01 The Avett Brothers | I and Love and You (buy)
I don’t think it would be possible to look back at 2009 and not think about the Avett Brothers and this record. The two will be forever cemented in time together. I saw the band in Chicago, San Francisco and Madison – each time different, but wonderful memories that made up some of my favorite nights of the year. This record chases down big dreams, is the product of hard work and relentless dedication, it’s going all in and reaping big rewards. I’m thrilled to see one of my favorite bands work with an amazing producer, sign to a great label, and feel the satisfaction of success. The success of I and Love and You is what we should all hope/wish for all our favorite bands no matter our desire to keep them like a secret. It’s not too late to jump aboard the Avett express, they’ll be touring, per usual, through the states in 2010.

02 A.A. Bondy | When The Devil’s Loose (buy)
If you saw either of A.A. Bondy’s two Milwaukee performances this year, you saw an artist put on two different, but amazing shows. He demonstrated what we already knew the first time around; his material holds up with only voice, guitar and the occasional harmonica. The second time through, he brought along two musicians, rounding things out and adding depth to the fantastic new material found here on When The Devil’s Loose. I’d argue that Bondy’s type is a dying breed. I have no problem saying he very well may be the Dylan of this generation. I love his music that much, and sincerely hope his popularity soars going forward.

03 Strand of Oaks | Leave Ruin (buy)
I discovered Timothy Showalter and Strand of Oaks via an e-mail from a mutual friend that included a download link. “I thought I was too old to have dreams like these” is the opening line of this album. I was 100% sucked in. I spent the majority of that next month listening to Leave Ruin only. The songs on this album are heavy in content, but welcoming and inviting in sound. I challenge anyone to listen to “Two Kids” or “End In Flames” and not purchase this record. If you’re looking for an artist on the very verge of exploding in popularity, grab this record and tell your friends you were there at the beginning.

04 Built To Spill – There Is No Enemy (buy)
If this list was a showcase of my favorite album of the last three or four months, the latest from Built To Spill would without a doubt be my most played record. This album has rekindled my love for the band and has me pouring through live shows, videos and their back catalog all over again. I hope Martsch and company keep the albums coming. Another round of tour dates would be welcomed and worth traveling for especially if it showcased There Is No Enemy material.

05 Dawes | North Hills (buy)
One of the best new bands to emerge in 2009. I had the good fortune of seeing Dawes on the Daytrotter Barnstorming tour earlier this year and I was simply enamored with their live show. I distinctly remember telling everyone that would listen how incredible their set was the next day. Anyone who has seen this band live knows that their talent far exceeds their years. The good news is that their album is just as fine. This is one of the albums I’ve given out a lot over the course of the year and haven’t had one person respond with anything other than their highest praise.

06 Megafaun | Gather, Form & Fly (buy)
An offering that is true to folk music with a dash of experimental, combined with perfect harmonies, Megafaun made an album that is simply gorgeous from beginning to end. When I first heard it I thought it was a great summer record, though now that the cold has reared its face, I’m beginning to love the warmth it brings. It doesn’t get much better than this kids.

07 The Wooden Birds | Magnolia (buy)
The percussion on this album is stunning. I played it daily the first half of the year. It’s an album that I feel is far too under-appreciated and will be one of those that people look back on next year and wish they’d taken the time to acquaint themselves with it sooner. The delicate/hushed vocals combined with the aforementioned brilliant percussion makes this one of the catchiest albums of the year.

08 Elvis Perkins | Elvis Perkins In Dearland (buy)
Elvis Perkins has become somewhat of a white whale in terms of catching him live. It seems like every time he’s close to town I’m not around. This album contains one of my absolute favorite songs of the year, “Doomsday.” I didn’t think Perkins could top Ash Wednesday, but after spending a lot of time with this record, I think he did just that.

09 The Antlers | Hospice (buy)
An album that is almost too sad to listen to. A great late night driving record. A spectacular headphone record. I’m still waiting for chance to see these guys live. I’m not going to miss their Chicago show next month.

10 Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy | Beware (buy)
This album would have never made the list had I not seen Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy live this year. While I expected to be impressed, I walked out of that show an even bigger fan than I’d ever been in the past. I didn’t think that was possible. The Will Oldham cannon of work is large, impressive and daunting. If you’re a first timer, looking for a place to get your feet with, this would be a fantastic introduction.

