Diaper Island, Chad VanGaalen‘s awesomely titled new LP, dropped yesterday, and to celebrate the milestone he created a video. Mind you, videos from Chad are typically far from the norm, featuring original cartoonish art that’s a bit demented in a way. This is, like the oddities in his music, a very, very good thing.

The video is for “Peace On The Rise”, the album’s second track.

In “Peace On The Rise”, things often morph into other things, and while visually excellent, it doesn’t necessarily seem to follow a path in the song as found in his work on “Molten Light”. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not there. It could be; I could have merely just had too much wine tonight.

Check out the video below and pick up Diaper Island from Sub Pop.

Download: “Peace On The Rise” by Chad VanGaalen

I really fell in love with the weirdness behind Chad VanGaalen‘s last album, Soft Airplane. Many songs had strange electronic bleeps and bloops that just stuck with you, and if they didn’t they featured VanGaalen’s vocals with his rapid vibrato. “Sara” is not like that. Not entirely, at least. Sure, it may have VanGaalen’s signature layered vocals, which certainly are unique, but the instrumentation is fairly minimal with pretty much just a guitar. “Sara” is an exceptional song, enticing both lyrically and musically. You’ll find yourself singing Sara, wake me up when you’re home as Chad does. It makes the anticipation for his new record near unbearable.

Diaper Island comes out May 17 on Sub Pop Records. Tide yourself over with a download of “Sara” below.

Creating a music video, in my opinion, should be about creating art. There are so many intricate elements that should go into a video that are so often left forgotten or, at least, unattended. First and foremost is the song itself — a video must compliment the art to which it is expanding from audio to video. Connecting the two is extremely important. Second is theme. The best videos have some storyline, vague or distinct. Or at least something visually interesting.

What started below as a few of my favorites from the past year ultimately turned into a much bigger list of simply great videos both current and dated. Most are visually stunning, as noted in the title of this post. However, a few are impressive instead through the conceptual elements of plot and story (the first one is testament to that). That being said, if you know of some masterful videos from the past few years, feel free to drop a link into a comment — and don’t forget to let us know why you feel it is a “must see” video.

* * * * *

The Apples In Stereo

The song is great, but what really makes this a good music video is the storyline before and after the song. Featuring Elijah Wood as a teacher, he is whisked away into an alternate universe where Robert Schneider is not a scientist but a musician. This music video is quite nontraditional — it comes with a completely separate introductory video.

“Dance Floor” Part One

“Dance Floor” Part Two

* * * * *

The Black Keys

The story this video tells is quite entertaining and more than worthy of several repeat viewings. “Tighten Up” comes from their eighth release (counting both EPs), Brothers, and is the highlight track. Featuring Auerbach and Carney at the local park with two boys, both pairs spot the girl of their dreams and friendship loyalties stray in the most hilarious of manners. See for yourself:

“Tighten Up”

* * * * *

Casiokids

I really, really dig “Finn Bikkjen” by Casiokids. It’s a wonder I haven’t really spent time to seek out more by the band. What I did stumble upon, however, is their video for this song. 2010 appears to be the year everyone dresses up in animal outfits. (Chris Ewing, who’s featured soon below, also did a video featuring them for the band Seasons.) Here they’re playful, and they are creatures we have never seen. Very unique and fun.

“Finn Bikkjen”

* * * * *

Club 8

This video is a bit odd in that Johan Angergård tends to favor his other project, The Legends, for videos that feature dancing. He did it both in “Lucky Star” and “Seconds Away”, the latter of which you’ll see a bit lower. Yet “Western Hospitality” does just that.

“Western Hospitality”

Club 8 “Western hospitality” from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

* * * * *

El Perro Del Mar

First off, this video is flat-out strange. But it fits the music and it’s definitely unique. Makes me think of Rocky Horror Picture Show, though. And despite my predilection toward women and their scantily-clad-ness, it’s both an impressive physical feat and quite entertaining.

“Change Of Heart”

* * * * *

Fredrik

Fredrik’s music has always blended the ethereal with pop and folk, creating a surreal universe and their videos for “Viskra”, “Milo” and “11 Years” give us a glimpse into these so-called places. “Milo” is colorful and blurry, while “Viskra” (primarily in black-and-white) shows a snowy world with human like creatures. “11 Years” uses stop-motion photography to create a trippy world within a train car. All three work well with Fredrik’s dreamy folk-pop.

