I purchased my fair share of albums in 2007. As I mulled over my favorites for the year, I had no problem listing ten albums I spun the most, but it was tough to position them in a ranking order. There are a couple here that captured my attention and haven’t let go since. But the rest leave me wondering whether they will hold up in the years beyond. And so it goes…
A note about the list below: This year, I played the game the way it is meant to be played. I only considered full length albums physically released (and obtained) in the US in 2007. That’s right. No EPs. No albums released in past years. No advance copies (I saved Vampire Weekend for next year). Maybe I’ll compile a separate list for those. Just kidding.
Here it is. As always, this was very difficult to compile and that’s mainly because this year produced more brilliant songs and tours than excellent albums that were truly compelling from beginning to end. The overall consensus on the Internet seems to be this year was good, but by no means great, which I’d have to concur with. My list is after the click. What did you think?
What I thought could be a one week fad with me because of the over the top pop, may be a strong contender on my end of year list. Private, who I have been sitting with for about two months now, has recently dropped their new single/video on us. ‘Crucify My Heart’ still hits hard. The video has a small Thriller feel to me. Digg it….
Following the lead of MiS’s most prolific contributor, I’ve been sifting through my music files from 2007 in preparation for my year-end album reviews.
There’s no denying the role played by bands from the Middle Tennessee area on this blog. Self, The Features, and The Nobility have been featured here within the last year. Here are two more bands to add to the list.
How I Became the Bomb formed in 2005 and released an EP themselves in the Spring of 2006. Let’s Go! is packed with 7 energetic pop songs backed by tons of synths/keys, chaotic guitars, and a driving beat. The lyrics are particularly witty as the album takes on a theme of missed connections, secret admiration , dating monotony, and early relationship woes.
“Secret Identity” begins with a chugging synth and snare beat before a rollicking piano riff jumps on board in the middle of the first verse.
The band is currently sending a free MP3 of a song not included on the Let’s Go! EP to those who sign up to their mailing list. Hit it up.
De Novo Dahl has been around since the beginning of the decade and have cultivated quite a following within the Nashville area. Their whimiscal songs and quirky stage presence has given them a reputation for being an act not to be missed when on tour. The band recently signed with Roadrunner Records and plan to release their second studio album early next year.
“Shout” is three minutes of playful exuberance with a sing-along chorus that is nearly impossible to shake from your head.
At times, it’s a random band covering a song you may dig; other times it’s one great act putting their own flavor on a modern day classic, or simply, Mahaffey doing what he does. These four after the jump caught my attention this year.
Yea, there are always great videos these days; this one couldn’t be touched though because of its throwback to one of the best video games of all time. Murs is really a great MC as well. Felt project with Murs and Slug of Atmosphere fame should be in your collection too.
Bill of the year:
This could be left blank and my intended audience would automatically know what I’m referring to. But, since our readership has grown, I won’t leave you with white space. Montreal’s Arcade Fire went on a 10-date tour with NYC’s LCD Soundsystem. I was there in 2007 at Red Rocks.
Um, there is a new Matt Mahaffey track on his MySpace. It’s up for download. MM covers Prince’s 17 Days, which appeared on the flipside to the ‘When Doves Cry’ single from way back when. The man always comes correct when he covers one of his influences. A must listen! Is this the new direction for the record?
Over the course of the past week or so, I’ve been making a mental list of albums that really caught my attention the past 12 months. With great message boards, even better blogs, and friends with impeccable recommendations, it’s hard to not be exposed to music that demands to be heard. As people throw up their list of favorites for this year, I’ve realized how much I may have missed, but at the same time, beginning to see the vast amount of grade A quality music that was graced upon us in ’07. And just like last year, my list of greatness is forthcoming in the very near future. Before that is unveiled though, I want to list a few random discoveries from the past year.
Best song not released this century that I discovered:
Thanks to Justice’s essential mix, they enlightened me to this popstress from their native country of France. Its great Motown sound was what initially enraptured me. It’s Diana Ross and the Supremes all over again. This has been on repeat for months and it should be looping in your player as well. Still timeless.
I know you’re going to love it if you give it one chance. Obviously, we still love this song/video, but the Chems hooked up with the one and only downtrodden MC known as Fatlip to produce another modern day classic. This track was brought with its quirky high-pitched melody to imitate the snap of the salmon, that simple drum pattern, and Lip’s nasally delivery gave us the definitive what the fuck moment of this year. Yes, he is killin’ it!
They did produce a video for this single as well. Our boy is nowhere to be seen though. Rather disappointing after Spike Jonze’s magic with ‘What’s Up, Fatlip?’
More greatness to be brought with a gun in the very near future. Hang tight, son.
I just might have seen the best album of 2008 performed at Schubas tonight. Props to Dave for not sleeping on tickets. Read up on his post from earlier in the year. Vampire Weekend’s debut full length is scheduled to be released at the end of January. Don’t miss it.
The video for Kid Sister’s first single dropped last week. The song features a guest verse by Kanye West, which isn’t a surprise considering their Chicago roots and Kid Sister’s affiliation with West’s DJ, A-Trak. The finger puppet gimmick is pretty funny, especially when some fresh break-dancing moves are orchestrated.
Behind the scenes information from the video shoot can be found here.
I promise to cut the filler and add some substance later on this week.
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