Okay, so maybe this is a little premature (well by like a week anyway).
But in the next couple of weeks, you are going to be seeing zillions of these year-end best of lists on these pages. From what I understand, there are going to be at least two "official" Blogcritics lists—one by the editors, and another by a group of our most popular music writers.
Not to mention the several individual lists that are no doubt forthcoming (you may have noticed that Blogcritic Jerry Rojas already has his own metal list up).
It seems nothing says it's Christmas time in the world of music criticism quite like the critics jackoff that is the yearend top ten list. Anyway, I figured it was probably as good a time as any to get a jump on the competition.
So the criteria for my own list is just a bit different this year. You see, when I am not slaving away at my computer by night writing and editing articles for the mighty Blogcritics Magazine, I drive a van all over the states of Washington and Oregon in my day job as a sales guy for a music distributor here.
As you can imagine—since many of these trips involve eight to even twelve hour days on the road—the music on my CD player is absolutely essential to my survival. So this year, I have decided to base my choices on the CDs released in 2007 that were most often playing at full blast in the van while driving through God-forsaken towns like Boring, Oregon.
So, on that note let's get to the list:
1. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
It should surprise no one who reads the Rockologist on a regular basis that Springsteen's first album with the E Street Band since The Rising tops my list for 2007. The thing is, Magic just feels so much more like the real rock album Springsteen fans like me have waited patiently for since the eighties, than The Rising (good as it was) ever did. Songs like "Radio Nowhere" and "Livin' In The Future" harken back to the E Street heyday of albums like Born To Run, and they would be all over the radio if there was any room on the airwaves for actual rock and roll these days. At the same time, the songs on this album address some of the weightier concerns that recent Springsteen albums like The Rising and Devils & Dust do. They just do so in such a less—and how exactly do you say this?—"weightier" way. On a side note, I scored my tickets for Bruce's shows in Seattle and Portland earlier this weekend. I can't wait.
2. Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet
PT was the single greatest—and unexpected—musical discovery I made this year. As connected to the music scene as I like to think myself as still being, I can't believe I never heard of this band until this year (they've been around since the nineties, and their catalog is huge). Once I heard this album, recommended to me by fellow Blogcritics music scribes Pico and Tom Johnson (thanks guys!), I immediately went out and bought every album I could find by this group. FOABP is a lot heavier than some of this band's earlier (and proggier) nineties output on albums like Signify and Deadwing—especially on the album's centerpiece, the seventeen plus minute opus "Anesthetize"—but is nonetheless a great record that combines amazing musicianship (especially by drummer Gavin Harrison), with the great songs of this band's resident genius, Steven Wilson. Not only are these guys really that good, they are also incredibly prolific. Speaking of which...
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Pico
Nice list, Glen. When/if I finally roll mine out, four of these albums will be on it and two or three more will be reluctantly left out of it.
2 - The Blues Blogger
Glad to see Joni on the list. I really enjoyed her latest album.
-TBB
3 - Glen Boyd
Thanx guys. I wholeheartedly that Joni's album was quite good BB. Umm, Pico lets see if I can guess..? Porcupine Tree and Blackfield for sure. Joni maybe? I'll look forward to your list (yours too BB).
-Glen
4 - Dirk
Not a great list. Much better was out there, but I guess all depends apon your taste in music. I have graduated from the usual drivel. And wow, only now hearing of Porcupine Tree, you really need to check out their older albums, since their newer stuff is very weak compared to it.
5 - Kevin Eagan
Thanks for the list. About half of the ones you've included will show up on my list, in a different order, of course.
I'd say this was a great year for music, and I'm having a difficult time narrowing it down to ten!
(I agree with the above commenter on Porcupine Tree, though. Their older stuff is much better)
6 - Tom Johnson
Glen, you'll likely be seeing 5 of your 10 on my list.
And it's nice to see one of the many music Nazis out to drop some useless insults on an otherwise fine list. Thanks, Dirk, for proving the old adage about opinions. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling we could say exactly the same thing of your list that you say of Glen's. There's a lot of unusual drivel out there, too. Remember, as you said, it "all depends apon (sic) your taste in music." Notice Dirk doesn't bother to actually list out his picks.
