AOTY/SOTY Staff Nominations Round 2 Group 2 Chat

Round 2 Group 2: mxdwn.com Album of the Year Nominationswithouttheitch (7:21:25 PM): who else are we waiting for?
thecityofbrass (7:21:30 PM): no one really
thecityofbrass (7:21:34 PM): just prepping one thing
thecityofbrass (7:21:38 PM): and we can dive into it
ToonTownHooligan (7:21:50 PM): getting my trunks
ToonTownHooligan (7:21:58 PM): stretching
withouttheitch (7:22:07 PM): albatross!
ToonTownHooligan (7:22:17 PM): ahhhh
thecityofbrass (7:22:39 PM): hahahahaa
ToonTownHooligan (7:22:41 PM): pulled a hammy
thecityofbrass (7:22:52 PM): what’s it with you and the athletic jokes Matthew?
withouttheitch (7:23:12 PM): don’t knock it, he’s got a swimmer’s height
thecityofbrass (7:23:24 PM): this is true!
ToonTownHooligan (7:23:25 PM): The doctor says I need a hobbie.
ToonTownHooligan (7:23:48 PM): Since actual sports are just way too much work, I make athletic jokes
mxdwnbrendan (7:24:00 PM): makes sense
withouttheitch (7:24:07 PM): and since philly will have no actual sports teams this winter…
ToonTownHooligan (7:24:18 PM): That way I feel part of the game through my own cynicism
mxdwnbrendan (7:24:19 PM): haha yeah
ToonTownHooligan (7:24:55 PM): Eh, Philly won’t have a sports team I’ll cheer for till 2009 when they get a soccer team
withouttheitch (7:25:03 PM): true dat
withouttheitch (7:25:27 PM): the eagles are finding new ways to lose, nobody cares about the sixers, and i’ve never seen the flyers look this bad
withouttheitch (7:25:54 PM): it’s only 2 wks since the world series and i can’t wait to hear “march madness” and “pitchers and catchers report”
mxdwnbrendan (7:25:59 PM): looks like just Bon Jovi’s band of indoor football machines is all we got left
ToonTownHooligan (7:26:01 PM): But hey, the eagles aren’t about winning, they’re about their fans
mxdwnbrendan (7:26:02 PM): …shit
thecityofbrass (7:26:27 PM): well….
withouttheitch (7:26:28 PM): hey, didn’t the soul actually win a playoff game?
thecityofbrass (7:26:37 PM): Robert and I have the Lakers and the Clippers….
mxdwnbrendan (7:26:47 PM): no idea
withouttheitch (7:27:19 PM): mxdwn.com, all that matters in sports
mxdwnbrendan (7:27:23 PM): haha
withouttheitch (7:27:24 PM): 😉
thecityofbrass (7:27:30 PM): hahahahahahaa
ToonTownHooligan (7:27:36 PM): The lakers can at least have promise as long as Jerry Lucas is scouting talent for them
thecityofbrass (7:27:39 PM): someday… you never know….
ToonTownHooligan (7:28:16 PM): That would be the coolest thing since MTV’s Rock N Jock
thecityofbrass (7:28:31 PM): pfffffff
thecityofbrass (7:28:32 PM): hahahaaha
thecityofbrass (7:28:34 PM): alright
thecityofbrass (7:28:36 PM): everybody ready?
withouttheitch (7:28:40 PM): i think they still do that during the super bowl
mxdwnrobert (7:28:44 PM): ready
mxdwnbrendan (7:28:48 PM): jagshemesh
withouttheitch (7:28:53 PM): with special celebrity coach THE ROCK
withouttheitch (7:28:59 PM): oh, yes, ready
thecityofbrass (7:29:03 PM): hahaha
ToonTownHooligan (7:29:07 PM): Wait
ToonTownHooligan (7:29:09 PM): Wait
ToonTownHooligan (7:29:15 PM): Almost, there we go
ToonTownHooligan (7:29:19 PM): Ready
thecityofbrass (7:29:24 PM): Robert
withouttheitch (7:29:25 PM): (had to pull his trunks on)
thecityofbrass (7:29:27 PM): you’re up first!
