THE MUSIC BLOGGING HIVE MIND

My 2007 Faves: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Song

Posted about 1 year ago
Okay, here's the deal. I have resigned myself to knowing there are not enough hours in the day to become properly acquainted with all the new releases this year. I've spent a good deal of time catching up on older albums that somehow flew under my radar, and as such have not yet had the chance to fully listen to some newer albums I know my trusted moggers have fallen for. Alas, all in good time. But even so, I've listened to some great stuff, enough so that trimming down a year-end list was far from easy. Let's hope the immortal words of Major T. J. "King" Kong don't ring in your ears: "I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones!" I'll do my best not to disappoint, so without further ado, here's GMO's Top 10 of 2007. Let the fallout begin!(List in comments)

Comments (40)

  1. goodmusiconly says 1. I know, I know ... I run the risk of sounding like a broken record, but seriously folks, this is one fine album, and if I base its placement on number of plays alone it's my clear front-runner. I love Matt Berninger's voice, the inventive drumming, the lyrics, the atmosphere of the whole album. "Brainy" has been my favorite track on this album for months. The National - Boxer Brainy
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  2. goodmusiconly says Let me start by saying that numbers 2-10 on this list are all neither here nor there with regard to placement ... I like them all in different ways, but because Dale is going to the trouble of aggregating scores I wanted to give it the ol' college try. I'm going to keep this short and let the music speak for itself. Here goes... 2. Papercuts - Can't Go Back John Brown

    It's possible the world may never know of Papercuts. But not if Jennifer Kelly and I have anything to say about it.

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  3. goodmusiconly says 3. Blonde Redhead - 23 Spring and By Summer Fall
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  4. goodmusiconly says 4. Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir

    Just a wonderful album, from beginning to end.

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  5. goodmusiconly says 5. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters And She Would Darken the Memory

    Sonic bliss.

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  6. goodmusiconly says 6. Grinderman - self titled Depth Charge Ethel

    It's Nick Cave ... and I love Nick Cave. 'Nuff said.

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  7. goodmusiconly says 7. Richard Swift - Dressed Up for the Letdown Buildings of America

    IMO, one of the more underrated songwriters and lyrical talents in recent years. Often compared to Harry Nilsson, Rufus Wainwright, and a handful of others - all correct assessments, but ultimately Swift has his own style.

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  8. goodmusiconly says 8. The Ponys - Turn the Lights Out Double Vision

