Easy On The Ears -- The Definitive List of The Best Music from 2007 (If I Do Say So Myself)
by Paul (3 Comments) 
I feel like a sell-out or copycat, or fill in whatever adjective that describes someone devoid of originality; and sprinkle a pound of tardiness with it. But here it is, my list of albums released this year that I found enjoyable (repeatedly listened to), albums I found meh, and albums that simply made me cry.
Best of the Best
Radiohead -- In Rainbows
I know you're always supposed to put Radiohead on the top of the list, because of their innovation, talent, experimentalism, infusion of multiple genres, and blah blah. In Rainbows is an amazingly solid, thoroughly complex album that with repeated listens has gotten better. I believe it's their best release since OK Computer. The best of the year.
Arcade Fire -- Neon Bible
I'll be honest, when I first listened to this album, I was disappointed. I thought the departure in style was lackluster and easy -- but first impressions aren't always the best. I listened again. And again. And found that the album was growing on me. Neon Bible is raw and angry, but mixed with insight and poignancy.
Spoon -- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I'm a relative Spoon newcomer. I've heard the reviews and the raves and accolades, but a little part of me just refused to even give them a chance (in all honesty, I had them confused with a horrid mid-90's band Sponge; I don't know how, but that's the way my mind works). The first song I heard on this album was "The Underdog", and from there on out I listened to this album over and over.
Wilco -- Blue Sky Blue
Knowing they will never be able to capture another "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", Jeff Tweedy and the boys have gone back to their influences, their roots and have delivered a album that feels aged and mature, familiar and warm. Songs like "Either Way" and "Please Be Patient With Me" are classics.
Motion City Soundtrack -- Even If It Kills Me
So shut up about it. Does liking this album make a teenage girl? Sure, and I don't care. Its easy, addictive, bounce up-and-down pop music that you can't help but sing along too. It will never be an album that changes the way music is heard or played or make any all-time greatest albums ever made list, but every now and then you need music that just feels good -- sometimes that is even more worthwhile than something that's "acclaimed".
Kings Of Leon -- Because of the Times
Whenever I hear the raspy vocals of Caleb Followill, I'm immediately thrown back to our golden flecked lazyboy of our old living room from the mid 1970's; me holding a album sleeve, plugged into the giant stereo receiver with pancake sized headphone, as the record spun. Soulful, rich, brash and glamorous, "Because of the Times" is a great album.
Elliott Smith -- New Moon
"New Moon" is a collection of unreleased and alternate versions of years of Elliott Smith music. To me, "New Moon" is better than "From a Basement On the Hill"
Beirut -- The Flying Cup Club
Imagine yourself sitting on a haybail in the cooling evening of a summer day. The sun casts the earth in a yellow hue as the grasshoppers chirp and wind ways the grass. There, behind a bigtop tent, surrounded by the clowns and the freaks; the clamoring animals and rattling cages, the weary performers the take swigs at their whiskey and light up their cigarettes. The crowds begin to leave. There under the tent the circus band begins to play -- lifting the spirits and filling the air with a march toward the trains and another day in another town. This is what it's like listening to Beirut.
Iron & Wine -- The Shepherd's Dog
Sam Beam steps out of his bedroom with his acoustic in hand and finds that the world is full of other sounds for him to rummage and explore; with complete aplomb, while retaining his heart-wrenching lyrical prowess and elegant compositions..
Mentionable
Mix the beach boys with Interpol and you get a very interesting yet viable combination of robust sound and delicate harmonies.
A good album, but nothing I was able to sink my teeth into.
Its a good album, and more cohesive than their debut; with some stellar tracks ("Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors" and "The Weight of The World")
It's nice to see The Rentals back after 6 years, with a new lineup; an endearing and solid EP (of 4 songs); I'm anticipating a solid full release soon.
Its nothing ground-breaking, but there are a number of solid (solid) track -- "Lake Michigan", "Chicago X 12" -- and is a highly enjoyable album.
I've given up hope that they'll be able to surpass the brilliance of "Electric Version", after the blah-ness of "Twin Cinema", "Challengers" is much improved, but still nothing that seems to propel the band in an ever improving or evolving direction.
Doesn't Float My Boat
Very 'Meh'
Hang Drum
by Paul (2 Comments)
So I stumbled upon this amazing instrument called the Hang -- it looks like a combination of a UFO and 2 woks stuck together. The sound it creates is akin to a gong, steel drum and a deep bell. Beautiful sounding. Its a new instrument, made in Switzerland in 2000 (the name comes from the Berne/Swiss dialect word for "hand"). So far purchasing the instrument seems to be difficult (i.e.; making an appointment with the manufacturers in Berne to see if they might allow you have one -- apparently some may not understand my sarcasm, if you spend the $700-1200 to fly to Switzerland, you will get a hang), which will hopefully change (because I can see Elliott getting hours and hours and hours of enjoyment from experimenting with it).
