Top 7 of '07
7. The Unseen's Internal Salvation
You know, a lot of times The Unseen get lumped in with a bunch of other shitty mohawk-ish bands, but they really are a step above the norm. All Music Guide has their first album listed as released in 1998, which I believe is false, as I recall having their debut record in 9th grade, putting it to be released around 1996. Either way, after releasing a ton of records in however many years, their 2007 release is their best since 1999's "So This Is Freedom." They haven't changed what they are singing about, or the way in which they say it. To sum up: 'fuck the system, do it your own way.' That being said the band does continue to grow and tighten up as musicians. The only thing I was dissapointed by on this record is the cover song at the end. I remember "Every Rose has its Thorn" "Beat It" and "Paint it Black" from their previous albums, and their cover on this record a song by The Freeze, is good, but I long for the olden days. Still a really great release from a band that has been really great for a long time. Keep up the screamin boys. Up the punks, huh?
6.Ben Weasel and his Iron String Quartet's These Ones are Bitter
I gave this record a thorough review a few months ago and every word I wrote remains true. This album is like checking in with an old friend, and finding out he took singing lessons. After repeat listens this still stand up to the test. A little less rocking than a Screeching Weasel record, but still awesome. He still writes in a very personal way and he seems to have perfected his style here.
Definitely worth checking out for anyone, even if you don't like Screeching Weasel, and especially for those who wanted more from Ben's first solo album... You know, I only initially gave this 3 stars. I think I was having a bad day. This is a really good record certainly worthy of more than 3. In retrospect I would venture to call it a 4 star release.5.Tiger Army's Music from Regions Beyond
I've read several things about Tiger Army "selling out" on this record and becoming more commercial. I never enjoyed a Tiger Army album until this one, so maybe its a good thing they polished their sound a little bit. The album still rocks as hard as anything else, especially the first two tracks. And the slow ones are still really well done. Nick 13's vocals soar on the 'ballads' and he growls on the songs he should be. I actually am more fond of this record when they mellow out a little bit. I think "Afterworld" and "Forever Fades Away" and of course the tear jerking last song "Where the Moss Slowly Grows" are the best tracks on the album. Not having any idea what the song is really about, but still finding it beautiful, I find myself weeping along with the band and singing "Embrace, this joy, this pain. Don't miss this chance, it will not come again. You mean more than you may ever knooooow, don't linger where the moss slowly grows." Excellent album, even if you were never a fan of the band. 4.The Vacancies' Tantrum
Again, there is a full review of this record a few months back. It really is good (the album not the review...well the review is pretty good too). I was a huge fan of their previous release and after re-listening to each back to back I have come to a conclusion: This one is superior. Ok, it doesn't have a screaming "Cleavland!!!" to begin its first track... but I promise you will still be excited by the way this album begins. After the first one minute assault the whole thing crashes into you ear drums, and continues to rock for 14 tracks. Including a 7Seconds cover song!! The band takes two breaths from the breakneck pace on the whole record in "Joe Strummer" which is a really fantastic song. And boy oh boy can singer Billy Crooked scream. You will never hear Joe Strummer's name the same again. The closing track is a quiet song featuring just Crooked and a guitar. As a whole this album is the real deal, and these guys deserve to be more popular than most bands releasing trash these days. Viva la Vacancies!3.Chuck Ragan's Los Feliz and Feast or Famine
Combining the two releases seemed the only way to go. As the live "Los Feliz" was more of a teaser for the studio record, "Feast or Famine". It's difficult to pick which versions are better, live or studio. You can actually feel the songs on the live record. This is a man who means what he is singing...with his gravely voice and acoustic guitar alone he is capable of making you forget where you are and entering the song. You say thing to yourself like "well damn, he really loves the heck out of his wife" after hearing the very moving "Symmetry" especially on the studio version (he fumbles the lines a bit on the live record...but then he apologizes to his wife saying "doesn't mean I 
love you any less baby" awwww) The whole collection of songs are more of a love song to his own life, but It's not self indulgent.... it's more of a way to tell his friends and fans that he may have left Hot Water Music but he is really enjoying the shit out of his life. His blend of folk and traditional music really lends itself to his vocals and the subject matter. Not so hidden though are the political songs, including "For Broken Ears" and "Between The Lines" and the best track on both records "California Burritos" which includes the brilliant line "I can't stand feeling nothing, I can't stand feeling old. I can't stand standing for nothing, when standing up is all I know" Highlight between the two records: on the live record he sings a song called "God Deciding" which goes right into "Fixin' to Die" both songs seem to push Mr. Ragan's vocals to the limit, but he pushes right back and you can hear how bad he wants to sing these songs for people. Good work sir. I look forward to many more albums to "Open Up and Wail" along with.2.Against Me's New Wave
