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

I know a few of you have been inquiring about a feature that has gone dormant — “Ask Amishi.” There are many reasons for this, most of them having to do with Amishi’s unwillingness/inability to be honest when we ask her about music. I’m happy to say, though, that “Ask Amishi” is returning, and in a huge way: Amishi will be traveling with us to the Pitchfork Festival this year, and we’re going to be asking over the course of the weekend to tell us about the best things she’s seen. We’re also going to drag her to some things we suspect she might not enjoy, just to watch her reaction. As it turns out, Amishi had a surprise for us, too. This morning, she presented us with a contract and touring rider, outlining the things she’d need in order to participate in our little interview. I’ve seen a few touring riders before, but this one takes the cake: 72 bottles of water, a 25-person guest list, 1 package of fresh naan from Mumbai and — my personal favorite — 1 small Yorkie Terrier. I’m going to have my lawyer look this over before I do anything rash.

Amishi’s contract and touring rider

[EDIT: Amishi just made me change the image associated with this post, as she did not like the original picture. I do not see any mention of this in the contract. I'll let it slide this time.]

Today at eMusic HQ, we played host to a little piece of history. Amishi, famous for Ask Amishi as well as her chorizo cookies, sat down with none other than Pillowfight to discuss their just-discovered career overview Broken Promises. For a good 20 minutes, Amishi grilled the three men about their band and “why is it that people listen to your music?” We were all very proud of Amishi, who was a mix between Mike Wallace and Tyra Banks. The Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism should have been here to witness it.

It would be amazing to share with you the Q&A of the discussion, except that someone’s digital recorder didn’t function properly and so we have nothing. And just to be clear, by “someone” I mean Joe. Joe Keyes. Joseph Edward Keyes. He’s the one who ruined your Thursday. Joe.

Still, if I can, I’d like to rehash some of the discussion. When we first asked Amishi if she would like to interview Pillowfight, she asked why, and then she asked if that meant she actually had to listen to the music. (This is her charm.) But, impressively, when we all sat down today, she had a notebook ready with questions that were totally professional! We were all so proud!

And so she talked to Pillowfight. The Pillowfight dudes — and let’s bring down the curtain: it’s Todd, Patrick and Alex from here at eMusic, who recorded the whole thing in one night (every song was first take) as, yes, an April Fool’s joke — decided they would try to stay in character, which made for a whole new narrative of sublimated anger/weird answers covering everything from children’s music to, when discussing horses, the statement “I raise ‘em then race ‘em” to the statement, “I mean, really, there’s no difference between us and Radiohead except Thom Yorke’s voice is annoying.”

More things you should know about the Pillowfight record: yes it is bad on purpose, and even though I am positive he won’t talk to me tomorrow for saying this, that is Todd singing. Sorry Todd, but the world needs to know your talent.

Back to the interview, some of the answers were great, but really it was Amishi we were watching. She even had one segue question! Something like, “that’s interesting, but I’d like to talk about BLANK.” It was just such a great world’s colliding moment and I wish you all coulda been there. Hooray Amishi and hooray Pillowfight!

