January 31, 2008

"Dead Sound. Dead Sound. Dead Sound."

Hey y'all. Short one today:

I noticed the Raveonettes have a few videos for songs off of Lust Lust Lust. here they are:

The Raveonettes - I Know You Want The Candy


The Raveonettes - Dead Sound


Now how rad is that? very.

January 30, 2008

"Woke Up Afraid of My Own Shadow ... Like, Genuinely Afraid"

Ugh! I can't hold back anymore! I've been sitting on this review for like a month now...

Back a little bit around the new year the new Mountain Goats leaked. There are some things I just can't expect myself to wait for, and the Mountain Goats is one of those things. But being the person I am, I won't be posting any new songs from it on this here blog or any other place until the album drops, because I respect John Darnielle, and he doesn't want his shit leaked early (which is why I didn't even host the crappy live recordings I made of the new songs he played a few months back). But I'm too anxious to not let people know that this album is just great.

Sax Rohmer #1: the first track on the album, and it sure as heck sound like our boy John has put a lot of energy into this opener. It's John singing about love from the eyes of a fairly deranged person ... something we're all too familiar with in regards to the Mountain Goats. The story telling method is similar to that of the Sunset Tree era Mountain Goats, but it didn't really sound too much like the songs off of Sunset Tree.

San Bernardino: Here is where the album starts to sound like some of his older stuff. This song sounds like a song off of Get Lonely, but higher production value (yeah, higher), and happier and more hopeful (but in that hopeless way that John always seems to make everything ... gosh I do love it :) )

Heretic Pride: This is another one that sounds almost completely fresh, but, like most the other songs on this album, there is a hint of a few other Mountain Goats eras in it.

Autoclave: My second favorite on the album. The only thing I didn't like about it was that near the end there are some distorted drums being played way in the background. Other than that I'd have to say this is the best written and catchiest of all the songs ... save for one. (This one also made me look something up! I had no idea what an autoclave was, of that it existed at all)

New Zion: A few months back John did a live set with Daytrotter.com (an amazing set I have to say), and in it he did a song by Peter Tosh (Babylon Burning). In the write up of the live set John mentions that he had really been getting into reggae. I think this song is the first of two on the album that really shows this (the other one more so than this)

So Desperate: The first thing I thought of when I heard this song is that is sounds a lot like "First Few Desperate Hours" off of Tallahassee. Now every time I hear it I want to hear "First Few Desperate Hours." Not a bad song, but not the strongest either. Genuinely

In The Craters of the Moon: On of the more intense songs on the album. Lots of alliteration about blood and darkness and numbness and blindness and all the general feelings surrounding what I can only imagine to be a painful area of John's life ... or of a character that John has made up's life. The man can freaking write well.

Lovecraft in Brooklyn: This was another one that I had to look up stuff to fully understand. Apparently H.P. Lovecraft had an awful time in Brooklyn, and the character in this story, who happens to know this obscure fact, feels like Lovecraft did while in Brooklyn. This is my absolute favorite song on the album. This is also the most intense song on the album, which is helped by the fact that John puts down the acoustic guitar and picks up the electric. Expect the usual crazy lyrics straight from a character's crazy-ass head.

Tianchi Lake: Quite the mood shift from the past two songs, which throws me every time. Kind of weird lyrics, but not weird in the way that I'd like them to be. Honestly a rather forgettable MG song. The piano part is too ... PBS Sea Voyage Special for me.

How to Embrace a Swamp Creature: This song feels like a conglomeration of a bunch of MG eras. It's not the most memorable, but it's not bad. If you were to hear just this one song from the album, you'd be expected to think "nice ... business as usual at Mountain Goats Inc.).

Marduk T-Shirt Men's Room Incident: This is the "hey MG fans, listen to this shit" song. There are some backing vocals you hardcore fans may have slightly noticed in one of the earlier songs on this album, but are right up front in this one. Trust me, hardcore fans will be giddy to hear these backing vocals. I won't spoil the surprise. Other than that, it's a pretty good song. Good storytelling, as always.

Sept. 15th, 1983: More so that New Zion, this song really really portrays what I think is John getting really into reggae. I didn't so much like this one at first, but it really grew on me. The story told in this one is really really well told. Probably one of the highlights of the album for me.

Michael Myers Resplendent: This song is actually a remake of a song they'd released on the official Mountain Goats website a couple christmas' ago. It was released with another song (I think) that I like more, so I didn't pay too much attention to this one, which is why I was so surprised to see it pop up again. I gave it a hard listen, and discovered what John saw in it ... it's a great song. Creeeeeeeeeeeepy.

So, that's the album, reviewed song by song. I've never done that before and will probably never do that again. The album is awesome. I give it a
Love More (<3), which, honestly, should go without saying.

Finally, remember that John Darnielle's contribution to the 33 1/3 series will be out on the 15th of April. Press release about it is as follows:

John Darnielle describes Master of Reality in the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy being held in an adolescent psychiatric center in southern California in 1985. The narrator explains Black Sabbath like an emissary from an alien race describing his culture to his captors: passionately, patiently, and lovingly. This album has a genuinely remarkable historical status: as a touchstone for the directionless, and as a common coin for young men and women who felt shut out of the broader cultural economy.

Rad? yes.

January 29, 2008

"This is the New Beginning"

1) I love the French
2) I love hard work
I really do have to hand it to the boys in Spitzer, these guys certainly are working hard to get their name out there. Not to mention feeding my ego at the same time haha. Well apparently they're on the verge of being signed, so good for them. They've also been doing some remixing (not the kind where some random person with a computer and ACIDPro "mixes" a song, but, like, the real kind ;)). Here's the song they so graciously allowed me to have a chance in hosting haha (they really do seem like nice guys, give them a shot):

Kylie Minogue - In My Arms (Spitzer Remix)

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

Norther - N
Verdict:
Love (<)
My buddy Dana and I listened to this album whilst playing a bit of Halo 3, and found it well suited to the combat-videogame environment, though he felt as though Norther was a bit to Scandinavian for his tastes. This was honestly the first I'd ever heard by Norther, and I was rather impressed. This album is actually quite well put together. It really brought me back to my roots, and that was nice, because Metal and me haven't been to good of friends as of late.
Norther - Black Gold
Norther - Frozen Angel
Norther - Always and Never

深白色二人组 - 花火
Verdict: Like ()
When the album starts out with Heavy Metal guitars and is quickly followed by acoustic guitar and the poppy-est beat ever, you know you're in store for quite the J-Pop album, which this is. Its mega cheesy and sounds a little bit like a whole lot of American pop music mixed with a whole bunch of other things and sounds a little bit like it should be at the end of an RPG of some sort. But it's just ridiculous enough for me to like it, and the group is talented enough for me to love it.
深白色二人组 - New Beginning
深白色二人组 - 香草的天空
深白色二人组 - 狂奔

