I'm here for you friends. Last week I brought you the Green Day, er, Foxboro Hot Tubs download. This week it's even better. How about some free Okkervil River (or click here). It's their Golden Opportunities Mixtape of covers. And it's good.
My top 20 songs of 2007 are...
20. "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn, and John (Writer's Block)
19. "Atlas" by Battles (Mirrored)
18. "The Hill" by Markéta Irglová (Once Soundtrack)
17. "Pretty Voice" by Cloud Cult (The Meaning of 8)
16. "Reckoner" by Radiohead (In Rainbows)
15. "Twenty Four Hours in a Lake of Ice" by Alaska in Winter (Dance Party in the Balkans)
14. "Paranoia in Bb Major" by The Avett Brothers (Emotionalism)
13. "Broken Arm" by Winterpills (The Light Divides)
12. "Nantes" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
11. "A Girl in Port" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
10. "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes (Icky Thump)
9. "Sinister in a State of Hope" by Loney, Dear (Loney, Noir)
8. "Boy with a Coin" by Iron & Wine (The Shepherd's Dog)
7. "Say it to Me Now" by Glen Hansard (Once Soundtrack)
6. "Like O, Like H" by Tegan & Sara (The Con)
5. "North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem (Sound of Silver)
4. "A Sunday Smile" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
3. "Unless it Kicks" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
2. "Fake Empire" by The National (Boxer)
1. "Intervention" by Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)
or another...
Metacritic is now starting to put up some "Best Albums of 2007" lists. It's a great resource for seeing what various folks think are the best of the best.
These guys are leading worship at the Whiteboard Sessions. I dig it.
Pitchfork finally gives some love for #13 on my best albums list, Via Audio.
Pitchfork's "Top 50 Music Videos of 2007" and "20 Worst Album Covers of 2007."
OK, I have been trying to find some music and have been looking on my own. Then it dawned on me ... you might know!
My favorite stuyle of music is Blues ... are there many good blues music done by Jesus followers! (I know as believer we shouldn't be blue ... but that's another topic!)
Posted by: Randy | 12/17/2007 at 01:07 AM
Steve,
You have mentioned a couple of times your appreciation for Explosions in the Sky, well you should check these guys out: http://myspace.com/thiswilldestroyyou
I saw them play last in Dallas and it was simply beautiful. My girlfriend and I smiled the entire show.
Posted by: Casey Bedell | 12/17/2007 at 09:57 AM
I thought you'd be interested to know that music blog, It's Hard to Find a Friend has picked Via Audio's album as their #1 of 2007.
Posted by: Chase | 12/17/2007 at 11:06 AM
Randy, I'm not sure I'm very familiar with something you would consider blues. But if I had to recommend some stuff I would definitely say try out Amos Lee, The Wood Brothers, maybe some of The Gourds. But none of these are "Jesus-followers."
Casey, I'll check them out. Explosions, if you didn't know, may be on their way out.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 12/17/2007 at 11:46 AM
Ellery--an amazing Cincinnati band that opened Over the Rhine's last Spring tour--just released a free 3-song EP @ ellerychristmas.com
Posted by: ian | 12/17/2007 at 01:11 PM
Steve,
I didn't know that about explosions. I really wish I could see them. With regards to Ian's comment, this is a cool factoid. "This Will Destroy You", who I mentioned in my first comment, their current bass player is also the key boardist/guitarist for The New Frontiers (myspace.com/thenewfrontiers) and the The New Frontier's bass player is the tour manager for Over The Rhine.
Posted by: Casey Bedell | 12/17/2007 at 05:29 PM
you should check out this girl's music.
she's got a unique style, i think you'd like it.
myspace.com/lauraallenmusic
Posted by: a fan | 12/21/2007 at 11:33 AM