You favourite albums of 2007 so far
 

Well six months of 2007 have gone and there's already been some amazing music released so far this year. Any faves or disappointments?

Here's my faves so far:

Mark Olson - The Salvation Blues
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Easily my fave this year. Beautiful, honest and heartbreaking. It's arguably the best thing that Olson has ever done, certainly since he left The Jayhawks and his voice has never sounded so vulnerable or lovely

Soulsavers - It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land
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This album took me aback when I first heard it: gospel, soul, rock and dance music, all sung with incredible passion by Mark Lanegan at his smoky-voiced, world-weary best. I think his version of Spiritual challenges Johnny Cash's as the best interpretation of that song

The White Stripes - Icky Thump
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I have to admit I had gone off the Stripes a little, I didn't think Elephant was the masterpiece everyone claimed it was, and Get Behind Me Satan was cute but didn't compel repeated listens. Icky Thump though is a surprise, it's fun and diverse (bagpipes, flamenco guitars and trumpets!) and loud! I love Jack and Meg turning all Steptoe And Son in Rag And Bone - hilarious and damn catchy too!

The New Pornographers - Challengers
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This isn't out yet, but if you pre-order you get to hear a stream of the album. On first listen it lacks the power pop punch of Twin Cinema but IMO it's their best effort yet. It's pretty hard to go wrong with the AC Newman/Dan Bejar/Neko Case triple threat though.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
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There's a lot of hatin' on this album, but, while it's not as instant as Summerteeth or progressive as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, or experimental as A Ghost Is Born, given a chance it has a lot to love, especially Impossible Germany and Side With The Seeds. I <3 Jeff Tweedy. I still get a kick out of hearing him sing about housework on Hate It Here

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Like Love Lust & The Open Halls Of The Soul
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When I saw Jesse Sykes and her band live earlier this year I couldn't understand why this woman isn't better known. She looks like a cross between Emmylou Harris and Ali MacGraw, has a smoky, unique and awesomely sinister voice, and her songs are gorgeous, atmospheric country noir with a real Neil Young sensibility. I just love her.

Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
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Why can't all comeback albums be like this? Beyond, I think, sounds like it could have been released back in the band's prime. They are still incredible live too, I didn't realise it but I really missed J Mascis' ear-bleeding guitar solos

Also awesome:
Son Volt - The Search
Feist - The Reminder
Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
Brandi Carlisle - The Story
Charlotte Hatherley - Deep Blue Sea
Dr Dog - We All Belong
Patti Smith - Twelve
The National - Boxer
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Disappointments:
Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Lucinda Williams - West

Well mine is yet to come in about October or November. It's from that kick ass band from the U.K called Stereophonics. And it will be called Pull The Pin!:nod:

My top 5 so far:

1. Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
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2. Lucky Soul - Great Unwanted
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3. Suzanne Vega - Beauty & Crime
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4. Mary Weiss with the Reigning Sound - Dangerous Game
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5. Frog Eyes - Tears of the Valedictorian
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Also good:
Lavender Diamond - Imagine Our Love
The Bird & the Bee - The Bird & the Bee
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Laura Viers - Saltbreakers
Cowboy Junkies - At the End of Paths Taken
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Patti Smith - Twelve
Feist - The Reminder
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me
Crowded House - Time On Earth
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Son Volt - The Search
Avril Lavigne - Best Damn Thing :p
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend Blue CD-R
Bryan Ferry - Dylanesque

Disapointments:
Bjork - Volta!
Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
Chris Cornell - Carry On

I am sure there are more, but I am at work and can't think of them :mad:

Not many stand out to me thus far this year, but here are the few exceptions:

"In Sorte Diaboli" - Dimmu Borgir
"Systematic Chaos" - Dream Theater
"The Arockalypse" - Lordi
"United Abominations" - Megadeth

Disappointment-
"Christ Illusion" - Slayer

Newer releases that I hope are very good listens-
"The Apostasy" - Behemoth
"Paradise Lost" - Symphony X
"Unia" - Sonata Arctica

Two so far:


Mika, Life in Cartoon Motion


Rufus Wainwright, Release the Stars

They are this fun indie pop group, very influenced by The Shangri-La's and Sandie Shaw - think The Bird & the Bee but better, with their roots in a modern 1950/60s sound. If that makes sense to you :laugh:

Idk, I havent really listened to any full albums from this year. I'll let you know what I think when "Under The Blacklight" comes out. :)

hmm, favorites so far ...

