Another year, another list
Best Albums of '07
(As usual, the gigantor folder of all the music discussed in this post is here for anyone who cares.)
10. Klimek - Dedications
The concept of "Dedications" is each track is dedicated to someone (family, friends, directors, collaborators) and the influence of such people are reflected in the music. On first listen the album doesn't stick right away, but soon songs like "For Eugene Chadborne & Henry Kaiser" really grabs you with its quiet intensity. This album is somewhat similar to last year's Xela's "The Dead Sea," another favorite of mine, in its quiet escapism. It's good to have at least one.
9. Apparat - Walls
"Walls" is an interesting album; one part electro-glitch, one part "Purple Rain" Prince?? It's actually a pretty compelling mix and a refreshing surprise all together.
8. M.I.A. - Kala
For a while I didn't know where I stood with this album. On first listen only two tracks stood out and I started pondering if this album was any better than "Arular." But the more I listened to "Kala" I realized how more musically daring it was in comparison. I couldn't keep myself away from it. Something kept drawing me back to it until it became my summer staple album. In fact, I can't believe I had faults with it (although I still think "Mango Pickle Down River" is the worst song of her career).
7. Tenniscoats - Tan Tan Therapy/Totemo Aimasho
I'm somewhat cheating here. Tenniscoats released two albums this year, and although I like "Tan Tan Therapy" a tad better, "Totemo Aimasho" has my favorite song on it, so I listed them both. "Totemo Aimasho" is more minimalist, electronic, while "Tan Tan Therapy" is more laptop folk. Sweet, but not cutesy.
6. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Read my words, this is the ONLY relevant hip hop music being made today. I've heard of EL-P through his work with Prefuse 73, and although this was my first time listening to his solo stuff, I always knew he was a gifted producer, truly bringing innovative, fresh ideas to the genre. In fact, on first listen, "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" sounds a little overproduced, but you have to respect the daring directions he takes in the name of hip hop "loyalists." After all, what hip hop producer would think to grab Trent Reznor as a collaborator?
5. World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland
Once again, WEG never fails and releases another stunning album. Unlike "Lie Lay Land," "Hurtbreak Wonderland" is definitely more classically inspired.
4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
This is actually the first Animal Collective album I ever heard, so I can't really compare the music here to anything else, but I do know that "Fireworks" is simply one of the best songs ever made. I can't think of a song that could be any more perfect. The rest of the album falls into the categories of less conventional, yet obnoxiously brilliant pop.
3. Efterklang - Parades
Efterklang released an EP and an album this year, and it's kind of a shame because their EP ended up overshadowing the album. The EP is good, but "Parades" is infinitely better, taking their usual multi-instrumental sound and branching it into more daring waters.
2. Burial - Untrue
Although I liked Burial's last album "Hyperdub," I think my fondness for it was because it was the first dubstep album that didn't make me want to strangle someone....or fall asleep. "Untrue" is infinitely better than "Hyperdub," dabbling more in underwater dub that feels and sounds beautifully claustrophobic.
1. Ben Frost - Theory of Machines
Funny how the number one spot usually reserved for one Icelandic was stolen by another. Ben Frost's "Theory of Machines" didn't create as much buzz as I expected it to. The general consensus from music journalists and the blogosphere was that, as far as the realm of electronic music goes, Frost was the one to watch. I first listened to "Theory of Machines" early 2007 and knew right away that it would be a tough album to beat. I waited and waited for another album to come and equally blow my senses away, but it never happened.
Honorable Mentions
Amon Tobin - Foley Room
Caribou - Andorra
Colleen - Les Ondes Silencieuses
Deerhoof - Friendly Opportunity
Haco - Riska
Islaja - Ulual Yyy
Christian Fennesz/Ryuichi Sakamoto - Cendre
Liars - Liars
Lucky Pierre - Dip
M83 - Digital Shades Vol. 1
Melt Banana - Bambi's Dilemma
Milenasong - Seven Sisters
Mum - Go Smear the Poison Ivy
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Peder - And He Just Pointed To The Sky
Piana - Eternal Castle
The Field - From Here We Go To Sublime
The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Tujiko Noriko - Solo
To Kill A Pretty Bourgeoisie - The Patron
Under Byen - Samme Stof Som Stof
Victor Bermon - Arriving At Night
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is Ep
Best Songs of '07
Hmm, I guess the reason I started a Best Song list is to give props to my most-listened songs that might have been on less than stellar albums (and this is usually the case, strangely enough). So, unlike last year, this year's condition was to only lists songs NOT on the the Best Albums list. (And because I'm getting tired of writing, I'm hereby writing less in-depth.)
