Everybody loves you here
My Favourite Songs Of 2007
Not controversial. I don't think it's been a vintage year for albums, but there have been some truly great tracks that give me hope that, for all the stodgy, stompalong indie in the Top 30 and bands like the Corteeners being feted as the next big thing, we're not going through a fallow period like we did in 2001-02. I'll go for a Top 35 and see what happens. Bear in mind I have yet to hear the new Wu Tang Clan album, which may alter everything*. I'll put them in order but frankly, after the Top 10, I like them all very much, and being 21 or 22 is pretty much random. I look forward to your own suggestions, and apologise, once again, for Comments Moderation, especially over the weekend when I'm away from my desk. All will come through on Monday morning, if not before.
1 Foundations Kate Nash (Made Of Bricks)
2 Golden Skans Klaxons (Myths Of The Near Future)
3 Archangel Burial (Untrue)
4 All I Need Radiohead (In Rainbows)
5 History Song The Good, The Bad & The Queen (The Good, The Bad & The Queen)
6 Liquid Lives Hadouken! (single)
7 No Cars Go Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)
8 The Creeps Camille Jones vs Fedde LeGrand (single)
9 Grand Canyon Tracey Thorn (Out Of The Woods)
10 Babylon's Burning The Ghetto Lethal Bizzle (Back To Bizznizz)
11 Go Tell The Women Grinderman (Grinderman)
12 Keys Open Doors Clipse (Hell Hath No Fury)
13 Men's Needs The Cribs (Men's Needs, Women's Needs)
14 My Moon My Man Feist (The Reminder)
15 Here Comes That Day Siouxsie (Mantaray)
16 Cartoon Dad Jim Bob (A Humpty Dumpty Thing)
17 Ocean Of Noise Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)
18 On Call Kings Of Leon (Because Of The Times)
19 Illegal Attacks Ian Brown(The World Is Yours)
20 Old Yellow Bricks Arctic Monkeys (Favourite Worst Nightmare)
21 Ice Cream New Young Pony Club (single)
22 Police On My Back Lethal Bizzle (Back To Bizznizz)
23 Behave Charlotte Hatherley (The Deep Blue)
24 The Next Untouchable Cajun Dance Party (single)
25 Lights Go Out Client (Heartland)
26 Is There A Ghost Band Of Horses (Cease To Begin)
27 Boxing Champ Kaiser Chiefs (Yours Truly, Angry Mob)
28 Dream Of Infinity Shitdisco (Kingdom Of Fear)
29 Morden Good Shoes (Think Before Your Speak)
30 We Danced Together The Rakes (Ten New Messages)
31 Not Over Yet Klaxons (Myths Of The Near Future)
32 Hummer Foals (single)
33 Fluorescent Adolescent Arctic Monkeys (Favourite Worst Nightmare)
34 Leap Of Faith Hadouken! (single)
35 Wide Awake The Twang (Love It When I Feel Like This)
If pushed (and as I say, I've heard a lot of albums this year that really didn't fulfill the brief of a great album, not Jamie T, not The Rakes, not even Band Of Horses or Ian Brown - lots of promise, and lots of fine moments, but not the full album's worth of magic):
My Favourite Albums Of 2007
1 Made Of Bricks Kate Nash
2 Untrue Burial
3 Myths Of The Near Future Klaxons
4 Neon Bible Arcade Fire
5 Favourite Worst Nightmare Arctic Monkeys
6 In Rainbows Radiohead
7 The Good, The Bad & The Queen The Good, The Bad & The Queen
8 Hell Hath No Fury Clipse
9 Runout Groove Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Tiime
10 Reformation Post TLC The Fall
*I went into HMV to buy this on Monday, the day it came out, and they had sold out. I asked an assistant, who admitted that somebody had ordered 12 copies instead of 112. I've since ordered it from Amazon and it hasn't come yet. It seems to be a bit of a curate's egg, so we'll keep an open mind.
