[Note: This is the first in a series of articles that constitute Village Voice Media's year-end music package. The others - pop, indie-rock, dance mixes, Latin, country, alt-country/Americana, metal, rap/hip-hop and special graphics breaking down the year in charts and 2008's worst lyrics - will be posted on Rocks Off throughout the rest of the holiday season.]
It's time to rank the best of what went around and came around again.
BILLY JOEL
The Stranger
(Columbia/Legacy)
As punk and disco e
Kim DouglassIt's now been exactly a week since the Wild Moccasins kicked off their first-ever extended tour with a sweaty show before a packed house at Mango's, and like a lot of people (we imagine), Rocks Off is curious how the H-pop heroes are faring on the road. Luckily, instead of having to rely on their finding a pay phone - though the Moccasins may not be old enough to know what one is - or somewhere with wi-fi (which isn't always easy out in the hinterlands), we can keep tabs on them thro
During his Fourth of July road trip to San Antonio, Lonesome Onry and Mean found himself listening to Maria Taylor's excellent LadyLuck and wondering how he could have been so remiss in not reporting on such a fine record.
Producer, singer, writer, arranger, Taylor is a huge multi-threat talent who manufactures appealing, instantly memorable songs. I don't remember the last time I heard a record with so many instantly likeable tracks that seem to fit so many radio formats. This is certainly one
All this week, Rocks Off is previewing Saturday and Sunday's Westheimer Block Party by asking WBP performers to fill out a list from Lisa Nola's Music Listography book we're so fond of.
Next up, four-fifths of local electro-tinged post-punks the Watermarks choose their favorite duets.
Jessica Brand
My favorite duet, knee-jerk reaction, would have to be PJ Harvey and Thom Yorke singing "This Mess We're In." I love the desperation and the way their voices overlap and tangle like ocean waves. Plus
All this week, Rocks Off is previewing Saturday and Sunday's Westheimer Block Party by asking WBP performers to fill out a list from Lisa Nola's Music Listography book we're so fond of.
Next up, Jesus and Mary Chain-y alt-rockers Flowers to Hide tell us the saddest songs in the world.
claudiabelle​
Jonathan Espeche (guitar, vocals) and Stephen Anderson (vocals, guitar)
JE: The promise of good times and fun are always used in popular music to sell something because it doesn't challenge people a
