year, but for my money, "Dirty Paws" is the best song on the record.  I love the casual lyric, "the son was an ok guy, he had a pet dragonfly."  You may have noticed Team Sisson enjoys a slow build to an exuberant crescendo, as well as songs detailing wars between animals.  Here's "Mountain Sound".

17. Kendrick Lamar "m.A.A.d city"
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
One of the early favorites to make the Bash was "There He Go" off of Schoolboy Q's Habits and Contradictions, but one listen to good kid and there was no doubt as to which member of LA's Black Hippy crew was getting the nod.  Frankly, Team Sisson has been a little obsessed with good kid these past few weeks. This is a record that over 11 tracks tells the story of one night in a teenage Kendrick Lamar's life, as he and his homies deal with gangs, girls and above all, peer pressure in South Central LA.  While these themes aren't new territory exactly, the descriptions of internal struggle with various influences are so vivid, you're really able to sympathize with he and his peers.  As someone who wore out The Chronic and Doggystyle in high school, it occurrs to me that we haven't really heard anything of any artistic consequence coming out of that area since then.  After listening to good kid, it seems that not much has changed.  Track 12 is "Compton," which is sort of a celebration about making it in Compton, complete with a guest spot by Dr Dre.  In addition to the superb production and jawdropping lyrics, nearly every track begins or ends with interludes featuring either Kendrick and his buddies or voicemails from his mom and dad which actually help to propel the narrative rather than simply acting as filler.  Do yourself a favor and check out "Swimming Pools".

18. Jason Lytle "Dept. Of Disappearance"
Album: Dept. Of Disappearance
There will be no gushing over Dept. Of Disappearance here.  I will say that this is a very nice record with some really catchy tunes, and it absolutely deserves to be here.  It's just that I just got done writing about the new Kendrick Lamar, and I still have it rocking in my headphones.  While I'm still in Kendrickville (somewhere on Rosecrantz) entertain yourselves with "Somewhere There's a Someone" and the exquisitely pretty "Matterhorn."  You know what?  I may be a while.  Here he is doing a Tiny Desk Concert a couple of months ago. 

19. Mount Eerie "Ocean Roar"
Album: Ocean Roar
Just as we began, we gently close what has turned out to be a phenomenal Birthday Bash with a lovely track from Mount Eerie.  Mount Eerie is the project of Phil Elverum, a very talented musician from Anacortes, WA.  Team Sisson first heard Mount Eerie on a best of 2009 rundown when they played "Wind's Dark Poem" from Wind's Poem.  This year he released two mostly instrumental EP's, Ocean Roar and Clear Moon.  Obviously we preferred Ocean Roar, but if you like one, you'll like both.  Here's "The Place Lives" from Clear Moon.

Now, what you've all been waiting for.  It's time for the Fourth Annual Birthday Bash Trivia Contest!

To quickly recap the 2012 trivia contest, we did not have a winner.  As you may recall, the question was,  "One artist pulls double duty by actually appearing twice on this year’s Bash.Who is it?"  I thought this was a pretty easy question, but in hindsight it probably would have required a little research.  The answer was Gillian Welch, who made the Bash with both her record The Harrow and the Harvest as well as by singing backup vocals on the Decemberists track "Down By The Water." 

To make up for the bad question, this year we will accept two winners. 

To be eligible to participate:
-You must have yourself received or had an immediate family member receive the Birthday Bash.
-You may not have any past or present affiliation with the "University" of Kansas. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

Here's the similar yet much easier question:
One person pulls double duty by actually appearing in two different tracks on this year’s Bash. Who is it?

The first two people to correcty identify the person and the two tracks in which he or she appears will win an as yet to be determined prize. To give you an idea of how awesome your prize might be, the 2011 winners received prize packs containing Birthday Bash band merch, including t-shirts and a Spoon prayer candle! Our 2010 winner received a wallet that said "Bad Motherfucker" carrying a value of: priceless! Please e-mail your responses with "birthday bash contest" in the subject line to csisson11@hotmail.com. Good luck and have a great 2013!

Chris Sisson's Best of 2011

 

 

 

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 10th Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus.  As always, we've selected 18 tracks from our 18 favorite albums of 2011 for your listening pleasure.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.




1.  Wye Oak “Civillian”
Album: Civillian
I can’t remember if I bought (yes bought) this on a whim or if I’d heard some of it before, but either way, Civillian was one of my best finds this year. Another boy/girl duo, this one from Baltimore, that makes up for their small lineup with killer songs and slick production. Recently Jim & Greg from Sound Opinions suggested Paul Krugman (I know right?) try them out in one of their “Rock Doctor” sessions. There were several great tracks to choose from, but you get "Civillian" because it starts out awesome, then gets super awesome at 2:38.  Also check out “Holy Holy” (also goes from awesome to super awesome in the middle)

2.  Decemberists “Down By the Water”

Album: The King Is Dead
We started to hear some buzz about King back while putting together the 2010 Bash.  Fortunatley we were not disappointed.  Cory, Jack and I attended the Decemberists/Mountain Man show at the Uptown Theater back in January and a good time was had by all, despite being a bit confused by Mountain Man's performance (we had expected burly bearded dudes to rock us out, not 4 women singing acapella).  Sadly, in May it was announced that accordian/keyboard player Jenny Conlee had developed breast cancer.   Then in October it was announced that it was already in remission.  Here's hoping she sticks around for a very long time.  There are a slew of worthy tracks to pick from here, but after a whole year of music, nothing tops “Down By the Water.”  Also check out "Calamity Song" and "This Is Why We Fight"

3.  Foo Fighters “I Should Have Known”

Album: Wasting Light.
This marks the Foo Fighters first appearance on The Birthday Bash which is actually quite surprising considering the impact Dave Grohl has had on my life.  I remember listening to the original Foo Fighters record on my Sony Walkman on the bus headed to basketball games back in high school.  At the time I couldn't believe that a guy who was the drummer in my favorite band, could then play guitar and sing in another band.  What a talent!  Since then the Foos have put out a bunch of records and had a ton of hits.  I actually saw them open up for the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hearnes Center in college.  What caught my attention about Wasing Light was the documentary, Back and Forth that came along with it.  Really interesting look into a real live arena rock band.  Then Cory and I saw them blow the roof off Sprint Center.  As if that wasn't enough, before the Sprint Center show they did this in response to the Westboro Baptist Church members who were protesting for some reason.  Apparently our friends Blondie and Beardo were out there when it happened and are somewhere over there in the vicinity of Pat Smear.  There were many fine candidates, but you get "I Should Have Known" because it's the first song Dave and Krist Novoselic have played on together since Nirvana (Krist provides the gnarly bass that kicks in at 2:56).  Also check out "Alandria," "Bridge Burning," and "Rope."

4.  TV On The Radio “Will Do”

Album: Nine Types Of Light
Ever since we heard "Staring at the Sun" way back when, Team Sisson have been big fans of these Brooklynites.  We saw them at VooDoo Lounge in KC when they were touring on Return To Cookie Mountain, and it is still on of the best shows we've seen together (Leanna preferred the Roots show we saw in the same room just 3 days later....that was some week!).   It didn't get the ususal critical love they've received in the past, but I personally think Nine Types of Light is on par with, if not better than anything they’ve ever done.  Also check out "Second Song"

5.  Rockwell Knuckles “Silly Human”

Album: I’m Fucking In, You’re Fucking Out
Do you really wanna live forever?  I’m Fucking In, You’re Fucking Out (a variation on the title of Kenny Powers’ excellent self-help book) comes to you thanks to one of my many song of the day podcasts.  This is a concept record about a robot factory or something.  Y'all know I'm a sucker for a good concept record, especially a good hip-hop concept record.  This will also be the closest thing to a local artist we bring you this year as it turns out Mr. Knuckles is based just across the state in Cardinal country. As for my friends who like to memorize choruses this one will challenge, yet reward!  The best part? You can download the whole record for free here.

