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For this blog, I'd like to take the opportunity to give props to some of the great releases of 2007 that didn't make the cut on my year-end "best of" list.
I think there's a tendency among music writers (myself included) to try to make their lists as diverse as possible. For example, if my Top 12 list had included nothing but stoner rock albums, you probably wouldn't take me very seriously when I try to write about bluegrass. So here are a few albums that, for whatever reason, didn't quite make the cut but are still very worthy of your attention.
3 Inches Of Blood
Fire Up the Blades
(Roadrunner Records)
I'm really, really tired of the whole dual-vocalist thing, but as much as I tried not to like this band, they're just too awesome to resist. The riffs are great and the lyrics are definitely old-school metal. Even the dual-vocalist thing works for them. They have a much more "classic metal" vibe (think NWOBHM meets Bay Area thrash) than the legions of "screamo" bands that they're occasionally lumped in with. They're also not afraid to experiment a little, as evidenced by the funky organ on "Trial of Champions."
Rocky Votolato
The Brag and Cuss
(Barsuk Records)
In retrospect, this might be the most glaring omission from my list. It's got a similar vibe to Ryan Adams' excellent Easy Tiger, but is actually more consistent throughout. He might not be as recognizable a name as Adams, but Votolato could certainly give him a run for his money in the alt-country songs of heartbreak department.
Year Long Disaster
Year Long Disaster
(Volcom Entertainment)
When it comes to second-generation acts, The Wallflowers and Sean Lennon have nothing on Year Long Disaster. Lead singer/guitarist Daniel Davies (son of Kinks guitarist Dave Davies) has a powerful voice and riffs to match. He's joined by a veteran rhythm section in bassist Rich Mullins (Karma to Burn) and drummer Brad Hargreaves (Third Eye Blind). Together, the trio produces loud and dirty hard rock firmly rooted in the '70s.
Ken Andrews
Secrets of the Lost Satellite
(Dinosaur Fight Records)
The former Failure, On and Year of the Rabbit frontman returns with his first solo record (although the On albums could essentially be categorized as such). Andrews takes the discordant alt-rock sound he pioneered with Failure and combines it with the keyboards and drum machines found on his On records. It might not be as groundbreaking as Failure, but Andrews still possesses a knack for writing catchy, melancholy rock songs.
Every Time I Die
The Big Dirty
(Ferret Music)
Every Time I Die is one of the few metalcore bands that don't take themselves way too seriously. They forego the "guyliner" and emo haircuts of other metalcore acts, instead opting for t-shirts and jeans and infusing their sound with a healthy dose of humor. They also have an admirable penchant for the occasional blues riff mixed into the mayhem.
Atmosphere
Sad Clown Bad Summer
Sad Clown Bad Fall
Sad Clown Bad Winter
Strictly Leakage
(Rhymesayers Entertainment)
For not having an official full-length release in 2007, Atmosphere sure kept busy, releasing three seasonal EPs and a free, internet-only album of self-described "party music." The EPs are certainly worth checking out, but Strictly Leakage trumps them all. Slug ditches his emo-rap shtick for the old-school braggadocio and battle rap stylings of Headshots: Se7en. The hip-hop lyric of the year might be "Forget snitchin', motherfucker, stop bitchin'/If you afraid of rats get the fuck out the kitchen/They only come when you cookin' up a mess/And I'm supposed to be impressed by your bulletproof vest?"
2008 Woodie Awards
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