What's been going on/Did I miss something?

For better or worse I've spent these last few weeks attempting to 'catch up' on the musical side of 2007 (was blissfully ignorant for several months!). Of course, I've deliberately avoided plenty, including many bands with the word 'the' at the beginning and anything endorsed by Jo Whiley, but who's paying attention?

So in no particular order here are some of my favourite album releases from 2007, as well as a link to a video for each one:

Beirut: The Flying Club Cup

The second full length album by Santa Fe native and all round precocious bastard Zach Condon. The Flying Club Cup saw Condon crooning his way through a set of stirring gypsy-like, horn laden folk ditties; like providing the soundtrack to a fantasised drunken revolution.
Here's a link to a video of Beirut playing on the street in France...You go gypsy boy!


Justice: †

Funky, housey, poppy dance from a Parisian duo who I can safely say have listened to their fair share of Daft Punk over the years. Maybe a bit of an obvious choice, plus I'm not even sure if this came out in 07 or late 06, but whatever, it's still new to me.

Thisis the video for D.A.N.C.E

Malajube: Trompe-l'œil

OK, this definitely came out in 2006 in Canada and possibly the rest of America but I'm pretty sure it didn't get it's UK release until sometime this summer. I heard it through my Quebecois girlfriend, where the band hail from, and loved it immediately. Actually it was probably the first time I heard a band singing in French and thought 'this rocks'. Who'd've thunk it?

Le videoclip; c'est bon!

Von Sudenfed: Tromatic Reflexxions

What do you get when you cross a cantankerous old git from Manchester and an electronic music duo from Germany? Answer = Von Sudenfed. Seriously, this album is excellent. It made me love Mouse on Mars even more and with Mark E Smith adding his incoherent vocals, clarified the connection between LCD Soundsytem and The Fall!

Six Organs of Admittance: Shelter From The Ash

I've always loved Ben Chasny for his guitar work, in particular with his principal project Six Organs of Admittance. His latest offering has so far come across like a slightly more concentrated version of his last. But what it lacks in change it more than makes up for in pure absoluteness; the songs are dense,the rhythms are hypnotic and the guitars are a perfect blend of gentle and abrasive. Get wrecked, find nature, listen to this THIS

Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam

Yes! So weird and wonderful! Strawberry Jam sounds like drugs!. I'm a believer! Check out Peacebone and enjoy!

Bjork: Volta

I remember reading a few times that this was a return to form for Bjork. I personally thought she's never been off form. Anyway, Volta definitely was a vibrant album and accessable at that. The album also features some quality contributions from Chris Corsano, anthony and many more. Oh yeah, and the video to Earth Intruders is pretty cool aswell

Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha

I started off the year on a brilliant note; seeing Joanna Newsom play in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Melbourne. Not only was I suprised to see her being supported by Bill Calahan/Smog but also Andrew Bird. I'd never seen or heard of him before and was immediately hooked by his subtle but intense brilliance. With Armchair.. we found Andrew showing off his intelligent pop with calm confidence. On first listen the songs seem effortless. Give it another go and you'll see how complex some of the arrangements are. And he's quite a whistler to boot!

Thurston Moore: Trees Outside the Academy

Not content with being the frontman for one of the greatest rock groups ever (Sonic Youth), Thurston thought he'd bring out a stunning album of his own this year. In parts Trees was as much of a sonic onslaught as anything the Youth have done in recent memories. However, a sizeable chunk of the album was on a more laid-back melodic trip, which almost came accross like The Stooges gone folk! Thurston you dog!

Bill Callahan: Woke on a Whaleheart

With a change of name (from the longrunning Smog), came a change of spirit. If Bill's predecessor was a farewell cry to his old gloomy days, then Woke on a Whaleheart is a born-again pion to brighter times ahead. Or something.
Anyway, the album shines and Bill's voice seems to have reached maximum richness, exemplified in songs such as Diamond Dancer. We're just waiting for the Bill/Joanna duets album now.