6.  Iron & Wine “Rabbit Will Run”

Album: Kiss Each Other Clean
2011 was jam packed with challenges, none more vexing than choosing which song from Kiss Each Other Clean made it onto the Birthday Bash.  Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam makes his first appearance on the Bash since sharing the spotlight with Calexico back in 2005.   He is known for essentially whispering over lightly played acoustic guitars and huge beards.  We here at Team Sisson are fans of both (well at least one of us likes huge beards), but Sam gets a little more adventurous with each new release.  Also check out "Tree By The River".

7.  Beirut “Santa Fe”

Album: The Rip Tide
Beirut is back baby! After penning perhaps my favorite song of the birthday bash era (“Elephant Gun”), Beirut has been long on hipster indie credibility and short on delivering the goods.  Flying Club Cup was enjoyable, while March of the Zapotec was pretty forgettable.  The Rip Tide gets back to the sound that we loved on the Lon Gisland EP.  Horns, horns, and more horns.  Santa Fe is actually Zach Condon’s hometown, a fact that would surprise me if I didn’t already know it.  I've always been impressed that a kid (well, I guess he's not a kid anymore) from New Mexico can make this kind of music.  Here they are doing "Santa Fe" on Fallon.

8.  Delay Trees “Gold”

Album:  Delay Trees
This was a late entrant, only getting a listen after hearing it on one of the early December year in review shows.  Delay Trees, a Finnish band, was billed as Sigur Ros-lite, meaning it takes them 4 minutes rather than 9 to build to a crescendo.  I guess you could say that about "Gold", but the rest of the record is nice, poppy, hummable tunes.  We here at Team Sisson have long had a fondness for Scandanavian acts (the aforementioned Sigur Ros, Kashmir, Blackstrap, Soudtrack of Our Lives, The Hives, etc.) so Delay Trees are a natural fit.  Also check out "Cassette 2012" and "About Brothers."

9.  Wilco “Dawned On Me”

Album: The Whole Love
Loyal Birthday Bash listeners will not be surprised by this selection.  You may know that I recently graduated from pharmacy school, and as a result received several graduation gifts.  By far the best gift was the personalized, autographed picture of Wilco Leanna managed to wrangle out of the band.  Actually maybe the autographed picture is tied with the beautiful sounding Marantz 2275 Leanna's dad found for me.  Anyway, the point is we love this band.  Since A Ghost is Born though, their output has been good, not great.  The Whole Love gets them back to greatness.  It opens with the craziest, most "experimental" track they've made since YHF, then follows with a bunch of textbook Jeff Tweedy ballads and bangers.   Unfortunately we missed them in KC earlier in December as I was in New Orleans at the time, but here's the review.  Also, here's a neat video for the opener, "The Art of Almost,"



10.  Adele “Someone Like You”
Album: 21
Loyal Birthday Bash listeners WILL be surprised by this selection.  We here at Team Sisson can’t deny good music when we hear it, even if it's considered "Top 40."  Please watch her Tiny Desk Concert.  It's funny that a woman with such a beautiful singing voice has such an annoying cackle.  21 is littered with hits.  I'm sure you've all heard “Rolling in the Deep” 1000 times this year as it was played on every radio station in the country, so instead you get the beautiful “Someone Like You” which you may have only heard 500 times!  “Someone Like You” was actually written and co-produced by Dan Wilson who formerly fronted Team Sisson favorite, Semisonic.



11.  Gillian Welch “The Way It Goes”
Album: The Harrow & The Harvest
Over the summer I was making a Zee Avi inspired ladies only mixtape for Leanna when I happened upon “The Way It Goes.”  That refrain stuck with me for days so I bought the record.  There's nothing else as catchy as "The Way It Goes," but it is a solid effort overall.  I'll bet the day after you listen to the Bash, this song is the one you'll be humming.  Also check out "Hard Times."

12.  The Black Keys “Little Black Submarines”

Album: El Camino
Last one in! I didn’t really know what to expect out of this one.  I did however know the ad they made for it (if you only click one of my links, click this one...seriously!) was hysterical. After a few years of putting out solid to excellent records that were mostly ignored by the public, last year’s Brothers struck a chord, mostly because of the super catchy “Tighten Up.”  Thankfully, instead of chasing further mass adoration they got back to being gnarly.  Dangermouse came back to produce this one (he also produced Attack & Release) making this the 6^th  year in a row we’ve included a Dangermouse production.  Also check out the first single, "Lonely Boy."

13.  The Rural Alberta Advantage “Stamp”

Album: Departing
I had Hometowns in my emusic que the majority of last year but didn’t get around to downloading it until January of this year.  Holy smokes, is it good.  Luckily for you they put out Departing this year which is also quite excellent.  I love rhythm section of this band.  Earlier in the year my co-worker Elhadji was trying to convince me that African music is better than the music Americans listen to because our drummers play way too fast ("It's just noise"), and used this song in particular to make his case.  So I guess if you hate "Stamp" you might want to try  some Ali Farka Toure.  Also check out "Muscle Relaxants."

14.  Radiohead “Little By Little”

Album: The King of Limbs
As James Murphy once said, I’m losing my edge.   Radiohead announces 10 US dates and Kansas City gets one of them! I’m jacked! Say what you will about Sprint Center and P&L. We never would have gotten this show without a state of the art arena. Then, in classic Sisson fashion I completely forget to buy tickets. Anyway, The King of Limbs didn’t seem to get the end of the year love a normal Radiohead record should receive, but it is still very solid. Maybe it didn’t get to as many ears because they didn’t give this one away for free? 
Check out the video for "Lotus Flower" featuring the fancy footwork of Thom Yorke.  Also, here's a bunch of videos from their week of Colbert appearances.

15.  Tune-Yards “Gansta”

Album: W H O K I L L
I first heard W H O K I L L on the NPR first listen (download that app…lots of cool stuff) while I was killing time during my last ever day of official pharmacy schooling.  Conceivably I would have loved anything I heard that day, but this has stuck with me.  Her (Merrel Garbis) first record, Bird Brains, got a lot of buzz back in 2009, but all I heard was noise.  This one passed my test though.  Interestingly, I probably listened to this record 10 times before she started getting interviewed on all the shows I listen to.  Only then did I find out she makes all these crazy sounds with a ukulele and a looping pedal (and a bass and a couple of brass players).  Now I will say I found the gushing over her use of the looping pedal to be a bit ridiculous since this thing has been around forever, but I’m still impressed by the sounds she can make.  I mean seriously, you tell me where the ukulele is in this song.  Also check out "Bizness," and "Powa."

16.  Sims “Burn It Down”

Album: Bad Time Zoo
This is the 3^rd year in a row we’ve included a member of the Minnesota hip-hop collective, Doomtree (P.O.S. in 2009, Dessa in 2010).  For me, you can not go wrong with rhyming over horns.  Interestingly, of these three artists, Sims is the first I've discovered by listening to the Current on Minnesota Public Radio, even though it has been my go-to internet staion for years now.  If you like what you’ve heard from Birthday Bash approved Doomtree releases, you may want to check out their recently released mixtape, No Kings.   Also check out "LMG" (Love My Girl)

17.  St. Vincent “Cruel”

Album: Strange Mercy
Yet another female artist!   You finally got your wish Caryn with a K!   Maybe I'm becoming less misogynistic in my advancing age.  I really liked her previous record, Actor, so I thought Strange Mercy would be a slam dunk. Maybe it didn't blow me away at first, but it certainly has grown on me. St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) has had a pretty interesting career so far, including a stint as a member of Polyphonic Spree. She's developing a reputation as an outstanding guitar player, and it doesn't hurt that she's pretty good looking too!  Oops, guess there's still some misogyny left in there.  Also check out the humorous video for "Laughing With A Mouthful of Blood" from Actor featuring pre-Portlandia Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein.

