Idolator Pop '07 Critics Poll

The 2007 Idolator Pop Critics Poll has been posted and you can view the top 10 albums, as voted upon by critics and writers from around the world, below. Once again the fine folks from Idolator invited EAR FARM to take part, and we did. Below you'll find the lists of top albums of 2007 that Mike and I submitted for Idolator's poll as well as links to our individual poll pages within the Idolator site. Click through to those to find out how we voted for top track, artist, and reissue of 2007. And yes, these lists are different from what was posted in EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007 and just might offer some insight into how EAR FARM's top album list came about.

Idolator Pop '07 Critics Poll: Top Albums of 2007
1 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
2 M.I.A. - Kala
3 Radiohead - In Rainbows
4 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
5 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
6 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
7 The National - Boxer
8 Kanye West - Graduation
9 Panda Bear - Person Pitch
10 Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Matt's Idolator Pop '07 Ballot
ALBUMS (descending points)
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. The National - Boxer
3. Angels Of Light - We Are Him
4. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
5. Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
6. St. Vincent - Marry Me
7. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
8. Talib Kweli - Eardrum
9. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
10. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works

Mike's Idolator Pop '07 Ballot
ALBUMS (descending points)
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
3. The National - Boxer
4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
5. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
6. White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
7. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
8. Menomena - Friend And Foe
9. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
10. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007

This is a re-post of EAR FARM's Top Albums Of 2007 list. Regular posting will resume Wednesday, the 2nd of January. Be sure to read the reader-decided 100th 8+ if you haven't already. Otherwise, have a look at EAR FARM's Tops of '07 Lists below and feel free to share your thoughts, criticisms, and/or your own lists.

Here's hoping you have a very happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2008!

What you'll find below is a list of our "top" 15 albums released in 2007. What does this mean? Favorites? Bests? Both, yes. These are the bests of our favorites. The most favorite-bests. We worked together as a team to come up with a list we both agreed on, fought and clawed for our favorites, and had to let go of some of them for the greater good. Ultimately, we're extremely pleased with the list we've come up with. So, after you check out the teaser list below, have a look at the big list inside by clicking through to continue reading/view comments. Once there, click the title of the album to purchase it, click the artist's name to go to their site, click the (+) to read what a variety of critics have to say, and click on the song name to listen to an MP3 from the respective album. As always, we welcome you to comment, complain, leave your own "tops of '07" list, or tag the comments to this post with graffiti.

EAR FARM's Top Albums Of 2007 #'s 15-11
15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav
14. Red Album by Baroness
13. Marry Me by St. Vincent
12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback
11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli


EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007

15. Let's Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav (+) - listen: "Patty Lee"
The real star of this album is guitarist Seth Jabour. Alternating between understated rhythms lurking at the back of the mix to insanely catchy lead lines dictating the entire direction of a given song, he gets my "Slash Award" for 2007. This isn't in recognition of technical virtuosity but rather for stuffing an entire album full of guitar parts that I can whistle along to from memory (except I can't whistle, so maybe just hum). Top to bottom, this is a really fun, uplifting, fist-pumping party album. - Mike

14. Red Album by Baroness (+) - listen: "The Birthing"
Red Album is 2007's finest metal album and one I'm pretty sure you'd love if you only gave it a chance. I know, you scoff. You're ready to skip over this album because you don't need metal in your life. Oh but you do! And on this record Baroness has crafted an album that's just as heavy as it is ethereal, just as balls out riff-rocking as it is accessible. A metal album that's not very far off from what you might expect to hear from Isis, and yet entirely "Southern" and even partially "indie rock-ish". Huh? Trust me. For those about to rock, look no further. - Matt

13. Marry Me by St. Vincent (+) - listen: "Now Now"
After spending time as a member of Sufjan Stevens' band and the Polyphonic Spree, Marry Me finds Annie Clark (St. Vincent) bursting into the music world like an excited child who's just returned from the zoo. While the record could've ended up sounding like an overly anxious artist's long awaited (messy) moment in the sun, Marry Me is anything but. Instead, it's a near-flawless debut and I can't wait for the follow up. - Matt

12. Autumn of the Seraphs by Pinback (+) - listen: "Good To Sea"
When I heard grumblings that this was just like every other Pinback album I thought, "you mean it's filled with interlocking rhythms executed with swiss-clock precision beneath a bed of minor-chord hooks and twisting harmonies?", before leaving a vapor trail in my midst on the way to the record store. Knowing Rob Crow's tastes, if their last album was titled Summer in Abaddon and this one Autumn of the Seraphs, what are the odds their next one will be Winter in Middle Earth? - Mike

11. Eardrum by Talib Kweli (+) - listen: "The Perfect Beat (feat. KRS-One)"
A two sided truth: I'm calling Eardrum 2007's best hip-hop album (yep, better than recent records from El-P and Pharaohe Monch) but it's possible that it could've been even better if Kweli (and his army of producers and guest stars) had been more stingy with the number of tracks included on the record. That's not to say there are bad songs dragging the album down, just that there was really no need to max out all 80 minutes on this CD by pumping it full of 20 tracks. It's perhaps the most disjointed and sprawling album on this list of great albums. So what I recommend is to split it in half, split it in thirds, listen to one song each day for the next three weeks - take it in in whatever way works for you, but whatever you do, don't miss it. The production and guest appearances are top notch and Kweli really goes above and beyond with his delivery/flow and, most of all, with his lyrics. The best in the business. - Matt

10. Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective (+) - listen: "Derek"
As they've gotten more popular, the fidelity of Animal Collective albums has improved drastically. Listen to Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished next to Strawberry Jam and the difference is startling. I always identified the lo-fi soupy sonics of their previous albums as just another signature element of their sound, and when the sparkling-clean production of Strawberry Jam power-washed these imperfections away, it left me a bit cold. BUT, coming back to this album recently I realized that all along I guess I secretly wanted their older albums to sound better and bigger to do their songs proper justice. Guess what? Strawberry Jam does just that, and the album cooks as a result. It's also perhaps their most accessible effort as well. - Mike

