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Two quick notes about KUOI: first, I’ll be rebroadcasting my Christmas show with Sam Butterfield, the late KUOI DJ, on my show this week. That will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday on KUOI at 89.3 FM in Moscow or www.kuoi.org worldwide.
Secondly, today marks the belated release of In Cue, KUOI’s own magazine and programming guide. It is enclosed with this issue of The Argonaut. This issue includes a DJ application for the spring semester. If you’ve entertained the idea of becoming a DJ at the University of Idaho’s own student radio station, consider filling it out. It’s a great opportunity to become acquainted with radio and new music alike and requires only a few hours a week.
For the last KUOI KUOIRNER of the calendar year, I’m presenting – as all music critics do – my top-10 list of the year.
Albums
1. Destroyer, “Trouble In Dreams” (Merge)
2. Shugo Tokumaru, “EXIT” (Almost Gold Records)
3. Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down, “We Brave Bee Stings and All” (Kill Rock Stars)
4. Flight of the Conchords, “Flight of the Conchords” (Sub Pop)
5. Ratatat, “LP3” (XL)
6. PWRFL Power, “PWRFL Power” (Slender Means Society)
7. Los Campesinos!, “Hold On Now, Youngster...” (Arts & Crafts)
8. Strategy, “Music for Lamping” (Audio Dregs)
9. DeVotchKa, “A Mad & Faithful Telling” (ANTI-)
10. The Magnetic Fields, “Distortion” (Nonesuch)
Far and away, I’ve spent the most time this year with Destroyer, a Vancouver band led by Daniel Bejar. The band’s eighth album, “Trouble In Dreams,” sounds like nothing else in rock. The lyrics are opaque, and the guitar is beautiful. “Leopard of Honor” is the standout, but it’s among many superlative tracks.
For my thoughts on Tokumaru’s album, please see The Argonaut dated Sept. 29: I did not hesitate to award it what was, at the time, the highest rating I had available to me. “Parachute” and “Button” would delight anyone, even in the current economic climate.
Thao’s album has been the recipient of high praise in this column during the summer, and I have not tempered in my excitement for it. “Big Kid Table” remains a standby on my iPod, as does “Yes, So On and So On,” “Geography” and “Swimming Pools.” Thao is a talented guitarist and a gifted singer. I’m excited to see where the next few years take her music.
Ratatat’s album is a progression from the band’s last two at it is less reliant on the guitar than usual. It’s a mixed blessing, but I’m glad to see Ratatat not content to rehash the amazing self-titled and “Classics” albums.
Strategy’s second album in two years is less accessible, but no less great. It’s soundscape-type music, with songs ranging between nearly six and nearly 15 minutes each, but it is moving and certainly a treat. “Cathedral Spark” is my favorite from the opus.
I should note I’ve had the good fortune to see Thao, Destroyer and PWRFL Power twice each this year and DeVotchKa and the Magnetic Fields once each. Only PWRFL Power was new to me when I saw it live, but all are recommended for their shows.
2008 was a good year for music. For more commentary, check out In Cue’s list of 90 or so album previews.
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