Best of 2007 in no real order.

Sorry posting is still sporadic. I'm not back in the house yet and the computers here at the lovely Hampton Inns and Suites are close to dial-up speed... whenever they're available. When I get big I'm gonna get a laptop. When I get real big.

Anyway... I know you're all waiting with bated breath (which is kind of disgusting, when you think about it, which I don't suggest you do) to know my favorite music of last year. Well, okay then!

Favorite Albums

Icky Thump-- The White Stripes
Thank you, Jack White, for making your guitar sound like a bagpipe in more than one song on this album, but particularly the title track. That song gives me a full on Big Country woody. Thank you, Meg White, for the most boring sex tape to hit the internet ever. Guess it's all a two-count for you, eh, Meg? Thank you more for your drumming on "Rag and Bone," which makes me want to snap my steering wheel with glee whenever I hear it while driving.

Grinderman
I think maybe three other people in the world liked this album. The rest of the world is missing out. Nick Cave is still a mad genius and this album drips mad genius sex. Plus, it's all feedback squeaky and I like that.


nine inch nails-- Year Zero
My one sentence review of this album since the day I found it in the stall has been this: It's almost like "With Teeth" never happened. Thank you, Trent Reznor, for not sucking anymore.

Radiohead-- In Rainbows
It was free. Thanks, guys.

Arcade Fire-- Neon Bible
This is my favorite album of the year. I listen to this like christians listen praise and worship albums. I raise my hands up and sway-- not good in the middle of traffic. Imagine never getting tired of a gourmet dinner. That's what listening to this album repeatedly is like. It is sweeping, majestic and terrifying. And Canadian, to boot, eh? If you don't own this yet, why not? It won't hurt. And it may help.

Favorite Singles

Harder Better Faster Stronger (live)-- Daft Punk
The logical sequel to Neil Young's "Sample and Hold," this may be the best thing to come from France since Monica Bellucci. Did I spell her name right? Does it matter? Have you seen her? Damn. Anyway. Great song and the live version has a tremendous urgency to it that Kanye couldn't dream of putting forth. Our work is never over.

Is There A Ghost-- Band of Horses
I usually have a hard time figuring out song lyrics, but not with this tune, with only two lines to remember... and they're coherent! Thanks, guys!

No Cars Go-- Arcade Fire
This sounds like the marching band from Goth High meets Dexy's Midnight Runners and, instead of fighting, they create a nursery rhyme. Oh, happy day! So catchy, so good.

Survivalism-- nine inch nails
Trent is angry and snarling again. He's mad at everybody. He hates the President and in Trent's Amerikkka, there are more sheep than citizens. This song will either wake you up or make you turn off the radio. No in-betweeners. I hope it makes you wake up.

The Heinrich Manuever-- Interpol
And here's my favorite single of the year. It is snotty and mean, but rolls on this fantastic new wave riff that Brandon Flowers is still kicking himself in the mustache for not writing. I don't dance, but when I hear this song, I'm dancing on the inside. It makes me happy in that good old Joy Division way. Oh, shit, did I just admit that Joy Division makes me happy. Gods, I am not well.

Special mention goes to Jeff Tweedy's cover of "Simple Twist of Fate" and the Mars Volta's "Wax Simulacra." Opposite ends of the spectrum, same result: chills.

And now, for your video, I'd like to present to you everyfuckingthing that went wrong with the music business in 2007.





Happy New Year.
Merry Meet.

The Mental Jukebox-- Wednesday 12.12.7

My apologies to all four of you who read this for the late post.

Gemini Dream-- The Moody Blues
Windowsill-- Arcade Fire
Breakfast in America-- Supertramp
Major Tom (Coming Home)-- Peter Schilling
At A Medium Pace-- Adam Sandler
Los Angeles-- X
Whatever, Wherever-- Shakira

And I know I fucked up the title of that Shakira song and you'll just have to forgive me for not caring a whit. It's Shakira. The presence of her music in my head is unwelcome and proof that my brain wants to kill me.

Something To Fall Back On-- Todd Rundgren
Human-- Human League
Eat The Rich-- Aerosmith
Sweet Leaf-- Black Sabbath
Who Are The Brain Police?-- Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention


Punk used to mean something. In my poor little head, it still does.

The Mental Jukebox-- Monday 11.26.7

Not only was it a Monday, but it was indeed a rainy day. Amazingly enough, I only just now made that connection. No Carpenters on the list today, but a bunch of other stuff. It's a new week! Let the weirdness begin.

Carolina In My Mind-- James Taylor

The first song of the day always confuses me. It's like whacking an old TV on the side until the picture comes in clearly. That first song is the mental jukebox equivalent of static.

Southern California-- Wax
San Ber'dino-- Frank Zappa
Like to Get to Know You-- Spanky and our Gang
Jerkin' Back and Forth-- Devo
Fairytale of New York-- STARS

Again with the STARS cover? This must be my head's way of coercing me into the holiday spirit. Come on. I put a few lights up out by the driveway. What else do you want from me? Ho, ho, ho.

Hold On-- Yes
Deeper and Deeper-- The Fixx
My Cheri Amour-- Stevie Wonder
Black Velvet-- Alannah Myles

As I said when I started this mess, you don't have to like a song for it to play in the mental jukebox.

No Time-- Guess Who
If Ever I See You Again-- Roberta Flack
Existential Blues Pt. 2-- Tom "T-Bone" Stankus
Disenchanted-- Gary Morris
Talk About the Passion-- R.E.M.
Bittersweet Me-- R.E.M.

Those two R.E.M. songs there? Same friggin' song. Guarantee it. You can combine them into one ten minute long song and never realize you've done it. I know this because I did. Today. Over and over for about an hour. Easy in, easy out. I'm tired and naked.

Bring The Boys Back Home-- Pink Floyd

I saw ten seconds of Fox News in the break room. That's what happens.

You Better Run-- Pat Benatar
Yeah, Right-- Dinosaur Jr.
Rehab-- Amy Winehouse

It was so hard to choose a video for today's post, but I used to have nightmares about Randy Bachman.