Labels: music
posted by Andrew Collins @ 5:09 PM
51 Comments
Contact
Andrew at
51 Comments:
Can't argue with much of it. But no LCD Soundsystem? Their album (especially Someone Great, Us v Them, and the extraordinary All My Friends) was for me the best this year.
Kate Nash number 1 singles AND albums?
I can't make my mind up about her - I am in the States so am removed from any kind of media hype (of which, as far as I can tell there has been plenty) - I go from thinking that she has a fresh take on this pop music lark to thinking she is the Jilted John de nos jours.
Actually I suppose Jilted John was the Jilted John de nos jours, but you know what I mean.
Every time the novelty song alarm goes off, when she throws a 'twat' or 'dickhead' into a lyric in that accent (which truth be told is not dissimilar to mine), it's immediately followed by an affecting bit of singing, or a nice bit of melodic invention.
I'm confused...
What no Richard Hawley!?!? Lady's Bridge was awesome and so was the single.
Also really enjoyed Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, especially single 100 Days, 100 Night and the Plant/Krauss album, Raising Sand, was possible the highlight of 2007.
A lack of funds for most of this year meant I bought virtually no new music. I have though been listening to Ca Me Vexe by Mademoiselle K almost daily since I bought it in the spring. I think it actually came out last year but since EMI don't seem to be intending to release it in the UK at all I count it as a future release. They/she are a bit like Elastica fronted by Polly Harvey. That sounds shit doesn't it? Oh well, it's not. I don't speak French; she's probably a white supremacist or something.
Thumbs aloft for standing by Kate Nash. I don't own the album but I've liked everything I've heard. I think for an interesting experiment Radiohead should release their next album as a standard CD, then a box set, and then a pay-what-you-like download.
Cool list. I'd go with Arcade Fire as my number one - predictable, yes, but entirely justified. This month's feature on them in Q is good.
Wu-Tung Clan aside, are you a fan of hip-hop Andrew? The new Jay-Z album is meant to be a return to form although I didn't think Kingdom Come was *that* bad. Kanye West is great too.
Ryan
Very average year, but mine would look a bit like:
Travis. Closer.
Tracey Thorn. Grand Canyon.
Sebastien Leger. Earth.
Rufus Wainwright. Going To A Town.
Roisin Murphy. Overpowered.
Robbie Williams. She's Madonna.
Richard Grey. Warped Bass.
Manic Street Preachers. Autumnsong.
Idlewild. No Emotion.
Hard-Fi. Suburban Knights.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen. Herculean.
The Enemy. We'll Live And Die In These Towns.
Editors. The Racing Rats.
Chicane. Come Tomorrow.
Brett Anderson. Love Is Dead.
Bloc Party. Hunting For Witches.
Arctic Monkeys. If You Were There, Beware.
Hello Andrew.
As I'm still not married or mortgaged up to my eyeballs the lists are big.
100 Beirut Elephant Gun
99 The Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running / Broken Window
98 The Long Blondes - Giddy Stratospheres
97 Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
96 Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet
95 Foals - Hummer
94 Maximo Park - Girls Who Play Guitars
93 Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker / Bad Women ft. Richard Hawley
92 Caribou - Melody Day
91 Sonny J - Can't Stop Moving
90 Late Of The Pier - Bathroom Gurgle
89 Lightspeed Champion - Galaxy of The Lost
