Cut Copy In Ghost Colours I had been listening to tracks of this album since mid-2007, but boy was the album worth the wait. Glistening, shimmery keys and great pop hooks, In Ghost Colours channeled 80's synthpop in all the right ways. If you were lucky enough to catch them live, you could tell the band were humbled by their own success.
Hercules & Love Affair Self-Titled It took me a few listens to warm up to this album, but it paid off. Yes, it does sort of trail off in the middle, but there is something heartfelt, unique and complicated about each track that commands repeat listens. "Blind" and "You Belong" are being anointed as dance classics and it's amazing how Antony doesn't always steal the show from the brilliant cast of characters.
Vampire Weekend Self-Titled I started listening to Graceland a few weeks ago, and didn't give a flying fuck about its influence on Vampire Weekend's debut. People said the same thing about first Strokes album and Television, but I didn't hear it. All I know is this album has the jangly college pop I yearn for. So fresh, clean and approachable that even my Dad was curious about it on our drive from Lafayette to San Francisco.
Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak Yes, it's been out for less than a month, but it has also revived my interest in the "album" more so than any other recent release. The excessive auto-tune and lo-fi production does little to hide the aching in Kanye's songs. More importantly, you don't need to be on a downer to listen or appreciate this album's great music and Kanye's creative merits.
Santogold Self-Titled "Shove It" was pretty much my theme song this year, as was "L.E.S. Artistes." Moving from San Francisco to New York, "I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up" was pretty much the story of my life. The rest of the album has some hot tracks on it, but I prefer the mash-ups of "Anne" and "Lights Out" found on Top Ranking.
A few more albums I liked: Hot Chip, Made In The Dark ("Ready For The Floor," "Hold On") Britney Spears, Circus ("Circus," "Mannequin", "Unusual You") Kylie Minogue, X ("In My Arms," "Like A Drug," "Heart Beat Rock")
My list feels pretty mainstream, but what can I say, Most of the "new" albums I bought this year were archives (i.e., I fell in love with Numero Group's Eccentric Soul series, old italo disco and newish italo disco from Italians Do It Better). But more importantly, I really liked the albums I listed above.
I spent most of my this year listening to remixes and singles from artists that could bring me up up up: Designer Drugs, Little Boots, Kid Sister, Treasure Fingers, Danity Kane, Cyndi Lauper, Kleerup, Miami Horror and more. Who said the single was dead?
The biggest disappointment was the new Beyonce album. Out of the sixteen songs on my deluxe version, I would master the tracks in this order:
1. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) 2. Sweet Dreams 3. Halo 4. Ave Maria 5. Diva 6. Video Phone 7. Radio 8. Smash Into You 9. If I Were A Boy
It's not quite Pornography, but it's pretty bleak. What I like most about Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak is how honest and musically consistent it is.
I was expecting a softer sound, a more melancholy perspective on the tragic death of his mother. There is some of that in there, but it's also angry, with lots of self-reflection and frustrations over a lover or girlfriend. He's the boy done wrong.
It gets musically lighthearted 3/4's into the album ("Paranoid," "RoboCop"), but the subject matter remains dark throughout and the majority of the album is under-produced and bare bones.
My favorite track by far is the last one, "Coldest Winter." Notice the rhythmically strange synth melody that doesn't quite sync up with the drums. It's these touches that give the album its shivering effect. Speaking of The Cure, "Coldest Winter" could be a Japanese Whispers b-side. I love the album's art direction as well. Say what you will about his arrogance and attitude, Kanye's creativity certainly delivers the goods.
Panda Bear Person Pitch Astonishingly beautiful. Never mind 2007, Person Pitch will go in the history books as one of the best albums of the 00's. My absolute favorite part of this record is in "Bros" from 7:59 to 8:58. This album for me defines the incredible year that I had (a rebound from a fairly awful 2006).
Sally Shapiro Disco Romance I didn't even know italo disco was a genre until hearing this album. Beautiful synth washes, simple pop compositions and a mysterious, soft-spoken singer. I love every minute of this Disco Romance. Also, producer/songwriter Johan Agebjorn has introduced me to a handful of artists through his musical inspirations.
M.I.A. Kala Even I was surprised how much I ended up listening to this album, especially after disliking the prep singles, "Bird Flu" and "Boyz." M.I.A. is one of the few artists with views on globalization, imperialism and poverty that people are listening to. She's a complete treasure. "Hustle," "Paper Planes" and "Roadrunner" are my favorite tracks.
