Best of ‘07: Newly Discovered Music
Instead of making a Best of Music list for ‘07 as I more or less did that with my Music Lovin’ posts from the summer, I thought it would be more interesting to comment on the Artists or Albums that I discovered for the first time in 2007.
The first is the band Explosions in the Sky. In addition to falling in love with the first season of Friday Night Lights in 2007, the band who also provides much of the score for the series are these guys from Austin, TX. They’re able to wring an amazing amount of emotion and raw energy out of totally instrumental cuts … yes, friends, not a vocal to be found on these guys’ discs. I personally recommend their album The Earth Is Not A Cold, Dead Place. Great music, great band.
The second band I discovered last year (with some help … thanks 2Slow) was Band of Horses. I had heard of these guys and had even seen their album a few times in the store but had never listened to them. After acquiring an iTunes gift card and wanting some new music, I was pointed to their album Cease to Begin. After a few listens and some uncertainty, the album really began to grow on me to the point that it became a staple of car rides. Favorite tracks off the album would be The General Specific and No One’s Gonna Love You.
What were some undiscovered gems you found in ‘07?
The National and Rilo Kiley.
I couldn’t narrow it down, so I’ll provide a top 10 list although it’s not in any kind of order. But I wholeheartedly agree with your 2 picks, I’d say 75% of my picks and 100% of your picks I have heard thanks to my cube neighbor and your family friend Brendan Tucker. That guy is a walking music library.
1. The Avett Brothers, album Emotionalism(bluegrass/alt-country mixed with pop/rock/punk from North Carolina)
2. Cold War Kids , album Robbers and Thieves (quirky indie rock akin to the White Stripes)
3. The Fratellis, album Costello Music (mindlessly fun rock from Scotland)
4. Ingrid Michaelson, album Girls and Boys (catchy chick pop with bad lyrics, but fun nonetheless)
5. Sara Bareilles, album Little Voice (more catchy chick pop, but better lyrics this time)
6. James Morrison, album Undiscovered (soulful Brit pop)
7. Paolo Nutini, album These Streets (soulful pop from Scotland)
8. Kings of Leon, album Because of the Times (raucous southern-tinged indie/garage rock from Tenessee)note: I was late getting turned on to these guys, this is their 3rd album.
9. Old Crow Medicine Show, album O.C.M.S.(old timey string band music/bluegrass with a modern influence)
10. Spoon, album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (catchy/hook laden indie rock from Austin, TX with lots of diverse sounds and influences)note: I was extremely late getting turned on to these guys too, this is their 6th album I think
have heard a lot about the avett bros…just haven’t listened to them.
Well, what are you waiting on man? Look em up on Youtube. They were on Conan back in May and did a track off of Emotionalism. Check it out.
battles – mirrored
panda bear – person pitch
john vanderslice – emerald city
band of horses – cease to begin
do make say think – you, you are a history in rust
the sea and cake – everybody
the year’s phreshest JAAAAAMZZZ
I was just thinking – in 2007 I made a demo cd of my favorite band for 7 different friends.
By their own admission, none of them have even listened to the music.
Is it the way I dress?
i have listened to it. you just haven’t asked in a while. and, truthfully, i forgot about them but i did enjoy the cd you made.
and yes, it is the way you dress.