88 Roisin Murphy - Overpowered
87 Digitalism - Pogo
86 Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
85 The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
84 Siobhan Donaghy - Don't Give Up
83 The National - Mistaken For Strangers
82 Jens Lekman - Sipping on the Sweet Nectar
81 I Was A Cub Scout - Our Smallest Adventures
80 Tacks, The Boy Disaster - The Oh, Beatrice EP
79 Ripchord - Backstabbers
78 The Little Flames - Isabella
77 iLIKETRAINS - The Deception
76 Slow Club - Me and You
75 Björk - Earth Intruders
74 Switches - Drama Queen
73 XX Teens - Darlin'
72 Blood Red Shoes - It's Getting Boring By The Sea
71 Richard Hawley - Serious
70 The Coral - Who's Gonna Find Me
69 The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
68 The Displacements - Frontline Hearts
67 Calvin Harris - The Girls
66 Noah & The Whale - 5 Years Time
65 Yeasayer - 2080 / Sunrise
64 The Rumble Strips - Motorcycle (new version)
63 Let's Wrestle - I Won't Lie To You
62 Make Model - The Was
61 The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson
60 MIA - Jimmy
59 The Heavy - That Kind of Man
58 Annuals - Brother
57 New Young Pony Club -Ice Cream
56 Ida Maria - Oh My God
55 Manic Street Preachers ft. Nina Persson - Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
54 Charlotte Hatherly - Behave
53 Like A Thief - Spiders
52 Damn Shames -Dancing In The Aisles
51 Kate Nash - Foundations
50 The Little Ones - Oh! MJ
49 Brakes - Hold Me in The River
48 My Chemical Romance - Teenagers
47 Grinderman - No Pussy Blues
46 Electrovamp - I Don't Like The Vibe In The VIP
45 Los Campesinos! - The International Tweexcore Underground
44 Howling Bells - Low Happening
43 Battles - Atlas
42 UGK ft. Outkast - International Players Anthem
41 Lethal Bizzle - Bizzle, Bizzle / Babylon's Burning The Ghetto
40 Young Knives - Terra Firma
39 Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
38 iLIKETRAINS - Spencer Percival / I Am Murdered
37 Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
36 Adele - Hometown Glory
35 Dizzee Rascal - Sirens
34 The Strange Death Of Liberal England - Oh Solitude
33 The Hat - Open Hearts
32 The Arcade Fire - No Cars Go / Surf City Eastern Bloc
31 Super Furry Animals - Run Away
30 Cajun Dance Party - Amylase
29 Field Music - A House Is Not A Home
28 We Start Fires - Play You
27 Sophie Ellis Bextor - Catch You
26 The Good, The Bad and The Queen - Green Fields
25 The Teenagers - Homecoming
24 Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days EP
23 Justice - D.A.N.C.E. EP
22 Candi Payne - I Wish I Could Have Loved You More
21 Pull Tiger Tail - Hurricanes
20 The Outside Royalty - Palladium
19 Roisin Murphy - Let Me Know
18 MIA - Paper Planes
17 Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing!/It Started With a Mixx
16 Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill
15 Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
14 White Stripes - Icky Thump / Rag and Bone
13 Black Kids - Wizard of Ahhhs EP
12 LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
11 Foals - Balloons
10 Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone/Flowers & Football Tops
9 Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof/Ladies of Cambridge
8 Laura Marling - My Manic & I EP
7 Cajun Dance Party - The Next Untouchable / Buttercups
6 Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent / The Bakery / Plastic Tramp / Too Much To Ask
5 The Cribs - Men's Needs + ( CSS remix)
4 Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do / Sarah (reworked) / Tahiti
