It has become tradition each year for Battle Tapes to release a single podcast comprised of various entertainment. Maybe it’s Chipmunks style version of previously recorded songs, maybe it’s a special Christmas tune or maybe it’s just incoherent ramblings from the studio. If you’re lucky, it’s all of the above. Well, it’s that time of year again and Battle Pod Volume 4 is ready for your procurement. I’ve given the Stereo version a good thorough listening and enjoyed every bit of it. Musical contributions include the likes of Tristen, lylas, Millionaire Magicians, Dave Paulson, Jay Leo Phillips, and Jonas Stein. The in-between banter between Robo-Ferguson and the artists is nothing short of brilliant. This is seriously the best way to round out the year.. head over to Battle Tapes to snag the download.

Continuing on with our lists of 2009 Year End Lists we have a list of great local contributions to our scene this year courtesy of Joe Baine Colvert. Aside from being my cohort in crime here at We Own This Town he’s also part of the greatness of Lake Fever Productions, Lake Fever Sessions, The Chris Crofton Show and countless other quality shows around town (honestly, his 8 Off 8ths are usually my favorite). This list debuted as the finale to the We Own This Town Radio show; a fitting end to an incredibly unfortunate demise.

• #10. Heartbeater – “See You Around”
  Heartbeater EP
• #9. How I Became the Bomb – “Gay Guy”
  Deadly Art
• #8. Hotpipes – “Respectable Street” (XTC)
  Lake Fever Session
• #7. Oblio – “Ways and Means”
  Tonight You’re Gonna Be A Revelation
• #6. Roman Candle – “Early Aubade”
  Oh Tall Tree in the Ear
• #5. Codaphonic – “Edison’s Rival”
  Edison’s Rival EP
• #4. Superdrag – “Slow to Anger”
  Industry Giants
• #3. The Zut Alors – “Set The Sun On Fire”
  Zut Alors
• #2. Protomen – “No Easy Way Out” (Survivor)*
  Father of Death 7″
• #1. Bad Cop – “Daylight”
  Unreleased

To my knowledge the Bad Cop track isn’t even officially available yet but when you’re privy to promotional tunes, a radio DJ and a fan of the local rock whatcha gonna do? Bad Cop takes the #1 slot!

* Technically released in 2008 but discovered by Joe in 2009, so it counts

As December rolls to a close it always seems appropriate to gather up the Best Of lists from various sources of trusted knowledge from around town and see what they thought was the cream of the crop for the past year. With that in mind, we’ll be presenting a number of lists from various people around town (assuming they all email me back) and then launching our own Best Of 2009 podcast. So, let’s begin…

Andrew Mischke is no stranger to the throngs of local music playing about town as he is the man behind the man at Mercy Lounge. He helps book the shows both locally and nationally, hosts Rock & Roll Trivia, puts together After Parties, conjures up themed 8 Off 8th Nights, loves Yacht Rock and even manages to serve a drink or two in between all that. All and all, the rationale for considering him a trusted source is not a big leap, the man has strong opinions and yields them well. When asked about his top releases of 2009, here’s what he had to say:

• Kindercastle – dot to dot to dot…
• How I Became the Bomb – Deadly Art
• Protomen – ACT II
• Jensen Sportag – Jackie EP
• Pico vs. Island Trees – Futura
• The Non-Commissioned Officers – Make-out with Violence OST
• Royal Bangs – Let It Bleed
• Heypenny – Cop Car EP

Royal Bangs is a bit of a stretch as their based out of Knoxville but it’s an acceptable bit of skewing of the rules.