Best CDs of 2007?

It was at about this time last year that I read a 'Best CDs of 2006' story in the Boston Globe, and that led me on a fairly productive chase.

It was because of that that I found Regina Spektor's "Begin To Hope", and it's why I went ahead and got The Raconteurs' fine self-titled album.  I would have gotten my beloved Neko Case's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" anyway, but I was glad to see that included as well.

But it's been a while since I've gotten new music, and I need a fresh round.  I haven't been very good at following music this year, and so far all I've been able to do is use pandora.com to direct me to Moonshine Willy and Magnapop, but those were 1990s releases.

Usually when I post request diaries like this, I get a great response.  Doing this in the past helped me to find some very good reading material: "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini and "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Awaz Nafisi.  Over the summer I asked for drink recipes for an Adirondacks getaway and got many great suggestions, taking a pineapple punch and a cucumber martini to vacation nirvana.  

So here I am again, relying on the help of my fellow Kossacks to get me started on my CD exploration.  

So my question tonight is: What CDs from this year do you think were best, and why, if you don't mind including a little review?  What other artists out there do you think are worth a look, even if they didn't release anything this year?  Go ahead and expound on music that you love.  You know you want to...

•  Radiohead - In Rainbows

  The price is right.

  :-)

  by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 07:53:50 PM PDT

•  M.I.A. - Kala

  by Jim J on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 07:54:08 PM PDT

  •  Cosign

    MIA is pretty great!

    To answer the diarist -

    Liars (self-titled).  Justice.  Chromatics (if that came out this year, I don't even know).  A friend whose taste I generally trust is big on Panda Bear.

    LCD Soundsystem album was so ubiquitous all year, seems like I've been hearing it forever but I guess it's 2007 so that counts.  It's very good.

    I got the Radiohead and damned if I can remember what any of it sounds like now.  PJ Harvey was interesting but depressing as hell.  Low are an amazing live band and yet.. what I heard of their album wasn't near as good as Great Destroyer.. I should give it a second chance.

    Bands I don't get: Spoon, Arcade Fire, The National.  Sometimes I feel like these indie bands that actually are lavishly produced and trying to be epic are just shy of.. I dunno.. "The Final Countdown."

    What I've heard of Kanye is really good - and I don't usually like his stuff.  

    I also like T-Pain (for real - see "Bartender," Chris Brown "Kiss Kiss," a whole bunch of other stuff he was on.. and an obscure b-side "Calm the F*** Down") and just about anything produced by Timbaland (except most of his solo album, surprisingly).

    by daria g on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:47:53 PM PDT

•  Here's a good list of...

  best albums of 2007 from a wide variety of sources.

  :-)

  by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 07:56:58 PM PDT

  •  Correction... it's actually several lists :) n/t

    by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 07:57:21 PM PDT

•  I usually have very little interest

  in movie soundtracks, but The Hottest State has a really great collection of tunes.

  by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:00:16 PM PDT

•  What Should Have Been for 2007

  "And On Earth, Peace: A Chanticleer Mass"

  Da pacem, domine.

  by Limelite on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:05:41 PM PDT

•  There are three phases to

  the life cycle of an aging music fan:

  1. You still discover new artists.

  2. You no longer discover new artists, but your favorite artists still release new CDs.

  3. Your favorite artists no longer make music, so your collection is now complete.

  I'm teetering on the border between 2 and 3.  I'm depending on y'all help me back into phase 1!

  by cardinal on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:05:52 PM PDT

  •  Well What Type of Music Do You Like

    maybe I can help :).

    by webranding on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:08:22 PM PDT

    •  Hmmm

      It sounds trite, but my tastes are hard to categorize.  All time favorites include:

      Neil Finn, Kristin Hersh, Radiohead, Erasure, Pearl Jam, Beatles, Nine Inch Nails.  More generally, second British invasion, Brit Pop (80s and Manchester scene), and early/mid-90s college rock.  

      by cardinal on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:18:07 PM PDT

      •  Holy crap. I'm not only complete; I'm dead.

        I think that would be a 4.

        by MrSandman on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:23:40 PM PDT

      •  Danger Doom!

        You'll love him, or your money back!

        by psilocynic on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:23:44 PM PDT

      •  Ok, Other Then The First Two In Your List

        I have CDs from all the others. A few you might or might not have that seem to fall into tthis group of music:

        Midnight Movies  by Midnight Movies.