3 LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends EP
2 1990s - See You At The Lights / Super Legal / Diabo
1 Klaxons - Golden Skans + (Erol's Ekstra Spektral Remix)
Albums
50 Babyshambles Shotter's Nation
49 Kings of Leon Because of the Times
48 The Brunettes Structure & Cosmetics
47 Battles Mirrored
46 Gruff Rhys Candylion
45 Kate Nash Made of Bricks
44 Johnny Greenwood There Will Be Blood OST
43 Band of Horses Cease To Begin
42 Animal Collective Strawberry Jam
41 The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse
40 Tough Alliance New Chance
39 Beirut The Flying Club Cup
38 Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha
37 Robert Wyatt Comicopera
36 Explosions in the Sky All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
35 The Aliens Astronomy for Dogs
34 Lethal Bizzle Back To Bizznizz
33 The Plastacines LP 1
32 Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
31 The Strange Death of Liberal England Forward March (mini album)
30 The Coral Roots and Echoes
29 Durrty Gudz Axiom
28 Porn Sword Tobacco New Exclusive Olympian Heights
27 iLIKETRAINS Elegies To Lessons Learnt
26 Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals
25 Richard Hawley Lady's Bridge
24 Jens Lekman Night Falls Over Kortedala
23 Róisin Murphy Overpowered
22 British Sea Power - Krankenhaus? EP
21 Iron and Wine The Shepard's Dog
20 Rumble Strips Girls and Weather
19 Vampire Weekend - Blue CD-R
18 The White Stripes Icky Thump
17 Klaxons Myths of the Near Future
16 Patrick Wolf The Magic Position
15 Arcade Fire Neon Bible
14 Efterklang Parades
13 The Cribs Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
12 The Twighlight Sad Fourteen Autumns and Fifiteen Winters
11 1990's Cookies
10 Super Furry Animals Hey Venus!
9 M.I.A. Kala
8 Tinariwen Aman Iman: Water Is Life
7 Burial Untrue
6 Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare
5 The National Boxer
4 ? The Good, the Bad & The Queen
3 Radiohead In Rainbows
2 Field Music Tones of Town
1 LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver
Andrew, I am about five years older then you and what I find really scary is that I have only heard of about 5 of your top 30. Never mind all this abuse you get, you've made me feel like a really out of touch old git! (my kids are right!!)
I think the HMV person may have been fibbing as nowhere seems to have the Wu Tang album (including my own shop).
Release date still says 10/12 but (like the Dre album earlier in the year) there could have been a last minute change of mind.
Both Busta Rhymes and Nelly had albums listed for release this week too, both of those have been pushed back until January at the earliest.
I think it's fair to say you can exhale now.
Kate Nash? Explain and discuss.
I'll start with "a complete and utter fraud".
Bit negative I know. But as none of my favourite songs or albums from the year - with the exception of 'In Rainbows' maybe - coincide with yours I have no where else to go. And Th'Artic Monkeys are starting to do my head in too.
I always like reading your end of year thoughts, now I absolutely have to check out the New Young Ponies, everything seems to be pointing in their direction for me.
Good to see Radiohead in there, I'm still listening to mine regularly too. Did you not like the new PJHarvey album much then?
Best Album: King of Leon, Because of the times
Best Single: Operator Please, A Song about Ping-pong
I have to agree, it's been a pretty so-so year for new albums.
Agreed with a lot of the list. What's so wrong with The Courteeners though? As a person, he's far too gobby but music wise, I can't fault him. His acoustic stuff is fantastic.
There we are - got a google account after all. For some reason I paid less attention to MTV2 that I used to love and go to Gonzo to try to be on the cusp, but I can't help but think most of the bands on the NME tour sound too similar, and I'm sure bands like Crowded House aren't popular with those who like someone that tries something different, but I thought the songwriting on Time on Earth was up there with his best, and even some songs could have come off split enz records. They still don't match the live sound on record, but then again it gives you a treat when you see them live.
If an album or single you like isn't on my list, it doesn't mean I didn't like it, it might just mean I didn't hear it. Heard a couple of tracks from LCD Soundsystem, but was never moved to seek out the whole album. I take my hat off, as ever, to the fastidious Mitchell Stirling. (Has the There Will Be Blood OST by Jonny Greenwood actually been released? I missed that. The film's not out until February.)
Aidan, everything I've heard by the Corteeners sounds like the Libertines without the spark. What I object to isn't the band or music per se, but the vast chasm between what's been thus far written about them, what the singer has said in interviews, and the actual product.
The Wu Tang Clan album has been dispatched by Amazon, so I'll hopefully be listening to it on Monday. I think Kanye West lost it this year, and I haven't heard the Jay-Z. There's plenty I haven't heard. Not enough hours in the day. I liked Young Knives' Terra Firma, but forgot to put it in.
I am liking the blurb above the comment section - good for you.
Kate Nash makes me despair, as I ranted recently on here.
I don't 'get' Klaxons at all. They come across as 'orrible spoiled rich kids playing extremely derivative by-the-book indie and sticking a few rubbish and basic loops on the top.
On the positive side, Men's Needs by The Cribs makes me want to be pissed on cider in an indie disco, shouting along at the top of my lungs with all my pals. Such a great song and album.
