The 2007 Idolator Pop Critics Poll has been posted and you can view the top 10 albums, as voted upon by critics and writers from around the world, below. Once again the fine folks from Idolator invited EAR FARM to take part, and we did. Below you'll find the lists of top albums of 2007 that Mike and I submitted for Idolator's poll as well as links to our individual poll pages within the Idolator site. Click through to those to find out how we voted for top track, artist, and reissue of 2007. And yes, these lists are different from what was posted in EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007 and just might offer some insight into how EAR FARM's top album list came about.
Idolator Pop '07 Critics Poll: Top Albums of 2007
1 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
2 M.I.A. - Kala
3 Radiohead - In Rainbows
4 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
5 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
6 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
7 The National - Boxer
8 Kanye West - Graduation
9 Panda Bear - Person Pitch
10 Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Matt's Idolator Pop '07 Ballot
ALBUMS (descending points)
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. The National - Boxer
3. Angels Of Light - We Are Him
4. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
5. Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
6. St. Vincent - Marry Me
7. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
8. Talib Kweli - Eardrum
9. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
10. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
Mike's Idolator Pop '07 Ballot
ALBUMS (descending points)
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
3. The National - Boxer
4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
5. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
6. White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
7. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
8. Menomena - Friend And Foe
9. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
10. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
Tampilkan postingan dengan label 2007. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label 2007. Tampilkan semua postingan
valentine's day EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007
This is a re-post of EAR FARM's Top Albums Of 2007 list. Regular posting will resume Wednesday, the 2nd of January. Be sure to read the reader-decided 100th 8+ if you haven't already. Otherwise, have a look at EAR FARM's Tops of '07 Lists below and feel free to share your thoughts, criticisms, and/or your own lists.
Here's hoping you have a very happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2008!
What you'll find below is a list of our "top" 15 albums released in 2007. What does this mean? Favorites? Bests? Both, yes. These are the bests of our favorites. The most favorite-bests. We worked together as a team to come up with a list we both agreed on, fought and clawed for our favorites, and had to let go of some of them for the greater good. Ultimately, we're extremely pleased with the list we've come up with. So, after you check out the teaser list below, have a look at the big list inside by clicking through to continue reading/view comments. Once there, click the title of the album to purchase it, click the artist's name to go to their site, click the (+) to read what a variety of critics have to say, and click on the song name to listen to an MP3 from the respective album. As always, we welcome you to comment, complain, leave your own "tops of '07" list, or tag the comments to this post with graffiti.
EAR FARM's Top Albums Of 2007 #'s 15-11
15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav
14. Red Album by Baroness
13. Marry Me by St. Vincent
12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback
11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli
EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007
15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav (+) - listen: "Patty Lee"
valentine's day The real star of this album is guitarist Seth Jabour. Alternating between understated rhythms lurking at the back of the mix to insanely catchy lead lines dictating the entire direction of a given song, he gets my "Slash Award" for 2007. This isn't in recognition of technical virtuosity but rather for stuffing an entire album full of guitar parts that I can whistle along to from memory (except I can't whistle, so maybe just hum). Top to bottom, this is a really fun, uplifting, fist-pumping party album. - Mike
14. Red Album by Baroness (+) - listen: "The Birthing"
valentine's day Red Album is 2007's finest metal album and one I'm pretty sure you'd love if you only gave it a chance. I know, you scoff. You're ready to skip over this album because you don't need metal in your life. Oh but you do! And on this record Baroness has crafted an album that's just as heavy as it is ethereal, just as balls out riff-rocking as it is accessible. A metal album that's not very far off from what you might expect to hear from Isis, and yet entirely "Southern" and even partially "indie rock-ish". Huh? Trust me. For those about to rock, look no further. - Matt
13. Marry Me by St. Vincent (+) - listen: "Now Now"
valentine's day After spending time as a member of Sufjan Stevens' band and the Polyphonic Spree, Marry Me finds Annie Clark (St. Vincent) bursting into the music world like an excited child who's just returned from the zoo. While the record could've ended up sounding like an overly anxious artist's long awaited (messy) moment in the sun, Marry Me is anything but. Instead, it's a near-flawless debut and I can't wait for the follow up. - Matt
12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback (+) - listen: "Good To Sea"
valentine's day When I heard grumblings that this was just like every other Pinback album I thought, "you mean it's filled with interlocking rhythms executed with swiss-clock precision beneath a bed of minor-chord hooks and twisting harmonies?", before leaving a vapor trail in my midst on the way to the record store. Knowing Rob Crow's tastes, if their last album was titled Summer in Abaddon and this one Autumn of the Seraphs, what are the odds their next one will be Winter in Middle Earth? - Mike
11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli (+) - listen: "The Perfect Beat (feat. KRS-One)"
valentine's day A two sided truth: I'm calling Eardrum 2007's best hip-hop album (yep, better than recent records from El-P and Pharaohe Monch) but it's possible that it could've been even better if Kweli (and his army of producers and guest stars) had been more stingy with the number of tracks included on the record. That's not to say there are bad songs dragging the album down, just that there was really no need to max out all 80 minutes on this CD by pumping it full of 20 tracks. It's perhaps the most disjointed and sprawling album on this list of great albums. So what I recommend is to split it in half, split it in thirds, listen to one song each day for the next three weeks - take it in in whatever way works for you, but whatever you do, don't miss it. The production and guest appearances are top notch and Kweli really goes above and beyond with his delivery/flow and, most of all, with his lyrics. The best in the business. - Matt
10. Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective (+) - listen: "Derek"
valentine's day As they've gotten more popular, the fidelity of Animal Collective albums has improved drastically. Listen to Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished next to Strawberry Jam and the difference is startling. I always identified the lo-fi soupy sonics of their previous albums as just another signature element of their sound, and when the sparkling-clean production of Strawberry Jam power-washed these imperfections away, it left me a bit cold. BUT, coming back to this album recently I realized that all along I guess I secretly wanted their older albums to sound better and bigger to do their songs proper justice. Guess what? Strawberry Jam does just that, and the album cooks as a result. It's also perhaps their most accessible effort as well. - Mike
9. Fort Nightly by White Rabbits (+) - listen: "While We Go Dancing"
valentine's day We considered doing a nerdy list of best song sequences within albums, and for me that idea was partially born from listening to tracks 3-7 on Fort Nightly on continuous loop. And this isn't to suggest the album is front-loaded either, it's just THAT good. From songwriting and arrangements to instrumentation and delivery, this is an incredibly strong full-length debut. Good songs prevail. - Mike
8. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone by Explosions In The Sky (+) - listen: "It's Natural To Be Afraid"
valentine's day I'm not a long-time fan of this band, but I know people who are. And I know they probably don't consider this the "best" album from Explosions In The Sky, but I'll tell you what: they're wrong. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone is Explosions at their pinnacle, they've totally perfected their signature dramatic post-rock formula to create one of the most solid and complete works of art of any kind to come out in 2007. With tonal and melodic themes that seamlessly run throughout, it flows almost more like a symphony than a rock record. Listen to this alone, listen to it while driving, listen to it with headphones on, or listen on your stereo and wake up the neighbors. However you chose to experience this record, beware. Because if you let it, it will completely take over. - Matt
7. Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof (+) - listen: "The Perfect Me"
