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TheAgitator.com’s Slightly Late 2007 Year-End Music Extravaganza: Part One — The Singles
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008I thought the last year was actually pretty weak for new music. I found the new releases by some of my favorite artists disappointing. Lucinda Williams’ West had one very good single (the heartbreaking opener “Are You All Right?”), but dropped off from there. Fountains of Wayne released their worst CD to date. A bad FoW album is still pretty good. And the quirky lyrics are still a lot of fun. But they’re starting to sound formulaic. Traffic and Weather sounds like a full album of the second-tier songs from their first three (stellar) albums.
Kings of Leon put out what I think was the best single of the year, “Fans.” But Because of the Times really only had one other really strong track, “Black Thumbnail.” On the whole, the album comes nowhere near their first two releases, which were front-to-back outstanding. Same for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Baby 81 has two terrific songs, “Berlin” and “Weapon of Choice.” Libertarians might find some solace in both songs, too (the band has a strong anarcho streak–see also their prior tune “U.S. Government,” formerly known as “Kill the U.S. Govermnent.”)
I thought the Shins also came up short. Wincing the Night Away isn’t bad. It’s just less than what I was expecting, and nothing like Chutes Too Narrow.
To be fair, all of these artists’ prior releases were really fantastic. It’s probably hard to continue to top the top of your game, particularly when you’re trying to innovate and evolve from album to album. Not everything is going to work.
That said, let’s get to the fun stuff.
Singles of the Year:
Everything a rock song should be. A big, muscular guitar riff; sleazy, indulgent lyrics; and a huge payoff.
Can’t find this one online anywhere. Just pay the 99 cents to download it. If you like retro, old-school soul, Shaw’s the guy for you. This song is so throwback, I’m not convinced Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller didn’t write it.
Every now and then, the Brits hype up a band that actually deserves its press.
It’s a good thing Ritter already has two excellent albums under his belt. Otherwise, people would be talking about how much this song sounds like Highway 61-era Bob Dylan. And a comparison to early Dylan for a singer-songwriter like Ritter, while flatttering, about as sure a career killer as there is. But tell me you don’t hear it. If not Highway, then at least some “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”
Too bad the rest of the album wasn’t as good as this song. If you’ve ever missed someone, you’ll miss them again while you’re listening to this.
A wonderfully wry, melancholy jab at Hollywood by an underappreciated genius.
Banhart’s a quirky dude. He’s immensely talented, but his music is often completely unaccessible. This song is very accessible, even if it is about how he wishes he were a seahorse. It’s an eight-minute epic time warp to the 1970s.
Another bourbon-soaked rocker from the Alabama boys.
My favorite cut from the outstanding CD by the most underrated man in music.
Probably the most artist-appropriate song of the year from an incredibly talented woman. She’s like a badass Norah Jones. Man, I hope she doesn’t die.
Jeff Tweedy goes jam band, with a great little instrumental interlude that could have come from a Phish show.
There was a lot of neo-70s stuff released this year. Which I think is a good thing.
Another one by Wainwright, this time a sweet little song about a doting father. I don’t have kids, but somehow, this song still makes me think about them.
Strongest cut from a surprisingly popular album. This is a great song, but it’s Robert Plant’s restraint that pulls it all together. You keep waiting for him to cut loose with some vocal swagger, but he holds it all back.
Top Protest Songs
I’m a sucker for a good protest song, if only because there are so few of them (good ones, I mean). Here are a few that jumped out at me from the last year…
Not really “protest” so much as songs to drive fast and think radical libertarian thoughts to. “Weapon of Choice” I guess is sort of anti-patriotism, with the refrain, “I won’t waste my love on a nation.” “Berlin” contains the vaguely anarcho call-and-answer refrain, “Suicide is easy/What happened to the revolution?” Also, both songs are fun to drive fast to.
Actually, Staples’ entire album qualifies here (see below). I picked the second one for obvious reasons.
How many protest songs begin with an anecdote about running into Willie Mays buying garage door springs at a Home Depot? This one does.
An angry, defiant shouter in the tradition of “Fortunate Son.”
Best Covers
I’m a sucker for a well-done cover song. A few good ones from 2007…
Neko Case could sing just about anything and win me over.
Brandon Flowers’ vocal sounds a little like a boozy Freddie Mercury. Perfect song for him.
No, really.
Not online, unfortunately. But imagine an even bluesier, gospel-tinged version of Lovett’s terrific song.
From Janet Reno’s strangely alluring “Song of America” set.
The Agitatrix’s Favorite Song Not Already On This List
Coming tomorrow, my top twelve or so albums of 2007.
I’m a big cover fan myself, but that ryan adams cover of “down in a hole” is so horrible he should be punished.
My vote for top protest song of 2007 is “Don’t Make Me A Target” by Spoon. I generally dislike protest songs because they’re whiny and/or self-righteous, but Britt Daniel hits the nail on the head in a somewhat understated, typical Spoon sort of way.
That Arctic Monkeys song is brilliant!
Hey there Agitator,
I doubt I could mention a popular band that you haven’t heard of before, but just in case, I suggest that you check out Band of Horses. I think you’ll dig them. I do!
Cheers
Great Post!
Check out these amazing photos of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club playing live.
Have the best year!