Catching up with The Wire: Season 3

I'm cutting it close on all this catching up, having to sprint to the finish, but the third season of HBO's The Wire has made this endeavor even more worth while. Written with a theme of 'reform,' the season also served as a metaphor for the war in Iraq, further comparing the war on drugs with the war on terror. Since the start of the war on drugs campaign, police have become more like occupiers of a foreign country than members of the community. The season opens appropriately enough with the towers from season one coming down, a strong visual reference to 9/11. Their demolition is supposed to mark the beginning of change in Mayor Royce's administration, and as they come down, the crowd witnessing it is quickly enveloped in dust. Even in the DVD commentary, creator David Simon says "here's your reform" as the dust hits.

Ultimately, the third season is framed around the experiment of legalizing drugs, and the plot points sort of circle around the concept. 'Hamsterdam,' as it becomes known to it's inhabitants, is the idea of soon-to-be-retiring Major Colvin, who, under political pressure to reduce crime, decides that a different approach to the problem needs to be taken. Continuing to do the same corner busts just isn't cutting it, and to continue would be like Poot getting his action from the same girl in the towers and coming away with the Clap every time - as Bodie admonishes him in the opening scene: "Don't matter how many times you get burnt, you just keep doin' the same."

The Wire essentially advocates giving a serious look at legalizing drugs as a way to deal with the problem, and it's too bad there isn't enough viewers to let the debate take hold in a larger arena. Honestly, this season really should be required viewing for anyone looking at the problem of drugs in an urban environment, it's that important of a story.

'Hamsterdam' wasn't the only reform in the season, though, as you had several characters going through the process themselves, some outward, some more internally. The character Cutty gets out of prison and after reforming himself, extends a hand -- or rather, a boxing glove -- to some kids heading down the same wrong path that he went down. Stringer Bell looked to make himself a legitimate business man, but is cut down by that where he wants to go (Sen. Clay Davis) and where he comes from (Omar). Meanwhile, McNulty goes through a Moby Dick-like struggle all season, with Stringer as his whale, and when it's over, his reformation comes in the form of removing himself from the hunt -- settling instead to take Lester's advice and 'get a life.'

Season three was also remarkable for it's increased use of non-actors, especially from the Baltimore community. Former mayor Kurt Schmoke plays the health commissioner who sees some benefit of the 'Hamsterdam' experiment. During's Schmoke's time as the mayor of Baltimore, he spoke out against the war on drugs, and proposed decriminalization. Former police commissioner Ed Norris plays a homicide detective, the real officer Jay Landsman plays Lt. Dennis Mello, and city council employee Richard Burton plays Shamrock. Burton runs the Believe campaign which aims to reduce drug trafficking, drug violence and drug use in Baltimore. Meanwhile, one of the real life drug lords that the Avon Barksdale character is based on, "Little Melvin" Williams, plays the part of a deacon; and former thug and go-go rapper Anwon "Big G" Glover (Backyard Band) plays Barksdale muscle Slim Charles.

One key non-actor missing this season was executive producer Robert Colesberry, who died between seasons. For the third season, they held a wake for the character of Cole, and, in turn, for the man who portrayed him. The scene was touching, full of references to films he worked on, and featuring the cast singing along to The Pogues "The Body of an American." A couple other key music moments bookend the series with movie references. The first and last episodes contain homages to Apocalypse Now, first using "Theme for Shaft" as the West Baltimore police unit overdoes a search for a 'runner,' using a ridiculous amount of manpower to hunt down the lowest of priorities, like when Lt. Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall) napalms a village's beach in the name of surfing. The final episode revisits Kilgore's attack by having Major Rawls blasting Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" from his patrol car as they make their raid on 'Hamsterdam' -- in the name of the war on drugs.

