S.Backer Music Movement

2009 Year in review
I will start off by saying I rather found 2009 to be pretty disappointing with music that came out. Although there were still some amazing albums that hit stores. Here is my top(s) list

Albums of the year
1- Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
2- Brand New – Daisy
3- The Most Serene Republic - ...And The Ever Expanding Universe
4- New Found Glory – Not without A Fight
5- KiD CuDi - Man On The Moon,The End Of Day
6- Metic – Fantasies
7- Attack in Black – Years (By One Thousand Fingertips)
8- Taking Back Sunday – New Again
9- Tegan & Sara – Sainthood
10- Matt and Kim – Grand

Honorable Mentions:

Clothes Make The Man – Distance**
Coconut Records – Davy
LMFAO – Party Rock
The Decemberists - The Hazards Of Love
Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend
Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
Kevin Devine – Brother’s Blood
Matthew Good – Vancouver
Noah and the Whale – The First Day of Spring
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
Thrice – Beggars
Weezer – Raditude
White Rabbits – Its Frightening
Wilco – Wilco(The Album)

**Could be on top 10 but just got it two days ago

Best EP’s
1- Cold War Kids – Behave Yourself
2- Death Cab for Cutie – The Open Door EP
3- Modest Mouse - No One's First and You're Next – EP


Albums I have pushed aside or only listened to a few times but give it time and it could of made top 10 list:
1- John Mayer - Battle Studies
2- White Lies - To Lose My Life
3- Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
4- Bats For Lashes – Two Suns


Best Live Album:
1- Jimmy Eat World – Clarity Live

Most Over rated albums of the year:
1- Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
2- Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
3- Girls – Album
4- Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown

Top Songs:
1- Phoenix – Lisztomania
2- Cold War Kids – Audience
3- Brand New – Sink
4- Phoenix – Lasso
5- Phoenix – 1901
6- Jay Z fear Alicia Keys -Empire State Of Mind
7- Cold War Kids – Coffee Spoon
8- The Most Serene Republic - Bubble Reputation
9- Kid Cudi - Up, Up, And Away (The Wake & Bake Song)
10- LMFAO - I Don't Wanna Be
11- Tegan & Sara – Hell
12- Pearl Jam - The Fixer
13- Metric - Gold Guns Girls
14- Thrice - In Exile
15- Coconut Records – Wires
16- Clothes Make The Man – Privy
17- White Lies - Death**
18- Clothes Make The Man - Alpha Centauri

**Should be a lot higher but just heard the song not to long ago.

Front man Daryl Palumbo has to be one of my favorite musicians in music today. The reason why is because hes such a versatile musician. He can make songs with his band Glassjaw which has a rather hardcore rock band with lots of heavy drums, guitars and screaming. Then go to his other band Head Automatica and do the complete opposite with very poppy songs. He has cornered every inch of music today he can get kids to bang their heads or kids to dance.






Released :17 August 2004
Genre: Electropunk, Power pop

Two songs of the day.

A Whole Lot Better


and

Yeah still waiting anxiously for this EP. In case you haven't noticed yes Cold War Kids is my favorite band.

Genre: Indie rock
Released: May 19, 2009

The cover for White Rabbits Its Frightening sums up exactly what your going to hear on the album, heavy drums and piano. Upon first listen i immediately thought the drummer for White Rabbits was one of the best i have ever heard, but later on i found out that there is two drummers in the band. Pounding piano leads the way on the Radiohead-esque "Midnight and I" and "Lionesse." The only instruments that aren't slaves to the beat are Gregory Roberts and Stephen Patterson's vocals, which mingle into perfectly messy harmonies. To sum it up mix a little of Cold War Kids+ Radio Head+ Spoon= White Rabbits.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Rock
Released: October 28, 2008

Nowadays, it is difficult to find a sound as authentic as Arkells’. It’s also comforting to know that Canada is home to a band that knows how to rock as hard as these guys do. Their sound is a mix of rock riffs, soul, and blues. Jackson Square is a compilation of catchy songs that, from the first listen, you’re instantly hooked. Overall, this is a fantastic debut album which will hopefully bring on some well-deserved attention and success. Musically, Arkells hold nothing back: their sound is original, unrestrained and just plain awesome. Hamilton, ON’s Arkells are truly one of Canada’s up-and-coming rockers.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Indie
Released: September 14, 2004

"Music can entertain, but it can do so much more. It can act as catharsis. It can paint aural pictures of Neighborhood's hitherto unknown to the listener. It can express intense feeling. It can be an innovative art form. The Arcade Fire's debut, Funeral, does it all." - Michael Hubbard

So to make this short and sweet...LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM. Funeral has been on almost everyone's best of 2004 albums list and has been put on numerous albums of the decade lists. Rolling Stone having it as number 3. I don't want to write about it that much just LISTEN TO IT and be prepared to put it on your favorite list. Personally if you dont like this album don't follow my blog.

