Ok this is the last post about 2007 I swear, but I had a couple random songs that I really enjoyed from last year I wanted to post before tackling 2008.
G&D - They're a funk/soul duo from Chicago, and I really enjoyed the first song of theirs I ever heard. I then proceeded to buy the album on itunes only to find it full of weird skits and odd songs, a pretty big disappointment. I still love the first song I heard from them though, so I'm gonna post that. When they're not putting together weird and goofy stuff, the laid back funk with a bit of modern hip hop influences is really cool. In a way its like a funkier version of Lauren Hill.
G&D - One
Straylight Run - These guys fell so far for me over the past couple years. Before their debut album came out, I was in love with all their demos and really into the band. Then their S/T album came out, on which they had screwed with all their songs, and ever since I've completely forgotten about them. 2007 saw the release The Needles The Space, which doesn't return them to their past glory, but it is at least a step up from some of the stuff they've released recently. Their newest work shifts the focus from brother John Nolan to his sister Michelle Nolan, who takes over a lot of the vocal duties, and who also happens to be really hot. I think the real strength of Straylight is when they feature both John and Michelle on songs together, as their voices compliment each other nicely. But then again I'm a sucker for guy/girl harmonies. While The Needles The Space isn't an amazing album, if you've liked any of their previous stuff, its definitely worth checking out.
Straylight Run - Cover Your Eyes
Treasure Fingers - Atlanta DJ. Electronic/Funk music. Ridiculous synth bass line.
Treasure Fingers - Come True Tonite (Dub Mix)
Ok, bring on 2008.
Alec
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Immoor
Lately I have been doing an insane amount of traveling. Some for work, some for pleasure, but it has all been pretty fun seeing cities and a lot of friends. And...all this time in the airport and on airplanes gives me quite a lot of time to just sit and listen to music on the iPod.
I picked up the Immoor CD, The Thievery of Your Own Things, early last year. I thought that it was decent, but nothing really special. There was nothing there to really draw one in. No poppy hooks, no gorgeous melodies, no cruchy guitar riffs, and no super strong singing. I kind of forgot about the CD for a while, and finally decided to play it in the Pittsburgh airport while I was waiting for a December flight. Well, I have put it on in every airport since then.
Alec may try and argue that the best 'airport CD' is the Postal Service's Give Up. That is a great one, but I think this one can hold a similar status. I actually kind of qualify this band as a 'poor man's Postal Service'. Immoor is one-man, electronic-based band with synthesizers taking care of the beats as well as the melodies. The songs are almost ethereal with the soft, subtle singing and long synth chords. It will quickly put you in a certain zone while sitting in your chair at the airport watching countless people walk by to their various destinations.
The first song I am posting is 'Chemical Feelings' which fades into a drum beat accompanied by a soft synth sound. As the singing kicks in, I think you can feel what I was talking about before. Almost trance-like in nature, this song will wrap you up in its blanket and keep you nice and relaxed. The next tune is 'Collapsible Construction' which has a similar feel, but maybe even a little harder. More and more parts combine and interact with each other until the chorus breaks in and reaches up with a little synth-horn line. 'Unit 371' is probably my favorite song on the record. It begins a bit minimalistic, and gradually increases in complexity until it resembles an actual song with a melody. I love the various effects put on the singer's voice throughout the song, as I feel that it really adds to the dreamy feel of the band. Sit back and enjoy!
Immoor - Chemical Feelings
Immoor - Collapsible Construction
Immoor - Unit 371
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Alec's Top 10 of 2007
Time to finally sit down and hammer out this list. Like Kyle, I agree that this year was difficult for picking top albums, at least within the genre types we listen to. The common theme I kept running into was most of the albums I really liked seemed to have at least one or two really bad tracks. I don't know why this became such a problem all of a sudden, but almost every album I liked seemed to have some pretty weak tracks. I'm sure you've noticed from Kyle's list that we've already touched on most of the groups so far this year, so I'll try to keep my reviews to about what exactly I liked or didn't like from each album. For most of these I tried to also post my favorite track, unless it was one that we've already posted.
10. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
I've always enjoyed Kensrue's songwriting abilities, he's an extremely intelligent person and talented musically, and this has really shown through in most of the stuff he released with Thrice (ironically I didn't care much for their latest album released this year). Because of this I was excited to learn he was releasing an alt country album that would strip down his sound and really focus on his lyric and songwriting abilities. His transition into this genre is well done, and he really has a perfect voice to along with his songs about the struggles of life. This is the one album this year that I felt should have been longer, and it's a big reason I don't have it higher. At only 8 songs, there's just not a whole lot of meat to go with this, and it feels almost more like an EP than an LP.
Dustin Kensrue - Consider The Ravens
9. Rocky Votolato - The Brag and Cuss
I got into this album late in the year, and it made its way onto my list by way of being a solid album, which were hard to come by. Rocky doesn't really change much from his formula of harmonica soaked alt country that made his previous release Makers so popular. I think this album lacks a little of the charm and charisma from the previous, but start to finish its an album I really enjoy listening to, and because of that it makes the top 10.
Rocky Votolato - Silver Trees
8. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
At this point everyone probably has figured out that I'll always have a soft spot for pop songs with catchy melodies and smooth harmonies, and so when I heard Chase This Light I was really impressed with their ability to make the album have a powerful and unique sound even though at their hearts most of the songs are pop songs. I slowly found myself pulled into this album with its hooks and riffs, and each time I listened I found myself singing along more and more.
Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
7. The Dear Hunter - Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading
Along with Kensrue, this is another release spawned as a side project of band I liked, and once again its done with the idea of letting the songwriting abilities of one member really stand out. This time its Casey Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens. Act II is the second part in a six act story written by Crescenzo. While I think the idea of bands that release their albums to pertain to one another and tell a story is cool, its not really the reason I put this in my list. What impressed me is Crescenzo's ability to write in so many "voices" so to say. The songs on the album are told from different characters in the song, and they are well written to give the characters different voices and styles. The album is very "rock opera" in this way and I think it is pulled off quite well, and comes off to me as compelling and honest, and because of the variety of songs and styles, the music stays fresh throughout.
The Dear Hunter - The Procession
6. Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
Kyle said that this album was too much to digest, and I somewhat agree. I absolutely loved Say Anything's previous release, and was hoping for more of the same with their latest. To a degree I was happy with what I heard, but coming in as a double disc with 27 songs, there's just too much to fully appreciate it. Max and the band continue to make powerful and interesting songs, and there's some really good tracks that are compelling (and sometimes funny) and are musically well written and varied. I put this album at number six because I knew there were enough songs on it that I enjoyed that it would be wrong to leave it out, but yet there's too many mediocre songs I find myself skipping through that I couldn't put it any higher either.
Say Anything - No Soul
5. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
I'll be honest, I really didn't like this album very much when I first heard it. I think it was a classic case of having preconceived expectations, and when it wasn't what I was expecting...well I just didn't want to accept it. Lupe came out a little darker with his sophomore release, and he became more experimental both musically and stylistically. But as I continued to listen to it, I realized the genius behind many of his songs. One in particular, "Little Weapon", a song about child fighters in African wars really stuck with me. Its an extremely powerful song both in concept and in the supporting beat, which features a haunting military snare line. In a way it reminds me of the emotional power that came from "Jesus Walks" a few years ago. Like most of the albums from this year, The Cool still suffers from some weak tracks, but there's enough solid material in there for it to make it to number 5. A December 18th release didn't help much either, and I'm sure didn't help him make many other Tops of 2007 lists across the internet.
Lupe Fiasco - Little Weapon
4. Kanye West - Graduation
I think a lot of our opinions of whether albums are good or not are heavily influenced by the styles we like and certain musical aspects we enjoy (Duh! you're all saying). But I say that now because for me, almost everything Kanye either writes or just even touches I love. So its no surprise that Kanye winds up in my list once again. I was pleasantly surprised with Graduation, and think its easily a better album than Late Registration, although not up to College Dropout level. My favorite has to be "Everything I am". It's so simply created, which is unusual for Kanye. But his open honesty, something usually painfully absent from hip hop is what makes the song so good, and his relaxed style matches the beat perfectly. On the flip side, I think this album also contains his worst song ever. "Drunk and Hot Girls" is just an awful song. The beat is weak, the idea is "slightly humorous" at best, and the worst is the annoying and repetitive chorus line. But despite this, except for maybe one or two other mediocre tracks, the rest of the album is pretty impressive. It was an album I just constantly found myself wanting to listen to, plain and simple.