9. Fort Nightly by White Rabbits (+) - listen: "While We Go Dancing"We considered doing a nerdy list of best song sequences within albums, and for me that idea was partially born from listening to tracks 3-7 on Fort Nightly on continuous loop. And this isn't to suggest the album is front-loaded either, it's just THAT good. From songwriting and arrangements to instrumentation and delivery, this is an incredibly strong full-length debut. Good songs prevail. - Mike

8. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone by Explosions In The Sky (+) - listen: "It's Natural To Be Afraid"
I'm not a long-time fan of this band, but I know people who are. And I know they probably don't consider this the "best" album from Explosions In The Sky, but I'll tell you what: they're wrong. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone is Explosions at their pinnacle, they've totally perfected their signature dramatic post-rock formula to create one of the most solid and complete works of art of any kind to come out in 2007. With tonal and melodic themes that seamlessly run throughout, it flows almost more like a symphony than a rock record. Listen to this alone, listen to it while driving, listen to it with headphones on, or listen on your stereo and wake up the neighbors. However you chose to experience this record, beware. Because if you let it, it will completely take over. - Matt

7. Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof (+) - listen: "The Perfect Me"
Possibly better than The Runners Four, possibly Deerhoof's finest album, but not my favorite of theirs. It is, however, much better than most of the records released this year and has more than its fair share of fantastic/genius moments. - Matt

What a shame this was released way back in January. If they had pushed it to coincide with "blog awards season" like Oscar contenders do every fall, Friend Opportunity would probably be at the top of most lists, EAR FARM included (and c'mon, inclusion on these lists is comparable to winning an Oscar, right?). As it stands, this is just another run-of-the-mill Deerhoof album, meaning it's a kaleidoscopic cocktail of ingenious time shifts, starts, stops, freak-outs and childlike melodies that will knock you flat on your ass. I will always be anxiously awaiting whatever Deerhoof does next. - Mike

6. Friend And Foe by Menomena (+) - listen: "The Pelican"
I've been told to check out this band in the past, I didn't listen. But for some reason one day at work I threw this album on and was hooked immediately. By what? By the rhythm and melody, rhythm... and melody. And also by the fact that this is one of the finest (pure) indie rock records I've heard since Funeral. Tops. And also, gotta love the sax work. - Matt

Two of my closest friends whose taste in music I will never question had been oohing and ahhhing about Menomena - and this album in particular - for quite some time. Late to the party as always (I also had cable tv taken away from me as a kid), the high expectations I already had for Friend And Foe increased even more upon nerding out to their incredible album art. So basically I was sold before I even pressed play. Turns out the album sounds incredible too. My friends are smart. - Mike

5. Person Pitch by Panda Bear (+) - listen: "Take Pills"
Unlike most of the music dork world I didn't fall for this album in a big grand 'love at first listen' moment. I knew it was great, but I avoided overdoing it for the most part and took it in small doses. I'm glad for that. And though seeing Lennox perform (and by perform I mean ruin) Panda Bear material live nearly destroyed my appreciation of what he's accomplished here, it simply couldn't because the album is so damn good. - Matt

I must have listened to this for three weeks straight when it first came out. I listened to it in the car, on the subway, at my desk and even while watching NCAA March Madness (on mute) on television. Therefore, it's entirely my fault and not Noah Lennox's that Person Pitch gradually lost some of its magic as the year wore on. Listening to it again, traces of its original irresistible charm still come through, and if we were making this list according to how we felt upon first hearing an album this would no doubt be my numero uno. - Mike

4. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco (+) - listen: "You Are My Face"
Whoa whoa whoa, what's with all the "dad-rock" hullabaloo surrounding this album? Really? Guess what? If this is "dad-rock" then fuel up my minivan and put socks under my Birkenstocks because it KICKS ASS. Yes, I too was head-over-heels in love with "experimental phase" Wilco and I kinda sorta feel your pain, but how did Sky Blue Sky become labeled as a simple, paint-by-numbers album? Tweedy may have traded in some of the overt weirdness of his previous two albums for a more coherent and band-oriented sound, but in doing so he managed to capture for the first time on record Wilco's standing as the tightest and most musically gifted rock band in America. - Mike

3. We Are Him by Angels Of Light (+) - listen: "We Are Him"
We Are Him is the best album released in 2007 that nobody is talking about. It's exactly what I'd always hoped for when listening to other Angels Of Light records, what Michael Gira has always hinted at but never quite achieved. It's frightening, difficult, droning, hypnotic, intimate, sprawling, lonely, paranoid, communal, unique, confrontational, abrasive, beautiful, and perfect. It's a good step or ten darker than most Goth rock you'll find kids with black fingernails listening to - it's what The Doors must've sounded like in their peyote fueled dreams, hoping for a sound they never quite realized. It's like Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, but better. The song posted here is simply to offer you a taste; however, this is truly a record to be experienced as a whole. Like a great book, you must work through the album with patience and fortitude and get familiar with its landscape before it will really payoff. And when it does payoff (multiple times throughout the album), I'll betcha dollars to donuts that you end up agreeing with Gira's proclamation that he is, indeed, “the god of this fucking land”. - Matt

2. Boxer by The National (+) - listen: "Mistaken for Strangers"
Alright, go ahead and check me in to hyperbolics anonymous. "Hi, my name is Matt and I like to exaggerate." Right? Oh wait, I haven't offered the proof yet. Here: Boxer is a perfect record. Yeah? Is that good enough? I've only said 'perfect' some 35 times in the last hour. So it seems. Actually, I've only said 'perfect' twice, but then my hyperbolic statement regarding how many times I've recently said the word 'perfect' should be proof enough that I've got an exaggerating problem. We all do. Look, I know it's not going to blow your mind when I tell you this, because it's being said in so many places, but what The National have achieved on Boxer is nothing short of a masterpiece. They one-upped themselves; no actually, they've plain and simply blown Alligator right out of the water. I tried my damnedest to not be one of the many who love this record, thinking that I might retain some fraction of individuality by doing so. How idiotic. You know what? You're right. Boxer is not as good as all of us weenies are saying... it's better. - Matt

I don't have quite the obsession that Matt does with this album and I attribute that to being a bit underwhelmed by seeing them live and having that taint Boxer just in the slightest. That being said, I still spun it on repeat for a 10-hour round-trip car ride and didn't even consider listening to anything else. This is like The Blob of 2007 albums. It slithers and oozes forth and seeps into you and wraps itself around you until you have no choice but to submit and be one with it. - Mike