18.  Drive-By Truckers “The Thanksgiving Filter”

Album: Go-Go Boots
Making a triumphant return after a year off the list, Team Sisson favorites bring you another textbook DBT's record with expertly told darkside-of-the-South stories told over greasy guitars and steady rock & roll beats.  If I'm ranking my favorite DBT records, this one doesn't crack the top 3, but probably comes in around #4-5, which is still merits inclusion in the 2011 Bash.  I have always wondered why I love this band of southerners so much.  Now that I'm a graduate of an SEC school, it's starting to make sense.  In other news for DBT die hards, Shonna Tucker has left the band and will be replaced by David Barbe.  Shonna has been with the Truckers since 2003 and has written some of the songs (luckily none the good ones) on the past three records.  She was a fan favorite and will be missed.  Also check out "Used To Be A Cop"

Others in consideration:
Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Pt. II
Fucked Up - David Comes To Life
Bright Eyes - The People's Key
The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
The Antlers - Burst Apart
Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
Eddie Vedder - Ukelele Songs
Death Set - Michel Poiccard

Finally, it's time for the Third Annual Birthday Bash Trivia Contest. 

To be eligible to participate:
-You must have yourself received or had an immediate family member receive the Birthday Bash.
-You must not be a current student or alumnus of the "University" of Kansas.  Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

Here's the question.

One artist pulls double duty by actually appearing twice on this year’s Bash.  Who is it? 

The first three people to correcty identify the artist and the two places he or she appears will win an as yet to be determined prize. To give you an idea of how awesome your prize might be, last year's winners received prize packs containing Birthday Bash band merch, including t-shirts and a Spoon prayer candle!  Our first winner received a wallet that said "Bad Motherfucker" carrying a value of: priceless! Please e-mail your responses with "birthday bash contest" in the subject line to csisson11@hotmail.com. Good luck and have a great 2012!

Chris Sisson's Best of 2010

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 9th Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus!  As always, we've selected 18 tracks from our 18 favorite albums of 2010.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.  Let's begin.


1. The Morning Benders “Excuses”
Album: Big Echo
Let’s ease into things this year with the opening track from Big Echo. These guys, originally from Berkley and now in Brooklyn (like every other cool band on the planet) have a nice dreamy, orchestral, California sound that was one of my favorites over the summer. I’m told they opened up for Grizzly Bear last year on the road and were opening up for Broken Bells this year. Big Echo spent a considerable amount of time in my CD player this year. Also in consideration for the Bash were their version of a banger “All Day Day Light” and the very pretty “Stitches”.



2. Janelle Monáe “Cold War”
Album: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe absolutely blew up this year. This record is all over the map, with guest spots from Saul Williams, Big Boi, and Of Montreal, who she toured with in the fall. ArchAndroid is one of those great records that doesn’t really fit in anywhere on the radio dial, but fits in my ears like a glove, or maybe like a Q-tip. I guarantee once you see her perform live you’ll fall in love with her too. She wears this feminine tuxedo get-up and dances her freaking ass off. Check her out here when she played “Tightrope” on Letterman (apparently P Diddy is a fan as well). Doesn’t she seem way too young and cute to be doing the whole James Brown thing on stage? Maybe, but it works for me.  This girl is going to be a star.



3. Broken Bells “The High Road”
Album: Broken Bells
Broken Bells is James Mercer from The Shins and now super-mega-producer Dangermouse. Ever since The Mouse & The Mask, the Birthday Bash has had somewhat of a love affair with Dangermouse produced works. We here have been fans since hearing the infamous Grey Album way back in college and his output has remained pretty impressive ever since. In 2011 he’s set to release some sort of an homage to spaghetti western music featuring Jack White and Norah Jones. Here’s betting that it will be pretty excellent. As far as Broken Bells, it’s 10 tracks of nice and easy head bobbing music with James Mercer (the modern day James Taylor) singing over acoustic guitar and typically awesome Dangermouse beats. You’ll like it.  Also check out "The Ghost Inside."



4. The Black Keys “Tighten Up”
Album: Brothers
Speaking of blowing up, the Keys have been getting bigger and bigger with each record they put out.  I’ve heard “Tighten Up” all over modern rock radio and I just saw that they'll be the musical guest on SNL January 8th.  Plus they’ve been nominated for a couple of Grammy’s.  I got to see them at Crossroads KC this summer with Zentz, Cory, and Jacqueline Onassis Wilson. They were fantastic. I was amazed at how the opener had like 7 or 8 pieces, yet just Patrick and Dan sounded more complete. Actually they did have a second guitar player and a bass player come out on stage for a couple of the new songs, but had them standing way off in the background. Brothers was recorded down in the historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama which Birthday Bash listeners may associate with the father of Drive-By Truckers’ frontman Patterson Hood as he was a session musician at that facility for many a great record. Apparently Rolling Stone ranked Brothers as their #2 album of the year. Check out the video for “Tighten Up” as it is quite humoroous.  Also check out “Next Girl", “Too Afraid to Love You”, and “Howlin’ for You”.



5. Earl Greyhound “Ghost and the Witness”
Album: Suspicious Package
Earl Greyhound is a three-piece Brooklyn band made up of an obese black drummer, a black female (who I am not 100% sure is not a transvestite.....click on the link below and see what you think) on bass and a stringy haired bearded white hippie on guitar and lead vox who looks like he should have been playing on Yes albums in the 70’s. I discovered them when they managed to get “Ghost And The Witness” on the KEXP song of the day podcast. Upon hearing it I immediately sought out Suspicious Package, which I ended up having to buy from their website since it was not available in stores, or even on iTunes (just checked and it is on iTunes now). A few days after I ordered it I got a manilla envelope with my handwritten address on it and my life was never the same! I don’t know if I would call this my #1 record of the year, but it is without a doubt the record I have been most excited about. Also check out “Shotgun”.



6. Bilal “Cake & Eat It Too”
Album: Airtight’s Revenge
Whoa! You weren’t expecting that at all were you? Me either. I don't remember how exactly I got clued into this one, but I found it on emusic and have been loving it ever since. Why doesn’t modern R&B sound like this again? I've heard his name several times in the past as Bilal has seemingly made a career out of doing guest spots, but Airtight’s Revenge is his second proper album, with the first (1st Born Second) coming out way back in 2001.



7. Sujan Stevens “Vesuvius”
Album: The Age of Adz
The first track on Adz (rhymes with "odds") sounds like any old Sufjan song would; whisper quiet and exquisitely pretty. Then “Too Much” comes on and hits you with these unexpected blips and gurgles and squeals that you'd be more likely to associate with something Trent Reznorish, but certainly not Sufjan. I guess you’d say this record is an experiment to see if Sufjan can combine his delicate sound with somewhat jarring electronic elements. I, for one, think it was a success although at times the blips and knocks sound somewhat tacked on. The electronics do add depth but the songs are still there front and center and still very pretty, even with all the other sounds swirling around. I wanted to give you the title track, “Age of Adz”, but the length of it was a limiting factor. “Vesuvius” gives you a little taste of both old and new Sufjan.  Check him out here playing "Too Much" on Fallon.