“11 Years”

Fredrik – ’11 Years’ from Iris Piers on Vimeo.

“Milo”

Fredrik – Milo from The Kora Records on Vimeo.

“Viskra”

Fredrik – Viskra from The Kora Records on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Tobias Froberg (NSFW)

Tobias Froberg’s “When We Go To War” is a play on good versus evil, documented theatrically via two professional dancers. And the video fits perfectly with Froberg’s masterpiece. The two individuals within appear normal enough, but when both enter onto the roof of a building, they turn into creatures ready for battle. There’s a hint of nudity in this one, so it may not be safe for work.

“When We Go To War”

Tobias Froberg – When We Go to War from Petter Ringbom on Vimeo.

* * * * *

[ingenting]

This song is so touching to begin with, it’s hard not to get emotional when watching this video. [ingenting] of Sweden is a rarity in that they sing in their native tongue — most Swedish bands we hear on this side of the ocean have adopted English as a standard for performing. Still, the emotion comes through easily in this tale about love and loss.

“Dina händer är fulla av blommor”

[ingenting] “Dina händer är fulla av blommor” from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Jonsi

Jonsi of Sigur Ros is now creating music under the moniker Jonsi, and it’s pretty sweet. Honestly, I don’t much care for the vast majority of videos that just show a band performing their song, but Jonsi’s video for “Animal Arithmetic” is done at odd angles, which means it’s not your standard performance video. That makes it a rarity: totally worthwhile.

“Animal Arithmetic”

* * * * *

The Knife

Easily one of the creepiest music videos around is The Knife’s “Silent Shout”. Once the flashing lights fade, we begin to see odd, misshapen humans and hear The Knife’s equally mind-bending vocals. The result is nightmarish.

“Silent Shout”

* * * * *

The Legends

With each new album, Johan Angergård takes The Legends in an exciting new direction. Here you can hear and see three distinct sounds from three separate albums Still, I have a hard time discounting their first one — it has been a mainstay in my regular playlist since discovering shortly after its release (“There And Back Again” is from that release). Both “Lucky Star” and “Always The Same” find The Legends featuring a quirky, awkward dancer and it couldn’t be more fitting thanks to the dancey electro-pop of the former and the lovable pop vocals and crazy distorted pop guitars of the latter.

“Always The Same”

“Lucky Star”

“There And Back Again”

* * * * *

Letting Up Despite Great Faults

Letting Up Despite Great Faults is the band I referred to before, the one with a video by Chris Ewing. Like his work for Seasons, this one features a beautiful girl. Unlike that one, in which she’s plagued by animals, this one is a love story. And true to Ewing’s creations, there’s plenty of mixed media and surreal surrounds.

“Our Younger Noise”

LETTING UP DESPITE GREAT FAULTS: Our Younger Noise from Christopher j Ewing on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Radiohead

It’s hard to write about great music videos without at least mentioning “Rabbit In Your Headlights” by Radiohead. Technically, it’s a split between Thom Yorke and UNKLE. Aesthetically, thematically, and visually, this is one of my favorite music videos of all time… right up through the explosive ending.

“Rabbit In Your Headlights”

* * * * *

Seabear

As you’ll soon learn, Iceland’s Sindri Már Sigfússon like multimedia videos. Off Seabear’s latest release, We Built A Fire, of which I’ve been listening to a lot lately, “I’ll Build You A Fire” does just that. The good news is that Sigfússon does multimedia videos very well.

“I’ll Build You A Fire”

Seabear – I’ll Build You A Fire from seabear on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes

The concept behind this video is “Desert Song” itself, and in fact it is the first of many from Sharpe-and-entourage. Actually, they’re making an entire movie based on their hit album Up From Below.

“Desert Song”

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros “Desert Song” from benjamin kutsko on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Sin Fang Bous

Sin Fang Bous created an epic masterpiece in 2009. The solo project of Seabear’s Sindri Már Sigfússon. This video was directed by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir of, I’m assuming, Iceland (that’s where Sin Fang Bous and Seabear are from). Mixing media is a difficult thing to do, but Birgisdóttir does it quite successfully here. Odd and filled with a unique style of electro-pop, Sin Fang Bous has a worthy and comfortable home on Morr Music.