1. In Rainbows by Radiohead (+) - listen: "House of Cards" + "Up On The Ladder" (from disc 2)
Are you excited to read yet another yokel's opinons about In Rainbows? Gooood. I'll try to keep it somewhat short...and in doing so will go back to 1995. That year a new tradition started with The Bends in which I would try to buy every subsequent Radiohead album on the day of its release (including hunting down Kid A in Australia in 2000). That mini-streak ended with In Rainbows. Not only did I not "buy" it on its "release day", but I didn't even pay anything for it when I did get it. Charlatan! I know I know, let me explain. Having been disappointed all year with the efforts of other heavy-hitters (cough cough Arcade Fire) I couldn't bring myself to be let down by another big band's big release. Now, two months later I can breathe easy again. Isn't it nice and orderly when the best band in the world also delivers the best album of the year? It makes me think all is momentarily right. Now excuse me while I go redeem karma points by purchasing this on vinyl. - Mike

Okay computer, please don't let me mention how Mike needs to hurry up with buying In Rainbows on vinyl before the karma police come after him with knives out; because, I might be wrong but, that would be a bit of a let down for me to pun so poorly... shit, is this thing on? Damn. Remember how awful peoples' puns and references to Radiohead used to be back in the late '90s? I do. It was "ok computer this" and "karma police" that. Ugh. I remember. I also remember how good Pablo Honey was, how great The Bends was, how (here I go again) perfect Ok Computer and Kid A were, how great Amnesiac was, and how Hail To The Thief saw Radiohead (in my mind) return to just simply "pretty great". That's what happens when you set impossibly high standards as a band. Each time Radiohead drops an album I expect perfection, and while I'm not yet 100% sure that In Rainbows is "better" than Boxer, I WILL be sure in mere minutes when I open this package sitting in front of me and finally get to hear this sucker on vinyl with headphones on. UPDATE: No joke, I'm writing this now an hour and a half later. Today I received my special edition In Rainbows box set (all kinds of awesome artwork and packaging along with the album on vinyl (2 discs) and a bonus CD of b-sides) in the mail and it turns out that it was worth the wait, and worth every penny I paid for it. In Rainbows, on vinyl, with proper headphones on, my goodness. Also, disc 2 contains at least four tracks well worth checking out. As a test subject in the great Radiohead marketing/distribution experiment of 2007 I must say that I'm completely satisfied on all levels. But most importantly, the music... In 2007 Radiohead proved, once again, that they're simply in a league of their own. - Matt
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And there you have it. EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums of 2007. Sure, the top two spots might not have shocked anyone, but when there are albums out there as good as Boxer and In Rainbows, what do you expect? That we ignore the truth and force something else into the top spot just to be different? Yes? Okay, well maybe next year. For now you'll have to deal with the list above. Or, if you're still thirsty for even MORE list action, check out the extra bonus lists below.

Beyond that - now it's your turn. Go ahead and offer up your criticisms and questions and name calling and all the whatever you call it... Mostly we'd like to see YOUR "tops of '07" lists, or links to your lists elsewhere, or whatever else you've got for us - so let us have it/them. And, as always, thanks for reading.


10 albums (5 from each of us) that nearly made EAR FARM's top 15

5. Dandelion Gum by Black Moth Super Rainbow - From the first note this album pulls you, floating and weightless, past tangerine trees and marmalade skies as if you're a character in one of Timothy Leary's dreams. My God, the SYNTHS! - Matt

Listen: "They Live In the Meadow"

4. In Advance Of The Broken Arm by Marnie Stern - I'm not the first person to say so, but if this album were 6 songs shorter it'd be a masterpiece of an EP. 'Addition by subtraction' is my key phrase of suggestion to musicians for 2008. - Matt

Listen: "Every Single Line Means Something"

3. I'll Sleep When You're Dead by El-P - Paranoid, introspective, sci-fi infused, a near-masterpiece, and the perfect hip-hop soundtrack for nerds who live in the city. - Matt

Listen: "Tasmanian Pain Coaster"

2. Untrue by Burial - An icily stark (in a Martin Hannett kind of way) and dark "dance" record that truly furthers trip hop/garage/dubstep by shining a soft light on what made the genres such underground favourites in the '90s. - Matt

Listen: "Raver"

1. Ire Works by Dillinger Escape Plan - Combining their ferocious chops with a fearless desire to explore elements of prog and hardcore, metal and math-rock, jazz (?!) and (at long last) pop-rock (see the song below), Dillinger Escape Plan have made one of the very best albums of the year. Easily. - Matt

Listen: "Black Bubblegum"

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5. Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird - Haunting, shimmering, contemplative, dramatic, and just out-and-out purrty. This album really surprised me and is certainly worthy of all the hype and praise it's received. - Mike

Listen: "Imitosis"

4. The Good, The Bad & The Queen by The Good, The Bad & The Queen - Perhaps unfairly dismissed for failing to sound like a proper "supergroup", the disarmingly relaxed and casual vibe of this album actually works in its favor and throws a relaxed and casual middle finger at those who feel differently. - Mike

Listen: "Green Fields"

3. The Stage Names by Okkervil River - A wonderfully ambitious and rock-solid album that also contains some of my favorite lyrics of the year. You had me at "hundredth luftballon" Mr. Sheff. - Mike

Listen: "Plus Ones"

2. Shaky Hands by The Shaky Hands - Largely ignored, this self-titled debut is an endearingly messy pop postcard from the Pacific Northwest and winner of the "Sounding the Most Like a Sub Pop Album Without Actually Being on Sub Pop" award. - Mike

Listen: "Maker Make"

1. Random Spirit Lover by Sunset Rubdown - A mini masterpiece and overall my favorite record not on the big list above. Spencer Krug has the productivity of Lil' Wayne and the mad genius vibe of Brian Wilson. - Mike

Listen: "The Mending of the Gown"

EAR FARM's Top 7 EPs Of 2007
Arizona - Frameseeker and the Mono
British Sea Power - Krankenhaus?
Dead Confederate - Dead Confederate
Goes Cube - Beckon The Dagger God
Grizzly Bear - Friend EP
The Muggabears - Night Choreography
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - IS IS