mxdwnrobert (7:29:38 PM): phone call, sec
withouttheitch (7:29:43 PM): doh!
mxdwnbrendan (7:29:47 PM): haha
mxdwnrobert (7:29:54 PM): can you skip me
mxdwnbrendan (7:30:19 PM): ur givin a bad name to the mxdwn(insert name here)’s dude
mxdwnbrendan (7:30:26 PM): haha jk
thecityofbrass (7:30:44 PM): you gonna be long?
mxdwnrobert (7:30:51 PM): think so, work call
thecityofbrass (7:31:08 PM): well we’ll wait a couple minutes then
thecityofbrass (7:31:21 PM): even if we have someone else go first, I still want you in the conversation
mxdwnrobert (7:31:40 PM): think you should skip me
thecityofbrass (7:32:00 PM): like I say, even if we do, I still want you in the conversation, so we’re gonna wait
thecityofbrass (7:32:12 PM): do what you got to
thecityofbrass (7:32:14 PM): we’ll be here
withouttheitch (7:32:35 PM): we’ll be here rappin’ on the best damn sports chat, period
thecityofbrass (7:32:38 PM): hahaha
thecityofbrass (7:32:41 PM): damn straight!
mxdwnrobert (7:36:26 PM): gonna do what I can here
thecityofbrass (7:36:39 PM): still on the phone?
mxdwnrobert (7:36:46 PM): SOTY: The Shins Phantom Limb, Built to Spill: Conventional Wisdom
mxdwnrobert (7:36:53 PM): yeah, on the phone
withouttheitch (7:37:11 PM): just heard phantom limb the other day, nice song
mxdwnrobert (7:37:29 PM): heard phantom limb this week for the first time
thecityofbrass (7:38:04 PM): where’s that from?
mxdwnbrendan (7:38:09 PM): built to spill is great nice pick
ToonTownHooligan (7:38:22 PM): I second that Brenden
mxdwnrobert (7:38:31 PM): phantom limb is the first, new Shins single
thecityofbrass (7:38:40 PM): is it official?
withouttheitch (7:38:41 PM): yah, album drops in january
thecityofbrass (7:38:45 PM): oh ok
thecityofbrass (7:38:47 PM): cool
withouttheitch (7:38:52 PM): i’ll vouch for it, we’re playing it at y-rock
ToonTownHooligan (7:38:56 PM): thecityofbrass (7:39:00 PM): no worries, just checking
thecityofbrass (7:39:11 PM): why do you select each of those Robert?
mxdwnrobert (7:39:22 PM): AOTY: Beck, The Information
mxdwnrobert (7:39:37 PM): It has a modest concept and a spacey feel that is reminiscent of ziggy stardust
withouttheitch (7:39:43 PM): heh, i was wondering if beck would make an appearance
ToonTownHooligan (7:40:02 PM): I still need to hear that one
mxdwnrobert (7:40:05 PM): reminds me of my favorite beck moments from Mellow Gold and Sea Change
ToonTownHooligan (7:40:19 PM): I still haven’t heard Guero though
thecityofbrass (7:40:22 PM): great album
mxdwnbrendan (7:40:26 PM): yeah really
thecityofbrass (7:40:31 PM): just a smidge better then Guero
withouttheitch (7:40:35 PM): sea change, huh? even with all the beats?
