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December 7, 2007

Music Bloggers' Best Of '07

We've been spending some time with various and sundry print magazine lists, but Filter's was so wretched, we've decided to give up on paper awhile, and turn to the Internet. Indeed, quite a few of our fellow bloggers have been making their own year-end lists and they're definitely worth checking out and dissecting. We'll start with Done Waiting because the list was done in "reverse alphabetical order, no ranking," which means we don't need to hide half of it to surprise you, because it's all sorta equal:

  • The White Stripes - Icky Thump
  • Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
  • Ted Leo And The Pharmacists - Living With The Living
  • Once Soundtrack
  • The New Pornographers - Challengers
  • M.I.A. - Kala
  • Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
  • Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
  • A.A. Bondy - American Hearts
  • Think that's the first Bloc Party, A.A. Bondy, and Once spottings so far, right? After that there's Aquarium Drunkard's Top 6. We love the trend of random numbers -- Top 6, Top 8, etc.
    06 The Broken West - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
    05 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
    04 Frankel - Lullaby For The Passerby
    03 The National - Boxer
    02 of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer
    01 Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
    And then an additional dozen, ostensibly in no order...
  • Radiohead - In Rainbows
  • Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
  • The Besnard Lakes - ...Are The Dark Horse
  • Thurston Moore - Threes Outside The Academy
  • Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown
  • Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
  • St. Vincent - Marry Me
  • Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
  • Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
  • The Good, The Bad & The Queen - S/T
  • Panda Bear - Person Pitch
  • Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
  • Wow, Wilco's picking up hella steam in the blogosphere. Nice oM placement, Justin. Okay, more blogger lists after the jump.

    Largehearted Boy's top dozen. He didn't have these numbered, so we're simply listing them in the order they appeared on his site:

  • Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
  • Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
  • Bettye LaVette - Scene Of The Crime
  • Bowerbirds - Hymns For A Dark Horse
  • Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
  • John Vanderslice - Emerald City
  • Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter
  • The National - Boxer
  • Okkervil River- The Stage Names
  • Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
  • Tiny Vipers - Hands Across The Void
  • White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
  • Drowned In Sound:
    50 Feist - The Reminder
    49 Jen Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
    48 The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
    47 Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
    46 of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer
    45 Pinback - Autumn Of The Seraphs
    44 Prefuse 73 - Preparations
    43 Von Südenfed - Tromatic Reflexxions
    42 Eugene McGuinness - The Early Learnings Of…
    41 Mathew Sawyer and the Ghosts - Blue Birds Blood
    40 The Sea & Cake - Everybody
    39 dälek - Abandoned Language
    38 Future of the Left - Curses
    37 Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
    36 Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
    35 Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls
    34 Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
    33 Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
    32 !!! - Myth Takes
    31 The Cribs - Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever
    30 Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
    29 Field Music - Tones Of Town
    28 Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
    27 Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity26 Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil
    25 Justice - Cross
    24 Efterklang - Parades
    23 PJ Harvey - White Chalk
    22 Blonde Redhead - 23
    21 Grinderman - Grinderman
    20 The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
    19 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
    18 Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
    17 Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
    16 The Maccabees - Colour It In
    15 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
    14 Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
    13 Les Savy Fav - Let’s Stay Friends
    12 The National - Boxer
    11 Deerhunter - Cryptograms
    10 HEALTH - Health
    09 Radiohead - In Rainbows
    08 No Age - Weirdo Rippers
    07 Liars - Liars
    06 Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
    05 Jamie T - Panic Prevention
    04 M.I.A. - Kala
    03 Panda Bear - Person Pitch
    02 Battles - Mirrored
    01 LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
    We linked GvsB's list in the White Denim post from the other day because they fared really well in his year's picks. Now see that WD love in context:
    17 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
    16 Menomena - Friend And Foe
    15 Glass Candy - Beatbox
    14 The Besnard Lakes - ...Are The Dark Horse
    13 Cass McCombs - Dropping The Writ
    12 Santogold - I Believe In Santogold 12" + assorted Internet jams
    11 Oh No - Dr. No's Oxperiment
    10 M.I.A. - Kala
    09 Bodies Of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink
    08 Lil' Wayne - Da Drought 3
    07 Black Lips - Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo06 Radiohead - In Rainbows
    05 St. Vincent - Mary Me
    04 Burial - Untrue
    03 Marissa Nadler - Songs III: Bird On The Water
    02 White Denim - Let's Talk About It
    01 Panda Bear - Person Pitch
    Alright, we need a new calculator to make sense of all of this ... who wins? Hey, if we left you and your list off our roundup -- because this is obviously just a handful -- please post links to/recaps of yours in the comments. Because, really, America (and elsewhere) loves lists.

    UPDATE: And here's Muzzle Of Bees' list...

