Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer

Speaking of Spencer Krug, Sunset Rubdown is his main gig – his main band in which he has now released three stellar albums with. This album, Dragonslayer, is easily still my most favorite album of all of 2009: it has heart, it has poignant stories, it has tremendous dynamics and diversity and it definitely has some of the most uplifting moments I could remember on any album from that year. I remember buying this and I think it’s the only vinyl I own that is autographed by all the band members; they were amazing to see live and even that experience still seems surreal. I tend to canonize things too much but in respect to what else came out, this is probably still the best album Krug has been involved in, in my opinion of course. And although this is the only song I will mention here, because it’s just so long and because I just found this amazing video for it, the entire album feels like one huge, gripping ride.

The last song, “Dragon’s Lair,” is not only the perfect kind of closure you would want – epic, plenty of different moods and a spectacular theme – but it’s this ten-minute beast of a song that is a thrilling ride all on its own. The story circles a dragon slayer who is realizing that at this point of his life, “it’s time for a bigger kind of kill.” He bids goodbye to his lover but in the most confident of ways, “I am sharpening my sword…so you can take me to the dragon’s lair, you can take me to Rapunzel’s windowsill.” And in the end, it’s still a love story on its own as he sings, “I see your face…when I close my eyes.” – Bryan

Wolf Parade

The tenacious band from Canada has announced a follow-up to 2007’s sprawling At Mount Zoomer with a new album that is scheduled to be released sometime in late June/early July. Not only am I slanted towards the early July release but if Dan Boeckner feels it’s the ‘most fun’ he’s had making a Wolf Parade album then I can’t wait to hear it. And this is ripe news for me as I’ve taking the time to fully analyze and appreciate the aforementioned album. Not only is it diverse but I’ve finally come around to enjoying Spencer Krug’s twirling “California Dreamer” and well, I’ve always loved Boeckner’s “Fine Young Cannibals,” with its funky groove.

Their first album is Apologies to the Queen Mary and it’s been rightfully regarded as one of the best albums of the entire 2000s, let alone one of the best during the monster year that 2005 was. And that’s what so awesome: these two men work in a cycle, never ceasing to halt their determined methods. While Boeckner makes an album with Handsome Furs every other year and Krug does the same on his superior, Sunset Rubdown project, they meet back in the middle to concoct another album of sublime music.

The album’s title will be Expo 86 and I hope it’s a smash to all that hear it, including me. Here are a couple of songs – including one of the most beautiful songs of the entire last decade, “I’ll Believe in Anything” – I personally love from Wolf Parade. – Bryan