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As the title suggests, this is basically going to comment on all the albums/EPs I've heard which were released in 2008. Or at least, those which are listed as 2008 releases in my library (Secret Machines' new album isn't released in the UK until next year, but I imported it. There are probably also some which were released in 2007 somewhere).

I say "review" is used loosely because I mostly just ramble about the bands' histories or how good they are live, rather than talking about the record very much.

Life Processes (¡Forward, Russia!)
The first album was good, but for me this was even better. Some great tracks on here, particular stand-outs for me being A Prospector Can Dream and Gravity & Heat. But the whole album's consistently good, anybody who liked the first album's not going to be disappointed as there are clear links between the two, but they (prepare for cliché) sound a more mature outfit in this one. In a good way. The reaction was generally pretty good, but I don't think this album really got the praise it deserves, and I was hugely disappointed when they decided they're going to "take a break" (hopefully that's not a euphemism for splitting up).

Get Awkward (Be Your Own Pet)
I never actually bothered listening to this band until this year, despite liking all the singles I'd heard previously. I found out they were playing near me, so decided to get both of their albums (and the Summer Sensation EP too). Fell in love instantly, and bought my ticket the next day. Then a couple of days later (before the ticket arrived) they announced they were splitting up after that tour (too many good bands split up this year). So to sum up that rambling and dull anecdote, I got to see their second-to-last ever show - they only played a total of about 35 minutes, but they squeezed about half of their back catalogue into that time. They're the kind of band who can very easily get away with that, it's one of the best shows I've seen this year. To talk about the actual album now.. quite controversial, a few tracks were cut from some releases because of their content. Which sucks for anybody in those locations, 'cause Black Hole and Becky are two of my favourite songs from it (even if the first has some hilariously bad lyrics: "eating pizza's really great, so is destroying everything you hate". But you don't listen to this band because of their lyrics).

Box Of Secrets (Blood Red Shoes)
I'm not sure what to say about this one. It's got a bunch of great songs, but as an album it doesn't feel quite as good as it could (perhaps should) have been. That's not to say it's a bad album, it's definitely an enjoyable listen, but when a record has You Bring Me Down, Try Harder, I Wish I Was Someone Better, and It's Getting Boring By The Sea all in one package, it feels like it should be more exciting than this is. The rest of the album is good too, it's no "handful of singles plus a few filler tracks" release, but the energy they have as a live band isn't here in the same way. (I actually like this album a lot more than this paragraph makes it sound like I do)

Do You Like Rock Music? (British Sea Power)
There's something weird about this album. It's good. It's very good, in fact. But it just doesn't grab me in the same way as the other two, at all. I guess it's similar to the Blood Red Shoes album I just mentioned in that it almost feels less than the sum of its parts. Lights Out For Darker Skies is a great start (it's the second track, but "All in it" is really just an intro) and a few other tracks (No Lucifer and Atom being the main other stand-outs for me) are equally good, as a whole though it's not quite at the level I'd hoped it to be. It's a solid album, certainly, just not as good as the two before - one of those albums which I enjoy (a lot) whilst listening to it, but it doesn't stick in my head afterwards.

In Ghost Colours (Cut Copy)
This is one I checked out pretty much by accident. Somebody recommended that I should listen to Cut City's latest album, but I forgot the name and then spotted this a week or two later and the whole "Cut C??y" thing confused me. But actually, this is really good. Not the sort of thing I usually listen to (actually, I think this is only the second or third time I've listened to it), but a really fun album and I'm quite happy I made that mistake, considering I wouldn't have heard Lights and Music or Hearts On Fire otherwise.

Sissy Hits (Dananananaykroyd)
Ooh yay, I get to be really really positive about something. This EP's one of my favourite releases this year, it's just awesome. For those who don't know, it's some sort of indie/post-hardcore thing (that's 'indie' of the good kind - i.e. short for 'independent' - not The Kooks kind of 'indie') or something - but the best explanation is "just listen to it". They call it "fight pop". It's fast, it's loud, they have two drummers, they're incredible live - what's not to love? The Greater Than Symbol and the Hash just about my favourite off this, but it's great right the way through. Slightly reminiscent at times of ¡Forward, Russia! without the electronic bits, and highly recommended.

Neptune (The Duke Spirit)
These guys have been one of my favourite bands ever since seeing them at Wireless festival a year and a half ago. Vaguely remembered having heard one or two of their singles way earlier, but that was before I was hugely interested in music and the main reason I watched them was because it was raining at the time, and they were playing in the tent. Still, good thing I did. The second album's more polished, compared to the very raw garage rock on Cuts Across The Land, but that takes nothing away from them. In my opinion, Liela Moss has one of the best voices in rock music today (and sounds just as powerful live as on record, perhaps even more so - definitely a band to go see if you get the chance). Send A Little Love Token and Into the Fold are probably the most immediate songs, but the whole record's a master-class of blues-y garage rock.

It's Not Something But It Is Like Whatever (Errors)
First encountered this band as a support act for ¡Forward, Russia!, the performance on the night was enough to convince me to buy their EP (How Clean Is Your Acid House?). This full-length kept up the.. interesting.. choice of titles, and the quality of the music too. Experimental "post-electro" stuff, I've heard comparisons along the lines of "a more intelligent Foals" (and can kinda see where that's coming from, but don't really agree). Nothing on here that quite hits the heights of the EP's Crew Cut for me (but that bass line is one of the most infectious things I've heard in a long time), but a very good release. Not really one to pick out individual tracks from, it's an album which is much better listened to in full (but then I find everything is). I'm also thankful to this album for introducing me to the music of George Pringle, who does vocals (of the spoken-word variety) on the track Cutlery Drawer and is well-worth checking out (some tracks available for free & legal download here, and another's downloadable from her Last.fm profile).

Links to the rest:
part 2
part 3
part 4

O "termo" do título é algo que meu irmão, o Max e eu costumamos usar de brincadeira, quando queremos generalizar o tipo de música que estamos ouvindo, ou o tipo de som que uma certa banda toca.

Meu último post foi uma tentativa de reflexão sobre o próximo hype, o novo som da nova década. Apesar de um fracasso de comentários, dá pra ter uma noção que há muitas influências rolando, o que faz com que gente como eu, que não entende porra nenhuma de música, apenas espere pra ver o que acontece.

Eu cheguei a comentar que havia um certo excesso de bandas "parecidas". Isso realmente acontece.

Na verdade, estou apenas querendo apenas dizer o seguinte: o rock nunca vai acabar. Ele pode mudar um pouco de cara, flertar com outros ritmos, mas no fim das contas, vai ser sempre rock. Sempre haverá alguém tocando rock. E a gente vai continuar dizendo que é parecido com alguém antigo, e mesmo assim vai ouvir, porque gostou (ainda bem ^^)... que o digam os Arctic Monkeys

Me peguei tendo esses pensamentos após perceber o quanto estava ouvindo o disco Exit Decades, do Cut City. Sei lá, nem é um álbum extraordinário, é só "música rock"... =3

Ah, pra quem gosta do gênero, pode até ouvir outras coisas de vez em quando, mas no fim das contas, vai sempre ficar com a boa e velha música rock...

Muxtape, a devilishly simple way to create digital mixtapes (*coughs* playlists), launched last week. While chances are pretty high this free service will be short-lived for obvious legal reasons, you might consider taking it for a spin before the inevitable ensues. Think of it as your moral imperative as willing participants in "the social music revolution". You know, Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.. comradery amongst fledgling music brethren and all that entails. Vive la Révolution!

• The Mary Onettes: Lost
• Foreign Born: Keep It All Inside
• Does It Offend You, Yeah?: Being Bad Feels Pretty Good
• Cut City: Rival Trial
• Triángulo De Amor Bizarro: El Fantasma De La Transición
• Death in Vegas: Scorpio Rising
• M83: We Own The Sky
• MGMT: Indie Rokkers
• Delorean: As Time Breaks Off
• The Ponys: Small Talk
• Film School: Breet
• CatPeople: Behind

Sorry I'm a bit late with this one, but i hope you will give it a read!


Well, it took me a lot of time to persuade myself to do this. That's why I'm a bit late, cuz it's almost middle of february, as i present to you the list of songs,considered to be the best i have heard in the year 2007.
I have the list for the first time in september, but after reinstalling Windows i lost that list, was very depressed by that! So here i go once again,a different list,different time of year, but same passion put into this article! Have to admit, that some songs in my TOP 51 list were released in mid december,but i love em so much that i had to transfer them into 2007 :)

Ladies and gents, i proudly present to you my top 58 songs of the year 2007



58) God Is Astronaut - Sunrise In Aries

Never knew this band before, no one reccomended them, but turned out that this band are masters of their genre, maybe not as huge as Mogwai, but they have the balls. Sunrise In Aries and the rest of songs on the 2007-year album are very similar to russian post-rock band's music. Now i clearly where the inspiration came from! Sunrise In Aries, i love this song because of the calm beginning that leads into a powerful play at 0:56! Top stuff.

57) Electrelane - To The East

This song is truly beautiful, the beginning is splending, it's so melodic and catchy as the keyboards set in! I'm not very into the vocals, guess i like this song so much just because of the top class instrumentality and that slight post-punk aroma that twirls around. 'Come back, come back, oh to meee'

56) Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Too bad i discovered Bon Iver at the end of 2007! One of the few folk artist who have captured my attention this year! Bon Iver has a couple of decent songs on his album! When He sings, you can feel the emotions, the angst, the passion! Skinny Love is a classic, it has a kind of soul feeling to it! Love the chorus, with the 'i told you...' part. Come on skinny love, just lacing in.... Gosh, an emotional song, the beauty of it is kept within!

55) YSPWSD! - Teenage Hit Wonder

Well, I have to say that this was my favourite song on the album in february, and i honetsly thought that their album 'Lose All Time' would be my No 1. this year. But time goes, new albums have been discovered! And this track is no longer their top for me! I am keen on YSPWSD! music, those freaky dance-punk songs are so 'IN'.
Love Beckie's voice transformations, especially when she hits the high notes,and the chior in back.This song is still great, but not a wonder no more!

54) Oliver Koletzki - Music From The Heart

So,as usual, as it was the year before, i have some Kitsune featured tracks on my top list. If i listen to dance music, then i listen to Kitsune's compilation. This year's volume 5 was amazing. Oliver Koletzki, some random Dj,who really made this song from the heart. A great tune to dance, a nice song to chill, a great track to put into the top disco songs of the year. The ending gives life to Simian Mobile Disco's 'Love', also a great one. But Oliver's track wins it.

53) We Are Wolves - I Wrote Your Name On A Kite

We Are Wolves's new album is definetely a step forward. The previous LP was very challenging to me and i hope to you. This LP is much more eatable and listenable. The band have revealed many of their skills. I like the song 'Coconut Night'because of the ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT fell to it. But more i like 'I Wrote Your Name On A Kite' cuz of the nu rave feel to it. I imagine myself dancing like a freak to this song :) This one is an indie disco mayhem track :) It's very intense, plus the handclaps and the electro glitch noise makes it a very creative track.


