2007 Music Review

Every year, I buy a ton of cd's and downloads. This year was no exception. I started to keep a journal of everything that I purchased, noting 2007 releases, and any notes about the music in general. I love to give the gift of song to my family and friends, and hopefully they appreciate the music at least and possibly find a golden nugget they'd never heard of before getting a little snippet from me. It's the gift that keeps on giving, an obvious cliche'.

My Morning Jacket: Tennessee Fire, At Dawn, Chocolate & Cheese (EP), Early Recordings Chapter 1 - The Sandworm Cometh, Early Recordings Chapter 2 - Learning
After falling in love with the band and playing "Z", "Okonokos", and "It Still Moves" non-stop, I had to check out the earlier releases to see what I missed. Of these 5 albums, "At Dawn" was my favorite, with "Early Recordings Chapter 2 - Learning" coming in a close second. At Dawn I noted was much more acoustic tinged and laid back but with a great mix of songs, all of which have become classics. "ER Chp.2" was closely behind, but only because the recordings were not mixed as well. Great versions of Bermuda Highway, and I Will Be There When You Die, as well as neat covers, esspecially Erykah Badu's "Tyrone", which always seems to stay near the top of my top 25 songs most played playlist on the old 60 gig Ipod.

Zero 7: Simple Things
I waited way too long to get this album. Possibly one of my favorite songs of all time "In The Waiting Line", and just a great chill mix of songs that you can listen to from start to finish and not get bored, although I would assume that some people might need to be in the right frame of mind for this more "downbeat" music. I love it though!

The Beatles - Love
After listening to an NPR interview with the producer of this album, I had to check it out, plus I was going to be seeing the Cirque Du Soleil show in Vegas weeks later, which comes close to rivaling "O"....at least the music is better in my opinion.

Allison Krauss And Union Station: Lonely Runs Both Ways
A 2006 release that I had not gotten, classic AK collection of bluegrass, that was not as good as previous releases, but still enjoyable.

moe.: The Conch
A great start to the 2007 year of music. I was waiting patiently for this release because their last offering was quite innovative and excellent. The first song "Blue Jeans Pizza", knocks your socks off, and goes to show that this band can be so unique. The rest of the album had a few songs that I had heard played live, but the 4th track "Tailspin" has some great George Bush samples.

Walk The Line: Soundtrack
I bought this cd for Mo because I thought she really liked the movie (I thought it was good too!), and she was diggin on some Cash so I felt it would be a decent introduction to a quite extensive library of works.

Built To Spill: You In Reverse
If I had bought this cd in 2006, it would've possibly made it into my "Best Of 2006" Mix CD. I noted that it had a "progressive, indie-prog-rock, jam" flair, although at first listen I felt it was more Wilco'ish. After further listens, I don't really hear that as much anymore.

The Slip: Aliveelectric, Eisenhower
Occasionally, I would listen to Rhapsody and tune into the "jamband" channel while playing poker, and I heard an intense instrumental song from this band. Eisenhower easily should've been in the top 5 for best albums of 2006, and it should've been in my mix cd as well. The whole album is wonderful. Best songs include: Children of December, Airplane/Primitive, Even Rats, If One of Us Should Fall, Suffocation Keep, just get the album already!

Assembly of Dust: Recollection
I noted that this 2007 release from a band that describes their music as "hick-funk", sounded more like old school Strangefolk. Obvious great lyrics from Reid Genauer, I noted in my journal that there was "nothing spectacular, but enjoyable from start to finish", and while that might sum it up, this band really grew on me, and it may have been from getting a chance to see them in action at this years All Good Festival.

Arcade Fire: The Funeral, Neon Bible
Sometimes my Dad will surprise me and bring something to the plate that is completely off my radar. I had heard about this band, and shrugged them off. I'll admit, it's taken me pretty much all year to figure these folks out. I noted that they really sound like David Byrne meets Bowie. Neon Bible came out and I borrowed it from Dad, and it was almost infectious, but I was still not there. I guess I get it by now, but they are seriously the kings of indie rock these days.

