Three Imaginary Girls - Best of 2007

Another Best of '07 list: Chop Suey booker Pete Greenberg's favorite albums

ChrisB — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:46:06 +0000

I'm a huge nerd when it comes to pouring over annual, best of lists (I'm still biting my nails in anticipation of the Idolator critic's poll that should be out soon), and I'm always intrigued by what the favorites of people who work in the business of music but aren't (necessarily) critics or reviewers. So, I asked Chop Suey's brand new booker Pete Greenberg to submit his list of favorite albums with the promise of posting them here - to which he happily complied.

Here's what made his list:

1. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge)

2. Future of The Left – Curses (Too Pure)

3. Handsome Furs – Plague Park (Sub Pop)

4. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – 100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone Records)

5. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible (Merge)

6. Big Business – Here Come The Waterworks (Hydra Head Records)

7. Beach House – Beach House (Carpark Records)

8. Blonde Redhead – 23 (4AD)

9. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin (Sub Pop)

10. Siberian – With Me (Sonic Boom Recordings)

11. Matthew Dear – Asa Breed (Ghostly International)

12. Lavender Diamond – Imagine Our Love (Matador Records)

13. Peter Bjorn & John – Writer’s Block (Almost Gold)

Best Films of 2007

imaginary embracey — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:35:43 +0000

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There were about 1000 films given proper theatrical releases in 2007 -- and this total doesn't take into consideration increasingly popular methods of alternate distribution, or homegrown DIY works showcased in booming alt-cinemas across the land, or the countless films featured at major (and minor) festivals around the world that never got picked up by a distributor.

The ten films that made my yearly best-of list, plus the 76 honorable mentions that follow below, represent about a third of what I saw last year. So I still missed most of what was out there.

Given the sheer volume of films, and the amount of quality work on display last year, whittling down my favorites to a list of only ten was the most difficult it's been since I started writing for TIG in 2002. The masterful No Country for Old Men is undoubtedly the best I saw in '07, but (skipping a "razor-thin margin" pun) Sweeney Todd is a very close number two. It kills me not to be able to rank the wondrous Emma's Bliss, my favorite film of SIFF 2007. Same for the superbly written, sharply feminist boy-movie-for-girls Juno, Julien Schnabel's astounding Jean-Dominique Bauby biopic The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Ang Lee's nasty sexpionage drama Lust, Caution... oh, I could go on.

But I won't. Here's my list:

1. No Country for Old Men
The Coen brothers' best cinema outing since Fargo combines the dark humor (and, on occasion, the small-town-police-force wackiness) of that film with the fierce viciousness of earlier works Blood Simple and Miller's Crossing. The result is a masterpiece. Tommy Lee Jones is even more marvelous than usual as a soon-to-retire Texas sheriff chasing a psycho serial killer (terrifying Javier Bardem) who in turn is chasing a Macguffin possessed by (also great) Josh Brolin. The men's stories play out perfectly: the gorgeous construction of every scene makes it beautiful and awe-inspiring, and the heart-wrenching suspense (seriously, Hitchcock would be proud) makes it the best thriller in years. Pay close attention to the ending -- I'm hearing that many people dislike it -- and you're let in on what we've really witnessed during the prior two hours: a lamentation on aging, fate, chaos, and control.

2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Another bitter nugget of misanthropy, Tim Burton's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's slasher musical is positively giddy about its brutal gore. Amid Burton's gorgeously weird visual flourishes, and Sondheim's lovely quasi-opera, the (quite literal) bloodbath elements were as shocking the second time I saw Sweeney Todd as the first. Performances by Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and lil' Ed Sanders are pitiless, and Sacha Baron Cohen (in a, ahem, brief role as a greasy snake-oil showman) adds a delicious touch of camp trash. Handsome, savage, and unabashedly ghoulish, Sweeney Todd is a genre-defying stunner, and the best movie musical of recent years.

3. Ratatouille
A beautifully shrewd bit of Pixar pop-entertainment genius about a rat in the kitchen. In said kitchen, more goes on than meets the eye: A highly-skilled upstart supports the clueless minion of an established but fading organization after its beloved founder (and namesake) dies. The powers that be have sold out the beloved leader's image and reputation for quick profit... an error in judgment that is corrected when the upstart ends up taking over the operation. Status quo is challenged, a major reorg takes place, and the old school is forced to rethink its antiquated assumptions. A Disney allegory if I ever saw one. And it's absolutely brilliant.