52) The Twilight Sad - Mapped, By What Surrounded Them

A bunch of scottish highlanders, called 'The Twilight Sad' came together and released a fucking amazing Lp, one of my faves this year. They play post-rock/shoegaze music that is excellent to the bone. What attracts me, is the scottish accent, damn, it goes so well with the heavy post-rock music the band plays. This track really is a mirror of the title. You can feel the pressure, the fear, when you hear the lyrics about walls and blades and windows. The band have a talant of creating atmospheric effects with their music, the beginning really shows that, the beginning is like a storm coming at you.

51) Calvin Harris - Disco Heat

Fuck, this guy Calvin really knows how to rock the party! But, The LP wasn't splendid, the great disco anthem songs were overshadowed by poor ones. Disco Heat was the first track i've heard, so this one is on my Pc for almost a year. Pure energy, the feet can't stand on the ground when you hear all those beeps and the 'oh oh yeahs':) Without any doubt, this is my disco anthem of the year, and the mainstream disco lovers will dig this for sure!

50) Mooncake - More Oxygen, I Said

Fuck you all, russian post-rock is alive and blooming! You really might feel that this song is very similar to 'God Is An Astronaut's 'one! I Like this one much more! A fine bass line starts the song, as the song builds up pace, the musicians play more vigorously, the drummer puts a higher pace, then all the instruments get involved, then after a short break, the song turns into a monster, at 4:27 begins the best part! Rockin'mayhem baby, i told u fools, russian post-rock is alive! For more Mooncake stuff, just contact me!

49) Black Kids - Hit The Heartbreaks

Knock Knock, who's there? The Black Kids's EP is an amazing one. I really had some trouble, picking out my fave track. But, 'Hit The Heartbreaks' is better than the rest! The Black Kids are considered to be an indie pop outfit, but this track is intense, makes u think bout powerpop. Plus, the singer sings at the top of his lungs. Just like LOVE IS ALL, BLACK KIDS are starting a revolution here, let's wait for their LP! They have the ability to put a smile upon your face :)

48) The Mary Onettes - Void

Just to let you know, The Mary Onettes are my favourite 80's revival band of 2007. Their sound is unique, and so in the past, while meanwhile they are so in, so fresh and new.
This song, called 'Void' is pure rock n roll, the chorus is the real prize winner. But on the other hand, i prefered the calmer songs on their album, that's why, i have 2 Mary Onettes song coming up in the charts!

47) Feist - 1,2,3,4(Van She Tech Mix)

Again Kitsune, again a killer track, this time it's a mix by the famous aussie Van She :) Never listened to Leslie Feist before, but I have to admit, that her voice is very lovely indeed. Feist's voice + Van She's mixing skills together created this amazing dance track. Also a recomendation for all the disco party poopers. You can't go wrong with this song

46) Justice - DVNO

DVNO, 4 capital letters, printed in glod.. bla bla :) The best track on the 'Cross' LP. As u have noticed, there was an invasion of french electro dj and bands this year. Justice were one of the most succesful and popular ones. The album is ok, not splendid though, that's why i chose DVNO as my fave track, because it includes lyrics, almost all the other songs don't. The track is funky and groovy and a bit sexy with an electroclash twist to it. The end is all bass guitar, baby. I really like that part, not very often u get to hear a 30 seconds bass line in a dance song.

45) The Ponys - Exile On My Street

Exile On My Street was very high in my ratings in spring, but suffered a downfall at the end of the year. Dunno why, i guess my tastes have changed. The Lp is a good one, no doubt. And 'Exile On My Street' is short as a shock but sharp as a knife. It's only 2:20 long, but throughout the song, u can feel the intensity, the extreme, the danger. Not for nothing, The Ponys play psychedelic rock music. Exile On My Streer really sticks to their genre.

44) The Field - Everyday

The Field - A Swedish DJ, who has released of the best techno/ambient albums of the year. The album was reviewed by Pitchfork and other music magazines, that's how people drew attentuon on this lad. Ordinary indie kids, who never listened to techno, started to give this album a spin. The result was astonishing, everybody digged his music. Me, too :)
Everyday is a long track, but it doesn't bore you, from the end to the start it goes and goes and goes. The sound takes you to another world, pure ambience and mind freedom. Certainly a feeling that only well balanced track can produce. A huge shout to THE FIELD, the one man who introduced the unintroducable to us.

43) Germans - I Am The Teacher

So glad i have discovered this band. In the similar artist list, bands like Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. were written. Hell no, no way, The Germans are an indie pop outfit, a very creative one. I Am The Teacher is another one of those songs that bring you sunshine on a cloudy day. The lyrics aren't very sophisticated, singing about children, teachers and so on. But that's not what draws attention. The whole song is an indie pop frenzy :), shouts, poppy choir singing, and yet with an 80's flavour, so that's also a plus.

42) The Exploding Boy - Dazed

Post-punk, quality post-punk from music came from many Swedish bands in 2007. Cut City, The Mary Onettes, The Exploding. You know why The Exploding Boy lost to the others? The Lp really has a quite dreadful mainstream feeling, like on the Editors second album. Although some standout tracks are featured on the ablum. Dazed is great, nothing too wicked, simple post-punk music with the right vocals. The voice, yes, the voice draws attention. The Exploding Boy's music just like any other good post-punk revival band, throws u back in time. That 30 year gap never feels so long, thanks to good post-punk revival bands. If u haven't listened to the Lp, then you should give it a try.

41) I Heart Hiroshima - Captain To Captain

Just Like the swedes, the aussies have come up with a couple of class post-punk acts, too. All in all, I Heart Hiroshima sometimes feels more alternative, not a plus, but anyway great music. Captain To Captain is a fast pace track, going wild all the way. The chick's vocals at the end are so punk, while the guy throws some garage punk spices into the song. So the end is the key part, but the song itself is a classic, so play the song till 2:00, and dig out the chick's singin'.

40) The Dolly Rocker Movement - Gypsy Dancer

A huge thanks to my colleague jim_bomb for introducing to me this wonderful psych/rock outfir from australia. Have to confess, that their previous record was much more psychedelic, while their 2007 lp is far more smoother, quieter and more mellow. But their last lp is better, but it was released in 2006. So i chose the song 'Gypsy Dancer' as the best out of the rest. It's quite long, but not bearing that in mind, the echoe singing and the whole psych folk atmosphere are really what i am looking for due to my recent love to psychedelic/alt-country music. So The Dolly Rocker's are my favourite outfit in that genre.

39) Beirut - Cherbourg

Ahhh, good old Beirut. Loving his music from a to z, all his lp's and ep's are trully brilliant. So the 'Flying Cub Cup' Lp also an amazing masterpiece. Most people say that the first lp was much better, but i think that the folks just got use to his balkan folk music. So to my mind, the recent lp is just as good as the old one but not so east-european, u get it?
Cherbourg was in my top charts from the first day that i've heard it. I won't write once again about how talanter Zach Condon is, I'll just say that his deep voice in this songs, sounds sooo great. The horns, the harmonica, the xylophone play quite silently, while Zach sings dramatically fiercly (especially in the chorus). The song slows down at the end, so i am always concentrating on the beginning of this song. Once again Zach a did job. Cheers to Beirut.

38) Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie, Or Maybe?

That's the question, maybe someone knows the answer? After listening to the song i still can't answer this question, all i can say this that the whole album would be much better if all the songs were somewhat similar to this fantastic track. As you all might have noticed, the voice, yes the emotional singing, a voice almost out of control lead this song into my top of the year. Overall the song is very beautiful, the choir, the piano are a plus. At some moments the song is a bit disturbing, but fuck that, never heard such stuff for a long time.

37)The Whiskers - Felled Forest, Felled Boxer

As i remember i did introduce 'The Whiskers' to my group with this song, but i didn't get the awaited apllause for that. I understand you all, i hated this song at the beginning, but then i found something very special in it. The whole structure, the tension build up is insane. The Whiskers are a weird outfit, can't find much informtaion bout them on the NET. This song reminds me of Liars's weirdness that i have felt listened to their 'Drum's Not Dead' album.
Give this song a dozen of listens, feel the tenseness, as it rises up, hear the peculiar lyrics bout monsters, whores, apocalypses. Dammit, i fucking love this song for it's psych feeling, as the singer wails at the end creating a drone sound. Pure Madness out of control. The best music is always challenging, so i faced a tough challenge here.


36) Maritime - Are We Renegade

Although the new record by Maritime isn't a perfect one, no wow's, no hit singles, but all the tracks are very well played. Here is one standout track that i would like to present : 'Are We Renegade', the track that has that ex-album feeling to it. As always i am charmed by the singer's voice, and the guitar riffs are in 'The Real Maritime's' style . I really worship their ex album, that's why this song is really close to my heart and ears. Enough said, Maritime's indie pop is a gem :)


35) The Chromatics - I Want Your love

Fascinating, truly fascinating how the band's sound changed after a lineup change. Aquring Ruth Radalet was a key step that totally changed he band's sound and music genre. Now, the Chromatics play italo disco/indietronica music(the new lp is just like that), that's why they were featured on 'Italians Do It Better' compilation, that was full of goth disco tracks.
The song 'I Want Your Love' is a very beautiful one, and has a quite hasty pace. Ruth's voice is sexy, sexy and atractive. She sings without any stifness, the melody and her voice flow gently and silently in company with the lo-fi electronica music sounds. The whole song creates if i may a say a black and white atmosphere between hope and desperation. Ace stuff, love the melody here.

34) The Vertigo - A-Song

'You can leave your heart here, you can leave your heart and so am i'.
Although this band is from Saint-Petersburg, they write pretty meaningful and soulful lyrics, backed up by quality drumming and indie guitar sounds.
Overall, 'The Vertigo' are a very popular group in the russian undergound music scene. I visited their gigs twice, and they rocked the house.
What can i say about A-Song? Well you can watch the official video at Last.fm. When i hear their music, i hear a mix of Franz Ferdinand's music with some of the standart brit pop bands, and Placebo's Brian Molko's voice. Yes i really feel that the singer's voice is similar to Brian Molko's . As a whole, The Vertigo are a great outfit, all of u foreign fellas will like em, i hope.

33) Everything Is Made In China - Speed My Way

Once again i am saying these words : Russian post-rock is alive, bitches'. These are almost like the pioneers of russian post-rock. Everything Is Made In China released a stunning Ep in 2005, followed by an lp in 2007, which i got from the hands of their keyboard player :) They are amazing live, they are very pleasant guys. So as i was saying, a stunning Ep was followed but not such a stunning LP. Yes, not because it's bad, it was just not as post-rocky, far more instrumental and alternative. The Song Speed My Way was also featured on the ep, since then i have noticed it's beauty. I remember sharing the ep with my group,, many of u digged it. Speed My Way is truly a great track, so wonderful, beautiful, calm and tender. It's also more instrumental than post-rock, but after all a great effort by the band to record such stuff. The beginning sounds like the 'Twin Peaks' theme :) The song is like a touch of an angel, so soft and so neverending.

