#2 Album: Radiohead- In Rainbows
Song: "Jigsaw Falling Into place"
One of the most important bands in our format of all-time have delivered a solid album!
#3 Album: Maps - We Can Create
Song: "It Will Find You"
Reminds me if pink floyd and my bloody valentine got together for a jam session.
#4 Album: Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Song: "Don’t You Evah"
Indie rock faves drop a career defining album and make even Paramore fans mosh around at NSSN ‘07
#5 Album: LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Song: "North American Scum"
An infectiously funky and ridiculously cool record from the NYC underground.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Mutha F'in Brian
#1 Album: The White Stripes - Icky Thump Song: “You Don’t Know What Love Is”
For me, this album can be sumorized by the opening track “Icky Thump”, which is like a punch in the face of powerful rock, but then it transforms into some sort of experimentation, and then ends with the in-your-face action again! The first 5 tracks and the last 5 tracks are incredible in true White Stripes fashion and can be listened to over and over again without getting stale. This is why “Icky Thump” is my #1 album for 2007.
#2 Album: Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist Tarantula
Being a huge fan of Smashing Pumpkins in the 90s, this album, “Zeitgeist” breaks out the sound that stemmed throughout their career, including the song “Tarantula” that has the loud violent drumming of Jimmy Chamberlin. It reminds me of their first album “Gish”, in which I fell in love with the Pumpkins.
#3 Album: Queens of the Stone Age -Era Vulgaris
Song: Sick, Sick, Sick
This album by Queens of the Stone Age is defined simply as RAWK! Much like their other 2 albums, on “Era Vulgeris”, you hear the quirkiness that makes this band tick as a whole. This album inpeticular, is 3rd to the top of my list of favorites, because of its intricate and over the top sound.
#4 Album: Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero Song: Capital G
Nine Inch Nails in my opinion can do no wrong. On this latest release, “Year Zero”, Trent Reznor continues the magic and mystery, by making the album about a fictional story or dream that he had about the world ending. Adding yet another different kind of sound than we’re used to hearing from NIN, this concept for “Year Zero” is in the same spirit as Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”.
#5 Album: Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight Song: What I’ve Done
This is not Linkin Park’s best album, but they definitely have gotten away from their typical rhymes over phat beats sound. This album is very catchy and has it all for me. If I want to hear a poppy top 40 tune or an experimental good beat or a heavy track, I turn to “Minutes to Midnight”.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Dave (program director)
#1 Album White Stripes - Icky Thump
Song: “Icky Thump”
Jack White is a guitar hero and as authentic as it gets.
#2 Album Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead Song: “Empty Walls”
Concise message of politics in passionate songs.
#3 Album Foo Fighters - Echos, Silence, Patience And Grace
Song: “Long Road To Ruin”
Amazing writing. This band keeps getting better with every release
#4 Album Against Me! - New Wave
Song: “Thrash Unreal”
Real angst and passion
#5 Album: Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Song: “Starlight”
They’re one of the few bands who can fill arenas and have come to matter in the past year. Even though this release came out in late 2006, “Starlight” was the absolute stand out song this year.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Greg Gory
#1 Album: Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist
Song: We Are Stars
Always been one of my favorite bands…good to have them back! There residency was amazing. Album is very, very strong.
#2 Album: The Killers - Sawdust Song: Where the White Boys Dance
WHY THIS ALBUM IS ON YOUR LIST: The Killers can do no wrong…it’s fun to hear previously unreleased tracks…cool to have some guest vocalists and covers…different versions of Killers’ songs are very cool.
#3 Album – Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
Who doesn’t like a guy from Sweden with a name of Jose? It’s moody, calming, dark, stripped down… showcases his raw talent. Good night time listening/introspective listening.
#4 Album: Cake - B-Sides and Rarities
Truly one of the most under-rated artists of this genre. They’re fun and have many seemingly different influences. Of all my older CD’s, I find myself always going back to Cake…again – under-rated!