I've been a Porcupine Tree fan since The Sky Moves Sideways. The music is much better/more interesting now and the band pushes themselves a lot further now than ever before. The constant comparisons to Pink Floyd back then were unavoidable and completely warranted. Porcupine Tree today truly has their own sound. Frankly, it is very, very rare that I dig back further than Stupid Dream, and really it's the last three albums that have locked my attention for good.
7 - rojas
Thanks for the shout out. Great list btw. I love Radiohead for sure but havent been able to listen any of the new material. Definitely will have to check it out now. Have fun at the Springsteen show for sure homie.
8 - Glen Boyd
Thanks Tom. While I admit that I am a Johnny Come Lately to PT, I've gone back and gotten just about everything. I like Sky Moves Sideways quite a bit (especially the outrageous guitar on the second half of the title track), but my favorites are probably Signify and Deadwing. And I totally agree with you about them having found their own sound -- as good as that early stuff was, it was also very derivative of Pink Floyd as you alluded.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments from everyone (even Dirk).
-Glen
9 - Leslie Bohn
You say you like to "stay connected to the music scene," but your list is made up of mostly recordings by folks who have been making music for 30 or 40 years.
Important albums were released this year by, among scores of other bands, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Fiery Furnaces, the National, Les Savvy Fav, Richard Hawley, Animal Collective, Iron and Wine, The Hives, the Thrills, Jens Lekman, the Killers, White Stripes, Matt Pond PA, Fiest, New Pornographers, the Sadies, Sigur Ros... these are just off the top of my head.
I like the albums you list (except hate the Bruce and haven't heard the Porcupine or Blackfield), but the list surely does not reflect someone who "stays connected."
10 - JC Mosquito
Hmmm.... "stays connected" I think has come to mean many different things at this point in music history. Of the groups in your list, Leslie, I saw the White Stripes and the Sadies this past summmer, and the argument could be made for both groups that they're playing strictly old style rock and roll, with a garage flavour or a country twang as it applies to each. Heck, the Sadies even play the occasional dates with the Good Brothers, don't they? And doesn't Arcade Fire sound so... Springsteen in spots?
I think one can say "staying connected" can mean "being aware of new bands and new musical movements," but for right now I also think it can mean staying connected to the old greybeards nad seeing what 30 or 40 years does to their original muse. Is it possible that on any given night (like tonight!) that Led Zeppelin can once again stride the stage and be as good as Jack and Meg - or should I say will Jack and Meg ever be as good as Zep when they're that age?
In any case, if it's rock and roll, it's all good, as far as I'm concerned.
11 - Glen Boyd
I just call em as I see em' Leslie, and these were the ones that resonated with me most this year. I don't use age in my criteria any more than I use race or gender. That said, I did like a number of the releases you mention, including Arcade Fire, the Killers, Iron and Wine and even the White Stripes (much as a certain comments editor might take issue with that choice).
Maybe next year...
Thanks for the comment.
-Glen
12 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
folks who have been making music for 30 or 40 years.
First off,I personally would like to know who the hell on Mr. Boyd's list has been making music for 30-40 years.
Secondly, if you're gonna gripe about not staying "connected" then your range of bands should incorporate more than just that boring & trendy Indie shite!
A mere connection to the latest buzz doesn't mean you know jack squat about musicianship or quality....
13 - Leslie Bohn
Half of the 10 albums are by people who have already been recording for at least 30 years, including three by folks who have been making music for more than 40 years.
I named a bunch of current mainstream rock bands, to provide a contrast with the older mainstream acts on Mr. Boyd's list. I made no arguments about musicianship or quality. Just pointing out the incongruity of someone who stays "current" with "the music scene" putting out a Top 10 list full of geezers.
14 - JC Mosquito
Even geezers can play rock 'n' roll - age shouldn't be a qualifying factor.
