My friend Chaz Felix just sent me "Felix's Picks" for 2006 and 2007.
Chaz' "Picks" is a collection of the songs that soundtracked his previous year . He typically picks really good music - a fair portion of which I've never heard of, so it makes for a nice diversion from my typical listening habits. Plus, not all of the music is from 2007 - which adds a nice balance to the record. I'm not sure how long he's been doing it, but (somewhere in my house) I have "Picks" all the way back to 2003.
So, in a shameless emulation of Chaz, I present my 2007 picks:
Charmer - Kings of Leon
"Because of the Times" by KOL was probably my favorite new record of the year. I like this song because of the abrasive screeching and angular, almost a-rhythmic, guitar riff.
Dress Blues - Jason Isbell
The best (only?) anti-war, pro-military song ever written. I hated to see Jason leave DBT, but expect that he'll find great success as a solo artist.
Holy Moses - The Drams
The Drams are one of the country's finest purveyors of true redneck rock. Holy Moses is a slow one, but my absolute favorite from an absolutely outstanding record.
Blood and Thunder - Mastodon
Winter's Wolves - The Sword
Back when I had time to workout, these were the songs that put me over the top, "Blood and Thunder" in particular. I expect to have more time to lift - and more time to listen to deliciously repulsive metal - now that the hard part of my MBA program has passed.
Sky Blue Sky - Wilco
The new Wilco record was exactly what I expected, but I loved it just the same. I remember having this song playing in my head while Kelly and I sat on an Italian beach under a beautiful sky right before sunset.
Public Service Announcement - Jay-Z
Yes, this is an old one, but it sports my favorite rap lyric in recent memory: "I check chedda like a food inspector." Plus, I'm pretty sure that this is the song that was playing through the Bronto speakers when Joe - my former boss and company CEO - came by my desk to tell me to "never play that song again".
Can't Get Enough - Bad Company
I went through a strange Camaro-rock phase this fall, largely driven by a new found fascination with Bad Company. Fortunately, it came and went pretty quickly, but stayed just long enough to sear this song in the back of my mind for weeks...
There's a Higher Power - The Louvin Brothers
Kelly and I love these old-timey country songs because the simple two-part harmony makes for great singalongs while we're in the car. I especially like The Louvin's gospel songs because they remind me of my childhood church and my grandmother.
Chaz' "Picks" is a collection of the songs that soundtracked his previous year . He typically picks really good music - a fair portion of which I've never heard of, so it makes for a nice diversion from my typical listening habits. Plus, not all of the music is from 2007 - which adds a nice balance to the record. I'm not sure how long he's been doing it, but (somewhere in my house) I have "Picks" all the way back to 2003.
So, in a shameless emulation of Chaz, I present my 2007 picks:
Charmer - Kings of Leon
"Because of the Times" by KOL was probably my favorite new record of the year. I like this song because of the abrasive screeching and angular, almost a-rhythmic, guitar riff.
Dress Blues - Jason Isbell
The best (only?) anti-war, pro-military song ever written. I hated to see Jason leave DBT, but expect that he'll find great success as a solo artist.
Holy Moses - The Drams
The Drams are one of the country's finest purveyors of true redneck rock. Holy Moses is a slow one, but my absolute favorite from an absolutely outstanding record.
Blood and Thunder - Mastodon
Winter's Wolves - The Sword
Back when I had time to workout, these were the songs that put me over the top, "Blood and Thunder" in particular. I expect to have more time to lift - and more time to listen to deliciously repulsive metal - now that the hard part of my MBA program has passed.
Sky Blue Sky - Wilco
The new Wilco record was exactly what I expected, but I loved it just the same. I remember having this song playing in my head while Kelly and I sat on an Italian beach under a beautiful sky right before sunset.
Public Service Announcement - Jay-Z
Yes, this is an old one, but it sports my favorite rap lyric in recent memory: "I check chedda like a food inspector." Plus, I'm pretty sure that this is the song that was playing through the Bronto speakers when Joe - my former boss and company CEO - came by my desk to tell me to "never play that song again".
Can't Get Enough - Bad Company
I went through a strange Camaro-rock phase this fall, largely driven by a new found fascination with Bad Company. Fortunately, it came and went pretty quickly, but stayed just long enough to sear this song in the back of my mind for weeks...
There's a Higher Power - The Louvin Brothers
Kelly and I love these old-timey country songs because the simple two-part harmony makes for great singalongs while we're in the car. I especially like The Louvin's gospel songs because they remind me of my childhood church and my grandmother.