30 Albums For Spring

30 Albums For Spring

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Here are 30 albums for a perfect spring soundtrack. In alphabetical order. Note the prevalence of Brit-Rock. And, as always, feel free to share your own springtime faves.

1. Jamiroquai – The Return of The Space Cowboy (1994)

Probably my favorite Jamiroquai album. Such a great combination of jazz and funk. Great experimentation as well. Right now I’m obsessed with the bass. Stuart Zender is unreal.

2.  Belle &Sebastian – Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (2005)

I love the rawness and simplicity on this album. Great, timeless songs. If you are a B&S fan this album is a must.

3.  Air – Talkie Walkie (2004)

This album has really held up well over time. I go back and forth with this album and Moon Safari as my favorite album. Great springtime songs: Cherry Blossom Girl, Run, and Universal Traveler.

4. Beth Orton – Central Reservation (1999)

A perfect springtime album. Beth is so good at creating great songs that seem both fresh and spontaneous.

5. Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue (2009)

A perfect spring album for the urbanite.

6. Cat Stevens – Mona Bone Jakon (1970)

Cat’s first album he made after being bedridden with tuberculosis. Perfect spring songs: I Think I See The Light, Katmandu, and Fill My Eyes.

7. The Charlatans UK– Some Friendly (1990)

Great spring album you can listen to from beginning to end.

8. The Cocteau Twins – Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)

My favorite Cocteau Twins album. Love the bright, warm sound.

9. The Cure -  The Head On The Door (1985)

A more upbeat Cure album with some great songs. Some great spring songs: In Between Days, Six Different Ways, Push and Close to Me.

10. The Dandy Warhols – Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia (2000)

My favorite Dandy’s album. Another great springtime in the city album.

11. Gorillaz – Gorillaz (2001)

Just getting into these guys (I know, sometimes I am late with this sort of thing). This is their first album and the one I seem to enjoy most.  I love that the musicians come from all different backgrounds to come together and create a fresh, new sound.

12. Groove Armada – Vertigo (1999)

Great springtime grooves. See: Chicago, Whatever, Whenever, and Serve Chilled.

13. Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage (1965)

Definitely my favorite spring jazz record. When the sax comes in on the opening track it is pure bliss.

14. Jónsi – Go (2010)

Jónsi captured some great energy on this album. Great happy, bright songs.

15. Kula Shaker – K (1996)

A perfect album for those who enjoy some great experimental Brit-Rock.

16. Mew – And The Glass Handed Kites (2005)

A seriously good band out of Denmark. Experimental pop rock.

17. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless (1991)

Perfect album for spring. The sound they get from their guitars is ridiculous. An artistic masterpiece.

18. Nick Drake – Bryter Layter  (1970)

The somewhat, more upbeat Nick Drake album. Songs such as Hazey Jane I, Fly and Northern Sky are perfect spring songs.

19. Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

The album that got me into Oasis. They are masters of creating a big sound while still maintaining an urgency and freshness to it. I am obsessed with Morning Glory right now, probably my favorite Oasis song.

20. P.O.S. – Never Better (2009)

The energy on this album just reminds me of spring. Talented guy and lyricist.

21. Pearl Jam – Vs. (1993)

The album that had the difficult job of following Ten. Vs has more of a rawness to the sound than Ten which is the reason I included it on this list. I wasn’t into Pearl Jam when Ten came out (too young), but I definitely was a big fan when Vs came out. That’s why it will always be a special album for me. Rearviewmirror is as good of a song as they have ever written.

22. Phish – A Picture of Nectar (1992)

One of Phish’s best. Great energetic grooves such as Llama, Cavern and, or course, Tweezer.

23. Radiohead – Pablo Honey (1993)

I know some people don’t really like Pablo Honey, but I think it has held up pretty well. It is no OK Computer or Kid A, but the band was at a different state then. There are some great fun songs on this album. I’ve have some great memories of listening to this album.

24. Red House Painters – Red House Painters  (Rollercoaster) (1993)

An album that reminds me of strolling through San Fransisco in springtime. Listen to Grace Cathedral Park to hear what I mean.

25. Ride – Nowhere (1990)

The best of the early 90′s British shoegazer rock (along with Loveless and The Stone Roses). An album that’s worth hunting down for Brit-Rock enthusiasts.

26. Smashing Pumpkins – Pisces Iscariot (1994)

I remember when this came out it seemed to be marketed as another Pumpkins album, not a collection of B-sides and demos that it actually is. And after almost 20 years I pretty much consider this another pumpkins album. The songs are so good. Great energy and emotion in every song. Songs like Frail and Bedazzled, Whir, Hello Kitty Kat, and Starla are some of the best songs the pumpkins ever recorded. Pisces Iscariot is just further proof of how good these guys were at this time. For me, no other band was close.

27. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)

An album, such as Loveless, that will be fun to listen to in 20 years (or 50 years). Every song is a classic. The bright washed-out guitars are a perfect spring soundtrack. I think if I had to choose my favorite spring album The Stone Roses would be it.

28. Supergrass –I Should Coco (1995)

Probably their best album. Some fun, in-your-face Brit-Rock on here.

29. Washed Out – Life of Leisure (2009)

Love this LP from Washed Out. Destined to be a classic. Infusing so much mood into electronic music isn’t an easy thing, but Ernest makes it seem effortless.

30. Yonder Mountain String Band  – Elevation (1999)

Gotta throw some bluegrass in here. Love the harmonies. Springtime in the Rockies.

Jónsi: Concert Timelapse at The Wiltern Theatre

A great timelapse showing what a Jónsi is shows all about. Beautiful stuff.

Jonsi – Animal Arithmetic

I know this album has been out for a while but I still wanted to share this. Go is a great album. Great song too.

Jónsi’s Fall Tour

Jonsi is back. Probably your last chance to catch him. No Minnesota though. =(

But it sounds like another Sigur Rós concert film will be out soon. very cool.

Jónsi Sets U.S. Tour

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Also: Sigur Rós concert film in the works.

Front page photo by Lilja and Inga Birgisdottir

Sigur Rós lead wailer Jónsi is currently touring behind his overflowing solo bow, Go, and he’s lined up a last round of U.S. dates for this fall starting in October. All upcoming dates are below.

A Sigur Rós live movie is being made by director Vincent Morisset, who helmed Arcade Fire’s Miroir Noir. The film is based on the band’s London gigs in November 2008.

Jónsi:

07-24 Vienna, Austria – Arena Open Air
08-01 Woodford, Australia – Splendour in the Grass
08-02 Sydney, Australia – Enmore Theatre
08-04 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre
08-07 Osaka, Japan – Summer Sonic Festival
08-08 Tokyo, Japan – Summer Sonic Festival
08-12 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-13 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West
08-15 Helsinki, Finland – Flow Festival
08-17 Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega
08-19 Lausanne, Switzerland – For Noise Festival
08-20 Netherlands, Netherlands – Lowlands Festival
08-21 Kiewit, Belgium – Pukkelpopp
08-27 Santiago de Compostela, Spain – Festival Xacobeo
08-28 Saint Cloud, France – Rock en Seine
08-29 Zurich, Switzerland – Openair
09-01 Bristol, England – Colston Hall
09-03 Stradbally, Ireland – Electric Picnic Festival
09-05 Glasgow, Scotland – O2 Academy
09-06 Manchester, England – Academy
09-08 Leeds, England – O2 Academy
09-09 Birmingham, England – O2 Academy
09-11 Isle of Wight, England – Bestival
09-13 Bournemouth, England – O2 Academy
09-14 Brighton, England – Dome
09-17-18 Krakow, Poland – Sacrum Profanum Festival
10-15 San Diego, CA – 4th and B
10-17 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
10-19 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
10-21 Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
10-22 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
10-23 Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
10-25 Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre
10-26 Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall
10-27 Houston, TX – Verizon Music Theater
10-29 New Orleans, LA – Voodoo Festival
10-30 Asheville, NC – Moogfest
10-31 Atlanta, Georgia – The Tabernacle
11-02 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
11-03 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
11-05 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
11-06 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
11-08 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
11-10 New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
11-23 Groningen, Netherlands – Oosterpoort
11-24 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Muziekgebouw
11-26 London, England – HMV Hammersmith Apollo

Jonsi: Let’s Color Project

This project looks extremely awesome. Watch the video and be wowed!

Thursday, July 8

Watch: Jónsi’s Eye-Popping Paint Ad

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Photo by Lilja and Inga Birgisdottir

A few international companies got together and started something called the Let’s Colour Project. It aims to “spread colour all over the world” by teaming up with communities to paint buildings, houses, roads, public places, what have you.

An incredible new two-minute commercial for the initiative features entire towns getting spruced up via slick time-lapse photography. Making the whole thing even more uplifting is its soundtrack: the majestic “Go Do” from Sigur Rós front man Jónsi‘s recent solo album.

While Sigur Rós music has been used in many movies and TV shows– Jónsi criticized the BBC for “raping” his band’s songs in promos earlier this year– this is the first time the singer has officially licensed one of his tracks, according to his label.

