TEDDY'S TOP ALBUMS OF 2009

In a year that was very inconsistent and difficult for me on multiple levels, I did what I usually do and looked to the music to keep me hopeful and focused. With quality releases emerging every month, I found myself taking more risks as a listener, as well as giving many second and third chances to albums I'd dismissed early on. Some challenged me into giving them multiple listens daily (Daisy) and others hit me immediately (Mean Everything to Nothing).

The following is a list of my favorite albums of 2009.

15. As Tall As Lions - You Can't Take It With You

14. Mos Def - The Ecstatic

13. Brand New - Daisy

12. RX Bandits - Mandala

11. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

10. Thrice - Beggars

09. Third Eye Blind - Ursa Major

08. Wale - Attention Deficit

07. Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose

06. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

05. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

04. Portugal The Man - Satanic Satanist

03. Mute Math - Armistice

02. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

01. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Favorite Tour: Mute Math (with support from As Tall As Lions)

For All The Single Mamas Out There

Hilarious as hell, sweet as hell or both as hell?

Soulja Boy v. Bow Wow

HAHAHAHAHA

(EXPLICIT LANGUAGE!)

Happy Valentines Day!

Keep your heart 3 stacks, keep your heart!

Featured Band of the Day - Dept. Of Eagles

Band: Department of Eagles

Album: In Ear Park (Oct. 2008)

Song: No One Does It Like You

Here's a stripped down version of the song featuring only Daniel Rossen and his guitar.

You might recognize Rossen's voice from his other, more popular band Grizzly Bear (another great song in the link).

Check out more from Department of Eagles at their myspace.

"Good Recording Artists Making Music, Yea!"

Here's a mix of some of the most notable 2009 Grammy Awards Winners. I tried getting a little of everything on here.

Grammy Family

Featured Band of the Day - Aushua

Band: Aushua

Song: Sister Saves

Album: No Harm Done (EP)

I first heard these guys 20 minutes ago and I've already listened to this song 3 times. Good stuff here.

AUSHUA - Sister Saves.mp3 -

To hear more, visit their myspace or check out their website which should be up and running soon.

BLINK IS BACK!!!!!

Confirmed on the Grammy's just minutes ago by Mr. Hoppus himself! 

ohhhh mannnnnnnnn!

This Would Surely Make My Decade

Rumors have been milling the past few days about a possible reunion for Blink-182. They started Thursday night when Angels & Airwaves guitarist David Kennedy was online answering fans' questions and more than hinted at the possibility of another Blink album.

I'm still skeptical, but at the same time, Kennedy hasn't retracted his statement, and Blink hasn't denied it one way or another. 

Either way, tonight we'll get a better look for sure. Mark, Tom and Travis will be presenting an award at the Grammy's, as Blink-182. Tonight will mark the first time since December '04 that the three share a stage. I'm dying to see how they interact with each other and if they confirm that they really do have an album in the works.

BRING BACK THE FUN! (obscene)

Still in Business!

Langerado's been cancelled. Bonnaroo and Coachella are too far and expensive. If you're like me, you've been looking for another cheap festival in the southeast. If you're like me, you'll seriously consider the very first Harvest of Hope Fest in St. Augustine, Florida!

$39 will get you 3 days worth of admission into St. Johns County Fairgrounds, March 6-8.

Take a look at the lineup here (Broken Social Scene!) and read more about the Harvest of Hope Foundation.

What's A Goon to a Goblin? No, really?

Apparently Lil Wayne is planning to release a rock album entitled Rebirth on April 7th of this year. I don't know about you but I've never been a fan of this guy. Besides the fact that he sounds like a dying goat stuck in a bubble machine, he knows he controls the masses and he knows anything he releases will be gobbled up. Clearly he has given up on a respectable career and has begun an experiment to see how far he can take you without breaking the leash.

Now some of you may call that "hating", and technically you're right, but let me justify myself. As a businessman, I think the guy is a genius. He started making millions as a teenager with a complete grasp on the mainstream music industry. He's taken advantage of his popularity by recording nonstop and getting featured on every third song that hits the radio. From an entrepreneurial perspective, what he's done should be respected..

..BUT..

..as an artist, he's absolute fucking bologna. He's gotten lost inside of his little world of senseless metaphors and has yet to find his way out. Luckily for him though, he doesn't need to because he's continued to make millions off teenage zombies who are totally content with listening to whatever's on the radio. I wouldn't hate on him if he didn't saturate the airwaves and shrink brains.

When will these turkeys (Wayne & Kanye, I'm looking at you) learn that they're no Andre 3000. You don't have a voice, the vocoder doesn't help, and its blatantly obvious you're not comfortable with your new style. Go back to what you know.

I dare you to listen to the latest song to be released from the upcoming album in the clip below, and check out more Goat songs here.

Born to Teabag

Did anyone else see Bruce Springsteen give a camera man a little taste of The Boss during the SB halftime show last night?!

Lupe - Kickin & Pushin to the Top

Lupe Fiasco is my favorite hip hop artist ever. I just wanted to get that out there now so there are no questions in the future as to why I post so much about him. The guy is just one of the coolest, realest, most conscientious, most intelligent people to come around in a while.  I wish I could think of some more adjectives just to sneak more incredible links in here. 

Lupe's one of those guys you listen to even if you hate hip hop. Lyrical wizardry aside, perhaps the most impressive thing about him - he knows how to use his spotlight. Check out the video below to find out more about the best rapper alive and how he recently earned a Character Approved Award from The U.S.A. Network.

The Character Approved Awards honor the characters of the U.S.A. who are changing the face of American culture. Character Approved honorees are innovators in their field who influence our opinions, our style, and our view of the world. They surprise and inspire us with fresh ideas. They are celebrated by their peers. And they have an authentic style that's all their own.

Langerado Time of the Year!

I last went in '06 when it was held in Markham Park and finally got to see my boy Ben Harper.

There are a ton of good artists scheduled to perform this year.  

Here's who I'm particularly interested in seeing: 

Death Cab, Modest Mouse, Ryan Adams, Matisyahu, Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids, Mute Math, Deerhunter, Tokyo Police Club, The Gaslight Anthem and Murs.

(Feb. 3 EDIT: Langerado cancelled :/)  

Oldie But Goody - Pearl Jam

Band: Pearl Jam

Song: Black

Album: Ten (debut album in 1991)

So I just spent way too much time on Youtube looking for the best performance of this song, and trust me this is the best one you'll ever come across. 

Even if you don't care for Pearl Jam, fast-forward the song to about 4:00 and let it ride til around 4:30.  

The strength in Vedder's voice is just absurd.  Just think about how many ways he could’ve expressed those lyrics. I’m glad he picked this way, too.  

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life 

I know you'll be a star

In somebody else's sky

But why can't it be mine?

If you like this, check out:  Pearl Jam - Given to Fly