No offence, but the list is a little MOR, isn't it? What about bands like The National? of Montreal? Les Savy Fav? All of these have made much more innovative and solid albums than the lumpen dirge of the Arcade Fire (a cracking lumpen dirge, though it is).
This list needs indieing up!
I love opinions.
I didn't get where I am today writing long extensive lists.
It was Neon Bible for me. I also enjoyed Favourite Worst Nightmare, Boxer and the Hold Steady's Girls and Boys in America ( I know it was last year, but not for me).
Honourable mentions for Going Way Out with Heavy Trash by Heavy Trash. Which was a real find. Can't wait to see them live. And Taking Chances by Celine Dion, which may not be true. Merry Christmas.
I like the fact that you, Swines, find my list "a little MOR." Do you really think, at my age, I care? I just like what I like. For innovative, I'll take Burial. That's innovative enough for me.
(I liked Alligator by The National, but haven't heard the new one.)
As for not liking the Klaxons because they are spoiled rich kids: what does it matter? I'm not listening to the income of their parents!
I've just realised I've broken my own house rules already by allowing an anonymous comment through. Whoever you are, tell me your name, or even your made-up name. Let's be nice.
As regards Kanye West having lost it this year : is that opinion based on hearing the album? Only heard singles Stronger and Can't Tell Me Nothing myself but thought Stronger (especially) was great. Rap + Daft Punk; what's not to like!
West doesn't do himself any favours with his egotistical behaviour at award shows though.
As regards being M.O.R: can anyone beat my being a U2 fan from the age of 13?
I really can't see the point of taking someone to task over what they like or don't like. Unless it's Queen or U2 obviously.
But Kate Nash Andrew? We're talking KATE NASH! It's all a bloody act. Not a very convincing one either. She's clinging onto the end of a very thin wedge that has seen Joss Stone, Katie Melua and, for me anyway, Amy Whinehouse thankfully topple off into artistic oblvion.
What a rubbish metaphor! I know what I mean but that doesn't convey it at all. They're all shit is what I'm trying to say.
We've had the Kate Nash debate. It's here if you want to run through it again. I like U2 as well. And Queen. There's no hope for me.
Andrew, thanks again for another best-of-the-year list. I was somewhat surprised that no songs from Rufus Wainwright's new album (Release the Stars) made your list. Not that he has much in common with most of the musicians you like -- arguably the theatricality of Arcade Fire and the artistry of Radiohead -- but the album made a huge splash and was very well received far and wide. I was wondering if you didn't hear much from the new album or if you're just not a fan. Thanks for the list, and if it's not too early, happy holidays.
Not a fan of his voice, Gaby, which is quite a stumbling block!
Ooo I feel proper ‘told’ now I do.
Fair enough. I knew I was on thin ice (more familiar choice of metaphors in this post) by just being negative about your choices (most of which I either agreed with or hadn’t heard) rather than offering anything up myself. So I will.
I won’t give you a long list because, let’s face it, no one is remotely interested in anyone else list but the author’s:
Best song – Lord God Bird by Sufjan Stevens. A give away track over the internet that he was commissioned to write to commemorate the ‘return’ of the Ivory Bill Woodpecker to Brinkley Ark. A brilliant example of his beauty and his genius and it was free! You didn’t even have to donate anything. For all I know it may have been completed in 2006 but I only became aware of it this year.
Best Album – Wincing the Night Away by The Shins
Best Concert – Rilo Kiley at Manchester Academy 3. A below par album made complete sense live.
Let’s face it, there is nothing worth bothering with on this side of the Atlantic right now.
Thanks Andrew, There Will Be Blood OST is out tomorrow, One of my old university friends plays in an orchestra knows some people yadda yadda yaada. Very atmospheric and better than I expected.
Bethnoir: Yes, you absolutely MUST check out New Young Pony Club. Preferably live too. I saw them at a festival in France, expecting not to like them, and came away truly converted. They've got great stage presence.... and the keyboard player is hot too ;-)
I know it's not to many people's tastes, but there seems to be little from the heavier side of music in there. Anyone have any thoughts on Enter Shikari's album? For me it has to be one of the best of the year, along with the new Dillinger Escape Plan (Ire Works).
