| Author | Message | ||
     Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 660 Registered: 08-2006 |
Well, we're moving in on the six-month mark for 2007. And - based on a combination of my own listening and the uncharacteristically tepid tone of the discussions here - it seems like the start of the year has been pretty lame. I've bought a few CDs I like in 2007, but very few I love (I put the Arcade Fire on that list, but almost nothing else). So chime in and help a brotha out. Anyone having a good year, music-wise? What're your faves to date? If any. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 583 Registered: 10-2004 |
This has been a very slow year for me, for both new releases and old albums (that are new discoveries to me). Two new albums for which my anticipation was through the roof were Cathal Coughlan's "Foburg," and the High Llamas' "Can Cladders." Hopes were extremely high for both of these records, as both artists' last albums were among the best of their respective careers. However, I continue to be a bit disappointed with "Foburg." It's difficult and awkward musically, though lyrically Cathal's in fine form. The Llamas' album took time to grow on me, but I still find it kind of patchy. Other than that, I got nothin' in the way of new stuff. As for old albums that I discovered (quite belatedly) this year, those would include the Hollies mid-late 60s records and "Odessey and Oracle" by the Zombies. Thanks goes out to Randy for introducing me to these and countless others too numerous to mention. Randy is also responsible for further expanding my musical palette by introducing me to Ed Kuepper's solo stuff, whose enjoyable "Rooms of the Magnificent" I just purchased. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1416 Registered: 04-2005 |
To me, it seems like '07 has already produced more good albums than all of '06. I'm not sure any this year are classics, per se, but how many classics are being made these days anyway? Here are some albums I rate so far this year: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Low - Drums and Guns Blonde Redhead - 23 Laura Veirs - Saltbreaker Wilco - Sky Blue Sky Grinderman - s/t Feist - The Reminder Dean & Britta - Back Numbers Kristin Hersh - Learn to Sing Like a Star Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis (because it came out in '07 in the U.S.) Disappointments (not bad, but not as good as I hoped for): Shins, LCD Soundsystem, Lucinda Williams I haven't heard the National's new one yet, but I'm sure it'll be up there among the best. And I'm sure there are a plenty of other good ones I haven't heard. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 584 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, I so wish I liked the music that's coming out today. I'm envious of those who can get into it. I miss the days when brand new albums I wanted to get were coming out at seemingly every turn. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2013 Registered: 03-2006 |
I sign on, pretty much completely, to Herr Kurt's list. I have to except Blonde Redhead and Ms. Hersh's discs because I haven't heard 'em. I probably, and reluctantly, have to agree with you about Lucinda's disc, too, Kurt. It just hasn't stood up all that well to the all too brief passage of time since it came out. It has some great songs, but sadly, some fairly formless and tuneless ones, too. It is I guess, a brilliant mistake, to quote another famous songwriter. The new National record is indeed wonderful - it, at first, seems like too much of a departure, because it isn't quite as rockin' and crazy as "Alligator" and features more keybs than guitars, but it doesn't take long to kick in. Graham Parker's newest one, "Don't Tell Columbus" is very fine, too, probably his best since "Mona Lisa's Sister". And finally, this is more a product of my bizarre and rarified tastes, but if you also happen to like surf music and songs sung in Spanish, the new one by Los Straitjackets, featuring Big Sandy, "Rock En Espanol", simply can't be beat. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 656 Registered: 01-2005 |
I know it came out early in the year during January, but I must pipe in with: Tracey Thorn - Out Of The Woods I'll echo Kurt with his thumbs up on Fiest and thumbs down on Lucinda (sorry to say, as I'm a big fan). A number of folks on Robyn's e-mail list are huge fans of Grinderman and say it's hands down the best of the year so far. It's on my must buy short list. NP first listen of Felt - Forever Breathes The Lonely Word Well, this is damn fine music. Reminds me of Lloyd Cole somewhat on the first pass. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1627 Registered: 05-2005 |
Most of my listening time so far this year(like many other years) is spent listening to the great reggae reissues from Trojan, Heartbeat,Soul Jazz and Pressure Sounds - but I guess its new music that we are talking about here. I would plump for: The Hold Steady album (2007 in the UK) Grinderman The National Von Sudenfed Low LCD Soundsystem(Kurt, after initially enjoying it I stopped playing it for a few months, but have been spinning it a lot recently and think its great - possibly my fave so far this year) The Good The Bad and The Queen Digitalism Matthew Dear No classics yet, but these are all solid efforts | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2016 Registered: 03-2006 |
I would agree with you on the Good, the Bad, etc., Kevster. Excellent disc. Something about it just seems so fresh and it's nice to see ole Simonon (sp?)strapping on a bass again...Forgot that came out this year. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1419 Registered: 04-2005 |
