5. Ribbon Fix - Some Saturday This Has Been (1997)
Ribbon Fix - Some Saturday This Has Been
Grafton Records
Released: 1997
Almost exactly 15 years after hearing Ribbon Fix's second album, I was able to track down the remnants of Grafton Records and score myself their debut. It was worth the wait.
This album is EXQUISITELY packaged (mine is different from the image above-- it looks like a handmade wedding album), so it's totally worth it to try to track down a physical copy. Ribbon Fix are from San Francisco and play midwest-style boy/girl pop of the Jejune/early Rainer Maria variety. But, there is room for more of that in this world.
Also, Andi Camp (formerly of Ribbon Fix) is playing a show at the Possum House next week. This may be your best (and only) chance to pick up the Ribbon Fix discography for yourself.
4. Elliott - False Cathedrals (2000)
Elliott - False Cathedrals
Revelation Records
Released: August 22, 2000
I remember this album being kinda big when it came out, but I was poor at the time (like I am now), and missed it.
In hindsight, this is one of the last great 90s indie albums. It's graceful and subdued in parts, but doesn't forget to rock, either. Yes, it's poppy, yes it's sappy, but that's why I love it.
Available on CD and Vinyl from Revelation Records.
3. The Secret Stars (s/t cassette) (1995)
The Secret Stars (self-titled cassette)
Shrimper Records
Released: 1995
Discovered this little beauty available for download. It's lo-fi and amazing. Legend has it that nearly all the Secret Stars' stuff (save their RPMs 7") was recorded on a 4-track with only 3 working tracks-- minimalism at its best.
As far as I know, this isn't available legally, but here's a site where you can download it: http://www.pukekos.org/2008/10/secret-stars.html
2. Bark, Hide, and Horn - National Road (2008)
Bark, Hide, and Horn - National Road
Boy Howdy Records
Released: 2008
Not only is this record a good representation of the "portland sound" ca 2008 (see Builders and the Butchers, Typhoon, Blind Pilot, and many more), it's a fantastic, multi-layered listen.
These guys spent a whole winter digesting a pile of old National Geographic magazines, and came up with the most brainy, literate, heartfelt album possible. It's a little bit amazing that they can take such dry subjects (Melville Bell Grosvenor, editor-in-chief, Everglades Turtles, Trumpeter Swans), and turn them into these emotional pieces on longing and belonging. Anyway, I'm not doing it justice, but it's really durn good. These guys are broken up, but I don't know what they're doing nowadays. Hopefully writing for National Geographic.
The album's available on CD Baby, and you should buy it.
1. Destruction Island - Colonial Surf (2009)
Destruction Island - Colonial Surf
Rural Wolf Records
Released June 20, 2009
I didn't expect this record to snag the #1 spot, but it keeps returning like a boomerang to the player, so I keep listening, and it gets better on every listen.
The conceit behind "Colonial Surf" is it's an album based in a trailer park (and isn't "Colonial Surf" a wonderfully stupid trailer park name?), and each song is a little character sketch of the folks that live there. I wouldn't normally expect that sort of thing to work, but these Tacoma boys pull it off nicely. Some songs are dreadful, some are hopeful, some are heartfelt, and some balls-out rock. It's a great combination.
Here's lead singer Kye Hillig doing a song from the album:
Kye Alfred Hillig (of Destruction Island) is ALSO playing that January 11th show at the Possum House with Andi Camp. What a coincidence. Anyway, shake his hand and buy his stuff at the show. Or download Colonial Surf for free right now.
That's right, my #1 album is FREE TO DOWNLOAD from bandcamp. What are you waiting for?
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