8. Kanye West “Lost In the World” featuring Bon Iver
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I always try to stay away from all that “I don’t like him as a person so I don’t like his music” stuff that I hear from a lot of people, but I did sort of write Kanye off after 808’s, which I didn’t like at all. Plus Us Weekly says he’s a jerk so…… As a result, when MBDTF came out I didn’t really think much of it. Then I saw that Pitchfork gave it a 10.  A freaking 10!  That’s their highest score possible, which in itself was enough to send me immediately down to my beloved, and soon to be shuttered Streetside Records in Westport to buy a copy.  I have seriously been playing it on a constant loop in my car ever since. On the All Songs Considered best of the year show, Carrie Brownstien said that it sounded more like an event than an album which I think is the perfect way to describe it. Tons of guest spots (Jay Z, Kid Cudi, Raekwon, RZA, Nicki Minaj), and every song on it is a kitchen sink production. Not a weak track in the bunch. I picked the closer, “Lost in the World” because it takes its hook from the beautifully autotuned "Woods" from Bon Iver’s Blook Bank EP, which loyal listeners may remember made the Birthday Bash last year. "Power" has been all over the year end lists too.



9. Arcade Fire “Ready To Start”
Album: The Suburbs
Not quite the same Arcade Fire as on Neon Bible or Funeral, but still very very good. The theme of this one is the glorious benefits/horrors of growing up and living in the suburbs.  Having formerly been a short term resident of Johnson County Kansas, some of it rings true with me. I mean it’s nice that there’s a Target every four blocks, but then again…. Apparently The Suburbs debuted as the #1 record on the Billboard charts, which was supposedly a big success for “indie” bands, but made me wonder if it was more of a commentary on who is still purchasing physical media. I think I’m way more likely to drive out to Streetside and cop (that’s a hip way of saying obtain…I think) a joint (that’s a hip way of saying CD….I think) than a tween who just heard Katy Perry on the radio. So anyway, there’s not as much bombast on The Suburbs, but so what? The tried and true Arcade Fire formula of starting slow but building to a point where everyone on stage is losing their minds is still intact.  Make sure you check out the title track, “The Suburbs.”



10. Liars “No Barrier No Fun”
Album: Sisterworld
Wow. This record came out pretty early in the year and has been creeping me out ever since. Leanna and I saw them open up for Radiohead in St. Louis a couple of years ago and I was far from impressed, but Sisterworld has me second guessing myself.  The one word that kept popping up in reviews was "intense."  Definitely a good option to crank up when you’re angry. Also check out “Scissor” and “The Overachievers.”



11. The Hold Steady “The Weekenders”
Album: Heaven Is Whenever
Spoiler Alert: The Hold Steady will make the Birthday Bash every year they’re eligible as long as they keep making songs that sound as good as “The Weekenders."  Before Heaven came out, Franz Nicolay left the band which was big news in the music press.  Apparently he was their mustachioed keyboard player, but since I've never seen them live, I didn't even know he existed.  I didn't really notice much of a difference on Heaven, so maybe their live show is suffering, but they sound as good as ever on wax.  Also check out "Hurricane J" and their performance of "Rock Problems" on Craig Ferguson.




12. Dessa “Mineshaft II”
Album: A Badly Broken Code
I first heard about Dessa on Tim Finn’s Back to Rockville blog this spring when she was set to play somewhere in Lawrence. She’s a former spoken word artist who got hooked up with the Doomtree Collective in Minnesota, which also produced 2009 Birthday Bash includee P.O.S. You would assume a white girl from the suburbs wouldn't have much to say, and frankly I sort of rolled my eyes when I was originally reading about her, but she really brings it.  Also check out "Dixon's Girl" and "Alibi."




13. Spoon “Written In Reverse”
Album: Transference
I’ll bet you forgot about Transference! I think it came out on the first or second Tuesday of 2010. The knock on it was that it wasn’t as melodic as Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, but I don’t think that's such a bad thing, especially for a band like Spoon.  I guess you might say this is a more stripped down version of Spoon which is kind of hard to believe when they already have such a bare bones approach. 



14. The Black Angels “Bad Vibrations”
Album: Phosphene Dream
This is probably more of a lifetime achievement inclusion as I have really dug the slow droning sludgy spacey sound of the Austin's own Black Angels for a few years now.  If you like this track then you like The Black Angels because all of their songs sound like this.  Well, they don't all have that psychadelic warbly keyboard part.  As an aside, I didn't look at a single Best of 2010 list before I made my own this year, and I was sure that nobody else would include Phosphene Dream on theirs.  On the contrary!  Looking at the KC Star's rundown, it is listed on the "best of" lists of at least 4 different local luminaries, including that of Mr. Sonic Spectum himself, Robert Moore.  I guess this city is really into The Black Angels!  Also check out "Telephone."




15. The Roots “How I Got Over” featuring Dice Raw
Album: How I Got Over
How could anyone possibly not enjoy The Roots? Actual instruments. Killer live. MC generally regarded as one of the top 5 in history. Backing band to the world. Plus they’ve added an element of cool to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Seriously, that show is 10 times better than I thought it would be. You should check it out sometime (I hope they’re doing “Wheel of Carpet Samples” when you do!). How I Got Over is just a really solid, head bobbing sort of summer driving record. No all-star tracks, but no filler either. Tons of guest spots too like Monsters of Folk, Joanna Newsom, John Legend, etc.



16. Titus Andronicus “Theme from ‘Cheers’”
Album: The Monitor
First things first, The Monitor is presented as a concept record based loosely (very loosely) on the Civil War, featuring readings of the Gettysburg Address, drum & fife type snares, and lots of lyrical references to that dark period in our history. I was intrigued by their ambition, but I have to admit, it took me most of the year to come around. In the end, the unbridled exuberance of this New Jersey band won me over while I was raking leaves a couple of months ago. “A More Perfect Union” was the obvious choice to give you, but at 7:10 I couldn’t fit it on the Bash. Plus “Theme” is just an awesome drinking song, and while I’m not much of a drinker (wink) I might be moved to imbibe someday if this song is played loud enough.  Also check out "The Battle of Hampton Roads."



17. Menomena “TAOS”
Album: Mines
This was a last minute switch, from the Drive-By Truckers’ The Big To Do (some of you may have received a copy of the Birthday Bash with artwork from The Big To Do featured on the cover....I assume these copies will become highly valuable collectors items). No band, not even one of my all-time favorites, gets a rubber stamp from the Birthday Bash! That’s not to say The Big To Do isn’t Bash-worthy. This was just an excellent year for music and I decided to give you a little variety. But anyway, we’re here to talk about Menomema aren’t we? I’ve been digging this “experimental rock trio” from Portland for awhile now and I was really excited to hear Mines. Honestly I did hope for a little more, but it is still a solid effort and they really do have a unique sound. I mean really, how many rock bands feature the baritone sax?  Make sure to check out the very cool video for "Dirty Cartoons" as well as the fabulously earworming "Five Little Rooms."

…..Also, "Evil Bee" from Friend and Foe (2007) is one of my all-time favorite videos.



18. Jónsi “Go Do”
Album: Go
Loyal birthday bash listeners will recognize Jónsi as the frontman/lead singer for the Icelandic band Sigur Rós. On this his first solo album he really opens it up and puts the hammer down (your welcome Chiefs fans.....playoffs baby!). Whereas most Sigur Rós tracks start whisper quiet and progressively rock more and more (rock is a relative term mind you), Jónsi skips the whisper quiet part on a lot of Go and keeps it uptempo while setting the joy-meter (I just made up this term!) at 9.5, occasionally spiking out at 10. Check out "Animal Arithmetic."  Jónsi played at Liberty Hall in Lawrence back in April. Here is a snippet of the review posted on Back to Rockville: “When bands play Liberty Hall, they usually park their bus on Seventh Street, on the south side of the building. Prior to Jonsi’s show on Thursday night, that space was conspicuously empty except for two huge generators with power cords running inside the theater. The generators only hinted at the energy Jonsi, lead singer for the atmospheric indie rock band Sigur Ros, would pour into his 80-minute set. The performance culminated with “Grow Till Tall” and the most powerful emotional moment I’ve experienced at a concert……… With a forest scene projected around the band, it felt like the performance was coming from the home of “Where the Wild Things Are.” As the song shifted, autumn settled on the forest and falling leaves swirled around the musicians. The leaves gave way to a gentle snow, which warmed into a hard rain. As the rain intensified so did the performance. Jonsi was bent over at the waist, singing into the floor and the rest of the band flailed as if caught in a terrific wind. Like a roller coaster car inching its way to the top of a hill, the music kept ratcheting in intensity, building past any release point until it became a dense sheet of white noise, and even then it continued to swell. It seemed the only thing that kept the audience from being engulfed by the sound and the building from being torn apart was the fragile magnificence of Jonsi’s voice that penetrated the noise.” Having seen Sigur Rós once (sadly only once) I can say that this guy was not exaggerating. You…all of you….should go see Jónsi the next time he plays within two hundred miles of you, even if you don’t like this track at all. I promise you won’t be disappointed.



