2007 Wrap Up

Finally we've almost come to the end of 2007, and wow what a hectic year, so many quality albums released, a handful of disappointments and a busy touring year, though has nothing on the 2008 schedule already lined up.

Over the next few days various lists and things will be put up on the site.

I hope you heard as many good records as we did.

Lullaby

Kanye West - Graduation

Kanye West is easily one of the most prominent artists of our time. On Graduation he delivers us his conclusion to his college trilogy, which begun with College Dropout and was followed up by 2005's Late Registration. Obviously Graduation was highly anticipated, which even increased due to the highly publicised supposed record feud with 50 cent. Not only has he set the platform with his imminent stardom, he's raised the bar for hip hop contemporaries becoming more relevant in today's music scene. Graduation also sees him converting into the pop category, possibly joining the likes of Justin Timberlake.

Graduation flows more consistently then his previous records, probably due to the cutting of skits which keeps the duration shorter. With the omission of the skits, the record feels like less of a hip hop record, maybe securing his vision of making it a more digestible record for pending fans not well versed in the hip hop record format. As he's stated in interviews he wants as many people as possible to hear this record. Beginning on a high note, "Good Morning" gets the album off and running leading into the massively catchy "Champion" the Steely Dan sampled track. (Kid Charlemagne)

From here on the album is relentless, with a panache production, backed by classy synths and effective beats. Kanye raps and rhymes smoothly over the course of Graduation, consistently expressing his hedonistic lifestyle. The album may very well lack the likes of a "Touch the Sky" or "Gold Digger", but Graduation makes up in consistency. The Daft Punk sample "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" has given Kanye one of the biggest singles of 2007 with "Stronger", with everywhere you go you're assured to hear this track. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was the first single and shows Kanye in impressive form. Guests this time around include his mentor rapper Jay Z, Young Jeezy, Mos Def, Lil Wayne and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Graduation continues the fresh, lush and elegant production that Kanye's become known for.

With Kanye already a international superstar he's achieved what so many other artists have never been able to do and that's uniting people from throughout the world, even people who aren't really into the genre of music. As far as hip-hop records go this is neither amazing or groundbreaking, it's comfortable. Once you become really familiar with the album it may lose a little of its edge, but it's still a fun record. Whatever path Kanye West chooses to take next I'm sure the world will be watching.

7.2/10

Reviews

The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army

The Spree have captured our attention since their birth in the early 2000's. Two records on and a three year wait we have the Fragile Army, possibly their most rocking, radiant and buoyant record to date. Tim Delaughter definitely has his finger on the pulse on album number three, keeping it exciting and exhilarating if not producing their most accessible record to date.

Like the past records, orchestral flavours are strewn across as is the many choir filled tracks which give the group their distinctiveness. "Running Away" and "Get Up and Go", start the album taking a break from the softer material and get busy with their more jubilant rock sound, revealing an even more upbeat sound. "Younger Yesterday" and "We Crawl" provide the catchiness, "Mental Cabaret" is an instant highlight with the Fleetwood Mac-esque style chorus and dominating verses and "Light to Follow" the down tempo electronic opening seemingly influenced by trip hop an excellent beginning to the track led by the excellent solid rocking outro. Closing with the small epic "The Championship" summing the whole record up nicely.

Keeping in line with their two previous records the track list begins at Section 21 and follows on until concluding at Section 32. There is no question that a band like this is forever faced with the novelty banter, but there is no problems when the music your producing is of fair quality. The album could possibly fall short of fans expectations, taking a seemingly more commercial direction. The Fragile Army is a welcome addition to the their catalogue, with no doubt establish themselves as a an act to be reckoned with. Also new fans should have no trouble hopping aboard the Spree train third record in.

6.7/10

The Ponys - Turn The Lights Out

Third album into their career and first album to be released on Matador Records which must have put a spring into this Chicago quartets step. This is one loud noisy rock and roll record. Yet to achieve universal success this band are just brewing waiting to get some attention. The material shown here might not be anything in the way of fresh of new, but it's definitely effective, also the name of the band suggests they deal in something much lighter which isn't the case at all.

I remember hearing a few tracks off their sophomore effort "Celebration Castle" but none of it evoked this much arousal. From the blasting opener of "Double Vision" being up there with some of the better rock tracks of the year. It has already been picked up and has been played in a slew of TV shows this year, and it's not surprising whatsoever, it's sharp and rocking. The next few tracks follow in a similar pattern until we reach the foot stomping title track. If your foot doesn't start tapping you don't deserve to be listening. "1209 Seminary" and "Shine" flow great back to back with riffs and chord patterns swirling endlessly. "Poser Psychotic" follows the barrage of solid riffing, keeping it exciting, until it swerves into "Exile on My Street" taking the sound off into yet another interesting direction.

To be honest the rest of the record is filled with more of the same type of tunes similar to the songs from the beginning but yet different in ways. It definitely rates up there as one of the most coolest albums of the year. With so many bands these days making such abysmal music, you have a small band like this who usually aren't even liked by guys with similar taste to mine, but Turn The Lights Out just blows me away. Call it Garage rock, Dirty rock, just rock, I think I've find my new pick me up album and it's brilliant.

7.5/10

The Panics - Cruel Guards

Hailing from Perth, this Australian band are slowly beginning to gain nationwide recognition. Richard Kingsmill the music director over at Triple J, adores these guys or that's what I'm led to believe, as he supplies them with much air time and has had their previous albums in his favourite album of the year lists. It's not surprising as these guys really do know how to write a song.

