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Thursday 27 December 2007

You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends

It wasn't a bad year for music. Not the greatest but not bad all the same. Some people should have called it quits, I'm looking at you Billy Gorgan, and you Interpol people should have red faces too. Both managed to produce albums so weak they barely registered as music. Both c.d.'s are being used as coasters now. Arcade Fire didn't fail to deliver though with the great Neon Bible and The Kings of Leon managed to produce the album they probably wanted to make 3 years ago, Because of the Times is a gem. Here are the top Ten Albums of the Year. All other lists are wrong....

List Number 3 - Albums of the Year
  1. Boxer - The National. This is just such a great album I struggle to find the words to do it justice. Interpol take note, this what you want to sound like but never ever will. Apartment Story, Mistaken for Strangers and Start a War are just such well crafted songs. Get it done people, get it done. Album of the year for me by a country mile. The rest of the list is in no particular order
  2. Mirrored - Battles. If you haven't heard Atlas then you are missing one of the tunes of the year.
  3. 595 - Karate. Karate split up in 2005 before I got the chance to see then live, which was a huge great big fucking stinker. 595 is a live album and well worth a listen if you like your post rock with a jazzy edge to it, and like me you never got the chance to see them live, I thoroughly recommend this album.
  4. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire. I love this album. Art school rock at it's very best. I refused to buy it when it came out as the rest of the world swooned over it and went all gushy. If the rest of the world loves it it cant be good I reasoned. But for once the rest of the world was indeed right. Favourite track being Intervention.
  5. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco. I'm a rather late convert to Wilco. They are pigeon holed as alt-country/Americana but they are so much more as proved on Sky Blue Sky. Try Either Way and just sit back, beautiful music.....
  6. We Have Control - Alloy Mental. I'm not normally a fan of dance music, but then again this isn't really dance music. It's, as the name implies, mental. It's rock for the rock fans and dance for the dance fans. Mr Shouty Shouty, Martin Corrigan, snarls, bites, and screams his way through track after track of pure caffeine. Gotta Love and God is Green are required listening, especially if you need to beat something. We have Control is the soundtrack for a riot, if a riot needs a soundtrack.....
  7. Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon - Devendra Banhart. On Last.fm Banhart is described as an, "Avant folk singer-song writer" which is enough to put anybody off. But it really is the best description of what he does. This album is another gem. Rose is a particularly sweet little track, all piano and haunting vocals.But for a perfect example of what Mr Banhart does best try the 8 minute long Seahorse......a beard twirling gem....
  8. Because of the Times - Kings of Leon. Ah Leon's boys are all grown up and playing grown up rock n roll. This is the album I wasn't sure they had in them. Less poppy than the albums that preceded it and for once they have produced tunes with more of an edge. Try Charmer as an example.
  9. Grinderman - Grinderman. Nick Cave is the best thing to emanate from Australia, ever. This is a dirty, sleazy, guitar album, low slung guitars at that. If I had to pick a second favourite album of the year then this is it. It appears soaked in hard liquor, and as the result of a 10 day drink, drugs, and Marlboro Red binge. No Pussy Blues, Electric Alice and Honey Bee are well worth a listen.
  10. Marry Me - St. Vincent. Such a sweet and beautiful album. Think Tori Amos mixed with Regina Spektor and you're there. I love this album, it meanders and soars and runs around your brain like a child at play. Try Paris is Burning, Marry Me, and Jesus Saves I spend. Beautiful.....
These are the best albums of 2007. Unless of course I have forgotten something, which is possible but unlikely.

YouTubes of the top ten....
The National
Battles
Karate
Arcade Fire
Alloy Mental
Devendra Banhart
Grinderman
St. Vincent

18 People trying to get Manuel's attention:

Toast said...

Maaaaan - karate- i got family members who used to be in that band! And i seen them live - back when they were cool (obv)

Oh my favourite album of this year is sam baker, pretty world

i never really got grinderman.

biggest disapointment was the good the bad and the queen - that was really not very good

like your taste in music manuel - got some great things there

Karen said...

Well I'd better get myself over to Youtube because the only one of those I have heard of is Nick Cave (obviously cos I'm an Aussie). Until then, I will just have to take your word for it :)

Jenny said...

I. AM. Old.


***weeping as I type***

Manuel said...

Toast: Karate were always cool....and thanks for the approval.....I need approval all the time....

Gypsy: treat yourself.....

boxer: So. Am. I. but I like to pretend otherwise....

Megan McGurk said...

I am also old and out of the new music loop, Manuel.
Thanks for the YouTube links so I can play catch up.

ellie said...

I only know of Arcade Fire cos I caught a clip of them on TV playing live at one of the festivals last summer and I was captivated by the energy of their performance. Rebellion is my favourite

I downloaded some Devendra Banhart after hearing him on the Orange TV ad with Little Yellow Spider.

Alas I am way too old for the rest. Cool music taste Manuel you hip young thing you x

The Mistress said...

"No Pussy Blues"

*titters*

savannah said...

ok...duly noted ...i'll have a list of my new finds..thanks, sugar....and a big kiss from super nana!
;-)

Native Minnow said...

Well, at least we agree that Sky Blue Sky is one of the best albums of 2007. For the real "best list" you'll have to tune in to my blog tomorrow. It's way better than yours.

(No matter how hard I try, I just can't make myself like Karate.)

Old Knudsen said...

so are these people famous then? you forgot Cliff Richards.

Unknown said...

Some nice music there, Piracy be praised! Thanks for that list, I heard some good music that I wouldnt otherwise have heard of. :)

I reckon you need to find yourself some Ruki Vvherh and some spineshank, though..

Anonymous said...

This post doesn't apply to me and it's not because I'm old. I've never heard of any one of these bands.

Manuel said...

Medbh: That's not strictly true though...you do like your hipidy hop....

Ellie: Rebellion is my favourite too, great tune. Love that Banhart tune too. I think you would like Wilco....

MJ: hehehehe been there....

Savannah; Ah but you introduced me to Willie Nelson's version of Starlight....lovely stuff...same back too...

minnow: you must try....you really must....

old knudsen: no i didn't....

yoyo: i will check them out....

upset: learn something new everyday eh....?

Sassy Sundry said...

Sigh... I love the National. They are my favorite, and their shows just keep getting better.

My sister used to play video games with the guy from Arcade Fire. One of the original members (just has writing credits on the first album) was her high school chum. That's my claim to fame.

Manuel said...

Sassy: They blew me away when I saw then in October......just brilliant.....

Mr. DNA said...

Dude, you forgot about The Tank's album REMODEL definitely one of the year's best.

At least, that's what my Mom said.

(Thanks Mom!)

Anonymous said...

I like Nick Cave too, but: The Go-Betweens are the best thing to emanate from Australia, ever.

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