A.L. Harper's Top Ten Albums of 2007
Published December 23, 2007
Sons Of William – What Hides Inside
Sons Of William make the kind of rock you want to hear when you’re slumming it in a saw-dust-on-the-floor bar in the deep South, sitting, feet-up on a table, drinking bourbon. As you watch, the band slowly enthrals the rancorous audience into awed silence with a rich tapestry of music that is bluesy, funky and incredibly horny. As the tempestuous, luscious vocals passionately caress the bar patrons, you can’t help thinking to yourself that those deep, ardent lyrics are intellectually above this bar’s usual crowd. What Hides Inside has a mix of radio-friendly indie rock and more edgy southern rock, great songs, fantastic musicianship, stirring vocals and plenty of energy and soul. This dirty, raw, mostly bluesy, sometimes funky sound is combined with dark, sensual, smoky vocals, intelligent, passionate lyrics sung in rich harmony by frontman Joe Stark and bassist Jen Janet. All of this combines to make What Hides Inside a triumph of talent, spirit and rock music.
The Ruse – Live at the Viper Room EP
The Ruse have a melodic, soothing, cultivated sound, thick with the influences of big stadium rock bands U2, Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Their music is full of punchy guitar solos and mild baselines but it’s Dauer’s melodic, smooth, mellow vocals that complete this creamy concoction. His vocals are like good Scottish whisky, buttery, rich and hauntingly emotive with a strong Celtic flavour. The Ruse are so good you know one day they will be rock gods. The Ruse: Live at the Viper Room is a five song EP which includes one track from their debut album Invasion, two tracks from their last album, Light in Motion, and two previously unreleased tracks from their new album – they are currently recording and expect it out in early 2008.
Dan Ferrari – Don’t Let It Fall
Dan Ferrari is the saving grace of pop music. His fresh, upbeat, catchy sound, intimate heart-felt lyrics, faultless musicianship and emotive vocals are everything pop music should be. In these days of homogeneous, artistically void pop he is the fresh breeze you have been waiting for. Don’t Let it Fall is resplendent with harmonies and melodies, lustful, deeply personal lyrics, and passionate, engagingly honest vocals. Love songs filled with such fresh pain, longing, and sensual loss that you would be forgiven for thinking it was just yesterday she walked out. Even with his enviable vocal abilities, it’s Ferrari’s compellingly emotional lyrics that will keep you listening. Ferrari’s talent lies in painting a stirring and deeply personal portrait of his life – mostly his love life – that is all at once libidinous and winsome, passionate and friendly. You get a glimpse inside the painful heart of someone coming to terms with love lost and desire through his music.
I'm a writer and music journalist originally from Salt Lake City, but now living in Scotland. I was a Punk/Goth in the '80s and these artistic influences have stayed with me; although a love of Chopin, chamber music, and Spanish guitar would seem to belie this. I am the managing editor for AllThingsGirl.com, assistant music editor at Blogcritics.org, staff writer for a gay men's magazine based in Edinburgh, and a freelance writer.
![Light in Motion [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VYfHPZ06L._SY90_.jpg "Light in Motion [Explicit]")
- A.L. Harper's Top Ten Albums of 2007
- Published: December 23, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Rock, Music: R&B, Music: Pop, Music: New Wave, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Funk, Music: Folk, Music: Electronica, Music: Blues, Music: Ambient, Music: Adult Alternative, Music: Acoustic, Review
- Writer: A.L. Harper
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Comments
I like this list a lot just because it is so different from everyone else's (including my own). There are a lot of titles here that I'll make a point to check out where I might not have done so otherwise.
On a closing note Andrea, I hope 2008 is a much better year for you, and I bet that it will be.
-Glen
Thanks very much, both of you, for your support. Things are certainly much brighter for me now.
I'll be sure to check out Lonely China Day. Thanks for the tip Chris.
oh, i like this...sending recommendations to ms. harper.
here's one from my list. no...two (since i can't make up my mind):
1. Erin McKeown's "Sing You Sinners"
or
2. John Doe's "A Year In The Wilderness"
and honestly, i do hope that 2008 brings better things.
Thank you Mr. Saleski I will check those out right now, if you promise to check out a couple of mine.
i promise!
(currently listening to A Fine Frenzy on the myspace thingie...)
And what are your feelings? Doesn't she have an amazing voice....
yeah, sort of reminds me of Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays)
Yeah, I can see that. But overall what do you think?
what i think is that i've got to get her cd...because while i liked "Come On Come Out", i love "Hope For The Hopeless".
wow, love that voice.
I agree. EVERYONE should have One Cell in the Sea. Now listen to Jem and Bat For Lashes.
Ms. Harper:
I responded to your comments in my essay "The Top Ten Douche bags" of 2007 rather harshly. Well, first, your comments were harsh towards me. Then, two wrongs don't make a right do they?
Now, I read this essay and understand what you have gone through this year and why you reacted so negatively to my article, especially because I joked about Dennis Miller taking his own life.
Ms. Harper, I invite you to read this article I wrote about suicide some months back. It may put a smile on your face or at least make you think.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I have to say that your list is very unique. But Joss Stone - I could never get into her. Very soulful voice, but sort of boring. Oh well, each to their own.
I think you have the most intriguing list of any of the ones I've seen on BC (including ones I've participated on). I've loved Joss Stone since her debut and was fortunate to have seen her open for the Rolling Stones in '05. I also really enjoy Colbie Caillat's album.
And I just purchased A Fine Frenzy's album based on your recommendation.
I'm currently looking into your other selections as well. So, thanks for broadening my musical curiosities!
- Donald
You are so welcome Donald. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I hope you enjoy One Cell in the Sea as much as I have.
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/72298)
Sorry to hear about your troubles this year. I hope things are looking up for you.
That said, I have not heard any of the albums on your list. Although, I do have a recommendation from my list, Lonely China Day's Sorrow. I think you would dig it. I was surprised when I did.