Album of the Year (The Good Life album)


Album of the Year is the third album by The Good Life. The limited edition release includes a second disc with an acoustic version of the album. The enhanced CD comes with footage of videos recorded February 3, 2004, at O'Leavers in Omaha, Nebraska.
This album is the 64th release of Saddle Creek Records.

Concept

The album is a concept record chronicling the end of a relationship and the emotions that come with it. The first track begins in April. The entire story is summarized in the first track, "Album of the Year." The main male character is dating a bartender, as referenced in the songs "Album of the Year" and "Night and Day".
The first three songs talk mainly about the main character and his girlfriend, at the beginning of their relationship. "You're No Fool" is a glimpse into the ridicule the main character's girlfriend faces, as others speculate about her boyfriend's fidelity, and "Notes In His Pockets" lists several instances of his assumed unfaithfulness, as he cheats on her with ex-girlfriends and girls met in bars. These two songs do not explicitly say whether or not the infidelity actually occurred, leaving it to the listener to determine. "You're Not You" and "October Leaves" document the growing dissatisfaction with their relationship, from the point of view of the woman and the man, respectively. The relationship, at this point, is falling apart. At the end of "October Leaves", there is spoken word conversation between the man and woman, starting with the female's voice:

-Hey?

-Yes?

-Are you sleeping?

-No.

-Can I ask you something?

-Yes.

-Are you cheating on me?

-No.

-Are you lying?

"Lovers Need Lawyers" has the main character defending his actions, claiming that he did not cheat on his girlfriend, and drawing metaphors to feeling like he is 'on trial'. "Inmates" is primarily sung by the girlfriend character of the album, and constitutes the end of their relationship.. The last three tracks deal with the male protagonists's life, post-breakup. We learn that the female protagonist has moved on and that the main character hasn't spoken to his now ex-girlfriend in two years.

Track listing

  1. "Album of the Year" – 5:10
  2. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar
  3. * Ryan Fox – guitar, twelve string
  4. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  5. * Roger Lewis – drums
  6. * Mike Mogis – mandolin, wurlitzer, keyboards, optigan
  7. * Seth Stauffer – djembe, tambourine
  8. * Michael Opoku – djembe
  9. "Night and Day" – 3:29
  10. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar, accordion
  11. * Stefanie Drootin – organ
  12. * Roger Lewis – drums
  13. * Mike Mogis – mandolin, wurlitzer, organ
  14. * Dan McCarthy – stand up bass
  15. "Under a Honeymoon" – 4:52
  16. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar, accordion, organ
  17. * Ryan Fox – slide guitar
  18. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  19. * Roger Lewis – drums, djembe, congas
  20. * Mike Mogis – finger cymbal, cabasa, wurlitzer, guitar
  21. * Seth Stauffer – djembe, doumbek
  22. * A.J. Mogis – tympani
  23. * Nate Walcott – trumpet, flugelhorn
  24. "You're No Fool" – 3:50
  25. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar
  26. * Ryan Fox – piano, guitar, feedback
  27. * Roger Lewis – drums
  28. * Mike Mogis – wurlitzer, stomps, guitar
  29. * Dan McCarthy – stand up bass
  30. * A.J. Mogis – tympani, electric bass
  31. * Nate Walcott – trumpet, flugelhorn
  32. "Notes in His Pocket" – 3:42
  33. * Tim Kasher – vocals, piano
  34. * Ryan Fox – guitars
  35. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  36. * Roger Lewis – drums
  37. * Mike Mogis – wurlitzer, keyboards, guitar
  38. "You're Not You" – 5:38
  39. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar, accordion
  40. * Ryan Fox – guitar
  41. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  42. * Roger Lewis – drums, djembe
  43. * Mike Mogis – guitar
  44. * Seth Stauffer – djembe, congas, doumbek
  45. * Michael Opoku – talking drum
  46. * Amy Huffman – vocal chorus
  47. "October Leaves" – 4:57
  48. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar, synth bass
  49. * Ryan Fox – guitar
  50. * Stefanie Drootin – electric piano
  51. * Roger Lewis – drums
  52. * Mike Mogis – keyboards, glockenspiel, optigan, loops, wurlitzer
  53. "Lovers Need Lawyers" – 2:40
  54. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar
  55. * Ryan Fox – synths, piano, guitar
  56. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  57. * Roger Lewis – drums, tambourine
  58. * Mike Mogis – keyboards, optigan, mellotron
  59. "Inmates" – 9:39
  60. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar, organ
  61. * Ryan Fox – guitars
  62. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  63. * Roger Lewis – drums
  64. * Seth Stauffer – djembe, congas
  65. * Mike Mogis – loops, keyboards, optigan, guitar, tambourine, shakers, dobro
  66. * Tiffany Kowalski – violin
  67. * Jiha Lee – vocals
  68. * Jenny Lewis – end vocals
  69. "Needy" – 3:52
  70. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar
  71. * Ryan Fox – guitar, synth lead, backward guitars
  72. * Stefanie Drootin – bass
  73. * Roger Lewis – bass
  74. * Mike Mogis – loops, guitar, keyboards
  75. * Amy Huffman – vocal
  76. "A New Friend" – 3:29
  77. * Tim Kasher – vocals, guitar
  78. * Ryan Fox – guitar
  79. * Stefanie Drootin – organ
  80. * Roger Lewis – drums
  81. * Mike Mogis – wurlitzer, loops, keyboards, sleigh bells
  82. "Two Years This Month" – 2:12
  83. * Tim Kasher – vocal, guitar, arrangement
  84. * Mike Mogis – arrangement

    Credits

The Good Life