Hello...well, as tradition dictates, here's my favorite Top 15 albums of 2007 (and 5 Honorable Mentions). It seems also as tradition dictates, hardly any of these albums made it anybody elses list.
And as always, there's a zip file that's mp3-player ready with samples from each album.
Click here for the tunes. And now we begin...
15. Suzanne Vega - Beauty and CrimeIt feels like forever since Suzanne's last album, and it's great that she's back. B&C is a sort of story-album, dedicated to her favorite city New York. Some wonderful moments here, like on "Bound", "Ludlow Street". Highlight track: "Zephyr and I".
14. They Might Be Giants - Cast Your Pod To The WindTMBG have disappointed me a lot in the last few years - it seemed that they were too aware of their quirkyness; too self-consciously clever. Everything was too calculated. However, Cast Your Pod...is a bonus disc that comes with their actual latest album
The Else. As far it goes, it has the same problems I mentioned before. Cast Your Pod is a collection of songs that were given away on the
TMBG podcast, although here they are in much better quality. Here the band seemed energized, having fun and being goofy and silly without the pretention of trying too hard - a welcome surprise, as I had pretty much given up on hearing that side of the band again. If you can't find the bonus disc version of The Else, don't bother getting it. Instead, you can download all the past archives of TMBG podcasts that include almost all these songs, plus hours more. It's well worth the money (free, that is). Highlight track: "Brain Problem Situation"
13. Spygirl - Pieces Of EvidenceVancouver band that's been on the scene for the last 8 years, quietly playing gigs and gaining a fan base. This is their second full-length album since 2000, and they've amassed an impressive collection of songs in that time that just grow with the listener with each play. Highlight track: "Today"
12. Paula Frazer & Tarnation - Now It's TimeI love Paula's previous album, and not to say this one isn't good - it is. It's just not quite as engaging as the album before. However, I love her blend of folky-country pop and beautifully written material. Highlight track: "First Sign".
11. The Orchids - Good To Be A StrangerThe Orchids were a major influence on the British pop scene back the late 80s, early 90s. However, the were ahead of their time. Trying to make sensitive, smart jangle-pop with a penchant for soft vocals and huggy-lyrics in the face of current popular bands like Nirvana just wasn't going to work. They made a handful of albums and broke up. Other bands were listening to The Orchids, like Belle and Sebastian, who copped the sound The Orchids were known for and after the angry grunge movement of the mid-90s was over, Belle and Sebastian swooped in as the new alternative. Well, the Orchids are back and claiming their rightful territory. Intact with the original line-up, this collection of achingly-sensitive but not twee pop tunes recalls the time when you (or someone like you) obsessed over making and listening to mix tapes, wrote poetry and hoped that quiet shy girl/guy would notice you're also wearing a cardigan. It's nice to know that some things don't change. Highlight track: "Last Thing On Your Mind"
10. The Red Button - She's About To Cross My MindEverybody loves the Beatles. Ok, maybe there's a few Blue Meanies, but it's generally accepted that every musician dreams of being as influential and important and they were. And if they can't do that, they just cop the sound. Well, The Red Button do have an unabashed love for the Fab Four, not to mention about a half-dozen other 60s pop wonderbands. But instead of just duplicating the sound, they've written some great pop tunes that totally stand up in their own way. It's not going to change the world, but at least the band understand the history being the music they're making and sincerely want to express it. Highlight track: "She's About To Cross My Mind"
9. Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy WriterLike the Orchids, TBS have their pedigree in the early 90s twee-pop movement. I haven't followed their career that closely, but this new album contains such well-written material, it's hard to ignore. The productions strikes a satisfying balance between dark moments, and a sunny nostaglic 80s feel, even though some of the lyrics can be depressing at times. But don't let that stop you! Highlight track: "November Starlings"
8. America - Here And NowSpeaking of nostalgia, America's latest album was like listening to a long-favorite album from my past. The two producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) have shown their love for easy-listening pop in the past, so they must have been in heaven with this project. With a mix of great originals and some well-chosen covers (My Morning Jacket, Nada Surf) the summery-vibe of the album never lets up. This album feels so familiar from the first time I heard it, I thought it was released last year and almost didn't include it on this list. Highlight track: "Chasing the Rainbow"
7. BMX Bandits - Bee StingsAnother surprise for me this year - while they've written catchy-accessible pop in the past, they've added a female vocalist Rachel Mackenzie who adds a timeless sound, and new textures to everything, and also allows Duglas Stewart to fully indulge in Burt Bacharach-influenced songwriting, telling new stories from both sides. A pleasure to listen to, and makes me nostalgic for the time when music like this was the norm. Highlight track: "Doorways"
6. Karla Bonoff - LiveAlong with Joni, Karla is the consumate songwriter. A style firmed rooted in easy listening/soft rock 70s pop, she hasn't changed over her 30+ year career. This double CD is her first live album, capturing Karla and bandmates as they choose some popular and some unexpected choices from her catalog, and boy is it great to hear a small band like this play. The arrangements are fantastic: tunes that were originally stripped down pretty much stay that way, but others that suffered a little too much from dated production when they were originally released are given new life, and even present the song in a brand new way. Not many times I can say I've enjoyed a live album that delivered the right amount of what I was hoping for, and some real surprises too. Don't bother looking for it in stores, it's only through online distributors, or autographed for the same price
her website. Highlight track: "Please Be The One"
5. Joni Mitchell - ShineI was quite disappointed at the lack of media attention this album received, considering the amount of press and promotion for Paul McCartney's lukewarm Memory Almost Full album this year. I mean, I didn't see Joni Mitchell posters in the stores, or special Limited Edition Joni coffee-club collector cards. Most likely her doing, I don't know for sure. At first, I thought it strange that she would release her album through SB at all, but I guess it's the best way for people to hear the music; she certainly isn't going to get radio play (save for CBC), and she can't get equal shelf-space in the record stores. Perhaps she enjoys poking fun at those loud cell-phone chatterboxes while they're buying her CD with a mocca double latte.
