"let's die while we're young!!!"
(but now i'm too old for that)


according to pitchfork, the best music of any given year usually happens off the beaten path, somewhere on a record label far, far away, miles away from actual radio airplay. according to rollingstone, the best music may, in fact, happen in the mainstream or close to it by bands that you've heard of and by bands that make multiple albums because consumers tend to buy records by these bands and allow them to develop their craft and career instead of being a shooting star that fades after one blast of an indie album. both could be right. both could be wrong. through my 31-plus years, i have found no more divisive a subject than what "good music" is or isn't. it's all really in the ear of the beholder. it's all about what touches you at a certain point in your life and what doesn't. it's not usually about how well a band plays their instruments or even how good the band is at writing songs. what it's about is whether you like the music or not. that's it. that's all that matters. kurt cobain was a pretty decent songwriter, a pretty crappy guitar player but surrounded himself with a decent bass player and the most amazing drummer of my era to create one of my favorite albums ever in nevermind. billie joe armstrong plays nothing but powerchords, but dookie and american idiot would make my top 50 albums of all time easily. nickelback plays the same song over and over again, gives it a new title and sell millions of records. i hate them, but a lot of people don't. i can't take that away from them. i think u2 kind of sucks. i have no interest in radiohead for the same reason i have no interest in the patriots. that being because i keep hearing how "incredible" they are but what i've heard and seen tells me otherwise.

all that said, who's to say what's good and what's not. who's to waste time and energy creating a completely subjective list based on their own biased and short-sighted listening habits?

well, me of course.

as i mentioned last post, i bought 19 records last year. a top ten would be kind of silly and a top five even seems like i am watering down the field. so, i give you my top three spins for 2007 (kind of) and my commentary as to why these three were "better" than the rest.

3. jimmy eat world - chase this light - you've probably read it ten different places by now, but this album is just a good, happy one. there are a couple tracks that are worth turning up and rocking out to, but, for the most part, this is very much a pop record. it's full of sing-along choruses, "oohs" and "ahhs", handclaps and enough bounce that hannah will listen to three or four songs with me with no complaints whatsoever. there is one completely horrible, throwaway track, but, thankfully, my skip button works and i have erased it from the album in my head. i was wary that this album would disappoint me, but it did not and will not for several months to come i am sure.

2. the format - dog problems - the reason for my qualifying "kind of" is this record, because i was late to the party on it. it hit stores late in 2006 and i spent some of my christmas 2006 money on it the first week of january, 2007. it's, by far, the poppiest album i've bought in ten years and it remains in my car and rotation to this day. like jimmy eat world, there is one completely horrible, throwaway track, but it does not take away from the sugary-sweet goodness that is this album on the whole. i only really notice distortion in one song, which is very, very weird for something that i am so into, but the vocals and harmonies are beautiful and will get stuck in your head for months. hannah also approves of this album and would probably rate track six as her favorite of the year. "play it again, daddy!!!" you don't even have to twist my arm.

1. a wilhelm scream - career suicide - a lot of similarities between this album and the propagandhi album that topped my list two years ago. i usually don't get too hung up on how technically proficient a band is, as i mentioned in my intro. but, with a wilhelm scream compared to every other punk band, minus propagandhi, that i listen to, the difference is so noticeable that i can't help but be in awe. over the top of the power chords you can hear every note of the lead guitar as it and the bass usually drive the song and my foot to start tapping the floorboard of my car. it doesn't sound sloppy. it's not overdone (take note, coheed). it's just perfect, aggressive music with just enough catchiness to keep you immediately coming back for more so that the rest of the song can suck you in. there are political themes and plenty of angst for anyone that is finding it hard to find something to be pissed about, but for an aging punk rocker with very few punk purchases in 2007, it warms my heart that this band made me the happiest this year. obviously, it's not for everybody. but if you fancy rock music, then i would highly recommend adding this to your collection.

honorable mention:

amy winehouse - back in black - my token non-sexual female singer-songwriter crush of the year.

songs of the year:

when you were young - the killers
dog problems - the format
rehab - amy winehouse
1,2,3,4 - feist
here it goes - jimmy eat world
check request denied & die while we're young - a wilhelm scream