White Shoes and The Couples Company - White Shoes and The Couples Company
Verdict:
Like ()
Cute Minimalist 70's style Feel Good Indonesia Dance Jazz. It was adorable, but after a while it started to get a little old. In short bursts though, it works out pretty well.
White Shoes and the Couples Company - Tentang Cita
White Shoes and the Couples Company - Sunday Memory Lane
White Shoes and the Couples Company - Topstar

Jettie - Kites For Charity
Verdict:
Like ()
I was initially put off by their The Fray-like sound, but underneath that there appears to be a genuinely honest rock band. Epic drum beats give the band a sensational sound at times. Over all a fairly decent rock band that might get some radio play and certainly garners a certain amount of attention, but they may be cursed to obscurity.
Jettie - Epic City Parade
Jettie - Ticking
Jettie - #3 The Nest & The Wind


January 25, 2008

"I'm Gonna Chase the Sky Forever"

So... there's this improv Jazz show down in Belmar tonight and members of Nightshark are going to be performing in it ... but I'm a little sick and I don't travel well when sick ... but, from what I've heard, my friends will mostly be busy with doing their own respective things this evening, so I'm a little torn (I'm all out of faith) to say the least... I guess we'll see how I feel around 6 PM. But, for now, here is a couple write ups of a few albums I've been listening to the last couple days:

Cat Power - Jukebox
Verdict:
Love (<)
After getting my immediate disappointment that her version of "Metal Heart" was not a cover of Accept, but was, in fact, a cover of herself, I listened to the rest of the album and, really, rather enjoyed myself. Her dry, sultry voice coupled with that funky keyboard makes for some sex-tacular music. Not the mention she covers Hank Williams.
Cat Power - Ramblin (Wo)Man (Hank Williams Cover)
Cat Power - Silver Stallion (Lee Clayton Cover)
Cat Power - A Woman Left Lonely (Janis Joplin)

Here I Come Falling - Oh Grave, Where Is Thy Victory
Verdict:
Didn't Like (ø)
These boys certainly have the whole "guttural yell" thing and the "screamo scream" thing down. Also the "crooning." Not to mention the chugging guitars and bass. Blast Beats ... can't forget blast beats. Honestly, I was bored by the album. Probably the only interesting part of the album was the interlude. Check that, there was one fairly nice song other than the interlude.
Here I Come Falling - The Birds In The Sky, The Fish In The Sea (Interlude)
Here I Come Falling - There's A Lion On The Loose

The Real People - The Joys of Losing Weight
Verdict: Like ()
It's good and fun, but rather amateurish, which makes a whole lot of sense under the circumstances. It honestly sounds like a lot of local artists around Denver, experimental, electro acoustic stuff. Condon's worldly travels begin to shine through in certain parts, and hints of Beirut are fairly prominent, but it's still no Beirut album
The Real People - Untitled (Track 4)
The Real People - Untitled (Track 8)
The Real People - Untitled (Track 14)

To My Boy - Messages
Verdict:
Like ()
Another one of those 2000's bands that's trying to bring back the 80's, but that doesn't mean that the album isn't hilarious and, honestly, rather good and dancy. the Lyrics are gloriously un-thought-provoking, but in that there is a certain amount of charm. However, it gets a little hold
To My Boy - Eureka
To My Boy - Tell Me Computer
To My Boy - Outerregions

January 21, 2008

Whore Grinder, Refuge.opalace, Outer Neon, Nightshark, & Mister Sister Live at Rhinoceropolis, Denver, CO, 2008-01-19

(Taken from the Denver Post Website)

Rhinoceropolis had a show/birthday blast/fund raiser the other night and I decided to attend (see the bottom of the page for the live set). I tried to get a bunch of people together, which means I was lucky that I even got one friend to join me (my friends tend to think that Rhinoceropolis shows are a little sketch ...). Anyway, on the trip down in Casey's car I realized that my new camera, which I was going to be taking photos of the show with and delightfully hosting on this little blog thing here, was out of batteries. So that means there are no photos of the show, but that also means that I was able to take the memory card from the camera out and put it into the audio recorder I brought along to record the show, and I was able to record more music than previously counted on. Just goes to show you that there's frequently a bright side to things :).

[By the way, I'm using a new uploading website for the non-show mp3's, so if it doesn't work, let me know]

Rhinoceropolis shows frequently are advertised as starting around 9:30, and never really get off the ground until about 10:30 or 11. But because of the my not-wanting-to-miss-anything dorkiness I usually show up around 9:30. I figured since there were 7 bands on the bill for tonight, they actually might start at 9:30. This gave Casey a chance to look around the place (as it was his first time there) and me a chance to talk to some the of nice residents of Rhinoceropolis whom I've come to know. Then, miraculously, the show started at around 9:45.

The first band to play was the controversial band Whore Grinder. I got a chance to chat with the drummer, Tony, and the lead singer, Jerome, before their set, and they talked about why they were considered so controversial. They thought it mostly boiled down to their offensive jokes between songs and offensive song titles, though, apparently, others have remarked on their supposed offensive lyrics. Seeming how Jerome's lyrics are delivered via guttural screams, I doubt it's the lyrics. Honestly, I liked the guys, but I'm hoping that Tony was just having an off night, because his drumming was just a little slow on pretty much ever song. Dennis, the guitar player, was quick righteous, and I'd tell you how T Malone was on bass, but I couldn't hear it most the time. The recordings from their set didn't turn out so great (this being the first band I've recorded with the new device), so I'm not going to host it. If you'd like to check them out, here's their myspace.

The next group was a collective called Refuge.opalace. To my understanding it was 2 parts noise band, 1 part performance piece, the noise band being called opalace and the performer being called Refuge (could have been the other way around though). The girl who performed started out on the ground gyrating her body back and forth while opalace was starting up. She stopped and started every once and a while because there were some cord problems, but once the band was all ready, she really got into full swing. The only way I can really describe what she did was by saying that it was like witnessing a reverse exorcism. She shook and quaked and had a bit of a freak out and, all in all, I'd say I was rather terrified, and it was terrific. It really got me into the music. Try to imagine watching that while listening to their set (granted it's only 8ish minutes long...).

The next band was Outer Neon. They were like a mix between This Will Destroy You, Black Mountain, and Earthless. It was a little bit 70's style rock mixed with post rock style progressive jamming. With long songs these three relentless rock stars ... well ... rocked. Honestly, it was simply impressive and fun.

Nightshark, a Denver phenomenon, was up next. I'd seen these guys once before, but I had clearly not seen them on a good night, because I didn't remember them being as astonishing as they were this night. They sound like Midnight Jazz done by a noise band side project of Nick Zinner with a drummer who is actually an alien with several more arms and legs than we can see. I loved them more than I can even understand. So much so that I'm going to host some extra mp3's by them:

Nightshark - Spangalang
Nightshark - Johnny On The Spot
Nightshark - Don't try
Nightshark - Agnostic Priest

Up last was Mister Sister, another project by Buddy/Milton Melvin Croissant III and Warren/Spellcaster. Per the usual these boys cranked it up mega loud. Buddy was on drums and microphone and Warren was on guitar and microphone. It was interesting and good and all, but not the best I've seen from either of them. I know these guys can rock harder than hell, so that's not a slam to them, things just didn't seem to work out really well, with mic problems and cord problems and all. It was still fun though.

