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Show Review: Hockey, The Constellations, & The Postelles Play Outland (Columbus, OH)

I went to last night's Hockey, The Constellations, and The Postelles show at Outland on Liberty and after being one of the many sadly turned away from the canceled St. Vincent and Wildbirds & Peacedrums show on February 20th at Outland, I had to write a full show review about my experience at both events. It's extremely long, but something needs to happen with the sound here, because if it's the same PA system from the St. Vincent show, it's no wonder why she and the band weren't satisfied with it. They have shows with The Big Pink and Fanfarlo coming up and I don't want the The Big Pink to be double noise rock and Fanfarlo's vocals to be buried in the great beyond. Thanks for reading if you get a chance and I'd like some feedback from anyone who went to last night's show as well to see if you had similar thoughts/heard similar responses.

Show Review: Hockey, The Constellations, & The Postelles Play Outland (Columbus, OH)

Sat 13 Mar – Hockey, The Postelles, The Constellations
Hockey, The Constellations, and The Postelles

Sat 4 Apr – Efterklang, Peter Broderick

Show review and pictures!

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4216

Well, 2008 is officially over, so that means you're being bombarded with more "best of" and year-end lists than you can handle. After listening to hundreds of albums and thousands of songs this year among the TMC staff members, we rounded up an overall list as well as our personal favorites in music in 2008. Unlike 2007 with the release of Radiohead's long-awaited In Rainbows as well as a few other high profile releases such as Arcade Fire's sophomore album Neon Bible and Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, we really had no idea how the top of the list would turn out. Well, if you paid any attention to the accompanying photo, you'll know what's coming, but for those of the MTV and Sesame Street generation, brace yourselves for this one.

Our overall #1 album of the year is... *drum roll*









Not Lil Wayne.





It's...






Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs


And this was by no small margin folks. It was in multiple top 10 lists and on more lists than any other album. It didn't only win from name recognition but because we loved it as well. Maybe there was a little indie rock fanboy effect thrown in for their long run of solid releases, but they really deserve it for a strong, consistent effort that threw a couple curveballs yet stayed comfortable like reuniting with an old friend. This isn't tradionally an album a lot of people might have missed in regards to our little tagline, but if they lost you on Plans, you must check this one out. Congratulations guys and thanks for keeping our ears busy in 2008.

On the song front, "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" by Sigur Ros was also the clear winner for our best of the year and there were few songs this year that tried as hard to break out of your stereo and inject you with life, make you smile, make you cry, give you hope, and make you feel so good to be alive. A perfect piece of musical magic that must be heard to be believed. "Salute Your Solutions" by The Raconteurs, "Transformer" by Marnie Stern, "Sentimental Heart" by She & Him, and "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver also made very high marks.

Here is the rest of our top 25 and you can check out our overall top 50 albums, top songs, and individual lists below.

1. Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
   
2. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
   
3. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
   
4. Sun Kil Moon - April
   
5. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
   
6. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
   
7. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
   
8. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
   
9. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
   
10. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
    
11. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
    
12. She & Him - Volume One
    
13. Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming In The Sea
    
14. Matthew Ryan - Vs. The Silver State
    
15. The Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave
    
16. Murder by Death - Red Of Tooth & Claw
    
17. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
    
18. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
    
19. Why? - Alopecia
    
20. Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
    
21. Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth
    
22. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
    
23. M83 - Saturdays=Youth
    
24. Bloc Party - Intimacy
    
25. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Lie Down In The Light

TMC Staff Overall Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Danny's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Sun Kil Moon - April

Charlie's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation

Tyler's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Jeremy's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Rock's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: The Magnetic Fields - Distortion

Mike's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Andy's Best Of 2008
#1 Album: Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night

Thu 12 Jun – Bonnaroo 2008

I wrote a huge trip report featuring all of the artists I saw below with a few pictures, so check it out...

