Holiday CD 2007 > 2008
Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.
Volume 6 / Disc 1
1) I’m From Barcelona – “Oversleeping” from LET ME INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS (2007)
Naturally, given their name, this band is from Sweden. Led by singer-songwriter Emanuel Lundgren, he and his 28 friends create infectious pop music guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is the rare CD where every song is good, catchy and fun. The live show is great too – they rocked Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer at their American concert debut. Kids will love this CD. **
2) Josh Ritter–“Right Moves” fromTHE HISTORICAL CONQUESTS OF JOSH RITTER (2007)
Josh nailed it this time. 31 and from Idaho, Josh recorded his 5th CD in a Maine farmhouse with a variety of great sounds and arrangements. This track has a 70s pop feel that reminds me of some of John Lennon’s final solo work. Check out his live show. **
3) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “Livin’ in the Future” from MAGIC (2007)
An American treasure and one of the best live acts ever in rock, The Boss returns with a great batch of songs that recall his classic sound as he continues analyzing the gap between American ideals and American shortcomings.This track sounds celebratory but it’s actually addressing apathy and how what you never thought could happen has happened already.Do not miss this tour! **
4) Paul McCartney – “Ever Present Past” from MEMORY ALMOST FULL (2007)
This tune proves that Sir Paul can still write a hook laced with crack. The CD is just OK despite some decent Wings-like material.
5) Arctic Monkeys–“Fluorescent Adolescent” from FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE (2007)
More solid, catchy Brit-pop-rock from this Sheffield, England band of 21 and 22 year-olds.
6) Lily Allen – “Knock `Em Out” from ALRIGHT, STILL (2006)
One of the first musicians to launch a career via My Space, this 22 year-old from London writes hilarious lyrics that fit perfectly with her unique hybrid of hip-hop, pop, calypso, ska & reggae. *
7) Ben Harper – “Say You Will” from LIFELINE (2007)
Now 38 and on his 9th studio album, Southern California native Ben Harper continues to deliver good songs and grow as an artist. *
8) James Brown - “I Got the Feelin’” released as a SINGLE (1968)
The Godfather Of Soul (1933-2006), died on Xmas day of pneumonia-related heart failure. A pioneer who influenced nearly every rhythm-based genre of music, Brown took himself from utter poverty (picking cotton) to launching a recording and touring career in the 1950s that eventually led him to becoming a civil rights activist, a black community leader and an American institution. RIP.
9) Amy Winehouse – “You Know I’m No Good” from BACK TO BLACK (2007)
She sounds like a 1960s Motown soul diva but she’s actually a 24 year-old, tattoo-covered Jewish girl from London with a serious addiction problem. Producer Mark Ronson brought the hip to Amy’s soul-jazz-blues sound, creating a CD with some great songs. *
10) Brett Dennen – “Darlin’ Do Not Fear” from SO MUCH MORE (2006)
Heavily influenced by Paul Simon’s Graceland, this 28 year-old, 6 foot 5 redhead from the CA cowboy town of Oakdale is off to a good start with a distinctive sound and admirable collection of songs. I expect we’ll be seeing more of Brett. *
11) Spoon – “The Underdog” from GA GA GA GA GA (2007)
Produced by Jon Brion, here’s a great tune from the 9th release by 36 year-old Britt Daniel’s Austin-based indie rock band.
12) Bright Eyes – “If the Brakeman Turns My Way” from CASSADAGA (2007)
At 27, Omaha’s Connor Oberst continues to grow as a writer. Good album, great tour…start following this guy’s career now! **
13) Jackie Greene – “So Hard To Find My Way” from AMERICAN MYTH (2006)
Also 27, Jackie Greene is a great singer-songwriter from Monterey, CA who is less artsy than Connor Oberst and more folk-blues-roots-based. In addition to his solo career, he is currently fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band. **
14) Arcade Fire – “Intervention” from NEON BIBLE (2007)
Like the Killers in 06, Montreal’s finest has channeled their inner Springsteen to take on the world with their giant sound. *
15) Rocco DeLuca – “Speak To Me” from I TRUST YOU TO KILL ME (2006)
Clearly influenced by Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley, this 32 year-old from Long Beach, CA is signed to Kiefer Sutherland’s record label. DeLuca plays the Dobro steel guitar as he brings his Appalachian folk and blues influences to his collection of songs.