4. Inland Empire
For some reason David Lynch's latest didn't open in Seattle until mid-January 2007, despite being in limited release elsewhere the month prior. But I was thrilled when I finally did see it. The always-brilliant Laura Dern appears in nearly every shot of every scene during the three-hour runtime, and her multilayered (some may argue multi-role) performance is simply astonishing. Her character, a Hollywood actress much like Dern herself, takes the lead in a new movie based on a Polish film which stopped production after the murders of the two leads... and that's the most concrete plot summary I can offer you. This is a Lynch film, so we know not to bemoan its inscrutability, but I see it as a meditation on what happens -- for better or worse -- when a text leaves its creator and assumes a life of its own. Empire is a mindfuck, a work of art, and the product of a mad genius.

5. There Will Be Blood
Speaking of mad geniuses, there's at least one in director Paul Thomas Anderson's latest, about an aspiring oil tycoon (Daniel Day-Lewis, in a mesmerizing performance) who sets up shop in a dusty, isolated, early-20th-century Western town with a citizenry captivated by an up-and-coming religious leader (Paul Dano). Loosely based on the Upton Sinclair novel Oil!, it's a beautifully-drawn (and really fucking weird) American period epic about the struggles (and conspiracies) between commercialism and religion, told with a level of eccentricity and ferocity not seen since... well, since No Country For Old Men. It's not quite right to say that Anderson is at the top of his game: with Blood, he's playing a new game entirely.

6. Eastern Promises
David Cronenberg's enthralling vision of the dark heart of the Russian mafia in London has as its centerpiece a painfully intense nude fight scene that you may have heard about. Stunning, no question, but not the only unforgettable thing about the director's second deliberately-paced, Viggo-starring crime genre flick in as many years: central performances from Mortensen (as a chauffeur who knows too much), Naomi Watts (as a midwife who ditto), Vincent Cassel (the fuckup son of the local mob boss) and Armin Mueller-Stahl (said boss) make the shocking violence of their compelling story resonate all the more.

7. The Lives of Others
Another 2006 release elsewhere that was a 2007 film for me. German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's film (ridiculously accomplished for a debut feature) takes place in mid-'80s East Berlin, where a successful playwright (Sebastian Koch) and his girlfriend (Martina Gedeck) are placed under Stasi surveillance for suspected espionage. Their investigator, a lonely ascetic by the name of Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), is charged with entrapping them, and he's up to the task... at first. Themes of envy, terror, and paranoia are explored with magnificent tautness and clarity, and, like Inland Empire, the ending leaves you feeling exhausted, relieved, and oddly uplifted.

8. The Savages
Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins (her first feature since 1998's Slums of Beverly Hills), The Savages concerns smart, squabbling, self-absorbed siblings Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hofman (giving two of the best performances of the year) being challenged to remove their heads from their asses and care for their ailing father (Philip Bosco). So it's another dysfunctional family dramedy, to be sure, but the film is really about the endless difficulties of long-term love... and there's nary a moment of unearned sentiment to be found. Its ugly radiance makes it hilarious, and its candid wisdom makes it profound.

9. Starting Out in the Evening
Andrew Wagner's second feature is about a solitary 70-something NYC novelist (Frank Langella, doing award-caliber work), ailing and mainly forgotten in literary circles; an over-eager grad student (Lauren Ambrose) writing a thesis about him; his daughter (Lili Taylor), a pushing-40 yoga instructor who yearns to have a baby; and her former boyfriend (Adrian Lester), an academic who has a son from a previous marriage and who doesn't want another kid. About an hour in, I found myself in a special kind of love with each of them, and with the wonderful New York story they inhabit.