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2578

Day One
Matt Morris, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Newton Faulkner, Back Door Slam, MGMT, Battles, K'naan, Vampire Weekend, Dark Star Orchestra

Day Two
Steel Train, Jose Gonzalez, Tegan and Sara, Minus the Bear, Les Claypool, !!!, M.I.A., Big Sam's Funky Nation, Anders Osborne, Metallica, Henry Butler and The Game Band, MSTRKRFT, Tiesto, SuperJam ft. Les Claypool and Gogol Bordello, Disco Biscuits, New Orleans SuperJam

Day Three
Against Me!, Ozomatli, Mastodon, The Avett Brothers, Cat Power, B.B. King, Ben Folds, Iron & Wine, the everybodyfields, Pearl Jam, Money Mark, The Coup, Sigur Ros, Ghostland Observatory

Day Four
Ladytron, Robert Randolph's Revival, Yonder Mountain String Band, Aimee Mann, Broken Social Scene, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss ft. T-Bone Burnett, Death Cab for Cutie

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2578

I posted all of of my "best of 2007" lists on my site at http://www.themilkcarton.com/ but I figured it was journal-worthy enough to deal with tagging and post at last.fm as well.

Top 15 Albums of 2007

1. The National - Boxer

From the chilling opening of "Fake Empire" to the closing notes of "Gospel", I haven't been as obsessed and completely emotionally involved with an album since The Hold Steady's 2006 album, Boys And Girls In America. I can't think about the album without getting excited and I'm blown away each and every time I listen to it. Every track from "Mistaken For Strangers" to "Slow Show" to "Start A War" to "Ada" is something very special. The National captured something rare in this album that I can't wait to find again in a new album, but until then, this will be happily and heavily spinning for years to come with me. No words can do this album justice except by hearing it for yourself.

2. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If..

A lot of questions have been raised about this album. I know a few things though. This is a Broken Social Scene record. This is a Kevin Drew record. This is an exhilarating, magical, and, well, "spirit"ual record. I dare to say this might be my overall favorite Broken Social Scene-related disc so far. It has instrumental power in tracks like "Farewell to the Pressure Kids" and "Big Love", it has those devilishly fascinating BSS lyrics in songs like "Tbtf" and "Frightening Lives", it has wonderful emotional vocals on "Gang Bang Suicide" and "F--ked Up Kid", and it has all-out fun, busting-at-the-seams pop in "Lucky Ones" and "Backed Out On The...". Everything I want from a Broken Social Scene album - everything I want from an album, period! Don't you forget about Kevin Drew. Brilliant and inspiring.

3. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

I love surprises and this was one of the biggest of the year. Not because I expected anything less from Sam Beam. It's just a rarity to find an artist on their third album who don't unveil a song on their tracklisting that could jump ship comfortably to a past album until the near the end, in this case, "Resurrection Fern". "Pagan Angel" starts us out with a hustling bang and we find throughout that Sam, who has been much-loved for his lyrics in the past, has greatly improved here. The music is more lush, he experiments with his vocals, and the album builds to one of the best back halfs of the year. This may have disappointed some, but I see it as a total triumph.

4. Radiohead - In Rainbows

May I admit that I'm not a Radiohead fanboy? Of course not, but that's beside the point. I went into In Rainbows like I would any other album in 2007. In the background while I was surfing the net, working on classwork, and any other number of things. I wasn't intently looking for anything, not expecting anything, didn't even consider it might crack my top 10, 20, whatever of the year. I ended up listening to In Rainbows over and over, more intently, more curious, more in love every time. Am I a Radiohead fanboy right now? Not quite. Not yet anyway. I will say, I do believe In Rainbows.

5. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

I don't think many bands have had as many religious followers based on one album as Arcade Fire, so it's no surprise they returned in 2007 with an album titled Neon Bible. As many people praised it as totally shunned it and that's what the indie music critics, blogs, and fans are like. They'll embrace you faster than their friends so they can say they found you first, but they want it to be known they were the first to drop you as well. This may not be an album to live by, but there's so much energy ("Keep The Car Running", "No Cars Go"), emotion ("My Body Is A Cage", "Windowsill"), and amazing lyrics and storytelling ("(Antichrist Television Blues)", "Intervention") that it sticks with you and urges you to return for more.

6. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

There's not an unlikable, dull, skippable point in this record and probably the first album in my list that I couldn't find anything negative to say about it if I tried, which is saying a lot considering it has a lengthy track right in the middle of the album and of Montreal had to follow-up a slew of jumpy, memorable albums. It's sharp, fun, stylish, engaging, sassy, and just a madhouse of musical entertainment. It's a personal best from them as far as I'm concerned. All your base are belong to of Montreal.

