Chris Kirby and I have started a podcast! It’s not really related to this blog, but I am using the blog feed to post the podcasts. So, enjoy episode 1, entitled: Hobos, Gangs, and Google Glass!

1. Mignonette (2004) – The Avett Brothers

Whether we like it or not, there will never be another Avett Brothers album like Mignonette. They have developed in such a unique way that every one of their albums is almost a totally different style. With that said, I would say that Mignonette captures the quintessential essence of the Avett Brothers as a band. For someone that has never listened to them before, I would definitely recommend buying this record first. I know I said these albums are in no particular order, but Mignonette is my favorite album of all time, from my favorite band of all time.

2. Original Musiquarium (1982) – Stevie Wonder

If someone plays me a song that makes me bob my head, chances are I will fall in love with that song. I absolutely love a good groove. Every song on Stevie Wonder’s Original Musiquarium makes me groove like a crazy person. There are very few albums that have as many widely-known songs as this album does. Although it is technically a compilation of hits, there are four completely new tracks on there, which may as well be hits anyway. “Just because a record has a groove don’t make it in the groove.”

3. Frizzle Fry (1990) – Primus

As a bass player I would have to say that Les Claypool is my number one idol, and although every song on this album makes me sad that I will never create something so magical, I have to respect it. It’s not very often that you think about the order of the tracks on a record, but this record in particular is incredibly well-organized. Aside from the organization, the composition of each song is flawless, the remastered version released in 2002 greatly increased the quality of the recording (obviously), and it is overall an outstanding album.

4. Comfort Eagle (2001) – CAKE

CAKE is one of the most original bands of all time. My challenge to you this week is to find a band that sounds even remotely similar to them. Bet you can’t. Every album they have released has at least one hit on it, and it’s hard to find a song by them that I don’t like, but I guess I had to choose Comfort Eagle because of how complete it is. Short Skirt / Long Jacket, Love You Madly, Comfort Eagle, Opera Singer, Shadow Stabbing, I mean I may as well just list every track on the record because they’re all incredible. But like I said, all their albums are great. Just think of Comfort Eagle as being an honorary album on this least that symbolizes CAKE as a whole.

5. Vessel (2013) – Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots are a fairly new obsession for me, I think I discovered them at some point last Summer. They are another band that has a very original, unique sound. One of my favorite things about them is their lyrics, I think anyone could relate to at least one of the songs on this album. Listen to Car Radio if you get the chance, those lyrics really hit home for me in today’s society. Imagine not having a radio in your car and having to drive around in silence everywhere you go. Society today is melting people’s brains with unnecessary technology, and a lot of lyrics in this album exploit that. They may not have the best sound, but they put their beliefs out there, and I love their lyrics so much they made my list.

There you have it boys and girls, for AndrewTalksMusic this week I am Andrew (If you didn’t know that already), come back next week to see what I’ll be yappin’ about then!

1. Carolina Chocolate Drops

Twitter: @_CCDs

First off, here’s an interesting fact: the Carolina Chocolate Drops are signed to Ramseur Records, owned by Mr. Dolph Ramseur, who not only owns a record label, but is also the manager for many bands, including my favorite band of all time, the Avett Brothers.  I think it is fair to say if you like the Avett Brothers you will like this band.  Now don’t misinterpret me, this band is not the Avett Brothers.  However, they are a lot like the Avett Brothers in that they have many different styles.  They have some good ole southern bluegrass, some female solo tracks, some ethnic songs, a little bit of everything really.  They are a very talented group of musicians, regularly switching instruments with each other and putting on quite entertaining live performances.  I highly recommend you listen to the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

2. Justin Townes Earle

Twitter: @JustinTEarle

Aside from the fact that he is a huge jerk on Twitter, constantly complaining about various things, Justin Townes Earle is an incredibly talented blues/folk/rock songwriter and musician.  If you are familiar with old folk and blues musicians such as Robert Johnson and Stephen Foster, add a modern twist and you end up with Justin.  His songs are teeming with catchy melodies and lovable lyrics, and aside from being classified as blues it will put a smile on your face.

3. Trampled By Turtles

Twitter: @tbtduluth

I would have to say without a doubt that Trampled By Turtles are musically the most talented group of musicians that I’ve been listening to lately.  With Dave Carroll shredding the banjo, Ryan Young scorching the fiddle, and Dave Simonett’s meaningful lyrics & smooth guitar playing, this band is simply outstanding when everything comes together.  Also I’ve been on this kick lately where I will only listen to bands that are better live than on their recordings, and this is definitely one of those bands.  If you like modern folk/bluegrass you will love Trampled By Turtles.

4. JJ Grey & Mofro

Twitter: @JJGREYandMOFRO

I don’t know about you, but I thoroughly enjoy listening to music that sprouts with emotions that make you feel what the artist is feeling.  JJ Grey & Mofro create endless albums of this caliber that never disappoint.  JJ Grey himself, playing multiple instruments and providing outstanding vocals as well, is a truly amazing songwriter.  Quite brilliant blues/rock music from this group of talented musicians, and, like the other artists on this list, if you have a chance to see them live do NOT pass it up!

5. Voxtrot

Twitter: @voxtrot and @rameshinspace

This last artist on the list is a bit different.  Aside from the fact that they no longer exist, Voxtrot only has one full-length album along with a few EP’s and singles.  This being said, they really have some good stuff out there.  The previous bands that I’ve been talking about have all been blues, folk, rock, bluegrass, or a mixture of a few.  This band I would classify as indie pop/rock.  They have a sound that is remarkably similar to The Smiths, so if you like them you should definitely check out Foxtrot.  If you do like this band a lot and want to hear more, their lead singer (Ramesh Srivastava) has released some material as a solo artist, although to be honest I haven’t listened to any of it yet, so you’re on your own there.

