My Favorite Albums of 2007:

1.  Band of Horses - Cease to begin
2.  Radiohead – In Rainbows
3.  Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
4.  Les Savy Fav - Lets Stay Friends
5.  Interpol - Our Love to Admire
6.  M.I.A. - Kala
7.  Spoon - Ga ga ga ga ga
8.  Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
9.  Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
10 Deerhunter - Cryptograms
11 Handsome Furs - Plague Park
12 Earlimart - Mentor Tormentor
13 The Rosebuds - Night of the Furies
14 A Place to Bury Strangers
15 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
16 Menomena - Friend and Foe
17 Jesu - The Conqueror
18 The Good, the Bad, & the Queen
19 Saul Williams - Niggy Tardust…..
20.  White Stripes - Icky Thump

Best songs of 2007:

1.  Interpol - Pioneer to the Falls
2. Bat for Lashes - Whats a Girl to Do?
3.  M.I.A. - Paper Planes
4.  Les Savy Fav - The Year Before the Year 2000
5.  Deerhunter - Like New
6.  Radiohead - All I Need
7.  Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
8.  Dappled Cities Fly - Fire Fire Fire
9.  Tokyo Citizens Club - Citizens of Tomorrow
10 Band of Horses - The General Specific
11 The Good, the Bad & The Queen - Kingdom of Doom
12 Mogwai - Gouge Away
13 Chin Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything
14 Modest Mouse - Steam Eugenious
15 The National - Mistaken for Strangers
16 Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
17 Beastie Boys - The Rat Cage
18 K-Os - Sunday Morning
19 Wilco - Impossible Germany20 The Shins - Phantom Limb

Best Videos: 

Bat for Lashes - Whats a Girl to Do?

Bloc Party - The Weekend

Bjork - Innocence 1

Best Live Show - Sonic Youth "Daydream Nation" show

Biggest disappointments

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away - it had 3 great songs, but I never seem to like their albums in their entireity.

Bloc Party - Weekend in the City - can you say sophmore slump?

Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden.... - I think I'm just tired of instrumental rock.

Stars - In Our Bedroom... - check out their last album, not this one.

The New Pornographers - Challengers (see The Shins above)

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight - Jenny Lewis is an incredible songwriter, but as usual I only like about 3 songs on each record.

What were your faves??

Ok its been a month and I'm still loving Radiohead's latest.  It blows away everything else I've heard so far.  I think Band of Horses Cease to Exist is a close second.

My friend Kim told me Joel from Dios is playing with The Good Luck Thrift Store Outlet in Merced on Dec 22^nd.  Here is the info. 

Ok so you know I'm a music freak.  When I get together with my friends who are also music freaks, I usually talk about the stuff we mutually love: Interpol, Pink Floyd, Grandaddy, Secret Machines, etc. But there is a lot of great stuff that I listen to; stuff that I'm not sure if anybody I know listens to.  So I'm going to tout some of my other faves:

Alec Empire – Alec was in Atari Teenage Riot back in the 90's.  Alec changes his style from album to album.  His last album, The Futurist, rocked.  I'd describe it as industrial punk rock.  He's got a new one coming out and over on his myspace you can hear the new groovy tracks.  They sound great and definitely takes a new direction geared towards 1980s synth and industrial.

The Rosebuds – I've written about them before, but I'm going to do it again.  Their album Birds Make Good Neighbors is a modern classic.  I've loved it since day one and I've read that quite a few artists and critics consider it among their recent favorites.  Its alternative pop rock at its best.

I also love Wolf Parade.  Their album Apologies to the Queen Mary continues to grow on me.  All I know about WP is that they were discovered or produced or something by Brock Isaac from Modest Mouse.  They do have a bit of a Modest Mouse sound, but have more of a unique indie rock sound.  Also, one of the main dudes from the band, Dan Boeckner, has a side project called Handsome Furs and their album Plague Park is one of the year's best. 

And last but not least I gotta tout Les Savy Fav.  I loved 2004's Inches.  It was chock full of good, post-punk indie rock.  I don't know why my expectations weren't high for the the new one.  I heard it once and I was hooked.  So many catchy hooks and good rockin' indie rock.  Top 5 this year for sure.