Playlist: The Wire - Season 3
1. "Way Down in the Hole" - The Neville Brothers - Season 3 theme song
2. "The Fall" - Blake - closing credits
3. "In Da Club" - 50 Cent - Ep3.01
4. "Theme from 'Shaft'" - Isaac Hayes - Ep3.01
5. "Atomic Dog" - George Clinton - Ep3.02
6. "Stand Up" - Ludacris - Ep3.02
7. "Body of an American" - The Pogues - Ep3.03
8. "In My Life" - DJ Technics - Ep3.04
9. "My Downfall" - Notorious B.I.G. - Ep3.04
10. "Splash Waterfalls" - Ludicris - Ep3.04
11. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye - Ep3.04
12. "Me and Baby Brother" - WAR - Ep3.05
13. "On Fire" - Lloyd Banks - Ep3.05
14. "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" - Jay-Z - Ep3.06
15. "Strong Enough" - Sheryl Crow - Ep3.07
16. "Headsprung" - LL Cool J - Ep3.07
17. "Buffalo Soldier" - Bob Marley - Ep3.08
18. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Hank Williams - Ep3.08
19. "Tipsy" - J-Kwon - Ep3.08
20. "The Payback" - James Brown - Ep3.08
21. "The Way You Move" - Outkast - Ep3.09
22. "Little Bit O' Soul" - The Music Explosion - Ep3.11
23. "Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)" - The Gap Band - Ep3.11
24. "White Tee" - Dem Franchize Boyz - Ep3.11
25. "When We Ride On Our Enemies" - 2Pac - Ep3.11
26. "A Place Nobody Can Find" - Sam and Dave - Ep3.11
27. "Drop It Like It's Hot" - Snoop Dogg - Ep3.12
28. "Die Walkure (Ride of the Valkyries)" - Richard Wagner - Ep3.12
29. "Fast Train" - Solomon Burke - Ep3.12
Compiled with some help from Mandel Maven's Nest on The Wire.

More: Aside from HBO's Season 3 recap, the best video to check out on the season is the old west-style showdown between Omar and Brother Mouzone. They stare each other down, talking about their weapons like in a Serge Leone Western, before Brother Mouzone offers some middle ground. "Omar listenin'."

Previously: Season 1, Season 2

TV's Top Music Moments of 2007

After a popular series finale fades -- or cuts -- to black, nowadays there's a mad dash to find the song that ushered out the show. Download stats the next day go through the roof, and sometimes that recording will make a mark on Billboard charts. This year, that scenario happened time and time again, even bringing a group long since out of favor back into the limelight. Not all the moments I have below followed this path, but they all stuck with me, long after the credits rolled.

10. Total Eclipse of Meth Lab Matt [video]
Nip/Tuck - Ep 5.07, Song: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler
Miserable Matt pulls a Richard Pryor, setting himself on fire trying to cook up some drugs (meth in this case) in his apartment. After catching on fire, he manages to do a swan dive from the second floor into his complex's pool. The usual histrionics of Matt's scenes are amusingly sent over the top by using this Bonnie Tyler classic. Songwriter Jim Steinman -- the writer behind Meatloaf -- has a gift for over the top.

9. Mad Men Don't Think Twice
Mad Men Ep1.13, Song: "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" - Bob Dylan
A fitting end to a nearly perfect first season of television. Dylan wrote the song as "a statement that maybe you can say to make yourself feel better," a consolation for your lover leaving you. As Don sits on the steps, we can imagine him having this argument in his head thinking about Betty and kids having left him -- this after finally realizing just how much he needs them.

8. Say Goodbye to the O.C., Bitch [video]
The O.C. Ep4.16, Song: "Life Is A Song" - Patrick Park
Credit Josh Schwartz for not playing the end of the series for tears, instead using the music for for a more simple montage of events that lead up to the series coming full circle. A grown and successful Ryan pays it forward by taking in a trouble youth. Cue whistling.

7. Life is Good [video] / [video] / [video]
Life Ep1.11, Songs: "Who By Fire" - Leonard Cohen, "Down Boy" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Finally" - The Frames
The freshman NBC series was on a serious roll to end the year. Not only did it get picked up, but the final few episodes were it's strongest, especially musically. It seemed like someone beefed up the budget when it became apparent that the show had legs, and the work that was done with music in the final episode was some of the most inspired placement I've seen all year.

6. The End to a 'Series of Dreams' [video]
John From Cincinnati Ep1.10, Song: "Series of Dreams" - Bob Dylan
JFC proved to be a frustrating series -- moments of brilliance were followed by unexplained madness. David Milch's brilliant use of language couldn't save the series from being known as 'the show that killed Deadwood.' I still get a bit emotional watching the beauty of the opening credits, and the opening to the final episode, where John and Shaunie surf in from God knows where to this Bob Dylan song. With the series already dead, it felt like a wasted moment of brilliance... a beautiful bridge to nowhere.

