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.
1 comment:
When Baseball America put out there Top 100 Prospects of 2007 list in March editor Jim Callis said, "When making a list like this the player you put in spot #100 is just as important as the player you put in spot #1." Congrats on executing that philosophy perfectly by putting Erin McKeown in spot #30. That's list-making in its highest art form.
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