Album reviews
My Picks For The Best 15 Albums and 40 Songs of 2007
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Here they are, finally, My Picks For The Best 15 Albums and 40 Songs of 2007. I'm not necessarily claiming these are "The Best" albums and songs of the past year since there were thousands of albums and tens of thousands of songs released over the year and I simply haven't heard them all. What I am claiming, however, is that the selections you'll find below are my favorite tunes and discs from the past 12 months - damn good music, all of it. Enjoy! And let me know anything I've missed.
The Secret To An Extra Merry X'mas
With just 3 days to go before X'mas I think it's high time I shared with you my secret to an especially joyful and happy holiday season. Because, hey, regardless of what your grandma may have told you, all that requisite joy and happiness can't come from rum and eggnog alone. No, sometimes you need a little something extra to get you through the holidays with a constant smile on your face. And I'm not talking about any illegal substances here either. What I am talking about is The Greatest X'mas Album Ever.
The Kanye West Rave
Kanye West is simply #$%*ing amazing! It's that simple and straightforward. There's just no denying he's one of the greatest artists working in the music industry today. Three classic albums in a row now. Three out of three. The first three of his career. Really now, how many artists have ever done that before?
The New Bruce Springsteen Rave ("The Seeger Sessions")
Yesterday, I went out and bought the new Bruce Springsteen album, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions", and now, after 4 or 5 listens all the way through, I have to report - though I could have reported the same thing after just one listen - that this is a fantastic album!! If, for you, it's all about Britney, Ashlee Simpson, N Sync and their like then you might as well stop reading right here, but if you're into real music then it's time to pay attention. You've already read the rave review from Rolling Stone magazine that I sent out yesterday, but here's a quick little rave of my own:
The Beggars Banquet Rave (The Rolling Stones' Greatest Album)
When it comes to raves, some things are simply more deserving than others. And while some newer things, such as The White Stripes, are definitely deserving of a rave, certain older things are in a whole other class and not only renew their rave worthiness year in and year out, but actually become better and better with each passing decade. One such thing, clearly, is The Rolling Stones' 1968 album "Beggars Banquet". A masterpiece if ever one was created! Heavily steeped in the blues, yet not a blues album, just a classic piece of rock 'n' roll perfection.
The Bob and Marty Rave: No Direction Home
in
Take the greatest living American director, I'd say the greatest director of all time (Martin Scorsese), and the greatest living musician/songwriter/performer/artist (Bob Dylan) and what do you get? Pure genius is what. Pure unadulterated genius.