11 Wilco | Wilco (The Album) (buy)
12 Heartless Bastards | The Mountain (buy)
13 Lucero | 1372 Overton Park (buy)
14 Roadside Graves | My Son’s Home (buy)
15 The Felice Brothers | Run Chicken Run (buy)
16 St. Vincent | Actor (buy)
17 Langhorne Slim | Be Set Free (buy)
18 David Rawlings Machine | A Friend of a Friend (buy)
19 Portugal. The Man | The Satanic Satanist (buy)
20 Sam Baker | Cotton (buy)
21 Rain Machine | Rain Machine (buy)
22 Thao with the Get Down Stay Down | Know Better Learn Faster (buy)
23 Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros | Up From Below (buy)
24 Great Lake Swimmers | Lost Channels (buy)
25 Buddy & Julie Miller | Written In Chalk (buy)

Wish We Knew You Last Year: The Two Best Records From 2008 That We Found In 2009

The Rural Alberta Advantage | Hometowns (buy)
Originally self-released in 2008, my first introduction to The Rural Alberta Advantage was by happenstance. They were opening for Grizzly Bear at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin at SXSW. I figured if I wanted to see Grizzly Bear, I’d best get there early. I was rewarded by finding one of my new favorite bands. We’ve played them on our podcast non-stop and their show at the Cactus Club during Radio Summer Camp was one of the best shows of the year.

The Low Anthem | Oh My God Charlie Darwin (buy)
Another self-released album in 2008 that got picked up and given a proper send off by Nonesuch Records. It balances between delicate falsetto and Tom Waits style barking. I love it all. One of my best memories all year was getting to watch a little bit of their Hear Ya Session in person while in Chicago for Lollapalooza. I’m looking forward to catching them supporting the Avett Brothers on the road next year.

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CLICK TO READ THE MUZZLE OF BEES CONTRIBUTORS FAVORITES OF THE YEAR —-> (more…)

Time to revisit one of my favorite records of the year. If you have not yet taken a listen to The Wooden Birds Magnolia there’s a lot to love. It’s heavy on percussion, but in a very carefree and unobtrusive way. It was one of the records I listened to most over the (soon departing) summer.

Above, watch the video for extended version of “Hometown Fantasy,” which contains super infections lyrics, my favorite being, “I’m not battery operated.” Simple and silly as it may be, it always gets me to sing along. In addition to the great video the band has made the extended version of the song available as a free download:

MP3: The Wooden Birds :: “Hometown Fantasy” (Extended Version)

All this great news continues with the revelation that The Wooden Birds are supporting Great Lake Swimmers through October, including the previously reported Madison show at the UW Memorial Union.

Previously: 5 Questions with The Wooden Birds

Buy: The Wooden Birds – Magnolia
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Myspace: The Wooden Birds
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “False Alarm”

One of my favorite records of the year was released yesterday. Do yourself a favor and place The Wooden Birds debut record Magnolia on your highly recommended by Muzzle of Bees list. I know you got one. It’s a record that arrives just as the weather is becoming perfect, and, if you’re like me, you’re looking for those go-to records to match sound track the season. This is that kind of record. I’m thrilled and honored to have Andrew Kenny join us today for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Magnolia? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

I feel like I should answer this question in reverse somehow. Or at least all at once. The Wooden Birds and the album Magnolia were basically the same thing for the entirety of the recording process. It all began as a recording project and the sound developed one instrument at a time. I recorded 6 of the 12 songs on Magnolia many times over and when I discovered a better bass sound, it was applied to the other five songs. Same for the guitars and even the percussion elements. It was very modular. Is the bass better? Apply to all. Does this mic work better for the percussion? Ok let’s redo it all. Those six songs more or less defined what The Wooden Birds would be about, at least for now.

Once those six songs were polished up, I trashed the recordings and started over again. But this time, I knew all the colors of the crayons in my box. When Chris and I finally sat down and started work on what would become Magnolia, we knew what it would sound like, we just concentrated on the performances. The guitar sounds like THIS.. the bass sounds like THIS.. now just sit in front of this microphone and throw some lightning bolts, brother.