    30 Bowerbirds Hymn For a Dark Horse
    29 Pale Young Gentlemen Pale Young Gentlemen
    28 Six Parts Seven Casually Smashed To Pieces
    27 Land of Talk Applause Cheer Boo Hiss
    26 Sunset Rubdown Random Spirit Lover
    25 Interpol Our Love to Admire
    24 Feist The Reminder
    23 Richard Hawley Lady’s Bridge
    22 Moviola Dead Knowledge
    21 Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew Spirit If…
    20 Lewis & Clarke Blasts of Holy Birth
    19 Menomena Friend and Foe
    18 Phosphorecent Phosphorecent
    17 Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are A Dark Horse
    16 Iron & Wine The Shepherd’s Dog
    15 Wilco Sky Blue Sky
    14 Arcade Fire Neon Bible
    13 Bill Callahan Woke on a Whaleheart
    12 Band of Horses Cease to Begin
    11 Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
    10 Jens Lekman Night Falls Over Kortedala
    09 LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver
    08 Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
    07 New Pornographers Challengers
    06 Great Lake Swimmers Ongiara
    05 The Rosebuds Night of the Furies
    04 Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
    03 Radiohead In Rainbows
    02 Beirut The Flying Club Cup
    01 The National Boxer

    Posted at 6:54 PM in




    106 Comments

    apparently no one listens to doveman... i really don't see how they could be left off all these lists

    Posted by: oh,um... at 12/07/07 7:10 PM | Reply
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    my list was on Sound As Language with a few other folks'.

    http://soundaslanguage.com/2007/12/06/top-ten-list-brian/

    yes, yes. i know. the hold steady was released in late october. whatever. it's still better than neon bible.

    Posted by: brian at 12/07/07 7:25 PM | Reply
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    This was something I made for college radio. It also had some really awesome photos, but I guess html img tags can't be done here :(

    -Reid

    Well, I made a list of the twenty greatest albums of 2007, because that's just something music snobs do. If you have any favorite albums from this year, I encourage you to make a list too!

    Earlier in the week, an episode of Left-of-the-Dial was dedicated to this list. I think I might replay it next Tuesday for those of you that missed out.

    TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2007

    1. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver

    "As a cohesive album and a personal statement, Sound of Silver is superior in most every way."
    -Prefix Magazine

    "This is music that hits the head, heart and hips all at once."
    -BBC Collective

    "As close to a perfect hybrid of dance and rock music's values as you're likely to ever hear."
    -Pitchfork Media

    2. Radiohead: In Rainbows

    "It's true that we've come to expect a certain level of genius from this band, but when they actually exceed expectations, as they do here, it's a clear sign that Radiohead will continue to reinvent themselves and drop more jaws along the way."
    -NOW Magazine

    3. Feist: The Reminder

    "Unassuming, unpretentious and totally listenable too, this is thirteen songs and fifty minutes that might just make her famous."
    - Playlouder

    4. Arcade Fire: Neon Bibe

    "A rewarding, resonant album, Neon Bible ranks among the best indie rock recordings of all time."
    - Trouser Press

    5. Burial: Untrue

    "Top-heavy with sad string passages and mournful vocal loops, Untrue is an album meant to be heard at home, in the car, on headphones-- his songs feel almost like beautiful secrets being whispered to a listener."
    - Pitchfork Media

    6. The National: Boxer

    "To be succinct and frank, Boxer is superb. Not only did The National create a startling, astonishing work of genius but they also crafted an album that is one beautiful piece of art."
    - Delusions of Adequacy

    7. Dinosaur Jr: Beyond

    "Amazingly, "Beyond" picks up where 1988's "Bug" left off, with only slightly more streamlined polish but with the old love of volume and excess still sweetly intact."
    - Boston Globe

    8. Jose Gonzalez: In Our Nature

    "The album sounds simultaneously familiar, yet alien."
    -Stylus Magazine

    9. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala

    "Each song unfolds so effortlessly one imagines it springing forth, fully formed, with the same exaggerated inevitability of a cartoon bubble sprouting above his head."
    - Under the Radar

    10. Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity

    "Friend Opportunity is adventurous and strange, but not insular. It lets everyone share the triumphant feeling of a puzzle reaching completion."
    - The Onion

    11. Kanye West: Graduation

    "West crosses genres with wilful and speedy abandon, taking the listener on an epic quest where the journey is just as enjoyable and unpredictable as the destination."
    - Hot Press

    12. M.I.A.: Kala

    "Kala strikes deep. There's a resolute sarcasm, a weariness and defiant determination, a sense of pleasure carved out of work--articulated by the lyrics, embodied by the music."
    - Rolling Stone

    13. Battles: Mirrored

    "It's dance music that's hard to dance to and post rock music that's post what everyone else making post rock is doing. Oh yeah, and it's also one of the best releases of the year."
    - Almost Cool

    14. Sally Shapiro: Disco Romance

    "Disco Romance turns the Smiths' happy-music-with-sad-lyrics formulation on its head-- and then you dance to it."
    -Pitchfork Media