Buy/Steal: Amazon. iTunes

Genre: Indie rock
Released: April 22, 2008



Newmarket, Ontario's Tokyo Police Club 11 track album will have you wanting more songs and will have you coming back from more. From fast heavly bass influenced songs to slow catchy ones. One downside to this album is the length which is 28 minuets, Most of the songs are in the mid 2 minuet mark with the longest being 3 minuets and 12 seconds. But the songs are created perfectly with most of them being in the 2 minuet mark, its straight to the point no solos. If you are a fan of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service) and or Colin Meloy (Decemberists) you will love Dave Monks. Put those two together Gibbard and Meloy and you have Dave Monks. I had the chance to see them this year in concert and absolutly loved it. The biggest reasons i loved it was that they sounded just like they did on the album if not better.


Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Rock, Folk rock, Country rock
Released: May 21, 1996

When people talk about Jakob Dylan these days, they're less likely to refer to his famous father than to his band, the Wallflowers, and their breakthrough album, Bringing Down the Horse. Not only a staggering commercial success, the disc is also a superb example of the folk-rock Jakob's daddy helped pioneer more than 30 years ago. The Wallflowers don't need family relations to command respect. Young Dylan's songwriting remains shaped by echoes,the anthemic "One Headlight" carries a distinct Tom Petty-like urgency, and "Invisible City" may be the best song Bruce Springsteen hasn't written in years. There are still plenty of genetic imprints. "Josephine" turns on a chord change straight out of "Just Like a Woman," and lines like "I've learned to compromise good people for alibis" show that the apple continues to fall pretty close to the tree. Its a good sign that since this album was relesed in 1996 i still continue to listen to this album often. If you enjoy the song below i strongly suggest you pick the album.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Indie Rock
Released May 13, 2008

I will be honest at first listen i didnt like this album besides the song "After Hours". Then i started to listen to the album a few more times and started liking a few songs. Then again and again... I ended up coming away with a good handful of songs. The songs being Ghouls, Let's See It, After Hours and Impatience. Basically the first half of the album. But who knows i might not like the album that much and you could love it...

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes


We Are Scientists - After Hours

We Are Scientists | MySpace Music Videos

New song off Cold War Kids EP "Behave Yourself". I cannot wait for this EP to come out. So here is their single off of it.

So the past week i have been on a huge Spoon fix. I dont want to write a review about each albums. They are all amazing, the thing i think i love the most about Spoon is that they come up with extremely catchy songs with the simplest music.

SPOON - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga


Genre: Indie rock

Released: 10 July 2007

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes




SPOON - GIMME FICTION


Released May 10, 2005

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes



SPOON - KILL THE MOONLIGHT


Released: August 20, 2002

Buy/Steal: Amazon , iTunes

Genre(s): Punk Rock. Alternative rock
Released: June 1, 2009

In Early October 2008 it was said that Taking Back Sunday guitar/singer Fred Mascherino was to leave the band to pursue his solo project, The Color Fred. That didn't stop current members of Taking Back Sunday from going into the studio and working on a new album that year. The album was entitled "New Again" it was chosen because singer Adam Lazzara felt that they were a new band; he said, "We kicked around a bunch of different titles, but that one always remained the top of the list, and that’s because it really does feel like a new band. When the album came out i was hesitant to listen to it because the removal of Mascherino would be big, he had a large part in the band from playing guitar to singing to writing. But when i finally listened to the album, i was glad i did. It was vintage TBS smart catchy hooks and great music. The album received strong reviews; Scott Heisel of Alternative Press praised the record highly, stating that it "leaps forward as the best album of Taking Back Sunday's career to date".

Buy/Steal: Amazon iTunes

Genre: Pop Punk
Released: March 10, 2009

The first overall impression of ‘Not Without A Fight’ is that this album could have come out in 2001 between the band’s self titled album and ‘Sticks And Stones’ and, style wise, it would have fit right in. This really is a trip back in time while at the same time it doesn’t feel forced or contrived in any way. I think its impossible for NFG to disappoint, hence why this album is on my favorite of 2009. If you have never heard of NFG i strongly suggest you go out and get their whole discography. If you were a fan of Blink 182 and looking for a band to help fill the void listen to NFG. Getting NFG albums will be the best decision you will make today.

