Review Of The Year 2007: March

And so onto March, and it really makes up for the poor showing in February.

Before people (and when I say people, I mean Francis) start shouting at me for the order of these albums, I think Arcade Fire are far more talented, in every aspect, than Enter Shikari, and really, their album should be first, but when I listen to them both...

1. Take To The Skies - Enter Shikari

Lets be honest. Enter Shikari's demos that appeared in 2006 sounded like, at best, a bad metal band punching a synthesizer. Singer Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' voice sounded terrible, as did pretty much the rest of it. And so I was reluctant to listen to this album. From the first minute of the synth intro, you notice something different, and from the beginning of the first full track "Enter Shikari" its apparent how much work this band has done. This is one of the best recorded and produced albums I've heard in a long time, not just this year. Every part has been recorded and mixed perfectly, and the difference from the early demos is staggering. Oh, and did I mention they did everything themselves?
This is easily one of my favourite albums of the year, and is really worth listening to. It's mixed together as one track, with several interludes built in. The only track that stands out from this is "Adieu", a far slower track with an acoustic beginning, growing to a heavier ending, but still, far from the usual for Enter Shikari. Some of the guitar and synth playing on this album is great, and the backing vocals are amazing.
I urge anyone who hasn't heard this band to give it a listen, even if you've heard they are shit, or think it's really not your thing.
Best Tracks: Labyrinth, Adieu, OK Time For Plan B


2. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

Another "diffficult second album" to be released this year. Kaiser Chiefs' "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" really lived up to the stereotype of the second album being nowhere near as good as the first, and on first hearing this, I thought Arcade Fire had done the same, and returned to listening to their first album "Funeral". After their epic performance at Leeds Festival this year, I gave it another chance, and realised how good it really is. As with Bloc Party's "A Weekend In The City", there is clearly a movement towards music for arenas, and they've done it. The haunting "Black Mirror" and the massive organ on "Intervention" are so atmospheric, and then theres the up-beat "Keep The Car Running" and the truly amazing "No Cars Go", a re-recording of a track from their early EP. The huge, anthemic tracks are sandwiched in between some amazing slower tracks, "Ocean Of Noise" and "Neon Bible" stand out in particular.
I don't think this album is as good as Funeral, but it comes pretty close. Here, Arcade Fire have mastered the art of massive arena songs and done it in style. It's perfect.
Best songs: Keep The Car Running, Intervention, No Cars Go


3. Think Before You Speak - Good Shoes

As with the two albums above, I was apprehensive about this album. On first listen, the words 'boring' and 'repetative' come to mind, but give it some time, maybe see them live, and you'll grow to love it. The lyrics are not what you'd expect from a indie band, the social commentary of "Morden" and comments on current music throughout ('I play in a band, but I've got no talent' from "All In My Head") show some real talent.
This album is one of the best indie debuts of the year, showing at least some promise to come from the growing amount of repetitive bands, even if this album may be lumped as 'another generic indie album' on first listen, after a while, it really stands out as something a bit different.
Best songs: The Photos On My Wall, Never Meant To Hurt You, Small Town Girl


Thats my top 3 for March, but there were lot of great albums this month. Other highlights:
The Sound Of Silver - LCD Soundsystem
Best song: All My Friends
Strange House - The Horrors
Best song: Draw Japan
Yours To Keep - Albert Hammond, Jr.
Best song: Back To The 101



And that is it for March! Let me know if you think I've missed anything!