    15. Okkervil River: The Stage Names

    "On The Stage Names, the band have once again shown themselves to be expert at creating this undeniably sad and powerful indie rock. It’s one of the year’s essential albums."
    -PopMatters

    16. The Twilight Stad: Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters

    "It’s a remarkable debut by a tremendous quartet. Not only does it have the raw emotion, but also the intense, glorious musicianship, absorbing hooks and grandiose arrangements to leave you utterly breathless, drained and wanting more."
    - Delusions of Adequacy

    17. The Field: From Here We Go Sublime

    "This is one of those rare albums that makes you wonder how you ever got by without it."
    -BBC Collective

    18. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam

    "Strawberry Jam might be art, but more interestingly, Strawberry Jam might be pop. Okay, avant-pop."
    -Cokemachineglow

    19. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

    "What’s really on display here is a well honed, experienced band flexing their muscles and creating tightly controlled, good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll music (of a rather cerebral variety) on their own terms, free from the weighty plague of fashion."
    - Drowned in Sound


    20. Caribou: Andorra

    "We still have a band trying to blow your mind with pure musicianship and experimentation, while having the balls to show restraint and even unabashed posie-sniffing beauty."
    -Filter

    Posted by: Reid at 12/07/07 7:36 PM | Reply
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    i am just pleased to see that andrew bird is getting some recognition.

    Posted by: isaac at 12/07/07 8:14 PM | Reply
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    finally some ted leo and andrew bird.

    Posted by: hmm at 12/07/07 8:38 PM | Reply
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    kudos to GvsB for Bodies of Water and Burial, two marvelous cd's that are not getting sufficient recognition on these year end lists

    Posted by: Dean Wermer at 12/07/07 8:46 PM | Reply
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    Finally I see White Rabbits on a list...

    Posted by: Kevin White at 12/07/07 9:10 PM | Reply
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    Interesting timing, given this post not even an hour prior:

    http://heartonastick.blog-city.com/no2007mb.htm

    So instead of these slapdash, arbitrary, irregular posts, why not do us a favor and go about this more methodologically, with a comprehensive result for us to make sense of, in a few weeks? (Refer to Heart-on-a-Stick's 2006 "Bloggregate" spreadsheet, which tallies 1400+ albums (!) mentioned by 600+ blogs.)

    Given the source, even 20% of HoaS's effort would be substantial. And if you're intent on the random additions, is a streamlined list too much to ask (a la LHB's running meta-list)?

    Posted by: Gary at 12/07/07 9:19 PM | Reply
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    What is wrong with you people? Why is there no love for hip hop at Sterogum? The best album this past year was Kanye West - Graduation by far. And can we please stop sucking off Arcade Fire and Wilco? They both made good albums this year, but not nearly as good as previous releases.

    Posted by: Chris at 12/07/07 10:00 PM | Reply
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    ditto on andrew bird. armchair apocrypha is easily one of the top 10 (6, 8, whatever) albums of the year. and sky blue sky? really? oh yeah, i get it. because it's wilco, they're allowed to make a shitty album.

    Posted by: nathan at 12/07/07 10:04 PM | Reply
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    Yay GvsB for Bodies of Water!

    Posted by: david at 12/07/07 10:15 PM | Reply
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    no best of 2007 list should be without of montreal's latest. their latest was just undeniably impressive.

    Posted by: stephen at 12/07/07 11:05 PM | Reply
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    Just Standing There's Top 25 list, with little descriptive morsels, along with top 5 disappointments and top 5 overhyped.
    juststandingthere.blogspot.com

    Posted by: Joel at 12/07/07 11:51 PM | Reply
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    I like these lists a bit better. I will say, though, that I didn't think Panda Bear was that good.

    Posted by: bookwibble at 12/08/07 12:10 AM | Reply
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    people need to fucking get over their fetish for backlash

    Posted by: andrew at 12/08/07 12:19 AM | Reply
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    MP3THIS is posting ours in sections...different awards as opposed to a singular list, well we will have a list but at the end of it.

    http://mp3this.blogspot.com/

    Posted by: Jonathan Nehmetallah at 12/08/07 12:53 AM | Reply
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    finally someone shows some love to Bloc Party. LOVE that album

    Posted by: CurtyB at 12/08/07 1:01 AM | Reply
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    Fuck. Bjork and Underworld need more love out there.

    Both weren't weak releases and both were done by great artists.

    I bet Underworld would've gotten more attention if they did the indie rock version of Born Slippy. *bitterness*

    Posted by: thelonious at 12/08/07 1:14 AM | Reply
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    How come Sunset Rubdown is getting basically no love in these lists?

    Posted by: Josh at 12/08/07 1:43 AM | Reply
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    Josh, I liked that record but didn't find it had much staying power. Think it was just released at a busy time -- same day as Radiohead, Jens Lekman, Beirut, and Band of Horses if memory serves. At least in my case, it didn't get as much play because of that competition.

    Posted by: Rich at 12/08/07 1:56 AM | Reply
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    I agree on sunset rubdown. random spirit lover is a damn fine album.

