Rock Garden Tour

Field Recordings

We have some Rock Garden Tour news to share that will explain why you've been hearing re-runs on SDPB Radio lately, but we're not going to share it right yet. For now the thing to know is simply that there is news and that we will share it. All of that being said we still feel guilty about not giving you anything new to listen to. So here it is then, some new stuff. For the heck of it I produce a podcast called Fresh Friday for our producer (my real job) Fresh Produce. The name implies a Friday release date but I tend to share these podcasts willy-nilly whenever the spirit moves me. In that way they're like a sonic journal of sorts, and everybody gets to listen.

Enjoy the latest from the Fresh Friday podcast.

Download FF 80 Ipso Walk Podcast

Download FF 81 Field Recordings  

THE YEAR OF THE KAZOO

You're probably wondering what we've been up to. Thanks to Kat Burdine for perfecting the design of my coat hanger kazoo holder. Looks like we can cross that New Years Resolution off the list.

KATRINA LEHR-McKINNEY'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011

Audiophiles run aplenty around the shop, so year-end favorites don't end with me. Our media/project manager extraordinaire, Katrina, has weighed-in with her favorite albums of 2011. And let me tell you, it was worth the 364 day wait. Check out her top ten below the jump.

- The Music Director

THE MUSIC DIRECTOR'S TOP 40 TRACKS OF 2011

This is it. My favorite moment of the year. The time when I reflect on the soundtrack of my year. For those of you who don't know me, my life is surrounded by music. My daily routine consists of following music blogs on Twitter and Facebook, listening to suggestions from friends, and filling all of the time in between with tunes from my iPod. I hear great music at work, in my car, in the shower - really anywhere I have access to iTunes, a record player, or a plug-in to speakers.

While my year is filled with plenty of music from different eras, I love to hear what's new in the music world. I also love to share my favorites with friends, which is why I started making my favorite tracks list back in 2009 and continued the tradition in 2010.

This year, I made a few tweaks, like taking my list from 50 to 40 tracks, to reflect the running playlist of new tunes on my iPod. I also suppose, on a subconscious level, it's my way of playing my version of Casey Kasem - although I don't plan on sending out any long-distance dedications. Also, I decided to hold to last year's tweak by only posting one song per artist/album, that way I can share as much new music as possible.

I hope you enjoy the list below the jump. To avoid ratings, I posted the list, like my album list, in alpha-order.

DOKTOR BARKEY | EAT THE SALT | LIVE AT IPSO GALLERY

Our farwell to the Totem Box continues with another song from Doktor Barkey. To get the most out of the TB atmosphere, I suggest listening to the Totem series through a sturdy set of headphones. Come back next week for another video from Burlap Wolf King.

THE MUSIC DIRECTOR'S TOP 15 ALBUMS OF 2011

For audiophiles, the release of year-end music lists is as much of a holiday tradition as egg nog or a half-burnt-out strand of Christmas lights. Everyone's spent the year combing through music blogs to discover something new and exciting, or maybe just something fresh from an old favorite.

But then comes the time to reflect on the year and create a suitable soundtrack to your life. Everyone handles their lists differently. Some base their list on record sales. Others have a careful scientific process of judging art and innovation. For me, it's all about gut instinct.

I toss record sales and scientific process out the window. I think they're about as useful as a sweater on a prairie dog. My year-end lists are about finding which songs make me feel good. Which albums are as good backwards as forwards. And remembering which songs caught me by surprise.

In 2011, my list-making deviated from my own norm just a bit. This year, I've narrowed down my favorite albums from my usual 25 to 15, and my favorite songs (coming 12/15) from 50 to 40. I've even added a handy guide to follow when checking out each record.

I hope you enjoy my favorites below the jump. We hope to tap the 2011 favorites from others around the shop soon. Let us know in the comments who tops your list this year.

- The Music Director

BURLAP WOLF KING | THERE GOES ANOTHER YEAR | LIVE AT IPSO GALLERY

Our Totem farewell continues this week with Burlap Wolf King performing "There Goes Another Year". Burlap Wolf King is the "vessel of song" of South Dakota singer/songwriter, Thomas Hentges. His debut album, The Middle was released in 2009.

Also, I should have mentioned last week that the glorious bear print in the background was made by Fresh Produce designer Kat Burdine.

- The Music Director

It's time to fill your earbuds with wonder. This week we're featuring tunes by Gotye, Arms, Destroyer, Deerhoof, and Narrow Sparrow. Check out the fresh flavor below the jump.

THE BLACK KEYS - "EL CAMINO"

"A lot of times you'll play in a big city and people will just stand around. That always seems to be the thing. You'll go to L.A. or New York City and people will just stand there. You have to go to, like, middle America to find people who want to go crazy." - Dan Auerbach, The Black Keys

GROWING TROPICAL PANTS IN NORTHERN CLIMATES

Intense show last night, we talked about Glen Campbell, Chip Davis, and whether or not Oil Can's shark skin polyester pants were more tropical than my denim Levis. Probably sounds boring now, but just wait until you hear it on the radio. Above: Our corporate approved pic of the week. It's a three parter featuring visual images that reference wind power, wood power, and ear power. Below: The playlist from last night's show featuring new tracks by Glen Campbell and old tracks by Brian Wilson. 

Roe Family Singers - Crow Black Chicken***

Future Islands - Give Us The Wind

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Stranded On The Wrong Beach

The xx - Islands

Willie Nile - Far Green Hills

Chuck Prophet - Hot Talk

Broken Bells - The Mall & Misery**

Bob Dylan - Christmas Island

Tune Yards - Gangsta

Mike Doughty with Roseanne Cash - Holiday

The Beach Boys - Brian Wilson Falls Into A Piano

The Beach Boys - Vegetables

Jami Lynn - Sod Busters

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Glen Campbell - Any Trouble*****

The Mountain Goats - High Hawk Season

Tonic - Flowerman

**Tunes I played in response to a segment about mall walking.

***Tunes by bands that might be playing at this year's Sioux River Folk Fest at Newton Hills State Park

*****Glen Campbell