I am a dad.  It feels weird just saying that.  Weird, but great.  All my friends who have kids spoke of the undescribeable moment of having witnessed their child being born.  To me, it was surreal.  Surreal in a good way.  The big moment was much calmer than I thought it was going to be.  Thanks to modern medicine, Monica had a relatively easy delivery.  The second Lars's head was out he started crying.  As his whole body came out he looked he looked right at me and he looked pissed off!  I wish we had videotaped it because I would like to watch that scene over and over again.  I will never forget it.  It was one of the best moments of my life. 

We are settling in and Lars has a been a relatively good baby.  Only a couple sleepless nights so far.  I am enjoying every moment of fatherhood so far.  Having a couple weeks off of work has been a great "baby vacation".  Just sitting home and caring for my wife and child.  Nothing beats it.  Of course I am a doting dad and think my son is the best looking baby I have ever seen.  I can't believe how fast he is growing. 

When you are young you have a vision of what 'adulthood' is and you work towards that goal.  Well, I feel like I've made it.  Life is good.

Check out the baby pics I've posted.

I've been slacking my my rants so let me start to get caught up. Of course the big news for indie rock fans is the NEW RADIOHEAD ALBUM!!!! They suprised everybody last week by announcing that the record was done and ready for online release this coming week. AND, you can download it and pay whatever you decide its worth! So sweet. Its called In Rainbows.

Anyway, I've been digging a new band called A Place to Bury Strangers. They bring in a lot of influences including old Ministry (Rape & Honey era), Joy Division, New Order, Ride and My Bloody Valentine to name a few. Check em out.

Other contenders for the top 10 that I've been digging recently are:

M.I.A.'s Kala - check out the Clash sample on Paper Planes, too cool.

Spoon's Ga ga ga ga ga

Jesu - Conqueror - This album is epic. Droning, chugging metal meets ambient shoegazer .

Has anybody seen that Nissan commercial that features The Clash's Pressure Drop? Its always been one of my favorite Clash songs. Its cool that it gets a big exposure and might create some more Clash fans, but I really don't want to think of a mid-sized sedan whenever I hear that song from now on.

Okay, there have been some really cool videos this year. Here are my most recent faves:

Tokyo Police Club - Cheer it On



Bjork - Innocence (I can't believe this is fan-made, its incredible)


Bat for Lashes - Whats a Girl to Do (its got a creepy Donnie Darko vibe)

So its been three days and I'm still buzzing over seeing Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation in its entirety Thursday night in Berkeley.  Their performance was nothing short of godlike.  We were about 20 feet from the stage and it was amazing watching Lee's guitar wizardry.  The sound was perfect AND they did an encore featuring the best tracks from Rather Ripped, one of my favorite albums from last year.  I would have driven down to LA for the next show if there was anyway possible. 

Here are some photos from the show.  This first one is about the view we had from our seats.:


And some more:




Mark Ibold (Pavement bassist) played on the entire encore!

More random music stuff:

The Band of Horses show was great.  The Great American Music Hall is always a great place to see a show and BOH debuted their new fleshed-out sound since going to a six piece.  They opened with a rocking new song (title unknown) and had the place jumping.  Can't wait til the new record in October.  If you still haven't heard their last, Everything All the Time, you are missing out.
..

Interpol's "Our Love To Admire" will go on sale Tuesday, July 10 2007....I'm counting down the hours.  Think anywhere in Turlock will carry it?  They've also announced a live date in SF at the Bill Grahm Civic on October 10th.

Speaking of live music, I'm pissed that the Cure's Bay Area stop is part of the Download Festival.  I'm sure this means that instead of a typical 3 hour set we will get more like an hour fifteen after the AFI (gag) set.  I'd be up for traveling to LA instead.

Want to see the best video of the year?  Check out Bloc Party's mushroom trip vid for The Prayer.


Ahh, the continuing difficulties of being an Aphex Twin fan.  Apparently Rephlex records has a new release by an artist called The Tuss who is supposedly none other that RDJ himself.  Read Pitchfork's glowing review right here.  Of course I'm salivating over it after finding it on Soulseek.  Its big, dancey, loud and complex

Built Like Alaska is playing an Off the Air show this Weds at the Fat Cat in Modesto.  Always great to see Oakdale's finest live.

Some 'Songs of the Year' (so far):

The Chin Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything
The Good, the Bad, & the Queen - Kingdom of Doom
Tokyo Police Club - Citizens of Tomorrow
The National - Mistaken for Strangers
The Shins - Phantom Limb
The Beastie Boys - The Rat Cage (watch the vid below)


This year has so many anticipated releases but I'm finding myself suprised at what I like and don't like.  I've been disappointed by the likes of Air, Explosions in the Sky, Bloc Party, etc and pleasantly suprised by the new White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (see below), and NIN. 

