2007: Revisited
Dec. 27th, 2008 04:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
urgencytobleedAlright, from this point on, I am going to attempt to post my end of the year listage over the course of the next week - though I don't know if that will actually happen as I don't actually have it completely ready. But I'm going to try. Anyway, to start things off, I've been thinking a lot about my list last year and how if I did it again now, it would really be very different. I still like a lot of those albums but some not as much anymore, some even more, and a couple have kind of worn off of me completely. I don't really have the patience to completely redo my list at this point - and I would probably need more than the ten slots I initially filled - but I do want to mention a few albums that if I had liked them so much then would definitely have had a bigger chance of making it. A few of these I did list as honorable mentions but I've grown to like them even more since then so I feel like they deserve a bit more. Others are artists that I didn't really discover until this year so they weren't on my radar at all at the time. And since I already have to upload a shitload of stuff for my '08 list, a lot of these songs are just copied and pasted links from previous posts, unless I hadn't posted much from that band previously. So you probably already have a lot of these but, oh well, here they are in case you don't - and of course, there are still a good amount of songs I've never posted before.
1997 - A Better View of the Rising Moon
I liked this when it came out last year but I didn't love it until this year. Basically, it's just extremely catchy, the lyrics are pretty good for the most part, and all three vocalists are very talented and the harmonies are out of this world. Just listen to the near-end of "The Roads You Can Take": "I'll give you my love if you say that it's time/I'll tear down the walls you've built up in our lives/As the barrier breaks between your heart and mine/You would die to forget, I would live to remind you." Yes, please. It just sounds so perfect and lovely. This record isn't anything terribly unique but it's very good regardless.
Curse or Cure // Droppin' Dimes // Tennessee Song
Art in Manila - Set the Woods on Fire
In regards to my favorite half of Azure Ray, I used to have a bigger soft spot for Maria and thought Orenda's solo work was a bit on the boring side (which I guess can be argued for Maria's and well, Azure Ray itself, as well - they don't exactly make the most dynamic music in the world). But this year, that kind of changed. I still probably love Maria the most but now I love Orenda almost as much. And I like this album a whole lot. It's got tons of flawless harmonizing between Orenda and another of my favorite ladies, Adrienne Verhoeven (ex-The Anniversary) and the music is, of course, on the softer side but it's also very dark and slightly sinister and even gritty at times. Almost every song is great; it's just the kind of thing you have to be in a certain mood to get the most out of.
The Game // I Thought I Was Free // The Sweat Descends
Brighten - King Vs Queen
These guys are really good. I have to thank my sister for getting me to listen to them because it was all her doing and usually our music tastes don't converge much. Anyway, it's just really catchy and upbeat and fun to listen to. There are probably only two or three songs I don't care much about but the rest are excellent. I like that it's got a straightforwardly poppy and catchy side but it's also got those songs that are darker and less conventional; those are the ones that really show how good this band can be - "Darling Nicotine", "Television", etc.
Darling Nicotine // Television // Treasure Island
Fourth of July - On the Plains
How did I end up not even mentioning this last year when at one point I was briefly considering it for my top ten? I'm not sure. But it is a fun record, very sunny and happy and bouncy and just makes you feel good. It features, yet again, a certain Adrienne Verhoeven on background vocals (how many bands is this girl in?!?) but I promise, that's not the only reason I like it. It's nothing too thought-provoking or deep (though it does have its moments) but it is pretty much a guaranteed mood-booster and all of the songs are pretty short, so it doesn't overstay its welcome and is really enjoyable to listen to every once in awhile.
The Faint // Purple Heart // She's in Love
Lovedrug - Everything Starts Where It Ends
I have to mention this because it's way better than this year's The Sucker Punch Show. It's so good, in fact, that it's hard for me to actually pick favorites from it. Michael Shepard's voice is completely unique and interesting, though it does initially take some getting used to, and his vocal delivery propels these songs to the next level. All of the songs have this sort of epic quality to them - there are a few that reach past five minutes but even the three-minute tracks feel massive and expansive and bigger than the sound. Between Shepard's voice and that aspect of their music, they really stand out from a lot of other bands that they may be compared to.
American Swimming Lesson // Doomsday & the Echo // Pushing the Shine
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
I also have to mention my love for Okkervil River in general. They've made a huge impact on me this year and though this album is probably my least favorite so far of what I've heard, that's not to say it's bad or even mediocre or even just good - it's still amazing. Some of the little tricks Will Sheff uses in his songs here are so clever: the referencing of several numerically-titled songs in "Plus Ones", writing about little-known figures in the entertainment world ("Savannah Smiles"), and seamlessly weaving "Sloop John B" into "John Allyn Smith Sails", among others. Not to mention the fact that his lyrics are just plain awesome anyway. And the music, too. And the emotion and intensity in his voice kills me every single time. Basically, everything about this is good so I'll stop gushing now.
A Girl in Port // A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene // John Allyn Smith Sails
Straylight Run - The Needles, the Space
If I was to redo my top ten of 2007, this would without a doubt be in it. Actually, it did take me a really long time to decide what should go into the number ten position and this was a very serious contender - of course, it figures that the album I did end up putting there wore off of me pretty quickly while this one just kept getting better. I know a lot of hardcore Straylight Run fans were disappointed with this record but I happen to think it's amazing. Almost every song is perfect beyond words and I love that they tried out so many different styles and ideas. Only a couple songs end up sounding half-baked which I think is a pretty impressive feat. I've kind of lost interest in any future output since Michelle left the band; her vocals just added this subtle yet necessary layer to the music that may not have been very obvious when it was there, but is very obvious when it's gone, and I can't imagine myself adoring anything without her. But at least there is always this and their earlier work to look back on.
