2007 was poised for greatness. Around this time last year, we knew that we'd have new records from Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, New Pornographers, PJ Harvey, Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine, and scores of other established acts. The future of popular music never looked brighter. And while none of those records were by any means terrible, my personal expectations were slightly less than met, and the bar didn't seem move a notch. I can't even come up with a list of my 10 favorite albums without compromising. In retrospect, I should have known better than to have expectations at all, lest they be crushed. Still, as I've had ample time to digest what's been offered and have grown to love those records despite my initial disappointment, there's been a wealth of individually spectacular songs released by artists old and new. Here's my top 25, in particular order:
25. "Myriad Harbour" - The New Pornographers 24. "Falling Slowly" - The Frames/Swell Season (the "Once" performance, specifically) 23. "1 2 3 4" - Feist (best live performance) 22. "Reckoner" - Radiohead 21. "Intervention" - Arcade Fire 20. "Murderer" - Low 19. "Boy With A Coin" - Iron & Wine 18. "Snake Mistakes" - Dan Deacon 17. "All My Friends" - LCD Soundsystem 16. "Dashboard" - Modest Mouse 15. "Go Places" - The New Pornographers 14. "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead" - Akron/Family 13. "White Dove" - John Vanderslice 12. "Bullets" - Tunng 11. "Second Chance" - Liam Finn
10. "Black Mirror" - Arcade Fire --This doesn't seem to be one of the tracks thats generally considered a highlight from Neon Bible, but to me it's the most naturally progressed song from Funeral. It's almost as fist-pumping as anything from that landmark record, and the swirling sound-effect placed throughout gives me chills. This is the sound of a band who has been able to let go of the death and disillusionment that's haunted them, in exchange for challenging the cause of such things.
9. "When I Light Your Darkened Door" - J. Tillman -There is so much beauty in the restraint Mr. Tillman displays here. It's what's in between the notes of this song, the empty spaces that suspend us just to the brink of resolution, that make it incredibly captivating.
8. "Kid On My Shoulders" - White Rabbits -An essential tune for the year's pre-funking, this was the summer anthem that never was.
7. "Missed the Boat" - Modest Mouse -This song is just wrong wrong wrong. Corny drum loop, corny riff, corny rhythm guitar. I'd imagine it's the most-hated MM song ever by the hardcore fans... ..and I love it. And the chorus - that insanely catchy, heart-tugging chorus - kills me every time. Not to mention it contains the most creatively poignant take on regret I've ever heard.
6. "Love Is All We Have" - Jesca Hoop -Why this song wasn't everywhere this year is beyond me. I don't know much about where Jesca comes from, but it isn't hard to be affected by the devastation brought by hurricane Katrina. The crushing truth of Jesca's lyrics about the aftermath of the storm make this the most heartbreaking song I heard all year.
5. "My Moon My Man" - Feist -The most deceptively simple song I heard this year. Yeah, any monkey could play those same three keys on a piano, right? But it's the melody that commands the spotlight here - Leslie's tricky, unique hook gets better with each listen.
4. "Fake Empire" - The National -What ultimately drew me to this song is that it's so unassuming on the first few listens that we barely noticed how gorgeously it flowers. Stunningly so. Layer after layer is added as the track evolves into something timeless and special. It's as if the band hit the record button at random and they're making it up as they go along, and there just happened to be some trumpet players hanging outside the studio who overheard and dropped in on the session. I can't say I have as much praise for the rest of the album, but I'm sworn to give it more time.
3. "Heinrich Maneuver" - Interpol -Each element of this tune is perfectly placed for maximum pleasure. I can hear it being covered by any band, any genre. A perfect pop song IMHO. My heart swings, indeed.
2. "Wham City" - Dan Deacon -Those with an itchy trigger finger for the "next" button would likely have to leave this track playing accidentally in order to find it's golden center (3:42-7:02). Our patience is tested, but the payoff is bliss. Play it loud. And often. While driving.
1. "Ed is a Portal" - Akron/Family -The #1 source of musical joy for me this year. An absolute celebration. Essentially built on one chord, it's completely inane and totally satisfying.
There you have it kids. All in all, the music was great in 2007, and the hype has begun for 2008. I'll see you this time, next year.
My Trusted MOGs
This has been a good year, in retrospect. While you've noted some disappointments this year (I have my fair share as well), there have also been some wonderful surprises to pick up the slack. It's still good to be into music. :)
My Trusted MOGs
Agreed, this has been a great year. I didn't mean to come down on any artists - I guess I just expected this year to be more monumental.
My Trusted MOGs
My Moon My Man is definitely among my favorite songs this year. I need to make me a song list. You people are too smart for me.
My Trusted MOGs
do give the nationals' boxer more time.....i love that album!! of course, it helps that i saw them live twice last year!!! (haha, that's what you get for living in spokane!....sorry..) so many times for me, a live performance will make or break an artist for me.... the national, definately make it.
now, j. tillman, i just had the pleasure of seeing him live for the first time last saturday at the croc (this was the last show unbeknownst to everyone there from patrons to employees before the evil-witch owner shut it down). he played between robin pecknold (fleet foxes) , and david bazan......i think he should have played first. the reason being, while robin pecknold isn't a big rocker, his music is pretty mellow (but admittedly enjoyable), j. tillman's was even more mellow. between songs though, he was a hoot!!!
happy holidays~~~
My Trusted MOGs
♫ Henry - isn't that a great tune? I crave it, actually.
♫ Jaye - Tillman does have some great between song banter. When he came here a few weeks ago, he seemed all serious when he first started playing, but got the audience laughing right after the first song. And yeah, seeing a band live will often make/break - that happened to me with White Rabbits.
My Trusted MOGs
You are smart to make a songs list instead of an albums list. Not that many albums wowed me this year, but lots of songs. I may have to crib your idea...
My Trusted MOGs
When you relisten to the National give Mistaken for Strangers and Apartment Story special listens. Those are the two songs that I keep coming back to on the cd.
My Trusted MOGs
KOOL lists listy lists
My Trusted MOGs
Great list. A gave Akron/Family a listen yesterday for the first time, and "Ed is a Portal" is by far my fav as well. All in all, a great collection of tracks though I notice an appalling lack of Nine Inch Nails. Tsk, tsk, tsk! ;)
My Trusted MOGs
Thank you for sharing! Have a tremendously good year, Ty! Toodles :*
My Trusted MOGs
Nice post. It can definitely be expected to land in the top five when I post my list of the year's twenty-five best lists.
My Trusted MOGs
Haha, El Monk, very meta.