1 post tagged “music”
1. The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
This album is so honest and raw in a over-produced world gone mad. I think we need more stripped down production and heart and soul...I thought the 60's were going to come back in a big way this year given everything that's going on in the world but that didn't pan out really...did it? I digress.
2. Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
So catchy and fun but amazingly diverse and well arranged. I would have loved to be in the studio when they were making this. During an interview with Nic Harcourt on KCRW Brit name-drops a few artists who played on this record (listen to the drums being thrown about at the end of Cherry Bomb)!
Kate is honest and her lyrics are so relatable. Each song is like a little piece of candy. I wonder what would happen if more female artists were able to write their own lyrics. Would it sound like this, or more angry-like, or Ashley-Simpsonesque?
Common is a great wordsmith and his songs reference other styles but still stay strong to who he is as an artist. Collabs appear with Lily Allen, Dwele, Primo, and Belal.
5. Mark Ronson "Version"
A clever release that creates an interesting template in an industry with an uncertain future. Ronson delivers a concept album of various artists singing covers of other artist's songs. It pays homage to others' material in a respectful way and packs a punch in each single rather than a 8-10 track body of work with mostly mediocre material. In other words, each track stands on it's own - and his re-interpretations are fierce.
6. New Young Pony Club "Fantastic Playroom"
A breakout record for the playful, dance-y sound that we're going to be hearing a lot of in 2008. Haven't seen these guys live yet but am assuming it's a great performance. Which I probably shouldn't do (I loved Chromeo years ago prior to seeing them live, and to this day can't really deal with them anymore) but everyone deserves a chance, right?
I always liked this guy when he was Manitoba and particularly love his work as Caribou. Although, I'm a bit biased because 2005's "Milk of Human Kindness" was huge for me in the spring of last year. The production is lush and something about it is so uniquely magical and also fragile. This was in my queue more than any others in 2007.
8. Editors "An End Has a Start"
Full sound, so powerful and the one I could not get out of my car for a few months. You have to see them live, and also check out their live acoustic sesh on Spinner sessions.
9. Jose Gonzalez "In Our Nature"
I felt the need to put something "quiet" on here to demonstrate that I listen to more than just party music. Not that everything on this list is strictly party but... Probably, #2 on the list of most listened to after Caribou. voice + guitar = the most historically powerful and beautiful musical combination ever.
10. LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver"
This one almost came off the list as I've been debating exactly how much the production here has gone in the direction of sell-out. I loved LCD when they sounded punkier on "Losing My Edge" waay back in 2002. I revisted "My Friends" from Sound of Silver and decided that they're still worthy.
Runners Up / Honorable Mention go to:
- Bloc Party "A Weekend in the City"
- Albert Hammond Jr., "Yours to Keep"
- UNKLE "War Stories"
- Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings "100 Days 100 Nights"
- A Fine Frenzy "One Cell in the Sea"
- Klaxons "Myths of the Near Future"
- Kaiser Chiefs "Yours Truly Angry Mob"
- Radiohead "In Rainbows"
- MGMT "Oracular Spectacular"
- The Hives "The Black and White Album"
- The Kooks "Inside In, Inside Out"
