It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like X-Mas . . . groan.

Well folks, the weather outside is indeed frightful and so is Downtown Disney, er, Church Street. Have you folks ventured down our quaint pedestrian mall at night lately? I'm pretty sure they must have hired Clark W. Griswold to do the lights this year. They're positively blinding.

Anyway, with Christmas and New Year's fast approaching, 'tis the season to start making lists. Lots of lists. Shopping lists. Naughty and Nice lists. People to Kill lists. Soon-to-be-failed New Year's Resolution lists. And of course, year-end top ten lists.

This is a first for me. I'm sure somebody out there probably cared about what I thought about stuff prior to my employment at Seven Days — Hi Mom! — but now it's serious. I actually have to write about it. A lot. And well.

Frankly, the pressure is staggering . . . kinda.

In addition to my obvious year-end newspaperly duties, the nice folks over at False 45th were kind enough to ask me to participate in their year-end round-up, which is already off and running. As soon as I get my act together and fill out their survey, I'll let you know.

I was also asked to participate in The Village Voice's year-end roundup, which, frankly, isn't nearly as cool as it sounds, as I'm one of about 1500 writers contributing. I had no idea there were so many of us. Scary. Still, it's just nice to be asked.

This time around, the Seven Days CD round-up is going to be a bit different than in years past, mostly because Casey and I pretty much split the year right down the middle. As such, the estimable Contrarian will sift through his favorite local discs of the year, I'll do the same and we'll meet somewhere roughly in the middle. In a couple of weeks, all shall be revealed.

In the meantime, I thought I'd pose the question to the masses and and allow you, the vigilant denizens of Solid State, to make the case for your favorite local albums of 2007. So let's hear it, folks. What were your favorite local releases this year?

And the winner is . . .   

Comments

[theleduo]

oak- double ep
the cripples- the cripples
nose bleed island- whatever that awesome cd was called
farm- grey bird

[dan]

It was called "More Tales From Blood Island" and, much like that 1980's BMX movie, it's Rad.

Farm's album is great too. Rumor has it The Cave of Legends is a-buzzin' again, so hopefully we'll hear more from S'nalbans soon. Anyone know if that Karaoke bar is still open up there?

[Julia]

Ryan Power - Is it happening?
Shawn Grady - My Baby Makes Magic
Nosebleed Island - More Tales from the Blood Island

[Tanner]

1. Oaks Double EP
2. The Cripples - s/t
3. Farm - grey bird
4. Snake in the Garden - Cassette
5. Ryan Power - Is it Happening
6. Solah - Darkcar

[jay]

Oak - EPs
Sun Circle - s/t
Solah - Darkcar (thought I'm a little biased...:))

I saw a lot more local shows than I listened to local albums though. Top shows were Oak, Snake In the Garden, Farm, Greg Davis, The Cripples, Ryan Power, Party Star, The LeDuo, The Cush, Missy Bly, The Fritz Langs, Dynasty, Pink Bacon, Rock & Roll Sherpa, Hammer & Saw...too many to name! Thanks for some great music Burlington.

[Sean]

Ryan Power- Is It Happening
Mark Knuffke- Sepulveda
Oak EP's

[Murf]

Where's the love for The Capstan Shafts' "Her Versus the Sad Cold Eventually" and "Environ Maiden"?

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the former but those are two solid releases for any artist to come out with in one year.

[Porknolt]

I think I'd like to start with a paragraph about myself and how this means a lot to me. Then I'd like to insert a standard disclaimer about my family's relationship to music. Then I'd like to say something about... um... you still there? Well fuck. Grace Potter?

[Tanner]

*chortle*

[dan]

And people wonder why I don't post more often.

[Thirtyseven]

Aztext -- The Sacred Document

Best hip hop of the year by a long shot, very solid and innovative album. I really, really dig Oak, too, and it seems like I'm far from alone on that one.