All in all, a good night out. Not the best show I've ever been to, or even the best Rhinoceropolis has to offer, but it was still worth it. I'd like to know what happened to the other two bands (They Will Use Your Bones For Tools, Weak Sisters) who were supposed to place though.

Band: Refuge.opalace, Outer Neon, Nightshark, & Mister Sister
Date: 2008-01-19
Venue: Rhinoceropolis, Denver, CO

Rufuge.opalace - (unknown title)
Outer Neon - (unknown title 1)
Outer Neon - (unknown title 2)
Outer Neon - (unknown title 3)
Outer Neon - (unknown title 4)
Nightshark - (unknown title 1)
Nightshark - (unknown title 2)
Nightshark - (unknown title 3)
Nightshark - (unknown title 4)
Mister Sister - (unknown title 1)
Mister Sister - (unknown title 2)
Mister Sister - (unknown title 3)
Mister Sister - (unknown title 4)

January 18, 2008

"Outrageous, Alarming, Courageous, Charming"


(Trust me, that's related, just go get the Okkervil River album and you'll know what I'm talking about)

So school has started back up and the regular amount of scholastic duties have begun to fall upon me like a 2 ton brick ... which is lame ... but I guess I am getting an education ... which is rad. This means I'm not going to get to go to as many shows as I'd like, and I'm not going to be able to blog about music as much as I'd like, but I suppose having a future with a job that isn't fast food is a good trade off (mostly because I can't stomach fast food places or food for even a few minutes). Anyway, this one is kind of short ... I hope to have longer posts in the future. Keep warm Colorado:

Okkervil River - Golden Opportunities mixtape
Verdict: Love (<)
As good as any Okkervil River album (which is very good), but free, and mostly covers ... so why not get it? no reason.
Okkervil River - Golden Opportunities mixtape

Sons and Daughters - This Gift
Verdict:
Love More (<3)
Creepy lyrics coupled with dancy drum beats, charging guitars and groovy bass lines this album is instantly engrossing and consistently entertaining. The album is just frightening at times. I find myself going to it and playing it when I can't find anything else I really want to listen to right now, and it usually takes a while to become a fall back. You'll certainly be hearing more about this album from me later on.
Sons and Daughters - Split Lips
Sons and Daughters - The Nest
Sons and Daughters - This Gift

Black Mountain - In The Future
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Like Wolfmother, but less of a rip off and more psychedelic, Black Mountain returns and slays the Sophomore-Slump-Monster with their absolutely stellar release In The Future. At times delving into Prog Rock and early 90's Alt Rock, Black Mountain has sculpted one of the most well rounded albums to ever go unnoticed. Don't get me wrong, I think the album is great, I just think that too few people will really take notice. Their loss.
Black Mountain - Queens Will Play
Black Mountain - Tyrants
Black Mountain - Stay Free

The Royal We - The Royal We
Verdict:
Like ()
The Royal We are unabashedly dancy and juvenile. Unfortunately sometimes the juvenile part shines through too well and the music comes off as amateurish. Fortunately, though, this can work to their advantage at times, because, really, you don't need music to be incredibly thought through to be fun. The impression I get from this album is that this band is just a bunch of kids who like to play music and dance around, and, if that's the case, well done :).
The Royal We - I Hate Rock N Roll
The Royal We - Willy
The Royal We - French Legality

January 14, 2008

"Ever Since a Little Kid When I Started to Listen to the B-I-G Got Music in My Blood 'Til I D-I-E"

I recently saw Ratatouille, and I do have to say that it was just wonderfully animated. the story was, of course, heavy handed, so that put me off, but that's to be expected with a Disney film. Eastern Promises was watched right after we watched Ratatouille, and I must say that it was probably one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen, on top of having one of the most brutal fight scenes. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for everyone else.

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Verdict:
Love More (<3)
My buddy Casey and I were talking about this album and, from that convo, I decided that it sounds like a more detached, less full sounding Neon Bible, but that isn't to say that the album isn't amazing. The lyrics aren't as hopeless, but are hopelessly detached, and a 4 piece just can't get the same sound as a 7 (or more) piece. Still one of the most competent albums I've ever heard.
British Sea Power - Lights Out for Darker Skies
British Sea Power - Waving Flags
British Sea Power - Open the Door

Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
Verdict:
Love More (<3)
Dancy and fun, Los Campesinos! bring English Dance Punk to a new level with this release. They got a lot of press for their last EP, and now they've shown why everyone was starting to think so highly of them: they're damn talented.
Los Campesinos! - Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats
Los Campesinos! - This Is How You Spell "Hahaha, We Destroyed The Hopes And Dreams Of A Generation Of Faux-Romantics"
Los Campesinos! - 2007, The Year Punk Broke (My Heart)

This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You
Verdict:
Love More (<3)
As epic as any Post Rock album tries to be, but This Will Destroy You actually pulls it off. Mega Epic. (I would host the regular 3, but there aren't very many songs, and all of them are almost equally as awesome)
This Will Destroy You - They Move On Tracks Of Never-Ending Light
This Will Destroy You - The Mighty Rio Grande

Aliceffekt - Downtemperature/First Aid & Last Aid
Verdict:
Love More (<3)
So I'm honestly not quite sure about whether or not either of these album are albums or what the deal with Aliceffekt is because he's almost un-google-able, and what comes up is completely useless (well ... not completely useless). All I can tell is that this Aliceffekt creates some freaking awesome Glitch.
Aliceffekt - Motivation (feat. Zer1 & Funky-T)
Aliceffekt - Disco Me Peter feat. Johnny Hollow
Aliceffekt - Imitation

January 9, 2008

Happy Birthday sm12<3>μsic!/1st Post for the New Year/"I Hate California Girls" (1st Post Using New Format)

So it's officially been a year since I've started this blog... and I have to say it's been fun at times and a bother at others, so I think it fitting that with this post I initiate the change in my postings: I'm now going to start reviewing CD's as I hear them, regardless of when they came out this year (but trying to focus on releases for this year), and regardless of whether or not I've heard them before. I'll still talk about the shows I've gone to and host mp3's by the bands and I'll still host live sets occasionally. Here we go (don't expect each of the posts in this new format to be this outrageously long ... this is just me trying to reel you in :). The new posts will be, on average, about half this size):

Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood Soundtrack
Verdict: Love (<)
Haunting and depressing on so many levels, it's hard to imagine just one creative genius brought this all together.
Jonny Greenwood - Open Spaces
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood
Jonny Greenwood - Proven Lands

The Hot Toddies - Smell The Mitten
Verdict: Like ()
Adorable indie pop in the vein of the Pipettes, but a little more crude and comical. Less demure, if you will. It's still cute as a button and will make you sway side to side with your honeybunny.
The Hot Toddies - HTML
The Hot Toddies - Sugar Daddy
The Hot Toddies - Wet Dream

Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Hellbassbeaters
Verdict: Didn't Like (ø)
Overall, fairly disappointing. I didn't really expect an album with, instead of regular guitars, all bass guitars to be all that stellar, but because this project was being taken up by a member of Helloween, one of my favorite bands, that it would at least be above par. Well, it was par. Granted, he's an amazing Bass player, but I guess that's just not enough (it doesn't help that a majority of the vocals are almost bad enough to be considered offensive). Here are the few stand out tracks from the album:
Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Empty Memories (Breaking Free)
Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Far Too Late
Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Eagle Fly Free (Helloween Cover)

Marah - Angels of Destruction
Verdict: Like ()
Jangly Piano Indie Rock with a hint of alt country and blues. At times it resembles Dylan Influenced Rock 'n' Roll. If you're familiar with Marah's older stuff, don't expect to be surprised too much, but do expect to be pleased.
Marah - Wild West Love Song
Marah - Angels of Destruction
Marah - Wilderness

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Verdict: Love More (<3)

Like a more worldly They Might Be Giants, Vampire Weekend comes to your house and makes you more hip simply by associating with them. Watch out, because everyone will be in love with them soon.
Vampire Weekend - M79
Vampire Weekend - Campus
Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Nada Surf - Lucky
Verdict: Love (<)
The pure crystal clarity of this album is the first thing that strikes me, the album just sounds really clean. The whole feel of the album is hopeful and delightfully lighthearted, though at times it can show a rather dark side of the band, The Fox being the ultimate example of this.
Nada Surf - See These Bones
Nada Surf - I Like What You Say
Nada Surf - The Fox

The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
Verdict: Love More (<3)

Beach Boys-y feel good synth pop at times, the album is full of the usual guest spots, the album shoegazes it's way through just under 40 magnificent minutes of Magnetic Fields. the lyrics range from ironic to heavily ironic. I'm sure I'll be mentioning this one again in my end of the year wrap up.
The Magnetic Fields - California Girls
The Magnetic Fields - The Nun's Litany
The Magnetic Fields - Til The Bitter End

These New Puritans - Beat Pyramid
Verdict:
Didn't Like (ø)
So, opening with the less than stellar song Numerology, These New Puritans set themselves up for disaster. Sounding like a more electronically focused Art Brut, These New Puritans are amazing musicians, but the vocals just put me off (which isn't helped by the absolutely ludicrous lyrics). Sometimes, however, the whole effect comes together and a good song pops out, as is the case with Elvis:
These New Puritans - Elvis
These New Puritans - Doppelganger
These New Puritans - C. 16

Club 8 - The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming
Verdict:
Love (<)
This was one of the albums that I was desperately trying to get to before the end of the year, but I just didn't have time (stupid me wasting time on CD's I didn't even like). Reminiscent of Nico's various projects, the album has a gorgeous, soft sound, emphasized with the sometimes rather intense (but never too loud) vocals.
Club 8 - Whatever You Want
Club 8 - When I Come Around
Club 8 - The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming

Tunng - Mother's Daughters and Other Songs
Verdict:
Love (<)
Sounds, at times, like a mix between Gorillaz and Psapp with a banjo accompanist. Light hearted and fun, the album is full of awkward rhythms that seem to work so well together that these cats must have intended to do it.
Tunng - People Folk
Tunng - Song For The Sen
Tunng - Fair Doreen

Happy Birthday to my blog again, and I'll see you here in a few days with some more songs.

January 1, 2008

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 1

Everyone has a "best of". Even if you don't blog, or don't even really get into music all that much, you still have a "best of." Even if you don't consciously think of it, you've had a favorite album, or favorite song, or favorite ... well ... anything, be it sports moment, or travel spot, or whatever you happen to be in love with.

I'm in love with music. If this year has taught me anything, it is that. So, because I'm human, I've got a best of. And, because I'm me, I wrote it down as the year went by. But, because I'm untraditional, this isn't a top 10 or a top 50 or anything, it's just a collection of full LP's that were released in the year of 2007 that I found a certain amount of joy in, broken up into sections which express how much I enjoyed them. It's been a great year, and I can't wait to see what '08 holds. Ill tell you one thing though, I'm going to do things differently next time ... because this shit was a lot of work (which is evident in the fact that only some of the CD summaries are any amount of long lol)

[Btw, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to download the songs I've hosted, just use the DownloadThemAll program here. It's the best thing ever, and it doesn't come with spyware :) ]

The list is broken up into 4 parts: Like, Love, Love More, and Love More Than Music. Here is part 1:

Like ( )

Best Fwends - Alphabetically Arranged
Spastic-ly out of control dance music in the vein of Dan Deacon if Dan Deacon were split in two and then those two didn't grow up together, but met in middle school.
Best Fwends - Greetings to You
Best Fwends - Awww-some

Dolores O'Riordan - Are You Listening?
Solo album by the Cranberries old lead singer. Pleasant, but not a revolution.
Dolores O'Riordan - Black Widow

The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
Jazzy and dark, it was good, but didn't justify my existence, something I expected when I'd heard all the hype around it ... which is probably why I didn't like it as much as everyone else seemed to.
The Besnard Lakes - Ride the Rails

Au Revoir Simone - The Bird Of Music
Gosh, this was another one I wish I liked more. Fun, campy, but not as inventive as I could have wished, and certainly doesn't hit as hard as their live show.
Au Revoir Simone - Fallen Snow (Age of Rockets Remix)

Papercuts - Can't Go Back
Cute, droning head-bobbing tunes brought to you by what would appear to be Radiohead's hippy cousin. Not overwhelmingly memorable, but a good effort nonetheless.
Papercuts - Dear Employee

Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
Confusing, and not much like their old stuff, which is why I only liked it, but it was still pretty fun. This one's the one that sounded most like old Jimmy:
Jimmy Eat World - Carry You

Fields - Everything Last Winter
Elements of folk, electronic, and orchestral indie music, Fields seems to be having fun on this (what seems to be) therapeutic release. I hope that next time I have as much fun listening as they did recording. I'd still like to see them live.
Fields - You Don't Need This Song [To Fix Your Broken Heart]

Evripidis and his tragedies - Evripidis and his tragedies
A surprise to say the least, its dark and folky sound held me through the album, but there really weren't any innovative songs. I expect a good follow up.
Evripidis and his tragedies - Antarctica

New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom
You know, it's dancy, and peculiar, but I just don't think their music was diverse enough for me to fully buy into their act.
New Young Pony Club - Hiding on the Staircase

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Dancy and hip as a square, it was a good follow up, but it was still using the same formula as the last album, which I all ready have...
Arctic Monkeys - If You Were There, Beware

The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters
I think I expected this album to be Great Northern's little brother/sister, and it wasn't, so I didn't like it as much as I probably would have otherwise, but some tracks stood out. This one I liked a lot, and you can see where I got the Great Northern idea:
The Twilight Sad - That Summer At Home I Became the Invisible Boy

