#Moviefilm: Control

I had been making a go of finishing this movie for the last several days, but tonight I finally polished off control, a don’t-call-it-a-documentary about the band Joy Division.

I had heard of them, and actually have some of their music, but I had never really listened to it. I had heard the movie was good, and I had heard (though not through my own ear for influences) that they were very influential to a lot of the bands that have come up the last few years, with The Killers’ first album one of the first big albums to borrow heavily from the band. The movie itself was pretty good. a bit slow, and incredibly depressing, which is, apparently, inevitable with anything that relates to this band. If you’ve had too good a day and need something to bring you back down, this will do the trick.

I see movies of these peoples’ lives, and I think, “Man, that would cool to be in his position; you have a group of friends who get together and make strikingly fresh and new music that puts you on the map. you have a wife that loves you and would do anything for you. It’s good. Then it falls apart.”

I can’t say I want to know what that is like.

#New Life, New Noisefarmer

It’s time for a refresh.

I have not kept with this, but I feel a little old for Xanga, you know? So here I am, with all the other blogspotters. My adult blog. I’m grown up now, hear?

This will be a mix of all the things that make my life full. Music, politics, fantasy baseball, happenings in Birmingham, and more. I hope you read it, and mostly, I hope you enjoy it.

#What the Hell IS on Joey’s Head?

The year so far has seen some great releases. Nothing too big time, but some good music nonetheless. Here’s a take:

Blizten Trapper // Wild Mountain Nation

If you pride yourself on having a fairly broad taste in music, but hate the annoyance of having to switch artists and genres anytime your oft-changing whims desire something different, this is one to listen for. Everything from psycho-pop to bluegrass jams, it has nearly everything (except bill cosby rapping). Good stuff.

3.5 Cobs

Jon Foreman // Fall and Winter

Jon Foreman, lead singer for Switchfoot, is putting out a set of 4 EPs, each named after a season. The first 2, Fall and Winter, were released at the beginning of the month. Quite a departure from what would be expected considering his band, Foreman conveys a much more Elliott Smith-type vibe with his music, a little more “Let That Be Enough” than “Stars.” I haven’t listened to the whole album, but from what I have heard, it is absolutely great.

4.5 cobs

Vampire Weekend // Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend has been the toast of the indie community for some time now, and while I hate hate hate to be on the bandwagon for anything, this album is truly worth it. It’s compact, concise, and fun to listen to. My favorite record of the year so far.

5 cobs

#Best O The Year That Was: 2007 (5 Stars)

These are the albums that were truly the best of 2007. They are in no particular order except alphabetical, because there is no way I can truly say that any one of these albums was my absolute year-long favorite. Some of these I listened to today, so it would be untrue and unfair (and if I am anything, I am neither of those). So enjoy and discuss! I really want to hear what you think.

Andrew Osenga // Letters to the Editor, Vol. 1
Key Song: Swing Wide The Glimmering Gates (Not on Rdio)

Andy Davis // Fine China EP
Key Song: Fine China

Arcade Fire // Neon Bible
Key Song: Intervention

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club // Baby 81
Key Song: Berlin

Bloc Party // A Weekend in the City
Key Song: The Prayer

Canon Blue // Halcyon EP
Key Song: Halcyon

Explosions in the Sky // All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Key Song: Catastrophe And The Cure

Lifehouse // Who We Are
Key Song: The Joke

Menomena // Friend or Foe
Key Song: Air Aid

Modest Mouse // We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Key Song: Dashboard

Of Montreal // Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Key Song: Gronlandic Edit

Ryan Adams // Easy Tiger
Key Song: Halloweenhead

Spoon // Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Key Song: The Underdog

#Best O The Year That Was: 2007 (4 stars)

So this is it; my best of the year.

I took a little while, and I’ve listened to a lot of music over the past few weeks to catch up, but i have complied what I believe in my limited scope to be the best albums released in the year 2007. I only posted the albums that I thought were 4 or 5 stars…these are the 4 stars.

The Acorn // Tin Fist
Key Song: Brokered Heart

Aqualung // Memory Man
Key Song: Vapour Trail

Athlete // Beyond the Neighbourhood
Key Song: Airport Disco

Battles // Mirrored
Key Song: Atlas

Bear Colony // We Came Here to Die
Key Song: Hospital Rooms Aren’t For Lovers

The Bird and the Bee // The Bird and the Bee
Key Song: Birds and the Bees

Blonde Redhead // 23
Key Song: Publisher

Calvin Harris // I Created Disco
Key Song: This Is the Industry

Caribou // Andorra
Key Song: Eli

David Crowder Band // The Remedy
Key Song: The Glory of It All

Ezra Furman & the Harpoons // Banging Down the Doors
Key Song: I Wanna Be Ignored

The Fratellis // Costello Music
Key Song: Flathead

The Hives // The Black and White Album
Key Song: T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.

Kayne West // Graduation
Key Song: Stronger

Lily Allen // Alright, Still
Key Song: LDN

Maroon 5 // It Won’t Be Soon Before Too Long
Key Song: Wake Up Call

Paolo Nutini // These Streets
Key Song: Jenny, Don’t Be Hasty

Sondre Lerche // Phantom Punch
Key Song: Phantom Punch

Various // Across the Universe Soundtrack
Key Song: Strawberry Fields Forever