Well I know its early to review the best records of 2007 since its still got about a month and a half left, but No Depression was collecting votes, so I did on. Here it is (as a disclaimer: these are MY favorite records, not necessarily the 10 Best for everyone, that being said, comments, suggestions, and insults are appreciated)
1. Sam Baker- Pretty World
- this record is awesome, if anyone has not heard it, i heavily recommend you do. Baker has a rough voice, but he may just be the best songwriter out there today. He plays acoustic guitar and harmonica, Mike Daly (Whiskeytown) produces and plays on it, along with a host of other phenomenal artists. It is mainly acoustic based with flourished of electric guitar, pedal steel, violin, and other awesomeness. Lots of people think his first record Mercy was better, but I think you should buy both of them and decide from there. RIYL: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, roots singer-songwriters
2. Josh Roberts & the Hinges- My War Cry Is Amor
- easily the best self-released record of the year, Josh Roberts and Co.'s sophomore effort is one great rock n' roll record. More expansive and powerful than their excellent debut The Sugarbird Test, My War Cry Is Amor has excellent songs throughout, some of my favorites are the R&B tinged "If Its Not One Thine, Its My Lover", the poignant 'Hand of Man" (check out the banjo on this one), the harmonies on "B1 and B", and the atmosphere of songs like "The Hardest Part of Winter". The album has its share of slower songs the aforementioned "Hardest Part of Winter" and "Curly Bell", but the majority of songs are Crazy Horse-esque rockers displaying Roberts ridiculous guitar god skills. RIYL: Neil Young, Crazy Horse, My Morning Jacket, Rock N Roll
joshrobertsmusic.com or myspace.com/joshrobertsandthehingesrock
check out this article written by Aftermath USA DJ Kyle
www.dailygamecock.com/news/2007/10/16/TheMix/Local.Band.Creates.Epic-3033835.shtml
3. Jason Isbell- Sirens in the Ditch
Isbell's long delayed, but much appreciated solo album was released on the hills of his departure from southern rock heroes the Drive-By Truckers. I've already written a fairly extensive blog about this record (along with DBT's Dirt Underneath Tour). So it is suffice to say, this record is also quite good. Its got rockers, acoustic songs, and "Dress Blues". So hell yeah. RIYL: Drive-By Truckers, Son Volt, Ryan Adams
4. Mark Olson- Salvation Blues
This is probably the most hauntingly beautiful album of 2007. Greg Leisz (Bill Frisell, Dave Alvin,Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Peter Case, Joni Mitchell, Whiskeytown, to name a few) plays pedal steel throughout and it is gorgeous. I've the record described as dark, but not dark in the sense of no hope. I think its Olson's best record since leaving the Jayhawks (incidentally Gary Louris co-writes and does some guest harmonies here). The packing is also cool (book like form w/pictures).
RIYL: The Jayhawks, Gram Parsons, awesomeness
5. Levon Helm- Dirt Farmer
Levon Helm is the man. He put up with Robbie Robertson in The Band, singing lead vocals on favorites such as "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down". Though his fortunes fell quite a bit recently (bankruptcy and throat cancer), he's come back strong with the monthly Midnight Rambles at his farm up in Woodstock and now an album that is the best album by any member of The Band since Northern Lights-Southern Cross. Produced by Larry Campbell, Dirt Farmer is a mix of Helm's favorites from his childhood, some new tunes, and other well chosen covers (Steve Earle's "The Mountain" is ridiculously good). Helm's daughter contributes some great fiddle work, but the glories of this record are Helm's voice and drumming. Sometimes you don't realize how much you miss something until you hear it again.
6. Caleb Caudle- Red Bank Road
Caleb Caudle is based out of Winston Salem, NC and is currently touring with a band under the name Caleb Caudle and the Bayonets. That band has already surpassed the rustic acoustic nature of this debut, but the songwriting and production on his record is excellent (particular props to multi-instumentalist Megan McCormick). All originals written by Caleb or his brother Kyle (member of the Bayonets, plays bass), the songs permeate through the room and recall Jay Farrar's more acoustic work or a less ostentatious Whiskeytown.