You know, Kevin, the LCD Soundsystem is solid, and if it had been a debut, I'd be raving about it, but somehow, I came away with an "is that all there is?" feeling from it. But who knows? I may go back to it in a couple months and wonder why I ever had any doubts. I've never been much of an Albarn fan and I initially--and unfairly--wrote The Good The Bad and the Queen project off as a manufactured supergroup, but I'm going to have to give it a chance since many people seem to rate it. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2005 |
Top six for me so far: Sky Blue Sky - Wilco Time on Earth - Crowded House Grinderman - Grinderman Back to Black - Amy Winehouse Boxer - The National | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 585 Registered: 10-2004 |
Is Grinderman honestly that good? I should admit this question is coming from a person who firmly believes that Nick Cave's shelf date expired after "Let Love In," but still. I've seen it mentioned a lot on this msg. board. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1238 Registered: 03-2005 |
I admit that I consciously passed up Grinderman at Amoeba two days ago because, historically, I've always found Cave's noisy numbers boring. I've bought nearly nothing of the class of 2007 so far, with just the Fall album, the Wilco, the Bright Eyes and Keren Ann's new record. Of that tiny group, the Fall is shite, Wilco is a mixture of brilliant and competent and the Bright Eyes is brilliant but not the incredible album-as-art-achievement that "Digital" was. At this moment it seems that Keren Ann will end up being the one that holds my interest the longest. I have spent the first half of this year discovering and pursuing previously unfamiliar 80s artists, thanks to this board and particularly Jeff and Spence. It's all delightful music, from the various Michael Head groups (but special love for the Pale Fountains) to the first Prefab Sprout to Lilac Time to Microdisney. And, moving into the current world I've gotten some definite pleasure working my way into the still-unfolding almost Triffidesque antipodean universe of Augie March (whose current album will actually be a 2007 release in the USA even if a 2006 release for me). So I think it's been a great first half of the year. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 99 Registered: 05-2005 |
With the stars : Robert Gomez ***** Elliott Smith ***** Tracey Thorne *** Suzanne Vega ** Kings of Leon ** The National *** Bebel Gilberto ** The Clientčle * For the first half year, I still have to listen to the Blonde Redhead, !!!, Interpol, Wilco, Stephanie Dosen and of course... Intermission. | ||
| david sigston Member Username: Futuretarded Post Number: 12 Registered: 04-2006 |
Im probably showing my age here (20), but Ive thoroughly enjoyed the new bright eyes, shins and arctic monkeys. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1516 Registered: 05-2005 |
Welcome David. All three you mentioned are pretty firm favourites here. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 650 Registered: 08-2004 |
Son Volt - The Search - Is the only one that springs to mind. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1242 Registered: 03-2005 |
I haven't gotten that Jerry. And I forgot about it. Is it a real Son Volt record or a Jay Farrar project in disguise? (Not necessarily a bad thing, that). | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 262 Registered: 01-2006 |
I got a Son Volt record about a year ago and gave it away to a friend, coudn't stand Farrar's voice, reminded me of Stipe and REM. I'm in for it now....! | ||
| Eddie Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2007 |
The Good The Bad and The Queen Noooooooo!!!!!!! | ||
| Eddie Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 9 Registered: 01-2007 |
The Good The Bad and The Queen. Noooooooo!!!!!!!! 1990's-Cookies Willy Mason-If the Ocean Gets Rough The Shins-Whincing The Night Away (Best band since the Smiths imho) Pop Levi-The Return To Form Black Magick Party The Mendoza Line-Full Of Light And Full Of Fire The Earlies-Enemy Chorus CocoRosie-The Adventures Of Ghosthorse And Stillborn Modest Mouse-We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 586 Registered: 10-2004 |
Surprisingly, I have actually heard the Good the Bad and the Queen. I found it thoroughly dull except for some really nice basslines by Simonon. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 462 Registered: 04-2006 |
just a short sign of life. i wish i had more time... three highlights: james blackshaw - the cloud of unknowing the sea and cake - everybody feist - the reminder and a few more good albums: meg baird - dear companion low - drums and guns von südenfed - tromatic refexxions rufus wainwright - release the stars glenn jones - against which the sea continually beats kammerflimmer kollektief - jinx coco rosie - the adventures of ghosthorse and stillborn and the beautiful reissue of the first three leonard cohen albums. best wishes andreas | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1630 Registered: 05-2005 |
XY, agree about the similarities between Stipe and Farrar, although to be fair Farrar does rip off Stipes vocals from when he was good- eg any time up to 1990. Actually Stipe ripped off Gene Clarks vocal style, so in a way you could actually imagine Farrar modelling himself on Gene rather than Stipe. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 265 Registered: 01-2006 |