10 albums that just aren't our thing, no matter how good everyone else says they are
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Beirut - The Flying Cub Cup
Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
Deerhunter - Cryptograms
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Justice - †
Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Kanye West - Graduation


10 albums from this year that let us down
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated
Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
Brakes - The Beatific Visions
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
Dungen - Tio Bitar
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Liars - Liars
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga


15 artists whose 2008 album we're really excited about
Ambulance LTD.
The Breeders
British Sea Power
Built To Spill
The Cure
Goes Cube
Guns N' Roses (nudge nudge wink wink)
Islands
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Morrissey
Nine Inch Nails
The Secret Life of Sofia
Silver Jews
Tapes 'n Tapes
Wolf Parade

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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007

EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007

EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly look at songs longer than eight minutes. Each week, new song. There are no rules or guidelines here other than that I won't allow live versions of songs to be featured. Beyond that, it's anything goes. And very often, that's exactly what happens as the songs range from indie rock to jazz to classic rock to rap to R&B to classical to electronic to folk to anything/everything in between. Accompanying each song is anything from a personal story/essay to pictures, videos, cited research, original poetry... truly all manner of reflection and interaction with the week's selected long song. In a nutshell, for over two years 8+ has been EAR FARM's signature weekly column.

To date there have been 99 songs featured in EF's 8+, meaning that the next new 8+ will be the 100th 8+! To celebrate the occasion, and as a special thank you to all of the EAR FARM faithful, we're inviting you to vote/decide which song you would like to have featured in EAR FARM's 100th 8+. The four potential songs were selected to reflect some of the songs most requested via email and comments. So be sure to vote in the 8+ poll in the sidebar on the right. To give everyone enough time to get a vote cast we'll be doing a special remix of an old 8+ post next week (consider it a rerun) and the final 8+ of 2007 (#100 overall) will appear the following week. In other words, voting will close on December 25th and your 100th 8+ will be posted on the 27th.

In lieu of posting a new 8+ today, we've decided to wrap up 2007 by picking our 15 favorite 8+ posts from 2007 along with a separate list of 8+ posts written by guest authors this year. I've done up a very brief summary for each post in the list below to jog your memory/entice you to want to read the actual post; and also, I've gone ahead and re-uploaded (for a limited time) each of the songs to their original posts, so click through below to begin your adventure through the year's best 8+s and visit each original post to read and listen to each individual 8+. If you'd like to someday try your hand at writing a guest 8+ for EAR FARM, get in touch. If your favorite song has yet to be featured, or your favorite 8+ post from this year was left off the list, speak!

EAR FARM's Top 8+ Posts Of 2007
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird" - young Matt attempts to woo girl by lying and saying the lyrics to "Free Bird" are actually his own poetry
Ludwig van Beethoven - "Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 - Allegretto" - a special Thanksgiving post: thankful Matt, thankful cat
Gioachino Rossini - "La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)" - a visit to a famous cemetery in Paris to pay respects to deceased music greats
Artanker Convoy - "Open Up" - ass! Hot ass... young ass.
Clan of Xymox - "A Day (Remix)" - EAR FARM's Goth Aerobics
Pulp - "Seductive Barry" - an imaginary resume comprised solely of lyrics from Pulp songs
Pelican - "March to the Sea" - a parody of a rude record review posted on the website Pitchfork
Morrissey - "Southpaw" - after a seventeen year long relationship, Matt breaks up with Morrissey
Slint - "Washer" - a window into 19 year old Matt's mind - a fraction of a short story that was never finished and barely even begun
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster" - a plea to stop using the term "hipster" to apply to every person in the world under the age of 35
Aphex Twin - "Ziggomatic V17" - a post written in binary
Explosions In The Sky - "It's Natural To Be Afraid" - a new game, a true story of life on the road with a band
The Velvet Underground - "The Gift" - Matt hears Velvet Underground for the first time in the back seat of a camaro
Jenő Jandó - "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" - the evolution of the use of this song in animated films, with accompanying YouTube clips

EAR FARM's Guest 8+ Posts Of 2007
The Fiery Furnaces - "Inspector Blancheflower” - Kevin hates long songs, but can't resist writing a lot about this one
Tori Amos - "Yes, Anastasia" - Cathy remembers when she once was Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia
Boduf Songs - “Bell for Harness” - Matthew reveals the soundtrack to running in a residential neighborhood
Boris - "Flood" - Taylor finds hypnotizing patterns in the music of Boris
Agalloch - "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" - David writes an 8+ via IM conversation with Matt
Guns N' Roses - "Locomotive" - Part 4 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Estranged" - Part 3 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "Coma" - Part 2 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries
Guns N' Roses - "November Rain" - Part 1 of Ryan Vanderboosh's epic GnR miniseries

Click HERE to see a list of all 99 of EAR FARM's 8+ posts to date.


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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007

Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 15 Albums Of 2007

EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007

When I say "top" songs of 2007, you're thinking what? "Umbrella" and "All My Friends" and "1234" and "D.A.N.C.E."? Yaaawn! No, don't get me wrong, those are all excellent songs. Great songs that 2007 will be remembered for, you're right. But EAR FARM isn't so much about charting good popular music as it is about telling you what we think is great, as filtered through our own personal taste. The songs that ruled EAR FARM's world in 2007. So, click on through and view/listen to the full list of EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007. There are two lists, 15 songs each. And this time, they're RANKED. Go ahead, yell at us about where things are ranked, what we included/left off, in the comments.

