I-94 BAR TOP TENS

Santa's got his list in his pocket and he's reelin' down the old skyway.

In the past year, between the news of economic uncertainty, extramarital affairs, celebrity facelifts and yet another insipid reality TV show, there’s always an old reliable method to escape. No, I’m not talking about self flagellation (sorry Dan Brown fans) I’m talking about great music.  So in short, 2009 was no different than any other year.  In order to quench your spirit, you had to do some digging to find the gold.  Here are some of my favorites, in the proverbial no particular order:

Allen Toussaint: The Bright Mississippi (Nonesuch) – What can be said about this legendary jazz / soul figure from New Orleans.  Toussaint, having had a career that has spanned over 50 years, comes back with an album that exemplifies the musical heritage of the Crescent City. Produced by Joe Henry, Toussaint recruited clarinetist Don Byron, guitarist Marc Ribot, pianist Brad Mehldau, Saxophonist Joshua Redman and many more A- List musicians for this album. If you love Dr. John or Tom Waits get this, you will slobber over it!

The Stooges: You Don’t Want My Name, You Want My Action 4 CD (Easy Action) – The folks at Easy Action really created a major stir with this release in 2009.   And justifiably so, this 4 CD set is chock full of essential Stooges live shows from 1971 at their primal proto-metal peak. Taken from audience recorded cassettes, you get two shows from the Electric Circus in New York, one from the Factory in St. Louis, and one from the Vanity Ballroom in Detroit (the first show of the tour). In addition, the attention by the Easy Action staff placed on the packaging / artwork is top shelf.

Wooden Ships: Dos (Holy Mountain) – What’s not to like about a band that has soaked up the outsider sounds of the past forty years (i.e. Suicide, Faust, Velvet Underground, Stooges) and in the process produced a mind blowing disc that validates the replenished fertile soil of independent music.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound: When Sweet Sleep Returns (Tee Pee) – Yet again, more outsiders from the Northern California Bay Area announcing their presence in 2009.  Melodic yet heavy, introspective but in your face, the band’s sound is a study in immaculate point – counterpoint.

James Blackshaw: The Glass Bead Game (Young God) – Signed to Young God records by Mr. Gira of Swans fame, this English virtuoso has created a haunting disc that allows you to relax but still wants to challenge you.  In a certain way, Mr. Blackshaw has picked up the mantle left by John Cale, in creating traditional music with that edgy hint of experimentation.

Sonic Youth: The Eternal (Matador) – Countless albums, countless tours, and naturally you are left asking yourself “is this band still relevant” Well, the answer is a resounding “yes”, as evidenced by this 2009 release.  The band returned with an unbridled ferocity on this disc, a collection of hard edged tracks.  As a result, the band seemed revitalized (case in point: “Sacred Trickster” and “What We Know”) with a new bassist in Mark Ibold, leaving Kim Gordon to guitar and vocals, where she offers her best offering on disc.

Mondo Drag: Holy Spirit (Self Released) – Awesome psych / hard rock.  On the CD, tracks such as “Autumn Sun”, Through the Eyes of the Serpent” and “Apple” reek of late 60’s – early 70’s hard rock experimentation (i.e. Funhouse, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hawkwind, The Groundhogs).  The band themselves recognize this and state on their Myspace webpage that their sound fits “somewhere between garage, psych, space, sludge and stoner rock”.  Either way, I am eager to hear more from this the band on their expected January 2010 release on Bomp / Alive.

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker: Burn It Down (Thirty Tigers) – Heavy, sweaty soul / funk the way it is supposed to be.  In a career that has seen him open for such as Etta James, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Jackie Wilson, Charles Walker is paired with a deep funk band intent on keeping the spirits of those heavyweights alive, but also creating some of their own magic.

Baby Woodrose: Self Titled (Bad Afro) – Got to hand it to Lorenzo Woodrose, he just keeps writing memorable tunes that stick with you for days.  Now that some of Scandinavian heavyweights have either disbanded (The Hellacopters, Gluecifer), or still in the process of recuperating (Turbonegro) maybe Mr. Woodrose will receive some credit due.

Lastly, the tenth spot goes to….numerous releases / reissues / live shows.

The Nerves: One Way Ticket (Bomp) – Powerpop at its finest

Death: For The Whole World To See (Drag City) – Unbelievable Detroit angst

Sugar Knives: Self Titled (Self Release) – another solid effort by Paul Stinson, and Leo K

Primal Scream: Live March 2009 – Whatever the reasons that prevent this band from touring that Little Steven commented on with this band in the NME, he is right on one count – they are fantastic live.

Arthur S – Native New Yorker, I-94 Bar writer, scholar, gentleman, family man, and eunuch.

