Top 10 Albums for 2007 (and other stuff)
ok, i think my top 10 albums for the year are now relatively stable. therefore, its time to post them on my lj! (*faint 'woo'*)
10. Mogwai - Mr Beast
Probably the best Mogwai album since Come On Die Young. Although there aren't any of their trademark epics on this album ('We're No Here' comes close though), there are a higher percentage of songs that contain those big dynamic changes that they do so well. Plus, to me they're more successful at writing the short songs than they have been in the past.
9. Ambitious Lovers - Stranger, Can I Touch You?
A really good album from a really good local band. Pretty lo-fi (though probably less so than their previous EPs), but in the best way. One of the most emotionally affecting albums I've ever heard anyone from Brisbane produce (or anywhere else, for that matter).
8. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
A lot of people are really surprised when I say that I like Lily Allen. I guess that I'm a bit surprised myself. Mostly I love the really colourful production and songs. It's just really catchy, fun stuff.
7. The Drones - Gala Mill
I saw The Drones at The Zoo earlier this year. It was one of the most aggressive and raw shows I've seen. On record The Drones are still aggressive and raw. This album is no different. Songs like 'Jezebel' and 'Sixteen Straws' show how good this band is, and also the range their capable of.
6. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
A 19 year old American kid travels around Europe for a while, decides that he loves Balkan traditional music, goes back to America and records this album in his bedroom. The drummer from Neutral Milk Hotel joins his band. Bloggers go crazy over the album. The thing is, it IS really good. I don't know if the band will have much longevity (they seem like something of a one-trick pony), but this album is really great. Debates over authenticity be damned (and really, arguing over whether or not the kid is being 'authentic' to the music he's emulating is kind of beside the point).
5. Islands - Return to the Sea
I never got into The Unicorns. I heard that one song that JJJ used to play a lot, and it never really interested me so I never pursued it any further. Maybe I should, because this album is really really good. Just for something different, it's an interesting and somewhat 'quirky' indie pop album by some Canadians who feel the need to fill the album with a plethora of instruments. And just like with all of those other similarly minded Canadian bands (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene, Stars, etc etc) it's a pretty successful strategy.
4. Shearwater - Palo Santo
Shearwater have long been the poor cousin of Okkervil River. The fact that Will Sheff (the main guy from Okkervil) sang on half of Shearwater's songs always made the two bands difficult to differentiate, despite the differences in mood and focus (Shearwater always being much more understated than the more 'rock' Okkervil). On this album Jonathan Meiburg took over all singing and songwriting duties (although Sheff still helped out to a large extent), and the improvement is huge. All of a sudden this is a unique band with an identifiable sound. That sound is sparse, dry and subtle, but at times also menacing. It reminds me of Talk Talk's last two albums, but with a much folkier, 'rootsier' bent. Meiburg has a superb voice, and for the first time he really shows it off. When raises his voice to a yell after the quiet intro to 'Le Dame Et La Licorne', well, it's pretty spine-tingling stuff.
3. Turnpike - Humans Find Patterns
Most of the albums in my list this year are somewhat 'folky'. Turnpike are NOT folky. Turnpike rock. They FUCKING rock. Turnpike are pretty much the best band in Brisbane. This past year they finally released their first album. It's really really good. I guess their sound isn't for everyone, but it's certainly for me. It's such a shame that these guys play to such small crowds every month. It seems like its somewhat obligatory to pay lip-service to Turnpike, but it also seems like half of the people who profess to love them are only saying so because they're such a local institution. It pains me to see them play to an audience who seem to be waiting for the latest 'hot' noisey guitar band to play next (who often seem to forget that Turnpike have awesome SONGS behind their noise).
ps: I couldn't find a copy of their actual album cover, so that pic will have to do.
2. Joanna Newsom - Ys
I liked the Milk Eyed Mender, but I didn't *love* it. I loved many of the songs from it, but as an album I was never totally smitten with it. I'm pretty smitten with Ys. It takes elements of the previous album and expands them beyond measure - whether or not that's a good thing is up to personal opinion. Personally, I love what Newsom has done on Ys. Her voice is far more expressive than on MEM, and she's reduced some of her more grating vocal quirks without losing what made her so unique. The orchestral backing is, to my ears, perfectly complimentary to her harp-playing and songwriting, never overtaking the songs. Her lyrics are equally as good as they were on MEM (and really, let's stop worrying about the fact that she uses the word 'thee' *once* on the entire album... hell, it's only used because it rhymes).
Also, 'Emily' is the song of the year.
1. Danielson - Ships
I feel weird saying that this is my #1 for the year. Really, any of the albums in my top 5 could be placed at #1, they're so close. 2007 didn't seem to be a year for real 'standout' albums (or at least not for me). But, as the saying goes, there can only be one. And on this particular day its Ships.