Kevin does Tweedy sing much stuff with Uncle Tupelo, as in is it worth getting any of their stuff if I don't like Farrar's voice, Anodyne maybe? | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 266 Registered: 01-2006 |
Here's the link, some intersting covers in there and some solo versions of Sky Blue Sky songs, 4 outta your top 5 kevin! http://julioenriquez.blogspot.com/2007/0 5/wilco-tuesday-day-has-arrived.html | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1633 Registered: 05-2005 |
XY, any albums I have heard, it seemed to be Farrar singing mostly. Might have been one of the reasons Tweedy left. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1641 Registered: 05-2005 |
Album of the year (so far) - LCD Soundsystem Surprise album that I like (so far) - QOTSA Reissue of the year (so far) - Daydream Nation (hands down, nothing will come close this year) Reggae album of the year (so far) - Rebel Music Vol2 Turkey of the year (so far) - Wilco Electro/Dance/IDM etc Album of the year (so far) - Digitalism Rap/Hip Hop Album of the year (so far) - has their been anything? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1545 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Future Is Unwritten, soundtrack to the Joe Strummer documentary. Only something monumental could usurp this as my album of the year. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 224 Registered: 05-2005 |
..is that new Crowdies album a classic, Padraig? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1547 Registered: 05-2005 |
I played it a few times at first Geoff and not at all since. It's no classic. It's very nice though! I know that's damning an album with faint praise ... please don't let me put you off it. If you're a big Crowded House fan I'm sure you'll love it. It sounds like themselves, which is more than a lot of reformed bands manage to do. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 124 Registered: 05-2005 |
It's a terrific album Geoff. Easily the best collection of Neil Finn songs since Together Alone. Like all his best stuff a real grower - he does have an uncanny ability to write songs that sound slight on first hearing but gain resonance over time. Quite an emotional album - a lot of the songs clearly influenced by Paul Hester's suicide. This and Blue Sky Blue have been on high rotation over the last month and will take some beating to be knocked off my best of 2007 list. A couple of other recent albums I'm really enjoying are the new White Stripes and Ryan Adams albums - which surprises me as I've not been totally sold on their stuff in the past. Top 'reissue' album of course has to be Intermission - it's great having all this solo stuff together and the package is neat. That Joe Strummer documentary soundtrack mentioned above by Pádraig sounds wonderful - that's next on my purchase list. Anyone know if/when the documentary is coming on DVD? | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 464 Registered: 04-2006 |
meg baird - dear companion absolutely brilliant album of the female voice of 'esper'. simple and pure. fascinating. a guitar and a beautiful voice. just folk. my favourite of this year, so far. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1674 Registered: 05-2005 |
Heres what Metacritic are saying are the best albums as voted by the critics so far. I quite like The Field album (the No1 album so far) but must admit I think other albums in the electro genre are far better - eg Matthew Dear, Digitalism and Justice. http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/20 07.shtml | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1613 Registered: 05-2005 |
They ain't got much choice have they kev>? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1677 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dont see any Wilco there  | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1615 Registered: 05-2005 |
I was in a field In Wales 2 weeks ago, we had Bob harris on Radio 2, and there was Wilco! Good old Bob! Rmemeber when he got out of Whistle Test coz he couldn't handle Punk!? | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 476 Registered: 04-2006 |
I have to add to my list The Decemberists' 'The Crane Wife'. I am a little bit too late - and i know in the States it was released last year- but i bought just a few days ago. What a great record. If i remember myself correctly some of you like that album, too. Does anyone have the same impression that some of the songs are in a similar spirit like genesis around the foxtrot era? Or it is just an imagination of me? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 686 Registered: 01-2005 |
Andreas, I thought 'The Crane Wife' was decent, but 'Castaways and Cut-Outs' from 2002 is their best IMHO. "July, July" is a great pop tune that should have been a hit. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 228 Registered: 05-2005 |
I only got the Crane Wife in March and it's very, very good, I agree. I will have to check the others out. Just got the Crowdies album and, whilst I was initially disappointed with it, some classic songs have started to bubble through like People are like Suns A Sigh Silent House Pour le Monde The mood of the album is downbeat - almost every song has a line or more that could be about Paul Hester. The really up songs are the single, Don't Stop Now and Even a Child that is credited as Marr/Finn, not the other way around. The first single is too throwaway (has some company exec made the same mistake as Chocolate cake?)and a Chorus "give me something to write about" is naff. Johnny Marr's song is good with some circa 84 jingle jangle mixed down further than I would have loved! |