7. Sunshone Still-Ten Cent American Novels
God what do I say about this record? A folk rock opera about Kit Carson, Sunshone Still's (aka Chris Smith) follow up to the excellent Dead Letters is both more ambitious and more everything than its predecessor. The list of artists who contribute and play on the record is long and extensive, but Smith is certainly at the center of the chaos. Think the heavy production of Sufjan Stevens with the vocals nuances and guitar playing of Nick Drake. You will really have to just listen for yourself.
SunshoneStill.com or myspace.com/sunshonestill
favorite song "Chapter 1- Winning of Wa'anei Bay"
8. Jesse Malin- Glitter in the Gutter
Ryan Adams protege puts together another fine album of rockers, ballads, and everything else. Bruce Springsteen pops in for a duet on "Broken Radio" and Jakob Dylan on "Black Haired Girl", but Malin is the the star throughout. Check out the bare piano rendition of the Westerberg classic "Bastards of Young".
RIYL: Ryan Adams, The Replacements, Bruce Springsteen
9. Wilco- Sky Blue Sky
Tweedy and Co. don't disappoint here (actually I think a lot of people were disappointed, but at this point the only way Wilco could actually defy expectations would be to make a record that actually sounded like their last record). This will probably never be my favorite Wilco record, but its still pretty good. Laid back in a way that Wilco hasn't seen since the A.M. days, Sky Blue Sky is a smooth record that never truly rocks out, despite guitarist Nels Clines ebullient solos throughout. Post critics have either panned it or heralded it as a masterpiece for the same reasons (sounds like 70's pop circa Jackson Brown). I don't have much to say about the record except a) I like it, b) compared to Ryan Adams similar slick effort Easy Tiger, I think Sky Blue Sky is better, and c) its Wilco and all reviews point to these songs being great in concert.
10. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals- This Is Somewhere
This Burlington, VT based band has been picking up a lot of press since the indie release of Nothing But the Water back in 2005 and rightfully so. This Is Somewhere is far slicker than NBTW's rugged bluesy, R&B sound, but it doesn't suffer for it. This is what Rock and Roll in 2007 should sound like. From the uproarious singe "Ah Mary" to the gospel tinged closer "Big White Gate", GP and the Nocturnals run through pop, rock, soul, R&B, country, and back without missing a beat. The Rolling Stones, The Band, Lucinda Williams are all present in this sound. Lead guitarist Scott Tournet is crisp and clean throughout and doesn't overplay, Potter herself is quit a dynamo. A great lyricist for someone so young, her B3 organ is a cornerstone of the Nocturnals sound that distinguishes them from other bands of similar sound, but its her voice that Lucinda Williams meets Janis Joplin powerhouse of a voice that will win her new fans. Check these guys out live, especially if you think this record is too slick, they are awesome.
Favorite songs include "Apologies" (piano ballad), "Stop the Bus", "Aint No Time", "Big White Gate", and "You May See Me".
Looking Forward
also in 2007
Hannah Miller is going to release her full length debut, Miller is a great singer songwriter from the Columbia area, who has expanded her sound on Into The Black (i think thats the title)
myspace.com/hannahmiller
Ryan Adams Box Set 20:20
-should be awesome and include tons of unreleased albums and songs
2008
AMERICAN GUN- The Means and the Machine
this albums is looking like the best of 2008 to these eyes (and ears)
-sheer awesomeness
americangun.net or myspace.com/americangun
Drive-By Truckers- Brighter Than Creations Dark
19 Songs, 7 from Cooley, 3 from Tucker, and 9 from Hood, i might wet myself
American Aquarium- Untitled
I've heard the unmastered, unmixed stuff from this album and its sounds superb, look out for it on Yep Roc next year.
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