10. Johnny Flynn

I saw this cute cute cute boy open for Laura Marling in 2008 and he made me swoon! Even though I'm not super into his most recent EP, hopefully it will be better live - plus this time around I'll be familiar with more than one track and I can truly appreciate the music instead of just staring into his eyes longingly!

9. Angry Vs. The Bear

I saw this band at a little gay club last year with a tiny crowd, and it was one of the most fun things that I saw. I really feel like this crazy group with their anachronistic hair and sound is one of the next big things.

8. The XX

The current flavor of the month band. I don't love them as much as all of society seems to, but they are good, minimalistic sexy time tunes and I do want to see how they translate to live performance. I am guessing that it will be an underwhelmingly unenergetic live performance, just considering the quality of the music, but if they play somewhere like the Parish or the Presbyterian church, it could be really special.

7. Slow Club

Move over Mates of State, Matt & Kim and all you other male/female duos - Slow Club has you beat as far as cuteness goes. Slow Club is the kind of sugary-sweet-clap-your-hands-move-your-feet acts that I need as a shot in the arm about half way through this festival. Note to Tilly and the Wall - PLEASE take them on tour with you SOON!

6. The Lovely Feathers

I haven't seen the Lovely Feathers for years :( The last time they came to town I had a splitting headache and ended up sleeping through their set. I can't wait to see how some of the new music sounds live.

5. Freelance Whales

Speaking of "make you feel happy" bands, I fell in love with the Freelance Whales after seeing them open for Fanfarlo (another band I'm excited for at this year's SXSW - it will be my 3rd year of seeing them there!) Not only did I get to meet the Freelance Whales the last time the were in town, but they also wore the buttons I gave them during their set! They are my boy crushes for this SXSW - everyone one of them is huggable!

4. The Low Anthem

My number one CD of 2009 (even though it came out in 2008) - Sure I am seeing them twice in Chicago before even going down to SXSW, but I don't care. Their performance at the church last year nearly moved me to tears.

3. Frightened Rabbit

I saw Frightened Rabbit at Pitchfork last summer, but it was hot and I was running around doing work errands, and people were trying to talk to me and BLAH! Their new CD is one of my most anticipated of the year, and I can't wait to dedicate a little more time to listening this time around.

2. The Magic Numbers

Speaking of bands I haven't seen in awhile - THE MAGIC NUMBERS. How many years has it been? Geez. My hands have been aching to clap along to "This Is a Song" "Love Me Like You" "Long Legs" and "Mornings Eleven" to name a few!

1. Kashmir

Not Only is Kashmir my number one band to see at SXSW - they are my number one band I want to see live but never have. I have loved them since 2003 and have been waiting patiently for them to tour - I have checked and rechecked SXSW schedules desperately for the past 4 years for their name. I've been hopelessly disappointed when Chicago's Led Zeppelin cover band of the same name has posted concerts in my area. But now, finally, on the back of a brand new CD (eeeeeeh!!!!!!) they'll be at SXSW 2010 - and I'll be front row! One of the reasons I love SXSW is its ability to let me see some of my long time favorite bands I've never had the chance to see before. Kashmir will be joining the ranks of Simple Kid and Bic Runga!

Honorable Mention - Matthew Good, The Antlers, Miike Snow, We Are Scientists, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Grand Archives. Actually, this list could go on and on! I can't wait. Who do you think I should see while I'm there?

Gimmie Sympathy by Metric

SOUR '日々の音色 (Hibi no neiro)'

We Are Golden by Mika

Oh My God, Charlie Darwin by The Low Anthem

Fireflies by Chris Garneau

Fitz and the Dizzyspells by Andrew Bird

French Navy by Camera Obscura

Vulture by Patrick Wolf

Change of Heart by El Perro Del Mar

Patrick Wolf – Vulture

Camera Obscura – You Told a Lie

Boy Least Likely To – Saddle Up

Bon Iver – Blood Bank

Bell X1 – The Great Defector

Andrew Bird – The Privateers

Handsome Furs – All We Want, Baby, Is Everything

The Swell Season – Low Rising

St. Vincent – The Neighbors

Regina Spektor – The Calculation

Mika – Rain

Miike Snow - Animal

The Lovely Feathers – Long Walks

Junior Boys – Parallel Lines

An Horse – Camp Out

Fun. – All The Pretty Girls

Passion Pit – Moth’s Wings

Fever Ray – When I Grow Up

Fanfarlo – Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time

Discovery – Orange Shirt

Death Cab for Cutie – My Mirror Speaks

11) Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence

This was the most pleasant surprise of the year for me as I was/am a HUGE fan of two part male vocals and the Kings of Convenience are some of the BEST harmonizing vocalists around. I had originally thought they had broken up due to the formation of Oye’s other band, The Whitest Boy Alive (which also had a 2009 release). There is nothing crazy or out of the ordinary on this release. It is just straight acoustic tunes with some outstanding singing. It is a perfect lazy Sunday afternoon soundtrack.

10) Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

There has been a large amount of backlash with the latest Arctic Monkeys release as it is much, much darker than their previous two releases but I am in the camp that feels it is a big step forward in their development. It is not my favorite Arctic Monkeys disc by a long shot but it is still great for what it is, a brooding rock album. It is a disc that you have to really listen to 3 or 4 times before you really start to understand and appreciate the tunes. I recommend you give it that chance.

9) Royskopp - Junior

I loved Royskopp’s first release, Melody AM, but didn’t really care for their sophomore effort. Junior went back to what made Melody AM so good, very catchy melodies and danceable beats. You add in some great guest work from Lykke Li and Robyn and you have yourself one of the best overall releases of the year.

8) Fruit Bats – Ruminant Band

http://www.myspace.com/thefruitbats

Ruminant Band is an interesting release as it the first Fruit Bats disc without Gillian Lisee that I have heard (I never listened to their debut but I enjoyed Mouthfuls and Spelled in Bones). I didn’t have very high expectations for it but I was very pleasantly surprised as Eric Johnson’s songwriting ability has moved forward with this collection. I was also able to see these guys live this past year and that made me appreciate the band that much more as they put on a great show.

7) Sunbears! – Dream Happy Dreams

http://www.myspace.com/sunbears

I have to have at least one “off kilter” release on my best of list and this year it is the Sunbears! I saw this duo open for Mates of State and The Black Kids this past year and I honestly felt they were better than The Black Kids. They could be compared to a much more happy-go-lucky version of the Flaming Lips. Dream Happy Dreams only provides you with a glimpse of the joy that the Sunbears! bring to the table.

6) A Fine Frenzy – Bomb in a Birdcage

http://www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy

I enjoyed Alison Sudol’s/A Fine Frenzy’s initial release and it was one of those “unsung” diamonds in 2007. Bomb in a Birdcage builds on what Sudol did so well on her debut with a mixture of pop and ballads that are both accessible and fresh.

5) The Decemberists – Hazards of Love

Colin Meloy and company’s rock opera has been on a number of top 10 lists this year for one reason: It is awesome. Kyle already explained what makes this release so great. It is something that must be listened straight through a few times to really appreciate what it is and what is being done. I long for the day that I can see the Decemberists live and maybe I’ll luck out and see them perform this in full.

4) Islands – Vapours

Kyle has introduced me to a number of bands and funny enough 2 of them are in my top 5 this year (Islands and Andrew Bird). I was a very casual Islands fan up until Vapours came out but I loved it from the first day I streamed it on the Internet. I’m probably in the minority but I find this to be their best release yet as the songs are much crisper and not overly produced. Vapours has been a mainstay on my IPOD playlist since it has come out.

3) Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix

I started listening to Phoenix back when they were collaborating with Daft Punk and I thought they were writing some catchy melodies back then. However, Wolfgang Amaedus Phoenix is their apex and they are blowing up now. Rightly so as they are one of the top 3 best exports from France (Daft Punk and Air being the other two).

2) Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career

http://www.myspace.com/cameraobscuraband

I’m a sucker for happy music and sarcastic lyrics and no one does that better than Tracyanne Campbell and Camera Obscura. Cam Ob have been gradually improving with their releases and attained quite a good following in the USA after their 2006 disc, Lets Get Out of this Country (and they are one of those rare UK bands that are actually bigger in the USA than they are in the UK, or so I am told). My Maudlin Career is even better than the 2006 disc as it takes all of the things that were good on it and makes them even better. The strings and horns on select songs are tight and they do not take away from the solid lyrics of Campbell. I believe my taste in music has gotten a bit more “wussy” as I have aged but I’m perfectly okay to admit that if it means I get to listen to stuff as good as this.

1) Andrew Bird – Noble Beast

http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird

I don’t think this release should come as too much of a surprise to people. I believe that SPIN did a full write-up on Bird when Noble Beast came out saying this would be “the year of Bird.” Bird has always been an eclectic musical addition to the field as he really doesn’t fall into any category. He writes pop/rock/calypso/classical/jazz tunes that kind of mesh into his own genre. The fact that he can throw samples into songs along with violin, whistling and guitar just shows what kind of ability he brings to the table. Noble Beast is Bird’s most well-developed album as I had to listen to it 10 or 11 times before I really started to hear everything that is going on and I was able to peal the layers back of each tune. This is another release that is best when it is listened straight through the first few times. However, I love every song on here individually as each one is a little golden nugget for your ears.

Happy listening.

10. Glee Soundtrack Vol. 1 - Auto-Tuned like whoa, and maybe a bit overhyped, the Glee Soundtrack is still one of the most fun, put-it-on-in-the-background, sing-it-loud-in-a-gay-bar albums of the year. I can't stop going back to those Amber Riley songs. She's a star in the making.

