my top albums of 2007 #40-31

40

Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated
Great sophomore effort from these guys. Witty, tongue-in-cheek humor, hooray!
TLOBF review

39

David Dondero - Simple Love
I still can't believe I'd never heard of this guy before this year. For lovers of the sensitive singer-songwriter type with a keen sense of humor.
TLOBF review

38

Handsome Furs - Plague Park
I'd almost forgotten about this one until I was revisiting some 2007 albums last month. Consistently very very good.

37

Dr. Dog - We All Belong
Sure, the album is great, but all the cool kids know that live is the only way to experience Dr. Dog...

36

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Excellent debut album. Unique mix of lots of different genres. Fun!
TLOBF review

35

Emma Pollock - Watch The Fireworks
I fully admit this one is a recent "discovery" for me. But oh, how I fell in love with Emma's voice and songwriting.
TLOBF review

34

1990s - Cookies
My cult status keeps me fucking your wife. Good god I love this album.

33

Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
This one didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations set by last year's Everything All The Time, but a solid album nonetheless.
TLOBF review

32

Pela - Anytown Graffiti
Nothing more than a lot of straight-forward rock n' roll!!

31

Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir
Swedish pop is so great.

Stay tuned for more tomorrow...

my top albums of 2007 #50-41

Just what the cyber-world needs, another "best of" list... but it's become a bit of an addiction for me, so there you go. Or, rather, here you go...

A handful of albums that just missed my top 50:

Angels Of Light - We Are Him
The Besnard Lakes - Are The Dark Horse
Blonde Redhead - 23
Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
Narrator - All That To The Wall
Papercuts - Can't Go Back
The Ponys - Turn The Lights Out
Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus!
The Teeth - You're My Lover Now
The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters


My biggest disappointments of the year:

Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky


50

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War
This was a nice little surprise, I didn't know that Stars were releasing a new album until it leaked. Very solid.
TLOBF review

49

Page France - ...And The Family Telephone
I love pop music.

48

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
There are a few tracks that never quite grew on me, but this one makes my top 50 based on the awesomeness of the handful of really awesome tracks.
TLOBF review

47

Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
My review

46

Peter Von Poehl - Going To Where The Tea Trees Are
My review

45

BOAT - Let's Drag Our Feet
The album art may be god-awful, but the tunes are poppy and goofy and great fun.

44

Voxtrot - Voxtrot
This was a really strong debut full-length for these Austinites. Firecracker = one of the best songs of the year, for sure.

43

Palomar - All Things, Forests
Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

42

The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Earlier this year I was sure Neon Bible would land at least in my top 20. What a great year for music...

41

The Broken Family Band - Hello Love
One of the best finds of my year. Hello Love is not quite as strong as some of their previous work, but it's still pretty damn good.
TLOBF review

Stay tuned for more tomorrow...

shows of interest for 12/17 - 12/23/07

Monday, December 17
Marcus Church @ Larimer Lounge
moe. @ Boulder Theatre (E-Town)

Tuesday, December 18
Black Cobra @ Hi-Dive
New York Voices @ Soiled Dove
With Arms Raised @ Larimer Lounge
Wu-Tang Clan @ Fox Theatre

Wednesday, December 19
Arthur Lee Land @ Fox Theatre
Lil Kip @ Larimer Lounge

Thursday, December 20
Cowboy Mouth @ Bluebird Theater
DJ Greyboy @ Fox Theatre
Machine Gun Blues @ Larimer Lounge
Michael McDonald @ Paramount Theatre
Spools Of Dark Thread @ Gothic Theatre
Weird Turn Prose @ Hi-Dive
Wu-Tang Clan @ Ogden Theatre

Friday, December 21
Achille Lauro @ Hi-Dive
Birdy @ Larimer Lounge
Colbie Caillat @ Paramount Theatre
Cowboy Mouth @ Bluebird Theater
The Crimson Red @ Gothic Theatre
Genre Theory @ Marquis Theater
Joe Firstman @ Soiled Dove
Proximity @ Fox Theatre
Quemando @ Boulder Theatre

Saturday, December 22
Blister 66 White Trash Christmas @ Gothic Theatre
Cowboy Mouth @ Fox Theatre
Eyes And Ears @ Larimer Lounge
Hazel Miller @ Soiled Dove
Hot IQs @ Bluebird Theater
The Swayback @ Hi-Dive
Viper:Viper @ Marquis Theater

Sunday, December 23
American Relay @ Bluebird Theater
Frontside Five @ Larimer Lounge

beach house + papercuts

Are touring together early next year! Another great show for the Hi-Dive...

