YAGN Essentials: Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion

We've mentioned this Baltimore psychedelic/electro/indie/experimental band here before (1ST TIME and 2ND TIME).  Their 2009 album Merriweather Post Pavilion is the band's strongest to date and is the latest addition to YAGN's Essentials.  The band abandoned some of the piercing sounds of their earlier work to let the melodic beauty and fluidity, that has always been under the surface of their work, to take a central role on Merriweather Post Pavilion.  As mentioned in the earlier posts, I think Animal Collective is an extremely talented group that continues to wow critics and fans alike with their deeply layered compositions that leave a lasting impression whether you like it or not.

Bluish -- also check out a very trippy video for the song HERE
Taste

YAGN Essentials: Weezer, Pinkerton

This one isn't too new, but it's a great album.  The last Weezer album to really mean anything to me (which is sad since it is just their 2nd), Pinkerton was originally panned by critics.  However, over the years it gained cult status and a deluxe version was released late last year with many outtakes, demos, and live tracks.  These days, Weezer doesn't get any play time in my house, but this album meant a lot to me in my teen years and holds a special place in my heart.

Pink Triangle

The Good Life

YAGN Essentials: Broken Bells, Self-Titled

Broken Bells is a "super group" that actually works.  James Mercer, lead singer of The Shins, and artist/producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) teamed up for this album full of soul, indie, pop, electro, and about anything else that you can throw in the mix.  Definitely one that you should have in your album collection.  And the good news is that a follow-up is in the works.

High Road

The Ghost Inside

YAGN Essentials: Beach House, Teen Dream

The third album was the charm for this Baltimore duo.  Beach House's Teen Dream (not to be confused with Katy Perry's) is so great.  You will love it from the get-go and continue to fall deeper in love the more time you spend with it.  If you already own the album, pull it out and listen to it a few more times.  If you don't, you should be downloading it right now!

Zebra

Walk In The Park

YAGN Essentials: Band of Horses, Cease To Begin

Coming off a critically acclaimed debut, Band of Horses looked to avoid the sophomore slump with the release of Cease To Begin.  And did they ever.  Their sophomore effort has it all and still stands tall after the release of their latest effort, Infinite Arms.  I have really enjoyed each of their albums, but Cease To Begin is the one I revisit when I need a BoH fix.

Cigarettes Wedding Bands

The Marry Song

YAGN Essentials: The Black Keys, The Big Come Up

The Black Keys are one of the most solid bands around.  All of their albums are good -- if not great.  Their debut, The Big Come Up, is a rocking, bluesy romp of an album .  From the first track, it is obvious that Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney were destined for the big time.  Carney's tireless percussion and Auerbach's soulful vocals and dirty blues guitar work were music perfection to me then and remain so to this day.  9 years and 6 albums later (only counting band releases), they are still one of my favorite bands.  If their latest Grammy Award winning album Brothers is the first you have heard of them, it is time for you to check their back catalog.

Busted

Countdown

YAGN Essentials: Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter has everything in place to keep the casual music fan from checking them out because they seem too strange.  An lp on the cover of their album, Bradford Cox, and his LIFE STORY (which is very odd), all contribute to this perception.  However, don't let these things steer you away.  Halcyon Digest is a great album.  Sample the tracks below and then buy it for YOURSELF.

Helicopter

Desire Lines

YAGN Essentials: Cotton Jones, Tall Hours in the Glowstream

YAGN Essentials is a new feature highlighting albums that we think are must haves.  If you have them already, then maybe these posts will make you revisit them.  If you don't have them yet, get a feel for the music then go out and get it.

Cotton Jones is high up there on the list of YAGN favorites.  The band's main components are former Page France members Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw.  Nau's vocals can never do any wrong in our opinion and they don't on this album.  Also, check out their incredible live session on Halfway House here.  And as a Presidents' Day Weekend treat, I included a download of a personal favorite of mine (EB and I always play this track on our road trips) -- the Daytrotter version of Cotton and Velvet.

Somehow To Keep It Going

Glorylight And Christie
Cotton and Velvet (via Daytrotter)