So, here it is, the obligatory year-end recap. Honestly, 2007 has been the best fucking year musically I think I can recall, for gigs, albums, and pretty much everything sonic. Sure, I’m still at a loss to explain why indie music is becoming so ridiculously popular given that it has a) no soul, b) no balls, and c) way too many tryhard scenesters, and I don’t understand why everyone seems to care so much about Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse and what they are/aren’t doing this week. But in between all the rubbish (a large amount of it from Pitchfork),…

It seems sort of fitting that, in a year where I've had the opportunity to see so many fantastic shows - Muse, Roger Waters (performing the entirety of Dark Side of the Moon, no less), Jurassic 5, the last would be the best of all. And although the lights of 2008 are already shining brightly - I already have tickets to see Smashing Pumpkins and Queens of the Stone Age at V Fest, Rage Against the Machine and the Foo Fighters (for the fourth time) - it really is hard to see any show eclipsing Clutch's performance…

It's been a phenomenal year for concerts so far down here in this part of the world. At times in the past decent shows have been few and far between because we're so far away, but lately the tide seems to have turned. Partly that's the fact that the Vector Arena FINALLY opened, but it seems like we're just getting more shows in general. Now seems like a good time to reflect on the shows I've seen so far this year and the few that are still to come…

January
Kasabian - played a tight pre-BDO show at Studio. 6.5/10,…

Nine Inch Nails = insane.

It took me two trips across the Tasman and five months to finally get to this concert (having been postponed from May) but it was worth every bit of the wait. One of the most intense, exhilarating, potent live shows I've witnessed - musically it was fantastic and the amazing lighting effects only added to the chaos.

The Hordern seemed like a bit of a small venue but the noise and intensity inside was deafening, so I guess it was a good option. I didn't see a whole lot of the opening act, White Rose…

7=. Deftones – 26 plays
Getting back into the ‘Tones for the first time in a while, I have a definite soft spot for their self-titled album which seems to be less popular with a lot of their fans. Also had a spin of their “B- Sides and Rarities” album, some very under-rated stuff on there including a nice cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”.

7=. Velvet Revolver – 26 plays
I’m still trying to figure out whether I prefer Libertad or Contraband. They’re really two quite different beasts: Libertad is a more balanced and diverse record, whereas Contraband…

Finally, Muse tickets go on sale on Tuesday. Just a shame they're playing all the way out on the west-side… we'll have to navigate a myriad of burnt-out cars and P labs just to get there. Speaking of Muse, it looks like Knights of Cydonia is going to feature in Guitar Hero III, which is also going to feature a wireless controller. I just know this is going to be bad news for anything breakable in my living room.

On with the chart.

10. Ghostface - 18 plays
It's a shame that so many of the Wu have struggled with…

…and then it's just hilarious.

Anyway, the week in review.

10. The White Stripes - 20 plays
I picked up Elephant from the bargain bin at JB Hi-Fi. I've never really been a huge fan but equally I've never really listened to them a whole lot either. I think I like them most when they're either making a lot of noise or cranking out the blues… tracks like Seven Nation Army, Black Math, and Ball and Biscuit really seem toffer a lot more than some of the quieter numbers like In The Cold Cold Night which doesn't really go anywhere.…

Random comment, but I got a new pair of Sennheiser PMX100 headphones and damn are they good. They're nowhere near the top of the line Sennheisers I'm sure, but for a pair that I can just thrash at work all day, they're pretty damn decent. Best clarity and bass response of any headphones I've had, that's for sure.

On with the slightly irregular weekly review show anyway…
10=. DJ Shadow - 19 plays
Fuck me if the "Dark Days" theme is not an insanely addictive piece of music. With its smoky, salacious atmosphere it sounds like the streets of Sin…

Having already reflected on the albums of 2007 so far, the next question is… what's still to come? I’ve stuck to confirmed releases, there’s a lot more stuff floating around in the ‘maybe’ category as well.

Velvet Revolver - Libertad
I've just picked this up as we speak… liking it a lot so far. It's a bit more accessible than Contraband was initially and I already can't wait to hear "Let It Roll" live. Scott's vocals seem to blend really well with the music, and the guitar work sounds pretty good at first listen too (although you'd expect that from…

A quick review of all the albums released this year that I've purchased… in roughly chronological order. Admittedly the ratings are generally fairly high but… well I wouldn't buy things if I didn't think they'd be worthwhile.

Revolver – Parlour Games
It seems to be a constant battle for really decent NZ bands to actually get albums out, since we’re such a small market. Needless to say I was pretty pleased when Revolver finally released Parlour Games, and a swaggering blues-rock gem it is. Sounds much like they’ve spent the afternoon sitting around playing poker, drinking beer and whiskey, and…