10. Coppe' - Coppenungler (From "Filamente")
Didn't like this album (will explain below), but there's something about the first 30 seconds of this song. I really like Coppe' and I think that's why. Her bizarre vocal touches are always delightful to hear. It's definitely one of the best songs on the album.
9. Amon Tobin - Esther's (from "Foley Room")
Just heard of Amon Tobin not too long ago, but his album "Foley Room" was an impressive collection of cut and paste drum n' glitch. This song was my favorite from the album and kind of has an old industrial throwback feel.
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Rockers to Swallow (From Is Is Ep)
I loved this ep and would have gladly put it in my top ten, but it felt like cheating (it being an EP and all). "Rockers to Swallow" is the stand out track.
7. Under Byen - Den her sang hander om at fa det bec/ Heftig (From "Samme Sof Som Sof")
The lead singer of Under Byen has been cursed with a Bjork-like voice, which means they'll be forever compared to the Icelandic one. But if I had to compare Under Byen, I would probably compare them to Mum. There were two stand out tracks on their latest album and because I couldn't decide between the two I picked both. Trust me, they're both good. I'm just tired of writing.
6. Tujiko Noriko - Gift (from "Solo")
Stand out track on Tujiko Noriko's latest.
5. Piana - Snowflakes (from "Eternal Castle")
Although I liked "Eternal Castle," there weren't a lot of strong songs on it, and I could care less for her hesitant steps into "soggy ballads" territory, but "Snowflakes" is stunningly beautiful (damn adverbs).
4. Feist - My Moon My Man (from "The Reminder")
I hate to say this, because I know it'll make me sound petty, but commercials ruined this album for me. I just couldn't listen to it without images of cell phones and iPods dancing in my head. I do love this song, though, and luckily I fell in love with it before Verizon did. And to be honest, it was the only stand out track on that album anyway.
3. Shiina Ringo - Hatsukoi Shoujo (from "Heisei Fuuzoku")
I'm not a fan of Shiina Ringo's band "Tokyo Jihen," so I was happy to hear she was releasing another solo album. Unfortunately, the album wasn't exactly a new album, but more like reworkings of "Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana" for a soundtrack. We get it, Ringo! "Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana" was an awesome album, but move on. There are only four new tracks on the album and they are amazing, particularly this one. Imagining a whole album with songs like this gives me goosebumps. I wish it could become reality.
2. Bjork - Wanderlust (from "Volta")
*sigh* Volta, Volta, Volta. What happened? You know, I'll save my Volta rant for the "Most Disappointing Albums" section below. Right now I just want to talk about how much I love this song. It's easily the strongest song on Volta and I think encompasses everything Volta should have been, but wasn't.
1. Marnie Stern - Every Single Line Means Something (from "In Advance of a Broken Arm")
The problem with "In Advance of a Broken Arm" was that it started out strong with its insane guitar riffs and amateurish electro bleeps, but quickly became a little too self-involved in its own concept. By the end of the album, the songs are too bizarre, unlistenable. But "Every Single Line Means Something" is where Marnie Stern did something right. It kicks major ass in every way and I'm still not sick of it.
Most Disappointing Albums of '07
Prefuse 73 - Preparations
Stick a fork in him; he's done. Prefuse 73 hasn't released a good album since "Surrounded by Silence," and even that album had mixed reviews. This album is simply all over the place. Whenever a song starts to get good, he kills it, or takes it to a horrible, unlistenable direction. I've never heard an album more frustrating in my life. Oh, and here's an interesting note. Preparations is actually two albums, one is the regular shit album, the other is the same thing but reworked into classically inspired ensembles. Preparations part two was actually quite good, but what's the point when it's still attached to such crap? What's the point in listening to it at all?
Coppe' - Filamente
Coppe' is a cool chick who always makes cool music. Her album "Nauru" was my favorite album of '03 (or '04....can't remember) and her other albums are usually consistently good with a new, fresh perspective depending on whoever she's collaborating with at the moment. Last year Coppe' released a compilation album of old/new songs to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her label. "Filamente" sounds like an addition to that, as if she's still celebrating the past. There's not much new here and the album has little re-listening value.
