It appears as if Death Match '99 isn't going to write itself. While we wait for a few others to decide if they're in or out, why don't we post some music?
Here is my tentative list*:
- Sufjan Stevens "Seven Swans"
- The Weakerthans "Left and Leaving"
- Massive Attack "Mezzanine"
- Low "Things We Lost in the Fire"
- Gorillaz "Demon Days"
- Moby "Play"
- Arcade Fire "Funeral"
- Radiohead "OK Computer"
- TV on the Radio "Dear Science"
- Pedro the Lion "Winners Never Quit"
Other albums that I may still be pondering (not meant to be exhaustive): Cat Power, "You Are Free"; The Decemberists, "Picaresque"; Regina Spektor, "Begin to Hope"; Ben and Bruno, "100 Grim Reapers"
Some of these are sentimental. Many are albums that I had to buy after hearing them once (if Jason ever joins, he can relate).
"Seven Swans" --despite Nate's intense hatred of this album**, it is glorious...my favorite Sufjan. He made it before many of the hipsters knew him, and that may have helped.
"Left and Leaving" -- I've heard them called punk folk. Sounds about right. What I like best, though, are the lyrics. John K. Sampson is a modern day Carl Sandburg***.
"Things We Lost in the Fire" -- Do I love it because it's so dark? Maybe.
"Demon Days" -- don't question...just listen
"OK Computer" -- Since it came out in '98, I'm using an exception, unless I find that you're not having any of it.
"Winners Never Quit" -- I take back what I said about "Things We Lost in the Fire." This one is dark.
"100 Grim Reapers" -- this one may creep into my top 10. It's from Peter Brant, who used to be local and now seems to have a crazy following. One of the songs on here ("Pack of Light Blue Birds") is in my top 10 songs of all time.
*I reserve the right to make some changes while awaiting the completion of submissions. You may also reserve the same right, provided you recognize that once it's on, it's on.
**Nate has never bothered to listen to it, though he hates it all the same. Nate is the poorer for it.
***If Carl Sandburg were actually a good poet, still worth reading.
It's Death Match '99.
Now it's your turn.
I fear I must officially challenge OK Computer. Is is from 1998. If 1998 were a legal year it would also be on my list, and Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea would also be eligible, further complicating matters. Stick to '99.
ReplyDeleteAnd actually -- I just looked it up -- OK Computer was released in 1997. You are WAY out of line.
ReplyDelete