32) Cut City - Such Verve

My favourite post-punk outfit of the year 2007 who were discovered in the same year. Saw the lists of the top 10 Lp's of the year by the fellas from my 'INDIE POISON' group, where Cut City's album was mentioned in the top 5 by many people. Never thought that these guys were from SWE, cuz i thought they were another revival post-punk band from the UK, like The Departure. What catches my attention is as always the bass guitar, the bass guitar's solo is longer than the electro one. Big up to the Cut City guys for that! And the favourite part has to the 1:57......, where we can hear some decent singing. So there we have it, Cut City's Such Verve is at number 26, p.s this is not the best song on the lp :)

31) Pooma - If May Starts Tommorow

Just Like Everything Is Made China's song, this one is also a very deep, and beautiful instrumental masterpiece. Only in this case, the vocals are by a woman, who's voice is very similar to somebody..... somebody i can't remember. And on the other hand, Pooma are a shoegaze outfit, and hey hail from Finland. Certainly a huge discovery for me this year, a solid LP by them, that i can share with the others is in my music collection!
This song really reminds me of Larsen's song 'Mother', and almost every other italian post-rock song. The melody is like a winter breeze, meanwhile the chorus is very vital, like a blooming spring flower. This song feels so close to nature, therefore i can not finish this comment without saying again how charming this song is.

30) Passions - Emergency

Say Hello to Kitsune once again, this time say hello to Compilation No. 4 :) Mentioning that i'll say that this song rocks my socks for almost half a year. Passions were a new wave band in the 80's, but now it's a New York DJ, who mixed their song 'Emergency'. Fuck yeah, I'm loving how the bass guitar trebles at the beginning. Any other bass players might feel jealous, listening to that line. And i so fucking dig the explosion at 1:25. Amazing rough electroclash furiosity that will make u sweat :) Funky shit by the NY DJ, huge props to new wave and post-punk mixing Dj's!

29) Letters Letters - Everyone's Afraid Of Fear

Now this one is special, i even can't remember how i found this one, but it's totally amazing. Letters Letters are really undiscovered, hope this song will open your eyes. They play experimental music that may remind you XIU XIU's experimentality and shattered voice, HOOD's sound but with more tension, WOODS's lo-fi guitars and GANG GANG DANCE's percussion. A perfect mix, heh? This one is an amazing song, it's a spooky one, makes me think of Carla Bozulich and Beach House, cuz are also spooky to me.
Really nervous guitar sound in the beggining is followed by a lo-fi electro sound and a percussion beat. An avant-gardish brainfucking song, the weirder the better!
'The unicorns have left their homes, everyone's afraid of fear'

28) Jens Lekman - Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo

Whoooo,,, now this is fun :) Earlier i thought that Jens is only good for singing depressing songs about how some random indie chick dumped him. But this song is so gooood, so happy so cheerful. Go Go country people, the city is no longer the place to be. So everybogy grab your bags and head off to the countryside!
The saxophone play is ace, i guess it's Jens's job! The lyrics are a bit funny, optimistic, but it's the truth! Singing about happy country people, how good is to live in the countryside makes u wanna get away from the dull megapolis and be simple, having fun, singing along to this song by a campfire.
Another great moment, when Jens picks up the pace, singing faster and faster , almost as if he is tongue twisting :) Aaaah, good old Swedish countryside.
Girls remember, as the russians say : 'Eating cabbages will help you to grow bigger boobs' :)

27) Black Lips - It Feels Alright

Also a dicovery for me this year, makes me wonder how did i miss all these years! Maybe just the bands with their band names, featuring the first word 'Black' were a norm to me :) Black Moth Super Rainbow, Black Mountain, Black Angels,Black Wire, all of em were medium to me. But I have never listened to garage punk music, i mean native US garage punk :) This garage punk music is different, when i hear the singing, i imagine some fucked village redneck punk with a couple of missing teeth and not clean clothes :) yes, these are my imagination, that's why i would tag Black Lips's music as 'dirty garage punk'. Unique music, coo clucks clan for life, bitches :D p.s the whole 'LOS....... album' is a great one, so it was hard picking out the best track

26) Deerhunter - Like New

Deerhunter made so much noise this year, in terms of music and in terms of awkward acts on stage and weird press releases! The LP, well i liked one comment at www.cokemachineglow.com, where the reviewer said 'that the music is so noisy sometimes that u aren't able to hear Brandon's voice' So Ep as i felt was a much cleaner effort. 'Like New' is brilliant, Brandon's singing skills really show off here, that's a pleasant surprise, huh? The song is short, could have been longer. The beginning starts with a couple of creepy sound effects, i hear a frog, water, insects, as if we are near a pond :) The drone is slightly weak, but enough to add an experimental feel :) All in all that's what i really excepted from an Ep hit by them, they did really improve.

25) The Handsome Furs - The Radio's Hot Sun

Greg Boeckner, i guess he decided to show everybody that not only Spencer Krug can come with creative stuff, so he cooperated with his fiance, and recorder this very very interesting piece of art. Wolf Parade's music isn't as electronic as the Handsome Furs's :) But anyway, it's cool when you get to hear an acoustic guitar,combined with synth sounds! The songwriting ,the lyrics are magic, very close to Spencer's skills. Both Spencer and Greg write the sickest song ever, i am very keen on hearing songs about three legged animals and people living under water :) The Radio's hot Sun? fuck can u understand that? that's the key, it's all magic at the end, Mr. Boeckner, a true artiiiist extraordinare!

24) The Tutts - K

Who Are The Tutts? Well mates, ask that to question to thisisdanni! She's the one..... she's the one who hooked me up with this kiwi punk band! The Tutts have 3 great songs in their bag of recordings :) all they have a post-punk or kiwi punk feel to em, amazing music movement, u better watch out for kiwi punk bands :) The guitar riffs on 'K' are so rockkkkkkk, and the whole itself is a kiwi punk anthem. I was quite surprised when i saw em at YOUTUBE, many members of the band are in their late 30's :), they must be young in their souls :)
This song is reccomended to all aussie post-punk lovers, New Zealand has got some great stuff coming up

23) Pull Tiger Tail - Ace song by a very ace band.... Ain't got much more to say!

22) Interpol - The Heinrich Maneuver

So how are things on the west coast? Pretty fine heh? My buddies Interpol, are at place No. 17 with their overplayed hit single! As i said a billion times, Interpol were the ones who inspired me to discover the whole indie music sphere! The Heinrich Maneuver is similar to Obstacle 1, that's why i feel extra love to this song! Whoo, at 2:27, wonderful guitar play, pure finesse! Paul sings brutally at the end, with the word 'brutally' i mean that never heard him sing like that, on the past records he just sang his songs, without any extra emotion. Hi kicks off fluently, at dmedium pace, till he gives it all at the finish :) My God!
People tend to say tha this album is pure crap, well i don't think so, i will admire Interpol till the end of time. Yes, maybe the music is simpler, yes, maybe much radio friendly, but no one can deliver the music that Interpol!

21) Cut City - Numb Boys

Coming up strong at 16, are my beloved post-punk swedish outfit 'Cut City'! Their best song on the album, that wasn't called 'best' by me for a while! Well, what i can, people changes, tastes change, but good music lives on forever. 'Numb Boys' is filled with meaning, not the ordinary bass guitar elegance and a funky beat. This one has some sense, only the song is a riddle. I feel there is something in it, even the title points out. 'There are places for people like us', 'altough should be wiser' hmmm, guess it's the the present generation, well I'll let you do the job and tell us what is the song about. As i said, a funky beat, juicy bass line and electro guitar sounds, plus a riddle! Good job by Cut City!

20) Land Of Talk - All My Friends

I was so hyped when Land of Talk appeared with their EP, it was Cheer and Apllause for me, no Boo, no Hisses! Now, well, uhmm, i guess i have overlistened them a bit! The band has talant, soild indie rock music, the female's voice is similar to Metric's! They are all canadians :) 'All My Friends' still remains their best effort for me, the one track that i didn't get bored with! Lovin' the lyrics : 'Fucking Around, pretending there's a problem, figure it out'!!! Powerful drum hitting, total solide guitar sound, punky vocals by the girl! Too bad that no Lp is recorded by them, but let's hope for the best!

19) Sunset Rubdown - The Taming Of The Hands That Came Back To Life

As usual, Spencer comes up with great song titles! And as usual he beats his fellow lad mr. Boeckner, but not by much this time! Spencer Krug is my hero, i am truly amazed by him, he plays everything, and everything that he plays sounds so well, his writing skills are totally pro, the man has a very well-rounded imagination!
I'm currently giving a go to another of his side project, the band 'Fifths of Seven' where he teams up with some chick from 'The Pink Mountaintops', he plays the piano, so it's a post-rock/instrumental band!
'Random Spirit Lover' is wickeeeed, full of emotions, full of alchemy, magic creatures and passion!
Ahhh, the start has that medieval sound, that is followed on by a beautiful ladies voice, that takes u more away to the imaginary land where brave swordsmen fight fire breathing dragons! Feel the passion, the emotions in Spencer's voice, he is gifted from above! Experimental/ medieval folk insanity! That 'Pararam, pararam, pararam' part is another one of the million key moments. Overall the most interesting song of 2007, well, not in the top 10, but anyway, huge respect to Sunset Rubdown!

18) Dappled Cities Fly - The Eve, The Girl

Aussie indie pop band : Dappled Cities, or Dappled Cities Fly are known by me as a band who released a stable album this year! Each song was a winner, well if not a winner, then a bronze medalist :) Serious, many great songs are featured on their LP. 'The Eve, The Girl' stood out for me, nice crooning vocals with mellow guitar play have created this great song. What cathced my ear, was the indie pop beat, but the lyrics are like : 'Your father was a useless man,and he, would one day have a useless son of his own' now tell me how does that work? The Decemberists have always sung bout bastards, poor and used girls, bums, but here we have this pretty happy melody with a rather unhappy core. So a complex composition by these aussies.

17) The Mary Onettes - Henry

Oh, Mary Onettes, they are so 'in' in my charts! Can't remember loving so many songs on one album! Why is the song 'Henry' better that Sunset Rubdown's effort? Well I'm liking more the 80's revival bands that medieval themes, if i was a Harry Potter fan, maybe Sunset Rubs would have been at No.1 :)
The track 'Henry' amazes me with it's beauty, that 80's feeling never felt so close! They really sound like an 80's band, they have that 'Factory record label' sound! When i think of this song, i think of the 80's , of a black and white scene, think of France and a mime clown :) This is how far my imagination goes! The acoustic guitar sounds so sweet and tender, and the voice is incredible. Makes u feel like the guy is singing only to you, feels like the song is somehow dedicated TO YOU only!!! Makes u wanna be close with your beloved one! And the synths give an extra romantic feel :) So this is probably he best love song of 2007!



16) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin

I don't know why Berlin, but i don't care about the title, but i do care about this fucking amazing track. 'Suicide teasing, what happened to the revolution?'
Hell yes! Although, i like BRMC's alt-country songs, that they made on some of their previous albums, and i love their 'Weight Of The World' song, which is so high strung! But after listening to the new Lp, which was tagged as 'worse than the previous ones' and after hearing these rock n roll tunes i went totally mad. Don't give a care that is album is mainstream, cuz this track right here is really pure rock n roll. Therefore i started to listen to BRMC much more when i heard their rockin' rock tunes.
I was at this disco once, where i begged the DJ to put this track on, he didn't put it on, saying that it is 'dull' , fuck him :) No.11 without doubt, Berlin by BRMC

15) The National - Brainy

Oh i love this band so much, and very bad that i didn't come down to Moscow to attend their gig, i only heard that the tickets... well they were not cheap. Quality products are always expensive. And where the hell can you find such a quality indie folk/pop band like The National? You know, their strenght is in writing deep and meaningful songs, that's what they have showed on their album 'Boxer'. The album is my No.1 in 2007, it's definetely a concept album, a whole story put together,using simple techniques. Acoustic guitars create magic sound when they play, and of course the singer, the singer is a gem, i'd give him an A+ for his songwriting and the way he perfoms the songs is ace.
The band chose to make this Lp much calmer. The 'Alligator' Lp had this 'Mr. November' song, well it was a rockin'one, but the 'Boxer' LP is all about emotion in the ocean. In the song 'Brainy', pay attention that the drums are louder that the guitars, u can hear that on many of songs on the Lp. It's a simple song, but it has a pitiful vibe, it's probably about criplled love. But i like it the way it is,, simple but elegant

14) Band Of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You

9 times out of 10, a band's sophomore album is worser than the first one. In this case i could argue a bit! Band Of Horses have put together a fantastic album, with a couple of unforgetable tracks. The one that i am writing about now leaped quickly into my favourite tracks list. What i really like about this song are the jingling bells at the start. This song is my alarm tune, beautiful sounds float around during the track. Once again i have to say, that the singer's singing is really special. In Band's Of Horses case, the singer's voice is very childish, as if a young alumni is singing like an angel. Very interesting voice indeed :) Also this is one of the best love songs heard by me in 2007. The bells are jingling during the whole track, and simple guitar chords back up the vocals! I have one word to say : charming love song! Guys guys, never let your women down, love them, care about them, always be near when they need you, because no one is going to love them like u do.


13) Blonde Redhead - 23

Dammit, this one kicks tons of ass! Randomly bought their CD, hoping to hear some experimental/psychedelic stuff, but i what i heard on the 2007 lp was far beyond extravagant. I don't know to which genre they stick to, i can only say that they are soooo avantgarde, so sexy, elegant, so hot. Huge props to Blonde Redhead, the album was a very valuable buy for me. The first song, '23', oh my, it's the prize winner, not the best on the LP, yes, but very close! So '23' is like an avant-rock track, or a 'newgaze' one, love the italian-japanese connection. The drumming is perfect, reminds me Midlake's 'Younf Bride', but the drumming is faster here, The 'La la la la la's' are wonderful,the synth is ace the whole atmosphere is so sexy. One of my buddies said that this one is a great track to fuck to :) Anyway, another Blonde Redhead song is comming up.

12) Calla - Defenses Down

Another great song from a truly amazing album. Never really liked Calla that much, but after their 'Strenght In Numbers' i decided that i should think twice! What i like about 'Defenses Down' is it's simplicity, just like The National's 'Brainy', the song is very simple, but it is so real, it gives you the goosebumps. Again, i fall in love with the acoustic guitar, the melody in this case is very well built, that's why 'Brainy' is a bit away here. The singer sings very gently, he is backed up by a smooth, almost whispering back-up vocal. 'Defenses Down' is also a song with something in it, the words 'some of them will tear you apart' point out that you cannot trust nobody today.... sad huh? Well it's the truth, so never leave your defenses down. In the end we find standart Calla guitar lines that close this brilliant song. This is one of those long lasting songs, for almost a year it was stuck in my mind, and will be there for a long time.

11) Enon - Sabina

I may be wrong, but i think that just like Blonde Redhead's lineup, Enon's lineup is the same. Two italian fellas and one japanese woman, all in their mid thirties play some fucking great music. Not like Blonde Redhead, Enon are more spicy, more freaky, more noisy, they rely on their guitars, that's how they create solid rock tracks, no sexy atmospehere is in sight :)
Sabina is by far their best song on the album.'Sabina' is not as noisy as the other tracks, it's a wired up short story, it's a fast pace noise rock track. I like the blast off at 2:17, when we hear 'She fainted in the sound'. It's a bit strange, i always wrote how i adore those fucking bass lines, yes, i do. And we have a quite fine one in 'Sabina', but this time it's the electro guitar that got me jumping, i guess the guitar player just knows hot to hit the right notes.

10) Blonde Redhead - Top Ranking

No thing as a top ranking, but so far so good :) Blonde Redhead once again, give em a round of applause :) The most wikced, extraordinary, avantgarde-ish, the most art-ish song on their album. If i said that to '23' you could have great sex, then 'Top Ranking' associates with art, i guess this song can inspire all those post-modern art freaks to draw an avant painting. The whole song itself is a piece of art, piece of art with that east feeling, with that japanese flavour. The singer has that japanese accent(i feel so), so that adds extra beauty. The song is like a dancing geisha, like a blooming sakura. Yes, there goes my mind, really i feel so obsessed with Japan when i hear this. The xylophone, calm guitar riffs, and again the drums, the drums as ace as in '23', so all of that gives that art feeling. Hooray for Blonde Redhead, a trio of creative artists.
'In Blonde Redhead Veritas' :)

9) The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse

The Twilight Sad, ye old scottish lads :) Damn, just like Blonde Redhead's 'Top Ranking', this song makes me think about Scotland, about Scottish landscapes, the countryside, about whiskey :) This track is a really opener, a great track that consists of three parts. Well, in the beginning we have this wonderful easy melody with a rather hawaian feel to it, with some ticking. The melody really takes u away, gives u wings. The scottish accent is top stuff, really sweet when the singer hits the high notes. At 2:30, blaaast, brutal post-rock music kicks off, and the singer no more whispers lovely words, no he sings seriously. The whole noise around creates a worrying atmosphere, phew, a great change of tactics there. In the end it all calms downs, that's the third part, where we can hear some lovely harmonica playing. All in all,a wonderful track, lots of instruments involved and lots of scottish passion :)

8) Los Campesinos! - Death To Los Campesinos!

Ahhh, Good old, i mean good and young Los Campesinos! Well I don't have much to say about this track here :) it's the best i've heard by them, the ep is 4/5, but is 10 out of 10 :) Probably the catchiest shit i've heard this year :) Los Campesinos! are a bunch of art students who are an indie pop outfit! Grab some 'Life Without Buildings' mix em up with 'Love Is All' and pick some random brit pop band , and you will Los Campesinos music. From 'Life Without Buildings' they have this singing that almost feels like rap, from 'Love Is All' they have this sweet ladies vocal, and from an ordinary brit pop group they have these indie guitar sounds.
I even don't know how to say, why i like this song so much, well it makes my feet move, brings the mood up and many other positives emotions. There are some 6 or 7 people in the band, that why the song is full of different sounds, a very rich boquet of sounds :)

7) Interpol - No I In Threesome

Now this song is wicked, wicked in the way that i still don't know why did i put it in such a high position :) The trick is that sometimes it seems a very simple song indeed, but my love for this song shows when i am in a certain emotional mindstate. I think to myself that there is nothing more lovely than this tune, everytime i leave my hometown and my closest people :) Then this song feels so special, just like wow! Very beautiful, very elegant, like a blooming flower!
There's no 'I' in threesome indeed, but this song is not about groupies and stuff, it's much more 'higher'. Maybe yes, maybe it is simple, no ex-Interpol feeling to it, it doesn't challenge you that much, but fuck that, it's amazingly beautiful! 'Life is wine' - my favourite lyrics from this song!

6) Life Without Buildings - The Leanover

Way too late i discovered this scottish outfit, way too early they decided to split :) A Boo Hoo for that, but tons of apllause for their LIVE AT THE ANNADALE HOTEL LP :)
This song is so different from all of their tunes, and different from everything i have heard in some time :) As usual i fell in love with that scottish accent, and then i fell in love with the indie pop music with a post-punk twist! Life Without Buildings are a blend of bands such 'Kiss Me Deadly', and 'Love Is All'. I Love the way Sue Tompkins sings here, the singing manner reminds me of Art Brut's Eddie Argos and Kasabian's lead singer who tried to act as a rap star in 'Processed Beats' :)
This song is a deluxe edition gem, form 0:15 till 1:30 We hear a kind of light rapcore music :) Sue doesn't just sing, she just chaoticly picks out words from her head :) Man she's so wicked! This song is mu favourite revolutionary track of the year!

5) The Acorn - Heilrooms

Ahhh, canadian mountaintops, pure rivers, green forests, foggy and chilly nights, oh Canada... I really want to visit Canada, i want to see it's beauty with my own two eyes. This song 'Heilrooms' makes me think of Canada, interesting huh? And this track here is by far, by really really far the best effort by them. Was dissapointed by their LP, meanwhile the EP is a piece of gold! Not only this song sounds of canadian beauty to me, but also of families, children, heritage and so on. Therefore these words here 'The family jewels u've put under the knife' are sooo real, and these words here 'Sometimes treasures found are treasures best left hidden' are very emotional, this song overall is very sad, very sad but real at the moment. No wonder why folk music is called 'alive' , folk musicians sing about what they see, therefore their music is alive, it isn't made out of nothing!
I really wonder why this song isn't at least in top 5 listened overall tracks by The Acorn? Doesn't anyone give a fuck goddamit? Open your eyes and wash your ears with soap :) Heilrooms, Heritage, pride, honour, respect, relatives, love, peace, life, retirement, grandchildren, funeral, silence :(
This song has so much great words, it's amazing how the writer came up with this one! I love the 5:30 part, where some loud singing comes into action, but the song as a whole is pure talant, a simple acoustic guitar plays for 5 minutes, but it is so wonderful, i can't find even words in my native language to describe what i feel when i hear this song.
Also this song reminds of the movie called 'I'm Not Here' about 60's folk music, there will be a day when we all will be not here. So my message to all of you is : family - is the real life's treasure! Everybody grab some flowers and visit the grave of your beloved relatives who by some reason didn't make till today :((( Peace and Love To All of You

