RSS feed10 most excellent things of 2007
End of year lists are, as we all know, both passé and vaguely narcissistic. So, with that in mind, here’s an end of year list, in no particular order.
Battles - Mirrored
Their earlier EPs were interesting, precise and showed a faint glimmer of humour, but I don’t think anyone expected the album to be such a volte-face. If anyone had told me my favourite album of the year would feature bouncy glam rock beats, alien vocoders, heavy prog tendencies and more than a little tongue in cheek, I’d have bought them a Smiths album and shown them the door.
The National - Boxer
Ah, that’s more like it. A moody lament about twenty-something corporate angst, loneliness and obsession. A perfect autumn album, close, intimate and, despite the subject matter, surprisingly hopeful in places - reminiscent of Turn On The Bright Lights both in scope and sound.
The iPhone
Time’s Gadget of the Year. I still think some of the fanboyish attention it gets is unwarranted, and frankly I’m sick of people asking for a go. But it’s wonderful having internet all the time, everywhere, and I find myself using even the gimmicky bits (calculator, maps) regularly. A triumph of interaction design.
BarCamp
In short, geek weekend get-togethers, complete with sleepovers, pizza and beer. Both BarCampLondon3 and BarCampBrighton were great experiences and a great chance to learn about new developments and share enthusiasm with others in my field. That said, they’re quite a lot of effort to attend (both in sleep deficit and preparation) and I may limit my attendance somewhat in 2008.
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Always considered them too daft until this album which, although exceedingly daft in places, finally showcases their obvious talent in a more structured way. Unremittingly happy and curious, always interested in exploring the answer to ‘what would happen if…’
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Went to two of them, and enjoyed the one I didn’t think I’d like more. One of those rare events where the atmosphere just seems to click, possibly because the line-up was so ‘tight’ that everyone was there for the same reasons. And I like the new venue, even if others don’t. Still trying to sort out groups for the next two, if anyone’s interested.
The Orange Box
See previous posts. The best game of all time bundled with the best game of the year and some other neat stuff. Rather enjoyed having my Xbox 360 this year, seems to suit my gaming needs down to the ground (i.e. nothing too demanding of my time, but something I can get stuck into on a rainy Sunday).
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
You can always rely on Deerhoof to come up with stonking tunes and an almost complete disregard for how bands should sound. No pigeonholes here; they’re as squeaky, as funky, as noisy, as quirky as ever. Just avoid that last track.
The Lives Of Others
Moving to London has made me very reluctant to go to the cinema - why should I pay £8-10 for a ticket when I can buy the DVD later for £12? So I think this may even have been the only film I paid to see all year. But, wow, what a film. Deeply intelligent and moving.
The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumn & Fifteen Winters
There does seem to be something of a mini shoegazer revival, which can only be a good thing as far as I’m concerned. The Twilight Sad, however, were one of few bands to actually stretch beyond their obvious influences and create something that retained the expansive volume of the genre but avoided the dreamy psychedelic bullshit.
[Bonus pick: London
Cheesy, yes, but it's been my biggest change of the year, and one I don't regret at all. It's been everything I thought it would be, in both a negative and positive way. At times lonely and stressful, at others an exciting affirmation that I'm part of something. I'm glad I finally gave it a chance to prove itself.]
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