Best Albums of 2007

Best Albums of 2007!

01. The Mary Onettes- The Mary Onettes [Labrador]
02. The National-  Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
03. Chromatics IV: Night Drive [Italians Do it Better]
04. Devastations-  Yes, U  [Beggars Banquet]
05. The Shins-  Wincing the Night Away [Sub Pop]
06. Andrew Bird-  Armchair Apocrypha  [Fat Possum]
07. Arcade Fire-  Neon Bible  [Merge]
08. Glass Candy B/E/A/T/B/O/X [Italians Do it Better]
09. Interpol-  Our Love to Admire [Capitol]
10. Sally Shapiro-  Disco Romance [Diskokaine]

Best of 2007- The Singles List

01. Klaxons - Golden Skans
02. Manic Street Preachers - Autumnsong
03. The Rakes - Suspicious Eyes
04. The Shins - Phantom Limb
05. Interpol - No I In Threesome
06. Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash
07. Erasure - I Could Fall In Love With You
08. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
09. The Knife - Marble House
10. Chromatics - Hands in the Dark
11. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
12. Cold War Kids - We Used To Vacation
13. Debbie Harry - Two Times Blue
14. Digitalism - Pogo
15. Duran Duran - Falling Down
16. Panda Bear - Take Pills
17. Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
18. Arcade Fire - Intervention
19. Paul Haig - Reason
20. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
21. Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
22. Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing
23. Siouxsie Sioux - Into A Swan
24. Radiohead - 15 Step
25. The National - Mistaken For Strangers

The Devastations Yes, U

Following the success of The National, Beggars Banquet has another notable release with the third album from the Australian group Devastations. This album, released worldwide in September (excluding the United States), boasts ten tracks characterized by a minimal downtempo sound. Accompanied by striking cover art, the album showcases the artistic depth and musical prowess of Devastations.

Next Wave: Hotel Motel

Hotel Motel is an interesting trio whose sound is a perfect combination of soulful vocals, nice synth lines and raw guitar riffs. Recently I discovered them on MySpace. Currently they are recording their debut EP which is going to be released soon. Below you can check their first single "Sucker Man."

Check these guys at
http://www.myspace.com/hotelmotel/

Duran Duran- Falling Down

"Falling Down" is the first single from Duran Duran's album 'Red Carpet Massacre' which is due to be sent to radio on September 25, 2007. It is a solid and radio friendly song with laid back atmosphere that reminds of some old Duran Duran Duran songs like "The Chauffeur" and "Save A Prayer". Nothing new, the usual pop sound with more or less chart potential. Check the link!

Leisure Process

Leisure Process was a short lived New Wave duo comprised of sax player Gary Barnacle and singer Ross Middleton. Gary Barnacle was a saxophonist and brass instrument arranger primarily noted for session work, during the 1980's, with a large number of popular music acts including Kim Wilde, Visage, Dalek I Love You and Level 42. Ross Middleton was a member of the UK outfit Positive Noise before he teamed up with Barnacle.

Together they formed Leisure Process in 1981. Leisure Process was produced by Marin Rushent and it released several singles in 1982 and 1983 but never managed to record an album. Even though they provided similar sound to some of the popular groups at that time, they remained as an 80’s obscurity. Their sound was a synthetic with Middleton’s manic vocals and Barnacle’s excellent sax solos. At some points it reminded of Human League especially when you compare “Love Action” with “Love Cascade”.

After working with a line up of great artists Barnacle released a solo album Paradise in 2002.Here are some acts for whom Barnacle has contributed session work.

M-"Pop Muzik" (1979)
Positive Noise- Heart Of Darkness (1981)
Kim Wilde- Kim Wilde- "2 6 5 8 0" (1981)
Level 42-Level 42- "Heathrow" (1981)
The Clash- Combat Rock- "Sean Flynn" (1982)
Visage-"Night Train" (1982)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- "Party Party" (1982)
Kim Wilde- Select- "Action City" (1982)
Visage – The Anvil (1982)
Kim Wilde- Catch As Catch Can- "Love Blonde" (1983)
Dalek I Love You- Dalek I Love You- "Lust", "12 Hours of Blues" (1983)
Soft Cell- This Last Night In Sodom (1984)
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions- Lost Weekend- "Lost Weekend" (1985)
The Damned- Phantasmagoria (1985)
The Dream Academy- The Dream Academy- "The Edge of Forever" (1985)
Level 42- World Machine (1985)
David Bowie- "Absolute Beginners" (1986)
Pet Shop Boys- Disco- "Suburbia" (1986)
Erasure- Wonderland- "Pistol" (1986)
Swing Out Sister- It’s Better To Travel (1987)
The Communards- Red- "For A Friend" (1987)
Level 42- Running in The Family- "Lessons in Love" (1987)
Rick Astley- Hold Me In Your Arms (1988)
Karel Fialka- Human Animal (1988)
Paul Hardcastle- No Winners- "Walk on the Light" (1988)
Hothouse Flowers- People (1988)
The Jeremy Days- The Jermey Days (1988)
Yazz – Wanted- "Fine Time" (1988)
The Beautiful South- Welcome To The Beautiful South (1989)
Bjork- Debut (1993)

