You've got to Paste to play ...

So what are your picks for album of the decade? Go tell Paste here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/08/whats-your-favorite-album-of-the-decade.html

After reviewing their list, mine are as follows:

Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
The Avett Brothers: Emotionalism
Death Cab for Cutie: Transatlantacism
Fountains of Wayne: Welcome Interstate Managers
The Hold Steady: Boys & Girls in America
Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days
Sondre Lerche: Faces Down
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Sun Kil Moon: Ghosts of the Great Highway
Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Check back later for track links and liner notes.

Top 9 Every-men (and Woman) in Rock

Now don't get me wrong, I love the mysterious aura of an eagle-winged Sufjan or the sexed-up disco fantasia of Of Montreal, but sometimes it's refreshing to see a band composed of all-around average guys. Guys that could live next door to you without a hint of pretentious weirdo-ness. These are the rock stars we love that are kinda like us. Sometimes they're unassuming, sometimes they're modest but they always, always wear jeans on stage.

9. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco
Ok, disregard the killer migraines, the past addictions, the diva-licious falling out with bandmates and you have a really average guy who writes songs that are anything but. Also remember that scene in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart where he asks his wife for money to feed the kids while waiting in line at Wendys. That alone puts him on this list.

8. Jens Lekman
Do guys get more humble then this? His shy smile and aw-shucks demeanor, not to mention all-inclusive after parties put him on this list. Following their concerts, how many pop stars invite the entire audience to a house party in Brooklyn? By putting fans first he essentially denounces his celebrity and affirms his every-man status. Plus we get to dance the night away at the same time!

7. John Vanderslice
By far the happiest, friendliest, sweetest guy on the list. Like Jens he obliterates the line between artist and audience. Chances are if you've seen him live you've also been hugged by him. Just an unbelievably down-to-earth and cheery stand-up dude.

6. Eddie Argos of Art Brut
Just listen to the lyrics of "DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshakes". Nuff said.

5. Bruce Springsteen
Ok, so he's a mega-superstar BUT he somehow maintains his working class cred by touring his ass off and maintaining his New Jersey roots. We should thank him for showing the kids that real rock stars aren't assholes.

4. Ted Leo
The political punker totally rocks, but he's also totally humble, appreciative and downright right ordinary when it comes to his personal life and dealing with fans. Just check out this photo of him and VK's Lizzie. It pretty much says it all:
3. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
Dude lived in a cabin in Wisconsin and endured a shit-ton of heartbreak. That's about as every-man as it gets.

2. Ira, James and Georgia of Yo La Tengo
These Jersey natives are completely unassuming and completely ageless. They could be your next door neighbor. Hell for some of you young'ens they could be your parents. So causal and so casually cool, they wear jeans and striped t-shirts on stage. Except underneath their ultra-normal exterior lies their secret power - the power of rock. And rock they do.

1. Craig Finn (and really the rest of the members of The Hold Steady except for Franz Nicholay's mustache)
Do dudes get anymore dude-ier than them? I mean they formed a band as an excuse to jam once a week, down a few beers and escape the wives. And in turn wrote some of the best straight-up rock albums this decade. For that we salute you.

Now some songs:
Flume - Bon Iver
Me and Mia - Ted Leo
Fetal Horses - John Vanderslice

Wilco (The Album) (The Stream)

As you might have heard by now, Wilco (the band) is streaming the entirety of their new album on their website RIGHT NOW. Wilco (The album) officially come out June 30. If you're a sucker for albums that feature camels wearing party hats on the cover, like I am you'll want to listen here now!

And for your downloading pleasure, here's a live version one of the new tracks "Sunny Feeling". I'm digging its Summerteeth vibe, so so poppy and um, well sunny.

Sunny Feeling - Wilco

No, really you guys...

The new Wilco album is titled ...get this Wilco (The Album)! What will that creative Jeff Tweedy & Co. think of next?

Oh, I know.

Wilco The Song - Wilco (as played on the Colbert Report

Can't wait till it's officially released in June!

NEW Wilco

Believe it or not some bloggers (cough*us*cough) didn't make it to Lollapalooza this weekend. BUT those who were lucky enough to be at the festival got treated to an all new Wilco song. Check it out.(Via You Ain't No Picasso)

One Wing - Wilco

"I just got broken up with and we weren't even dating."

Received the following email yesterday (names have been changed):

You need to work some magic. I feel like I just got broken up with, and we weren't even dating. Steve sat me down VERY nicely and wanted to clarify with me that he doesn't return the feelings I so clearly and artlessly display for him on a regular basis. I am a mess. I feel broadsided. He was WONDERFUL about it which sucks because if he was an asshole, I would be angry and bitchy and feel justified in hating him. As it is, his actions were carefully and deliberately designed to preserve our friendship, which he hopes, sincerely, will last forever.

And it probably will.

But I still feel like I just got run over by a dump truck. And I'm angry at myself because oh shit have I been here before; I'm walking in relational circles.

