Media Review

A Very Honorable Mention:
Flight of the Conchords- The Distant Future
Interpol- Our Love to Admire
Sherwood- A Different Light
The Rocket Summer- Do You Feel
Young Love- Too Young to Fight It




15. Sara Bareilles- Little Voice
A girl with a piano and a great voice- boring. But wait! Sure it’s been done before, but Sara Bareilles takes the already invented wheel and spins it out of control. She gives the sissy girl piano rockers someone to reckon with.



14. The Higher- On Fire
This Las Vegas band knows how to party- whether it be live or recorded. A pop rock album that’s super easy to bust a move to.



13. Kanye West- Graduation
Sure, Kanye West is the king of douchebags, which doesn’t make it any easier for people to buckle and say this guy is a genius when it comes to music. Easily, this is one of the greatest rap/hip hop albums of all time. Any rapper that can include some funky Daft Punk pieces into their songs gains massive points in my book.



12. Limbeck- Limbeck
Limbeck’s latest album pours feel good vibes. The groovy guitar makes these chilled out tunes the perfect CD to listen to while cruising in your Volkswagen van down to the shore. These dudes make life feel good again!



11. Mae- Singularity
Willing to give up just about anything to hear Destination: Beautiful in rotation during Mae’s live sets again, and not being totally keen on their last attempt at an album, I was nervous about this one- until I put it in. Singularity is the perfect comeback album for this talented band. The vocals are amazing and much more reminiscent of the first album- with a little more experimenting.



10. Hidden in Plain View- Resolution
One of the greatest NJ bands ever releasing one of the greatest rock albums of 2007- what’s better than that? It brings tears to my eyes every time I put in this gem knowing that I’ll never get to hear it live. The only disappointment to ever come from these guys is when they decided to break up.



9. New Found Glory- From the Screen to Your Stereo 2
Just like a fine wine- they get better with age. NFG goes back to their roots with another cover EP- how genius! If you’re aching for the feel of old school pop rock with an updated sound- listen to this.



8. Bedlight for Blue Eyes- Life on Life’s Terms
Mix some of the best singing pipes around with the catchiest of choruses and some killer hooks and you’ll get the fierceness of this album.



7. Once- Original Soundtrack
Not only one of the greatest films of 2007, but one of the greatest albums. Hansard and Irglova’s connection pours through the lyrics on this album. The songs are beautiful and insightful and the music is touching. Buy the movie, buy the album.



6. Steel Train- Trampoline
This is one of the albums that didn’t leave the CD player in my car for weeks. Steel Train has revamped their sound with this album, and it is totally kickass. Trampoline combines genres of all kinds and shows off the band’s finessed talent. Skilled musicians, thoughtful lyrics, and songs about monsters and firecrackers? Count me in!



5. Hoots and Hellmouth- Hoots and Hellmouth
A newer band that will rush music lover’s ears by storm. They are bringing back the blue-grass rock sound and making it cool again. Foot stomping, booming vocals, and banjo aren’t even the half of it.



4. Fall Out Boy- Infinity on High
You can fuss over how badly you think Fall Out Boy have “sold out,” but they will continue to shove some of the most kickass pop rock down your throat. This album is packed with witty, intelligent lyrics, catchy beats, and songs that will be impossible to get out of your head- all the things that make you hate…to love them.



3. Relient K- Five Score and Seven Years Ago
Chalk it up to another brilliant album by these crazy guys. Relient K has always been one of my favorites and they continue to generate greatness like its second nature. They keep up with the Relient K way including songs that are witty, upbeat, and not to mention a little inspirational!



2. Counting Crows- August and Everything After (Re-Release Deluxe Edition)
Okay, sure this album came out nearly 14 years ago, but it was re-released this year with extra special tracks! So I win by a technicality. If anyone ever questions the Counting Crows abilities as one of the greatest alternative bands in the world- hand them this album. (Sorry, “Mr. Jones” isn’t on the deluxe edition…but there’s some demos and a live track from Paris that should make up for your losses.)



1. Elliott Smith- New Moon
It’s always hard for a Smith admirer to really pin point every detail they love about him- it could take a life time. This 2-disc set includes tons of Smith tracks that have never been released. The CD artwork is beautiful and the music is that of Smith’s usual remarkable and irreplaceable sound. This album is a painting of every emotion you could feel spilled onto a canvas leaving you in wonder as to how someone could capture it all so well- leaving Elliott Smith to take his usual role as painter, inventor, and inspirer to most of the bands and musicians featured on this site.

reviewed by Dave Giumara