EAR FARM Matt's Top 15 Songs of 2007

15. "Dear Darkness" by PJ Harvey - White Chalk, PJ Harvey's journey into a lighter shade of darkness (minus the rocking guitars, substitute piano), didn't knock me off my feet as a whole. This one song, however, did.
14. "My Punishment For Fighting" by The Rosebuds - This song is a 2007 heterosexual version of "Careless Whisper," which just happens to be a lifelong favorite of mine. Oh the vocals - the lyrics - the emoting!
13. "Atom" by British Sea Power - sometimes a band wakes up from brief hibernation and blasts out a song or two just to stretch out a bit and remind themselves how to return to form. This is British Sea Power doing precisely that. And doing it well.
12. "Sirens" by Dizzee Rascal - if flow, rhymes, inventiveness, giving respect to those who came before you, and just plain having dope skillz are all measures of a proper MC, then this song is what I offer as proof that Dizzee Rascal is one helluva rapper.
11. "The Perfect Me" by Deerhoof - meet me, meet me, meet the perfect Deerhoof song to play for your friends who "don't get it".
10. "Bushels" by Frog Eyes - an epic, this song floors me. An overused phrase, but I'm seriously typing from my floor right now.
9. "Goes Cube Song 46" by Goes Cube - If Goes Cube was hit by a truck and was lying out there in that gutter dying and they had time to sing one song that people would remember before they're dirt, one song that would let God know how they felt about their time here on Earth, one song that would sum them up - I'd tell them to play this one. At least, of what they've released at the moment...
8. "In Our Talons" by Bowerbirds - this song is captivating from the very first thump of the bass drum. By the time they proclaim "you're in our talons now and we're never letting go" I find myself feeling relieved. From the sounds of this one song, there's nearly no place I'd rather be.
7. "No Cars Go" by The Arcade Fire - An earlier version of this was released on their EP from 2003, so is it cheating to include it here? Bah. This version is better, gives me chills somewhere around the 4:33 mark, and happens to be the best song from Neon Bible.
6. "Down Boy" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - On each and every release from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs there is a song that makes me move my head and hand very deliberately as if I'm on stage - makes me feel like I just might be Karen O. Which, I mean to say, is awesome. Anyway, this is one of those songs.
5. "Plaster Casts Of Everything" by Liars - droning and thrashing, echoing with reverberated chaos, shifting, yet under control. This won't win any awards for poetic lyricism, but it sure does get me going.
4. "He Hit Me" by Grizzly Bear - my, what beautiful brilliance. I could attempt to describe it, but I don't want to. I want you to listen to this - alone - very loudly.
3. "It's Natural To Be Afraid" by Explosions In The Sky - thirteen minutes and twenty seven seconds of Explosions In The Sky at their best. I've spent hours this year listening to this one song. 'Nuff said.
2. "Mistaken For Strangers" by The National - why is this a PERFECT song? Because it just is. And, because I identify with the lyrics. A potent combo that.
1. "Atlas" by Battles - what is this? Did the Chipmunks discover math-rock, metal, jazz, odd time signatures, electronica, high positioning of crash cymbals, and psychedelics (or something) all at once and then cut the top track of 2007 as a result? Yep. Call me mental, but I love it so damn much. Still.

EAR FARM Mike's Top 15 Songs of 2007

15. "Love Song No. 7" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Textbook sophomore slump or misunderstood artistic statement? Dunno, but if Some Loud Thunder had a few more songs like this it might have actually shown up on more year-end lists.
14. "When the Other Foot Drops, Uncle" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - The transition that takes place here at 2:24 is one of my favorite musical moments of the year. And aren't these lists all about hyperbole?
13. "While We Go Dancing" by White Rabbits - This slot could have gone to about five different songs from Fort Nightly. This happens to be the one that stays in my head the most.
12. "You Are My Face" by Wilco - So what if it's in a Volkswagen commercial? Wanna fight?
11. "Carbon Dating" by Super Furry Animals - SFA just keep bringing it with every album. This song is absolutely gorgeous, the prettiest of the year perhaps.
10. "War Hero" by Antibalas - This song has it all. Amazing rhythms, ace musicianship, clever melodies, call-and-response vocals....wow.
9. "Don't You Evah" by Spoon - Being introduced to this song live elevated it from a great song to an instant classic. Thanks Britt.
8. "Patty Lee" by Les Savy Fav - I don't know if I could hang with Tim Harrington, but this song makes me wanna try.
7. "The Mending of the Gown" by Sunset Rubdown - I can picture the intro to this playing repeatedly inside Tracy Morgan's head. Isn't that enough?
6. "Brainy" by The National - Everyone's all "this album is a creeper" and "watch out, it'll creep up on you" and I'm like "I can make my own mistakes, thanks!" Whoa, it just creeped up on me, wasn't expecting that. Brainy brainy brainy!
5. "Heimdelsgate Like a Promethean Curse" by Of Montreal - Tastes great. Less filling. Catchy as hell.
4. "Take Pills" by Panda Bear - See no. 5. Oh, and isn't it weird how all these songs about medication are the catchiest?
3. "House of Cards" by Radiohead - Thank you thank you thank you for deciding to privilege melody once again guys.
2. "Derek" by Animal Collective - What do you get when you cross the riff from the opening credits of True Romance with sing-song melodies and tribal drumming? A very happy Mike.
1. "Good To Sea" by Pinback - The best song of the year is also the best pop song of the year too, straight up candy-coated bubblegum bliss. Take that Rihanna.

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See also:
- EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008
- EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007

Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top 8+s Of 2007

EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007 & Ten To Watch Out For in 2008

What do Bowerbirds, Yeasayer, and Vampire Weekend have in common? They're all featured in EAR FARM's list of the top ten bands to "emerge" in 2007. How about Dead Confederate, The Secret Life Of Sofia, and Le Loup?? Just a few bands to be on the lookout for in 2008. After the jump you'll find seven more bands that EAR FARM deems to be the rest of the top ten bands to "emerge" in 2007, followed by seven others to watch out for in 2008. Keep in mind the fact that the term "emerge" is a bit nebulous, but don't let that keep you from yelling at us in the comments. Both lists are in alphabetical order and you'll have to click through to read about/listen to them. So do it.

EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Emerge in 2007

A Place To Bury Strangers - Bang. Zoom. Bop. Dead ears. Happy ears. I'm so glad the rest of the country (aka Pitchfork and their minions) finally caught on in 2007. - Matt

Listen: "To Fix The Gash In Your Head"

Arthur & Yu - the first EF post about this band was in May 2006, but 2007 was the year they brought their music to the masses with In Camera, their largely underrated/ignored debut album. - Matt

Listen: "Come to View (Song For Neil Young)"

Battles - though they had released a few EPs prior to 2007, it wasn't until this year that Battles fully blasted into the hearts and minds of avant-garde/math rock fans everywhere. This was the sound of my summer. - Matt

Listen: "Atlas"

Bowerbirds - This band (and each of their songs on their album Hymns For A Dark Horse) makes me think of home. Funny, that's exactly where they're from. And it makes me proud and happy to know that such great music is still alive and well in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. - Matt

Listen: "In Our Talons"

Dirty Projectors - To be fair, I found myself more impressed with the concept of Rise Above - ie repurposed Black Flag album - than the actual result. However, there's no denying the impressive year Dave Longstreth has had. - Mike

Listen: "No More"

Panda Bear - Stepping out from the rest of the Animal Collective stable, Noah Lennox's second solo album Person Pitch may have edged out My Morning Jacket's Z to earn the prestigious "most reverb featured on a single album" award. A sugary sweet shot to the dome. Congrats! - Mike

Listen: "Take Pills"

St. Vincent - Slowly, but surely, Annie Clark took over my stereo with more frequency as Summer turned to Fall in 2007. You too? I was a doubter at first but not anymore. She's created music that's funny, yet sad; charming, yet dark; simple, yet complex. An amazing debut, and quite a year for St. Vincent. - Matt

Listen: "Now Now"

Vampire Weekend - I "discovered" Vampire Weekend way back in January of 2007, some four months before the Stereogum post about them. Why does that matter? Am I claiming "first" on that shit? Did I know what was in store for this band in 2007? It doesn't matter, I don't play the "first" game, and I had no idea. But well done boys - for better or worse, Vampire Weekend was the "blog band" of 2007. - Matt

Listen: "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

White Rabbits - This is a perfect example of when rolling six deep and playing together, on top of another and against one another just WORKS. Every member of this posse is put to good use on Fort Nightly. I cannot wait to see them live this Thursday. - Mike

Listen: "Kid On My Shoulders"

Yeasayer - As dutifully reported during CMJ, seeing Yeasayer live was something of a revelation. Their debut album All Hour Cymbals may not completely live up to the awesomeness of their live show, but it's still fantastic and frankly, what could? See them asap. - Mike

Listen: "2080"

EAR FARM's Top Ten Bands To Watch Out For in 2008

Dead Confederate - like Band of Horses would sound if they'd spent their summers reading The Catcher in the Rye and listening to The Verve instead of grabbing ass at The Okra Strut. - Matt

Listen: "The Rat"

Duffy - simultaneously steals your heart and breaks it in almost every measure, this is sultry '60s inspired pop rehash at its finest. Someone named Duffy gonna be a star. - Matt

Listen: "Rockferry"

Evangelicals - True, we first saw them in 2006, so why say they're emerging in the Ocho? Let's just wait for their new album The Evening Descends to drop on Jan 22nd for the answer. Told you so's are forthcoming. - Mike

Listen: "The Last Christmas On Earth"

Helvetia - A very recent discovery with an outstanding album due in March followed by a tour with Built to Spill, sounds like the blueprint for a breakout year. - Mike

Listen: "Harbored"

Le Loup - You could argue they're already blowing up, and you're right! But, isn't it possible they could blow up even more, like in a Michael Bay movie when a building keeps exploding from like 37 different angles? Think about it. - Mike

Listen: "we are gods! we are wolves!"

Project Jenny, Project Jan - they could've been on the 2007 list above, but I think there are bigger things than blog hype in store for this duo in 2008. If they'd come up 25 years ago they'd be MTV superstars by now. - Matt

Listen: "320"

Sam Champion - Beloved hometown heroes, the pieces are all in place for NYC's best to melt transcontinental faces with a new EP and album on the horizon. - Mike

Listen: "Your Party Was Yesterday"

The Secret Life Of Sofia - when this band "emerges" it will be after years of a solid base of NYC fans telling anyone who will listen to check them out. Their new album is very high on my list of what I'm looking forward to in 2008. - Matt

Listen: Stream various new tracks on their MySpace page

Throw Me The Statue - I always thought the quote from Raiders of the Lost Ark was "Throw me the idol!". Update: I just checked imdb and I'm right. So don't you trust me now when I say big things are in store for this band? - Mike

Listen: "Lolita"

The Ting Tings - back in July of 2007 I swore this band was ready to explode. Not totally happened yet - hm. Well if it doesn't happen in '08, then my cat is right, "All ya'll bitches stoopid." - Matt

Listen: "That's Not My Name"

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See also:
EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007

Tomorrow:
EAR FARM's Top Songs Of 2007

EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007

Below are the concerts featured (in chronological order) in EAR FARM's Top Concerts of 2007. You'll have to click through to read about/see pictures from the shows and to listen to all of the MP3s, so do it. Click the little bit at the bottom there that says "Click HERE to continue reading/view comments..." it'll be worth it. When possible, a live MP3/Quicktime from the corresponding show has been posted.

EAR FARM's Top 15 Concerts of 2007
- Man Man @ Bowery Ballroom - 5 January 2007 (Listen: "Bulls On Parade" LIVE from this show)
- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks with Deerhoof (and others) @ Irving Plaza - 10 February 2007
- Jarvis Cocker @ Webster Hall - 23 April 2007
- Spoon @ Bowery Ballroom - 23 April 2007
- Wilco @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 25 June 2007
- Menomena @ South Street Seaport - 13 July 2007
- Slint @ Webster Hall - 17 July 2007
- Goes Cube @ Bowery Ballroom - 24 August 2007
- Sebadoh @ Club Europa - 2 September 2007
- Megadeth @ Irving Plaza - 26 September 2007
- British Sea Power @ Maxwell's - 15 October 2007
- The Walkmen @ Avalon - 17 October 2007
- A Place to Bury Strangers with The Secret Life of Sofia (and others) @ The Delancey - 20 October 2007
- Morrissey @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 27 October 2007 (Listen: "Death Of A Disco Dancer" LIVE from this show)
- Grizzy Bear @ The Society for Ethical Culture - 3 November 2007

Man Man @ Bowery Ballroom - 5 January 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: Was that Man Man show at Bowery this year?! Seems like a lifetime ago... I bet Mike doesn't even remember it. Anyway, THAT was one helluva concert. It was sold out and everyone in the entire venue couldn't have been happier to be there, especially Man Man. They played their hearts out and delivered an experience that was nearly as good as/probably much better than when I saw them @ Cakeshop. This was easily one of my favorite shows of 2007.

