Best of 2007

Wow, that last post was a bit more intense than I had planned, but it's something I had to do. So I will now lighten things up a bit. Every year I've had this blog I have done a Best Of list of my favourite albums of the year. So this may be a month or so late, but without further ado here are my fave albums of 2007. (Insert drum roll here)

2007 was a great year for music. It's really hard to pick one album as the best. But I'll give it a try.

1. Feist - The Reminder. I may be a bit biased since she is my future wife (she just doesn't know it yet), but this album is aninstant classic. Her iPod commercial got her the commercial attention and now even Z99 plays her songs, but this a flawless collection of 13 diverse songs. Her voice comes out of the speakers like she's whipsering in your ear. Okay, maybe that was just a dream I had. But you get the point. Standout tracks: "I Feel It All," "My Moon, My Man," "Sealion," and yes... that iPod song. You know what it is.

2. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War. Stars are a band I just cannot get sick of. I always go to bed listening to music, so I generally don't listen to punk rock music to soothe me to sleep. This is music to put you to sleep...but in a good sense. The voices of Torq Campbell and Amy Millan mesh perfectly, bringing their songs of failed romances and ghosts of dead Iraq soldiers both the male and female perspectives. Standout tracks: "The Night Starts Here," "Take Me to the Riot," "Bitches in Tokyo," and "Today Will Be Better, I Swear!"

3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible. Yes, my three fave albums of the year are from bands that are more or less based out Montreal. This is album is a force. Listening to this album is like a religious experience, and I mean that in a positive way. "Intervention" is hands down my fave song from last year. I first heard the song on CJTR in my car and the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. And the rest of the album is nearly as good. I can only imagine how good these guys and girls are live. Standout tracks: "Intervention," "Keep the Car Running," "Antichrist Television Blues"

4. Against Me! - New Wave. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but my three fave albums are all fairly mellow. But I honestly haven't been that impressed with many ROCK bands lately. Against Me! however absolutley blew me away. 10 songs, 30-some minutes...a perfect album. These guys make smart, literate, socially conscious punk rock with brilliant hooks. Listen to "Stop!" just once and it will be in your head for a year. I can't wait to see these guys in March. Standout tracks: "Stop!", "Thrash Unreal," "White People For Peace"

5. Bruce Springsteen - Magic. Bruce is BACK. This album is stellar all the way through. I became a huge Bruce fan with The Rising, and this album stands up to Born in the USA and Born To Run. There is nothing fancy about this album, just great well written back-to-basics rock songs. Standout tracks: "Radio Nowhere," "Living ing the Future," "I'll Work For Your Love," "You'll Be Coming Down"

6. Tegan and Sara - The Con. The great thing about these two lesbian sisters...Did I just say lesbian? Yep, I did....lesbian lesbian lesbian... I just love that word. But I digress. The great thing about these Quin siblings is that every album is different from the one before. Their first album was a mashup of folk, punk and hip-hop. Their second disc was more straight ahead rock while their last album was more poppy. And now they've brought out some Moogs and have decided to go in a New Wave direction. And in a coincidence, Tegan appears on Against Me!'s album called New Wave. I now give you permission to use that tidbit of useless information in a conversation. Go ahead, impress your friends. You're welcome. Standout tracks: "Back in Your Head," "Burn Your Life Down," "I Was Married"

7. Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild Soundtrack. Eddie Vedder's first solo effort is short, but definitely sweet. This mostly acoustic effort is almost meditative in nature, showcasing the softer edges of his deep baritone voice. Standout Tracks: "Setting Forth," :Hard Sun," "Society," "Guaranteed"

8. Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade. Steve Earle is one of the finest songwriters ever and he can still crank out brilliant albums. This album is mostly about his move from Nashville to New York. Being a tad leftwing in his politics, he ruffled a few feathers in the Conservative world of Nashville. This is his "goodbye to Guitar Town." He also gains some browny points for covering a Tom Waits tune. Standout tracks: "Jericho Road," "Sparkle and Shine," "Tennessee Blues"

9. Velvet Revolver - Libertad. Scott Weiland, Slash and co. put together a no-frills, straight ahead rock album with lots of great tunes. I was lucky enough to see these guys at the Brandt Centre amongst an underwhelming crowd of not even one third capacity. No wonder Regina has trouble attracting big name bands. Standout out tracks: "Just Sixteen," "She Builds Quick Machines," "Let it Roll"

10. The New Pornographers - Challengers. On their fourth album, Carl Newman, Neko Case and co. have created a more moody and subdued album than their previous offerings. Nothing quite leaps out you like "Use It" or "Mass Romantic" but it is perhaps their most cohesive album. Great nighttime music. Standout tracks: My Rights Versus Yours," "Myriad Harbour," "Challengers"

11. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight. Two words. Jenny Lewis. I'm sold. Oh yeah, and the songs are great too. Standout tracks: "Close Call," "Under the Blacklight," "Silver Lining"

12. The Killers - Sawdust. AConsidering this is a collection of b-sides, rarities and a couple of new tunes, these songs hold together surprisingly well. It is pretty cool that they were able to release a single that features Lou Reed and a childrens' choir. Standout Tracks: "Tranquilizer," "Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf," and a cover of Dire Straits' (yes, Dire Straits) "Romeo and Juliet"

13. Metric - Grow Up and Blow Away. Not technically released in 2007, this was Metric's first album when they were just a duo. It was available on their website for a long time until they finally decided to officially release it. And now the world is a better place for it. It's a nice teaser until they release their long overdue follow-up to Live it Out. Standout Tracks: "Raw Sugar," "Grow Up and Blow Away," "Soft Rock Star"

14. Serena Ryder - If Your Memory Serves You Well. Released in 2006, this album didn't pick up steam until 2007. I finally buckled down and bought this album after George Stroumbolopolus (sp???) kept raving about her on The Hour. If Strombo gives something the green light, he's usually right on the money. Serena has a rich, bluesy voice that brings this album of (mostly) covers to life. However, I'm most impressed with her handful of originals. And in a cool side note, my good friend Mr. Dan Silljer is currently playing guitar in her band. So I am one degree of separation from Ms. Ryder. Yeah, I know... I'm kind of a big deal. Standout Tracks: "Sisters of Mercy," "Weak in the Knees," "My Heart Cries For You"

Well, that includes my list. I believe my most random/diverse music purchase of the year was when I bought The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years and Van Halen: The Best of Both Worlds. And for the record, Van Halen is ten times better than Van Haggar. Diamond Dave was the man.

On the local level, my good friend Chad Kichula has been getting some radio play south of the border for his song "Never Seen the Ocean." The song is reminiscent of Lou Reed. The success of that song couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

And 2007 saw the end of BILF. I got to be good friends with the guys over the years and they have been nice enough to let me onstage with them countless times in front of packed houses, making me feel like a quasi-rockstar for 3 minutes a night. They defintely weren't the most technically sound band, but they were definitely the most entertaining.