Hi, my name is Amanda. You might remember me if you stopped by the Pop any time between May 2004 and October 2004. Or if you were at the OP anytime after 10pm between May ‘04 and October ‘04. Or if you picked up Pretty and Nice’s first record. That’s me, the one awkwardly running though the ocean. I put in about five years in the record store circuit before moving to Burlington, so it seemed like kind of a no-brainer when I was hired. Pure Pop was without a doubt, the best, and not just because I’m guest-blogging (Ed note: We also paid her handsomely for this article). I left town with a heavy heart, leaving behind a ton of friends, the Pop, the Penny Cluse, City Market, Eye Spys, that thrift store in the basement of that church… In Burlington, I learned how to juggle, how to drink, how to ride my bike drunk, some key phrases in Serbo-Croation, and that there were more jam bands than I ever thought possible… One of my favorite memories from my short time at the Pop was when this guy, probably a UVM student, came by and said, I’m looking for this cd… it’s kind of a weird name… I gave him a, “How the hell would I know?” look, then said, “Devendra Banhart?” And he was like “YEAH!” It was awesome.

Since then, I’ve been living in Portland, Maine, which isn’t too far from where I grew up. Other than the quickly diminishing pool of normal, single guys to go out with, I love living here. You should visit! Up until this fall, I was working for a national non-profit, 9-5, as an administrative assistant. We had casual Fridays and dental insurance. It was weird, like I was an adult, or something. But I’m back in school full time, and working at a coffeeshop. Typical, right? Musically, I’m guessing I’m probably listening to most of the same things you guys are listening to. This public radio show, Sound Opinions, the world’s only rock and roll talk show, has sort of filled the gap where my old job as a record store clerk used to be. Emphasis on sort of. So when I was trying to come up with my list, I was thinking, “What could I make my list about and not look like a total d-bag??” The last album I bought was, ah, oh right, this band Lightning Dust, and I think before that was the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (Patrick Swayze, RIP!)

So, we have this free, monthly alternative paper here called the Bollard. There is nothing comparable in Burlington that I know of, mostly because Seven Days is great and there is no need for an alternative, alternative paper. The Bollard recently made a list of the top ten local cds of the decade. It was pretty pretentious, but it got me thinking about our local scene here, and I thought maybe, I’d share my thoughts. Most of these people are my friends, frenemies, local bartenders, baristas, etc, and this is not by any means a complete list.

Top ten bands out of Portland, ME, According to Amanda Pleau

1. Cult Maze (see also: Metal Feathers, Brenda)

Cult Maze, although now defunct, except for an annual Homecoming Dance reunion, were really amazing, and I’m sad to say that no one will quite live up. I know they played in Burlington a couple of times, (with my bffs Pretty and Nice,) so you might have even had the chance to see them. Former members have gone on to play in Metal Feathers and Brenda, but neither are nearly as good as the original lineup. Isn’t that always the way?

2. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

I recently described Aly Spaltro, the 4′10″ 19 year old who goes by the moniker Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, as this teeny tiny white girl who sounds like a 50 year old black woman. Not entirely sure if that’s completely accurate, but she writes some amazing songs. The kinds of songs you can only write when you’re 19, because you’re still full of hope and love. You can download her album on iTunes, and if you decide to check her out on MySpace, I recommend a track called Walrus.

3. Ocean

(I actually don’t listen to Doom Metal, but I hear they’re pretty amazing, as far as that sort of thing goes?)

4. Spencer Albee and the School Spirit Mafia or, Spencer Albee and the Polyphonic Mafia,

This most recent Spencer Albee incarnation has like, thirteen members, all really talented, mostly involved in other music projects. They’re really fun to see live, and Spencer, former member of the Rustic Overtones, one of Portland’s all time favorite local bands, is like the godfather of the scene.

5. Phantom Buffalo

MOJO magazine voted Shishimumu (their first album, still under the name the Ponys) the 42nd best album of 2005. I think they have a real chance to make it out of this town, and seeing them is always a pleasure. This Halloween they did a bunch of Devo covers at the party I was at. I’d recommend checking out “Be the Boss,” if you have a second.

6. Honey Clouds Confession:

this is my best friend’s band. They are the band that Paper Castles played with when they came through town, and if you don’t totally hate the singer’s voice, you might really like them.

7. Dead End Armory Further confession:

I can’t stand the singer of this band, but t hat doesn’t change the fact that he writes really good songs. The whole tortured-artist thing really works for this guy. They’re on hiatus at the moment, and part of me wishes he’d just go back to wherever the hell he came from.

8. Sontiago Sontiago

won the Portland Phoenix’s best hip hop artist for like five years in a row, until on she pulled her name out of the running. I think I was officially won over at her cd release, she brought Aly from Lady Lamb and Dilly Dilly (another Portland person) on stage and did a cover of Say My Name. It was SICK!

httpv://www.youtube.com/v/SiW1WLcMVgA&hl

9. Samuel James

Self-taught blues guitarist. Enough said. Worked at the video rental store for years, and all of a sudden, he’s like, touring now. Always an entertaining, fulfilling performance from Sam James.

10. Pete Kilpatrick

I only feel compelled to put this guy on the list because he’s actually touring, and because people in Burlington might actually know who he is. You know, the UVM people who are fans of Guster, Barenaked Ladies and Dave Mathews Band… that sort of sh- I mean stuff.

11. Feel It Robot

(are actually based out of Bangor, Maine… which might be the like the White River Junction of Maine?) They sing songs about dancing, riding bikes, robots and awesomeness. If there was a band comprised of things I daydream about, Feel It Robot would be it. I think the singer is a used car salesperson, and I have the biggest lady-crush on her. Seriously, she’s really hot. Something looks a little weird on their MySpace page, but MySpace is weird, so take their advice, and shut up and dance.

And just to put things into perspective, here’s a link to a blog all about how much the music scene in Portland sucks. Peapod Recordings is a local record label that a bunch of really great local musicians are on, including South China, Brown Bird, Huak. The Enchantments are another of my favorites, but they’ve been broken up for a long time now, and talking about them would make me feel sad. Marie Stella probably would have made the list, if I would’ve been able to get off my couch and actually make it to one of their shows one of these days. There’s a lot I didn’t cover here, but if you have any questions, or want to talk more about it, send me an email at amandajennifer@gmail.com