Kanye West - Everything I am (feat. Scratches by DJ Premier)
3. The New Amsterdams - At The Foot of My Rival
This was the surprise album of the year for me, at least in terms of releases from groups I already knew. I had just about written New Ams off as dead in the water. Their last release, Story Like A Scar was very disappointing except for 2 tracks, and I thought they were losing their touch and their style. But out comes this release and I realize Matt Pryor hasn't lost any of his ability to create beautiful and heart felt songs which are ripe with melodies and filled with emotional struggles. I'll admit I'm a sucker for catchy upbeat songs that are really just hiding emotional pain and strife. On top of that, this album is solid front to back, which was a bit of a relief this year.
The New Amsterdams - Wait
2. Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
I know I know, we've spent way too much time on this album. Its just a great album and they do what they do so well. If it weren't for "Hallelujah" this album might have been number one.
Dear and the Headlights - I'm Bored, You're Amorous
1. Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
I think I've resigned to the fact that the albums I always pick for number one will never be popular, they're just from too small of music genres. Who picks a ska album number one? Well I did, and as Kyle said, this is the best ska album in 8 years. The reason I put this at number one is because it's an amazing album and every track is strong and unique. I've always really enjoyed Streetlight because of their musical style which is filled with emotion, and their songs which are well constructed and still manage to touch on thoughtful topics despite having "catchy ska horn lines". What really impressed me with this album, and what I think really sets it apart from other ska releases is the use of horn arrangements. Oftentimes in the genre the horns all play the same melody the whole time. But with Somewhere In The Between, Streetlight has discovered the wonder of horn arrangements, and the songs are filled harmonies and supporting lines which add a ton of depth to their sound. Even if you don't particularly like ska, I recommend this album and that you give it a chance. I especially recommend it for working out or running. I've listened to it so many times while running cause its just so good at getting me pumped up and it just makes you want to run faster and faster as the songs keep driving harder and faster.
Streetlight Manifesto - Blonde Lead the Blind
Thats the list, or at least how I feel about all this right now. One small note. I probably would have included Amy Winehouse's Back In Black except for it was released in 2006 in the UK, and since we've used international release dates as our official dates in the past, I'm leaving the album off. Its a great album, and though Kyle fancies himself a Sharon Jones man, I'm an Amy Winhouse man. Sharon does neo soul better, but Amy's sound is more unique and that's what gets me.
10. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
I've always enjoyed Kensrue's songwriting abilities, he's an extremely intelligent person and talented musically, and this has really shown through in most of the stuff he released with Thrice (ironically I didn't care much for their latest album released this year). Because of this I was excited to learn he was releasing an alt country album that would strip down his sound and really focus on his lyric and songwriting abilities. His transition into this genre is well done, and he really has a perfect voice to along with his songs about the struggles of life. This is the one album this year that I felt should have been longer, and it's a big reason I don't have it higher. At only 8 songs, there's just not a whole lot of meat to go with this, and it feels almost more like an EP than an LP.
Dustin Kensrue - Consider The Ravens
9. Rocky Votolato - The Brag and Cuss
I got into this album late in the year, and it made its way onto my list by way of being a solid album, which were hard to come by. Rocky doesn't really change much from his formula of harmonica soaked alt country that made his previous release Makers so popular. I think this album lacks a little of the charm and charisma from the previous, but start to finish its an album I really enjoy listening to, and because of that it makes the top 10.
Rocky Votolato - Silver Trees
8. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
At this point everyone probably has figured out that I'll always have a soft spot for pop songs with catchy melodies and smooth harmonies, and so when I heard Chase This Light I was really impressed with their ability to make the album have a powerful and unique sound even though at their hearts most of the songs are pop songs. I slowly found myself pulled into this album with its hooks and riffs, and each time I listened I found myself singing along more and more.
Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
7. The Dear Hunter - Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading
Along with Kensrue, this is another release spawned as a side project of band I liked, and once again its done with the idea of letting the songwriting abilities of one member really stand out. This time its Casey Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens. Act II is the second part in a six act story written by Crescenzo. While I think the idea of bands that release their albums to pertain to one another and tell a story is cool, its not really the reason I put this in my list. What impressed me is Crescenzo's ability to write in so many "voices" so to say. The songs on the album are told from different characters in the song, and they are well written to give the characters different voices and styles. The album is very "rock opera" in this way and I think it is pulled off quite well, and comes off to me as compelling and honest, and because of the variety of songs and styles, the music stays fresh throughout.
The Dear Hunter - The Procession
6. Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
Kyle said that this album was too much to digest, and I somewhat agree. I absolutely loved Say Anything's previous release, and was hoping for more of the same with their latest. To a degree I was happy with what I heard, but coming in as a double disc with 27 songs, there's just too much to fully appreciate it. Max and the band continue to make powerful and interesting songs, and there's some really good tracks that are compelling (and sometimes funny) and are musically well written and varied. I put this album at number six because I knew there were enough songs on it that I enjoyed that it would be wrong to leave it out, but yet there's too many mediocre songs I find myself skipping through that I couldn't put it any higher either.
Say Anything - No Soul
5. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
I'll be honest, I really didn't like this album very much when I first heard it. I think it was a classic case of having preconceived expectations, and when it wasn't what I was expecting...well I just didn't want to accept it. Lupe came out a little darker with his sophomore release, and he became more experimental both musically and stylistically. But as I continued to listen to it, I realized the genius behind many of his songs. One in particular, "Little Weapon", a song about child fighters in African wars really stuck with me. Its an extremely powerful song both in concept and in the supporting beat, which features a haunting military snare line. In a way it reminds me of the emotional power that came from "Jesus Walks" a few years ago. Like most of the albums from this year, The Cool still suffers from some weak tracks, but there's enough solid material in there for it to make it to number 5. A December 18th release didn't help much either, and I'm sure didn't help him make many other Tops of 2007 lists across the internet.
Lupe Fiasco - Little Weapon
4. Kanye West - Graduation
I think a lot of our opinions of whether albums are good or not are heavily influenced by the styles we like and certain musical aspects we enjoy (Duh! you're all saying). But I say that now because for me, almost everything Kanye either writes or just even touches I love. So its no surprise that Kanye winds up in my list once again. I was pleasantly surprised with Graduation, and think its easily a better album than Late Registration, although not up to College Dropout level. My favorite has to be "Everything I am". It's so simply created, which is unusual for Kanye. But his open honesty, something usually painfully absent from hip hop is what makes the song so good, and his relaxed style matches the beat perfectly. On the flip side, I think this album also contains his worst song ever. "Drunk and Hot Girls" is just an awful song. The beat is weak, the idea is "slightly humorous" at best, and the worst is the annoying and repetitive chorus line. But despite this, except for maybe one or two other mediocre tracks, the rest of the album is pretty impressive. It was an album I just constantly found myself wanting to listen to, plain and simple.
Kanye West - Everything I am (feat. Scratches by DJ Premier)
3. The New Amsterdams - At The Foot of My Rival
This was the surprise album of the year for me, at least in terms of releases from groups I already knew. I had just about written New Ams off as dead in the water. Their last release, Story Like A Scar was very disappointing except for 2 tracks, and I thought they were losing their touch and their style. But out comes this release and I realize Matt Pryor hasn't lost any of his ability to create beautiful and heart felt songs which are ripe with melodies and filled with emotional struggles. I'll admit I'm a sucker for catchy upbeat songs that are really just hiding emotional pain and strife. On top of that, this album is solid front to back, which was a bit of a relief this year.
The New Amsterdams - Wait
2. Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
I know I know, we've spent way too much time on this album. Its just a great album and they do what they do so well. If it weren't for "Hallelujah" this album might have been number one.