        Light & Magic by Ladytron.

        Anything by the Charlatans UK.

        None from this year, but fits in several of the groups you mention. And of course you can listen to a lot of their stuff on YouTube.

        by webranding on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:25:21 PM PDT

        •  cool

          I love the Charlatans.  I'll check out the others; thanks!

          by cardinal on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:26:17 PM PDT

          •  Cosign on Ladytron

            Their last record was very good!  Also Chromatics recent stuff.  The Knife - Silent Shout (from 2006) - kind of a little gothy, but awesome.  LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver.  Rilo Kiley are popular (I don't really get into them but.. you might like).  I like Cat Power but she's been around for a while now.  

            by daria g on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:54:53 PM PDT

      •  If you like Radiohead, I assume you've

        heard their new one, In Rainbows.

        Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood also wrote the score for Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," which opens the 26th. Greenwood's soundtrackis awesome (big surprise, right?).

        Both albums are highly recommended.

        by JeremyA on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:34:54 PM PDT

        •  Thanks

          I hadn't heard about the soundtrack.  In Rainbows is still growing on me.

          by cardinal on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:36:43 PM PDT

          •  Have you heard the other score he did,

            for the movie Bodysong? Another one Radiohead fans will probably like.

            by JeremyA on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:40:22 PM PDT

      •  Hmmmm.

        So, Stone Roses--good?

        by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:02:33 PM PDT

      •  This Might Fit In....

        Combining certain 90s College Rock sensibilities with a left-of-center political outlook:

        Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "Baby 81".

        Those who know the band well make comparisons to the Jesus and Mary Chain.

        Angry, but smart.

        "American X" (the source of my sig line) is one of the most devastating indictments of current U.S. political society I have heard.

        by Steve Singiser on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:11:43 PM PDT

  •  Most of my favorite artists no longer make music

    so now I'm busy collecting videos of live performances from their heydays.

    :-)

    by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:09:17 PM PDT

    •  I'm only 33, BTW

      Now get off my lawn.

      :-)

      by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:15:25 PM PDT

      •  haha

        In the parent comment of this thread, I had named one of the phases "get off my lawn," but I changed it for some reason before I posted.  

        I'm 34, btw.  But I fear I've crossed the threshold that I was ridiculing my parents for 20 years ago ("Kids these days. . .").

        by cardinal on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:21:59 PM PDT

        •  Methinks your parents were right...

          I really can't think think of many bands from the last decade or so that will be considered influential, in the way bands from our parents' generation were.

          by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:25:18 PM PDT

          •  Speaking of which...

            You might be interested in this excellent documentary John Lennon's Jukebox (Google video), about a relatively recently discovered jukebox belonging to John Lennon in 1965 which traces his musical roots/influences, and includes interviews with the musicians whose songs were on it.

            Wikipedia page about the film

            :-)

            by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:29:52 PM PDT

          •  my faves of the year

            Sgt. Pepper
            Are You Experienced
            Blonde on Blonde
            Happy Jack
            Surrealistic Pillow
            Between the Buttons

            don't tell me that's the wrong year! That's the right year!!

            by Shahryar on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:58:38 PM PDT

      •  Dang, YOU Burned Out Quick!! ;) n/t

        by Uthaclena on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:34:26 PM PDT

        •  LOL

          It's not me who burned out... it's the music industry.

          ;-)

          by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:39:01 PM PDT

      •  dont' leave us in suspense--

        Who are your faves, Trix?!

        by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:04:12 PM PDT

        •  My all-time faves...

          would have to be The Beatles, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, The Doors, and the early Grateful Dead.

          I also love The Stones, The Who and CSN(Y), but I don't really dig their newer stuff, and I have little to no interest in seeing them live nowadays (the same goes for Dylan).

          :-)

          by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:11:36 PM PDT

          •  I also love Jefferson Airplane...

            but not Jefferson Starship or any of the band's other incarnations.

            by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:14:27 PM PDT

            •  Hmmmm...

              I'm beginning to wonder if we had similar childhoods-- or at least parents.

              by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:19:42 PM PDT

              •  LOL

                My parents don't really share my musical tastes.

                And my dad was actually Lennon's accountant during the 70s... he pretty much thought John was a weirdo.

                by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:21:28 PM PDT

                •  That's funny.

