Favorite Albums of the Year 2007
It’s nearing the end of the year and there’s been a lot of music that I’ve really loved, so here’s a list of some of it and why I think you should agree with me about it’s awesomeness…
I’m not going to manage much of an order, or to be particularly deep in my analysis, but maybe someone will read this and discover something new.
Streetlight Manifesto – Somewhere in the Between
It’s been quite a while since Streetlight blew away the few remaining Ska fans with Everything Goes Numb, about 4 years for those keeping count, and now they’re finally back with another cracker of an album. Mixing some ferocious guitar, some precise drumming and perhaps some of the best horns ever put together on a Ska record mixed with the deep lyric reciting, raspy rapid fire vocals of Tomas Kalnoky this is a brilliant Ska punk record easily on a par with their debut if slightly different. There’s much less of the brilliant breakdowns and changes of pace seen on Everything Went Numb, this album is more of a straight blitz through 45minutes. That said the previously mentioned brass/sax is amazing here, they bounce and soar over various tracks, mixing in some different influences from world music, dueling in places and not getting stuck repeating vocal melodies as is often the case in Ska punk, but being free to unleash their brilliance for their allocated time.
Though the horns are the stand outs, Kalnoky serves up some gems lyrically though he is never at his most jaw droppingly rapid delivery speed compared to Keaseby Nights or Everything Goes Numb. Thematically this is a dark album, as noted in the lyrics booklet by the man himself, but there’s uplifting messages to be found within, “So you were born, and that was a good day- Someday you’ll die, and that is a shame – But somewhere in the between was a life of which we all dream – And nothing and no one will ever take that away – You had a love and that love had you – And nothing mattered and you were fine – And some will complain, they’re just bitter, what a shame – They know that loving and losing is better than nothing at all.” – from the title track. It’s tempting to quote lyrics all day, or to point out every brilliant musical moment, but that would take a very long time, so I’ll resist and end by saying this album is a must for anyone who has or has had even a passing interest in Ska, punk or who appreciates brass instruments in general, and even if you don’t check this out anyway, this is as good an introduction as you’re likely to get, and finish with one more quote: “One to one, two to dance, we all get our sweet romance – Though sour grapes will turn to wine its all just vinegar with time.”
El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
On this album El-P delivers something of a warning of the future, the overall feel of the album is post apocalyptic from the lyrics (“full alarm system it’s on where you live”) to the heavy beats but with all the many references to present events listening to this album feels like the worst is still to come and it’s just around the corner. The not intended to be a particularly political record (according to El-P) this general feeling throughout gives it a political edge, almost a change now or else. The tragic love story of Habeas Corpses for example, set in a Guantanamo bay like prison ship while a story of an individuals morality in it’s own right is, by nature of the bleak picture it paints and the obvious parallels to reality still provides a political comment. Likewise the perfect world poetics of Dear Sirs is a straight message of what is wrong with our world, and ending on “me fighting in your war is still/by a large margin/the least likely thing that will ever fucking happen ever” this point is driven home, and lyrics like this with references to the war on terror and 9/11 (with the last verse in Run The Numbers virtually consisting of conspiracy theory amongst it’s message of questioning what you’re told) I have to disagree with El-P about his own record, even if not intended this album is definitely political. Amongst this there are more personal moments, El-P is refreshingly frank about his flaws, “I know I’m no perfect draw” “I’m not an angel” etc, the negative drug references, the end of the album with the dedication to friends who stopped a decent into addiction and the promise of “I’ll never get that way again” gives a message of change for the better. A good hip-hop album, but not my favorite of the year, that comes next.
I’ll keep adding albums to this list as I get time.
