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| From | Hersh Forman <hiforman@yahoo.com> |
| Subject | Top Few of 2007 |
| Date | Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:45:16 -0800 (PST) |
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1. Matt Nathanson – Some Mad Hope
My musical “discovery” of the year and the CD that I spent the most time with by FAR. While some of you know of his previous indie efforts and even his 2003 major label debut “Beneath These Fireworks”, “Some Mad Hope” is a joyous event when everything comes together in one glorious 12 song tour-de-force. The evolution of an artist. Engaging and genuinely funny live to boot. EXTREMELY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
2. Ken Sharp – Sonic Crayons
How this one isn’t one more lists I’ve seen to date is puzzling to me. I am only conclude most of you haven’t heard it yet! Worth the price of admission alone for “Better Every Day”. Run, don’t walk to www.myspace.com/kensharpmusic , read what Eric Carmen says about the album and get it for yourself!
3. David Fagin – For Promotional Use Only
I know there are many fans of the Rosenbergs out there in Audities land, so why haven’t I seen this on any lists? David steps out from behind The Rosenbergs and shows once again why he’s one of the most talented, yet underappreciated artists.
4. Nelson Bragg – Day Into Night
In a year without a new record from Cloud Eleven, Nelson Bragg’s “Day Into Night” fills the void, with Rick Gallego playing on the CD.
5. Josh Rouse – Country House City Mouse
With one of the smoothest voices around today – like buttah – has Josh Rouse put out a bad CD yet? Not as good as “1972” or Nashville, but the guy could sing the phone book and I’d probably buy it.
6. Kevin Kane – How to Build A Lighthouse
A great return to form for the ex-Grapes of Wrath co-leader. Now if fellow Grapes member Tom Hooper would just release “Basement Suite” on CD (I don’t use iTunes), I would have had made-in-heaven Grapes bookend CDs to make the list. Includes an appearance by the aforementioned Nelson Bragg.
7. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
Some people are noting that this is more dense/not as sparse as some of his previous efforts, but if you heard the collaboration with Calexico, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise to Iron & Wine fans.
8. Fountains Of Wayne – Traffic and Weather
Okay, so they’re sometimes too cute for their own good and the blatant product and cultural references are getting a bit old hat, but if that’s the worst you can say about Traffic and Weather, well, it’s still better than most of what’s out there these days.
9. Farrah – Cut Out and Keep
Their best, most mature effort to date. “Fear of Flying” is a highlight.
10. The Red Button - She's About To Cross My Mind
Sunny 60’s influenced songs with Beatles and parts of The Monkees in the DNA. Lots of jangly Rickenbachers and Hammond organs.
11. Crowded House - Time On Earth
Loved the last Finn Brothers “Everyone Is Here” and this one is almost as good, but definitely a Crowded House CD and not a Neil Finn solo CD.
CDs I probably would have liked if I had heard them in total: Future Clouds and Radar (s/t), John Hoskinson - Pancho Fantastico, Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Greatly missed in 2007: The Rosenbergs, Cloud Eleven, Doug Powell, IKE/John Faye, Cliff Hillis, The Churchills, The Scones
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