Top 20 CD's of 2007
nYgel - Nature's Outcasts:
Dec 4, 2007: When I heard nYgel was making a mixtape, I jumped on the chance to be a part of the project. It was his vision to have a mixtape full of some of
nerdcore hip hops finest and most underground. As a whole, it is a flawed masterpiece, but some of its parts are real diamonds. First off I have to give props to the
beats. nYgel brings his signature style of mixing up electro, hip hop,rock, and electronica with an almost pop feel to every track, (minus the one produced by myself,
but his touch is on th bass loops and guitar riffs that are in it.) Next, the actual tracks. The first track is an intro track, with a really nice echo beat and tight synth riff. I
didn't really get into the rapping on it. It wasn't really my style, didn't sound too well recorded. Next was the track Revenge, featuring Conyeezy. Again, very tight beat,
but rapping I wasn't really feeling. Conyeezy sounds good on it, and is well recorded, but just wasn't my thing. Track 3 is Pretend. Its my first favorite. I don't know
who the singer is on it, but she sounds good. It has an electro beat with the acoustic guitar on it. My only complaint is that in a couple of places the snare starts to
sound a bit off, and a little sloppy. Friends is the fourth track and features Funky49. This was the first track of the cd in which i wasn't really feeling either the beat or
the rapping. Nothing wrong with it, just not something i would bump in my car. Able-X was the guest vocalist for the next track Entendre. Able-X is usually hit or miss
for me, but it was definitely a hit this time. This track meshed well, and had a fun vibe to it. Def by Deejay is a very cool track. Its kind of short at only 2:12, could
definitely use a long mix of it. Its a reworking of a +44 track and a must download. Morningstar appear next. Morningstar is a duo composed of Benjamin Bear and
Jaylyn Coffin. Their track Burnt Away gets the nYgel treatment, and a HUGE recommendation from me. This song is straight fire. I didn't the original, but god damn,
this rocks! The next three tracks fall to the problem from before, beats i either like, or think were decent, and then rapping that I didn't really feel. All of the guys, MC
Gigahertz, TG_2005, Cyanide Soda, and MC Shinigami sound good, but its not my style. My track with IllGIll and nYgel is next. I dig it, but I did work on it. To keep
with the mixtape theme, i sampled drums off of a Bravery tune for the drums, and threw in some samples from Audition, and some heavy 808. Gill falters a couple of
times on it, but for the most part, he spits it right. Next up is Radio Star, with Benjamin Bear. Ben sounds great, and kicks it with that straight bear style like only he
can. The only problem I had with this track was another case of the sloppy snare in parts of the chorus, but for the most part, its badass. Aussie rapper
Grandmaster Pink gets all introspective on Take It All Back. This is a chill tune that will be finding its way into my car stereo very soon. The next Conyeezy laced track
is called the Wanderer. I liked this one a whole lot better than his first track, and his flow is on point for it. Good beat too. Operation Desert Rhymes has one of my
favorite beats on this Cd, almost middle eastern feel to it. Sir-Up flows like a champ on it, definitely a track to listen to again. And then there is last call. A monster of
a track clocking in at 7:19. It features the rappers Grandmaster Pink, Conyeezy, ytcracker, Beefy, MC Gigahertz, Sir-Up, Funky49, and Benjamin Bear. All of the
rappers bring it on this track, but my favorites have to be YT, bbear, Beefy, and Pink. There are a couple of extra tracks at the end. One is production notes, the next, a
slightly harder redux of Entendre. It finished with a TYT track In My World, very excellent tune, and Stronggalactic, a Daft Punk/Beasties Mix. All in all, a recommended
mix. While not every track is hot fire, enough are that more than make up for it.
Score 7/10
Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face
October 16, 2007 - Star Trak, LLC
Underworld - Oblivion With Bells:
Oct 16, 2007 - ATO Records:
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin:
Oct 09, 2007 - Sub Pop Records: With the opening notes of this album playing, it came back to me. This song was part of their set at their DC show earlier this year.