16) Ryan Adams – “Everybody Knows” from EASY TIGER (2007)
Newly sober and fresh off the road fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band, 33 year-old Ryan Adams has brought these events from his past year into his new music and lyrics. This is a beautiful sounding CD with some to-be-classic songs. *
17) Travis – “Closer” from THE BOY WITH NO NAME (2007)
On their 5th release, this Scottish band from Glasgow brings back producer Nigel Godrich to reclaim their influential sound. *
Recording for almost 20 years, Kidjo hails from the West African country of Benin. Now in New York after years in Paris, she has recorded a great (yet uneven) CD featuring many celebrity collaborations. Her powerful voice and team of virtuoso musicians create a collection of compelling, unique and soulful Afro-beat pop. Here she is with the artist who first turned me on to World Music. *
Sean Penn asked Eddie to provide music for his new film…Eddie pulled through with some of his best material in years. *
21) Wilco – “Impossible Germany” from SKY BLUE SKY (2007)
As usual, Jeff Tweedy has made me proud. He got sober, quit smoking and can now sing high notes that had been out of reach. This is the first Wilco CD with members Pat Sansone and guitarist Nels Cline, who lets loose ½-way through this 70s-sounding track.**
Still going strong at 62, you can always count on Neil to deliver. Uneven album but a great tour and a great work-in-progress artist. *
She started in 1940s Chicago with her dad and siblings as The Staples Singers, who grew from a major gospel act into the musical voices of the 1960s civil rights movement. The legendary Mavis returns at age 68 with Ry Cooder producing civil rights-era songs. *
Volume 6 / Disc 2
29 year-old leader Ben Bridwell’s South Carolina-based rock band returns with a strong sophomore release and that epic sound. *
2) The View – “Superstar Tradesman” from HATS OFF TO THE BUSKERS (2007)
Barely out of high school, this foursome from Scotland is a hit in the UK. Influenced by the bands led by drug-addled, UK tabloid star Pete Doherty, The View writes fun, catchy punkish rock. *
Called a Nu Rave band for their late-80s and early-90s psychedelic dance-rock influences, this London-based band is a UK success.
4) Modest Mouse – “Dashboard” from WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK (2007)
Led by 32 year-old Isaac Brock from Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse continues the Talking Heads-influenced sound they started on their 2004 CD. New band member as of this CD: guitarist-songwriter Johnny Marr (former co-leader of The Smiths).
5) James Brown - “My Thang” from HELL (1974)
The Hardest Working Man In Show Business sure knew how to bring the funk. RIP.
6) Rodrigo y Gabriela – “Tamacun” from RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (2006)
After meeting in their hometown of Mexico City while in a thrash-metal band, Rodrigo y Garbriela moved to Dublin, Ireland and reinvented themselves as an acoustic guitar duo. Influenced by Flamenco and classical Hispanic music, they play with a fast-paced fire that has made World music exciting for hipsters. *
7) Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” from IN RAINBOWS (2007)
Oxford, England’s Radiohead, one of the world’s most progressive bands, chose to make their 7th release available only as a digital download from their website...and allowed the consumer to name the price! For those keeping track, I paid 5 pounds. *
8) Shocking Pinks – “Second Hand Girl” from SHOCKING PINKS (2007)
Nick Harte is the one-man, lo-fi band from New Zealand known as Shocking Pinks. His first American release is a compilation of songs from past Kiwi releases. Doesn’t his voice sound like Kip Dynamite? I expect good things to come from Harte. *
9) Iron & Wine – “Lovesong of the Buzzard” from THE SHEPHERD’S DOG (2007)
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a 33 year-old folk-rock singer-songwriter from South Carolina who graduated from Florida State and moved to Austin, Texas. I’m blown away by the beauty and originality of his sound and compositions, influenced by Nick Drake and Paul Simon. I’m told there’s not a bad song in his catalog, which is extensive despite starting just 5 years ago. **
10) The White Stripes – “Effect & Cause” from ICKY THUMP (2007)
At 32, after a great year as a Raconteur, Jack White returned to home base for another solid album with x-wife Meg White. *
11) The National – “Start A War” from BOXER (2007)
Formed in 1999 by a group of friends from Cincinnati now living in Brooklyn, The National mixes gloomy rock with orchestral pop to critical acclaim. Known for their academic songs, the band is clearly influenced by Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. *
12) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Killing The Blues” from RAISING SAND (2007)
Led Zeppelin’s “golden god” further explores the soft side of Zep for an ultra-laid-back collection of old-time songs, dueting with Alison Krauss, the 36 year-old bluegrass superstar from Central Illinois. This tour should be great. Led Zep reunion tour in 08?! *
13) Joni Mitchell – “This Place” from SHINE (2007)
The songwriting goddess returns at age 64 after a 5 year absence. I love this song about the environment, but not the rest of the CD.
