Top Albums 2007 [Part One].

10. Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release

10th place was a close battle between the Simian Mobile Disco album and the Justice Album, and SMD won for me. I can enjoy more of the songs on this album in comparison to the ‘Cross’. Was pleasantly surprised when I got hold of this and it’s an album I can dip in and out of all the time without feeling like I want move the song on to the singles.

9. 1990s – Cookies

Really impressed when I received this record, and what did it for me was seeing them live at Reading last year and realising what a really good band they are. Tight on record and tight live this album and the 1990s are the best things to come out of Scotland last year.

8. The Maccabees – Colour It In

High expectations from me and from critics alike this album did not fail to disappoint. To begin with I found myself not really liking the album, but after a couple of listens I began to love the newly done versions of songs, the inclusion of a few old B-Sides and a couple of new tracks. I am now very excited to see what is next from The Maccabees.

7. Good Shoes – Think Before You Speak

This could’ve been number one on this list, which is the only disappointing thing about the album, is that it could’ve been so much better. However, it is still a strong album and every song could well be a single and I think live is where Good Shoes really show off what a great band they are.

6. The Cribs – Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever

Was not a fan of the album title; however that would not stop me from loving this album. From the very moment I listened to the punk sound of opener ‘Our Bovine Public’ to the beautifully delivered ‘Shoot the Poets’ I was in love with this album. ‘Be Safe’ is an epic song and one that will probably come with me to my grave, The Cribs third album does not disappoint.

My Year In Lists.

I’ve decided to make a couple more lists before I reveal my top ten favourite albums of 2007 which obviously everybody reading this blog is dying to know.

Top Five Gigs 2007

This is a hard thing to firstly narrow down to five, but essentially remembering the best out of all the gig’s I have been to is the tough part.

5. CSS – Ibiza Rocks (July 07)

To say I wasn’t looking forward to this show is somewhat of a major understatement. There were three major factors: first off the boiling temperatures, secondly CSS not being my most favourite band and finally I felt like an OAP due to being burnt to a crisp a couple of days before. However, CSS put on a fantastic show and despite not being able to more very well they managed to make me dance, a little.

4. Kings of Leon – Birmingham Carling Academy (April 07)

When these dates were announced I was so excited, not making this tour was just not an option. From the moment I got my conformation e-mail through my excitement grew the closer this got. Kings of Leon did not disappoint, they were worth the 30 pounds spent on this ticket – throwing in old classics and new hits the foursome were on top form.

3. The Cribs – Northampton Soundhaus (March 07)

The Cribs return was highly anticipated by just about everyone who cared about good music. Having two ace albums already the question was could The Cribs conjure up a third album of equal ace-ness as the previous two? As already stated on this blog the third album is The Cribs on top form, and this gig was the best I’ve ever seen them. Chaotic as ever The Cribs included the classics and new songs which fitted in perfectly amongst old songs. The Jarman brothers have a sound that is just irresistible to the ears.

2. Foals / These New Puritans – Old Blue Last (October 07)

A free gig involving two great up and coming bands, there was so much right with this night I just couldn’t turn it down. Despite seeing Foals not on form at Scala the night before I was prepared to give them another chance. I am so thankful I did because they were a hundred times better than they were the previous night. Foals that night were well and truly on fire, and These New Puritans although a bad start impressed me more than I ever expected them too.

1. Les Savy Fav – Scala (October 07)

Six months ago if someone would have said this would be my best gig of 2007 I would have laughed in there face. As 6 months ago Les Savy Fav was just a name, a name of a band I never thought I would ever listen to. No idea why I never listened to them, but I didn’t. What. An. Idiot. Thankfully I was there that night in October and so was Tim Harrington and co, to say the night was a riot is probably an understatement. At one point there was 50 people on stage (including me) and someone crowd surfing above those 50 people. Tim Harrington controlled the stage like no other man I’d ever seen, and he did it in a way I don’t think anyone else on this planet could do so. Thank you Tim Harrington, and thank you Les Savy Fav.

Two Thousand And Seven [Part Two].

Today was my first day of lectures and the best thing about today’s lectures was finding out that I could possibly get 5 months off this summer. That IS amazing; top tracks 15-11 are as follows.