patty griffin - children running through. oh patty. oh, oh patty. this album focuses less on her songwriting and more on her voice, so i don't think it's my favorite of hers, but it may be my favorite so far this year.

mark olson - salvation blues. you're right sharon, it's so heartbreaking ... i just love it. my favorite track is currently clifton bridge - i just love the lines "some people come here to die/we came here to live/there's a hope in our hearts/there's a future in our soul" <3

new pornographers - challengers. their best album IMO. just gorgeous ... "there's something unguided in the sky tonight" oh neko. oh dan. oh AC.

keren ann - keren ann. who is this girl and where is she from and why does she know so many languages and why is she so cool? this is a slow burn of an album, but it's quite lovely. i hadn't even heard of this girl until a few weeks ago but i highly recommend her.

ricky skaggs & bruce hornsby - ricky skaggs & bruce hornsby. you heard me. it's fantastic. when i first heard about this collaboration a while back i was taken aback; they're odd bedfellows. even if you don't think you like bluegrass, give it a shot.

grace potter and the nocturnals - this is somewhere. i talk about these guys so much you'd think i was on their street team or something. i'm not, i just ****ing love them. go to their myspace and tell me you're not in love with grace, i dare you. this album comes out in august.

vampire weekend - vampire weekend. i don't know a single thing about this band but the album was great. pop music + strings = happy carrie.

jesse sykes and the sweet hereafter - like, love, lust, and the open halls of the soul. i hated this album when i first heard it. but i read an article about jesse sykes and decided to give it another listen. once i got used to her unusual voice i fell in love with it and the twang, oh the twang! swoon.

Oh yeah, I forgot about this one! Thank you to the customer who shared it with me which allowed me to share it with you! :D

OMG, Suzanne Vega looks gorgeous!

I need to pick up Icky Thump soon.

Perry Farrell's Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

get.

the f*ck out.

i seriously thought i was the only one in the world who knows her. (but why does it not surprise me that you know and love her?) i can listen to "lay your head down" all day. "the sailor and the widow." "in your back." brilliant poetry. brilliant voice.

Doubtful that many (if any) of you here have heard of them but Mother Mother - "Touch Up" is seriously one of the most incredible albums I have heard in my life. It has definitely cracked my fave top 10 evah.

Paul Collins' Beat - Flying High is my favorite album released this year, so far. It's soooo good.

Also lovin'..
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Gore Gore Girls - Get The Gore
The DT's - Nice N Ruff! Hard Soul Hits, Vol 1
The White Stripes - Icky Thump

That's all I can think of..

this is the only CD from this year that I've actually liked thus far, tbh.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion

My favourites so far this year -

Astrid Williamson (as talented as she is beautiful)

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The Kooks

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White Stripes

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Amy Winehouse

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OMG totally! she's fantastic. do you have any of her earlier stuff? if not, PM me ...

everybody loves graaaaaaaaaaaace <3 <3 <3

Hmm, haven't purchased too many albums this year. I like West by Lucinda Williams, but it's not as good as some of her others.

I guess the new Bright Eyes and Amy Winehouse would be my favorites. I really need to start exploring new music.

The new Maroon 5 CD ROCKS!

I love me some Crystal Visions. :nod:

YES! I finally broke down and bought Crystal Visions....LOL!

Oh, forgot to mention Amy Winehouse, although I don't think it came out this year, but I got it this year. :nod:

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Buffalo Tom - Three easy Pieces: three spins and hooked. Dont judge on first listen. These songs are incredible. Easily my NR.1 untill now

Golden Smog - Blood on the Slacks: Seventiespoprock like you haven't heard for over thirty years. Perfection. 8 tracks, vinyllength. I miss that today, so that's extra quality.

Phonograph - Phonograph. Irresistable American Poprocksongs.

Dinosaur JR: see first post

Soul Savers: Well, it's Mark Lanegan people. If you haven't opened up for Mark Lanegan yet you don't experience life to the fullest.

YES!!!! Someone besides me on here likes them and It Won't Be Soon Before Long!!!!!

