For me this is the most exciting time of the year, the event I have been waiting for...to unleash to you my readers, my list of the best records this year. It is very weird to think that 2007 is almost over, but this list signifies the beginning of the end. Here are the Honorable Mentions of the past year, albums that were damn good, but fell just short of specular to break into my Top 10 or convented League of Their Own category.
As I do with all of my lists, short form then long with explanations. This list of Honorable Mentions is in No particular order.
Short List for those with ADD:
Silverchair - Young Modern
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
The National - Boxer
Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
Fire Flies - Two New Sciences
Now with explanations:
Silverchair - Young Modern
Take everything you know about this Australian trio and throw it out the window. The former young sons of grunge went on indefinite hiatus at the beginning of this decade. Yet if there is one thing people will remember about 2007 it was the reunions, and Silverchair not only jumped on the bandwagon, but created the complete antithesis of what they were and now have become a musical oxymoron- a reunited new band. Ditching the hard grunge sound that made them popular in the 90's, for their comeback record they adopted a cornucopia of sounds from electro to synth to rock to classical. Young Modern not only brought the band back to the mainstream after being away for a bit, it produced some of their most mature and best material to date.
Key Tracks: Young Modern Station, Straight Lines
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Not going to lie, the first time I put this record on and listened to it with headphones I seriously felt like I was drowning. With that in mind, the nautical themed band from the west coast delivered its revolutionary follow up to their most acclaimed effort 2004's Good News For People Who Like Bad News, and also picked up legendary former Smith's Guitarist Johnny Marr along the way. This is a record of typical Modest Mouse vibes and jams but Marr's playing makes the music much more colorful.
Key Tracks: March Into The Sea, Fire It Up
The National - Boxer
It took me a long time and an incredible live show to really get into this album, but once I did Boxer sang to me like a yuppies dream. The Brooklyn based band comprised of two sets of brothers and a best friend, have been tackling the indie scene for a while, yet it wasn't until the release of this record were people really started paying attention. Boxer is as poetic as it is complex, its a cross between the music of Velvet Underground meets the darkness of Nick Cave. This haunting record will stay locked inside your head for a long time and will only leave you wanting more.
Key Tracks: Fake Empire, Squalor Victoria
Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
It is a proven fact with musicians, you create your best stuff when you are extremely upset or going through a rough situation in life. Sir Paul's latest is the perfect example of this. Not since the death of his one true love, Linda, back in 1998 has he written anything so honest and over the top it reminds you why at 64 we do in fact still need him. Now almost10 years later, dealing with his public divorce from that headcase Heather Mills, Paul has finally been able to pen his raw emotion out into his music, he has determinately been able to get off his chest and mind and into song.
Key Tracks: Only Mama Knows, The End of The End
Fire Flies - Two New Sciences
What more can I say about this band that I have not said already. Still the best band you have never herd of and a fantastic second disc that makes you ask the question "what is a sophomore slump?" Another Brooklyn based band to begin to shine in the indie spotlight this year, Fire Flies have created the soundtrack of your life with Two New Sciences. If you have not herd it yet, you are doing a complete disservice to yourself.
Key Tracks: The Receiver, Call Me Your Darkness
Coming Soon - League of Their Own, Top 10 Albums of 2007