Others Deserving Recognition

Drive-By Truckers
Album: The Big To Do
Almost made the Bash. Like I said earlier though, I can’t give them a rubber stamp, no matter how much I like them. This is their second album since Jason Isbell left the band and neither the Truckers nor Mr. Isbell have been as good since. In case you were wondering, I was going to give you “This Fucking Job”, but “The Fourth Night of My Drinking” and “Birthday Boy” would also have been good choices too.  Just checked their website and it looks like they already have a new record set to come out on February 15, 2011. 

The Walkmen
Album: Lisbon
I’ve liked The Walkmen for a long time, but I’ve never loved them. They’ve always been just ok for me. I thought maybe Lisbon would change my mind. It didn’t. Good tunes. Nice tempo. Just not my favorite. Anyway, check out “Angela Surf City” if you know what’s good for you.  To give you an idea of why I want to love this band, check out "The Rat" from Bows & Arrows (2004)and "In the New Year" from You & Me (2008).

Bonobo
Album: Black Sands
“Chillwave” shit that I thought I would play nonstop after the first time I heard it. Turns out I didn’t have a whole lot of chill out and listen to Bonobo time in my life this year. Still good though.  Here's "Eyesdown."

Four Tet
Album: There Is Love In You
I’ve never found an artist that enhanced the study experience like Four Tet. Usually bringing the ipod to a study session was a recipe for disaster, but not when I played Four Tet. I always went to him during finals week when I would camp out at the library and cram pharmaceutical information into my brain. Now that I’m finally finished with didactic classroom work I wanted to give him a shout out for helping me out so many times. Also, “Angel Echoes” came in #27 on Pitchfork’s best tracks of 2010 list.

Big Boi
Album: Sir Lucious Left Foot…. The Son of Chico Dusty
This really really really belongs on the Bash, but with what turned out to be an absolutely jam packed field, tough decisions had to be made. Plus the song I wanted to include, “Tangerine” featuring T.I. is soooooooooo misogynistic…..I could just see Caryn with a K’s disappointed expression and I wanted no part of it.  In case you were wondering, yes, Big Boi is one half of the legendary Atlanta duo, Outkast.  You may have heard "Shutterbug" on the radio at some point this year.

Hearts of Darkness
Album: Hearts of Darkness
This was probably KC’s hottest local band in 2010, but despite four different occasions of me trying to get out to see them I still have not witnessed the amazing show I’ve heard they put on. Luckily they put out a self-titled recording. Think afrobeat combined with hip-hop, or better yet, think of The Budos Band featuring the rhyming skills of J Guevara from one of my college favorites, 2 Skinnee J’s. 

Two Seconds To Midnight
Album: Architecture
I found out about this Brooklyn band from someone who called in to Jim and Greg on Sound Opinions after one of their hidden treasure shows.  The song "Opt1m1sm" is fantastic.

Typhoon 
Album: Hunger and Thirst
This is another band I first heard of on the KEXP song of the day podcast. They put “White Liars” on and I thought I would love the whole record. It was not to be, but I am looking forward to more from these dudes.

The Gaslight Anthem
Album: American Slang
Let’s be honest here. American Slang is a fine record, but when you’re comparing it to their previous release, The’59 Sound, it, along with almost everything else falls way short. By the way, let me apologize to recipients of the 2008 Birthday Bash. I completely missed the best record of the year. Please do yourself a favor and check out “The ’59 Sound” and “Great Expectations” from The '59 Sound.  "American Slang" is definitely worth checking out though.

Blitz the Ambassador
Album: Stereolive (EP)/Stereotype
Stereotype came out in 2009 but I didn’t discover it until midway through 2010 and I lovvvvvvvvvved it. Stereolive is a 2010 release but I really don’t know what it was supposed to be. It’s just crappy versions of the awesome tracks that were on Stereotype. Whatever, you should check him out. He’s a Ghanaian-American who came to America, went to Kent State of all places, and then moved to NYC after graduation where he got a band together and made some beautiful music.

Pearl Jam
Album: 5/3/2010 Kansas City MO (Official Bootleg)
Cory and I saw this show at Sprint Center and I was blown away. I guess in all these years since high school I forgot how much I loved this band. They’re still tight as a drum and my Gary, those songs still stand up to anything being made today. It was such a great show I had to buy the bootleg and I’m glad I did. You should have been there.

Sleigh Bells
Album: Treats
A bunch of critics went bananas for this record, but I had the same problem with it I had with The Go! Team a few years back. Looks good on paper but there isn’t really much there. It is fantastic workout music though. You will always speed up if any of these tracks come on your ipod when you’re running. Or powerwalking. Or bobsledding.  Here's "Infinity Guitars."

Finally it's time for the Second Annual Birthday Bash Trivia Contest.

To be eligible to participate:
-You must have yourself received or had an immediate family member receive the Birthday Bash.
-You must not be a current student or alumnus of the "University" of Kansas.  Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

Here is the question.

One of the 18 artists featured on this year's Bash has a strong historical connection to Kansas City.  Can you tell me who and what it is?  The first person to correcty identify the artist and the connection will win an as yet to be determined prize.  To give you an idea of how awesome your prize might be, last year's winner received a wallet that said "Bad Motherfucker" carrying a value of:  priceless!  Please e-mail your responses with "birthday bash contest" in the subject line to csisson11@hotmail.com.  Good luck.

Update:  We have a winner!  At 10:20 am on January 1, 2011, Jack Wilson sent in the correct response of Janelle Monáe, who was born and raised in Kansas City, KS before moving to Atlanta for college.  We also received the correct response from Jessica Sand at 11:06 am on December 30, 2010.  However, as an alumnus of the "University" of Kansas, Ms. Sand was not eligible to compete.  Per contest rules, an exception was made for her in the form of a 72 hour penalty.  While we received the correct response prior to the expiration of said penalty period, in the spirit of the holiday season the prize committee has decided to award both Mr. Wilson and Ms. Sand equally awesome, and as yet undetermined prizes.  Contratulations to both and have a great 2011!

Best of 2009

Happy Holidays from Team Sisson and congratulations on receiving the 2009 version of the Birthday Bash for Jesus.  As always we've selected 18 tracks from our 18 favorite records of 2009.  We hope you like them as much as we do.  On with the show.

