i feel it all: the year in music
It’s that time again when critics of all shapes and sizes are putting out their year-in-review packages. I tend to agree with the comment New York Times writer Manohla Dargis made recently when she noted that “Top 10 lists are artificial exercises, assertions of critical ego, capricious and necessarily imperfect.”
For the past two years I’ve offered up my own list of notable songs of the year but I also took a lot of liberties with the assignment. I’m going to try and stick to the calendar this time around, with a few small exceptions here and there.
Favorite songs of 2007
1. “I Feel It All” Feist
The Reminder was by far my favorite album of the year. I could’ve easily named “1 2 3 4” or even “Sea Lion Woman” as my No. 1 selection. Her live show was also phenomenal.
2. “Rehab” Amy Winehouse
I realize that both Amy and Feist were included on tons of top 10 lists this year. And yes, I really did love this track when I first heard it — until it got played to goddamn death. But to me, “Rehab” neatly sums up the sorry state of celebrity culture in 2007, a year when Britney and Lindsay couldn’t pass gas without the bloggers covering it. Meanwhile, Amy’s very public meltdown continues. It’s a sad thing to experience.
3. “Homecoming” Kanye West
The entire album rocks. This song chokes me up for some reason.
4. “Greenlight (Freemasons Remix)” Beyoncé
Probably my favorite dance track of the year. Brings back very happy memories not only of our week in Provincetown but also of being silly with my friend Drew on our cruise in October. Beyoncé’s duet with Shakira, “Beautiful Liar,” gets an honorable mention here.
5. “Love Today” Mika
The BF and I are still laughing about his bizarre live show. What a flamer!
6. “Myriad Harbour” New Pornographers
I’ve written about this one before. Gotta love some Neko.
7. “Big Sky” Annie Lennox
I didn’t like the new album initially, but seeing her perform some of the tracks live gave me a greater appreciation for it. This track wasn’t included in the concert but was my favorite on the CD. Makes me think of Medusa.
8. “Like This” Kelly Rowland
I’m shocked this wasn’t a bigger hit.
9. “Grand Canyon” Tracey Thorn
Did anyone actually buy her album? I wasn’t knocked out of my chair, though I did love “Grand Canyon.” It sounded to me like a lost track from EBTG’s Temperamental — which may have been exactly the problem.
10. “So You Say” Siobhán Donaghy
Lucas shared this artist with me back in September, and the album became my guilty pleasure for the early fall. I don’t think it’s technically been released in the States yet.
11. “Just Fine” Mary J. Blige
Is it too soon to include MJB on a best-of-the-year list, given that the CD only came out two weeks ago? I also really love “Work That”; I just wish it didn’t remind me of the iPod ad.
12. “Sky Blue Sky” Wilco
Lots of folks, including NPR’s Bob Boilen, have said they were disappointed with Wilco’s latest. I liked it. This wistful track makes me think of my brief teenage fling with the Dead. I also liked “What Light.”
13. “No One” Alicia Keys
It’s a little too Top 40 for me to say that I love this song, but I couldn’t get enough of it for about a week in November.
14. “Calabria (2007)” Enur featuring Natasja
An addictive little booty-shaker that my friend Zach shared with me. I listen to it at the gym almost every workout. Sadly, featured vocalist Natasja died this summer in Jamaica.
15. “The Story” Brandi Carlile
She’s raw like Janis Joplin, sweet like Dusty Springfield. The power of this one is sneaky.
Honorable Mentions
• “Business Time” Flight of the Conchords
In case you missed their strange little musical comedy on HBO, it’s well worth the effort to tune in. I want the DVD.
• “Trapeze” Patty Griffin
An artist who continues to amaze me. The song makes me think of being stuck on a very delayed airplane trying to get back to Atlanta from NYC.
• “Give It To Me” Timbaland
Pure pop cheese, but I couldn’t get enough of it.
Update: Purchase the above playlist (or a large chunk of it, anyway) as an iMix on iTunes.
For the past two years I’ve offered up my own list of notable songs of the year but I also took a lot of liberties with the assignment. I’m going to try and stick to the calendar this time around, with a few small exceptions here and there.
Favorite songs of 2007
1. “I Feel It All” FeistThe Reminder was by far my favorite album of the year. I could’ve easily named “1 2 3 4” or even “Sea Lion Woman” as my No. 1 selection. Her live show was also phenomenal.
2. “Rehab” Amy Winehouse
I realize that both Amy and Feist were included on tons of top 10 lists this year. And yes, I really did love this track when I first heard it — until it got played to goddamn death. But to me, “Rehab” neatly sums up the sorry state of celebrity culture in 2007, a year when Britney and Lindsay couldn’t pass gas without the bloggers covering it. Meanwhile, Amy’s very public meltdown continues. It’s a sad thing to experience.
3. “Homecoming” Kanye West
The entire album rocks. This song chokes me up for some reason.
4. “Greenlight (Freemasons Remix)” Beyoncé
Probably my favorite dance track of the year. Brings back very happy memories not only of our week in Provincetown but also of being silly with my friend Drew on our cruise in October. Beyoncé’s duet with Shakira, “Beautiful Liar,” gets an honorable mention here.
5. “Love Today” Mika
The BF and I are still laughing about his bizarre live show. What a flamer!
6. “Myriad Harbour” New Pornographers
I’ve written about this one before. Gotta love some Neko.
7. “Big Sky” Annie Lennox
I didn’t like the new album initially, but seeing her perform some of the tracks live gave me a greater appreciation for it. This track wasn’t included in the concert but was my favorite on the CD. Makes me think of Medusa.
8. “Like This” Kelly Rowland
I’m shocked this wasn’t a bigger hit.
9. “Grand Canyon” Tracey Thorn
Did anyone actually buy her album? I wasn’t knocked out of my chair, though I did love “Grand Canyon.” It sounded to me like a lost track from EBTG’s Temperamental — which may have been exactly the problem.
10. “So You Say” Siobhán Donaghy
Lucas shared this artist with me back in September, and the album became my guilty pleasure for the early fall. I don’t think it’s technically been released in the States yet.
11. “Just Fine” Mary J. Blige
Is it too soon to include MJB on a best-of-the-year list, given that the CD only came out two weeks ago? I also really love “Work That”; I just wish it didn’t remind me of the iPod ad.
12. “Sky Blue Sky” Wilco
Lots of folks, including NPR’s Bob Boilen, have said they were disappointed with Wilco’s latest. I liked it. This wistful track makes me think of my brief teenage fling with the Dead. I also liked “What Light.”
13. “No One” Alicia Keys
It’s a little too Top 40 for me to say that I love this song, but I couldn’t get enough of it for about a week in November.
14. “Calabria (2007)” Enur featuring Natasja
An addictive little booty-shaker that my friend Zach shared with me. I listen to it at the gym almost every workout. Sadly, featured vocalist Natasja died this summer in Jamaica.
15. “The Story” Brandi Carlile
She’s raw like Janis Joplin, sweet like Dusty Springfield. The power of this one is sneaky.
Honorable Mentions
• “Business Time” Flight of the Conchords
In case you missed their strange little musical comedy on HBO, it’s well worth the effort to tune in. I want the DVD.
• “Trapeze” Patty Griffin
An artist who continues to amaze me. The song makes me think of being stuck on a very delayed airplane trying to get back to Atlanta from NYC.
• “Give It To Me” Timbaland
Pure pop cheese, but I couldn’t get enough of it.
Update: Purchase the above playlist (or a large chunk of it, anyway) as an iMix on iTunes.