“Clangour And Flutes”

Sin Fang Bous: clangour and flutes from morr music on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Small Black

Small Black created a bit of a masterpiece with their video for “Despicable Dogs” and they do it again with “Bad Lover”. It’s been a while since a video has seriously creeped me out; probably since “Silent Shout” by The Knife. “Bad Lover” does a good job thanks to people with odd masks on.

“Bad Lover”

Small Black: Bad Lover from Nick Bentgen on Vimeo.

“Despicable Dogs”

Small Black: Despicable Dogs from Yoonha Park on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Tame Impala

Reality and sanity are both focal points in Tame Impala’s video for “Solitude Is Bliss”. Whether or not there’s a deeper meaning behind the images displayed is up for debate; I’d argue for. It fits with the title — the “solitude” our protagonist sees. He is thwarted by the masses but seems aloof in his own world of destruction. Tame Impala is one of this year’s promising finds, for sure.

“Solitude Is Bliss”

tame impala – solitude is bliss from EL NINO on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Thieves Like Us

I love videos like the one for “Shyness” by Thieves Like Us. It shows the fleeting awkwardness of teenage love — the lust, the love, the heartbreak and the all too quickly forgotten memories. You almost feel naughty and guilty watching it.

“Shyness”

* * * * *

Chad VanGaalen (NSFW)

What makes “Molten Light” so special is that VanGaalen did the video himself. His art, just like his music, is highly original. This video too is disturbing, and probably not safe for work.

“Molten Light” (NSFW)

* * * * *

Warpaint

There is no other way to put it: What Adam Harding does in creating Warpaint’s video for “Stars” is absolutely stunning. Visually, it’s quite impressive; he perfectly captures the dreamy nature of their subtle shoegaze soundscapes, and the nuances of Warpaint’s playful darkness. Furthermore, he creates momentum that moves with the song — particularly in its final moments — a momentum that increases to a powerful climax as the song fades away.

“Stars”

Warpaint – Stars from Adam Harding on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Vitalic

All this video contains is flying dogs and laser beams. Brilliant! And that’s all I need to say about Vitalic’s “Birds”.

“Birds”

* * * * *

Washed Out

It’s amazing to think that Washed Out’s Ernest Greene planned to settle down after making his epic EP, 2009′s Life Of Leisure. After years of creating music under various bands and monikers, Greene was suddenly thrust into the spotlight with this project. And we finally get a music video to accompany the music.

“Hold Out”

* * * * *

Wolf Parade

They really should make more science fiction movies like this; “Yulia” by Wolf Parade is filled with interesting footage and great cinematography.

“Yulia”

Wolf Parade – Yulia from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

* * * * *

Yeasayer (NSFW)

This video is definitely not safe for work. That being said, it’s also quite interesting — it follows the path Yeasayer took with their sophomore album, one that heightens to a whole new level the experimental glam they started with their debut.

“Ambling Alp”

Yeasayer “Ambling Alp” from Team G on Vimeo.

When I compiled my original Best Of 2008 list last December, it was a snow day. The sky dropped about a foot, maybe a foot and a half of fluffy white stuff and we lowly sub-compact drivers could go nowhere. Between ranking albums and locating album art, I took a stroll around town with my camera. The above image comes from that trek. Overall, I was pretty happy with last year’s list but, in revisiting all the albums from 2008, I now see quite a few that I left out.

Sub Pop dominated the year with a total of 4 albums in the top ten with a fifth just outside. A few albums are now on this list that weren’t on my radar last year, or that I left off for some reason or another. And because of that, some albums have dropped in rank; but that’s not because they’re no longer as valid. All albums on this list are great, and you should check them out. I’m going to begin with a few honorary EPs (in alphabetical order). Three to be exact.

Let’s begin…

* * * * *

Honorary EP #1. Crystal Antlers EP by Crystal Antlers (Previously #17)

Influenced, in my opinion, by bands like Comets On Fire, Crystal Antlers blend experimentation with psychedelic noise. Wild solos and epic squeals made their self-titled EP more than worthy of checking out.

