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| From | "John L. Micek" <jlmicek@verizon.net> |
| Subject | Top 20 For 2007 |
| Date | Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:29:44 -0500 |
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Folks:
Here's my list of Top 20 LPs for the Year:
1. Fountains of Wayne, Traffic and Weather. Not as good "Interstate," and not a quarter as good as "Utopia Parkway," but Schlesinger and Collingswood on a bad day are still better than most on their best day.
2. The Church, "El Momento Siguente," another, even better collection of acoustic reinterpretations of Church classics, buttressed by some stellar new material.
3. Bobby Sutliff, "On A Ladder." If we're going to be serious about supporting the work of Auditeers, I can't think of a better place to start than here. Bobby, you consistently amaze me.
4. John Hoskinson, "Pancho Fantastico." Simply one of the best power-pop records I heard this year.
5. Lily Allen, Alright Still -- Seems like the best pop singles are still made by the ladies. Not sure why that is. But "Smile," and "LDN," were absolutely top singles.
6. Kate Nash, Made of Bricks -- "Foundations," got stuck in my head this fall and wouldn't go away. I've high hopes for Ms. Nash.
7. Milkshake Jones, "Gala Days." Hell, yes, I'm going to vote for my own band. Could have been worse -- I could have made dispensed with objectivity altogether and made it my No. 1 pick.
8. Mark Ronson, "Version." A producer helmed record that works. See the Timbaland LP as the exact opposite of this effort.
9. Girls Aloud, "Tangled Up." Because everyone needs some pre-fab pop in their day.
10. Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky." Yes, they're in the Top 10. And yes, I'll vote for 'em unapologetically.
11. Manic Street Preachers, Send Away The Tigers. Nearly two decades into their career, Mr. James Dean Bradway and co. prove that there's life in the old boy yet. A fine rock record.
12. Teagan and Sara, "The Con." Fell for 'em with "Where Does The Good Go," and stuck with 'em.
13. Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black." Yes, she's a car-crash. But she's a damned exciting vocalist.
14. Art Brut,"It's A Bit Complicated." A band that straddles that delicate line between one-note joke and great combo. Eddie Argos may well be pop's most deadpan frontman since Jonathan Richman.
15. The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Takes a while to unlock its charms, but it's worth it.
16. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Trip the Light Fantastic." Aristocratic pop from an English ice princess. What is it with these Brits and their indispensable pop.
17. New Young Pony Club, "Fantastic Playroom." Their tune "Ice Cream," was one of my top singles on the year.
18. The Cardigans, "Life." There's more here than just "Love Fool." Lord, how I love Nina Persson's voice.
19. Mitch Easter, "Dynamico." I didn't realize how much I'd missed him.
20. Shalini, "The Surface and the Shine." Released just in time for the end of the year.
Top 20 Tracks:
1. Rihanna, Featuring Jay-Z, "Umbrella." Inescapble, and the Single of The Year, as far as I'm concerned.
2. Fountains of Wayne, "Yolanda Hayes." I love the piano opening.
3. Manic Street Preachers, "Autumn Song." The most powerful opening to a pop song I heard all year.
4. Michael Slawter, "Counting to 10." Does Paul Westerberg know Mike stole his mojo?
5. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Catch You." Just stunning.
6. Natasha Bedingfield,"Love Like This." So catchy, it hurts.
7. Art Brut, "Post-Soothing Out." Is there a better encapsulation of life than, "Every day is just like starting over. We try so hard, but keep on falling over?"
8. "Stop Me." Mark Ronson. A great Smiths cover.
9. "Wasted Little DJs" The View. A vote for best new act.
10. "The Blinding," Babyshambles. Pete Doherty rediscovers his talent.
11. "Sexy, No. No. No." Girls Aloud. Like Sophie, just stunning. The ultimate in disposable pop.
12. "Love It Like This," The Twang. The Happy Mondays called. They're reuniting and would like their sound back. Maybe that's why I dig this tune so much.
13. "Impossible Germany," Wilco. Weird title. Great tune. Even if it is about the travails of life on the road.
14. "Ice Cream," New Young Pony Club. Go ahead, don't shake your ass. I dare you.
15. "Hey Eugene," Pink Martini. Just swing already.
16. "Rehab," Amy Winehouse. Because no year-end list would be complete without it.
17. "Real Girl," Mutya Buena. Where the talent in Sugababes formerly resided.
18, "Tell Me 'Bout It," Joss Stone. Can't help it. Just dig the girl.
19. "I Want A New Scene," Mitch Easter.
20. "In Transit," Albert Hammond Jr.
There you go. Let the brickbats and disagreements begin.
John Micek
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