fuggadeboutit: overlooked ‘07
Today, as part of our year-end rollout, we’re featuring a dozen in which 12 of our writers each pick a record they felt got the short shrift in ‘07. Which brings me to my question of the day: what was one record you loved in ‘07 that you felt was ignored by almost everyone else? Mine was…
I listened to this record almost by accident: I scanned the press release really quickly and noticed that Letcher was from South Africa. I dropped it on expecting some variation of Afropop, but was equally thrilled by what I got instead: a dark, aching, mysterious pop record that had all the ruined grandeur of, say, Arcade Fire, but was far more shadowy and ominous. Songs like “Milk” have a clammy, desperate drive; the quieter moments are just as arresting: “Special Agents” is built around a simple, pirouetting piano. As the notes spin over and over, Letcher breathes out the lyrics, sullenly, helplessly watching his relationship fall to pieces. The song crests in one great, sad observation: “Wearing your shirt/ I’ve been watching you flirt.” It’s not just the payoff, though: each song is composed of careful little movements, all of them perfectly placed. Try “Special Agents” or “Swallow’s Tail” to see if this one is for you.
(Also, don’t miss Scott Seward’s Year in Metal for more great, overlooked picks.)
So: what’s your pick for Overlooked Album of ‘07?
three-way international tie:
Tenniscoats - Tan-Tan Therapy ( Häpna )
Woelv - Tout Seul Dans La Forêt En Plein Jour, Avez-Vous Peur? ( K )
New Buffalo - Somewhere, Anywhere ( Arts & Crafts )
i definitely have to mention, yet again:
strategy — future rock
radicalfashion — odori
Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
“while you were sleeping” is one of the best songs of 2007.
I really liked that Elvis record — I was surprised it didn’t catch on.
Yancey OTM, as to both discs.
I could post my whole list here! LOL
Chris Bathgate - A Cork Tale Wake. Great music, great-looking cover. I saw it “highly, highly rated” on a music blog, but never even mentioned anywhere else.
Tommy Womack’s “There, I Said It!”
http://www.emusic.com/album/Tommy-Womack-There-I-Said-It-MP3-Download/11006095.html
Especially for the track “Alpha Male & The Canine Mystery Blood”…
I haven’t even finished listening to this Chris Letcher album yet but I can already picture it on my Top 10 of ‘07 list - thanks for pointing it out!
Ezra Furman & The Harpoons - Banging Down the Doors
http://www.emusic.com/album/Ezra-Furman-The-Harpoons-Banging-Down-The-Doors-MP3-Download/11092194.html
(I have to credit Paste contributor Andy Whitman [http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/whitman] for this find.)
The album lost quite a bit of steam towards the end but it was still worth picking up.
Sunparlour Players - Hymn for the Happy
Alamo Race Track - Black Cat John Brown
eMusic screwed up on the “Overlooked” dozens! Douglas Wolk apparently ws writing about Judee Sill’s *Live In London - The BBC Recordings 1972 - 1973, which was released this year.
But the photo, link and title was Judee’s Dreams Come True - Hi - I Love You Right Heartily Here - New Songs — which was released in 2005.
Thanks for the catch! We’ll rectify immediately.
Steve Reich / Grand Valley State University Music Ensemble - Music for 18 Musicians (Innova)
Deer Tick’s War Elephant has been one of my absolute favorites of the year. Haven’t heard much about him and the only other person I know who digs him is flamgirlant. I highly recommend!