this is ivy league

A Retrospective Top 33 and 1/3: Best Albums of 2008

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2009May 18, 2023

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.

Andy Fenstermaker
June 14, 2009

After receiving London Bridges in the mail from Ivy League‘s Ryland Blackinton, I excitedly ripped open the package to find an album with quite interesting cover art. My sole thought was this: how odd. But only after cracking the jewel case to find a web address for the artist, Hope Gangloff, did I understand the power behind the drawing. Read More »This Is Ivy League: Ivy League [Album Review]

This Is Ivy League: This Is Ivy League [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 10, 2009March 10, 2009

This Is Ivy League can be credited as the first ever FensePost Feature Band. Of course, back then the group was simply called Ivy League. The change came later. After learning several groups carried the moniker and that one, a 60â€™s English pop group, was still in existence, they opted for a change; states Ryland Blackinton, â€œToo attached to the name, we knew we couldnâ€™t let it go so we just augmented it.â€ Thus, they became This Is Ivy League. Read More »This Is Ivy League: This Is Ivy League [Album Review]

Ivy League [Feature Band]

Andy Fenstermaker
February 11, 2009May 13, 2023

I discovered Ivy League, as did many outside the New York region, when IndiePages featured them in their Demo of the Week section. And as the weeks passed, I listened to the songs provided for download and I longed to hear more. Shortly after the IndiePages feature, they signed to TwentySeven Records and, other than numerous shows in the New York area, little has been heard since.

Best of 2008: Fense’s Top 33 & 1/3 Albums of the Year

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2008May 18, 2023

The year is over. We have a new president about to take office, a failing economy, and out of control weather. The good news is that last year saw some amazing albums hit and, thanks to the rampant oppression of hard times, next year should prove just as fruitful music-wise. After all, difficult times, depression, etc. can often breed above average achievements in the arts… right?

So here it is, my top 33 and 1/3 albums of the year and the last post of 2008. The 33 is for the top 33 albums (with a few EPs included) of the year, while the 1/3 is an honorable mention 7″ single. We’ll begin with the latter…