7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Sound of Silver was likely the record that made its way from me to more of my friends' ear than any other in '07. It's perfect in the car, it's perfect for parties, it's perfectly easy to recommend, and "All My Friends" just blows my mind and I had to share it with everyone. It's not a one-track pony though. It's surrounded on all sides by these other huge songs like "North American Scum", "Someone Great", and "Us v Them" - all of which could equally easily be anyone's favorite track just to show how universal and meticulously crafted this album is. Dance to it. Cry to it. Make love to it. Listen to it.

8. The New Pornographers - Challengers

I could not believe how much, how fast, and how unfairly negative word of mouth spread about this album. Admittedly on the first spin, the latest New Pornographers record can prove, like it's name states, to be quite "challenging", but many of us live to be challenged and uncover what our favorite bands have to tell us. That's part of the fun. No, it doesn't sound exactly like Twin Cinema or Electric Version or Mass Romantic and that's a very satisfying thing. Just because a member or two (or several - see: Kevin Drew) aren't as involved with the making of the supergroup's latest record, doesn't mean it can't be just as phenomenal and rich. I'm not even going to begin naming names - I adore every song here. Revisit it or take your bandwagon shoes off and give this a real spin.

9. Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War

On the opposite end of the spectrum from Challengers, many people found In Our Bedroom After the War to be *too easy*. Bands can't win, but we as fans can throw those sorry complainers out the window, curl up in our bedrooms, and listen to this thoroughly delightful and charming album. Stars really mixes up the styles here and makes fantastic use of each lead vocalist. If you're tired of the same old pop, this will wake you up and keep you guessing.

10. Okkervil River - The Stage Names

Will Scheff's name is just synonymous with high quality work from his instrumentation and the building of this songs and albums to his in-depth, smart, descriptive lyrics, to the emotive qualities in his voice, to his powerful live shows - solo and with his band, Okkervil River. The Stage Names just proves his consistency with a few of the best songs he's ever written and recording including the tense, dramatic "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe", the very catchy "Unless It's Kicks", and the gorgeous "Savannah Smiles". It's just devastatingly wonderful. Take a bow, sir.

11. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City

This was another highly anticipated album coming into 2007 as Silent Alarm was found near the top of multiple best albums of '05 lists. The expectations were as high as they were wide though. Some people wanted more "Helicopter" and "Banquet". Some wanted more "Blue Light" and "So Here We Are". Some just wanted more Bloc Party and those people were probably the only ones who picked it up completely satisfied with their matured and focused direction. I really loved this album from the start and figured it would end the year as my #1 from way back in January. It was obviously a very good year though and it got knocked down to main runner-up from the top 10 list. I probably loved this album for reasons so many people were disappointed in it. This is no sophomore slump. It's a glorious diagonal step ahead for a very talented band.

12. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour

No, this isn't a live album by a previously defunct band from its reunion tour. The record is largely about "reunions" in the characters' lives from old relationships ("Civil Twilight") to old cats ("Virtute") to, well, old bandmates ("Reunion Tour") to never being reunited again ("Night Windows"). The Weakerthans work well for fans of any genre from indie rock, folk, punk, and more. Reunion Tour contains some of my favorite lyrics of the year with really meaningful storytelling and vocal sincerity that's rarely topped in 2007.

13. M.I.A. - Kala

Listen to this album alone if you care about making a fool of yourself because you're going to be moving in your seat, jumping up and dancing, and getting down with M.I.A. in no time. And guess what, behind those sick beats, she tackles socially important issues with a near anthemic feel. The only down time is when M.I.A. invites her friends Timbaland and The Wilcannia Mob to sing and rap with her. We want all M.I.A. all the time! From "Bamboo Banga" to "Paper Planes", this is a workout for the brain and body and that's why Kala deserves to be held high. "All I wanna do is.."

14. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

Armchair Apocrypha is an absolutely lovely dark album. "Lovely" and "dark" wouldn't normally belong right next to each other, but Andrew is too charming and gives us those glimpses of hope we need as to not make us feel the darkness some of the songs on this album reaches towards for too long. This feels like his densest album yet with so many reasons to relisten to it and find all the musical bits, the imagery, and, of course, the whistles he's stuffed into this relaxingly tense package like only Mr. Bird could do.

