2007 Wrap-up
Okay so I'm a little late but I've been reading other people's lists so here mine goes. This is not a top list but rather a year-end review list.
Panda Bear "Person Pitch" - Believe the hype, this record totally suprised me as I'm not an AC fan but this album might be my favorite from last year. Standouts: "Comfy In Nautica" and "I'm Not"
Dinosaur Jr. "Beyond" - This album is bittersweet. One the one hand it's good and sounds exactly like JayLouMurph-era DJ but on the other, it sounds exactly like JayLouMurph-era DJ. I am one of the few people that actually thought J got better with age with the exception of Free So Free. It's not a progression forward but not necessarily a step back either. Standouts: "This Is All I Came To Do"
Nakatomi Plaza "Unsettled" - Okay so this was recorded forever ago and released last year as a tour only cd but it finally saw the light of day in 2007 as well as on vinyl none the less! This album is totally under everyone's radar and undesevedly so. This album has all bases covered with more that proficient instrumentals, guy/girl sung/screamed vocals, electronics, fast, slow, incredible songwriting, and production by J Robbins. These guys tour relentlessly and have been around for a long time so if you haven't heard them listen up (myspace.com/nakatomiplaza). This was my favorite record of 2006. Standouts: "Not Helpless" and "The Strikes"
Jesu "Conqueror" - This is a great record although I haven't yet fully absorbed it. "Lifeline" however, was a bit of a disappointment.
Minus The Bear "Planet Of Ice" - C'mon people! Where is this on you lists, hmmm? Their first outing without Matt Bayles on keys/electronics and it's not Menos El Oso but this is the best goddamn band on the planet and a fantastic record. A little more progressive and a little less tappy, I'm into it. There are a couple of songs and lyrics I was less than thrilled about ("White Mystery" and "Dr. L'Ling") but there are also some really nice gems too.
Amy Winehouse "Back To Black" - While I could do without some of the drug references this album is really fun albeit not very original (I think every single backing track could be referenced to some R&B singers from the 60's-70's), but fun. You know when you heard "Rehab" on the radio you couldn't help but sing along, don't hate.
The New Caledonia "Lotus" - Holy Fucking Shit, Where The Fuck Did This Come From? That's how I feel when I listen to this record and cry because my mind can't function the way these guys' do. Progressive rock from down under the way it's supposed to be made. They posted it for free but as always if you like it, buy it - http://www.mediafire.com/?bbt9xjzngtn
Battles "Mirrored" - I can't write anything that hasn't been written. I do however think they are a tiny bit overrated and nothing could ever top "American Don" (I know, not the same band or style but it's a measuring stick for me).
Hella "There's No 666 In Outer Space" - Where's this one on the lists? This is the best Hella record since "Hold Your Horse Is". Fuck the Mars Volta comparisons this is straight up Hella - just with singing.
Albums I haven't absorbed or are just worth mentioning:
Behold...The Arctopus "Skullgrid" - These guys are so amazing and I finally have a full length, it's a lot to take in.
Doseone "Skeleton Repellent" - My favorite MC, everything he touches turns to gold.
Marnie Stern "In Advance Of A Broken Arm" - Weird, don't quite know what to think about this one. Features Zach Hill (but then again what doesn't?).
Shins "Wincing The Night Away" - Shins never disappoint (they don't necessarily wow me either).
Caribou "Andorra" - Much, much better than "The Milk Of Human Kindness". More like "Up In Flames".
Mass Movement Of The Moth "Outer Space"
Disappointments:
Maritime "Heresy And The Hotel Choir" - Huge disappointment after "We, The Vehicles" which was in my top 5 for 2006.
Smashing Pumpkins "Zeitgeist" - I guess I can't say I'm disappointed as I wasn't expecting very much.
Modest Mouse "We Were Dead..."
Overrated:
Deerhunter - I like them okay but they're not that great.
2008:
Looking forward to new Anathallo and hopefully more Minus the Bear, Reggie and the Full Effect, and Subtle. I'm sure I got to review some stuff but hopefully it's out there somewhere.
