| Author | Message | ||
     Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2404 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hey, I know it's still early, but, what the hell, let's talk about best records of the year. My nods, my most likely to win that prize, boil down to: The National - Boxer Okkervil River - The Stage Names Bruce Springsteen - Magic Wilco - Sky Blue Sky So hard to choose... | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 183 Registered: 01-2007 |
Not even heard the new Neil yet, but mainly agree LK though not heard the Stage Names what about Spoon that was good | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1573 Registered: 04-2005 |
LK's top two are definitely among my leading contenders, along with: Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full Go ahead and flame me. I'll tell you why you're wrong. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1883 Registered: 05-2005 |
Frank,I wouldnt pin your hopes too much on the new Neil. Its a real hodge podge of styles, some of it verging on MOR | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 990 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oh, boy, a lunchtime diversion! In no order, and based on what I can remember: Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible" Fountains of Wayne - "Traffic and Weather" MIA - "Kala" Rilo Kiley - "Under the Blacklight" Gogol Bordello - "Super Taranta!" Lucinda Williams - "West" Bruce Springsteen - "Magic" Public Enemy - "How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???" Apples in Stereo - "New Magnetic Wonder" Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Some Loud Thunder" | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 770 Registered: 10-2004 |
The High Llamas - Can Cladders And although I haven't heard the entire album, I'd say "Impossible Germany" from Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" is undoubtedly one of the best songs to come out this year. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 991 Registered: 08-2006 |
If we're talking our single-fave album of the year, then Arcade Fire. Period. Personally, I don't think anything else touched it this year. | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 117 Registered: 04-2005 |
I love the Arcade Fire album, but my memory is tarnished by a poor live show in Manchester! Can re-issues be included or just NEW music? If they can Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division (remastered double with live album). Cheers Jon | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 184 Registered: 01-2007 |
I second second Impossible Germany most played track this year and I lurve the guitars | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2405 Registered: 03-2006 |
Love those wibbly guitars, too, Frank. That solo is an added gift to an already great song, that just sort of ebbs and flows and turns downright transcendent by song's end. I think reissues definitely count, in which case we'd have to include "Intermission". | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2407 Registered: 03-2006 |
I guess, with two or three guitars plugging away, it's not technically a solo, but... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 772 Registered: 10-2004 |
Impossible Germany, particularly that incredible harmonizing guitar solo section, is the perfect combination of Television and Thin Lizzy. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1884 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thank God for reissues LK, because otherwise I'd be struggling big time. I reckon this has been one of the worst years for "rock" music since the 80s. There has been nothing remotely touching brilliance this year, and my list will be full of comps and reissues when I get round to doing it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1847 Registered: 05-2005 |
Turin Brakes - Dark on Fire The Leaking Machine - Low is More Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (Impossible Germany is wonderful, nae dare I say a bit of genius?, guys, the solo is by Nels Cline, the Tweedy and the Sansomje join in with the Lizzy dualing geetars!) The National - Boxer The Lilac Time - Runout Groove (still tbr) The Winnebago Orchestra - Born in the sun Sorry Kev, but I think theBruce album might be there for me, its rockin on my turntable. Kevin Ayers - The Unfairground Other than that a piss poor year. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 186 Registered: 01-2007 |
I agree not much to get excited about forgot about Neon Bible that was right at the beginning of the year not played it much since, The Rilo Kiley is OK just getting in to it, can't think of much else really help! | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 116 Registered: 05-2005 |
For me, the New pornographers, Beachfield (don't miss it!), Elliott Smith, Spoon, Robert Gomez, Tracey Thorne, The Shins, The National, Suzanne Vega, etc. And waiting for the Winnebagoo. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 188 Registered: 01-2007 |
Just listening to Orchestra Baobab-Made in Dakar, I love this but have to in the right mood,but you know this will be played on and off throughout the years | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 189 Registered: 01-2007 |
LK What are the Stage Names like | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2408 Registered: 03-2006 |
Concentrated, super-delicious indie rock goodness... Seriously, mmm, I don't know. My descriptive powers are failing me. Maybe someone else who likes 'em can help? | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1575 Registered: 04-2005 |