valentine's day Possibly better than The Runners Four, possibly Deerhoof's finest album, but not my favorite of theirs. It is, however, much better than most of the records released this year and has more than its fair share of fantastic/genius moments. - Matt
What a shame this was released way back in January. If they had pushed it to coincide with "blog awards season" like Oscar contenders do every fall, Friend Opportunity would probably be at the top of most lists, EAR FARM included (and c'mon, inclusion on these lists is comparable to winning an Oscar, right?). As it stands, this is just another run-of-the-mill Deerhoof album, meaning it's a kaleidoscopic cocktail of ingenious time shifts, starts, stops, freak-outs and childlike melodies that will knock you flat on your ass. I will always be anxiously awaiting whatever Deerhoof does next. - Mike
6. Friend And Foe by Menomena (+) - listen: "The Pelican"
valentine's day I've been told to check out this band in the past, I didn't listen. But for some reason one day at work I threw this album on and was hooked immediately. By what? By the rhythm and melody, rhythm... and melody. And also by the fact that this is one of the finest (pure) indie rock records I've heard since Funeral. Tops. And also, gotta love the sax work. - Matt
Two of my closest friends whose taste in music I will never question had been oohing and ahhhing about Menomena - and this album in particular - for quite some time. Late to the party as always (I also had cable tv taken away from me as a kid), the high expectations I already had for Friend And Foe increased even more upon nerding out to their incredible album art. So basically I was sold before I even pressed play. Turns out the album sounds incredible too. My friends are smart. - Mike
5. Person Pitch by Panda Bear (+) - listen: "Take Pills"
valentine's day Unlike most of the music dork world I didn't fall for this album in a big grand 'love at first listen' moment. I knew it was great, but I avoided overdoing it for the most part and took it in small doses. I'm glad for that. And though seeing Lennox perform (and by perform I mean ruin) Panda Bear material live nearly destroyed my appreciation of what he's accomplished here, it simply couldn't because the album is so damn good. - Matt
I must have listened to this for three weeks straight when it first came out. I listened to it in the car, on the subway, at my desk and even while watching NCAA March Madness (on mute) on television. Therefore, it's entirely my fault and not Noah Lennox's that Person Pitch gradually lost some of its magic as the year wore on. Listening to it again, traces of its original irresistible charm still come through, and if we were making this list according to how we felt upon first hearing an album this would no doubt be my numero uno. - Mike
4. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco (+) - listen: "You Are My Face"
valentine's day Whoa whoa whoa, what's with all the "dad-rock" hullabaloo surrounding this album? Really? Guess what? If this is "dad-rock" then fuel up my minivan and put socks under my Birkenstocks because it KICKS ASS. Yes, I too was head-over-heels in love with "experimental phase" Wilco and I kinda sorta feel your pain, but how did Sky Blue Sky become labeled as a simple, paint-by-numbers album? Tweedy may have traded in some of the overt weirdness of his previous two albums for a more coherent and band-oriented sound, but in doing so he managed to capture for the first time on record Wilco's standing as the tightest and most musically gifted rock band in America. - Mike
3. We Are Him by Angels Of Light (+) - listen: "We Are Him"
valentine's day We Are Him is the best album released in 2007 that nobody is talking about. It's exactly what I'd always hoped for when listening to other Angels Of Light records, what Michael Gira has always hinted at but never quite achieved. It's frightening, difficult, droning, hypnotic, intimate, sprawling, lonely, paranoid, communal, unique, confrontational, abrasive, beautiful, and perfect. It's a good step or ten darker than most Goth rock you'll find kids with black fingernails listening to - it's what The Doors must've sounded like in their peyote fueled dreams, hoping for a sound they never quite realized. It's like Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, but better. The song posted here is simply to offer you a taste; however, this is truly a record to be experienced as a whole. Like a great book, you must work through the album with patience and fortitude and get familiar with its landscape before it will really payoff. And when it does payoff (multiple times throughout the album), I'll betcha dollars to donuts that you end up agreeing with Gira's proclamation that he is, indeed, “the god of this fucking land”. - Matt
2. Boxer by The National (+) - listen: "Mistaken for Strangers"
valentine's day Alright, go ahead and check me in to hyperbolics anonymous. "Hi, my name is Matt and I like to exaggerate." Right? Oh wait, I haven't offered the proof yet. Here: Boxer is a perfect record. Yeah? Is that good enough? I've only said 'perfect' some 35 times in the last hour. So it seems. Actually, I've only said 'perfect' twice, but then my hyperbolic statement regarding how many times I've recently said the word 'perfect' should be proof enough that I've got an exaggerating problem. We all do. Look, I know it's not going to blow your mind when I tell you this, because it's being said in so many places, but what The National have achieved on Boxer is nothing short of a masterpiece. They one-upped themselves; no actually, they've plain and simply blown Alligator right out of the water. I tried my damnedest to not be one of the many who love this record, thinking that I might retain some fraction of individuality by doing so. How idiotic. You know what? You're right. Boxer is not as good as all of us weenies are saying... it's better. - Matt
I don't have quite the obsession that Matt does with this album and I attribute that to being a bit underwhelmed by seeing them live and having that taint Boxer just in the slightest. That being said, I still spun it on repeat for a 10-hour round-trip car ride and didn't even consider listening to anything else. This is like The Blob of 2007 albums. It slithers and oozes forth and seeps into you and wraps itself around you until you have no choice but to submit and be one with it. - Mike
1. In Rainbows by Radiohead (+) - listen: "House of Cards" + "Up On The Ladder" (from disc 2)
valentine's day Are you excited to read yet another yokel's opinons about In Rainbows? Gooood. I'll try to keep it somewhat short...and in doing so will go back to 1995. That year a new tradition started with The Bends in which I would try to buy every subsequent Radiohead album on the day of its release (including hunting down Kid A in Australia in 2000). That mini-streak ended with In Rainbows. Not only did I not "buy" it on its "release day", but I didn't even pay anything for it when I did get it. Charlatan! I know I know, let me explain. Having been disappointed all year with the efforts of other heavy-hitters (cough cough Arcade Fire) I couldn't bring myself to be let down by another big band's big release. Now, two months later I can breathe easy again. Isn't it nice and orderly when the best band in the world also delivers the best album of the year? It makes me think all is momentarily right. Now excuse me while I go redeem karma points by purchasing this on vinyl. - Mike
Okay computer, please don't let me mention how Mike needs to hurry up with buying In Rainbows on vinyl before the karma police come after him with knives out; because, I might be wrong but, that would be a bit of a let down for me to pun so poorly... shit, is this thing on? Damn. Remember how awful peoples' puns and references to Radiohead used to be back in the late '90s? I do. It was "ok computer this" and "karma police" that. Ugh. I remember. I also remember how good Pablo Honey was, how great The Bends was, how (here I go again) perfect Ok Computer and Kid A were, how great Amnesiac was, and how Hail To The Thief saw Radiohead (in my mind) return to just simply "pretty great". That's what happens when you set impossibly high standards as a band. Each time Radiohead drops an album I expect perfection, and while I'm not yet 100% sure that In Rainbows is "better" than Boxer, I WILL be sure in mere minutes when I open this package sitting in front of me and finally get to hear this sucker on vinyl with headphones on. UPDATE: No joke, I'm writing this now an hour and a half later. Today I received my special edition In Rainbows box set (all kinds of awesome artwork and packaging along with the album on vinyl (2 discs) and a bonus CD of b-sides) in the mail and it turns out that it was worth the wait, and worth every penny I paid for it. In Rainbows, on vinyl, with proper headphones on, my goodness. Also, disc 2 contains at least four tracks well worth checking out. As a test subject in the great Radiohead marketing/distribution experiment of 2007 I must say that I'm completely satisfied on all levels. But most importantly, the music... In 2007 Radiohead proved, once again, that they're simply in a league of their own. - Matt
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And there you have it. EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums of 2007. Sure, the top two spots might not have shocked anyone, but when there are albums out there as good as Boxer and In Rainbows, what do you expect? That we ignore the truth and force something else into the top spot just to be different? Yes? Okay, well maybe next year. For now you'll have to deal with the list above. Or, if you're still thirsty for even MORE list action, check out the extra bonus lists below.
