More of What I’m Listening To…

So I didn’t mention some artists I was listening to last time. One of them I HAVE to mention.

Band: Bon Iver

Album: “Bon Iver” AND “For Emma, Forever Ago”

I first fell in love with “Skinny Love” in New Zealand, and downloaded Bon Iver’s entire 2008 album, “For Emma, Forever Ago” in mid-July. I was impressed, but also knew they had JUST come out with a new album, self titled “Bon Iver”, in June, so I quickly added that as well. At first the new album took some time to get into. I wasn’t really feeling it, and kept going back to “For Emma, Forever Ago.”

Well, since then I’ve listened to Bon Iver’s self titled album over 50 times from July to now. Both albums kick ass. But especially “Bon Iver.” An album hasn’t consistently stayed in my recent played for this long since probably Phoenix’s “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”, The Strokes “Angles” or Mumford & Sons “Sign No More.” And, at least the current time, I’d argue “Bon Iver” is better than all of those, except maybe “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” I was quite obsessed with that CD for a LONG time.

To put it in more perspective/to quench my researching nerdiness, I added Bon Iver’s album in mid-July of this year, so less than 4 months. I added Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds’ “Save Me” live recording at Radio City to my iTunes library in 2009. It’s my most played Dave Matthews song ever – BUT a few of Bon Iver’s songs already have more plays than that song. Crazy, eh? (What, did you think you were going to get through a blog post on Taylor Made without a reference to Dave Matthews? Nope. And I’m sorry to all you Hipsters who never thought they would see Bon Iver and Dave Matthews mentioned in the same breathe. Too bad, get over it.)

What else to listen to? I dunno, but if you haven’t already, certainly check out the Strokes relatively new album “Angles.” Also, go download a few of Citizen Cope’s albums. He’s real good. Oh, and Thievery Corporation’s. Download some of their stuff. The last two artists/bands have DC roots!