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Post by ScottsyII on Dec 15, 2007 20:32:20 GMT -5
Sorry about that! I think I missed the point of your original post... you're right though, it certainly does say something about our society and the pervasiveness of the media in shaping our perceptions... if an artist can crafct some of her / his best work and yet it is overshadowed by tabloid commentary, to the point the person's art is completely overlooked, it shows significantly that mass media can truly dominate our choices... kinda scary...
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Post by upinkzeppelin2 on Dec 16, 2007 14:45:05 GMT -5
MSN's Top Ten Albums of 2007.......fwiw
1. Arcade Fire: "Neon Bible"
The Montreal band's vivid mix of idealism and eclecticism earned them nearly instant notoriety with their debut, "Funeral," making the Arcade Fire's follow-up among 2007's most keenly anticipated releases. Any fears of a sophomore slump were dissolved by the new set's even grander ambitions and its urgent, angry political subtext, while Win Butler's songs reflected an expanded array of influences (including, among others, the Boss himself).
2. Bruce Springsteen: "Magic"
At midlife, Asbury Park's most famous son has hit a brisker stride, stepping up the flow of new releases, rekindling his stage passions with both the Seeger Sessions Band and his E Street cohorts and, most vitally, taking his writing back to street level. "Magic" manages to echo Springsteen's most triumphal past records while displaying new tricks (including rhapsodic pure pop worthy of Brian Wilson) and honing its social themes to the sharpest edges of his career.
3. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: "Raising Sand"
The calculus of collaborations between established stars typically leads to simple addition (as in the supergroup model) or polite standoffs between established styles. Such expectations made this left-field combination all the more startling as producer T Bone Burnett lured the hard-rock howler and the decorous bluegrass queen out of their comfort zones and into a newly imagined, gothic frontier between blues, country and folk. Plant has never sounded subtler or more nuanced, Krauss reveals a more sultry edge and their collective sound proves truly sui generis.
4. Miranda Lambert: "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
How do you reach the finals on "Nashville Star," snare a major label contract and still pull cred from alt-country hipsters living time zones away from Music Row? Miranda Lambert's solution is to channel seething revenge fables (the rocking "Gunpowder and Lead" and the unhinged title track), evoke life beyond the metroplexes ("Famous in a Small Town") and tap into heartbreak with fresh conviction ("Desperation") -- and do it all with poise and intelligence.
5. The Shins: "Wincing the Night Away"
Between their relocation from Albuquerque, N.M., to Portland, Ore., and their evolution from lo-fi debut to the slightly lusher, lyrical pop-rock of their sophomore breakout, the Shins raised both ambitions and expectations for this more polished, expansive set. A higher-octane label push may have prompted more divided critical reactions, but when front man and songwriter James Mercer hits the target, the Shins remain slyly seductive.
6. Amy Winehouse: "Back to Black"
It's sobering (no pun intended) to contemplate the prospect that the young British singer's personal troubles may eclipse her artistry with tabloid melodrama. Take away the headlines and the career fumbles, and the virtues of this evolutionary second album remain bracing. Beyond the much-publicized neo-soul component, punctuated by the record's retooled Stax/JB accents, her vocal alloy of jazz, pop and R&B plus unexpurgated confessional lyrics earn Winehouse her rung on our list.
7. Wilco: "Sky Blue Sky"
For all the newer Wilco fans disappointed by the band's seeming retreat from the overt experimentalism of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost Is Born," we'd recommend a closer listen to conversational ease of these virtually live performances and the sturdy song craft that Jeff Tweedy brings to this latest set of songs. By now, the current lineup has achieved nearly telepathic communication that may be subtler but no less accomplished on these more concise ensemble excursions.
8. (TIE) M.I.A.: "Kala" and the National: "Boxer"
Nearly polar opposites in style and sensibility, M.I.A.'s second album and the fourth full set from the National split votes for eighth place on our rankings.
For the once and future Maya Arulpragasam, the fierce intelligence and sharp social consciousness of her acclaimed 2005 debut were extended with "Kala," which Consumer Guide chief Robert Christgau raves "just gets stronger and more intelligent over time" both in its sonic adventurism and its "cannier," defiant political vision of an international, multicultural underclass. The only surprise for M.I.A. in our poll was that she didn't place higher.
For the National, "Boxer" proved as low-keyed as "Kala" was extroverted. Anchored by Matt Berninger's mournful, reserved baritone and murmured lyrics, the quintet (abetted by orchestrator and sometimes sixth member Padma Newsome) lowered the flame under their brooding new songs, paring arrangements to often skeletal frameworks. The results demanded, then rewarded, closer and more careful listens than the breakthrough predecessor, "Alligator."