Aa - gAame
Inventive and nuts Aas hell, I'd love to see whAat they hAave in store for us in the future. This Aalbum was Aa good stAart. I'd love to see them live.
Aa - Flag Day

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 2

Bloc Party - A Weekend in The City
A great album. Sounded vaugely familiar. Oh yeah, it sounded like their first one. Almost dead on. I liked it, but, really, I feel like I all ready had this album. I'm confident they'll come out with a good new album at some point though.
Bloc Party - Hunting For Witches

The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain
Their music makes me think that the band members are really nice people, because their music makes me want to be a really nice person to everyone, and be in a good mood. It reminds me of slow spring days.
The Acorn - Flood, Pt. 2

Tiny Vipers - Hands Across the Void
Mega folky. They kind of folk that sounds like the band is playing in the dead of space, on a ship that's run out of food, slowly running out of oxygen, and heading for the sun ... but without the whole Sci-Fi aspect ... and with a hint of Joanna Newsom.
Tiny Vipers - Aron

Junior Senior - Hey Hey My My Yo Yo
Fun, there's no doubt to that, but there just weren't enough outrageously dancy songs, or any depth to make up for that.
Junior Senior - Can I Get Get Get

matt pond PA - Last Light
I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't what Matt Pond provided. The songs are light and fluffy, full of hope, and pop-y, but not memorable. Everyone else seems to be in love with them though...
matt pond PA - Last Light

Fiction Plane - Left Side Of The Brain
Much like their first release, the odd vocals intrigue, and there are a few stand out songs, but nothing that really shows Fiction Plane pushing themselves to make an epic album, something I think they're capable of.
Fiction Plane - Running the Country

Biffy Clyro - Puzzle
Heck of a surprise, couldn't tell you why. The album has it's really weird moments, and has it's super charged energy blasts, and little of anything else. Just 1 heck of a groovy and, at times, sexual rock-fest.
Biffy Clyro - Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies

Akron/Family - Love Is Simple
Freak folk at it's freakiest, these kids pull together sounds like Danielson, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, Devendra Banhart, and Lambchop.
Akron/Family - Lake Song/New Ceremonial Music For Moms

Dir-en-grey - The Marrow Of A Bone
Probably the most cohesive release this over-hyped Japanese band has put out in a long time, finally getting the elements that could have made them big in the early 2000's right. A little late, but now they finally have something to point to when asked why they have such a following.
Dir-en-grey - Lie buried with a VENGEANCE

St. Vincent - Marry Me
No doubt one of the weirder (without being too astonishingly peculiar) releases to get such a big response by the blogging community. It was good, but come on, it wasn't an indie-triumph. Maybe I'm just saying that because I missed her live show.
St. Vincent - Paris is Burning

Dizzee Rascal - Maths And English
Strong and abrasive (some may find offensive) the first time, rather dull upon further review, but inventive and admirable regardless. Few tracks were something I'd heard a hundred times before, so there's something to be said about that.
Dizzee Rascal - World Outside
Dizzee Rascal - Pussyole (Oldskool)

Tiger Army - Music From Regions Beyond
It was good, but I'd not only heard it a hundred times before, but several times before by Tiger Army. I suppose that's my general complaint with a lot of punk bands that don't seem to evolve, though, I suppose, that's what others seem to like about some punk bands.
Tiger Army - Ghosts of Memory

Joan As Police Woman - Real Life
Soft and soulful at times, whimsically floating between themes of regret and loneliness, and, at other times, quick paced and full of controlled anger, sticking pretty well to the more sad topics.
Joan As Police Woman - Feed The Light
Joan As Police Woman - Christobel

Blue States - First Steps Into
Heres the thing, I love the Blue States. Love them. So when they release an album that is as bad as this one, I can't help but at least like it. there were a few good songs, and this is one of them:
Blue States - First Steps Last Stand

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 3

Biirdie - Catherine Avenue
Folky, poppy, and hella humorous, these kiddos are just here to have a little fun, sing a song or two that will make you a little uneasy, and warm your heart.
Biirdie - Who Were You Thinking Of?

Eisley - Combinations
Sweet an innocent on the outside, burned on the inside, Eisley's new album has a knife with your name on it, sadly enough you'll never know, because it's coming for you in the night. That, my friends is what I think of when I hear Eisley's newest effort. Soothing vocals juxtaposed with twisted lyrics, things which are usually more common in the Metal circles, not so much in the hip kid circles. Way to branch out Eisley.
Eisley - Invasion

The Bishops - The Bishops
A throw back to a sound long (mostly) dead sound ... and it's mostly okay.
The Bishops - I Can't Stand It Anymore

The Academy Is... - Santi
Good. Great even. But I just couldn't get myself to listen to it until about 4 months after it came out and, even though I liked it when I finally did listen to it, I couldn't get myself to listen to it again. Maybe I was looking for something more, even though the boys seemed to have put everything they could into it. A solid effort.
The Academy Is... - LAX to O'Hare

Mother Mother - Touch Up
Good, until you hit the 2/3rds mark of every song, and then you're just sick of it. Those 2/3rds of a song are good though.
Mother Mother - Train of Thought

Panthers - The Trick
Grungy, chug-along alt. rock more than ten years late. Pearl Jam would approve.
Panthers - Hey Creep

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
First listen had me hooked, but upon further listens, I found myself skipping to the 3 or 4 tracks that I really liked, and not even listening to the ones that didn't hold my attention. Still, there were some tracks that really stood out well.
Modest Mouse - Spitting Venom

Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter
You know, I just can't seem to get into Josh Ritter's studio stuff... I don't know what it is. But all the live sets I've heard by him where he performs the songs off of this album are amazing ... but when I listen to the album, it just doesn't seem to hold my interest. But the songs are undeniably good.
Josh Ritter - Empty Hearts

PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Large sounding, but not memorable for me. This may be an example of how the sheer magnitude of the amount of music being released these days doesn't allow us to focus on an album and really get into it, something I'm currently wrapped up in. I liked it, but had no desire to re-listen.
PJ Harvey - Grow Grow Grow

Old Time Relijun - Catharsis in Crisis
Such an odd band. Best experienced live, these characters never really translated well onto an album (for me), but it's still a good supplement when they don't happen to be performing in your town that night. Evil Zombie Caveman Folk Jazz Rock.
Old Time Relijun - Dark Matter

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
Undeniably talented, but, in truth, the album didn't hold my interest for very long. I think they're only big because, live, they rip your brain out and beat it to 4/4 time, which does have it's attractive qualities.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Took Out a Loan

The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
Throwback Phil Spector style 50's sweatheart pop. The songs are fun the first time through, but get a little stale the second or third time. The singles never really get old, but with 16 tracks on an album, and only 3 that you want to hear ... well you see where I'm going with this.
The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me

Supermayer - Save the World
Not the best electronic/folk album ever, but definitely one of the weirder ones. Odd little Jazz bass lines here and there, odd lyrics, and a rather upbeat feeling give this album a certain charm I can't seem to put my finger on.
Supermayer - The Lonesome King

