I was trying to think of a clever way to introduce several tracks that have been worming their way into my head this week. Then it hit me - it's my blog and I can do what I like. And so, despite a delay enforced by having to watch the mid-season finale of Battlestar Galactica twice (in two words, frak me!) here is an eclectic collection for your enjoyment.
The only ones that set the charts alight were "Walk Like An Egyptian" and "Rain Or Shine", which were both Top 5 hits. Even Samantha Fox fell a little, uh, Flat.
Here's my dilemma. I'm a great fan of lists, but I'm not great at making my own. Partly, it's a question of time, and partly a question of taste. I just don't get to listen to that many records, watch that many movies and TV shows or read that many books. Much of the time, I'm still stuck in the 80's or early 90's - but what I do like, I'm pretty passionate about. In the past I've ranked albums I've bought in a particular year - many of which are not current - but with the amount of material I've discovered from my blogger friends and keeping my SanDisk player topped up, just listing some of my purchases from Wal-Mart seems somewhat churlish. And I'm certainly not qualified to attempt a comprehensive ranking of 2007 releases - if that's what you are looking for, then start here.
Instead, I've decided to describe my favorite discoveries of 2007, mainly music, but other things too. There's no ranking system, just a vaguely chronological presentation. As always, comments are welcome. Bring on 2008!
1. [Album] Grant Lee Phillips - Strangelet Following on from an impressive covers album, Nineteeneighties, GLP issued a self-penned disc that continued the "busker-in-a-studio" vibe, and most importantly, some quality songs. TRY THIS: The standout track, "Soft Asylum (No Way Out)"
2. [DVD] Music And Lyrics I'm a sucker for movies about music and musicians, even when they take the form of a relatively predictable chick-flick. Hugh grant perfectly captures the heart of an aging teen-idol, and the spoof 80's tracks (by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) are genuinely great songs in their own right. TRY THIS: The fantastic fake MTV video for "Pop Goes My Heart"
3. [Album] Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life Massive in Britain, unknown in the States. Like Lily Allen and KT Tunstall, I'm expecting this one to be on a lot of Best Of lists next year, when the rest of the world catches on. TRY THIS: The video for the title track, "This Is The Life"
4. [Movie] Ratatouille My favorite Pixar movie, which is saying something. My daughter didn't like it, but I bought her the DVD anyway. A charming tale, and a lot of fun. TRY THIS: Meet Colette. The hottest animation since Jessica Rabbit.
5. [Album] KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic Talking of KT, I've no idea why her sophomore album didn't feature on any Best Of lists that I've seen. It's at least as good as the first album, Eye to the Telescope. TRY THIS: The lead single, "Hold On" BONUS: KT's managed to record quite a few cover versions in her short career. I've already posted "2000 Miles" but also check out her interpretation of Bloc Party's "The Prayer"
Phew, this is hard work. Time to go to a simpler list format.
6. [Album] The Shins - Wincing The Night Away 7. [Commercial] Miranda Kerr in the Victoria's Secret "Angels On Air" promo 8. [Album] Charlotte Martin - Reproductions 9. [Song] Rilo Kiley - "Dreamworld" 10. [TV] Battlestar Galactica 11. [Album] Steven Lindsay - Kite 12. [Song] MIKA - "Grace Kelly" 13. [Album] Kate Nash - Made of Bricks 14. [Album] The Rosebuds - Night of the Furies 15. [Album] Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West 16. [Album] Collective Soul - Afterwards 17. [Album] Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather 18. [Song] Clark Datchler - "Tomorrow" 19. [Song] Keane - "The Night Sky" 20. [Song] Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua - "Wonderful World"
Like other bloggers I know, I'm going to start posting some Christmas songs as we get into the holiday season. I've collected quite a few over the years, and many of these are not widely known or easily available. Let me know which ones you like, or if you have any requests.
Today is my 38th birthday, and by way of celebration I am posting a compilation of thirty eight tracks that I think say something about the kind of music that I like and where I'm coming from. I can guarantee that you will find something you like on here. If you do, please let me know in the comments section. Many of these artists are in line to be featured in the next few weeks and months, all being well. I've split the tracks into four categories, with two bonus tracks to make a round number. I'm going to post half this week and the other half next Sunday if I get a positive response. Enjoy!
Midge Ure - Supernatural (B-Side of Cold, Cold Heart)
Nik Kershaw - The Wrong Man (B-Side of Somebody Loves You)
Black - Most of the Day (And All of the Night) (B-Side of Don't Take the Silence Too Hard)
The Beautiful South - Java (B-Side of One Last Love Song)
Boo Hewerdine - The King Is Dead (extra track on Japanese Thanksgiving CD)
Keane - Snowed Under (B-Side of Somewhere Only We Know)
The Feeling - When I Return (B-Side of Sewn)
UPDATE: My compilations have long since disappeared, so I've helpfully linked to available Amazon downloads if you should be interested. Oh yeah, 38 seems so young now!!!
