2.07.2008
2007 Fave Albums
I did not 'consume' quite as much music in '07 as much as I caught up on a lot of the collecting I did over the last few years. I am up to about 131 Gigs which comes down to about 20,000 songs - which if played 24 hours a day would take just shy of 100 days to listen to. If one listens to 2 hours of music a day - well I basically will never be able to listen to all of the music I have - which is kind of a strange concept actually.
In '07 I did discover a few new gems though - bands that really impressed me - no easy feat mind you. A few off the top of my head:
The National: BoxerThese guys had been critical darlings for a few years - but were totally new to me. I stumbled up this album
The Boxer and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. It's hard to describe the sound except to maybe say they have the lyrical poise of Dylan, the driving rhythms of early U2, the dusty tired sound of Springsteen. It is basically angsty, thoughtful, poetic music for the 30 something crowd. And that fit me just fine last year. Can't recommend this highly enough.
Opening Track:
Fake Empire.mp3Silversun Pickups: Carnavas
I am not sure what grabbed me so much here. It sounds like early era Pumpkins but a bit more melodic. The entire set is strong from start to finish. But it also contains what I would consider one of the most astounding pop singles I have heard in a while. Lazy Eye. And what a great title that is for a single.
Glorious Single:
Lazy Eye.mp3The Field: From Here We Go SublimeGlitchy and meditative. It reminds me of driving through northern Scotland in drizzling rain. They are from Scotland so it sort of makes sense. To the untrained ear this will sound like trance at first pass - but it is actually a closer cousin to ambient. Sort of glitchy meditative ambient is what I would say. Everyone who has heard it in my car wants it. So it is catchy - but does not wear thin. Sublime indeed.
Cool Track:
Over the Ice.mp3and better late than never...
Radiohead: In Rainbows (props
Naisan and
pSlim for pushing me to listen)
How do they keep doing it? It still sounds like Radiohead - yet they always progress. And somehow they continue to sound like nothing else out there. A lot of jangly guitars that somehow create a melancholy mood. No one has done that so well since
Reckoning era REM. Still some electronics - but the arrangements sound simple and lush at the same time. Did not know that was possible. Special mention to Weird Fishes Apregi which makes me want to cry.
Moving:
WeirdFishesArpeggi.mp3Also Better Late than Never - 2006's Honorable Mentions that Continue to Grow on me:
Junior Boys: So This is GoodbyeThis is a fun album. Groovy beats and synths. Catchy melodies and changing moods. Got to give it up for the analog sounds.
Band of Horses: Everything all the TimeThis band reminded me of My Morning Jacket when I first heard them. For those that this means nothing to - think sort of dreamy folky southern melancholic rock with reverb drenched vocals. This album does not get old. I actually forced myself to remove it from my car CD player this week.
Music continues to redeem and heal.
(Ariped, Naisan, Cyrus - bring your lists brothers!)