Imada - Wild Tapes From Bahia & Playground Do Brazil
Mixing Electronic, Jazz, and worldly Drum and Bass, Imada has created one heck of a groovy chill out album.
Imada - Playground Do Brazil

Dntel - Dumb Luck
His work with Ben Gibbard is the best stuff he's done so far, but this shows that he doesn't need Mr. Gibbard to make good music.
Dntel - To a Fault

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 4

Aerotrio - Aerotrio
Crazy little Bizzaro-Jazz album that warmed my heart. Granted, jazz is not my favorite genre, which is why I only liked this album, but still, it was kinda fun.
Aerotrio - (Full album)

Nothington - All In
Angry Yell Punk, haha, I love it sometimes. This band executes it perfectly. But, if they don't mix it up, I'm afraid I won't be too interested for to much longer.
Nothington -Going Home

The Willowz - Chautauqua
Unabashedly punky, the Willowz won me over with their 2004 album The Willowz, so I had high hopes for this album. It was all right. Certainly not the same feel as The Willowz [2004], but not bad.
The Willowz - Beware

Page France - ...and the Family Telephone
A little hard to get into at first, but after a few listens you begin to hear it's charm and quaintness come through. Nothing to outrageously revolutionary, but man, there really seems to be some promise.
Page France - The Ruby Ring Man

The Color Fred - Bend to Break
Throwaway pop punk that has a few songs worthy of saving.
The Color Fred - Get Out

Agnostic Front - Warriors
The Crossover Thrash Kings are back with another blast-beat, right on par effort. It's unlikely anyone will be won over as Agnostic Front fans with this album (look to the back catalog for that), but people who know of the Front will probably be interested in it.
Agnostic Front - By My Side

Aloha - Light Works
Soft sounds from a few kids who know a thing or two about soft sounds. Nothing too crazy here, these kids don't want to incite a riot, they just want to have a good time.
Aloha - The End

Billy Talent - 666
You know those last two albums Billy Talent released? Well this is those albums again, but live. Now, I'm a pretty big fan of their pop-punk sound, those boys know how to write a catchy song, but since I'd all ready heard all the songs, and they didn't change things up too much, it only warrants a "like."
Billy Talent - Red Flag

Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth
Like a mix between the White Stripes, Muse and the Mars Volta, but not so much that they don't have their own voice, which should be pretty evident in the face that these bands all have very unique sounds.
Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth

Aqueduct - Or Give Me Death
Indie Pop at it's Indie Pop-y-ist, which is what makes it a little ... annoying at times? yeah. But it's not bad.
Aqueduct - Just the Way I Are

Pink Martini - Hey Eugene!
Lounge Jazz from an awkwardly renowned group of musicians. Some songs are a little tame and forgettable, but the good ones are groovy, and this song is hilarious:
Pink Martini - Hey Eugene

Pants Yell! - Alison Statton
Fun, once or twice. A few save able songs though. And the pose the eternal question: "What is the Police without Sting?"
Pants Yell! - Evan's Way

A Whisper in the Noise - Dry Land
Short Post Rockish songs that border on ambient. Super chill and well produced, just not the most mind blowing thing ever.
A Whisper in the Noise - True Love Will Find You In the End (Daniel Johnston Cover)

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 5

The Receiving End of Sirens - The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
At times reminiscent of NIN, but they're slowly carving their own niche in the Pop Hardcore scene.
The Receiving End of Sirens - A Realization of the Ear

Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
It was fun and good and just like their old stuff and ... well ... I guess I only just like QotSA. I can listen to it, but it just doesn't pump me up.
Queens of the Stone Age - Suture Up your Future

Pig Destroyer - Phantom Limb
Pretty brutal, but no revolution. Business as usual.
Pig Destroyer - Thought Crime Spree

Nekromantix - Life is a Grave and I Dig It
Psychobilly has rarely been more ridiculous or energetic. I'm not the biggest psychobilly fan, so the fact that I like it is impressive.
Nekromantix - Life is a Grave and I Dig It

Pain - Psalms of Extinction
You know, I always initially like the songs Pain makes, but then the grinding guitar work has this hypnotic effect that seems to just put me to sleep. This album is a whole heck of a lot better than the last ones in that regard.
Pain - Nailed to the Ground

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
Reminiscent of Ayreon albums, I have a feeling that the only reason I didn't love this album was because I didn't get a chance to listen to it very many times.
Porcupine Tree - My Ashes

HRSTA - Ghosts Will Come and Kiss Our Eyes
GY!BE side project? Of course I like it. But I'd have loved it if there was more to it. It was nice.
HRSTA - Tomorrow Winter Comes

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion
Adorable and the like. Not totally my cup of tea, but I recognize good quality music when I hear it.
Mika - Relax, Take It Easy

Chip Christy - Moods Unwind
This guy's been doing this for quite some time, and good god he's learned a lot in his few years of playing and touring (6!). He'll be the new Josh Ritter.
Chip Christy - Mood Unwind

Tarja Turunen - My Winter Storm
So ... yeah. This is ... awkward. Nightwish fired her, and then released their new album with their new lead singer ... and it was pretty good. Then, Tarja Turunen released her album, and it ... well ... it's just ridiculous ... and not in the best of ways. It's still got it's high points, but it just seems like an girlfriend making a ridiculous effort to show up her ex. But, again, it's got it's high points.
Tarja Turunen - I Walk Alone

Gov't Mule - Mighty High
Here's the thing: I really hate jam bands. I just can't stand them. But, for some freaking reason, Gov't Mule is just rad (sometimes). I think their song Soul Shine won me over, so I always feel like I need to give them a shot. And this album was actually fairly favorable.
Gov't Mule - I'm a Ram

Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
There is a reason I call these guys the Kings of Death Metal, and it's stuff like this. This album is epic. But, for some reason, it just doesn't call out to me any more...
Dimmu Borgir -The Serpentine Offering

Elk City - New Believers
Folkish (at times) Indie Pop mixed with Classic Rock n Roll. I think seeing them live would make me like them more, but this album was decent
Elk City - White Walls

Parov Stelar - Shine
Intelligent mixture of Breakbeats, sampling, electronica and jazz. The album reminds me a lot of Play by Moby, except I actually like this album
Parov Stelar - Charleston Butterfly (feat. Gabriella Hanninen)

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, pt. 6

Turbonegro - Retox
These 5 guys really ... really don't care what you think. They're going to rock, and be overly sexual, and just do anything they want.
Turbonegro - I Wanna Come

LKN (Lauren K. Newman) - Postulate II

Wow. I needed more time to really let this one sink in, time I didn't really give it. I liked it in the way that I like Hella's music the first time ... I'm amazed by it, but ... well ... wow it's complicated.
LKN - Fractured Sun, Fractured Heart

Noisettes - What's The Time, Mr. Wolf?
Puh-puh-puh-Pop Punk! Good, but they could have done better. Good effort, they'll surely have a hit single when they release their next album.
Noisettes - Scratch Your Name