10. Brand Upon the Brain!
It's a sin that this locally-produced silent fever-dream by the great Canadian auteur Guy Maddin wasn't part of this year's SIFF lineup, but the Cinerama's live-scored gala screening last fall (sponsored by the always-great Northwest Film Forum) made up for it. The film's central character (also called Guy Maddin) returns to the island lighthouse where he grew up, and once there recalls his miserable childhood. Most of the film, told in flashback, is about young Guy, his older sister, and mysterious events surrounding the private orphanage run by their tyrannical mother and mad-scientist father. No pricey CGI-centric summer blockbuster could hold a candle to Maddin's black-and-white, Super 8 shadow magic and old-school cinema tricks. Brain is a sublime spectacle, and a special kind of crazy.

Runners-up

Fiction: 2 Days in Paris; After the Wedding; Atonement; The Aura; Away From Her; Before the Devil Knows You're Dead; The Bet Collector; Beyond the Gates; Black Book; The Bothersome Man; The Bourne Ultimatum; Children; The Darjeeling Limited; The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; Dry Season; Eagle vs. Shark; Emma's Bliss; Glue; Grindhouse; Hairspray; The Host; I Don't Want to Sleep Alone; I'm Not There; The Italian; Juno; Killer of Sheep; Knocked Up; La Leon; Lady Chatterley; The Lookout; Lust, Caution; Michael Clayton; A Mighty Heart; Moliere; The Namesake; Once; The Orphanage; Paris Je T'Aime; The Simpsons Movie; Stardust; Sunshine; Syndromes and a Century; Tears of the Black Tiger; Ten Canoes; Things We Lost in the Fire; The TV Set; Vanaja; Waitress; Wristcutters: A Love Story; Year of the Dog; Yella

Non-fiction: Angels in the Dust; Autism: The Musical; Big Rig; Crazy Love; Czech Dream; Deep Water; The Devil Came on Horseback; The Fever of '57; Ghosts of Cite Soleil; Into Great Silence; Jonestown; King Corn; Life in Loops; Manufactured Landscapes; My Kid Could Paint That; No End in Sight; Out of Time; The Real Dirt on Farmer John; Show Business: The Road to Broadway; Sicko; Summercamp; The Trials of Darrell Hunt; You're Gonna Miss Me; Zoo

Previous years' lists: 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006

The ten films that made my yearly best-of list, plus the 76 honorable mentions that follow below, represent about a third of what I saw last year. So I still missed most of what was out there.

But I won't. Here's my list:

Best of 2007: elle's favorite shows

elle — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:44:17 +0000

Being a regular contributor on here on TIG takes the show going experience from something you do on the weekends to part of your regular routine. I'll never forget shoving five shows in one week, or running from set to set during Bumbershoot trying to frantically interview all the local bands. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm here.

Very few shows I regret seeing, the vast majority were really good. But there's a distinct ten still stuck in my mind, shows I talk about to this day. The bands who made this list are not just comprised of musicians who stood up there and played -- these were performers who demonstrated how their band is more than a job or hobby, it's their lives. In each case they provided a memorable experience where I left feeling I'd just witnessed the most talented artists making music today.

TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:50:25 +0000

2007 has been another stellar year for local music, with some Northwest artists breaking out and having significant national releases, and other local upstarts charming us with great records. We know that you, like us, had a hard time determing who to place on your end of the year mixtape -- let alone which album should be should be crowned the #1 Northwest release of 2007.

And what did all that tabulation and debate equate to? The Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2007 lists! The results of our TIG Readers' Poll had some expected winners, as well as some surprises. We invite you to check it all out, and to also check out our TIG top editorial picks, as well as the lists for each of our individual writers.

Without further ado, the winners!

TIG Best of 2007: Readers’ Poll
TIG readers never cease to amaze us with your good taste and ability to find hidden gems. Here’s what YOU think were the best Northwest releases of 2007.
TIG Best of 2007: Editors Picks
Our staff gathered together, put on boxing gloves, and figured out who we collectively think ruled the Northwest this year. Tears were shed.
TIG Best of 2007: Staff Picks
Lists lists lists, we love them! Is it no surprise that our staff members have their own lists? Check out the individual "best of" lists from many of our imaginary contributors.

Thanks to all of you for making 2007 another great year to be imaginary!

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TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007: Editors' picks

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:21:26 +0000

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

You should have seen the way that imaginary Liz can arm wrestle, and how Erik Gonzalez can duke it out for his favorite bands. It was fierce and fun, and we think our final list was well worth the effort.