4) The Mary Onettes - Still

Looking at the description on Acorn's Heilrooms, everybody must think how come i didn't put em at No.1? I don't know folks, i am an egoist at sometimes and i don't pay enough attention to my relatives and i quite rarely visit the grave of my brother :(
Ok let's move on, the bad times have to be left behind!
Acorn's Heilrooms show the power of life and death, while this song shows us all the power of love! Never ever thought this one would make it so high! The excellent 80's revival track of 2007 for me, of course! 'Still' is so excellent, so well rounded, and so easy listening, a pity that it is a bit short. Wonderful singing skills by the vocalist, so this stands out for me due to the quality singing, + the meaningful lyrics and + the chorus background melody, it's so warm and so gentle! I like sunny songs a bit better then the desperate ones, that's why Mary Onettes's track 'Still' is still one of the best songs i have ever heard! I Still love it, and i still love my girl, and i still believe that everything will be alright! The best part is the 2:15.... whoooo, it's like a rollercoaster ride, as the singer hits the high notes, and he does with magic elegance!!! A truly 'one to hear' track

3) Love Of Diagrams - The Pyramid

Oh oh oh oh no..... :) goddamit, post-punk has become my favourite music subgenre in 2007! god knows why, but i fucking love it. Swedish post-punk is a great choice, but aussie post-punk music by Love Of Diagrams is a real killer, it's proper late 70 - early 80's underground post-punk music! They sound like the late 70's :) fuck, thanks heaps tp this band. As you know they made a cover of PYLON's 'Cool' track! So here we have, they have been influenced by these kind of 'dirty' post-punk outfits!
Raw bass guitar soundbites, juicy electro guitar sounds :) oh my fucking god, this song is post-punk heaven in all of it's meanings :) The 1:57 - 2:05 part , check it for some guitar madness!
I also adore the beggining, and the singins which is followed by the bass, so that means, plenty of bass solos here, which is a plus!
The lyrics don't amaze me, what amazes me, is the style of singing and the whole rockin' drive! The Pyramid, The Pyramid, oh oh oh oh no :) This song fucking rocks, it's double good!

2) Model Reign - Never Show Your Weak Sides

Coming out strong at #2 is a local post-punk outfit hailing from Russias north capital - the one and only Saint Petersburg, hell yeah. Saint Pete's undeground music scene isn't very huge and developed, but some artists have got something to say. Model Reign - one of the few Saint Pete's outfit, who are known to play some true post-punk music. It was so funny when my friend from my group at uni, who is an aspiring drummer, said that Model Reign's drummer is his friend :) so you see how small is the world! And me and my drummer pal will visit their upcoming gig tommorrow(today is the 18th of february 2007) , damn i am totally stoked, can't wait to see them play this awesome track.
As usual, russian bands don't usually sing wicked and sophisticated songs is english, no huge meaning in the words, but they really show some amazing guitar play. Poor quality of the recording, this band hasn't got an EP, but we all hope they will record it.
Model Reign, ahhhh,, excellent stuff. The beginning is ace, the bass , the electro really do some quality team work! 'Better better better, you're doing it so much better' :) these simple lyrics will be shouted by a dozen of indie kids tommorow at the gig!!!
Guys i really need your opinion on this track, cuz i think it is a 10 pointer!
Also i have an evil plan of somehow persuading them to play a gig in Latvia!!! Wish me luck, right now it's just a dream!

1) Performance - Surrender

My #1 since february! I wrote 'Performance', not '(We Are) Performance' because their old version of the song has got more drive, it get's me all psyched up a bit more!
Enough said i think,,, i hope you all enjoyed reading this article!!!!

The AcornEverything Is Made in ChinaModel ReignThe VertigoGod Is an AstronautElectrelaneBon IverOliver KoletzkiWe Are WolvesThe Twilight SadCalvin HarrisMooncakeBlack KidsYou Say Party! We Say Die!The Mary OnettesFeistJusticeThe PonysThe FieldThe FieldGermansThe Exploding BoyI Heart HiroshimaThe Dolly Rocker MovementBeirutOkkervil RiverThe WhiskersMaritimeThe ChromaticsCut CityPoomaPassionsLetters LettersJens LekmanBlack LipsDeerhunterThe Handsome FursThe TuttsPull Tiger TailInterpolLand of TalkSunset RubdownDappled Cities FlyBlack Rebel Motorcycle ClubThe NationalBand of HorsesBlonde RedheadCallaEnonLos Campesinos!Life Without BuildingsThe AcornLove of DiagramsPerformance

Esto es para que se compartan aqui discos que nos gustan o lo que os apetezca, ya que aqui los señores de las discograficas no meten sus narices



Track list CD 1

1. Mono Taxi
“The Sound Of You”
2. Blonde Redhead
“23″
3. Editors
“Smokers outside the hospital doors”
4. Cut City
“Damaged”
5. Mother & The Addicts
“So tough”
6. The Whitest Boy Alive “Burning”
7. Stuck in the Sound “It’s (Friday)”
8. Best Fewnds “Aaww-some”
9. Pop Levi “Sugar assault me now”
10. THE ETTES “Dead and gone”
11. Triangulo De Amor Bizarro
“El crimen: Como ocurre y como remediarlo”
12. LOS Campesinos “You, me, dancing!”
13. Cajun Dance Party “The next untouchable”
14. The Maccabees “About your dress”
15. Jack Penate “Turn on the platform”
16. The Shins “Australia”
17. MAXÏMO PARK “Girls who play guitars”
18. To My Boy “Tell me computer”
19. Shy Child “Summer (radio edit)”
20. The Mary Onettes “Void”
21. CatPeople “Mexican life (Amable & Tony Verdi remix)”
22. The Teenagers “Starlett Johansson”
23. Pela “Lost to the lonesome”

Track list CD 2

1. Cold War Kids “Hang me up to dry”
2. of Montreal “Gronlandic edit”
3. New Young Pony Club “Ice cream”
4. Fryars “Chocolate”
5. Simian Mobile Disco “Hustler”
6. Dead Soul Brothers “Come on now”
7. The Glass “Come alive”
8. Kissogram “Manager in love”
9. CLINIC “If you could read your mind”
10. Big arm “Flashbacks”
11. The Whip “Trash”
12. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club “Berlin”
13. Goose “British mode”
14. The Steers “Rewind repeat”
15. The Cinematics “Break”
16. The Go Team“Doing it right”
17. Reverend & The Makers “Heavyweight champion of the world”
18. Datarock“Fa fa fa”
19. PROJECT JENNY PROJECT JAN “320″
20. Plastic Operator“Folder”
21. Shout Out Louds “Tonight I have to leave it”
22. X-Wife “Ping Pong”

Noticia completa + descarga

If anyone says, "tl;dr" i'll kill them. Seriously.

Moving on... Possibly one of the most epic things (lists) I've ever done, this is a countdown of all the albums that have come out this year (that I've listened to). Now, I didn't consciously rank these albums in the order I felt they should be. I did something a little different this year. I ranked them by the average number of stars (out of five) that I gave to each song. For example:

Track 1 - 4/5
Track 2 - 5/5
Track 3 - 3/5
Track 4 - 5/5

Album Rating = 4.25

That's how it is. To be honest, I would in fact rank some of these differently, but I'm going by this. For now, at least. Maybe, MAYBE.... at some point in the future, I'll do a true "Director's Cut: Best of 2007" top 10 list, but I probably won't, so this is it. Let's get this thing rollin'.

*If it does a weird thing where it shows text instead of a picture, that's not me typing the code in wrong, it's last.fm sucking at life.



53. Cut City - Exit Decades

3/5



I honestly could not tell when one track ended and a new one began. They all sound exactly the same. And they all sound like Interpol, which is a 2 thousand times better band. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good, either. I was expecting greatness, and I got mediocrity. Don’t bother listening to this album. Or if you do, just listen to one song. Just do eenie meenie miney moe to pick which one you’ll listen to, because I would have no way of telling you which song is the best. The album is basically one long song with a whole bunch of segments (or movements, if you will), but not the good kind that really changes things up (like Neal Morse). No, sadly, this is one 30 minute song that doesn’t change from it’s original form.



52. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City

3.182/5



If I was in a car and this CD came on, I wouldn’t say, “Dear God! Turn that crap off!” but I might say, “Is there really nothing better to listen to? Come on, you’ve gotta have at least 20 other better CDs in here right now.” A truly disappointing album. Even more disappointing than Neon Bible by Arcade Fire. This album isn’t utter garbage, but it’s not anywhere near a masterpiece. It’s just barely so-so. I defy you to listen to it once and sing/hum back to me any part of any song. Hell, I defy you to listen to it twice and sing/hum back to me any part of any song. I might even go double or nothing on a third time. I can’t even remember what the last song sounded like as I type this.



51. Menomena - Friend and Foe

3.25/5



I really didn’t like this album. And I don’t mean that I disliked it. I just didn’t like it. Didn’t tickle my fancy. As I’ve said before on this list, if it’s on in someone’s car, I’ll listen to and tap my foot, but otherwise, I’ll just delete it from my library.



50. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

3.454/5



A very disappointing album. I really wouldn’t care if I never heard most of these songs again. I really loved ‘Keep the Car Running,’ but other than that, I found it mostly to be just so-so or worse.



49. Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High

3.571/5



I hate having this in my library because I get it confused with Fall of Troy, which has a similar name. And Fall Out Boy is nowhere NEAR as good as Fall of Troy. Anyway, on with the review. There are a few really good songs on this album, but only a few. Other than the few good ones, this is typical Fall Out Boy and just mediocre at best. With lame song names like, ‘Thnks Fr Th Mmrs’ and ridiculously long song titles (which seems to be a popular trend these days) this album is just doesn’t tickle my fancy. Don’t even bother giving it a listen. It’s not worth your time.



48. Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion

3.583/5



Let me take you through my thought process while listening to this album… Yes! Sweet! Awesome! Ugh… Meh. Whhhhaat? Awesome. WTF? Meh. :/ Meh. Eh. *yawn* Huh? Nice. Seriously, it started out so good, but it just got bad. You know, it’s perfectly fine to chew a little bubble gum every now and again. However, shoving an entire 6-foot roll of Bubble Tape in your mouth at once, and not being able to close your jaw is not a good thing. In case you didn’t get the analogy, I’m talking about bubble gum pop (the genre). Anyway, loved the first three songs, REALLY disliked the fourth, and couldn’t care one way or the other for the rest.



47. The Good, The Bad, And The Queen - The Good, The Bad, And The Queen

3.667/5



While listening to the first song, I was really looking forward to the rest of the album, but sadly enough, the first song is the best, and most of the other songs aren’t that great. The only reason I even DLed this album (and many from my 2007 list) was because I thought the name was kinda cool. Sadly, their music didn’t live up to my expectations. However, this is their debut album as far as I know, so they have much room to grow. Best of luck to them. Heck, the first Smashing Pumpkins album wasn’t very good, and look how awesome they got.