withouttheitch (7:40:40 PM): interesting
thecityofbrass (7:40:49 PM): yeah, it’s about halfway between Sea Change and Guero
mxdwnrobert (7:41:47 PM): okay back, finally have full attention
thecityofbrass (7:41:52 PM): awesome
withouttheitch (7:41:54 PM): wb robert
mxdwnrobert (7:42:16 PM): this album was started just after Sea Change with Nigel Goodrich at the helm
mxdwnrobert (7:42:32 PM): then shelved for three years ’til their schedules matched up again
mxdwnrobert (7:43:06 PM): it feels like it picks up where Sea Change left off but, as adam points out, has a lot of beats and electronica
mxdwnrobert (7:43:33 PM): reminding me of moments from Mellow Gold as well
ToonTownHooligan (7:43:35 PM): Nice nice nice
thecityofbrass (7:43:53 PM): awesome
withouttheitch (7:44:01 PM): if it’s a half-decent balance… i can imagine how good it might be
mxdwnrobert (7:44:13 PM): it’s an impressive effort
thecityofbrass (7:44:28 PM): don’t forget to say why you picked those two songs too 🙂
withouttheitch (7:44:41 PM): yah… the shins, so fast?
mxdwnrobert (7:44:42 PM): not as accessible as say Odelay…
mxdwnrobert (7:44:50 PM): but the kind of Beck album I like
mxdwnrobert (7:45:00 PM): The Shins keep blowing me away
mxdwnrobert (7:45:20 PM): heard this new single on KCRW this week
mxdwnrobert (7:45:34 PM): and had someone who will remain nameless make me a bootleg
mxdwnrobert (7:46:02 PM): haven’t taken it out of my cd player yet
ToonTownHooligan (7:46:05 PM): uh oh, the b-word
thecityofbrass (7:46:14 PM): nice
mxdwnrobert (7:46:26 PM): if this song is any indication I am expecting a much more focused album
mxdwnrobert (7:46:41 PM): a leap forward artistically, time will tell
withouttheitch (7:46:56 PM): do i hear best of
mxdwnrobert (7:46:57 PM): as for Built to Spill
withouttheitch (7:46:59 PM): ’07?
mxdwnrobert (7:47:14 PM): yes, shins drops Jan. ’07
ToonTownHooligan (7:47:37 PM): That’s productivity. It’s not even December yet
mxdwnrobert (7:47:51 PM): I’ve been a fan of BTS since the beginning and as much as I’ve liked previous offerings
mxdwnrobert (7:49:30 PM): this album is more focused, stripped down production and feels fresher and more approachable than anything they’ve done thus far
thecityofbrass (7:49:54 PM): nice
thecityofbrass (7:50:39 PM): muy bueno
mxdwnrobert (7:50:40 PM): this single is probably the most uptempo track on the album
mxdwnrobert (7:50:57 PM): and there is a definite Neil Young influence creeping in…
mxdwnrobert (7:51:14 PM): which is what seems to happen to alt bands when they get older
thecityofbrass (7:51:35 PM): oh to live on / sugar mountain….
mxdwnrobert (7:51:49 PM): not judging mind you but, anyone else notice that trend?
withouttheitch (7:52:12 PM): heh, i don’t believe the BTS track is anywhere near sugar mountain, son
thecityofbrass (7:52:19 PM): some places yah
withouttheitch (7:52:28 PM): eh, just me, then
thecityofbrass (7:52:35 PM): definitely some bands that have gone that way
thecityofbrass (7:53:21 PM): awesome
thecityofbrass (7:53:26 PM): great Robert
mxdwnbrendan (7:53:28 PM): i can see Neil in BTS for sure
thecityofbrass (7:53:43 PM): let’s keep it rolling
mxdwnrobert (7:53:47 PM): thanks for your patience… it’s been a day
thecityofbrass (7:53:52 PM): no worries man
thecityofbrass (7:53:53 PM): 🙂
thecityofbrass (7:53:57 PM): and…..
thecityofbrass (7:53:59 PM): I’m up next
thecityofbrass (7:54:10 PM): Album of the Year:
thecityofbrass (7:54:22 PM): Peeping Tom – s/t
thecityofbrass (7:54:32 PM): A six year in the making pop project
ToonTownHooligan (7:54:32 PM): WOOHAH!
withouttheitch (7:54:40 PM): a no-brainer, and yet… stolen!