Watch and listen:
The Best of the 80's
by Paul (11 Comments)
I'm an 80's kid, with my formative (8-18) years happening during the odd decade. The music was eclectic, and often horrible, but at the same time amazing. So I'm here to torture you with the best, or the worst (depending on your opinion) from the decade. Let the memories come pouring. I'm purposefully avoid the hair bands and the obvious 80's choices (Def Leppard, Van Halen, Madonna, Tears for Fears, U2) and attempting the more or less obscure, one hit (or one album) wonder, band/artists; or bands/artists that I would never have admitted to liking in the 80s, but now I'm old and don't care.
Air Supply -- Making Loving Out Of Nothing At All
My sister and I suffered through many hours of Air Supply (I recall our trips to the beaches of North Carolina).
Murray Head -- One Night In Bangkok
This was the first music video I ever saw. I made no sense to me, but at the same time I couldn't get it out of my head.
Kurtis Blow -- Basketball
This was the first rap song I ever heard -- or at least one that I tolerated. I really didn't know this was Kurtis Blow till right now.
Matthew Wilder -- Break My Stride
Whenever it snowed, and we tuned in on the AM for school cancellations, this song inevitably played on an endless loop (I had no idea that this is what the singer looked like -- that for, that stached --).
Corey Hart -- Sunglasses At Night
Is there much else to say? Who knew David Duchvony was an 80's pop singer?
Baltimora -- Tarzan Boy
I sure hope you remember this song, I know I do. The video I don't remember (David Bowie influence?).
Limahl -- The Neverending Story
Somehow we had "The Neverending Story" on VHS tape and of course watched this movie over and over and over ("Atreyu!!!!!"). We taped the ending song off of the TV (never saw the video). I thought the singer was a girl for the longest time (I had no idea who Kajagoogoo was)
Huey Lewis and the News -- Power of Love
I love Huey, not in a Patrick Bateman sort of way, but come one, it's Huey.
Mr. Mister -- Kyrie
Kudos to Mr. Mister for using Greek in a Top 40 hit. Kyrie Eleison means "Lord have mercy".
The Outfield -- Your Love
I have no idea why I didn't own this album, but I didn't. I loved every single they put out. I can remember mowing the lawn with a mixed tape (which I taped off the radio -- remember those days?) in my Walkman; and the Outfield was always on it.
Foreigner -- I Want To Know What Love Is
Seriously, how can you not love this song? I still sing along with all my heart. Lou Gramm, you're a god.
Toto -- Africa
I love this song still.
Wang Chung -- Dance Hall Days
Everyone knows "Everybody Have Fun Tonight", but I prefer "Dance Hall Days".
Big Country -- In A Big Country
This song is still good. Come on. You know you love it.
I could go on and on and on with songs, but this will have to do for now.
Spotlight: The Innocence Mission
by Paul (1 Comments)
Another of my long time most favorite bands of all time is a quiet, subtle, fragile and beautiful group called The Innocence Mission. Husband and wife team Karen and Don Peris have collaborated for 18 years, transforming the from a Smiths infused folk band to a finely crafted, sparse yet dense band of longevity and power. The bands name carries the weight and purpose of the band -- a refuge and shelter for the memories and knowledge of the innocence and naive openness of a child. Karen's lyrics often reflect on the memories of her childhood, her family, her faith and journey and her (and Don's) decade long struggle to have children (which they finally have overcome, with 2 kids). Over the course of these decades the band has released 9 albums -- including an album of children lullaby's (Now The Day Is Over) and an album of old hymns (Christ Is My Hope). Their music is not for everyone, Karen has a fragile and high flitting voice, the sounds is somber, quiet and over the last 3 albums, completely acoustic. But on those quiet days, where you need introspection and reflection, The Innocence Mission is the perfect choice.
ALBUMS:
The Innocence Mission (1989)
Umbrella (1991)
Glow (1995)
Birds of My Neighborhood (1999)
Christ Is My Hope (2000)
Small Planes (2001)
Befriended (2003)
Now The Day Is Over (2004)
We Walked In Song (2007)
Spotlight: Slowdive
by Paul (8 Comments)
Slowdive is a band near and dear to my heart, and many years since breaking up, still are amazingly relevant (and one of my all-time favorite bands). Slowdive began in 1989 (I was a Sophomore in high school and still was listening to Led Zeppelin and Def Lepard), formed by school friend Neil Halstead & Rachel Goswell. Heavily influenced by My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth (as well as The Cocteau Twins and The Byrds); mimicking the "controlled noise" sound. In 1990 they were signed to Creation Records (responsible for such great bands as Primal Scream, Oasis, Ride, Sugar, Boo Radleys, Super Furry Animals, Teenage Fanclub and Adorable; just to name a few). The band found success in England, granering rave reviews from Melody Maker and NME; epitomizing the shoegaze movement of Manchester. The band released 3 full albums before being dropped by Creation in 1995; transforming themselves into Mojave 3 and signing to 4AD.
ALBUMS:
Just For A Day (1991)
Souvlaki (1993)
Pygmalion (1995)
Check them out -- if you like large, atmosphere, melodic and somewhat dark music.