Dear and the Headlights - I'm Bored, You're Amorous
1. Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
I think I've resigned to the fact that the albums I always pick for number one will never be popular, they're just from too small of music genres. Who picks a ska album number one? Well I did, and as Kyle said, this is the best ska album in 8 years. The reason I put this at number one is because it's an amazing album and every track is strong and unique. I've always really enjoyed Streetlight because of their musical style which is filled with emotion, and their songs which are well constructed and still manage to touch on thoughtful topics despite having "catchy ska horn lines". What really impressed me with this album, and what I think really sets it apart from other ska releases is the use of horn arrangements. Oftentimes in the genre the horns all play the same melody the whole time. But with Somewhere In The Between, Streetlight has discovered the wonder of horn arrangements, and the songs are filled harmonies and supporting lines which add a ton of depth to their sound. Even if you don't particularly like ska, I recommend this album and that you give it a chance. I especially recommend it for working out or running. I've listened to it so many times while running cause its just so good at getting me pumped up and it just makes you want to run faster and faster as the songs keep driving harder and faster.
Streetlight Manifesto - Blonde Lead the Blind
Thats the list, or at least how I feel about all this right now. One small note. I probably would have included Amy Winehouse's Back In Black except for it was released in 2006 in the UK, and since we've used international release dates as our official dates in the past, I'm leaving the album off. Its a great album, and though Kyle fancies himself a Sharon Jones man, I'm an Amy Winhouse man. Sharon does neo soul better, but Amy's sound is more unique and that's what gets me.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Kyle's Top 10 for 2007
This year it was an interesting challenge to put together my top 10. For me, all of the harder albums of the year disappointed unlike last year's Saosin and Underoath, Lupe's album came a bit too late for me to fully digest, and I could never really wrap my head around the double-disc Say Anything album (great tunes for the most part...just a bit too much for me). Not only that, but there were no real clear-cut, stand-out albums. A bunch of really great ones, but not one that stood above all of the rest like last years Rocky Votolato album. With that, I hope you enjoy the top 10 that I put together this year.
10. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
Looking back, this was actually one of my first posts of the year. Well, Please Come Home has stuck with me all year with its slight twang, soothing harmonica, and easy feel. Kensrue's lyrics are thought-provoking and his voice shows a different side of him from his usual singing in rock band Thrice. Here is one more track that I didn't have in my last post. Check this short but sweet album out.
Dustin Kensrue - Pistol
9. Kanye West - Graduation
Alec wrote about this album a while back, and it is definitely a fun one to put in. I don't put this one up with Kanye's other albums mainly for the fact that there are about 3 absolutely terrible tracks on it. However, the others bring it up enough to get a spot here. In a just ok year for hip-hop in my book, Kanye slides in with some gems on his new disc.
Kanye West - Homecoming
8. The New Amsterdams - At the Foot of My Rival
Another album that was touched on in a previous post, the New Amsterdams put out a disc that I really enjoyed after their abysmal Story Like A Scar. This album really pulls together the parts from many of their previous efforts: slow and acoustic, upbeat and summery, strong and thoughtful. Fans of the New Amsterdams and people who have never heard of them would be hard pressed to not like this release.
The New Amsterdams - Fortunate Fool
7. Common - Finding Forever
Common's previous release Be is one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time. Needless to say, I was pumped for this one to come out. For about a month I really didn't care for it, and then I finally began to understand it. Common keeps it nice and bare, which suits his natural flow quite well. He doesn't need overproduced backgrounds to make his songs great...just sit back, relax, and enjoy the flow.
Common - A Dream (feat Will.I.Am)
6. Steel Train - Trampoline
This album was by far the biggest surprise of the year for me. I loved going to Steel Train shows and seeing Jack on the guitar weave in and out of songs, soloing his ass off. Then one day he played a show mostly dominated by poppy tunes that left him playing simple chords for the entire show. Alec wrote about the transition here. But after seeing the new Steel Train a few times, the tunes started to grow on me. Then the album came out, and I really dug the new style. A little U2, a little Beatles, and a little Steel Train makes for one solid album.
Steel Train - Leave You Traveling
5. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
I was finally able to catch my favorite songwriter in concert this year, and it was really all that I had hoped for. He played a lot of songs from his newest full-length Easy Tiger which I touched on here. This album shows that even when Ryan is off the sauce and the coke he can still put out solid albums. He perhaps has the single of the year in 'Two', and continues to show the world that writing proficiently doesn't always mean writing poorly.