1. Phoenix “Lisztomania”
Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
How could we not start the Birthday Bash with "Lisztomania"? Zut alors! I wasn’t sure about this record because of all of the buzz and the Apple commercial and everything, but after one listen I was hooked. If you don’t know, Phoenix is a French band that has been around for awhile but finally got huge this year. You’ll see Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix on a lot of other Best of 2009 lists.
Also check out "1901"


2. Grizzly Bear “Two Weeks”
Album: Veckatimest
I’d been solidly in the Grizzly Bear is overrated corner for a long time until recently when I decided to give them a shot on a decent stereo rather than my crappy $20 computer speakers. Do yourselves a favor. Turn this one up when you play it. There was a serious “a-ha moment” when I did. "Southern Point" and "Two Weeks" are pretty bliss-worthy in my opinion and the whole record makes me happy. Now I did hear “Two Weeks” at Price Chopper last week and I can’t decide whether or not that’s a good thing. The point is you may have already heard this track somewhere and didn’t realize you were hearing a Birthday Bash worthy tune. Turn it up!
Also enjoy "While You Wait for the Others"


3. PJ Harvey & John Parish “Black Hearted Love”
Album: A Woman A Man Walked By
I am absolutely floored that I haven’t seen A Woman A Man Walked By on a single year end list. All I can figure is that it came out pretty early in 2009 and people may have just forgotten about it. I mean for 15 years people have fallen all over themselves to praise PJ Harvey and now nothing? I’m going to have to assume the rest of the world is crazy because I love it. “Black Hearted Love” is hands down, no question about it my favorite song of the year, and the rest of the record is so spooky and pretty and sparse and good and good…..and good.


4. Dirty Projectors “Stillness is the Move”
Album: Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors have been on my radar for some time now, and until Bitte Orca I only really liked one of their songs (“Rise Above”). They make difficult music and Bitte Orca is really no different. Dave Longstreth’s abrasive (to my ears anyway) vocals are usually out front with the two girls in the band (Amber & Angel) providing beautiful background harmonies (although it’s just the girls on “Stillness”) all over minimal instrumentation. Depending on my mood I either love it or can’t stand it. More often than not though I dig it so you get “Stillness is the Move” which I think is what may be the single, if they even bother releasing singles. I also think I may have heard this on The Buzz here in KC, but I can’t believe they played it very much if at all. If you don’t hate “Stillness is the Move” definitely check out “Temecula Sunrise” .


5. Brother Ali “The Preacher”
Album: Us
Brother Ali would have to be among my top ten favorite albino Muslim rappers from Minnesota. Close followers of the Birthday Bash may be noticing a trend here. Yes, I am really digging the whole Rhymesayers crew. I love Brother Ali’s voice and the beats scratch me right where I itch. There is also some excellent storytelling on Us ( “House Keys” , “The Travelers” , “Babygirl” ). Actually “The Preacher” is probably weakest song on the record lyrically but as always, I’m a sucker for rhyming over horns so that’s what you get.

6. The Heavy “How You Like Me Now”
Album: The House That Dirt Built
I only recently discovered The Heavy and found The House That Dirt Built to be just about perfect leaf raking accompaniment. They’re a UK neo-soul, garage, funk, guitar band. They have a surprisingly unique sound…surprising in that more bands don’t sound like this. I’d expect to start hearing The Heavy on some car commercials before long.
Here's "Sixteen" & "Oh No Not You Again!"


7. The Lonely Island “Sax Man”
Album: Incredibad
Yes, here are the boys (Andy, Jorma and Akiva) that brought you such classic SNL Digital Shorts as “Lazy Sunday” , “On a Boat” ,  “Jizz In My Pants” , and my favorite, "Motherlover" . I have to assume you’re all YouTube savvy enough to have seen these videos a million times so you get “Sax Man”. Unlike everyone I’ve played it for, I think it’s hilarious! Is the sax man only 3 weeks old? Is he actually just really bad at playing the sax? Why, when he does get a few notes off, is he playing a keyboard and not a sax? H to the ilarious. Oh yeah, that is Jack Black on the vox, but he’s only guesting for this one song.
Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious


8. Heartless Bastards “Early In the Morning”
Album: The Mountain
Another one you won’t find on anybody else’s year end list. Here’s something I just found on Wikipedia (so you know it’s true) that is pretty funny about their name: “the name of the band comes from a question on a Mega Touch trivia quiz game at a bar. A question asked the name of Tom Petty's backing band, and one of the options was "Tom Petty and the Heartless Bastards." She thought it was funny, and used it when she later formed a band.” Heartless Bastards are basically the project of Erika Wennerstrom and whoever she happens to be playing with at the time of recording. Zentz and I saw them a few years ago opening for the Truckers and they were, if nothing else, loud as hell.
Also check out "The Mountain"


9. Wilco “Bull Black Nova”
Album: Wilco (the album)
I’ll give Birthday Bash listeners a moment to pick their jaws up off the floor. Yes I actually liked Wilco (the album). Ok, to newcomers that’s a little humor. I love the hell out of Wilco. There’s nothing groundbreaking on (the album), just a bunch of really good Wilco songs. “Wilco (the song)” would be the more obvious choice to, but I think “Bull Black Nova” is fantastic. It is actually a new type of song for the boys. Not the music itself, they’ve done long crescendoing songs built up around a repetitve note (“Spiders (Kidsmoke)”), but the subject matter is a little unWilcolike. I mean he’s killed somebody and “this can’t be undone”! I love it.


10. White Rabbits “Percussion Gun”
Album: It’s Frightening
Did you know White Rabbits started out in Columbia, MO before moving to Brooklyn? I’m embarrassed to admit that until recently I didn’t either, but this knowledge came way after I fell in love with It’s Frightening so there’s no former hometown favoritism going on here. Britt Daniel produced It’s Frightening and you can really tell. It sounds way more Spoon-like than their first record, which I thought was pretty plain. In a year when Spoon didn’t put out an album this one is a great substitute. I really really wanted to put “They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong” on the Bash, but “Percussion Gun” got the nod. Both are excellent as is the whole record.


11. Japandroids “Heart Sweats”
Album: Post-Nothing
You can credit Jim and Greg from Sound Opinions for Japandroids’ inclusion in the Bash this year. I wouldn’t have given it a second listen if they hadn’t both endorsed it. At first it sounds like every other guitar and drum duo (of which there are suddenly hundreds), and not even a good one, but there is something else there. Maybe under all that fuzz there are some pretty clean songs? I don’t know, but I really like it whatever it is.
I highly recommend watching their performance of "Wet Hair" on Fallon.


12. P.O.S. “Let It Rattle”
Album: Never Better
Here’s your second Rhymesayer of the 2009 Bash and third in the past three years. I do listen to The Current online out of Minneapolis sometimes, but I can honestly say I didn’t get P.O.S. or Brother Ali from that station. P.O.S. (I don’t know what is stands for) is more of a punk rapper (ugh that sounds like it would be awful) who got his start a few years back working merch tables at Warped Tour and taking stage time when it presented itself. Since I’d liked his previous stuff I bought Never Better pretty much on a whim and loved it. Not as much storytelling as the Brother Ali record, but some nice rhyming and beats with a little umph to them. There’s a pretty cool video on YouTube of him creating a beat for and then performing Pearl Jam’s “Why Go” on the spot.
Also check out: "Drumroll" , "Optimist"


13. Them Crooked Vultures “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I”
Album: Them Crooked Vultures
If you don’t know about Them Crooked Vultures, congratulations on finally waking up from that coma! TCV is a “supergroup” comprised of Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zepplin). They haven’t gotten the universal acclaim I had expected, but they get Birthday Bash acclaim. I’ve read that it was a collaborative writing process, but most of the songs sound like QOTSA songs to me which is just fine in my book, and not so surprising since Grohl played drums on QOTSA’s instant classic Songs for the Deaf. I think they’ve been playing “New Fang” on the radio, but I prefer the opener “No One Loves Me….” so that’s what you get. Only the best for my Bash recipients.


14. Dinosaur Jr. “Over It”
Album: Farm
OK, everybody gather around. I have an announcement to make. Here goes. I love Dinosaur Jr.!!!!! I don’t know why it took me so long to realize it, but one hot summer night I was drinking a Boulevard and clicked on the video for “Over It” and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This band I kind of liked in high school, and then sort of forgot about was actually one of my all-time favorites. It helps that their new stuff is just as good as what they were doing before they split up. Actually I don’t know if it’s good or not, but it sounds the same and theirs is a sound that I love. If you dig “Over It” then you dig Dinosaur Jr. because almost all of their songs sound the same. Farm is their second record since they reunited. Beyond (here's "Been There All the Time" ) came out in 2007 and was just as great. Did I mention that I love Dinosaur Jr.?