Bjork - Volta
What...is....THIS?! I've never been disappointed in Bjork...ever. Even when all the fans were bullshitting about the "experimental-ness" of "Medulla," I thought that album was stunning, and I'm sure people years from now will go back and realize that. Not so with "Volta." There's no redeeming value in the music; and the lyrics, ideas, productions are surprisingly not well thought out, lazy and *gasp* amateurish. When I first bought the album I tried listening to it repeatedly. I even kept it in my car so that it was all I listened to while driving, but this tactic had the opposite effect. Instead of growing on me, Volta's faults simply magnified. I would put in the album and all I could hear were missed opportunities. It became a chore to listen to. I think Bjork is in a different place right now and needs to take time out to regroup herself and form some new ideas. Volta is simply a colossal disappointment.
Other less thought out "lists"
Best Movies of '07
Here's my 2008 resolution: Start watching movies again. I don't know why I stopped; I guess I was too busy doing....whatever it is I usually do. So even though I'll be spending most of 2008 catching up on the movies of 2007, there were a few films I saw that were good:
The Lookout is an amazing, yet simple character study/thriller that I think a lot of people looked over. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Paprika is of course the critically acclaimed Satoshi Kon film that I knew I was gonna love (and did). And technically the film came out last year, so I guess it doesn't even count.
(Oh, and I forgot to add Hot Fuzz! Loved that movie...)
Best Books of '07
2008 resolution: Stop reading shitty books. There's a used book store near my house that sells everything for a dollar, so I've been taking advantage of it. But either the book store stocks crappy books or I'm just bad at picking them out. All the books I read this year were crap. And remember how a year ago I said I was getting into underground surreal authors, like Carlton Mellick, D. Harlan Wilson and the folks on Eraserhead Press, etc? Well, it sucks. All of it. Don't bother. The only good books I read this year were Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki and The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe. And of course, they're both several decades old, so they don't count either. Blah.
And on that note, I could use some good book recs to start out the new year.
(As usual, the gigantor folder of all the music discussed in this post is here for anyone who cares.)
10. Klimek - Dedications
The concept of "Dedications" is each track is dedicated to someone (family, friends, directors, collaborators) and the influence of such people are reflected in the music. On first listen the album doesn't stick right away, but soon songs like "For Eugene Chadborne & Henry Kaiser" really grabs you with its quiet intensity. This album is somewhat similar to last year's Xela's "The Dead Sea," another favorite of mine, in its quiet escapism. It's good to have at least one.
9. Apparat - Walls
"Walls" is an interesting album; one part electro-glitch, one part "Purple Rain" Prince?? It's actually a pretty compelling mix and a refreshing surprise all together.
8. M.I.A. - Kala
For a while I didn't know where I stood with this album. On first listen only two tracks stood out and I started pondering if this album was any better than "Arular." But the more I listened to "Kala" I realized how more musically daring it was in comparison. I couldn't keep myself away from it. Something kept drawing me back to it until it became my summer staple album. In fact, I can't believe I had faults with it (although I still think "Mango Pickle Down River" is the worst song of her career).
7. Tenniscoats - Tan Tan Therapy/Totemo Aimasho
I'm somewhat cheating here. Tenniscoats released two albums this year, and although I like "Tan Tan Therapy" a tad better, "Totemo Aimasho" has my favorite song on it, so I listed them both. "Totemo Aimasho" is more minimalist, electronic, while "Tan Tan Therapy" is more laptop folk. Sweet, but not cutesy.
6. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Read my words, this is the ONLY relevant hip hop music being made today. I've heard of EL-P through his work with Prefuse 73, and although this was my first time listening to his solo stuff, I always knew he was a gifted producer, truly bringing innovative, fresh ideas to the genre. In fact, on first listen, "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" sounds a little overproduced, but you have to respect the daring directions he takes in the name of hip hop "loyalists." After all, what hip hop producer would think to grab Trent Reznor as a collaborator?
5. World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland
Once again, WEG never fails and releases another stunning album. Unlike "Lie Lay Land," "Hurtbreak Wonderland" is definitely more classically inspired.