Okkervil River strikes me as kind of a post-Pavement band: very smart and clever lyrically (minus the snarky insincerity, for the most part), with a sort of postpunk/indie meets classic rock sound. Will Sheff's melodies and vocals sometimes remind me a bit of early '70s Ray Davies; I swear I can hear "Celluloid Heroes" in more than one of his melodies. If you like one or any of these acts, I think you'd appreciate Okkervil River, Frank: the National, the Decemberists, Bright Eyes, Destroyer, etc. Not that OR is quite like any of them. Their songs are very smart and wordy--but catchy too. "The Stage Names" is really excellent and I look forward to diving into their back catalog. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 190 Registered: 01-2007 |
thanks lads will try and download it | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2007 |
I really love the new Spoon and LCD Soundsystem albums, they will probably be my favorites of the year. I wish Robert had put out a new CD this year, that would be my favorite for sure! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1581 Registered: 04-2005 |
Those are good ones, Dr. G, but they didn't grow on me quite as much as I'd hoped. The Spoon disc sounded fantastic the first 10 times, then I found myself getting a little tired of it. Maybe it's his voice. Both it and the LCD will probably make my top ten for the year, though. Another one that seemed to get a lot of early acclaim buy isn't being mentioned a lot now is the Shins' "Wincing the Night Away." | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 |
the Shins album is great too, dude! and I think youre wrong about Spoon and LCD Soundsystem, but to each his own. another CD i really love is Sky Blue Sky, which is my favorite Wilco album ever! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1584 Registered: 04-2005 |
It'll be interesting to see how the Wilco album does on our end-of-the-year lists here, as it's been hotly debated at times on this board. I like it a lot but don't think it's quite up there with the very best of the year, though it would be in my top 10. With Wilco, I kind of always feel like their NEXT album is going to be the stone-cold classic. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1857 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bruce Springsteen's album is wonderful. Its like he's been taking notes from the great ian McNabb, (who came first I wonder!!?), it rocks like Crazy Horse, gone are the pmpous guitars of yore, replaced with passionate (ok, sessionesque - tho I hope not) playing, yes its over the top, yes its Bruce, yes its the 'American' rock formula, yes its uncool, yes its gonna get me ejected from my hose of cool, and yes i supported Paddy Mcaloon when he wrote Cars and Girls, and no it doesn't mean I'll move away from Chairs Missing by Wire, but no, I really really like it, fuc*in mini masterpiece. If old Kevin Rowland stopped prancing like a tit in other people's dresses, his comeback coulda been like this, there's some real Stax sounds going down... I think poss album of the year...The High Llamas - Can Cladders | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 785 Registered: 10-2004 |
Spence - I'm with ya on Can Cladders. The High Llamas aren't a particularly popular band around here, but for me, Can Cladders is the best and most interesting new album I've heard all year so far. It's not my favorite Llamas album, but it's proof that Sean O'Hagan has still got it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1860 Registered: 05-2005 |
yeah Jeff, Gideon Gaye is still my fave. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 786 Registered: 10-2004 |
Yeah, Gideon Gaye is a classic. I love Hawaii and Beet, Maize, & Corn too. Their first album, the more conventionally rocking Santa Barbara is another good one. | ||
| Paul G Member Username: Paulybell Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2007 |
Nice to see Ian Mcnabb getting a mention.His annual Christmas show in Liverpool is nearly here again,always one of the musical higlighlights of the year for me. | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 123 Registered: 04-2005 |
Paul G The Ian McNabb show in Liverpool's now a full Icicle Works show isn't it....I'm thinking about it! Cheers Jon | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1886 Registered: 05-2005 |
Comicopera by Robert Wyatt. Maybe Radiohead, The Shins, New Pornos and Lcd Soundsystem - apart from that what a poor year. The National and Spoon albums had their moments but both had made better records in the past | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2007 |
that's funny...2007 seems like a really good year to me, lots of strong albums by people I like, old and new--Arcade Fire, Low, Les Savvy Fav, MIA, Iron & Wine, Elliot Smith, Nick Cave (Grinderman). i looked at some of the best of 06 lists and laughed at how bad they were compared to this year. i'm sorry, but my parents listened to records like Midlake but they went by the names Bread and Eagles back then. And Hot Chip and the Knife?--man, people were reaching last year...there was a real Beck CD last year so its funny people liked stuff that sounded like Air or Beck outakes from Midnite Vultures. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1865 Registered: 05-2005 |
OK Dr, I take it you are young, rub it in why dontcha!! LOL! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1901 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dr G. All the people you list made mediocre albums compared to their previous efforts, apart from Low. Forwards ever, backwards never. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1591 Registered: 04-2005 |
