Album of the Year is the third album by The Good Life. The limited edition release included a second disc with the entire album acoustic. 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.
The album is a concept record chronicling the rise and fall of a relationship. Each track represents a month (hence the title of the CD). The first track is April, and the others follow chronologically. 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" (She got a job at Jacob's/serving cocktails to the local drunks) and "Night and Day" (Night and day she tends to her bar/She pours the drinks, they pour out their hearts). 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 unfaithfulness, as he cheats on her with ex-girlfriends and girls met in bars. "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. (Well guess what? I'm leaving./I can't be your prisoner.). The last three tracks deal with the male protagonists's life, post-breakup. We learn that the female protagonist has moved on ("A New Friend") and that the main character hasn't spoken to his now ex-girlfriend in two years ("Two Years, This Month").
Track listing
"Album of the Year" – 5:10
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar
Ryan Fox - guitar, twelve string
Stefanie Drootin - bass
Roger Lewis - drums
Mike Mogis - mandolin, wurlitzer, keyboards, optigan
Seth Stauffer - djembe, tambourine
Michael Opoku - djembe
"Night and Day" – 3:29
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar, accordion
Stefanie Drootin - organ
Roger Lewis - drums
Mike Mogis - mandolin, wurlitzer, organ
Dan McCarthy - stand up bass
"Under a Honeymoon" – 4:52
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar, accordion, organ
Ryan Fox - slide guitar
Stefanie Drootin - bass
Roger Lewis - drums, djembe, congas
Mike Mogis - finger cymbal, cabasa, wurlitzer, guitar
Seth Stauffer - djembe, doumbek
A.J. Mogis - tympani
Nate Walcott - trumpet, flugelhorn
"You're No Fool" – 3:50
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar
Ryan Fox - piano, guitar, feedback
Roger Lewis - drums
Mike Mogis - wurlitzer, stomps, guitar
Dan McCarthy - stand up bass
A.J. Mogis - tympani, electric bass
Nate Walcott - trumpet, flugelhorn
"Notes in His Pocket" – 3:42
Tim Kasher - vocals, piano
Ryan Fox - guitars
Stefanie Drootin - bass
Roger Lewis - drums
Mike Mogis - wurlitzer, keyboards, guitar
"You're Not You" – 5:38
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar, accordion
Ryan Fox - guitar
Stefanie Drootin - bass
Roger Lewis - drums, djembe
Mike Mogis - guitar
Seth Stauffer - djembe, congas, doumbek
Michael Opoku - talking drum
Amy Huffman - vocal chorus
"October Leaves" – 4:57
Tim Kasher - vocals, guitar, synth bass
Ryan Fox - guitar
Stefanie Drootin - electric piano
Roger Lewis - drums
Mike Mogis - keyboards, glockenspiel, optigan, loops, wurlitzer
On May 24, 2005 in Omaha, Nebraska, the last tour date in promotion for Album of the Year, the band played all the songs from the album beginning to end.
The limited edition release includes acoustic versions of the entire album, performed by Tim Kasher.
The enhanced CD version comes with bonus videos of Tim Kasher and Roger Lewis performing "The Beaten Path," "Leaving Omaha," and "You're Not You," as well as a song by his old band, Slowdown Virginia, "Whipping Stick." They were recorded February 3, 2004 at O'Leavers, in Omaha, Nebraska.
