Jackie's Top 10 Album's of 2009

As the story goes, another year is drawing near its end. Frankly, I couldn't be more ready. 2009 is not going to be making my top 10 list of favorite years. Is it just me or did the stars just not seem aligned? (I'm a little too into Astrology sometimes). 2009 seemed to be the year of mortality, beginning with the untimely death of one of the greatest entertainers/artists of all-time and several other unusual events in popular culture and in in my personal life experiences too.
Though it wasn't all bad; I did turn 21 afterall. ; )

In light of the year's end, I perused my ITunes collection to compile a list of my Top 10 Favorite Albums of 2009:


10. The Decemberists-Hazards of Love

Anyone who knows me knows my undying love for this band. I did not listen to this record nearly as much as I would listen to their others but it had to make it on my list because they can truly do me no dirty. The album is MUCH more hard-rock infused than any of their previous stuff, but the storytelling element that Colin Meloy crafts so well is perfection on this album.


9. Jay-Z-The Blueprint 3

Have you been able to go anywhere without hearing this album blasting in the streets since its release 3 months ago (or in August when everyone copped the leak)? Well, me either. I had a brief internal conflict about putting this on the list because it just doesn't quite measure up to pretty much all of his older albums. BUT it had to go on because I find myself listening to it as much as the next person.


8. Metric-Fantasies

"Who would you rather be The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" (The Beatles, duh) But on a serious note, Metric made an incredibly good, even more catchy Indie Pop/Electronic record in Fantasies. It had decent success too, and the band self-released it..labels really are becoming more obselete.


7. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest

The sound on this album is all around amazing. Haunting and a little sad but listen to it while your alone and you'll see what I mean. (Especially, "Two Weeks, "Cheerleader," and "While You Wait For The Others")


6. Black Landlord- Addicted To Distraction

I was introduced to Black Landlord when I worked briefly at Ropeadope and one way or another I became attached to this album. A funky, brass-heavy, big band and Hip-hop fusion that we so much adore in our Philadelphia music roots. Totally underrated band.


5. Lady Gaga- Fame/Fame Monster

Where did this chick come from? She took 2009 by storm and popularized what a very good friend of mine coined as "manufactured avante garde." But this is about the music, and what a great Pop album Gaga put together..especially for partying. 0= )


4. Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca
There isn't a song this summer that I listened to more than "Stillness is the Move." These guys/girls are so musically-gifted..it's ridiculous.


3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- It's Blitz!
This album spawned a very different, more mainstream sound from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but in all the right ways!


2. Lily Allen- It's Not Me, It's You
Three words: My celebrity BFF. (Well, in my eyes)!
"There's just one thing that's getting in the way,
when we go up to bed you're just no good. It's such a shame.
I look into your eyes; I want to get to know you.
And then you make this noise and its apparent it's all over."-Lily Allen
Uhhhh right? Adore her.


1. Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion
Perfection. Need I say more?



Very honorable mentions do have to go to: Passion Pit, Diane Birch, Raekwon, Kid Cudi, Bat 4 Lashes, and Ida Maria.
I'll probably do my top 10 songs also, have a feeling it will include a lot more Hip-hop.

Bring on 2010.

Wild Beasts

Am I real late on this band?



Just began listening to their album Two Dancers which was released this year.
I especially enjoy the title track and the part II of the title track. There is some pretty impressive and interesting guitar-work throughout. I am not going crazy about the lead vocalist though. I feel as though he detracts from their overall sound, but it might need to grow on me.

Wild Beasts

We Were Once A Fairytale..

Kanye West's short film by Spike Jonze.
I thought it was pretty well-done for whatever reason this film was made in the first place. Suppose its worth approximately 11 minutes of your day.

Taken By Trees cover of Animal Collective-"My Girls"

The other day when I was furiously "running" clothes around my job, listening to the same songs they play time and time again on our station, I heard a cover of Animal Collective's-"My Girls." It's from Merriweather Post Pavilion, which is one of my favorite albums of the year so far.

Did a bit of research, it's by Taken By Trees-"My Boys"



PS. I guess this band has an affinity for cover songs because I also found this one of "Sweet Child O Mine." I approve.