A bit of young blood here doesn't hurt to remind us of the danger of turning into postpunk "classic rockers," wringing our hands over how current music isn't as good as the classics of our youth. I don't want to turn into a version of my brother-in-law, who's five years older than me and thinks good music stopped around 1975--and that nobody's ever made a better album than "Crosby Stills and Nash." >>Forwards ever, backwards never. Backwards never? That's an interesting comment from someone who also wrote this: >>Thank God for reissues LK, because otherwise I'd be struggling big time. I reckon this has been one of the worst years for "rock" music since the 80s. There has been nothing remotely touching brilliance this year, and my list will be full of comps and reissues when I get round to doing it.<< | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1004 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'm actually with Dr. G. on this. I think this has been a fine year - not spectacular, but certainly not bad. It's true that there were a bunch of bands that put out less-than-career-defining albums, but just because the new Spoon isn't their best doesn't mean I don't like it, ditto for the Shins. My list above is pretty representative of what I've enjoyed most this year, but there are five or six more CDs I could tack onto the list. Just my opinion, of course. I know not everyone shares my abiding love "Neon Bible." | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1902 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I know you are an intelligent guy, so I would have thought you might have understood I was referring to new music with that comment. I also think you appreciate that almost nobody here listens to new music with the voracity I do. Actually, seeing Rob's name above has reminded me that thanks to his tip I bothered to listen to Public Enemy's new album having previously written them off. Here's a band that have risen to the challenge of not just churning out any old rubbish hoping it would sell - Tweedy and Young should take note. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1595 Registered: 04-2005 |
I know you listen to lots of new music, and in fact you've touted a lot of it as being good throughout the year (any of us here could make a list of '07 albums you've talked up many times), so these blanket statements like "what a poor year for music" "worst since the 80s" surprise me. They seem a bit contradictory. Also, isn't it a drag to be so disappointed and negative about everything all the time? I thought music was supposed to enjoyable. You make it seem like dreary, hard work. For example, it was like you were in agony because the Wilco album wasn't good enough for you. But that was you--lots of us liked it. So saying Tweedy is churning out any old rubbish is just your opinion, not universal truth. If you don't like it, move on. You don't have to try to ruin it for everyone else because you didn't like it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1870 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I HATE music man, c'mon fella, its the pits!!! LOL! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1596 Registered: 04-2005 |
You said it, Spence! Like the Replacements once sang: I hate music Sometimes I don't I hate music It's got too many notes | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2439 Registered: 03-2006 |
MUSIC SUCKS! If I could, I'd give it a black eye! All these silly groups - the Shpoon and the Arcade Fires - they should just give it up. Don't they know they'll never equal the great music of the '80's? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1008 Registered: 08-2006 |
I wonder, what is it about getting older that music doesn't hit your pleasure centers the same way? I definitely get that "heard it all before" feeing sometimes. The Arcade Fire put out what I think is a classic album this year, but it will never mean as much to me as "Let It Be" (the Replacements version - I'm not THAT old) or "Daydream Nation" or "Tallulah," even though I love it immensely. I listen mainly to new music these days, but it's almost a conscious choice. I DON'T want to be a the-best-music-was-made-when-I-was-in-co llege kind of guy. I don't believe it anyhow. But it's true that the best album of 2007 will never have the same emotional connection for me as the best album of 1984, no matter how good or bad the year is in hindsight. I think my neurons are spoiled. That doesn't mean "Neon Bible" or "Kala" or "Traffic and Weather" don't totally get me going. They just don't change my world. It's not their fault. My mind was blown when I heard "Teenage Riot" at age 22 and it hasn't been accepting new information since. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 804 Registered: 10-2004 |
This discussion has taken an interesting turn. First of all, I think we'd all like to avoid being that old stick in the mud who won't listen to any music made after 1953. Some of us may be a bit overly obsessive about *not* being that person, but whatever. Here's my take on it: I get *really* *wildly* *stupidly* excited about music that's new TO ME. I don't care if it's music that came out yesterday or 40 years ago. If it's new to me, and I *like* it, then I'm just as crazy about it as I was about first hearing the Smiths in junior high, or the Go-Betweens in college. Case in point: a few years ago I was introduced to several Ennio Morricone film soundtracks from the late 60s/early 70s. I was positively floored by this stuff. Goose bumps and all. Same goes for Shack's Zilch, which I discovered about 3 years ago. Positively, profoundly stunned by that one. And a gazillion others... Or take some of the music Randy has introduced me to over the past year. There's far too much great stuff to mention, but songs like "Sea Air" by Ed Kuepper were mind-blowing epiphanies. I have vast record collection, but there's still SO much out there - old stuff - that I still haven't discovered, that finding that is every bit as important as keeping one's ears tuned into the contemporary stuff. This all means that when I take stock of a year's worth of record buying and musical discoveries, it's impossible for me just to focus on new albums that came out that year. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 805 Registered: 10-2004 |
