My favorite albums of 2007
I've found it difficult this year to narrow down my fave's. I keep changing my mind basically so this is the one that's going to print (again) so to speak. My top 3/4 have not changed (I don't think!)
1. FIERY FURNACES - WIDOW CITY.
This wins the day because of it’s eccentricity. It’s a weird collection of songs of varying length. Every time you listen you pick up a different line or little lick. It’s quite a long album 16 songs but it’s the sign of a good record that they seem to fly by when you listen. A great collection of weird and wonderful tunes. Love the way Eleanor delivers her vocal too. Being so wonderfully eccentric I love it.
3. LAND OF TALK - APPLAUSE CHEER BOO HISS.
With Jets my discovery of the year. Another Canadian band led by Lizzie Powell. What I love here is the slight grungy guitar sound Lizzie uses. It’s a seven song mini album but strong enough to be this high up the list. I saw them live twice and was really impressed with their musicianship. Again not a bad song on here.
4. THE PONYS - TURN THE LIGHTS OUT.
Again another album that has done well to stick around since the first quarter (Jets/ LOT) of the year. A fuzzy shoegaze (never liked that term) sound. I like the bass in here it really bolsters some of the tracks, live too Mel was super to watch playing bass. A good consistent record.
5. RADIOHEAD - IN RAINBOWS.
Forget all the hype and the focus on the “pay what you want” for this album. In the cold light of day when the dust has settled, it’s a great record. They have gone back to a concentration on song quality here. A direction they started on “Hail” in my opinion. This is just one of the best bands in the world delivering the goods in their own style and making everyone else start to play catch up.
6. MARNIE STERN - IN ADVANCE OF A BROKEN ARM.
One of the more interesting and original albums of the year. Marnie is a guitar virtuoso specialising in “shredding”. She takes a nod from Deerhoof as a lot of her tunes are off kilter and have strange arrangements. The off rhythms are certainly a nod to the "hoof". Amazing guitar patterns and a squeaky vocal. Still pickling my brain now.
7. ELECTRELANE - NO SHOUTS NO CALLS.
I’ve always been a bit not sure about E, but this album changed that. I can’t say why it just seems to feel more complete and together. Recorded in Berlin and has that essence of famous albums recorded in that great city. It ebbs, flows, rocks and chills. It’s their last too as they’ve just announced indef……. hiat.. Can’t say it, horrible expression. Sad.
9. SPOON - GA GA GA GA GA.
Spoon never let you down, such a consistent band. They don’t disappoint here again a good collection of tunes in their own very individual style. Key and bass led generally with an emphasis on melody and Britt Daniel’s distinctive vocal. They just don’t make bad records.
19. PJ HARVEY - WHITE CHALK.
1. FIERY FURNACES - WIDOW CITY.This wins the day because of it’s eccentricity. It’s a weird collection of songs of varying length. Every time you listen you pick up a different line or little lick. It’s quite a long album 16 songs but it’s the sign of a good record that they seem to fly by when you listen. A great collection of weird and wonderful tunes. Love the way Eleanor delivers her vocal too. Being so wonderfully eccentric I love it.
2. JETS OVERHEAD - BRIDGES
A close one, just pipped by FF at the final hurdle. Another long album, 15 songs and the fact is there’s not a duff one in there. Think somewhere between Arcade Fire and Midlake. A Canadian 5 piece who build their songs drop them down to build again. Classic rock format but it works because the songs are so strong. Excellent record.
3. LAND OF TALK - APPLAUSE CHEER BOO HISS.With Jets my discovery of the year. Another Canadian band led by Lizzie Powell. What I love here is the slight grungy guitar sound Lizzie uses. It’s a seven song mini album but strong enough to be this high up the list. I saw them live twice and was really impressed with their musicianship. Again not a bad song on here.
4. THE PONYS - TURN THE LIGHTS OUT.Again another album that has done well to stick around since the first quarter (Jets/ LOT) of the year. A fuzzy shoegaze (never liked that term) sound. I like the bass in here it really bolsters some of the tracks, live too Mel was super to watch playing bass. A good consistent record.