15. Feist - The Reminder

If Apple hasn't reminding you (over and over again) to listen to Feist(.com), her album speaks for itself. Some of us knew her already from Let It Die and as a member of Broken Social Scene or maybe if you were lucky from her out-of-print album, Monarch (hi Grammys, 1999 called and wants its Best New Artist nomination for Feist back), but this album is so surprising and full of wonder for a first time listener who might jump into it out of nowhere, Apple and previously albums unknown. There are some gut-wrenching sadsongs like "So Sorry" and "The Park" and totally uplifting grand pop pieces like "I Feel It All" and "My Moon My Man". There's something for everyone here.

The rest of the lists..

Danny's Top 75 Albums of 2007

1. The National - Boxer
2. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If..
3. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
5. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
6. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. The New Pornographers - Challengers
9. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
10. Okkevil River - The Stage Names
11. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
12. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
13. M.I.A. - Kala
14. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
15. Feist - The Reminder
16. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
17. Anberlin - Cities
18. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
19. Martin Sexton - Seeds
20. the everybodyfields - Nothing Is Okay
21. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
22. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
23. !!! - Myth Takes
24. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of..
25. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
26. Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times
27. Tegan & Sara - The Con
28. Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
29. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
30. The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
31. Silverchair - Young Modern
32. Marissa Nadler - Songs III: Bird on the Water
33. The Honorary Title - Scream and Light Up the Sky
34. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Sink Even Sank
35. Explosions in the Sky – All the Sudden I Miss Everyone
36. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
37. Kanye West - Graduation
38. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
39. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
40. Caribou - Andorra
41. Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child
42. Thrushes - Sun Come Undone
43. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
44. A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide
45. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
46. Against Me! - New Wave
47. Page France - ...And The Family Telephone
48. The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
49. Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
50. Mavis Staples - We'll Never Turn Back
51. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
52. Akron/Family - Love Is Simple
53. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
54. PJ Harvey - White Chalk
55. Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars
56. Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
57. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
58. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
59. St. Vincent - Marry Me
60. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
61. Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice
62. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
63. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
64. Norah Jones - Not Too Late
65. Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This
66. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
67. Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
68. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
69. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
70. Yellowcard - Paper Walls
71. Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
72. Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
73. Blonde Redhead - 23
74. Steel Train - Trampoline
75. Justice - Cross

Top 20 Songs of 2007

1. The National - Fake Empire
(tie) LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
3. Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe
4. Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running
5. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
6. Kevin Drew - Tbtf
7. The Shins - Phantom Limb
8. Feist - 1234
9. Radiohead - Reckoner
10. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
11. The National - Slow Show
12. Kanye West - Stronger
13. Arcade Fire - (Antichrist Television Blues)
14. Animal Collective - Fireworks
15. Josh Ritter - The Temptation of Adam
16. Caribou - Melody Day
17. Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It
18. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
19. LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
20. St. Vincent - Now Now
21. Jose Gonzalez - Teardrop
22. Andrew Bird - Plasticities
23. The New Pornographers - Challengers
24. Bloc Party - Uniform
25. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War