Crystal Antlers: A Thousand Eyes [mp3]

* * * * *

Honorary EP #2. Weepy EP by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band (Previously #26)

Four powerful songs which ultimately led to one of 2009′s most anticipated debut albums, Weepy EP is brilliant in every form possible. Plus it features an outstanding homemade cover.

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Dull Reason [mp3]

* * * * *

Honorary EP #3. Love Yourself EP by Thunder Power

Love Yourself is without question bouncy mid-western pop. Songs like “(Why Don’t You Go) Take A Hike?” and “Cassanova” launched Thunder Power into one of the year’s most promising acts. Yeah, we’re still waiting for that debut LP, but this EP is worthy of keeping us company until that happens.

Thunder Power: (Why Don’t You Go) Take A Hike? [mp3]

* * * * *

1/3. Topps 7″ Single by BOAT

Topps remains the top single of 2008. It’s hard to beat with trading cards and 80s-style baseball card chewing gum. “Topps” and “Three Beds For Boat” are both excellent portrayals of the band and their dreams.

BOAT: Topps [mp3]

* * * * *

33. Who Killed Harry Houdini? by I’m From Barcelona (Previously #19)

In last year’s Best Of list I noted that this album held together better than I’m From Barcelona’s debut, and that statement holds. I also mentioned that it didn’t have those standout tracks like “We’re From Barcelona” and “Oversleeping”. Also true. Still, I’m pretty obsessed with the track “Andy” for obvious reasons.

I’m From Barcelona: Music Killed Me [mp3]

* * * * *

32. Partie Traumatic by Black Kids (Previously #28)

In many ways, the best parts of Partie Traumatic were the songs that were originally released on Wizards Of Ahhhs. Still, revisiting the album there are plenty of new tunes that were just as enjoyable (well, almost).

* * * * *

31. Moonbeams by Throw Me The Statue (Previously N/A)

Of all the bands that dub themselves tropical, none hold the weight as well as Throw Me The Statue. For the longest time, I didn’t care for “Lolita”, but the song grew on me. Moonbeams is a strong debut from one of Seattle’s most cherished new groups.

Throw Me The Statue: Lolita [mp3]

* * * * *

30. Glistening Pleasure by Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head (Previously N/A)

A local hype band of sorts, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head took Seattle by storm. Especially the young. It’s easy to hear why – songs like “Me + Yr Daughter” and “Iceage Babeland” are easy songs to obsess over with their glam-like dance-worthiness.

Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head: Me + Yr Daughter [mp3]

* * * * *

29. In Case We Lose What We Have by Letters (Previously #23)

I just found out my neighbor knows the parents of one of Letters’ members. It’s an odd coincidence. In Case We lose What We Have is one of this list’s more eclectic artists, and one of the least known. But they should be known, as the songs on this album are pretty astounding.

Letters: Ode To Yr Medicine [mp3]

* * * * *

28. Trouble In Dreams by Destroyer (Previously #33)

Following power albums like Rubies and Your Blues is a damn near impossible feat. Trouble In Dreams didn’t achieve the greatness of those albums, but it had plenty of excellence to drop it right behind them as Destroyer’s third best album.

Destroyer: Dark Leaves Form A Thread [mp3]

* * * * *

27. Cove by A Weather (Previously N/A)

Portland’s A Weather brought back bedroom pop with their debut LP Cove. Soft lullabies and whispered harmony vocals can lead a band to bore, but A Weather never approaches that point thanks to songs like “Oh My Stars” and “Spiders/Snakes”.

A Weather: Spiders, Snakes [mp3]

* * * * *

26. Falling Off The Lavender Bridge by Lightspeed Champion (Previously #25)

Acoustic guitars, light strings, and bouncy melodies aren’t exactly what you’d expect from rock music, let along rock music fronted by a hefty British accent, yet here they are. Lightspeed Champion made rock music beautiful.

* * * * *

25. First Frost by The Lucksmiths (Previously #22)

In 2009, after a decade-and-a-half tenure as Australia’s greatest pop group, The Lucksmiths called it quits. First Frost was their final full-length and, in reality, it is one of their best.

The Lucksmiths: Good Light [mp3]

* * * * *

24. The Stand Ins by Okkervil River (Previously #12)

Over the past few years, Okkervil River has really grown into their sound, and with it they’ve strengthened their abilities, from the instruments they perform to the songs they write. This rang true throughout The Stand Ins just as it had in 2007′s The Stage Names.

