2007 Wrap-Up: 10 Tracks in 2007

I feel like I might be shooting myself in the foot by neglecting some songs, but as far as I can remember, these were my favorites. Feel free to let me know of any suggestions.

#10 Emmy the Great "Two Steps Forward"

While 2008 will likely bring Emmy the Great to the masses, she started to build a name for herself with a few underground singles. "Two Steps Forward" is a sophisticated rant without a chorus, but you wouldn't know it with her soothing voice. This "anti-folk" single about past loves sounds amazing among a fiddle, light guitar riffs and Emmy's angelic voice.



#9 Arctic Monkeys "Do Me A Favor"

My Favourite band from Sheffield returned after a short hiatus with more stories of mischief in the U.K. This gripping narrative details a relationship headed for the guillotine with the soundtrack to match. The nerve wracking bass line leads to a guitar smashing result that works superbly.



#8 Kate Nash "Foundations"

Kate Nash acquired many comparisons to Lily Allen from her poetic storytelling to her alliance with Mark Ronson, but Nash made a name for herself on her 1st hit single . "Foundations" is solid as a sarcastic break-up monologue filled with clever wordplay over a piano and guitar landscape.



#7 Iron and Wine "Boy With A Coin"

Sam Beam shines on the first single from The Shepherd's Dog. In a departure from his past low key (but still great) work, the track's backing has more than the usual acoustic guitar. Hand claps, electric guitar, light drum and some vocal distortion help craft this song filled with religious imagery.



#6 Bright Eyes "Four Winds"

While it took me awhile to realize the genius that is Conor Oberst, the first single from Cassadaga made me a believer. "Four Winds" features political and religious musings over a refined bluegrass sound. Its easily the best toe-tapping apocalyptic tune of 2007.



#5 Patrick Wolf "The Magic Position"

Patrick Wolf made a name for himself in 2007 as an eccentric character on the upbeat single, "The Magic Position". As if it was plucked from the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack, the track features hand clap percussion, a childish chant and a hypnotic hook. The not-so-subtle come on might not work for Wolf in reality, but it works perfectly in song.



#4 Jose Gonzalez "Down the Line"

Gonzalez's latest effort easy caught my ear this summer. His way with a guitar and a cool melody ease the tension on the simple, yet mesmerizing song about regret and temptation. This could also win the award for creepiest video of the year.



#3 The Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend to Dance With You"

With a little help from Rolling Stone, Florida's The Black Kids have some of the best buzz leading into 2008. On this single, the band's garage rock sounds sweet intertwined with the bitter storyline surrounding it.



#2 Rogue Wave "Lake Michigan"

Rogue Wave burst back on the scene after recording their latest album, Asleep At Heaven's Gate in the Midwest. This melancholy and socially conscious track features some of their best work complete with crashing guitars and always welcome hand claps. Pay attention and you'll find its about pollution. Imagine that.



#1 Bon Iver "Skinny Love"

You might notice a theme here with minimalist yet dramatic songs featuring an emotional singer on this list, but Bon Iver deserves to be here as well. This folk classic about loneliness after love is as earnest as they come. Certainly my favorite of many favorites in 2007.

The Klaxons: Mercury Winners? Is It A "Myth"?

I have mentioned the Nationwide Mercury Prize a few times in posts, but haven't really explained it. Basically, its an award show that highlights the best British and Irish albums of the past year. The albums nominated are voted on by a board of music executives from across the pond and usually don't get much play in the States (sad, but true).

Klaxons won this year's prize for their 1st album, Myths of the Near Future. The album beat out the likes of Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys (last year's winner), and the New Young Pony Club. Now I would never call my self a journalist or a music critic, I just happen to like writing about music I feel others should pay attention to (or at least give a listen). I don't have a literary degree or have ever been in a band, but I still like to voice my opinion. I just wonder how the "expert" voters came about choosing the Klaxons' album over the list of other nominees. Don't get me wrong, songs like "Golden Skans" and "Gravity's Rainbow" have been in heavy rotation on my i-pod since I heard them. I can definitely appreciate that the band is leading the way in the creation of the "new rave" genre.

The fact of the matter is that Myths of the Near Future is an uneven album, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I may have even been a bit harsh in my initial review, the album was probably a 3 after few more listens. But I have a hard time believing its the best Brit or Irish album of 2007. Especially in comparison to Back to Black and Favourite Worst Nightmare. I am sure Ms. Winehouse will get her due and the Arctic Monkeys got their fair share of praise last year, I just think Klaxons should be rewarded in the "Future", when they create a more focused record.

Klaxons - Golden Skans


Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow


Bonus: Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game @ Mercury Prize

Arctic Monkeys: Far From A "Nightmare"

Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare - 4/5 Narks

The Sheffield, England-based Arctic Monkeys stormed onto the indie rock scene last year with an unprecedented amount of internet/myspace buzz and a party-starter single, "I Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor". The success translated into a #1 album ("Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not") in the U.K., the coveted 2006 Mercury album prize, and the crown of "fastest-selling debut album in British chart history." The Arctic Monkeys quickly gained buzz as "the next great Brit band" in the U.S. and the pressured mounted for their stateside arrival. Surprisingly, the album failed to match the commercial splash it made in the U.K. (debuted at #24, 34,000 copies), but was still revered by critics, bloggers, and fans alike. Wasting no time, the Arctic Monkeys are back (less than 6 months later) with the solid sophomore effort "Favourite Worst Nightmare".

"Favourite Worst Nightware" is hardly a bad dream but showcases a faster, louder, more focused sound, that shows the band's growth over the past year. The race begins on "Brainstorm" with adrenaline-laden guitar strums that could be mistaken for a tornado. This ode to a fashion conscious, Cassanova-type bloke named "Brian", easily matches the intensity of "I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor", while painting a telling portrait of the main character. The tales of infidelity and romance gone awry continue on as the album progresses. "The Bad Thing" sounds like a story the aforementioned "Brian" might use to entice an an engaged female into trouble at an upbeat tempo. "Do Me A Favour" starts slow, incorporating a surf-like beat on the road to impending doom. It is very effective in making sure the listener takes note of the story that unfolds and ends with a bang (as a bad break-up would).

"Nightmare" only drifts into the shadows in a few places, on the psychedelic, but bluesy "Only Ones Who Know" and "This House Is A Circus" (skippable, but not terrible). "Only Ones Who Know" seems out of place, but gives the listener a chance to breathe before the next hit parade.

"Teddy Picker" shines as a criticism of reality stars trying to steal the spotlight from talented performers the easy way over a bouncy beat. Lead singer, Alex Turner, questions their motives and asks " D'you reckon that they do it for a joke?/D'you reckon that they make 'em take an oath?." "505" fittingly ends with a "nightmare", as Turner leaves heartbroken without the person he longs for. As a send off, the song shouts "I'm going back to 505/If its a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive/In my imagination you're waiting lying on your side/With your hands between your thighs and a smile."

The Arctic Monkeys have made of what could have been a sophomore slump, into a solid follow-up to a great debut. Turner is great at weaving interesting tales of faltering relationships and vulnerable situations over more than complimentary Brit rock. He has a penchant for making the listener think they are actually in a dim-lit bar watching these events take place. The Arctic Monkeys should easily shed the "nightmare" of being labeled the latest "over-hyped" British band in 2007.

Arctic Monkeys - Do Me A Favour