Beyond that - now it's your turn. Go ahead and offer up your criticisms and questions and name calling and all the whatever you call it... Mostly we'd like to see YOUR "tops of '07" lists, or links to your lists elsewhere, or whatever else you've got for us - so let us have it/them. And, as always, thanks for reading.
10 albums (5 from each of us) that nearly made EAR FARM's top 15
5. Dandelion Gum by Black Moth Super Rainbow - From the first note this album pulls you, floating and weightless, past tangerine trees and marmalade skies as if you're a character in one of Timothy Leary's dreams. My God, the SYNTHS! - Matt
5. Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird - Haunting, shimmering, contemplative, dramatic, and just out-and-out purrty. This album really surprised me and is certainly worthy of all the hype and praise it's received. - Mike
EAR FARM's Top 7 EPs Of 2007
Arizona - Frameseeker and the Mono
British Sea Power - Krankenhaus?
Dead Confederate - Dead Confederate
Goes Cube - Beckon The Dagger God
Grizzly Bear - Friend EP
The Muggabears - Night Choreography
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - IS IS
10 albums that just aren't our thing, no matter how good everyone else says they are
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Beirut - The Flying Cub Cup
Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
Deerhunter - Cryptograms
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Justice - †
Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Kanye West - Graduation
10 albums from this year that let us down
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated
Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
Brakes - The Beatific Visions
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
Dungen - Tio Bitar
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Liars - Liars
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
15 artists whose 2008 album we're really excited about
Ambulance LTD.
The Breeders
British Sea Power
Built To Spill
The Cure
Goes Cube
Guns N' Roses (nudge nudge wink wink)
Islands
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Morrissey
Nine Inch Nails
The Secret Life of Sofia
Silver Jews
Tapes 'n Tapes
Wolf Parade
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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Here's hoping you have a very happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2008!
What you'll find below is a list of our "top" 15 albums released in 2007. What does this mean? Favorites? Bests? Both, yes. These are the bests of our favorites. The most favorite-bests. We worked together as a team to come up with a list we both agreed on, fought and clawed for our favorites, and had to let go of some of them for the greater good. Ultimately, we're extremely pleased with the list we've come up with. So, after you check out the teaser list below, have a look at the big list inside by clicking through to continue reading/view comments. Once there, click the title of the album to purchase it, click the artist's name to go to their site, click the (+) to read what a variety of critics have to say, and click on the song name to listen to an MP3 from the respective album. As always, we welcome you to comment, complain, leave your own "tops of '07" list, or tag the comments to this post with graffiti.
EAR FARM's Top Albums Of 2007 #'s 15-11
15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav
14. Red Album by Baroness
13. Marry Me by St. Vincent
12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback
11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli
EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007
15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav (+) - listen: "Patty Lee"
valentine's day The real star of this album is guitarist Seth Jabour. Alternating between understated rhythms lurking at the back of the mix to insanely catchy lead lines dictating the entire direction of a given song, he gets my "Slash Award" for 2007. This isn't in recognition of technical virtuosity but rather for stuffing an entire album full of guitar parts that I can whistle along to from memory (except I can't whistle, so maybe just hum). Top to bottom, this is a really fun, uplifting, fist-pumping party album. - Mike14. Red Album by Baroness (+) - listen: "The Birthing"
valentine's day Red Album is 2007's finest metal album and one I'm pretty sure you'd love if you only gave it a chance. I know, you scoff. You're ready to skip over this album because you don't need metal in your life. Oh but you do! And on this record Baroness has crafted an album that's just as heavy as it is ethereal, just as balls out riff-rocking as it is accessible. A metal album that's not very far off from what you might expect to hear from Isis, and yet entirely "Southern" and even partially "indie rock-ish". Huh? Trust me. For those about to rock, look no further. - Matt13. Marry Me by St. Vincent (+) - listen: "Now Now"
valentine's day After spending time as a member of Sufjan Stevens' band and the Polyphonic Spree, Marry Me finds Annie Clark (St. Vincent) bursting into the music world like an excited child who's just returned from the zoo. While the record could've ended up sounding like an overly anxious artist's long awaited (messy) moment in the sun, Marry Me is anything but. Instead, it's a near-flawless debut and I can't wait for the follow up. - Matt12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback (+) - listen: "Good To Sea"
valentine's day When I heard grumblings that this was just like every other Pinback album I thought, "you mean it's filled with interlocking rhythms executed with swiss-clock precision beneath a bed of minor-chord hooks and twisting harmonies?", before leaving a vapor trail in my midst on the way to the record store. Knowing Rob Crow's tastes, if their last album was titled Summer in Abaddon and this one Autumn of the Seraphs, what are the odds their next one will be Winter in Middle Earth? - Mike11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli (+) - listen: "The Perfect Beat (feat. KRS-One)"
valentine's day A two sided truth: I'm calling Eardrum 2007's best hip-hop album (yep, better than recent records from El-P and Pharaohe Monch) but it's possible that it could've been even better if Kweli (and his army of producers and guest stars) had been more stingy with the number of tracks included on the record. That's not to say there are bad songs dragging the album down, just that there was really no need to max out all 80 minutes on this CD by pumping it full of 20 tracks. It's perhaps the most disjointed and sprawling album on this list of great albums. So what I recommend is to split it in half, split it in thirds, listen to one song each day for the next three weeks - take it in in whatever way works for you, but whatever you do, don't miss it. The production and guest appearances are top notch and Kweli really goes above and beyond with his delivery/flow and, most of all, with his lyrics. The best in the business. - Matt10. Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective (+) - listen: "Derek"