02-28 Baltimore, MD - G-Spot
02-29 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
03-01 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
03-02 Birmingham, AL - BottleTree Cafe
03-03 Memphis, TN - The Hi Tone Cafe
03-05 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
03-06 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
03-07 Austin, TX - Emo's
03-08 Denton, TX - Hailey's
03-10 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
03-11 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
03-12 San Diego, CA - The Casbah
03-13 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
03-14 San Luis Obispo, CA - Steynberg Gallery
03-15 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
03-17 Portland, OR - Holocene
03-18 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile Cafe
03-19 Vancouver, British Columbia - Media Club
03-21 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
03-22 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
03-24 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
03-25 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
03-26 Chicago, IL - Schubas
03-27 Cleveland Heights, OH - The Grog Shop
03-29 Montreal, Quebec - Casa del Popolo
03-31 Cambridge, MA - The Middle East
04-02 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
04-03 Philadelphia, PA - The Barbery
04-04 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel

say yea

Brooklyn's Yeasayer have announced a whole truckload of dates in support of their brilliant new album All Hour Cymbals. An album so brilliant that it would have likely cracked my top 20 of the year, had I started listening to it earlier.

Don't miss out, I've a feeling that Yeasayer is not long for venues like the Hi-Dive...

12-15 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
01-16 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage *
01-17 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *
01-18 Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
01-19 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon *
01-20 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington *
01-21 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater *
01-22 Austin, TX - Emo's Jr. *
01-24 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room *
01-25 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *
01-26 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo *
01-28 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill *
01-30 Portland, OR - Holocene *
01-31 Seattle, WA - Neumos *
02-02 Boise, ID - Neurolux *
02-03 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court *
02-04 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive *
02-06 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown *
02-07 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry *
02-08 Chicago, IL - Schubas *
02-09 Toronto, Ontario - El Mocambo *
02-10 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa *
02-12 Allston, MA - Great Scott *
02-14 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
02-15 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *
02-19 Nijmegen, Netherlands - Doornroosie
02-20 Brussels, Belgium - AB
02-21 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
02-22 St. Malo, France - Omnibus
02-23 Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
02-25 Cologne, Germany - Gebaude 9
02-26 Berlin, Germany - Lido
02-27 Gothenburg, Sweden - Pusterviksbaren
02-28 Olso, Norway - John Dee
02-29 Stockholm, Sweden - Klubb Spark at Debaser Medis
03-01 Malmo, Sweden - Debaser
03-05 Birmingham, England - Bar Academy
03-06 London, England - ICA
03-08 Glasgow, Scotland - King Tuts
03-09 Manchester, England - Night & Day
03-10 London, England - TBA
03-11 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
05-09-11 Camber, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork)

*with MGMT

reason #1493 to love okkervil river

OK, so I pulled that number out of my ass, but still, there are a LOT of reasons to love Okkervil River. Here is another one. They are offering a FREE download of their "Golden Opportunities Mixtape", recorded live on tour over 2006-2007.

The tracklist:

1. APRIL ANNE (John Phillips)
2. SIMON SMITH AND THE AMAZING DANCING BEAR (Randy Newman)
3. I WANT TO KNOW (Charles F. Olsen/Ed Sanders)
4. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO (Jimmy Webb)
5. I CAME HERE TO SAY IM GOING AWAY (Serge Gainsbourg/Trans. by W. Sheff)
6. THE BLONDE IN THE BLEACHERS (Joni Mitchell)
7. ANTARCTICA STARTS HERE (John Cale)
8. LISTENING TO OTIS REDDING AT HOME DURING CHRISTMAS (Will Sheff)
9. SOLO (Sandy Denny)

download!

printable artwork and liner notes
printable artwork and liner notes (alt version)
printable artwork and liner notes (b&w)

All downloads (obviously) courtesy of Okkervil River.

Enjoy. I am.

sam isaac

You can place this in the "too lazy to do my own write-up" file... Got this this morning from Big Scary Monsters Records:

The Sam Isaac show frequently resembles an indie cottage industry. Friends make artwork, do recording, direct music videos and carry clipboards. Perfect strangers sell his CDs. Sam's part of the bargain is donning an acoustic guitar, a Casio keyboard or occasionally just his own voice and making the music that is at the centre of all of this.

Counting Bright Eyes, The Spinto Band and Ed Harcourt amongst his influences, twenty-year-old Sam grew up in the sleepy town of Malvern in the West Midlands before moving to East London in 2005. This year has been a non-stop year for Sam. On top of studying for his degree, he has played over 100 shows including UK festival appearances at O2 Wireless, Glastonbury, Latitude, Truck, In The City, Sŵn and the BBC Electric Proms, supporting Edwyn Collins.

His debut single, 'Sideways', released jointly between Big Scary Monsters and Alcopop! Records, as part of BSM's Meet & Greet label collaborative series, has so far received 15 BBC Radio One plays with Jo Whiley, Zane Lowe, Colin Murray, Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens all getting behind it. This is on top of numerous Radio 2, 6 Music, Xfm and Virgin plays. With the promo video (featuring one of the ladies behind the infamous Skoda car made of cake TV ad) set to hit MTV in the coming days, expect to see more and more of this fast rising star in 2008.

'Sideways' is available to buy on CD and 7" across the UK right now, as well as worldwide via itunes.

