2007 Wrap Up

The Gossip vs.

Elastica

Best Mash-Up The Gossip vs. Elastica "Standing in the Way of Connection"


Best Albums
These are my top long players of the year in no particular order (other than reverse alphabetical).

Voxtrot s/t
listen to Kid Gloves

Ted Leo/Pharmacists Living With The Living
listen to La Costa Brava

Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
listen to Don't Make Me A Target

Radiohead In Rainbows
listen to Down Is The New Up

The New Pornographers Challengers
listen to Myriad Harbour

The National Boxer
listen to Fake Empire

Elliot Smith New Moon
listen to All Cleaned Out

Caribou Andorra
listen to She's The One

Bad Religion New Maps of Hell
listen to Honest Goodbye

Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha
listen to Heretics


Best Live Shows


Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Mod Club, Toronto, CA 5/2/07 Fresh off the release of Living With The Living, Ted and the boys were in peak form. The addition of James Canty on second guitar added to the firepower. Sadly, this would be my last Ted show with the always entertaining (not necessarily purposefully) Dave Lerner on bass.

listen to Under The Hedge


The National - 9:30 Club, WDC 6/20/07 More than anything I was just thoroughly impressed how well Boxer translated live. Listen to Murder Me Rachael and get the entire concert from NPR's All Songs Considered here.



The Evens - Capital City Public Charter School, WDC 11/18/07 Playing in the space formerly known as the Wilson Center (site of the first Fugazi show 20 years ago), the Evens created my most age-appropriate live show experience of the year with an 8pm start time and three generations of MacKaye's in attendance. The songs, not surprisingly, translated well to the live format. Ian gave a little insight into the history of the room as he described playing there 25 years ago with Bad Brains, Scream, Minor Threat, G.I., and about five other bands all for $3. The times they are a changin'.

Listen to All These Governors, No Money

Top Songs 2007 - 10 - 1

Les Savy Fav

10. Voxtrot "Firecracker"
My favorite new band of 2007.

9. Bad Religion "Heroes & Martyrs"
One minute and twenty-six seconds of pure anti-war fury. The best punk song of the year from the best punk album of the year, New Maps of Hell.

8. The Magic Numbers "This Is A Song"
Two sets of brother/sister pairs making pop magic.

7. Ted Leo/Pharmacists "Sons Of Cain"
Five years ago, Spin magazine likened Ted to Elvis Costello fronting the Cars singing "The Boys Are Back In Town". I never truly agreed with that description until "Sons of Cain". For me, Living With The Living was one of my favorite albums of the year and songs like "La Costa Brava", "The Lost Brigade" and "The Toro and The Toreador" could have easily made the list but "Sons of Cain" sets the tone for the entire album and thus makes the cut.

6. Peter Bjorn and John "Young Folks"
Everybody talks about the whistling on this track and I say if you want some kick ass whistling check out Andrew Bird (see below). Can I get an "oh yeah" for the bass and egg shaker 'cause that's what makes the song for me. Oh yeah, the congas on the chorus kick ASS!

5. Les Savy Fav "The Equestrian"
The new most dangerous band in America (in a good way). Great video as well. Ordinarily I would consider songs that use horseback riding as sexual innuendo a slight bit ridiculous but goddamit these guys pull it off.

Any one of the top 4 could have been my song of the year, but this is how they sorted out on the day I made the list. Easily could be different tomorrow as each song is amazing in its own way.

4. Caribou "Melody Day"
This song transports the listener to a completely different dimension. I'm floored that it was assembled by one dude. The banshee-like chorus is totally outrageous.

3. Andrew Bird "Plasticities"
The most understated song of the bunch, Andrew is an expert at drawing in the listener in without hitting them over the head with the song. Amazing whistles and strings.

2. The National "Mistaken For Strangers"
Menacing chords, precision drumming and Matt Berninger's baritone set the tone for this examination of the anonymity of the working world.