And another point: although I will give just about *anything* a good, honest listen, I'll admit to feeling as if I can't always relate as well to newer, younger bands. It's like, a lot of the things I value in music have been largely abandoned by younger, contemporary bands. Or, I hear something that blows my mind on the first few listens, but gets old soon thereafter. I don't know why this is. All I can say is I think there's a lot of style-over-substance these days that gets erroneously passed off as being just the opposite (I'm looking at you, Arcade Fire). BUT, I do make a point to listen to anything brand new that's thrown my way. I may not always like it, but at least I can be aware of what's going on. But some newer artists have really knocked me out. I think the Pipette's "Dirty Mind" is a brilliant pop gem. And, this'll probably get me banned from the board, but I absolutely love Lily Allen's LDN - easily one of the most memorable and hummable songs of the decade. I think this probably counts more as an "older" band by now, but Wilco's "Impossible Germany" could easily be one of the top 5 songs of the decade. Plus, there are plenty of older artists who are making great records today. For example, Cathal Coughlan has made a few of THE most crucial albums I've ever heard, just in the past 5 years. Ditto the High Llamas. Ditto the Go-Betweens. I'm rambling now, but this is an interesting topic. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 199 Registered: 01-2007 |
We've straid this way before, when you are young you've heard very little music so anything good sounds great I think it is more about yourself than the music, it is like a drug you get your first or early experiences of getting "high " to some great new (to you) soung and then spend the rest of your life trying to find it occasionally you do but more often thna not you've not you've heasrd it before. I totally concur my music buying this year has been more older stuff than new bands I've bought a few Jazz CDs e.g the Thelonius Monk/Coltrane the Charles MIngus live rcording also folk and country but alot of these are old. May be the "early contenders " should be best I've heard this year! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 862 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kate Rusby, Tracey Thorne, The Shins, The National, New Pornos, Patty Griffin, Augie March and Grinderman. The new Spoon for now, but it could drop off my Top 10 as I have yet to get the new Bruce, Neil, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Fountains, Vega, etc. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 806 Registered: 10-2004 |
Thing is, Frank, I would disagree with that first statement, or at least it doesn't seem to apply to me. Like I said in my post above, music that's new *to me*, and which I like, floors me every bit as much as when I fist heard the Smiths or Joy Division in my adolescent years. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1903 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry Kurt, but I just cant be a happy clapper. If I dont like something, even by bands I love (such as Wilco), I would find it pointless to just slavishly love it because of who it was. If you are happy to have an album such as Spoon in your top 10 that you "are tired of after 10 listens" that for me says more about this year than I ever could. Being "disappointed and negative about everything all the time...", apart from being a whopper of a generalisation, is only true of music which is substandard in my opinion (assuming I still have one!) -you really should stay away from a computer if somebody posting on a messageboard gets you so riled up - its only an honest opinion, sorry. As for Wilco,my thoughts on it are well known but I can assure you I wasnt in agony because I didnt like the album, I was ever so slightly crushed though! Even thinking that I "was trying to ruin it for everybody else" is more ludicrous than the fact that you typed it. I am sure that everybody loves it, or is disappointed by it, based on their own thoughts - I wish I could say the same for you but your assessment seems to change from post to post. Further down there was some constructive thoughts on the subject, as well as a couple of laugh out loud comments by LK (you bastard  ) and Spence. PS - "Forwards ever, backwards never" is a phrase used by reggae musicians, and was supposed to be tongue in cheek, but failed miserably. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 867 Registered: 01-2005 |
I forgot to mention St. Vincent - Marry Me. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1597 Registered: 04-2005 |
I know you're just baiting me, Kevin. And never let it be said that you're not a Master Baiter. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1598 Registered: 04-2005 |