    Posted by: gabe at 12/08/07 3:26 AM | Reply
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    agree with Justice, Feist, Blonde Redhead, Bloc Party. And Paramore is great too, so what if they're on mtv.

    mochiandbeats.blogspot.com

    Posted by: mochi at 12/08/07 4:25 AM | Reply
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    Agreed on Bloc Party. Sure, a lot of people found their latest full-length release to be weak compared to Silent Alarm, but there were a handful of records that were weaker than A Weekend In The City that made it on past Best of 2007 lists (even in the Top 5).

    Still no love for Mice Parade. Sad.

    Posted by: Uryu Ishida at 12/08/07 4:55 AM | Reply
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    Rich - that's a shame, as I think it was a better record than Lekman's (which I enjoyed but thought was just a bit too straightforward), Beirut's (which was basically more of the same) and Band of Horses (which was good, but didn't really seem all that inspired to me), and probably as good as Radiohead's. Having said that, scanning through these lists, it starts to look like the rest of the world disagrees with me...

    Posted by: Josh at 12/08/07 5:18 AM | Reply
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    Here´s our list:

    http://diabaquatro.com/index.php?p=1071

    There´s some brazilian indie stuff as well and Bonde do Rolê. Sorry, no Bloc Party, that album is just plain awful.

    Posted by: Dexter at 12/08/07 7:45 AM | Reply
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    Wow, am i really the only Dappled Cities fan out there? I haven't seen them on a single list! Its a shame.

    Posted by: Jonathan at 12/08/07 10:24 AM | Reply
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    here is my friend's list
    http://killabot.wordpress.com/2007/12/08/9-dec-2007/

    Posted by: super sweet at 12/08/07 12:07 PM | Reply
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    all of these lists take the same like 20 albums and just jumble them around placement-wise. boring.

    Posted by: jason at 12/08/07 1:00 PM | Reply
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    I must be the only person on Earth who thinks
    Jens Lekman's Night Falls ..... is the best album
    of the year. I guess it's just me and the hype
    machines Pitchfork who love this guy..........

    Posted by: Scott at 12/08/07 1:16 PM | Reply
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    We'll be providing our top 50 list also this week :D

    Posted by: Tibi Puiu at 12/08/07 1:19 PM | Reply
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    Hipster dismissal of certain albums being too high
    Hipster exclamation over certain albums by fringe/unknown band being exluded
    Hipster disgust at certain albums being too low

    Bonus hipster definitive statement on shittiness/crap status of certain albums by certain mainstream/well-known band/artist

    Additional bonus hipster list of best/favorite/greatest albums:

    5. Album you've vaguely heard of but never listened to
    4. Album from act in genre never before listened to by you or anyone you know
    3. Lightly regarded album by well-known band given high placement because hipster recognized impassioned and inspired performance where non-hipsters did not
    2. Highly regarded album by well-known act inserted because even hipster cannot dismiss
    1. Album heard of but not listened to by anyone more than once because of their unworthiness to be a part of hipsterdom


    Extra bonus: Addl hipster backlash over previously beloved blog acts whose albums, predictably (by hipster anyhow)failed to materialize in 2007 or were as expected, crap.

    Posted by: hipster at 12/08/07 1:22 PM | Reply
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    your an asshole, but you nailed it

    Posted by: gabe at 12/08/07 2:23 PM | Reply
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    Top 5 (these 10-50 lists seem to be a bit much btw).

    1. Kanye West - Graduation

    2. Bruce Springsteen - Magic

    3. Okkervil River - The Stage Names

    4. MIA - Kala

    5. Radiohead - In Rainbows

    Honorable Mention-

    Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

    Jay-Z - American Gangster

    Over-hyped-

    Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

    I don't see how you can agrue with this.


    Posted by: Chris at 12/08/07 3:33 PM | Reply
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    1. Finally, the Once soundtrack is at least mentioned. Pretty solid album. Also, more Andrew Bird love is great.

    2. What is it about people who always have to complain about the people talking about the lists? It's annoying as hell.

    Posted by: Max at 12/08/07 3:48 PM | Reply
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    Half these albums are pretty weak. Its a shame y'all don't listen to these albums. Sky Blue Sky was a fine record nothing more. Graduation was a bit shallow. Beirut has proven to be a 1 or 2 trick pony.GaGaGa was a hit and miss unfocused Spoon album with a couple great tracks.
    People seem to just not WANT to be objective.

    Posted by: Staccat0 at 12/08/07 4:59 PM | Reply
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    This is great!
    http://www.spymac.com/details/?2315603

    Posted by: Esteban at 12/08/07 5:27 PM | Reply
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    Hmm, I pretty much agree with "hipster" and Chris.

    Posted by: Bridgette Featherstone at 12/08/07 5:36 PM | Reply
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    completely agree with beirut being a one trick pony. booooring album.

