Best songs of 07 (Part 2)

This time the lack of posting was due to me being in Virginia with my family without internet. as opposed to me being lazy. I write this with my grandma snoring across the room and as my little twin cousins are running out the door to go to the water park. I had a good Christmas and I hope you are having a good

Continued. I'm knocking them all out now.

Apostle of Hustle - My Sword Hand's Anger (National Anthem of Nowhere)
I had no clue who these guys were. BSS members? It sounded good to me and this song was awesome. But the rest of the album was super dull. They're pretty ethnic and have lots of songs that never go anywhere. But this song just has one of those hooks that stick with you all day. I listened to this song over and over for awhile.

Architecture in Helsinki - Heart it Races (Places Like This)
I had heard a little about them in the past but hadn't really spent the time to listen to them. A friend was talking about how amazing their live shows are and they were just in town with YACHT so I figured they must be good. I still haven't heard the rest of the new album. sounds like there were mixed responses. This track gets me dancing every time.

Cloud Cult - Pretty Voice (The Meaning of 8)
This album's easy to forget as on 07 release since it came out in early January. I could see people thinking Cloud Cult are a little lame on the albums but their sound definitely translates better live. The first time I saw them I was blown away. This albums really hard to choose on good song off of this album, pretty much ev.ery song is amazing. This song is an easy highlight though. Each harmony that gets added seems to brighten your day that much more

CocoRosie - Werewolf (The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn)
I get tired of reading people trying to describe Cocorosie. Freak-folk or hip-hop or whatever... I just think they're very original and have a very cool sound, I've been a fan for awhile. Their new album was good, and this song's incredible.

Bjork - Declare Independence (Volta)
I was not into Volta much. There are a few cool songs but nothing as overwhelming and powerful as some of my favorite albums of hers. I thought her dueting with Antony had to be amazing regardless, but it was surprisingly mediocre. But when I heard this song... man! It's just so powerful and loud. Those are really the two key words. I get chills.

BOAT - (I'm a) Donkey For Your Love (Let's Drag Our Feet!)
BOAT are the masters of writing the best hooks ever. Every song is undeniably catchy and great this album is now exception. One of my favorite local bands by far.

Devendra Banhart - Seahorse (Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Mountain)
Not that Devendra's newest album was bad, but it really didn't do it for me. I got excited when I heard this song but when I tried to listen to it all the way through I got bored after 2 or three songs every listen. The production just sounds really bad, there's no other way to put it. And most of the time it sounds like Devendra's channeling Jim Morrison, which doesn't really work for him (especially since I'm not a Doors fan). But this song is excellent, don't get me wrong. There are a few tracks which I really like.

Dizzee Rascal - Pussy'ole (Math + English)
Old school. This just makes me want to move, simple as that.

El-P - Tasmanian Pain Coaster (I'll Sleep When You're Dead)
This is the most epic hip-hop track this year, and probably every. The intro gets to so psyched for what's about to come. By the time the chorus drops your head is bobbing without even noticing. And El-P's beats are still noisy and heavy as concrete and cluttered but in the way that makes it interesting, not annoying. Plus he gets credit for getting Chan Marshall and Trent Reznor for his album.

Feral Children - Juandice Giraffe (Second to the Last Frontier)
This song is so dark and so different.Those opening coos really grabbed my attention. It doesn't build too much, it just stays in this really eerie state which haunts you if any of that makes sense. Very cinematic to me.

Fionn Regan - Snowy Atlas Mountains (The End of History)
This record is solid. Folksy with lots of finger picking and very charming. This song gets intense and I like it a lot.

Grayskul - The Office (ft. Aesop Rock and Slug) (Bloody Radio)
4 incredible MC's on one track. Aesop delivers a really great chorus and nothing more which is a nice change of pace for hip-hop cameos. But then Slug gets his own verse, and when I was listening to it I was wondering if it would be all that good, as the beat wasn't really his usual style but his flow sounds as nice as ever. Plus the production and the drums are just vicious. Grayskul are by far my favorite local hip-hop group.

Iron and Wine - Carousel (The Shepard's Dog)
I was so nervous about this album. I love lo-fi and mellow Iron and Wine so much I had a hard time fathoming this heavily produced bunch of tunes, but they're all so great.Completely different, I almost think Sam Beam should have gotten a new band moniker. It was tough to choose a favorite but this one always stands out for me.

Kevin Drew - TBTF (Spirit If...)
I still haven't given this album a proper listen, I haven't gone this long with out craving some BSS, but I'm sure it's as great as everyone says. I know I really like this song though.

Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love - May Fly (Ends of June)
I still don't know too much about these guys, but this song is so good! The first time you hear it it's alright but everything is just so perfect about it. Short and sweet.

Menomena - My My (Friend and Foe)
I think a lot of people know how awesome this record is. It's fun, quirky, odd and this song proves it can be pretty sensitive. Another one that's hard to choose my favorites from.

PWRFL Power - It's Okay (Injured Fruits EP)
This guy popped out of no where into the Seattle music scene and began playing so many shows it made my head spin. I wrote about him awhile back, I think he's a nice breath of fresh air. But definitely an acquired taste.

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan (Asleep at Heavens Gates)
This record really disappointed me. I got all psyched up with this track and harmonium, I was really craving some new Rogue Wave. But the whole album is really over produced. They just threw as many instruments on a track as they could and it really takes away from each song, except on a few. This is one and it's killer.

Sage Francis - Going Back to Rehab (Human the Death Dance)
Sage Francis can sometimes be really odd in a bad way, but when he gets it right he gets it really right. This track is absolutely breathtaking. Lyrically he is on a whole other level.

Simian Mobile Disco - Love (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
What a great fusion of dance and indie pop (at least that's what it sounds like to me). How can you stay still when you listen to this? This record is solid.

Stars - Window Bird (In Our Bedroom After the War)
Despite what some reviews say, In Our Bedroom After the War is in fact incredible! I don't see how people disagree. There are a few weak songs but it more than makes up for it by having incredible songs like this one. The vocals are so sweet and pleasing, the way Amy Milan says 'ferocious' in the chorus. And the end is so dramatic. Stars actually pull off a guitar solo and it couldn't sound any more awesome.

Sunset Rubdown - The Mending of the Gown (Random Spirit Lover)
What an opener! That riff gets drilled into my head. This album grows on you so fast. The songs aren't so accessible at first but once you get to know them a little better they get better with each listen. This song gets me so riled up.

There are still many albums I haven't checked out, either I didn't have the time or I never got a hold of them. I'm still catching up. These are some

Arthur and Yu - In Camera
Battles - Mirrored
Caribou - Andorra
Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
Marissa Nadler - Songs III
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Shape of Broad Minds - Blue Experience
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
Tiny Vipers - Hands Across the Void
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is
Xiu Xiu - Remixed and Covered

I thought 07 was a great year. But I'm sure everyone's sick of all these o7 recaps. I am. I actually really did not like writing these after a point. I'm pretty sure I'm near the end of this blog. Expect one more post after this.

Oh and don't forget the other ones I posted below.