And it was a great song. The album starts off right with a very upbeat number, Is There a Ghost. America's best beard grower had done it again. Their Cd Everything
All the Time still is in rotation in my Cd player. Its not all up though. The album has a few downbeat numbers, including the country western tinged Marry Song. Most
of the album keeps the energy up and its classic Band of Horses all day. It now appears that I have to go catch them again this year, before I have to wait a long time
to catch them again. Their live show, while a bit subdued, was excellent, and not to miss.
Score:8/10
She Wants Revenge - This Is Forever:
Oct 09, 2007 - Flawless/Geffen Records: The second Cd from She Wants Revenge starts with a two minute track that sounds like the bastard child of the Riding
Dirty beat and a movie soundtrack. Epic stuff. The rest of the Cd, however, failed to live up to that word. Sure its a good Cd, but I do not know if I will call it a great Cd.
And that made me sad. I really dug their debut. The Cd is almost formulaic in its presentation of their rock/dance hybrid sound. The tracks for the most part aren't
bad, and a few stand outs included the album ender Rachael, a fast paced number with a driving beat, guitar and bass driven What I want, and banging True
Romance. I think these guys still have some great music to make, and maybe they will hit like their first album, or better even. Their show coming up in DC is
something I am looking forward too immensely, mediocre album or not.
Score:7/10
Matt Pond PA - Last Light:
Sep 25, 2007 - Altitude Records: As soon as I put this disc in my Cd player, I instantly regretted not going to the Matt Pond PA show the week before. What a great
Cd. If you are a fan of this band, you probably already have this disc. But, if not, go immediately to your local Cd emporium or itunes, and get it. You will not be
disappointed. This album is thirteen tracks of pure PA. Catchy melodies? Check. Cellos? Check. Introspective lyrics? Check. This Cd has all and more. Most of
the tracks are of the upbeat, sing along variety, such as the tracks Basement Parties, and the Crush. It also has a few acoustic numbers, like the piano driven Until
the East Coast Ends, and the guitar driven Wild Girl. I recommend to fans and anyone else who can appreciate a catchy tune.
Score: 8/10
Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon:
Sep 24, 2007 - XL:
The Good Life - Help Wanted Nights:
Sep 11, 2007 - Saddle Creek:
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Sep 11, 2007 - Domino Recording Co. LTD: So I have heard some things about Animal Collective in the magazines, and online. They seemed to be my kind of band.
Except for the whole Freak Folk tag. I have listened to some different stuff that was supposed to be of that genre and was not that impressed. I was, however, very
impressed with this Cd. Great tunes. It start with the squeaks and bleeps of Peacebone. A strong driving bassline soon joins it, and like most songs on this album,
it gets into a jam (i hate to use the term since its in the title of the record, but it really fits.) I was captivated by every guitar stutter, every drum hit, every sampled
animal... Good stuff. I recommend you listen to For Reverend Green on some good headphones. I think we got contender for album of September here. Good thing I
am going to be able to see them in concert this weekend at the 930 club. I have high expectations. (Edit: Missed the show but heard it was good.)
Score: 9/10
Figurines - When The Deer Wore Blue:
Sep 11, 2007 - Morningside Records: Figurines hail from Copenhagen, Denmark. Starts with the insanely catchy Childhood Verse, with its pianos, and chorus.
Song two, The Air We Breathe, continues the almost Beach Boys pop melody's of the first track. It grows, slowing adding percussion and other instruments. They
have a little bit of everything, jangley guitar pop (Drunkard's Dream, dancable upbeat numbers (Bee Dee), and psychedelic rock numbers (Unknown Title.) This is
their third album, behind EP the Detour, and the LP Shake a Mountain. I could see them opening up for the Shins. They have a good sound that sounds like it would
translate well live. Hopefully they will come around here soon, and I can check them out.