Keller Williams: Dream, 12
Continuing with his tradition of one word album titles, Dream might be KW's most impressive album to date, as well as his most cohesive. Great collaborations, and although almost all of the songs I had heard multiple times, the guest musicians give the album a freshness that I had not heard since maybe "Laugh". I think it's the fact that he NEVER plays with anyone other then himself (no pun intended) why this is so. This year's concert of the year is tied between The WMD's (Keller's "side" project) and any number of performances from this years All Good. Later Santa would bring KW's "greatest hits" collection in 12. While I have every album, as a collector, I hate to not have the one "best of" album, even though I can just make a playlist. When Mo and I heard that he would be putting this album out, we had many talks about what he would choose to be the "top" cuts. We hit a few, but missed the majority. The bonus track "Freshies" was fantastic to see played live, and I was eager to hear his studio version.

The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America
Another album that would've made it to the best of 2006 cd if only I had remembered to give it more of a listen and a purchase before the end of the year. They try not to sound like the E Street Band in my opinion but don't do that great a job of it...this is not bad, and the songwriting is pretty good.

Dr. Dog: We All Belong
Every once in a while a band comes along that just works for you. When I first gave this album a listen, I jotted down in my notebook "good old-fashioned pop songs", and "heavy Beatles influence - great from start to finish", while I focused on the song Alaska as the favorite. Later I would analyze every single song on this album, and I really think it was one of the top 5 if not 3 of the year.

West Indian Girl: West Indian Girl
After finding out that we were to see this band at the All Good Festival, I had to check em' out, and was quite impressed. Unfortunately, Mo and I were unable to attend the show as we had to leave the campsite early. I still like the album as it is really chilled out, electronica-meets-rock-meets jam, or something along those lines.

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9): Artifact
I remember hearing about this band when they first came on the scene when the techno-jams of the Disco Biscuits were just starting to surface. I later would see a neat couple of songs on concert-tv that really had me boppin' along. Unfortunately, I was not as impressed with their album as I was with their live show that they brought to the All Good Festival, with an amazing light show.

Zero 7 - Simple Things
I put off buying this album for way too long. Waiting Line may be one of my top 5 desert island songs. This album is just stunning, and is worthy of just about anyone's music collection.

Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Kick Your Ass
While this album title is kind of humorous, the tunes are far from it. I had heard of these guys for a long time, but never brought myself to purchase. Once I had heard the song "Mr. Tough", I had to break down and buy it in April of 2007.

Page McConnell - Page McConnell
While I still believe this maybe the phishiest of all of the boys releases (other than Trey of course), although the one member that really impresses me since the break up has to be Mike. I was still eager to hear what he has been doing all of this time, and the album is pretty impressive. While it still has that "Vida Blue" charm, I can hear something pretty unique going on here.

Umphrey's McGee - The Bottom Half, Live At The Murat
Leftovers from last years fantastic "Safety In Numbers". I really hope that they can muster up the balls to put "Alex's House" on an upcoming studio release, because I would love to hear how a completely produced cut of this song would go. Live it works wonders, and even on this release, the choppiness gives it a neat aspect. I really could've done without Divisions, but I am pleased with the "geekiness" that the band knows it's phreaks take part in. And, with that, releasing their double cd "Live At The Murat", with it's collection of two nights may have driven some fans battty, but they picked some choice cuts. Luckily for me and all the rest of the geeks, if you pre-ordered it, you got a free download of one of my favorite live cuts "Partyin' Peeps", which I guess just did not fit on the cd.

ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) - Roses And Clover
I was so happy this band put out another great album this year. Why this band is not more popular I just don't understand?

Greyboy Allstars - What Happened To Television
This was one of the albums that I was most anticipating this year. It is solid from start to finish, with classic old-school hooks, and some different stuff mixed in which is why they are one of my favorite "jazz" bands out there...I mean if you could call them jazz, I can't think of anything better!

A Tribe Called Quest - Peoples Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Funk And Rhythm
Somehow I misplaced this cd and I was jonesin to go back and re-discover this. I can still remember when i was about 13, buying this tape at Kemp Mill Records and nearly playing it out of whack. This probably my favorite rap album of all time.

De La Soul - Buhloone Mindstate, Three Feet High And Rising
Ditto, these two albums...classics, nuff said...

Ween - Quebec
I had never bought this album, and loved seeing them live.

