Well, here I am again, looking back over this past year, and realizing that my blog post frequency average has grown incrementally smaller over this past 365 days. It’s really less reflective of desire, or lack thereof, to continue blogging, than it is a sign as to the turbulent and dynamic year this has been for me. I’ve been to two different continents and countries, traveled to (or through) twelve different states, and lived in three different locations across the course of the year. I’ve changed my college major (and my college), and am slowly moving toward a possible new move in the future. Thankfully, I’ve had my wonderful family to be firm and unmoving in the midst of it all, especially my wonderful traveling partner (and most importantly, sister), The Itinerant Idealist. Overall, I’m in much the same position right now as I was one year ago. I’m still trying to figure out what to do with my life, still living in Colorado working a small job with no college degree yet; and yet, I feel that I as a person have grown immensely in my values and ideals.
I’ve ideologically re-embraced home and family, and I love that I have such a wonderful community around me at this point in my life. I feel the calling of God upon my life greater than ever before, even if I’ve not yet stepped fully into that calling. And I’ve grown to understand God Himself more fully. It hasn’t always been easy; as a matter of fact, I think the key word for this last year for me would be ’struggle’ (perhaps that applies to multiple years in the past!); but when you think about it, Jacob struggled with God, and God blessed Him with being the namesake of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, which coincidentally means, “those who struggle”. I’ve struggled with God quite a few times this past year, and God’s taken it all with beautiful aplomb. More than that, He allowed me to work out my difficulties and frustrations, and was there to help me back on my feet at the end of it. I’ve been feeling a peace about life and my relationship with God in a way that I haven’t for a long time. If life’s a journey, then the important parts are the landmarks along the way; this year has been a year of landmarks for me. Not happy, fun memories, but strong towers that will be burned in my mind as turning points for me in my ideology about life, community and God. I am immensely thankful for the struggle. It’s made me stronger and more resolute about my life. I can’t wait for this next year. I expect great things.
Anyway, with that out of the way, I thought I’d take notes from the illustrious Opus, and do my ‘Best music of 2007 mix’. It’s a variation of music that I have discovered over this year, and have come to love. This is not music that I think deserves critical acclaim necessarily. Nor is it music that was necessarily released this year. It is simply the music that I personally discovered, and grew to love. I’m a bit of a sentimentalist, which means I’ll probably never make a good objective reviewer. Because I live for the aesthetic, everything in my life has a specific soundtrack or mix to it. Many of these songs I associate with an emotion, or life experience. Some have helped me to grow, some have supported me in times of frustration or doubt. Some are just plain fun tunes. I hope that you too will enjoy the list, and perhaps even be propelled to invest time in the albums behind the songs.
Without further ado, here is the first of two installations of my 2007 year end favorites mix.
1. Final Fantasy-’The Arctic Circle’, from the album, He Poos Clouds*
Lush strings and astonishingly layered melodies, this song is characteristic of the sound that Owen Pallet, the brains behind Final Fantasy, produces. His abstract, occasionally bizare lyricism lies only as a backdrop to the flowing and emotional harmonies and soundscapes. A fabulous experience.
2. Andrew Bird-’Imitosis’, from the album, Armchair Apocrypha
This quirky song is all about the unusual relationship between hard, cold science, and the strange phenomena that occurs in the midst of knowledge and scientific fact. Though I may not agree with his conclusions, Bird has created a remarkably clever lyrical proposal of his thesis. He supports his proposition with staccato strings and intriguing pop sensibilites that all but draw the listener in to his fatalistic conclusions. A riveting listen. Proceed with caution.
3. Beirut-’Nantes’, from the album, The Flying Club Cup
This list contains many young musical prodigies, forging new musical paths into the future. At 21, Zach Condon is certainly a prodigy, but rather than looking to the future, he finds his inspiration in the past. For this song, and indeed for the whole album, Condon reaches back to the roaring 20’s and 30’s for lovely sun-lit beaches and mansion lawns, with soft, unassuming music drifting through the warm air. This album is so wonderfully nostalgic, it’s like a story in of itself. Definitely buy the song, but consider the whole album; it’s quite enchanting. You’ll forget all about the 21st century, and find yourself punting down a small stream with friends on a beautiful sunny day, many decades ago.