    Posted by: jason at 12/08/07 5:43 PM | Reply
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    wow. the same 20 albums that are on every other year-end list. don't any of you people get bored with being exact copies of one another?

    Posted by: nick at 12/08/07 6:59 PM | Reply
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    I can't believe NO ONE (not even you guys) mentioned Queens Era Vulgaris...i thought it was awesome, be in my top 10

    Posted by: EnchantingWizardofRhythm at 12/08/07 7:17 PM | Reply
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    While it is surprising that Sunset Rubdown is getting few nods, I find it more disturbing that I've seen Frog Eyes on no list thus far. Com'n folks, that's a great record!

    Posted by: Ryan at 12/08/07 9:16 PM | Reply
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    I'm glad to see that Menomena's album hasn't been forgotten over the course of a year of incredible music. It's my most listened to of the year in a year where I couldn't pick a "best" if I tried (and I did).

    Posted by: dice at 12/08/07 9:48 PM | Reply
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    [quote}
    I can't believe NO ONE (not even you guys) mentioned Queens Era Vulgaris...i thought it was awesome, be in my top 10
    [/quote]

    Will mention while making Shitlist 2007.

    Posted by: Fant at 12/08/07 11:58 PM | Reply
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    What? No Britney Spears? Clearly this list has no merit. SHE GAVE YOU MORE.

    Posted by: Crocker at 12/09/07 12:19 AM | Reply
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    Just to add something I haven't seen on any lists yet:

    Cadillac Sky with their debut album "Blind Man Walking"

    A damn good bluegrass album released on Ricky Skaggs' label, it's been out since January, and is slowly garnering attention in the bluegrass/alternative country/quasi-americana (?) circles. Figured if good hip-hop gets some love, why not good bluegrass?

    Posted by: otisistheone at 12/09/07 1:07 AM | Reply
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    it seems everyone has left Justice off their lists. it's a shame because i know everyone spent their summer bobbing their heads to "phantom" part one and two.

    Posted by: haircut at 12/09/07 3:15 AM | Reply
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    it seems everyone has left Justice off their lists. it's a shame because i know everyone spent their summer bobbing their heads to "phantom" part one and two.

    Posted by: haircut at 12/09/07 3:16 AM | Reply
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    Pretty interesting list at

    brownchickenbrowncow.blogspot.com

    Lists of albums and another post with songs. If you don't like Pop Levi or Shocking Pinks, you may disagree...

    Posted by: Roy at 12/09/07 3:19 AM | Reply
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    Aqueduct was the best pop I heard all year. Not obscure, decent critical response, no glaring faults, clever, fun, and accessible.

    Are ignoring and ignorance one and the same?

    Posted by: Kevin White at 12/09/07 5:49 AM | Reply
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    Screw the disasterous disappointments that defined 2007 -- the cool kids are already making their 2008 lists.

    1) (tie) Los Campesinos! and Destroyer
    3) Sufjan Stevens's latest 40-song epic
    4) A Swedish band. Let's go with Love is All
    5) Somebody so mainstream it just shows how "inclusive" the list is...got it: Justin Timberlake.
    6) Token rapper -- let's say, Mike Jones
    7) Old alternative band that got back together and released a mediocre rehash of what they were doing in 1993...the Breeders?
    8-10) The Old Standbys: The Decemberists, TV On The Radio, and Sigur Ros in whatever order.

    Posted by: Bender Bending Rodriguez at 12/09/07 10:52 AM | Reply
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    haircut at December 9, 2007 3:16 AM:

    maybe it's just me, but i revisited the Justice album the other day and it definitely didn't hold up. i still love "waters of nazareth" and a couple other tracks, but i just found myself kind of bored by it, compared to when i LOVED the shit out of it this summer. as of now i'd say the simian mobile disco album nudges out justice. plus LCD is still the best thing i've heard this year.

    Posted by: jason at 12/09/07 12:19 PM | Reply
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    i definitely like Drowned In Sound's list the best out of all of these so far.

    Posted by: Liam at 12/09/07 1:48 PM | Reply
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    where the hell is Akron/Family? They put out what, to me is, the most important album of 2007. Nobody remembers how to make music like that.

    Posted by: nick at 12/09/07 1:52 PM | Reply
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    where the hell is Akron/Family? They put out what, to me is, the most important album of 2007. Nobody remembers how to make music like that.

    Posted by: nick at 12/09/07 1:59 PM | Reply
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    THE FUCKING CLIENTELE

    Posted by: Chris at 12/09/07 2:43 PM | Reply
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    I was hoping to see Burial and Jens Lekman on more lists. I'm really surprised that Caribou hasn't received as much love as I though it would. Ultimately, there's been so many great albums that have come out this year and it's been tough to choose.