15. The Builders and the Butchers “Vampire Lake”
Album: Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well
I discovered The Builders and the Butchers in CMJ, a magazine that I have subscribed to for over a decade, but one that is just about at the end of its run I think. They went over a year without producing an issue. Now they’re back to actually making magazines and mailing them to subscribers, but unfortunately there are only about 10 pages of content in each issue. Fortunately for you, there was a write-up of The Builders and the Butchers in one of them. I guess you’d say they’re in that whole mountain/americana revivalist movement that I got into last year with bands like O’Death. Salvation has gotten more spins than any other CD in my car this year because I like the old-timey upbeat sloppy banjo and tambourine songs. You get “Vampire Lake” because nothing’s hotter than vampires right now (just kidding), but almost any song on Salvation could have made the cut.
Why don't you try "Devil Town" , "Short Way Home" , or "Down In This Hole" ?


16. Bon Iver “Blood Bank”
Album: Blood Bank EP
In the spirit of honesty I feel I must tell you that I had originally had not even considered including Blood Bank on the 2009 Bash as it was just a 4 song EP. However it turned out I had room for one or two more songs so I looked at some other folks’ year end lists and was surprised to see it listed a few places. Considering the fact that all four songs are so freaking pretty (especially “Blood Bank”) I think it holds its own on the list.


17. Mos Def “Auditorium” featuring The Ruler
Album: The Ecstatic
#69 on the Stuff White People Like list? That would be Mos Def. As a card carrying member of the white race I can attest to the accuracy of this assertion. Despite all the love from us white people Mos’ musical output has been pretty light. The former member of Black Star (along with Talib Kweli) has put out three proper albums in 10 years: Black on Both Sides, The New Danger, and now The Ecstatic. I obsessed over which song to include this year. The whole album is solid top to bottom but there is no “Ms. Fat Booty” or “Umi Says” so it was a struggle. I actually just switched out the quick banger “Priority” for the slower “Auditorium.” Please enjoy.


18. The Model Congress “Fareweller”
Album: I
Last one in! This brand new KC band just had its CD release party three weeks ago and they’re already getting some good buzz around town. They’re former members of Cheating Kay with a new drummer and a new sound. I’ve been playing I nonstop in my car. I love the vocals. I love the tasteful use of electronic elements. I am very very impressed. Look them up on iTunes. Now.



We here at Team Sisson hope you enjoyed our rundown of the top albums of 2009. Now, to see if anyone is paying attention we’ve come up with a surprise contest. Within one of the songs featured on Chris Schuck’s 8th Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus is a reference to the 1998 Cohen brothers cult hit The Big Lebowski. The first person to identify the song and the exact reference will win a super secret, as yet undetermined bonus prize. Here are the rules:

1. You must have either received the Birthday Bash, or be an immediate family member of a recipient.

2. Current students or alumni of the University of Kansas are of course ineligible to participate. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

3. E-mail your guesses with “Birthday Bash Contest” in the subject field to us at csisson11@hotmail.com

We will leave a comment on the blog once we have a winner.



Good luck and have a great 2010!

Update: Congratulations to our first ever Birthday Bash Contest Winner.  At 6:47pm on January 12, Adam "Fiddy" Zentz responded correctly to the above question.  For those of you still searching, here's the answer.

Song: P.O.S. - "Let It Rattle"
Line: ( at 3:05) You're out of your element Donny shut up, double doulbe eat up, ride, the Dude abides.

We'll provide a picture of his winnings in the next few days.  Thanks for playing.

Chris Sisson's Best of 2008

Here it is boys and girls! Better late than never right? As always Chris Schuck's Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus features selections from my favorite albums (19 this year) of the year. I've included some links to webpages where you can hear more tunes from these artists. Please enjoy.

1. Sigur Rós – “Gobbledigook”
Album: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
www.sigurros.com/
In english the album title translates to With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly. I’d say this is the most accessible album by my favorite Icelandic quartet. I couldn’t decide which song to choose so this year’s Birthday Bash is bookended by Sigur Rós. Leanna and I saw them at the Uptown this summer and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
Also check out: "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur " "Við spilum endalaust"

2. Los Campesinos! – “Death to Los Campesinos!”
Album: Hold On Now Youngster
www.myspace.com/loscampesinos
Last year the Birthday Bash brought you “You! Me! Dancing!” which was on the Campesinos! Sticking Fingers Into Sockets EP. This year they released two full length albums, the first of which being Youngster. I love the energy on this record. It was hard to leave track 5, “My Year In Lists” off the Bash for obvious reasons, but no song made me happier in 2008 than “Death to….”
Also check out: “My Year In Lists” “Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks”

3. Erykah Badu – “The Healer/Hip Hop”
Album: New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)
http://www.erykahbadu.com/
This lady’s got herself some soul. The New Amerykah is the first album of a trilogy. Part Two comes out in early 2009 so watch out for that. If you’re ever in need of some good cruising around with your windows down music, pop this one in.
Also check out: “Soldier” “Twinkle”

4. The Black Keys – “Oceans and Streams”
Album: Attack and Release
www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
I am amazed this record isn’t all over the year end lists. It’s definitely in my top 3, although to be honest, I fell in love with it before I ever heard a note. It was going to be a Dangermouse produced Ike Turner record with the Black Keys as the session band. Unfortunately Ike passed away last December leaving the ‘Mouse and the Keys with a bunch of tunes that became Attack and Release. If you’re unfamiliar with the Black Keys, they’re a two piece garage rock band out of Akron, Ohio. Make no mistake, this is the Black Keys, but there is a bluesy soul element that sets this one apart from their past releases. It sounds pretty normal until 2:18 into "All You Ever Wanted" and then this organ kicks in that gives me chills and sort of announces that this is not your father's Black Keys.
Also check out: “I Got Mine” “Psychotic Girl”

5. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
Album: For Emma, Forever Ago
www.myspace.com/boniver
For Emma was actually released independently in ’07 but was formally released by Jagjaguwar in February. Critics absolutely love this record, but I have to admit, I was slow to warm up to it. As you can hear, it’s a lot of guy and a guitar, sad bastard type music which I have a hard time getting into. In the end though, it won me over because the songs are just so pretty. Bon Iver is the stage name of Justin Vernon. He wrote and recorded For Emma in a cabin in rural Wisconsin after, what else, his girlfriend dumped him. I would suggest putting this on if you’re stuck inside on a really cold snowy evening, or when you want to be sad.
Also check out: “Flume”

6. TV On The Radio – “DLZ”
Album: Dear Science
http://www.myspace.com/tvotr
It seems like TVOTR have been indie darlings for like 10 years. It helps that they keep getting better with every release. Dear Science is probably their most listener friendly album to date. I chose “DLZ” basically at random because just about every song on it deserves to be heard.
Also check out: “Dancing Choose” “Shout Me Out” “Red Dress” “Halfway Home”

7. Gnarls Barkley – “Going On”
Album: The Odd Couple
www.myspace.com/gnarlsbarkley
Here’s the second Dangermouse album on my list. The Odd Couple doesn’t have any “Crazy”-type hits, but is overall more solid than St. Elsewhere. It showcases Cee-lo’s voice a little more, and most of the songs are built around 60’s soul samples.
Also check out: “Run(I’m a Natural Disaster)” “Who’s Going To Save My Soul”