Here they are: the TIG official editor picks for best Northwest releases of 2007. Enjoy!

#20 Grand Hallway Yes Is the Answer (Self-released)
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#19 Aqueduct Or Give Me Death (Barsuk)
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#18 Night Canopy Of Honey and Country (Go Midnight)
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#17 Team Gina Gina Gina Revolution (Self-released)
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#16 Arthur & Yu In Camera (Hardly Art)
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#15 Minus the Bear Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
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#14 The Cops Free Electricity (The Control Group)
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#13 Ms Led Shake Yourself Awake (Fish the Cat)
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#12 The Femurs Modern Mexico (HomeSpun)
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#11 Patience Please Fleeting Frequencies (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
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#10 Grand Archives Grand Archives (Self-released / Sub Pop)
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#9 Shake Some Action! Shake Some Action (Satellite 451)
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#8 Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours (Matinee)
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#7 Throw Me The Statue Moonbeams (Baskerville Hill)
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#6 Blue Scholars Bayani (MassLine Media, Rawkus)
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#5 Siberian With Me (Sonic Boom Recordings)
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#4 BOAT Let's Drag Our Feet (Magic Marker)
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#3 Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
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#2 Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center (Magic Marker)
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#1 Cave Singers Invitation Songs (Matador)
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Honorable mentions:

Blitzen Trapper Wild Mountain Nation (Lidkercow Ltd.)

Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic)

Schoolyard Heroes Abominations (Stolen Transmission)

The Shaky Hands The Shaky Hands (Holocene Music)

The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)

Bestof07-TIG_sm.jpg

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

Best of 2007: imaginary Liz's picks

imaginary liz — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:03:21 +0000

Narrowing down my favorites for this year was HARD! I’m sure I’ll find even more 2007 releases I adore in 2008... but here’s what has been in obsessively high rotation this year.

Note: I still battle with how I can rank EPs versus full albums, or collections of previously unreleased material… but using my current logrhythm, here’s what it came out to today...

Best of 2007: imaginary Dana's picks

imaginary dana — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:16:45 +0000

I have so many favorites for 2007 that narrowing the lists was tricky. Plus I'm preggo as a house and have NO memory at this point, so I'm sure I've inadvertently omitted some really great releases and songs. Forgive me and my wacked out hormones.

But that said, here are some Top of 2007 lists from me, to you. Feel free to leave comments both nasty and supportive. I likely deserve both for some of my erratic tastes.

The official results of the TIG Best NW Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll are coming VERY soon... stay tuned! In the meantime, some of my personal picks for a wonderful year in music past:

Favorite Releases of 2007:

Amy Winehouse Back to Black
Okkervil River The Stage Names
Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center
Beirut The Flying Cup Club
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Shake Some Action Shake Some Action
Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours
John Vanderslice Emerald City
The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
The Fratellis Costello Music

Favorite Northwest Releases of 2007:

Best of 2007: Tim Hanken's picks

Tim Hanken — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:16:59 +0000

After much deliberation, here’s my top ten for 2007.

Kyle Johnson's Top Ten Local Live Music Photos of 07

Kyle Johnson — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:42:26 +0000

2007 was the first year I really got into shooting live music. Its a great form of photography that you cannot fully apreciate until you have shot it. Every show is a challenge. You often cannot be sure of how much time you will have, lighting conditions, how many other photographers are shooting, where you will be able to shoot from, etc.

That being said, I have seen countless amazing Live shots from our talented NW Photogs. I decided to include five shots from other photographers and five of my personal favorites I shot from the past year. Aww the memories. In no particular order...

Best of 2007: imaginary embracey's ten favorite albums

imaginary embracey — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:55:47 +0000

On the off chances that 1) anyone cares what their friendly neighborhood imaginary film and theater critic thinks about the year's music releases, and 2) anyone is doing anything at all during the dead 'tween-holidays week, much less reading top-ten lists, here are my favorite albums of the year, alpha by artist:

The Apples in Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder
The Eames Era – Heroes + Sheroes
Imperial Teen – The Hair The TV The Baby & The Band
Just Jack – Overtones
LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala
Menomena – Friend and Foe
The New Pornographers – Challengers
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Tracey Thorn – Out of the Woods

My films-of-the-year feature (coming early '08) will be far more compelling. Promise.