But you probably don't get that joke; maybe somebody else here can explain it to you. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1904 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry Kurt, I just tossed that one off without thinking about it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1877 Registered: 05-2005 |
Pugwash to y'all! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1906 Registered: 05-2005 |
That one might not translate abroad Spence. This could be a thread on its own. "Love comes in spurts" "Orgasm Addict" Bingo Hand Job | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1599 Registered: 04-2005 |
I apologize, Kevin--I overcooked it a bit with that last couple of posts. You are allowed to revise your opinions, of course. Perhaps you subscribe to the philosophy from this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." But I have to point out a few superlatives you've tossed out this year about some releases you're disparaging now. These are all direct quotes from posts of yours: -------------------- Although another contender - after initial reservations the Wilco album is really hittimg home now. Very reflective, gentle songs which take a while to sink in, always the sign of a great album? Grinderman - s/t. Nasty Ol Nick on the best form he's shown in years. Electric Alice and No Pussy Blues are fantastic Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa New Pornographers - Challengers Cant stop playing these two pop masterpieces just now, both albums bursting with choons aplenty. Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa. Sounds like they just made their best album, they remind me a bit of Squeeze, but with a more edge. Still listening to the Spoon album, its a corker. Peter, Boxer is superb. I played Alligator to death a couple of years back and am starting to do the same with this one. The National - Boxer. A definite slow burner, which I always think are the most rewarding. If you liked Alligator you should love this, a totally different album, not as rocky with brass and strings to embellish the sound. The National - Boxer. This one is really hitting home now, not as "rock-y" as Alligator but the slower, textured songs on this may be more durable. ---------------- Opinions can change, I know, but Wilco going from "signs of a great album" to "rubbish" is pretty extreme. And, maybe in retrospect, '07 seems like a bad year, but here are some new releases you've talked up this year, often using phrases like "fantastic" or "album of the year so far": Low, LCD Soundsystem, Spoon, Richard Swift, The Good the Bad and the Queen, Panda Bear, New Pornographers, Buffalo Tom, Ryan Adams, Digitalism, the National, Von Sudenfed, Githead, Feist, Great Lakes, Bill Callahan, the Clientele, the Shins, etc. Kudos to you for being more on top of new stuff than just about anyone I know. But I dunno, doesn't seem that bad a year, mate! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1010 Registered: 08-2006 |
Either you've got a great memory, Kurt, or you're way more adept at the search tool than I am! Now I really regret that post in which I talked up the new Ted Nugent record! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 807 Registered: 10-2004 |
My observation is that Kevin has a way of strongly stating his opinions as if they were hard facts etched in stone, when we need to remember that they are merely *his* opinions, applicable only to him and his world. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1600 Registered: 04-2005 |
I'm a sad pathetic trainspotter, Rob...that's your answer. But I was meaning to talk to you about the Nugent album... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1011 Registered: 08-2006 |
You say trainspotter, I say board archivist. I think it's nice. Someone's gotta keep us honest. And far away from anything Nuge-related. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1878 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yup its all opinions, and sometimes as though its not been said on this board already, we're all very passionate! And its all about music, that's cool. I must say, I admire Kev, he's like a lot of my mates, he's a punk rockr through and bloody through, he'res to ya mate, and I admire me old mucka Kurt, who is also, a punk rocker! What it is to a punk rocker!!!!!! We're all punk rockers, heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duh! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2444 Registered: 03-2006 |
And, I take back everything I said about the new Barbra Streisand album, though no one can sing a show tune like her, dammit, no one! Spence, to the extent I understood that, I agree completely! But, what the fuck is pugwash? Wait, not sure I wanna know... ps - Ted Nugent needs to be killed. With an arrow from one of his fucking bows! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1907 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, we are all allowed to change our minds.. as I have done with some of the albums this year. These are thoughts at the end of the year, 6 months or more after most of the posts you reproduce here when I was stating my initial impressions. I really dont know what you want from me here, would you prefer it if I just faked it and said that these albums are now towering masterpieces when they are merely just good at best? I guess I may have been overdosing on the Miller Genuine Draft at the time, but I dont think I used the phrase "album of the year" for "Richard Swift, The Good the Bad and the Queen, Panda Bear, Buffalo Tom, Ryan Adams, Digitalism, Von Sudenfed, Githead, Feist, Great Lakes, Bill Callahan or the Clientele" However: I think if you look at a post I made on this very thread you will see that I said: "Maybe Radiohead, The Shins, New Pornos and Lcd Soundsystem - apart from that what a poor year. The National and Spoon albums had their moments but both had made better records in the past". These albums are the ones that I still rate after these initial early impressions. I am still of the belief that this year has been relatively poor, that doesnt mean to say that I think there were no good albums released. I will ask you, and everybody a question. Was there an album released this year that would make your top 30, (even 40 or 50) albums ever made? Maybe I'm too critical at times but I cant think of any, but as Jeff says that is only my opinion, although honestly I dont write it thinking this is "etched in stone". How it come across is up to the individuaL, but its only opinion, is that not what we are here for? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1908 Registered: 05-2005 |
.... and sorry I forgot about Wilco. I admit that after initial reservations I did, albeit briefly,start to warm to the album. Unfortunately, and I stress I am a massive Wilco fan, it didnt last long. I think I remember saying it would make a great EP ( feel free to come in Jeff ), I am still of that belief. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1601 Registered: 04-2005 |
Fair enough. You react/respond first, post those thoughts, and maybe rethink things later after you've listened more. That's how you work, and that's cool. Just understand that it can make you appear inconsistent in your thinking, and a bit of a flip-flopper to those of us who maybe take longer to form opinions. Neither way is right--they're just different methods of analysis. Personally, I'm just taking '07 releases for what they are. Time will tell if anything this year stands up as an all-time classic. But if it doesn't, I don't really care--I'm just glad this year is full of more good music than last year; a year when I had trouble coming up with a top ten best-of. You may not agree. You and others have correctly posted that the art of the album isn't what it once was, so considering that, maybe we're lucky to even be getting solid albums at this point, when most listeners are song- and playlist-oriented, rather than artist- or album-oriented. I'm not sure we're ever going to have anymore real landmark albums like "Blonde on Blonde," "VU and Nico," "Marquee Moon," "The Clash," "Daydream Nation," "Loveless," etc. This is the old fart in me talking: I'm not sure there are any surprises left in the world of popular music as we know it. Seriously, let me ask you this: What do you think the last truly great all-time classic album was? An album deserving of entry into the all-time pantheon? Your opinion, not critical consensus or anything like that. Personally, I struggle to come up with anything that's been released in the last 10 years. "69 Love Songs," maybe. "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road"? "Odelay"? Some might say "OK Computer," I wouldn't. I wouldn't put "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" as an all-time great, though people were turning cartwheels over it in '02. >>I guess I may have been overdosing on the Miller Genuine Draft at the time, but I dont think I used the phrase "album of the year" for "Richard Swift, The Good the Bad and the Queen, Panda Bear, Buffalo Tom, Ryan Adams, Digitalism, Von Sudenfed, Githead, Feist, Great Lakes, Bill Callahan or the Clientele"<< I didn't say you did; re-read my post--I used words like "often" and "some." Nothing absolute like "you called all of these the album of the year." You did praise all of those at one point or another, and at least one or two you bandied about as album of the year at that point. But let's not quibble over words. I'm done. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1012 Registered: 08-2006 |
Modern classics. That'd make a good thread... | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 723 Registered: 08-2004 |
This is getting a bit Mission Improbable. It's not easy to digest a whole years worth of material & compare it with the last 40-50 years of popular music. Then to come up with any notion of long-term appeal or future influence. There are too many rash judgements on what's good/bad here & now. I'm with Jeff on discovering bands & scenes from the past & taking it all in without the cynicism of fashion & worst of all taste attached. Having said that nothing has moved me a great deal this year. Then again I haven't heard 90% of those records mentioned above. Despite the platitudes thrown at Wilco, I've yet to hear any of their output. All in good time, don't believe the hype, yeaaah boy. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1909 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes you are right Kurt, there were one or two I bandied about as album of the year, but not from the list in your post above, it was from the larger list in your post today at 5:33 pm -Low and LCD S if I remember correctly - which I am standing by. Also, surely you can only accuse me of being inconsistent if I praise, then slate, only to praise again, otherwise its just having a re-appraisal - but anyway this is getting a bit too tit for tat now I'm sure you'd agree. On your question, strangely enough I posted something on here the other day (cant remember what thread)saying that in my opinion Wilco's YHF was the only record released this decade that would make my favourite albums of all time. I dont know if it was just everybody thinking "there he goes again, negative b*stard", or just apathy, but there wasnt a deluge of posts disagreeing with me, or putting albums forward. Maybe people would care to comment now. Anyway, isnt this great, a most enjoyable discussion. Makes me yearn for the heated debates LK and I had about "bland" music a year or so back, or dare I say it "The Sound Quality of Oceans Apart" saga. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1603 Registered: 04-2005 |
