In the style guide in my head, you just should not include things on your Year-End Best Music list like soundtracks, comps, reissues, covers, etc, so I begin with a list of those special things.
The Most Special Musical Thing of 2007 (and maybe forever in my universe):
Magnolia Electric Company - Sojourner
Fading Trails pissed me off, and I never thought I'd get to hear all those sessions in their entirety. Not only does Jason Molina give me that, he puts it in a wooden box, includes a medallion (hello Merzbox! MECobox?) and a celestial map! Oh and a DVD that's just pretty. Now I may include the individual albums included in the box on my actual list, or not.
Adult Indie Rock Wet Dream That Became Reality:
I'm Not There - Original Soundtrack
Okay, maybe not a wet dream. In Indie Rockdom, you probably wouldn't care less if this never happened, but since it did you realize it was a good idea. You mean to tell me Nels Cline, Stephen Malkmus and Lee Ranaldo were in a studio together? And they played a Dylan song? I may have to write some slash fic about that. Er, anyways. Sufjan! Calexico! MMJ! White Magic! Wilco! Iron and Wine! Antony! You get the point!
7"s Still Matter Award:
Vee Dee - "Glimpses of Another World"
Clicking on an MP3 (or 3) will just never translate to a perfect 7". This is such a perfect 7". Three fucking great songs that leave you ravenous for more!
Bonnie "Prince" Billy released 2 not elligible pieces:
So I will quickly mention them both (Wai Notes, aka Letting Go demos and the "Ask Forgiveness" EP which is a bunch of covers and one original. R Kelly, fo' shizzle!) and mention they are both super good.
Way More Specific Indie Rock Wet Dream Come True:
Plum 7" Box - Thrill Jockey 15th Anniversary
I haven't had a chance to fully absorb this, but how can you fuck up a bunch of 7"s of Thrill Jockey artists covering Thrill Jockey Artists? I'll let you know.
Last night at Club Foot was very festive! Lots of candy, xmas straws and a Christmas Crossword! Watching Eryn do the crossword was quite entertaining. There was dancing! Dan showed up after last call and we ended up on the other side of 7AM having watched WAY too much VH1 Classic. They were rolling out Hall and Oats "Jingle Bell Rock" and Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls" so we really couldn't stop. Much last minute shopping with Sooz. My wrapping has not improved. At All. Taking a cue from Tony , I put together my own YouTube Christmas Special!! Hope you like it!
That was quite a festive party at the Hotel SnS this Saturday. The snow did not stop the cool people who like to party from showing up. Lit'l Smokeys were consumed, terrible Bailey's shots in chocolate cups were drink/eaten, there was at least 3 shifts of partiers ("props" to Dan and Thax for making the early morning one, and Gena for gracing us with her presence on the couch).
Shellac at the Hideout were rock. Er... anything else?
Okay, just when I thought it couldn't get anymore ridiculous there was Saturday night at the Note. Rock rock rock Dan pretty much naked rock rock rock. Pizza party!
Then there was tonight's POS holiday spectacular with dinner at Gino's East and the Meaty Legend and then Trans-Siberian Orchestra! Who knew Holiday music needed LAZERS and flames guitar solos? Those guys did!!
The downside of my little partying binge is I now may be coming down with the ickyness. Have snorted Zinc and swallowed the garlic party that is Wellness Formula. Poop, this is not a good time to get sick. What is a good time to get sick?
That was three days of hard rocking. Thursday was Two Cow et al at Hideout and the usual hijinks that go along with that x3. I accomplished something there that I never have before. Er besides that I got to hang with a lot of people I hadn't spent much time with in awhile.
Then I went back Friday with Tim for Detholz! who were just sooo dang good, I was dancing like a fool.
OMG tonight: Johnny and the Limelights, Busy Signals and King Kahn and BBQ Show. Man alive!!!!!!!
