01 voxtrot - introduction
voxtrot are from austin, texas even though when i first heard the lead singer's voice he sounded english. i was convinced. they've released some of my favourite poppy love songs over the last year and a bit. a few friends and i saw them at sneaky dee's in toronto back in april for canadian music week and although the place was less than hopping, they still churned out a pretty decent show considering there were maybe only about fifty people in attendance.
02 panda bear - comfy in nautica
panda bear is noah lennox of animal collective who also released "strawberry jam" this year which is on many "best of" lists this year as well. comfy in nautica is minimal with only chanting voices and a consistent drumbeat throughout. on top of that is some white noise and crackling. it's super headphone musak when you're laying in bed trying to fall asleep with the lights off.
03 los campesinos! - you! me! dancing!
are young and welsh and signed a few months ago with arts and crafts in toronto. a few friends and i saw them this summer at the horseshoe for their "new home"-coming" gig. i've listened to this song probably more than any other on this list. they're tons of fun. here's a video of them ending their set from said concert.
04 of montreal - we were born the mutants again with leafling
of montreal are from athens and they're part of the elephant 6 posse (neutral milk hotel, apples in stereo, etc.). kevin barnes is the lead man and he's known for doing crazy things on stage, for example, stripping down naked at shows, etc. here is a video of them covering "crazy" by gnarls barkley.
05 wilco - impossible germany
although i didn't make many shows this year i had to sell my tickets to their show at massey hall to make a cottage weekend. these things happen. i did catch them the year before at the same venue though. jeff tweedy is one of my favourite songwriters. he's an honest, down to earth rock and roll dude and a total family man. i recommend reading reading the interview that chuck klosterman did a few years ago before he went into rehab for painkillers, check it out. impossible germany has some pretty awesome dueling solo guitars later on.
06 the shins - sleeping lessons
i sold my tickets to this show too because emily treated me to my birthday present in montreal. she bought me tickets to the leafs-habs over the st. patrick's day weekend. crazy snow storm in march. anyway, listen to the song.
07 kings of leon - mcfearless
i did see kings of leon this year at the koolhaus. i can thank sam for these tickets. that show was with pete, tina, ivan, sam and i. the leons never missed a note and were solid. this was my favourite song from because of the times although there were many to choose from.
08 the new pornographers - my rights versus yours
the first of three canadian bands on this list, the new pornographers' album "challengers" was probably the one that i listened to most from beginning to end. this is the title track. the melodies make it the perfect little pop song.
09 kanye west - flashing_lights (ft. dwele)
i'll probably get ragged on for throwing in a kanye song but you can't deny he always has pretty good production on his albums even if his lyrics verge on cheesy from time to time. case and point the following: "and the weather's so breezy / man, why can't life always be this easy / she in the mirror dancing so sleazy / i get a call like 'where are you YEEZY?'". the link goes to his blog which is mostly pictures of the latest air force ones and youtube videos of guest appearances he's done with other musicians. bigger ego than hasselhoff.
10 art brut - nag nag nag nag
art brut are another english band on my list. lead dude eddie argos writes songs about being an indie musak nerd, why it's ruined many of his relationships, and why he's accepted his fate. this is a perfect example. he also more or less talks rather than sings but it definitely works.
11 css - alcohol
even if you think you don't know css (cansei de ser sexy) you probably have in an apple commercial or in a video game. they're a really fun new-new wave band from brazil that have had huge success by touring like mad, playing summer festivals and opening for bands like primal scream and ladytron.
12 super furry animals - carbon dating
the furries are also from wales and have been around for a few years. i first listened to them when i went to england in grade 12 but i was more into the album artwork at the time. they're also a fun live band and if you're in toronto, they're playing the mod club on february 20th in the new year.
13 the weakerthans - civil twilight
reunion tour is probably my least favourite of the weakerthans four albums but it's still really good. that's how much i like them i guess. john k. samson and joel plaskett are neck and neck for best canadian songwriter. this song is about a transit bus driver, probably in winnipeg, and what he deals with each shift. this one is dedicated to my brother.
14 rihanna ft. jay-z - umbrella
another one i'll probably get slack for putting on here but i told emily that this is my "my love" song of 2007. it was on constant repeat for a couple days but they should have turned the bass up in the chorus. seriously. link goes to paparazzi shots.
15 klaxons - golden skans
any review you read of the klaxons always includes their musak being bungled into a genre called "nu rave". they're really getting creative these days. they're young, english, fun and experiment just enough to appeal to the masses. they did an awesome little cover of justin timberlake at the bbc radio 1 live lounge that you can find here.
16 jose gonzalez - down the line
introduced to me only about a month ago, jose gonzalez plays haunting acoustic songs on his classical guitar about the darkside of relationships from what i've heard. he reminds me of a more mature hayden but way less of a wuss. whatever happened to him? i saw him buying bread a couple years ago on bloor street but nothing since. how about that, he's touring. good luck buddy. godspeed.
17 the good, the bad & the queen - herculean
members from blur, the verve, the clash and fela kuti. saw them earlier this year too but don't recall that much about it. it was a bland concert but this is a nice little one on their debut album.
18 do make say think - you, you're awesome
i think this little instrumental number is the perfect way to end it. hope you enjoy it.
DOWNLOAD BRENT'S BEST OF 2007
NB: i was inspired by my good buddy ricky to compile this so check out his "best of" too. his will be kanye and rihanna-free though so be warned in advance.
http://www.panicmanual.com/?p=705
http://www.panicmanual.com/?page_id=718
2 comments:
um, i'm quite sure it was me who introduced you to jose gonzalez. not even a mention.
how's that for gratitude.
as if "umbrella" is on the list. my sister went crazy for that song while we were in england this summer.
ella, ella, ella, eh, eh...over and over and over.
p.s. "the past is a grotesque animal" by of montreal rules with an iron fist of rock.
Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for.
You nicely summed up the issue. I would add that this doesn’t exactly concenplate often. xD Anyway, good post…
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