Marya: A Life in Music

2005 – Sufjan Stevens – Illinois

Oh Sufjan, you have the longest song titles ever, but I love you for it. I also forgive you for not actually making an album for all the fifty states. I won’t lie, though, I am a little disappointed about it.

2006 – Grizzly Bear – Yellow House

I don’t think I loved any band while I was in college like I loved Grizzly Bear. I had all their albums — on vinyl! I saw them live multiple times. I even met them on the streets of San Francisco once and nearly died I was so excited. Yellow House is an album that really benefits from the richness of vinyl records. You really haven’t heard it in its full glory if you’ve only heard it on your computer. Trust me.

2007 – Rogue Wave – Asleep At Heaven’s Gate

I don’t remember how I got into this band, but I do remember that I bought this album on vinyl even though I’d only heard one song and then after listening to the album was really glad I had decided to be so impulsive.

2008 – Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

I almost had their album Takk for 2005, but couldn’t not have Sufjan. So I’m going to talk about my second favorite of their albums. If you’ve never heard Sigur Rós’ music I don’t think I can describe it with words. It is just magical. Oh, and this video is a wee bit NSFW. Sorry.

2009 – Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Yes, more Grizzly Bear. Always Grizzly Bear.

2010 – Rogue Wave – Permalight

And more Rogue Wave. To be honest, this is the only album from 2010 I really remember. Most of last year was spent listening to 80s music on the Sirius/XM satellite channel 1st Wave and big band music on 40s on 4. But this album is awesome.