Ask a Local: Andy Uhler / KUT

Andy Uhler talks to Annie Clark at ACL

This winter, Austinist wanted to take some time to check in with some of our favorite local performers, artists and musicians to see what they enjoyed in 2008. Our request was simple: give us a few things that you enjoyed listening to this year, and feel free to include releases that might not have been released in 2008, but that found their way onto your turntable anyhow. We'll be sharing our own list too, but be patient and hear what some of our favorite folks thought was worthwhile in '08.

Andy Uhler spends his time buried under promo CDs and production booths at Austin's NPR affilliate, KUT 90.5 fm. He's a senior producer for Texas Music Matters, contributing to their weekly show on Fridays at noon. When he's not doing that, he's selecting treats for Song of the Day. He's definitely listened to just about everything in '08, and here are his favorites.

1. Shearwater - Rook Without a doubt, this was the album I consistently re-visited throughout the year. Perhaps because it's not an easy listen the first time around. But when you delve deeper into Rook, little things start to emerge and take hold of your ear; trumpets wailing off in the distance, weird instruments keeping time, and haunting images appearing in the 'mind's ear.' As melodically complex as the album gets, frontman Jonathan Meiburg's haunting vocals always bring an air of childish simplicity to Shearwater's sound.

2. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges Perhaps one of the most polarizing albums of 2008, Kentucky rockers My Morning Jacket surprised everyone with their fifth LP. It would have been easy to release another Z, or even revert back to their days as a pseudo-jam-band; but they didn't. Evil Urges is an innovative achievement (on a major label, no less), full of Prince-style vocal effects paired with patented MMJ penetrating drum lines and classic rock riffs. Undeniably a conversation starter, and for my money, a work of brilliance.

3. White Denim - Exposion Talk about an album that's all over the map. Austin's emerging cult heroes release their first LP (after teasing their audience with random EPs and singles) to high expectations. And the trio delivered. A bass-forward production style helps establish the groove of Exposion immediately. And perhaps the most pleasant of the surprises on this full length is the attention to song craft displayed by James Petralli and his band mates. You knew you'd get lots of energy on this record, but the songs are well constructed (if not sprawling) and, as a result, the debut lends itself to repeated listening.

4. Leatherbag - Love & Harm Randy Reynolds (better known by the moniker Leatherbag), is a hurricane Rita refugee who found a place here in Austin, both physically and musically. On Love & Harm, Reynolds deals with the proposition of growing up and getting old without sounding cliché. The album is laden with pop-rock hooks (imagine a raw-sounding Texas version of the Kinks) and the songwriting is attentive and poised.

5. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins Okkervil River is fast becoming the 'it' band from Austin (sorry, Spoon, but you guys didn't release anything this year). Though Will Sheff and Co.'s compositions can be a mouthful, recent efforts from this five-piece have been nothing if not melodic and (believe it or not) fun to listen to. The Stand-Ins is a something of a flip-side to last year's The Stage Names, and the narrative finds our protagonist embracing fame and dealing with the consequences. The result is sometimes heartbreaking, other times funny, but always entertaining.

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