The Year That Was: 2007

In the spirit of year-end summaries, this entry is a composite of my favourite musical moments of the year gone by. 2007 was an interesting time for music with some tremendous come-backs, devastating break-ups and a marked change in the relationship between technology and music. It was almost as much fun to wade through memories of the past twelve months as it was to experience them. Read on for my highlights and lowlights.

Best Albums:
10. Silverchair – Young Modern
9. Social Code – Social Code
8. Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light
7. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
6. Boys Night Out – Boys Night Out
5. Danny Michel – Welcome Home
4. Borrowed Tunes II – A Tribute to Neil Young
3. Chantal Kreviazuk – Ghost Stories
2. Matthew Good – Hospital Music
1. Raine Maida – The Hunter’s Lullaby

Most Disappointing Album:
1.Finger Eleven – Them vs. You vs. Me

Summary:
I struggled to stay on top of new album releases this year and was often many months behind.  My busy schedule left little time for listening, and I was sucked into the plaque that is satellite radio halfway through the year. Buying albums has become a thing of the past for me, and I struggled with my conscience when downloading albums, all the while trying to justify paying for iTunes downloads. My number one album came late in the year with Raine Maida’s solo debut. My love for Maida’s musical and lyrical styling was rekindled with this fresh, honest and completely unabashed collection. The little piece of me that had died when I realized I no longer enjoyed the direction of Our Lady Peace finally was rejuvenated. Maida isn’t trying to change the world of music, but certainly is helping things along. Matthew Good also secured a place in my heart with his latest solo album. The bleak and heartbreakingly honest songs on ‘Hospital Music’ are so good that I looked to them for inspiration during many of my fall photography sessions. ‘99% of us is Failure’ became a bit of an anthem as it was with me for every step of our 52 km hike in October. The song will forever remind me of that particular boreal forest adventure. Social Code’s uber catchy single ‘Bomb Hands’ was a staple of my summer workout regime and was impossibly addictive. Though the rest of the self-titled album drops off in quality considerably after the first few tracks, I have the utmost respect for the efforts of the Edmonton boys and just can’t deny the love I have for Travis Nesbitt’s voice. Chantal Kreviazuk’s latest release ‘Ghost Stories’ was truly a masterpiece and an instant favourite of mine. The stripped down piano and strings oriented songs represented a much-needed departure for Kreviazuk, and I thoroughly enjoyed her new direction and bold experimentation. Finally, the latest addition to the plethora of Neil Young dedications certainly tops the previous ‘Borrowed Tunes’ collection with an array of song interpretations by established and up-and-coming Canadian artists. The collection has renewed my love of Young’s work and reinstated him as one of the all-time greatest artists of modern music.

At the other end of the spectrum, Finger Eleven essentially erased themselves from my musical subconscious with the release of their boring and over calculated album ‘Them vs. You vs. Me’. I will always treasure F11’s past work but may never look at them with the same reverence that I used to. Why must the industry ruin all of the talented bands?

Best Live Performances:
10. Sleeping Weather – Marathon ON, CA (25/08/07)
9. The Flatliners – Toronto ON, CA (27/07/07)
8. Social Code – Thunder Bay ON, CA (31/05/07)
7. Anti-Flag – Thunder Bay ON, CA (30/01/07)
6. Rise Against – Thunder Bay ON, CA (30/01/07)
5. Moneen – Thunder Bay ON, CA (07/04/07)
4. Chantal Kreviazuk – Thunder Bay ON, CA (21/02/07)
3. Matthew Good – Thunder Bay ON, CA (30/09/07)
2. Raine Maida – Thunder Bay ON, CA (21/02/07)
1. Billy Joel – Edmonton AB, CA (04/11/07)

Most Disappointing Live Performance:
1. Goldfinger – Toronto ON, CA (28/07/07)

Summary:
Though it was another quiet year for concerts due to road conditions, lack of tours and a crazy schedule, I still managed to eek out a Top 10 list. Seeing Billy Joel in Edmonton was definitely the monumental live music moment of 2007. Seldom do I get the opportunity to see musical greats of his caliber, and sharing in the experience with my mom was a moment that will not soon be forgotten. Raine Maida made a tremendous solo debut opening for Chantal Kreviazuk in February. I have long hoped that the two of them would write and tour together, and my dreams were finally realized this year. Matthew Good also pulled off a moving solo performance in Thunder Bay that strengthened my appreciation for his work. Moneen was a regular part of my musical landscape yet again this year, with a highlight performance with Attack in Black in Thunder Bay. Social Code was another heavy component of my calendar and never failed to provide energetic and entertaining shows. It was also a treat to see the likes of Rise Against and Anti-Flag in northwestern Ontario, despite the fact that they had to play in a soft seat auditorium. Finally, Sleeping Weather’s appearance in Marathon was a summer highlight. It was fantastic to see the hometown love, and I was ecstatic and proud to see how far the band has come since their first show in London.

Easily the biggest disappointment of my music festival season occurred at Wakestock in Toronto. A long-time Goldfinger fan, I waited years to see the band in concert. My excitement was palpable when they finally took the stage, but was cut short when the band was kicked out after playing only a few songs for inviting fans up to sing ‘Mabel’ with them. I nearly cried. I may never get over the disappointment.

Best Rediscovery:
1. Zuckerbaby

Most Disappointing Break-Up:
1. Idle Sons

Summary:
Zuckerbaby was one of my first Can-rock loves. The bands sweet vocal harmonies and beautiful pop melodies were pure bliss. However, after an album release and brief touring stint in 2000/2001, the band seemed to disappear from the face of the snowy Canadian landscape. I presumed the worst. However, through the miracle of MySpace, I stumbled across a profile for the band a few months back. I was pleased to discover that they were still writing and recording as well as playing the occasional show in Calgary. Though I may not have the opportunity to see them again for a very long time, it pleases me to know that they’re still out there fighting the good fight.

In stark contrast to my rediscovery of Zuckerbaby, a sad moment occurred in March when my long-time favourite Burlington-based indie rockers, Idle Sons (nee Slurpymundae), broke up. After years of struggling with labels, recording and touring, the boys decided to throw in the towel shortly after their first major label album dropped. I still ache for the millions of ears that will be forever deaf to this band’s music. Their live shows were like no other. Though I can understand their frustration, it breaks my heart that they were unable to fight the music machine. I treasure my memories of the fanatical few years I spent following them around on tour. The friendships and experiences I gained were priceless. I for one hope that their talent is not stifled completely, and that they each continue to contribute to the world of music in one way or another.

2008 is shaping up to be an excellent year for music. I’m anxiously awaiting releases by the likes of Ours and Oceanship and look forward to exploring the Australian music scene in depth. Here’s to the next twelve months!