thecityofbrass (7:54:46 PM): from a man that was more than happy to make experimental noise
thecityofbrass (7:55:01 PM): labored over for years
thecityofbrass (7:55:26 PM): this is a tuneful album making the best use of Mike Patton’s many many collaborations
thecityofbrass (7:55:37 PM): here particulary, featuring the likes
thecityofbrass (7:56:03 PM): of Dan the Automator, Dub Trio, Amon Tobin, Massive Attack, Rahzel, Gel, Odd Nosdam and Doseone
thecityofbrass (7:56:06 PM): AND
thecityofbrass (7:56:14 PM): Norah Jones of all people
mxdwnrobert (7:57:08 PM): I very much look forward to hearing this opus of Patton’s
thecityofbrass (7:57:18 PM): bouncy, emphatic and unapologetically pop-y
thecityofbrass (7:57:34 PM): quite possibly his best piece of work since Lovage
thecityofbrass (7:57:44 PM): Song of the Year 1
withouttheitch (7:57:51 PM): it is his most accessible work since FNM, and yet still more challenging than most stuff out there
thecityofbrass (7:57:58 PM): Hank III – D Ray White
mxdwnbrendan (7:58:07 PM): ooo number 2 from hank!
thecityofbrass (7:58:33 PM): good ole Hank’s tale of a southern family surviving hard times in the face of adversity
thecityofbrass (7:58:42 PM): truly the country version of crescendo
thecityofbrass (7:59:41 PM): Hank’s snarl here is inspiring
thecityofbrass (8:00:04 PM): Song of the Year 2
thecityofbrass (8:00:11 PM): Peeping Tom – Don’t Even Trip
withouttheitch (8:00:22 PM): oooo, a dark horse from PT
thecityofbrass (8:00:24 PM): this one’s all about the hook
ToonTownHooligan (8:00:27 PM): PT racking up the noms
thecityofbrass (8:00:40 PM): “I know that assholes grow on trees / but I’m here to clear the leaves”
thecityofbrass (8:00:46 PM): over 5 minutes
thecityofbrass (8:00:52 PM): in lenght
thecityofbrass (8:01:05 PM): yet constantly building energy
thecityofbrass (8:01:11 PM): without increasing BPM
thecityofbrass (8:01:32 PM): sleek, dark and soulful all at once
thecityofbrass (8:01:41 PM): 🙂
thecityofbrass (8:02:12 PM): thoughts everyone?
mxdwnrobert (8:02:13 PM): sounds like Hank scored a winner
mxdwnbrendan (8:02:34 PM): hank III has my full support
withouttheitch (8:02:35 PM): all this PT stuff is gonna split votes, y’know
mxdwnrobert (8:02:36 PM): can’t wait to hear it
thecityofbrass (8:02:37 PM): easily the best thing I’ve heard in years
thecityofbrass (8:02:45 PM): hahahahahaha
thecityofbrass (8:03:05 PM): democratic process in action my man 😉
withouttheitch (8:03:25 PM): PT album is a yellow state
ToonTownHooligan (8:03:26 PM): padding the ballot
mxdwnrobert (8:03:33 PM): is it rockin’ like his assjack stuff… country vibe…?
thecityofbrass (8:03:33 PM): hahahhahaha
thecityofbrass (8:03:43 PM): it’s more of the outlaw country side
thecityofbrass (8:03:46 PM): but the second disk
thecityofbrass (8:03:49 PM): holy crap
thecityofbrass (8:03:58 PM): it makes Radiohead look lazy
mxdwnrobert (8:04:01 PM): it’s a family traditi

Raymond Flotat: Editor-in-Chief / Founder mxdwn.com || Raymond Flotat founded mxdwn.com in 2001 while attending University of the Arts in Philadelphia while pursuing a B.F.A. in Multimedia. Over his career he has worked in variety of roles at companies such as PriceGrabber.com and Ticketmaster. He has written literally hundreds of pieces of entertainment journalism throughout his career. He has also spoken at the annual SXSW Music and Arts Festival. When not mining the Internet for the finest and most exciting art in music, movies, games and television content he dabbles in LAMP-stack programming. Originally hailing from Connecticut, he currently resides in Los Angeles. ray@mxdwn.com
Leave a Comment