5. RADIOHEAD - IN RAINBOWS.Forget all the hype and the focus on the “pay what you want” for this album. In the cold light of day when the dust has settled, it’s a great record. They have gone back to a concentration on song quality here. A direction they started on “Hail” in my opinion. This is just one of the best bands in the world delivering the goods in their own style and making everyone else start to play catch up.
6. MARNIE STERN - IN ADVANCE OF A BROKEN ARM.One of the more interesting and original albums of the year. Marnie is a guitar virtuoso specialising in “shredding”. She takes a nod from Deerhoof as a lot of her tunes are off kilter and have strange arrangements. The off rhythms are certainly a nod to the "hoof". Amazing guitar patterns and a squeaky vocal. Still pickling my brain now.
7. ELECTRELANE - NO SHOUTS NO CALLS.I’ve always been a bit not sure about E, but this album changed that. I can’t say why it just seems to feel more complete and together. Recorded in Berlin and has that essence of famous albums recorded in that great city. It ebbs, flows, rocks and chills. It’s their last too as they’ve just announced indef……. hiat.. Can’t say it, horrible expression. Sad.
8. KRISTIN HERSH - LEARN TO SING LIKE A STAR.
First major album of the year and of course was always going to make my list. I’m trying to be subjective here. Any album by K is an event to me as a hardcore fan. LTSLAS is an album that K made with a collection of friends and comes across as though there is an enjoyment in it’s sound. Of course songs are not always “happy go lucky” but her usual sub humour is very evident here. "The parrot looking up at me was so goddamn Disney” what a line.
9. SPOON - GA GA GA GA GA. Spoon never let you down, such a consistent band. They don’t disappoint here again a good collection of tunes in their own very individual style. Key and bass led generally with an emphasis on melody and Britt Daniel’s distinctive vocal. They just don’t make bad records.
10. LOVE OF DIAGRAMS - MOSAIC.
Another band on Matador (Pony’s). Checked them and thought they sounded good. An Aussie band who play fuzzy guitar and strong bass lines. Like the vocal too, some of the tunes go a bit shoegazey but work in the context of the album. Antonia’s vocal is set down in the mix a bit but is powerful and pitched correctly.
11. THE HEDRONS - ONE MORE WON'T KILL US.
Just a basic four piece from Glasgow but again a solid no nonsense collection of songs. I love Tipi’s voice she has one of those rock vocals that borders on the fine tune/husky. A fine rhythm section too. In fairness the record has done well to stick up here almost all year. That means it’s good.
Just a basic four piece from Glasgow but again a solid no nonsense collection of songs. I love Tipi’s voice she has one of those rock vocals that borders on the fine tune/husky. A fine rhythm section too. In fairness the record has done well to stick up here almost all year. That means it’s good.
12, YOU SAY PARTY! WE SAY DIE! - LOOSE ALL TIME. Again another band that never let you down. One of my fave live bands, who do translate better live. Good album though.
13. VILE VILE CREATURES - WILDERNESS EP.
Firstly this is not here because they are friends and lovely people. It is here on merit as a fine record. Only a four song EP but good enough for the placing. The best bassline of the year on FF though courtesy of Sian and David’s drum fills on this are so good. Jens vocal through a megaphone adds to the record.
14. REVEREND AND THE MAKERS - STATE OF THINGS.
Social comment, great beats, at times funny. “What of woman who stands by her fella despite the bruises brought on by the Stella”. Alex Turners best mate delivers a great collection of tunes. I saw their set at Reading on TV and a super bunch of musicians too, such a tight band.
Social comment, great beats, at times funny. “What of woman who stands by her fella despite the bruises brought on by the Stella”. Alex Turners best mate delivers a great collection of tunes. I saw their set at Reading on TV and a super bunch of musicians too, such a tight band.