                  Proof you can take two roads to the same place, I suppose.

                  Though, as much as those artists are my heart, they aren't on constant rotation on a daily basis.  I've found some great new stuff I do love.

                  by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:26:11 PM PDT

                  •  I like new stuff too...

                    but I don't really see myself liking it 10 years down the road as much as I like the older stuff.

                    by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:27:26 PM PDT

                    •  Fair enough.

                      And there are definitely albums with staying power.  I don't know if I'll love an album that's come after Joshua Tree as much as I love Joshua Tree.  It still yanks at my soul and gets me going.

                      by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:35:13 PM PDT

                      •  Yeah... that's a great album

                        definitely a classic.

                        :-)

                        by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:36:25 PM PDT

                    •  I would have to say my favorite "young" musician

                      is Dave Grohl.

                      I think he's easily the most versatile musician working today.

                      by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:09:53 PM PDT

                  •  Were your parents at Woodstock or...

                    the Monterey Pop Festival?

                    Those are probably the 2 concerts I most wish I could've attended.

                    by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:32:08 PM PDT

                    •  And maybe Altamont ;) n/t

                      by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:33:21 PM PDT

            •  And, of course...

              Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

              :-)

              by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:19:56 PM PDT

          •  I would actually add REM to my list of faves

            :-)

            by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:28:12 PM PDT

            •  I'll also add David Bowie to the list :) n/t

              by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:40:12 PM PDT

    •  Did you get MOE

      at Tobacco Road in Miami? From 2002 or 2003. If you have it can I get a copy?

      by psilocynic on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:26:55 PM PDT

      •  No... I didn't :) n/t

        by Trix on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:30:42 PM PDT

    •  Yeah lots of mine are dead . . . Muddy Waters,

      Fred McDowell, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Gram Parsons, Joe Strummer.  But then some of them were dead when I first found out about them. (I did get to see Muddy Waters twice, though.)

      One way I found of finding stuff I liked was to work backwards through influences of people I liked. It was 30 years ago as a teen when I started tracing Rock'n'Roll into blues and prewar blues but it gave me a taste for some mighty strange stuff that doesn't get over-played much. There's still more to mine back there somewhere.

      by mvr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:45:53 PM PDT

      •  I do suggest Pandora--

        It can be great for finding like-artists.  It's a work in progress, but one I appreciate even when it's off-base.

        by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:06:38 PM PDT

        •  Thanks! n/t

          by mvr on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 08:43:16 AM PDT

  •  3. Dan Fogelberg was a favorite.

    Now gone.

    by Desert Rose on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:14:01 PM PDT

    •  I'll bet you are a Chris Hillman fan, too.

      Good handle.

      by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:14:53 PM PDT

      •  Yep! Roger McGuinn too. n/t

        by Desert Rose on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:17:13 PM PDT

      •  Try the new Eagles album. There is a good

        Souther Hillman Furay Band remake on that one.

        by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:17:20 PM PDT

        •  I just bought 2 souther Hillman and Furay songs

          from I tunes.  Prisoner in Disguise and Somebody must be wrong.  I had them on vinyl.

          by Desert Rose on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:23:48 PM PDT

          •  Buy some Richie Furay.

            I Was A Fool and I Still Have Dreams.

            Good stuff.

            by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:30:09 PM PDT

            •  Ok I'll check them out. n/t

              by Desert Rose on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:36:48 PM PDT

              •  poco lives! nt

                by nbutter on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:37:17 PM PDT

        •  but Don't you have to go to Wallmart to get it?nt

          by ballerina X on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:05:29 PM PDT

          •  So, what's your point?

            You can order it on line too, if that offends you.  

            by SpamNunn on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 05:44:23 AM PDT

  •  I'm still in phase 1,

    but I tend to discover things a bit late and I don't buy a ton of CDs, so the best CDs I got in 2007 are probably all from 2005 or something.  

    Hmmm...trying to think what I did get this year.

    by MissLaura on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:27:23 PM PDT

  •  Actually I would have reversed the order

    of the first two.  My favorites never make albums quite as good as the ones I first loved, but new people come along that I can get obsessed about.  

    My theory is that it has to do with your friends. It is harder to find new stuff when you don't have people trying to get you to listen.  My satellite radio helped for a while, but this year I've pretty well run out of new stuff that got me to go out and find it.  Hopefully this isn't a permanent condition.

    by mvr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:30:32 PM PDT

  •  No!

