Albums of 2007 - listed links

Listed links to each of the albums on my top-10 2007;
01: The National «Boxer»
02: Kill The Lights «Buffalo Of Love»
03: Wilco «Sky Blue Sky»
04: Plant/Krauss «Raising Sand»
05: Ola Podrida «Ola Podrida»
06: Kings Of Leon «Because Of The Times»
07: Tord Gustavsen Trio «Being There»
08: Bon Iver «For Emma, Forever Ago»
09: Feist «The Reminder»
10: Beirut «The Flying Club Cup»

Statistics: 4 album titles starting with the letter B; 5 albums containing 13 tracks; 8 of the represented albums are by bands with (mostly) male members of our species; 1 animal mentioned; 1 athlete; 3 words related to elevation; 2 names for people (names that are relatively normal in my country of origin); 1 object that can, or may not contain, liquid; 3 themes on the concept of time; 1 love; 1 colour ––– bla-bla-bla...

Also albums of 2007...

Even as I have just finished listing ten of the best albums released in 2007, there are many other records and artists that deserve a mention too. Through the past year I have thoroughly enjoyed music by The Weakerthans (Reunion Tour), Alaska In Winter (Dance Party In The Balkans), Bright Eyes (Cassadaga), Babyshambles (Shotter´s Nation), Band Of Horses (Cease To Begin), Will Stratton (What The Night Said), Project Jenny Project Jan (XOXOXOXOXO), Sam Amidon (All Is Well), Jonquil (Lions), Dinosaur Jr (Beyond), Kaada (Natural Born Star), Radiohead (In Rainbows), Superfamily (Warszawa), Yeasayer (All Hour Cymbals), M.I.A. (Kala), Aarktica (Matchless Years), Stars (In Our Bedroom After The War), Rufus Wainwright (Between My Legs), Jamie T (Panic Prevention), Sissy Wish (Beauties Never Die), Steve Earle (Washinton Square Serenade), Mark Olson (Salvation Blues), Revival (Horses Of War), Silje Nes (Ames Room)...

As if it mattered, they are all highly recommended by me.

"Alt du vet er det du virkelig eier".

Albums of 2007 - #1

Number 1: The National "Boxer"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Fake Empire, 2. Mistaken For Strangers, 3. Brainy, 4. Squalor Victoria, 5. Green Gloves, 6. Slow Show, 7. Apartment Story, 8. Start A War, 9. Guest Room, 10. Racing Like A Pro, 11. Ada, 12. Gospel

"When Tindersticks have withdrawn to the back of the room, enjoying their own company, Matt Berninger & co comes forward. And we’re all better for it. Whereas Stuart Staples and his solemn Tindersticks are perfect allies when you’re merely up for drinking Scotch, The National provides whisky and beers, even occasionally encouraging your feet to move in rhythm. Yet, this is not average dance-music, but a set of strong musical favours. Wow...!"
---
Released: May 22, 2007 by Beggars Banquet Records.

http://www.americanmary.com
http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Albums of 2007 - #2

Number 2: Kill The Lights "Buffalo Of Love"

Playlist, ten tracks: 1. 2 Sinister Gentlemen, 2. Skinny White Girls, 3. Orestes, 4. Arctic, At Dawn, 5. Lady Sniper, 6. Bombs, 7. You Took My Knife, 8. Palest Form Of Sabotage, 9. Secular Beginning, Hideous Mess, 10. Ceremony In The Basement

”This is pop fashioned the way rock would have done it. Guitars as introduction, guitars as follow-up; guitars all the way. It is extremely melodic, the coolest vocal on brilliant lines. The song-titles resemble short stories, and this whole album is an uplifting experience throughout.`Hey, Marcus! I have no need for bourgeois patience...´ `I’ll buy you a camera, and we’ll point it at the sky...´"
---

Released: March 13, 2007 - on Maple Music Recordings.

