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As the semester ends: the best releases of 2007 thus far |
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Wednesday, 11 April 2007 |
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By Zachary M. Corsa
With the spring semester winding down, I figured it was time for The App Stylus to take a look back at some of the highlights of this year, thus far, in music:
THE TOP TEN ALBUMS OF SPRING SEMESTER, 2007
1. Do Make Say Think - You, You’re a History in Rust - DMST’s latest release is also the best CD of the New Year. An epic piece that demands your full attention, it must be listened to as an album to comprehend its scope. This is the kind of work that broadens its respective genre and pushes it in unforeseen directions; never before has post-rock been so understated and heart-wrenching. Rather than going for the cheaply built-up crescendo, DMST have crafted a consistently engaging, ultimately thrilling masterpiece.
2. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity -
San Francisco’s Deerhoof have followed up their remarkable ‘The Runners
Four’ with this all-too-brief- gripping collection of instant
favorites. Though they’ve toned done some of their abstract art-punk
tendencies, here the trio proves that sometimes experimental weirdness
and catchy, addictive pop can enjoy a very happy marriage indeed.
3. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? -
An epic work from the charming Athens, Georgia indie-poppers, and their
most commanding material yet. Kevin Barnes turns to darker subject
matter on this release, backing harrowing tales of drug addiction and
relationships gone bust with the same danceable synths and drumbeats
the band are famous for. Maturation doesn’t always mean musical
stagnation.
4. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible -
The most talked about album of the year, and for good reason. This disc
expands on Funeral’s grand statements of innocence and love, while
bringing wider issues to the band’s orchestral sweep. If an album this
good helps propel indie-rock to the forefront of the mainstream, music
is in good shape. And if every rock song were as charged as
“Intervention”, we would need no other bands.
5. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
- The long-awaited follow-up to surprise hit ‘Good News For People Who
Love Bad News’, Modest Mouse’s fifth album continues the band’s lengthy
career with an impressive collection of twisted Isaac Brock fables.
This time, the addition of legendary Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, and
the return of original drummer Jeremiah Green, sweeten the deal.
6. !!! - Myth Takes - Surprisingly
arresting dance pop is the specialty of this eight-piece collective,
and this disc is by far their most compelling. If ‘Heart of Hearts’
doesn’t make you get off the couch and move, then nothing short of
disco will. This album is the most flat-out fun you’ll have this year.
7. Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City -
Britain’s Bloc Party follow up the brilliant and acclaimed ‘Silent
Alarm’ with this impressive sophomore collection. The opening track,
“Song For Clay” is haunted by the ghost of Bret Easton Ellis’s classic
novel ‘Less Than Zero’, but this album carries a remarkable and
riveting statement of its own. Easily the best British album so far
this year.
8. Menomena - Friend and Foe - This
jazzy, experimental and much-hyped band has a greatly anticipated
sophomore effort in ‘Friend and Foe’. This album is a strange and
compelling journey, but one that is memorable and foot stomping
nonetheless. “Wet and Rusting” brings the album to another level
entirely.
9. Apostle of Hustle - National Anthem of Nowhere - Broken
Social Scene guitarist Andrew Whiteman releases this underrated second
collection, a rather understated companion to his full-time band’s more
famous and bombastic work. Highly recommended for fans of BSS or any
related bands of the collective.
10. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away - Yes,
it’s no Oh, Inverted World, but with tracks as catchy as “Australia”,
“Sleeping Lessons”, and “Girl Sailor”, who really needs it to be? The
Shins’ third release is very polished but as weirdly poppy and fun as
ever, and James Mercer’s voice makes this a trip worth taking. Whether
you’re a longtime fan or a recent convert, you won’t be disappointed.
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