But either way, she has returned to the sound that she's famous for, continuing where she left off on
Taming the Tiger. I've read some reviews that accuse her of not challenging herself enough or updating her sound, saying the album is bland and stale. They're missing the point: Joni is a Canadian musical legend, and she doesn't have to prove herself. Heck, she gave up the music industry for good until she felt the need to return, and I'm glad she did because we need more artists like her making music, artists who have a history of knowing what they're doing. My only quibble is not enough live instrumentation; she relies a little too much on sampled orchestra and guitar, but it's a sound I can get used to. Highlight track: "Night Of The Iguana"
4. Lori Cullen - Buttercup BugleI was first introduced to Lori's sound from her previous album,
Calling For Rain, which was a tasteful selection of cover tunes and a couple of originals, rendered in a style that was somewhere between folk and jazz. Her latest album continues that trend, lightly swinging with a more traditional jazz sound, even close to big band on some cuts. Some beautiful guitar work is featured here (from hubby Kurt Swinghammer) and the whole thing is produced and horn-arranged by Free Design leader Chris Dedrick! And I have to credit Lori for finally getting me to check out the music of Judee Sill through her cover of "Lopin' Along Through the Cosmos". Highlight track: "Days"
3. Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus!Another band I never followed much, thinking there were 'out there' for 'out there' sake. Well, I couldn't have been more suprised at how great this album is - clever songwriting, inspired production work, and a level of weirdness that doesn't make it alienating, but just enough to stand out. Listening to this album made me a fan of the band, and I haven't listened to anything else from SFA yet...I'm still enjoying this one. Highlight track: "Runaway"
2. The Nines - Gran Jukle's FieldSteve Eggers usually takes about 5 years between albums, so it was surprising to see a new one so soon. Stylistically, it's the most diverse of the bands catalog. We get everything from disco-era Bee Gees, a flat-out country number, 80's nods, and a couple of tunes that you'd swear Ray Davies sat in on. And within all this, there is that distinct Nines-sound on numbers like "Eileen" and "Dont be a Fool". It's a fun album with lots of catchy moments and lots to enjoy. Highlight track: "Eileen"
1. Charlotte Hatherley - The Deep BlueI've never been a fan of Ash, and I enjoyed Charlotte's first single "Kim Wilde" from a couple of years ago. But on this album, she's taken huge artistic leaps, and become quite the songwriter and producer. This album is extremely layered, dense and chock full of great hooks and interesting melodies. It's easily my most listened to album this year, probably over 50 times and never got boring. Charlotte shows off her love of early Bowie and XTC quite prominently, but that's not a bad thing - even with a cowrite with Andy Partridge from XTC on "Dawn Treader", the least-sounding XTC track on the album. Sadly, only to be the album of the year that nobody else heard. I can't wait to hear what she does next. Highlight track: "Behave"
Honorable mentions:Emma Pollock - Watch the Fireworks
Tiffany - Just Me
The Owls - Daughters and Sons
All-Star United - Love and Radiation
Jason Falkner - I'm OK, You're OK
After writing his whole life about the stars, Sir Arthur has finally joined them. He was a true visionary and the world is a sadder and less imaginative place without him.
I feel a little bad about not posting as regularly as I have in the past, but you know how life is. Anyways, I felt it was time for another Feedback mix and I thought I'd post it here as well. It's a little longer than the ones before too - 15 tracks, instead of 10. Just cuz.
Well, I got solicited! I feel like a real blog now.
15. Suzanne Vega - Beauty and Crime
14. They Might Be Giants - Cast Your Pod To The Wind
13. Spygirl - Pieces Of Evidence
12. Paula Frazer & Tarnation - Now It's Time
11. The Orchids - Good To Be A Stranger
10. The Red Button - She's About To Cross My Mind
9. Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy Writer
8. America - Here And Now
7. BMX Bandits - Bee Stings
6. Karla Bonoff - Live
5. Joni Mitchell - Shine
4. Lori Cullen - Buttercup Bugle
3. Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus!
2. The Nines - Gran Jukle's Field
1. Charlotte Hatherley - The Deep Blue
Happy holidays! 
It's always sad when an artist that I've listened a lot as a kid to dies. It also makes me feel really old, because when I first started listening to Dan, he was still active on the pop charts with a current single ("Language Of Love").