Okkervil River: Lost Coastlines [mp3]

* * * * *

23. Forfeit / Fortune by Crooked Fingers (Previously N/A)

After their self-titled debut, Crooked Fingers seemed to lag a bit. I didn’t really get into the albums they released after that outstanding debut. It wasn’t until Forfeit / Fortune was released that I began to see merit return to the Eric Bachman-fronted group. And there is plenty here to enjoy, from the Tilly & The Wall-esque “Luisa’s Bones” to the Ricky Martin (WHAT? Yes!) musical styling in “Phony Revolutions”.

Crooked Fingers: Phony Revolutions [mp3]

* * * * *

22. Fear Of Flying by David Karsten Daniels (Previously #21)

“Falling Down” is one of the coolest songs of 2008. David Karsten Daniels is a storyteller that has the uncanny ability to translate narrative into song, and he does so perfectly on Fear Of Flying

* * * * *

21. Huggable Dust by Okay (Previously #20)

A curious mix of Electric President, Page France, and Bright Eyes for its oft electro-pop meets psychedelic-pop with simple mopey lyrics, Huggable Dust is truly a unique piece of work. A wonderful album!

Okay: Beast [mp3]

* * * * *

20. The Plum Album by Haakon Ellingsen (Previously #18)

Looking back over the past year, there have been a few truly underground artists that have made a splash with folks at work. These artists are ones that deserve an exponentially greater audience. Two from 2009 include We Swim You Jump and The Banyans. From 2008, the most prominent of the artists is Haakon Ellingsen. The Plum Album could have been how The Beatles would sound had they originated in Scandinavia.

Haakon Ellingsen: Sunshine Girl [mp3]

* * * * *

19. Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea by Silver Jews (Previously #32)

2008 was really my introduction to Silver Jews. It’s sad, really, as they recently called it quits. Like David Karsten Daniels, Silver Jews’ David Berman is a phenomenal wordsmith whose ability to craft a damn good song nears par none.

* * * * *

18. If Children by Wye Oak (Previously #13)

Simplicity and complexity are both descriptive terms you can associate with If Children by Wye Oak. From minimalist moments to insanely epic heights, this duo’s modern version of post-shoegaze rock-pop demanded to be heard. Listening again to songs like “Please Concrete” and “Family Glue” I’m reminded at just how great this album is.

Wye Oak: Family Glue [mp3]

* * * * *

17. She’s The Dutchess & He’s The Duke by The Dutchess & The Duke (Previously N/A)

Another shocker in that it wasn’t on my original list, The Dutchess & The Duke’s lo-fi sounds were fit for the 70s. The male/female vocals and heavy guitar strums put forth a sound that is as infectious as the swine flu, but without need for vaccine.

The Dutchess And The Duke: Reservoir Park [mp3]

* * * * *

16. In Field & Town by Hayden (Previously #10)

What makes In Field & Town such a great album is it’s shock value. Similar to that found in Hayden’s video for “Where And When”, this album was startling. No longer were Hayden’s lyrics and songs utterly depressing. He had matured and with it was able to craft a wonderful album; not that the prior albums weren’t excellent on their own, just that this new direction was what Hayden needed in order to continue in the path of progression.

* * * * *

15. Second To The Last Frontier by Feral Children (Previously #15)

One of the few albums to keep its ranking outside the top 10, Second To The Last Frontier is truly wild. A local favorite, Feral Children effortlessly translates these crazy sounds into one of the best live performances around.

Feral Children: Spy/Glass House [mp3]

* * * * *

14. Everything Is Alive by Pomegranates (Previously #11)

Pomegranates’ Everything Is Alive is so unbelievably catchy, it has the instant ability to put a bounce in your step and a smile on your face. This is an easy band to love, one with graceful pop melodies and outstanding songwriting to boot.

Pomegranates: Thunder Island [mp3]

* * * * *

13. We Brave Bee Stings And All by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down (Previously N/A)

This is a hard album not to love. Entirely made of bouncy pop riffs, but inundated with folk sensibilities, Thao With The Get Down Stay Down really proved with We Brave Bee Stings And All that they are one of today’s most promising artists. “Beat”, “Bag Of Hammers”, “Geography” – this album has so many great tunes, it’s hard to pick a favorite.