5. Prince in Purple (and freezing) Rain [video]
Super Bowl XLI Half-Time Show - Playlist: Prince's Super Bowl Set List
After several disappointing half-time shows in a row, Prince steps in and tears the place apart. His royal badness owned the stage wearing heels in freezing rain, and in need of hip-replacement surgery! His cover of Foo Fighter's "The Best of You" was amazing -- I still don't understand why it's a single.

4. Morning Breaks for The Darling Mermaids [video]
Pushing Daisies - Ep 1.07, Song: "Morning Has Broken" - Cat Stevens (sung by Ellen Greene)
Ok, if you haven't seen this one, then it probably won't seem that special. But when Aunt Vivian breaks into the Cat Stevens classic, all the perfectly orchestrated silliness that preceded in the episode helped set this up to feel more then just a tug at the heart strings. The Aunts finally break from their depression and The Darling Mermaids are back in the pool, synchronized beautifully to the music. For me, this is the point where the series went from good to positively great.

3. David Bowie is Having a Laugh[video]
Extras Ep2.02, Song: "Little Fat Man" - David Bowie
Ricky Gervais supplied the lyrics for David Bowie, reportedly suggesting that he try and do something musically in the vein of "Life on Mars" and the result is pure magic. Everyone sing along, 'see his pot-nosed face...'

2. Bob Dylan is a Cylon [video]
Battlestar Galactica Ep3.20, Song: "All Along the Watchtower" - Bear McCreary w/ Bt4
A Bob Dylan song acts as a catalyst that triggers beloved characters on the Galactica ship to realize that they are in fact cylons. BSG composer Bear McCreary says about the use of the song in BSG's universe: "Perhaps this unknown performer and Dylan pulled inspiration from a common, ethereal source." I guess that's related to the infinite monkey theorem, but Dylan still might think about retaining the services of Romo Lampkin to sue said unknown performer over trans-universe copyright infringement.

1. The Sopranos Resurrects Journey's Career [video]
The Sopranos Ep6.21, Song: "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey
Possibly the cultural event of the year, it also sent Journey back up the charts for the first time in twenty years. The moment when creator David Chase cuts off the song with singer Steve Perry singing "Don't Stop..." and the screen went black still has folks talking about it. The choice of the song was partly for the opportunity to sync up 'Don't Stop' with the cut, but it's also simply a song from Tony and Carmela's past, telling nothing about his future. He's alive, though, ok? So is Journey, for that matter, with a new album coming out in 2008 (sans Steve Perry).

Catching up with The Wire: Season 2

Ain't never gonna be what it was. - Little Big Roy

The Wire's second season makes a point right off to let you know that the same story will not be told, as the setting moves from the dealers on the street to the longshoremen on the docks. David Simon has said part of this reason for this shift is they "were very conscious of the fact that some white viewers may have felt a little bit smug about (the first season's criminals)."

By moving to the docks, they're not only able to show that the drug trade has crossed racial borders in Baltimore, but show some of the mechanisms that allow drugs into our country, along with telling telling the story of the slow death of blue collar work in America. The Barksdale story is still part of the mix -- thankfully, as there's still so much to say on that front -- but it's relegated to the background for the most part.

The story on the docks is actually an international affair, with Polish, Armenian, Israeli, Ukranian and Greek all getting their piece. The character known as "The Greek," it turns out, isn't even Greek, which has me wondering... is Greek a play on his mystery? ("It's all Greek to me.") Or is it more writer George Pelecanos' Greek heritage seeping into the storyline? 'The Greek,' himself, serves as a reminder that last season's Kingpin (Avon Barksdale) isn't really a King -- we were essentially playing checkers with a chess set. 'The Greek' is the highest that we see, and even he isn't a King on the drug trade's chess board. 'The game' is the same, but we're finding there's bigger pieces, and the board is a lot larger than the towers.

To further emphasize the change in scenery, the theme song to The Wire this time is Tom Waits' original version by "Way Down in the Hole," a drastic change from The Blind Boys of Alabama's version used in the first season, with Waits' growl serving as a nice parallel to the more 'blue collar' setting. The music in general shifts in tone as well, and I especially had to chuckle at the use of "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" in the first episode, with it's iconic opening lyrics: "There's a port, on a western bay / And it serves a hundred ships a day / Lonely sailors, pass the time away..."