OK, no more tit for tat stuff--but I'll say you should re-read some of your older posts just for fun. I may have missed your "YHF" comment from earlier--the lack of response was probably silent agreement that not too many all-time greats are being churned out now. Don't get me wrong, I like that album a lot; definitely think it was the album of the year in '02--but I'd rather listen to "Summerteeth" or "Being There," so I'm not even sure it's their best album. LK, are you listening? Kevin says "bring it on!" | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2445 Registered: 03-2006 |
Sorry, I missed that. I was listening to my best of Kenny Loggins CD. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 338 Registered: 05-2005 |
Spence, I assume you're talking about the Irish band Pugwash?? It's nice to be nice!!! http://www.pugwashtheband.com/video/its- nice-to-be-nice-hi | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 870 Registered: 01-2005 |
If were talking about Modern Classics, then we are we starting about the last 10 years 1998 to the present? Pretty thin years compared to 1977-1993, and 1964-1971. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 361 Registered: 01-2006 |
Kevin, how many albums are we allowed in this 'favourite albums of all time list'...i smell a thread coming on heh heh I'm not sure but I'd say I've only bought about 5 CDs that were released in 2007, i'm usually catching up on stuff from previous years etc etc. Some of you guys n gals must spend an absolute fortune on music.... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1910 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I just did - but some of your posts too - interesting stuff | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1605 Registered: 04-2005 |
We all have message board skeletons in the closet! | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2007 |
wow, you guys are hardcore...remind me not to piss you off! | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2007 |
wow, you guys are hardcore...remind me not to piss you off! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1879 Registered: 05-2005 |
Contradiction in terms - GoBetweens+Hardcore!!! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1017 Registered: 08-2006 |
Yeah, Dr., they've been relatively well-behaved of late, but when a dust-up happens (see the aforementioned "Sound Quality of Oceans Apart" thread), keep low to the ground! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1835 Registered: 05-2005 |
OMG! I'm absent for a few days and all hell breaks loose. I think the US contributors should organise a surge and take care of Mr Flip-Flop once and for all! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1911 Registered: 05-2005 |
What do you mean "should"?, I thought they had | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1022 Registered: 08-2006 |
I think we've had enough with surges over here. We're going back to economic sanctions this time. LK's coming for your lunch money, Kev! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2454 Registered: 03-2006 |
Don't tase me, bro! I have a wide stance and with the help of the good Lord have been cured of mah homosexiness... | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 201 Registered: 01-2007 |
RIchmond Fontaine-13 cities that is good and a real grower, how did we forget that | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 47 Registered: 06-2005 |
Feist - The Reminder The Field - From Here We Go Sublime (Great driving music, though I gave a copy to a friend of mine for a trip and he says that it's now in a Field,just outside Galway!) The Earlies - The Enemy Chorus The Papercuts - Cant Go Back Richard Hawley - Ladys Bridge Bill Callaghan - Woke on a whaleheart Pop Levi - The Return to Form Black Magik Party | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 878 Registered: 01-2005 |
I should add to my list a couple that I have and like: Feist - The Reminder Crowded House - Time On Earth Did anyone get the Pipettes album? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1916 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bloody hell, theyre quick off the mark http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/p op_playground/top-50-albums-of-2007.htm Some nice records in their top 10 | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1043 Registered: 08-2006 |
Wow, they've got Melissa Lambert #2, written by Alfred Soto, who has posted on the board. Nice. Not a bad list, all in all, although it's reflexively indie, a culture that in reality managed maybe 15 of the 50 best albums of the year. I'll trade you the new Youssou N'Dour or Public Enemy record for 30 of the albums on this list, sight unseen. Tighten it up to 10, and they might have had to think a little harder. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2478 Registered: 03-2006 |
So Rob, the new Youssou be good? How good? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1044 Registered: 08-2006 |
It's not as good as "Nothing's In Vain" and "Egypt," but it's pretty damn good. I'd give it a solid A-. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1894 Registered: 05-2005 |