Score: 7/10
Kosheen - Damage:
Sep 11, 2007 - Moksha Recordings Ltd:
Flight of the Conchords - The Distant Future - EP:
Aug 07, 2007 - Sub Pop: To me, Flight of the Conchords is one of the funniest shows to come out in a long time. For those unfamiliar, Flight is a show about two
New Zealand trying to make it in New York city with their Folk Comedy music. They perform as a comedy/musical act. This Cd features tracks already seen on
episodes of the show and live cuts. Their live sound is just the two Conchords, while their studio stuff has all kinds of instrumentation. The first song is Business
Time. This is sang mainly by Jarmaine, and tells the story of one man, and what he does on Wednesday nights with his wife. The other studio tracks are If you're
into it, and the awesome Not Crying. Live tracks include the Most Beautiful Girl in the Room, Robots, and Banter, (which is just them talking.) This is an excellent EP,
from an excellent band. Heres to season two, a full length Cd, and a tour (lets see, we can all wish.)
Score: 9/10
Flosstradamus- Tax Lo podcast 2:
Jul 08, 2007-www.taxidermylodge.com: This next album isn't an actual Cd, but a mix Flosstradamus did for Taxlo in July. I decided to add this to my review section
due to the general must have of it. It can be downloaded here. The mix features hip hop, and hip hop remixes mixed in with dance music. Some of the tracks are
instantly recognizable, while some are more underground. Some highlights include House of Pain - Jump Around mixed into a remix of the song, some Beastie
Boys - Watcha Want, a Lil John remix of act a fool, or the techno song mixed on top of it,) DJ Lethal - Ass and Titties, and Weezer - Say it aint so. It ends with a mix
with Alice Deejay - Better off alone, and Darude - Sandstorm. My only complaint is they sometimes cut the records, for the crowd to sing along, but since the crowd
isn't miked it goes quiet. I wish I could have caught this gig live, and will definitely be going to check them out next time they come around here.
Score: 8/10
nYgel - Nature's Outcasts:
Dec 4, 2007: When I heard nYgel was making a mixtape, I jumped on the chance to be a part of the project. It was his vision to have a mixtape full of some of
nerdcore hip hops finest and most underground. As a whole, it is a flawed masterpiece, but some of its parts are real diamonds. First off I have to give props to the
beats. nYgel brings his signature style of mixing up electro, hip hop,rock, and electronica with an almost pop feel to every track, (minus the one produced by myself,
but his touch is on th bass loops and guitar riffs that are in it.) Next, the actual tracks. The first track is an intro track, with a really nice echo beat and tight synth riff. I
didn't really get into the rapping on it. It wasn't really my style, didn't sound too well recorded. Next was the track Revenge, featuring Conyeezy. Again, very tight beat,
but rapping I wasn't really feeling. Conyeezy sounds good on it, and is well recorded, but just wasn't my thing. Track 3 is Pretend. Its my first favorite. I don't know
who the singer is on it, but she sounds good. It has an electro beat with the acoustic guitar on it. My only complaint is that in a couple of places the snare starts to
sound a bit off, and a little sloppy. Friends is the fourth track and features Funky49. This was the first track of the cd in which i wasn't really feeling either the beat or
the rapping. Nothing wrong with it, just not something i would bump in my car. Able-X was the guest vocalist for the next track Entendre. Able-X is usually hit or miss
for me, but it was definitely a hit this time. This track meshed well, and had a fun vibe to it. Def by Deejay is a very cool track. Its kind of short at only 2:12, could
definitely use a long mix of it. Its a reworking of a +44 track and a must download. Morningstar appear next. Morningstar is a duo composed of Benjamin Bear and
Jaylyn Coffin. Their track Burnt Away gets the nYgel treatment, and a HUGE recommendation from me. This song is straight fire. I didn't the original, but god damn,
this rocks! The next three tracks fall to the problem from before, beats i either like, or think were decent, and then rapping that I didn't really feel. All of the guys, MC
Gigahertz, TG_2005, Cyanide Soda, and MC Shinigami sound good, but its not my style. My track with IllGIll and nYgel is next. I dig it, but I did work on it. To keep