Watch the ad directed by Adam Berg below:

NPR: Listen to ‘Go’ by Jonsi

If you haven’t done so already, you should head over the the NPR’s website and listen to “Go”. The new album from Sigur Ros front-man Jonsi. It’s awesome, and I had some high expectations.

Click here to Listen. I recommend with headphones for sure.

March 28, 2010Jonsi is the nickname of Jon Thor Birgisson, the enigmatic Sigur Ros singer. In Sigur Ros, his music is ethereal, sprawling and mysterious — it’s even sung in a language of his own devising. But Jonsi also writes songs that can be upbeat, even celebratory, and often sung in English. His new solo album, Go, is where he’s found a home for that music, and it’s a brilliant and creative assortment of songs.

Recorded in Jonsi’s studio in Iceland and in Connecticut, Go features wonderful arrangements of strings, brass and woodwinds, recorded with the help of Nico Muhly. Muhly has worked with Bjork, Philip Glass and even Bonnie “Prince” Billy; listen to “Tornado” and you’ll get a good idea of the exhilaration Muhly helps bring to these songs. You can hear Go in its entirety here until its release on April 6.

Birgisson grew up in Iceland, raised by parents who weren’t particularly musical; his early memories include playing The Beatles at double speed on his turntable and listening to and playing along with Iron Maiden records. You can hear him speak at length about his musical past and loves in an upcoming episode of All Songs Considered, in which Birgisson plays guest DJ. His history as Sigur Ros’ singer and guitarist spans 16 years, during which time the band has released five studio albums and created a sound that’s dramatic, euphoric, thoughtful, spacious and unforgettable.

Go Do by Jonsi, with Nico Muhly

Jónsi’s new album Go was originally conceived as an acoustic album. Watch Jónsi and Nico Muhly play Go Do acoustically at home in Iceland. Sounds very nice.

You can watch Boy Lilikoi here.

Sigur Ros Says Their ‘Music Has Been Raped on British TV’

That is not cool. Though, I do like that they gave Planet Earth permission. Love that documentary.

Sigur Ros singer Jonsi Birgisson has said the band’s music has been “raped” on British television, particularly the track ‘Hoppípolla’ from 2005, Gigwise has reported.

Usually used to make footage appear heroic or grand, this song alone has featured in several film trailers and advertisements. In particular, it has featured extensively on the BBC sports coverage, as well as an episode of ‘Doctor Who.’ Use in ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ could be perceived by some as a blow to the integrity of the group.

“In some weird way, the national TV here in Britain doesn’t have to ask permission to use songs if it’s in the background of TV shows or whatever,” he said. Jonsi did, however, express his content with the use on BBC nature epic ‘Planet Earth.’ “The David Attenborough show was cool … We’re all big fans of his.”

Spinner contacted EMI Music Publishing, who had “no comment” and were unaware of Jonsi’s statement.

Jonsi previously spoke to Spinner about the release of his forthcoming solo album, ‘Go,’ due for release on Mar. 22. He also confirmed Sigur Ros were on a break, despite their next recording nearing completion. “Yes we are on a break at the moment. Everybody in the band is having babies.”

You can hear music from Jonsi’s solo project at his website, which features contributions from other high profile artists such as Grizzly Bear.

Jónsi Live Show – 59 Productions

Here’s a glimpse at the design and production work behind the Jónsi Live tour. This looks awesome. Can’t wait for the Minneapolis show!

Jónsi – Tour Dates

Two in Minnesota at The Pantages! I’ve never seen a show there and heard it’s a very cool venue. I love the focus on northern states.

2010 north america tour

april 6	vancouver, canada	vogue theatre
april 7	vancouver, canada	vogue theatre
april 9	seattle, wa	the showbox sodo
april 10	seattle, wa	the showbox sodo
april 13	portland, or	roseland theatre
april 15	berkeley, ca	zellerbach auditorium
april 16	san francisco, ca	palace of fine arts
april 18	indio, ca	coachella
april 21	denver, co	paramount theatre
april 22	lawrence, ks	liberty hall
april 24	minneapolis, mn	pantages theatre
april 25	minneapolis, mn	pantages theatre
april 26	milwaukee, wi	the pabst theatre
april 27	chicago, il	vic theatre
april 28	chicago, il	vic theatre
april 30	toronto, canada	sound academy
may 1	toronto, canada	sound academy
may 2	montreal, canada	metropolis
may 3	philadelphia, pa	electric factory
may 5	boston, ma	house of blues
may 6	boston, ma	house of blues
may 8	new york, ny	terminal 5
may 9	new york, ny	terminal 5
tour listing on: last.fm + facebook