That picture above is from when I was in D.C. in front of the Supreme Court Building. The people behind me are pro-life protestors and I was not about to respect them. Here is my bloated year end list for 2008, another great year for music. 2000 and fine will continue to bring more queerness (and more podcasts, I promise) to these here pages PLUS more music…from me. Already hard and work at very happy with it. Thank you to all the blogs, friends, haters and readers for supporting TPR, helping us raise our readership to 5 times what it was our first month. Cheers to you and yours!
Top Ten Albums (in order)
1) Cut Copy-In Ghost Colours
The new New Order is here, this record successfully made an album sound like a DJ’s mixtape.
2) Beach House-Devotion
Epic hooks made even more remarkable by the band’s barebones set up, not to mention Victoria Legrand’s bewitching vocals.
3) TV on the Radio-Dear Science,
We can finally see their influences flowing out on their “dance” record.
4) Santogold-S/T
Effortless pop from all ends of the spectrum, complete with risks and oddball decisions.
5) Crystal Castles-S/T
This is the most punk thing I have seen this year.
6) The Walkmen-You & Me
Dylan on the beach sounds organic, romantic, and breezy.
7) Hercules and Love Affair-S/T
Disco, pansexuality, dancing, Antony.
8 ) Ssion-Fool’s Gold
The successful alchemy in Cody Critcheloe’s vision for Ssion has transformed his band from scrappy art-punks to edgey, queer, feminist sex beasts.
9) Matmos-Supreme Balloon
What might be their most narrow in concept freed them; what a wild ride this record is.
10) Portishead-Third
Rising from their self-imposed ashes, a stark, goth affair that I would say is Portishead’s folk record, if you can imagine.
Honorable Mention
Lykke Li-Youth Novels
This girl is so young (and has a lot to learn) but she was throwing fierce, iconic punches from the underground on up; all the alternagays are fucking into it.
Top Ten Songs From Non-Top Ten Albums
Little Joy–No One’s Better Sake
Atlas Sound-Quarantined
The Breeders-Walk It Off
High Places-Sandy Feat
Walter Meego-Through a Keyhole
The Presets-Talk Like That
Zeigiest-Humanitarianism
The Faint-Mirror Error
Janelle Monae-Sincerely, Jane
Top Eleven Remixes (not in order)
Dead Prez-Hip Hop (Diplo Remix)
Empire of the Sun-We Are The People (Ted & Francis Remix)
Hot Chip- Ready for the Floor (L.A. Riots and Villains Remix)
Lykke Li-I’m Good, I’m Gone (Black Kids Remix)
The Ting Tings-That’s Not My Name (LA Riots Remix)
Little Boots-Meddle (Baron von Luxxury’s Technicolor Remix)
Santogold-L.E.S. Artistes (Left/Right Remix)
Hail Social-Heaven (Designer Drugs Remix)
Bloc Party-Signs (MMMatthias Remix)
Adele-Hometown Glory (Night Facilities Remix)
Kanye West-Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks Remix)
Best New Artist Without a Record or Label
We Are Enfant Terrible
Best Integration of New Media and Old School Passion
Black Cab Sessions
Best Live Album
Gossip Live In Liverpool
Top 5 Mixtapes (in order)
1) Cousin Cole & Pocketknife-Tambourine Dream
2) The Hood Internet-The Mixtape Volume 111
3) The Hood Internet- Vs. Chicago
4) Dances With White Girls-Burning Bridges and Making Paper mix.
5) Frankie Knuckles-PIG Radio at Sonar presents: Privè by Frankie Knuckles
(Notice 3/5 came from Chicago)
Filed under: queer dj
[...] (pronounced “shun” for once and for all, people!) who also happened to have one the best records of 2008. Ssion add a stronger beat, some staccato synths and just make it clubbier. Good gays, very good [...]
[...] It’s not a secret how much I love Ssion. Almost two years after its completion, the band is still riding high off of the success of their last album Fool’s Gold. Leader and visionary Cody Critcheloe has really been taking advantage of the attention on the record and the richness of material embedded in the songs to flesh out his talents as a video director. This video for the song “Bullshit” is no exception (I’m counting 8th music vid, not to mention all the out-takes and snippets, there is supposed to be a tour documentary in the works) to the rule that all Ssion videos are fun, edgy, sexy and queered. From the many set pieces to the “backing band” Waiting 2 Exhale (composed of Madonna, Roseanne and Courtney Love), Critcheloe’s love for art, the Woman, and comedy is a pleasure to behold. Check out an “interview” with the backing band below. [...]