Herbie Hancock - Village Life
I somehow scored a copy of this digitally, and I believe it is out of print. The story behind this album is that it came out to absolutely no acclaim. While the album is only 4 tracks and is completely improvised, it absolutely ethereal. The only players being Hancock and Foday Musa Soso, with Hancock on a detunable Yamaha DX-1 synthesizer and drum machine and Soso on what allmusic.com calls a zither-like kora, vocalizing a bit and playing a talking drum. This is mesmorizing stuff....for the quiet times.

Black Sheep - A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing
Another favorite rap album of mine. Brings back the days of high school football in good old Springbrook's locker room.

The Bad Plus - Prog
This three-piece's version of Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule the World" is almost better than the original. I love how this band does their jazz versions of rock songs, usually at least on an album, but this album they let loose on a bunch of great songs, one of the best releases of 2007.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky, Summerteeth
Easily got the most play of any album that came out in 2007. I may have listened to this straight through 5 times in a row before setting it aside for a day. I could pick any song and riff about how great it is and how well if fits into the album. All I can say is the new guitarist Nels Cline, fits right in and hopefully will be there to stay. Every once in a while an album comes along that has lyrics that fit into your life so well, you would think that you wrote the songs. That's this album for me, and is why I believe it was the best of 2007. I later got Summerteeth, just because I didn't have it, I mean, I have alll the rest, why not this one?

Bright Eyes - Cassadega
Conor Oberst may be this generations Bob Dylan, it might be a stretch, but he has some incredible lyrics. I have to go back into this guys catalog, because I hear that this album may not even be close to his best stuff.

The Beastie Boys - The Mix Up
Pass The Bong, not the Mic if you ask me. While the album gets a little stale after a while, I had a great 20 mile bike ride listening to this.

Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Another album that I was eagerly anticipating for the first half of 2007. This guy is a beast. He writes incredible lyrics and beautiful acoustic songs that are sometimes poppy and other times just straight folk, all in all another great album from an incredible musician.

Flight Of The Conchords - The Distant Future (EP)
When their full length release comes out in 2008, you can bet I will be listening that day. One of my favorite shows to watch all year. They are like a Tenacious D mixed with Stephen Lynch, with some ridiculous dry humor.

Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
I guess you could say I got into some folk and singer/songwriters this year. This guy is all of that.

Trey Anastasio - The Horseshoe Curve
When Trey went out on his own, the first time, about 6 years ago, I thought I could never see Phish again, if this is what I have in it's place. This release is absolutely NOTHING like any of his previous releases which is a VERY good thing. Not that those were bad, but this is the real deal here, this is what I think of when I hear Trey outside of Phish. I love lyrics and all, but I never feel like I need to hear anyone singing when I listen to this cd. Good job Trey, not kick the habit and lets get back to the real drug in your life...music.

The Bridge - The Bridge
I didn't think I really liked this local band that much, but after seeing them a couple of times, they grew on me. I believe this was their first release, and it's actually a perfect introduction to them. I like that.

VHS or BETA - Bring On The Comets
Since I had worn out my copy of Eisenhower from The Slip, I was searching for something similar, and stumbled on these guys. At first I didn't really get it, but that was me being naive, and is why it took me this long to find them. If I had to categorize them it would be electronic-rock. But, it's probably more indie than anything. The songs are short and sweet, and after a few listens to the album as a whole, it gets a little repetitive, but there are some excellent individual songs on this album. I found that they even sound a bit new-wavey or even 80's-ish. But in a good way, besides, the songs are short and to the point and overall enjoyable.

Dave Matthews And Tim Reynolds - Live At Radio City Music Hall
While not as good as "Luther College", this release focused more on Dave's solo stuff I felt. I wrote in my journal...fine, same stuff, but still good. I could've used more of Tim Reynolds without his slide, but that is what you can find on Luther College. Their version of Old Dirt Hill, is fantastic.

Robert Plant And Allison Krauss - Raising Sand
Simply beautiful! How do these two make this work? One of the best of 2007. Listen to this one with some good earphones to really get what's going on here. OUTSTANDING!