Finally, there's a little know band based in California but with members also based in London called *shels. Definitely worth checking out for one of the most beautiful albums of the year:
http://www.shelsmusic.com/shels/music.html
and for examples of their music:
http://www.myspace.com/shels
As a Girls Aloud fan what do you think of their latest album Andrew? I'm not a huge fan myself (although I certainly try and avoid the sneering ,borderline misogynistic and class based snobbish style of criticism they often incur) but I recognise cathcy and innovative pop when I hear it. The songs from the albums I've heard sound far short of their best.
Fair enough AC.
But if you haven't, do check out of Montreal's 'Hissing Fauna'... it's a really innovative album.
(I like Queen and a few U2 songs as well. But not Kate Nash. Not Nash. And Rufus's voice also puts me right off).
Cerebus, I haven't heard the Girls Aloud album, partly because I haven't heard a lot of albums, and partly because the singles didn't do it for me. I don't have the time to listen to albums unless moved to do so by the singles, or tracks I've heard. Entire albums are a luxury!
Album of the year is Sky Blue Sky by Wilco... The best band in America make their best record yet. In fact (...and, yes - tis is no mere opinion this, but FACT, as proven by scientists with bunsen burners and such...) it's the best record made by anyone, anywhere since The Bends. That good. Really. That good.
I have heard the GA album and Can say it's has the least high points since the first but also manages to be the least consistent. I thought at first the 'no ballads' idea would mean an album choc full of "Biology" but it has seen them slightly stretched in my opinion and other repetitive . While there are some great moments on it like "Can't Speak French" I wasn't a big fan of the first half but it does pick up in the second half "Black Jacks" is a great song and the drum and bass number is a bit loopy.
Blimey - not heard a single song or album on that list.
I've just realised though that the only new album I've bought this year was the Manics and most of my CD purchases this year were remasters of albums by The Move and ELO. Oh, and various Doctor Who stories from Big Finish, including "Live 34" which had someone vaguely familiar in it as a radio show presenter. ;-)
For some reason I've not got around to buying the Foo Fighters' last album yet.
Disturbingly, I don't think I have heard one single record all the way through this year. I didn't even manage to listen to all of 'Umbrella' - but the 10 seconds I did here sounded fabulous.
In short then, I have done what I always said I never would do : fallen briefly, but utterly for the time being, out of touch. Bugger.
Top five albums:
Number One. Cats on Fire - The Province Complains. (AC - go onto HMV.com NOW and buy it. If you do not like it I will donate £20 to a charity of your choice).
Also great. The National; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; Maps; Arctic Monkeys.
I love Girls Aloud but they're not an albums band really, like most pop bands I suppose. The singles are consistently good though, and I love Sexy (No No No) just as much as Love Machine and Something Kinda Oooh! The album tracks for pop bands though are usually all filler really.
Actually I thought the same thing about the Kate Nash album too - I liked the singles but not the album tracks.
As for my own favourite albums this year, these are:-
1.Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers
2.Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
3.The Enemy - We'll Live and Die in These Towns
4.Bjork - Volta
5.Radiohead - In Rainbows
6.Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
7.Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures
8.Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards
9.Gossip - Standing In The Way of Control
10.Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
I realise that some of these may be reissues but I only bought them this year!
Zoe
Oh, ok. Nobody's mentioned it (I think) but they play the Paul McCartney album (Memory Almost Full?) all the time at the Starbucks I go to and it's pretty cool. And I know you can't stand Springsteen Andrew, but his "Magic" is great. M.O.R. pride!
Really, I'm rather surprised only one person has cited PJ Harvey's latest effort...
Look ---> . .
0
...that's what I actually look like right now
I've also looked at the list and felt very out of touch! This seems to have been a far better year for tracks than albums- although Tracy Thorn's Out of the Woods was a pleasant surprise and Lady's Bridge by Richard Hawley was every bit as good as I'd hoped. And the Travis album was impressive, despite the fact that nobody bought it. Agreed on Favourite Worst Nightmare, which for me is an improvement on the first album...