It was an awkward recording process, but now that it’s completed the next album will go a lot more smoothly. The crayons are in the box. We’ll add a few more to reflect what has worked well on tour, and we’ll get to the fun part a little more quickly.

The percussion of this record is very forward moving. To me, it’s the driving force on the record. Was that your intention when you started writing or recording or was it the result of new collaboration?

I couldn’t agree more. Along with the maracas and tambourine that are essential to the sound, most of what you’re hearing as the “beat” is just me pounding out the rhythm on the top of an acoustic guitar. So yes… it’s ALL about percussion. Even the bass guitar is as much a rhythm element as it is a root for the songs. And it was very intentional. I wanted this project to be about rhythm and feel. I just didn’t want to use any drums to get it done. That’s why all the other instruments have to pitch in a bit, right?

You’re back in Austin, TX. How has it been being back, and, as a frequent visitor to the city, I was hoping you could share with us some of your favorite restaurants, hangouts, etc.

Have you tried the peach smoothies at a place called My Back Porch? Great for breakfast, though the menu is limited. They open again for beers around sundown. Sometimes it gets a little old so my wife and I will check out this spot called My Neighbor’s Back Porch? Also awesome. I’m joking. I don’t get out all that much.

Hmm.. ok how about Torchy’s Tacos? I’m a big fan of the fried avocado taco there. You can walk into almost any Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin and find something that hits the spot. Since my return to Austin, I’m excited to feel a little more San Antonio influence than when I left in 2002. You can get a great SAtown style puffy taco these days. I like the one at Vivo a lot. As for bars, I highly recommend staying the hell away from 6th street on the weekends. Longbranch is a great place to get a shot and beer, should you be in the mood for either.

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

Well the few things you’ve mentioned have only helped MY music. Blogs? Myspace? Etc? Of course it’s great for tiny bands like mine. We’re not the best / loudest / meanest / quietest / slowest / weirdest / most-est band on the planet. But still.. I love us. Some people don’t need a band to be any of those things to appreciate their music. I’m those people. Whatever helps us connect with those people can only help, right?

To play the other side of the coin, however, I wonder what effect the internet is having on the culture of music in other ways? For instance, my younger years were all about waiting for things to come out and scouring magazine racks around the city for new music news. Most of my favorite records from the late 80′s and early 90′s began as favorite songs on mix tapes made by friends. I guess blogs are the modern day mix tape now and you don’t have to worry about someone grabbing the last issue of Pitchfork off the stand before you get there. But it all seems less personal to me than it did when I was younger. It’s easier to be educated, sure, but it’s less romantic maybe?

As for the mp3 downloading / file sharing / bit torrent issue, which I suppose is somewhat related, I can only be so suspicious or judgmental. Because (a) I’m listening to the new Phoenix album right now because the streets couldn’t wait and (b) if everyone that ever downloaded one of my songs ran out and bought a Wooden Birds album, or an AmAnSet album, the truth is I’d still have to put stuff back at the grocery store that I can’t afford right now. This is a life choice that I made. The internet didn’t create a generation of starving songwriters, it just put us in touch with one another and gave us something in common to complain about.

You’re currently in the middle of a European tour with Grand Archives and set to tour the Western United States on your return. Can we expect a swing through the Midwest as well?

We’re working on it now. We’re continuing our tour of the US through June and yes, you can count on a good showing in the Midwest. Check the Barsuk site and our website as well for dates. I believe they were announced today.

Buy: The Wooden Birds – Magnolia
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Myspace: The Wooden Birds
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “False Alarm”

I wasn’t familiar with The Wooden Birds prior to their disc arriving in my mailbox. To be honest, the only reason I sped it to the front of the promo pile was that I had it confused with a different wood/bird band, whose name I cannot recall. Anyway, The Wooden Birds hail from Austin and have a new record, Magnolia coming your way on May 12th via Barsuk Records.

The Wooden Birds is the new musical outlet of Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set fame, and is backed up by members of Ola Podrida and Lymbic System. To me, they sound like a nice blend of The Shins and Neil Young, but you can draw your own conclusions with a download of “Sugar” below.

Myspace: The Wooden Birds
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “Sugar”