Most listened to albums of 2007

This is what I listened to overandoverandoveragain this year. Of course, I’ve described it in “Julie-terms” which is to say, “not very concisely”.

See, I could describe the music too you, but I hate “describing” music because you always end up comparing it to OTHER music, which I feel is shamefully inappropriate.

These are the folks whose work I adored this year, in no particular order…

* * *

In Rainbows – Radiohead

2007 for me is separated into two parts – before In Rainbows and after In Rainbows. Come to think of it, I don’t really remember the details of what happened before. I remember being in Iceland though, listening to it at least five times in a row each day before leaving the house. I also remember smoking in New York City on my 23rd Street balcony, with my neighbours, swaying along to the whole damn thing. Such a beautiful, complete, concise album. Most bands dream of a record this tight, this meticulous. OH, and the vinyl smells magnificent :)


White Chalk – PJ Harvey

As always, this is Polly Jean’s universe and we just live in it. She opens her mouth and lets every emotion pour out, and all you can do is thank the Lord that she exists.

Favourite lyrics:
“Come, come, come here at once / ‘cuz now my being is now in pining” – The Devil


Wine For My Weakness - Pétur Ben

I swear, this album frickin’ rocks my world. Icelandic folk-gone-electric, adorably packaged in a mullet and giant wool sweater. This man’s unplugged performance (while standing on a chair at a local record shop), AND this brilliant album made my trip to the land of fire and ice worth EVERY last cent. Ben is better than just about solo artist this continent has to offer, and that’s ‘cuz his work seems simple and effortless – and simplicity is hard work people! Once again, thank you Airwaves!

Favourite lyrics:
“Fight it, light it, use a drill / and kill this motherfucker before it grows it’s will” – Something Radical


American Doll Posse – Tori Amos

After the disaster that I will name “The Beekeeper” I didn’t think Tori had it in her anymore. Really. As a result, I didn’t even purchase this album for a month or so, and incidentally, it was also the last album I purchased from Sam’s on Yonge Street. *sniff* American Doll Posse is brilliant, cohesive, song-after-song. ADP proves that with a good story and the reins pulled tightly, the fearless brilliance can continue. I mean, what other woman can compose songs specifically marrying piano to drums? No one. ‘Nuff said.

Favourite lyrics:
“Don’t tell me a woman did this to you / Candy lies” – Dragon


West - Lucinda Williams

“Unlock my love and set me free
come fill me up with ecstasy
unsuffer me take away the pain
I’m bruised and bloody, wash away the stain
surround my heart, lead with your finger tips
unbound my feet, untie my wrists
come into my world of loneliness and wickedness and bitterness
anoint my head with your sweet kiss
my joy is dead, I long for bliss
I long for knowledge, whisper in my ear
undo my logic, undo my fear…”
- Unsuffer Me

…and the award for most fearless lyrics ever (with accompanying guitar solo)!


The Reminder – Feist

I remember a time, a time before. A time before Grammy nominations, iPod commercials, perfume ads, dancing on a soundstage with Buck 65... Thank heavens time has progressed so well though for Ms. Leslie Feist. JUST TAKE THE MONEY LESLIE! Geez, you're Canadian, so take the kudos, the money, the whatever... take it! This album is really fun and really sad and is just really really lovely. I listened to this album all summer long, smoking on my front stoop every hot evening… but that was before. Before everything.

Favourite lyrics:
“It’s impossible to tell / how important someone was / and what you might have missed out on / and how he might have changed it all / and how you might have changed it all for him” - Intuition


No Shouts, No Calls – Electrelane

Of course, my favourite band in the world releases a brilliant and magnificent album and then goes on bloody hiatus. Hiatus!!! The Electrelane ladies have always known who they are as a band, and have done there own thing (thank heavens). By the time the world caught up to their brilliance, the band decides on a ‘hiatus’. Figures. Frickin’ world…

Favourite lyrics:
“I turn in my sleep and see you beside me / it’s your imagination it’s your imagination / I want to go on but it’s another day without you / I tried to forget you I tried to forget you / I still see you / I still see you / I still see you…” - Saturday


Swift Feet For Troubling Times – Ohbijou

You know something is good, when you can slip it on just about anywhere and people everywhere ask, “Who IS this?” Please find this album and purchase it now – you won’t be disappointed.

Favourite lyrics:
“I walk in the cold to destroy this kick / of wanting to know just what makes you tick / ‘cuz if I knew all your secrets then I’d / capture your heart and make you mine / it’s so silly for me to worry about situations that don’t exist…” – The Otherside


Marry Me – St Vincent

As usually happens to me, I wander into Soundscapes on College Street and fall hopelessly in love at a listening station, and then feel all dreamy and lovely. I don’t want to leave because that means that even with the cds in question in the silver plastic bag, it’s STILL a twenty minute walk to my house (which happens to be twenty minutes NOT listening to exactly what I’ve just purchased). Anyway, I was afraid of buying this album (as if albums have magical powers) because each song really spoke to me. Annie Clarke has this charming way of singing brightly while laying a grenade at your feet – musically of course. She’s ridiculous young and a musical genius, so of course I wish I was her.

Favourite lyrics:
“I’m crawling through landmines / I know cause I planted them / Under cover of night / I put my heart in the ground / oh where’d you go? / please don’t go” - Landmines


Plague Park - Handsome Furs

You wanna know what love is people? Love is starting a band with your fiancée and releasing a song like “What We Had”, the most painful and catchy song ever recorded. “It’s all pain”? “It’s all a waste”? I mean, WOW. WOW. WOW. The whole album is this constructed, deconstructed Montreal-like music, so it’s free of the usual bullshit form or lyrical nonsense. It just is. The Handsome Furs don’t just try; they DO – which would make even a certain small green thing happy.

Favourite lyrics
“What we had don’t mean a thing” – What We Had


Five Roses – Miracle Fortress

I picked this album up in (of all places) Iceland, where a big ol’table of Canadian music was just sitting there, waiting to be loved. You have to hand it to Montreal’s Secret City Records, they know ‘damn good’ when they hear it. I slipped this into the cd player, and drank my second espresso, and smiled at how progressive, simple and charming Five Roses is. Miracle Fortress is my new favorite Canadian band - hands down.

Funnily enough, I don’t have favourite lyrics on Five Roses. Just put on the album and forget you have problems - bills, lovers, car trouble, children - anything really. Just enjoy.



Happy holidays folks. Much love from my little ol’hovel...
xoJ