It's the only CD I thought was buyable yet this year!!
I mean, I love me some Stevie, but how many repeat songs do I need? And will I EVER really watch the DVD??? :shrug:

BlackWidow, will you bee seeing Maroon5 on tour this year?? :wavey:
I plan on it now that I missed Stevie

[sorry for thread jacking :sorry: ]

i do... some. i am slowly discovering and savouring her music. what are your favourites? i only have about 6 of her tracks so far...

she played toronto at the beginning of june. i thought, oh, i'll swing by the bar after work. it'll probably be me and the bartender.

sold. out.

i was devastated.

i'm so curious how people discovered her. she's another one whose music i want to tell everyone about... while i bury her under a big rock and keep from the rest of the world. know what i mean?

oh, absolutely. it's how i feel about grace potter & the nocturnals ... i saw them at the berkeley church in toronto last month with about 100 people in the audience, and it was ****ing amazing. they were 5 feet away. i'm afraid after their new album comes out & they do their leno & craig ferguson (i think) appearances i'll never have that opportunity again. but i think everyone should listen to them. :laugh:

I'm adding:

David Vandervelde - THE MOONSTATION HOUSE BAND

21 years old: classic pop. An unbelievable talent, people. Listen at least twice before judging.


Immaculate Machine - FABLES.

Beautiful male-female-trio: threepart harmonies, hooks, riffs, melodies-the works.

Nick Lowe- at my age.

Sorry, but I still love Nick Lowe. Easy listening from the other planets.

Albert Hammond, Jr ~ Yours To Keep
Definitely my number one favorite this year. Gorgeous and intricate, it's perfect from beginning to end. I love this CD and I love Albert. I've seen him (and his AMAZING band) twice this year and wish I could see them every Friday night. It doesn't get any better than this.

Amy Winehouse ~ Back To Black
The coolest CD of the year. She is the dirt. Someone should already give her the grammy for best new artist and song of the year ("Rehab"). Amy is a true original...she doesn't sound, look or act like anyone else. I adore her.

The Arcade Fire ~ Neon Bible
This is such a haunting CD. I go back and find new things to stir my mind around with every listen. I can't wait to see them play at ACL.

The Shins ~ Wincing The Night Away
No one else comes close to The Shins. This CD is pure ear candy -- the production is flawless. Everyone should own this.

Spoon ~ Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
This CD has me push play more than anything else right now. Its a perfect summer release. Sounds great on the beach but it also sounds good in the middle of the night when all the lights are out and you just have 2 candles burning. Atmospheric, to say the least.

Fountains Of Wayne ~ Traffic And Weather
14 little jewels. Gorgeous, smart and perfect pop songs. This is SUCH a great release.

Arctic Monkeys ~ Favorite Worst Nightmare
Rough around the edges with soft melodies wrapped around smart lyrics, this is a sonic blast in your player. Alex Turner just might be my favorite male vocalist -- he has a style that is all his own.

Travis ~ The Boy With No Name
Track number two is my favorite song at the moment - "Selfish Jean". This is a great CD and I cant wait to see these guys play live in a couple of months.

Johnette Napolitano ~ Scarred
She's one of a kind and has a voice like no other. I am always amazed by her talent. A hell of a CD. So glad I got to see her in March at SXSW.

Kings Of Leon ~ Because Of The Times
From the opening track to the very end, this is a rock release that you can't stop turning the volume up on. KOL are a great band and they got it right with this CD. I put this on in my Jeep and cruise down the highway. Can't complain about that.

rbs

I loved both American Doll Posse and Volta.

The ADP tour has been AMAZING so far people. America and Australia - Get your tickets soon!!!!!!

These are excelent choices, I own them, but haven't included them yet, cause they have to grow some more than they already did. I thought that Spoon sounded a little too constructed at first few listens, but it's growing. The kings first half is exquisite, but than it falls a bit flat the second half...but I'll give it some more spins the next few days....

I haven't heard Hammond yet, but this sounds interesting, same with the Shins, heard it once, but it didn't catch my attention immediately.
I'll pick up some of your choices for sure, because you have a very good taste. Thanks for keeping the heads up on good music!!!

The Takeovers "Bad Football." The Takeovers is a project by ex-GBVers Robert Pollard and Chris Slusarenko. The bassline on "Little Green Onion Man" alone makes it worth while, but it's chock full of Pollard quirkiness. Lots of great cameos, too, like Stephen Malkmus (PAVEMENT), Tad Doyle (TAD), John Moen (THE DECEMBERISTS) and Dan Peters (MUDHONEY).

http://gbvdb.com/images/takeovers_bad_football.jpg

Still, I have a hunch one of Mr. Pollard's upcoming solo releases on Oct. 9 (he has two to be released that day) will take the crown.

thanks for the tip! That line-up sounds very promising! (big pavement fan!)

Well besides Stevie's Crystal Visions, of course, I would say:

(1) Paul Mccartney's Memory Almost Full

(2) The White Stripes' Icky Thump

(3) Prince's Planet Earth