I am loving the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs.  They have a new EP out soon and here is the first track/video.  I absolutely hated their last effort so this is a nice return to form.  Sweet video too. 

Been awhile since I've posted anything so here are some random thoughts:

Band of Horses playing July 5th at GAMH.  Can't wait to hear some new material from their upcoming release.  Going to see Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation in Berkeley on July 19th - woo hoo!

Lots of negative reviews on the new Beastie Boys record The Mix Up.  Haven't heard it yet, but am loving the track "The Rat Cage."  One of the best jams of the summer.

Albums of the year (so far):  Menomena's Friend & Foe, Handsome Fur's Plague Park, LCD Soundsystem's Silver, NIN's Year Zero, and Deerhunter's Crytograms. 

My current guilty pleasures:  The Pipettes and Lily Allen.

Been a lot of press about New Order breaking up, but it is still unknown.  Sounds like the rest of the band (minus Peter Hook) appear to still be together.  I'm still bummed that the Secret Machines have lost guitarist Benjamin Curtis.  Wondering how they will fare without him. 

I can't get enough of the single "This Harness Can't be Erased" by The Chin Chin Up.  Click the link to hear.

Thats all I can think of for now......

Just home from Mendocino/Fort Bragg.  Check out some pics:

Mendocino in the background on the bluff:



Tiki


Tidepools


View from our room

Rant #21 features some quick record reviews and some concert news:

Album Reviews:

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse is back and the new record is great.  This time they've added former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and he contributes nicely.  There are quite a few moments where you can hear his influence and I believe he sings quite a bit of backup (and does it well).  Longtime MM fans and newer fans will find plenty to like, including radio-friendly tracks and their classic distorted spacey guitar tracks. 

Menomena - Friend and Foe - Thank you Pitchforkmedia.com!  They ranted and raved over this record and I downloaded it.  Didn't really get into it, but I kept trying and quickly realized what a masterpiece it is.  This album has so many layers yet it never feels slick.  The band uses computer programs to loop their creations, yet the the music still feels live.  Fans of Grandaddy and Modest Mouse should like this one.  Check out this free download for the albums best track, Wet and Rusting.  One of my new favorite bands.

The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - Best album of the year so far?  Maybe.  AF's last record broke a lot of new ground, but Neon Bible adheres to a more traditional format.  Not much is lost in the transition.  The middle of the album is classic; starting with the track 'Intervention' and running through the Pixies-inspired 'Ocean of Noise.  Fans of U2, Bruce Springsteen, and The Pixies and will love this record. This is Arcade Fire at their best.  Check out the track Intervention.

Deerhunter - Cryptograms - My three favorite types of music are post-punk, ambient and space rock.  Deerhunter incorporates all three genres.  Half of the album is ambient noise, which has a really good sound.  The other half are more traditional songs that carry such influences as Bauhaus, Grandaddy, Jesus & Mary Chain, Radiohead & Sonic Youth.  As much as I like the ambient interludes, this album could have been an alltime classic if it contained more of the "regular" songs.  Check out this spacy/psychedelic track, Spring Hall Convert.

Concert news

This coming Thursday at the Fat Cat, Off the Air presents Great Northern and Solar Powered People.  These are two of my favorite bands!  And only $5.  See you there.

Morrissey is playing the Bob Hope Theater in Stockton on April 27th!!!!  I've never seen Moz, but this would be a great time to catch him.  Its such a small venue!

Explosions in the Sky are playing Slims on May 1st.  I've already got my ticket.

Sonic Youth will be performing Daydream Nation in its entirety on July 20th at the Greek Theater in Berkeley!  Tickets go on sale April 1st.  Please God let me score tickets to this one!

I had an amazing movieoing experience this past weekend.  I saw 300 on IMAX.  It is a must see for any fans of Matrix-style action, Gladiator movies, and Frank Miller.  For those familiar with the artist Frank Frazetta, its like watching a live action movie of his paintings.  I was afraid it might be a little too CGI but not so.  Its an instant classic.  I'm planning a day trip to Dublin to see it again next week, maybe Tues or Friday if anybody is interested.