The latest Under the Radar just arrived in the mail, and poking through it over my toast and coffee this morning I came across their "Best of 2007" artists survey, where they ask a pretty random group of musicians to weigh in on their top albums of the year and a bunch of other stuff. So, not able to come up with a more creative blog post, I've decided to copy that idea ... sort of.
Welcome to the BunkleLife Tops Lists of 2007 (fanfare please .... feel free to do a drumroll on your keyboard at this point...)
Top Albums (not in any order - that's too hard)
Radiohead - In Rainbows. And not just because Thom Yorke has a laugh to be reckoned with. One of my favorite Radiohead albums. Maybe my favorite Radiohead album. Hmmm.
Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends. I know that my enjoyment of this album is affected by my delight at their live show. There are a couple of tracks that aren't super strong, but otherwise a great album.
Great Lakes Swimmers - Ongiara - one word - BANJO.
The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain. Nice stuff to listen to on the bus to work. And that's all I need sometime. Another that fits into this
Akron/Family - Love is Simple. Ed IS a portal. Enough said.
Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday - if you think you're life is weird and slightly cursed, read up on Elvis sometime. Even if that wasn't the case, it's a lovely record.
The National - Boxer - At first this album didn't strike me much. At all. But then it became another frequent bus-ride play, and is now a favorite of the year. Ada is a fave track, and honestly it isn't just because Sufjan plays piano on it.
Grinderman - Grinderman - as my brother said, this is the album the Stooges should have put out. Great for bus rides where I really need to wake up. REALLY WAKE UP.
So that's that. There are a bunch of things I am sure would be on my list had I heard them (like the Grizzly Bear "Friends" ep that I am trying to track down), but that will do for now.
And now for the more important awards...
Best Concert of 2007 (Band):
#1 Les Savy Fav. For the belly, the ball, the crazed fun of it all.
Honourable mentions: Akron/Family; Polyphonic Spree; Flaming Lips. Apparently I like craziness. A lot.
Best Concert of 2007 (Audience):
#1 The Pointed Sticks. Oh! the! excitement! Nothing like a reunion gig to bring out the truly fanatical.
Honourable mentions: Dave Wakeling (didn't win because a couple of audience members irritated me too much. Not that they did anything to me, just watching them irritated me); Les Savy Fav; From the Jam. Oh - and the members of the Akron/Family audience that were interpretive dancing.
Dishonourable mentions: Rock Plaza Central - audience, where the hell were you? Were you sick, because that's the only excuse I'll take.
Have I missed anything?
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1 comment:
Great Tops lists - at least of the bands I'm familiar with! It makes me wonder if anybody who heard this music would love it - they should drive with me to work - they'd at least "say" they loved it to get me to turn it down! My Top 4 Albums of the Year purely based on the "Jeep Test" -
1. Les Savy Fav - Lets Stay Friends
(only album which caused pedestrians to actually dance on the street)
2. Akron/Family - Love is Simple
(no street dancing but did cause my father to "tone" along)
3. Grinderman - Grinderman
(actually causes goosebumps almost everythime I hear it - generally NOT liked by pedestrians..)
4.THe Stooges - Funhouse
(what year is this...? Oh well - the "Jeep Test" say so!)
As you can tell Radiohead hasn't made it into the Jeep yet! Hope the pedestrians like it too!
Sure agree with your Concert of the Year - amazing!! And it's not just because he's my "Hair Brother"... Glad you suggested it!
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