the return of amishi!

As many of you know, eMusic’s champion designer/resident rock critic Amishi moved back to India in October. None of us were happy about this, and we miss getting our daily insight/insult from the far corner of the office. When we started putting together our list of the Best Albums of 2008, one thing was clear from the get-go — the roundup wouldn’t be complete without Amishi’s opinion. After the jump, my IM conversation with Amishi, where she lays the smackdown on our Top 10 of 2008.

joe: (11:02:35 AM): hey.
joe: (11:02:39 AM): wanna talk top 10?
amishi: (11:02:57 AM): hi
joe: (11:03:03 AM): so we’ll just do this over IM
joe: (11:03:06 AM): and i’ll save the convo.
amishi: (11:03:20 AM): i have to warn you i haven’t listened to some of them because my internet connection is prehistoric
joe: (11:03:25 AM): haha ok
amishi: (11:03:43 AM): so my opinion might be based entirely on what i think of the cover
joe: (11:03:51 AM): thats actually even better, in a way
joe: (11:04:03 AM): ready to start?
joe: (11:04:12 AM): we’ll set it up like we just started the convo.
amishi: (11:05:23 AM): ok
joe: (11:06:29 AM): amishi!
amishi: (11:06:35 AM): yes
joe: (11:06:39 AM): where are you? how are you?
amishi: (11:07:06 AM): i’m good
amishi: (11:07:14 AM): this is very fake
joe: (11:07:29 AM): nah, it’s ok. so, wait, tell people where you are.
amishi: (11:07:52 AM): i’m in bombay or mumbai as its now called
joe: (11:08:20 AM): jesus. how are you doing?
amishi: (11:08:22 AM): and it is very hot
joe: (11:08:31 AM): what is the mood like over there?
amishi: (11:09:06 AM): mmm ppl are pretty scared still
joe: (11:09:18 AM): i can imagine. if you dont mind — how close are you to everything?
amishi: (11:10:02 AM): i live in south mumbai, i’m maybe a 20min drive from one of the hotels where the attacks happened
joe: (11:10:22 AM): jesus. so, wait, did you hear or see everything?
amishi: (11:10:51 AM): i did hear some explosions
amishi: (11:11:23 AM): it was terrible
joe: (11:11:34 AM): god, i’m sorry. i’ll bet. how are you and your family doing? i don’t want to dwell on this.
joe: (11:11:40 AM): just want to check in and make sure you’re all holding up ok
amishi: (11:11:54 AM): ya thanks we’re ok
joe: (11:12:00 AM): so you live with your parents, right?
joe: (11:12:04 AM): tell people a little about that
amishi: (11:12:13 AM): yes, oh god
joe: (11:12:14 AM): hahah
joe: (11:12:16 AM): not working out?
amishi: (11:12:19 AM): i would rather not
amishi: (11:12:44 AM): it’s personal.
joe: (11:12:49 AM): that’s fair.
joe: (11:13:00 AM): so let’s talk about records, then.
amishi: (11:13:12 AM): lets
joe: (11:13:44 AM): ok, so
joe: (11:13:52 AM): #10, Thao, We Brave Bee Stings and All
joe: (11:13:53 AM): thoughts?
amishi: (11:14:03 AM): i love love thao
joe: (11:14:13 AM): you know, i still haven’t given it much of a chance
joe: (11:14:16 AM): whats it like?
amishi: (11:15:26 AM): its a great summer album
joe: (11:15:42 AM): i should have been listening to it 6 months ago
amishi: (11:15:45 AM): makes me happy
joe: (11:16:09 AM): do you like it more or less than #9, Frightened Rabbit?
amishi: (11:16:25 AM): poles apart
amishi: (11:16:35 AM): i never got that into frightened rabbit
amishi: (11:16:53 AM): don’t know what the fuss is abt.
joe: (11:17:12 AM): you know, i love that record, but i understand when people say that
amishi: (11:17:15 AM): sometimes they sound like counting crows
joe: (11:17:24 AM): yeah, i’ll give you that. i think people get really emotionally invested with it.
joe: (11:17:36 AM): they relate to what he’s singing about
amishi: (11:17:57 AM): i never paid much attention
joe: (11:18:02 AM): that’s fair.
joe: (11:18:10 AM): plus, i know you hate Scottish people
joe: (11:18:11 AM): in general
amishi: (11:18:22 AM): don’t make things up
joe: (11:18:28 AM): thats what i’d heard, anyway
joe: (11:18:32 AM): “Amishi Hates Scots”
amishi: (11:18:50 AM): that’s absurd
joe: (11:19:04 AM): but is #8, the Walkman ‘You & Me,’ absurd?
amishi: (11:19:27 AM): no it’s not, it’s one of my favorites too
joe: (11:19:38 AM): did you come with us to see them live that night?
amishi: (11:19:47 AM): ya i did
joe: (11:19:50 AM): i thought so
joe: (11:19:53 AM): how did you like the show?