valentine's day As they've gotten more popular, the fidelity of Animal Collective albums has improved drastically. Listen to Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished next to Strawberry Jam and the difference is startling. I always identified the lo-fi soupy sonics of their previous albums as just another signature element of their sound, and when the sparkling-clean production of Strawberry Jam power-washed these imperfections away, it left me a bit cold. BUT, coming back to this album recently I realized that all along I guess I secretly wanted their older albums to sound better and bigger to do their songs proper justice. Guess what? Strawberry Jam does just that, and the album cooks as a result. It's also perhaps their most accessible effort as well. - Mike9. Fort Nightly by White Rabbits (+) - listen: "While We Go Dancing"
valentine's day We considered doing a nerdy list of best song sequences within albums, and for me that idea was partially born from listening to tracks 3-7 on Fort Nightly on continuous loop. And this isn't to suggest the album is front-loaded either, it's just THAT good. From songwriting and arrangements to instrumentation and delivery, this is an incredibly strong full-length debut. Good songs prevail. - Mike8. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone by Explosions In The Sky (+) - listen: "It's Natural To Be Afraid"
valentine's day I'm not a long-time fan of this band, but I know people who are. And I know they probably don't consider this the "best" album from Explosions In The Sky, but I'll tell you what: they're wrong. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone is Explosions at their pinnacle, they've totally perfected their signature dramatic post-rock formula to create one of the most solid and complete works of art of any kind to come out in 2007. With tonal and melodic themes that seamlessly run throughout, it flows almost more like a symphony than a rock record. Listen to this alone, listen to it while driving, listen to it with headphones on, or listen on your stereo and wake up the neighbors. However you chose to experience this record, beware. Because if you let it, it will completely take over. - Matt7. Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof (+) - listen: "The Perfect Me"
valentine's day Possibly better than The Runners Four, possibly Deerhoof's finest album, but not my favorite of theirs. It is, however, much better than most of the records released this year and has more than its fair share of fantastic/genius moments. - MattWhat a shame this was released way back in January. If they had pushed it to coincide with "blog awards season" like Oscar contenders do every fall, Friend Opportunity would probably be at the top of most lists, EAR FARM included (and c'mon, inclusion on these lists is comparable to winning an Oscar, right?). As it stands, this is just another run-of-the-mill Deerhoof album, meaning it's a kaleidoscopic cocktail of ingenious time shifts, starts, stops, freak-outs and childlike melodies that will knock you flat on your ass. I will always be anxiously awaiting whatever Deerhoof does next. - Mike
6. Friend And Foe by Menomena (+) - listen: "The Pelican"
valentine's day I've been told to check out this band in the past, I didn't listen. But for some reason one day at work I threw this album on and was hooked immediately. By what? By the rhythm and melody, rhythm... and melody. And also by the fact that this is one of the finest (pure) indie rock records I've heard since Funeral. Tops. And also, gotta love the sax work. - MattTwo of my closest friends whose taste in music I will never question had been oohing and ahhhing about Menomena - and this album in particular - for quite some time. Late to the party as always (I also had cable tv taken away from me as a kid), the high expectations I already had for Friend And Foe increased even more upon nerding out to their incredible album art. So basically I was sold before I even pressed play. Turns out the album sounds incredible too. My friends are smart. - Mike
5. Person Pitch by Panda Bear (+) - listen: "Take Pills"
valentine's day Unlike most of the music dork world I didn't fall for this album in a big grand 'love at first listen' moment. I knew it was great, but I avoided overdoing it for the most part and took it in small doses. I'm glad for that. And though seeing Lennox perform (and by perform I mean ruin) Panda Bear material live nearly destroyed my appreciation of what he's accomplished here, it simply couldn't because the album is so damn good. - MattI must have listened to this for three weeks straight when it first came out. I listened to it in the car, on the subway, at my desk and even while watching NCAA March Madness (on mute) on television. Therefore, it's entirely my fault and not Noah Lennox's that Person Pitch gradually lost some of its magic as the year wore on. Listening to it again, traces of its original irresistible charm still come through, and if we were making this list according to how we felt upon first hearing an album this would no doubt be my numero uno. - Mike
4. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco (+) - listen: "You Are My Face"
valentine's day Whoa whoa whoa, what's with all the "dad-rock" hullabaloo surrounding this album? Really? Guess what? If this is "dad-rock" then fuel up my minivan and put socks under my Birkenstocks because it KICKS ASS. Yes, I too was head-over-heels in love with "experimental phase" Wilco and I kinda sorta feel your pain, but how did Sky Blue Sky become labeled as a simple, paint-by-numbers album? Tweedy may have traded in some of the overt weirdness of his previous two albums for a more coherent and band-oriented sound, but in doing so he managed to capture for the first time on record Wilco's standing as the tightest and most musically gifted rock band in America. - Mike3. We Are Him by Angels Of Light (+) - listen: "We Are Him"
valentine's day We Are Him is the best album released in 2007 that nobody is talking about. It's exactly what I'd always hoped for when listening to other Angels Of Light records, what Michael Gira has always hinted at but never quite achieved. It's frightening, difficult, droning, hypnotic, intimate, sprawling, lonely, paranoid, communal, unique, confrontational, abrasive, beautiful, and perfect. It's a good step or ten darker than most Goth rock you'll find kids with black fingernails listening to - it's what The Doors must've sounded like in their peyote fueled dreams, hoping for a sound they never quite realized. It's like Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, but better. The song posted here is simply to offer you a taste; however, this is truly a record to be experienced as a whole. Like a great book, you must work through the album with patience and fortitude and get familiar with its landscape before it will really payoff. And when it does payoff (multiple times throughout the album), I'll betcha dollars to donuts that you end up agreeing with Gira's proclamation that he is, indeed, “the god of this fucking land”. - Matt2. Boxer by The National (+) - listen: "Mistaken for Strangers"
