2007 The Albums- League of Their Own

When Radiohead released Kid A back in the fall of 2000, one reviewer summed up the album like so..."The Greatest Things In Life Cannot Be Talked About, They Must Be Experienced." That sums up Kid A and some music to come out after. Kid A, much like their previous effort Ok Computer, were albums ahead of their time and generation. Still to this day I cannot even describe the genius quality of these discs. I started giving this award away in 2003 and I would give away a special award to an artist that has released an album light years ahead of anything we are ready for now, or has resurrect a new genre much like what The Strokes did with their debut Is This It. This award symbolizes a record that is something far greater for any list and needs it own category. That is "The League of Their Own." In the past I have given it to the following:

2003- The White Stripes- Elephant
2004- The Killers- Hot Fuss
2005- The Mars Volta- Francis the Mute
2006- TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

...and now the recipient of this year's League of Their Own is an artist from Chicago but has reached global heights and put hip-hop back where it belongs...right on top.
Kanye West - Graduation.

Daring to do what many in hip-hop are afraid to do, Kanye West has done it all and with flying colors. Hip Hop a rather conservative genre, West has taken his talent and open mind and put it to wax, and has come full circle on Graduation. Sampling everyone from Elton John to Daft Punk and rhyming about Rosie Perez's chest size to Blond Dyke's, West created the Dark Side of the Moon of Hip Hop records. No one has even dared to ever do what he has done, at least in the United States anyway, many like England's Dizzie Rascal and Canada's K-0S have come close. Yet it is West who is the Best. He takes a European flair, combined with not your typical lyrics (he doesn't rhyme about guns and ghetto's), Kanye has taken the genre to new heights. Now with the passing of his mother and what I said in my honorable mentions when talking about artist going through dark times and creating the best work of their career, it will be mind blowing to see what he can do next. Graduation is by far from another planet as far as the genre is concerned, but will go down as one of the best of all time.
Key Tracks: Homecoming (with Chris Martin), Everything I Am

Indy Watch

So I was not going to post anything in between my "Honorable Mentions of 2007" and "League of Their Own"...but then this came along this afternoon and couldnt resist....Set shots on Harrison Ford in full costume with Shia LeBeouf...http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34908

2007 The Albums - Honorable Mentions

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

Bono "Wave of Sorrow"

After 20 years Bono finally finished penning "Wave of Sorrow," a track originally recorded for Joshua Tree..now to celebrate one of the bands finest works, Bono discusses the song and sings parts as well.."Wave of Sorrow," and many other unrleased B-Sides can all be found for Joshua Tree's upcoming remastering due in stores November 20.

For Dr West

Kanye's people released this press statement today about how Kanye is doing and more about his mother...read it below:

Kanye West, his family and friends would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come in from across the country since the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West.
After working in higher education for 31 years, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation with the mission of helping to combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country. The first and signature initiative of the Kanye West Foundation is Loop Dreams. Designed to capitalize on students existing interest in hip-hop, Loop Dreams challenges students to learn more about what’s behind hip-hop culture in order to help them develop skills, express themselves creatively and be empowered.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. West’s name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute. Those donations can be made by visiting the Foundation’s Web site, www.KanyeWestFoundation.org or by mail at
Kanye West Foundation, 8560 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

Indy Watch

So Shia LaBeuf may have gotten arrested in a Walgreens last weekend, however some of the cast of Indy 4 are doing good! Ray Winestone talked to MTV.com and shared his experiences about making the film, working with Spielberg and of course the man with the hat...read it here...http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/11/06/ray-winstone-whips-it-good-with-indy-4/

Sex Pistols Live on Ferguson

The Sex Pistols reunited on The Late Late Show with Colin Ferguson late last month. The band was their to promote the anniversary of Never Mind the Bollocks here's the Sex Pistols. They perform a great version of "Pretty Vacant."

Quick News

Coldplay's Will Champion posted a nice little video of the band in the studio. Comprised of over 500 images from photobooth, its a nice and goofy look at the band. Check it out with other news at www.coldplay.com

As of November 5, Oasis entered Abby Road studios to start work on their 7th studio album! Also, check out the bands new documentary Lord, Don't Slow Me Down..its hilarious and interesting look into the band on the road.