#5 Album: Blaqk Audio - Cex Cells Song: Sanctuary
Duh – they sound straight out of the 80’s and very much like the darker, more electronic stuff I loved in the yester-years.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Jared - weekday afternoons
#1 Album: Arcade Fire - NEON BIBLE
Song: Anti-Christ television blues
Undisputed best whole CD of the year! not a bad track on the record. Have you seen them live?!
#2 Album: M.I.A. - KALA
$20
Nothing like it. Super original. smart and dancey.
#3 Album: Arctic Monkeys - FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE
Song: Teddy Picker
Great sophomore release from the most promising band from the UK.
#4 Album: John Vanderslice - EMERALD CITY
Song: The Minaret
Best local Cd of the year.
#5 Album: Against me! - NEW WAVE
Song: white people for peace
Song after song is super solid. great words and lyrics.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Kat #1 Album: Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild
Song: The Wolf
This song is more than a song. This song is wide open spaces. Freedom. Being Alone. Galloping a horse in the middle of nowhere put to music.
#2 Album: Radiohead - In Rainbows
Song: Jigsaw Falling into place
Because it’s Radiohead.
#3 Album: Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Song: Survivalism
Trent put out the best political statement of the year.
#4 Album: Thurston Moore - Trees Outside the Academy
Frozen Gtr
‘Cause it’s like a Sonic Youth album...only strangly mellow.
#5 Album: A Place to Bury Strangers - s/t
Song: My Weakness
Aaron was playing it in his office one day and I walked in and couldn’t believe how good this band was. Super heavy - super melodic. Rocked my world. Plus they are known as the loudest band in New York - !!!
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Leeanne
#1 Album: Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell
Song: Requiem for Dissent
Cuz its bad religion…bad religion is the best band ever
#2 Album: Tiger Army - Music From Regions Beyond Song: Afterworld
#1 Album: LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of Silver
This record comes at you from so many angles ...dance, punk, rock, even,, Richard Cheese-style lounge music...and every single one of them works. It's fun and compelling from start to finish. As much as I wanted to put Radiohead in the top spot, I listened to this constantly for almost the entire year.
#2 Album: Radiohead - In Rainbows
When most people talk about In Rainbows, they talk about a business model. But the model would mean jack if the record wasn't so good. It's their "strings record", but it rocks, it's their most personal record, but it feels universal. And it gets better every time I listen to it
#3 Album: Kings of Leon - Because of the Time
These guys used to be kind of a Southern Rock version of The Strokes. Because of the Times finds them branching out and adding some beautiful atmosphere to some of the best guitar playing you'll hear this year. Far and away The Year's Most Underrated Record.
#4 Album: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Some people will hate records just because they are hyped a lot. Those people hated this one, and they're missing out
#5 Album: Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Like the Arcade Fire, not quite as good as the debut, but still pretty impressive. And this was a year where pretty impressive will score you a top 5.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Marc, promotions dept.
#1 Album: White Stripes - Icky Thump
Song: "Icky Thump"
This album pulls form so many roots that it goes beyond just a single music genre and all the while manages to stay consistent and “ball shaking” strong! Definitely the strongest album of 2007!
#2 Album: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Song: "Antichrist Television Blues"
This album blew me away. Love the band and everything off the album is amazing. Go buy this album. Then see them live. Do it!
#3 Album: Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Song: "Is There a Ghost"
One Album I didn’t much anything about, but surprised the hell out of me with their awesome melodies, and just an overall awesome sound. Good mood album.
#4 Album: Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Song: "Clairaudients"
Bright Eyes rarely disappoints me and I think this was an awesome release for 2007. Great sound and vocals!
#5 Album: Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead
Song: "Lie Lie Lie"
Always loved System of a Down, love Serj’s schizophrenic vocals and on this particular album, there isn’t as much political theme (though it’s definitely present). I appreciate that he’s expanding a bit more. Love the sound and image his songs conjure.
