BEST/WORST MUSIC 2007, Cos the NME knows nuffin Options

[Sostie]

So what are the Best (and worst) albums, singles and gigs of the year? What have you been listeniing to constantly? What new "old" band have you fallen in love with?

Tell us now!

[Kick in the Head]

My Music Year

TOP 5 ALBUMS

1. Because of the Times - Kings of Leon is practically perfect in every way, with nary a duff track in sight.

2. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire didn't quite meet the same dizzying heights of their debut, but it comes damn close, expanding on, rather than simply emulating, their original sound.

3. Proof of Youth - The Go! Team may have taken a few times to get into as I did with the first record, and the sound has barely evolved, but it soon won me over with its tubthumping enthusiasm. And was I the only one to like their cover of Sonic Youth's Bull in the Heather?

4. In Rainbows - Radiohead is a late addition, but a pretty excellent one. A fair few groovy tracks, and Jigsaw Falling Into Place may be my favourite single of next year.

5. Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys was a solid follow-up with perhaps my favourite single this year in the shape of Fluorescent Adolescent.

TOP 5 JAPANESE ALBUMS
I've still yet to listen to the new Halfby record (Farmer's Delight) and the new DJ Scotch Egg (Scotchausen), but will do soon. In the meantime...

1. Karate House - Polysics is a bit of a no-brainer for my number one spot, but I have an undying love for this band, so there. It's their best collection since For Young Electric Pop with plenty of spunky punk mixed with catchy upbeat gems. Little bit of filler hither and thither, but they're the hardest-working band in Japan, constantly touring and releasing new material, so it can slide.

2. Nuit - Cubismo Grafico was a real surprise as I rented it on the whim that he did a remix I hadn't heard of a track of another artist I liked. But it's a damn fine gentle electropop concept piece filled with gorgeous night-time sounds.

3. 不等式とその解 - Hoover's Ooover sees the Adam and Joe Go Tokyo stars release their second full-length album. Not quite up to Art.No.5. standards, but some very good songmaking indeed.

4. Hurtbreak Wonderland - World's End Girlfriend may be just more of the same of his last release, but for exceptionally gloomy yet uplifting apocalyptic classical/electronic soundscapes, there's none finer.

5. Transworld Ultra Rock - Electric Eel Shock was a tad disappointing and short compared to their previous Beat Me album. But it's worth a place for their audacious cover of Minnie Ripperton's Lovin' You.

ARTISTS
Japanese bands I discovered this year, but had already split up, were Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her (excellent ladypunk/pop with attitude and sweetness in equal measure) and Thee Michelle Gun Elephant (exceptional garage punk). And my love for the Second Royal record troop continued apace. Also been listening to Portishead A LOT. Looking forward to the new album.

Of course, been listening to Bowie very muchly, and I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that Heathen is my favourite (as much as people go on about old Bowie and how new Bowie is supposedly not as good - but boo-sucks to them). Also, I finally listened to Bowie favourites Supercar penultimate release Highvision, and it's easily in my top 10 favourite albums of all time.

GIGS
Live Earth in Kyoto was a dream come true, seeing both Rip Slyme and Yellow Magic Orchestra live was something I'd never thought I'd do, and I was plain lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Polysics were stunning as ever (third time and counting), and Arcade Fire at Alexandra Palace (technical issues notwithstanding) were spectacular.

Oh, and I miss karaoke in Japan so much, it's not funny. I was literally struggling to get too sleep last night because there is such a void in my life right now.

[Jon 79]

Of course, been listening to Bowie very muchly, and I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that Heathen is my favourite (as much as people go on about old Bowie and how new Bowie is supposedly not as good - but boo-sucks to them).

Heathen's great, but personally it's my least favourite of his recent albums. Earthling, Hours, & Reality sound better to my ears.

Having said that, his only era that I don't dig is the late 80's/tin machine.