Phish - 10/21/95: Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln, NE, Vegas 96
If there was one song that I could listen to over and over again, without it getting old, it would be this version of Reba from 10/21/95. I could go on and on about how great this song is. That being said, when Live Phish decided to release a soundboard of this show, I was ecstatic. This is by far my favorite phish recording ever. Thank YOU KEVIN SHAPIRO!!! When Mo, told me that she would be giving me Vegas 96 for a anniversary gift, I was unbelievably excited. Just look at what Phish has given the phans this year. The limited edition box set also came with a "Road To Vegas" cd that featured excellent versions of SOAM and TWEEZER from shows leading up to the Vegas run.

Radiohead - In Rainbows
Highly anticipated from the east to the west. And, giving the thing away, it's unbelievable that anyone wouldn't pay 10 bucks for this. Easily one of the top 3 albums of 2007, and more than 1/2 of the world didn't pay .01 for it. I have heard that if you play each track in between each track of OK Computer that it's like a sonic Wizard Of Oz/Dark Side Of The Moon, but I still haven't tried it.

Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
What a story! And, what an album! Almost country, almost bluegrass, almost rock, but all good. One of the best of 2007 easily.

Christmas With The Rat Pack
I needed more Xmas music for the holidays, how can you go wrong with the Rat Pack?

White Stripes - Icky Thump
I waited so long before getting this album. It took me a little while to "get" what was going on with Jack White, but I got it. This album may be a bit different than his previous releases, but I like it more and more everytime I play it.

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
The year of folk and singer/songwriter remember? Well, thats what I thought this would be, but its not entirely. Eclectic seems the right word, and heavy as well. This album paired with Elvis Perkins may leave your head in a fog, which isn't bad, but beware...

Iron And Wine - The Shepherds Dog
Not your typical Sam Beam here, nope, we've got Calexico as well, and that put it as a must hear/buy cd for me. This was very surprising for me, considering that I really didn't like Iron & Wine at first. This is another best of 2007, probably top 5.

LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
I had heard such great things about these guys, and they don't dissapoint. North American Scum is one of the best songs of the year, the album isn't entirely my cup of tea, but it works here and there.

Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
Why oh why does this happen? I wait until 10 days before the end of the year to buy one of the greatest albums put out all 2007. This would've filled my top 25 most played playlist on my Ipod and taken the place of MMJ (who I can never get enough of).

Okkervil River - The Stage Names
This was another one as above that I waited too long to get. I still haven't absorbed the whole album, but it has potential. It may be top 10 from what I hear so far, but there was just way too much stuff this year for me.

Dreamscape

Last night as I waited for Mo to get home from her Grandmothers birthday party that I unfortunately could not attend, I saw the tail end of a 1984 science fiction movie called "Dreamscape". It was a movie that I had seen countless times when I was younger. The story is basically about an idea that you can control your dreams and enter other peoples dreams, in the end altering their existence. The story goes on that a group of assasins plots to assasinate the President of the US because he is having nightmares and they tell him that they can fix them. So I watched the last 40 minutes and remembered how much I loved it when I was growing up, although I don't exactly know why.

Fast forward to this morning when I wake up recounting my own dream from last nights deep sleep. I am sitting at The Bellagio eating dinner at one of their really nice restaurants. I know it is at the very least a casino because in the background all I can hear are the bells and whistles of slot machines and the shuffling of chips. Also, I determine that I am at The Bellagio because sitting beside me at the table are Barry Greenstein and Daniel Negreanu, who sit to the left and right of me respectfully, while across the table Patrick Antonius and Phil Ivey are talking over plates of lobster. Barry, Daniel, and I are talking poker, and specifically online pokers highest stakes games on Full-Tilt. Essentially Barry and Daniel tell me that although both Ivey and Patrick play in those games, Antonius in particular is a huge donkey! I agree with them both, telling them that calling off 3 million dollars on the flop of a pot-limit omaha game with only a flush draw can't be +ev.

Now I sit here trolling the pages of Cardplayer and realize that...holy crap...Chip Reese died last night!! While this was very saddening news to read, the only thought I had was, could Dreamscape be real? Who slipped into Chips dreams last night? Was it someone who he had put a bad beat on the night/day before? Someone who he owed money but could not pay? Regardless, it is definitely a bad-beat for poker. And while the poker community will mourn the loss, they will undoubtedly be left with quite a legacy of a gentleman in poker who some may say was the best in the world.