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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Jordan Sovereign <kingwart@gmail.com> |
| Subject | Re: Audities Top 20 of 2007 poll -- POLLS ARE OPEN |
| Date | Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:44:30 -0600 |
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My List:
01 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
02 Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
03 The Nines - Gran Jukle's Field
04 Travis - The Boy With No Name
05 Rooney - Calling The World
06 Electric Soft Parade - No Need To Be Downhearted
07 Brakes - Beatific Visions
08 Farrah - Cut Out And Keep
09 Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
10 Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
11 Eleni Mandell - Miracle of Five
12 Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
13 Brandi Carlile - The Story
14 Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
15 Kelly Willis - Translated From Love
16 They Might Be Giants - The Else
17 Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This
18 The Supers - Re: Arrange
19 The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
20 Missy Higgins - On A Clear Day
My Detailed List:
01 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
This is a great record. It is more approachable than their last album,
while still maintaining that unique and interesting sound. It's a
rocking album that doesn't really slow down and keeps it entertaining
for the full CD.
02 Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
They got better? Who knew? I thought they were a great improvement with
"The Sunlandic Twins" a few years back, but this album is even better.
Despite an 11 minute song in the middle, most of these songs are great,
with a mix of several artists and styles that they come out with
something uniquely their own.
03 The Nines - Gran Jukle's Field
Always good to hear The Nines. Fantastic songs and great production.
Bleu helped out a bit with this record and it is noticeable. The
combination of both personalities creates something really interesting.
04 Travis - The Boy With No Name
A great return for an artist. After 6 years without an album, this is a
ray of light from their dark last album. It reminds me of why I liked
them in the first place. It is a fine addition to a great set of albums
before.
05 Rooney - Calling The World
After 5 years or so, you never know what you will get from a band that
had such a great debut, but Rooney have delivered something that fits
alongside and apart from their first album. They still have a knack for
writing cool songs, while stepping away from some of the relaxed sound
of the first one, rocking out a bit more and they still seem to be
having fun with it, which is great.
06 Electric Soft Parade - No Need To Be Downhearted
They have really found their sound and what they do well, it is a great
record, really makes you feel good.
07 Brakes - Beatific Visions
Fantastic. A really fun, energetic record, with just a great sense of
humor and thoughtful lyrics, make it a complete package.
08 Farrah - Cut Out And Keep
A really fun record. This album is energetic, catchy and a thrill to
listen to. It is a consistently good record and really great summer
listening. I think it is as good if not better than their previous
releases, all of which I have enjoyed thoroughly.
09 Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Another great one from Josh Ritter, and again a change from his previous
stuff. That is a good sign. His sound now is an amalgam of genres that
makes him unique sounding and yet he fits alongside any indie band
around. It's an exciting album and keeps the pace up the entire time.
10 Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Jens Lekman is great. And his music is getting even better. I think this
album offers a fuller sound, not necessary, but it does add to the
overall effect of the album. I think he was influenced a bit more on
this record by 60's soul records or the like. A lot of fun and interesting.
11 Eleni Mandell - Miracle of Five
Can't go wrong with Eleni Mandell, this CD is a cool set of songs. It’s
a little mellower than some other efforts, but with cool instrumentation
and sounds.
12 Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
Awesome, back to writing albums of songs rather than epic arrangements
and concepts. This is a collection of songs that are all good and
interesting and unique. They stand alone great, and is a return to form
that is much appreciated by me.
13 Brandi Carlile - The Story
Fantastic album from Carlile, this brings back that over the top style
that she does so well. Overall a good listen, not quite as melodic and
catchy as the first one, but it definitely has the same energy and
intenseness.
14 Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
As much as I did like their last two CD's they do tend to get a little
old, with all the deconstructing and all that. This brings back a much
more classic band sound, which is good. I think it is different than a
lot of their stuff, a few more influences coming in, but it is a
refreshing listen from Wilco.
15 Kelly Willis - Translated From Love
Quite a good record, and different than her last. I think she has
continued to move more and more away from her country roots, while still
maintaining that attitude and a little twang. She gets some help from
Jules Shear, who is great and definitely brings some pop sounds to it.
She also covers an Iggy Pop song, an Adam Green song, so it is very
eclectic and enjoyable.
16 They Might Be Giants - The Else
Always a good choice, TMBG give a collection of songs that is great. The
additional production help from the Dust Brothers is welcome and really
enhances the album with a refreshing sound. The fact that they can
manage to write cool, entertaining, unique songs after 20+ years is a
testament to their talent.
17 Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This
Excellent record. It is great to hear his songs with more of a fuller
arrangement, besides just guitar. It adds a lot and made this record one
of my favorites.
18 The Supers - Re: Arrange
Really good record. I wasn't sure if they even still made music, so
hearing this was a refreshing blast. It is a great power pop record.
19 The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
I really like the energy of this band. They are not hyperactive, but
they also aren't depressingly mellow. They have a nice balance of soft
and loud sounds. Both lyrically and musically. This album is definitely
a step up from some of their previous efforts.
20 Missy Higgins - On A Clear Day
She did a great job with this record. She has a knack for writing good
songs. It is as good if not better than the first.
Honorable Mentions (no order):
Admiral Twin - The Center Of The Universe
Aliens - Astronomy for Dogs
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
Apples In Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder
Autumn Defense - Autumn Defense
Coconut Records - Nighttiming
Dan Bryk - Discount Store
Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather
The Hoosiers - The Trick To Life
Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd.
Jason Falkner - I'm OK, You're OK
Ken Sharp - Sonic Crayons
Motion City Soundtrack - Even If It Kills Me
Readymade Breakup - Isn't That What It's For?
Red Button - She's About To Cross My Mind
The Reigning Sound - Too Much Guitar
Rick Altizer - Scripture Memory-Pop Symphonies
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Living With The Living
Teddy Thompson - Upfront and Down Low
Thanks,
Jordan
P.S. I just joined the list this year, I had heard legends of the
Audities list but never joined until this year, I usually have nothing
to say, but enjoy hearing your discussions and recommendations!
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