9. Spoon: "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
Like the Shins, Austin's Spoon graduated with their prior set to media notoriety without sacrificing their smarts. Britt Daniel continues to frame often oblique but allusive lyrics with canny, stripped-down instrumental hooks that are even sharper for their concision. Their sixth album adds tantalizing pop accents such as beefy horn choruses and tolling vibes that hint at Motown without openly aping it. Don't let the intentional nonsense of the title fool you -- this is seriously smart -- even ingenious -- rock.
10. The White Stripes: "Icky Thump"
Detroit's dynamic duo continues to extend the loaves-and-fishes miracle of wringing a surprisingly broad and adventurous palette from Meg White's thrashing drums and Jack White's fearless guitars and occasional keyboards, augmented by left-field sonic additives from mariachi horns to bagpipes. His fevered vocals and their typically antic spectrum of effects may have traded novelty for familiarity by now, but the Stripes still pulled enough votes to make the cut.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
To determine our top 10 releases for the year, MSN Music polled regular contributors including Robert Christgau, Alan Light, John Moe, Melinda Newman, Kurt B. Reighley and Michael Shilling, with lead producer Sam Sutherland casting the final votes.
Unsurprisingly, distilling the list meant some strong releases just missed the cut. Here's our honor roll of artists and albums cited just below that winners' circle.
Against Me!: "New Wave"
Lily Allen: "Alright, Still ..."
Beirut: "The Flying Club Cup"
The Cave Singers: "Invitation Songs"
Black Moth Super Rainbow: "Dandelion Gum"
Bright Eyes: "Cassadega"
Matthew Dear: "Asa Breed"
Foo Fighters: "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace"
Fountains of Wayne: "Traffic and Weather"
Jennifer Gentle: "The Midnight Room"
Gogol Bordello: "Super Taranta!"
Patty Griffin: "Children Running Through"
PJ Harvey: "White Chalk"
Iron & Wine: "The Shepherd's Dog"
Jay-Z: "American Gangster"
Bettye LaVette: "Scene of the Crime"
LCD Soundsystem: "Sound of Silver"
Jens Lekman: "Night Falls Over Kortedala"
Annie Lennox: "Songs of Mass Destruction"
Modest Mouse: "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank"
The New Pornographers: "Challengers"
Of Montreal: "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?"
Peter Bjorn and John: "Writer's Block"
Radiohead: "In Rainbows"
Rilo Kiley: "Under the Blacklight"
Josh Ritter: "Historical Conquests"
Tabu Ley Rochereau: "The Voice of Lightness"
Silverchair: "Young Modern"
Linda Thompson: "Versatile Heart"
Eddie Vedder: "Into the Wild" original soundtrack
Lucinda Williams: "West"
Looks like The Shins are doing pretty dern good on all these lists, which I why I like this one. Sux that In Rainbows only got an honorable mention though.
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Post by skovrecky on Dec 16, 2007 17:06:17 GMT -5
Springsteen number 2? Hardly! I'm not seeing the greatness of that album yet. I find it boring.
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Post by KooL on Dec 16, 2007 18:01:57 GMT -5
That list is pretty boring, not to mention predictable coming from butt-kissing music journalists. They're either overhyped albums that aren't as good as they're made out to be, or they're by bands I have no desire to listen to. In some cases both [eg: Arcade Fire].
Apart from the Spoon record, and parts of Amy Winehouse's album, I disagree completely with those choices. I actually prefer a bunch of the albums that didn't make the cut... and some that weren't even mentioned.
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Post by skovrecky on Dec 18, 2007 13:41:28 GMT -5
Pitchfork's Top Ten of 2007.
10. Burial "Untrue"
9. The Field "From Here We Go Sublime"
8. Battles "Mirrored"
7. Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
6. Animal Collective "Strawberry Jam"
5. Of Montreal "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?"
4. Radiohead "In Rainbows"
3. M.I.A. "kala"
2. LCD Soundsystem "Sounds of Silver"
1. Panda Bear "Person Pitch"
My thoughts....not a bad list really.
I'd take out the MIA....it's a decent record but I don't think it's top ten. I think Dan Deacon, A Place To Bury Strangers, or Liars should be in there. I'd take out Of Montreal as well as Animal Collective and replace them with the tree I mentioned. I'd put the Radiohead at #10 and I'd make the swap with LCD and Panda Bear. LCD should be #1 and Panda Bear #2 in my opinion.
So yeah, there you go. My #1 for the year is LCD Soundsystem. I think they just get better and better.
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Post by maarts on Dec 19, 2007 4:37:47 GMT -5
MIA- unintelligible cheerleader chants made interesting with 'electro'. What am I missing, the new punk revolution? Any fuckwit with a 606 and cutup-possibilities on their ProTools makes art? Fuck right off, pretentious Srilankean twunt.
White Stripes weakest album ever gets lauded. They only have to fart to get rave reviews (or even play one single note during a gig- if I had been there, the tar 'n feathers would have been speedily dispatched fortwith!). Meg's sextape was more interesting.
Miranda FUCKING Lambert? Gaaaaaaaaaah!