    Here's my list: http://thekidsarecomingupfrombehind.blogspot.com

    Posted by: I'm Losing My Edge at 12/09/07 4:44 PM | Reply
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    Whoops!
    This is actually the direct link to my list:
    http://thekidsarecomingupfrombehind.blogspot.com/2007/11/top-25-albums-of-2007.html

    Posted by: I'm Losing My Edge at 12/09/07 4:49 PM | Reply
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    what about year zero? that album kicked ass compared to some of the crap on these lists - RADIOHEAD? is it 1994 again?

    Posted by: Maria-Victoria at 12/09/07 4:51 PM | Reply
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    Am I the only one whose been listening to Ezra Furman and the Harpoons' Banging Down the Doors. The whole album is amazing start to finish. I don't expect to be any one's number one but if you're going to make an extensive list they should really be on there.

    Posted by: jneslo at 12/09/07 6:08 PM | Reply
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    Wow, Wilco and Ryan Adams...you have to be kidding. It's amazing to see how washed up those two, who just one album ago were totally fucking awesome, became in 2007. Jeff Tweedy grew a beard and isn't as depressed so now he's Mr. Dad stuck listening to Eagles records and Ryan Adams kicked drugs and became...shitty asshole.

    Posted by: Joe Gallagher at 12/09/07 6:27 PM | Reply
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    jens and richard swift are the mostest with i.

    Posted by: jesse at 12/09/07 7:06 PM | Reply
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    just because...

    arcade fire
    andrew bird
    the national
    modest mouse
    wilco
    band of horses
    spoon

    but IRON & WINE had the record of the year...

    you people are crazy and backlash is over-rated.

    Posted by: christian at 12/09/07 8:00 PM | Reply
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    Adam Franklin (ex Swervedriver) - "Bolts of Melody"

    Posted by: matt at 12/09/07 8:54 PM | Reply
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    Im wish Josh here, Sunset Rubdown is pretty much my favorite, if not Top 3 albums of the year and it is blowing my mind that others dont share our opinions. Feist? Top 100, maybe.
    Rise Above from Dirty Projectors is probably my favorite if not Random Spirit Lover, but I can understand if others disagree.

    Posted by: Jonis at 12/09/07 9:48 PM | Reply
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    the number 1 album of the year is daft punk's alive 2007

    Posted by: adrienne at 12/09/07 10:22 PM | Reply
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    I'm surprised that neither the antlers or rogue wave are getting the deserved love...much better albums creatively than Interpol or arcade fire

    Posted by: Josh at 12/10/07 1:20 AM | Reply
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    Are you kdding me? Nine Inch Nails? Is it 1989 again?

    Posted by: OldManIndieKid at 12/10/07 9:25 AM | Reply
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    I can't tell you how pumped drowned in sound's big upping of LA noise rock makes me.

    Most of the others I can take or leave. I guess the best that can be said is that they aren't all beating me in the face with the Arctic Monkeys.

    Posted by: SuperUnison at 12/10/07 11:24 AM | Reply
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    my top 25 of 2007

    1.Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
    2.Low – Drums and Guns
    3.Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
    4.Peter Bjorn & John – Writer’s Block (Domestic)
    5.White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
    6.Menomena - Friend And Foe
    7.The Knife – Silent Shout (Domestic)
    8.Magik Markers – BOSS
    9.Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil
    10.M.I.A. – Kala
    11.Kanye West: Graduation
    12.Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
    13.Deerhunter – Cryptograms
    14.Pylon – Gyrate Plus
    15.Taken By Trees – Open Field
    16.Trans AM – Sex Change
    17.Aa - gAme
    18.Liars – Liars
    19.Film School – Hideout
    20.Wooden Shjips – Wooden Shjips
    21.A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Scribble Mural ComicJournal
    22.Chromatics – Night Drive
    23.Vietnam – Vietnam
    24.Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Is Is
    25.Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release

    see more at www.lifesbathroom.com

    Posted by: life's bathroom at 12/10/07 12:32 PM | Reply
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    Chris, I second that...

    THE FUCKING CLIENTELE!!!!

    Posted by: John at 12/10/07 12:57 PM | Reply
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    jason at December 9, 2007 12:19 PM

    SMD's album was and still is killer, but i just feel justice a little more. As far as the whole French Dance surge of the past summer, i figured it was a phase. I mean it really seemed like everyone on ed banger was about to become super(indie)stars. LCD definitely got the attention he deserved, but i just think justice deserves a few nods. on a separate note, MGMT's oracular spectacular is really, really good.

    Posted by: haircut at 12/10/07 1:03 PM | Reply
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    I am doing "Rush of 2007" list live on WHRW 90.5 FM on Wednesday from 1-4 PM EST. You can listen live on whrw.org!

    Playlist will be posted here shortly after Wednesday's show: http://arushofmusictothehead.blogspot.com/

    Posted by: village stomper at 12/10/07 1:20 PM | Reply
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    I am doing "Rush of 2007" list live on WHRW 90.5 FM on Wednesday from 1-4 PM EST. You can listen live on whrw.org!