15. Bat For Lashes – What’s A Girl To Do
Fur and Gold

Natasha Khan is full of talent and this song just proves this. I didn’t get hold of this album long after it was released but thankfully I did get hold of it. This song stood out like a sore thumb and the video is equally as dark and utterly thrilling. I look forward to what Bat For Lashes can offer in 2008 too.

14. Patrick Wolf – Accident & Emergency
The Magic Position

I think the obvious single to choose would’ve been ‘The Magic Position’ however I always preferred this song. This song brought Patrick Wolf to my attention and for this I am grateful.

13. Bloc Party – Flux
A Weekend In The City (Re-Release)

Silent Alarm was fantastic, one of my favourite albums of all time however ‘A Weekend In The City’ was that tough second album. However ‘Flux’ feels like it should’ve followed the first album, it left me still excited about Bloc Party and hopefully the even more so difficult third album will be similar to this song.

12. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go
Neon Bible

This song had to get in the top 20 because of the live performance of it at Reading festival last year. When they played this song the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and watching Arcade Fire perform was nothing short of spectacular.

11. The Cribs – Men’s Needs
Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever

The Cribs are a rare breed; three albums all as good as each other. Not many bands can say that they have three albums each one different to the other and at the same time as good as each other. Despite the polished sound of this song and album it should feature on many lists of 2007.

O.M.G

To follow on from my blog about The Cribs, they are supporting The Sex Pistols on four (sold out) dates of Brixton Academy!!!!!!! That is fucking mental! 85 quid a ticket! That's all, plus Halloween is overrated - back to Football Manager 2008 which certainly isn't!

Saturday Night, Facts Of Life.

THE CRIBS.

Right, basically decided to leave some of the new stuff I’ve loved behind and dedicate a blog to the boys from Wakefield. The last time I saw them live was in May, and my god it was fucking mental (aren’t they always you ask?) Well yes, they are however this gig was at Astoria so it was mental on a bigger scale. Not. Good.

Anyway, I miss them so much live because in my opinion they are the best British live band there is at the moment (despite never winning awards for "Best British Live Band" which Kasabian or Muse ALWAYS win, errr why?) Also one of the best modern British bands there is. Also, three fucking outstanding albums and not many bands can say they have had that. All three albums are different, and brilliant for their own reason. I can’t really think of many songs I dislike by them (which is no mean feat considering the amount of songs they have).

A lot of people have put them down because they have become “mainstream” now, but I think the values as a band have always remained the same throughout the three albums that have came out. It’s just now more people like them, what’s wrong with that? Good on them for getting people to like, they haven’t changed the way they act to get people to finally realise how good they are. So yeah Ryan has a celebrity girlfriend (Kate Nash if you didn’t know, ha) but so fucking what? He hasn’t done a Preston and wrote an album on her (not yet anyway, haha) and he doesn’t try to appear in every rag in the country.

Anyway, personally my favourite album is the new one (oohhh controversial). Seriously though, I can listen to it on repeat all day and love every single song because they are all different in there own way. The other two albums are just as amazing too, and you need the first two before you listen to the third (in my opinion). Then you can realise the progression as a band that they have made.

Any who, this blog was somewhat inspired by the announcement of there “Cribsmas” tour. Which if you are unaware of what I’m talking about; it’s a three day tour (in Leeds at the Brudenell Social Club). Each show is dedicated to one album, so on the 19th you get “The Cribs” in it’s entirety along with b-sides etc from the time. On the 20th you get “The New Fellas” in full along with other releases and b-sides and finally on the 21st its “Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever” along with the new single (Don’t You Wanna Be Relevant?)

What a brilliant idea and one I am going to try and get myself too (unless they announce a similar one in London). I have even looked up prices to a Premier Inn and everything. You can get a three day ticket to this tour for a mere 30 pounds, or alternatively choose a show that you want to go to and pay £12.50 for the one you want.

The Cribs – Major Titling Victory
The Cribs – I’m Alright Me
The Cribs – Another Number

Oh yeah, Happy Halloween and all that jazzzzzzzzz.