Live From Six Feet Underground

Witz's Top Ten Albums of 2009

2009-12-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

Alright, here we go and I'm going to kick it off with a disclaimer: I devour music. I listen, replay constantly, fall in love, get sick of, hoard, consume, and seek out more. Having said that, there are some albums, including ones on most critics top 10's that I just haven't listened to fully or really taken the time to examine. Animal Collective is one of these. The Dirty Projectors are another. I've heard them, but they really don't appeal to me. Here's the thing-- since I devour so much music from all different genres, my favorite music and what I'm calling the best albums of 2009 are not necessarily the most incredibly complex, creative, technically brilliant music of the year, they are the albums that I listened to and kept listening to-- and that's what I feel makes them great.

My Top Ten Albums of 2009:

10. Asher Roth - Asleep In the Bread Aisle
Ok, so I originally had Manchester Orchestra's "Mean Everything to Nothing" here, but then I remembered that it really wasn't as good as I wanted it to be, and even more so, I wanted a hip-hop album on this list. There were a number of good hip-hop albums this year, from Brother Ali to Kid CuDi, and I know that a lot of people wrote off Asher Roth because he had one hit song about college and he sounds like Eminem. The problem with that is that the hit song about college was really effing catchy and he has a much better song ABOUT sounding like Eminem. There are a number of bangers on this album as well as introspective tracks, and Lion's Roar with Busta Rhymes demonstrates just how good he can be lyrically. There's not a weak track on this album, and even when the subject matter isn't exactly brilliant, the lyricism is pretty damn good.

9. Settle - At Home We Are Tourists
Call it pop-punk, power-pop, whatever you want, but it's catchy as hell and is a solid step in a great direction within a genre that has been evolving from three-chords to Queen like ballads and orchestral hooks.

8. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Faster
Absolutely hit or miss. Some people ask what language she's speaking (english) and say things like, "I sing like she's singing," while others bob, sway, and sing along to every last word like only Thao can sing it. Building on her solo albums and first group album (We Brave Bee Stings and All), "Know Better Learn Faster" is packed with both basic and complex guitar work, catchy riffs, emotional/personal lyrics, and a sound you simply aren't hearing anywhere else right now.

7. Lucero - 1372 Overton Park
I'll admit that I love everything Lucero does and might be giving this album more credit than it deserves. I can also admit that Lucero delivers track after track of western twang, southern rock punch, and gritty emotion and celebration. The world is a tough place, and Lucero celebrates that fact with whiskey, cigarettes, and some damn good music.

6. Matt & Kim - Grand
This was a late comer to me and maybe I'll regret including it in a few months when I want to claw my eyes out at the sound of "Daylight," but for now, this album is shockingly good and incredibly uplifting and danceable. Indie-Pop goodness at it's best. I wanted to add two tracks off this album to my New Year's playlist and couldn't pick which two of six I wanted to include as singles. That's why this album is on this list.

5. Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
Every single song on this album is catchy, poppy, Norwegian goodness. Yes-- they were used in Gossip Girl, but Phoenix is being used in a car commercial. The lead singer wails, attacks, relents, and pours every ounce of herself into each line she sings. The songs are pure rock, full of anger, love, and vulnerability.

4. Kevin Devine - Brother's Blood
I can't quite explain how much I love this album. I've followed Kevin Devine since "Make the Clocks Move" and have since listened to some of his older work, including his time with Miracle of '86. Make the Clocks Move was what I would call his breakout album, and was followed up with two fairly disappointing albums, not because they were bad song writing, but because they weren't as diverse and intense as previous albums. I had almost given up on Kevin Devine when I heard Brother's Blood. Holy shit. Emotion is the ingredient that makes this album thrive. There are rocking pop tunes, softer ballads, aggressive epics, and an intensity that gives the album a life and realism that was missing in the previous two.

3. Passion Pit - Manners
Really? Do I have to? It's goddamn catchy, beautifully crafted, and who cares that the lead-singer can't reallllly pull off singing live (I'd love to have been in the room before the very first time they played a song just so I could hear the lead singer say, "Also, I was thinking about singing like THIS" and then hearing the band's reaction without any music)?

2. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Simple. Nothing is complicated or overly creative about this album, but The Avett Brothers do a tremendous job of creating new folk tunes and love songs for our generation. The album has slower, softer songs like "I and Love and You" as well as uptempo celebrations like "Kick Drum Heart." It's a great trip from start to finish.