valentine's day Alright, go ahead and check me in to hyperbolics anonymous. "Hi, my name is Matt and I like to exaggerate." Right? Oh wait, I haven't offered the proof yet. Here: Boxer is a perfect record. Yeah? Is that good enough? I've only said 'perfect' some 35 times in the last hour. So it seems. Actually, I've only said 'perfect' twice, but then my hyperbolic statement regarding how many times I've recently said the word 'perfect' should be proof enough that I've got an exaggerating problem. We all do. Look, I know it's not going to blow your mind when I tell you this, because it's being said in so many places, but what The National have achieved on Boxer is nothing short of a masterpiece. They one-upped themselves; no actually, they've plain and simply blown Alligator right out of the water. I tried my damnedest to not be one of the many who love this record, thinking that I might retain some fraction of individuality by doing so. How idiotic. You know what? You're right. Boxer is not as good as all of us weenies are saying... it's better. - MattI don't have quite the obsession that Matt does with this album and I attribute that to being a bit underwhelmed by seeing them live and having that taint Boxer just in the slightest. That being said, I still spun it on repeat for a 10-hour round-trip car ride and didn't even consider listening to anything else. This is like The Blob of 2007 albums. It slithers and oozes forth and seeps into you and wraps itself around you until you have no choice but to submit and be one with it. - Mike
1. In Rainbows by Radiohead (+) - listen: "House of Cards" + "Up On The Ladder" (from disc 2)
valentine's day Are you excited to read yet another yokel's opinons about In Rainbows? Gooood. I'll try to keep it somewhat short...and in doing so will go back to 1995. That year a new tradition started with The Bends in which I would try to buy every subsequent Radiohead album on the day of its release (including hunting down Kid A in Australia in 2000). That mini-streak ended with In Rainbows. Not only did I not "buy" it on its "release day", but I didn't even pay anything for it when I did get it. Charlatan! I know I know, let me explain. Having been disappointed all year with the efforts of other heavy-hitters (cough cough Arcade Fire) I couldn't bring myself to be let down by another big band's big release. Now, two months later I can breathe easy again. Isn't it nice and orderly when the best band in the world also delivers the best album of the year? It makes me think all is momentarily right. Now excuse me while I go redeem karma points by purchasing this on vinyl. - MikeOkay computer, please don't let me mention how Mike needs to hurry up with buying In Rainbows on vinyl before the karma police come after him with knives out; because, I might be wrong but, that would be a bit of a let down for me to pun so poorly... shit, is this thing on? Damn. Remember how awful peoples' puns and references to Radiohead used to be back in the late '90s? I do. It was "ok computer this" and "karma police" that. Ugh. I remember. I also remember how good Pablo Honey was, how great The Bends was, how (here I go again) perfect Ok Computer and Kid A were, how great Amnesiac was, and how Hail To The Thief saw Radiohead (in my mind) return to just simply "pretty great". That's what happens when you set impossibly high standards as a band. Each time Radiohead drops an album I expect perfection, and while I'm not yet 100% sure that In Rainbows is "better" than Boxer, I WILL be sure in mere minutes when I open this package sitting in front of me and finally get to hear this sucker on vinyl with headphones on. UPDATE: No joke, I'm writing this now an hour and a half later. Today I received my special edition In Rainbows box set (all kinds of awesome artwork and packaging along with the album on vinyl (2 discs) and a bonus CD of b-sides) in the mail and it turns out that it was worth the wait, and worth every penny I paid for it. In Rainbows, on vinyl, with proper headphones on, my goodness. Also, disc 2 contains at least four tracks well worth checking out. As a test subject in the great Radiohead marketing/distribution experiment of 2007 I must say that I'm completely satisfied on all levels. But most importantly, the music... In 2007 Radiohead proved, once again, that they're simply in a league of their own. - Matt
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And there you have it. EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums of 2007. Sure, the top two spots might not have shocked anyone, but when there are albums out there as good as Boxer and In Rainbows, what do you expect? That we ignore the truth and force something else into the top spot just to be different? Yes? Okay, well maybe next year. For now you'll have to deal with the list above. Or, if you're still thirsty for even MORE list action, check out the extra bonus lists below.
Beyond that - now it's your turn. Go ahead and offer up your criticisms and questions and name calling and all the whatever you call it... Mostly we'd like to see YOUR "tops of '07" lists, or links to your lists elsewhere, or whatever else you've got for us - so let us have it/them. And, as always, thanks for reading.
10 albums (5 from each of us) that nearly made EAR FARM's top 15
5. Dandelion Gum by Black Moth Super Rainbow - From the first note this album pulls you, floating and weightless, past tangerine trees and marmalade skies as if you're a character in one of Timothy Leary's dreams. My God, the SYNTHS! - Matt
- Listen: "They Live In the Meadow"
- Listen: "Tasmanian Pain Coaster"
- Listen: "Raver"
- Listen: "Black Bubblegum"
5. Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird - Haunting, shimmering, contemplative, dramatic, and just out-and-out purrty. This album really surprised me and is certainly worthy of all the hype and praise it's received. - Mike
- Listen: "Imitosis"
- Listen: "Green Fields"
- Listen: "Plus Ones"
- Listen: "Maker Make"
- Listen: "The Mending of the Gown"
EAR FARM's Top 7 EPs Of 2007
Arizona - Frameseeker and the Mono
British Sea Power - Krankenhaus?
Dead Confederate - Dead Confederate
Goes Cube - Beckon The Dagger God
Grizzly Bear - Friend EP
The Muggabears - Night Choreography
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - IS IS
10 albums that just aren't our thing, no matter how good everyone else says they are
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Beirut - The Flying Cub Cup
Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
Deerhunter - Cryptograms
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Justice - †
Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Kanye West - Graduation
10 albums from this year that let us down
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated
Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
Brakes - The Beatific Visions
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
Dungen - Tio Bitar
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Liars - Liars
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
15 artists whose 2008 album we're really excited about
Ambulance LTD.
The Breeders
British Sea Power
Built To Spill
The Cure
Goes Cube
Guns N' Roses (nudge nudge wink wink)
Islands
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Morrissey
Nine Inch Nails
The Secret Life of Sofia
Silver Jews
Tapes 'n Tapes
Wolf Parade
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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
valentine's day EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly look at songs longer than eight minutes. Each week, new song. There are no rules or guidelines here other than that I won't allow live versions of songs to be featured. Beyond that, it's anything goes. And very often, that's exactly what happens as the songs range from indie rock to jazz to classic rock to rap to R&B to classical to electronic to folk to anything/everything in between. Accompanying each song is anything from a personal story/essay to pictures, videos, cited research, original poetry... truly all manner of reflection and interaction with the week's selected long song. In a nutshell, for over two years 8+ has been EAR FARM's signature weekly column.
