Ben Kenney “Distance & Comfort” - This is probably the best rock album of the year. Every song either makes me want to air guitar like there is no tomorrow or sing until my lungs give out.
Black Light Burns “Cover Your Heart and the Anvil Pants Odyssey” - Oddly enough, I couldn’t get into this album at first. I’m never one for cover albums. But after a couple of passes, I’ve come to realize it’s a really great record. You can tell the band had some real fun making it. The DVD portion of the release is probably the best way you can spend 2+ hours.
Gemma Hayes “The Hollow of Morning” - Such a soothing album to listen to. I sometimes miss this girl’s old rockin’ ways from the album “Night On My Side” but I gladly enjoy what she’s bringing to the table now.
Audiovent “The Lost Demos” - The music from this myspace released EP was recorded back in 2003 before the band broke up that same year. Five years later, it’s finally reaching my ears. It’s well worth the wait. So different from their debut album but equally as good!
Ashes Divide “Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright” - This is the new project from the guitarist of A Perfect Circle. There are definitely moments on this album that feel similar to APC but for the most part, it has it’s own unique sound. Great record.
Nine Inch Nails “Ghosts” & “The Slip” - Ok so this is a case of two separate albums released within the same year. So sue me if I’m not following the rules of the “TOP 10”. They both are great releases. One is a two disc, 34 song instrumental album. The other is a full length album that was released for free. The music on both blow my mind. Nuff said.
King West Manring Vamos “I~XII” - It’s a real melting pot of styles. I couldn’t begin to describe what would be but what I do know is that it’s some really great, relaxing instrumental music.
Phantom Planet “Raise The Dead” - The best way I can describe this album is The Beatles on steroids. I hope they don’t fail the piss test.
Jason Truby “Finding the Quiet” - I just got this in the mail yesterday. If I’m getting my facts right, these songs were written for Jason’s children so they could get to sleep. I gave it a listen when I was trying to get to sleep… It worked. What a great classical acoustic instrumental album.
Minus The Bear “Acoustics EP” - I think it’s always a given that with every band I like, I at some point think about how their songs would sound acoustically. Minus The Bear, in all their awesomeness, decided to release an EP dedicated to just that. This album proves to me that if they decided one day to drop the electric guitars and play strictly on acoustics and their concerts would involve campfires and s’mores, I would still love their music just as much.
———-
BONUS favorite album that I had heard in 2007 but didn’t absolutely 100% love and appreciate until 2008:
Saves The Day “Under The Boards” - Pick it up. You won’t regret it.