Living With Michael Jackson

I just now watched this documentary. I feel as though everyone has seen it, and I just never did. Not really sure. I have yet to watch it in its entirety but bits and pieces with a friend. She gave me a burned copy, and I plan to watch the whole thing and fully analyze it later.

It puts a lot into perspective about how Michael Jackson was.
I could sit here and ramble about all the of the things that he said for while probably..but I'm simultaneously watching the Phillies.


"Other people like to play football, basketball..I like to climb trees."-MJ (R.I.P)

The Roots-How I Got Over

Diane Birch

When I fall, I fall hard. This is rare in and of itself but naturally-- it can pose several problems in matters of the heart.
But in my musical soul; it doesn't.

What I mean is, I listened to Diane Birch for the first time today. It took me some 5 minutes to decide that I was already obsessed.

Her voice is fantastic, and she's gorgeous. Like a lovechild of Joni Mitchell, Cat Power, and Feist. Please do yourself a favor and get her album Bible Belt. So many beautiful harmonies, piano, and string sections. Love, love, love.

VMAS 2009

MTV is known for "random" things happening at the VMAS. This year was definitely a shitshow though. I couldn't stop laughing the entire time--from the horrible correspondents on the red carpet up until the end of the show.

Ye, you're a jerk. You probably should have waited an hour longer for Beyonce to win so that you didn't have to embarrass yourself on national television...again. When keepin' it real goes WRONG.



Lady Gaga is either completely genius or bat shit crazy. Can't really decide. Perhaps a little of both.


As expected Beyonce was on fire and surprisingly..so was Pink. Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes were a highlight at the end. Preforming practically the only song off of Blueprint 3 that I really love, "Empire State of Mind," that was until Lil' Mama jumped on stage with them. She's so corny.

Also, honorable mention to Wale--they put that guy in the corner but he was killin it throughout the whole show.

I have a hard time believing in the spontaneity of a lot of those moments because I've come to be quite critical of the media after studying it for the past 3 years. Are the VMAs just becoming a series of publicity stunts set up by both MTV and celebrity PR reps? What do you think?

I'm being trapped on a desert island, and I'm bringing..

In the 2nd week of my senior year, the class that is easily shaping up to be my favorite is CD Project Management. I'm sure you can imagine why, but it's basically the ins and outs of the recording industry and the job of a record producer.

Our first pseudo-assignment was to pick two top ten lists. The first being that if you were to be trapped on a desert island and could only bring 10 albums what would they be and 2nd being 10 albums that you admire the production on.

Thought I would post mine. I'm probably one of the most indecisive people I know, so naturally, I edited and re-edited multiple times. And I like lists, but I hate ordered ones so..I'm not numbering these. I mean, do you rate your shit?
Haha, funny how literally I take assignments like these ones that aren't even graded.

10 albums I can't live without:

The Beatles- White Album
The Beatles- Abbey Road
Rilo Kiley- Take Offs and Landings
The Decemberists- Picaresque
Death Cab For Cutie- Transatlanticism
The Roots- Things Fall Apart
Sufjan Stevens- Come on! Feel the Illinoise!
Nuetral Milk Hotel- In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
American Football- Self-Titled
M.I.A.- Kala

10 greatly produced albums:

The Beatles- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Public Enenmy- It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Radiohead- Ok Computer
Michael Jackson- Thriller
Beach Boys- Pet Sounds
Bob Marley and The Wailers- Legend
Kanye West- College Dropout
Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
Jay-Z- Black Album or Reasonable Doubt (Couldn't decide)
Bob Dylan- Highway 61 Revisited

Honorable mention: The Knife- Silent Shout

I have my reasonings for all of them but what do you think?

I'm alive.

After a less than brief hiatus, I've decided to start blogging again. My sometimes overactive social life and and a bit of newly 21 year old overindulgence this past summer has PARTIALLY prevented me from accomplishing certain things. No judgement.

However, I am graduating next May! (I've yet to grasp the feelings I have on this forthcoming commencement).
...anyway, I'm getting focused again, which includes doing little things that I enjoy/motivate me, this being one in them.

