Mystik Spiral

bummer.

Pleasant surprises (ie, didn't expect much): Arctic Monkeys Babyshambles Ryan Adams New Pornographers Biggest disappointments: Rilo Kiley Wilco Best new (some new, some just new to me) bands that I "discovered" this year: Bon Iver Menomena White Rabbits Cloud Cult Elvis Perkins Georgie James Bishop Allen Dr. Dog Ezra Furman Revival David Dondero Blitzen Trapper Pela

I'm sure you did. Is there any music that you actually like?

Is it good?

Well, maybe just a little bit... Though I am a stickler for semantics, and I can get argumentative from time to time...

It does matter, though. I'm fairly certain that on the lists posted before you, "biggest disappointments" were albums that the poster expected a lot from, and the album didn't deliver. For example, my two biggest disappointments for this year were Wilco (I actually agree with you on that one) and Rilo Kiley. Not because the albums were terrible, but because they weren't up to par with what I've come to expect from two of my favorite bands. I'll use Radiohead again as an example. I didn't like the album, but it wasn't a disappointment because I've never cared much for any of their albums

I gotta agree with Kyle on this... I don't understand how an album can be disappointing if you don't like the band. I couldn't get through In Rainbows more than a handful of times, but the album wasn't a big disappointment to me - I've never liked Radiohead. Just because lots of people on this board like them and I don't doesn't make it a disappointment either. Just different tastes...

I saw her open for Ryan Adams a few months ago and she was an hour long snoozefest. One of the longer hours of my life, actually. And I've never been able to get into her studio stuff, though I do admit I haven't given it much of a chance. The National, on the other hand, are brilliant both live and on record.

Yeah, that took a bit of getting used to. I have to say though that given your top albums and biggest disappointments of 2007, it's safe to say we have very very very different taste in music...

Just about everything, really... The songs, Emmylou, the lyrics, Conor's voice (I know that's a turn off for a lot of people). I just think it's a really passionate album, and every time I've come back to it over the past couple of years it still resonates well with me.

it was the Lua that made me do it... man i love this album.

Same show, David Ford covering One Crowded Hour. Dude has some excellent taste in music...

At this particular moment I am listening to David Ford covering Lua. And it is incredibly lovely.

yesan damen - chronos/kairos

I'm not exactly hip to what the kids listen to these days, but I like Dan Deacon...

That... is such a beautiful song. I am so in love with the BFB... and in any other year their album probably could have landed in my top 20.

Yes, a project with his "romantic partner", Sydney Vermont.

Looking forward to that for sure. I also like that Hello Blue Roses song that surfaced a while ago.

ah, shut it.

Now, I can see Conor falling into this category, but not really Will Sheff. But that's just me. I guess I never really thought of his vocals as overly emo. Colin's voice was an acquired taste for me personally, which is probably why I categorize it as the non-traditionally-good"... And fwiw, Bejar is another one that I love...

Fair enough. I've always been drawn to the "non-traditionally-great" vocalists, I guess... Oberst, Sheff, Alec Ounsworth, Spencer Krug, Colin Meloy... I'm sure there's more, that's just off the top of my head.

Really? I think his voice sounds better than ever on TSN. Obviously I'm not sleeping and am listening to the Gold. Opp. Mix. Sometimes I think Will could sing anything and I'd be captivated. They are just one of those bands for me... I love everything they do.

^^ I just downloaded that and can't wait to listen. Though I should be getting some sleep...

I honestly don't understand the blah reviews that it got... but I guess if we all liked the same 5 albums things would be pretty boring...