As the Barman rings the bell, exclaiming in an urgent voice “Hey loser, you gotta leave, it’s closing time” for the year 2008, there’s a sense of urgency to compiling a “Best Of “ list.  So, in between the holiday parties, frantic shopping for gifts, and unnerving traffic, I like to take a break from the madness.  Usually, for me it consists of relaxing, sitting back with my favorite libation of the moment (right now, it you ask it’s an antacid on the rocks – straight up) and reflect on the years past discoveries.  Happy Holidays, happy new year!! 

Top Ten (In A Particular Order? All are great, what are you kidding me!)

The Black Angels: Directions To See A Ghost (Light In The Attic) – Heavy duty pysch- action from Austin, Texas.  Nice fuzz and drone from this six-piece band who backed Roky Erickson on a recent West Coast USA tour.  The band hits their stride on this being their second album.

Alejandro Escovedo: Real Animal (Back Porch) – Former songwriter for the Nuns, Rank and File, and The True Believers combines efforts with producer Tony Visconti (Bowie, T-Rex) to create a stirring album rich with style and class.  The song “Chelsea Hotel’ 78” is so ironic in it’s use of Sex Pistols gutter glam, strings, and country echo. On top of this, you get Lou Reed’ backing vocals.  Awesome, well worth checking out!

Pat Todd and The Rank Outsiders: Outskirts of Your Heart (Rankoutsider Records) – On a consistent basis, Mr. Todd can always be counted on for raunchy, catchy as all hell songs.  In Mr. Todd’s musical viewpoint, the albums Exile on Main Street and L.A.M.F. encapsulate everything great about rock and roll.  Outskirts of Your Heart makes a good case for following in that tradition.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig! (Mute Records) – You know, I saw old Nick back in October at the Wamu Theater at Madison Square Garden here in NYC.  He was playing with the crowd, and in a self-deprecating manner, mocking his sex symbol – rock star status.  In short, Nick was having a ball onstage.  As for the music, it was forceful, direct and to the point.  The January 2009 ATP festival curated by Mr. Cave I am sure will offer much of the same excitement.  As for this album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (and Grinderman) resembles the stylistic change in direction Iggy took with Lust For Life in attempting to get back to a basic, no holds barred approach. 

Jim Jones Revue: Self Titled (punkrockblues) – Jim Jones (of Thee Hypnotics and Black Moses fame) offers a tour de force of crazed, energetic rhythm and blues served up with a chaser of Detroit angst.  Go get yourself some!

The Soundtrack Of Your Lives: Communion 2 CD – A much anticipated release by these ears, and it does not disappoint.  As in any double album / 2-CD format, having twenty-four songs spread out over two discs is a huge task.  However, as a testament to this band’s abilities / talents, TSOOL succeed in keeping your interest, and focus on many of the great songs.  Included is a great cover of a Nick Drake song they make their own.  Overall, this two disc set is a monster release by these Swedish Legends.

The Supersuckers: Get It Together CD – After a brief hiatus, the road worn but never weary Supersuckers return with another disc that as usual will get your house busy in no time lost at all. After twenty years, The Supersuckers are still all about having fun, getting down with your bad self, and respecting the rawk.  On this album, the band raises the I.Q. quotient a bit more, offering a glimpse into the world of a musician (averaging anywhere between 130–150 shows a year), and the sacrifices involved.  No, there’s no thought provoking lyrics included here (if you want that check out the Jonas Brothers); however, if you want clean and mean rock action, its here for the taking.

Acid Mothers Temple: Whether in the format of “The Melting Paraiso UFO” or “The Cosmic Inferno”, 2008 bared witness to the band’s highly prolific output of ten releases in this year alone on various independent labels.  Although to not everyone’s tastes, due to in part the avant-garde approach they take (minimalism, free jazz, etc) Acid Mothers Temple (led by the highly talented guitarist / composer Kawabata Makoto) are an amazing collective of like-minded musicians taking music to the extreme.  Each release offers a different side of the band.

Sonics Rendezvous Band: The Second Chance (Easy Action) – Every time another archival recording of this legendary band is uncovered, released on compact disc, the brilliance of this unit becomes ever more apparent.  Here’s a band worth it’s weight in gold.

The Duke Spirit: Neptune’s Call (Artist First) – An outstanding album by this London based band who seem to be gathering steam as we speak.  Rocking songs such as “Send A Little Love Token”, “The Step and The Walk”, “Into The Fold”, “You Really Wake Up The Love In Me”, “Lassoo”, “My Sunken Treasure” all live up to the pre-album hype. 

Honorable Mentions:Nebula: Heavy Psych CD EP, Seger Liberation Army: Down Home CD, The Flaming Sideburns: Back 2 Grave LP, The Bellrays: Hard, Sweet, and Sticky CD, Mark Lanegan / Isabel Williams: Sunset at Dirt Devil CD, The Radishes: Strychnine CD EP, and On the Road Again TV Series focusing on a culinary road trip through Spain. Rioja / Tempranillo, and Seafood: two tastes that go great together.