    Straight up garage goodness

    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  9. ROCKNROLLPIMP says i need to listen to that papercuts again......i see some good stuff and that national lp is sure to be number 1 as it is even on *MY LIST*
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  10. goodmusiconly says 9. Pela - Anytown Graffiti Anytown Graffiti
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  11. goodmusiconly says no worries, pimpy! Thanks for commenting. :)
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  12. goodmusiconly says 10. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky Side with the Seeds Admittedly, it took me a long time to like Wilco, as I'm not typically big on alt country. And this album contains a lot of influences that normally don't float my boat, but no matter. I've been won over on the goodness that is Jeff Tweedy and there's no going back.
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  13. ROCKNROLLPIMP says oh MY! i messed EVERYTHING UP! so sorry.....
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  14. Augusts1 says Damn, I forgot about that Ponys album, that's a great song. I'm going to have to check that cd out.
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  15. dachmo says PIMP got a little excited! I totally overlooked that Loney Dear album which is very good, and I just recently got a full steam going with the Richard Swift you turned me on to. The Pony's I know not. Blonde Redhead really did it up right with this release, their best since the mid '90s. Great list Erin, I dig the layout too!
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  16. RGM says So if that lady has four legs does mean she has two butts LOL... (Man my friends are right I am a Butthead LOL... |;^[)> ) Cool Post good- m
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  17. amber says You know what's funny? I have The National at #1 and I like Wilco although they didn't hit my top 10. But all inbetween....don't know them, expect for Pela and I haven't given them near enough of a listen. I guess I have to track down all this other music! thanks E!
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  18. david hyman says awesome post. thanks for creating this mini masterpiece. we gotta make it easier to put a bunch of tracks in one post. on our shortlist.
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  19. Marigold says That is a pretty sweet list there E. Love a lot of those releases myself. I have been meaning to get to Grinderman. Thanks for the reminder. I totally aggree with not fretting about getting to all of a said years releases. I get to what I get to and do not worry about getting to everything. I like to listen to a lot of older stuff as well. Keeping a balance is the key.
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  20. SA says I love the The National and Blonde Redhead albums. Nice top 10. :)
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  21. Misstee says ...and I love the title of your post!
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  22. goodmusiconly says whoops, looks like the song title on Loney, Dear is missing. For the record, it's "Hard Days 1.2.3.4" *August* I can't give the Ponys points for complexity, but that's not necessarily what I'm looking with them. It's a rockin' album! *David* Thanks! (and thank you for the inspiration on the layout, it was all you.) So glad to hear you're getting into the Swift - I'll get you the latest. :) *Ray* Perhaps she has two rear ends but that bodes well for what could be on top. Two times the lady, two times the fun! *Amber* That surprises me! I think in particular you'd like Blonde Redhead and The Ponys. You have some good listening ahead of you my dear, and I'm more than happy to help. *DH* Thanks Mogfather, the pleasure is mine. Good to see you here. Yep, it took some time and determination to make the post this way; it would be wonderful if we could include more than one track. Good to hear that's in the works. Cheers! *Mike* Danke. I know Grinderman's not for everyone, but if you have any Cave leanings at all you should check it out. Serious stuff! *SA* Greetings, glad you like. :) *Misstee* Thanks, I always get a bit slap happy when I'm starved of sleep!
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  23. goodmusiconly says Also wanted to include a shortlist of some other albums that I've enjoyed this year: David Kilgour - The Far Now (A really great, beautiful album), Autokat - Late Night Shopping (infectiously catchy), Earlimart (their best effort yet; I only wish Aaron's vocals were stronger), Shocking Pinks, Radiohead (admittedly I waited until some of the hubub blew over to check it out; though I don't think it compares to previous albums, it's still good), PJ Harvey, The Mary Onettes, Fields, Film School, and My Teenage Stride. I've happened upon a few recently while perusing other mogger's lists that I know will probably become favorites ... but that's why we do this seemingly inane exercise, right?
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  24. Dale says Bingo, sweetie. Love the list, love the title, almost as much as I love the MOGger responsible.
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  25. goodmusiconly says aww, love _you,_ bro!
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  26. Mike the Knife says That's some boo-ti-ful music, keed. As I said here (http://mog.com/Mike_the_Knife/blog_post/134935), no lists for me. But If I had one, Boxer, Sky Blue Sky and the Loney, Dear album would be on it. Thanks for the tastes of Richard Swift and Papercuts. I'm getting in the queue now...