Mike: I certainly do remember this show, kind of. One thing I love about Man Man shows is the implicit sense of community amongst the crowd. It's like everyone is strapped in together on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World singing "Yo Ho Ho" and passing around an invisible barrel of grog. This may not seem like it, but that's one of the highest compliments I can think of to give a band. Bravo men.

Listen: "Bulls On Parade" LIVE from this show (Rage Against The Machine cover)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Man Man @ Bowery Ballroom

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks (pictured above), Deerhoof, Tokyo Police Club, Silversun Pickups, and El-P @ PLUG Awards (Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza) - 10 February 2007 (above photos taken by Matt)

Mike: This show gets a free pass to the "best of" list simply because of the Malkmus factor. If you haven't figured it out yet, let's apply one of those SAT verbal tests to help: Malkmus is to Mike as Morrissey is to Matt. Simple enough. The PLUG Awards were kind of weird though. There was a sense of looming chaos and disorganization palpable throughout the event, but one thing I appreciated was the clear focus on the live performances. Instead of playing one or two songs apiece, each band got to play almost entirely full sets. My lasting memory of the evening was accosting Satomi from Deerhoof after their set and wishing her a happy birthday. She's like 4'10" and the look of sheer horror on her face as a drunken 6'3" jackass fought through the crowd to shout happy birthday will never be forgotten. The runner-up for visual memory of the evening goes to Malkmus' mustache. Matt had mustache envy for weeks to come methinks.

Matt: I went to this show for two reasons: one, because I got free tickets, and two, to see Deerhoof. They're a "music for music geeks" kind of band; not everyone's cup of tea, but a blast to see in person. And they brought it to the max at the PLUG Awards. Equally awesome were Malkmus and the Jicks - not so much for Silversun Pickups. However, the surprise show stopper for me was El-P, who gave a performance that I partially missed, yet somehow couldn't stop thinking about. It set the course for me to want to hear his album I'll Sleep When You're Dead again and again throughout 2007. And yes, the Malkmus mustache did give me mustache envy. So I grew my own, wore it out in public, got creeped out by how obviously creeped out my new mustache made every woman I encountered, and shaved. It was an influential show, this one.

Watch: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks play three songs live at Plug Awards (Quicktime)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about the Plug Awards

Jarvis Cocker @ Webster Hall - 23 April 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: Though I've watched many videos, listened to countless bootlegs and imagined the energy and thrill of seeing them in person, I've never seen Pulp live. So I knew this was going to be a big night for me, regardless of who else was on stage with Jarvis. I mean, JARVIS COCKER. I'd have shown up at Webster Hall even if his solo record wasn't very good, but oh but it is. You may remember it appearing at #10 on EF's top albums of 2006? Yeah. And the live show was every bit as mesmerizing, charismatic, moody, and wonderful as I could've imagined. It was one of those shows that got better the more I thought back on it, and made me like the album Jarvis even more.

Listen: "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" from Jarvis
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Jarvis Cocker @ Webster Hall

Spoon @ Bowery Ballroom - 23 April 2007 (photo taken from here)

Mike: Notice how this and Jarvis were on the same night. While Matt was busy making imaginary coke-bottle glasses with his hands in front of the mirror, I had the good fortune of seeing a straight-up Amurrican ass-kicking rock & roll show. I've seen Spoon a bunch of times and can safely say that this was by far the best. Billed as a secret show, it essentially gave Britt Daniel a chance to chug through most of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga three months before it would come out. It also marked perhaps the last time New York will ever see them at a mid-size venue. One thing I kept marveling at throughout the show was that Britt OWNS the stage and completely works the audience with well-placed lip sneers, hip shakes and stutter-steps. He's a 21st century Tom Petty.

Listen: "Don't You Evah" from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Read: Stereogum's post about Spoon @ Bowery Ballroom

Wilco @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 25 June 2007 (photo taken from here)

Matt: I hate Hammerstein so much. It is too large, old and uncared for, a big pain to get drinks/go to the bathroom, and (most importantly) the sound generally sucks. Though the sound issue can be overcome by certain bands, a lot of these issues are compounded if you make the mistake of showing up to the venue late, which was exactly the case for us with this Wilco show. I feel like we weren't even that late either, but whatever. It took a good five songs for me to find a suitable spot and let go of my severe Hammerstein grumpies; but when I did, Wilco took over and did what they do best. Namely, deliver another outstanding live performance. Does anybody doubt that they're one of America's top three active bands?

Mike: Yes, the downside was that we arrived a bit late and were forced to sulk in the rear of the atrocious Hammerstein for the entirety of their set. It was literally impossible to wade through the crowd, I tried at least twice before giving up and salvaging what I could - which was quite a bit - from the show. Tweedy was positively charming and visibly happy to be back in New York (their first show here since their amazing New Year's Eve show at MSG with the Flaming Lips in '04). The true payoff for me, however, was seeing Nels Cline play live for the first time. I try hard on most occasions to keep my inner guitar-dork quelled but holy shit he is a ridiculously talented and incredible musician. Six strings of magic yo.

Listen: "You Are My Face" from Sky Blue Sky
Read: Brooklyn Vegan's post about Wilco @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Menomena @ South Street Seaport - 13 July 2007 (photo taken from here)

Mike: Well I sincerely miss those heavy metal bands I used to go see on the landing in the summer....yes, Menomena absolutely killed it at this show. All summer long the sound mix at SSS had been awful, reducing bands' sounds to discombobulated pockets of muddy bass and tinny treble. For this show, I naturally assumed the worst in advance. I had never seen Menomena live and was unconvinced that they could fill the massive sonic void of Pier 17. With expertly triggered samples, impeccable musicianship and innovative arrangements, they reminded me of what an outdoor summer concert should be: loud, joyful, and overpowering. Even the people at Pizzeria Uno were rocking out.

Listen: "The Pelican" from Friend and Foe
Read: Paste's post about Menomena @ South Street Seaport

Slint @ Webster Hall - 17 July 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: The timing for this show couldn't have been any better for me, personally. I'd just spent most of April, May, and June obsessing (all over again) over Spiderland and coming to the conclusion that it was the greatest record made in the past 20 years. I went into the show expecting the worst - they'd cancelled one of the planned two shows in a row, friends had told me that Slint wasn't so great in concert, and I had serious doubts about how the vocals and hushed moments of Spiderland would come across in a live setting (especially at Crapster Hall). Turns out it was a nearly perfect show. The sound, the band, the audience, the overall mood/atmosphere... seeing Slint play Spiderland in its entirety was without a doubt one of my favorite concert moments of 2007, if not my most favorite.

