Spring 2007 – Lily Allen, Neko Case, The Little Ones, Jollie Holland, Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse, Andrew Bird, My Brightest Diamond, Interpol, Brandi Carlile, The Innocense Mission, Laura Veirs, The Rounders, Amy Winehouse
The best albums of this past Spring:
Lily Allen – Alright, Still
- Ahh… a nice, fun, popalicious cd. Listening to this I think of clubbing in my early twenties. I’m reminded of all girls that would laugh at me when I asked them to dance. Great melodies.
Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
- This is the definition of what Alt-Country should be. Rocking, rollicking sound, catchy melodies, and a strong, heady voice.
The Little Ones – Sing Song
- A band in the spirit of Tokyo Police Club. I love the lead guitar in “MJ.”
Jollie Holland – Springtime Can Kill You
- Yes! Day dreamy folk music that will haunt you. “Mexican Blue” is a good starting place.
Iron and Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days
- Grab a beer from the fridge, go outside, sit on the rocking porch and enjoy the summer afternoon with this one.
Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Arrived
- Holy COW! Hands down – one of the BEST records of the year. Johnny Marr’s jangling guitars give Modest Mouse that extra “thing” that makes this record magic.
Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
- Longing, haunting and whimsical – this album might even be better than Bird’s Production of Eggs.
My Brightest Diamond – Bring Me The Workhorse
- Powerful, brooding, velvet voice with a range that will bring you to your knees begging for more (listen to ”Golden Star”). The production and mixing of this album is also phenomenal. There are a multitude of instruments that back up Shara Worden’s vocals. By the way, did you know she sings backup for Sufjan Stevens?
Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights
- This album, their first, is not as great as their second (Antics) but it still holds its own.
Brandi Carlile – The Story, Brandi Carlile
- This is the James Taylor for today’s generation. This girl was born to be a singer-songwriter.
The Innocence Mission – We Walked Along In Song
- Pop/Folk to listen to on a Sunday morning. Ahhhh….
Laura Veirs – Saltbreakers
- Just as good as “Year of Meteors.” I had to listen to it a few times before catching on…
The Rounders – now-a-day songs
- Blues/Country/Rock based out Norman, OK. I listened to their third album during the winter. This one, their second album, is just as good. I don’t know of any other band that has successfully blended the blues, country, and rock like this one.
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
- Amy Winehouse this. Amy Winehouse that. My goodness she is is overexposed here in the states! She does have an incredible voice – but the true genius of this record is whoever produced it and mixed it. Whoever was in charge of the background sound should be getting the praise. It’s the retro-Motown/soul sound of the 60s that gives Winhouse’s voice its color. Listening to everything except her voice in this album and you’ll see what I mean.