46. Motion City Soundtrack - Even If It Kills Me

3.692/5



This album isn’t really that great. You know, come to think of it, I wasn’t really thrilled with the second half of Commit This to Memory either. But, yeah, I didn’t love a single one of these tracks. I didn’t dislike any, but there were a few that I don’t really care if I hear again. All the songs on here are way too similar. :( … That’s me disappointed with this album.



45. Spoon - Get Nice! (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Bonus Disc)

3.75/5



A very scattered album. I really liked some of the tracks, but some of them were just not very good. Honestly, it’s an almost completely worthless bonus disc. They might as well have saved the good songs for the next album or something. The good thing about it, is that it’s only twenty two minutes long. Not many of the songs even reach two minutes.



44. The Nightwatchman - One Man Revolution

3.769/5



This is the solo project of Tom Morrello (guitarist of Rage Against the Machine). Some of you might expect it to be thrashing guitars and crazy solos and other whatnot, right? Well, guess again, because it’s folk music. It sounds similar to Bob Dylan with a hint of Johnny Cash, only not nearly as good as either, but who CAN be? I don’t really agree with Mr. Morrello’s ultra-super left wing politics, but this is a decent album regardless. I enjoyed some of the songs. I realize these songs are probably meant to be more about the words than the music, which is probably why I didn’t love it, but it’s still decent folk. If you enjoy folk, check it out.



43. Pain of Salvation - Scarsick

3.8/5



On this album, there are some really good tracks, but overall I didn’t really care for it. I don’t really know what to say, I’ll just keep this comment short for the sake of the length of the list.



42. Interpol - Our Love To Admire

3.818/5



Overall, a very disappointing album. I have been waiting for this since Antics (which was in-freakin-credible) and it just didn’t deliver the greatness I was hoping for. That’s really all I can say about it. None of the songs are special, and it’s just not that good. It’s not bad, but if somebody said I could never listen to it ever again, I would be perfectly fine with that.



41. Dntel - Dumb Luck

4.111/5



A disappointing album. I’ve waited for this since I first heard Life is Full of Possibilities, which was amazing. This album was good, but not anywhere near as good or brilliant as the first, or James Tamborello’s side project, The Postal Service. Speaking of The Postal Service, they have a new album coming out soon as well, hopefully it’s as awesome as (or at least close to as awesome as) Give Up. But anyway, Dumb Luck is good, but nothing really stood out to me, and made me think, “Hey! This is incredible! I must listen to this more.”



40. Beastie Boys - The Mix-Up

4.167/5



This is a great instrumental album, full of groovy beats that would be a great background for a board game night or something. In all seriousness, though, the songs are all really neat. Most of them kind of feel reminiscent of each other, but they’re good nonetheless. Definitely worth a listen.



39. The Killers - Sawdust

4.167/5



A fun little collection of b-sides, covers, and remixes. My favorites on the album are probably ‘Shadowplay,’ ‘Sweet Talk,’ ‘Move Away,’ and ‘Sam’s Town (Abbey Road Version).’ I much more preferred the version of ‘Who Let You Go?’ that was on the Mr. Brightside EP. For some reason, the version on here just kinda sucks in comparison. I think there are more great songs on here than there were on Sam’s Town. Also, who needs an ten minute version of ‘Mr. Brightside?’ I thought the original version was just fine, but I really don’t need ten minutes of it. It’s kinda cool, though.



38. Cephalic Carnage/artist] - Xenosapien

4.167/5

[img=http://shop.relapse.com/dbimages/sleeves/6736_216.jpg][/img]

A wonderful metal album that will fulfill all your death metal needs. I haven’t looked up the lyrics to all the songs yet, but even so, this is a great release just judging from the music. Now, I don’t really like the screamy type of metal vocals as much as I like the melodic, and even the growly type of metal vocals, but I still enjoy the screamy kind. Personally, I prefer Viking or Melodic Metal over Death Metal, but Death Metal is still awesome just because of its absurd song topics.



37. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light

4.182/5

[img=http://www.songs-lyrics.net/covers/jimmy-eat-world---chase-this-light.jpg][/img]

Overall, a disappointing album. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good, but not nearly as good as Bleed American or even Futures. I suppose it’s not good to compare every new release from a band to their best release, but I just can’t help it sometimes. But anyway, it’s good, but nothing really stood out to me as great.



36. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

4.25/5

[img=http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5096/abird0yo.jpg][/img]

Some great metaphors and imagery on this album. If you’re into a more folky style of music, definitely check this out, as it will cater to your needs very well. There’s a great instrumental piece called ‘The Supine.’ There is also another instrumental piece at the end called ‘Yawny at the Apocalypse’ which I found decent, but pretty mediocre. Overall, though, a very good album.



35. Swallow the Sun - Hope

4.333/5

[img=http://mp3db.ru/media/200607/th_Swallow_The_Sun-Hope.jpg][/img]

A great metal album. I love when bands mix orchestras and heavy guitar well, and these guys pull it off. I’d say the first three tracks are best, and the rest are really good, but I didn’t think they were amazing or anything. That’s all I gotta say.



34. Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre

4.333/5

[img=http://cdn.last.fm/coverart/300x300/3438059-301404309.jpg][/img]

A very good album, but not quite as solid as ...Is a Real Boy. I love the mixture of different genres on this album. It gives you a good tossing around. You’ll be listening to a nice little acoustic number, and the next track will be screaming at you. It’s really quite an extraordinary little piece. Say Anything’s unique style is really refreshing in today’s copycat world, and this album utilizes every ounce of that uniqueness. Like I before, though, it’s not as tight, or as completely enjoyably satisfying as …Is a Real Boy.



33. Mandy Moore - Wild Hope

4.417/5

[img=http://www.sweetslyrics.com/poze/mandy%20more.jpg][/img]

Great album. This happens to be the only entire album of Mandy Moore’s that I’ve ever listened to, but even so, it feels like her music is maturing, and this is much better than those times long ago of songs like ‘Crush.’ There are definitely some weak songs on here, but overall, there are some really great tracks. The title track, ‘Extraordinary,’ and ‘Gardenia’ jump into my mind as the best on the album. And I also love ‘Slummin in Paradise’ because it reminds me of a 90s sitcom.



32. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

4.417/5

[img=http://www.thewebpen.net/music/montreal.jpg][/img]

This is my first exposure to Of Montreal, and I must say, I really like them. I didn’t think this album was amazing, and it didn’t change my life, but I really enjoyed most of it. Some weak songs here and there, but otherwise, it’s pretty darn good.



31. Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

4.417/5

[img=http://media.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/stoneage.jpg][/img]

Great album, but I don’t think anything QotSA do will ever be as good as Songs for the Deaf. However, this is an awesome album. And TWO of the songs made it onto the video game Rock Band. My favorites on this are: ‘Sick, Sick, Sick,’ ‘Make It Wit Chu,’ ‘3’s & 7’s,’ ‘Suture Up Your Future,’ and ‘Running Joke.’ Those are some great tracks with some killer riffs. This album overall has a lot of great riffs.



30. Radiohead - In Rainbows

4.4/5

[img=http://isaacdowning.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/radiohead-in-rainbows.jpg][/img]

Pretty good. I’ve always liked Radiohead. I haven’t heard any other full albums except Amnesiac, but this was a good album. I mean, it’s typical Radiohead and they didn’t do anything too different from anything else they’ve done, but it’s enjoyable.



29. The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Mongrel

4.4/5

[img=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/images/albums/19040.jpg][/img]

I haven’t listened to #12LLY (just shortening the name for time’s sake) very much, but I remember hearing their other albums and really liking them. As for THIS album, well, I think it’s pretty swell. I really enjoyed most of the tracks, and it seems pretty well-rounded.



28. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

4.4/5

[img=http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/uploadedImages/Wolfgangs_Vault/Crawdaddy!/Copy/Reviews/Issue_19/Spoon-large.jpg][/img]

I love Spoon. A lot. I prefer Gimme Fiction over this album, but this is still extremely good. It’s not too different from anything else they’ve done. By that, I mean they’re style hasn’t changed, and they pretty much sound the same as they always have, but that’s not always necessarily a bad thing. My biggest complaint with this album is the title. I mean… seriously… I feel like an idiot telling people, “Have you heard the new Spoon album? Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.” “What was that last part?” “Nothing. Forget it. Let’s move on.” But anyway, great album. I highly recommend it to people who like acoustic-ish rock and singers that don’t have the best voice but it works great somehow. The bonus CD for this album is reviewed somewhere else on this list.



27. Vanessa Carlton - Heroes And Thieves

4.454/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/777656.jpg][/img]

I didn’t enjoy this as thoroughly as Be Not Nobody, but it’s good. ‘Home’ is all around in incredible masterpiece. The piano solo in the end is crazy awesome, and just everything about it is indescribably great. The piano in ‘Come Undone’ is amazing, but the chorus is kinda lame, so that kinda took the song down a few notches for me. But, yeah, this album is filled with all of the great things you’ve come to expect from Vanessa Carlton. So, yeah, it’s not a completely satisfying as Be Not Nobody, but it’s a still a pretty good release.



26. Sherwood - A Different Light

4.461/5

[img=http://blackmailtheuniverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/800511.jpg][/img]

This band and this album may seem pretty generic. It kind of is, but it’s one of the best of it’s style. There are a few really great tracks, and the rest are really enjoyable as well. It’s just your typical pop rock, but it’s good.



25. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

4.461/5

[img=http://cdn.last.fm/coverart/300x300/3267224-66218811.jpg][/img]

Great album. Also, I’ve actually been to Cassadaga, so it’s that much better. Again, Bright Eyes opens an album with a weird intro. This one’s way too creepy, and I don’t really care for it. The song part afterwards, though, is spectacular. Some highlights from the album are Four Winds, If The Brakeman Turns My Way, Make a Plan to Love Me, Soul Singer in a Session Band, and Middleman. I love Middleman because the fiddle reminds me a lot of the TV show Firely (which is amazing) and the movie Back to the Future Part 3 (which is amazing).



24. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

4.5/5

[img=http://dynimg.rte.ie/0000dbac10dr.jpg][/img]

A great accomplishment from Arctic Monkeys. There are definitely some exceptional tracks on this album, for sure. I really like the album as a whole, but about half of it kinda melds together and falls short of some of the better tracks. The first three are my favorites for sure.



23. Explosions in the Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone

4.5/5

[img=http://www.shakingthrough.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/eits_all_of_a_sudden.jpg][/img]

This is some great instrumental music. Not a mind-blowing album by any means, but definitely some great music. Don’t really know what else to say about it.



22. Moonsorrow - V: Havitetty

4.5/5

[img=http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/les%20goupes/M/Moonsorrow/V%20Havitetty/V%20Havitetty.jpg][/img]

This album only has two songs (about 30 minutes a piece), so the only other spot it could've been in is first. Unfortunately, the second song wasn't NEARLY as great as the first. The first song blew my mind. So epic, so full of emotion and so full of awesome metal guitar.



