pigeonhold | the OCMD

best-songs-20084

Every year I host a music swap with my music geek friends where we share our top albums of the year. This year we spiced it up a bit by adding a new component – a mix of your favorite songs of 2008 by artists not represented in our Best Albums of 2008 list. (Ryan’s rules, not mine.) So here it is, my mix of some of my favorite indie rock tunes for 2008. I was struck by a lot of San Francisco local music this year and have noted those artists with an asterisk (**). I enjoyed the emergence of such good music from my hometown and hope you will too. Enjoy!

** Pigeonhold by Port O’Brien
Testify by Carney
** The Drag by Ty Segall
Pot Kettle Black by Tilly and the Wall
Operation by Deerhunter
There Are Birds by The Ruby Suns
The Dazzled by Crystal Stilts
The Shedding Path by The Lord Bird Dog
Chemtrails by Beck
Oppressions Each by Brightblack Morning Light
The Columbia by Lackthereof
** Hellhole Ratrace by Girls
** New York Through York by Lady Genius
Charlyn, Angel of Kensington by Jason Collett
My Baby by Juliana Hatfield
Furr by Blitzen Trapper
** Peg by Cryptacize
Lady Luck by Richard Swift
Don’t You Worry by Jim Noir

Get these albums free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

Leopold and His Fiction

Do you like bluesy, southern fried garage rock in the style of The Black Keys, White Stripes and Kings of Leon? Then I think you’ll like this San Francisco trio called Leopold and His Fiction. I sure do. Their self-titled debut is out now and are expected to release a new album early 2009.

Listen to ‘Come Back (Now That I’m Here)’:

Okay

I was taken the first time I heard Fremont-based band, Okay. Mostly by Marty Anderson’s voice, which is strange, compelling and beautiful all at the same time. His sound may not resonate with everyone but I find his songs with simple lyrics and sparse instrumentation achieve something bigger.

Listen to ‘My‘:

Port O’Brien

Oakland-based Port O’Brien has received critical acclaim for their autobiographical second album, All We Could Do Was Sing. Their ragtag indie folk/rock sound evokes the sounds of Neil Young and Bon Iver at times and back porch, drunken singalong sessions at others.

Listen to ‘Pigeonhold’: