Bag Of Songs Top 25 Albums of 2008 : 11 to 15

January 2, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
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Number 11 to 15 of the BOS top 25 albums today, stay tuned for the top ten coming up soon.

15 Duffy – Rockferry [BUY]
Mercy may be the best single of the year, but is not necessarily typical of the rest of this disc which takes a slightly more low key approach and harkens back to 60’s soul singers like Petula Clark, or to a lesser extent Dusty Springfield. Bolstered by solid songs like the the title track and the excellent Warwick Avenue it’s a great kick back and listen record.

Duffy – Mercy
Bonus Duffy – Ready For The Floor (Hot Chip Cover)


14 The Hymns – Travel In Herds [BUY]
The Hymns also had one of the great singles of 2008 with the horn laced I Can’t Be What You Want, and the rest of the disc runs deep with equally great songs from The Velvets Meet CCR rocker Streets Alone, to the country tinged Off My Mind. Another one of the overlooked gems of 2008.

Hymns – I Can’t Be What You Want


13 The Hold Steady – Stay Positive [BUY]
After the pretty much perfect Boys And Girls in America, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at this being a bit of a letdown. I anticpated this ending up in my top three for the year,and with the exception of a clunker or two the songs are all there, but where this really lost points for me is the overly loud muddy production that makes it near unlistenable. I haven’t been able to sit and listen to this all the way through because after two or three songs I get ear fatigue so bad I need to put something else on. Be sure to track toown the version with the three bonus tracks Ask Her for Adderall,Cheyenne Sunrise and Two Handed Handshake.

The Hold Steady – Slapped Actress


12 No Age – Nouns [BUY]
Unlike the Hold Steady record which tried to be loud and faltered, this record sounds better the louder you play it. Sculpting a wall of sound reminiscient of Husker Du or Sonic Youth into catchy melodic songs, this record is filled with the joyful catharsis of playing loud electric guitar.

No Age – Sleeper Hold


11 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Pershing [BUY]
The years best record of pure ear candy, indie influenced power pop at it’s best. It’s a record chock full of hooks and harmonies, finding just the right balance between quirky and super catchy.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Glue Girls

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A Weekend In The City

November 1, 2008 by · 1 Comment
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[Photo by Evan Wallis]
Here’s a couple cool things going on in New York City to this weekend.
Our friends The Hymns, whose excellent new album Travel In Herds I’ve been grooving to all summer are playing tonight at The Highline Ballroom as part of the MTV Choose or Lose Tour with Locksley. Check ’em out, say hi, and be sure tell them I sent you. Should be a great time.

The Hymns – I Can’t Be What You Want
Buy Travel In Herds
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

MTV Choose or Lose Presents
Locksley
Hymns
Inward Eye
Rails to Russia

Saturday November 1,2008
Concert starts @ 6:30PM
Doors open @ 6 PM
Tickets $10.00 in advance
$12.00 day of show.

Buy Tickets
General Admission Standing Room Only / All Ages
Highline Ballroom
431 W 16th St
between 9th and 10th Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 414-5994


Tomorrow night at the always fun Lakeside Lounge it’s the acoustic sounds of one of our favorite Jersey Girls,the lovely Cailin Callahan. Check it out.

Cailin Callahan – Fell First
Buy Next Time
[MYSPACE]

Cailin Callahan
Sunday November 2nd
9pm (until 10pm)
Lakeside Lounge
162 Avenue B (between 10th & 11th Streets)
New York, New York
(212) 529-8463

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The Annuals,Hymns, and East Hundred Friday June 20 @ Millcreek Tavern

June 23, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
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Backtracking a bit today to catch up on a few photos from the beginning of my 20 bands in 3 days musical weekend that started off Friday night at The Millcreek Tavern in West Philadelphia. The Annuals, Hymns and Philly’s own East Hundred all played outstanding sets on a steamy first official night of summer.


East Hundred
Hymns

The Annuals

The Annuals

The Stage Setup

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LIVE: 05.25.08 Hymns,Pico Vs Island Trees & Shawn Fogel @ M Room

May 27, 2008 by · 1 Comment
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Shawn Fogel

Pico Vs Island Trees

Hymns

A few photos from last night’s Bag Of Songs Night at The M Room with Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees and Shawn Fogel.
Shawn Fogel kicked the evening off with a solo set alternating on electric and acoustic guitar and comprised of songs from his latest EP,One Day In The Desert as well as a bunch of excellent new songs and a few choice covers including Matthew Sweet’s Holy War and the obscure John Strohm/Velo Deluxe gem Angel. Pico Vs Island Trees were up next, lead singer Bryan Carter reminding somewhat of a young David Johannsen with the stage presence to go along with it. They delivered a rocking high energy set, personal highlights for me were their new single Open Doors and a blistering version of McCartney’s Jet joined by Jason of Hymns on backing vocals and tambourine. Hymns were up next and continued the McCartney theme by opening their set with a killer version of Band On The Run. Big, big thanks to all of the bands for a fantastic night of music all around.

If you missed it, Hymns will be back in Philly on June 2Oth with The Annuals at The Mill Creek Tavern. Pico Vs Island Trees will be delivering the goods next to their hometown crowd at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge on June 7th. Shawn Fogel plays next with his full band May 28 at Piano’s in New York City.

Be sure to check out Jessica’s excellent review of Shawn Fogel’s set over at pop wreck(oning)

Hymns [WEBSITE] [ MYSPACE]
Pico Vs Island Trees [MYSPACE]
Shawn Fogel [WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

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Bag of Songs Presents : Hymns,Pico Vs Island Trees, & Shawn Fogel Sunday May 25th @ M Room In Philadelphia

May 20, 2008 by · 1 Comment
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Alright, this Sunday May 25th three excellent bands coming up at The M Room in Philadelphia, Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees and Shawn Fogel. And remember, you can party like it’s a Saturday night because the next day is a holiday, so there’s no real excuse to stay home.

Kicking off the night will be Shawn Fogel whose music has been featured here on BOS before. Shawn’s been described as a combination of Elvis Costello and Neil Young, his excellent songwriting wrapped in an original Americana Power Pop sound is an addicting blend. Check out one of my favorite songs off his latest EP One Day In The Desert.

Shawn Fogel – Leaves, Corners, Stones
Buy One Day In The Desert
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

Pico Vs Island Trees is up next, and, if you were wondering just like I did, the band’s name comes from a supreme court case where Stephen Pico led a group of high school students against the Island Trees School Board protesting the banning of books. Sporting an impressive 25,000 plus friends on their myspace page, their music is an obviously well liked blend of sounds ranging from jazz to indie rock.

Pico Vs Island Trees – Open Doors
[MYSPACE]

Capping off the evening will be New York’s Hymns, their press kit blurb sums up it well : “Hymns is a New York band; one that marries Pavement to Neil Young with the twang of Gram, the inebriation of Guided by Voices and the drive of Spoon. Hymns plays vintage rock tunes with a slight country feel and earnest, memorable melodies.” Give a listen to the rolling horn infused I Can’t Be What U Want from their just released Travel In Herds

Hymns – I Can’t Be What U Want
Buy Travel In Herds
[MYSPACE]

Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees, Shawn Fogel
Sunday May 25th
The M Room
15 W Girard Ave. Philadelphia PA
Click Here To Buy Tickets

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