UPDATE: Amy Winehouse's husband Blake has been arrested after London police raided the singers home. Blake was arrested and charged with witness tampering in an ongoing police investigation.

Sad news to report..The mother of Kanye West, Dr. Donda West passed away due to complications while having cosmetic surgery. Dr. West was Kanye's biggest inspiration and first love as herd in the song "Hey Mama," from Late Registration. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kanye and his family at this time. Dr. West was 58.

Radiohead TV

After announcing they will released In Rainbows in the UK on New Years Day (and Jan. 2 here in the US on Dave Matthews ATO Records), Radiohead released Radiohead TV via the bands website. The videos feature everything from behind the scenes, to interviews, to jam sessions-including a nice cover of BJorks "Unravel."

Check it out here: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/46999-radiohead-entanglement-webcast-including-unravel-bjrk-cover

WGA Strike Office Style

Are you confused on whats going on with the WGA writers strike and why there is TERRIBLE television on because of it? Well look no further, because the creative minds behind NBC's The Office (one of the best shows on TV), have pretty much broken it down for you. Also to support the writers, more info and get their voice herd go to www.unitedhollywood.com

Quick News

There is some good news and of course bad news for Amy Winehouse. The good news is the diva was re granted her Visa to come back to the U.S. for a possible tour. The bad news is, London Police raided the flat of her and her husband Blake today. No further details have been posted, however, this poses more of a serious threat to her husband than to her.

The U2 3D concert film titled U2 3D will hit IMAX theaters in January.

Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend will join Ra Ra Riot for a benefit concert on behalf of late band member John Pike. The concert will benefit the John Pike memorial foundation, set up by Pikes family, and will take place December 15 in Cambridge, Mass. Pike passed away this past June. You can make a paypal donation or for more info email: johnryanpikememorialfund@gmail.com

Thrash art rockers The Blood Brothers are officially calling it quits. After rumors of speculation flying around for months, the band posted this message via their myspace page:
Dear Friends,
After 10 years of making music as The Blood Brothers, we have made the collective decision that our time together has come to an end. We feel extremely fortunate to have spent such a deeply memorable and amazing part of our lives with each other. At this point, however, we feel it's best that our futures move forward on separate paths. We'd like to express our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the bands we've played with, individuals who have helped us make our records, and fans who have come to our shows and picked up our music throughout the years. Your friendship, support and love hold such a profoundly special place in each of our hearts. We hope that the memories you attach to our music are as fond as those you have given us. Thank you and take care, we'll miss all of you.
Love,The Blood Brothers

Buy Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are few albums to check out that are worth every buck..

BUY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday - Kill the House Lights
Sigor Ros - Hvarf/Heim
Radiohead - In Rainbows

Current Jammers:
Massive Attack - Collected
Bruce Spingsteen - Magic
Coheed and Cambria - No World For Tomorrow
David Bowie - Strangers When We Meet E.P.

As Tall As Lions News

Never have I just done news on a single band, but seeing these guys grow and grow in the past few years just makes me real proud to be a fan and have the opportunity to write about them. As Tall As Lions will embark on a small fall tour opening for Silverchair, with some headline dates thrown in..
Later this month they will issue an exclusive iTunes only EP called Into the Flood...
As for now they are featured on purevolume in a special acoustic session you can check out here http://www.purevolume.com/videos/astallaslions/pvsessions

Billy Bragg Live on Conan

One of my favorite songwriters Billy Bragg made an appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," back in 2006. He performs my favorite song of his "A New England."