Stand Out Tracks: Don't Stop Believing, Bust Your Window, Hate On Me

9. Metric - Fantasies - These Canadian rockers return with maybe their best album yet (although they are all so good) and Emily makes good on the fact that she is the sexiest singer of our friends up North. From the first track to the last, this album is winner after winner.

Stand Out Tracks: Help I'm Alive, Gimmie Sympathy, Stadium Love

8. Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds & A Sound - Blind Pilot was a surprise highlight at the 2009 Lollapalooza festival and I consider them this year's "Wild Sweet Orange" in that regard. Highly listenable music from a singer with a smooth as silk voice and a band that includes upright bass, trumpet and more. This year they completed a Ditty Bopsesque bike tour and also joined fellow Portland natives, The Decemberists for some shows. Oh yeah, and they stole my heart!


Stand Out Tracks: Oviedo, 3 Rounds and a Sound, I Buried A Bone

7. Freelance Whales: Sure, a number of the Freelance Whales songs are downright derivative of Sufjan Stevens, but I prefer to think that these young, banjo-plucking, infectiously upbeat kids are fans who took Sufjan's lead as a base on which to build something uniquely theirs. They are one band you don't want to miss live - seeing this energetic group hopping from instrument to instrument throughout the night will leave an ear-to-ear smile on your face.

Stand out Tracks: Generator ^ First Floor, Broken Horse, Hannah, Kilojoules

6. Phosphorescent - To Wille I'll admit it - at first I didn't realize that all of the songs on Phosphorescent's 2009 album, To Willie, were Willie Nelson cover songs until my coworker pointed it out - a tribute to Willie in the vein of Willie's own 1977 cover album To Lefty from Willie. I wasn't familiar with Willie Nelson music, but Phosphorescent's versions of these songs are heartbreaking and beautiful. I'm a fan now - which may be the best compliment one can give a cover album!

Stand Out Tracks: Reasons to Quit, Can I Sleep In Your Arms, I Gotta Get Drunk

5. Islands - Vapours Canada's second entry to the top 10 is Quebec's Islands. While they have tied their 2008 ranking for "In Arm's Way" at number 5 and dropped 2 spots from 2006's Return To The Sea at number 3 - Vapours is just as good, if not better! I do miss the band members from Return to the Sea and Arm's Way, the more electronic vibe on Vapours is extremely fun and probably more quickly likable than their previous work.


Stand Out Tracks:Switched On, Tender Torture, Everything is Under Control, Heartbeat

4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Phoenix managed to release an album so catchy and fun this year that it blew the band into the mainstream. Other than the fact that it has been a bit annoying hearing "have you heard this great new band, Phoenix" and the fact that this album means I get to hear far fewer songs live from my still favorite Phoenix album, Alphabetical, Phoenix deserves all the accolades they are receiving. It's great to see that they spent the last three years honing their craft and it has paid off!

Stand Out Tracks: Listomania, 1901, Rome

3. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love The Decemberists had a hard task in front of them, following up the astounding "The Crane Wife." One first listen, The Hazards of Love failed for me - an attitude of the album taken by a good number of reviewers. However, a day after the album was released online I was lucky enough to see the Decemberists play the Hazards of Love for the first time in its entirety at SXSW. Afterwards I saw the CD for what it is - an epic masterpiece. It is definitely an album that begs to be seen live, from cover to cover. The CD is a story, and listening to tracks individually is kind of like reading just a chapter in a book - once you know the book well that might be enjoyable, but you have to fall in love with the whole story first. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Stand Out Tracks: The Wanting Comes In Waves (Reprise), The Rake's Song, The Hazards of Love 4

2. Chris Garneau - El Radio 2007's #1 just barely misses out on the #1 spot for 2009. It was so close it was whatever the music equivalent of a photo finish is, because El Radio picks up where Chris Garneau left off, taking his music to whole new levels. While the CD has a number of more upbeat songs than his previous work, there are still quite enough tear-wrenching heartbreakers to keep me sad happy - with Cats and Kids appearing to be almost a sequel song to "Music For Tourists" song We Don't Try, about the death of a friend. I wouldn't kick a song off of this CD.