Side note: Album was produced by Mark Hoppus (Blink 182, (+44))
p.s Stay Tuned for other NFG Albums.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre(S): Surf Rock, Acoustic, Soft Rock
Released: May 11, 2004

Professional surfer turned musician..sounds interesting. If your a fan of Jack Johnson than Donavon Frankenreiter is a must listen to you. As a matter of fact Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter are longtime friends. Johnson produced, plays and sings on many tracks on this album, Frankenreiter is currently signed to Johnson's music label Brushfire Records. Of course at first listen it sounds a lot like Jack Johnson, possibly because the two are from similar surfer backgrounds. But after listening to the CD a few rounds, you'll realize that Donavon is more laid back than Jack, if that's even possible. Although Jack touches on topics such as the environment and pollution, Donavon aims more to provide listeners with a sense of peace and harmony. If you are looking for relaxing and upbeat music to listen to this album is a must.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre(s): Pop, Indie
Released: November 11, 2008

You might not recognize the name Butch Walker when it comes to the music industry. Don't feel bad most people don't recognize the name either. But fact is Butch Walker is actually a really big name in the music business. He's mostly known for being a producer rather than a singer. He has produced and wrote songs for such high profile names as; Dashboard Confessional, Weezer, Pink, Katy Perry, The Academy Is.. and many more big names. When hes not doing that hes making his own music with his band. His music is very genuine in a sense that nearly his entire writing of Sycamore Meadows his based on personal experiences. He can write them to a catchy melody or a slow ballad on a acoustic guitar. Once you listen to Butch Walker than songs by artistes he produced or wrote for like Weezer on their new album "Raditude" you can tell which songs he worked on.

"Some of us fans wonder why Butch Walker hasn’t become a major star. Walker’s street smarts and deep emotional intelligence ooze out of his Southern charms making him the thinking man’s Tom Petty. Walker’s adept way of creating epic, literate, rock and roll story songs about everyday life makes him the Georgia Bruce Springsteen. Walker’s grandiose and sordid tales of glam and drugs make him the American David Bowie. These are big names to be compared with, but the fact is, Walker’s talent, charisma, and track record of impressive albums, suggests he belongs in such noble company." - Steve Horowitz. popmatters.com

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genres: Indie rock, Indie pop
Released: February 2, 2005

Are you hoping for a miracle? You don't need to because there is one right in front of you. Silent Alarm is on a list of my favorite albums of all time. Its one of those albums that its so good that every song could be a single off it. Unlike most of the garbage that is released these days. Where the single they release is usually the only good song off the album...if that. Silent alarm has it all from fast songs with amazing guitar riffs to beautifully crafted slower songs. Pointed pop tunes yelp and cry and tug at your heart even as the band's rhythmic friction spews sparks at your feet. Silent Alarm was very well received by critics. Praise often centered on its fast tempo and cathartic delivery. If your disappointed in the album i will be shocked.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre(S): Indie pop, Indie rock
Released: January 29, 2008

I remember when this album got released. There was so much hype behind it. It seamed like every kid with thick black rimmed glasses, plaid flannel shirt, tight pants and converse all stars shoes were talking about and playing this album. I put it on the back shelf. I got it and totally forgot i had it up until a few months ago. The good news is that, unlike a lot of records that get hyped, Vampire Weekend is deserving of every piece of praise it has received. Song after song is extremely catchy that will have you coming back to this album time after time.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Indie, Folk
Release Date: Mar 6 2007

The Snake The Cross The Crown's Cotton Teeth is a mostly down tempo, chilled-out record, and one on which to play on a hot, summer Sunday evening hanging out with friends on your back porch. Cotton Teeth really shines when the crashing cymbals are replaced with lightly brushed snare drums and electric guitars with acoustics. The piano becomes the focal point of many songs and acts as the driving force on “Electronic Dream Plant”, which happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time. The songs ring with bitter honesty and manage to capture the perfect medium between “sad” and “happy.” In my mind The Snake The Cross The Crown continue to be one of the best unknown bands.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

And since their very unknown they don't have a music video. But i managed to find a live video of them.

Genre(s):Indie rock, Alternative Country, Southern rock
Released: March 21, 2006

An amazingly crafted debut album from indie rockers Band Of Horses. I only recently found out about them and once i heard "The Funeral" of this album i was hooked. I immediately downloaded Everything All the Time and oh man was i happy i did. Their guitar-heavy sound and lead singer Creighton Barrett's echo-y vocals invite comparisons the Shins, and more general similarities can be noted with that of Neil Young. I must say that Band Of Horses sound is quite innovative and genuinely refreshing over the course of these 10 sweeping, heart-on-sleeve anthems. "The band's most winning trait is its delicate balance of elements-- between gloom and promise, quiet and loud, epic and ordinary, familiar and new, direct and elliptical, artist and listener. Each of these aspects makes the others sound stronger and more complex, making Everything All the Time an album that's easy to get lost in and even easier to love." -Stephen M. Deusner,

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Indie Rock
Released: April 2008

If you are a fan of the Strokes, the Honorary Title or early Killers, say hello to your new favorite band. The vocals are top notch and sound like Jarrod Grobel (Honorary Title) and Brandon Flowers (Killers) are making out. Slowly rising and falling throughout the song, the vocals are what drives LvsD.
Musically speaking the band sounds awesome. They each seem to work together within the musical flow of the songs and they all kind of take a backseat to the vocals but still are very much in the listener’s face.
Weird fact about the band: The name Low vs. Diamond supposedly refers to drummer Howie Diamond and an ex-member's girlfriend, who was nicknamed Low. Apparently all they use to do was fight and thats how they got their name.Weird.


Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Video for "Don't Forget Sister" Pretty cool video.

So Thrice is really hit or miss for me these days but just heard this song off their new album and really like it.

In Exile

Thrice | MySpace Music Videos

Yet to listen to their new album but will do soon and post what i thought about it. Until then enjoy this song.

Genre: Indie Rock
Released: May 22, 2007

What can i say about this album besides go get it pop it in the cd player, record player, itunes sit back and be prepared to be amazed. "From the first piano chords on opener "Fake Empire", the National create a late-night, empty-city-street mood, slightly menacing but mostly isolated. The 10 tracks that follow sustain and even amplify that feeling, revealing the band's range as they play close to the vest." - Stephen M. Deusner (Pitchfork). Boxers is a drummers album with songs "Mistaken For Strangers" "Brainy" "Squalor Victoria" "Apartment Story" and "Guest Room". Boxer was also on numerous top albums of 2007 lists. Boxer also has made numerous "album of the decade" lists including Pitchfork Media, Aquarium Drunkard, Paste, and many more.

Buy: Amazon, iTunes




This album is to good to just post one song..

Genre: Indie rock
Released: October 10, 2006

So i said i was going to post my favorites of the 2009, but i felt that towards the end of December ill get back at that.

Robbers & Cowards was the first LP released from Cold War Kids. I can remember listening to this album back in 06 and being blown away by how talented this band was. What hit me so hard was that Cold War Kids created a sound i had never heard before. I couldn't get enough of it, i must have had this album on repeat for weeks. I will say that singer Nathan Willett's voice is an acquired taste. Either you love his voice or hate it, personally its one of my favorites in music today.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre: Indie rock, Folk rock
Released: March 24, 2009

The Hazards Of Love is the fifth album from indie rockers The Decemberists. The Hazards Of Love is a rock opera, with all songs contributing to a unified narrative, similar to the use of recurring stories in The Crane Wife(previous album). The album is amazingly written both musically and lyrically. The Hazards Of Love plot is a love story: a woman named Margaret falls in love with a shape-shifting Boreal forest dweller named William. A jealous forest queen, the villainous Rake and an ensemble of recurring characters bring conflict to the album's story arc. My favorite aspect of the album was that you get singers playing characters throughout the album and get to hear three different singers throughout the album.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes

Genre(s):Alternative rock, experimental rock, art rock, noise rock
Relese date: September 22, 2009

Daisy is the fourth studio album from my favorite band Brand New. Much like previous album "The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me" the band is getting much more darker with their music. This album from start to finish a very loud and exhausting album which is being played with so much energy and passion. One if the main reasons why i loved Daisy (besides Jesse Lacey's amazing voice)was the drums being played by Brian Lane. On songs Gasoline, Sink, Daisy and Noro the loud pounding of the drums are thrown at you and played with so much effort. I strongly suggest listen to this album unless your looking to listen to a mellow album.

Buy/Steal: Amazon , iTunes or through illegal means (which most of you will probably do)

So since the year is coming to a close i though i should start posting my top albums of the year (not in any particular order)

Genre(s): Indie rock
Relese date: May 25, 2009

So I must say that Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is in my top 3 if not number one favorite album of 2009. These French boys (yes they are from Versailles, France) have put together a album that from start to finish is an amazing listen with songs so catchy once listened to will be stuck in your head for days(in a good way). You might also find yourself unable to control your body movements and therefore start dancing or at the very least lots of head bopping.

Buy/Steal: Amazon, iTunes or through illegal means (which most of you will probably do)

Lisztomania

So if you know me you know i have always been the kid who made fun of people who "Tweet'ed" or "Bloged". Yet today i found myself falling victim to that blue bird and starting a blog. This blog that i am starting as you know is called SBacker Music Movement. So as you can tell its a music blog.

I often get told that i have great taste in music and have friends asking me all the time for good bands, cds or songs. So i figured that i would start a blog and post good bands and cds. I hope to have daily updates

So blogger nation be gentle with me i am a blogging virgin...so lets get this baby going