4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
This is actually the first Animal Collective album I ever heard, so I can't really compare the music here to anything else, but I do know that "Fireworks" is simply one of the best songs ever made. I can't think of a song that could be any more perfect. The rest of the album falls into the categories of less conventional, yet obnoxiously brilliant pop.
3. Efterklang - Parades
Efterklang released an EP and an album this year, and it's kind of a shame because their EP ended up overshadowing the album. The EP is good, but "Parades" is infinitely better, taking their usual multi-instrumental sound and branching it into more daring waters.
2. Burial - Untrue
Although I liked Burial's last album "Hyperdub," I think my fondness for it was because it was the first dubstep album that didn't make me want to strangle someone....or fall asleep. "Untrue" is infinitely better than "Hyperdub," dabbling more in underwater dub that feels and sounds beautifully claustrophobic.
1. Ben Frost - Theory of Machines
Funny how the number one spot usually reserved for one Icelandic was stolen by another. Ben Frost's "Theory of Machines" didn't create as much buzz as I expected it to. The general consensus from music journalists and the blogosphere was that, as far as the realm of electronic music goes, Frost was the one to watch. I first listened to "Theory of Machines" early 2007 and knew right away that it would be a tough album to beat. I waited and waited for another album to come and equally blow my senses away, but it never happened.
Honorable Mentions
Amon Tobin - Foley Room
Caribou - Andorra
Colleen - Les Ondes Silencieuses
Deerhoof - Friendly Opportunity
Haco - Riska
Islaja - Ulual Yyy
Christian Fennesz/Ryuichi Sakamoto - Cendre
Liars - Liars
Lucky Pierre - Dip
M83 - Digital Shades Vol. 1
Melt Banana - Bambi's Dilemma
Milenasong - Seven Sisters
Mum - Go Smear the Poison Ivy
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Peder - And He Just Pointed To The Sky
Piana - Eternal Castle
The Field - From Here We Go To Sublime
The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Tujiko Noriko - Solo
To Kill A Pretty Bourgeoisie - The Patron
Under Byen - Samme Stof Som Stof
Victor Bermon - Arriving At Night
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is Ep
Best Songs of '07
Hmm, I guess the reason I started a Best Song list is to give props to my most-listened songs that might have been on less than stellar albums (and this is usually the case, strangely enough). So, unlike last year, this year's condition was to only lists songs NOT on the the Best Albums list. (And because I'm getting tired of writing, I'm hereby writing less in-depth.)
10. Coppe' - Coppenungler (From "Filamente")
Didn't like this album (will explain below), but there's something about the first 30 seconds of this song. I really like Coppe' and I think that's why. Her bizarre vocal touches are always delightful to hear. It's definitely one of the best songs on the album.
9. Amon Tobin - Esther's (from "Foley Room")
Just heard of Amon Tobin not too long ago, but his album "Foley Room" was an impressive collection of cut and paste drum n' glitch. This song was my favorite from the album and kind of has an old industrial throwback feel.
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Rockers to Swallow (From Is Is Ep)
I loved this ep and would have gladly put it in my top ten, but it felt like cheating (it being an EP and all). "Rockers to Swallow" is the stand out track.
7. Under Byen - Den her sang hander om at fa det bec/ Heftig (From "Samme Sof Som Sof")
The lead singer of Under Byen has been cursed with a Bjork-like voice, which means they'll be forever compared to the Icelandic one. But if I had to compare Under Byen, I would probably compare them to Mum. There were two stand out tracks on their latest album and because I couldn't decide between the two I picked both. Trust me, they're both good. I'm just tired of writing.
6. Tujiko Noriko - Gift (from "Solo")
Stand out track on Tujiko Noriko's latest.
5. Piana - Snowflakes (from "Eternal Castle")
Although I liked "Eternal Castle," there weren't a lot of strong songs on it, and I could care less for her hesitant steps into "soggy ballads" territory, but "Snowflakes" is stunningly beautiful (damn adverbs).
4. Feist - My Moon My Man (from "The Reminder")
I hate to say this, because I know it'll make me sound petty, but commercials ruined this album for me. I just couldn't listen to it without images of cell phones and iPods dancing in my head. I do love this song, though, and luckily I fell in love with it before Verizon did. And to be honest, it was the only stand out track on that album anyway.
