So, here’s my second post about the year which was 2007, and this one is about music. Here’s a few CD’s which I don’t consider in my year's best (best of's, soundtracks, and reissues). In December, I bought Christmas Songs [Jars of Clay], which is a collection of Christmas carols (some of the less frequently heard ones), and original songs, and yesterday, I found (after looking in a few too many shops, and being told by a Melbourne shop-assistant "I was dreaming" trying to find it) the Deluxe re-issue of The Joshua Tree (which includes a bonus CD of b-sides, and a DVD of a concert from Paris in 1987), and on the soundtrack front – Once.
Moving on, my favourite albums released in 2007 are: Cassadaga (Bright Eyes), Neon Bible (The Arcade Fire) and In Rainbows (Radiohead) Young Modern (Silverchair), and Brooke Fraser’s Albertine can count here. A number of CD’s released that I would like to hear but haven’t yet include: Time on Earth (Crowded House), Rise Up (Abby Dobson), Sky Blue Sky (Wilco) and Our Love to Admire (Interpol) are among them.
So here’s my top five of 2007
(5) Young Modern – Silverchair
It is good so see one of Australia’s great bands return – and Young Modern is quite impressive (and eclectic collection of songs, with a variety of influences).
Stand out tracks: Reflections of a Sound, Straight Lines, Waiting All Day
(4) Neon Bible – The Arcade Fire
Quite an impressive follow-up to Funeral, and I would almost rate it above Funeral. Its quite an impressive collection of songs, and one which flows from the first track to the last. I’m seeing The Arcade Fire at the Enmore Theatre later this month, and I’m really looking forward to it, as I keep getting told how special their live shows are.
Standout tracks: The Well and the Lighthouse, [Antichrist Television Blues], Intervention
(3) In Rainbows – Radiohead
I was hoping for a new album from Radiohead during 2007, and I have to admit by the middle of the year, I thought 2008 was more likely. Then there was a flurry of news with the news that In Rainbows would be available for download on October 10. It was possible that the hype surrounding the CD would lead to disappointment. But needless to say my first impression was really positive. It is perhaps a cleaner and more accessible record than some of their more recent cds.
Standouts: All I Need, Videotape, Nude.
(2) Albertine – Brooke Fraser
I’ve written about this CD before. So I won’t repeat myself here – but I find Brooke’s songwriting to be rich, insightful, and challenging. I’m looking forward to seeing her develop as a musician and songwriter.
Standouts: The Sound of Silence (Cover – on the Deluxe edition of Albertine), CS. Lewis Song, Shadowfeet
(1) Cassadaga – Bright Eyes
Another artist who was one my list at the beginning of the year – and after the fantastic “I’m Wide Awake…” I had high expectations. I was not let-down. There is something unsettling in a young artist delivering such moving and evocative music. I had no idea that Conor was 27~!! It is a rich collection of songs touching on America. Cassadaga goes back towards a country type song, and in amongst a number of great albums released last year Bright Eye’s Cassadaga is my favourite.
Standouts: Four Winds, No one Would Riot for Less, Lime Tree
Five Songs for 2007
:: No one would riot for less – Bright Eyes
:: All I Need – Radiohead
:: Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger
:: Albertine – Brooke Fraser
:: Wave of Sorrow – U2 (released with the reissued Joshua Tree), is a gem.
Best Australasian album of the year
Albertine – Brooke Fraser
Favourite gig of the year
The Frames // Metro (August)
Favourite “new” Australian artist of the year
Abby Dobson (Rise Up)
Favourite “new” artist of the year
During 2007, through Skin and Bones, I got into the Foo Fighters for the first time.
On the horizon…
I’m excited about the release of Accelerate (the new studio album from R.E.M.); and Here is What it is (Daniel Lanois). A new album from U2 is on some anticipated released calendars but I’m not optimistic given the four years between All that ... and How to... but we’ll see.
~~~~~
And for another year end list try: here, here (and here).
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