amishi (5:26:55 PM): hi joe
jedward (5:27:01 PM): AMISHI

jedward (5:27:02 PM): whats up
amishi (5:27:19 PM): do u have that erykah badu cd?
jedward (5:27:22 PM): i do, at home
jedward (5:27:25 PM): i can bring it next week!
amishi (5:27:31 PM): please?
jedward (5:27:57 PM): absolutely. it’s very good.
amishi (5:28:18 PM): cool
amishi (5:29:01 PM): btw. did u see the card i made for u
jedward (5:29:13 PM): i did not!
jedward (5:29:18 PM): is it the one taped to the window?
amishi (5:29:21 PM): YES
jedward (5:29:27 PM): now that you’ve said i scare you, i dont know how to take anything you say.
amishi (5:29:43 PM): i was joking
jedward (5:29:54 PM): “joking”
amishi (5:29:59 PM): its yancey i’m scared of
jedward (5:30:15 PM): interesting.
[Tells Yancey]
amishi (5:31:00 PM): thanks for telling him
jedward (5:31:06 PM): i didnt tell him
jedward (5:31:08 PM): he just sensed it.
jedward (5:31:11 PM): he felt your vibes.
jedward (5:32:08 PM): http://www.truthdig.com/images/eartothegrounduploads/StressedKid300.jpg
jedward (5:33:03 PM): http://tarapfeifer.com/albums/stuff/burger_copy.jpg
amishi (5:33:33 PM): is that the world’s biggest burger
jedward (5:33:46 PM): it is
jedward (5:33:51 PM): so amishi, who is this clown? http://www.amishi.eu/
amishi (5:34:25 PM): ya i’m kinda famous in europe
jedward (5:34:33 PM): amishi, i hope you know you’re in the top search results for your name on google
jedward (5:34:35 PM): thanks to 17 dots
amishi (5:34:43 PM): shit
jedward (5:34:58 PM): i am really pleased about this
amishi (5:38:21 PM): whoa there’s an amishi on myspace from ny
jedward (5:38:25 PM): and it’s not you?
amishi (5:38:43 PM): no i’m not 26
jedward (5:38:47 PM): you’re like, what, 23?
amishi (5:38:51 PM): 24
jedward (5:39:00 PM): i am so much older than you, it’s actually scary
jedward (5:39:08 PM): i have almost a decade on you.
jedward (5:39:19 PM): thanks for depressing me on a friday.
amishi (5:39:33 PM): sorry!
jedward (5:39:33 PM): haha
amishi (5:43:44 PM): well you’re a cool older person
jedward (5:44:03 PM): thanks. i think.
amishi (5:44:13 PM): ha

amishi (5:39:57 PM): r u as old as joe
yancey (5:40:36 PM): hahahaha
yancey (5:40:38 PM): no i am not
yancey (5:40:41 PM): i am MUCH younger
yancey (5:44:26 PM): how old r u?
amishi (5:44:38 PM): just ask joe
amishi (5:44:49 PM): he already asked me that
yancey (5:44:54 PM): i don’t talk to that dude
yancey (5:44:58 PM): i don’t like senior citizens
amishi (5:45:28 PM): now who’s being mean
yancey (5:45:33 PM): you of course
yancey (5:45:38 PM): because you are waht you are
yancey (5:45:41 PM): you can’t change yourself
amishi (5:47:21 PM): r u trying to intimidate me
yancey (5:47:36 PM): no but it’s interesting that that’s what YOU see

amishi (5:48:59 PM): i like your shirt
jedwardk (5:49:13 PM): yeah? thanks
jedwardk (5:49:15 PM): thats nice of you to say
jedwardk (5:49:18 PM): i was afraid it was boring
jedwardk (5:49:22 PM): like bon iver
amishi (5:49:39 PM): i’m trying to be nice someone seems to think i’m really mean
jedwardk (5:49:57 PM): this conversation just keeps getting better and better
jedwardk (5:50:37 PM): i’m changing our IM names for safety
amishi (5:50:54 PM): if u r changing the names why did u take my picture
jedwardk (5:51:03 PM): because no one can stalk you with your picture
jedwardk (5:51:06 PM): but they can with your IM name
amishi (5:51:15 PM): thats dumb

With SXSW fast approaching, Yancey and I needed help navigating the festival’s hectic schedule. There was only one place to turn: Amishi. Over the course of a spirited 15-minute (or so) conversation, Amishi cuts a straight path through this year’s overcrowded Austin lineup. Click through for the carnage.

Joe: So you’re going to help us decide what to see at SXSW

Amishi: You’re not actually going to do what I tell you, right?

Yancey: Alex is.

Amishi: So what do I…?

Thao, We Brave Bee Stings & All

Yancey: This first song isn’t even SXSW related. This is just a song I want to get your opinion on. First off, what do you think the gender is of the person singing?

Amishi: I dunno. Sounds female?

Yancey: You’re right. I thought it was dude. So let’s go through the eMusic showcase. We already know how you feel about Bon Iver. Let’s try…

Frightened Rabbit

Amishi: I listened to one of their songs before. I think I liked it.

Yancey: Does that mean you’re tired of this?

[Amishi is flipping through a magazine]

Joe: I don’t think you’re taking this seriously.

Amishi [testily]: I’ve heard this song before!

Yancey: OK, here’s Peel.

Peel, Peel

Amishi: You know, I feel really self-conscious when you’re just watching my face. [Grows more agitated]. Do you guys even need me anymore?

Yancey: This is Delorean. They’re from Barcelona.

Delorean, Transatlantic KK

Amishi: …

Yancey: Is this something you would have danced to in Miami on New Year’s Eve?

