Allegedly, Chris Walla’s new solo release, Field Manual, contains two tracks that were left off of Death Cab for Cutie’s 2005 gem Plans. I can’t find anywhere that tells me which songs these were, and most of these songs sound like they could have come from some point in Death Cab’s past, if you let them. But, well, Chris produces all of DCfC’s material, he’s major creative input in the band. You know, kind how if you let it, Thom Yorke’s solo album The Eraser sounds like a proper follow up to Kid A and Amnesiac. Yeah, it’s a solo project, that’s what you get. There are moments, though, like the opening Imogen Heap-like harmonies of “Two-Fifty,” that really get you excited for the next Death Cab album, if this is what Chris is doing on his own. There are some truly good songs on here. Avoiding the solo album/side project pitfall of writing songs that simply are not catchy, or good, we get songs like “The Score,” “Archer V. Light” and my current favourite “Geometry &c,” which, oddly enough, sounds like early Jimmy Eat World as much as it sounds like early Death Cab. I like it, and I guess US Homeland Security was excited enough that they wanted a copy in October.
Check out “Sing Again” and “Geometry &c” before rushing out to buy it, okay?

Chris Walla@HallofJusticeRecording.com | MySpace | Buy Field Manual

 Geometry &c - Chris Walla [3:07m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Sing Again - Chris Walla [2:31m]: Play in Popup | Download

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!

 The Streets - Blinded by the Light [4:43m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Prince - Partyman [3:12m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Bush - Greedy Fly [4:30m]: Play in Popup | Download

Since a lot of what I listen to isn’t classified as ‘new’, or released in 2007, I’m going to write up some albums and/or artists I enjoyed during 2007. If I can remember. Since I probably won’t, my Last FM account will come in handy.

Each item is linked to a relevant item on LTM. If theres no link, it is evidence of us sucking. We know. Damon can’t believe we have nothing on The Decemberists’ Castaways and Cutouts. Shame shame.

Jen’s Best of 2007 HEARD List: 

Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream Swimming Across the Sea

Tool - 10,000 Days

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Feist - The Reminder

Bjork - Volta (2)

The Cat Empire - Two Shoes (2)(3)

Danger Mouse - Grey Album

The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts

Dikanda

Explosions In the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

My Morning Jacket (2)(3)

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost

John Butler Trio - Grand National (more)

The Veils - Nux Vomica

Nickel Creek

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Sprout Soundtrack

Regina Spektor - Songs

The Killers - Hot Fuss

Lily Allen - Alright Still

Minnie Driver - Seastories

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank & Good New for People Who Loves Bad News

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

Fischerspooner - Odyssey

Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds

John Butler Trio - Better Than

Patrick Watson - Close to Paradise

 Patrick Watson - Slip Into Your skin [3:38m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Daniella - John Butler Trio [4:18m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) [5:11m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Dikanda - Lazito [2:34m]: Play in Popup | Download

The other night I was watching Leno (again, an inspiration for a post) when Minnie Driver was in the hotseat chatting with our favorite skunky late night host. The show went to commercial, and then, to my surprise, came back with Minnie Driver on stage about to perform. Musically. What the fuck? I didn't see that one coming. 

And guess what. Unlike most actor-turned-musicians, this chica is good. Like, really good. I love her voice, and I fell head over heels in love with the song she and her band performed. It's called "Beloved". I've been singing it ever since. I chalk it up a bit to her being British (ahem, go England). I've always loved Minnie Driver anyways, if not for her acting, but for her incredible laugh. It makes me giggle ridiculously. 

And, this is her second album! Sheesh.  

It must be crappy to be compared to your former career in reviews, Minnie, but thats what happens. Your fellow actors have tried to the music thing and sucked at it, so we have to be cautious when you do it. But don't worry, love, you've done well.

Anyways, 

the song was sung well, lyrically very good, and not overdone. Simple in it's simpleness and beautiful at the same time, if you get what that means.

Right, so anyways, I've now got the album, yay, and I'm very much enjoying it. I'd love for you to love it too, so check out these MP3s, or better yet, go out and get the bloody album.   

To summarize:

I liked her before, when I just knew her as an actress.

She turns out to be a kickass musician.

And she lives in a trailer park.

And the boyfriend thinks her music is good.

So basically, all systems go. You'll like. 

Minnie Driver Official Website // MySpace // Buy Seastories 

Beloved MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-minnie_driver-beloved.mp3]

Cold Dark River MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04-minnie_driver-cold_dark_river.mp3]

Sorry Baby MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/02-minnie_driver-sorry_baby.mp3]

Well, I finally have all the pictures together. I took a crapload of pictures at Bonnaroo on my camera, and I also stole my mates’ cameras to take pictures for them when they were otherwise “occupied” and/or I felt like snatching their camera anyway. So, all these pictures are owned by myself, and my friends Sean and Eric. Please don’t snatch them.

Also, I have a Picasa Web Album up and running so everyone can access them at their leisure. Be nice, please.

Here a few to sample, and since there’s over 300 pictures, you’ll have to look at the rest over at the web album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/do.you.lovethemusic

Since having the experience of The White Stripes rocking my socks on the last night at Bonnaroo, I've been on a total White Stripes kick. I've fallen in love with Icky Thump, and am working on the rest of their albums. The White Stripes is a band who I always thought seemed pretty interesting, but never got around to making the effort to listen to them. Which is understandable in my case, I think, as I have a stack of music backed up. Yes, I know. I'm horrible. 

The album is totally fun, and so easy to dance to, as well as jump around like an idiot. I do that quite well. My significant other has told me it has some serious British-blues going on, and I think I agree. A little reminiscent of some Zeppelin I've heard. You can definitely hear some Nashville stylin's going on there, too. I'm afraid I'm horribly inarticulate when it comes to bands I'm grooving to and in love with. You'll have to excuse me. 

Some favorite tracks are: Catch Hell Blues, I'm Slowly Turning Into You, A Martyr For My Love For You, Icky Thump, and 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues. I'm sure that will change over time, but for now, I'm really digging those.

Basically, it's fun, noisy, bluesy and rocky at the same time, and has a pizzazz that makes it special and different. 

So, here are some select MP3s for you to rock out to. Enjoy.

Catch Hell Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/12-the_white_stripes-catch_hell_blues.mp3]

300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-the_white_stripes-300_m_p_h_torrential_outpour_blues.mp3]

A Martyr For My Love For You (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/11-the_white_stripes-a_martyr_for_my_love_for_you.mp3]

The White Stripes Official Website // MySpace // Do yourself a favor and buy Icky Thump