21. Between the Buried and Me - Colors

4.5/5

[img=http://blacktopguerillas.com/home/uploaded_images/VR351-764030.jpg][/img]

Great album. Some of the guitar parts are insane and/or crazy. My only complaint with this album is that the songs over 10 minutes (as entirely cool as they are) seem to drag a bit. I found myself, saying “Man, is this song STILL playing? When is going to be over? Ooo, nice guitar lick. Sweeet. Wait, is this STILL the same song?” Seriously, though, it’s a really awesome album.



20. The Dear Hunter - Act II: The Meaning of & All Things Regarding Ms. Leading

4.533/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/798466.jpg][/img]

A great album with some wonderful vocals and musical arrangements. This is the only album I’ve heard by the band, so I’ll have to check out their previous albums, but thanks to Spens for telling me to check this out. The piano is fantastic, and it’s just all around awesome. It’s not perfect, but what is?



19. Therion - Gothic Kabbalah

4.533/5

[img=http://www.hazzimanaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gothic_kaballah.jpg][/img]

I absolutely love the operatic vocals on this album. I prefer metal with incredible, thrashing guitar and operatic vocals. The female vocalist on this album is incredible. Her voice is beautiful. And the male vocalist is a great compliment. He also has a great voice. This almost feels like what might happen if Josh Groban started a metal band. Fantastic album.



18. Anberlin - Cities

4.533/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/725926.jpg][/img]

Opens with a bang. The first 4 songs (excluding ‘Debut’, because it’s really not a song) are brilliant. I can’t bring myself to listen after them, because I just want to hear those first 4 over and over again. However, I still love all the other songs on the album. ‘The Unwinding Cable Car’ is such a beautiful song, and most definitely my favorite on the album. It ends with a great rendition of ‘The Promise’ by When In Rome.



17. Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow

4.538/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/785692.jpg][/img]

Definitely a great album. I don’t know if it’s as good as Volume One, but it’s close. Very close. No doubt better than their early work. If you liked Volume One, you’ll like Volume Two. And if you haven’t heard Volume One, listen to it, then check this one out. It’s great.



16. Dethklok - The Dethalbum

4.562/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/923732.jpg][/img]

Incredible. Not as amazingly epic as I hoped it would be, but it still rocks. The subject matter is absolutely absurd, and so satirical of death metal that it’s hilarious. Seriously, read the lyrics as you listen to the album, because they’re so ridiculous. Plus, it reminds me of the show, which is just as hilariously satirical of death metal. My favorite songs from this album are: ‘Awaken,’ ‘Bloodtrocuted,’ ‘Go Forth and Die,’ ‘Thunderhorse,’ ‘Briefcase Full of Guts,’ ‘Hatredcopter,’ and ‘Face Fisted.’



15. Dashboard Confessional - The Shade Of Poison Trees

4.583/5

[img=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/lilmisspriss888/Pink%20Rock%20Candy/entertainment/The_Shade_of_Poison_Trees.png][/img]

I’m very impressed with this album. I love that they’re (he’s) back to their (his) acoustic roots. This album’s definitely better than Dusk and Summer, but I don’t quite think it’s as good as A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (or, obviously, their first two albums as well). I just feel that the caliber of songs on aMaMaBaS was much better than that of tSoPT. Also, when ‘Keep Watch for the Mines’ started, I thought it was the THIRD reincarnation of ‘Screaming Infidelities’ on a studio album. You’ll know what I mean if you listen to it. I still love this album, though. I didn’t even know it existed until I walked into Walmart the other day. Nice surprise.



14. Rivers Cuomo - Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo

4.611/5

[img=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511wqL7MW7L._AA240_.jpg][/img]

A great collection of demos from the man himself. I’m so glad ‘Blast Off,’ ‘Longtime Sunshine,’ ‘Chess,’ and ‘Lover in the Snow’ made it onto this album. I’m also glad he included a few tracks from Songs From the Black Hole. I really like the song ‘Superfriend,’ but I love the reprise a lot better. The reprise is a lot slower and just instrumental. You can hear it in the one scene from the Weezer DVD. In case you don’t know what Songs From the Black Hole is, it was a rock musical that Weezer was gonna release after the Blue album. It followed the story of a group of people sent into space on a mission. Something happened where they didn’t end up releasing it, and instead released Pinkerton. In fact, the first two tracks on Pinkerton are slightly reworked versions of 2 songs on Songs From the Black Hole. But anyway, Alone is a great album. I’m glad there’s only a few tracks that I heard previously. There’s a neat R&B number that is unlike anything Weezer has ever done. It’s somewhat like Beverly Hills, but more Rappy. It’s good, though. Overall, really awesome.



13. Deadlock - Wolves

4.636/5

[img=http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2785/dedkb6.png][/img]

Some great metal right here. I love the female vocals on ‘Code of Honor.’ There is some fantastic guitar work on this album, and overall, it’s just lovely. Kudos to Matt for shining me on to this. It’s truly fantastic.



12. Relient K - Five Score And Seven Years Ago

4.643/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/711093.jpg][/img]

A very surprisingly good release from Relient K. I could tell they were maturing a lot from their previous album, but Five Score is SO many leaps away from ‘Sadie Hawkins Dance, in my kaki pants…’ and it’s really good. Their music is progressing to a more metalish feel. I mean, they aren’t a metal band by any stretch of the imagination, but they could probably pull of hardcore or some modification of that genre. Some of the riffs/licks are really cool, and the lyrics are maturing a lot. The only song where the lyrics are iffy when compared to the rest of the album is ‘Must Have Done Something Right.’ I mean, it’s a neat song, and I like it, but the caliber of the lyrics isn’t up to par with the rest of the album. Nuff said.



11. The New Pornographers - Challengers

4.667/5

[img=http://www.punknews.org/images/covers/the_new_pornographers-challengers.jpg][/img]

Loved this album. It’s definitely a step forward for the band. It’s different from their previous stuff, but you can still hear traces of the older stuff, and it still feels like them. There are a few tracks weaker than the rest, but most of the songs are really solid. ‘My Rights Versus Yours,’ ‘All the Old Showstoppers,’ ‘Challengers,’ and ‘Adventures in Solitude’ are my favorites on this album.



10. Buckethead - Pepper's Ghost

4.692/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/790000.jpg][/img]

There are some awesome arrangements on this album. If you have a hunger for crunchy, electric guitar shredding, this album will leave you saying, “Stop! No more! I’m too full!” Of course, some tracks fall short of the greatness that preceded or followed after them, but that’s almost inevitable. I just absolutely love some of these tracks more than words can describe. Some of the shredding is so astounding that you can do nothing but cringe in excitement and grunt things that vaguely sound like, “That’s so awesome!” This is definitely some good candy for the ears.



9. Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This

4.7/5

[img=http://www.ondarock.it/images/cover/820563.jpg][/img]

Oh boy, what a great album. So fun, and very diverse. ‘Heart It Races’ really stuck with me. It’s an awesome song that utilizes a very unique style. Entire album is amazing.



8. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

4.714/5

[img=http://www.popboks.com/img/albumi/mmouse.jpg][/img]

I loved this album a lot. I didn't like it as much as Moon and Antarctica (my fav) and I don't know if I like it better than Good News, but it is REALLY good.



7. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

4.727/5

[img=http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2007/01/wincing-night-away-shins.jpg][/img]

Great album, I thought it was nearly on par with the rest of their work. ‘Australia,’ ‘Red Rabbits,’ ‘Turn On Me,’ and ‘Sleeping Lessons’ are probably my favorites. I don’t really know what else to say about it. I think being up at 3.40am is affecting my brain function.



6. Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura

4.75/5

[img=http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61V2LrMib9L._AA240_.jpg][/img]

This is some good prog rock. ‘The Conflict’ is one amazing piece of music. It’s different movements are all so different, and yet there all so incredible. And the guitar work throughout is really something to behold. And the backing piano is great as well. If you like prog rock and/or you’re Christian, you’ll probably like this album.



5. The Fall of Troy - Manipulator

4.75/5

[img=http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/gas/images/5/falloftroy.jpg][/img]

This is a really good album, but not nearly as good as Doppleganger. ‘Caught Up’ is probably my favorite track, despite the fact that it’s not their usual metal-ish style. I really like the beginning of ‘Ex-Creations’ and think it gets less good after the first 25 seconds or so. I was so hoping that the song was going to sound like the beginning the whole way through, but alas, it gets a little awkward with the verse, and then moves into some mad crazy shredding. But the beginning alone is reason enough to give the song 5/5 stars. It’s just so awesome. So yeah, overall, pretty good album.



4. Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. I & II

4.75/5

[img=http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/979404.jpg][/img]

A great album that is very different from the Thrice I have heard in the past. It’s more chill. I love it, though. ‘The Whaler’ in particular is a brilliant song with some great harmony at the end. When you hear nothing but five or six voices just melding together, you can’t help but get emotional. Great album. The whole thing is really just brilliant.



3. Feist - The Reminder

4.846/5

[img=http://www.popboks.com/img/albumi/feistt.jpg][/img]

Amazing album. Many different styles within it to suit what your mood is. The first three songs, as well as the later song ‘One, Two, Three, Four’ are my favorites, but they’re all gold. Her voice will pierce your soul, and send you into an introspective trance. The lyrics all around are beautiful, and it’s just some brilliant poetry. Go buy this album.



2. Mae - Singularity

4.846/5

[img=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jNREc3RRL._AA240_.jpg][/img]

A great release. It’s definitely nowhere near the perfection that was The Everglow, but it’s such a great album that I can’t complain that it wasn’t as good. At first, I didn’t really care for this album, but after repeated listens, I found myself loving it. The first four tracks are dynamite, there are a few weak tracks, but overall it’s just stellar. Also, the last two tracks and the hidden track are really amazing as well.



1! Ensiferum - Victory Songs

4.889/5

[img=http://metalvn.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/ensiferum.jpg][/img]

I absolutely love Viking Metal. And this is the best of it. The fact that they mix medieval flutes into their music, alongside trashing guitars, is awesome. This album actually feels like the middle ages, even though it has electric guitars and other modern instruments. One thing I love about this album is when they break the growling vocals for a second and everybody in the band sings a few lines from the chorus. It’s just a very epic album. Go here [url=http://www.ensiferum.com/e_html/e_downloads.htm nofollow=yes]http://www.ensiferum.com/e_html/e_downloads.htm[/url] and download ‘Blood Is the Price of Glory’ and ‘Ahti.’ Then, if you enjoy those even slightly, buy the CD (or *cough* download it) and listen to ‘Deathbringer From the Sky’ because that is one of my favorite songs of all time. Even the name of the song is incredible. But, seriously, this is just one absolute masterpiece. One hundred times better than any of their previous albums.



So there's my list.

