A four-piece band from NYC, Vampire Weekend is hard not to enjoy, unless you’re perhaps one of those people who never smile. Despite the name, expect to find no gothy vampirism here. Reminiscent of the Police and Talking Heads, it’s pure, afro-pop influenced fun. They get extra points from the Green Machine for name-dropping Peter Gabriel, Lil Jon, and the Oxford Comma (which I just used, in case you didn’t notice).
BLACK MOUNTAIN – IN THE FUTURE Stephen McBean and company are back with the much anticipated follow-up to their 2005 self-titled debut. “In the Future” delves into deeper, proggier territory. Deep, sonic dimensions and stoner rock atmospheres abound. The limited double-CD edition comes with with a bonus disc, “Future Sounds.” CD or LP
MEET THE EELS: ESSENTIAL EELS VOL. 1, 1996-2006 spans the first decade of the EELS with 24 selections on CD and 12 previously unreleased videos on DVD. ESSENTIAL EELS includes 2 previously unreleased tracks - the Jon Brion remix of "Climbing To The Moon," and a cover of Missy Elliot's "Get UR Freak On." EELS USELESS TRINKETS: B-SIDES, SOUNDTRACKS, RARITIES AND UNRELEASED 1996-2006 includes 2 CDs and a DVD, featuring "Living Life" from the Daniel Johnston tribute album, a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You," and Prince's "If I Was Your Girlfriend." USELESS TRINKETS also includes live versions of "Novocaine For The Soul" and "My Beloved Monster." The DVD features six performances from the EELS' Lollapalooza 2006 performance.
It's time for the obligatory Best Of 2007 list. Here are my top ten favorite albums of the past year. Order is determined by how much I liked the album, and also how much I have listened to it.
1. Maps - We Can Create
2. Matthew Dear - Asa Breed
3. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
4. Mabuses - Mabused!
5. Caribou - Andorra
6. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. Blonde Redhead - 23
9. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
10. Ulrich Schnauss - Goodbye
A special holiday message from Maps:
Hello friends
It's been a very strange and wonderful year here in Maps Central (Earls Barton). I started 2007 recording my debut album without any idea of the year ahead that awaited. As well as fantastic reviews, 'We Can Create' was nominated for the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize, which made me very proud. Since then the band and I have toured the UK played great festivals like Latitude, Reading and Leeds, I've toured across Europe and the US playing to fantastic audiences everywhere. Emotional sell out shows like Stockholm, New York and Kings College in London will live long in my mind.
Before I embark on the quest that is writing my second album I wanted to send a special gift to those of you who've supported me through this amazing year. This song is my special Xmas gift to you inspired by taking 12 E's and running myself over in my own car. Only an enormous puffer jacket prevented me from certain death.
Picking up where 2003’s “Dreams Top Rock” left off, THE MONSTROUS SURPLUS is resplendent with reverby, dreamy guitars and the ethereal vocals of Julee Cruise and Julia Hummer. Shoegaze to your heart's content with your very own copy.
Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz are back with a new double-CD collection. Just as 2002’s “G-Sides” compiled unreleased tracks and remixes from the “Gorillaz” album, “D-Sides” does the same for the smashingly successful “Demon Days.” Disc one features previously unreleased tracks and b-sides, while disc two contains remixes by the likes of DFA, Stanton Warriors, Soulwax, Hot Chip and more. Get the regular edition, or the deluxe (boxed edition with sew-on patch, buttons, and booklet).
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