Looking back on 2007

Okay, been a bit out of the picture with shit going on over the holidays...

Here's a quick round up for the year:
TV - I've given up on pretty much everything except America's Next Top Model, The Shield and The Wire. I still enjoy The Office, Extras, Heroes (though not as much as S1) and there's lots out there that sounds good but I have no cable so it'll just have to wait until DVD.

Movies - There's the ones I completely enjoyed: Lars & The Real Girl, Once, No Country For Old Men, La Vie En Rose, Sunshine, Superbad, Hot Fuzz, Eastern Promises... Also, the three movies I saw at the film fest; Dai-Nipponjin, Ex-Drummer & A L'interieur, all blew me away.
The ones that I feel are everything a blockbuster should be, entertainment that takes your mind off things for 2 hours and that you don't feel guilty about: 300, Transformers, Bourne Ultimatum, Hot Rod & Shoot Em Up (okay the last two bombed, but they served the purpose)

As for music...
I saw some great live shows.... highlights were My Brightest Diamond, Ween, Van Halen, Swell Season, Blonde Redhead, Walter Schreiffels, Urge Overkill, Watson Twins, Fucking Champs

And here's some of the stuff that was in high rotation or at least made an impression on me:

Dog Day - Great Pains
I dare say this was my favorite album of the year. I threw it on because they're from my hometown but I didn't expect to fall in love with it right away. It hit me the same way the first Voxtrot EPs did, just pure great pop. The difference being that this is a solid album start to finish, Voxtrot didn't seem to pull that off for me.

Malcolm Middleton - Stay Close Sit Tight
I saw Arab Strap on their last tour and was disappointed to hear of their break up, but when this album came out it helped me move on. It's up there with the Dog Day for the year, another album that's great from start to finish and chock full of singles.

Ween - Your Party
I've been a fan of the last few Ween albums, even more so then the early stuff. La Cucaracha picks up smoothly after Quebec, sounding again like a great mix tape. I can't think of many bands who could pull off adult contemporary and make it sound as good as this song.

PJ Harvey - The Devil
She's always had so much power in her voice and performance, it's stil there even with all the distortion and percussion stripped away. Too bad she only played like 3 shows on the entire tour for this one.

The Afghan Whigs - I'm A Soldier
8 years after calling it quits The Whigs get a well deserved best of. Missing some of my faves but a good intro overall and with a couple new tracks including this one. It's no Going To Town but it stands on its own for me.

A couple of great bands from the same time as the Whigs stepped back up to release new material, in both cases they put out material as strong as in their heyday without sounding like a throwback or a cashgrab.
Buffalo Tom - Bad Phone Call
Dinosaur Jr. - Back To Your Heart

Nina Nastasia & Jim White - How Will You Love Me
If I could marry her voice I would. I'll have to settle on spending Valentine's Day with her at the El Mocambo.

Wintersleep - Miasmal Smoke & The Yellow Bellied Freaks
When East Coast boys get the magic touch from Mogwai's producer things end up sounding quite good.

Bionic - Q: Is There A TV In Heaven? A: Yes, Yes There Is
Bionic are one of the best rock bands in the world, but very few people outside of Canada (and not enough inside) really know that yet.

Turbonegro - Back In Denim
They were one of the best rock bands in the world but the last two albums have left something to be desired. Still, this is a great song and it was a great show.

Hot Springs - Fog And The Horn
Yet another band from Montreal and yet another "Hot" band.

Son Volt - Methamphetamine
Since Wilco spent the year trying to write the best 70s AM Rock album since the 70s (they failed, it was already done by the Local Rabbits with This Is It Here We Go) Son Volt had a chance to shine... The Search wasn't the best thing they've done but the songs that worked were as good as anyhting they've done.

Bat For Lashes - Horse And I
You know, it's nothing new and it sounds so much like Bjork at times, but at least it sounds like really great Bjork.

Blonde Redhead - 23
Picks up where Misery Is A Butterfly left off, sucked me right in.

Candie Payne - One More Chance
If you want a 60's girl revival I'd say forget The Pipettes and get Candie Payne.