Stand Out Tracks: The Leaving Song, Hands On the Radio, No More Pirates, Cats and Kids

1. The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin: Like Chris Garneau in 2007 whose CD I listed as #1 was actually first released in 2006, The Low Anthem's CD Oh My God, Charlie Darwin was first released in 2008 and rereleased in 2009. The album moves from song to song with a beauty and grace and sends chills down my spine - from the opening falsetto ballad Charlie, to Cage the Songbird, all the way to the final OMGCD, this folksy Americana album is almost a religious experience and the songs seem reverent and spiritual despite the inspiration of the world's most famous naturalist. The lead singer describes the experience of listening to the album as being akin to "taking shelter during a lightning storm among nostalgic remnants in a water-damaged church, who’s new tenants – rats, owls, stray dogs and snakes – comprise a burgeoning, cacophonous, dog-eat-dog ecosystem." The CD has a common thread although as you listen to it you'll be constantly surprised at the variety in the singer's voice, from the Josh Ritter like "Ticket Taker" to the more raucous "Horizon Is A Beltway" and even the instrumental "Music Box" The variety of instruments played on the album and at their live shows is staggering, and help to build an album that elevates and craddles the lyrics and comprise an album that I feel will be timeless.

Stand Out Tracks: (Don't) Tremble, Charlie Darwin, To Ohio, Ticket Taker

I have to admit that I am a little disappointed that the “Courtesy Wave (CW)” is dying off. There is really no better small act of “karma” than the CW. You can get a slight little nod from the karma gods by letting someone cross the street in front of you or maybe you got a CW because you held the door open for a lady. I am a firm believer in it. My theory is that the world would be a much better place to live if we all strived to achieve a few CW’s on a daily basis. I don’t think that is asking for too much, is it?

The new Avett Brothers disc I AND LOVE AND YOU feels like a CW to me. It is one of those musical varieties that lights up your day and puts a little bit of spring in your step. The two brothers (along with their upright bassist compadre) make up a band that has talent in abundance. They sound like a hodge-podge of so many different genres (bluegrass, rock, folk, country, pop). I would even use the faux-paus that they defy definition.

The defining instruments on the disc are guitar and banjo (along with the bass and a drum set) but the production is so dense that you get something out of each listen. Like a CW, it gives you hope that there are still bands that know how to make and structure songs that make you smile and just nod in acknowledgement.

A courtesy wave can turn a bad day into a good one. It can provide you with hope for society when you feel like there is none left. It is the small gesture that supplies a needed spark to light a fire. The Avett Brothers will be your CW for today.

Try: January Wedding; I and Love and You

http://www.theavettbrothers.com/

A lot has been said about the Arctic Monkeys hard driving sound. Their first two studio releases have seen a constant rotation on my IPOD for when I work out or when I am generally angry at the world. Alex Turner’s accent and lyrics are perfect for that mood when you just are PO’d at everything around you and you need a release. I believe that is the reason that many people were completely shocked when they released their 3rd studio disc and it was much darker, slower and complex than their previous works.

It is obvious that the band wanted to go into a completely different direction with this effort. Per the band, they listened to a lot of Hendrix and Cream prior to laying down the tracks. The 3rd effort is anywhere near as immediately accessible as their first two discs. I had to listen to it 5 or 6 times before I really started to understand the different sound that the band was looking to create.

As the band completely recorded HUMBUG in the USA, it is only fitting that out of the 10 tracks, 7 of them were produced by Queens of the Stone Age member, Josh Homme. A lot of fans have been upset about the influence he had on their sound and that they now sound like another US alternative band. I disagree. The music on HUMBUG still blatantly has their touch. Alex Turner has made HUGE strides as a songwriter and lyricist and it shows on this effort.

Even though the Arctic Monkeys are no where near as big in the USA as they are in the UK, they deserve a listen. I would recommend starting with some of their previous work (notably their debut WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT’S WHAT I’M NOT). If you like what you hear, give HUMBUG a try and don’t discard it if you don’t enjoy it after 1 or 2 listens. As I stated, the disc is definitely a “grower” and you have to give it a few spins before it really hits home.

Try tracks: My Propeller; Fire and the Thud; Dance Little Liar

http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/

Lisztomania Phoenix
Help I'm Alive Metric
Damaris Patrick Wolf
The Neighbors St. Vincent
Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time Fanfarlo
The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned) The Decemberists
Long Walks The Lovely Feathers
My Mirror Speaks Death Cab for Cutie
Cats and Kids Chris Garneau
You Told A Lie Camera Obscura
Saddle Up Boy Least Likely To
Blood Bank Bon Iver
The Great Defector Bell X1
The Privateers Andrew Bird
(Don't) Tremble The Low Anthem

I have listened to Phoenix’s older efforts and they took some big steps forward on their 4th studio album. The production is nice and crisp and the songs are much more concise without any fluff to district you from their pop goodness. The first part of the album are dominated by some of the strongest tracks (Lisztomania, 1901 and my personal favorite, Fences). These set the mood flawlessly for what is to come on the latter parts of the disc.

I applaud Phoenix’s attempt to be more adventurous with their two part, mostly instrumental middle interlude of “Love like a Sunset.” It reminded me a lot of THE SOFT BULLETIN era Flaming Lips the first few times I heard it. However, it has morphed into something a bit more lighter now. Bands walk a fine line of pretentiousness and sentimentality when they place big, instrumental pieces in the middle of lyrically driven pop-rock. Luckily, Phoenix toe that line impeccably and I feel the tunes add to the overall mood.