Jens Lekman Night Falls of Kortedala I have a deep appreciation for storytellers, especially when they have touches of humor and sadness in their stories. This is one of the very Iranian things about me. Jens has this quality, and also a really great ear for sampling and arranging. Musically, the album veers from tropical disco to traditional folk. He's sensitive and funny and never too precious.
Simian Mobile Disco Attack Decay Sustain Release An amazing dance album with its gloopy, sci-fi hip-hop electronics. While Daft Punk and bands like Justice weigh heavy on many minds, the music from this British duo is what I will remember from 2007. Although A-Trak's "Hustlin' Hustler" is my definitive version of "Hustler," the rest of the tracks are mighty fine without any remix treatment.
Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? My jaw just about dropped when I first heard this album. I can't believe this is the same band that used to sing about P.P. Icycles and Lamar. It's almost a psychedelic experience to hear Kevin Barnes becoming so painfully honest. "She's A Rejector" is my favorite.
Britney Spears Blackout I'm not even shitting you. I really liked this album. "Break The Ice" is one of my favorite songs of the year. Great production, completely upbeat all the way through and still pretty sexy. Most people hock shit albums, but for once a mega star has a hot album that's not being shoved down our throats. What is wrong with the world today?
Patrick Wolf The Magic Position The latest in a long line of great British eccentrics. This album has a whole lot of a drama and even more fun. I think it's Patrick's voice and his strange, uncomplicated productions that keep me coming back. He's very talented and there are some beautiful songs here.
Kanye West Graduation Although I really liked this album, I was surprised by the amount of laid back, mellow jams. I thought the whole album would innovations like "Stronger." Still, songs like "Good Life" and "Flashing Lights" didn't let me down. I also count "Can't Tell Me Nothing," Kanye's mix tape, as part of this favorites deal.
LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver This album took a very long time to warm up to me. I thought it was too masculine -- I just didn't get excited about it like the last album. Soon enough, "Get Innocuous!", "Someone Great," became increasingly infectious. I still really dislike "North American Scum." Must be big with the foreign contingent.
Overall, kinda of a weird list for a weird year. The first 6 or 7 albums were easy for me to decide. The last few were a challenge, only because I wondered if I bought enough new music this year. Then I looked at my collection, and saw albums from Animal Collective, Caribou, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Devendra Banhart, The White Stripes, Interpol, Bloc Party, Dizzee Rascal, Bjork, Chromeo, Maximo Park .. all bands I cherish. I could easily name 2-3 songs off each one that I really enjoyed, but not a favorite as a whole.
Also, this is my list of my favorite collection/mix tape/remix albums.
1. Ce Soir, On Danse, Chromeo Incredible mix. Introduced me to "Put The Freeze On", early 80's space disco/R&B and some sweet soul jams.
2. We Go All Night Long + Crying on the Dancefloor, Johan Agebjorn Amazing italo disco mixes. Introduced me to Mr. Flagio's "Take a Chance" and Nicolas Makelberge's "Dying in Africa." You can download them here and here.
3. Dirty South Dance, A-Trak Kanye's DJ and Kid Sister's partner in crime came up with the hottest dance mix. The word "mash up" makes me vomit, but when A-Trak mixes Kavinsky and M.I.A., or Gwen Stefani and LCD Soundsystem, it's a whole different ballgame.
4. I Like Turtles, Diplo Also known as the free mix he did for Pitchfork (although no longer available). This is the mix I would play walking to the gym on Saturday mornings. A great way to start the day .. lots of hot beats on this. I think Diplo is a great producer.
5. Fabric Live 33, Spank Rock An sensitive mix of old school jams and new dance from a band obsessed with sex. This mix was fresh to my ears when it first came out, and introduced me to Simian Mobile Disco, Uffie, Bonde Do Role and Para One.
Here are a few things I bought today at Amoeba Records on Haight Street (San Francisco):
Spank Rock & Benny Blanco Bangers & Cash Price: $4.98 Yes, I know a lot of the tracks were available for free on Spank Rock's myspace about a month ago, but I'm not much of an economist. "Shake That" and "Loose" were fun 2 Live Crew interpretations and damn, it's only $4.98 for better audio and hot cover artwork. All 5 tracks are ridiculously trashy, and it'll keep me running (and giggling) at the gym.
Kanye West Can't Tell Me Nothing Price: $5.98 This is Kanye's pre-Graduation mix tape. He raps over "Young Folks" and "The Eraser" (Thom Yorke's song that I talked about last week), babbles about porn, Rolling Stone and politics. There's also Kid Sister's "Pro Nails," which I really love. It's a very engaging listen. He has another official mix tape that was released last week. You can get it free at Kanye Talk.