Photos: Live 1 / Live 2 / Video still

'Sideways' artwork: http://t.ymlpr.net/mhaiausqakamsuakahbje/click.php

'Sideways' Youtube video link: http://t.ymlpr.net/meakausqacamsuakahbje/click.php

Myspace link: http://t.ymlpr.net/mwagausqalamsuapahbje/click.php

'Sideways' itunes purchase link: here

shows of interest for 12/10 - 12/16/07

Monday, December 10
Blue Light @ Larimer Lounge
Finger Eleven @ Bluebird Theater
Headlights @ Hi-Dive

Tuesday, December 11
Amon Amarth @ Gothic Theatre
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Fillmore Auditorium
Roger, Roll @ Larimer Lounge

Wednesday, December 12
Agent Orange @ Bluebird Theater
Jimmy Eat World @ Ogden Theatre
Killswitch Engage @ Fillmore Auditorium
The Rooster Brothers @ Larimer Lounge

Thursday, December 13
Action Action @ The Black Sheep
Colder Than Fargo @ Hi-Dive
Identity Pusher @ Bluebird Theater
The Menagerie @ Fox Theatre
Richie Havens @ Boulder Theater
The Visitors @ Larimer Lounge

Friday, December 14
The Archive @ Hi-Dive
Dinosaur Jr @ Ogden Theatre
Gunther & The Sunshine Girls @ Marquis Theater
Killfix @ Larimer Lounge
The Kooks @ Fox Theatre
Marc Cohn @ Gothic Theatre
Mark Vann Foundation 5th Annual Holiday Benefit Show @ Boulder Theater
Meese @ Bluebird Theater

Saturday, December 15
Bell Biv Devoe @ Ogden Theatre
Blue Million Miles @ Larimer Lounge
Breathe Carolina @ Marquis Theater
Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip @ Fox Theatre
Ian Cooke @ Bluebird Theater
Sleepers @ Hi-Dive

Sunday, December 16
The Amicable Splits @ Larimer Lounge
Paynevendor @ Gothic Theatre
Suzy Bogguss @ Soiled Dove

halloweenhead

Sure, I know it's December. It's Christmas, not Halloween. But I've been busy working on my top 2007 albums. Right now I'm listening to Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams, and I'm recalling all the shit that Ryan took for the Halloweenhead track. And I'm not really sure why. I mean, yeah it's a silly song, but it still rocks the fuck out, am I right?

Yeah, that's all. (PS - Pearls On A String is one of my favorite songs of the year).

PPS - OK, that's not really all - I made a Best Songs Of 2007 for a message board that I frequent. There's no Ryan on it... I mean, it was supposed to be 10 songs... I started out with like 25 and had to whittle down. I was left with 11 and couldn't manage to whittle any more. If you care to download it, you can do so here:

download will be available for a couple of weeks.

Tracklist:
01 White Rabbits - While We Go Dancing
02 The Arcade Fire - (Antichrist Television Blues)
03 Emma Pollock - Paper And Glue
04 Iron & Wine - Resurrection Fern
05 Andrew Bird - Armchairs
06 LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
07 The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
08 Menomena - Muscle'n Flo
09 The National - Apartment Story
10 Okkervil River - Plus Ones
11 Bon Iver - Re: Stacks

It was a difficult task for me as my favorite song tastes seem to change every day. But once I made the compilation and listened to it a few times, it was clear... I really love these songs and they are more than likely my favorite songs of 2007.

PPPS - I love Ryan.

shows of interest for 12/3 - 12/9/07

Monday, December 3
Eyedea & Abilities @ Marquis Theater
RZA @ Fox Theatre
Slaughterhouse Rootz @ Larimer Lounge

Tuesday, December 4
Carnie Bums @ Larimer Lounge
Shonen Knife @ Gothic Theatre
Team Sleep @ Marquis Theater
Tickle Me Pink @ Fox Theatre

Wednesday, December 5
David Bazan @ Hi-Dive
Most Serene Republic @ Larimer Lounge
Richie Furay @ Boulder Theater

Thursday, December 6
The Blakes @ Larimer Lounge
Chill Fantastic @ Fox Theatre
Jesse Malin @ Hi-Dive
Kottonmouth Kings @ Ogden Theater
VHS Or Beta @ Bluebird Theater

Friday, December 7
A Wilhelm Scream @ Marquis Theater
Blues Traveler/Jesse Malin @ Fox Theatre
David Gray @ Paramount Theatre
Dualistics @ Larimer Lounge
Kottonmouth Kings @ Ogden Theater
Lemonheads @ Gothic Theatre
The Photo Atlas @ Black Sheep
Tiny Television @ Hi-Dive
Voxtrot @ Bluebird Theater

Saturday, December 8
3OH!3 @ Gothic Theatre
Aimee Mann's Christmas Show @ Boulder Theater
As Blood Runs Black @ Marquis Theater
Charly Fasano @ Hi-Dive
Iron & Wine @ Paramount Theatre
Office @ Larimer Lounge
Ozomatli @ Ogden Theater
The Rebel Alliance Jam @ Fox Theatre

Sunday, December 9
Bright Light Fever @ Hi-Dive
Lil' Slugger @ Larimer Lounge
Richie Furay @ Bluebird Theater