The album famously features contributions from Deerhoof and Sufjan Stevens, and I guess that's as accurate a description of Danielson's sound that you'll find: mix Deerhoof's crazy noise-pop with the folk tendencies and huge instrumentation of Sufjan and you get Danielson (or at least this incarnation of Danielson). There are some amazing pop songs here: 'Did I Step On Your Trumpet?', 'Two Sitting Ducks', 'Kids Pushing Kids', 'Bloodbook On The Halfshelf'. Personally my pick from the album is the opener, 'Ship, The Majestic Suffix' - it just builds and builds and builds, yet it's all over in about two minutes. Awesome stuff.
So that's my top 10. Also worthy of mention are these albums, some of which I simply didn't listen to enough to fully appreciate:
Sunset Rubdown 'Shut Up, I Am Dreaming', Marissa Nadler 'The Saga of Mayflower May', Bluebottle Kiss 'Doubt Seeds', Sonic Youth 'Rather Ripped', Casiotone For The Painfully Alone 'Etiquette', and a bunch of others.
Um... general update?
I went back to Perth to visit my parents for Christmas and New Years. It was nice. I did stuff like going to the beach, playing tennis, eating LOTS, going to the New Years Day races (we won money!), watching the cricket. It was nice.
I'm on the dole. I've been applying for lots of jobs - I'm currently in the middle of the interview process for software engineering jobs in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. I guess that I'd prefer to stay in Brisbane, but if a really good job comes along elsewhere then I suppose I'd be a fool to turn it down. And really, there's not much keeping me here. I talk to most of my friends over the internet (I rarely see them face-to-face), and most of my spare time is spent writing and recording music. I can do that stuff anywhere. And maybe moving will get me out of this general malaise I've been in for the last year or so.
Ok, last thing: Mt Augustus are playing on Monday at Rics. It will be the first Mt Augustus show since August, and potentially the last one for a fair while. Half the band quit in December, and although I don't hold anything against them for that AT ALL, I'm now starting to remember why my other bands broke up after people quit - teaching new people a whole set's worth of music is a real pain. Mt Augustus won't die though, at long as there's Pat Elliott and myself (or even just myself) then it will continue.
So anyway, we're playing on Monday at Rics. A Man Called Son is opening, and I'll be playing drums for them on a few songs. After that will be Mt Augustus, and it will probably be a mix of solo songs from me and two-piece songs with Pat. There might also be a few full band songs, but we're not sure about that as yet.
Poster!
10. Mogwai - Mr Beast
Probably the best Mogwai album since Come On Die Young. Although there aren't any of their trademark epics on this album ('We're No Here' comes close though), there are a higher percentage of songs that contain those big dynamic changes that they do so well. Plus, to me they're more successful at writing the short songs than they have been in the past.
9. Ambitious Lovers - Stranger, Can I Touch You?
A really good album from a really good local band. Pretty lo-fi (though probably less so than their previous EPs), but in the best way. One of the most emotionally affecting albums I've ever heard anyone from Brisbane produce (or anywhere else, for that matter).
8. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
A lot of people are really surprised when I say that I like Lily Allen. I guess that I'm a bit surprised myself. Mostly I love the really colourful production and songs. It's just really catchy, fun stuff.
7. The Drones - Gala Mill
I saw The Drones at The Zoo earlier this year. It was one of the most aggressive and raw shows I've seen. On record The Drones are still aggressive and raw. This album is no different. Songs like 'Jezebel' and 'Sixteen Straws' show how good this band is, and also the range their capable of.
6. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
A 19 year old American kid travels around Europe for a while, decides that he loves Balkan traditional music, goes back to America and records this album in his bedroom. The drummer from Neutral Milk Hotel joins his band. Bloggers go crazy over the album. The thing is, it IS really good. I don't know if the band will have much longevity (they seem like something of a one-trick pony), but this album is really great. Debates over authenticity be damned (and really, arguing over whether or not the kid is being 'authentic' to the music he's emulating is kind of beside the point).
5. Islands - Return to the Sea
I never got into The Unicorns. I heard that one song that JJJ used to play a lot, and it never really interested me so I never pursued it any further. Maybe I should, because this album is really really good. Just for something different, it's an interesting and somewhat 'quirky' indie pop album by some Canadians who feel the need to fill the album with a plethora of instruments. And just like with all of those other similarly minded Canadian bands (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene, Stars, etc etc) it's a pretty successful strategy.