Joe: You went to Miami for New Year’s Eve?

Amishi: My friends were going.

Yancey: So you just do whatever your friends do?

Amishi: …

Joe: How do you like the band?

Amishi: This band is fun.

No Age, Weirdo Rippers

Yancey: OK, this band is playing a jillion times. I’m wondering if we should go see them. They’re called No Age.

Amishi: So you want me to tell you if you should see them or not?

Yancey: Yes.

Amishi: Sure. Why not.

Cool Kids, Black Mags

Yancey: Here’s another one

Amishi: Who is this?

Yancey: The Cool Kids.

Amishi: They’re playing at SXSW?

Joe: You didn’t think they’d have rap at SXSW?

Amishi: I didn’t know. [pause] I like this. It doesn’t sound like mainstream hip-hop.

Santogold

Yancey: OK, this I’m going to see no matter what you say. This is Santogold.

Amishi: So far, I don’t hate anything.

Yancey: OK, let’s try to find something different.

High on Fire, Surrounded By Thieves

Amishi: OK, you can turn this off.

Joe: You don’t like this?

Amishi: I just don’t like intro’s.

Joe: You don’t like intro’s?

[Vocal begins]

Amishi [nonplussed]: Um. Yeah. This reminds me of the kind of music people listen to in India.

Yancey: In India?!

Amishi: Indian guys, all they listen to is death metal. And Iron Maiden.

Yancey: I’m amazed. I guess I don’t know much about India.

Amishi [agreeing]: No.

Think About Life, Think About Life

Amishi: Is this the same band?

Yancey: No.

Amishi: It’s OK.

David Banner

Amishi [reading screen]: David Banner?

Joe: Is this your kind of thing?

Amishi: No.

Yancey: Is this what the girls in India listen to?

Amishi: [giggles]

White Rainbow, Prism of Eternal Now

Amishi: How long are you guys going for?

Joe: Two months.

Yancey: No. Just a month. Joe & I got a little bungalow together.

Amishi: You should just go and work from there.

Yancey: So any thoughts on this at all?

Amishi: Is there any more to the song?

Yancey: No.

Amishi: …

Yancey: We should play you Alex’s band.

Amishi: What are they called?

Yancey: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Amishi: What?!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Yancey: What do you think of the bass on this?

Amishi: [laughs]

Yancey: Do you think you’d like to go to SXSW?

Amishi: I would. I don’t really get to go to shows.

Yancey: That’s because you always get kicked out.

Joe: What?!

Yancey: I didn’t tell you about this? I went to see Beach House and Amishi was there with her sister. The next thing I know, Amishi is getting kicked out for underage drinking.

Amishi: I’m not underage, my sister is. She was going to be 21 in 7 days. The bouncers at the Bowery Ballroom are too uptight.

Yancey: What do you picture SXSW being like?

Amishi: Crazy. Lots of people, lots of shows, confusion. Because you don’t know what to see.

Joe: That’s why we’re asking you.

Yancey: What do you think of the Eliot Spitzer news?

Amishi: What?

Yancey: Eliot Spitzer, he’s the Governor of New York, he’s been —

Amishi: [reading onscreen] — linked to prostitution. That’s pretty dumb.

Well, it’s now two days on from New Release Tuesday, but I know some of you are hanging on to your downloads for one reason and one reason only: you want to wait until Amishi weighs in. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over:

The Mountain Goats, “Sax Rohmer #1″: “I just ate my lunch, so I’m having a hard time coming up with anything.”

Nick Lowe, “Cruel to Be Kind”: “Upbeat!”

The Dead C, “Heaven” Suggested by Chris: “Strange.”

Headlights, “Cherry Tulips”: “This reminds me of those old, all-girl bands.”

No Kids, “Bluster in the Air”: “I love Flight of the Conchords. Jermaine is the funny one, but I’m more of a Britt fan. I also love No Kids.”

Low Moda, “Seduction” Suggested by Matthew Lloyd: “I liked this better before the singing.”

Pete & the Pirates, “Come on Feet”: “The new pop anthem — or should be.”

Bon Iver, “Lump Sum” (previous opinion: “Bon Iver is boring.”):
Amishi::I like this a lot.
Joe: Before, you said it was boring.
Amishi: Well, that’s what happens when you play me ten seconds of a song and expect me to have an opinion on it.

Well put! Any write-ins for March?