The Rest of the Best Songs of 2007

* !!! - "Must Be The Moon", "Heart of Hearts"
* Aesop Rock - "None Shall Pass"
* Against Me! - "Thrash Unreal", "Borne On The FM Waves", "Up The Cuts"
* All Smiles - "Moth In A Cloud Of Smoke"
* Akron/Family - "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead"
* Amy Winehouse - "Rehab", "Tears Dry On Their Own", "You Know I'm No Good"
* Anberlin - "The Unwinding Cable Car", "Dismantle.Repair.", "Hello Alone"
* Andrew Bird - "Dark Matter", "Plasticities", "Scythian Empire"
* Animal Collective - "Fireworks", "For Reverend Green", "Peacebone"
* Aqualung - "Pressure Suit"
* Arcade Fire - "Keep The Car Running", "No Cars Go", "(Antichrist Television Blues)", "My Body Is A Cage"
* Architecture In Helsinki - "Heart It Races"
* Au Revoir Simone - "Fallen Snow"
* The Avett Brothers - "Shame", "Salina", "Hand-Me-Down Time"
* Band of Horses - "Is There A Ghost", "The General Specific", "No One's Gonna Love You"
* Bishop Allen - "Rain"
* Bjork - "Earth Intruders"
* Bloc Party - "Uniform", "Song For Clay", "I Still Remember", "Waiting For The 7.18"
* Blonde Redhead - "Publisher", "23"
* Bright Eyes - "Four Winds"
* Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew "Tbtf", "Lucky Ones", "F--ked Up Kid", "Backed Out On The..."
* Bruce Springsteen - "Radio Nowhere"
* Caribou - "Melody Day"
* Cary Brothers - "The Glass Parade", "Who You Are"
* The Chemical Brothers - "The Pills Won't Help You Now"
* The Cinematics - "Break"
* The Clientele - "Bookshop Cassanova"
* Devendra Banhart - "Seahorse", "Lover"
* Dinosaur Jr. - "Almost Ready", "Been There All The Time"
* Dr. Dog - "My Old Ways"
* Dustin Kensrue - "Please Come Home"
* Editors - "Bones", "An End Has A Start"
* Elk City - "Cherries In The Snow"
* Elvis Perkins - "While You Were Sleeping"
* The Everybodyfields - "Lonely Anywhere", "Aeroplane", "Wasted Time"
* Explosions In The Sky - "Welcome Ghosts", "The Birth and Death of Day"
* Feist - "1234", "I Feel It All", "My Moon My Man", "How My Heart Behaves"
* The Frames - "Falling Slowly"
* Fujiya & Miyagi - "Collarbone"
* The Good Life - "You Don't Feel Like Home To Me", "Rest Your Head"
* Frog Eyes - "Bushels"
* Great Lake Swimmers - "Your Rocky Spine", "Where In The World Are You"
* The Honorary Title "Untouched and Intact", "Stay Away", "Along the Way"
* Illinois - "Alone Again"
* Iron & Wine - "Boy With A Coin", "Pagan Angel & A Borrowed Car", "Flightless Bird, American Heart", "Resurrection Fern"
* Jens Lekman - "The Opposite of Hallelujah", "Sipping On The Sweet Nectar", "And I Remember Every Kiss"
* Jimmy Eat World - "Big Casino"
* Jose Gonzalez - "Teardrop", "Cycling Trivialities", "Down the Line", "Killing For Love"
* Josh Ritter - "The Temptation of Adam", "Right Moves", "To The Dogs Or Whoever"
* Justice - "D.A.N.C.E.", "Stress"
* Kanye West - "Stronger", "Flashing Lights", "Everything I Am"
* Kings of Leon - "On Call", "Knocked Up", McFearless"
* LCD Soundsystem - "All My Friends", "Someone Great", "North American Scum", "Us v Them"
* Les Savy Fav - "The Equestrian"
* Lily Allen - "LDN", "Smile"
* M.I.A. - "Paper Planes", "Bamboo Banga", "Boyz"
* Machine Go Boom - "Build Me A Ladder"
* Martin Sexton - "Happy", "Failure", "Thought I Knew Ya", "Wild Angels"
* MGMT - "Time to Pretend", "Kids"
* Modest Mouse - "Spitting Venom", "Missed The Boat", "Dashboard"
* The Mother Hips - "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear"
* Motion City Soundtrack - "Hello Helicopter", "Even If It Kills Me"
* The National - "Fake Empire", "Slow Show", "Apartment Story", "Start A War", "Mistaken For Strangers"
* The New Pornographers - "Challengers", "My Rights Versus Yours", "Unguided", "Myriad Harbour"
* Nine Inch Nails - "Survivalism"
* of Montreal - "Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse", "Suffer For Fashion", "The Past Is A Grotesque Animal", "Gronlandic Edit"
* Okkervil River - "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe", "Unless It's Kicks", "Savannah Smiles"
* OneRepublic - "Apologize"
* Over The Rhine - "Let's Spend The Day In Bed", "Don't Wait For Tom", "I Don't Wanna Waste Your Time"
* Panda Bear - "Bros", "Comfy In Nautica"
* Patrick Wolf - "The Magic Position", "Accident & Emergency"
* Pinback - "From Nothing To Nowhere"
* Radical Face - "Welcome Home, Son"
* Radiohead - "Reckoner", "Bodysnatchers", "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", "Down Is The New Up", "Bangers & Mash"
* Rihanna - "Umbrella"
* Rogue Wave - "Lake Michigan"
* Rufus Wainwright - "Going To A Town", "Release the Stars"
* Ryan Adams - "Two", "Everybody Knows", "Goodnight Rose"
* Say Anything - "Skinny Mean Man", "People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist"
* Seawolf - "I'm A Wolf"
* The Shins - "Phantom Limb", "Sleeping Lessons", "Turn On Me"
* Shout Out Louds - "Tonight I Have To Leave It", "Parents Livingroom", "Impossible"
* Silverchair - "Straight Lines", "Those Thieving Birds", "Mind Reader"
* Skeletons And The Kings Of All Cities - "Push 'Im Out", "Don't Worry"
* Spoon - "The Underdog", "Black Like Me", "Yr Cherry Bomb"
* St. Vincent - "Now Now"
* Stars - "In Our Bedroom After the War", "My Favourite Book", "The Night Starts Here", "Take Me To The Riot"
* Sunset Rubdown - "Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End Of Your Feral Days"
* Tegan & Sara - "The Con", "Nineteen", "Call It Off"
* Thrushes - "Heartbeats", "Aidan Quinn", "The Hardest Part"
* The Twilight Sad - "That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy"
* Voxtrot - "Kid Gloves"
* The Weakerthans - "Night Windows", "Virtute The Cat Explains Her Departure", "Sun In An Empty Room"
* The White Stripes - "Icky Thump", "You Don't Know What Love Is"
* Wilco - "Hate It Here", "Walken", "Either Way"
* A Wilhelm Scream - "The Horse", "We Built This City (On Debts and Booze)"
* WinterKids - "Hear Me Out"
* Yeasayer - "2080"
* Yellowcard - "Fighting", "Five Become Four"

