Saturday, June 23, 2007
My Hump (Part I)
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 In case you've been living in a coma, you'll have noticed we are 23 days into the month of June. June is the 6th month of the year, every year. In 2007, there are 12 whole months to make the year. In fact, every year has 12 months in it.
Isn't this all just fascinating?
With it being June, it is official that we have reached (and completely passed, mind) the mid-year hump.
So, naturally, it's time to glance over the best music releases so far of 2007. Over the next few days I'll cover my favourite single releases AND also my favourite DANCE albums (which is where you'll find Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and the delectable Calvin Harris.) But what POP albums have absolutely knocked the pants off Adem over the last 6 months? Well, I'm very glad you asked...
 01. ARCTIC MONKEYS Favourite Worst Nightmare
I've had such a powerful love affair with the new Sophie Ellis-Bextor album, yet I still end up coming back to this as my favourite so far of 2007. "Do Me A Favour" and "505" still manage to send an absolute violent ripple of goosebumps through my body, with the remains of the album delivering similar sensations. I still think Alex Turner is one of the greatest lyricists of the last 20 years, I still think this album is an incredible achievement, and If you didn't read my slightly lengthy review of this record from April, feel free to give it a squiz and read what else I still think about this album.
 02. SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR Trip The Light Fantastic
As I said earlier, SUCH a love affair with this album. There was a period of time last week where I was falling asleep every night with "Can't Have It All" playing on a continuous loop in my head. I'm completely convinced now that this UK bonus track is probably one of Soph's greatest accomplishments. I have this spectacular video clip for it all set up in my head; Sophie, trapped in giant maze made solely of not glass, but crystal. Only the best for our Soph. There's also the video clip idea for "China Heart" which involves manga-like real-action filming, and a room full of china plates, shaped as hearts, breaking, with the pieces revolving around Sophie's body as she sings the "aaaaaaaaah, ooo-aaahh" before the final chorus. This is the kind of shit that goes through my head when I'm at the gym. My review from May.
 03. PATRICK WOLF The Magic Position
It is all Scott, 2 Be Certain's fault that I love me some Wolf. Late 2005, Scott casually mentioned I should give "Wind In The Wires" a listen to and highly recommended its brilliance. I did, and fell completely head over heals. "The Magic Position" is probably the poppiest record we're going to get from Patrick, and what a fine pop record it is. The title track makes you want to fall in love, "Bluebells" is just epic, and "Get Lost" reminds so much of The Cure. There's also the inclusion of Marianne Faithfull on the gorgeous "Magpie," which sort of seals the deal for me, but really, it's all about "Augustine," Patrick's greatest song to date.
 04. RIHANNA Good Girl Gone Bad
So who was expecting this to be great? The very first time I saw the video clip for last years "S.O.S" I thought to myself "sheesh, this Rihanna bird looks serious about giving the whole being a proper popstar thing a good stab." Then she released that hideous album, that disgusting "ballad" about mouhr-dehr-uhr's, and I had all but assumed she would only ever release the one good single per album. So what happens when her follow up album is full of potential singles? There is not a single track on "...Gone Bad" I don't like. Obvious winners are "Don't Stop The Music," "Breakin' Dishes," "Push Up On Me" and first single "Umbrella." How about the not-so obvious, but still very much so, winners? "Question Existing" is just so powerful, (that talky-bit is off it's trolley! Give this woman more of these, pronto!) and the purchase of furniture with other people's money has never sounded as fun as it does in "Lemme Get That."
 05. SIOBHAN DONAGHY Ghosts
It's Kate Bush for a whole new generation. This is an important thing to be bringing to a new generation, though sadly it seems no one's all that keen on paying attention to it. Siobhan's follow up to "Revolution In Me" is a REVOLUTIONARY (boom! tish.) record of solid gold tracks. "Coming Up For Air" is so fucking ace that there are no words to really explain its beauty, and "Medevac" - well - you've all heard it by now and would know EXACTLY where I'm coming from when I say it's what an orgasm would sound like were it a song (unlike Lil Louis' "French Kiss," which is actually a song ABOUT orgasms). It is not too late to get behind Siobhan people. The album is released in the UK on Monday. Your general existence will definitely mirror that of a dull and boring housewife if you do not bring this masterpiece into your life.
 06. LA ROCCA The Truth
I really couldn't give a flying fuck that this was actually released in 2006. My theory is, if it's no more than 12 months old at the beginning of 2007, it is more than eligible thank you. I do warn you, the album is quite harmonica happy. But I love me some harmonica action and - for some unknown reason - it usually tends to set off the waterworks in me. If you like that cruisey, slightly whiny, guitar-meets-synth-pop-but-not sound that may find itself playing during key scenes of One Tree Hill, you'll love this incredibly well produced alternative-pop album. "Sketches (20 Something Life)" is a very cute lite-alt-pop delight, "Sing Song Sung" is, in fact, very first-album Keane, combining it with some seriously fun synth action. "Non Believer" - the very song that got me interested in this album - is still the most beautiful moment on here though. The piano which comes in at around 3:18 and goes through to about the 4:00 mark? That reminds me of how good it is to have music in my life every single time I hear it. Follow it with the last 40 seconds of the track, and you have near perfection through song. Watch a YouTube video of the track here... but be warned, it is littered with scenes from One Tree Hill as it's one of those fan-made 'montages.' It should be noted that for about 2 months this year, I wanted to actually BE Peyton Sawyer from OTH. She's so cool.