    You can always find new music.  It might be fewer and far between, but it's still there.  My 64 y.o dad is constantly finding new artists that he likes and I wa even able to turn my 84 y.o. grandfather on to someone new--- Madeleine Peyroux.  He's obsessed.  My Christmas giving was fucked because I've already given him her three albums.  (If anyone has a suggestion...)

    by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:01:40 PM PDT

  •  Listen to radioparadise

    radioparadise.com, an online, listener-supported radio station. Was in your situation, heard about the station, have heard countless performers who were new to me and excellent.

    by rghojai on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:41:33 PM PDT

    •  Great suggestion

      I am always looking for good online radio, since FM is so bad.  I like KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic.  

      by EJP in Maine on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 03:17:44 AM PDT

•  Kanye West - Graduation

  by Sam Loomis on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:08:12 PM PDT

•  I must agree with Burial's "Untrue"

  ...as the album of the year.  So says Metacritic.  It's abstract, eerie, rhytmically adventurous, and despite the criticisms of abstract music, it has a soul.  He (or she?) is brilliant (and anonymous).

  Also recommend The Klaxons, Justice & Blonde Redhead.

  The best concert I saw this year was Kings Of Leon.

  And sorry...but I have yet to get the hoo-ha about the Arcade Fire.  Just does nothing for me.

  by PaulD on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:09:40 PM PDT

  •  Oops

    I meant to say..."and despite the criticisms of electronic music, it has a soul.

    by PaulD on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:10:57 PM PDT

•  My top three faves:

  In no particular order:

  Dirt Farmer - Levon Helm (American roots rock by the drummer from The Band)

  Blu Genova - Beppe Gambetta (an under rated Genoese flat picker, Italy's version of Tony Rice)

  These Days - Vince Gill (four discs, four different styles, great pickers and singers, special props to our own jnhobbs)

  Anyone who loves music will love any one of these albums.  

  Bonus Pick: Cubensis live shows on Archive.Org (an Orange County Dead tribute band who don't play slavish imitations, but honor the boys by playing their tunes in their own way)

  by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:09:49 PM PDT

  •  Nice picks

    Love ole Levon. That's one great album.

    by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:12:58 PM PDT

  •  Almost forgot:

    Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Allison Krauss (hard to describe, but great to hear)

    by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:22:24 PM PDT

    •  That Is On My X-Mas Wish List

      somehow I had never listened to Allison Krauss until this year (I don't know how). And just love it. Heard her and Plant on NPR and they were just amazing.

      by webranding on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:27:08 PM PDT

      •  Her dobro player, Jerry Douglas, rules.

        by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:32:14 PM PDT

      •  you can't go wrong with Allison Krauss

        She's one of the finest singers today, imho.  And an INCREDIBLE fiddle player, and she has exquisite taste.

        And she fucking INTIMIDATED ROBERT PLANT (his words, not mine)

        by Leggy Starlitz on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:22:01 PM PDT

    •  That one interests me

      Haven't heard it yet. A reviewer on iTunes described it as "King Kong meets Bambi".

      by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:27:12 PM PDT

    •  Yay!

      Dying to hear this!  I saw it today and almost bit but I held back because I'm not so spendy these days.  If it's awesome, I'll be spendy for it, though.  Great to hear!

      by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:09:41 PM PDT

    •  sounds like...

      A Grammy or three.

      But the band behind those angelic voices sounds like Tom Waits circa 1985.  Which isn't far off, what with Marc Ribot on guitar for the album.  Terrific stuff!

      by Leggy Starlitz on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:20:54 PM PDT

  •  Beppe

    Never expected to see his name! He's a terrific guitarist, and a really personable guy. Seen him a couple times here in Okla city, and picked up Blu di Genova at his show last year.

    This was a 2004 release, but I just got the 3-CD Kaleidoscope retrospective, Pulsating Dream. This was David Lindley's first band. I meant to check them out for years, and expected to like it, but now I"m kicking myself for waiting nearly 40 years 'cause this kicks ass! They were amazingly ahead of their time.  A blend of blues, jugband, middle eastern, psychedelic...

    by OkieByAccident on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:59:29 PM PDT

•  If You Like Year End Lists This Guy Rocks

  He has been doing it for years and he takes it very, very seriously. You could spend hours and hours if not days going through his "List of Lists." All organized by category for easy viewing.

  by webranding on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:10:57 PM PDT

•  any Richard Thompson fans?

