Holiday Gift Guide – Animal Collective

As we round out our final day of counting down the top 50 albums for the WERS Holiday Gift Guide, we’d like to give some special attention to the 4th album on our list, Animal Collective‘s Merriweather Post Pavilion. The release, which came out in January of ’09, is named after a venue in Columbia, MD with the same name and it is the 8th record from the group, consisting of members Panda Bear, Avey Tare, Deakin, and Geologist. In the eyes of many, this is their best effort yet, as this album was released to much critical acclaim. Also, if you’ve heard any of their holder music, you’ll realize that Merriweather Post Pavilion is arguably their most accessible album to date, yet it also definitely includes a culmination of their experimental roots. Earlier this month they released a new EP entitled Fall Be Kind, which features some songs that were left off of Merriweather Post Pavilion. It also features the first ever Grateful Dead sample on the track “What Would I Want? Sky.” With all these releases it feels like Animal Collective never stops recording new music and evolving as a group — which is just fine with us! Looks like they’ll be playing in New York City early in 2010, but we hope they announce plans to visit Boston soon!

To view the complete WERS Holiday Gift Guide, visit WERS.org

Holiday Gift Guide – Elvis Costello

The 38th album of the WERS Holiday Gift Guide List, Secret Profane & Sugarcane, comes from the one and only Elvis Costello. The album was released this past June and on it, Costello returned to his classic acoustic band-set up for the first time since his 1986 record, King of America. The acoustic set up really adds a new element to Secret Profane & Sugarcane and gives it an overall bluesy feel. Costello recorded Secret in just 3 days in Nashville, TN with producer T. Bone Burnett, who has also worked with Black Rebel Motorcylce Club and the Counting Crows. This album marks the 29th release from Costello and we’re sure it won’t be his last!

To view the complete Holiday Gift Guide List, visit WERS.org!

Holiday Gift Guide – Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles

The third album, entitled The Stars Are Out, from local group Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles appears at #48 on the WERS Holiday Gift Guide list.  This is an incredible release from Sarah, the singer from Taunton, MA (and Emerson College alumna!) as this album best showcases her powerful voice and her energetic rock and roll sound.  Definitely the best collection of Sarah’s original work yet, it also features covers from five different artists ranging from Smokey Robinson to the Lemonheads.  However, hands down, the WERS favorite is the leading track off the album, “Do It For Free.”

If you’re looking to give the gift of local music this holiday season, you will surely impress your family and friends with this album AND make sure to check back here each day this week for more Holiday Gift Guide album highlights.  We’ll be sure to leave you with lots of ideas when it comes time to do all your shopping!

Finally, to view the full Holiday Gift Guide list, visit WERS.org!