Worst Song
*Lil Mama - Lipgloss

Biggest Disappointments

1. Say Anything - In Defense Of The Genre
2. Winterpills - The Light Divide
3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
4. The Ataris - Welcome The Night
5. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

Top EPs

1. Grizzly Bear - Friend
2. Beirut - Lon Gisland
3. Illinois - What The Hell Do I Know
4. As Tall As Lions - Into The Flood
5. The New Frontiers - The New Frontiers
6. Ryan Adams - Follow The Lights
7. Black Kids - Wizard Of Ahhhs

Top B-Sides

1. Animal Collective - Safer
2. The Format - Threes
3. Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist
4. Kanye West ft. John Mayer - Bittersweet
5. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Cocaine Skin

Best B-Sides/Rarities/Compilation Albums

1. Elliott Smith - New Moon
2. Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim
3. Anberlin - Lost Songs
4. The Format - B-Sides and Rarities
5. Nick Drake - Family Tree

Top Live Album (tie)
*Daft Punk - Alive 2007
*Neil Young - Live At Massey Hall 1971

Top Live Shows '07

1. Arcade Fire w/ LCD Soundsystem
2. Damien Rice
3. The Hold Steady w/ The Thermals
4. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew
5. Third Eye Blind
6. Ben Gibbard w/ David Bazan, Johnathan Rice
7. Rodrigo y Gabriela
8. The National w/ St. Vincent
9. Ryan Adams
10. Brand New w/ Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra
11. Silverchair w/ As Tall As Lions
12. The Flaming Lips
13. The Decemberists
14. The Format w/ Piebald, Steel Train, Limbeck
15. Iron & Wine
16. Martin Sexton
17. Wilco
18. Peter Bjorn & John w/ Fujiya & Miyagi, Au Revoir Simone
19. Mavis Staples
20. Animal Collective
21. The Academy Is... w/ Armor for Sleep, The Rocket Summer, Sherwood
22. Bloc Party w/ Final Fantasy
23. Smashing Pumpkins w/ Explosions In The Sky
24. Kings of Leon
25. Feist w/ Jason Collett

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1763

Mon 24 Sep – Iron & Wine, Arthur & Yu, Sin Ropas

Jammin' & Wine
Iron & Wine, Arthur & Yu, Sin Ropas 9/24/07 (Cleveland, OH)

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6580#post6580

Iron & Wine's setlist in Cleveland was the same as Chicago except "Jezebel" was in place of "Woman King". I didn't hear many shouts for requests during the show, but once Sam came back for the encore, shouts of "Trapeze Swinger" were coming from all over the room to which he responded "don't you guys have to work tomorrow or something?" Honestly, I really wanted to hear it although I wasn't a member of the chorus of chanters for it, but "A History of Lovers" was just beautiful. I really enjoyed the quieter songs that were closer to traditional Iron & Wine a lot. It was cool to hear the fuller, alternate versions to "On Your Wings", "Upward Over the Mountain", and "Jezebel", but I agree that the band overpowered his voice and stripped a good chunk of the vocal emotion away at times. I prefer the regular versions, but I can't say I didn't enjoy them here or anything.