Drop Dead, Gorgeous - Worse Than A Fairy Tale
I only gave it a second chance because JJ told me they were local, and I can't help but give local things a chance (I've got a weakness). Awkward Post-Hardcore done by guys who make it look like childsplay. You know, I liked it.
Drop Dead, Gorgeous - Drawing The Devil

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
I'm just too used Jenny Lewis singing folky songs with the Watson twins, so I can't really listen to and appreciate Rilo Kiley as much as I used to. Thankfully most people are saying this album isn't as good as the old stuff, so I don't feel so bad for only really liking a few songs.
Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Hmmm ... I think Tweedy needs to take a little more time and put in a little more effort in writing his songs. He's gotten a little lazy. Granted, he's still a great song writer...
Wilco - Impossible Germany

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Some Loud Thunder
You know, these boys got a lot of flack for this album not being the revolution that the last one seemed to be, but it was a fair effort, especially for a sophomore slump. I did like a few of the songs though.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Some Loud Thunder

The Chemical Brothers - We Are the Night
I was honestly rather disappointed by this album, because I was so used to the rad-gasm that was Dig You Own Hole. Granted, there were a few good songs, like this one:
The Chemical Brothers - Do It Again

The Comas - Spells
It was cute and fun for a little while, but it soon just became part of the background when I listened to it. I did really like this song though:
The Comas - Red Microphone

My Little Airport - We Can't Stop Smoking In The Vicious And Blue Summer
Cutesy Hong-Kong Indie Jangle Pop that is done just for the fun of it, which sometimes shine through in both good and bad ways.
My Little Airport - 我愛官恩娜,都不及愛你的哨牙

i am the lost sea - transience
Mega indie folk ... unfortunately it's a little amateurish and repetitive. But he's got good lyrics and a lot of promise.
i am the lost sea - Phonecalls

Turbo Fruits - Turbo Fruits
I do love Be Your Own Pet, so side projects are only going to mean good things. Not as ... Be Your Own Pet-y as I was expecting, and I'm ashamed by that, but that's how that goes I guess.
Turbo Fruits - No Drugs To Use

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Love, pt. 1

This is Part 2 of 4 of my best of. These are the albums that put a smile on my face, and will make me pay more attention to the band's next release, because they may just be on the verge of great greatness.

Love (<)
Rock Plaza Central - Are We Not Horses?
I honestly wish I liked the album more, but there just weren't enough amazing songs. When the good songs hit though, they hit HARD. (btw, Amazon.com says it's an 07 release, so I trust them.) I loved this track (one of the my favorite tracks of the year):
Rock Plaza Central - Are We Not Horses?

The Sound of Animals Fighting - We Must Become The Change We Want To See
I had always liked the idea behind TSOAF, but never really how it was executed, until now. This live show is probably one of the most interesting experiments with live music that I've heard in a while, somewhat because of the fact that it's not noise, and it's not jamming out for an hour, and I've honestly never heard of this type of thing before, especially when it's executed as well as this was. Well done boys.
The Sound of Animals Fighting - Act 2: All Is Ash Or The Light Shining Through It

VHS or Beta - Bring On The Comets
When I listen to this album it fills me with hope. Dunno why, but it's just got this optimistic feeling to it. Light hearted and free spirited, VHS or Beta croons their way into your dance party, takes over, and, awkwardly, that one person you had your eye on across the room just looked your way and smiled, and, because the music has so many euphoric side effects, you can't help but dance your way over to them. Where will the night go from there? who cares, VHS or Beta is playing.
VHS or Beta - She Says

Burbuja - Burbuja
Reminiscent of acts such as Tunng or Psapp, this young lady sculpted an album that was instantly engrossing, and consistently peculiar, without being too over-the-top weird for the sake of weird. I'd say it reminded me of the Karen O demo tape, but it's pretty unlikely that Burbuja wasn't doing her thing prior to the demo's "release." Hip as hell, putting a smile on your face while making you wonder "where the hell did she come up with this stuff?"
Burbuja - Roped
Burhuja - Who Knows

Creature Feature - The Greatest Show Unearthed
Campy Goth Dance-a-thon, kept my head bobbing through the whole thing, but it wasn't incredibly inventive, which is where it loses points. Puts to mind acts such as (mid-career) Mindless Self Indulgence and the Tiger Lilies. DAMN good debut. The lyrics are amazingly cliched, which makes the songs even better (because even if they actually are being serious, you don't have to think they are). If Goth Pop were a genre, this would be it. JTHM would be proud.
Creature Feature - The Greatest Show Unearthed
Creature Feature - Six Foot Deep

Neon Horse - Neon Horse
These guys are like Cheeseburger's little brother (see their album in my Love More section) who has heard a few disco albums and didn't necessarily not like it, but would never admit that they know anything about it if questioned ... and they certainly have never tried on women's clothing ... certainly. Balls to Walls throwback Man Rock brought forth from fellas who probably aren't to certain themselves if they are serious or not.
Neon Horse - Cuckoo!
Neon Horse - Speed Killz

Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me
I honestly respected only 3 pieces of work by Marilyn Manson before I heard this album, and that was his tryptic: Holy Wood, Antichrist Superstar, and Mechanical Animals. Everything else just seemed to forced and poorly thought out, shocking not as a result of his art, but shocking for the sake of shocking. It was understandable that MM would want to change things a little, and, with this album, he did just that. Check that, he changed a lot ... for him. It's still rock, yes, but he's softened and become minimalist (compared to his older stuff that is to say). There is a certain "I did this just for me" feeling to the album, which, truthfully, makes me repect him and the album all the more. No album of the year, but I like what it represents, and the songs were well thought out ... mostly (people like Brian Warner and Trent Reznor never stop being angsty, no matter how hard they try)
Marilyn Manson - Just a Car Crash Away

Editors - An End Has A Start
Honestly their live show is what sold me on the album. Granted it's an album that could stand alone as a rather nice piece of work, but it's nothing, for me, if I don't think of it as a companion piece to their live show. Everyone else is busy raving about this album or talking about how big of a let down it was, so it looks like you'll probably have to decide for yourself. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and, truthfully, I think you will too.
Editors - An End Has A Start

Sage Francis - Human The Death Dance
A friend of mine once said (not verbatum) in response to Sage Francis being brought up in conversation "I don't care about what he has to say, his beats suck." Well I do care about what he has to say, but I agree that a crappy beat heavily takes away from my enjoyment of an album. I feel that this is Sage Francis' most sonically pleasing albums to date. With producers from all corners of the anticon universe, the beats aren't Timbaland beats, but they're not casiotone presets either (not to say those don't have their charm). Lyrically, this is not the best I've heard him do, but that's hardly saying it's bad. Overall, a general sucess in the world of music.
Sage Francis - Clickety Clack