Ryan Adams - Everybody Knows
4. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
So as I'm nearing the end of this post I've realized that if you have kept up with the blog at all...you've probably heard all of my top 10 already, haha. But, if you haven't checked out these entire albums rather than just the posted songs, now is the time to do it. For a description of this folk-pop album, check it out right here. This album is a bit more upbeat than his previous effort The Animal Years, and I think it suits him very well.
Josh Ritter - Empty Hearts
3. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Sharon Jones is simply in my opinion the best neo-soul singer of our generation. She brings so much energy to the table, quite a bit of sauciness, and a whole lot of sexy. She may not get quite the publicity of an Amy Winehouse or Joss Stone, but I am sure she can outperform them any evening of any week. Welcome in the new torch-bearer or modern soul and pick up the album. You won't be disappointed.
Sharon Jones - Keep on Looking
2. Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between
This is the best ska album to come out since Big D's Good Luck in 1999, and in time could become one of the all time classics. Leaving Catch 22 was the best thing Kalnoky could have done for himself. He put out an incredibly energetic album that can please ska-lovers and people who aren't so sure about ska alike. Great horn lines, sick breaks, and Kalnoky's rough voice all make for one hell of an album. This is one of two CD's released this year in which I like every track. Hence the #2 place in my top 10.
Streetlight Manifesto - We Will Fall Together
1. Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
By now you probably think that Alec and I have a love affair with these guys from posting about them once and then christening them our 2007 discovery of the year. But, I tell you it is for good reason. This was the only other CD of the year that I couldn't skip a track on. Beautifully crafted and incredibly versatile, this album was pretty much a no-brainer for my number 1 spot in the end. Play it in the car, play it in your room, play it at a party, hell, play it on a boombox in the street. And then, enjoy it.
Dear and the Headlights - Oh No!
10. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
Looking back, this was actually one of my first posts of the year. Well, Please Come Home has stuck with me all year with its slight twang, soothing harmonica, and easy feel. Kensrue's lyrics are thought-provoking and his voice shows a different side of him from his usual singing in rock band Thrice. Here is one more track that I didn't have in my last post. Check this short but sweet album out.
Dustin Kensrue - Pistol
9. Kanye West - Graduation
Alec wrote about this album a while back, and it is definitely a fun one to put in. I don't put this one up with Kanye's other albums mainly for the fact that there are about 3 absolutely terrible tracks on it. However, the others bring it up enough to get a spot here. In a just ok year for hip-hop in my book, Kanye slides in with some gems on his new disc.
Kanye West - Homecoming
8. The New Amsterdams - At the Foot of My Rival
Another album that was touched on in a previous post, the New Amsterdams put out a disc that I really enjoyed after their abysmal Story Like A Scar. This album really pulls together the parts from many of their previous efforts: slow and acoustic, upbeat and summery, strong and thoughtful. Fans of the New Amsterdams and people who have never heard of them would be hard pressed to not like this release.
The New Amsterdams - Fortunate Fool
7. Common - Finding Forever
Common's previous release Be is one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time. Needless to say, I was pumped for this one to come out. For about a month I really didn't care for it, and then I finally began to understand it. Common keeps it nice and bare, which suits his natural flow quite well. He doesn't need overproduced backgrounds to make his songs great...just sit back, relax, and enjoy the flow.
Common - A Dream (feat Will.I.Am)
6. Steel Train - Trampoline
This album was by far the biggest surprise of the year for me. I loved going to Steel Train shows and seeing Jack on the guitar weave in and out of songs, soloing his ass off. Then one day he played a show mostly dominated by poppy tunes that left him playing simple chords for the entire show. Alec wrote about the transition here. But after seeing the new Steel Train a few times, the tunes started to grow on me. Then the album came out, and I really dug the new style. A little U2, a little Beatles, and a little Steel Train makes for one solid album.Steel Train - Leave You Traveling
5. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
I was finally able to catch my favorite songwriter in concert this year, and it was really all that I had hoped for. He played a lot of songs from his newest full-length Easy Tiger which I touched on here. This album shows that even when Ryan is off the sauce and the coke he can still put out solid albums. He perhaps has the single of the year in 'Two', and continues to show the world that writing proficiently doesn't always mean writing poorly.
