We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

You should have seen the way that imaginary Liz can arm wrestle, and how Erik Gonzalez can duke it out for his favorite bands. It was fierce and fun, and we think our final list was well worth the effort.

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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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Sadly, tonight will be the final time this great and beloved Northwest band will take the stage.

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Spring has sprung. I finally noticed!

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at The Crocodile

This was a great opportunity to see what the Pretty Girls Who Made Graves will be up to in a post-PGMG world, with both Night Canopy and bassist Derek Fudesco's newest band, the Cave Singers, sharing the bill.

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It sounds much more like she's singing to herself, knowing that her man is a no-good, lying bastard — but that she's also not sure she's ready to begin another phase of her life alone.

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Ho ho ho! 'Tis about that time to kick off the holiday season imaginarily!

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Podcast of our October 2006 appearance on KEXP's Audioasis. Listen to our favorite local picks of the moment, including tracks from Siberian, the Elephants, New West Motels, Night Canopy, the Pharmacy, Strength, the Sea Navy, the Aught-Threes, and Math & Physics Club.