  His new album is good - Sweet Warrior.

  by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:17:38 PM PDT

  •  I'm a fan but haven't heard that yet.

    by mvr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:19:16 PM PDT

  •  his soundtrack for grizzly man

    was superb too.  I really am wanting to buy Nick Drake's five leaves left because he plays on it and damn I love Nick Drake also. damn the bush economy and shitty minimum wage...i could have owned it by now.

    by siamesewonka on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:52:10 PM PDT

  •  Teddy Thompson much better

    The son outdoes the father. Upfront & Down Low awfully good

    by FischFry on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 08:47:20 AM PDT

•  Great CD

  Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha. I've listened to it probably 50-60 times. Very interesting voice, instrumentals, intelligent, poetic lyrics. Lots of things to listen for and appreciate.

  Blonde Redhead - 23. I'm not too sure what this album is about. But I like it a lot. It flies by. I also enjoyed Misery is a Butterfly (previous album), and it's more or less in the same vein. The voices are plaintive, almost other-worldly, and it has great tunes. I feel like listening to it NOW, but it's about time for bed.

  These are CDs I actually bought after listening to them nearly to death on my Napster subscription.

  by NegSpin on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:20:19 PM PDT

•  Any punk rock fans out there?

  Not a very highly publicized release, but I'm a huge fan of Strung Out's Blackhawks Over Los Angeles. Great lyrics, excellent musicianship - par for the course for the band, but I think they hit it out of the park. Much better than Bad Religion's rather boilerplate New Maps Of Hell, that's for sure.

  by PsiFighter37 on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:21:04 PM PDT

•  Oh my! Didn't I buy anything new this year?!!

  Well I just ordered a new live Gram Parons/Burritos CD, but it was recorded 30+ years ago and I don't even have it yet to listen to.

  I'm getting old and old-farty.  A scary thought indeed.

  by mvr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:25:41 PM PDT

  •  Oh wait, I bought the new White Stripes and its

    good. Though it (Icky Thump) maybe not quite as good as the previous one. But then I haven't had the time to play it to death like I did with Elephant so that might be it too. Had tickets for the concert when they cancelled the tour. Big disappointment of the year, though Elvis Costello did very well indeed opening for Dylan in Omaha.

    OK so I'm not as old and farty as I was afraid of.

    by mvr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:38:15 PM PDT

•  i liked

  "the reminder" feist
  "the shepherd's dog" iron & wine

  also Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Beirut, Dinosaur Jr, and Okkervil River

  by Lee on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:32:49 PM PDT

  •  The Reminder

    is awesome.  Absolutely one of my favorites this year.

    by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:11:02 PM PDT

  •  Feist is excellent! nt

    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:25:13 PM PDT

•  two I like

  Les Joyaux de la Princesse - Aux Volontaires Croix de Sang

  and

  Ulver - Shadows of the Sun

  by Delirium on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:35:35 PM PDT

•  The age of the iPod

  has restored this 40-something from musical hibernation. Not only are my hundreds of old CDs now instantly accessible, I'm finding music resources on the Web that lead me to new sounds I like.

  I'm still an old rocker at heart, and one of the great finds of this age is the southern band the Drive-By Truckers, who once again let me believe that American rock is alive and well.

  As for new releases in this past year, don't overlook Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band's "Live in Dublin" double CD. I was not sure what I would think of this turn in his career path at first, but the music he delivered with that band is as full of life and energy as anything I've ever heard. Simply amazing.

  by QuestionableSanity on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:36:41 PM PDT

  •  "old CDs"...

    who'da ever thunk...  having watched 78 rpm discs go round and round, then 45's, 33 1/3 rmp "LP"s, 8-tracks, cassettes, mp3's...  [sigh]

    by watercarrier4diogenes on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:42:23 PM PDT

    •  Heh.

      I remember my 6th grade music teacher (who must have been 76 at the time) bringing in a "CD"--weird!!! new!! crazy!!-- and then jumping up and down on it on the floor.  Because it wouldn't scratch. It was revolutionary!