I love love loved "The Sea and the Rhythm", "Sodom, South Georgia" (one of my faves), and "Resurrection Ferm". Those were highlights in the slower set as well as "Flightless Bird", which got a great response. Some of the songs I didn't love as much on the record including "Wolves" and "Innocent Bones" got a new life for me once I heard them live, so I'm excited to listen to those a lot more now. "The Devil Never Sleeps", "Pagan Angel", "White Tooth Man", and "Boy With A Coin" felt really good with the full band and a lot of the audience seemed to be moving a little more and dancing during them. Good thing considering most probably expected something more in line with the older shows. The only two songs I wasn't really feeling at all were the first two of the set - "Lovesong of the Buzzard" and "Peace Beneath the City". I don't know if it was the placing of the songs during the set or if they just hadn't kicked into full gear yet. As said about the Chicago show, most of the songs had extended jams and were very rocking. It seems to be set perfectly for a festival like Bonnaroo now, but I hope on his next major tour in 2008, he varies it up a little bit more with at least another song or two from OEND and TCDTC.

By the end of "Innocent Bones", I knew it was going to be an amazing show and was really glad I made the drive up. I probably enjoyed the set at Lollapalooza a little more, but I bet once I've had more time with the new record, the next show I see will by my favorite.

On the opening bands, Arthur & Yu were a very sweet and entertaining folk band. I saw a lot of people swaying and getting into them. I bet we'll hear a lot more about them in the coming months. If anyone knows them and got a setlist, I'd love to hear which songs they played.

Sin Ropas was an experimental rock/folk band that performed their songs to animations I believe were produced by members of the band. I couldn't see the screen the whole time, but I think that's what it said. One of the singers had a nervous quality to his voice and his vocals/lyrical style were bizarre and more stream of consciousness speaking that got really intense at times. The other was older and had a deeper, southern rock/folk singer voice and style. I enjoyed both quite a bit and the crowd seemed to as well. I'd like to hear what other people thought if they caught them.

A couple comments on the venue - the sound was really good and it was the perfect size for the show. I liked their set-up a lot, but I wasn't too thrilled about their lack of parking lots or anything. Luckily there were plenty of spaces on the streets, but I don't know if I'd go out of my way to go to many shows here until that changes. They did have some good acts coming up including Josh Ritter, Ted Leo, The Thermals, Jens Lekman, and Peter Bjorn & John. I think we were lucky to get to see I&W in such a small venue on the second date of this tour.

It was fantastic to hear all of The Shepherd's Dog in one night and then be able to purchase it at midnight with Sam signing the new record. I got a vinyl and a CD and my friend and I got a picture. He let her touch his beard and she loved it haha. The woman taking money and opening the albums for him to sign was cracking up when my friend asked him about it. He was extremely down to earth, thankful for us being there, and very mellow. I wish I could have talked to him longer, but there was a huge line and it was late, but the opportunity was very thoughtful for the fans last night. I can't wait to see him again.

Setlist:
Lovesong of the Buzzard
Peace Beneath the City
Innocent Bones
On Your Wings
Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car
White Tooth Man
House by the Sea
The Devil Never Sleeps
Boy With a Coin
Sodom, South Georgia
Carousel
Upward Over the Mountain
Jezebel
Wolves (The Song of the Shepherd's Dog)
The Sea and the Rhythm
Resurrection Fern
Flightless Bird, American Mouth
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A History of Lovers

Sun 23 Sep – The National, St. Vincent

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1477

St. Vincent (Annie Clark) was very quirky fun and talented. I didn't enjoy "Now Now" as much live as I do on the album, but the rest of the songs were well done. I get a kick out of all the amazing artists that can bring the full band effect with just one person working everything such as Andrew Bird, Final Fantasy, Laura Veirs, and now Annie. I have huge amounts of respect for all of them.