15. STUFFY/THE FUSES - ANGELS ARE ACE.
Came across these on a radio session and liked what I heard. Checked ‘em out, bought the album. Interesting band led by “Stuffy” the drummer who sets up at the front of the band and the rest play behind him. If you listen to the drumming here it is very good indeed.
16. LAURA VEIRS - SALTBREAKERS.
Laura had a hard act to follow in “Meteors” but in fairness has done a good job. Not as immediate as said previous but some great tunes here. Typical Laura really and Tucker Martine’s production is as super on the rhythm section as always. Great live, I cried!
Came across these on a radio session and liked what I heard. Checked ‘em out, bought the album. Interesting band led by “Stuffy” the drummer who sets up at the front of the band and the rest play behind him. If you listen to the drumming here it is very good indeed.
16. LAURA VEIRS - SALTBREAKERS.
Laura had a hard act to follow in “Meteors” but in fairness has done a good job. Not as immediate as said previous but some great tunes here. Typical Laura really and Tucker Martine’s production is as super on the rhythm section as always. Great live, I cried!
17. THE SHINS - WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY.
Sub Pop, Portland, what do you expect? James Mercer has come up with so many fine melodies here. This is Shins best album to date and will put them to a bigger audience. A fine collection of songs some very wistful some that bounce with sing along value. Some of the best pop melodies of the year.
Sub Pop, Portland, what do you expect? James Mercer has come up with so many fine melodies here. This is Shins best album to date and will put them to a bigger audience. A fine collection of songs some very wistful some that bounce with sing along value. Some of the best pop melodies of the year.
18. ENON - GRASS GEYSERS .... CARBON CLOUDS.
A late discovery, forget how I found them I think it may have been on a NY music site extolling their virtues. Needless to say I imported the album and loved it. A fairly standard rock band with hints of Deerhoof I think. I like the Toko’s vocal, actually the Deehoof ref is about right - nuff said.
A late discovery, forget how I found them I think it may have been on a NY music site extolling their virtues. Needless to say I imported the album and loved it. A fairly standard rock band with hints of Deerhoof I think. I like the Toko’s vocal, actually the Deehoof ref is about right - nuff said.
19. PJ HARVEY - WHITE CHALK.
Brave move by Polly this. She's abandoned her guitar for a piano and uses a very sparse sound here. This may alienate many fans. I took me a while to grip it. At the end of the day her songs and the vocal delivery are just super. Fact is in 6 months time this may well have been no 5.
20. PRINZHORN DANCE SCHOOL - PRINZEHORN DANCE SCHOOL.
Just had to include this one of the years strange discoveries. The jury is still out on them in the music press. Some love them others dismiss. A minimalist approach of just drum and vocal on most songs make it such an interesting piece. I love it though.
Just had to include this one of the years strange discoveries. The jury is still out on them in the music press. Some love them others dismiss. A minimalist approach of just drum and vocal on most songs make it such an interesting piece. I love it though.
So there we go final draft, honest!
A mention here to two other albums which would have made top 10 poss top 5.
Pony Up - Make love to the judges with you're eyes.
Wet Confetti - Laughing Gasping.
Fact is these were both released last year, therefore not eligible for this list.
Now for the best shows of the year.
posted by Slight Male Coyote a life in the day of at Friday, December 28, 2007
2 Comments:
Wow, I can't even come up with top 5 and you did 20! Great summary of each album too! There are some similarities despite that. I'll have to check out some of the bands on yr list like Pony's. I think I remember hearing You Say before and liking them.
So what's with the latest Spoon album? Have you noticed that almost everyone is saying it is a solid good album. No one says it's great, or it blow your socks off. But yeah it is reliable Spoons, semi intelligent song writing, good if somewhat typical pop song structure. Anyway I for have to say, it is okay, but only okay. Now there last disc, Gimme Fiction, blew my socks off! But then Gimme Fiction was the first Spoons disc I ever bought so maybe that is the problem right there. It seems like a hard record to follow. Opinions?
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