1. Frank Turner - Poetry of the Deed
There is no one thing that stands out on this album by English hardcore guitarist turned folk star. Simple guitar ballads rule the day for Frank Turner, but this album has more depth (and instruments) than his previous work. His genuine, earnest voice draws the listener into each song, and each anecdote, idea, and emotion that Turner shares with us. Most importantly, this album has thirteen tracks you can listen to from start to finish again and again and again.

Really Close:

Metric - Fantasies (Honestly, not incredibly creative and could very easily and oddly pass as a Silversun Pickups album, but each track is solid and well constructed and filled with good lyrics and emotion.)

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing (see Asher Roth)

The Thermals - Now We Can See (You know The Thermals)

The XX - XX (I just discovered this album and haven't listened to it enough to give it top ten status. Time will tell...)

Nothington - Bridges, Roads, and Ruins (Amazingly good epic punk from SF. Country influenced, gritty vocals)

Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP (If this had been a full album, it'd be top 10)

The Dodos - Time to Die (Again, this album needs more time before I can say if it's as good as I think, but The Dodos are consistently putting out great albums)

Silversun Pickups - Swoon (Remember this album? Yeah, it was this year. Unfortunately, Panic Switch and There's No Secrets This Year along with a couple others, aren't enough for me to say this is a top ten album. Case and point: I forgot about this album.)

Airborne Toxic Event - Airborne Toxic Event (Just plain good, but not entirely and not top ten stuff with all the great music this year)

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Do you REALLLLY like the whole album?? I'd say most of the agreed upon top ten albums are really top ten singles. 1901, Lisztomania, ok, yeah. The rest, though? Really?)

Enjoy!

Witz

DOWNLOAD & LISTEN: 9-16-09 MP3s

2009-09-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

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DOWNLOAD & LISTEN: 9-9-09 Show MP3's

2009-09-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Download the mp3's or just click to listen online:

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NEXT SHOW: 9-16-09 @ 10pm-midnight. Online: kzsulive.stanford.edu or 90.1FM

DOWNLOAD & LISTEN: 9-2-09 Show MP3's

2009-09-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

Click on the links below to listen to the show, nicely broken into smaller tracks for you. Or download the mp3s and listen on the go. (That sounded like a technology ad for 1995):

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9/2/09 -- WITZ IS BACK

2009-08-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, Live From Six Feet Underground will be back on Wednesday, September 2nd. I'll be playing a ton of great new music I've been accumulating as well as some old favorites.

Listen Online: kzsu.stanford.edu
Tune in: 90.1FM

12/5/08 - FINALLY BACK

2008-12-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a few weeks since I've done a show and much longer since I've posted, but I will be back on KZSU 90.1FM tonight from 6-7pm PST. You can listen online at http://kzsulive.stanford.edu. Here are some of the bands I'm hoping to get out there tonight:

The Wind-Up - up and coming group from Brooklyn, NY. Sounds a bit like Death Cab For Cutie.
Smoke or Fire - I like these punk guys more and more every time I hear their albums.
A Victory Nonetheless - what's a radio show without shameless self-promotion?
Muscles - You still love Australian dance music.
3OH!3 - Denver is for clubbin'
Metro Station - It's poppy...it's clubby, they're young...it's...actually really good.

AND SO MUCH MORE.

BBQ Open Invite From LFSFU Listener "Black Hesonja"

2008-06-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

When I say Live From Six Feet Underground, I typically mean the music and myself-- but last night on the show I was told about this open party where everyone will be drinkin, bbq'ing, and playing video games on big tv's in Redwood City. Sounds like a plan. I'll be 3000 miles away for a wedding, but that's no reason why you shouldn't have some fun. Check out the evite here

EVITE FOR BBQ/PARTY

Witz

5/1 Podcast

2008-05-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

I apologize for the delay on getting the 5/1 podcast up-- it was a great show and tech problems and my being busy has forced me to wait on getting it uploaded for you all. It should be up soon.

Witz

4-4-08 Comments, Future Requests, Cool Hand Shakes

2008-04-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

I felt pretty good about last night's show, my return after two weeks of being busy with work and sickness. For those of you who wanna hitup the podcast, I will have it uploaded by tomorrow at the latest and you can look forward to new music from Millencolin, Mike Doughty, Atmosphere, and a bunch of great songs you almost definitely haven't heard, but will have stuck in your head for days...