Roisin Murphy- Overpowered

'Overpowered' is the title of the second solo album by former Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy. It will be released in her native Ireland on October 12 followed by scheduled for release in the UK and rest of Europe on October 15, 2007. The album was preceded by the single of the same title on July 9, 2007. Murphy's official webpage announced on Friday July 6, 2007 that the song "Overpowered" would not be chart eligible but instead be used as a introduction-single for her start at EMI. This means that the first physical single release from 'Overpowered' will be the song "Let Me Know".

Tony Wilson Dies!

Anthony H. Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records, has died of a heart attack yesterday (August 10th) at the age of 57. Wilson is best known for signing legendary bands including Joy Division and New Order to his label, and as owner of the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. He played a key role in the Madchester scene of the late 1980's and early 1990's, signing the Happy Mondays.

Wilson passed away on this evening in the hospital after suffering a heart attack that his doctor said was unrelated to his recent battle with cancer.

Thanks for Joy Division, the "Factory" , the music. RIP Tony!

Dalek I Love You Website is Up

Great news for all Dalek I (Love You) fans! Their new web site is up. The main menu includes news, topics and downloads. In the download section, there is a very obscure track from "Naive", the third DILY release from 1985. They promise more. We'll see.

http://www.dalekiloveyou.com/

Midnight Juggernauts Release Their Debut Album Dystopia

Midnight Juggernauts are an indie-electro-synth group from Melbourne. Their debut album, 'Dystopia', was released in Australia on August 4, 2007, with an international release to follow at a later date. The album was previewed by radio station Triple J as the "Album of the Week". Vincent from the band has provided Triple J with previews for most of the tracks, citing Electric Light Orchestra as one of their influences, a key sound in some of their tracks, particularly “Into the Galaxy”. Singles released by the group include “Raised By Wolves”, “Shadows”, “Road to Recovery” and “Into the Galaxy”.

Panda Bear- Person Pitch

Person Pitch is the third solo album released by Animal Collective member Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox), released on March 20, 2007. Five of the seven tracks on the album were released prior to the album, some of them with different mixing and/or lengths. "I'm Not" and "Comfy in Nautica" were released together as a double A-side single in 2005. "Take Pills" will be released as a 7" single on June 19, 2007, the same day that Person Pitch is being released on vinyl.

Tik and Tok Announce the Release of Dream Orphans

After a 22 year lunch break they're back with a brand new 13 track album Dream Orphans. It's a musical journey from lo - fi ambient to full- on electronica and it's yours to purchase now from http://www.tikandtok.com. Go on, you know you want to!

The Killers Cover Joy Division's Shadowplay for the Upociming Ian Curtis Bipoic

The Killers have covered the 1979 Joy Division song "Shadowplay" for the soundtrack to the forthcoming movie about the life of the band's front man Ian Curtis. The movie, Control, is based on the book Touching From A Distance, by Curtis' widow Deborah who also co-produced the movie. She is played by Samantha Morton. The film was directed by famed music video director Anton Corbijn. As previously reported on nme.com, New Order have recorded the incidental music for the movie, and are also mooted to be re-recording a number of Joy Division tracks. The biopic is set for a September 2007 release

Arcade Fire Announce the Release of Neon Bible

Neon Bible is Arcade Fire's second full length album, due for release on March 5, 2007 in Europe and March 6, 2007 in North America. Rumors began on December 16, 2006 that the band may have their own label, after the Zane Lowe website was altered, to show Intervention - Arcade Fire (ArcadeFireMusic) from (Mercury). However, Neon Bible is scheduled for release by Rough Trade. The first single for the UK is "Keep the Car Running".

Air-Pocket Symphony

Air are set to release the follow-up to 2004's Talkie Walkie on March 6 on Astralwerks. The record is titled Pocket Symphony, features artwork by contemporary artist Xavier Veilhan, and was recorded with Nigel Godrich over the last year and a half. Both Air members, Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel (aka Darkel), sing on the album, and Jarvis Cocker and the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon contribute vocals as well.

 

The Shins- Wincing The Night Away

Wincing the Night Away, the third album by indie rock group The Shins, was released by Sub Pop Records on January 23, 2007. It is the band's final album under their current contract. Recording for the album occurred in James Mercer’s basement studio, Phil Ek’s home in Seattle, and in Oregon City with veteran producer Joe Chicarelli (Beck, U2). One single from this album, "A Comet Appears", was featured in the pilot of the new television show, Chuck.