Panda Bear "Person Pitch" - Believe the hype, this record totally suprised me as I'm not an AC fan but this album might be my favorite from last year. Standouts: "Comfy In Nautica" and "I'm Not"
Dinosaur Jr. "Beyond" - This album is bittersweet. One the one hand it's good and sounds exactly like JayLouMurph-era DJ but on the other, it sounds exactly like JayLouMurph-era DJ. I am one of the few people that actually thought J got better with age with the exception of Free So Free. It's not a progression forward but not necessarily a step back either. Standouts: "This Is All I Came To Do"
Nakatomi Plaza "Unsettled" - Okay so this was recorded forever ago and released last year as a tour only cd but it finally saw the light of day in 2007 as well as on vinyl none the less! This album is totally under everyone's radar and undesevedly so. This album has all bases covered with more that proficient instrumentals, guy/girl sung/screamed vocals, electronics, fast, slow, incredible songwriting, and production by J Robbins. These guys tour relentlessly and have been around for a long time so if you haven't heard them listen up (myspace.com/nakatomiplaza). This was my favorite record of 2006. Standouts: "Not Helpless" and "The Strikes"
Jesu "Conqueror" - This is a great record although I haven't yet fully absorbed it. "Lifeline" however, was a bit of a disappointment.
Minus The Bear "Planet Of Ice" - C'mon people! Where is this on you lists, hmmm? Their first outing without Matt Bayles on keys/electronics and it's not Menos El Oso but this is the best goddamn band on the planet and a fantastic record. A little more progressive and a little less tappy, I'm into it. There are a couple of songs and lyrics I was less than thrilled about ("White Mystery" and "Dr. L'Ling") but there are also some really nice gems too.
Amy Winehouse "Back To Black" - While I could do without some of the drug references this album is really fun albeit not very original (I think every single backing track could be referenced to some R&B singers from the 60's-70's), but fun. You know when you heard "Rehab" on the radio you couldn't help but sing along, don't hate.
The New Caledonia "Lotus" - Holy Fucking Shit, Where The Fuck Did This Come From? That's how I feel when I listen to this record and cry because my mind can't function the way these guys' do. Progressive rock from down under the way it's supposed to be made. They posted it for free but as always if you like it, buy it - http://www.mediafire.com/?bbt9xjzngtn
Battles "Mirrored" - I can't write anything that hasn't been written. I do however think they are a tiny bit overrated and nothing could ever top "American Don" (I know, not the same band or style but it's a measuring stick for me).
Hella "There's No 666 In Outer Space" - Where's this one on the lists? This is the best Hella record since "Hold Your Horse Is". Fuck the Mars Volta comparisons this is straight up Hella - just with singing.
Albums I haven't absorbed or are just worth mentioning:
Behold...The Arctopus "Skullgrid" - These guys are so amazing and I finally have a full length, it's a lot to take in.
Doseone "Skeleton Repellent" - My favorite MC, everything he touches turns to gold.
Marnie Stern "In Advance Of A Broken Arm" - Weird, don't quite know what to think about this one. Features Zach Hill (but then again what doesn't?).
Shins "Wincing The Night Away" - Shins never disappoint (they don't necessarily wow me either).
Caribou "Andorra" - Much, much better than "The Milk Of Human Kindness". More like "Up In Flames".
Mass Movement Of The Moth "Outer Space"
Disappointments:
Maritime "Heresy And The Hotel Choir" - Huge disappointment after "We, The Vehicles" which was in my top 5 for 2006.
Smashing Pumpkins "Zeitgeist" - I guess I can't say I'm disappointed as I wasn't expecting very much.
Modest Mouse "We Were Dead..."
Overrated:
Deerhunter - I like them okay but they're not that great.
2008:
Looking forward to new Anathallo and hopefully more Minus the Bear, Reggie and the Full Effect, and Subtle. I'm sure I got to review some stuff but hopefully it's out there somewhere.