Top Music of 2007

Best Albums of 2007

1. Twilight Sad: Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
I think I’ve got a weakness for anthems.  These guys make great tunes that the singers full-on Glaswegian lilt make especially fun for me to sing along

2. Marnie Stern: In Advance of the Broken Arm
Is this really my second favourite album of the year?  I don’t know, what I do know is that despite being the bastard child of Eddie Vanhalen and Captain Beefheart I find myself listening to her album again and again.

3. Blonde Redhead: 23
Great melodies that just circle round and round in your head, there’s nothing else to say.

3. Radiohead: In Rainbows
A great release.  I’m slightly disappointed that I thought I was buying in to a totally new way to buy music only to find that a CD release and closure of the download website are heppening at the end of the month.  It’s unfortunate that they’ve let all this obscure the music.

4. The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
A fantastic second album, but just not quite as good as the first.  Still though the only band to appear in my top 5 albums and live act list.

5. St Vincent: Marry Me
6. Thurston Moore: Trees Outside the Academy
7. Future of the Left: Curses
8. The Drones: Gala Mill
9. QOTSA: Era Vulgaris
10. Bat For Lashes: Fur and Gold

Older Albums That I Heard and Really Enjoyed This Year

1. Modest Mouse: Interstate 8
2. The Thermals: The Body, The Blood, The Machine
3. CSS: Cansei De Ser Sexy (Brazilian release)
4. Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton: The Knives Don’t Have Your Back
5. Mclusky: Mcluskyism
6. Lupe Fiasco: Food and Liquor

Live Shows
It’s been a great year for live music for me.  Here’s hoping I see such great stuff next year.

1. Arcade Fire (Barrowlands, Glasgow)
A brilliant act on the top of their game.  I read a disappointing review of them playing a larger venue in Glasgow last month, I’m so glad I got to see them on the crest of greatness.
Review

2. Bjork (Connect Festival, Iverarie)
An amazing performance.  A musician that will never be dwarfed by her
fame or appeal.  Spectacular and powerful.
Connect Festival Review

3. Aereogramme (Connect Festival, Iverarie, and QMU and Classic Grand,
Glasgow)
A long time favourite band of mine played their final gigs this year before calling it a day.  I saw them three times this year and they played their hearts out ferociously each time.
Gig Review
Connect Festival Review

4. Foo Fighters (Meadowbank Athletics Stadium, Edinburgh)
I’d wager they’re best straight rock band performing right now.  Whatever you think of their recorded output live they’re unstoppable.

5. Modest Mouse (Connect Festival, Iverarie)
A fascinating performance and great showcase for the songs.
Connect Festival Review

6. Cat Power Review
7. Seasick Steve
8. QOTSA
9. Bat For Lashes
10. Hold Steady