amishi: (11:20:05 AM): i think we talked abt it in length
amishi: (11:20:35 AM): i really liked it, but i know some ppl weren’t that into it
joe: (11:20:42 AM): his voice was amazing live, i thought
joe: (11:20:46 AM): even better than on the record
amishi: (11:21:21 AM): my only criticism was the frequency or whatever, i practically went deaf that night
joe: (11:21:38 AM): god, yeah
amishi: (11:21:51 AM): anyway the whole time i was there i felt like the singer was going to get in a fight with someone
joe: (11:22:41 AM): i wish that someone was me
joe: (11:22:43 AM): i think i could take him
joe: (11:22:56 AM): do you think i could beat him up?
amishi: (11:23:04 AM): no definitely not
joe: (11:23:10 AM): what?!
joe: (11:23:14 AM): he’s a little string bean of a man
joe: (11:23:22 AM): (i hope he’s reading this)
joe: (11:23:34 AM): i’m a two-time jr. league boxing champ
amishi: (11:23:59 AM): yeah yeah
amishi: (11:24:12 AM): he looked pretty angry though
joe: (11:24:46 AM): probably cuz he knew i could beat him up
joe: (11:24:49 AM): lets talk about #7
joe: (11:24:53 AM): Terakaft.
amishi: (11:25:24 AM): hmm judging by the cover i probably wouldn’t like it
joe: (11:25:29 AM): haha. so you haven’t listened?
amishi: (11:25:38 AM): no
joe: (11:25:46 AM): it’s “desert blues.” the band is arabic
amishi: (11:25:55 AM): ya i can see that
amishi: (11:26:08 AM): see all the info i need is on the cover
joe: (11:26:19 AM): so judging by it’s cover, Terakaft = dud.
amishi: (11:26:42 AM): ya i’m not into the jihadi-rocker look
joe: (11:27:06 AM): #6 Bon Iver.
joe: (11:27:08 AM): now
joe: (11:27:10 AM): when you first heard this
joe: (11:27:13 AM): if i recall
joe: (11:27:16 AM): your pronouncement was
joe: (11:27:18 AM): “Bon Iver is Boring.”
joe: (11:27:25 AM): that was actually the genesis of Ask Amishi
amishi: (11:27:40 AM): i haven’t been allowed to forget that
joe: (11:27:51 AM): of course not. so, amishi, at the end of the year, i ask you:
joe: (11:27:54 AM): Is Bon Iver Boring?
amishi: (11:28:13 AM): yes
amishi: (11:28:24 AM): i stand by my first response
joe: (11:28:29 AM): confidentially: i am with you on that.
joe: (11:28:43 AM): i appreciate what he’s trying to do
joe: (11:28:45 AM): but i think this is not for me
amishi: (11:28:57 AM): i mean i don’t see myself thinking oh whats he going to do next
amishi: (11:29:48 AM): all bon iver songs sound the same after a point
amishi: (11:30:02 AM): he’s sad he’s cold, get over it
joe: (11:30:12 AM): that is amazing
joe: (11:30:29 AM): ok, so #5
joe: (11:30:32 AM): Miles from India
amishi: (11:30:59 AM): i have mixed feelings about that
joe: (11:31:23 AM): yeah, i’m curious to hear what you think of this one
joe: (11:31:24 AM): for obvious reasons
amishi: (11:32:28 AM): i can see the attraction
amishi: (11:32:43 AM): but i have deep-rooted feelings abt indian classical
joe: (11:32:49 AM): which are?
amishi: (11:33:22 AM): hard to explain–but it’s what my parents listen to
amishi: (11:34:01 AM): i’m supposed to like it, but i don’t get it
joe: (11:34:14 AM): i can understand that. maybe it’s generational?
joe: (11:36:21 AM): you kinda feel the same way about Bollywood, right?
joe: (11:36:23 AM): i know you’re not a fan
amishi: (11:37:06 AM): i don’t like most of the mainstream stuff that comes out of bollywood
joe: (11:38:29 AM): so the deal with this record — and then we’ll move on — is that it’s all miles davis songs arranged as indian classical music
amishi: (11:39:28 AM): i guess that ruins it for me, cause i miss the energy and unexpectedness that i associate with miles davis
joe: (11:39:42 AM): that’s a good insight.
joe: (11:39:52 AM): lets talk about #4
joe: (11:39:57 AM): Nigeria Special
amishi: (11:40:20 AM): it’s a fun album
joe: (11:40:36 AM): yeah. this one is one of my favorites.
joe: (11:40:52 AM): we did an interview with the guy who assembled it, and he said the people in Nigeria don’t listen to or care about this music anymore at all
joe: (11:41:00 AM): they think he’s weird for digging up all these “old records”
amishi: (11:41:24 AM): thats how young people in india feel abt indian classical music
joe: (11:41:36 AM): there you go.