      Well, let me tell you.  I've lost more CD's than most people have HAD in the truck of my car.  I was young and stupid and totally convinced by my music teacher's demo.  I really miss some of those CD's.

      by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:13:23 PM PDT

•  If you're in the mood for pretty harmonies...

  check out Stars of Track and Field's "Centuries Before Love and War."

  by blueteam on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:36:59 PM PDT

•  let me see

  I had some favorite songs.

  Amy Winehouse's hip hop remix of rehab was great.

  The Dropkick Murphys Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya is just a fun song to listen to while getting drunk.

  Blue magic by Jay Z.

  Chamillionaire, Morning News, and Evening News, who knew the guy who was Riding Dirty had a political edge.

  I liked Kayne's Graduation.

  Everyone needs to check out Aesop Rock, he has been around for years but he is finally getting some play.

  The new Wu is solid.

  Everyone also needs to check out a band called the Ike Reilly Assassination, do not start out with this years release, go download Commie Drives a Nova, and Hip Hop Thighs, and go from there. They are a cross between the Clash and Bob Dylan with some hip hop influence. Trust me on this one everyone I have steered in IRA' direction has come back to thank me  profusely.  

  by jbou on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:37:44 PM PDT

  •  Fightstarter Karaoke! Great tune to punch

    someone out to.  (DKM's)

    by SpamNunn on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:39:04 PM PDT

    •  yup

      But you could say that about most DKM songs.

      by jbou on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:45:58 PM PDT

  •  jbou--

    Given the mix you have hear, maybe YOU can answer this question.  So I heard this song tonight-- Wyclef and Paul Simon.  Any idea?  Rocked.

    by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:14:38 PM PDT

    •  no...

      but you have me intrigued enough to try and find it.

      by jbou on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:27:00 PM PDT

      •  It was really interesting.

        I'd forgotten to look for it until this diary popped up.

        I really love killer combinations of artists from different generations.  Another one that reminds me of is Citizen Cope with Santana.

        by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:29:47 PM PDT

    •  oh damn--

      the mix you have HERE.  Not hear.  

      by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:30:55 PM PDT

•  I just identified part of the problem.

  A lot of the new stuff I discover, I first hear on Pandora then ask for for Christmas.  So I'm about to get new CDs...

  I've really been enjoying what I hear of Anne and Pete Sibley, who appear to live in Wyoming and play at ski resorts and weddings.  

  by MissLaura on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:38:44 PM PDT

•  new CDs

  from Fountains of Wayne and Crowded House (which I bought per DHinMI's recommendation in some other music thread) are very good.

  And yes, I am about the last person I know who still buys CDs.  I have iTunes, but it's just not the same as rifling through stuff in a record store.  I refuse to let technology completely rob me of that pleasure.

  by mcfly on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:40:44 PM PDT

  •  Glad to Hear You Like Them

    And you're right, there are few things I enjoy more than looking at hundreds or thousands of CD's in one visit to what I still call a record store.  

    by DHinMI on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 11:52:01 AM PDT

•  Top 3

  Wincing the Night Away by The Shins

  The Shepherd's Dog by Iron and Wine

  and

  Dirt Farmer by Levon Helm

  by WellstoneDem on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:42:32 PM PDT

•  2007

  My favorites this year were:

  Sky Blue Sky- Wilco....I highly recommend Wilco for those who love the classic sounds of the greatful dead, thin lizzy, the allman bros but also newer music such as radiohead.  Great lyrics by a master lyricist--Jeff Tweedy and fantastic guitar work by Niles Cline.  Relaxing.

  Zeitgeist-Smashing Pumpkins....so what...James Iha and D'Arcy weren't there but Corgan and Chamberlain were pretty much the band anyways.  The new album is a scathing critique of the world we live in politically, the media and the 21st century lack of motivation and spirituality that is killing society.  This is also a new sound for the pumpkins..more in your face type rock akin to the scorpians rather than the more psychadelic-goth-rock of their early days.  The song "united states" brings a smile to my face.

  In Rainbows- Radiohead...my favorite of the year.  I like how radiohead tweaked their sound yet again to reveal a more spacious sound then previous albums.  The way this album was released was definately revolutionary as far as a completely different model outside of record companies..well..atleast until they release their instore US release in January.