4. Shearwater - Palo Santo
Shearwater have long been the poor cousin of Okkervil River. The fact that Will Sheff (the main guy from Okkervil) sang on half of Shearwater's songs always made the two bands difficult to differentiate, despite the differences in mood and focus (Shearwater always being much more understated than the more 'rock' Okkervil). On this album Jonathan Meiburg took over all singing and songwriting duties (although Sheff still helped out to a large extent), and the improvement is huge. All of a sudden this is a unique band with an identifiable sound. That sound is sparse, dry and subtle, but at times also menacing. It reminds me of Talk Talk's last two albums, but with a much folkier, 'rootsier' bent. Meiburg has a superb voice, and for the first time he really shows it off. When raises his voice to a yell after the quiet intro to 'Le Dame Et La Licorne', well, it's pretty spine-tingling stuff.
3. Turnpike - Humans Find Patterns
Most of the albums in my list this year are somewhat 'folky'. Turnpike are NOT folky. Turnpike rock. They FUCKING rock. Turnpike are pretty much the best band in Brisbane. This past year they finally released their first album. It's really really good. I guess their sound isn't for everyone, but it's certainly for me. It's such a shame that these guys play to such small crowds every month. It seems like its somewhat obligatory to pay lip-service to Turnpike, but it also seems like half of the people who profess to love them are only saying so because they're such a local institution. It pains me to see them play to an audience who seem to be waiting for the latest 'hot' noisey guitar band to play next (who often seem to forget that Turnpike have awesome SONGS behind their noise).
ps: I couldn't find a copy of their actual album cover, so that pic will have to do.
2. Joanna Newsom - Ys
I liked the Milk Eyed Mender, but I didn't *love* it. I loved many of the songs from it, but as an album I was never totally smitten with it. I'm pretty smitten with Ys. It takes elements of the previous album and expands them beyond measure - whether or not that's a good thing is up to personal opinion. Personally, I love what Newsom has done on Ys. Her voice is far more expressive than on MEM, and she's reduced some of her more grating vocal quirks without losing what made her so unique. The orchestral backing is, to my ears, perfectly complimentary to her harp-playing and songwriting, never overtaking the songs. Her lyrics are equally as good as they were on MEM (and really, let's stop worrying about the fact that she uses the word 'thee' *once* on the entire album... hell, it's only used because it rhymes).
Also, 'Emily' is the song of the year.
1. Danielson - Ships
I feel weird saying that this is my #1 for the year. Really, any of the albums in my top 5 could be placed at #1, they're so close. 2007 didn't seem to be a year for real 'standout' albums (or at least not for me). But, as the saying goes, there can only be one. And on this particular day its Ships.
The album famously features contributions from Deerhoof and Sufjan Stevens, and I guess that's as accurate a description of Danielson's sound that you'll find: mix Deerhoof's crazy noise-pop with the folk tendencies and huge instrumentation of Sufjan and you get Danielson (or at least this incarnation of Danielson). There are some amazing pop songs here: 'Did I Step On Your Trumpet?', 'Two Sitting Ducks', 'Kids Pushing Kids', 'Bloodbook On The Halfshelf'. Personally my pick from the album is the opener, 'Ship, The Majestic Suffix' - it just builds and builds and builds, yet it's all over in about two minutes. Awesome stuff.
So that's my top 10. Also worthy of mention are these albums, some of which I simply didn't listen to enough to fully appreciate:
Sunset Rubdown 'Shut Up, I Am Dreaming', Marissa Nadler 'The Saga of Mayflower May', Bluebottle Kiss 'Doubt Seeds', Sonic Youth 'Rather Ripped', Casiotone For The Painfully Alone 'Etiquette', and a bunch of others.
Um... general update?
I went back to Perth to visit my parents for Christmas and New Years. It was nice. I did stuff like going to the beach, playing tennis, eating LOTS, going to the New Years Day races (we won money!), watching the cricket. It was nice.
I'm on the dole. I've been applying for lots of jobs - I'm currently in the middle of the interview process for software engineering jobs in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. I guess that I'd prefer to stay in Brisbane, but if a really good job comes along elsewhere then I suppose I'd be a fool to turn it down. And really, there's not much keeping me here. I talk to most of my friends over the internet (I rarely see them face-to-face), and most of my spare time is spent writing and recording music. I can do that stuff anywhere. And maybe moving will get me out of this general malaise I've been in for the last year or so.
Ok, last thing: Mt Augustus are playing on Monday at Rics. It will be the first Mt Augustus show since August, and potentially the last one for a fair while. Half the band quit in December, and although I don't hold anything against them for that AT ALL, I'm now starting to remember why my other bands broke up after people quit - teaching new people a whole set's worth of music is a real pain. Mt Augustus won't die though, at long as there's Pat Elliott and myself (or even just myself) then it will continue.
So anyway, we're playing on Monday at Rics. A Man Called Son is opening, and I'll be playing drums for them on a few songs. After that will be Mt Augustus, and it will probably be a mix of solo songs from me and two-piece songs with Pat. There might also be a few full band songs, but we're not sure about that as yet.
Poster!