The White Stripes - Icky Thump
The White Stripes have this awkward habit of releasing music that is a year or two ahead of it's time. Not to say that they're particularly innovative or avant-garde, but that everytime they release a new album, the album before it seems to get better. This one was fun and good and all that, don't get me wrong. All I'm saying is ask me how I feel about it when they release their next one, and I'll say I love love love it.
The White Stripes - Rag & Bone
The White Stripes - Bone Broke

José González - In Our Nature
Suprisingly short in length, but not in soul, José's new one is just as touching as his last effort. Coving a Massive Attack song this time (I personally would have been happier with another cover of another more underground artist, but I feel as though it worked out well), José sings the songs of a society obsessed with the fear that we may not be able to help ourselves when it comes to hurting people. Well, that's what I got from it. You listen and decide.
José González - Teardrop (Massive Attack Cover)

DevilDriver - The Last Kind Words
I never really did like Coal Chamber, which didn't give me much faith in DevilDriver, who I really didn't like all that much either. Their music either seemed to uninspired or juvenile, both things that I don't find very interesting. This new album destroys. It's like the members of the band all stopped taking their Thorazine and got to work. It's powerful and charging sound takes you and shakes you for a good 45 minutes. Then you can't help but listen to it again. Metal baby.
DevilDriver - Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Sea Wolf - Leaves In The River
The true charm of Sea Wolf is the lyrics. Granted the music is transcendental, but damn his lyrics just take you and shake you to your soul. It's not the most memorable stuff in the world, but the first couple times are just amazing.
Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf

'07's Music to Love More Than Music: Love, pt. 2

Jesca Hoop - Kismet
Like a mixture of about a hundred people (in my mind I can remember comparing her to Tom Waits, Casey Dienel, Nellie McKay, Norah Jones, and Nelly Furtado, and that's just off the top of my head), Jesca sings songs that seem to be lullabies conducted by sirens, lulling sailors into deep sleeps for malicious purposes. I like it, but the fact that her live show is a dreamy trip into a dark wonderland doesn't hurt.
Jesca Hoop - Silverscreen

Captain Dan & the Scurvy Crew - Rimes of the Hip Hop Mariners
Holy crap, I think I've just found my favorite sub-genre of Nerdcore Hip-Hop: Piratecore! I'm for effing real here. The beats are awesome, the lyrics are hilarious, and Cap'n D has the best voice for this.
Captain Dan & the Scurvy Crew - (sorry kids, I've just got a link to samples)

Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir
Like the Indie rock side project for the members of Sigur Rós, it's soothing and surprisingly upbeat sound fills the listener with hope and love. The lyrics are some of the most easily relate-able lyrics I've heard in while. Puts a smile on your face.
Loney, Dear - I Will Call You Lover Again

The Bastard Fairies - Memento Mori
Like the little sister of Rasputina, sounding like musicians who've recently moved to the old west playing Turn-of-the-Century-Londontown Street-Urchin Chamber-Music. Now add time travel in (transporting those musicians to today so they can use synthesizers and the like), and you have The Bastard Fairies. They talk about religion, love, and, over all, sex.
The Bastard Fairies - A Case Against Love
The Bastard Fairies - Whatever

Aqualung - Memory Man
one of the most evolved singer songwriter albums I've ever heard, save for the fact that a lot of songs sound kind of the same. Undeniably charming. Sounds kind of like some of the less produced Radiohead songs at times.
Aqualung - Vapour Trail

Battles - Mirrored
Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh dom.Buh domdomdomdomdomdomdom. When you hear them, you can't help yourself, all you can think is "oh my god what is this glorious glorious glorious music!?" It's Battles. And we've all got Battles in our lives. Unfortunately not every song on the album is Atlas, which is really what stops this album from climbing higher in my charts. That one song can really only carry an album so far.
Battles - Atlas

Feist - The Reminder
I hate 1234 now ... thanks pop culture for killing the crap out of that one. That one death made the album a little harder to listen to. I wish it was back many months ago when the album initially leaked and I got a copy of it and I got to hear studio versions of all those lovely songs she'd been performing for so long (seemed like more than a year). The album is just ... oh ... wonderful. One of the best BSS side/solo projects to date ... its just that ... man ... pop culture killed it...
Feist - So Sorry
Feist - Sea Lion

Gorillaz - D-Sides
B-side collections are always tricky to rate, because I'm never quite sure about how to go about thinking about the songs. Should it stand alone, or should I think of it as a companion piece to the album the songs are B-sides to? I liked the remixes, and the B-sides were sometimes good enough to stand on their own, but the album as a whole would be a pretty piss poor excuse for a Gorillaz album, so I can't rate it too high. I liked it though.
Gorillaz - Rockit

Let's Go Sailing - The Chaos In Order
Cutesy indie pop straight from the playground of your heart. Simple and beautiful, no more no less.
Let's Go Sailing - We Get Along

A Fine Frenzy - One Cell In The Sea
Apparently everyone seems to know at least a little about A Fine Frenzy. All I know is her string section and backing band really give her songs life, but the would be nothing without Alison Sudol's smoky voice and wonderful piano playing
A Fine Frenzy - Near to You

Saturnine - Remembrance Of Things Past
Few artists can get away with basing a song or an album off of a Proust story, but to then do so and release it for free as the band's swan song ... now that takes some major sand. The sound is that of many different bands, drawing heavily from the Velvet Underground, Saturnine's album is good, despite it's tendency to, occasionally, drag on. I'm trying really hard not to bash the album for it's shortcomings, because it really is a brilliant album, but it's not perfect. Check it out. If anything, you can, after listening to the whole album, say you know a Proust story.
Saturnine - (Get the whole album here)

Earthless - Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky
It was only a matter of time before post rock bands reached back and explored the roots of popular rock and roll and extrapolated upon the sounds of 70's Rock. This is what Wolfmother would sound like if Wolfmother were Explosions in the Sky if Explosions in the Sky were Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The album has two 20 minute epic Post-Rock concoctions and a cover of a Groundhogs song that I can only assume is there so they can have something that might someday get radio play. None of this matters however. What matters is that this is one of the most competent 1970's Classic Rock Style Post Rock albums of all time. Never mind that it is probably the only album in that specific genre.
Earthless - Godspeed (edit)
Earthless - Cherry Red (Groundhogs Cover)

Architecture In Helsinki - Places Like This
There were a few albums that I heard this year that, when I heard them, I instantly thought that they sounded like they'd been out for years. That's not to say that I thought they were ripping off other people's sound, or that they were rehashing their own sound, but that it was instantly nostalgic. You hear it and go "oh yeah ... man ... that was such a good summer." Thing is it wasn't album of the year in whatever year I'm reminded of, despite it's nostalgic qualities, and that means it doesn't climb much higher on my list.
Architecture In Helsinki - Debbie

Sigh - Hangman's Hymn
Deep and brooding, these boys created quite the epic, with themes that I'm sure could only be unearthed by being sat down by the members of the band and having them explain it to you (mostly because the lyrics are gloriously unintelligible). Charging songs, every part brutal. While not the top of the pops, it is one of the most competent Death Metal albums I've heard in a while.
Sigh - Introitus/Kyrie