Here are the albums that most kept me engaged track to track in 2007:
Sweetheart - Dan Reeder
I like quirky, heartfelt tunes, particularly the Dan Reeder variety. Yea, he nurtures a pretty strong dirty jokes and profanity stance on some cuts. But that uncensored approach may also grant him the ability to write a starkly sweet love song for married folks like "Beautiful." And what can I say, like Dan "I drink beer to improve my mind..."
Challengers - New Pornographers
My dad's cooking advice applies to the New Pornographers: "Combine good ingredients and you'll be successful." How can a band that features the collective talents of A.C. Newman, John Collins, Blaine Thurier, Dan Bejar, Kathryn Calder, Kurt Dahle, Todd Fancey and Neko Case do anything other than cook?
New Believers - Elk City
I just kept playing this album. In the car. On my Mac at work. On my iPod. Without trying, it became one of my most-listened-to releases of the year. Something about Rene LoBue's vocals rekindles earlier infatuations with The Motels' Martha Davis and Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano. And the band rattles and hums well enough too.
At My Age - Nick Lowe
Reminds me of the songs I'd listen to on the jukebox at the dearly departed Sandy Top Tavern in Eldorado, Ohio, during my early 1980s George Jones, Merle Haggard and draft Blatz Beer phase. Nick comes back strong with this collection of almost-over-the-rise of middle age love and loss songs. Listen to Lowe do American roots better than most people born in the US.
Shrunken Heads - Ian Hunter
Another 1970s rock and roller fires a comeback salvo. This one is filled with buckshot and rock salt and pointed squarely at American politics and culture, while also blasting his own "big mouth." Great angry old man protest music.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
I started 2007 ranting about Amy Winehouse. But it gets hard to enjoy the dance band at a train wreck. Thankfully, Sharon Jones came along with this funky soul release backed by the extraordinary Dap Kings, the same group that backs Ms. Amy. All the groove sans train wreck.
It's a Big World - Renee and Jeremy
This album transports me to the "Goodnight Moon" bedroom. Not a bad place to be in these over-texted, Brittany-fried, TMZ-zone days. "Three Little Birds" is my favorite cover of a Bob Marley song. And the lyrics to "Night Mantra" have become my own parenthood mantra as I consider, adapt to and prepare for my son's transcendence into adolescence.
Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Roots music's new fun couple? Yes, but more. Both artists get major ups for working out of their comfort zones, especially Mr. Plant, who provides a great "how to" for second, third and fourth acts beyond serving as your own tribute band.
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon
Powerful, sonic songs. Love the beat and the horns. Every time I try to pick a favorite song from Ga5, I end up changing my mind. Yesterday it was "You Got Your Cherry Bomb." Today, "The Underdog." Tomorrow? Probably "Don't Make Me a Target" or maybe "The Ghost of You Lingers." No, it'll be "Don't You Evah."
