Albums of 2007

It seems fair that on the last day of 2007 that I share with you the ten albums that I enjoyed listening to this year in ascending order.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

It was a difficult call but this, the second album by Montreal group the Arcade Fire, just edges it. Making an album better than their debut album, Funeral, is no mean feat when you consider how much of a great record it was. There's not even an ounce of filler or bad tracks on this album. It is THAT good.

Song of choice: No Cars Go

Radiohead - In Rainbows

I am a huge Radiohead fan and it was tough not to name it the album of the year. Apart from one dud track (House Of Cards) it is a fantastic album and their best since Kid A. Like Neon Bible it doesn't feel overlong and Thom Yorke has written some of his best lyrics for some time.

Song of choice: Videotape (my song of the year)

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero

Trent Reznor's sixth studio album is one that is by far the most challenging Nine Inch Nails record. Some will say it is too long and some will say it doesn't match up to The Downward Spiral or The Fragile. Year Zero is just as good as both of those albums, largely because it's a very rewarding listen.

Song of choice: In This Twilight

And here are the best of the rest, continuing in ascending order:

Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times

Song of choice: Knocked Up


Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

Song of choice: The Magic Position


LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver

Song of choice: All My Friends


The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Song of choice: Conquest


Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards

Song of choice: We Used To Vacation


Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

Song of choice: Brianstorm


Jamie T - Panic Prevention

Song of choice: Sheila

And that raps things up nicely. But what do you think? What albums should or shouldn't be on there? What songs sum up your year? Please feel free to comment and tell me.

Somewhat predictably, this is my last blog entry for 2007. Hopefully I will blog more next year. In the meantime, have a safe new year!

DIGG IT!

Arcade Fire & LCD Soundsystem to team up?

Arcade Fire have been updating their website, and at the same time are being very cryptic. All that is on the homepage is a message that tells visitors to come back on October 6th (that's tomorrow). The Internet has been buzzing with guesses as to what the band are going to reveal.

This could well be the secret. James Murphy, the man behind LCD Soundsystem, has expressed an open desire to produce an album and has remixed the track 'Black Mirror'. There's two likely possibilities:

a) a remix album/EP of sorts.
b) perhaps far off, an album of new material.

Either of those two options would make sense. LCD Soundsystem recently played the Hollywood Bowl with the Arcade Fire and the two bands seem to be good friends. The remix album/EP looks the most likely though.

I'm a fan of both bands. Arcade Fire have released two outstanding albums that pull the right emotional strings, whilst LCD Soundsystem are the leaders in their own genre by a long country mile (only Hot Chip could potentially rival them). I can't wait to hear the news tomorrow morning.

Us Kids Know - an excellent Arcade Fire fansite
LCD Soundsystem
DIGG!