If you heard the show, drop a comment and lemme know what you thought or what you'd like to hear more/less of.

Check the playlist at http://zookeeper.stanford.edu

-Witz-

2/14: Comments, Requests, Nude Photos

2008-02-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

You provide, I abide.

New This Week:

Matt Costa
Why?
MGMT
Georgie James
Atmosphere
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down
The Mountain Goats

1/24/08: SHOW DEFINITELY ON!!!

2008-01-24T16:39:00.001-08:00

Leave comments, questions, your band's info, or anything else HERE

UPDATE: 1/17 SHOW MIGHT BE CANCELLED

2008-01-17T09:03:00.000-08:00

For a combination of reasons, I might not get to do the show tonight. So don't stay up to listen live, check for the podcast tomorrow to see if it happened...

As Always, Thanks For Listenin',

-Witz-

1/17/08: Comments, Requests, Etc.

2008-01-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

I'm going up to SF for a tremendous Sketchfest SF event-- Mike Nelson of MST3K will be putting on a live show under the live guise of Rifftrax. The show is at 9 so hopefully I will be back in time for the show at midnight. Assuming I do, this week's show will feature:

New Wyclef Jean, Band of Horses, Carla Bruni, The View, Two Gallants, The Flatliners, The Receiving End of Sirens, Christians & Lions, and local bands: Finest Dearest, Chris Petrella, The Union Trade, Songs For Moms, and plenty more!

12/13: Leave Requests, Comments, or Whatever

2007-12-13T15:50:00.000-08:00

This is my last show before heading home for a few weeks for the Holidays. Get in your requests in the comments section or gimme a call on the air at 650-723-9010. This is gonna be a great last show of the year!

As always, thanks for listenin',

-Witz-

12/06: Leave Requests, Comments, or Questions

2007-11-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

I'm psyched for this show and I don't even know why. 11/29 was a great show and I have so much more great music to play. Lemme know what you'd like to hear or new bands you don't think I know about (or your band if you want some exposure).

-Witz

11/29: Leave Requests, Comments, or Questions

2007-11-25T21:45:00.001-08:00

Here's where you can leave requests for this upcoming show, or leave comments after the fact, or ask any questions you'd like to ask. Thanks for listening!

-Witz-

Thanksgiving Show Podcast

2007-11-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

I'm working on some technical issues to get the podcast up for Thursday's Thanksgiving show. The studio recording didn't work so I'm piecing together live stream archives with various programs. I should have it up by the end of today, and it's a good show with some different music, so definitely give it a listen when I get it working. Thanks!

-Witz-

11/15 -- NEW MUSIC GALORE:

2007-11-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

Hey folks-- so I'm back from my hiatus and had a show last week. Tonight, I'll be rolling in with more new music and want to make sure I play what you guys want to hear. So leave requests, likes, dislikes in the COMMENTS section here, and I'll make sure to check them out. I have so much new and good music right now that tonight's show is going to be jam packed and have a lot more variety than usual. If you're more a fan of punk, or hip-hop, or like the indie tracks I usually play, just check out this other stuff and I guarentee you find at least one or two new artists you will want to get into. Here are some of the groups you'll probably hear:

The Flatliners
Page France
Mac Lethal
Gogol Bordello
Say Anything
A Wilhelm Scream
Eddie Veder
Carla Bruni
Kate Nash
10 Rue D'La Madeleine
Prozack Turner
VHS or Beta
Beirut
Bruce Springsteen
The Impossibles
Jay-Z

AND MORE!

Tune in http://kzsulive.stanford.edu

-Witz-

Two Shows Off

2007-10-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be out of town this Thursday and next, so my next show will be on November 8th. Thanks for listenin'

Welcome to the Blog

2007-10-03T22:40:00.001-07:00

Hey, and thanks for checking out the Live From Six Feet Underground blog. I'll make sure to post updates, news, and any hilarious anecdotes, as well as reviews and music to look out for here, so check back occasionally. In the sidebar, you'll find more about me, DJ Witz, as well as links to useful and related sites, and artists you should checkout. To contact me directly, email WitzPickz@gmail.com.