A few pictures which kinda "sum-up" the past summer:



Credit: Vanache



Credit: Kylene Wheaton

Credit: Daniel Paugh

Credit: Anmlhse


..Hahaha, my dad.

Nanny nanny nanny nanny boo boo

Partially brought on by friend-chats, partially by chick music, and by my own personal "empowerment"...I'm going back to doing MY thing everyday.

It's so much easier when you just don't give a damn...











even if it is mostly a front.

"Carlon is the beer drinker's indie band."-Freeindie.com

So, I am presenting another band to you from Ropeadope--yes that's two in a row, I'm soliciting my awesome job.
And it's NOT garbage either. So don't be a hater!

Anyway, here's Carlon (I'm personally doing "in-house" for the band):
They released their full-length LPJohari Window mid-last month, and it's a really great and underrated album (thus far).

To me it sounds like it has influences of Fleet Foxes and Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, and Radiohead--And you can definitely hear The Beatles references throughout. And even that's a long shot. They don't really sound like anyone in particular and different all the time, but the album flows so nicely. They're super original, not your basic indie rock band.
Carlon is a quartet of dude friends haling from New Jersey who made the whole album in they're own 20,000 square-foot warehouse studio. This apparently helped them with the writing process of Johari Window, giving it a personal feel. I think it shows; the album can get kind of emotional at times--in a good way though. A way we can all relate to.

I'll probably talk about them on here quite a bit because I'm in charge of getting these guys the press they deserve. They're talented. Let me know whatcha think. Any suggestions on how I should promote them, too?

Hey and look--they're cute too:



Listen to their LAST.FM Page: CARLON

Black Landlord

There is this pretty great band at Ropeadope where I recently started working (haven't done too much there yet but ya know). Everyone at Ropeadope is super psyched on them.

They're called Black Landlord and the album "Addicted to Distraction" just dropped yesterday, and it's f****** great music. Representin' the Illadelph! I was able to grab a free copy of it. You can compare them to the legendary Roots crew a bit (ya know, substance rap over a band with a soul/funk vibe). Only they're a little more big-band and just different. The main guys Maxx raps super clearly; you can understand everything he says. Actually, I think they're set to play at The Roots Picnic, as well (I'll be thurrr). My boss told me they were already, after I suggested we try and get them on that show. Apparently, really decently good and funny guys, too. Highly recommended by yours truly.
Black Landlord Myspace



...weird thing about the last video is that I was actually at this show when I happened upon Rittenhouse on a random summer night with friends. I hadn't realized who they were at the time.

I want..

BOYFRIEND SHORTS.

Twitter is kinda like getting a text from a celeb.

I got a Twitter.
As if I needed another inherently pointless Internet distraction.
It'll likely end up on "I love the 00s" on VH1, like why did we ever enjoy that random technology? Or maybe not, what do I know? It might be the new big thing.
I cannot deny it of its entertainment factor though. So for the time being, woo, more addictions!

http://twitter.com/JGalls

Danger Danger Gallery

I went to a crazy show/party last night. It was at a show-house in West Philly up on 50th and Baltimore or somewhere close.
I hadn't been to an infamous West Philly house show since I was with my ex-boyfriend. We used to frequent Be Happy House and a few others for basement shows, and they were always good times. They were really his friends so I never felt too comfortable going back to them after things ended.

Anyway, the Danger Danger Gallery was insane last night. It's a newer house, apparently. If I'm being frank, straight-up hipster, but not in a bad way. Kevin drove with a few friends and we went up there. We were originally going because we got inviited by a super chill girl we met outside of The Institute bar (after a failed effort to get into the Diplo/Boyz Noise show last week). She ended up not being able to make it, but it was complete with 40s and dancin' on stage. That shit was seriously good times..and on a Sunday. I like running into random surprising new places in this city I call home.

Santigold?

When did Ms. Santi White change her stage name from Santogold to Santigold?
Just wondering.

2nd Annual Roots Picnic.

This should be so good. Who wants to go with me?!
It starts in the afternoon on my 21st! Then we can continue the party at the bar or a club after the show. = )

Now I'm just straight up exhausted.

From the horse's mouth:

To continue my Decemberists tangent..

Colin Meloy talks metal:

MTV Shows

Colin and Chris on the album and SxSW: