This is always one of my highlights of the year.
Making the big choice.
And this year was full of rich pickings.
Q said Arcade Fire was numero uno and I am inclined to agree.
Mojo said Radiohead, I can’t comment. I didn’t download it for free.
The Observer went for The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Now, despite my utmost admiration for Damon Alborn I have to say, I didn’t like that at all. Strange choice.
My top ten goes like this.
Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Wow. They came back bigger (much bigger) and better than before. Although I wasn’t at either Glastonbury or T in the Park I saw both on TV and on each occassion they were the best live band. My biggest disapointment, musically, of the year was having to turn down tickets to see them at the SECC.
Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
This year’s out of the blue. One off classic. Like The Ballad of The Broken Seas last year by Isabel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. There’s no reasons why albums like this exist but they do, so just take it while it’s going.
I reviewed it on the 60 Watt blog here.
I wish I could have loved you more by Candie Payne
Saw her live and it was my favourite gig of the year. Totally overlooked by the media, this may be my favourite album of the year. A modern day take on wjhat dusty Springfield might have done if she’d been starting out now. I reviewedit in more depth here. And there’s a video too!
Shine by Joni Mitchell
From the first chord to the last, a masterpiece. reviewed earlier in the year on my blog here.
Favourite Worst Nightmare by Arctic Monkeys
Great Rock n Roll. just great. Easily surpasses their first great album. But it’s not cool to like a second album is it. Well, that’s what the music press seem to think. Reviewed here.
Boys and Girls in America by The Hold Steady
No holds barred R and R that blew me away when I first saw them on Jools. Chips Ahoy is a masterpiece. Reviewed here.
The Reminder by Fiest
Soft jazzy stuff reviewed here. Is Canada the hottest place on the planet just now? I’d say so.
This is the Life by Amy McDonald
I presumed this was a teen angst set. It’s not it’s great folk rock album.
A Lily for the Spectre by Stephanie Dosen
Beautiful and quiet singer songwriter stuff reviewed here.
Kala by MIA
The best world music album I heard last year. It’s a hip hop travelogue with a heavy third world political doctrine behind it. Much of it is great fun. This was my review and there’s a video too.
and on heavy rotation but either not released this year or just not quite top ten material were…
Cansei De Ser Sexy by CSS
Very naughty Brazilian rocky, poppy dance music, compared in some quarters (but not this one) to the rather overrated Klaxons.
Four on the Floor by Juliette and the Licks
Totally written off as crap and uncool and yet this is a vicious, hard working and actually, great Rock and Roll album.
Ma Fleur by Cinematic Orchestra
Lush orchestral jazz, that’s beautiful but one of the guest singers sounds too like Chris Martin for my liking. Reviewed here.
Thirst for romance by Cherry Ghost
Three great songs, but although a good album it turned out to be my disappointment of the year because, for me, the est ddn’t live up to the promise of the singles. Still really good, personal singer songwriter stuff with a heavy dose of arrangements thrown in.
Made of bricks by Kate Nash.
No need to comment. You’ll love her or hate her. Foundations was a single of the year (probably my No 2 after Grace Kelly). The album is every bit as good as her arch rival’s – and another whom the media love to hate, just ‘cos she’s famous, Lily Allen – actually it’s probably better.
Re-release of the year was, no question…
Collosal Youth by Young Marble Giants.
Sublime. Reviewed here (and a video)
And actually, compiling my tracks of the year is harder to do than albums. I’ve made up my usual compilation CD and anyone who wants a copy is welcome to it. Just ask.
For the first time ever I found it a major challenge to limit it to 19 tracks. No Norah Jones, despite one excellent song on her 2007 release. Mika had to be in, despite being desperately uncool.
Smash and grab – Juliette and the licks
People help the people – Cherry ghost
One week last summer – Joni mitchell
No Cars go – The Arcade Fire
Why should I settle for you – Candi Payne
Chips Ahoy- The Hold Steady
Brandy alexander – Feist
Grace Kelly – Mika
Crual Storm – Espers (A KF reccomendation)
15 – Rilo Kiley
505- Arctic Monkeys
Alala – CSS
Only getting better – Stephanie Dosen
Ma Fleur – The Cinematic Orchestra
Dickhead – Kate Nash
Gone Gone Gone – Plant and Krauss
Mr Rock n Roll – Amy McDonald
Missing my Son – Tom Waits
gibberish 
Don’t know what to say really – I think I’ve heard three of those tracks, which is why I’ll be requesting a copy of the burn, by you “Mr Nightfly”.
Good work.
LikeLike
Pingback: My 2007 Albums of the year « Think Hard
Yes, I agree as you are usually in front of the curve. Can you burn me a disc and make me cool please.
H
LikeLike
…how come the times of last 2 comments are… well, you look
LikeLike
…and my last for that matter!!! I’m embarrassed to admit I have heard soooo few these albums – like Hilary I want to be in the loop.
LikeLike
Mark, it’s all there except Burial (Untrue), Ballboy (The Royal Theatre), Lucinda Williams (West), Unkle (War Stories), The View (The View), Loretta Lynn (Van Lear Rose), Immaculate Machine (Fables), Tinariwen (Aman Iman), Malcolm Middleton (A Brighter Beat), Neil Young (Chrome Dreams II), The White Stripes (Icky Thump), Battles (Mirrored), Konono No. 1 (Congotronics), laura Cantrell (Humming by the Flowered Vine), Neko Case (Fox Confessor Brings The Flood)
3 single stand out:
Ben Watt & Estelle (Pop a cap in your ass)
Malcolm Middleton (A brighter beat)
Ballboy (We Are Past Our Dancing Days)
Tuck in…
Yours aye. Jimbo
LikeLike
Make me trendy please
Ta
Mike
LikeLike
Too late mate.
LikeLike
Can’t stand that Arcade Fire album meself – it’s like Echo & The Bunnymen meets Bruce Springsteen. ‘Funeral’ was miles better. Have to agree on The Artic Monkeys, though – brilliant album, better than their first.
Also second Malcolm Middleton’s ‘A Brighter Beat’, The View’s ‘Hats Off To The Busker’ and White Stripes’ ‘Icky Thump’
‘Tromatic Reflexxions’ by Von Sudenfed should definetely be there as well as ‘Ballad Of The Books’ and ‘Hey Venus!’ by Super Furry Animals.
I must say I was disappointed in Girls Aloud this year. Last year’s ‘Chemistry’ was one of my faves.
Well, you did ask.
LikeLike
I did indeed. A lot of people I know prefer funeral. Not me though.
I saw the view (are on fire -I wish the were) at Barrowlands with my Daughter, Amy during the summer and they were pitifully bad.
White Stripes just bore me now I’m afraid.
Love the Furrys, Don’t know Von Sudenfed and I haven’t heard a lot of Malcolm Middletonn (was he in J&MC?)
LikeLike
Malcolm was one half of Arab Strap and now an outside bet for Xmas No.1!
LikeLike
CSS and Hold Steady came out last year. I think both came out last summer (they were on my last year’s list).
LikeLike
This is like finding yousrelf at the SECC and finding yourself in the conference room on nuclear physics and you’re meant to be at the soft toy exhibition.
I am sooooo square.
LikeLike
Hey, Gamespeek. Very constructive! are you American?
LikeLike
another strong list from Gorman…eclectic as ever…my thoughts:
Arcade Fire: excellent record but didn’t make my top 5 as there’s something i can’t quite put my finger on about it which stops me REALLY loving it. they were braw at glastonbury. no cars go is the best song on it by a country mile…
plant and krauss: i like this. i really like this. but i got a bit bored of it quite quickly. it’s good though, right enough.
joni: it’s a mellow goodie…would have made my top 15 for the year…but not my top 5.
arctic monkeys: i have not engaged
hold steady: my album of the year. unbelievably good. i have bored anyone who will listen about this record all year. their previous ‘separation sunday’ is even better btw…
feist: like this. listened to it a lot in the car but the way it jumps around a lot between musical styles annoyed me after a while. some great tracks on it though…
amy macdonald: what are you? 12?
stephanie dosen: great album. will feature on my tracks of the year (same track as you…awww). she totally loves the cocteau twins and the sundays does she not?
MIA: i have not engaged
CSS: quite like this. but not that much. couple of great tracks.
juliette and the licks: i have not engaged
cinematic orchestra: again, one of my top 5. a real beauty. atmospheric, emotional and a wee bit spooky.
cherry ghost: i have not engaged (but this is on my mate ken’s list also so i’ll need to check it out).
kate nash: see amy macdonald
YMGs: this record means a lot to you so i won’t go on about how it reminds me of donkey jackets, cherry-red dm’s, cnd benefit gigs and pretentious student twats from the early eighties…oops!
i look forward to being educated on those i’ve not heard, however…
my 6 year old daughter still listens to your compilation from last year, believe it or not, so you have your admirers…
LikeLike
Amy Macdonald is for 12 year olds.
What a ridiculous and frankly ignorant statement!.
How many 12 year olds do you know that are into folk rock?
And I don’t think 12 year olds have a great deal of a fix on dickhead boyfriends/ cracked relationships in quite the way that Kate Nash has.
Otherwise your comments are of a reasonable standard.
Even if you don’t use initial caps. Is that a trendy WordPress thing/affectation?
LikeLike
she’s no bob dylan…
http://blog.myspace.com/amymacdonald
my nephew likes her. he’s 13. that’s close enough.
LikeLike
I take it you have not listened
LikeLike
she’s angry…
LikeLike
What do you think of Bishi?
LikeLike
Good list Mark….high on the misery count as usual!
The Robert Plant / Alison Krauss album is probably one of only 2 or 3 albums this year that I regularly played from start to finish – and still do.
Everything I knew in advance about the Springsteen album made me believe I wouldn’t like it, but I was wrong. A fantastic album (even if Clarence Clemons still only knows one sax solo) and I’m off to see Broooce and the E Street Band at the O2 tonight.
Still struggling to get my head around Arcade Fire, but I believe a live show would sort out my doubts. Juliette and The Licks didn’t do it for me, but Amy MacDonald and Feist should find their way into our home soon. Look out for Duffy early in the New Year, and check out the new album from Danny and The Champions of The World
So, with the failure to find 10 albums that stayed with me, here’s a list of favourite tracks from the year…and they’re all over the place as usual!
Rufus Wainwright – Slideshow
Robert Plant / Alison Krauss – Please Send The Letter
Mika – Grace Kelly
Kate Nash – Foundations
Cherry Ghost – Thirst For Romance
Yerba Buena – Billingual Girl
Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
Arctic Monkeys – Fluorescent Adolescent
Bruce Springsteen – Radio Nowhere
Mark Ronson featuring Lily Allen – Oh My God
The Eagles – How Long
Foo Fighters – Band On The Run
6 Day Riot – I Know What You’re Like
The Fray – Over My Head
Pink Martini – Tempo Perdido
Brooks & Dunn – Tequila
LikeLike
what do you mean “high on the misery count?” Hardly any of them are miserable, apart from the ones that coincide with your list.
LikeLike
1.Smash and grab – Juliette and the licks
2.People help the people – Cherry ghost
3.One week last summer – Joni mitchell
4.No Cars go – The Arcade Fire
5.Why should I settle for you – Candi Payne
6.Chips Ahoy- The Hold Steady
7.Brandy alexander – Feist
8.Grace Kelly – Mika
9.Crual Storm – Espers (A KF reccomendation)
10.15 – Rilo Kiley
11.505- Arctic Monkeys
12.Alala – CSS
13.Only getting better – Stephanie Dosen
14.Ma Fleur – The Cinematic Orchestra
15.Dickhead – Kate Nash
16.Gone Gone Gone – Plant and Krauss
17.Paper Planes – M.I.A.
18.Mr Rock n Roll – Amy McDonald
19.Missing my Son – Tom Waits
Well Mark – 2 days (well, 6 car trips) and here’s my thoughts on yer n-n-n-n-n-nineteen tracks. You went to the trouble of burning so it’s the least I can offer.