3. Shiina Ringo - Hatsukoi Shoujo (from "Heisei Fuuzoku")
I'm not a fan of Shiina Ringo's band "Tokyo Jihen," so I was happy to hear she was releasing another solo album. Unfortunately, the album wasn't exactly a new album, but more like reworkings of "Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana" for a soundtrack. We get it, Ringo! "Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana" was an awesome album, but move on. There are only four new tracks on the album and they are amazing, particularly this one. Imagining a whole album with songs like this gives me goosebumps. I wish it could become reality.
2. Bjork - Wanderlust (from "Volta")
*sigh* Volta, Volta, Volta. What happened? You know, I'll save my Volta rant for the "Most Disappointing Albums" section below. Right now I just want to talk about how much I love this song. It's easily the strongest song on Volta and I think encompasses everything Volta should have been, but wasn't.
1. Marnie Stern - Every Single Line Means Something (from "In Advance of a Broken Arm")
The problem with "In Advance of a Broken Arm" was that it started out strong with its insane guitar riffs and amateurish electro bleeps, but quickly became a little too self-involved in its own concept. By the end of the album, the songs are too bizarre, unlistenable. But "Every Single Line Means Something" is where Marnie Stern did something right. It kicks major ass in every way and I'm still not sick of it.
Most Disappointing Albums of '07
Prefuse 73 - Preparations
Stick a fork in him; he's done. Prefuse 73 hasn't released a good album since "Surrounded by Silence," and even that album had mixed reviews. This album is simply all over the place. Whenever a song starts to get good, he kills it, or takes it to a horrible, unlistenable direction. I've never heard an album more frustrating in my life. Oh, and here's an interesting note. Preparations is actually two albums, one is the regular shit album, the other is the same thing but reworked into classically inspired ensembles. Preparations part two was actually quite good, but what's the point when it's still attached to such crap? What's the point in listening to it at all?
Coppe' - Filamente
Coppe' is a cool chick who always makes cool music. Her album "Nauru" was my favorite album of '03 (or '04....can't remember) and her other albums are usually consistently good with a new, fresh perspective depending on whoever she's collaborating with at the moment. Last year Coppe' released a compilation album of old/new songs to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her label. "Filamente" sounds like an addition to that, as if she's still celebrating the past. There's not much new here and the album has little re-listening value.
Bjork - Volta
What...is....THIS?! I've never been disappointed in Bjork...ever. Even when all the fans were bullshitting about the "experimental-ness" of "Medulla," I thought that album was stunning, and I'm sure people years from now will go back and realize that. Not so with "Volta." There's no redeeming value in the music; and the lyrics, ideas, productions are surprisingly not well thought out, lazy and *gasp* amateurish. When I first bought the album I tried listening to it repeatedly. I even kept it in my car so that it was all I listened to while driving, but this tactic had the opposite effect. Instead of growing on me, Volta's faults simply magnified. I would put in the album and all I could hear were missed opportunities. It became a chore to listen to. I think Bjork is in a different place right now and needs to take time out to regroup herself and form some new ideas. Volta is simply a colossal disappointment.
Other less thought out "lists"
Best Movies of '07
Here's my 2008 resolution: Start watching movies again. I don't know why I stopped; I guess I was too busy doing....whatever it is I usually do. So even though I'll be spending most of 2008 catching up on the movies of 2007, there were a few films I saw that were good:
The Lookout is an amazing, yet simple character study/thriller that I think a lot of people looked over. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Paprika is of course the critically acclaimed Satoshi Kon film that I knew I was gonna love (and did). And technically the film came out last year, so I guess it doesn't even count.
(Oh, and I forgot to add Hot Fuzz! Loved that movie...)
Best Books of '07
2008 resolution: Stop reading shitty books. There's a used book store near my house that sells everything for a dollar, so I've been taking advantage of it. But either the book store stocks crappy books or I'm just bad at picking them out. All the books I read this year were crap. And remember how a year ago I said I was getting into underground surreal authors, like Carlton Mellick, D. Harlan Wilson and the folks on Eraserhead Press, etc? Well, it sucks. All of it. Don't bother. The only good books I read this year were Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki and The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe. And of course, they're both several decades old, so they don't count either. Blah.
And on that note, I could use some good book recs to start out the new year.