Best of 2007: Joseph Riippi's minima-lists

Joseph Riippi — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:00:14 +0000

Anyone who knows me outside of the HTML world knows two things:

I am a big guy.
I don't know my way around HTML very well.

In order to thwart my big-guy status, I've done many things over time. First, I enjoy minimalist art a lot more than big, bombastic art. This carries to music as well: I think the Arcade Fire are gloriously over-rated (too big) and prefer the more subtle stylings from big bands like that of Broken Social Scene. Arena rock was great. But it's over. Let's move on.

In any case, given that I like minimalism and I don't know my way around HTML very well, I've opted to display my lists for 2007 WITHOUT the bombast of YouTube videos and such. You want to hear a sample of something? Ask Google. They're small guys and they know their way around HTML. I'm sure they can find you a YouTube video or free MP3.

That said, here are my lists for the TOP SEVEN best albums of Oh SEVEN (in general) and the TOP SEVEN best albums out of the Northwest:

Best of 2007

Radiohead—In Rainbows
Amon Tobin—Foley Room
Elliott Smith—New Moon
LCD Soundsystem—Sound of Silver
Philip Glass and Leonard Cohen—Book of Longing
The Blakes—The Blakes
Slow Six—Nor’Easter

Best Northwest of 2007

Best of 2007: Kyle Johnson's top 10 songs

Kyle Johnson — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:39:12 +0000

I normally listen to music while driving/riding my bike/working. During any of these activities, my mixes are super random and I'm a big fan of Shuffle mode on the iPod.

Instead of listing off albums, I decided to share ten of my favorites songs from 2007, both local or otherwise. It was a great year for music, one that expanded my musical tastes. Attending festivals and shows to shoot photos exposed me to some bands I would never have known otherwise, ones that are now in constant rotation.

In no particular order (and with photos I've taken this year, where applicable):

The Arcade Fire - "Antichrist Television Blues"

Brother Ali -"Walking Away"

Japanther -"River Phoenix"

The Lonesome Rhodes - "Sunshine"

Siberian - "Belgian Beers and Catholic Girls"

Mewithoutyou - "Messes of Men"

Andrew Bird - "Imitosis"

J Tillman - "Steel on Steel"

Kevin Drew - "TBTF"

One Be Lo - "Gray"

Best of 2007: Sero(tone)in's picks

serotonein — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:01:25 +0000

Every December I go through over 80 albums and try to codify them some way. Though it may take until after Christmas before my final top list (and mix cd) is ready, my favorite albums of the year are always fairly obvious to me by now. These are the ones that meant the most to me.

Top NW Albums

1) Grand Archives - s/t
2) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
3) Menomena - Friend & Foe
4) Tullycraft - Every Scene Needs A Center
5) Shake Some Action - s/t
6) Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
7) The Cave Singers - Invitation Songs
8) Welcome - Sirs
9) Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
10) Awesome - Beehive Sessions
11) Carolyn Mark - Nothing Is Free
12) Grand Hallway - Yes Is The Answer
13) The New Pornographers - Challengers
14) Ghost Stories - Quixoticism
15) The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Overall Top 10 Albums of 2007

1) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
2) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
3) Emma Pollock - Watch The Fireworks
4) Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
5) Feist - The Reminder
6) Menomena - Friend & Foe
7) Blonde Redhead - 23
8) Shellac - Excellent Italian Greyhound
9) Apostle Of Hustle - National Anthem Of Nowhere
10) Radiohead - In Rainbows

Best of 2007: Erik G's favorite albums

Erik Gonzalez — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:12:43 +0000

Sometimes I think it takes me waaay too long to come up with my Top 20 albums of a given year. There are a lot of internal debates and arguments that really have no right answer. Really, you reach a point where all the albums are good but how to rank them gets to be quite the challenge. This year was chock full of good music (not matter what the naysayers might groan). I counted something like 175+ albums worth mentioning in 2007, and that is only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that was released in the year. However, I did whittle it down to 20... well, 22 if you count my 2 EP exception (EP's don't count as real albums).

