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Top 5’s of 2007 

Yay! I’ve got a cold NYE! But don’t feel bad. I’ve got the best company ever :)
But without further ado, here are the lists!

Top 5 Albums

1. The National – Boxer

Wow! No album this year that has got me as excited as Boxer. From the very first time I heard ‘Fake Empire’, I was hooked with their luscious melody and driving sounds. It’s also damn near impossible to pick a favourite track off the album but ‘Slow Show’ and ‘Ada’ mean the world to me. I’m seeing them in January live and that gig could very well end up on this list next year.

2. Radiohead - In Rainbows

I’ve heard some people say “I wish Radiohead would make epic songs again” and as much as I love Kid A, I feel like In Rainbows is their most intimate record. You only need to see Thom perform Videotape to ‘get’ the whole experience that is this album. I had this playing 24/7 for days when I bought it for $12 on the digital download and still think this is their best since ‘Kid A’. My girlfriend bought the limited edition set. Just beautiful.

3. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

The Besnard Lakes are indeed the dark horse this year with a brilliant album. ‘And You Lied to Me’ has the epic sound one dreams about and I can’t wait for a tour.

4. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

Did you not get giddy like a 17 year old fanboy (or girl) when you heard the organ on ‘Intervention’ for the first time? Pressure would have been intense to follow their 2004 self-titled release but they didn’t sell out and gave as an intense record about religion and its ramifications on society. Also seeing the band live in January. You can taste the excitement in the air.

5. Panda Bear – Person Pitch

This record came of nowhere and knocked me on my ass. But it took a while to warm to. ‘Bros’ is a stunner of a song. Great music to design to. Very inspiring.

Oh So Close: Sunset Rubdown – Random Spirit Lover, Battles – Mirrored, Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha, !!! – Myth Takes, Bloc Party – A Weekend in the City, Band of Horses – Cease To Begin, Okkervil River – The Stage Names, Spoon – Ga, Ga, Ga, Ga, Sigur Rós - Hvarf-Heim, Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter, Handsome Furs – Plague Park.

Other Notables: Whitley – The Submarine, Two Gallants – Two Gallants, The Twilight Sad – The Twilight Sad, PJ Harvey – White Chalk, The New Pornographers – Challengers, Liam Finn – I’ll Be Lightning, Cherry Ghost – Thirst For Romance, Kayne West – Graduation, Josh Pyke – Memories & Dust, José González – In Our Nature, Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog, Feist – The Reminder, Elvis Perkins – Ash Wednesday, Editors – An End Has a Start, Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, The Cinematic Orchestra – Ma Fleur, Chris Garneau – Music For Tourists, The Chemical Brothers – We Are The Night, Bamboos – Rawville, Stars – In Our Bedroom After The War, Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone.

Biggest Disappointments: Björk – Volta, Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger, Richard Hawley – Lady’s Bridge, Kaiser Chiefs – Your Truly, Angry Mob, Bright Eyes – Cassadaga (Not a patch on I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning)

Most Overrated: LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver. Clearly I am missing something but yeah, just doesn’t work at all for me.

Top 5 Films

Note: All films were released in Australia during 2007.

1. This Is England

Films concerning skinheads are often stereotypical portrayals but This Is England flips the genre slightly and gives the audience a powerful character study of a young boy who comes across the 80’s skinhead culture in early 80’s Britain. Apparently the film is based around the director’s own personal experiences and with that knowledge, it adds a deeper level of authenticity. The soundtrack (and score) are pitch perfect.

2. No Country For Old Men

The Coen’s are back! This is relentless and couldn’t be a more perfect film if it tried. Go see it now!
(read review)

3. Babel

No other film this year moved me as much as Babel. An important film to see and although upon second viewing it didn’t pack the same emotional punch, it certainly is one of the finest drama’s of the year.
(read review)

4. Inland Empire

It’s Lynch at his most experimental and challenging. If you go with it, you will be greatly rewarded.
(read review)

5. The Science of Sleep

This is the film all pop culture junkies and designers fall in love with. Oh and everybody else too!
(read review)

Other Notables: Knocked Up, Apocalypo, Last King of Scotland, Deathproof, Zodiac, Black Snake Moan.

