Already Promising

Even though the first month of 2007 is just coming to a close, there have already been some great new albums released. I am thinking specifically of two albums that have become my favorite releases of '07 so far (although I guess at this point there's not THAT much competition). Those would be the new album from The Shins, Wincing the Night Away and the sophomore album from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Some Loud Thunder.


Wincing the Night Away has been out technically for about a week now, although it was around for awhile before that. Due to my super special magical hook up who I will not mention be name, but will make clear I'm super grateful to, I've had the album for about a month now. I'm a big fan. I've heard some complaints from people who think it's too different. And there are ways in which it is different from their first two albums, but to me they're good ways. There are times when it seems less crisp. Some of it seems more beat driven. obviously I'm not very good at describing music. But it's different. At least some of it is. I feel like some songs seem like they would fit in just as well on older albums, especially Oh, Inverted World, but some of them would be out of place. Of the songs more typical of an older style for The Shins I would say my favorite is Australia. It has an up beat, can't-hold-still quality, matched with catchy vocals that embodies what I've always loved about The Shins. Of the tracks that are in a bit of a different vein than previous offerings I think Sea Legs is my favorite. It's got a more electronic sound and a stronger beat than some of their other stuff. But it still has those signature James Mercer vocals on top. Overall I think it's a great new album, and it's nice to know that the band is still developing.


Some Loud Thunder only came out yesterday, so I've not had nearly as much as a chance to listen to it. Believe it or not, I did do a few things other than listen to CYHSY in the last 34 hours (I downloaded the album at approximately 9 am yesterday). But I really like it already. A lot of it is more distorted sounding than their first album, but that's not something I'm opposed to. In fact, in the right context I love me some distortion. It's still got the typical Clap Your Hands Say Yeah vocals, and mostly the same character even if the sound is a little different. I don't have a favorite song yet, and I haven't gotten a really good sense of the album as a whole, so I don't have much more else to say. But I really like it already, and I only expect to like it more once I've had more time to listen.

There are a number of other albums already released this year that I've heard great things about, but haven't picked up yet. And there are a few releases I'm really anticipating coming up soon, especially the new Bloc Party album next week, and the second full length album form the Arcade Fire at the beginning of March. With all this in mind, it seems like a promising year for music. Hopefully 2007 will be able to live up to my expectations.