Right here! SoftAirplane.com. Awesome.

Photos/illustration by David Greenwald

Dear Friends,

It is with great joy, pride and excitement that I present to you this week The Rawking Refuses To Stop!‘s Top 100 Albums of the Decade. In 1998, with Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” atop the VH1 music video charts, I began taking music seriously. (I also became a man. Ask my rabbi.) In 2002, my first pieces of music criticism — and my first year-end list — were published. To say things have changed tremendously since then would be the understatement of the decade, but if nothing else, it’s been a hell of a ride — and an endlessly exciting time for great albums. This list represents that journey of discovery; it is, and is nothing more or less than, a record of the records that have made an impact on yours truly over the last 10 years. Apologies in advance for the dearth of releases by, say, (spoiler!) TV On the Radio, Bjork and Relevant Elephant, among others. (If you’re going to ask “But what about…,” the answer is, “No.” Sorry. To coin a phrase, tell it to your blog.)

That said, before launching into this list, you should know a few things about me: I like acoustic guitars, scrawny dudes and odd voices; songs about girls; songs; girls; cymbal-heavy percussion; major 7th chords; harmonies; emotions; dynamic range; the production style of Jim O’Rourke; the early 1970s; the late 1990s. I like dancing — to rock music. My favorite hip-hop albums were released between 1992 and 1994. I don’t like hype, trends or the vast majority of Brooklyn. You’ve been warned. Excelsior! 

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1
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#TeamTaylor! Assorted meanderings/hair-pullings re: tonight’s absurdity on Twitter. (“There are a million Tweets — on Twitter!” – an MTV VJ). Edit: Actually, one quick word on this. There was a strange parallel tonight between a shocked Taylor saying “I play country music” and an equally awestruck Lauryn Hill a decade ago at the Grammys, telling the crowd, “This is hip-hop music!” The sign of shifting culture — except the Goo Goo Dolls didn’t try to step to Lauryn.

Previously: Video: Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

News + Links: Jens Lekman and Drew Barrymore: Pals!

New Music: Richard Hawley’s hearty “For Your Lover, Give Some Time“; No Age’s “You’re A Target.”

Tour Dates: Rose Melberg is coming to Los Angeles, huuuuuuuuugs!

Photos: The really good Bad Veins at Spaceland.

Also: I’m at work reporting on the MTV Video Music Awards, which means, for better or worse, live-Tweeting. And next week — The Rawking Refuses To Stop!‘s Top 100 Albums of the Decade. I know you know. Be here or be Pitchfork.

Photo via Jens Lekman

* Next week, the much-anticipated (are you anticipating?!) Rawking Refuses To Stop! Top 100 Albums of the Decade arrives over five days of blurbs, MP3s and glory.

* If you’re not playing Monopoly City Streets, it’s so awesome, despite an abundance of cheating/hacking. Most major metro areas already sold out, but try yr old hometowns. Update: The game is apparently rebooting next week. Bummed!

* Ryan Adams is releasing a new digital single on his new label (!) today.

* Jens Lekman isn’t just in the Whip It trailer — according to the man himself, he licensed a number of songs for it (and looks adorable above hugging director/star Drew Barrymore).

Richard Hawley’s upcoming Truelove’s Gutter is a contemplative, gorgeously melancholic affair, and nowhere does the troubadour’s music burn hotter than “For Your Lover, Give Some Time.” Look for a full album review from me on BN.com closer to the release date (spoiler: album’s great, if not Cole’s Corner).

I can’t tell you the last time Rose Melberg‘s Softies played Los Angeles, but Google reveals that they were here, at UCLA no less, in 1995, at least. If it’s indeed been 14 years, the twee icon is finally, finally coming to remedy the Rose-less situation with a pair of shows on October 27, at Vacation Vinyl and the Echo Curio. Guys, this is like the My Bloody Valentine reunion, except probably way cheaper and definitely way prettier. I expect to see each and every one of you at both gigs or you’re totally fired. More Rose dates after the jump. Her new record, which is great and I haven’t had time to review yet, is due Sept. 22. Read the rest of this entry »

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All photos by David Greenwald

Bad Veins — yes, another guitar/drums duo — could probably use an honest-to-goodness bassist, but in their opening performance for labelmates Division Day, the group showed more sonic depth than many of their combo colleagues. Avoiding the usual two-man escapes of avant noise or blues, Bad Veins’ indie fuzz was closer to a darker New Pornographers or an edgier Strokes. Embrace the bass, guys. Make Paul Rudd proud.

Previously: Division Day at Spaceland, 9.02.09 | Concert Photos