    Playlist will be posted here shortly after Wednesday's show: http://arushofmusictothehead.blogspot.com/

    Posted by: village stomper at 12/10/07 1:21 PM | Reply
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    brownchickenbrowncow.blogspot.com

    some cool end of year lists. different.

    Posted by: ryan at 12/10/07 2:24 PM | Reply
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    Finally got our shit together over at MOKB : http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-old-kentucky-blog-dodge-favorite-50.html

    Looking at all the lists now...still forgot about a few we liked.

    Posted by: Dodge at 12/10/07 3:41 PM | Reply
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    Finally got our shit together over at MOKB :

    http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-old-kentucky-blog-dodge-favorite-50.html

    After seeing all the lists, still forgot about a few I really liked.

    Posted by: Dodge at 12/10/07 3:43 PM | Reply
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    uh. what. i love interpol. i do. BUT wtf. why are they showing up in anyones top 50 this year. ??? was 2007 THAT BAD!?!?

    Posted by: what?! at 12/10/07 3:45 PM | Reply
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    You can find my ongoing list of 2007's best at Blinded By The Hype! So far I've got Caetano Veloso, Burial, Low and Baroness in the mix.

    http://community.comcast.net/blog?blog.id=blindedbythehype

    Posted by: blindedbythehype at 12/10/07 4:19 PM | Reply
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    uh, explosions in the sky?

    Posted by: dudeee at 12/10/07 5:32 PM | Reply
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    Seriously, if anyone actually listened to it, there would be a lot more (or at least ONE for crying out loud) mention of Over the Rhine's "Trumpet Child"

    Posted by: JH at 12/10/07 9:02 PM | Reply
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    touche, OldManIndieKid, touche . . .

    Posted by: Maria-Victoria at 12/11/07 5:48 AM | Reply
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    hmmmm why isn't tegan and sara getting no love from any of the blogs? or any of the best of the year lists? their record was easily one of the best this year in my mind!!!

    Posted by: rock and roll bunny at 12/11/07 8:52 AM | Reply
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    I second the antlers comment. Album definitely didn't get the attention it deserves.

    Posted by: james at 12/11/07 5:47 PM | Reply
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    if you've not yet sought it out, go listen to bon iver - for emma, forever ago as soon as you possibly can. you won't be disappointed and i don't feel, judging by these lists, that enough people have heard this record (save ryan at muzzleofbees, who is a musical champion). go get it, you wont be disappointed.

    Posted by: brer hoss at 12/11/07 9:40 PM | Reply
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    it's all indie shite.

    Posted by: jon at 12/11/07 10:15 PM | Reply
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    i couldn't stop laughing reading your stuff guys!Come on now...there's a thing called "taste".One loves a an album,another one hates it.It's just so simple.These things are subjective.But you kinda gave me some great buying ideas...Did anyone enjoy UNKLE's "war stories"?I think it went far beyond from what i expected,so i was happily surprised.I think you've already mentioned all the other great(or not) albums of 2007.

    P.S. By the way i personally don't believe that "Neon Bible" is overrated.For me is one of the best albums for this decade (at least)

    Posted by: alpine_star at 12/12/07 3:34 AM | Reply
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    I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who mentioned the Once soundtrack. Though it looks like everything else on my list is being ignored elsewhere...

    http://muruch.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-top-10-albums.html

    Posted by: muruch at 12/12/07 12:01 PM | Reply
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    1. Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna

    because it's amazing and will keep in a jar or cupboard.

    Posted by: king vidor at 12/12/07 4:49 PM | Reply
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    just a shout and a call out for electrelane!! bravo!

    Posted by: crim-diddy at 12/12/07 5:16 PM | Reply
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    finally some of montreal love! and hell yes to drowned in sound, good to see i was not the only one who enjoyed some loud thunder very very much.

    Posted by: cherry at 12/12/07 5:42 PM | Reply
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    what's with the complete lack of feist love all over? top 3 definitely

    Posted by: tablesandchairs at 12/12/07 8:54 PM | Reply
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    Wow....This is a totally Surprise.......
    http://www.spymac.com/details/?2318756

    Posted by: Nicole at 12/13/07 4:38 AM | Reply
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    Wow....This is a totally Surprise.......
    http://www.interesting.elite.to

    Posted by: Nicole at 12/13/07 4:39 AM | Reply
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    DDI's list:

    01.The National Boxer
    02.Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha
    03.Band of Horses Cease To Begin
    04.Iron & Wine The Shepherds Dog
    05.The Shins Wincing The Night Away
    06.Vampire Weekend Blue CD-R
    07.Radiohead In Rainbows
    08.Pela Anytown Graffiti
    09.Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova Once Soundtrack
    10.Shout Out Louds Our Ill Wills
    11.Feist The Reminder
    12.Beirut The Flying Club Corp.
    13.Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
    14.David Vandervelde Moonstation House Band
    15.St. Vincent Marry Me
    16.John Vanderslice Emerald City
    17.Sigur Ros Hvarf-Heim
    18.Bowerbirds Hymns For A Dark Horse
    19.Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
    20.Explosions In The Sky All Of The Sudden I Miss Everyone
    21.Laura Veirs Saltbreakers
    22.Elliott Smith New Moon
    23.Menomena Friend Or Foe
    24.Electrelane No Shouts No Calls
    25.The New Pornographers Challengers
    26.Zookeeper Becoming All Things
    27.Albert Hammond, Jr. Yours To Keep
    28.Ryan Adams Easy Tiger
    29.Arcade Fire Neon Bible
    30.FrYars The Ides/happY 7"

