Marktopia

I let the Album of the Week go awhile back because of time and I didn’t make it a resolution for the new year so I didn’t feel obligated to do it.  I also felt guilty with my last design where only one post showed up that it would not get displayed long out there.  With the new design, I figured I could play catch up with the album of the week.  I am still unlikely to post every week, but I will try to do a few albums a month for you.  In the meantime, I will suggest an album for each week since April 16th, the last Album of the Week

April 23: Know by Heart - The American Analog Set

I once told Mattbot that I would like to listen to some new music and he obliged with a bunch of artists I had never heard of.  One of my favorites was the this album.  Softly sung but strong lyrics infiltrate this entire album.

April 30: Hello Rockview - Less Than Jake

A flashback to my short punk/ska days, this album is still a great listen for a little angst with your horns.

May 7: Mary Star of the Sea - Zwan

While I did not love the album by the new Smashing Pumpkins last year, I did love the more obscure album by Zwan, Billy Corgan’s band between Pumpkins stints.  It is meant to be listened to loudly, and I would encourage doing that.

May 14: Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

A guitar instrumental album, this is simply amazing.  I don’t need to say more, just check it out.

May 21: Dial “M” for Monkey - Bonobo

Nice relaxed electronic music that is interesting enough to keep you listening, but also works as great background music.

May 28: Narrow Stairs - Death Cab for Cutie

I decided to buy this even after I couldn’t find someone who recommended it.  It is a little darker than other Death Cab albums but also a little more entertaining.

June 4: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone since I loved the EP so much.  This will likely be one of the contenders for album of the year.

June 11: Rook - Shearwater

If you like Okkervil River, you will love this album.  Will Shelf, the vocalist for Okkervil River, lends his talents to Shearwater once again to make one of the most touching and powerful albums of the year.

June 18: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco

For most people, this will need no explanation.  That being said, this album had to grow on me, but when it did, it has become one of my favorite albums ever.

June 25: Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030

An obscure hip-hop album from the year 2000 was re-released with a few more remixes making it an even better value.  This album is set in the 3030 and has sci-fi themes throughout.  For a nerd, hip-hop doesn’t get much better.

July 2: Ghost Rock - Nomo

To commemorate Jazz Fest in Iowa City, I give you a kind of funky jazz sounding album from Nomo.  If you arn’t sure, check out the track Rings as it will give you a good sense of what the rest of the album is like.

I am cheating this week with only an EP, but people need to hear the band Fleet Foxes in any way possible.  Unfortunately until their album comes out, this is the only way possible.  Using lots of reverb mixed with soothing vocals, this will be 20 minutes of joy for you.  As an added bonus, it is available on Amazon MP3 for just $2.99.  If you like music and have 3 bucks, I emplore you to check this out.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/.

Even with cancelled flights and severe weather, I am managing to post an album of the week.  This week we have Hunky Dory by David Bowie. This is partly inspired by my watching of the BBC series Life on Mars, but this is a fantastic album from start to finish.  I realize that most people are already aware of this, but I am a little late to the party on this one.  In any case, the variety in styles of music combined with Bowie’s unique voice help make this album really stand out.  Sorry about the short post, but use the time you would have been reading listening to this.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/.

Since Battlestar Gallactica comes back this Friday, I figured the soundtracks to the first three seasons would make a good selection.  If you watch the show, you know how impressive the music selection is.  If you are not a fan though, you are in for a surprise with the quality of the music for a TV show.  It is on par with a theatrical release.  If anything, check out the cover of All Along the Watchtower, it is frack’n awesome.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/.

To some, this is a no brainer, but for those of you who have not heard the Richard D. James Album by Aphex Twin, you owe yourself a favor to do so right now.  If you like electronic music at all, even in passing, check out this album because it is a masterpiece of electronic music.  Aphex Twin somehow makes seemingly random noises come together in a harmony that is just amazing.  I could keep saying more about it, but that would be wasting time you should be getting and listening to this.  Enjoy!

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/. 

A 2007 album that came in after I posted my top 15, The Shepard’s Dog by Iron & Wine is a fantastic indie folksy album that is perfect for a nice calm evening.  It also works well for programming at work or pretty much anything else you might choose to do.  The quality of this album is fantastic and the soothing music can only put you in a good mood.  If you are not familiar with Iron & Wine, I would recommend checking this out as a first foray into his music.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/. 

Due to an unexpected Transformers surge in my life the last week, this album practically begged to be the album of the week.  If you like movie scores, you need to get this.  As my friend Ben said, it is an epic soundtrack.  My particular favorite is Arrival to Earth, providing the music for when the Autobots crash into Earth and you get to hear Optimus Prime for the first time.  Extremely nerdy, oh yeah, but some damn fine music at the same time.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/. 

LP 5 is an album by Autechre that really needs to be listened to in it’s entirety.  It is an electronic album that morphs one song into another beautifully.  That being said, it is not an album for the feint of heart as it will be a bit abrasive with clicks and blips at times.  If you can work through that though, I think you will enjoy a musical experience that you have not likely had before.  Autechre has had a number of albums, including one this year, however LP 5 is still my favorite.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/. 

This year’s first contender for album of the year is here by a band called The Helio Sequence.  Keep Your Eyes Ahead is a top notch indie album with plenty of variety of songs to keep listeners interested.  Personal favorites include Lately and The Captive Mind.  The album is a bit short at 37 minutes, but it is a solid release.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/. 

Who doesn’t like quality British pop music?  I know I do, and therefore I share Twelve Stops and Home by The Feeling.  It came out a couple years ago and was very popular in England, but didn’t do so well here.  It is a poppy album that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still succeeds in being well worth listening to.  My top picks from the album are Sewn and Fill My Little World, if you are looking just to try a couple of songs, however the entire album is good so give it a whirl.

Album of the Week is my way of highlighting albums both new and old that I think are worth checking out.  You can find an archive of services and software at http://www.marktopia.net/tag/aotw/.