Movie of the Month-A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints

Like many people I would have written Shia LaBeouf off as a young novelty act, a movie of the week at best. Then I saw A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, and ate every single word. In a Bronx Tale meets Do The Right Thing type of film, LaBeouf explodes on screen like a ticking time bomb ready to burst at any second. Based on the true story of writer and first time director Dito Montiel, this coming of age drama is about a young Dito (LaBeouf) looking to find more in his life growing up in Astoria, Queens in the late 80's. He and his rag tag group of friends are always getting themselves in trouble and he wants out. Told in a non-linear fashion and flashing back between present and past. Dito recounts his whole life as an adult (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and as a young man. Along Dito's life journey he meets his so-called saints that lead him to the person he becomes. It is a heartfelt yet brutal story that capture the attention of its audience right away. It is a performance laced film packed with many surprising displays of acting not just by Shia, but also Channing Tatum, Diane West, and Anthony DeSando. The film not only stars the legendary Chazz Palmentari, but he even tackled on the role of Producer, along side Sting and his wife. A film done on a shoe string budget that it was rumored Palmentari didn't pick up a pay check for it, shows that CGI and lots of names and cash do not always make a good film. A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints should not be missed.

Underrated Classic - Our Lady Peace "Spiritual Machines"

It is an awkward time for any High School senior, deciding what to do with your future, where to go to college or even go away to college. But for myself and the rest of the class of 2002, it was even more bizarre. Starting your year off in September 2001 and living it off in the wake of 9/11. I dont think I could have found more of a perfect soundtrack to the strange rollercoaster that was my senior year and getting ready to leave my shitbox of a town for something bigger. I came across Spiritual Machines purely by accident. Just as MTV stopped playing videos and Carson Daly was beginning to depart from TRL, Canadian music channel Much Music would constantly jam Our Lady Peace. At first I hated singer Raine Maida's voice, his nasally approach to singing just didn't grasp my attention, plus the bands sound was too generic. Then I herd the single "Life," and things began to change. Everything Maida sang about in that song was what I was going through as an angst ridden 17/18 year old. Pissed off at society, upset with the crowd I was with and wanted something more. His voice then began to almost speak to me instead of sing. I rushed to the store and grabbed Spiritual Machines and spun it everyday for about six months and became totally obsessed with Our Lady Peace. Spiritual Machines is a concept record that sounds more like a self help book than a rock record, and for any confused adolescent--that's a good thing. It was laced with punk inspired lyrics and U2 style musical qualities. It was written and recorded after the band read the book "The Age of Spiritual Machines," by Ray Kurzweil. A book about how machines will exceed human intelligence and will take over the world. In fact Kurzweil himself narrates the record and pushes the story along. By record it may be the bands least successful record to date. However, like many of our underrated classics, it is one of the bands best. What Spiritual Machines has done for OLP was laid the foundation for the bands breakthrough in the U.S. 2002's Gravity, possibly the bands strongest and biggest commercial success would make them overnight sensations in the U.S. and the biggest band in their home country. This is an album that may be collecting dust at record stores, or on shelves, but my suggestion is to hand it off to a senior in High School or even College and let them see for themselves what this record is really about and what it can do for them.

Indy Watch

A whole new Indianajones.com was revealed this morning...complete with brand new layout, new video from the shoot wrap, new downloads and much more...check it out at www.indianajones.com

Playlist

Here are songs in heavy rotation on my iPod...

- As Tall As Lions - "Break Blossom"
- Stereophonics - "It Means Nothing"
- The Frames - "Fitzcarroldo"
- National - "Abel"
- Radiohead - "15th Step"
- Rodrigo Y Gabriella - "Diablo Rojo"
- Thursday - "Jet Black New Year"
- Oasis - "Lord Don't Slow Me Down"
- The Clash - "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A."

November Newsletter

Happy 1 year anniversary to the blog!!! I just want to say thanks for reading, commenting and all that fun stuff...As the year closes here are some things you should keep an eye out for in the remainder of 2007 on the blog..

• 2007 The Albums- Honorable Mentions--List to be unveiled the week of Thanksgiving
• 2007 The Albums-League of Their Own- Record and Artist to be revelled week after Thanksgiving
• 2007 The Albums- Best of (Top 10) - List to be released first week of December
• 2008 Albums to look out for - List will be unveiled week of New Year's
• Indiana Jones 4 Trailer (Thanksgiving)