1. Arcade Fire "Intervention"
If Andrew Bird had the most understated song of the bunch then Arcade Fire had the most grandiose. The pipe organ isn't the only reason why one might think this song would be best played in a church. By the time the third verse comes around you are totally pulled into the song and then all of a sudden the waves of the third chorus crash on your head. A magnificent feat of music making

Top Songs 2007 - 20 - 11

Georgie James

20. Band of Horses "Is There A Ghost"
For everyone nostalgic for the Catherine Wheel, look no further.

19. The Sea and Cake "Coconut"
Yet another example of why Chicago may very well be the music capital of America.

18. Tegan and Sara "Hop A Plane"
Couldn't find a free link to a mp3 of this one. The twins benefit from top notch production courtesy of Chris Walla of DCFC and the result is the best pop song of the year.

17. Dan Deacon "The Crystal Cat"
Yes, he is a complete freakshow but he's our complete freakshow.

16. Feist "1234"
My three year old is in love with Leslie Feist after the incessant playing of her Ipod commercial. You would think that would ruin the song for me. It doesn't.

15. Spoon "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"
So I am ready to admit that Britt Daniel is fast becoming my new Paul Westerberg.

14. Georgie James "Need Your Needs"
You know when I said Tegan and Sara had the best pop song of the year. I lied. Georgie James has the best pop song of the year.

13. Okkervil River "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe"
Will Sheff continues in his quest to contrast really dark lyrics with upbeat music.

12. Shout Out Louds "Tonight I Have To Leave It"
What does a band from Sweden, who has a major infatuation with the Cure sound like? Listen for the answer.

11. Johnny Foreigner "Our Bi-Polar Friends"
So Lou over at Ask Me About My Invisible Friends gets full credit for this one. If you like Pretty Girls Make Graves' Good Health (in my top 5 for the decade) then download this song now and get ready to be blown away.

Top Songs 2007 - 30-21

Thurston Moore

Is there anything more American than a list? I think they are rooted in the same part of the American psyche as presidential polls, American Idol and call-in radio shows. So in a effort to fall into line with my fellow Americans, here is the first installment of my best songs of 2007. Enjoy.

30. Erin McKeown "Rhode Island Is Famous For You"
The Virginia native's retro style is featured on this cover of the 1948 Blossom Dearie song. The link is to a solo version recorded in Somerville, MA. Check out her 2007 album, Sing You Sinners for the amazing full band version.

29. The New Pornographers "My Rights Versus Yours"
My favorite song from one of the best albums of the year.

28. Thurston Moore "Fri/End"
Did you hear Thurston Moore recorded an entire album with an acoustic guitar? What do you suppose it sounds like? Ohh, that's pretty good.

27. Against Me! "Bourne On The FM Waves Of The Heart"
If I were 16 years old, this would be my #1 song of the year. Since, I'm 35, it only makes it into the top 30.

26. Stars "Take Me To The Riot"
This is my sleeper pick of the bunch. Forced to live in the shadows of Leslie Feist this year, Amy Milan and her bandmates produced one of the best anthemic songs of the year.

25. Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse "Valerie"
I hate his remix of the Dylan song, but this remake of the Zutons song is total genius. She may be a trainwreck, but Winehouse can sing.

24. Palomar "Our Haunt"
Palomar's songs have always had a degree of darkness lyrically, but were often covered with a candy-coated shell of indie-pop. With "Our Haunt" they show they weren't afraid to let the music sound a little dark as well and the result is beautiful.

23. Dinosaur Jr. "Been There All The Time"
The best thing they have done since "The Wagon". No joke. I saw them in late November and it was the loudest show I'd seen in over 14 years - since the last time I saw them in 1993.

22. Radiohead "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"
This will be the only crossover between my list and Time magazine's list.

21. Interpol "The Heinrich Maneuver"
Many feel that Interpol peaked with their debut and they are probably correct. But this is one case where top notch production (i.e. big money major label production) brings their sound to the next level. For the love of God, listen to this with your headphones on.