I heard the newRadiohead album yesterday. Whilst I inisitalloy slagged it, there's soem really nice stuff on there. They seem to be mixing a bit of dub/reggae in there, I can't quite put me finger upon it, but I think its track 8, that song absolutely blows me away, with its understatedness. The haunting vox, that remnd me of late 60's early 70's TV programmes, things like Robinson Crusoe, White Horses kinda thing and a touch of john Barry, touch of otherwordlyness. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1917 Registered: 05-2005 |
Oh you flip-flopper you!! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 887 Registered: 01-2005 |
I heard a few cuts from Miranda Lambert's second album a couple of weeks ago. I know there were a few posts about her 6 months or so ago. I need to hear her some more of it though before I buy it, as it didn't grab me right away. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1904 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wilco Sky Blue Sky Just played it first time in months. Its a stunner. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1917 Registered: 05-2005 |
Chery Ghost - Thirst for Romance | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 908 Registered: 01-2005 |
Spence, I'm anxious to check out Wilco - Sky Blue Sky and LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver, which are on their way to me. Also in the shipment is Richard Thompson - Street Warrior and the live double cd Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers - Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1. The live sets document two live performances at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, in April 1969. They were just recently found. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1934 Registered: 05-2005 |
Burial - Untrue. Future music, when most of us including me are still stuck in the retro music past | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 557 Registered: 04-2006 |
must endorse to you, kevin. great record, isn't it? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 909 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers - Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1. It showed up on my doorstep a couple of days ago. Great music, liner notes and photos of Gram and the FBB that I hever never seen before. A top 5 pick for sure. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1926 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sounds great Michael!! The High Llamas - Can Cladders. O'Hagen has a wonderful way of arranging music. He's an astonishing arranger. Yes, he'll never suprise me with his musical style, every album folows his now familiar Wilson/Baccarch stle, but he always delivers the goods. This particular album, creates pictres of late 60's in suburban American towns, and also.people going to work, hustle and bustle. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1935 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andreas - the Burial album is a towering work. I have had it since the day of its release 2 weeks ago, and have played it at least once a day since then. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 912 Registered: 01-2005 |
Spence, lots of cuts on the Live At The Avalon Ballroom 1969 - Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers,Gram Parsons Archive, Volume one that I had never heard by the FBB. Gram's voice is in great shape and the band is tight, especially Sneaky Pete. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1064 Registered: 08-2006 |
What does Burial sound like, Kev? You've piqued my curiosity. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1936 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, if you can imagine Massive Attack but produced by Martin Hannett or Brian Eno that will cover about half of it!!! http://www.tinymixtapes.com/Burial,4659 http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/re cord_review/46887-untrue | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1065 Registered: 08-2006 |
Good enough for me, Kev. It's in the Amazon queue. Thanks for the rec! | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 558 Registered: 04-2006 |
six organs of admittance - shelter from the ash my fahey heart once made me curious about ben chasny. acoustic and electric sound drones. could be his best work until now. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1959 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin Ayers - The Unfairgound. I think its the best album of my year. Thanks Andreas. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1952 Registered: 05-2005 |
New edition of Uncut has their albums of the year. No1 album is LCD Soundsystem. Other notables are PJ Harvey at No3, Wilco at No5,Robert Wyatt at No6,The Hold Steady at No7 (didnt get released till January 2007 in UK),White Stripes at No8,Radiohead at No9, Battles at No12, Neil Young at No13,Grinderman at No16 and Brooooce at No 20. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 561 Registered: 04-2006 |
Spence, your welcome. It is always a pleasure to recognize that the one or other posting will lead to someones pleasure. This does apply vice-versa. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 562 Registered: 04-2006 |
edwyn collins - home again I like his new one very much. And I would say that once again he topped the forerunner (as he always does, but I am not objective in the Collins case). Everything fits there and it is musically rich. And , Spence, you said that you are not such a big EC - solo fan, but I think this release must be one that fits perfectly into your coordinate system (just thing about the guitar and slide work thereon). | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 877 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hmmm, I may have to check out this Ayers album. |