To date there have been 99 songs featured in EF's 8+, meaning that the next new 8+ will be the 100th 8+! To celebrate the occasion, and as a special thank you to all of the EAR FARM faithful, we're inviting you to vote/decide which song you would like to have featured in EAR FARM's 100th 8+. The four potential songs were selected to reflect some of the songs most requested via email and comments. So be sure to vote in the 8+ poll in the sidebar on the right. To give everyone enough time to get a vote cast we'll be doing a special remix of an old 8+ post next week (consider it a rerun) and the final 8+ of 2007 (#100 overall) will appear the following week. In other words, voting will close on December 25th and your 100th 8+ will be posted on the 27th.
In lieu of posting a new 8+ today, we've decided to wrap up 2007 by picking our 15 favorite 8+ posts from 2007 along with a separate list of 8+ posts written by guest authors this year. I've done up a very brief summary for each post in the list below to jog your memory/entice you to want to read the actual post; and also, I've gone ahead and re-uploaded (for a limited time) each of the songs to their original posts, so click through below to begin your adventure through the year's best 8+s and visit each original post to read and listen to each individual 8+. If you'd like to someday try your hand at writing a guest 8+ for EAR FARM, get in touch. If your favorite song has yet to be featured, or your favorite 8+ post from this year was left off the list, speak!
EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird" - young Matt attempts to woo girl by lying and saying the lyrics to "Free Bird" are actually his own poetry
Ludwig van Beethoven - "Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 - Allegretto" - a special Thanksgiving post: thankful Matt, thankful cat
Gioachino Rossini - "La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)" - a visit to a famous cemetery in Paris to pay respects to deceased music greats
Artanker Convoy - "Open Up" - ass! Hot ass... young ass.
Clan of Xymox - "A Day (Remix)" - EAR FARM's Goth Aerobics
Pulp - "Seductive Barry" - an imaginary resume comprised solely of lyrics from Pulp songs
Pelican - "March to the Sea" - a parody of a rude record review posted on the website Pitchfork
Morrissey - "Southpaw" - after a seventeen year long relationship, Matt breaks up with Morrissey
Slint - "Washer" - a window into 19 year old Matt's mind - a fraction of a short story that was never finished and barely even begun
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster" - a plea to stop using the term "hipster" to apply to every person in the world under the age of 35
Aphex Twin - "Ziggomatic V17" - a post written in binary
Explosions In The Sky - "It's Natural To Be Afraid" - a new game, a true story of life on the road with a band
The Velvet Underground - "The Gift" - Matt hears Velvet Underground for the first time in the back seat of a camaro
Jenő Jandó - "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" - the evolution of the use of this song in animated films, with accompanying YouTube clips
EAR FARM's Guest 8+ Posts Of 2007
The Fiery Furnaces - "Inspector Blancheflower” - Kevin hates long songs, but can't resist writing a lot about this one
Tori Amos - "Yes, Anastasia" - Cathy remembers when she once was Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia
Boduf Songs - “Bell for Harness” - Matthew reveals the soundtrack to running in a residential neighborhood
Boris - "Flood" - Taylor finds hypnotizing patterns in the music of Boris
Agalloch - "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" - David writes an 8+ via IM conversation with Matt
Guns N' Roses - "Locomotive" - Part 4 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Estranged" - Part 3 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Coma" - Part 2 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "November Rain" - Part 1 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Click HERE to see a list of all 99 of EAR FARM's 8+ posts to date.
----
See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007
To date there have been 99 songs featured in EF's 8+, meaning that the next new 8+ will be the 100th 8+! To celebrate the occasion, and as a special thank you to all of the EAR FARM faithful, we're inviting you to vote/decide which song you would like to have featured in EAR FARM's 100th 8+. The four potential songs were selected to reflect some of the songs most requested via email and comments. So be sure to vote in the 8+ poll in the sidebar on the right. To give everyone enough time to get a vote cast we'll be doing a special remix of an old 8+ post next week (consider it a rerun) and the final 8+ of 2007 (#100 overall) will appear the following week. In other words, voting will close on December 25th and your 100th 8+ will be posted on the 27th.
In lieu of posting a new 8+ today, we've decided to wrap up 2007 by picking our 15 favorite 8+ posts from 2007 along with a separate list of 8+ posts written by guest authors this year. I've done up a very brief summary for each post in the list below to jog your memory/entice you to want to read the actual post; and also, I've gone ahead and re-uploaded (for a limited time) each of the songs to their original posts, so click through below to begin your adventure through the year's best 8+s and visit each original post to read and listen to each individual 8+. If you'd like to someday try your hand at writing a guest 8+ for EAR FARM, get in touch. If your favorite song has yet to be featured, or your favorite 8+ post from this year was left off the list, speak!
EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird" - young Matt attempts to woo girl by lying and saying the lyrics to "Free Bird" are actually his own poetry
Ludwig van Beethoven - "Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 - Allegretto" - a special Thanksgiving post: thankful Matt, thankful cat
Gioachino Rossini - "La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)" - a visit to a famous cemetery in Paris to pay respects to deceased music greats
Artanker Convoy - "Open Up" - ass! Hot ass... young ass.
Clan of Xymox - "A Day (Remix)" - EAR FARM's Goth Aerobics
Pulp - "Seductive Barry" - an imaginary resume comprised solely of lyrics from Pulp songs
Pelican - "March to the Sea" - a parody of a rude record review posted on the website Pitchfork
Morrissey - "Southpaw" - after a seventeen year long relationship, Matt breaks up with Morrissey
Slint - "Washer" - a window into 19 year old Matt's mind - a fraction of a short story that was never finished and barely even begun
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster" - a plea to stop using the term "hipster" to apply to every person in the world under the age of 35
Aphex Twin - "Ziggomatic V17" - a post written in binary
Explosions In The Sky - "It's Natural To Be Afraid" - a new game, a true story of life on the road with a band
The Velvet Underground - "The Gift" - Matt hears Velvet Underground for the first time in the back seat of a camaro
Jenő Jandó - "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" - the evolution of the use of this song in animated films, with accompanying YouTube clips
EAR FARM's Guest 8+ Posts Of 2007
The Fiery Furnaces - "Inspector Blancheflower” - Kevin hates long songs, but can't resist writing a lot about this one
Tori Amos - "Yes, Anastasia" - Cathy remembers when she once was Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia
Boduf Songs - “Bell for Harness” - Matthew reveals the soundtrack to running in a residential neighborhood
Boris - "Flood" - Taylor finds hypnotizing patterns in the music of Boris
Agalloch - "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" - David writes an 8+ via IM conversation with Matt
Guns N' Roses - "Locomotive" - Part 4 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Estranged" - Part 3 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Coma" - Part 2 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "November Rain" - Part 1 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Click HERE to see a list of all 99 of EAR FARM's 8+ posts to date.
