It's the end of the year, so here I am, forcing my opinion down your throat.

Top 10 albums
10. Thrice: The Alchemy Index Vols. 1 & 2
09. Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
08. Eisley: Combinations
07. Paul McCartney: Memory Almost Full
06. The Apples In Stereo: New Magnetic Wonder
05. silverchair: Young Modern
04. Dustin Kensrue: Please Come Home
03. The National: Boxer
02. The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
01. Iron and Wine: The Shepherd's Dog

Honorable Mentions
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising Sand
Straylight Run: The Needles The Space
The Weakerthans: Reunion Tour

Favorite b-sides
Brand New: (Fork and Knife)
Iron and Wine: Carried Home
Kanye West feat. John Mayer: Bittersweet Poetry

Favorite vocals
Stacy/Sherri DuPree (Eisley)
James Mercer (The Shins)
Dustin Kensrue (solo/Thrice)

Best concerts
Brand New/Kevin Devine and The Goddamn Band/Manchester Orchestra
Brand New/Thrice/mewithoutYou
Bonnaroo 2007
Manchester Orchestra/Annuals/The Never
The Hold Steady/Art Brut

Best TV shows
House
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
South Park

Best video games
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl (DS)

Most Anticipated albums of 08
Death Cab
Chris Walla
The Hold Steady
Brand New
Jack's Mannequin
Thrice
Bob Mould
B-52's [I'll admit. I'm pretty curious]
The Lemonheads

-Orange

end of the year

so, i guess its that time of year again for all the end of the year best of lists. i SUCK at creating them because i can never remember what came out during the course of a specific year.

this year is especially hard for me because the only thing ive wanted to listen to for the majority of it has been the devil and God are raging inside me by this blog's collective favorite band, brand new.

there are two albums that i can remember coming out this year. the shepard's dog by iron & wine (another collective favorite...i did spend like two months this year listening solely to their bonnaroo set from a few years ago. im very sad that i was a year too late on the bus for that) and under the boards by saves the day.

i was told to take utb back. i was told its really no good, but a lot of people didnt dig sound the alarm either, and i was pretty into that one, so i dunno. i think its funny that i made a big deal about getting to the store to buy this one and its still sitting in front of my record player, unopened.

the shepard's dog is amazing. i think that it should be on everyone's top 10 this year. there is something about Sam Beam that reaches down to the deepest, darkest recesses of my soul and makes me happy and alive. i could never say enough good about iron & wine. seriously.

maybe after reviewing a few other lists, ill be able to come up with something more conclusive, but really, im getting too old to start listening to new bands.

id be willing to bet that orange has a list brewing, though.



~apple.

So, this is a re-upload? For the 3rd time.

Sorry the link to the Christmas mix was almost constantly down. Mediafire.com kept deleting it[and ONLY it]. So, I decided to use a different uploading site.

So This is Christmas? [take 3!]
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=43FNAN56

This should work. If it doesn't, I'm going to cut a bitch.



-Orange.

Currently spinning: The songs that make my heart sing. a compilation.

first, i have to say that the summer, and especially bonnaroo, ruined me. i really cant enjoy myself at indoor shows anymore. all i wanted to do last night at the show was dance barefooted in the grass and maybe lay down and enjoy some sun between sets...but since we were at the house of blues in atlantic city, that was impossible.

anyway, we saw mewithoutYou, thrice, and brand new last night.

mewithoutYou were really incredible, and probably put on the most energetic set of the night. its really a shame that the people that were there during the set talked through most of it, but they talked through thrice and brand new, as well, so i guess they paid 35 dollars to sit around and talk? i dunno. i dont know a lot of mwY's stuff, but i do know a few songs and they didnt play them. i still really enjoyed them and am very anxious to see them again.

thrice was thrice. dustin makes me a happy girl and teppei is the sickest musician i have had the oppertunity to see. orange and i have concluded that teppei and vin from brand new need to record an album together. it would be the most wicked thing known to man. everyone would love it.

thrice played a few songs from the artist and the ambulance, which is one of my favorite albums ever. they played a few tracks from vheissu, and a really old song (deadbolt, i think, though im not sure) that was really conducive to a live performance. they also played some stuff from the alchemy index, and while the fire stuff is full of energy and very angry, which is also conducive to a live show, the water stuff is really mellow and didnt really flow well with the rest of the set. now im not saying that the water stuff isnt good, because its really georgeous, i just feel like maybe the water stuff should be toured on its own, maybe with the earth stuff, its thats going to be as mellow as this.

