speed of dark

I'm sure I will have even more regrets as I continue reading other people's best-lists and listening to what they found. That is probably the best reason for everyone to make these lists and to check out as many as possible. One person just can't listen to it all.

I regret that I did not put this glowing and gorgeous Novi Split song in my Top 25 songs list; I just somehow missed it. I played it a lot, and I included it on several mixes I made for friends. The whole album is really pretty good, in fact.

Novi Split: California Skies from Pink In the Sink (2007)
MySpace | Website | Label: Hush Records
Buy at Hush Records Store, Novi Split's MySpace, iTunes, eMusic

I goofed: I was going by the possibly incorrect information on iTunes that Beirut's Lon Gisland EP was released late in 2006. However, right after I posted my Best Songs list, I found more than one site showing its release as 2007 (Examples: Rolling Stone, Star Pulse). eMusic completely chickens out on the issue, not listing a release date. If I had untangled all this earlier, "Elephant Gun" would have replaced "The Penalty" on my Top 25 songs because it's hands-down my favorite Beirut song, and I like it far more than anything on Flying Cup Club. That trumpet solo nearly brings me to tears every time. Oh well.

Beirut: Elephant Gun from Lon Gisland EP (2007)
MySpace | Website | Label: BA DA BING Records

This leads to my first resolution for 2008, to spend more time on research and make fewer mistakes.

From the blogroll:

For more of the best of 2007, check out Contrast Podcast's
Festive 50, Part 2, which lists a contender for my own Top 25, Spoon's "My Little Japanese Cigarette Case"
and
Festive 50, Part 3, in which I get to introduce one of my own favorites, Iron and Wine's "Boy With a Coin."

The three Festive 50 podcasts make excellent mixes, as always. I download them and put them on my MP3 player.

Ekko at Berkeley Place has an interview with Stratocruiser. This is especially interesting because the guy in the beret in their photo looks quite a bit like Indie Mom's husband. Another good reason to check it out are the Cheap Trick covers.

A few more Favorites Of 2007 lists:

Can You See the Sunset has a ginormous and fabulous 50 Best Albums of 2007 list
At Mini-Obs, Nat's reluctant Favorite Albums list
Blogs Are For Dogs
I Guess I'm Floating
Local Vertical
Lonesome Music Top 10 Albums
Lost In Your Inbox Top 10 Albums
Music For Ants
P.J. at The Yellow Stereo's Favorite Songs of 2007

For a really comprehensive list, see Largehearted Boy. You'll spend all of 2008 getting through it!

Coming soon: Our best concerts of 2007