The latter half of the disc has more deliciously accessible pop-rock. The band really is in line with a lot of the other French rock groups that have put France on the map for quality alternative/indie/electronica music (Air and Daft Punk being the others). Thomas Mars’ voice is not overpowering but it definitely is not blown away by the support of dual guitars and bass. Phoenix is a band just makes me smile when I hear them and I think they will do the same thing for you.

Try: Fences, Countdown, Lasso, Girlfriend

http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix

Camera Obscura are one of the more unsung bands that have come from across the pond in recent years. Their first efforts were treated with indifference by most of the musical community as a rehash of Belle and Sebastian. This probably factored into the fact that their first disc was produced by a member OF Belle and Sebastian but that is besides the point.

In their latest effort, the band takes another step forward with songwriting that is easily the best that they have produced thus far. On the last two discs, songwriting and lead vocals have been performed primarily by Tracyanne Campbell. This is a good thing as I felt her songs were always the strongest on all of the bands releases. Her vocal talent is terrific and it transcends a certain time period. That is one of the best pieces of the Camera Obscura puzzle. Their music can sound like it came out in 2009 or 1969.

The 4th effort, MY MAUDLIN CAREER, has Campbell in her typical song writing mood. Her lyrics are laced with lots of sarcasm but the music is very poppy and quite upbeat (this is probably where the Belle and Sebastian comparisons come into play; the ability to layer unusual or downer lyrics with happy, pop music definitely takes a particular talent). The songs on CAREER go through the usual topics of heartache, love, love lost and the like. Campbell and the group’s tight musical aptitude is what makes it better than another band’s contribution.

The production on the recording is coated with tons of strings and elaborates percussion. It definitely makes the songs more memorable. With that being said, I could easily picture this disc as the perfect background music for a dinner party. It is consistently up-tempo and it doesn’t drag except for maybe a couple of latter tracks.

Overall, this is undoubtedly my favorite Camera Obscura disc to date and they deserve a much wider audience. Try out the tracks SWANS, YOU TOLD A LIE, FRENCH NAVY, or HONEY IN THE SUN for a taste of how good these Scots really are today.

The show was a co-headline tour featuring Mates of State and The Black Kids. I have been a huge Mates of State fan since I was able to check them out at Lollapalooza last year. They put on one of the best live shows as they are consistently playing to the crowd’s wishes and they are tight after a number of years playing together (not to mention that they are married, which always helps matters). I was quite impressed with their set as they mixed a bunch of new material off their latest 2008 release (Re-Arranger) with lots of older stuff. I am not as familiar with their older catalog but that doesn’t take away from the catchiness of their hooks and melodies. You add in the fact that they tour with a couple of multi-instrumentalists that round out their sound and you have yourself one of the better sounding acts around.

The highlights of their set for me were GOODS, GET BETTER, MY ONLY OFFER, and my personal favorite live, LIKE U CRAZY.

The hidden gem of the evening was the opening act for the headliners, Sunbears! This is a duo from Florida that reminded me a lot of The Flaming Lips with their crazy onstage antics and the way they tried to tie in a great visual experience with their music. Throughout the course of their short but inspired 30 minute set they managed to have multiple showers of confetti, some crazy psychedelic videos on their movie screen and one giant shaped alien head that corresponded with their song DREAM HAPPY DREAMS. Since the band only has one EP under their belts (DREAM HAPPY DREAMS) they had a very small catalog to choose from for their set but it was still great.

I went out and bought their EP the next day (for bargain price of $6.99). All 7 songs are just like I remembered them from the show, from the danceable A LOVELY TUESDAY IN JUNE to bass heavy I’M ALIVE! The band does not have the lyrical ability of The Flaming Lips. I would even go as far as to say that their lyrics are something to be desired but I’m willing to overlook their shortcoming right now. They are having fun making some catchy tunes and they thoroughly entertained me that Saturday.

Royksopp's JUNIOR is one of the best electronica albums I have heard in quite some time. They are the masters of chill out and they do not disappoint with their latest contribution to the genre.

It is a fine line between "lounge" and other types of electronica music. I had putting labels on it because most of the stuff released today might be initially released as one genre but then remixed into the next big club anthem. The bottom-line though is to have some stellar melodies to overdub in the first place.

Royksopp's first disc MELODY AM was the perfect blend of catchy tunes with some upbeat tracks that ensured you didn't fall asleep unless you really wanted. I felt like their 2nd disc wasn't anywhere near as good as their first as the overall sound and theme of it just didn't mesh with what Royksopp typically bring to the table. They fall into the rankings of Kruder & Dorfmeister and Dzihan and Kamien. I would rank them as some of the best original artists releasing material today.

