end of year bullshit

when i was a "music critic," i usedta get invited to fill out end-of-year "best-of" lists, as if that bullshit (or my opinion of same) really mattered. since i am no longer one of those, i'm gonna pass on any ones i get asked to do this yr. however, since i'm waiting for water to boil so i can pour it down our sluggish-draining kitchen sink (and i wanna have enough posts to make the last "art of the jam" disappear from "previous posts" -- call me a wonk, it's a game i play with myself, hokay?), here 'tis (even tho it's not quite thanksgiving yet):

1) dungen -- ta det lungnt (double lp). i simply adore psychedelia, especially when the words are all in swedish so i can't understand them. (tks to marcus for the turn-on.)

2) mercury rev -- the secret migration (cd). i also adore beautifully crafted psychedelic pop where i _can_ understand the words. "moving on" is currently my fave song with which to start the day. (tks to damien for the turn-on.)

3) jhon kahsen -- love's bitter rage (cd). the fort worth jazz pianist's magnum opus, a deeply-felt piece with a political theme. i will continue to request the title track (in place of "ruby my dear") each and every time i go to hear johnny at sardines.

4) james hinkle -- straight ahead blues? (cd). a mature work by a cat who's prolly the purest product of the fort worth blues bloodline. meaning he plays a whole lotta stuff besides I-IV-V shuffles 'n' slow blooze.

5) dave and daver -- jazz lines (cd). dave williams' toons sound classic and the band does 'em up like an early '60s blue note sesh. didn't keep 'em from losing their wednesday night gig at the black dog, tho. shame.

6) woodeye -- last show at the wreck room, 11/18. they played every song they could remember, ppl you wouldn't believe were capable of being moved to tears _were_, and at the end of the night, carey wolff still wasn't happy. in other words: the perfect woodeye gig. cool poster, too.

7) napoleon complex -- "god bless haltom city" (cd-r). our current fave rawk anthem. may show up on the me-thinks double e.p. if they ever finish it. hell yeah, hell yeah. (tks to boyo for sharing.)

8) darrin kobetich -- "playing in the hedges" (mp3). what happens when old metalheads go acoustic? maybe something like this: a confluence of tapping, harmonics, and strange-ass chords. good soundtrack for whatever happens to be on yr mind.

9) petra haden and bill frisell (cd). gorgeous voxxx, unobtrusive arrangements, "moon river," "when you wish upon a star," and stevie wonder's "i believe."

10) playing with lee allen at the wreck room on wednesday nights. has its ups and downs, but lots more fun than stealing tires. my fave reality show. the secret ingredient: andre edmonson.

BONUS: listening to saint frinatra at fred's on friday night. and hearing the high school bands from farrington field on the way there.