----
See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007
valentine's day EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
When I say "top" songs of 2007, you're thinking what? "Umbrella" and "All My Friends" and "1234" and "D.A.N.C.E."? Yaaawn! No, don't get me wrong, those are all excellent songs. Great songs that 2007 will be remembered for, you're right. But EAR FARM isn't so much about charting good popular music as it is about telling you what we think is great, as filtered through our own personal taste. The songs that ruled EAR FARM's world in 2007. So, click on through and view/listen to the full list of EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007. There are two lists, 15 songs each. And this time, they're RANKED. Go ahead, yell at us about where things are ranked, what we included/left off, in the comments.
EAR FARM Matt's Top 15 Songs of 2007
15. "Dear Darkness" by PJ Harvey - White Chalk, PJ Harvey's journey into a lighter shade of darkness (minus the rocking guitars, substitute piano), didn't knock me off my feet as a whole. This one song, however, did.
14. "My Punishment For Fighting" by The Rosebuds - This song is a 2007 heterosexual version of "Careless Whisper," which just happens to be a lifelong favorite of mine. Oh the vocals - the lyrics - the emoting!
13. "Atom" by British Sea Power - sometimes a band wakes up from brief hibernation and blasts out a song or two just to stretch out a bit and remind themselves how to return to form. This is British Sea Power doing precisely that. And doing it well.
12. "Sirens" by Dizzee Rascal - if flow, rhymes, inventiveness, giving respect to those who came before you, and just plain having dope skillz are all measures of a proper MC, then this song is what I offer as proof that Dizzee Rascal is one helluva rapper.
11. "The Perfect Me" by Deerhoof - meet me, meet me, meet the perfect Deerhoof song to play for your friends who "don't get it".
10. "Bushels" by Frog Eyes - an epic, this song floors me. An overused phrase, but I'm seriously typing from my floor right now.
9. "Goes Cube Song 46" by Goes Cube - If Goes Cube was hit by a truck and was lying out there in that gutter dying and they had time to sing one song that people would remember before they're dirt, one song that would let God know how they felt about their time here on Earth, one song that would sum them up - I'd tell them to play this one. At least, of what they've released at the moment...
8. "In Our Talons" by Bowerbirds - this song is captivating from the very first thump of the bass drum. By the time they proclaim "you're in our talons now and we're never letting go" I find myself feeling relieved. From the sounds of this one song, there's nearly no place I'd rather be.
7. "No Cars Go" by The Arcade Fire - An earlier version of this was released on their EP from 2003, so is it cheating to include it here? Bah. This version is better, gives me chills somewhere around the 4:33 mark, and happens to be the best song from Neon Bible.
6. "Down Boy" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - On each and every release from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs there is a song that makes me move my head and hand very deliberately as if I'm on stage - makes me feel like I just might be Karen O. Which, I mean to say, is awesome. Anyway, this is one of those songs.
5. "Plaster Casts Of Everything" by Liars - droning and thrashing, echoing with reverberated chaos, shifting, yet under control. This won't win any awards for poetic lyricism, but it sure does get me going.
4. "He Hit Me" by Grizzly Bear - my, what beautiful brilliance. I could attempt to describe it, but I don't want to. I want you to listen to this - alone - very loudly.
3. "It's Natural To Be Afraid" by Explosions In The Sky - thirteen minutes and twenty seven seconds of Explosions In The Sky at their best. I've spent hours this year listening to this one song. 'Nuff said.
2. "Mistaken For Strangers" by The National - why is this a PERFECT song? Because it just is. And, because I identify with the lyrics. A potent combo that.
1. "Atlas" by Battles - what is this? Did the Chipmunks discover math-rock, metal, jazz, odd time signatures, electronica, high positioning of crash cymbals, and psychedelics (or something) all at once and then cut the top track of 2007 as a result? Yep. Call me mental, but I love it so damn much. Still.
EAR FARM Mike's Top 15 Songs of 2007
15. "Love Song No. 7" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Textbook sophomore slump or misunderstood artistic statement? Dunno, but if Some Loud Thunder had a few more songs like this it might have actually shown up on more year-end lists.
14. "When the Other Foot Drops, Uncle" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - The transition that takes place here at 2:24 is one of my favorite musical moments of the year. And aren't these lists all about hyperbole?
13. "While We Go Dancing" by White Rabbits - This slot could have gone to about five different songs from Fort Nightly. This happens to be the one that stays in my head the most.
12. "You Are My Face" by Wilco - So what if it's in a Volkswagen commercial? Wanna fight?
11. "Carbon Dating" by Super Furry Animals - SFA just keep bringing it with every album. This song is absolutely gorgeous, the prettiest of the year perhaps.
10. "War Hero" by Antibalas - This song has it all. Amazing rhythms, ace musicianship, clever melodies, call-and-response vocals....wow.
9. "Don't You Evah" by Spoon - Being introduced to this song live elevated it from a great song to an instant classic. Thanks Britt.
8. "Patty Lee" by Les Savy Fav - I don't know if I could hang with Tim Harrington, but this song makes me wanna try.
7. "The Mending of the Gown" by Sunset Rubdown - I can picture the intro to this playing repeatedly inside Tracy Morgan's head. Isn't that enough?
6. "Brainy" by The National - Everyone's all "this album is a creeper" and "watch out, it'll creep up on you" and I'm like "I can make my own mistakes, thanks!" Whoa, it just creeped up on me, wasn't expecting that. Brainy brainy brainy!
5. "Heimdelsgate Like a Promethean Curse" by Of Montreal - Tastes great. Less filling. Catchy as hell.
4. "Take Pills" by Panda Bear - See no. 5. Oh, and isn't it weird how all these songs about medication are the catchiest?
3. "House of Cards" by Radiohead - Thank you thank you thank you for deciding to privilege melody once again guys.
2. "Derek" by Animal Collective - What do you get when you cross the riff from the opening credits of True Romance with sing-song melodies and tribal drumming? A very happy Mike.
1. "Good To Sea" by Pinback - The best song of the year is also the best pop song of the year too, straight up candy-coated bubblegum bliss. Take that Rihanna.
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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 8+s Of 2007
EAR FARM Matt's Top 15 Songs of 2007
15. "Dear Darkness" by PJ Harvey - White Chalk, PJ Harvey's journey into a lighter shade of darkness (minus the rocking guitars, substitute piano), didn't knock me off my feet as a whole. This one song, however, did.
14. "My Punishment For Fighting" by The Rosebuds - This song is a 2007 heterosexual version of "Careless Whisper," which just happens to be a lifelong favorite of mine. Oh the vocals - the lyrics - the emoting!
13. "Atom" by British Sea Power - sometimes a band wakes up from brief hibernation and blasts out a song or two just to stretch out a bit and remind themselves how to return to form. This is British Sea Power doing precisely that. And doing it well.
12. "Sirens" by Dizzee Rascal - if flow, rhymes, inventiveness, giving respect to those who came before you, and just plain having dope skillz are all measures of a proper MC, then this song is what I offer as proof that Dizzee Rascal is one helluva rapper.
