According to the press release, this new JV album, Romanian Names, is "the best record he's made to date." Apparently he recorded the album demos in his basement, giving the process a lot more time to breathe and grow organically.

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Cross country for now, and Seattle in May!

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at Bumbershoot 2008

"You're all here by invitation right? We usually can't get into places like this."

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I have so many favorites for 2007 that narrowing the lists was tricky. Plus I'm preggo as a house and have NO memory at this point, so I'm sure I've inadvertently omitted some really great releases and songs. Forgive me and my wacked out hormones.

But that said, here are some Top of 2007 lists from me, to you. Feel free to leave comments both nasty and supportive. I likely deserve both for some of my erratic tastes.

The official results of the TIG Best NW Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll are coming VERY soon... stay tuned! In the meantime, some of my personal picks for a wonderful year in music past:

Favorite Releases of 2007:

1. Amy Winehouse Back to Black
2. Okkervil River The Stage Names
3. Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center
4. Beirut The Flying Cup Club
5. The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
6. Shake Some Action Shake Some Action
7. Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours
   
8. John Vanderslice Emerald City
9. The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
10. The Fratellis Costello Music

Favorite Northwest Releases of 2007:

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In absolutely no numeric order -- I could never pick favorites with a list like this!

• Jens Lekman, Night Falls Over Kortedala
• Throw Me The Statue, Moonbeams
• Cave Singers, Invitation Songs
• Okkervil River, The Stage Names
• John Vanderslice, Emerald City
• Arthur & Yu, In Camera
• Low, Drums and Guns
• J. Tillman, Cancer and Delirium
• Night Canopy, Of Honey and Country
• Tiny Vipers, Hands Across The Void

 

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at Neumo's

Of particular note was the glorious violin playing and pitch-perfect vocal harmonies provided by Daniel Hart, which, ahem, brought light into every living song onstage.

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Here's a lovely image of my favorite instrument from last night's performance. Erm, at least, ONE of my favorites.

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Exclusive video, and a free ticket giveaway!

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at

TIG was incredibly honored to be invited and to attend (and film) an exclusive video shoot at the Fremont Bridge in Seattle with the incomparably kind, awesome, and talented John Vanderslice.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2007

Since we imaginaries couldn't be everywhere at once, we wanted to share some photos of the shows that we missed, but our erstwhile photographers -- Laura Musselman and Chona Kasinger -- saw and documented.

The Girls (photo by Laura Musselman)

 

Viva Voce (photo by Laura Musselman)
We've heard nothing but great things about Viva Voce's set at Neumo's... and really, we would never expect anything less from this Portland duo.

Speaker Speaker (photo by Chona Kasinger)

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