Listen: "Nosferatu Man" from Spiderland
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Slint @ Webster Hall

Goes Cube @ Bowery Ballroom - 24 August 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: There are literally a slew of Goes Cube shows I attended this year that could've made this list... perhaps the show @ Larimer Lounge in Denver, or the one at the Elbo Room in Chicago, or the one at the Viper Room in LA, or the homecoming show @ Mercury Lounge (big ups to David from GC, Nerd Litter, and Taylor for helping create my favorite concert photo of the year at that show)... each of those shows were outstanding in their own right. However, none of them matched the brilliance - the size of the audience and fan-fucking-tastic sound - of the night that Goes Cube assaulted Bowery Ballroom. Love.

Listen: "Goes Cube Song 48" from their MySpace page
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Goes Cube @ Bowery Ballroom

Sebadoh @ Club Europa - 2 September 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: This was the best of the five Sebadoh shows I've ever seen, and honestly I was a bit surprised. Maybe it's just that we always got bad shows in Chapel Hill, but for this set in Brooklyn all three guys "brought it" in a very friendly, familiar, relaxed yet rocking, manner that made for a great show. That the setlist was nearly perfectly comprised of all of the songs I wanted to hear was an added/unexpected bonus. An all around awesome concert.

Watch: "Soul and Fire" LIVE from this show (Quicktime)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Sebadoh @ Club Europa

Megadeth @ Irving Plaza - 26 September 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: What?! Oh sorry, I can't hear you because I was at the MEGADETH SHOW AT IRVING PLAZA and you weren't. Idiot. Dave Mustaine was sick for this show (and by sick, I mean not feeling well, but his guitar playing was also sick), yet he soldiered on and delivered (easily) one of my favorite shows of the year. Top three perhaps.

Watch: "Holy Wars" LIVE from this show (on YouTube)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Megadeth @ Irving Plaza


British Sea Power @ Maxwell's - 15 October 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: Wow, I'm not sure there could've been a better venue for me to see my first British Sea Power show in nearly two years than at Maxwells. The sound was cranked waaay up and the band blasted through their set, which included quite a few new songs I'd not yet heard. If we were ranking this list, this show would've been near the bottom of my top shows of the year, but still a top show regardless. Unfortunately, British Sea Power is going to always have a tough time living up to the magic of the first three shows I saw them play; however, they remain one of my most favorite current bands and always put on an extremely worthwhile live show.

Watch: "Remember Me" LIVE from this show (Quicktime)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about British Sea Power @ Maxwell's

The Walkmen @ Avalon (CMJ) - 17 October 2007 (above photo taken by Mike)

Mike: With CMJ only 24 hours old and another 72 long hours from completion, I was already a bit tired and over-saturated with live music by the time I arrived alone to this show. Don't worry, I stopped feeling bad for myself as soon as the Walkmen took the stage to a mostly empty Avalon and ripped through an amazing set of old and new songs in what amounted to a front row, seemingly semi-private performance by one of my favorite bands. This was the highlight of my entire CMJ week.

Listen: "Lemon Hill" from their MySpace page
Read: EAR FARM's original post about The Walkmen @ Avalon

A Place to Bury Strangers (pictured above), The Secret Life Of Sofia, Chop Shop, El Jezel, Gold Streets, Man In Gray, Mancino, Up The Empire, and The Vandelles @ The Delancey (StereoactiveNYC/Hot Rocks CMJ show) - 20 October 2007 (above photo taken by Matt)

Matt: Though I already knew that I adored both A Place to Bury Strangers and The Secret Life Of Sofia, their sets at this Stereoactive/Hot Rocks CMJ show kind of took me by surprise. Mostly because they both simply blew me away. Especially TSLOS. I can not wait to hear and see this band continue to evolve and grow. They're one of the most underrated bands in New York at the moment. Wait until the rest of the world gets a load of them. A Place to Bury Strangers, well, they play my kind of music. And they do it unbelievably well. Oh, and don't think this show would be mentioned if all of the bands on this bill didn't put on really great shows, because they did. But A Place to Bury Strangers and The Secret Life Of Sofia were tops on this night that ended up as my favorite show of all of CMJ.

Mike: It feels weird talking about this show as Mancino (and only two-thirds of Mancino at that) was a part of it, so it's sort of a conflict of interest. What I did really enjoy from this night was The Secret Life of Sofia. I'm incredibly impressed by how their new songs have blossomed live and really can't wait to hear their upcoming album.

Watch: "To Fix The Gash In Your Head" LIVE from this show (Quicktime)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about the StereoactiveNYC/Hot Rocks CMJ Showcase @ The Delancey

Morrissey @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 27 October 2007 (above photo taken by a different Matt)

Matt: It makes sense, thinking back, why this would end up as my favorite of the five Morrissey concerts I saw this year. It was concert #4 out of 5, so I knew the final concert was nearing. We all knew it (the audience, Morrissey, the lads in the band) and as a result, it turned out to be the big finish of Morrissey's run at Hammerstein, with the final concert on Sunday existing as more of a "cool down". For the show on Saturday night the stars were all aligned perfectly: Morrissey's voice was in top form, the setlist nearly perfect, and my location on the floor couldn't have been any better. Perfection. Or, maybe it was simply my company at the concert and the ramen at Momofuku after the show that made the night so wonderful... whatever the case, a top three concert of 2007.

Listen: "Death Of A Disco Dancer" LIVE from this show (originally a song by The Smiths, found HERE)
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Morrissey @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Grizzy Bear @ The Society for Ethical Culture - 3 November 2007 (above photo taken by Mike)

Mike: Hands down the best show of the year, and perhaps one of the best shows I've ever seen. Not much else I can say about it that I didn't cover in my fanboy manifesto below.

Listen: "He Hit Me" from Friend EP
Read: EAR FARM's original post about Grizzly Bear @ The Society for Ethical Culture

Now, what were your favorite shows of 2007?