Kill The Lights
www.myspace.com/killthelightsband

Albums of 2007 - #3

Number 3: Wilco "Sky Blue Sky"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Either Way, 2. You Are My Face, 3. Impossible Germany, 4. Sky Blue Sky, 5. Side With The Seeds, 6. Shake It Off, 7. Please Be Patient With Me, 8. Hate It Here, 9. Leave Me (Like You Found Me), 10. Walken, 11. What Light, 12. On And On And On

"I like the way these songs are brought together by the sound of a full Band, the way it conveys a stroll in a quiet street, or stares out over the mountains; how it one moment visits snow-covered landscapes and in the next portrays sun-baked urban scenes. Music that dwells."
---
Released; May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records.

http://www.wilcoworld.net

Albums of 2007 - #4

Number 4: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Raising Sand"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. Rich Woman, 2. Killing The Blues, 3. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us, 4. Polly Come Home, 5. Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On), 6. Through The Morning, Through The Night, 7. Please Read The Letter, 8. Trampled Rose, 9. Fortune Teller, 10. Stick With Me Baby, 11. Nothin’ , 12. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson, 13. Your Long Journey

"Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is in harmony. You don’t need to be a fan of bluegrass, country, blues, americana or whatever genre you can imagine - you only have to like music. Class."
---

Released October 23, 2007. Produced by T Bone Burnett.

More:
Robert Plant
Alison Krauss

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php

Albums of 2007 - #5

Number 5: Ola Podrida "Ola Podrida"

Playlist, eleven tracks: 1. The New Science, 2. Jordanna, 3. Instead, 4. Cindy, 5. Photo Booth, 6. Run Off The Road, 7. Day At The Beach, 8. Lost And Found, 9. A Clouded View, 10. Pour Me Another, 11. Eastbound

"Firstly; I am not sure if I initially imagined this album to be more appropriate as a soundtrack than any other record I listen to. (As music often become movies to me.) However, as I have learned that David Wingo works as a film composer, perhaps his profession somehow shines through also on this album? Undoubtedly though; these are extremely fine songs, beautiful melodies and histories told with conviction. And if I was forced to choose; track no 6., Run Off The Road would have to be the soundtrack to my 2007."
---
The album was released in the spring of 2007. I have seen little or almost no press about this artist in this corner of the world (Norway), so if an album ever deserved the term "hidden gem", this must be the one from last year.

Pitchforkmedia - "Ola Podrida":
"...variation on the Spanish term olla podrida, which refers specifically to a stew and generally to any sort of miscellany. Podrida itself means rotten, suggesting a dish made of ingredients unused in previous recipes..." – Stephen M. Deusner, May 4, 2007

http://www.myspace.com/olapodrida

Albums of 2007 - #6

Number 6: Kings Of Leon "Because Of The Times"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. Knocked Up, 2. Charmer, 3. On Call, 4. McFearless, 5. Black Thumbnail, 6. My Party, 7. True Love Way, 8. Ragoo, 9. Fans, 10. The Runner, 11. Trunk, 12. Camaro, 13. Arizona

"Kings of Leon delivers straight rock; guitars, drums and bass - creating catchy songs, cool riffs with lines and melodies that tickles where you want them to. From my playlist it seems that I’ve preferred the following tracks; On Call, Ragoo, Fans, The Runner and Arizona, however in my (humble..) opinion the whole album deserves credit."
---
The album was released the following dates; March 30 (Ireland/Australia), April 2 (UK) and April 3 (US).

More: Wikipedia; Kings Of Leon

http://www.kingsofleon.com

Albums of 2007 - #7

Number 7: Tord Gustavsen Trio "Being There"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. At Home, 2. Vicar Street, 3. Draw Near, 4. Blessed Feet, 5. Sani, 6. Interlude, 7. Karmosin, 8. Still There, 9. Where We Went, 10. Cocoon, 11. Around You, 12. Vesper, 13. Wide Open

"Delicate and whispering tunes. Music that guides you in search for silence, contemplation and need for recreation. This collection is excellent music from excellent musicians."
---
Tord Gustavsen Trio consist of Tord Gustavsen (Piano), Jarle Vespestad (Drums) and Harald Johnsen (Double-Bass). "Being There" is the third album from the trio – the third in a mentioned trilogy that commenced with "Changing Places" (ECM, 2003) and continued with "The Ground" (ECM, 2004).