Elsewhere, the late Stelios Kazantzidis has a couple key songs featured in the important penultimate episode ("Bad Dreams,") including a rare montage scene set to "Efuge Efuge." Kazantzidi was a hero to the working man in Greece, so he was an appropriate choice. The season ends with Steve Earle's "I Feel Alright," which was so right, not because of Earle's portrayal of Wayne from season one, more due to his lyrics, which wraps up the season nicely:

I'll bring you precious contraband
and ancient tales from distant lands
Of conquerors and concubines, and conjurers from darker times
Betrayal and conspiracy, sacrilege and heresy

Playlist: The Wire - Season 2
1. "Way Down in the Hole" - Tom Waits - Season 2 theme

2. "The Fall" - Blake Leyh - End credits
4. "Wooly Bully" - Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs - Ep 2.01
5. "Sixteen Tons" - The Nighthawks - Ep 2.01
6. "Search and Destroy" - The Stooges - Ep 2.01
7. "I'm Sorry" - Brenda Lee - Ep 2.01
8. "My Sharona (Live)" - The Knack - Ep 2.01
9. "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl" - Looking Glass - Ep 2.01
10."My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" - Waylon Jennings - Ep 2.01
11. "Gimme the Light" - Sean Paul - Ep 2.01
12. "The House That Jack Built" - Aretha Franklin - Ep 2.02
13. "Good-bye to Carolina" - Lyle Lovett - Ep 2.02
14. "The Cisco Kid" - War - Ep 2.03
15. "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" - The Velvettes - Ep 2.04
16. "I Promise to Remember" - Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers - Ep 2.04
17. "Ruler of My Heart" - Irma Thomas - Ep 2.04
18. "Magic Carpet Ride" - Steppenwolf - Ep 2.04
19. "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" - Tammy Wynette - Ep 2.04
19. "Maybe the Last Time" - James Brown - Ep 2.04
20. "Midnight at the Oasis" - Maria Muldaur - Ep 2.05
21. "Hand That Rocks the Cradle" - Akrobatik - Ep 2.05
22. "Love Child" - Diana Ross & The Supremes - Ep 2.07
23. "Transmetropolitan" - The Pogues - Ep 2.08>
24. "You Beat Me to the Punch" - Mary Wells - Ep 2.09
25. "I Walk the Line" - Johnny Cash - Ep 2.10
26. "Roadrunner" - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Ep 2.10
27. "To Psomi tis Xenethias (Bread in a Foreign Land)" - Stelios Kazantzidis - Ep 2.11
28. "Efuge Efuge" - Stelios Kazantzidis - Ep 2.11
29. "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Ep 2.12
30. "I Feel Alright" - Steve Earle - Ep 2.12
Compiled with help from Music Supervisor Blake Leyh's Ten Thousand Things, and Mandel Maven's Nest on The Wire

More: Of all the great scenes from season two, I think my favorite is Omar testifying in court in the case against 'Bird'.


Previously: Catching up - Season 1
Next up: Season 3

Top Soundtracks of 2007

Who says they don't make soundtracks like they used to? Since anyone with a Rhapsody account or an iPod can make playlist, our lives have been flooded with soundtracks: music for a commute, songs for a deadline, my sweet, sweet lovemaking mix -- you get the idea. As a result, since the '90s boom, sales for soundtracks to movies have fallen, even more than the record industry's current downward trend in general. Thankfully, soundtracks have moved into more of a niche market -- yes, even High School Musical is niche -- making for a better product. So while there may never be another Saturday Night Fever (or -- gulp -- The Bodyguard) album storming the charts, great soundtracks continue to get produced, and 2007 had plenty to back up this claim.

10. American Gangster
No, not the Jay-Z album (inspired by the film,) although that one wasn't too bad either. No, this is music from the film, including original tracks from Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee, who also produced the Anthony Hamilton track "Do You Feel Me" (penned by soundtrack legend Dianne Warren). Mixing Public Enemy with classics from John Lee Hooker, Bobby Womack and the like made the film tantalizingly stray from being a 'period piece.'

