2007 was an interesting music year for me. I feel like I incorporated a lot of new things into my listening, and for the first time in a couple years, I feel like I might have enough songs for an end of the year mix. That's pure speculation, because I haven't tried anything. And my recollections of music years get muddled and I end up thinking things like: were the Kooks 2006 or 2007? Which year did I discover Josh Ritter? And then I get so confused by trying to remember that I give up. But anyway, here's a list of some songs that were good in 2007. Most of them were released in 2007, but there are some aberrations--things that I discovered last year that are too good to leave out.
- All Year's Leaving -- The Stands. I have obsessively listened to this song for the past few months. This song is OLD (2004), and the band doesn't even exist anymore. How sad is that? But I love the album this is from, and I love this song. The lyrics really speak to me, and while that's not always something that matters to me in a song, sometimes they make a song that much better. The singer's voice is almost Dylan-esque--whiny and nasal--and while I usually hate that, I love it on this song (and album). I'd say that these songs have a 70's flavor to them, and that's good, in my opinion. Also, the quality of this song goes up the louder it gets. I can't wait to listen to it with all the windows down and it blasting.
- 1, 2, 3, 4 -- Feist. I've expressed my admiration for this song on the blog before, and to my immense pleasure, it's been a lasting admiration. Feist's live performance on SNL dimmed that admiration for a short while, but I can't deny how fun it is to listen to the song in the car. Music is also notably improved for me if I can sing along to it in a loud voice (did you ever work with me at the bookstore? shop in the bookstore when I was there? Yeah, that was me singing.), and this song is a true sing-along song. Apple is smart for using this song, because it's memorable, and it's good. Buyer beware, though. I think the rest of the album is pretty sub-par.
- Silver Lining -- Rilo Kiley. Okay, the video for this song was posted on the blog, for god's sake. You already know that I love it. But the truth is, I wavered about putting this on here, because I like the song "Under the Blacklight" almost as much as this tune. Maybe more, on some days. But I came back to this one, because it really is a showcase for Jenny Lewis' voice. I think the actual music is muted so much so that the song becomes all about her. Not that her voice isn't strong in all of RK's stuff, but this song is just more her. The lyrics are also incredibly easy to learn, and it is SO enjoyable to sing along to. If it comes on when I'm at my desk, sometimes I just say "fuck it" and sing out loud at work. I love it that much.
- Smile -- Lily Allen. This song is pop genius. I'm not getting sick of it. I want to hear it when I'm in a good mood, and I like to hear it when I'm in a bad mood. Allen's sweet voice contrasts brilliantly with the uber-mean lyrics. It's fun to sing along with. There's nothing deep to say about it; it's pop, but it's good pop.
- Rise Up With Fists!! -- Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. This album interested me not at all when it came out, and I'm still not interested, save for this song. When we saw RK this year, they played this song, and I fell in love with it. It's another song that I sing along to obsessively, at very loud volumes (me and the song!). I suppose it bears saying that Lewis doesn't write the greatest lyrics, and that's true on this song, as well as the previous song. But that doesn't matter, when the package the lyrics are wrapped is so beautiful.
- Cold December -- Matt Costa. I can't remember if this song is technically 2006 or 2007. But I don't care. My affection for it is definitely tied to 2007, so it's going in. This song is probably best characterized as pop, and that's how it plays to me. It's very hooky, to me, if that makes sense. I've listened to the whole album it's from a few times now, and this is definitely my favorite song from it.
- 100 Days, 100 Nights -- Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. I am so not ashamed to say I found this band on PerezHilton.com. Perez apparently admires Ms. Sharon Jones, and with good reason. This song is the best of the lot, as far as I'm concerned, though the earlier album by the band is definitely better as a whole. Jones' voice is real, and it sounds old. Like she's singing in the 60's and they've added some music later on. Though, honestly, the music retains that 60's Motown sensibility, which is what the Dap Kings are notable for (Amy Winehouse's album was produced by them). Frankly, there are times when I'm craving music like this, and this shit hits the spot. Also, Jones' story is compelling; she's an older lady who was working as a prison guard. And now she's singing like this.
- You Know I'm No Good -- Amy Winehouse. Winehouse is the pop, produced version of Sharon Jones, but that doesn't make me like her less. I couldn't get enough of this album after I first got my hands on it, and while I don't listen to it as much now, I'm still always pleasantly surprised when I give it a spin, because it's consistently good. This is my absolute favorite song on the album. I like how Winehouse's voice sounds, and I like the backing music a LOT. Winehouse isn't for everyone, it's true, but before you decide, you should give the entire album a spin.
- No One's Gonna Love You -- Band of Horses. If I've got things right, this band was discovered by Sam through Starbucks' mp3 giveaways. He really likes the album, but I don't love it. That said, I've grown kind of attached to this song, which he knew I would if he played it enough. I can't quite figure out if the song is good or bad, but I like the main lyric a lot--"No one's gonna love you more than I do". I wish I knew if that was ominous or lovely. I wish I knew what the unique sounds were in the song, because I just don't. I can't tell you about the technical aspects of the thing, only that the way it sounds put together is just brilliant.
- Breathless -- Corinne Bailey Rae. The sounds are lush. That's all I can think to say about the music. And I don't always want to hear this song. It's almost too much at times. But if I were making a mix, it would definitely go on. Rae's voice is clear and precious, and I like that quality a lot.
- My Love (featuring T.I.) -- Justin Timberlake. I generally only like Timberlake's singles, and this last album is no exception. But when I like them, I REALLY like them. There are some noises in this song that I find annoying (Is that annoying midget laughter in the background? Is that necessary?), but that's forgivable, because I like the rest of the song so much.
- Knocked Up -- Kings of Leon. Can I go on record as saying that I've liked this band considerably since their first release? Because it seems like they're blowing up (or maybe that's just in my apartment. All my entreaties for Sam to listen to them did no good. He had to go and "discover" this album on his own, and then he deigned to listen to the other albums.) and I just want to put my claim in. This is an incredible! song. Caleb Followill's voice is like sex. Especially on this song. I'm sorry, there's no other way to say it. I love the stress you can hear in his voice, and I love
those muted yelling "Whoas" that are at the end of the song. I LOVE them. This was easily one of the highlights of the concert.
That might be it. 12 songs? That's not bad. I'm not planning on this being issued in CD form at all, but if you're just dying for a copy, let me know, and I'll get it to you somehow.
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