Today's show was dedicated to my favorite 13 albums of the year--13 only because that's how many I could fit into an hour. I'll return to some of these albums in later posts in more detail, but for now, here's the breakdown in brief:
Completely whimsical and sublimely charming. Whistles and handclaps recorded off basement walls.
12. The Clientele, God Save the Clientele
"Here Comes the Phantom"
Pop genius.
11. Rock Plaza Central, Are We Not Horses?
Dark and haunting and beautiful. Full of mystery and violence and
intrigue. Absolutely captivating.
10. Beirut, The Flying Cup Club
Written to evoke a different French city with each song, gloriously
arranged. Hot air balloons and cobblestones.
9. Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam
All we love about Animal Collective, the airy mess of strings and fuzz,
sometimes listening underwater, sometimes from the sky.
8. Lovers, Sleep With Heat
I've loved this band since high school. Silky female vocals, hollow
echoes, ballads and lullabies.
7. Sunset Rubdown, Random Spirit Lover
"Winged/Wicked Things"
Mysticism from an era of wild things and dangerous romances; manic
and startling. Definitely best listened to as a whole.
6. Explosions in the Sky, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Monumental instrumental thunderstorms. Propulsion through
catastrophe and creation.
5. The New Pornographers, Challengers
The playfulness we've come to expect of the band, but alright, I'll say
it: It's no Twin Cinema.
4. Dinosaur Jr., Beyond
"Been There All the Time"
Twenty-two years later, still rough-edged and classic as ever.
3. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
"Black Mirror"
Slightly ominous, slightly cathartic. The sound of church hymns driven by guitar rock toward a turbulent heaven.
2. Okkervil River, The Stage Names
Inventive and expressive, imperfect and immediate.
1. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
Kudos to James Murphy for being so unflinchingly unafraid of seven
and eight minute songs, and so unquestionably skilled at making them
worth every damn minute. We have it: a dance album that isn't
headache-inspiring when listened to in one sitting.
So there you have it: 2007. It was certainly a strong year for familiar
names in indie rock, whether they were striving to outlast hype or on
that lifeless path called 'making a comeback'. It was a year for
appreciation of rough-edges, a year for singers who can't really sing,
a year for remembering why we started dancing in the first place.
Coming up next: Best Songs of 2007. Longer list, less words.
All band names link to the band website; songs are right click save-as or alt to save on Macs.
6 comments:
here's my unfinished, drunkenly compiled top albums:
Andrew Jackson Jihad - People Who Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World - Asian Man Records
If I had to pick one release for "Album of the Year," it would probably be this one. I just spent 10 minutes or so trying to think up a decent description that would do this group and album some justice, but I came up lacking. Let's just say that AJJ is a folk-punk group out of Phoenix that acknowledge the evils of the world, but deal with it through their faith in humanity and a seemingly unending supply of positivity, all screened with a youthful, tongue-in-cheek attitude. Musically speaking, you'll get a lot of what I would call "raucous jaunts," complete with fervently strummed guitars and banjos backed by a stand-up bass. It practically oozes passion. If you have any soul at all, you will enjoy this album.
Cease Upon The Capitol - Cease Upon The Capitol - Forever Escaping Boredom Records
If course, I had to find out about this band after I moved back to Texas. Self-described as being influenced by La Quiet, Envy, and Raein, this Murfreesboro/Nashville band brings the sweet skramz. Check 'em out.
Ampere/Funeral Diner split 10" - Clean Plate Records/Electric Human Project
More sweet skramz. Available only on vinyl and featuring impressive stenciling on both sides of the record, only 1,000 copies of this release were pressed. While the labels are all sold out, some may be available through distros.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Living With The Living - Touch And Go Records
Indie/pop/punk/motherfucking man Ted Leo makes his debut on Touch And Go with another blast of an album. While perhaps not as strong as previous outings ( Shake The Sheets, I'm looking at you), Leo's infectious creations are a joy to listen to. I just regret that he had to remind me of a certain Irish fortified wine that tastes like death in a bottle. Stay away from Buckfast people. Ted gets bonus points for his performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest here in Austin where he covered "Hybrid Moments" as well as dedicating Chumbawumba's "Rappoport's Testament: I Never Gave Up" to the late Lance Hahn.
Gaslight Anthem - Sink Or Swim - XOXO Records
Fun, 'Org-core pop-punk. Nothing too fancy here, but goddamn if it isn't enjoyable. Try not tapping your foot or singing along. I dare you.
Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone - Temporary Residence
I've been a fan for a long time, so it's no surprise that this makes it on here. While it doesn't compete with The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (and honestly, what could), this latest release is one they can be proud of. If you're a fan of post-rock you should definitely check out this release.
Chuck Ragan - The Blueprint Sessions - No Idea Records
After Hot Water Music's hiatus (recently suspended hiatus, I may add. See y'all in Orlando), Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebello went on to form The Draft, while Chuck Ragan went on to put out solo material. The Blueprint Sessions consist of seven 7" records that were released as a subscription package to interested fans. Ragan's solo material basically consists of his roots-influenced acoustic guitar, harmonica sprinkled here and there, and Ragan's gruff voice. The main attraction of his solo material, as was Hot Water Music's (at least for me), is the undeniable passion that Ragan puts into his music. Ragan's heart is on his sleeve on every cut, and it is enrapturing for the listener.
Jeremy Enigk - The Missing Link - 567 Records
Yeah, I know that five of the tracks on this record are live recordings from Enigk's previous outing. I honestly don't care. I had given up on Enigk after Sunny Day's Rising Tide and The Fire Theft, but I recently caught this album and immediately loved it. This release brought out the same emotions that Diary did 8 years previous when I first listened to it (granted on a different level. nothing can touch Diary. nothing). Regardless, with this release, I'm now interested again in the work of Jeremy Enigk.
Pela - Anytown Graffiti - Great Society
When I first heard Pela, I described them as Bloc Party meets Clap Your Hands, which is probably way off, but I can't describe music for shit, so whatever (other people are using U2 as a descriptor). Point is, I should probably not enjoy this album, but I do. And if I can like this indie-shit, chances are you will too.
Sundowner - Four One Five Two - Red Scare Records
Allmusic's got it right on this one. Chris McCaughan basically created an acoustic Lawrence Arms album without Brendan Kelly.
are you sure YLT isn't already sold out as well? when i bought tickets which was roughly 2 weeks ago there were only 24 left.
I'll check on the YLT show--Belcourt's website still has tickets up for sale though, so that's why I've still got it marked as available.
And Matt, if you start using my comments section as your own personal blog..... we're gonna have to have a talk.
ohhhh ho ho ho.
just for that comment, i'm gonna spam you hard.
YLT update: Sold out this morning at 11AM! And thanks to you, stranger, I got one of the last two tickets. Hurrah!
you're welcome! maybe the karma will get me enough luck to win wilco tickets. haha.
Post a Comment