Now, we all know that brand new is my favorite band (or at least was until very recently) so ive seen them nearly a couple dozen times. they are always entertaining, in my opinion, and of course last night was no different...but i HATE brand new fans. they are obnoxious and ridiculous. and most of them are the worst kind of fangirls. i am a fangirl too when it comes to jess, but i try very hard to keep my obession under wraps when im in public, and these kids magnify it to the point of silliness.

i am in love with jesse lacey's voice to the point that if i could just marry it, i would. if i could keep it in a bottle and use it to lull me to sleep on sleepless nights, i would. his voice is sex. i would much rather sit around my room with my headphones on and listen to bootlegs though, then be in an environment such as the one we were in last night. no drunkies dancing into me. no people shoving past me. no one talking over jess singing bridges acoustically. mmm.

i hope that seeing them in philly this week will be a bit better of an experience.

anyway, setlist? setlist!

welcome to bangkok
sowing season
millstone
sic transit gloria...glory fades
shower scene
me vs. maradona vs. elvis
luca
the archers bows have broken
morrisey cover (ask orange for the title, because i dont remember it)
not the sun
degausser
jaws theme swimming
you wont know
limosine
jesus christ

and the encore
untitled.


round two on thursday, and three on friday. lets see what happens.

Well, kiddies, it's Black Friday.

Don't go to shopping. You'll die. Thanks!

But this means that Thanksgiving is, and it's okay to be prepared for Christmas!

So, I made a fun Christmas mix. It's got pop and ska and Blues Traveler! What more could you ask for? Seriously.


So, This Is Christmas?
01. Damien Rice: Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
02. Brand New: Oh Holy Night
03. Coldplay: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
04. Copeland: Do You Hear What I Hear
05. Death Cab for Cutie: Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
06. The Long Winters: Christmas With You is the Best
07. Eels: Christmas is Going to the Dogs
08. Barenaked Ladies (feat. Sarah McLachlan): God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
09. Bing Crosby & David Bowie: Little Drummer Boy
10. Jack Johnson: Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
11. Blues Traveler: Christmas
12. Thurl Ravenscroft: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
13. Jimmy Eat World: Last Christmas
14. Thrice: Carol of the Bells
15. Bright Eyes: Blue Christmas
16. They Might Be Giants: Santa's Beard
17. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Mr. Heat Miser
18. Reel Big Fish: Mele Kalikimaka
19. Save Ferris: Christmas Wrapping
20. No Doubt: Oi! to the World
21. The Vandals: My First Christmas as a Woman
22. MXPX: Christmas Night of Zombies
23. Taking Back Sunday: The 12 Days of Christmas
http://www.mediafire.com/?41emzitzmwh

So, I'm planning on burning this and giving it to a few friends. But, if you download it from here, you'll get these lovely bonus tracks:

Nick Hexum of 311: Mele Kalikimaka
Spice Girls: Christmas Wrapping
Rilo Kiley: Xmas Cake
Blink 182: I Won't Be Home for Christmas
Rev Run (feat. Mase, Puff Daddy, Salt & Pepa, Onyx, and Keith Mur): Santa Baby
Tenacious D (feat. Sum 41): Things I Want
Aaron Gillespie & Kenny Vasoli: Yule Be Sorry
http://www.mediafire.com/?2b35ip6domz

-Orange.

And ooh, Kevin Devine songs too! Neat!

Acoustic on the Interface
1. Brooklyn Boy
2. You'll Only End Up Joining Them
3. Go Haunt Someone Else
4. Heaven Bound and Glory Be
5. Just Stay
http://www.mediafire.com/?fkketnzzbvw

Live at Austin City Limits
1. Cotton Crush
2. Brooklyn Boy
3. Just Stay
http://www.mediafire.com/?ehdtwkmxxmz

Kevin and Andy Hull on WRGW 10/22/07
1. Interview with Kevin #1
2. It's Only Your Life
3. Interview with Kevin #2
4. Tomorrow's Just Too Late
5. Interview with Kevin and Andy
6. Being Alone
7. Interview with Andy
8. Untitled [Unknown title]
http://www.mediafire.com/?byyd9ggsikv