#1 Album: Queens of the Stone Age -Era Vulgaris Song: I’m Designer
QOTSA is one of my favorite bands. Josh Homme proved again with this album that he’s not afraid to say what he wants, and that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He also proved that he’s a musical genius in his own right and doesn’t need the star power of a Dave Grohl to make a great album. Overall this is one of Queens’ more mellow albums, but, lazy, sauntering stoner rock is what Queens built their name on and this album continues that tradition.
#2 Album: Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Song: Spitting Venom
I’m from Seattle, gotta represent for my hometown boys. The album goes from frenetic energy to manic depression too many times to count, but that’s how Modest Mouse rolls. The addition of Johnny Marr, of The Smiths, only helps them and gives them and gives them even more “indie” cred. This album solidifies Modest Mouse’s title as the biggest “indie” rock band in the world.
#3 Album: Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light Song: Let It Happen
Jimmy Eat World said they were going back to an older sound on this album, and I think they achieved their goal. By no means does this album match up with Clarity or Static Prevails, but they still give enough of that sound to keep fans around who have stuck by the band and continue to please fans of their more “pop” sounding up-beat rock.
#4 Album: White Stripes - Icky Thump Song: Rag And Bone
Jack and Meg have never disappointed me. They continue to mix blues, garage and indie rock to come up with a unique sound that is unmatched. Icky Thump is a heavy album, heavier than any other White Stripes album, and covers relationships, garbage salvaging and illegal immigration.
#5 Album: Bad Religion - New Maps Of Hell
Song: Requiem For Dissent
Bad Religion has always been the voice of revolution. They finally got back to it with The Empire Strikes First and now with this album. Layered harmonies, punk rock guitars and some of the best political writing in music today. They capture the sense of urgency that, sadly, most bands today don’t, or don’t care to.
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TOP 5 ALBUMS: Menace
#1 Album: PlayRadioPlay - The Frequency
Song: "Bad Cops Bad Charites"
The sound of PlayRadioPlay can be compared to The Postal Service, hellogoodbye, and other electronic acts, although it has staunch differences. I first found PlayRadioPlay via Myspace top artist list with his 8 million music plays and huge fan base. He had some free downloads so I checked it out and loved it.
#2 Album: LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Song: "North American Scum"
This is the best live band I have seen all year! I had the chance to see them live three times. First was at Coachella where I was backstage altercation with Lindsey Lohan. Never take her picture with out asking! Second time was for LIVE 105’s BFD pre party at Mezzanine in San Francisco with the Lovermakers. But the best time was at the Shoreline with Arcade fire. You can check out all the photos and videos at LIVE105.COM
#3 Album: White Stripes - Icky Thump
Song: "Icky Thump"
I heard this song a thousand times and it’s still not old to me.
#4 Album: H.I.M. - Venus Doom
Song: "Wings of a Butterfly"
Twice this year I got to witness the hardcore fanbase of H.I.M. The Warfield show had the biggest line I have ever seen for that venue. What was even better that night was the fan interview Live 105 taped with the lead singer Ville backstage.
#5 Album: Escape the Fate - Dying is Your Latest Fashion
Song: "Dying is Your Latest Fashion"
I was walking around the Warped Tour and I seen this little stage with a huge crowd. They had a killer performance for such a young band. A few months later I was visiting youtube and on the front page what do you know? Escape The Fate hand just put out a new music video and it was on Youtube’s top 10. It was the best video I seen in a long time and it got me to check out the album. Plus the lead singer has a crazy life story you need to check out.
#1 Album: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Song: “Intervention”
They followed up Funeral (their 2004 masterpiece) with a record that will also go down as being one of the most important pieces of music made this decade.
#2 Album: LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver Song: “Someone Great”
LCD Soundsystem made an album that is completely groundbreaking and gives me hope for the future of music at a time where it seems like everything’s already been done.