Biggest Disappointments: Spiderman 3 & Halloween. I expected much more from Spiderman 3 considering Sam Raimi did a good job with the first two. And Rob Zombie ‘re-imagining’ of Carpenter’s classic was a total insult.

Most Overrated: Pans Labyrinth. The visuals of this film were nothing short of stunning but I didn’t care for the story as much as others clearly did.

Top 5 Gigs

There were some mighty special gigs this year although for me, it was one summer festival that blew all the rest of the gig experiences out of the water. 2008 however looks set to be the greatest year of my gigging life and I can’t freakin’ wait!

1. Good Vibrations (10th Feb, Sidney Myer Music Bowl)

2. Battles (25th Sep, East Brunswick Club)

3. Josh Pyke (26th Oct, The Forum)

Image courtesy of Ben Loveridge.

4. Silversun Pickups (16th Sep, Ding Dong Lounge)

Image courtesy of Will.

5. Calexico / Whitley (3rd Mar, The Corner Hotel)

Top 5 Watched TV Shows

Yes it’s true. I am a HBO addict! But when episodes cost as much as $5 million each, it’s good to know that money is well spent on the most important aspect of any TV series – the scripts!

1. Lost

The third season finale was everything a good mystery/drama series should be - tight, exciting, intense and ultimately satisfying. With the producers of the show knowing the exact date when they need to wrap up the entire series means they can plan everything out meticulously and fine craft this already brilliant show.

2. Sopranos

That ending… possibly the greatest endings for one of the greatest television series ever made.

3. Flight of the Conchords

The best NEW show of the year hands down. The original, infectious comedy duo from New Zealand deliver a dead-pan comedy fused with music, colour and style. Season two is in the works but they needed a bit of time to come up with new songs as they have said they used 90% of their songs in the first season.

4. Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David returned with Season 6 of this comedy smash about the ‘life’ of well… Larry David. The ‘Blacks’ were a great addition this season. Apparently David has said he has about 2 - 3 more seasons in him, with next season possibly seeing Michael Richards joining the ensemble. Should prove interesting if that eventuates.

5. Entourage

Entourage is still flying high now that everyone knows about the show and has become massively popular. The Canne finale was good fun but there were a few episodes towards the end of the season that felt like ‘filler’. But kudos to the producers for getting Anna Farris involved :) Season 5 begins middle of 2008.

Other Notables: Arrested Development. An older series that I discovered on DVD over a huge weekend marathon. Hilarious from the very first episode.

Guilty Pleasure: Beauty and the Geek (Season 4). Lame I know but it’s still fun to see the transformations the contestants go through.

Top 5 Personal Flickr Favourites

I’m currently at 999 photos posted on flickr. I wonder what the 1000th one will be?

1. Lupe Fiasco @ Prince of Wales

2. Tommy Haas - Australian Open 2007

3. Good Vibrations 2007 Crowd

4. Incognito @ Billboard The Venue

5. Petronas Twin Towers

Top 5 Moments

1. Meeting Lyndsay

My partner in crime and the most beautiful, intelligent, sexy, creative, witty and wonderful human being I’ve ever met.

2. Malaysia Trip

My first overseas trip and a wonderful experience, despite getting food poisoning.

3. Teaching at Uni

Shaping young minds is great fun and very rewarding, especially when I’m teaching them things I know and care about a lot. And the staff have been fantastic and very supportive too.

4. Twin Peaks Lounge Room Festival

Watching Twin Peaks from beginning to end with the initiated and uninitiated alike was a great way to spend Monday nights. Sure, it took a few weeks with two episodes per week but the Saturday marathon was a particular highlight. Great food + great company = great times :)

5. Making my own t-shirts

Not really a moment but when I got the t-shirts in the mail and they came out really well, it sure put a smile on my face. I don’t think I will ever buy a t-shirt again now :)

2007 has been one of the greatest years in my life thus far, truly special. Thanks also to all the awesome bloggers and flickerites who have provided some spectacular posts and photos over the year. You know who you are (listed in my sidebar to the right). 2008 is likely to be a year of great change and I for one, cannot wait!