Random Live songs [mostly covers]
1. Jesus Christ [Brand New cover]
2. All Apologies [Nirvana cover]
3. Blacksheep Boy [Okkervil River cover]
4. Cotton Crust [feat. Jesse Lacey]
5. Every Famous Last Word [Miracle of 86 cover]
6. Fewer Broken Pieces [David Bazan Cover]
7. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Brooklyn Boy
8. Harvest Moon [Neil Young cover]
9. Holland, 1945 [Neutral Milk Hotel cover]
10. It's Only Your Life
11. Jesus Christ [Brand New cover]
12. Jesus, Etc. [Wilco cover]
13. King of Carrot Flowers pt. 1 [Neutral Milk Hotel cover]
14. King's Crossing [Elliott Smith cover]
15. Loser Crew [Pablo cover]
16. Miss Misery [Elliott Smith cover]
17. Misunderstood [Wilco cover]
18. The Biggest Lie [Elliott Smith cover]
19. Untitled 01 [Brand New cover]
20. Waltz #2 [Elliott Smith cover]
21. Whatever (Some Folk Song in C) [Elliott Smith cover]
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ygmjext9vz

Random B-sides
1. Buried By the Buzz [remix]
2. You'll Only End Up Joining Them
3. The Longer I Lay Here
4. Write Your Story Now [acoustic]
http://www.mediafire.com/?9sc1u11yn9v

2007 Tour EP
1. The Biggest Lie [Elliott Smith cover]
2. Wolf's Mouth
3. Whatever (Some Folk Song in C) [Elliott Smith cover]
4. Joey [Concrete Blonde cover]
5. Harvest Moon [Neil Young cover]
6. The Longer I Lay Here
7. Holland, 1945 [Neutral Milk Hotel cover]
8. You'll Only End Up Joining Them (acoustic)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7yqxgt9yzvy

Demo
1. It's Only Your Life
http://www.mediafire.com/?9gyez2ygjtc

I've uploaded every Manchester Orchestra b-side I own.

This is what I've got:

Amy, This Record is for You
1. Don't Let Them See You Cry
http://www.mediafire.com/?aegmmbngbfv

Andy and J on 102.1 The Edge
1. Interview
http://www.mediafire.com/?2fwmd5oqck9

Andy Live on 107.7 The End (11/09/07)
1. Wolves at Night
2. Interview
3. Where Have You Been
http://www.mediafire.com/?0t01jugszum

Annuals/Manchester Orchestra tour split
1. Brother
2. Where Have You Been http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/46240-annuals-manchester-orchestra-where-have-you-been-brother-covering-each-other-mp3sstreams
This is obviously not my link, but it's a for real free download, so I figured that would be easier than uploading it myself. :D)

Demo
1. When My Dad Dies
http://www.mediafire.com/?amt0odn1l2x

The Garage
1. Are You Really Naked Under There?
http://www.mediafire.com/?9vyvsvi3jn1

Live
1. The Party's Over (Willie Nelson cover)
http://www.mediafire.com/?4uedf3mnkx2

Live at The Cave
1. I Can Barely Breathe
2. The Neighborhood is Bleeding
3. Sacred Heart
http://www.mediafire.com/?dsynmocyjyn

Live on the Interface
1. Wolves at Night
2. Now That You're Home
3. I Can Barely Breathe
4. Where Have You Been
5. Interview
http://www.mediafire.com/?fytem1j0low

Nobody Sings Anymore
1. Golden Ticket
2. Window
3. The Procession
4. I'd Rather Have
5. She Found a Love
6. Anything Left
7. The Other Side
8. Please Don't Go
9. Girl With Broken Wings
10. Slow to Learn
11. La-Di-Da
http://www.mediafire.com/?1fvgcgf43x1

Tree Sound Sessions
1. Made a Quite Impressive Noise
2. Sacred Heart
3. Sleeper 1972
4. When We Were Trees
http://www.mediafire.com/?7kd1my2mvj1

Twelve Months is a Waste of Time
1. Brain Bits on My Tie
2. It's a Lie
3. Little Teeth That Fall Out
4. Now Is As Good As Ever
http://www.mediafire.com/?cmuzu14r0zz

Virgins and Babies
1. I Can Feel Your Pain
2. I Think I Saw You
http://www.mediafire.com/?8g3mtf3mntt

You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, But Brilliance Needs a Good Editor
1. The Procession
2. Alice and Interiors
3. Slow to Learn
4. I'd Rather Have
5. Play It Again, Sam! You Don't Have Any Feathers
http://www.mediafire.com/?ehctz9e4md9


Anyways, these are live, unreleased, and out of print songs. I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child is however, in print. Buy it if you didn't already.

Also, mediafire deleted the Iron and Wine show and The Shins b-sides I had posted in this. I still have them all, so if you want them, leave a comment. Yep.


-Orange.