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| From | "Will Harris" <NonStopPop@cox.net> |
| Subject | Top 10 of 2007 |
| Date | Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:00:34 -0500 |
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1. Paul McCartney: Memory Almost Full
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/paul_mccartney-memory_almost_full
.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/paul_mccartney-memory_almost_full
.htm>
Familiarity supposedly breeds contempt, but with Paul McCartney's latest
album, it's only served to inspire further spins. Well, except for those
last two songs. (Even after six months of listening, I'd still just as soon
turn the record off after "House of Wax.") But prior to that, the greatness
of "Dance Tonight," "Ever Present Past," "Only Mama Knows," and "Mr.
Bellamy" easily warrants a #1 position from this longtime Macca supporter.
2. Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/fountains_of_wayne-traffic_and_we
ather.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/fountains_of_wayne-traffic_and_we
ather.htm>
No, it didn't contain another "Stacey's Mom," but everyone figured that had
just been a fluke hit anyway, so it was easy to set aside commercial
expectations and just enjoy the pop songs.
3. Lily Allen: Alright, Still
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/lily_allen-alright_still.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/lily_allen-alright_still.htm>
Equal parts Nellie McKay, Madness and Robbie Williams, there's way more
bouncy pop fun to be had here than in a half-dozen Amy Winehouse records.
4. Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/arctic_monkeys-favourite_worst_ni
ghtmare.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/arctic_monkeys-favourite_worst_ni
ghtmare.htm>
No sophomore slump here, friends. The second time around brings just as much
enthusiasm and, thankfully, it's accompanied by plenty of great music as
well.
5. Silver Sun: Dad's Weird Dream
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/silver_sun-dads_weird_dream.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/silver_sun-dads_weird_dream.htm>
One of the best, if most unheralded, power pop bands in Britain. Frontman
James Broad writes 'em short, sweet and catchy as hell.
6. Kalli: While the City Sleeps
Once of the Icelandic band Without Gravity, Kalli has moved on to greener
pastures and gone the solo route, and his debut sounds like it was recorded
by a-ha between 1990's East of the Sun, West of the Moon and 1993's Memorial
Beach. That's a good thing. Honest.
7. Colin Hay: Are You Lookin' At Me?
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/colin_hay-are_you_lookin_at_me.ht
m>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/colin_hay-are_you_lookin_at_me.ht
m>
He'll probably never shift the same kind of units in his solo career as he
did with Men at Work's Business as Usual, but with these 12 songs, he proves
he's still one of the best songwriters in the biz.
8. Nick Lowe: At My Age
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/nick_lowe-at_my_age.htm>
<http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/nick_lowe-at_my_age.htm>
The Jesus of Cool emerges from another multi-year hiatus, singing as smooth
as ever and providing another blend of originals and perfectly-chosen covers
-- but I'm still grumpy that he wouldn't give us an interview. I mean,
seriously, what's that about?
9. Brett Anderson: Brett Anderson
After re-teaming with his former bandmate, Bernard Butler, for their project
as the Tears, onetime Suede frontman Brett Anderson finally goes it solo. It
was worth the wait, but would you expect any less from a guy with a voice
that smooth?
10. Cobra Starship: Viva la Cobra!
Blame my wife for this one. I like these guys, but she freaking loves them,
which means that I've heard their new record more than I might have
otherwise. The end result is the realization that, despite people's lazy
decision to write them off as "those 'Snakes on a Plane' guys," they just
want to have a good time, and their sophomore effort serves as the perfect
soundtrack for others to do the same.
Best,
WiLL
William Harris
Associate Editor
Bullz-Eye.com
1403 Earle Ave.
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Ph. (757) 624-1390
E-mail NonStopPop@cox.net
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/nonstoppop
(Now a proud member of the Television Critics Association!)
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