Thao: Beat [mp3]

* * * * *

12. Hospital Blossom by The Wailing Wall (Previously #9)

A unique songwriter, Jesse Rifkin deserves indie fame. Hospital Blossom is an experimental folk album like no other, featuring plenty of eccentricities and a fair share of praise-worthy lyrics. The performances all around are near perfect.

The Wailing Wall: Hospital Blossom [mp3]

* * * * *

11. At Mount Zoomer by Wolf Parade (Previously N/A)

How At Mount Zoomer didn’t make the list last year is beyond me. The year’s best lengthy track goes to album closer “Kissing The Beehive”. Once thought not possible, Wolf Parade topped their debut with ease. At Mount Zoomer is a must-have album.

Wolf Parade: Call It A Ritual [mp3]

* * * * *

10. Eight Golden Greats by The Old Believers (Previously #8)

Listen to The Old Believers and your first impression might be that it’s something both you and your grandparents would enjoy. Eight Golden Greats fits that old-time-y sound perfectly, yet has a strange modernity to it that makes it more than appropriate for today’s youthful music fans.

The Old Believers: Granny’s Song [mp3]

* * * * *

9. Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us by Death Vessel (Previously #14)

What I like about these retrospectives is that I can re-categorize the albums in a way they should have been organized originally. In the months after creating my original Best Of 2008 list, Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us took on a new light. “Peninsula” remains one of my favorite songs from 2008, and the album remains an integral part of my playlist.

Death Vessel: Bruno’s Torso [mp3]

* * * * *

8. This Is Ivy League by This Is Ivy League (Previously #7)

This album, in my opinion, channels four historic artists: The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and Kings Of Convenience. Blending the best parts of each artist and concocting various recipes of these influences, This Is Ivy League progressed folk-pop while giving a hefty nod to the genre’s past.

This Is Ivy League: London Bridges [mp3]

* * * * *

7. Grand Archives by Grand Archives (Previously #6)

Grand Archives’ debut LP was easily my most anticipated release of 2008 and it lived up to all expectations. “George Kaminski” was reworked beautifully and “The Crime Window” was the epic album climax. Few weak points on the album and several phenomenal live performances, Grand Archives quickly rose to be one of my favorite bands.

Grand Archives: Torn Blue Foam Couch [mp3]

* * * * *

6. A Certain Feeling by Bodies Of Water (Previously #5)

A Certain Feeling remained a constant on my playlist for quite some time after I discovered it in 2009. These songs are filled with the perfect amounts of vocal harmonies and plush instrumentation, all of it anthem-worthy. Truly one of 2008′s most cherished releases.

Bodies Of Water: Under The Pines [mp3]

* * * * *

5. Soft Airplane by Chad VanGaalen (Previously #4)

Soft Airplane remains an obscure but brilliant album. You just cannot deny the power of “TMNT Mask”, with its erratic solo and the outstanding cartoon video of “Molten Light” that VanGaalen did himself. Truly a master of odd things; odd but brilliant.

Chad VanGaalen: Willow Tree [mp3]

* * * * *

4. Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes (Previously #5)

When they debuted on the national scene in 2008, Fleet Foxes could do no wrong. Their sound brought all the great elements from the folk-rock of the 60s and 70s into modern times. With four-part harmonies and epic instrumentation, this self-titled release may ultimately go down as one of the all-time greats.

Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal [mp3]

* * * * *

3. Lost Wisdom by Mount Eerie (Previously N/A)

On Lost Wisdom, Mount Eerie strips down his occasional dissonant distortion and wild erraticism for a fully acoustic sound. Title track “Lost Wisdom” is a true masterpiece. Phil Elverum has proved over and over again that he is one of most clever and brilliant minds when it comes to modern songwriting.

Mount Eerie: Voice In Headphones [mp3]

* * * * *

2. Bury The Cynics by The Lovely Sparrows (Previously #2)

Also no movement in The Lovely Sparrows’ Bury The Cynics. This album remains a folk-pop masterpiece, filled with some great tunes like “Wraith” and “Bury The Cynics”. Just this past week we posted a new video from the band; it is with great anticipation I await Shawn Jones’ follow-up to this album.