JUNIOR has plenty of vocal tunes to go hand in hand with the instrumental as well. The Royksopp boys enlisted some of the better female vocalists available (Robyn and Lykke Li) to assist on some of the stand out tracks (The Girl and the Robot and Miss it so Much respectively). They manage to balance the album perfectly by mixing up instrumental and vocal tracks on a pretty consistent alternating basis. A proper flow for an electronica disc is key and that is what makes JUNIOR work so nicely.

If you aren't a huge electronica fan, JUNIOR would probably be a great disc to introduce you to the genre. It is not too experimental but it brings plenty of excitement to the party.

Try tracks Royksopp Forever, the two tracks by Robyn and Lykke Li and Happy up Here for a nice sampler.

http://royksopp.com/

Angry vs the Bear - 5
I met up with Rachel, and we both were feeling the need to have a day where we meandered and didn't over think. So we decided to head over early to see a band I had heard one song from on the SXSW website. When we got to the venue - the rainbow cattle company - I saw that there was a bear flag flying on the wall (bears are big hairy gay men). So I turned to the older woman checking badges and I asked "is this a bear bar?" and in her thickest texan accent she responded "honey, we got bear, we got wine, we got vodka..." Amazing. After a couple of drinks and losing some money to their crappy video arcade game we were treated with seriously one of the most fun shows of the weekend. Angry vs the Bear. Check them out. SO fun. They get my "least buzz, biggest potential" award. Also, winners of the craziest hair award.

Camera Obscura - 5
One of the only real must sees of the day for me (along with voxtrot). We got there early and saw a bit of Amazing Baby (I believe). Anyway, glad to get to see Camera Obscura. They are great, and the new stuff sounded wonderful - sad to miss them at their metro show, but happy I saw them here.

Ed Harcourt - 4.5
Having missed out on Ed the day before, I decided to stop into his taping for Direct TV - a bit boring and a bit more of the country stuff, as it was being filmed on the country sound stage, but I still got to hear "Until Tomorrow Then."

Janelle Monae - 5
While seeing Ed Harcourt, Rachel and friends snuck into the Chop Shop party, so I decided to try my luck too. "I think I am on the list." *volunteer flips through papers a bit* "go on in." Score. I made it in time to see the end of Janelle Monae. Wow. Wow wow wow. This year's Amy Winehouse/Duffy/etc. iteration? Maybe. But way way way better. If I had to make a "next big thing" guess, this would be it. She's opening for No Doubt - just not in Chicago :(

Little Boots - 5
Way fun.

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - 5
After debating whether to try and find and get into the Perez party, we opted to head over and see Chicago's SYGC - who we've seen a number of times, but whatever, it was fun! We even stayed afterwards just to hang out with Chicago folks

The Love Me Nots - 3.5
An Horse - 5
One of my fave "stumbled upon" bands of the week. I need to hear more!

Voxtrot - 5
This show was a hot sweaty amazing mess. I loved every second of it. Voxtrot is so good, the singer is hot as heck, and the new stuff sounds unbelievably good. Is this the start of something good?

Various Comedians (Included Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, and more) - 5
Rachel suggested that instead of going to another band we check out the comedians. Wow, I had never gone to the comedians before. And it was really really fun. Lots of great bits, a nice seat in a not too crowded venue... who could ask for more. This day shaped up to be really great, just because starting the day I was kind of done with everything, and so I just let go and drifted. Love it!

The Spinto Band - 5
Rachel decided to go home, but I couldn't end my SXSW with comedians - I needed to squeeze in one more bad. I decided to end the festival this year by righting a wrong from last year... I had planned to go see Spinto Band close out SXSW 08 and just didn't have the energy for it... This year, because of my chill pace, I was ready to fix that. What a great way to end things - the Spinto's put on a damn good show, the new stuff is quality, and I still have the last song, The Black Flag, ringing in my ears months later!

Kiernan McMullan - 3.5
Lisa Hannigan - 5
I had a great Irish breakfast at B.D. Reilly's and stuck around for a few songs from the lovely Lisa Hannigan (and got a photo with her!) I took off a little early to catch the last few songs of...

The Wrens - 4
Still didn't hear the songs I know, but it sounded good anyway. I reeeeally need to invest some time into listening to The Wrens more and getting into their whole catalog.

The Rural Alberta Advantage - 5
I had heard TRAA from one of my colleagues in Chicago, and had been anxious to hear them live. They have a sound like a more mainstream Neutral Milk Hotel, perhaps. Very nice.

Bishop Allen - 5
Bishop Allen is always a lot of fun - and definitely another person I really need to purchase more of so I can know more than a handful of songs.

Handsome Furs -5
Man, I had been anticipating seeing Handsome Furs big time! I was discouraged to see the HUGE line to get in (people already piling in for headliner the Hold Steady), but I got in without too much hassle, and had one of the most fun shows of my SXSW. Everyone dancing in the hot sun - just brilliant. Love every song. (also, I have to point out the hilarious promotion that Saucony was putting on with their game... pin the Crystal on the overused band name (and a picture of a bear, deer, and wolf).

Adam Stephens - 5
I was reeeeally looking forward to seeing Adam Stephens too. A singer from Two Gallants, I had downloaded a bunch of his solo stuff and LOVED it even more than Two Gallants - it was prettier stuff, with a bit of a Conor Oberst vibe. They were having some technical problems with the piano at the venue, Friends, and the sun was SCALDING my head, but it was worth it, just to see leaves showering down from the trees during favorite song "Lead In Our Lungs." Here is the video of that performance (check out the person's profile for the rest of the show too!) Too bad that later that day I insulted Adam's shoes... don't ask.

Ra Ra Riot - 5
I saw Ra Ra Riot a few years ago at SXSW and had really enjoyed them, but had only recently fallen head over heels for their most recent album. Upon arriving to the venue I was saddened to see the line stretching and stretching - but I waited anyway, and was rewarded by getting in near the beginning of their set. However it was INSANELY crowded and hot in the little tent, and I was at the very back. Still, a great performance where I heard basically every song I wanted to, capped off my one of my favorite songs - Dying is Fine.

Future of the left - 4
Fanfarlo - 5
Youth Group - 5
In a happy accident I wandered into a set by Youth Group at the Australian BBQ. I was amused at how the Australian and New Zealand BBQs were back to back - very Flight of the Conchords.

My Disco - 2
Ceci Bastida - 3
Hey Negrita - 3.5
This evening I decided to scorn my expensive badge and stick to one place all evening - Central Presbyterian Church. Waiting outside I even got to chat with the former manager of My Lastest Novel and current manager of a lot of other cool Scottish bands. However, after a couple of songs from Hey Negrita, which was okay, I decided to flee momentarily to see if I could catch a little Ed Harcourt at another nearby venue. Upon getting there I found that the schedule had been shifted a bit, so after a couple of tracks of so so other bands, I returned.

Fanfarlo - 5
Fanfarlo Fanfarlo Fanfarlo. Last year I was SO excited to see them and was so sad when I A) didn't get downtown in time to catch most of their early set one morning and B) saw only a very small set later that day because of techincal issues. I saw a couple of songs of their set early this day, but was ready to see a full set in this intimate venue. Other than the fact that there was some percussion reverb in the church to be sorted out, it was basically perfect. The lead singer, in his cute little boytie, may have been my crush of the week - Adorable. And all of their songs were GREAT. They had a number of their new CD in the back which everyone snapped up quickly. Luckily I got one before they sold out. My love of them was recently endorsed by Sigur Ros who sent out and e-mail blast telling people to buy the album... and that the cover features Sigurrós and her cousin Disa on the front cover in a pic by Jónsi's other sis Lilja! I love it even more now!

The Low Anthem - 5
I had just been introduced to the Low Anthem a couple of weeks prior in Chicago when they opened for Lisa Hannigan, and I had fallen in love. Okay, so in all honesty, this show tied The Decemberists (or maybe was secretly even better) for my favorite show of the week. It made me wish that I had said screw it and just saw every performance by the group all weekend. It was haunting, beautiful, uplifting, soaring - just one of the most beautiful venues to see one of the most beautiful shows ever. From the chill inducing falsetto of "Charlie Darwin" to the soul wrenching upright bass of "This God Damn House" there was not a note out of place. If I ever thought that I could never have a religious experience in a church again, I was wrong. And, according to twitter search, a LOT of other people considered this the breakout performance of the festival. It's not often as a music lover that I get to experience something this special.

Lisa Hannigan - 5
Lisa Hannigan is just beautiful, and both strong and fragile. This venue was the perfect spot for her and she was spot on - she has truly risen up from second fiddle to Damien Rice and holds her own and more. Sadly, a gentleman sat in front of me during this performance who was clearly pulled there by his friend and he DIDN'T want to be there - he was shifting and sighing, and shaking his fat fucking head with disdain right in my line of vision for the whole performance. Definitely the most aggravated I have ever been at a SXSW.

Laura Marling - 4.5
I have to be honest, maybe it was because she had to follow up a few of the best performance I have seen, but this performance from Laura didn't live up to my love of her album or even the other times I have seen her live. A bit boring and just a little off - but still loved favorites "Ghosts" and "Alas I cannot swim"

Jason Lytle -3.5
I stayed for a few songs from Grandaddy's Jason Lytle, and then headed off to see what else I could find. I stopped in to see Au Reviour Simone, but they were having some pretty serious techincal problems so I decided to leave... as I was walking out they started their set. Oh well. So I headed to see Cursive and was let into the venue before being shuffled off to some other room - apparently the Cursive room was filled to capacity. Well, thanks for telling me before I entered. So, just let me out? No... I couldn't even exit through the front entrance because they wouldn't let me back into the sold out room to leave. So I had to go through this back room, through another room where an AWFUL band was playing, and then down some sketchy back alley. There were other bands playing that I was considering checking out, but figured it was best just to turn in for the evening.