#3 Album: Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? Song: “Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse”
Aside from being one of my favorite live bands of the year (they played 6 sold out shows at the 700 capacity Great American Music Hall in SF), Of Montreal made an album that I can relate to. Lyrically, the record hits on dark subjects like depression, relationship problems and chemical imbalances; but the optimistic tone of the music balances it out. It’s an almost perfect indie-pop album.
#4 Album: Radiohead - In Rainbows Song: “Reckoner”
Radiohead’s unique marketing strategy made their latest full-length the most hyped and talked about record of 2007... and they had the music to back it all up. Radiohead may very well be the best band in the world and In Rainbows tells us why.
#5 Album: Here Here - The Boy With An Orange Song: "Poor Sailor"
San Francisco's Here Here are without question the best new local band to surface in 2007. Their record is filled with great anthemic tracks that remind me why I love indie music so much. When I saw them play only their second show ever in November it reminded me of the first time I witnessed a little band called Arcade Fire at Bottom Of The Hill a few years back. Look out for these guys in 2008.
#1 Album: Bjork - Volta
Song: "Earth Intruders"
What’s not to love about Bjork? Her sound never gets tired! Volta is a creative contrast to 2004’s Medulla. The album is a product of collaborations with Timbaland, among others, and an all-women Icelandic choir, giving it that big Bjork sound! Plus, she put on an amazing show at the Shoreline!
#2 Album: Sea Wolf – Leaves In The River
Song: "You’re a Wolf"
Thanks Soundcheck! What a good songwriter. The whole album has such a warm, soothing sound. I really love the instrumentation – the keys, the cello – create a great dreamy, acoustic sound that I can’t get enough of.
#3 Album: Bright Eyes – Cassadaga Song: "Soul Singer In A Session Band"
Despite a disappointing performance at the Greek earlier this year, this album has maintained steady rotation on my iPod. He’s got that great haunting chain-smoker voice and the lyrics are incredibly intelligent.
#4 Album: Devendra Banhart – Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
Song: “Lover”
Another great songwriter – a little off his rocker, maybe, but the melodies are inventive and I dig that lo-fi recording sound. Devendra is a clever songwriter – his nonsensical lyrics crack you up. Smokey is a great follow-up to 2005’s Cripple Crow. Be sure to check out the track “Seahorse,” with its Jim Morrison-meets-Dave Brubeck sound. Also, catch his exhibit at SFMOMA before it wraps up in February.
#5 Album: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black Song: “You Know I'm No Good”
Amy's voice is incredible. I love this entire album - this album wakes me up on my BART ride into work!
#1 Album: M.I.A. - Kala
Song: Jimmy
M.I.A.’s first album was my favorite album of 2005, and this album is amazing as it spans multiple sounds, from the Bollywood style of “Jimmy” to what could be an audio capture of a street festival in “Boyz.” In essence, I appreciate how the variety of sounds are pertinent to the tracks and keeps the music interesting, while not appearing as a novelty. Insightful lyrics without preaching, and the depth of the variety make this my favorite album of the year.
#2 Album: Radiohead - In Rainbows
Song: Nude
This album is Radiohead at its finest. Each of the band members showcases their talents especially in the uptempo guitar-driven tracks. The acoustic ballads don’t disappoint and although not as innovative as their early works, this album delivers music that is intricate and emotive as well as tracks that are full-on rock songs to head-nod to.
#3 Album: White Stripes - Icky Thump
Song: Rag and Bone
I’m a fan of 70’s rock, as well as the blues/rock that embodies the White Stripes. This album encompasses both styles and WS provide such an amazing blend of the two.
#4 Album: LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
Song: Time To Get Away
Just plain fun dance-punk with irreverent, humorous lyrics.
#5 Album: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Song: No Cars Go
I’m a HUGE Arcade Fire fan, and this album showcases growth in their sound. Compelling lyrics and more emphasis on the strings, brass, and guitars on this album make it easy to listen to without tiring of their sound.