Another polished album by veterans. In 20 years this album will still be in my top 5 of all time. It is that damn good. The whole album is only about 30 minutes long so I would suggest setting aside 15-20 hours in a day and listening to this on repeat. From the very first sound on track one, the title track, you know you are in for a treat. Its like that scene in SLC Punk when Bob plays "Kiss Me Deadly" for Stevo, and he turns to him and says "This is new...its different" (or something like that, it's been a while since I have seen that movie). This record has the same effect. You want to share it with people, but you don't want your favorite secret to be out. Well, after this release, the secret is out about Against Me. Their unique blend of folk/punk reaches its pinnacle on this release. With lines like "We can be the bands we wanna hear. We can define our own generation" you know that they are in it to win this time. Polished or not singer Tom Gabel still bellows through the 10 tracks. Similar to Chuck Ragan, what Tom Gabel lacks in range he makes up for with emotion-tenfold. With songs like "Up The Cuts" where he howls the question "Are you restless like me?" in a plea for the music industry to do something that matters, I respond to him that I was restless until this record, now I'm anxious for another. Every song can be listened to on different levels. You can dance to nearly every one, or you could pump your fist and be angry at the world, or you could sit with headphones on and just enjoy the tunes. Major Label or not they brought the rock with them to Sire Records. Sure they toned it down a bit, they have a few more harmonies, some more radio-ish songs. But this is Against Me's absolute best record. There is not a moment on the album where they lose your attention or where they seem to falter. The whole thing spans numerous topics from life decisions to politics to being born the wrong sex (maybe I just don't get the metaphor??) To be cheesey for one moment: You have to Stop! Take some time to think, think about whats important to you, and buy this record. I am not exaggerating about this being next to Abbey Road in my list of all time records. If I haven't convinced you than listen to it once. I guarantee that you will hit play again as soon as the last song is over. 1. Gogol Bordello's SuperTaranta!
How could anything be better than the Against Me album? You ain't heard nothin yet. Gogol Bordello continues to be one of the most original and innovative bands making music today. This record is like a shot of vodka. At first its kind of weird, but once it soaks in you get all warm and realize that this might be the greatest thing that ever happened to you. The most endearing thing about this band is that they are just playing the music that they grew up with, being assembled from many different countries :Israel, Ethiopia, USA, The Ukraine etc...The album is pure energy from start to finish. It is the very definition of what a rock and roll album should be. I would venture to say that an entire course could be taught based on this record. It is original, it questions conventions of law and religion, it is loud fast and you can dance to it. I think that very soon more and more people will start to sit up and realize just how brilliant this band is. And this will be the album they talk about. From the minute it stars with "If we are here not to do, what you and I want to do and go forever crazy with it, why the hell are we even here" you are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. The opening track explodes with a rousing intro, leading into singer Euge Hutz's theme song "Wonderlust King" which is an example of what he is so good at in his song writing. Making large problems seem easily solved and small and manageable. All he wants here is for everyone in every country to get along and experience what he has by learning new cultures and races and religions. No big deal. Race, origin, and religion prove to be a large part of the record. Hutz does not judge or push, he is more informing us of his supertheory. He lives a life fulfilled because he has accepted so many cultures and traditions into his life. Why can't everyone subscribe to this "Supertheory of Supereverything." Towards the middle of the record comes "Tribal Connections" which proclaims "Gonna turn frustrations into inspiration, whatever demons are there, we gonna set them free". I have a soft spot for songs like this because Eugene and company seem to think that music can change the world, which I happen to agree with. He elaborates in "Forces of Victory" with the line "spread good music and good poetry joining forces of the victory" this song ,incidentally, has an "outro" of about a minute in which he repeats "I can't go on, I will go on" several times and it proves to be one of the rockin-est moments on the record. The song "Alcohol" tells a story of the oldest love/hate relationship in the world: man vs. the bottle.
"Suddenly...(I miss Carpathy)" is a song about Hutz's homeland, and is sung half in Ukrainian(like several song are on the record) but manages to still make you understand what he is going through just by the inflections in his voice. This is a man committed to his heritage, but still forging ahead to change the perception of heritage. Which is elaborated on in "Your Country" with lines like "What are all these countries? How did they appear? Who cut up the cake? Who brought up all this gear?" Now think about that, sweet baby girl ohhh. "American Wedding" teases American folks for having lame weddings, "Where is the musician that got the taste? Where is the supply that gonna last 3 days?" One of the only purely playful track on the album this is really a great tune. Its fun, it rocks and its easy to sing along to: "Ta-tarant-ta- ra - ta -ra"
The closing number is indeed an epic. Bringing all of the themes of the record together in one line, the band lets loose and gives us the gift of perhaps the best rock and roll instrumental to ever be recorded. It soars through the musical and cultural themes of every song preceding it and it is like a six and a half minute epilogue to a trip you have just taken across the world.
May Gogol Bordello and Eugene Hutz continue to spread their Supertheory of Supereverything and change the world. Or at least keep making records.
This album will change how you look at music. The difference between what can be written and recorded and what IS being written and recorded is realized in this album. Buy this and play it for everyone you know. Then make them buy it. And always remember "If you 'll remember those before and the ones that yet to come. Than above suffer of it all, triumphs the union of souls". -from "Forces of Victory"
All Selections and Reviews by Pete.