  Interesting bands that I have run across lately:

  black moth super rainbow, arcade fire, my bloody valentine (new album out maybe in the next year!!..maybe.)

  all DKosers need to download.."when the president talks to god" by brighteyes.  go ahead..make yourself feel just a lil' bit better.

  by siamesewonka on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:45:23 PM PDT

•  My favorites

  The National -- Boxer
  Radiohead -- In Rainbows

  by GiveNoQuarter on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:48:20 PM PDT

  •  CDs played over and over this year:

    "Back to Black" - Amy Winehouse
    "Baby 81" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
    "Neon Bible" - Arcade Fire
    "Yours Truly Angry Mob" - Kaiser Chiefs
    "Favourite Worse Nightmare" - Arctic Monkeys
    "Costello Music" - The Fratellis
    "In Rainbows" - Radiohead
    "Icky Thump" - White Stripes
    "Kala" - M.I.A.
    "Graduation" - Kanye West
    "Planet Earth" - Prince

    by Nedsdag on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:57:08 PM PDT

    •  Awesome choices--

      I'd add Feist and Kings of Leon.  Maybe Silversun Pickups.  Can't decide.

      by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:17:03 PM PDT

      •  Thank you.

        Kings of Leon is one of my favorite American bands (F*ck emo!). I should've listed their album as well.

        by Nedsdag on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:20:21 PM PDT

    •  Monster Props for B.R.M.C.

      I have been trying to get anyone who will listen to try this album out.

      "American X" is my sig line, but that album rips your face off right away with "Took Out A Loan".

      I am also fond of "All You Do Is Talk", which seems a little out of place with its ballad-ish tempo.

      by Steve Singiser on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:19:32 PM PDT

      •  B.R.M.C. is one of the best U.S. bands.

        My biggest regret this year was not seeing them and Kings of Leon in concert. I was teaching a class that night and I was unable to go to their concert.

        They're beloved in the U.K. I've been a fan since their first album in 2001. I wore that CD out!

        "666 Solution" is an awesome song.

        by Nedsdag on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:22:27 PM PDT

        •  Saw Them On Their Own In L.A.

          They played two hours. "Spread Your Love" sounds pretty freaking incredible live. MSN's music section has a concert they recorded in Portland. There's a link to it off of their Wikipedia entry. It is worth a listen.

          by Steve Singiser on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:24:41 PM PDT

      •  My mistake.

        I meant "666 Conducer."

        by Nedsdag on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:23:57 PM PDT

•  Animal Collective

  This year's "Strawberry Jam" is awesome.  Not to mention the solo project of Panda Bear, called "Person Pitch".  

  Also, Spoon with "GaGaGaGaGa".  

  by toyourleft on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:54:02 PM PDT

  •  Oh, Spoon!

    Yes.  Most definitely.

    by qwerty on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:17:34 PM PDT

•  Michael Brecker's final album (RIP)

  is fantastic.

  Pilgrimage

  by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:58:02 PM PDT

  •  Also Herbie Hancock's

    River - the Joni Letters

    by bumblebums on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:00:14 PM PDT

  •  Brecker was fantastic. nt

    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:38:17 PM PDT

•  Can I pimp My husband's music here ?

  I've Been putting his music all over the tubes as part of his "winter solstice festival" gift.
  C.T. Clements & the real Time Phantom band

  some of this was recorded in the kitchen, or a chapel he and his buddy snuck into
  other musicians added tracks later, hence "phantomband"

  Talk About Freedom is one of my favs

  by ballerina X on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:00:36 PM PDT

•  Well, I'm an 80's girl

  So my favorite right now is Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre. I got to see them on Broadway in which we were all supposed to "dress for the red carpet" which was crazy and fun.  I really love the album, especially the songs Box Full O' Honey and Skin Divers.

  I made a point to buy Kate Bush's new one Ariel as well.  She's another one I'm loyal to.

  But that's it for this year.  But I love all music period.

  by Dianna on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:08:02 PM PDT

•  Robert Plant & Allison Krauss

  "Making Sand".

  Also, high marks to this year's Richard Thompson, and to the Meat Purveyors (hey, SOMEONE had to find the common thread between bluegrass and hardcore!)

  by Leggy Starlitz on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:19:49 PM PDT

  •  Anything by Alison is great

    I was just cruising through the AKUS site and Youtube. She can give you chills. There's a wonderful version of Carolina in my Mind that's beyond belief.