The Guardian: "...it's possible for even hardcore jazzers to get the point about Tord Gustavsen. This one just did." – John Fordham (April 27, 2007).
Livingwithmusic.com: "Tord Gustavsen's trilogy now completed with "Being There" is a 21st century work of art that will - beyond doubt - stand the test of time." – Volkher Hofmann
More; Wikipedia, Tord Gustavsen Trio

http://www.tordgustavsen.com

Albums of 2007 - #8

Number 8: Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago"

Playlist, nine tracks: 1. Flume, 2. Lump Sum, 3. Skinny Love, 4. The Wolves (Act I And II), 5. Blindsided, 6. Creature Fear, 7. Team, 8. For Emma, 9. Re: Stacks

"These songs are shy moments, they weave themselves around Justin Vernon’s voice in his quest for recognition of his memories and solitude; a state we at times all may crave in a world out of tempo which limits the possibilites to slow down. Like a winter-coat in a cold summer - like an all-embracing privacy. Bon Iver sings to us all. Bon hiver... a good winter!"
---
Justin Vernon is Bon Iver. This album is self-released, but Bon Iver is later signed to the label Jagjaguwar. "For Emma, Forever Ago" will be released again on his company February 19, 2008.


http://virb.com/boniver

Albums of 2007 - #9

Number 9: Feist "The Reminder"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. So Sorry, 2. I Feel It All, 3. My Moon My Man, 4. The Park, 5. The Water, 6. Sealion, 7. Past In Present, 8. The Limit To Your Love, 9. 1234, 10. Brandy Alexander, 11. Intuition, 12. Honey Honey, 13. How My Heart Behaves

"Leslie Feist is an obvious companion for anyone who just wants to count loudly (in tune, mind you...) from 1 to 10 like it is a completely natural thing to do in public places, melodically cure hang-overs by the dousin like it is a perfectly normal state to be in, or merely wander quietly through a park watching birds. Or you can also choose to dance. If that´s what you prefer..."
---
Feist (Leslie Feist) is a Canadian artist that also have performed in the band Broken Social Scene. "The Reminder" is her third solo-album [Nice!]. The album was released April 23, 2007 outside the U.S. and May 1, 2007 in the United States and Canada.

Det er typisk norsk å...eh...et eller annet; Eirik Glambek Bøe from Kings of Convenience adds vocal to "How My Heart Behaves".

http://www.listentofeist.com

Albums of 2007 - #10

Number 10: Beirut "The Flying Club Cup".

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. A Call To Arms, 2. Nantes, 3. A Sunday Smile, 4. La Banlieu, 5. Cliquot, 6. The Penalty, 7. Forks And Knives (La Fete), 8. In The Mausoluem, 9. Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route), 10. Cherbourg, 11. St. Apollonia, 12. The Flying Club Cup, 13. Untitled

"The perfect soundtrack to a pit-stop in a Parisian "Boulangerie Paul" enjoying black coffee and a mille-feuilles, waiting for the evening train to the west of France about to enter Gare Montparnasse with rhythms from the Balkans. This is "modern" folk-music, blending various instruments, voices and languages."
---
Beirut is Zach Condon. Beirut's second album, "The Flying Club Cup" was leaked on the internet at August 25, 2007. Subsequently it was released in shops October 9, 2007.

http://www.beirutband.com

Favourite Songs - 2007

Before launching "my-albums-of-the-year-list" in this tiny corner of the internet I provide this list of favourite songs from 2007:

1) Re: Stacks | Bon Iver (For Emma, Forever Ago)
2) Run Off The Road | Ola Podrida (Ola Podrida)
3) Virtute The Cat Explains...| The Weakerthans (Reunion Tour)
4) Green Gloves | The National (Boxer)
5) Saro | Sam Amidon (All Is Well)
6) So Lonely Was The Ballad | Jamie T (Panic Prevention)
7) Ceremony In The Basement | Kill The Lights (Buffalo Of Love)
8) Mr Brightside (Jacques Lucont's...Remix) | The Killers (Sawdust)
9) 320 | Project Jenny, Project Jan (XOXOXOXOXO)
10) 2080 | Yeasayer (All Hour Cymbals)
11) Favorite One | Revival (Horses Of War)
12) Palest Form Of Sabotage | Kill The Lights (Buffalo Of Love)
13) We´re Not Alone | Dinosaur Jr (Beyond)
14) Sonol | Will Stratton (What The Night Said)
15) My Moon My Man | Feist (The Reminder)
16) Please Read The Letter | Plant/Krauss (Raising Sand)
17) Jigsaw Falling Into Place | Radiohead (In Rainbows)
18) The Beginning After The End | Stars (In Our Bedroom...)
19) A Beautiful Place | Robert Wyatt (Comicopera)
20) Sett Deg Ned | Leieboerne (Følg Oss Hjem, Ole Paus)

---

Songs in bold are also represented in my top-10 list of albums of the year.

Christmas Eve all over again

It is Christmas Eve today and it seems like a good opportunity to update this weblog. Just watched "Reprise" again this evening – a treat for anyone like me; who enjoys scenes from bleak parks, the city of Oslo, snapshots from Paris, people who are mostly wearing black, talking about films, music and literature. In addition to other subjects of life-saving of course. I´m also working my way through the Book Thief by Markus Zusak which is rather entertaining (...must hurry this post and get reading again, as I know I will commence reading my xmas-present tomorrow night...). I have (as usual) chosen the book I will receive myself. Still exciting to unwrap it though. Quality is a requirement, then I am easily pleased.

Also finished "Ensemble, c´est tout" since last posting here, and it is a book I can recommend to anyone. Feel-good book, but not at all in a bad way! Missed the film at the cinema, so I will get the DVD whenever it is available for approximately NOK 100. (Me...? I hardly ever buy a film for more than that...)

All the best for the holidays – and for 2008 – to anyone who should happen to swing by this corner of the internet. Quite pleased about the fact that it was exactly you who became the reader. Feel special - you are almost all alone.

I have also recently bought the books "Bikubesong" by Frode Grytten, "Eg vil at nokon skal vente på meg" by Anna Gavalda, the film Infernal Affairs by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak.

I think it´s going to be a nice break - - -
(and psst...it is still Kill The Lights with "Buffalo of Love" who´ve released the best record so far this year. All other bands must hurry! A revised list from me will be published here early next year.)

Saman kan ein vere 300

I går så jeg "300" - en film som i noen partier minnet om enkelte reklamefilmer som presenterer haute couture, i andre som om innspillingen fant sted på samme location som åkeren i "Gladiator" og i atter andre som en virkelig (som i; virkelighet) tegneserie. Og dette var etter det jeg kan forstå også meningen. Jeg likte filmen, men på en helt annen måte enn en setter pris på filmer som "Little Children", "Lawrence of Arabia", "Salmer fra kjøkkenet" eller "Little Miss Sunshine". Så klart. Det skulle bare mangle. "300" var for meg også en introduksjon til Lena Headey – selv om jeg ante at jeg hadde sett henne på film eller fjernsyn tidligere, kunne jeg ikke plassere henne før hadde googlet henne. Hun ter seg og tar seg ut som et fint eksemplar av arten vår.

Ellers har jeg i dag tidlig passert 100 sider av "Ensemble c’est tout" - oversatt til nynorsk som "Saman er ein mindre aleine" av Anna Gavalda. Så langt er dette en frydefull opplevelse. Tror faktisk jeg avslutter denne posten her sånn at jeg kan lese videre før jeg drar på arbeid.