11. "The Perfect Me" by Deerhoof - meet me, meet me, meet the perfect Deerhoof song to play for your friends who "don't get it".
10. "Bushels" by Frog Eyes - an epic, this song floors me. An overused phrase, but I'm seriously typing from my floor right now.
9. "Goes Cube Song 46" by Goes Cube - If Goes Cube was hit by a truck and was lying out there in that gutter dying and they had time to sing one song that people would remember before they're dirt, one song that would let God know how they felt about their time here on Earth, one song that would sum them up - I'd tell them to play this one. At least, of what they've released at the moment...
8. "In Our Talons" by Bowerbirds - this song is captivating from the very first thump of the bass drum. By the time they proclaim "you're in our talons now and we're never letting go" I find myself feeling relieved. From the sounds of this one song, there's nearly no place I'd rather be.
7. "No Cars Go" by The Arcade Fire - An earlier version of this was released on their EP from 2003, so is it cheating to include it here? Bah. This version is better, gives me chills somewhere around the 4:33 mark, and happens to be the best song from Neon Bible.
6. "Down Boy" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - On each and every release from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs there is a song that makes me move my head and hand very deliberately as if I'm on stage - makes me feel like I just might be Karen O. Which, I mean to say, is awesome. Anyway, this is one of those songs.
5. "Plaster Casts Of Everything" by Liars - droning and thrashing, echoing with reverberated chaos, shifting, yet under control. This won't win any awards for poetic lyricism, but it sure does get me going.
4. "He Hit Me" by Grizzly Bear - my, what beautiful brilliance. I could attempt to describe it, but I don't want to. I want you to listen to this - alone - very loudly.
3. "It's Natural To Be Afraid" by Explosions In The Sky - thirteen minutes and twenty seven seconds of Explosions In The Sky at their best. I've spent hours this year listening to this one song. 'Nuff said.
2. "Mistaken For Strangers" by The National - why is this a PERFECT song? Because it just is. And, because I identify with the lyrics. A potent combo that.
1. "Atlas" by Battles - what is this? Did the Chipmunks discover math-rock, metal, jazz, odd time signatures, electronica, high positioning of crash cymbals, and psychedelics (or something) all at once and then cut the top track of 2007 as a result? Yep. Call me mental, but I love it so damn much. Still.
EAR FARM Mike's Top 15 Songs of 2007
15. "Love Song No. 7" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Textbook sophomore slump or misunderstood artistic statement? Dunno, but if Some Loud Thunder had a few more songs like this it might have actually shown up on more year-end lists.
14. "When the Other Foot Drops, Uncle" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - The transition that takes place here at 2:24 is one of my favorite musical moments of the year. And aren't these lists all about hyperbole?
13. "While We Go Dancing" by White Rabbits - This slot could have gone to about five different songs from Fort Nightly. This happens to be the one that stays in my head the most.
12. "You Are My Face" by Wilco - So what if it's in a Volkswagen commercial? Wanna fight?
11. "Carbon Dating" by Super Furry Animals - SFA just keep bringing it with every album. This song is absolutely gorgeous, the prettiest of the year perhaps.
10. "War Hero" by Antibalas - This song has it all. Amazing rhythms, ace musicianship, clever melodies, call-and-response vocals....wow.
9. "Don't You Evah" by Spoon - Being introduced to this song live elevated it from a great song to an instant classic. Thanks Britt.
8. "Patty Lee" by Les Savy Fav - I don't know if I could hang with Tim Harrington, but this song makes me wanna try.
7. "The Mending of the Gown" by Sunset Rubdown - I can picture the intro to this playing repeatedly inside Tracy Morgan's head. Isn't that enough?
6. "Brainy" by The National - Everyone's all "this album is a creeper" and "watch out, it'll creep up on you" and I'm like "I can make my own mistakes, thanks!" Whoa, it just creeped up on me, wasn't expecting that. Brainy brainy brainy!
5. "Heimdelsgate Like a Promethean Curse" by Of Montreal - Tastes great. Less filling. Catchy as hell.
4. "Take Pills" by Panda Bear - See no. 5. Oh, and isn't it weird how all these songs about medication are the catchiest?
3. "House of Cards" by Radiohead - Thank you thank you thank you for deciding to privilege melody once again guys.
2. "Derek" by Animal Collective - What do you get when you cross the riff from the opening credits of True Romance with sing-song melodies and tribal drumming? A very happy Mike.
1. "Good To Sea" by Pinback - The best song of the year is also the best pop song of the year too, straight up candy-coated bubblegum bliss. Take that Rihanna.
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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 8+s Of 2007
valentine's day EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
What do Bowerbirds, Yeasayer, and Vampire Weekend have in common? They're all featured in EAR FARM's list of the top ten bands to "emerge" in 2007. How about Dead Confederate, The Secret Life Of Sofia, and Le Loup?? Just a few bands to be on the lookout for in 2008. After the jump you'll find seven more bands that EAR FARM deems to be the rest of the top ten bands to "emerge" in 2007, followed by seven others to watch out for in 2008. Keep in mind the fact that the term "emerge" is a bit nebulous, but don't let that keep you from yelling at us in the comments. Both lists are in alphabetical order and you'll have to click through to read about/listen to them. So do it.
EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007
A Place To Bury Strangers - Bang. Zoom. Bop. Dead ears. Happy ears. I'm so glad the rest of the country (aka Pitchfork and their minions) finally caught on in 2007. - Matt
EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Watch Out For in 2008
Dead Confederate - like Band of Horses would sound if they'd spent their summers reading The Catcher in the Rye and listening to The Verve instead of grabbing ass at The Okra Strut. - Matt
See also:
EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007
A Place To Bury Strangers - Bang. Zoom. Bop. Dead ears. Happy ears. I'm so glad the rest of the country (aka Pitchfork and their minions) finally caught on in 2007. - Matt
- Listen: "To Fix The Gash In Your Head"
- Listen: "Atlas"
- Listen: "In Our Talons"
- Listen: "No More"
- Listen: "Take Pills"
- Listen: "Now Now"
- Listen: "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
- Listen: "Kid On My Shoulders"
- Listen: "2080"
EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Watch Out For in 2008
Dead Confederate - like Band of Horses would sound if they'd spent their summers reading The Catcher in the Rye and listening to The Verve instead of grabbing ass at The Okra Strut. - Matt
- Listen: "The Rat"
- Listen: "Rockferry"
- Listen: "The Last Christmas On Earth"
- Listen: "Harbored"
- Listen: "we are gods! we are wolves!"
- Listen: "320"
- Listen: "Your Party Was Yesterday"
- Listen: "Lolita"
- Listen: "That's Not My Name"
See also:
EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007
Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
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