joe: (11:41:41 AM): #3 Rodriguez, Cold Fact
joe: (11:41:46 AM): this record grew on me
amishi: (11:42:06 AM): i’ve heard it once, i liked it instantly
amishi: (11:42:57 AM): it has a very retro sound
amishi: (11:43:18 AM): i read that this album is quite old
joe: (11:43:28 AM): yeah, it was actually recorded in the late 60s, and was basically ignored
amishi: (11:43:41 AM): thats too bad
joe: (11:43:45 AM): the guy went on with his life and then found out that a bunch of people in africa and australia had found copies of the record
joe: (11:43:49 AM): and he was this cult sensation
joe: (11:44:00 AM): so they flew him over there for concerts, like, 30 years after the record came out
amishi: (11:44:16 AM): its a good story
joe: (11:44:22 AM): and we love a good story
joe: (11:44:27 AM): #2 Deastro, Keeper’s
amishi: (11:44:45 AM): pass
joe: (11:44:47 AM): NO
joe: (11:44:49 AM): really?!?!?!
joe: (11:45:09 AM): i mean, it’s fine for you to have whatever opinion you want
joe: (11:45:14 AM): i just think this album is unhateable
amishi: (11:45:22 AM): he’s obviously very talented
joe: (11:45:26 AM): so diplomatic.
joe: (11:45:35 AM): what is it that rubs you the wrong way?
amishi: (11:45:43 AM): i know this is a touchy subject
joe: (11:45:47 AM): no, its fine
joe: (11:45:48 AM): i promise
joe: (11:45:52 AM): you can be honest
amishi: (11:45:54 AM): nothing particularly i just don’t love it
joe: (11:46:06 AM): fair enough.
amishi: (11:46:50 AM): and the guy was going on abt something at the selects showcase that i couldn’t make out
joe: (11:47:00 AM): so you hold that against him, basically?
joe: (11:47:06 AM): did you not like the cape and mask?
amishi: (11:47:44 AM): no no
amishi: (11:48:47 AM): i would never listen to deastro because i specifically wanted to
joe: (11:49:11 AM): i see what you mean. but if someone else has it on
joe: (11:49:13 AM): you’re ok with it
amishi: (11:49:20 AM): maybe
amishi: (11:49:33 AM): so gaslight anthem
joe: (11:49:35 AM): yes
joe: (11:49:37 AM): i am very curious
joe: (11:49:39 AM): to hear what you think
amishi: (11:49:49 AM): i haven’t listened to this a lot
joe: (11:49:57 AM): ok
amishi: (11:50:11 AM): and it’s not my scene i think
joe: (11:50:26 AM): i kind of suspected you wouldnt like this.
amishi: (11:51:16 AM): do u really think it’s the best album of the year?
joe: (11:51:40 AM): i like it a whole, whole lot.
joe: (11:51:45 AM): it’s a good, solid, inspiring rock record
joe: (11:51:48 AM): it’s one of my favorites of the year
joe: (11:51:52 AM): it’s not my absolute favorite
joe: (11:51:58 AM): i think the middle sags a little
joe: (11:52:13 AM): i mean, i also love bruce springsteen & the replacements
joe: (11:52:16 AM): and this sounds a lot like that
amishi: (11:52:19 AM): i didn’t get to the middle
joe: (11:52:24 AM): i think songs 1 – 4 are sort of unbeatable
joe: (11:52:37 AM): my general rule of thumb for a favorite record of the year is that i have to like almost every song on it
joe: (11:52:42 AM): i’m not quite there with this one
amishi: (11:52:46 AM): agreed
joe: (11:52:49 AM): HOWEVER
joe: (11:52:51 AM): i am not dissing
joe: (11:53:03 AM): i think the first 4 songs are perfect
joe: (11:54:12 AM): i think i like the urgency of it a lot
joe: (11:54:17 AM): it’s really heart-on-sleeve
joe: (11:54:19 AM): and that goes a long way fo rme
amishi: (11:54:36 AM): hmm ok
joe: (11:54:39 AM): i think conceptually it makes a lot of sense as a #1 record
joe: (11:54:44 AM): if that makes sense.
amishi: (11:55:06 AM): i get it
amishi: (11:56:05 AM): i’m going to listen to the whole thing now that i’ve heard your thoughts on it
joe: (11:56:22 AM): give it another chance. it’s a very “brink of adulthood” record, and i tend to love records like that
joe: (11:56:27 AM): seen any good movies lately?
amishi: (11:56:45 AM): i’ve seen a lifetime’s worth of hindi movies
amishi: (11:56:58 AM): in a month
joe: (11:57:00 AM): man, tell me about hindi movies
joe: (11:57:03 AM): i know nothing about them
amishi: (11:57:14 AM): have you seen any?
joe: (11:57:16 AM): is that like satyajit ray?
joe: (11:57:20 AM): i’ve seen some of his
joe: (11:57:21 AM): and loved
amishi: (11:57:24 AM): no the opposite
joe: (11:57:28 AM): hahaha ok
joe: (11:57:30 AM): shows what i know
amishi: (11:57:37 AM): you have to put your brain to sleep and watch
amishi: (11:58:06 AM): there are some decent ones coming out these days
amishi: (11:58:49 AM): i mean how many permutations of a boy-meets-girl situation can there be
joe: (11:59:04 AM): thats the basic premise of all of them?
joe: (11:59:11 AM): they need to work in boy-meets-boy-meets-girl or something
joe: (11:59:14 AM): make it interesting
amishi: (11:59:25 AM): that will never happen