At the end of 2008 these hands weren’t holding very many records that we would consider first-class, top-shelf, or otherwise worthy of landing on the myriad of lists that are inevitavbly published at each years end. What happened? Where did all the great musical acts go? Did we overlook them? Have we simply aged to the point of not know where to look? Are we not actively involved enough with the various scenes? Did our tastes change? Are we destined for Kinks records on repeat while we talk about the good ol’ days when Matador was the bees-knees? We didn’t fall for Santogold. Lil’ Wayne is too disposable. Vampire Weekend was a joke. Fleet Foxes were trite. M83 was self-absorbed to point of silly-ness. We must have missed something in our review of 2008.
In an attempt to answer these questions, to find new music of value, and to ensure that we don’t end this year with 4 records on a top 10 list – these hands have set out to review as many new albums as possible in the year 2009.
RIGHT HAND:
I review the album as it plays. I refine my review through to the last track. I post what I’ve got at the end with only minor edits – unless I think the album deserves a second listen. I don’t skip a track – though I sometimes stop a record all together (I’ll always cop to that in the review). My reviews are my honest responses to what is coming out of the speakers. I’m not going for laughs- I really am as hateful as my reviews sometime reveal. Primary interest in this project is to find as many new bands and labels worth following into the next phasas possible. So far, Blank Dogs is my favorite act of the year.
