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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
 

Man, the weather has gone wonky here in Austin.  One day it's freezing cold, and then the next it's hot and humid.  I honestly never know if I should leave the apartment in shorts or a heavy jacket.  It's bizarre, especially when you consider that it's freaking December!

Anyhow, let's get on with the mid-point of my list extravaganza.  Enjoy.

 


#15)  Sage Francis - Human The Death Dance

Oddly enough, I don't actually find this effort by Sage to be as good as his work on Personal Journals or A Healthy Distrust.  So, why did it place so high on the list?  Well, it's actually quite simple.  A slightly off effort by this guy is still better than most.

:Sage Francis - Got Up This Morning:
 

 


#14)  Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone

I've been happy to see the guys show up on a few lists, but I still think that they will be overly omitted as the year winds down.  After all, they made an album that showcased their trademark epic ways, which was apparently a problem for some (Pitchfork).  Personally, I like to think that a good album is a good album whether or not the band strays from what their known for.  Weird, right?

:Explosions In The Sky - Welcome, Ghosts:
 

 


#13)  Georgie James - Places

This is such a great pop record.  From front to back it's packed with a number incredibly catchy songs that don't just stick in your head for a day or two.  No, they stay in their for weeks bouncing around and causing you to sing-a-long without even knowing that you're doing so.  It's crazy, but more than worth it at the end of the day.

:Georgie James - Cake Parade:
 

 


#12)  Mobius Band - Heaven

Unlike a couple of the artists on this list, I had complete and total confidence that this band was going to easily skip over the sophomore slump and deliver the goods.  After all, they're great songwriters and they seem to take a lot of pride in crafting smart and interesting arrangements.  In my opinion that's win-win at anytime.

:Mobius Band - Friends Like These:
 

 


#11)  M.I.A. - Kala

Much like how I felt with Art Brut, I just wasn't sure that M.I.A. was going to be able to avoid falling off the face of the Earth with her sophomore album.  But, as routine would have it I was way off.  This album is wild beyond belief, and I think it's definitely proof that she won't be going anywhere for a long time.

:M.I.A. - Boyz:
 

Top 5 Artists I'm Looking Forward To Hearing New Material From In 2008

1.  The Cotton Jones Basket Ride
2.  Why?
3.  Cadence Weapon
4.  Cassettes Won't Listen
5.  Buck 65

You can probably look at that list and figure out on your own as to why some of those artists have been listed.  However, I would like to point out Why? and the way that they managed to make the very same list two years in a row.  That's more than a little ridiculous.  They need to get on with letting me hear the full length follow-up to the brilliance that was Elephant Eyelash.  Or else.

- John Laird -



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