I was going to write a lengthy review of my favourite albums of 2007, but then I realized I'd have to choose from roughly 200 albums. And I mean, that's doable; I can certainly choose 20-odd favourites from a list. The problem is that I'll have to really stop and think about which albums to review. That takes time and a little concentration.. both of which are in short supply. So I guess what I'm saying is that the review thing isn't happening tonight. Instead, all I really came up with is the following list which required absolutely no thought on my part.

And you know, at first, I thought I had a problem; a music addiction or some sort of compulsive album buying disorder. But then I did the math and discovered that's only about three albums a week, which isn't that bad.

EDIT: I lied. It's pretty bad. I forgot to factor in albums bought in 2007, but released years prior. We're talking 600+ albums taken-in last year. Which is pretty excessive.


The Acorn: Glory Hope Mountain // Air: Pocket Symphony // Airiel: The Battle of Sealand // Alaska In Winter: Dance Party in the Balkans // Aloha: Light Works EP // Amandine: Solace in Soar Hands // The American Dollar: the.technicolor.sleep // Amiina: Kurr // Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha // Aqueduct: Or Give Me Death // The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible // Architecture In Helsinki: Places Like This // Art Brut: It's A Bit Complicated // Athlete: Beyond the Neighbourhood // Au Revoir Simone: The Bird of Music // The Autumns: Fake Noise From A Box of Toys // Band of Horses: Cease To Begin // Battles: Mirrored // Bear Colony: We Came Here To Die // Beirut: Elephant Gun EP // Beirut: The Flying Club Cup // Beirut: Pompeii EP // The Besnard Lakes: The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse // Bishop Allen: The Broken String // Björk: Volta // Black Kids: Wizard of Ahhhs // Bloc Party: A Weekend In The City // Blonde Redhead: 23 // Bluebottle Kiss: Slight Return + Out Seeds // Bodies of Water: Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink // Boy In Static: Violet // The Bravery: The Sun and The Moon // Brightboy: In The Shadows Of Trance Formers // British Sea Power: Krankenhaus? EP // The Broken West: I Can't Go On, I'll Go On // Build An Ark: Dawn // Burial: Untrue // Calla: Strength In Numbers // Canon Blue: Colonies // Cary Brothers: Who You Are // CatPeople: Reel # 1 // Charalambides: Likeness // Charlotte Gainsbourg: 5:55 // The Chemical Brothers: B-Sides Vol. 1 // The Chemical Brothers: We Are The Night // Cherry Ghost: Mathematics // Cherry Ghost: Thirst For Romance // Chikinki: Brace, Brace // The Cinematics: A Strange Education // Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Some Loud Thunder // The Clientele: God Save The Clientele // Cloud Cult: The Meaning of 8 // Coconut Records: Nighttiming // Cut City: Exit Decades // Death by Kite: Death By Kite // Deceptikon: Greater Cascadia // Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity // Deerhunter: Cryptograms // The Depreciation Guild: In Her Gentle Jaws // Devastations: Yes, U // The Dolly Rocker Movement: A Purple Journey Into The Mod Machine // Dungen: Tio Bitar // The Earlies: The Enemy Chorus // Editors: An End Has A Start // Efterklang: Under Giant Trees EP // Eluvium: Copia // The Exploding Boy: The Exploding Boy // Familjen: Det Snurrar I Min Skalle // Feist: The Reminder // Field Music: Tones Of Town // Fields: Everything Last Winter // Figurines: When The Deer Wore Blue // Film School: Hideout // The Filthy Youth: (Demo) // The Floor Is Made Of Lava: All Juice No Fruit // Foals: Hummer // Foreign Born: On The Wing Now // Friska Viljor: Bravo! // Fujiya & Miyagi: Transparent Things // Germans: Cape Fear // Ghosts: The World Is Outside // The Go Find: Stars On The Wall // The Good, The Bad & The Queen: The Good, The Bad & The Queen // GoodBooks: Control // Grails: Burning Off Impurities // Great Northern: Trading Twilight For Daylight // The Hair: Indecisions // Handsome Furs: Plague Park // Hard-Fi: Once Upon A Time In The West // Hella: There's No 666 In Outer Space // Holler, Wild Rose!: Our Little Hymnal // Hollywood Porn Stars: Satellites // Holy Fuck: Holy Fuck // The Honeydrips: Here Comes The Future // The Hoosiers: The Trick To Life // Idlewild: Make Another World // Immaculate Machine: Immaculate Machine's Fables // Interpol: Our Love To Admire // Jape: Floating // Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala // Jettie: Kites For Charity // José González: In Our Nature // Kent: Ingenting // Kent: Tillbaka Till Samtiden // The Killers: Sawdust // The Kissaway Trail: The Kissaway Trail // Laakso: Mother, Am I Good Looking? // Lacrosse: This New Year Will Be For You And Me // LCD Soundsystem: Sound Of Silver // Life Without Buildings: Live at the Annandale Hotel // Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir // Los Campesinos!: Sticking Fingers Into Sockets // The Lovekevins: Vs. The Snow // Low: Drums and Guns // The Maccabees: Colour It In // Mando Diao: Never Seen the Light of Day // Manic Street Preachers: Send Away The Tigers // Maps: We Can Create // The Mary Onettes: The Mary Onettes // The Mary Onettes: Void EP // Matt Pond PA: If You Want Blood EP // Matt Pond PA: Last Light // Maxïmo Park: Our Earthly Pleasures // Melpo Mene: Holes // Menomena: Friend and Foe // Menomena: Wet and Rusting EP // MGMT: Oracular Spectacular // Midnight Juggernauts: Dystopia // MIKA: Life In Cartoon Motion // Minipop: A New Hope // Miracle Fortress: Miracle Fortress // Montag: Going Places // Mooncake: More Oxygen, I Said... // Moros Eros: Jealous Me Was Killed By Curiosity // Moving Units: Hexes For Exes // The National: Boxer // The New Pornographers: Challengers // The Northern Coast: Canada For Beginners // The Octopus Project: Hello, Avalanche // Oh No! Oh My!: Between the Devil and The Sea // Okkervil River: The Stage Names // One Small Step For Landmines: One Small Step For Landmines // OneRepublic: Dreaming Out Loud // The Owls: Daughters and Suns // Panda Bear: Person Pitch // Papercuts: Can't Go Back // People Press Play: People Press Play // The Perishers: Victorious // Pinback: Autumn Of The Seraphs // Pink Reason: Cleaning the Mirror // A Place to Bury Strangers: A Place to Bury Strangers // The Ponys: Turn The Lights Out // Pop Levi: The Return To Form Black Magick Party // Ra Ra Riot: Ra Ra Riot // Radical Face: Ghost // Radiohead: In Rainbows // The Rakes: Ten New Messages // The Real Tuesday Weld: The London Book of the Dead // Rilo Kiley: Under The Blacklight // Rogue Wave: Asleep At Heaven's Gate // Róisín Murphy: Overpowered // The Rosebuds: Night of the Furies // Sambassadeur: Migration // Say Hi: The Wishes And The Glitch // Saybia: Eyes On The Highway // Sea Wolf: Get To The River Before It Runs Too Low EP // Sea Wolf: Leaves In The River // Seabear: The Ghost That Carried Us Away // The Shaky Hands: The Shaky Hands // She Wants Revenge: This Is Forever // The Shins: Wincing the Night Away // Shocking Pinks: Shocking Pinks // Shout Out Louds: Our Ill Wills // Shy Child: Noise Won't Stop // Sigur Rós: Hvarf-Heim // Simian Mobile Disco: Attack Decay Sustain Release // The Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist // Snowmobile: The World Keeps Spinning // Sondre Lerche: Phantom Punch // Soulsavers: It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land // Stars: Do You Trust Your Friends? // Stars: In Our Bedroom After The War // Stray Ghost: Stray Ghost // Sunset Rubdown: Random Spirit Lover // Surrounded: The Nautilus Years // Susumu Yokota: LOVE or DIE // The Tellers: Hands Full of Ink // Throw Me The Statue: Moonbeams // Tigercity: Pretend Not to Love // To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie: The Patron // Tokyo Police Club: Smith // TOMBOY: Seriøs // The Tough Alliance: A New Chance // Trans Am: Sex Change // Travis: The Boy With No Name // Turn Brakes: Dark On Fire // The Twilight Sad: Fourteen Autumns And Fifteen Winters // Ulrich Schnauss: Goodbye // Ulrich Schnauss: Quicksand Memory EP // The V.L.A.: 1st EP // The Virgins: The Virgins // Von Südenfed: Tromatic Reflexxions // Voxtrot: Voxtrot // We Are Wolves: Total Magique // We Start Fires: We Start Fires // West Indian Girl: 4th & Wall // White Rabbits: Fort Nightly // Windmill: Puddle City Racing Lights // Winterpills: The Light Divides // Yeasayer: All Hour Cymbals // Yosebu: I'll Be Waiting Till Dawn // You Say Party! We Say Die!: Lose All The Time // Young Galaxy: Young Galaxy // Young Love: Too Young To Fight It // !!!: Myth Takes

Track list CD 1

1. Mono Taxi
“The Sound Of You”
2. Blonde Redhead
“23″
3. Editors
“Smokers outside the hospital doors”
4. Cut City
“Damaged”
5. Mother & The Addicts
“So tough”
6. The Whitest Boy Alive “Burning”
7. Stuck in the Sound “It’s (Friday)”
8. Best Fewnds “Aaww-some”
9. Pop Levi “Sugar assault me now”
10. THE ETTES “Dead and gone”
11. Triangulo De Amor Bizarro
“El crimen: Como ocurre y como remediarlo”
12. LOS Campesinos “You, me, dancing!”
13. Cajun Dance Party “The next untouchable”
14. The Maccabees “About your dress”
15. Jack Penate “Turn on the platform”
16. The Shins “Australia”
17. MAXÏMO PARK “Girls who play guitars”
18. To My Boy “Tell me computer”
19. Shy Child “Summer (radio edit)”
20. The Mary Onettes “Void”
21. CatPeople “Mexican life (Amable & Tony Verdi remix)”
22. The Teenagers “Starlett Johansson”
23. Pela “Lost to the lonesome”

Track list CD 2

1. Cold War Kids “Hang me up to dry”
2. of Montreal “Gronlandic edit”
3. New Young Pony Club “Ice cream”
4. Fryars “Chocolate”
5. Simian Mobile Disco “Hustler”
6. Dead Soul Brothers “Come on now”
7. The Glass “Come alive”
8. Kissogram “Manager in love”
9. CLINIC “If you could read your mind”
10. Big arm “Flashbacks”
11. The Whip “Trash”
12. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club “Berlin”
13. Goose “British mode”
14. The Steers “Rewind repeat”
15. The Cinematics “Break”
16. The Go Team“Doing it right”
17. Reverend & The Makers “Heavyweight champion of the world”
18. Datarock“Fa fa fa”
19. PROJECT JENNY PROJECT JAN “320″
20. Plastic Operator“Folder”
21. Shout Out Louds “Tonight I have to leave it”
22. X-Wife “Ping Pong”

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