Amy Winehouse- terribly, terribly overrated. Very smart album with its deft touches of funk and soul but boy, you'd wish that all those Chardonnay-soultypes picked up the more deserving Mavis Staples-album first...
Arcade Fire- still a band muy sympa but Neon Bible's like that terribly mighty Black Forest Cake-wayyyy too much sweetness and sugar.
Jens Lekman- first album promising but Kortedala is loungewank. Back to jail, do not go through start, you will not receive $200....
Fountains Of Wayne- you're taking the piss, aren't you? Seventh-rate Weezer with atrocious lyrics.
JAY-FUCKING-Zeeeee? Pick up the AG-inspired disc and be...eh, INSPIRED. Jay-Z's the insipid wank-rapper little girls like these days. Man, even the mediocre Kanye West-album shits over it (why no Ghostface Killah?)
Lily Allen- that joke isn't funny anymore. the Lady Sovereign/Jamie T.-era is over...thanks for comin'.
Shins/Spoon- it's only very nice oblique pop for the mySpace-generation. Don't worry kids, Franz Ferdinand will soon be back....sigh.
And if one album was disappointing it was the new Annie Lennox. 'Back to her soul roots', 'more organic' (whatever that means)...and I listen and it's BOOOOOOORING as hell. One weapon of mass destruction svp on the way up Ms. Lennox' rectum, please....
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Post by maarts on Dec 19, 2007 5:24:08 GMT -5
OK, think that this will be my definitive top eleven for this year:
1. Businessmen & Ghosts- Working For A Nuclear Free City
2. Person Pitch- Panda Bear
3. Made In Dakar- Orchestra Baobab
4. Gyllyng Street- Songs Of Green Pheasant
5. Young Galaxy- Young Galaxy
6. Boxer- The National
7. Fear Of A Blank Planet- Porcupine Tree
8. One Night Alone- Winterpark
9. Are The Dark Horse- Besnard Lakes
10. Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters- The Twilight Sad
11. Elegies To Lessons Learnt- iLiKETRAiN
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Post by skovrecky on Dec 19, 2007 10:24:36 GMT -5
I agree with everything you say, maarts. Totally.
What I noticed about the Pitchfork list is the omission of some stellar metal albums this year and music that I would call "cute", which bugs me. At least they gave high marks to the new Dinosaur Jr record.
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Post by maarts on Dec 19, 2007 14:42:44 GMT -5
You make a very good point, Skvor. Where is the metal in those lists? Not even an emo-album in sight (not that that necessarily is a bad thing but stil...)
Looks like their cut-off point for selection is anything under 100 dB on a regular stereo.
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Post by bowiglou on Dec 19, 2007 16:51:57 GMT -5
Maarts..I am completely out of it in regard to new music..knowing my taste (or lack of!!)do you think there are any on your best of 2007 list I might want to venture to?........
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Post by skovrecky on Dec 20, 2007 10:05:17 GMT -5
I think you should check out A Place To Bury Strangers, Liars, Working for a Nuclear Free City, Panda Bear, iLIKETRAINS, Burial, The Field
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Post by luke on Dec 20, 2007 10:55:46 GMT -5
Since when does Pitchfork cover metal? Though their list was super boring. And there's no fucking way that Person Pitch was a better effort than Strawberry Jam. Spoon's had a strong fanbase since before MySpace, I think.  White Stripes best album in...well...several albums. I can't tell if Jens Lekman is a parody or not. If he is, it's great, but if he's serious and those lyrics are the product of poor English speaking or something, then he really sucks. |
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Post by skovrecky on Dec 20, 2007 11:27:00 GMT -5
Jens Lekman is just way too "cute" for me. It's music for dorks who used to be into emo and are about 3 inches away from making out with other said dork brought on by caustic lonlieness.
Pitchfork has a column that covers metal once a month and has been doing so for the past couple of years. They have championed some great recent innovators of the genre like Furze, Sunn0))), Wold. In my opinion Sunn0)))'s "Oracle" should have been on the list as well as Ulver's new one, which I think is a masterpiece.
I think Tiny Mix Tapes had a much better list for the 2007 best of myself.
Spoon has been huge for a while it's true, but they do tend to stike a chord with the facebook/myspace hipster crowd. Their money's green and if I had that crowd throwing cash at me for my music, I'd do the same damn thing. Having said that though, Spoon is definitely one of the better bands to come out in a long time, especially Austin.
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Post by bowiglou on Dec 20, 2007 18:09:46 GMT -5
thank you skovr I think you should check out A Place To Bury Strangers, Liars, Working for a Nuclear Free City, Panda Bear, iLIKETRAINS, Burial, The Field |
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Post by phil on Dec 27, 2007 11:03:05 GMT -5
2007 Best Francophone albums I failed to mention ...  Zacharie Richard - Lumière dans le noir (light in the dark)  Diane Dufresne - Effusion  Magnolia - Magnolia (aka Mélanie Auclair) |
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