Clipse We Got It For Cheap Vol. 2 Price: $5.98 This came out a few years ago, but I was inspired to pick it up today since Hell Hath No Fury still gets played regularly. They put a really excellent live show in September, and definitely value and acknowledge their fans more than any artist I've seen live in a while. I'm looking forward to putting this on.
Devendra Banhart Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon Price: $13.98 I'm still an avid folk music listener. I wasn't totally looking forward to a new release by Devendra, mostly because his albums are very long and take time to digest (time that I was saving for a later date). Still, I will always buy anything he releases, mostly because he's charming, a great musician and unlike any other artist around right now. Oddly enough, I was reminded of him when I saw his Annie Leibovitz photo in this month's Vanity Fair. It was either this album, or the Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala, but I decided I could wait on the Lekman album.
I wonder if Justin Timberlake is going to be one of those instantly recognizable voices in American pop music that will make fans purchase anything he sings on.
What was once a voice that was so deliberately borrowed from Michael Jackson is now the superlative for white boy soul.
There's no doubt Jackson's music will live forever. But even if he's appreciated in new hip-hop and soul (i.e., Rihanna's "Don't Stop The Music", Kanye West's "Good Life"), it's a faded memory of greatness, which makes us grasp Timerblake even tighter for being so young, prolific, alive and talented.
I like Timberlake a lot, and FutureSex/LoveSounds was an addictive surprise for me last year. He's working with everyone right now: Madonna, Duran Duran, and most recently, 50 Cent.
When you hear Timberlake's voice come in on 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology," you get a little bit of the goosebumps you would get hearing Michael Jackson on Diana Ross's "Eaten Alive."
The trouble with the "Ayo Technology" video, however, is Timberlake looks like a freakin' dwarf compared to the masculine man meat that is 50 Cent. Timberlake, who can often walk on air in music videos, looks uncomfortable bouncing in the background. I can't put my finger on it, but even 50 Cent looks a bit self-conscious -- maybe because it's his big pop song and he has only 1/3 of the rapping duties?
Timberland, wise as always, was able to keep his guest appearance outside from these two with a neat Minority Report scene. JT should have kept the collaboration in the studio and away from the music video.
The song itself is pretty good. It's trashy and familiar ("My Love," anyone?), and no big surprise why it doesn't stand a chance against Kanye's "Stronger."
I must add, 50, Timberlake and Timberland look like they're having a blast performing it live at the VMA's.
swoon...Kanye West, is like, so incredible. I've been listening to "Stronger" for a few weeks now, and everything about is just so right.
French dance is the hottest shit in the world right now, and Kanye, never one to be outdone, perfectly samples Daft Punk's "Harder, Faster, Better, Stronger." Of course, it ain't the original, but he knows that and rephrases a classic Nietzsche quote for a hook. Rhyming "since Prince was on Apollonia/since OJ had Isotoners" is kind of silly, but I think that's the idea. Musically, it builds up sounding a bit like Beyonce's "Crazy in Love," a calculated summertime jam. For anime geeks, Kanye does his best Tetsuo from Akira in the stylish music video. Daft Punk is in it too, and the futuristic visuals are great. It's so Neo-Tokyo .. or The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift .. but let's leave it at that.
And then comes the cover. Oh my god! Artwork by Takashi Murakami! Leader of contemporary Japanese art! King of the Superflat! Emperor of ultra-luxurious Louis Vuitton monogrammed accessories! Daft Punk is even on the cover, as is Kayne's iconographic bear wearing Jeremy Scott sunglasses. And this is hip-hop!
"Stronger" is a work of globally influenced pop art. He (and his producers) deserve a lot of credit for this. I hope it doesn't flop.
Cut Copy
Hercules & Love Affair
Vampire Weekend
Kanye West
Santogold
My list feels pretty mainstream, but what can I say, Most of the "new" albums I bought this year were archives (i.e., I fell in love with Numero Group's Eccentric Soul series, old italo disco and newish italo disco from Italians Do It Better). But more importantly, I really liked the albums I listed above.
The biggest disappointment was the new Beyonce album. Out of the sixteen songs on my deluxe version, I would master the tracks in this order:
Timberland, wise as always, was able to keep his guest appearance outside from these two with a neat 
And then comes the cover. Oh my god! Artwork by 
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