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| From | "Ed Lynn" <pasquinade@gmail.com> |
| Subject | My Top 20 List for 2007 |
| Date | Tue, 8 Jan 2008 11:07:50 -0500 |
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1. John Hoskinson "Pancho Fantastico"
2. The Red Button "She's About To Cross My Mind"
These two are virtually tied, but Hoskinson is fractionally better in
my opinion. I loved every track on both discs--which is rare for me.
3. Fountains of Wayne "Traffic and Weather"
Loved the new FoW, but I thought Welcome Interstate Managers was a
better set of tracks. There are one or two tracks on this one that I
just sort of grew to not like as much after several listens.
4. Mike Viola "Lurch"
Another solid disc from one of my favorite power pop voices.
5. Ingrid Michaelson "Girls and Boys"
I discovered her music through podcasting songs from this disc (and
not via Grey's Anatomy or Old Navy ads, as so many others did), ended
up seeing her live a couple times in 2007, and am now completely
hooked. A beautiful voice and nicely crafted pop songs.
6. The Eagles "Long Road Out of Eden"
If Radiohead hadn't virtually given their album away, this would have
certainly been the bargain of the year. Two discs, twelve bucks,
through Wal-Mart. And the music holds up well. The first disc feels
like classic Eagles and the second disc moves around in other
directions (but not too far).
7. Nushu "Nevermind Lullabye"
Lisa Mychols and Hillary Burton's fun, poppy collaboration. Favorites
are easily "Popsound" and "Falkner's In Love," but the rest of the
disc does not disappoint.
8. Admiral Twin "The Center of the Universe"
I discovered these guys a couple of months ago on the Podsafe Music
Network, just a few weeks before they discovered my podcast. Admiral
Twin is just the sort of band I love playing when I'm doing anything
active. Fun, energetic power pop.
9. The Mooney Suzuki "Have Mercy"
Classic rock for the new millennium. Especially "99 Percent" and "Good
Ol' Alcohol."
10. Emerson Hart "Cigarettes and Gasoline"
Solo effort from the former lead singer of Tonic.
11. Winterpills "The Light Divides"
Their sophomore effort. It hasn't grown on me like the self-titled
debut, but it has its peaks.
12. The Krinkles "3: The Mordorlorff Collection"
Another group I discovered through the PMN and subsequently played on
the podcast. Highlights for me include "Sweet On You," "Friday Night,"
and a cover of Rick Springfield's "Love Is Alright Tonite."
13. Collective Soul "Afterwords"
Similar to the Eagles-WalMart collaboration, "Afterwords" was a
Target-only offering. I've enjoyed their previous CDs, and I really
like this one, but it has yet to really grow on me like the ones
before it.
14. The Bird and the Bee "The Bird and the Bee"
I first heard of Inara George through her duet with Mike Viola on his
live CD "Just Before Dark." So when I heard she was the voice behind
The Bird and the Bee, I had to check it out. Lots of great tunes here
and her voice is so wonderful. "Again and Again" is really fun, and
"F***ing Boyfriend" is worth repeated plays.
15. America "Here and Now"
For me, it was the collaborations with James Iha and Adam Schlesinger
that really made this one shine. The stand-out track was their cover
of Nada Surf's "Always Love" (which also renewed my interest in Nada
Surf).
16. Myracle Brah "Can You Feel The Myracle Brah?"
17. Monkeeman "Jumping On The Monkey Train"
I picked these two up digitally back in December after seeing them on
some early lists. Excellent tunes, but neither has completely grown on
me yet.
18. The Grey Race "Give It Love"
Another band I discovered through the podcast. Excellent CD overall.
"On The Chin" is a cut above.
19. Apples In Stereo "New Magnetic Wonder"
Not as good as some of their previous work, but still I love this
band. I couldn't stop humming "Energy" for months after I heard it.
20. Josh Rouse "Country Mouse, City House"
Josh's last two CDs haven't grabbed me the way "1972" and "Nashville"
did. Still, anything on this disc is better than whatever they're
playing on broadcast radio these days.
ed.
--
For the best in independent rock and power pop, check out the latest
episode of "Suitcase Full of Dimes." Show #79/80 features my favorite
podsafe songs of 2007. New shows posted as often as I can make them at
http://suitcasefullofdimes.blogspot.com.
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