Thanks again everyone for catching up with me, make sure you keep checking in to see what I’m talking about every week, and tell all your friends!  Just kidding, I know you’re not going to go tell your friends, so I won’t ask you to.  Have a brilliant rest of the week everyone.

Welcome to my new blog boys and girls!  My name is Andrew, and I love music so much I’m gonna blog about it.  So, getting right to it, I decided to write my first ever blog post on my second favorite band of all time (I guarantee you’ll find out my favorite band of all time in a future post).  I have turned so many people on to the Beatles, and they always ask me the same question: “Where do I start???”  Well I’m gonna tell you, calm down geez…  Without further ado, here is my ranking of Beatles albums bottom to top!

13. Yellow Submarine (1969) - Honestly, I shouldn’t even include this album on the list, since the majority of it is a George Martin score for the British film by the same title, but I have to include it because it does contain one of my favorite Beatles songs of all time, Hey Bulldog.

12.  With the Beatles (1963) – First of all, I want to say that I love every Beatles album, so just because this album is toward the bottom of the list, I still love it.  Now, this album is toward the bottom of my list because it simply is not memorable.  There are three songs on this album that would probably make my top 20 Beatles songs, All My Loving, You Really Got a Hold On Me, and Till There Was You, but every other song on this album is rather bland in my opinion.  As much as I like the old Beatles stuff, at a certain point the songs get repetitive.

11. A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – Another fairly weak album filled with some monotonous tunes.  But, like every Beatles album, there are a few gems on there, such as A Hard Day’s Night and Can’t Buy Me Love.  This album and With the Beatles are pretty much tied in my book; the only reason I ranked this one higher is because I like the album cover better.

10. Please Please Me (1963) - Surprisingly, as much as I shy away from most of the older Beatles recordings, there are a bunch of songs on this album that I love.  Aside from the iconic Beatles songs on this album (I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout), Chains has an incredibly catchy melody and lyrics that ring true, and Please Please Me has a unique harmonica intro.  I think without this album the Beatles would never have gotten the reception that they inevitably got.

9. Beatles For Sale (1964) – Okay I promise I’m not going in order from oldest to newest, it’s just that I can so rarely listen all the way through one of these older albums.  At a certain point you feel like you’re listening to the same song over and over.  With Beatles For Sale though, we finally start to see some variations with the classic Beatles sound.  I’ll Follow the Sun in my opinion is the first successful mellow song that the Beatles pulled off.  Along with that song, Eight Days a Week is one of my favorite Beatles songs.

8. Revolver (1966) – I don’t hate very many Beatles songs, but I absolutely despise Elanor Rigby. I don’t know what it is, maybe it was playing in the other room when my parents were whipping me as a boy, I don’t know but that song just doesn’t ring well with me.  However, I love Taxman, Tomorrow Never Knows, and Got to Get You Into My Life enough to balance that out though.  Overall, not a bad album at all.

7. Help! (1965) – The song Help! is another one of those songs like Elanor Rigby that I just can’t stand, except I know the reason with this one.  I just think it’s corny.  Yesterday is a classic that everyone knows and everyone loves.  Also, as a guitar player, this album has a special place in my heart because I’ve Just Seen a Face is the first Beatles song I ever learned on guitar.

6. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) – For most people this album is either a “Love it!” or “Hate it!,” but it’s really just a middle of the list album for me.  There are songs on here that I like, and there are songs on here that I don’t like.  It does always make me smile every time I listen to side one of this record because of how the first three songs run together.  I’ve always found that interesting.

5. Let It Be (1970) - As the last Beatles album released, I’ve gotta say it could’ve been a lot better.  However, aside from obviously Let It Be, Paul’s voice on I’ve Got a Feeling is just heavenly, and Get Back has to be in my top 5 favorite Beatles songs.

4. Magical Mystery Tour (1967) - I love this album so much.  There isn’t a single song on this album I couldn’t listen to a hundred times a day or more without going crazy.  Not to mention that Your Mother Should Know is my second-favorite Beatles song of all time.  Best album of the psychedelic age, by far.

3. The Beatles (White Album) (1968) – This album is really special, because no matter what era of Beatles music you’re into this album has something for everyone.  If you like the McCartney love songs, there’s Martha My Dear and Honey Pie.  If you like the George Harrison slow jams you’ve got While My Guitar Gently Weeps.  If you’re more into the psychedelic stuff there’s Happiness is a Warm Gun, I mean the list goes on and on.  Really a brilliant album.

2. Rubber Soul (1965) – This album is the Beatles’ first masterpiece.  I’m always torn between the top two albums on this list, but I think we all know the undisputed number one Beatles album.  I rarely go a day without listening all the way through Rubber Soul though.  My favorite song of all time is Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).  Aside from that, there’s Nowhere Man, Michelle, I’m Looking Through You, In My Life, and oh yeah every other song on this album.  Flawless piece of art, this album is.

1. Abbey Road (1969) – Has anyone ever sat down and listened to the lyrics of Maxwell’s Silver Hammer?  If you haven’t, look up those lyrics and read them.  Brutally disturbing lyrics to go with a delightfully upbeat melody.  If I didn’t know better I would say that’s damn near genius.  Side B of Abbey Road, in my opinion, is what makes this the best Beatles album ever.  I really don’t know how to put it in words, so if (God forbid) you haven’t heard it before, go listen to it now, and it will change your life.

Thanks so much for reading, I’ll be doing my best to post something new at least once a week.  Tell your friends!