Keep reading to compare to 2008

Slow Club - +5
The band I really wanted to see was Slow Club (who have opened for another of my faves - Tilly and the Wall, and have a similar disposition). I have been a fan since last year (and really had wanted them to play last year's SXSW!) I had seen the Because We Are Dead music video and was expecting a "We're From Barcelona" sized crowd to perform, but they were just a two-person group. After seeing them, I have to say, they are probably my favorite two person group (sorry Mates of State, Matt & Kim, Dresden Dolls, etc.) They also get an award for one of the cutest groups I saw! I felt bad for Charles, though, who was apparently "salsa drunk."

School of Seven Bells - +5 - Mohawk
I took the bus into town, and it let me off near Mohawk, so I decided to check in and see if I could get into the RSVP Rhapsody party and see Glasvegas, as all their other performances were conflicts for me. I got it, and was thrilled to see that I'd have a chance to see another band that I hadn't heard of, but were apparently playing every party this week. I was so happy I did, too, as they were one of my absolute favorite groups of the day.

Glasvegas - +4.5 - Mohawk
Glasvegas played a set pretty true to the sound of their album. It was enjoyable! I love a good accent

Trail of dead - +3 - Mohawk
I was already around for it, so I thought I might as well stick around and check out a couple of songs from ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. It was okay, but the continue to just not do much for me.

Passion Pit - +4 - Radio Room
I had been told to check out Passion Pit, so I made my way to day to of the Paste party. After waiting in line I made my way to a very crowded performance. After standing for a couple of songs, I decided to sit down against the wall. Passion Pit gets the honor of this year's "good performance that I drifted off to" - an honor bestowed last year on British Sea Power. Regardless, they were good and unique.

Airborne Toxic Event - +4.5 - Bat Bar
Every year I find a couple of bands to see in the air conditioned, professionally light sound stages used to tape performances for Direct TV. The first year I saw a great performance of Peter, Bjorn and John there. I would say that Airborne Toxic Event reminds me a bit of this years Peter, Bjorn and John (or Vampire Weekend)....but I didn't like them nearly as much as those two groups. They were fun though, and if you see the Direct TV recordings, you'll see me in the front row bobbing my head like a total moron. Interesting fact - they played SXSW 2008 too. Guess that worked out pretty well for them :)

Guggenheim Grotto - +4.5 - The Rio
I stopped in to see a few songs from The Guggenheim Grotto at the Irish showcase - I do love them. Despite the fact that it was a chatty crowd, and the fact that the played some songs that I was so so about, the fact they played Philosophia made up for it!

Phosphorescent - +4.5 - Mohawk
I love Phosphorescent, and even though the crowd here was extremely obnoxious and blah blah blahed the whole time, and despite the fact that I only heard four songs, I still love love love them.

Ohbijou - +5 - The Ranch
There were so many great bands playing at this time, and I didn't know what I was going to do until the last minute. I really didn't think I was going to head down to this show, as it was crazy far away from the main strip, but I decided to hoof it out there, for some reason. It was a good choice. I really dug this seven piece Canadian group, plus the crowds were thinner in this part of town and everyone was much more respectful

My Latest Novel - +5 - The Ranch

As much as I liked Glasvegas, this Scottish band edged them out. Despite some technical problems, I enjoyed the sound of the new music they have on the horizon (although sad they didn't play my favorites from Wolves)

At this point I left before The Low Anthem played in order to try and catch a few other bands - this was probably a sad mistake

+/- - Prague - Only saw half a song, can't rate it, but it sounded good.

The Wrens - +4 - Prague
The layout of Prague left a lot to be desired, and standing in the basement behind a mass of people after a long day wasn't my idea of a good time. I left after a couple of good sounding songs (neither of which were the two Wrens songs I know really well).

I made my way to Radio Room to check out Handsome Furs and upon getting there was told "sorry dude, we're done" by the person at the door. So, Handsome Furs, the headliner, either started early or only played a half hour set. Very very sad.

Datarock - +4.5 - Emo's Annex
I started heading to Emo's to see Peter Bjorn and John were still playing, and as I passed Emo's Annex I heard the familiar strains for Fa-Fa-Fa, the Datarock single. There was no line, so I went in and enjoy the song (which is really catchy) and a couple of other songs before heading home. It was a pretty great end to the night, outside with a little bit of air blowing through and some fun music! Thanks Datarock!

Compare to Thursday 2008 below the break