    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:48:15 PM PDT

•  2007: both sublime and ridiculous, musically,

  and just about every other way as well - but lists are lists, and here are my top 10 (ish)

  Things That Go POP:

  1.  Roisin Murphy - "Overpowered" - sleek, literate, and legitimatizes the over-30 smart-pop/dance thang that others try and so frequently fail at. Besides, "Tell Everybody" actually makes one recall Dusty Springfield, and that's never a bad thing.....

  2.  Kylie Minogue - "X" - at (almost) 40 years of age with 20 of those as a pop strumpet, I had finally submitted when her turn of the century rebirth gave us the template all the other dance gals would pillage - but this time she goes one (or about six) better and gives us the Kylie that fucked Michael Hutchence performance we all knew she had in her with the opening  punch of "2 Hearts" and "Like A Drug".

  3.  Dragonette - "Galore" - it's 1983 all over again, with hooks Gwen Stefani should kill for.

  ROCK ME

  4.  Nine Inch Nails - "With Teeth"

  5.  John Fogerty - "Revival"

  6.  Interpol - "Our Love To Admire"

  Three separate examples of great albums only guys can do - bonus points for John Fogerty, who is old enough to be.......well, legit.

  NOT MY USUAL

  7.  Kanye West - "Graduation"

  8.  Patrick Wolf - "The Magic Position"

  The coolest young white guy and the coolest young black guy, both prone to outbursts in public, both deserving of the tons of praise heaped upon their every utterance.

  REISSUES OF NOTE

  9. The Complete Motown Singles Volume 8 - 1968

  10. The Complete Motown Singles Volume 9 - 1969.

  Never has one label given so much to so many for as long of a stretch as Mr Gordy's Motown.  The party was almost over by the end of volume 9, with the impending move to LA, and the lack of a cohesive songwriting team in the wake of the HDH defection of late '67 - though Ashford & Simpson, Norman Whitfield and Frank Wilson all delivered some fine goods.

  SoClose To The List

  Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings "100 Days, 100 Nights"
  Sophie Ellis Bextor - "Trip The Light Fantastic"
  MIA - "Kala"
  Candie Payne "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More"
  Plant & Krauss - "Raising Sand"

  by OneCharmingBastard on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:22:49 PM PDT

•  I've been on a Mexican rock kick

  so I bought Ozomatli's new album, "Don't Mess with the Dragon." Ozomatli is a Tower of Power-influenced horn section rock band that deftly combines a fusion of Mexican folk music, R&B and hip hop.

  They had a viral video contest, and this was the winner, for their song, City of Angels:

  by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:30:08 PM PDT

  •  Did I forget to mention it kicks ass?

    For a completely different corner of their range, here's La Gallina, a cumbia song that topped the Mexican radio charts.

    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:36:09 PM PDT

    •  Oh, and I forgot their political relevance

      They are huge liberals, pointedly defining themselves as multiracial and pro-peace. They met and formed the band at an LA community center. They performed at the pro-immigrant rallies in SoCal a year ago.

      by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:54:30 PM PDT

•  My favorite of 2007 ....

  Sharon Jones &the Dap Kings- 100 Days,100 Nights

  and for the politically relevant check out their single

  "Why Dont we All Stop Paying Taxes"
  ...music starts @ 2:50 ish

  Bside is a funky version of "this Land is your Land"

  gave me the goosebumps first time I heard Sharon's voice..... and this last song is CrUsHiN it!

  be prepared to wade deep into da FUNK....

  by kulshan on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:12:03 PM PDT

  •  political relevance above ^^^^^^^ n/t

    by kulshan on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:41:58 PM PDT

  •  Sharon Jones is phenomenal

    For all the hype around Winehouse (and she can sing fairly soulfully), Jones is the real article.

    by FischFry on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 08:51:27 AM PDT

•  What I dug

  Springsteen - Magic
  Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
  MIA - Kala
  Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
  LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
  The Go! Team - Proof of Youth

  by Dr Colossus on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:32:57 PM PDT

  •  Great!

    I didn't know Rilo Kiley had a release this year. The previous album, More Adventurous, had some strong, innovative material. Portions for Foxes has some unforgettable guitar melodies, not to mention strong, technical rips.

    It's a Hit is a great anti-war poem of a song. My favorite line: "And you panic and throw your own shit at the enemy."

    Blake Sennett is a highly under-rated guitar player, and Jenny Lewis has that great voice. The only reason they haven't become huge, imo, is they have been stigmatized as indy. They're a thinking person's No Doubt.

    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 10:59:18 PM PDT