The National was in top form and I loved the extended versions of "Squalor Victoria" and "About Today". "Abel" was really intense and it was good to hear "Ada" live. I like it even more now. Annie Clark came back out to perform "Green Gloves" with the band for the first song of the encore and she sounded beautiful. Sadly they didn't play "City Middle" tonight although it was on the original setlist. I talked to Matt's mom for about a half hour afterwards and we were sad they didn't play it. We talked about the performance, how the sound wasn't the best, how she enjoyed the 20th Century show from June a bit more, and a few other things. I mentioned "Karen" and that led us into talking a lot about the lyrics and I told her Matt was one of the best lyricists I know. She was really sweet and really wanted to get to know about me and said she'd look for me at the next show there. I felt like I got some really cool insight. She said her favorite songs by them are probably "Wasp Nest" and "Slow Show". She mentioned that the one thing that she doesn't love about Boxer is that it doesn't have songs that hit you really hard like "Mr. November" and "Abel" were on Alligator. She was a lot of fun to watch, dance with, and talk to. I asked her if there was something going on between Annie Clark and Bryce because she kissed him on the cheek again tonight, but she said she noticed it and would have to ask about that. Interesting..

Anyway, here's the setlist they had planned with x's next to what they didn't play.

Start A War
Mistaken For Strangers
Secret Meeting
Brainy
Baby, We'll Be Fine
Slow Show
Squalor Victoria
Abel
All the Wine
Racing Like A Pro
Ada
xCity Middlex
Apartment Story
Daughters of the Soho Riots
Fake Empire
About Today
--------------------
xMurder Me Rachaelx
Green Gloves
Mr. November

Thu 13 Sep – Bloc Party, Final Fantasy, Smoosh

http://www.themilkcarton.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6367#post6367

Final Fantasy/Owen Pallett is a masterful songwriter/violinist who opened for Bloc Party and he is just amazing. He uses a lot of looping effects in his performance and has lended his talents to the Arcade Fire records. If you ever get a chance to see him, don't pass it up. I was just floored the entire time and couldn't pick myself back up. Some of the audience obviously didn't know how to appreciate him and were there to drink and make fools of themselves. He probably had more talent in the tip of his little finger than they did in their entire bodies. He played a good selection from each of his albums with highlights being "The CN Tower" and "This is the Dream of Win and Regime". He made a comment about nobody knowing his songs, but my friend and I were there to see him in addition to BP.

This was my first time seeing Bloc Party and I believe their first time in OH. I've wanted to see them a couple years now as they're my favorite active band I hadn't seen up to this point. I had made plans for various festivals to catch them, but those didn't seem to work out. The band was totally on top of things and giving it their all tonight and I must say, Matt is one of the most wicked drummers I've ever seen and Kele is a powerful frontman. For some reason, it took a really long time for the crowd to get into them as the majority seemed very lost on their music until they heard the singles "Banquet" and "The Prayer". They were finally into every song once "Uniform" completely blew every source of life in the venue off their feet. It was definitely the highlight of the evening. "Like Eating Glass" was pretty intense as well and got the crowd going pretty wild. "Two More Years" and "The Once and Future King" got solid responses and it was good to hear them live.

Toward the end of their main set, I went out on a limb and did something I sort of hate to hear other people do, but I knew I had an off-chance in hell for them to play it. No one had bothered them with requests so far, so I took it upon myself to be that guy. I yelled out "Pioneers" because my friend and I really wanted to hear it as it's one of our faves from Silent Alarm, but no luck during the main set.. nor the *first* encore. Suddenly, they came back out and I completely expected them to play "I Still Remember" as that's been a huge single for them in Columbus and I imagined most of the audience who did know some of their songs wanted to hear it. What we got was.. "PIONEERS"!! So glad we didn't jet. They said they hadn't played it in a long time, but it completed our night as only chanting "We will not be the last!" could do. Cool

Setlist
Song For Clay (Disappear Here)
Positive Tension
Hunting For Witches
Waiting For The 7.18
Banquet
This Modern Love
The Prayer
Two More Years
The Once And Future King
Uniform
So Here We Are
Like Eating Glass
---------------
SRXT
Price of Gasoline
She's Hearing Voices
Helicopter
------------
Pioneers