2007 Year in Music

photography by RossinaBossioB

Looking back at the year in music is like going to the grocery store and looking at the fruits and vegetables selection. A lot of different varieties of apples, oranges and tomatoes just to name a few. Very much like music in 2007, there is little of everything for someone’s taste. Some things good, some things not so good. Focusing on the good stuff, lets feast on this in no particular order of course.

Kanye West: Live in Std Negara, Kuala Lumpur by S.Affandi

Kayne West’s Graduation album was full of hooks and catchy rhymes that made “Stronger” a definite track for any club or party. Let’s just say Kayne put it on Fiddy and although I love both of them. Fiddy if he keeps his word in the bet is headed to retirement.

Next up from the mean streets of France is Justice. You may say no to French fries and yes to Freedom fries now but after catching the children chorus to this tasty lick you’ll be saying yes to “D.A.N.C.E.”

Try flickin’ through the radio and not get caught under Rihanna’s “Umbrella“. With a chorus that sticks in your head making you sing it in unusual places (shower, grocery store, insert your place here______) Rihanna hit it big in 2007 making most guys wish they were caught under Rihanna’s let’s just say it ain’t an umbrella.

Spoon at Webster Hall by tammylo

Singer-guitarist Britt Daniel of Spoon brings us “The Underdog” from their Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga album. Having a distinct sound like it was hid in the attic in the 60’s and you went up to check it out today, this Texas band brings a gravely sound to your collection this year.

Radiohead must have been in rainbows music execs thought this year when they decided to release their album over the internet to whatever the public thought it was worth or more accurately what they felt like paying. “Reckoner” is one worth every penny. It has a looped bass hook putting you in a trance as you reach into your wallet and gladly hand over your hard earned benjamin’s which is exactly what Radiohead would like although not too many people did.

Jack and Meg White get back to it cranking out Icky Thump for their sixth album. Jack literally has talent oozing out of his 6ft 2in frame. “Icky Thump” is no exception picking right up after Get Behind Me Satan, you will be hard pressed to find another bluesy, hard rock, folk arrangement out.

Soulja Boy brought the island tropic steel drums to us with the hypnotic “Crank That“. Not even Superman could stop this song from bulleting up the charts.

Arcade Fire at Rock en Seine 2007, Paris by Delgoff [VOSTFR]

Arcade Fire released Neon Bible with an anthem pounding organ riff that makes “Intervention” a highlight of the album.

“Famous Last Words” by My Chemical Romance is an amazing track that brings the angst and heartache back to a rock and roll lyrics and music.

Linkin Park with their release of Minutes to Midnight by producer Rick Rubin strikes gold again as Chester Bennington belts out “Shadow of the Day” with it’s U2 style guitar solos and hymns.

Modest Mouse came back with “Missed the Boat“. This kaleidoscope of guitars and horns make this indie favorite carry it all so well.

The National’s “Fake Empire” sounds like a mix between Van Morrison and Springsteen. Boxer, a mostly somber mood album with a medley of guitar, piano and strings that tiptoe through our shiny city.

Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 came back from their Exile on Mainstream with a track that would surely break the replay button, “How Far We’ve Come“. With a haunting chorus and captivating melody you hope it’s not all coming to an end.

“Closet Face” by Copy, this Portland, Oregon electronica band meshes keyboards into an intertwining harmony that is like a blooping color disco fit for your soundtrack to do just about anything.

Tom Delonge of Angels and Airwaves by Lola’s Big Adventure!

With Angels and Airwaves release of I-Empire, “Call to Arms” Tom Delonge feels our hearts beat in and out of time as the guitar wails and takes us to another level but only if you wanna believe.

Finally, “Thrash Unreal” hit my eardrums like a sudden A-bomb garnering Against Me as a quick favorite with only weeks left of 2007. Tom Gabel’s barking lyrics and firebrand guitar licks shout that punk and music is not dead making 2007 a memorable year.

And if you had to live it all over again you know you wouldn’t change anything for the world. Unless you are Britney Spears and you released “Blackout“.