Ryan Adams - Everybody Knows
4. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
So as I'm nearing the end of this post I've realized that if you have kept up with the blog at all...you've probably heard all of my top 10 already, haha. But, if you haven't checked out these entire albums rather than just the posted songs, now is the time to do it. For a description of this folk-pop album, check it out right here. This album is a bit more upbeat than his previous effort The Animal Years, and I think it suits him very well.
Josh Ritter - Empty Hearts
3. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Sharon Jones is simply in my opinion the best neo-soul singer of our generation. She brings so much energy to the table, quite a bit of sauciness, and a whole lot of sexy. She may not get quite the publicity of an Amy Winehouse or Joss Stone, but I am sure she can outperform them any evening of any week. Welcome in the new torch-bearer or modern soul and pick up the album. You won't be disappointed.
Sharon Jones - Keep on Looking
2. Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between
This is the best ska album to come out since Big D's Good Luck in 1999, and in time could become one of the all time classics. Leaving Catch 22 was the best thing Kalnoky could have done for himself. He put out an incredibly energetic album that can please ska-lovers and people who aren't so sure about ska alike. Great horn lines, sick breaks, and Kalnoky's rough voice all make for one hell of an album. This is one of two CD's released this year in which I like every track. Hence the #2 place in my top 10.
Streetlight Manifesto - We Will Fall Together
1. Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
By now you probably think that Alec and I have a love affair with these guys from posting about them once and then christening them our 2007 discovery of the year. But, I tell you it is for good reason. This was the only other CD of the year that I couldn't skip a track on. Beautifully crafted and incredibly versatile, this album was pretty much a no-brainer for my number 1 spot in the end. Play it in the car, play it in your room, play it at a party, hell, play it on a boombox in the street. And then, enjoy it.
Dear and the Headlights - Oh No!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Alec and Kyle's Discovery of the year: 2007
We made it to 2008, and thus begins the annual review of the year past. I don't know why everyone else insists on posting their best of lists by late December, when albums are still coming out and more time is required to fully digest everything. In fact I'm still not ready, so instead I'm going to present the Discovery of the Year for 2007. This is something we've been doing for several years now, even before we ever starting writing online. The Discovery of the Year, least you forget, is the one band that neither one of us knew about at all before the year, but we have come to love over the course of the past year, and its a band that we think will be going on to bigger and better things. So far we've been pretty accurate looking at some of the past winners2003: Armor for Sleep
2004: The Format
2005: Say Anything
2006: Westbound Train/Band of Annuals
Except for last year's winners, who aren't mainstream enough to ever get big, I think we've picked out some pretty good bands. And so I'm hoping the trend continues with 2007's winner: Dear And The Headlights. Now that we've been doing this blog for over a year, we've of course already written about them. I think Kyle's post does a good job of describing their blend of styles, which is really the reason that I enjoy them. Their ability to mix indie, pop, rock, maybe a little emo if you want to get into it, gives them a sound that catchy enough to make you want to sing along, but unique enough that it doesn't get lost in the noise of everything else.
There are two things that I first noticed when I heard these guys which I think they do particularly well. One is lyrical continuity, in a sense that all the lines that lead singer Ian Metzger sings seem to blend into one another very well, almost like the rock equivalent of a rapper whose style is very smooth. The other is the use of singular guitar lines to play melodies in the songs. They have written some beautiful guitar lines that add more dimension and melodies to their songs.
Here's a few of the songs from their 2007 release Small Steps, Heavy Hooves.
Dear and the Headlights - Run In The Front
Dear and the Headlights - I'm Bored, You're Amorous
Dear and the Headlights - Sweet Talk
Give these guys a listen if you haven't already. And go out and download or buy the album if you like what you hear. If any thing at least check out Run In The Front, which would probably be in my top 5 for favorite songs of the year if I were making that list. Just wait for it to die down near the end and then bust out again with the guitar line and you'll understand what I was talking about earlier.
-Alec
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