14) José González – “How Long” from IN OUR NATURE (2007)
His solo classical guitar sound remains compelling as the 29 year-old Swede returns with new songs influenced by our times. **
15) Fields – “Song For The Fields” from EVERYTHING LAST WINTER (2007)
Based in Birmingham, England, Fields is made up of 4 Englishmen and a woman from Iceland. This great song from their new CD was also on their debut EP last year, 7 From the Village. Although I’m not familiar with this new release, the EP was a must-buy.
16) Datarock – “Fa-Fa-Fa” from DATAROCK (2007)
This trio from Norway wears their Talking Heads and Devo influences on their sleeves while making catchy, trippy dance-rock.
17) Interpol – “The Heinrich Maneuver” from OUR LOVE TO ADMIRE (2007)
The former NYU students have now achieved their major label debut as they continue to deliver interesting, Joy Division-influenced art rock. Overall the new songs are more atmospheric and less concise. They deserve an award for wackiest CD cover of the year.
18) Iggy & The Stooges – “My Idea Of Fun” from THE WEIRDNESS (2007)
Iggy Pop reunited the Ann Arbor, Michigan band that launched his career in 1969, to record this CD produced by Steve Albini. Although the album is only mediocre, the live show was the #1 highlight of this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago.
19) Boston – “Rock and Roll Band” from BOSTON (1976)
You can’t call yourself a rock fan until you’ve played air guitar to Boston. Their 1976 self-titled debut is one of the best-selling debut albums in US history with over 17 million copies sold. Boston exploded onto the music scene when disco and punk were taking over and they haven’t left the radio since. Lead singer Brad Delp killed himself in March via carbon monoxide poisoning. RIP. **
20) Smashing Pumpkins – “Tarantula” from ZEITGEIST (2007)
Billy Corgan grabbed drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and dusted off the old band name despite the absence of James Iha and D’arcy.
21) Velvet Revolver – “Pills, Demons & Etc.” from LIBERTAD (2007)
The old Guns n Roses guys keep bringing the rock, substituting Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland for Axl Rose.
22) Linkin Park – “What I’ve Done” from MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT (2007)
Produced by Rick Rubin, these age 30-ish guys from the Valley (LA burbs) keep rocking hard and selling millions of CDs.
23) John Fogerty – “I Can’t Take It No More” from REVIVAL (2007)
At 62, Creedence Clearwater’s frontman sounds as spry as in the Vietnam era on this great flip of the bird to Bush! 1 more year...
IN CASE YOU STILL WANT MORE…
1) Blitzen Trapper – “Country Caravan” from WILD MOUNTAIN NATION (2007)
2) James Brown – “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” from HELL (1974) RIP
3) Café Tacuba – “53100” from SINO (2007)
4) Eagles – “Long Road Out Of Eden” from LONG ROAD OUT OF EDEN (2007)
5) Foo Fighters– “Long Road To Ruin” from ECHOS, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE (2007) 6) Patty Griffin – “Heavenly Day” from CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH (2007)
7) Don Ho–“Tiny Bubbles” from TINY BUBBLES (1966) RIP
8) Norah Jones – “The Sun Doesn’t Like You” from NOT TOO LATE (2007)
9) Lavender Diamond – “Oh No” from IMAGINE OUR LOVE (2007)
10) Ryan Shaw – “Nobody” from THIS IS RYAN SHAW (2007)
11) The Shins – “Australia” from WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY (2007)
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