marathonpacks’ Year-(Fri)end Bonanza, Volume VII: Sarah Wyatt Swanson and Ben Swanson

Since I tend to be behind the times when it comes to buying records, I’ve made a list of my best live music experiences of 2008 (in alphabetical order).

Akron/Family in the Firebay at the Waldron.
I love this band. They’re such a nice bunch AND their music is so weird. I mean that lovingly. How often does anything in this life defy our expectations, despite how much we long for something to defy our expectations? Everything about Akron/Family is mutable and adventuresome. I love the length of their live songs, the way each one worked patiently toward a payoff. I felt like the band was composing as I listened—no mistakes, all unfolding. Yes, I got tired toward the end and my ears were ringing and I preferred some songs to others, but all in all a really interesting and worthwhile rock show. And their Love Is Simple t-shirt was one of my favorite x-mas presents this year.

Bon Iver at the Waldron.
One of the best shows I’ve ever attended. The band clearly enjoyed themselves and everyone else did too. In addition to their fully-excellent renditions of the songs from For Emma, Forever Ago (which made me forget all about the album versions), the new songs they played rocked—I mean, they were full on rock songs!—and their last song, a Talk Talk cover, was exquisite. A really beautiful, communal experience.

Jon “No Parents!” Coombs’ excellent live-band karaoke rendition of the Beastie Boys’ hit “Sabotage” at the SC xmas party. His performance was the party’s killer 3-minute climax.

Frida Hyvonen in the Firebay at the Waldron.
As some of y’all might remember, Frida’s first show in Bloomington at Second Story was less than awesome. Her second appearance this fall was excellent. She was engaged and engaging, theatrical, mesmerizing. Seeing her live for a second time in such a happy state and in a much more suitable venue revealed what a great performer she is, in addition to being such an interesting pianist, singer and lyricist. I love how Frida can sing about a subject as taboo as abortion and absolutely avoid every cliché and evince not a trace of sentimentality. She really impressed me live this year—so, let go of your grudges and be sure you go see her the next time she’s here in Bloomington!

Oneida at the Bluebird.
If I had to choose only one band to see live in Bloomington in 2008, Oneida would’ve been my choice. They’re one of my very favorite bands, having produced several of my favorite records, performed several of my favorite live shows, and containing (at least) three of my favorite musicians—including the ever-astounding rhythm scientist, Kid Millions, who happens to be my #1 drum idol. Their return to Bloomington this summer was a highlight of 2008. Their performance of Preteen Weaponry was sweaty and precise and entrancing. The audience was slimmer than it should’ve been—when will Oneida get their full deserved mega-props???—but, nonetheless, we were all transported together into the realm of O where the rock abides and presides over us, its willing slaves. Oneida! And—bonus!—they had a nice new t-shirt for sale. I bought one, of course, though I do still wear my circa-1999 camouflage version as well.

War on Drugs at Schuba’s in Chicago.
Wagonwheel Blues is a real album (and a great one at that). You can put it on and listen to it from beginning to end without noticing the pauses between songs (though I do tend to repeat certain sublime tracks). Everyone has compared Adam Granduciel to Bob Dylan, and I think they’re right—Adam’s lyrics are dense and intellectual, rich in paradoxes, and full of emotions so palpable they sound spontaneous, even when listened to on repeat. The music is full of hooks and shifts. I love it! Seeing them live in Chicago (new drum idol Mike Zanghi on the skins) I realized just how much charisma Adam embodies, in his double denim ensemble and his Grateful Dead t-shirt looking older than he should. I felt called to be part of something—a great, full feeling—until the show ended and everyone filed reluctantly out into the cold.

Wilderness at Jake’s.
Okay, so they took way too long to set up and played a few songs too long. But Wilderness is rad because when you’re at their show you are in it. All antics are believable and appropriate. The music swells and cedes, and you swell and cede with it, hypnotically. I hardly ever put on a Wilderness record, but I do look forward to their live shows, and this fall they reinvigorated my affection for their sounds with a really heavy rock show.

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Ben Swanson currently works for Secretly Canadian Records, as well as subsidiaries Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans, the under-13 label “SC 4 Kidz Only”, B.U.M. Equipment, and the Washington Nationals. In fact, one might say that he may or may not have come up with the idea for these ventures at some point. His email signature line reads “GM,” which I’m assuming has something to do with fantasy sports. He plays an instrument with keys on it in Tammar as well.

Tobacco Fucked Up Friends
Beat driven collage vocoder rock. Totally weird and highly enjoyable. If video game music could ever be badass, Tobacco would clean up.

Kurt Vile Constant Hitmaker
Not entirely consistent, but when Vile hits, he hits the right spot. Taking melodic cues from ’80s soft anthem rock and disintegrating them into a new sound. Or, lets be honest, if I could choose War on Drugs’ debut I would, but no one appreciates nepotism and I’m have to live with myself; Constant Hitmaker comes in a close 2nd.

Santogold S/T
Not entirely what I was expecting, but way addictive.

Hercules And Love Affair
Totally what I was expecting and way addictive.

Vampire Weekend
I’m sure there will be some shit thrown, but fuck it. The band released an incredible debut that scratched my Talking Heads itch better than any band since 1985, AND they cleaned up on it. Totally impressive.