Music bought in 2007
€1 = ?
New [on LP]
The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Eleven September inspired concept album. Best track : You're Missing. (€13)
Eyes Open by Snow Patrol
Herd instinct purchase. Sorry, I'm a sucker for Chasing Cars. (€19.50)
Bat Out Of Hell III : The Monster Is Loose by Meat Loaf
Jim Steinman-excluding (production-wise) third chapter in the epic Wagnerian trilogy. Not as good as parts I & II, but including plenty of 'We're not worthy'-songs : If It Ain't Broke, Break It; Seize The Night; The Future Ain't What It Used To Be etc. (€21.50)
Endless Wire by The Who
The comeback that didn't defy expectations, but satisfied nonetheless. Full review elsewhere on this site. (€15.90)
Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Re-issue of the masterpiece. Including my all-time 'carved in Stone(s)' favourite, Sympathy For The Devil. It doesn't get much better than this; every household should have at least one copy of Beggars Banquet. (€16.10)
Fidelity by Regina Spektor
My favourite new song of the year. Yes, it was released in 2006, but I discovered it in 2007. A beautiful melody with a heartbreaking voice, this is serious stuff. And the girl is cute. (€5)
Grace Kelly by Mika
Just like about everyone, he has supporters and haters. I love his cheeky, playful music. (€5)
Kvraagetaan by Fixkes
No song reigned over the charts as long as this Flemish effort. A solid 16 weeks in pole position! People got seriously fed up with it afterwards, but they seemed to ignore the obvious charm and quality of the tune. Well done, chaps! (€4.95)
Soviet Kitsch by Regina Spektor
Spektor's third album - the title is a nod to her roots - is just as lovely as her fourth (which introduced me to her work). The conversation between Regina and her brother is very funny! (€18.99)
On The Radio by Regina Spektor
I wanted to buy Begin To Hope, the full album which includes both Fidelity and this track. For some odd reason, no vinyl version was ever issued. Hence the need to purchase this single too. (€4.95)
Spider-Man 3 by Various Artists
Soundtrack to the movie. Not the best compilation ever, because it includes some unwanted trash. The positives do outweigh the negatives. (€25.99)
Shooting Star by Air Traffic
Part two of a two 7" set. Includes an alternative version of their breakthrough song. Excellent price, too! (€2.99)
Tested Dry by Jena Malone and her Blood Stains
The first single of actress Malone is a wacky, kooky and good one. Cool artwork. (€6.99)
Bridges To Babylon by The Rolling Stones
For some reason, this 1997 Stones album is loathed by a lot of critics. I fail to see why; it includes the
brilliant Flip The Switch, Saint Of Me, Anybody Seen My Baby?, Already Over Me etc. (€10)
The World Is Outside by Ghosts
Great! (€4.95)
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
'Vinyl Junkie' re-issue of the song you all know. Crystal clear quality ... and VERY loud, too. Normally, compared to CD, vinyl forces you to crank up the volume. For some reason, this platter is extremely loud. Ideal for DJs, I guess. (€2.50)
Mulholland by Moby
Not his best song ever, in my honest opinion. The 10" format is sweet, though. (€2.50)
Today by Junkie XL
Two 12"s with remixes by the most popular DJ from The Netherlands. Or wait, should that be Tijs Verwest? (€2.50)
S4 by Sash!