Mixed bag – but that’s a good thing. My ear wouldn’t have been tuned in to half of this.
I’ll warn you now – when reviewing, I’m bad for making comparisons on musical and vocal performance with other musical and vocal performances. Cannae help it.
Track 1: Rockin! Real deal vocal performance bettering that trout from Hole or the L7 chick. The band sounds very Appetite-era G N’ R.
Track 2: Tune sounds like Coldplay/Embrace sang by Michael Stipe. May need a few listens but at the moment it’s a “take it or leave it”.
Track 3: The better and more upbeat of the two instrumentals. Sorta Jazz Café – could be on the soundtrack to Elmore Leonard’s “Out of Sight”.
Track 4: Enough superlatives already for them. As epic a musical landscape as 80s U2/Springsteen.
Track 5: Immediate first notes are like The Godfather tune. Then it goes Lily Allen over Portishead. Good.
Track 6: Very Good. Indie teen-rock at the speed of that early 90s student-fave China Drum (who did a classic cover of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights). The singer has the deep-throat (how did I get that in there?) of the Crash Test Dummies singer but with this band he’s more Counting Crows.
Track 7: A quality Norah Jones-esque number but we did laugh at how topical it was “That Wendy Alexander always gets me into trouble”. lol
Track 8: Not my fave but has to be track of the year. Showing that twat from The Darkness how to hit it. He couldn’t out-Freddie Freddie but he could out-Robbie Robbie.
Track 9: Female Radiohead. Too Sinead O’Connor for me.
Track 10: Brilliant. Sheryl Crow/Young Dolly P. Like it was written for a Tarantino soundtrack.
Track 11: Arctics? – It’s all been said. A less acerbic monkey lyric and a much matured sound this time around. Second album? No probs. The new Who.
Track 12: I love this. An ode to the Islamic deity. Very much akin to Bodyrox and Luciana’s two big hits or Fedde Le Grand’s “Put your hands up for Detroit (Our lovely city)” – (nicked by the Liverpool fans – “Put your hands up for Dirk Kuyt (he loves this city)”
The missus thinks the girl sings “could you buy me chicken nuggets” but I reckon it’s “cos you want but you can’t have it”
Track 13: The Cranberries cover Radiohead’s “High & Dry” or the Corrs cover Coldplay’s “Yellow”. Something like that.
Track 14: Good mood music. More restaurant than elevator. Could go in an early Scorsese NY movie – King of Comedy or Taxi Driver.
Track 15: Primitive but funny – shows her slightly-younger-than-Lily-Allen age. Less exposed to the adult world than Allen obviously was by that age. She’s very talented though.
Track 16: Amazing! Unexpected! Loved it. Best track on your best-of that I hadn’t heard before. He goes slightly rockabilly and sounds like…..I dunno….Elvis/Buddy Holly. I cannae place it but it works.
Track 17: A great Clash sample. The original always moves me. This track – Neneh Cherry on a ragga tip. She’s a bit special.
Track 18:This year’s KT Tunstall but better. More Kirsty MacColl. Catchy but file under “coffee table”.
Track 19: Ha – that is a great tale that I won’t try and repeat. I couldn’t serve it that kinda justice. He’s amazing. Bet you’d love to get him voiceover one of yer adverts. An American Joss Ackland who’s sucked too many liquorice imps and smoked too many Café Crèmes.
Quality collection. Isn’t it refreshingly cool to find a businessman in his mid-forties not stuck in a time-warp listening non-stop to his vinyl collection of The Jam?
One criminal omission from your albums of the year list is Finding Forever by Common. Consider it burned. The samples, the tunes, the choruses, the slick production, the spoken rhyme. The non-misogynist-gun totting-crack dealing rapping brings hip hop back from the dead. M.I.A. don’t come close.
LikeLike
I’ve just seen that track 14 is by a group called The Cinematic Orchestra and I made the Scorsese reference on that tune. That was unintentional but makes sense to me now.
LikeLike
Nothing if not considered r M. Thanks for the kind comments. Never heard Common but the critics love him/them son looking forward to it.
I particularly liked your withering dismissal of Espers. A great album actually.
LikeLike