    Posted by: Dallas Does Indie at 12/13/07 9:58 AM | Reply
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    There were a lot of things I dug this year, but know I won't care about in a few months or a year. This goes for Feist, and the new Modest Mouse, and probably Strawberry Jam. The only things I've seen up here I hated were Sunset Rubdown and of Montreal. The ones I'd like to hear but haven't yet because I'm in South Korea right now are Jens Lekman and Dirty Projectors. All in all, 2007 had lots of good albums, but not too much I'll wanna hear forever.
    For me, the only two classic albums I heard were Panda Bear and Deerhunter.
    Let downs of the year were Bjork and Liars.

    Posted by: Jejune Dugong at 12/13/07 10:08 AM | Reply
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    For me, this is it so far ... granted it's impossible to make a good best-of list until ten years later (I think I just now have a handle on 96):

    10. xbxrx: Sounds
    9. Deerhunter: Cryptograms
    8. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver
    7. Shit and Shine: Cunts with Roses
    6. Jakob Olausson: Moonlight Farm
    5. Health: Health
    4. Sir Richard Bishop: While My Guitar Violently Bleeds
    3. No Age: Weirdo Rippers
    2. Monotract: Trueno Oscuro
    1. Panda Bear: Person Pitch


    A note: Sir Richard Bishop I might be reading into, but somehow it sounds like a Vangelis soundtrack boiled down to a single guitar. Also ... Silver Daggers would've made this if their whole record had less filler.

    Noteworthy, but I think technically 2006, Lucky Dragons' Widows definitely in my top 3 of last year.

    Posted by: Luke at 12/14/07 5:43 AM | Reply
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    The full list is here:
    http://jervo.livejournal.com/603788.html#cutid1

    But here's the short version:
    10. Blonde Redhead, "23"
    9. Panda Bear, "Person Pitch"
    8. Daft Punk, "Alive 2007"
    7. Menomena, "Friend and Foe"
    6. Radiohead, "In Rainbows"
    5. Iron & Wine, "The Shepherd's Dog"
    4. Andrew Bird, "Armchair Apocrypha"
    3. Cornelius, "Sensuous"
    2. LCD Soundsystem, "The Sound of Silver"
    1. The Forms, "The Forms"

    Posted by: jervo at 12/14/07 10:45 AM | Reply
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    All of these 'Best of 2007' lists get a little boring and repetitive, check out the 5 most DISAPPOINTING records of the year.

    http://thepopsicle.blogspot.com/2007/12/top-5-biggest-disappointments-of-2007.html

    Posted by: bilbo at 12/14/07 1:57 PM | Reply
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    http://community.comcast.net/comcastportal/blog/article?message.uid=1049178

    Comcast's music blog, Blinded by the Hype! just posted 2007's top 10 albums and singles.

    Posted by: blackmailismylife at 12/14/07 4:00 PM | Reply
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    i'll be serving up a 'list of lists' of the best of everything in music for 2007 (from albums to videos to festivals and artists) on my indie blog

    in the meantime, i'm running a series of alternative christmas playlists "The 12 Plays of Christmas" containing great xmas covers and originals from predominantly indie artists and groups at http://www.indierockcafe.com or you can sign up for the feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/indierockcafe/ycjd

    i hope you enjoy all the holiday MP3s I've put together for everyone's listening pleasure. throughout 2008 i will publish thematic-based playlists, mp3s, podcasts, articles, links and more highlighting the best in indie and alt rock, pop and techno.

    stereogum is one of my fav music blogs, so keep it up guys and gals and happy holidays to everyone.

    Posted by: phizzy at 12/17/07 4:41 PM | Reply
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    Wow. I sorta kinda agree with the indie population at large this year.

    Posted by: lms at 12/17/07 7:14 PM | Reply
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    before i get out my 07 best songs and albums, concerts and festivals, i'm publishing playlists containing more than 120 indie and alternative music Christmas songs - as far as i know, the most extensive,all-in-one place to get all your indie xmas music

    http://feeds.feedburner.com/indierockcafe/ycjd
    http://www.indierockcafe.com

    phizzy ;-)

    happy holidays and new year all!

    Posted by: phizzy at 12/19/07 1:07 AM | Reply
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    This Sound is the Future......
    http://www.spymac.com/details/?2321441

    Posted by: Anna-Lorain at 12/20/07 8:38 AM | Reply
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    Leave a comment


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