The Last Drop

This was easy pickins, as I was on a rampage of catching up to the good music of 2008 that I sorely missed. Is there anything wrong with easy pickins? Not at all.

The Dodo’s, Visiter – Channeling Mississippi blues and Midwestern folk into a driving, rocking, jangling beat never hurt nobody. In fact, it’s probably good for you. Very good for you if you are listening to The Dodo’s

Boyz Noise, Oi Oi Oi – Biased and subjective, yes I am. Germany is in my heart now and I can’t let go. It doesn’t help that their djs and producers consistently put out some of the best dance music in the world. And this is case in point. If the Euro continues it’s crash course, I’ll be spending more direct time stealing more music from the Rhineland. Until then, Oi Oi Oi will suffice.

The Dodos, Visiter – The first in a long line of “Why Didn’t I Get This in 2008?”. And probably one of my favorites. Given that Elodie intensely pitched them as a band that I absolutely have to listen to, I am a bit disappointed that it took me almost 6 months to pick up the album. Plus, they are hometown (as in my most current one) heroes. What more can you ask for? Well, for starters, more music. Visiter is amazing – unique, inspiring, intense, playful, and just plain good. Little did I know I was waiting for a more rhythmic interpretation of the blues in a rock setting with outstanding vocal interplay from Drew and Kathy. Vampire Weekend take notice – there are better ways of incorporating “African rhythms” outside of smug Ivy League references to the plight of the upper middle class. The Dodos have stumbled on a winning formula that is bound to keep me listening for many albums to return. Maybe they will work on their spelling skills in the meantime.