The Last Drop

Well, well if it isn’t 2008 rearing it’s ugly head already?! Well, it’s not that ugly and it doesn’t need any rearing. Still, it snuck up upon me in my haze of work parties, holiday lunches, and general vacation malaise. Nevertheless, I must persist. And what better time to reflect on 2007 than two weeks into the new year. No need for resolutions when you can create a better moment looking back at all that was accomplished. And with that, I begin my countdown of my top 8 albums in 2007 (who needs 10 and why play to the cliche of 7. 8 – nice, round, and symmetric if you flip it upside down).

Notable Mention
Radiohead, In Rainbows - a work of stunning beauty. And surprising levity. I’m hoping this will be a trend they continue well on into the next decade.

Beastie Boys, To the 5 Buroughs – So this wasn’t actually made in 2007. Yep, already breaking the rules and I haven’t even gotten started. Still, if ever there was a reason to break rules, the Beastie Boys would be the champions of that cause. It took me a while to finally listen to this album, but it has been in constant rotation ever since it’s purchase in August. Old school rhyming at it’s finest with a hint of political discontent. Remember what hip-hop used to be? Yeah, so do the Beastie Boys. Oh, nice web page too.

8. The Blow, Paper Television – Umm…0 for 2 on albums actually made in 2007. I like being last to the table. It gives me room to breathe and prepare for the album – get enough consensus from friends, blogs, and the masses to form a well educated opinion. Not bad BS for “I’m slow and lazy”. As stated from a prior post, I was introduced to the Portland band by a Scottish friend. How much sadder is that? Not only do I get the album late but I also get told from a non-America. The least I could do is add it to my list of top albums.

7. Justice, Cross – Finally, an album made in 2007. Even though Pitchfork heaped tons and tons of hype on this album, it does deliver. It might even make me want to go to France. Or just catch Justice when they come to London again. Everyone needs to dance. Why not do it to an album that has D.A.N.C.E?

6. White Rabbits, Fort Nightly – A pick from one of the first four albums that started The Last Drop. I’m still amazed by the staying power of this group. Such a robust, driving sound that is sincere and playful. Hopefully we will here more from them in 2008. Maybe a mainstream breakthrough or two? Anything is possible.

5. Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? – An early 2007 purchase means it didn’t quite make it onto the blog. Nevertheless, Kevin Barnes and crew make the list with their darkest album to date. Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely adore their sugary nonesensical lyrics that always end in the catchiest of melodies. But I really appreciate the touch of sadness and relationship woes that permeate Fauna. Who else can write a 10 MINUTE SONG and still have it turn out worthwhile. They automatically make the list for this achievement alone.

4. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible - What more can I say? It really is that good. Funeral has nothing on it’s younger, brooding cousin ( that happens to be more popular and attracts all the girls). Defining moment – the church organ in “Intervention”. Makes me a believer.

3. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver – I really did get a good stack of tracks in August. “All My Friends” is arguably the best, epic song of the year. And the rest of the album isn’t too shabby. It doesn’t hurt that they put on an amazing live show as well. James Murphy, I love you but your bringing me down. In a good way.

2. M.I.A, Kala - I debated a lot about not having this as my Top Drop. As the first album purchased in London, it set the mood for my stay in the UK. I was instantly impressed with the music and my new home. I wanted to experience everything and Kala is the ultimate potluck of music. There have been few days when I haven’t thought about how amazing and moving this album is. More, I need more.

Top Drop. St. Vincent, Marry Me – Picked twice for Top Drop months, St. Vincent earned the top spot handily. My love affair grew slowly but constantly and is now a full on pledge of faith for anything she touches. Apart from an album that touches all elements I would ever want – rock, soul, jazz, wit, gravity, and sincerity – she is also one of the best live acts of 2007. I simply couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. She literally transforms into a conduit for her music and expresses her emotions thoroughly and without hesitation. I heart Annie Clark.

Ahhh….my first full concert-going experience in London. What better than an all day festival. I thought I had sworn them off after Jazzfest this year (since nothing else compares!), but the lineup was just too tempting. For a one stop indie music all day extravaganza, I was impressed by how orderly most of the experience was. Most of it. There was a brief moment when I thought about a potential stabbing at the Dizzee Rascal performance. But, luckily, these high schoolers were not in the mood for violence.

Highlights/Lowlights of the Get Loaded 2007 festival:

Outstanding DJ ability – DJ Semtex. Sometimes you only need one arm to break it down on the ones and twos. He’s building some buzz from hip hop heavy hitters (Jay Z, Kanye, 50, Snoop) and deservedly so. Played a lot of fun American hits and mixed them well with the UK set. All around pleasure to watch and listen to.

Least response from the crowd – Peter, Bjorn, and John. Yep, “Young Folks” never made it across the Thames. Not even errant whistles from the crowd for the greatest whistled melody of 2006.

Least response from the stage – Remi Nicole. She even noted how disengaged she was while performing. Usually anyone can get decent crowd participation at a festival. Not so for Remi. After much goading and prodding, a few willing (drunk) participants decided to sing along to her “now the crowd sings” chorus. She didn’t even congratulate them. Lowest of the low energy from a girl who wrote “Go Mr. Sunshine”. Black people. Figures.

Most appealing crotch grabs/devil horns – Bondo De Role. Portuguese for ROCK! In spite of awful sound (“We would like to bring on the sound guy for this next song for all of his hard work…”), they kept up their spirits and put on a show. I stood front row and was not dissapointed. I even had to pee for 30 minutes prior to their arrival but chanced a hold just to stay at the front. After the show started, I couldn’t stop dancing and completely forgot about nature calling. For those in the MSP, do check them out for a steal at the Triple Rock. They may even have face paint on

Breakthrough performance – The Rumble Strips were a delightful surprise. I was mindlessly biding time until M.I.A and here is this fine British band with quite a strong following. A lead singer with a big voice, a horn section and lots of songs about the dangers of love. And a cardboard cutout banner of their band name. Very crafty. They have quickly become my UK version of the White Rabbits.

Worst performance – The Mitchell Brothers. Even though the rest of the crowd was screaming, I was bored out of my skull. Even after scarfing down a nutella crepe. That takes serious suckage to pull off. I left after only 2 songs.

Best performance – Not the Streets! Shocking, I know. M.I.A, even on crutches, brought more energy and exuberance than anyone else that day. Worth the 35 pounds alone, she sang, danced, screamed, grinded, and crowd surfed (yep, I touched her). Afrikan Boy is the perfect hype man and helped take the show to an ecstatic frenzy. If Kala didn’t make you a believer, the live show will definitely convert you.

For a look at my bootleg photos from the show, check out my flickr set for Get Loaded.