The First of the Century // This Is the End (acoustic) // The Words We Say
1997 - A Better View of the Rising Moon
I liked this when it came out last year but I didn't love it until this year. Basically, it's just extremely catchy, the lyrics are pretty good for the most part, and all three vocalists are very talented and the harmonies are out of this world. Just listen to the near-end of "The Roads You Can Take": "I'll give you my love if you say that it's time/I'll tear down the walls you've built up in our lives/As the barrier breaks between your heart and mine/You would die to forget, I would live to remind you." Yes, please. It just sounds so perfect and lovely. This record isn't anything terribly unique but it's very good regardless.
Curse or Cure // Droppin' Dimes // Tennessee Song
Art in Manila - Set the Woods on Fire
In regards to my favorite half of Azure Ray, I used to have a bigger soft spot for Maria and thought Orenda's solo work was a bit on the boring side (which I guess can be argued for Maria's and well, Azure Ray itself, as well - they don't exactly make the most dynamic music in the world). But this year, that kind of changed. I still probably love Maria the most but now I love Orenda almost as much. And I like this album a whole lot. It's got tons of flawless harmonizing between Orenda and another of my favorite ladies, Adrienne Verhoeven (ex-The Anniversary) and the music is, of course, on the softer side but it's also very dark and slightly sinister and even gritty at times. Almost every song is great; it's just the kind of thing you have to be in a certain mood to get the most out of.
The Game // I Thought I Was Free // The Sweat Descends
Brighten - King Vs Queen
These guys are really good. I have to thank my sister for getting me to listen to them because it was all her doing and usually our music tastes don't converge much. Anyway, it's just really catchy and upbeat and fun to listen to. There are probably only two or three songs I don't care much about but the rest are excellent. I like that it's got a straightforwardly poppy and catchy side but it's also got those songs that are darker and less conventional; those are the ones that really show how good this band can be - "Darling Nicotine", "Television", etc.
Darling Nicotine // Television // Treasure Island
Fourth of July - On the Plains
How did I end up not even mentioning this last year when at one point I was briefly considering it for my top ten? I'm not sure. But it is a fun record, very sunny and happy and bouncy and just makes you feel good. It features, yet again, a certain Adrienne Verhoeven on background vocals (how many bands is this girl in?!?) but I promise, that's not the only reason I like it. It's nothing too thought-provoking or deep (though it does have its moments) but it is pretty much a guaranteed mood-booster and all of the songs are pretty short, so it doesn't overstay its welcome and is really enjoyable to listen to every once in awhile.
The Faint // Purple Heart // She's in Love
Lovedrug - Everything Starts Where It Ends
I have to mention this because it's way better than this year's The Sucker Punch Show. It's so good, in fact, that it's hard for me to actually pick favorites from it. Michael Shepard's voice is completely unique and interesting, though it does initially take some getting used to, and his vocal delivery propels these songs to the next level. All of the songs have this sort of epic quality to them - there are a few that reach past five minutes but even the three-minute tracks feel massive and expansive and bigger than the sound. Between Shepard's voice and that aspect of their music, they really stand out from a lot of other bands that they may be compared to.
American Swimming Lesson // Doomsday & the Echo // Pushing the Shine
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
I also have to mention my love for Okkervil River in general. They've made a huge impact on me this year and though this album is probably my least favorite so far of what I've heard, that's not to say it's bad or even mediocre or even just good - it's still amazing. Some of the little tricks Will Sheff uses in his songs here are so clever: the referencing of several numerically-titled songs in "Plus Ones", writing about little-known figures in the entertainment world ("Savannah Smiles"), and seamlessly weaving "Sloop John B" into "John Allyn Smith Sails", among others. Not to mention the fact that his lyrics are just plain awesome anyway. And the music, too. And the emotion and intensity in his voice kills me every single time. Basically, everything about this is good so I'll stop gushing now.
A Girl in Port // A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene // John Allyn Smith Sails
Straylight Run - The Needles, the Space
If I was to redo my top ten of 2007, this would without a doubt be in it. Actually, it did take me a really long time to decide what should go into the number ten position and this was a very serious contender - of course, it figures that the album I did end up putting there wore off of me pretty quickly while this one just kept getting better. I know a lot of hardcore Straylight Run fans were disappointed with this record but I happen to think it's amazing. Almost every song is perfect beyond words and I love that they tried out so many different styles and ideas. Only a couple songs end up sounding half-baked which I think is a pretty impressive feat. I've kind of lost interest in any future output since Michelle left the band; her vocals just added this subtle yet necessary layer to the music that may not have been very obvious when it was there, but is very obvious when it's gone, and I can't imagine myself adoring anything without her. But at least there is always this and their earlier work to look back on.
The First of the Century // This Is the End (acoustic) // The Words We Say
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no subject
Date: 2008-12-28 09:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-28 05:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-29 12:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-29 02:20 am (UTC)Anyway, yeah, I've heard a bit of the Honorary Title and don't like them that much, but I do see the similarities now that you mention it. There is another band I've been into lately as well, Dear and the Headlights, and I think their lead singer sounds so much like the Honorary Title's at times, too.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 09:18 pm (UTC)I never listen to LC! these days. Haven't even checked out their new album. Have you?
Never listened to Dear and the Headlights but I have heard of them. Hm.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 09:26 pm (UTC)I don't listen to LC! nearly as much anymore. I still love them, though. I do have the new album. It's good, it's grown on me, but it's not nearly as good as HONY, in my opinion. I wasn't expecting it to be, though.
DATH aren't exactly amazing or anything but they're pretty good. I wouldn't have checked them out either but I heard this one song randomly and was surprised by how good it was.