with the mixtape theme, i sampled drums off of a Bravery tune for the drums, and threw in some samples from Audition, and some heavy 808. Gill falters a couple of
times on it, but for the most part, he spits it right. Next up is Radio Star, with Benjamin Bear. Ben sounds great, and kicks it with that straight bear style like only he
can. The only problem I had with this track was another case of the sloppy snare in parts of the chorus, but for the most part, its badass. Aussie rapper
Grandmaster Pink gets all introspective on Take It All Back. This is a chill tune that will be finding its way into my car stereo very soon. The next Conyeezy laced track
is called the Wanderer. I liked this one a whole lot better than his first track, and his flow is on point for it. Good beat too. Operation Desert Rhymes has one of my
favorite beats on this Cd, almost middle eastern feel to it. Sir-Up flows like a champ on it, definitely a track to listen to again. And then there is last call. A monster of
a track clocking in at 7:19. It features the rappers Grandmaster Pink, Conyeezy, ytcracker, Beefy, MC Gigahertz, Sir-Up, Funky49, and Benjamin Bear. All of the
rappers bring it on this track, but my favorites have to be YT, bbear, Beefy, and Pink. There are a couple of extra tracks at the end. One is production notes, the next, a
slightly harder redux of Entendre. It finished with a TYT track In My World, very excellent tune, and Stronggalactic, a Daft Punk/Beasties Mix. All in all, a recommended
mix. While not every track is hot fire, enough are that more than make up for it.
Score 7/10
Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face
October 16, 2007 - Star Trak, LLC
Underworld - Oblivion With Bells:
Oct 16, 2007 - ATO Records:
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin:
Oct 09, 2007 - Sub Pop Records: With the opening notes of this album playing, it came back to me. This song was part of their set at their DC show earlier this year.
And it was a great song. The album starts off right with a very upbeat number, Is There a Ghost. America's best beard grower had done it again. Their Cd Everything
All the Time still is in rotation in my Cd player. Its not all up though. The album has a few downbeat numbers, including the country western tinged Marry Song. Most
of the album keeps the energy up and its classic Band of Horses all day. It now appears that I have to go catch them again this year, before I have to wait a long time
to catch them again. Their live show, while a bit subdued, was excellent, and not to miss.
Score:8/10
She Wants Revenge - This Is Forever:
Oct 09, 2007 - Flawless/Geffen Records: The second Cd from She Wants Revenge starts with a two minute track that sounds like the bastard child of the Riding
Dirty beat and a movie soundtrack. Epic stuff. The rest of the Cd, however, failed to live up to that word. Sure its a good Cd, but I do not know if I will call it a great Cd.
And that made me sad. I really dug their debut. The Cd is almost formulaic in its presentation of their rock/dance hybrid sound. The tracks for the most part aren't
bad, and a few stand outs included the album ender Rachael, a fast paced number with a driving beat, guitar and bass driven What I want, and banging True
Romance. I think these guys still have some great music to make, and maybe they will hit like their first album, or better even. Their show coming up in DC is
something I am looking forward too immensely, mediocre album or not.
Score:7/10
Matt Pond PA - Last Light:
Sep 25, 2007 - Altitude Records: As soon as I put this disc in my Cd player, I instantly regretted not going to the Matt Pond PA show the week before. What a great
Cd. If you are a fan of this band, you probably already have this disc. But, if not, go immediately to your local Cd emporium or itunes, and get it. You will not be
disappointed. This album is thirteen tracks of pure PA. Catchy melodies? Check. Cellos? Check. Introspective lyrics? Check. This Cd has all and more. Most of
the tracks are of the upbeat, sing along variety, such as the tracks Basement Parties, and the Crush. It also has a few acoustic numbers, like the piano driven Until
the East Coast Ends, and the guitar driven Wild Girl. I recommend to fans and anyone else who can appreciate a catchy tune.