If you're interested in some sub-lists, like my albums "with apologizes" (albums I didn't hear but should have) or "best imports" or "most disappointing" (hint, the band who made it rhymes with Milo Biley), check it out here.

So, here we go:

#21 The EP's - Two EP's made me happy this year, and really, they would be in the top 20, but it seems unfair to me to include EP's versus albums. They're both UK pop, and they're both brilliant in their own cute way.

Los Campesinos! Sticking Fingers Into Sockets (Thanks to igLiz for this band!)

Best of 2007: Imaginary Kiku's favorite album art

Imaginary Kiku — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:26:47 +0000

Finding it much too difficult to decide upon my favorite albums this year, I've decided to go for a "best of" list that puts much more emphasis on physical appearances. These aren't necessarily my favorite albums of 2007 (you can't judge a CD by its cover), but I think they all deserve some recognition for the art pieces that decorate them. After all, there have been some pretty hideous covers this year.

10. "Twilight and Ghost Stories" by Chris Schlarb. I chose this one for its cute colors, bold lines, and its overall dreamy feeling.

igAsh's favorite songs of 2007, with {some} free downloads!

imaginary ash — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:46:04 +0000

I made a 'Best of '07' compilation for coworkers and thought I'd share my picks with you, in no particular order. Hope you've got a little time to spare!

All downloads have been posted with permission from the bands themselves. Thanks bands!

1. Nicole Atkins and the Sea: "The Way It Is"

I think this is my favorite song of the year. Here's the clip from Letterman.

2. Peter Bjorn and John: "Young Folks"

I'm such a sucker for whistling. And isn't this the most visually satisfying video ever.

Best of 2007: Erik G's favorite songs

Erik Gonzalez — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:28:01 +0000

OK, well, nobody likes to reflect and rank more than I do (I'm a scientist, I love to quantify), so here goes. I've got my favorite songs of 2007 - no, not best or most innovative, but rather the songs I liked ... lots and lots and lots. There is a little overlap from my forthcoming Best Albums, but also some curveballs. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention:

"Girls and Boys in Love" by the Rumble Strips
"Sons of Cain" by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
"Jack the Ripper" by the Horrors (special note: If the Horrors had a brain and released the original fast demo version of this song on their debut Strange House, it would have been an easy top 10.)
"Ragoo" by Kings of Leon
"Heart It Races" by Architecture in Helsinki
"Geld Essen" by K.I.Z.

#10. "The Prayer" by Bloc Party from Weekend in the City - This song is one of the most interesting songs Bloc Party has recorded. Too bad the rest of the album (short of "Hunting for Witches") just wasn't as cool.

Best of 2007: imaginary stella's picks

imaginary stella — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:33:27 +0000

It’s always odd to revisit what you’ve reviewed over the course of a year. Sometimes, much can change – as after subsequent listenings, you realize that record you thought was pretty decent just blows (see The Killers’ Sam’s Town) or you come to love an album that you’d previously dismissed as mediocre (see “Into the Wild” soundtrack). The true test of a “best release of the year” is its stability, so I’ve tried to pick “long-haul” contenders—albums I’ll go to for months (or even years) to come, with no requirement for a set amount of finalists. Here’s what made the cut...

TOP ALBUMS:

LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver (this one sits significantly higher than the rest)
Interpol: Our Love to Admire
The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
Eddie Vedder: "Into the Wild" soundtrack
Minus the Bear: Planet of Ice
Aqueduct: Or Give Me Death

And, topping the list of what sadly wasn’t as good as I expected:
Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

I’ll leave it at that. I can hardly fathom how disappointed I was by that output (mixing the quirky fire of Modest Mouse with legendary jangler Johnny Marr? How did it fall so flat?).

TOP NORTHWEST ALBUMS:

Not that NW artists don't count in overall, national polls! I just felt like making a separate list. To wit:

Best of 2007: Imaginary Chona's picks!

imaginary chona — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:04:23 +0000

This was ridiculously hard to do! Without further ado, I present my top ten picks for 2007 releases (in no particular order)...

Best of 2007: Sarah Jo's picks

Sarah Joann Murphy — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:20:58 +0000

In absolutely no numeric order -- I could never pick favorites with a list like this!