9. Control (Rssmbld Sndtrck Playlist)
A film about Joy Division's Ian Curtis, is almost guaranteed to have a great soundtrack. Not only does it have Joy Division and new songs from New Order at director Anton Corbijn's disposal, but there's also Curtis' influences Bowie, Iggy, and Roxy Music. Even the unfortunate choice of having The Killers cover Joy Division wasn't enough to derail this great soundtrack and film.

8. Margot at the Wedding (Rssmbld Sndtrack Playlist)
While not as much a revelation as Noah Baumbach's previous film soundtrack (Squid and the Whale,) Margot still serves as a nice bit of nostalgia. At it's heart is a late 70's AM soft rock sound, with Steven Forbert, Fleetwood Mac, Stephen Bishop and even the softer side of Alice Cooper ("You and Me.") Songs from Blondie, X and The dB's keep it from being just an 8-Track compilation, but ultimately it's the tragic Karen Dalton's powerful "Something On Your Mind" that has this in my top 10.

7. Songs from The Big Top
This film hasn't even got a release date yet (sometime in 2008,) but the stellar soundtrack has gotten an early digital release due to it's incredible buzz. Writer/Director Devon Reed wrote all the songs and then decided to approach artists like Matthew Sweet, Lisa Germano, Howie Gelb and Built to Spill's Doug Martsch about recording them for inclusion in the film. Highlight is "Your Song" by The Clientele, but really, there's not a bad one in the bunch.

6. The Darjeeling Limited
Wes Anderson's quirky tale of three brothers traveling through India relies heavily on Sayjit Ray's beatiful score work from his and Merchan-Ivory produced films, succinctly setting the mood. But it's Peter Sarstedt's "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" that's the real find here, appearing in the prequel short Hotel Chevalier (yes, the one with Natalie Portman's nude backside).

5. I'm Not There
The film may have six people playing -- but not named -- Bob Dylan, the soundtrack collects no less than 26 different artists covering 34 different Bob Dylan songs. Sonic Youth, Willie Nelson, Stephen Malkmus, Yo La Tengo, Sufjan Stevens, Cat Power, The Hold Steady, Tom Verlaine (Television) and the soundtrack super duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova head up the list of stars lined up to step in Bob's shoes. Director Todd Haynes, with music supervisor Randall Poster, have work their magic again (previously teamed up on Velvet Goldmine).

4. Death Proof
It's nearly a given that a Quentin Tarrantino soundtrack is going to be at or near the top of the list, and this one is no exception. The homaganist references his favorite grindhouse (and similar fringe genres) by co-opting music from previous soundtracks. If they all weren't so delicious, it would be a crime. Worth the price of admission alone for Smith's "Baby It's You" and "Chick Habit" from April March.
See: The Music of Grindhouse

3. There Will Be Blood
Both director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia) and composer Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) are working out far out of their popular idioms with TWBB, and they pull off what just might their finest work, respectively. TWBB itself is an epic saga of oil in the old west, complete with Kubrick-style terror, and it contains very little dialogue -- especially for a PTA film. As such Greenwood's unsettling score is pushed to the forefront, and pushes the film to dizzying heights and frightening lows. It's a score that should even give Scott Walker goosebumps.

2. Juno
An underdog movie featuring an underdog soundtrack, revolving around the music of Kimya Dawson (The Moldy Peaches). Screenwriter Diablo Cody's singular voice is echoed throughout the characters, and likewise, all the songs seem to come from the same smart-yet-innocent voice that Kimya Dawson does so well. Even though most of the contributions from artists such as Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, The Kinks and The Velvet Underground predate Dawson's work, they still sound as if they could be covering her. Even Sonic Youth (covering The Carpenters) reflect this singular voice. Like the movie itself, the soundtrack can start to feel like it's just one note, but that note is so... like... cool, you know?
See: The Music of Juno: So Nice, So Smart

1. Once
Hard to beat a film this good, especially when the film's stars -- Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Marketa Irglova -- are also the musical artists. The film's just 85 minutes, with very little plot or dialogue, and we never even find out the main characters' names. The characters communicate, in a realistic manner, through songs, and the music speaks magnitudes of what's going on. It's the best way these struggling musicians know how to say what they're feeling, and it's hard not to fall head over heels into their enchanting language. The realism struck Hansard and Irglova as well, as during the filming and shortly after, the two found themselves falling in love, despite their nearly twenty year difference in age. It's truly hard not to fall for this film.
See: Hansard and Irglova on Talk Shows This Week (July 30, 2007)

