Check this out. Tom Morello joining Bruce Springsteen on stage for a searing version of The Ghost Of Tom Joad Monday night in Anaheim, California. Be sure to watch all the way until the end as in the last minute or so Morello's lead playing absolutely just explodes. Incredible.

Part 3 of the Top 25 Albums Of 2007. These were some of the ones shuffled around the most as I worked and reworked the final list. Stayed tuned for some giveaways in conjunction with the top ten getting posted.

11: New Pornographers - Challengers
While I liked a few of their older songs their albums felt like a lot of filler, this one delivers from beginning to end. New Pornographers sound more like a band than a "supergroup" on this one making it their best album yet. I have to add though, the live show I saw, even with Neko and Dan Bejar in tow, was a bit disappointing, good but not great.

MP3: New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
Buy Challengers

12: Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Bruce pulls the E Streeters in for one more go around and makes what is his best rock album since Born In The USA. Although not as direct as John Fogerty on Revival he manages to deliver his own political agenda as well. The Phil Spector-ish Girls In Their Summer Clothes may be the best single of the year.

MP3: Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
Buy Magic

13: Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Spoon sounds like no one else. To me it's not as immediate sounding as their last, Gimme Fiction, but still filled with great pop songs. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb and The Underdog are instant classics.

MP3: Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Buy Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

14: The A-Sides Silver Storms
If Chris Martin of Coldplay had the same Springsteen obsession that Win Butler of Arcade Fire has, it would probably sound something like Philadelphia's A-Sides. Expansive and dramatic without the overkill, they've created a shimmering, beautiful record that solidifes their place as a band on the rise.

MP3: The A-Sides - A Florida Grove
Buy Silver Storms

15: Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
The warm intimate folky feel of the disc is something that immediately grabs you and transports you to another place. Delicate hypnotic percussion, soft strummy guitars, a sprinkling of other ambient sounds all woven together by Sam Beam's softspoken vocal style, create an almost spiritual vibe to the whole thing that is just mesmerizing.

MP3: Wolves (Song of The Shepherd's Dog)
Buy The Shepherd's Dog

Previous 16 to 20 21 to 25

Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire - State Trooper


Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running

This is just about everywhere, but who cares I'm going to do it too. In case you haven't seen this yet, it's amazing. Last night's surprise guest appearance by Regine and Win of Arcade Fire with Bruce Springsteen in Ottowa, Ontario CA.

[video by trendwhore.ca]

It doesn't hit stores until October 2, but right now you can get 30 second tastes of ALL of the songs on Bruce Springsteen's Magic here

Bruce Springsteen's 'Magic' Set for October 2 Release on Columbia Records

'Magic,' Bruce Springsteen's new studio recording and his first with the E Street Band in five years, is set for release by Columbia Records on October 2, 2007. Produced and mixed by Brendan O'Brien, the album features eleven new Springsteen songs and was recorded at Southern Tracks Recording Studio in Atlanta, GA.

'Magic' Song Titles:

1. Radio Nowhere
2. You'll Be Comin' Down
3. Livin' in the Future
4. Your Own Worst Enemy
5. Gypsy Biker
6. Girls in Their Summer Clothes
7. I'll Work for Your Love
8. Magic
9. Last to Die
10. Long Walk Home
11. Devil's Arcade

'Magic' is the first new studio album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 2002's GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum, number one album 'The Rising' (Columbia Records), which was also produced by O'Brien.

Bruce Springsteen's longtime manager Jon Landau said, "'Magic' is a high energy rock CD. It’s light on its feet, incredibly well played by Bruce and the members of the E Street Band, and, as always, has plenty to say. It’s also immensely entertaining. 'Magic' is the third collaboration between Bruce and Brendan O'Brien and is a culmination of their very productive creative relationship."


Yes folks, you're reading that right, and no, it's not from The Onion. It's really called "Magic", and that press release really calls it "light on it's feet" and "immensely entertaining" .

[WEBSITE]

Some odds and ends from around the blogosphere.

Heather at I Am Fuel,You Are Friends has a heartfelt and insightful post on the tenth anniversary of Jeff Buckley's death.

Shameless Complacency points us to brand new live Smashing Pumpkins from the Grand Rex in Paris at thepumpkins.net

Stereogum tips us off to the trailer from the new Ian Curtis/Joy Division biopic.




What Became Of The Likely Broads has the setlist of the first full show of the Police Reunion tour from Vancouver.

A Deeper Shade Of Soul has a newly unearthed copy of a Springsteen concert from 12/31/75 at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia. (Part 1, Part 2)Originally mixed from multi track master tapes intended for a live album that never saw the light of day until now.

God Save The Clientele is fast becoming one of my favorites of the year. The Smudge Of Ashen Fluff brings us The Clientele Live on KCRW from 5/24/07.