Huh. I never intended to become one of those once a month bloggers, but my practicum sucked all my energy and left me unable to do anything else. Finally a chance to write something-- this will be casual though, just my top five albums of 2007. A bit late yes, but a lot of thought put into this list. Those of you who would rather some discussion about my life will have to wait, some good updates there too, but until then, here we go:

1. Radiohead- In Rainbows (This album was exciting not only for the unique DIY style of its release, but also because it is easily Radiohead's best record since Kid A. I love this album. I listened to it well over 3o times in the first two months I owned it, and I'm still not sick of it.)
2. Derek Webb- The Ringing Bell (Derek never ceases to impress me, though Mockingbird suffered from a sound of sameness, this album makes up for it with some great Beatles and Larry Norman inspired old school rock. A bit on the short side, but Christianity Today summed it up fairly well when they said, "Derek Webb says more in 30 minutes than many other artists could say in 30 years.")
3. Voice of the Mysterons- They Have Pulled Down Deep Heaven On Their Heads... (Absolutely crazy punk, with comparisons to the Dead Kennedys and Jeff Suffering. Lots of sci-fi references, great lyrics, ridiculously spastic and unpredictable music. Throw it on at your next barbecue and see what happens!)
4. Mika- Life in Cartoon Motion (First time I heard "Grace Kelly" I mocked it. The second time I hummed along, and the third time I was addicted. Sure, it is bubblegum pop and not my regular style, but it is very catchy and very fun. Queen meets Prince meets the Beatles. The lyrics are often inconsequential but sometimes run deeper. Good for parties and for a pick me up.)
5. Panda Bear- Person Pitch (First heard Panda in Animal Collective. This album has a heavy Beach Boys influence with some prog-ish and indie tendencies. Very uplifting- "Coolness is having courage / Just to do what's right / Try to remember always / Just to have a good time." And it certainly is.)

Honorable Mentions:

Cool Hand Luke- The Balancing Act (A compilation of the best tracks from their proper releases as well as from their rare indie stuff, many hardcore fans will not be familiar with at least half of it. Great selection, and the three new songs are also awesome. Looking forward to a new full-length.)

As Cities Burn- Come Now Sleep (After losing their screaming vocalist ACB mellows slightly, includes a lot more singing and develops some prog/experimental tendencies. Great spiritual lyrics and engrossing soundscapes keep this album interesting and worth repeated spins.)

Top Albums of 2007 (so far...)

[This is a list of my favourite albums released in 2007, later I will post my favourite albums that I listened to the most in 2007, regardless of release date]

1. Radiohead- In Rainbows

2. Animal Collective- Strawberry Jam

3. As Cities Burn- Come Now Sleep

4. Project 86- Rival Factions

5. Derek Webb- The Ringing Bell

Ballad in Plain Red

Some fun lyrics to decipher from Mr. Webb:

I’m robbing Peter, I’m paying Paul
I’m changing my name back to Saul
I got to them and you know I’ll get to you
I’m turning shepherds into sheep
And leaders into celebrities
It’s holy sabotage, just look around you

‘Cause everything’s for sale in the 21st Century
And the check is in the mail from the 21st Century

Don’t want the song I want a jingle
I love you Lord but don’t hear a single
And the truth is nearly impossible to rhyme
But I know the songs with all the hooks
And I know some lies that will sell some books
So grab ‘em fast, I’m running outta time
Just keep selling truth in candy bars
On billboards and backs of cars
Truth without context, my favorite of all my crimes

What works versus what’s right
Hey what’s the difference tonight?

Take out the sign, forget the meal
We’ve got a gym and a Ferris wheel
I swear it’s just like the country club down the block
‘Cause you can make your life look good
And you can do what Jesus would
But you’d be surprised what you can do with a heard heart

I think you’ve got trouble in the 21st Century
So welcome to the struggle, it’s the 21st Century
I never thought I’d make it to the 21st Century
Lord, I love the 21st Century

I write these words from the grave
‘Cause it’s the only place that I’m safe
And only the dead are permitted to speak the truth

Derek Webb's "The Ringing Bell"

I pre-ordered Derek Webb's new record "The Ringing Bell" today (as my weekly music purchase). When it does arrive it'll be a pretty sweet package... 96 page colour graphic novel with the cd signed by Webb. His server was so slow last night that I actually had to wait til this morning at 8:00am to order... this means that A LOT of people are pre-ordering the record, that's great! Finally Webb is getting the attention he deserves. It'd be nice to see him in the top ten on Billboard's Heatseeker.... Anyway....

Musically this album is rockin' seriously, this is the most rock 'n' roll record he's ever done. And I mean real rock, the glory days of the 50s-60s. His influences are definitely on his sleeve. I hear the Beatles a lot, and on one song, "A Savior on Parliament Hill" I hear tons of Larry Norman influence, always a good thing.

I'll have to chew the lyrics for a while to get them... but from what I can tell from some interweb perusing, it's a concept record about being a peacemaker. It's certainly not as confrontational as his other stuff, but he's not getting weak he's just getting mature. His message is still bold, just not as blunt.

The album is short clocking in at a mere 30 minutes, but not a second is wasted. This is the tightest record he's done, and where his older, longer albums will have a clunker filler song, this album just doesn't. I'd rather have a killer 30 minute record than an okay 50 minute record, so this is fine. (Although in a perfect world I'd have a killer 50 minute record!)

Overall, as with all Derek's stuff, I can't recommend it enough. This album blows away Mockingbird which got stale by the second half of the record, and it also blows away "I see things upside down." I don't know whether it'll blow out "She Must and Shall Go Free" though. I am die-hard for that record, but this one is certainly more fun to listen to.

I'd say get in on the pre-order 'cause that way you get a signed 96 page graphic novel and an immediate download of the record, but if you don't have a credit card at least go buy it early because the graphic novel is limited edition and will get scarce.

(Favourite lyric: "You can always trust the devil or a politician to be the devil or a politician." LOL)