    Permalink posted 01/05/2008
  27. Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Now that's a list. I feel guilty for not having given the Papercuts more time. I need to do that.
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  28. 1234chainsaw says Good list - and not just 'cause I see a lot of overlap with mine :D I like Papercuts quite well, too. Contra Dach, I'm not sure 23 beats The Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons (2001); but the consistency of Blonde Redhead's output is amazing.
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  29. amber says I was remiss...I do know Blonde Redhead. I mentally skipped them in your post because I am familiar and I was mouth-frothingly excited for new discoveries. If I remember correctly, I was standing next to you for Blonde Redhead's set at Lolla. Wasn't I? (it's so sad when the brain goes...)
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  30. goodmusiconly says *Michael* Believe me, I wrestled with whether I'd do a list, and I'm so relieved to get it over with. Not surprised we have some favorites in common, and even better to introduce you to a couple more gems. My work here is done ... erm, until the next post. Cheers! *Henry* Thanks. :) And as one who is making making music for the rest of us, you should cast any feelings of guilt far out of your head. Just keep strumming that guitar! *Pekka* Kiitti (is that correct?). I'm a bit surprised at myself for placing Papercuts so high; on any given day I'm sure the order could be different, but I keep coming back to that album over and over. As for BR, I believe I was introduced to them via your post shortly after I joined mog, so thanks, it's been a treat getting to know them. *Amber* You're quite right! We were standing together, along with Mike. That show, for me, was one of the highlights of the weekend. I need to get myself one of those stuffed horses Kazu Makino was sitting on for my computer desk. ;)
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  31. 1234chainsaw says Ole hyvä! (That's "You're welcome".) "Kiitti" is colloquial for "Kiitos" and indeed means "Thanks".
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  32. darmuzz says I seem to have zero overlap with either your list or your back-up list! All the more for me to catch up on.
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  33. Zeroskilz says I can find a lot in your list that I like. I will definitely say that Boxer was the best album put out last year. It just has so much to offer. I've got that Papercuts album. I better spin it again. I agree, it's impossible to spend quality time with every release. I even made a special point of trying to get to the Earlimart album, and I never made it. Maybe this year, I can backtrack a bit and catch it. The way it was, I made favorites lists for '07 ablums and non-'07 albums.
    Permalink posted 01/06/2008
  34. FluxCapacitor says Great work, Erin. Lots to love here, but I'm particluarly taken with Blonde Redhead, whom I'd previously let slip through my fingers. Now I'm gonna show up at their apartment door, say I was a fool to let 'em go, and ask for another shot. All thanks to you...
    Permalink posted 01/07/2008
  35. ZenPop says I've got three of 'em on my Best of list (National, Blonde Redhead, Loney Dear)... I love the fact that we're not duplicating too much, because now I can listen to all this other great stuff you offer... Papercuts sounds great... If I had heard the entire Twilight Sad album, I'm sure it would have made my list (That cover did make my Best Album cover list... I'm off to buy it first thing tomorrow) LOVE that Ponys album cover ...now onto the others! Thanks so much!
    Permalink posted 01/07/2008
  36. goodmusiconly says whoops, been a bit busy and have neglected my own post - sorry! *Dar* I hear you, the amount of catching-up I have to do after reading through everyone's lists is utterly insane. I'll wish us both luck! Thanks for stopping in. *Mike* Great to see you around mog again. I'm making a list of some non-07 faves myself (but why the need to make all these freaking lists I do not know!). I don't think you've posted on it. Will you? *Colin* Danke! So glad to return the favor with B.R., there's a lot of great stuff there, and on older albums as well. They'll be lucky to have a fella like you show up on their doorstep! *John* Ditto, I'm excited to sink my teeth into several on your list! The beauty of mog in action. The Ponys cover was done by a bandmember (he's an artist and did a very cool illustration for their tour T-shirt as well). Thank you and you're welcome!
    Permalink posted 01/08/2008
  37. Lizziegreeneyes says Beloved Sis... looks like I have a few there that will have to go back on my listen to again list... some of yours just barely made mine... Wilco OF COURSE, Blonde Redhead... Never been much of a Nick Cave girl - but I will DEFINITELY check that one out - I musta been missing it before... I am sure you will spin me round - if not, we will always have MOGgerdoodles & our sweet arse family to keep us closer than most nuclear families ever get :)
    Permalink posted 01/08/2008
  38. Bartleby says My, my - where does the aural goodness end? Thanks for these snippets.
    Permalink posted 01/14/2008
  39. goodmusiconly says It doesn't end, dear Bartleby, that's the beauty of it. :)
    Permalink posted 01/14/2008
  40. bohemianlullaby says i had a live recording of the twilight sad that i dug up about a week and a half ago and now i'm craving for more. trying to hunt down that cd where i live has been quite the challenge though.....
    Permalink posted 01/16/2008

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