If you listened to the podcast
this weekend then I think you know I'm in need of a break. But, before
I head off to a land devoid of blogging I want to chat about what I liked
most in 2007. I'll be doing my Top 25 albums, with five being shared
each day, and I'll have some other things like favorite performances and
such that I'll also be commenting on. Hopefully you'll find a write-up
that will either remind or convince you to check out something. Enjoy.
#25) Benzos - Branches
Prog Rock isn't really my thing these days, but this album is a honestly a
great listen from beginning to end. In particular though, I really
love how the guys manage to avoid what most acts in this genre don't, which
is being overly elaborate or pretentious in their presentation. If you
want to pick a disc to randomly take a chance on then this is it.
:Benzos
- Hurt Everybody:
#24) White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
In what will be a re-occurring theme in this list, it wasn't until I saw
this band play that I recognized how good this album is. I don't think
it has a whole lot that you haven't heard before, but they do it so well and
with so much enthusiasm that it's rather hard to not sit up and take note.
I really hope that this doesn't get overlooked on other lists, as it's
certainly deserving of attention.
:White
Rabbits - Kid On My Shoulders:
#23) Battles - Mirrored
Ever since Fun Fun Fun Fest I've really been loving this album to no end,
and I really think that as a whole it's quite an accomplishment. With
that being said though, I can completely understand if some of you aren't
into this at all. The "vocals" are way out in left field and the
arrangements can tend to overwhelm. Maybe it will grow on a few of you
over time.
:Battles
- Atlas:
#22) Gogol Bordello - Super Tarantala
This is probably another album that most of didn't bother with, but I want
you to know that if you need something to go along with a balls out
adventure across the town then this is what you have to take along
with you. It will certainly have you, your friends and the drunk guy
you randomly picked up singing and having the best time ever. It's the
Gogol Bordello effect, and I love them for it.
:Gogol
Bordello - Ultimate:
#21) The Budos Band - Budos Band II
If there is one thing this year that has knocked me on my ass it has
definitely been the resurgence of soul music, and this band, which is made
up of Dap-King members, is one of the handful that has impressed the most.
If you have ever enjoyed anything in your life then you will find at least
one song on here that will impress. This is a fantastic listen all
around.
:The
Budos Band - Chicago Falcon:
Biggest Disappointment Of 2007 -
Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight
I don't want to say that Rilo Kiley's supposed breakthrough
is the worst album of 2007, as I'm sure a few other artists
released some truly awful efforts, but given their previous
work I was expecting something that was at least
serviceable. However, that's not what even close to
what I got. Instead the long time indie stalwarts
displayed an obvious lack of inspiration that was lazily
covered up by constant loads of bull shit from the band and
their various interviews with Spin and other high profile
publications. I just want them to call it quits so
that Jenny and Blake can spend their time on other projects.
This way they won't try to hold themselves together with
atrocious attempts at glam pop, or whatever the hell they
were trying to do.
-
John Laird -
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