Score: 8/10
Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon:
Sep 24, 2007 - XL:
The Good Life - Help Wanted Nights:
Sep 11, 2007 - Saddle Creek:
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Sep 11, 2007 - Domino Recording Co. LTD: So I have heard some things about Animal Collective in the magazines, and online. They seemed to be my kind of band.
Except for the whole Freak Folk tag. I have listened to some different stuff that was supposed to be of that genre and was not that impressed. I was, however, very
impressed with this Cd. Great tunes. It start with the squeaks and bleeps of Peacebone. A strong driving bassline soon joins it, and like most songs on this album,
it gets into a jam (i hate to use the term since its in the title of the record, but it really fits.) I was captivated by every guitar stutter, every drum hit, every sampled
animal... Good stuff. I recommend you listen to For Reverend Green on some good headphones. I think we got contender for album of September here. Good thing I
am going to be able to see them in concert this weekend at the 930 club. I have high expectations. (Edit: Missed the show but heard it was good.)
Score: 9/10
Figurines - When The Deer Wore Blue:
Sep 11, 2007 - Morningside Records: Figurines hail from Copenhagen, Denmark. Starts with the insanely catchy Childhood Verse, with its pianos, and chorus.
Song two, The Air We Breathe, continues the almost Beach Boys pop melody's of the first track. It grows, slowing adding percussion and other instruments. They
have a little bit of everything, jangley guitar pop (Drunkard's Dream, dancable upbeat numbers (Bee Dee), and psychedelic rock numbers (Unknown Title.) This is
their third album, behind EP the Detour, and the LP Shake a Mountain. I could see them opening up for the Shins. They have a good sound that sounds like it would
translate well live. Hopefully they will come around here soon, and I can check them out.
Score: 7/10
Kosheen - Damage:
Sep 11, 2007 - Moksha Recordings Ltd:
Flight of the Conchords - The Distant Future - EP:
Aug 07, 2007 - Sub Pop: To me, Flight of the Conchords is one of the funniest shows to come out in a long time. For those unfamiliar, Flight is a show about two
New Zealand trying to make it in New York city with their Folk Comedy music. They perform as a comedy/musical act. This Cd features tracks already seen on
episodes of the show and live cuts. Their live sound is just the two Conchords, while their studio stuff has all kinds of instrumentation. The first song is Business
Time. This is sang mainly by Jarmaine, and tells the story of one man, and what he does on Wednesday nights with his wife. The other studio tracks are If you're
into it, and the awesome Not Crying. Live tracks include the Most Beautiful Girl in the Room, Robots, and Banter, (which is just them talking.) This is an excellent EP,
from an excellent band. Heres to season two, a full length Cd, and a tour (lets see, we can all wish.)
Score: 9/10
Flosstradamus- Tax Lo podcast 2:
Jul 08, 2007-www.taxidermylodge.com: This next album isn't an actual Cd, but a mix Flosstradamus did for Taxlo in July. I decided to add this to my review section
due to the general must have of it. It can be downloaded here. The mix features hip hop, and hip hop remixes mixed in with dance music. Some of the tracks are
instantly recognizable, while some are more underground. Some highlights include House of Pain - Jump Around mixed into a remix of the song, some Beastie
Boys - Watcha Want, a Lil John remix of act a fool, or the techno song mixed on top of it,) DJ Lethal - Ass and Titties, and Weezer - Say it aint so. It ends with a mix
with Alice Deejay - Better off alone, and Darude - Sandstorm. My only complaint is they sometimes cut the records, for the crowd to sing along, but since the crowd
isn't miked it goes quiet. I wish I could have caught this gig live, and will definitely be going to check them out next time they come around here.
Score: 8/10
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