Features

Glide's 5th Annual Best of 2007: From the Artists' Perspective

By The Glide Staff

December 19, 2007

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Everyone makes their standard "best of's," top 10s" and "year in review" lists, but each December we like to take that model a couple of steps further. We go straight to the artists to see where they found inspiration over the past twelve months, and we don't stop with just album choices. We dig a bit deeper and go for a broader picture of the past year in art. From classic moments on the road to their guilty pleasure confessions, this is a panoramic snapshot of "the best of 2007," and a peek into what to expect in '08.

Aaron Dessner - The National
Adam Russell - White Rabbits
Alison Sudol - A Fine Frenzy
Ben Arnold
Brian Dwyer - Papertrigger
Bryan Dondero - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Buddy Cage
Chad Stokes - State Radio
Conor Deasy - The Thrills
Damon Fox and Ace Mark - Big Elf
David Levy - Out to Lunch
Eric Yates - Hot Buttered Rum
Grace Potter - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Harrison Haynes - Les Savy Fav
Hunter Husar - Mahjonng
Jacob Thomas Berns - The National Lights
Jamie Masefield
John Darnielle - The Mountain Goats
Josh Clark - Tea Leaf Green

m7 Martino - Charge 7
Marc Brownstein - The Disco Biscuits
Marco Benevento
Mark Karan - Ratdog
Mark Mullins - Bonerama
Matt Butler - The Everyone Orchestra
Mike Gordon - Phish
Nate Cole - Castledoor
Paul Collins and Jon Natchez - Beirut
Reed Mathis - Tea Leaf Green
Sam Sparro
Scott Metzger
Scott Tournett - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Sean Hutchinson - New Monsoon
Seth Walker
Stephen Becker - Le Concorde
The Epochs
The Frontier Brothers
The Hedrons
Tom Smith - Office
Val Loper - Bear Hands
Vampire Weekend

Sean Hutchinson, New Monsoon

Best Album(s) of 2007

Radiohead- In Rainbows - What can you say… it’s Radiohead! Geniuses…they take you into a truly gripping and dark sonic world.
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky - Many Wilco fans were critical of this one for it’s stripped down production. I really applauded Wilco for doing something barebones and raw, stripping down to the essential emotional qualities of each song. They recorded it standing in a circle in their loft in Chicago, no isolation and very few overdubs. I dig it…
Iron and Wine- The Shepard’s Dog - Sam Beam is a prolific songwriter who just keeps growing.

Favorite Live Performance of 2007

Zap Mama- This women has AMZING energy, an extremely talented band, and background singers with matching outfits (AND they can really sing.) They have an original concept, great songs, a great groove, and she is a force of nature on stage…Did I mention the coordinated dance moves? Amazing show…

Personal Favorite On-stage Moment/Show of 2007

Festival gig in the Ozark Hills in Arkansas with washboard, dobro, and fiddle guests sitting in. It was a real down home good time.

Classic Album or Artist You Discovered This Year

I got really into Joni Mitchell this year. Lately I’ve been digging Travelogue, a retrospective of songs from her whole career with orchestra arrangements by Vince Mendoza.

Best Film You Saw This Year

Volver by Pedro Almodóvar

Song From The Past Year You Wish You Wrote

I wish I wrote “The Circle Game” (Joni Mitchell)… was that one written in 2007?

Artist You Are Most Excited About In 2008

Krystle Warren is a songwriter who will be doing BIG things in 2008. Her first EP Diary is a fantastic gem and her first full-length will be out next year.