 07. SILVERCHAIR Young Modern
Daniel Johns! Chris Joannou! The Other One! Five years since the Chair's last studio album, and "Young Modern" manages to well and truly deliver the idea it's been well worth the wait. "Young Modern Station" is an exciting Devo-ish explosion, new single "Reflections Of A Sound" is probably the most gorgeous song 2007 has delivered so far, and "Strange Behaviour" - bookended by the Parts 1 & 2 of "Those Thieving Birds" - is very theatrical, epic, and camper than a row of tents. But the most glorious moment on here is "Waiting All Day," a very luscious piece of pure guitar pop... in fact, it's probably the poppiest Johns moment on record, though don't let that fool you; it's not exactly the happiest song, even if the cheeky honky-tonk piano tries telling you otherwise. This is exactly what Silverchair should sound like in 2007, regardless of what their upset, loser, stuck-in-the-mid-90's "fans" have to say on the matter.
 08. KLAXONS Myths Of The Near Future
Modular have done it again. This album is so ridiculously schizophrenic it's hard not to find something on this to like. I just so happen to be one of the people who seem to like everything on here. "Isle Of Her" - my absolute favourite on this album - is a brilliant exercise in the downright bizarre, "As Above, So Below" throws around gorgeous melodies with strong guitar, and "Magick" is just so beyond insane that there's not much else to do but love it. Being a dance music enthusiast, I should hate their indie cover of 1990's rave classic, Grace's "It's Not Over Yet." I really don't though, it's such a wonderful rendition that it manages to stand tall on its own. One to watch folks, I have a feeling the Klaxons only going to get better.
 09. TRACEY THORN Out Of The Woods
That voice... wow. From start to finish, "Out Of The Woods" is an intense, exciting and thrilling journey through song. "Here It Comes Again," the most fragile piece on "Woods," is a perfect opener. "A-Z" borrows 80's synth and combines it with a very, VERY deep bassline. In fact, this whole album is very Nile Rogers, which is most certainly not a bad thing at all. The dance-nut in me absolutely WORSHIPS the speakers "Grand Canyon" plays from, the most club-friendly melody, and instantly uplifting moment Tracey's delivered vocally since "Future Of The Future."
 10. TORI AMOS American Doll Posse
This has gotten mixed reviews since its release. In my opinion, it's the stronger of the Tori albums since "To Venus & Back." Definitely no "From The Choirgirl Hotel," but that doesn't stop it from being a little on the breathtaking side. "Bouncing Off Clouds" is a serious contender for song of the year, with its totally spellbinding nature. I reviewed this back in April, and the only thing that's really changed in my thoughts toward this record is that I love it more now.
11 - 20...
    
    
11. HILARY DUFF Diginity
BEST BITS: "Dignity" and "Danger."
IN AWORD: Popsicle.
12. MAROON 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Too Long
BEST BITS: "Makes Me Wonder," "A Little Of Your Time" and "Can't Stop."
IN A WORD: Notaboutjane.
13. MARGARET BERGER Pretty Scary Silver Fairy
BEST BITS: "Samantha," "Get Physical" and "Will You Remember Me Tomorrow? IN A WORD: Sodapop.
14. RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Release The Stars
BEST BITS: "Between My Legs" and "Tiergarten."
IN A WORD: Refined.
15. DRAGONETTE Galore
BEST BITS: "True Believer," "Take It Like A Man" and "Black Limousine."
IN A WORD: Electric.
16. ERASURE Light At The End Of The World
BEST BITS: "Sunday Girl" and "Fly Away."
IN A WORD: Fabulous.
17. LONG BLONDES Someone To Drive You Home
BEST BITS: "Giddy Stratospheres" and "Weekend Without Makeup."
IN A WORD: Blondie.
18. MIKA Life In Cartoon Motion
BEST BITS: "Relax (Take It Easy)" and "Billy Brown."
IN A WORD: Sugary.
19. BJORK Volta
BEST BITS: "Declare Independence" and "Innocence."
IN A WORD: Spikey.
20. SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM Sneaky Sound System
BEST BITS: "I Love It" and "U.F.O."
IN A WORD: Glamorous.
This list is going to most definitely change over the next 6 months, especially with possible new releases from Courtney Love, Madonna, Girls Aloud, Britney and Kylie all tipped to be heading our way before the year's up. Some of the albums above were actually released in 2006 (Sneaky Sound System, Margaret Berger, Long Blondes), but never really made an impact on me until now, which is why they're included, just in case you were wondering.
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS: The so-far-results for my Singles and Dance Albums of 2007.Labels: Album Reviews
3 Comments:
- 1:56 AM | J'ason D'luv said...
I hope Courtney Love releases her snatch over the next 6 months, and it eats at least 6 people.
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- 10:50 PM | Paul said...
not about jane! I love it. sigh. my little adam loved by my little adem! it makes warm gooey man love in my tummy
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- 3:05 AM | Hotstuff said...
Well 7 of my favourite albums from the year are in that list. And one of them's going to be on the phone tomorrow. :)
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