My favourite dance act from my youth did lose some of its spark after the third album. I bought this one because it was cheap ... and for nostalgia's sake. (€2.50)
Magic by Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band
For the second time in a row, Springsteen delivers the best album of the year. Full review elsewhere on this site. (a present)
Intensive Care by Robbie Williams
One of the best all-round entertainers/performers. I truly love Advertising Space. (€19.99)
Love by The Beatles
I'm still a Beatles newbie, for I only know the big hits. Yes, that still amounts to 25 tracks, but the album tracks elude me. Both kinds of Beatles ditties are in attendance on this experimental package. I am particularly fond of I Am The Walrus. (a present)
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Deluxe 4-LP presentation of the recent Peppers album, in analog sound quality for maximum effect. Snow ((Hey Ho)) remains the highlight. (€36.99)
Live At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
It's a little sad : Cash only recently experienced a massive boost in popularity, thanks to Walk The Line. I'm guilty as well : I knew the man, but didn't know the oeuvre. Anyway, this (a 2007 re-issue because Sony smelled money) is vintage brilliance from The Man In Black. (a present)
Fixkes by Fixkes
The Flemish boys don't disappoint with their full-length debut. Although limited in its appeal (they sing in a regional dialect), the melodies are good enough to be appreciated on a global scale. Standout tracks : Alles Komt Terug, Lievelingsdier, (Ik Zen Van) Stabroek, Ongelukkig, Vrijdagavond & Pistoleke. The LP-sleeve includes a CD-version as well! (€21.99)
Loose by Nelly Furtado
The previous Furtado hits didn't touch the right chord with me, but this album is chock-full of treats! Must be what they call 'The Timbaland Effect'. (€15.99)
I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen
Hot 1985 Springsteen smash still available on a new 7". Bought specifically for my dad's jukebox. (€4.30)
FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake
Timberlake and Timbaland (Timberland?) team up for a floorfiller of exceptional stature. Critics called it 'the new Thriller', but that's too much praise. (€13.99)
Nite Versions by Soulwax
Worldwide famous Belgians turn their own album (2004's Any Minute Now) into a dirtier and noisier dance-hall feast. The result isn't entirely up my alley. (a present)
New [on CD]
Jam by Michael Jackson [on DualDisc]
The excellent Michael Jackson song, re-released on DualDisc with the video on the other side of the disc. (€1.50)
Rayalistisch by Raymzter
Dutch rapper breaks a lance for a multicultural The Netherlands. (€1)
All The Lost Souls by James Blunt
Before you start laughing : I received this CD for free as a contestant. James Blunt, loathed by many, returns with a second album. Some schmaltz, some excellent tunes.
(a present)
Live In Dublin by B. Springsteen with The Sessions Band
Live compilation of three Seeger gigs in Ireland's capital. Two CDs and a DVD at an unbeatable price, a mere 5 months after release. (€6.90)
New [on MD]
Sandinista! by The Clash
Essential ambiance from the ambassadors of punk. (€2)
Stained Class by Judas Priest
Succulent songs from the deans of metal. (€2)
Second-hand purchases [on LP]
Heat by Soulsister
Second album of Belgium's best pop/rock/soul combo. I missed the 2008 reunion due to a Swedish intermezzo.
(a present)
Cut by Golden Earring
The album that reaffirmed their superstarstatus after a slew of commercial failures. Includes their biggest hit in the States, the extremely brilliant Twilight Zone. (€3.50)
Janez Detd. by Janez Detd.
Belgian punkers deliver no-nonsense songs. (€10)
Volume One by Traveling Wilbury's
The supergroup that my generation never discovered. Until now, because their entire catalogue (just two albums) has been given the 'special edition' treatment. Brilliant album, with Tweeter And The Monkey Man as the best track. (€5)
Damn The Torpedoes by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
American rockers do what they're best at : rocking. (€2)
Bootleg by Aerosmith
Sorry, no opinion can be given : I have not yet listened to this collection. (€2)
Puttin' On The Style by Lonnie Donegan
Skiffle performer with pipes persuades prolific pals for a playful presentation of previous passions. (€1)
Second-hand purchases [on CD]
Home Alone 2 by Various Artists
Pop soundtrack to the Culkin blockbuster. (€1)
Jumanji by James Horner
Symphonic soundtrack to the Williams blockbuster. (€1)
Back To The Future III by Alan Silvestri
Symphonic soundtrack to the Fox/Lloyd [should have been a bigger] blockbuster. (€1)
The Lost Boys by Various Artists
Pop soundtrack to the cult teen favourite. Gerard McMann's Cry Little Sister is just as good today as it ever was. (€1)
Julian, 15 June 2008