8. K’naan – “My Old Home”
Album: The Dusty Foot Philosopher
http://www.myspace.com/knaanmusic
I need to thank Jim and Greg at Sound Opinions for bringing Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan to my attention. This album has been around for a while, but didn’t come out in the US until this April. K’naan was born in Somalia and lived there until the still ongoing civil war broke out. The story is that his family made it onto the last commercial flight out of Mogadisho when he was 13. They settled in Canada where he learned English and started rapping. “My Old Home” is obviously about his childhood in Africa, but the subject matter of Dusty Foot Philosopher is all over the map. What I like most of all though are the beats. You’d never hear any of these songs on Hot 103 Jamz (don’t forget to slam that Z), and that’s a good thing. He has a new record coming out in February called Troubador. Should be real good.
Also check out: “Smile” “Voices In My Head” “In The Beginning”

9. What Made Milwaukee Famous – “Sultan”
Album: What Doesn’t Kill Us
www.myspace.com/whatmademilwaukeefamous
Here are some dudes from Austin who write really catchy songs. There isn’t really anything all that exceptional about this record, but quite often I find myself humming their tunes. I’d wager that after listening to the Bash this year, “Sultan” is the one that will be running through your head the next day. Consistently solid.
Also check out: “Resistance St.” “Cheap Wine”

10. The Hold Steady – “Sequestered In Memphis”
Album: Stay Positive
www.myspace.com/theholdsteady
I think my burned Hold Steady disc (Stay Positive + favorites from the past) owes me some rent because it practically lives in my Saturn’s CD player. Some of the best driving I did this year was summertime on I-70, Columbia to Kansas City with all the windows down and Stay Positive blasting at full volume. By the way, if you haven't noticed, how well a CD sounds while I'm driving around with the windows down is a huge factor in my opinion of it. Now, I'm not one of those people with a trunk rattling system in his car (you know, I don't hear as many of those as I used to) who wants everyone to be annoyed by what he's listening to. I just like the feeling of open air and good tunes. Really, what's better? This isn’t really a concept record, but a lot of the songs, like “Sequestered” involve murder mystery, John Grisham type stuff.
Also check out: “Constructive Summer” “Stay Positive”


11. Cloud Cult – “Everybody Here is a Cloud”
Album: Feel Good Ghosts (Tea Partying Through Tornadoes)
www.myspace.com/cloudcult
I had heard of Cloud Cult, but never really heard them until this fall when I was listening to The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) online while studying. Now I’m a little disappointed in myself for not having been all over them in the past. I love their sound. Cloud Cult is mainly the project of one man, Craig Minowa. Back in 2002, his two year old son passed away which has since become the subject of the majority of Cloud Cult songs. By the way, did anybody notice how we’ve grouped the two Minnesota artists together at 10 & 11? Pretty clever huh?
Also check out: “No One Said it Would Be Easy” “It’s What You Need”

12. Fleet Foxes – “Blue Ridge Mountains”
Album: Fleet Foxes
http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes
This may be the consensus album of the year, at least among my sources. People really love it, but like Bon Iver, it took me awhile to get into it. The whole spooky, wailing harmony, wispy sound just doesn’t do it for me that often, but when it does it really hits the spot. “Blue Ridge Mountains” became my favorite song on the record after I saw them play it on Letterman, but “White Winter Hymnal” is all over the best songs of 2008 lists.
Also check out: “White Winter Hymnal” “Quiet Houses”

13. It’s Over – “My Dear Wife”
Album: That Girl
http://www.myspace.com/itsoverkansascity
Kansas City’s own It’s Over (now on hiatus....how perfect is that?) finally came out with a full length record this year. They’ve been favorites around here for a while, and you can hear why. They're influenced by old school 50’s rock and they write songs about being married to serial killers. What’s not to like?
Also check out: “Hallelujah” “To Be In Love” “She’s a Killer”

14. Murder By Death – “Fuego”
Album: Red of Tooth and Claw
www.myspace.com/murderbydeath
Here’s another band I’d heard of but not really heard until this year. Track 5 (“Theme”) is an instrumental homage to Ennio Morricone (the guy who wrote all of those haunting soundtracks to spaghetti westerns), but I think they should have made it the first track because it really sets the tone for the record. Red of Tooth... is a concept record (I'm a sucker for a good concept record) about bad men in the old west and they have the perfect sound, with the baritone vocals and spooky cello, for that particular subject.
Also check out: “Theme” “Rum Brave” “Steal Away”

15. Drive-By Truckers – “A Ghost To Most”
Album: Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
http://www.myspace.com/drivebytruckers
Loyal Birthday Bash listeners will not be surprised by this pick. I’ve made no secret of the fact that the Truckers are one of my favorite bands, both live and on wax (well plastic or whatever they make CD’s out of). However, I am somewhat disappointed by this record. As you learned last year, Jason Isbell has left the band, taking his fantastic songwriting and guitar playing with him. They replaced him with John Neff who’s supposedly some kind of pedal steel virtuoso, but the end result is they went from a super tight three guitar attack to a two guitar and pedal steel band. In spite of all this though, there are some really great songs on this one, not the least of which is Cooley’s “Ghost”.
Also check out: “Righteous Path” “Three Dimes Down” “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife”

16. Whiskeytown – “Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart” featuring Alejandro Escovedo
Album: Strangers Almanac Deluxe Edition
http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/whiskeytown/
So Ryan Adams released yet another album this year called Cardinology, but for my money, the best Ryan Adams release of 2008 was the reissue of Whiskeytown’s Strangers Almanac. It’s a two disc set with all of the original material plus a whole bunch of in-stores, acoustic performances, radio appearances and b-sides. I was a little on the fence about whether to include it in the Birthday Bash since the original came out in 1997, but since Strangers Almanac is my all-time favorite record and since it’s my list, I put it on there.
Also check out: “Houses on the Hill” “16 Days” “Waiting To Derail”

17. Why? – “Fatalist Palmistry”
Album: Alopecia
www.myspace.com/whyanticon
Indie hip-hop fans may recognize Why?’s lead singer, Yonni Wolf as one half of the duo CloudDead. Released on the supercool Bay area label, Anticon, Alopecia is one of those genre smashers that really sticks to your ribs if you know what I mean (if you do would you explain it to me because I have no idea what I’m typing right now). I was driving around in a snowstorm last night and found Alopecia to be the perfect soundtrack.
Also check out: “The Hollows” “The Vowels Pt. 2”

18. Rhymefest – “Thriller” (skit)
19. Rhymefest – “Get Up” featuring Wale
Album: Mark Ronson presents Rhymefest: Man In The Mirror
www.myspace.com/rhymefest
This is a “Michael Jackson tribute album” by Chicago rapper Rhymefest. You can download it for free from Rhymefest’s website. Here’s a link. http://rhymefeststore.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=page&id=1 They dug up some old MJ interviews and spliced ‘Fest (aka El Che) in with them to produce some pretty funny skits in between a bunch of really good songs built around MJ samples. I think it’s fantastic.
Also check out: “Can’t Make It” “Breakadawn”

20. Blitzen Trapper – “Black River Killer”
Album: Furr
www.myspace.com/blitzentrapper
Blitzen Trapper, one of about 12,000 hip bands from Portland, OR showed up last year with the self released Wild Mountain Nation, which got some good reviews due to its varied styles although I thought it was completely unmemorable. They’ve since signed to Sub Pop and this year they gave us the much more focused Furr. It’s pretty folky and the singer is doing his best Bob Dylan impression, but in a good way.
Also check out: “Saturday Nite” “Furr”

21. Sigur Rós - "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur ”
Album: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Here you go. We’ve bookended the Bash with Sigur Rós.



I hope you’ve enjoyed the Birthday Bash. Did I leave something out? MGMT? Vampire Weekend? Metallica? Nickelback? Are you outraged by my selections? Let me know what you think. Until next year, keep your ears to the ground and keep reaching for the stars!

-Team Sisson