After gaining attention with their sophomore effort "Sleeps Like a Curse" they release their third and possibly most strongest, commercially digestible effort. Where Sleeps, was all over the place and interesting Cruel Guards pretty much follows the same structure all the way through, that's not such a bad thing as some of these tracks are brilliant when not fading into one another. Straight out of a Spaghetti Western, comes the rampant "Get Us Home" the opening statement and easily one of the better tracks here. "Creaks" will have you slightly mystified with the elegant intro with the guitar and piano interplay backed by effective hand clapping, with Jae Laffers voice forever holding the attention of the listener. It hardly ever changes key but there's something about the way he sings that's captivating.

First single pulled from the album is the idiosyncratic "Don't Fight It" which seems a little out of place here, but it doesn't seem to matter as this song is winning them countless amounts of fans even as i write this, rightly so as it's not a bad track, even though i don't think it stands up to some of the other tracks here. I think people are coming accustom to brass instruments now through pop music, which is good to see. "Feeling is Gone" seems like a throwback to an 80's track, well the riff anyway.

The title track is quite evocative, from the strumming of the acoustic guitar to Laffer's distinctive voice, to the chanting of "Cruel Guards" over and over until it finally builds and builds into the chorus etc, "there is a bright bright heat" Easily one of best tracks here. "Live Without" begins in similar fashion to "Creaks" which is a good thing as both are superb tracks. "I Confess" continues the hand clapping as they continue their impressive streak of songwriting. It's not until the end of the album when it all comes together on "Sundowner" one of the most powerful closers I've heard this year and in quite some time. I remember when i saw this track live, it towered above anything else they played that night, purely astonishing.

Sometimes the thought of listening to Cruel Guards irks me, only because they follow such a similar path the whole way through with some songs seemingly blurred as the confusion comes into play. Apart from that occasional feeling there's no doubt how impressive this album is, it shows a band in full confidence with every song holding the up most in quality. I feel they have stepped away from some of the sounds they crafted on their previous effort which is slightly disappointing, but it does seem that they had a vision for this album and it's starting to pay off. Expect them to take out this years Triple J award and possibly the AMP.

7.5/10

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

2007 is the year when multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf began his rise to prominence. With two already well received albums in the bag, the Magic Position gave him a welcome push into the alternative music world. Ever hear the story of him firing a member on stage? Aware of his ego or lack of one? Know of his his ability to play whatever instrument you throw at him or had a glimpse of his astounding creativity? In other words what's not to be intrigued about this guy?

Before you even know it, Wolf knocks you to your knee's with the opening track "Overture" one of the best songs you'll hear this year. Battering bass drums, followed in with strings followed by percussion, it's an overwhelming experience, if you've yet to try it I suggest you hop aboard immediately. Trying to forget the near masterpiece of the opener, he throws the upbeat title track our way, the intro reminds me of a theme from a cartoon or some kind of children's show tune, followed in with a string section likened to that of an E.L.O track. "Accident and Emergency" was the first single to be taken from the album, and it's not surprising, it's an engaging track, bringing along all the usual Wolf traits we've come to know. You just wish the EMERGENCY!!! intro kept on a little longer.

The beautiful piano laden piece "Magpie" features Marianne Faithfull, who gives the song a somewhat ominous feel with her dry and almost croaky voice. Both their voices complements the other not to mention the soaring strings occasionally appearing in the background. Challenging the beauty of "Magpie" comes "Augustine" which rightfully takes the mantle, slowly building to that chorus, "sweet augustine". Only midway through and Wolf is already showing his strong presence as an artist. The album seems to be cut up into sections with "The Bluebell", "X" and "The Secret Garden" supplying the shifts in which may give the songs in between more emphasis.

Even when not every song shines as bright as others, this is still such a terrific creation of sprawling beauty and eclectic vision. Those songs which don't seem as great as the others still contain glimpses of brilliance. If Patrick Wolf was ever going to win over a new legion of fans it was always going to be this album to do it. As strange to think, so young into his career he has already given us some of the tracks he'll forever be remembered for.

7.5/10

Reviews

Ash - Twilight of the Innocents

Apparently this will be the last album Ash will ever make via the cd format. Passing it up to the power of the World Wide Web. Time will only tell how that ends up. A few years on, with the depature of guitarist, Charlotte Hatherley, Ash fire back with Twilight of the Innocents. Opening things with the rock-a-long "I Started a Fire", they get themselves off to a rather distinctive start.

Midway through their 6th effort, thoughts begin to wander on the state of the bands songwriting, lacking the fire power of 2004's Meltdown and the ease and pure catchiness of their 90's records. At times the record comes across as tired and uninspired with only a few tracks conjuring up the glory days. Tim Wheeler sounds the same though possibly even whinier then ever before. The lyrics and song structures are kept simple. First single "Polaris" captures the Coldplayesque feel laden with piano and over dramatic orchestrations. "Palace of Excess" and "Shadows" are possibly the catchiest tracks on offer. Ash fans shan't be too terribly disappointed as it pretty much offers up the usual Ash rock recipes with only taking a more lush production with the addition of strings and various instrumentation.

With the missing element of Hatherley, thoughts ponder on whether her omission to the creation of this album has anything to do with it's more then not uninspiring result. The album only whisks some flair on the odd occasion not enough to captivate it's audience, like they once did. But for the die hard Ash fans, there is enough hooks and catchy choruses to get you through. Though i suppose it's tough for a band like Ash that have been around for quite sometime to keep it fresh and still have a place in today's music scene, so in that aspect I think they do enough here to stay relevent.


6.5/10