How does someone who is politically conscious reconcile Queen playing Sun City prior to the end of apartheid Andrew (or anyone else who cares to care)?
I’m not necessarily having a go. It is possible to separate out a band’s music from their transgressions I suppose. And I dare say, should I offer up a list of my favourite bands down the years (one of which was/is The Smiths, so I’ll hand you Morrissey on a plate if you like), that you could point to something ‘questionable’ about them.
But for me, as much as I quite liked some of their stuff up to Sheer Heart Attack maybe, it puts them and their music beyond the pale. And I’m hardly Bernard Right on in the first place.
I like some of Queen's singles. I don't believe I've ever heard an album all the way through, and the only money I've spent on them was to buy their two Greatest Hits albums. I think they were idiots to play Sun City.
Merseymal - I wouldn't bother with the latest effort from Foo Fighters if I were you. I like their singles and they are incredible live, but their latest album is really boring I'm afraid. The songs all sound the same now and none of them particularly grab your attention apart from the lead single. Save your money for seeing them live instead.
As for Queen I too only have their Greatest Hits but think that they are one of the best British Rock/Pop bands ever. Mine and my husband's first dance at our wedding was actually to 'You're My Best Friend'.
Zoe
I hate Fluorescent Adolescent. It's Arctic Monkeys Lite. For pensioners and 12 year olds.
My single of the year is Our Velocity by Maximo Park. I hated it at first, now I love it to bits. The album, Our Earthly Pleasures, is probably the best of this year too. Of course, if I hear a better album than Black Holes and Revelations before I die, I'll be amazed.
HMSDebbie
I'm so out of touch. I'd have to go for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's Raising Sand album.
Apart from that, there's the odd single I've liked over the year, but I can't think what they are off hand.
Otherwise, I'd have to go for Tea and Symphony, a collection of baroque pop from the late 60s/early 70s. And that's about as up to date as it gets, I'm afraid.
I might have added "Gilt Complex" (Sons and Daughters) and "We're all going to die" (Malcolm Middleton) to the singles list, and on a mellow tip, Passenger's "Wicked Man's Rest" to the albums. Otherwise, all sounds fine and dandy.
I thought I was the only person who disliked Rufus Wainwright's voice, so glad to find I am in good company (I like his Dad's singing though).
A late entry to the best of list, British Ballads by Anthony Reynolds is absolutely gorgeous, but it's only just come out.
This post has been removed by the author.
(Sorry, I mistyped important information in my previous post in Christmas Shopping haste:)
Agree on Gilt Complex, Al. The album, out in January, is fantastic, preceded, I think by Darling, which is already a contender for single of the year 2008 - unless, of course, it turns out to be their first hit and gets played to death. Then we'll see. Sons & Daughters have definitely come of age, I'd say.
By the way, I have now listened to 8 Diagrams by Wu-Tang Clan enough times to know that, although it's not all great, much of it is, and that would send it into my Top Ten. Even a duff Wu-Tang track is worth listening to, and it's been too long.
I'm also enjoying Skream! by Skream, another late entry. I'm not going to go in and change my lists. That would be revisionism of the most anal kind. But these records should be noted.
A few albums I have enjoyed this year that I think haven't been mentioned yet:
The Kissaway Trail - The Kissaway Trail
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
Seventeen Evergreen - Life Embarrsses Me On This Planet
Modest Mouse - We were Dead Before The Ship Sunk
Fountains Of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Steve
Just can't agree with any praise of Kate "Where's me washboard?" Nash, but definitely with you on the choice of Radiohead track - the bassline alone...!! Almost makes me wish I had a souped-up Vauxhall Nova with bass bins bigger than the wheels to play it through
Wasn't Welcome Interstate Managers released in 2004?
That's not to say you can't still enjoy it in 2007.
Sorry mean't Traffic and Weather by Fountains, also really enjoyed Diamond Times by Great Lakes
Steve
Post a Comment
<< Home