Damon : What We Heard in 2007

Like Jen, my 2007 wasn’t entirely fraught with new music. There’s too much that’s already happened that I need to catch up on, so my list has a lot of stuff that has already happened, but it’s what I did in 2007. Let’s look closer:

The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips

2007 will be remember as the year that I finally ‘got’ the Flaming Lips. While I didn’t really dislike the Lips, before this year I just couldn’t understand why everyone was always wetting themselves over Wayne Coyne & Co. Exposure Box listeners will remember me trying to do this towards the end of the show’s term.

Stunts - Rademacher

I know I’ve mentioned them before this year, but I love and will continue to love these guys. Their album’s out now! Dig it for real, but also remember that they are supremely choice in a live setting. Maybe you can get pizza with them, too!

Secrets From the Future - MC Frontalot

2007 was likely teh n3rd13st y34r EVAR!1!!1 For me, at least. I’m convinced,however, that, with advancements in technology and the increasing acceptance of online networking, all of Western Society is nerdening up. There’s never been a riper market for MC Frontalot than right now (though some say he should have waited until after the revolution of 2012, but if you’ve got rhymes, bust ‘em).

A Grand Don’t Come for Free - The Streets

Thinking about it now, I really can’t tell you exactly why I love this album so much, but I do. I was able to get pretty caught up in the story, and though I normally pull for a less-than-perfect ending to stories where that type of ending presents itself, I’m really glad “Empty Cans” does what it do.

Disintegration - The Cure

Even though I already owned Three Imaginary Boys, Paris, and Wild Mood Swings, along with both singles collections and the Greatest Hits, I considered this my first real Cure album, and in many ways it is. Of course I just got Wish this week and feel pretty much the same about that one.

Carnavas - Silversun Pickups

I’ve already apologized for underestimating this one the first time around, but I don’t think I really mentioned how it’s become one of my most listened-to albums of ‘07. I take back all the nasty things I said.

In Rainbows - Radiohead

Though not in the way that most people did In Rainbows, I ended up listening to the bootlegs of live versions of songs that were leaked last summer. Seriously, In Rainbows was a little disappointing, but I just had to mention that I’m better than you because I’d known these songs for a year before the album was released. Good gravy I’m lame. Sorry.

Batman - Prince

Seeing Prince perform at half-time of Super Bowl XLI may have gotten me a little obsessed. I may have ordered the Batman soundtrack that very day, and while I continue to catch flak for it (the Girl bought me the new album, Planet Earth, just to spite me) I won’t stop liking Prince.

Razorblade Suitcase - Bush

My first Bush album, The Science of Things, has long been my favourite simply because it’s the one I got to know best. This year, however, I realized that Suitcase is much more textured without resorting to some of the electronic elements of Science. Also, the songs are better. I actually went as far as to finally complete my Bush collection with the (I’ll admit) sub-par remix album Deconstructed. May have listened to a lot of Bush this year. Nineties Rock Mondays sure helped with that.

Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire and Wincing the Night Away - The Shins

I know these two are going to be on so many year in review lists, but they’ve earned it. Also, I’ve seen both of these bands live this year, that’s pretty kickin’, no doubt. They’re both amazing, by the way, and you have no excuse not to see them. Especially the Arcade Fire. You owe it to yourself, and your posterity. Regarding Neon Bible, “Intervention” is the reason you got those really nice headphones, or your buddy hooked up that home theater, or else it’s a complete waste of pipe organ.

So that’s pretty much my 2007. I honestly didn’t mean for this to be a list of ten. Because that cliche is much much worse than the year in review cliche. Sorry folks, I may just be lame, but maybe I’ll work on that for 2008. In the mean time I’m looking forward to new stuff from Saves the Day and Weezer, and I’ll probably get really into Dinosaur Jr. or Sonic Youth or Starland Vocal Band (not for “Afternoon Delight, and not ironically) or Pavement or something. New beginnings!!

~~MP3S COMING LATER….NEW YEARS PARTYING KEEPING US BUSY~~

MP3S ARE UP!