4. The Guggenheim Grotto-’Philosophia’, from the album, Waltzing Alone*
The first band on the list, The Guggenheim Grotto, produce soft, affecting folk songs. Probably not the perfect endorsement, but take into consideration that their music is in the tradition of Leonard Cohen and their tour mate, Damien Rice. In this song, they make a compelling case for great art; but instead of an open-ended, abstract plea for anything created, they argue for art that ascribes to a standard other than “taste”. Whether you agree with that conclusion or not, I think you’ll find that they weave their musing through lush harmonies and enticing rhythm. A fascinating start for a fascinating band.
5. Crepusculum-’Open Gates’, from the album, Sky Diaries-EP
Another gifted (young) musician, Crepusculum is the cover name for Fred Beaty, an artist out of London, who creates lush, instrumental harmonies with guitar and keyboard. The songs are deceivingly understated, as the guitar-work is quite complex and challenging. This song is a layered soundscape that is both alluring, and at the same time unassuming. This is the kind of song I’d enjoy listening to while reading a book on the porch, in the summertime, and simply drifting away. Very charming. You can download the whole album for free here.
6. Andy Davis-’Chicago, City of Shoulders’, from the album, Fine China-EP
Andy Davis is an artist with no pretense. He simply writes about his reflections on life, love and struggle. His music is charming, while at the same time modest in it’s scope. He’s one of the criminally-neglected few who can write a great pop/folk song without sweating a drop over it. This song is no exception; a pragmatic, optimistic song about simple love, longing and hope, for a guy in Chicago. I gotta say, I’m a sucker for name-dropping of geographical locations. It sounds so cool. Definitely a must.
7. Midlake-’Roscoe (Acoustic)’, from the album, Oak and Julian-EP
All Midlake songs tell a story, at the very least, indirectly. Roscoe is definitely a story of some means, though the lyricism does obscure that story considerably. I think Midlake enjoys giving impressions of events and unfolding drama; the music certainly helps to induce emotion from the listener. Usually, Midlake produces a smooth pop sound reminiscent of the best of the 70’s; however, for this alternate version of ‘Roscoe’, they paint a haunting picture with soft piano and guitar weeping in the background. Their harmonies add to the spookiness of it all. Be prepared for a deliciously mysterious experience.
8. Sigur Ros-’Ba Ba’, from the album, BA BA TI KI DI DO-EP
Sigur Ros, the native sons of Iceland, produced this enigmatic ep several years ago, but the music is as fresh and lingering as it was then. As much as I love Sigur Ros’ bombastic, far-reaching anthems, there is something persistent about their softer, less noticed instrumentals, that oftentimes stays with me far longer than the popular singles. ‘Ba Ba’ casts a beautiful and mysterious aura that is both affecting and intriguing at the same time. A great addition from a remarkable band.
9. The National-’Start a War’, from the album, Boxer*
The National, an unlikely band with a less-than-overwhelming vocalist, created an interesting look at the nitty-gritty of life, past and present, through a number of story songs on Boxer. ‘Start a War’ is perhaps my favorite from that album. It is both hopeful, and yet holds back; it holds to the threadbare strings of promise, while at times it subconsciously admits it’s own limitations and failures. The bittersweet guitar in the background provides the perfect backdrop for the singer’s plea. A wonderful exposé on life and struggle.
Alrighty. This concludes part one of my 2007 year end favorites mix. I do hope you’ll tune in next time for the next installment. Cheers.
Oh, and if you have your own year end mix, please feel free to post it below. Share the love!
*Note: Though almost all of the songs av are clean and non-problematic, some of the albums to which they belong do not fall in that category. Occasionally one of the albums above will contain naughty language, and some even strong language. If you would like to find more specifics as you sift through what you will listen to, please post a comment, and I will reply promptly.
1 Comment
January 5, 2008 at 9:56 pm
What a great place to be in your journey and what strong foundations. I so enjoy your writing.