picture a day: December 2007

Review. The good people over at Loose Record wanted contributors to send over answers to these categories so they can compile a list for the year in review, so here's mine:

Top 3 Albums

1. Our Love to Admire, Interpol - The default winner? Some say it's less adventurous than the previous albums, I just think it's way better.

2. I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child, Manchester Orchestra - Ok so the album actually got released in Fall of '06, but it got a Major Label pressing/release this year, so that counts right? I'll let that limit it from being number one, because it easily would be. This album has not stopped rotation on my iPod, laptop, or radio show for months now.

3. Neon Bible, Arcade Fire - This wouldn't have even been on my list any more than 3 or 4 weeks ago, but I finally gave it a good, even chance.

Bottom 3 Albums (OR: Albums that disappointed the most)

1. Chase This Light, Jimmy Eat World. No, it's not because it doesn't sound like they're older stuff. No, it's not because I'm not used to their 'new sound.' It's because when isolated as its own album and then compared to other music being made by my favorite bands, this one doesn't even begin to stack up. It's too easy, from the melodies to the lyrics.

2. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Foo Fighters. Although I can't quite call this one a disappointment; making albums that are just pretty decent is what the Foo Fighters MO has turned into. But it gets the spot because for the 2nd album in a row they have put out an ear-splittingly powerful single and not backed it up with the rest of the album. Something is to be said when the 2nd best song on the album behind the single is an acoustic jam featuring guest artist Khaki King.

3. The Needles, The Space, Straylight Run. Honestly this is a good album, but it falters as much as it succeeds. The first half is great, then it unexpectedly dies, and just when it's coming back again the album is over.

Best Songs of the Year

1. Stronger, Kanye West. I don't think I've repeated lyrics more in my life.
2. Intervention, Arcade Fire. Rock Ballad to the Nth degree
3. No I in Threesome, Interpol. So good, and an amazing 2nd song on the album.

Best Live Shows

1. Brand New feat. Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra @ Irving Plaza, 4/22/07. Nothing says party like 3 different bands that all make cameo appearances during the other sets they're not playing. Every member of this tour was having a BLAST and it showed, resulting in a 10 minute absolute destruction of the stage during Brand New's "Welcome to Bangkok."
2. The Rocket Summer, @ Pick a show, any show. Probably the only way he (or is it them) isn't number 1 on this list is that there were not many headlining dates. Warped Tour was great, so was the Crazy Donkey on LI. But the show at the Knitting Factory in May was sweaty, colorful, and full of Bryce Avary's enthusiasm, which is what makes him by far the best performer on the road today.
3. Drug Rug @ Bowery Ballroom's Friday CMJ Showcase, 10/19/07. Even with the CMJ-shortened set of around 30 minutes, this was one of the most mind-blowing performances of the whole year. Energy x 100, these guys (and gal) had at that point only been touring as a band for 2 weeks, something that did not show at all during their set. Raw, bluesy, ballsy, and every other -sy you can think of.
(4) - As Tall As Lions @ Highline Ballroom, 7/20/07. Beautiful lighting + Dan Nigro's incredible one-of-a-kind voice = a show that should be ranked higher but gets squeezed out by competition. Plus this show is possibly going to DVD, so it can be recaptured.

Worst Live Shows

1. The Pierces @ Highline Ballroom, 7/20/07. Maybe it was the fact that this band centers around 2 frontwomen who synchronize dance. Or maybe it was that they all looked over the hill. But it was probably because they were squeezed between stellar openers The Snake, The Cross, The Crown, and not-afraid-to-blow-you-away headliner As Tall As Lions.
^That's really about it.

Best Concert Venue

Bowery Ballroom - Maybe it's because I spent a good 5% of my year there, and at some points practically slept there. There were so many good shows there this year it's impossible to really pick anywhere else.

Worst Concert Venue

The Delancey? It's hard to find a really atrocious venue, but the Delancey is just cramped, packed, hot, and poorly lit, all of which could actually make for a good venue with different circumstances.

Favorite "Animal Name" Band

Panda Bear. There are a bunch of bands I was about to type, and then realized they weren't animals.

Rock Star Crush

Is it bad all the ones that pop in to my head first are guys?
Anyways,
1. Annie Clark (St. Vincent)
2. Emily Haines (Metric)
3. Sarah Cronin (Drug Rug)

Musician/Band You Love to Hate

Islands/Unicorns/Th' Corn Gangg

I love these guys to death, but after seeing the Unicorns four years ago, they have been atrocious at keeping a band together, keeping tour dates, or doing anything besides put out great music. Frustrating is a more accurate term.