So, here's my request. I would like for the mix masters of VK to make for me and my stupid wounded heart a playlist with the theme, "I just got broken up with and we weren't even dating."

If you all don't have time, by all means I understand. But I think it would make for an excellent theme, and a good challenge, anyway.

We ladies here at VK know your plight and feel your pain. Here's an hour and a half of tunes we wrangled together to commiserate and help you deal, in confusion sadness and anger (or lack thereof):

Barcelona - Why Do You Have So Much Fun Without Me.mp3

The Bens - Bruised.m4a

The Beatles - I'll Follow the Sun.mp3

Beulah - Landslide Baby.mp3

Brendan Benson - Feel Like Myself.m4a

Eamon - Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back).m4a

Jude - I'm Sorry Now.mp3

Lady Sovereign - Love Me Or Hate Me.mp3

The Lucksmiths - A Hiccup in Your Happiness.m4a

The Magnetic Fields - I Thought Your Were My Boyfriend.mp3

The Magnetic Fields - The Cactus Where Your Heart Should Be.mp3

The Mayflies USA - I Was the One.m4a

of Montreal - Eros' Entropic Tundra.mp3

OK Go - It's Tough To Have A Crush When The Boy Doesn't Feel The Same Way You Do.mp3

OK Go - Get Over It.mp3

Rufus Wainwright - 14th Street.mp3

Rufus Wainwright - Danny Boy.m4a

Smashing Pumpkins - An Ode to No One.mp3

The Smiths - I Know It's Over.mp3

Sufjan Stevens - Dumb I Sound.mp3

They Might Be Giants - Snail Dust.mp3

Tori Amos - Cruel (live).mp3

Tori Amos - Over It (B's Over the Pool mix).mp3

Tori Amos - here. in my head..mp3

The Vandals - My Girlfriend's Dead.mp3

Wilco - We're Just Friends.m4a

Top albums for the first half of 2007

July 2 is the midpoint of the year, so we though It'd be nice to do a little review of what we've loved so far. Let me tell you, black is THE color for albums this year. In no order:

Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars


Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position


The National - Boxer


Wilco - Sky Blue Sky


Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha


Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

In Jess' words: "OF FUCKING MONTREAL (best album of the year)!!!!" 'nuff said!

"I dreamt about killing you again last night and it felt alright to me..."

So YouTube footage finally emerged from that Wilco show I was raving about. Check out the majestic "Via Chicago" in all its live glory. Just wait till the 2:08 mark, because that's when your mind will be blown:

I Need A Camera To My Eyes: Wilco@ Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC 6/25/07

Last night put an end to Wilco's over two half year-long New York City-less tour schedule. "You've grown," remarked a coy Jeff Tweedy to a ridiculously impatient audience. Being there, I can assure you, it was well worth the wait. The set was seemingly endless -two straight hours of pure electrifying bliss (including not 1, but 2 encores!). "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" had the crowd bursting at the seems with delight (which is a mean feat for any ten minute long song, not to mention one about "spiders filling out tax returns.") Even the smoother, more mellow tracks off Sky Blue Sky were imbued with a newfound energy.

The funny thing is I usually have this weird, indie disdain for bands as obscenely technically proficient as Wilco. Generally such aimless guitar noodling seems self-indulgent and sounds sonically meandering and tiring. But there is something about them, their sense of melody and eventual restraint or maybe it's just Nels Cline's hotness. Hmm.

This weird macrame thing dangled on the stage during "Hate it Here" Tweedy encouraged fans to send in equally bizarre knitting projects after chastizing the youngin's in the crowd for not even knowing what Macrame was.

For more photo-y Wilco goodness check out my Flickr page.

Yankee Hotel Fox-NOT

Wilco's latest album is finally out today. Sky Blue Sky has been receiving tepid reviews on the alleged basis of its lack of "experimentation." While the album is devoid of hissing electronic tape loops or ten minute songs about spiders filling out tax returns, Sky is every bit as emotional as Wilco's previous records. And ultimately that's what counts. Yes, it's smooth and straightforward and does little to rid the band of the "dad rock" stereotype, but Jeff Tweedy's vulnerability is just so damn endearing that the lack of sonic variation barely matters. Mortality obsessive lyrics like Please Don't Cry, We're designed to die and, Oh I didn’t die, I should be satisfied are poignant and plentiful. Don't let the disaffected hipster critics deter you from listening.

Stream the album in its entirety on the band's website

And you should probably buy it too.

Wilco Toys!

Just when you thought Jeff Tweedy couldn't get more adorable, Portland-based toy company UNKL goes ahead and releases a limited edition figurine of him, as well as the rest of the Wilco boys. Set to premiere at San Diego's Comic-Con in July, now you too can reenact squabbles with the record label and stints in rehab. Like we said, adorable!

Impossible Germany (live) mp3

Pre-order Sky Blue Sky, out May 15th