Also worth mentioning:
Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film 'Knocked Up' - Loudon Wainwright - Good album that had less to do with the film than even the title suggests
Hot Fuzz - Broken down here
Superbad (Rssmbld Playlist) - Great funk collection, and of course Van Halen's "Panama."
Good Luck Chuck - great lineup (Art Brut, Shout Out Louds, Flaming Lips) but terrible movie

It's gonna be a blue Christmas

This holiday season officially sucks, as we just lost a member of our family.

Song: "Blue Christmas" - Loretta Lynn

Otto, our nine-year old weimaraner, tragically and suddenly, was hit with GDV (gastric dilatation and volvulus,) also known as a twisted stomach. We took him to the hospital, but too much damage had been done, so all I could bring home was his leash and collar.

Gonna miss that big grey ghost...

Playlist: So long Otto
1. "Otto" - The Replacements
2. "Grey Ghost" - Mike Doughty
3. "2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten" - Lucinda Williams
4. "Goodbye, Old Boy (Death of Dog Song)" - Ian Whitcomb

Best 100+ Albums from 2007

Once again, my thirst for new music led me to far too many albums that I liked, so I had trouble narrowing it down. I'm sure even with over 100, I missed something, but chances are I've also got something that you might have missed.

Playlist: Best 100+ Albums From 2007

1. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

It leaked over a year ago, and somehow still remains completely fresh. It's got two of the best songs of the year ("All My Friends", "Someone Great,") which by itself makes it a contender. The rest of the songs are no slouches, though, and it's likely the consensus album of the year -- as I hyperbolised way back when. Sound of Silver is the perfect marriage of Eno-era Bowie and Eno-era Talking Heads, without sounding much like Eno. Recently, when my friend and boss died, "Someone Great" transcended the normal music experience. I don't know that anyone even come close to capturing the numb feeling of remorse before this song - 'the coffee isn't bitter, because what's the difference?'

(Kinda Review, 07/06/06)
Song: "All My Friends" [video]

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2. Radiohead - In Rainbows

This is one that I'm assuming is my number two... I have to extrapolate some because the quality of the MP3's they released from their site are lacking a bit in quality. It's a welcome (slight) return to more 'classic' Radiohead, not that it's not adventurous -- it is. It's just some of the adventure of the past couple albums seems to have been saved for their initial distribution channel of 'pay what you will' via their website. It doesn't necessarily 'change the game' the major labels have locked themselves into, but it hopefully serves as a wake-up call.

Song: "Body Snatchers"

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3. The National - Boxer

The baritone of Matt Berninger makes you think of Joy Division, but a bit of Springsteen has always been lurking in his lyrics. Boxer is marked by that populist streak, along with the driving force of drummer Bryan Devendorf. It's a band that was poised for greatness and seems to have reached that potential, even already suffering some indie snob backlash. Just because you've got a song on Chuck don't make you a sellout, dog.

Review, 05/22/07
Song: "Mistaken for Strangers" [video]

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4. Panda Bear - Person Pitch

It was a year long battle between Springsteen and The Beach Boys for dominance in the "re-establishing of influence." In Pet Sounds comes Animal Collective's Panda Bear, with an even trippy-er journey through the world of harmonies and found sounds. My soundtrack for walking/bus ride commute from it's release until well into the summer.

(Review, 03/20/07)
Song: "Bros" [video]

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5. Battles - Mirrored

Featuring former members of Don Caballero, Helmet and the son of Jazz great Anthony Braxton, this is a musician's musician act that's even more than the sum of it's parts. These uncategorizable instrumentals blaze through your head and leave it a burning ember, and feature another song of the year candidate in "Atlas." And that's not even the best song -- for my money the honor would go to "Ddiamondd." With such a big step up from their previous EP's, it will be interesting to see where they go from here.

Song: "Atlas" [Hype Machine]

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6. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Like every Spoon album thus far, this one makes into my top 10. It's also a bit of a slow burner, with songs that are instantly hummable yet get better with more playback. And forget that "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb" seems to pull from How I Became the Bomb's "Killing Machine," it's still another song of the year candidate.