15 - Tom Johnson
I have many of the releases that Leslie Bohn lists as being "important" but, frankly, they just weren't that good. It was not a good year for so-called "indie" music. This was a great year for established, mainstream acts to pull out albums that absolutely slayed. Leslie, stop worrying about labels and just listen - it's music that we're concerned about, not styles. I think I speak for more than a few of us here when I say that when we make our lists, we're talking about the albums we'll be listening to in many years. As much as you like many of the albums you list now, I doubt very much those albums will be in heavy rotation in a few years, but I bet Glen will still be listening to every one of his top 10 quite regularly.
16 - Mark Saleski
aw geez, who cares?! it's just the PitchfordMediaMentality™ hard at work.
17 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"I made no arguments about musicianship or quality."
So, what you are saying is that Glen's Top 10 of '07 should only consist of bands that suck but are congruent to what's popular so he can "stay connected" in order to have credibilty with trendy fascists?!
AwwHa... Now I see your p.o.v. I apologize that I misread your post.
18 - Charlie
Associating Mellencamp's song "Our Country" with the Toby Keith image of George Bush's America is probably the single biggest marketing mistake since Springsteen wrapped himself up in a flag on Born In The USA.
Maybe 'cuz I flipped off all those "Our Country" commercials every time they came on my tv, but I never sensed they were portraying the "Toby Keith image of George Bush" as you say. The song is too generic - musically and lyrically - to be associated with any political commentary. If anything, it's a nationalistic song.
And as far as Springsteen is concerned, you got it wrong. He REJECTED Chysler's several million dollar offer to use "Born In The USA," a song they apparently didn't realize was about the affects of Vietnam.
Bruce also rejected the idea of supporting either Reagan or Walter Mondale's presidential campaigns around the time this song was a big hit, even though Reagan did use it in his 1984 reelection bid. He didn't give him permission.
You see, Mellencamp encourages the overmarketing of his hits, Bruce doesn't.
19 - Armenian Pride
Why is Springsteen on your list? The man doesn't have an ounce of musical talent. I loved how he hyped himself up to be the grammy man of the year, but no nominations. Sorry, but he's a douchebag and should retire.
Now Joni Mitchell - she's finally created a decent album after all these years. Good choice.
John Mellencamp - who's that?
I saw Neil Young in concert recently. He's amazing!
20 - Scott Deitche
Some of my faves this year:
Rush- Snakes and Arrows
THe Milwaukees- American Anthems
Tracy Thorn - "Easy" (song)
Coheed and Cambria- No World For Tomorrow
Great Lakes Myth Society- Golden Compass
Avril Lavigne - "Girlfriend" (I know, cheesy- but so frickin' cathcy)
Natalie Walker- Urban Angel
The Forms- The Forms
The Comas- Spells
21 - El Bicho
"You say you like to 'stay connected to the music scene,'"
Actually, Leslie, you didn't take Glen's entire thought but only part of it, which I know is how the politics section works. What he said was, "As connected to the music scene as I like to think myself as still being." That doesn't mean he is and his choices make that apparent.
I also disagree that at least 40 albums of importance came out this year, let alone by newer bands. Good albums, sure, but important ones, it's too early to tell, but certainly not that many.
To be fair, I will side with Leslie to an extent because I don't know what "stay connected to the music scene" even means. Does that include the jazz scene, the bluegrass scene, the jam band scene, the new scene, the retro scene, the "___" scene going on in "___"? There's so many out there that it's not possible. No one has enough time or money.
22 - daryl d
Gosh, I find it funny that you guys are coming up with Top Ten lists in music. I can only think of a handful of really good albums that came out this year. The music industry is in a pathetic position now.
23 - Glen Boyd
Aw, cheer up Daryl. That Culture Club reunion's gotta be right around the corner...
-Glen
24 - Mark Saleski
I can only think of a handful of really good albums that came out this year.
yes, and i'm never very clear on the details of particle physics, which of course says absolutely nothing about particle physics.
25 - Phillip Winn
Mark (#23), I just shot Pepsi One out of my nose. Excellent rejoinder!