The Lovely Sparrows: Department Of Foreseeable Outcomes [mp3]

* * * * *

1. Na Na Ni by Fredrik (Previously #1)

Fredrik remains at #1 with Na Na Ni, my favorite album from 2008. Words cannot describe how excited I am for their follow up, Trilogy, due out early next year on The Kora Records. “Black Fur” and “11 Years” top this album, chalk full of great tunes. Close behind are “Evil And I” and “1986″.

Fredrik: Black Fur [mp3]

B-sides are supposed to be throw-away tracks, the rejects that didn’t make the cut. But the majority of the tracks Chad VanGaalen classifies as such are worth much more than that nerdy kid picked last in 4th grade gym class.

“Stuffed Animal” may begin with a strange and awkward beginning, but as it progresses, VanGaalen churns out an unforgettable melody. And that harmonica solo on “Microscopic World” comes damn close to reaching the near perfect electronic notes that dominate “TMNT Mask”.

These songs would fit right in on Soft Airplane, as they all feature that same quivering voice entirely unique to VanGaalen. He’s obviously at his best when that synth comes into play, like it “Pyramids Float”.

Then again, it’s not really surprising that these songs are so great. After all, Soft Airplane was the surprise of 2008, capturing a #4 spot in my best of 2008 list.

Chad VanGaalen: Stuffed Animal [mp3]

[Digital EP, 2009]

1. Stuffed Animal
2. Are You Sleeping?
3. Microscopic World
4. Soak In Visions
5. Pyramids Float
6. Twisting Magic Up
7. Did You Find Peace?
8. I Wish I Was A Dog
9. Corvette

Written by Fense

The animation in the video for “Molten Light” by Chad VanGaalen reminds me a lot of the animation signature of the late 80s and early 90s. You know the kind — gross for the sake of being gross; a sort of, well, faux art. There were plenty of bands from that era that slapped the crap on their album covers — Ugly Kid Joe and Big Black are a few that come to mind. But here, there’s a key “fortunate” element, and that is its association with the great music of Chad VanGaalen.

The other great element is that VanGaalen himself is the creator of the video, having drawn the images himself. Truthfully, those sometimes grotesque images fit pretty well with his music. Lyrics like They’ll find you and they’ll kill you / They’ll find you and they’ll kill you, sung in a soft and eerily romantic way, make that a true statement. Better yet is the sad story VanGaalen tells both through the song and through this video.

Below you’ll find the video for “Molten Light” and mp3s for “City Of Electric Light” (recently released by Sub Pop for free public consumption) and “Willow Tree”, both of which can be found on his 2008 release Soft Airplane.

Chad VanGaalen: City Of Electric Light [mp3]

Chad VanGaalen: Willow Tree [mp3]

Written by Fense

For some inane reason, listening to Soft Airplane by Chad VanGaalen reminds me of Michel Gondry’s follow up to one of my all-time favorite movies, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. The movie in question is La Science des Rêves, better known here in the states as The Science of Sleep.

Maybe this discovery is not so surprising; much of Soft Airplane can be likened to a dream, from the space-y emotive vocals to the poppy and laid-back electric guitar riffs to the casual swagger in percussion. Drop in VanGaalen’s eclectic songwriting and it all adds up to a pleasant dream sequence.

Songs like “Bones of Man” and “Bare Feet On Wet Griptape” highlight VanGaalen’s awkward vocal stylings while “TMNT Mask” and “Phantom Anthills” (both fantastic tunes and major album high-points, by the way) find the artist throwing in some bizarre electronics.

Overall, it’s a delightful pop album, intricately complicated and oft difficult to comprehend. Listening to Soft Airplane will put you head in the clouds on a sunny day and release the proper endorphins to induce a drowsy, trippy hallucination.

Chad VanGaalen: Willow Tree [mp3]

Sub Pop [CD, 2008]

1. Willow Tree
2. Bones Of Man
3. Cries Of The Dead
4. Inside The Molecules
5. Bare Feet On Wet Griptape
6. Phantom Anthills
7. Poisonous Heads
8. TMNT Mask
9. Molten Light
10. Old Man + The Sea
11. City Of Electric Light
12. Rabid Bits Of Time
13. Frozen Energon