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7. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
This album (and tour) finds Kevin Barnes exposed for all to see. Whereas past albums had Barnes persona buried behind characters and cute studies of human nature, this album is all Barnes - all the insecurities, sorrow, pain, doubt and redemption... and it's quite a ride.

Broken down for you, 01/23/07

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8. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
It's been six years since their last (2001's Go Forth) and indie rock's landscape has changed enormously, thanks in part to Les Savy Fav's trailblazing hooks and energy. They don't miss a beat with their return, and seem like they're even having more fun while tearing shit apart. Warning, this album grows on you like the vines from The Ruins.

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9. M.I.A. - Kala
After getting denied a visa into the US, M.I.A. took an even more worldly method to recording this great sophomore release. Who needs Timbaland anyway?
Review 08/21/07

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10. Grinderman - Grinderman
This time out Nick Cave improvised lyrics and for the first time plays electric guitar while the rest of the band built the songs around his primitive guitar work. It's raw and powerful -- some of Cave's best work to date.
Review 04/10/07

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11. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Their live shows had always been a sort of religious experience, so why not record in a church. More great songs, but I have to say the production started to wear on me after repeated listening.
Review 02/28/07

12. Justice - †
Might be the party album of the year, Daft Punk style. Distorted synths and raved up riffs keep the party going till the morning.

13. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Lekman's innocent-but-wise voiced pop shines through all the lush arrangements from timeless genres.
Review 10/11/07

14. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
With every new release, this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Baltimore foursome find new ways to build on their unclassifiable brand of sound, and with this album, they've done it again, with magical success.
Review 09/11/07

15. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
The enormity of change in arrangement, from spare to full, could've been a shock to the system in less delicate hands, but Beam knows the sounds he wants you to experience, and it's a revelatory experience.
Review 09/25/07


16. Feist - The Reminder
The best 'grab for the golden ring' release of the year. Who knew this one time Peaches sidekick would blow up so big. Broken Social Scene breakout #1.
Review 05/10/07

17. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse
Dense and laid back, never sounding like it's trying too hard, yet revealing a lot more upon repeated listens, Low meets Pet Sounds.
Review 02/20/07

18. Liars - Liars
Move to L.A.? Taking a stab at songwriting? Self-titled? Looks like Liars have confounded their fans -- and please the ears -- once again.
Review 08/28/07

19. Burial - Untrue
A wonderous mosaic of sound. Somehow missed it until last month and have had a hard time stepping out of the dreamlike soundtrack of fog that this grime has covered me in.

20. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
Bird's intellectual musings backed by smart arrangements and catchy hooks is the stuff that radio should hunger for.

21. King Khan & His Shrines - What Is ?!
What year is this? Ok, so not one inch of their fabric is from this century, but when you're good... you're goood.

22. Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Will Sheff and crew are less meloncholy, more playful... underneath, it's still some heady stuff, though.
Review 08/07/07

23. Kevin Drew - Spirit If
Broken Social Scene breakout #2. J Mascis should guest on more releases... lets make him the Michael Caine (or is it Jude Law now?) of the music world.
Review 09/18/07

24. Ween - La Cucaracha
Those lovable fuck-ups are back with their best album since Chocolate and Cheese. Hilarious in their seeming sincerity.
Review 10/25/07

25. Field Music - Tones Of Town
XTC-like pop... sugary yet disjointed... soft yet jagged. Great songwriting and harmonies, what more can you ask for?
Review 02/13/07

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26. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
27. Kanye West - Graduation
28. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
29. Dan Deacon - Spiderman of the Rings
30. Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River
31. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - Music From The Motion Picture 'Once'
32. Frog Eyes - Tears Of The Valedictorian
33. Deerhunter - Cryptograms
34. Blonde Redhead - 23
35. Bowerbirds - Hymns For A Dark Horse
36. No Age - Weirdo Rippers
37. John Doe - A Year In The Wilderness
38. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
39. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
40. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
41. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
42. Get Him Eat Him - Arms Down
43. Phosphorescent - Pride
44. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
45. Angels Of Light - We Are Him
46. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
47. Menomena - Friend And Foe
48. Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
49. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
50. Old Time Relijun - Catharsis in Crisis

The rest (listed by song in playlist)