The Little Engine Top 20 of 2007

Let's close out the year on a good note. I shared a CD with some of my friends at the end of the year - with my top 20 albums in order - a track from each. Here's how the list ended up and the track that I chose to feature on the album.

1. Radiohead ://: In Rainbows ://: 4 Minute Warning

Had to give it up for the album of the year - not just in the music, but the packaging and most of all the amazing resolve they showed in releasing it on their own.

2. LCD Soundsystem ://: Sound of Silver ://: All My Friend (John Cale Version)

Under rated this year, I think. Made a bunch of top 10's but not many top 5's. Give this album the love it deserves. It's amazing.

3. The Ting Tings ://: Split 7" ://: Great DJ

4. Beirut ://: The Flying Club Cup ://: Nantes

5. Spoon ://: The Ga's ://: Black Like Me

Continuing to put out a good amount of material and it keeps getting better.

6. The National ://: Boxer ://: Fake Empire

Sorry Paste, it's not the album of the year - but these guys brought it after taking some time in the studio to make it right - they came out on top. Congrats on a great 2007 guys.

7. Caribou ://: Anodorra ://: Melody Day

Another great album, thing Brian Wilson meets Four Tet and Ulrich Schnauss.....

8. Bullion ://: Songs in the Key of D ://: God Only Knows

Taking the elements from the Pet Sounds sessions and making them into a beat explosion. Amazing. Tops.

9. Iron & Wine ://: The Shepherd's Dog ://: Pagan Angel & a Borrowed Car

Beam continues to amaze. Caught him this year at the Orpheum and it was one of the shows of the year.

10. The Clientele ://: God Save the Clientele ://: From Brighton Beach to Santa Monica

Another unappreciated album from 07, absolutely stunning from front to back - but I think this one was over looked by a lot of people in the end.

11. Digitalism ://: Idealism ://: Pogo

12. Editors ://: An End Has a Start ://: Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors

13. Jose Gonzalez ://: In Our Nature ://: In Our Nature

14. Arcade Fire ://: Neon Bible ://: Keep the Car Running

15. Feist ://: The Reminder ://: My Moon, My Man

16. Mobius Band ://: Heaven ://: Hallie

17. Ryan Adams ://: Easy Tiger ://: Two

18. Matthew Dear ://: Asa Breed ://: Fleece on Brain

19. Calvin Harris ://: I Created Disco ://: Merrymaking at my Place

20. Andrew Bird ://: Armchair Apocrypha ://: Yawny at the Apocalypse

December Playlist (a new fashion)

So, after having some difficulties in the way of getting the music to my friends and lovers - the little engine has found a new method to get you people the music. Some of you VIPs may have received the email letting you know about the December post being here. We are still going to write about great new music here - it's just going to be posted thru mixable for you. So set your watches, write on your icals, plug it into your curve - the first mix of 08 is coming next week. Be here, but in the meantime - catch up with the December Playlist.

December Playlist

jonquil ://: lions

reminds me a bit of beirut early on, has a great voice - amazing sounds. looking forward to a full length from jonquil.

the dodos ://: fools

kotki dwa ://: le beau charcutier

an interesting mix of french and english - this simple, eclectic song is one that i love. hope you will too.

pale young gentlemen ://: clap your hands

quirky, piano driven. pour yourself a vodka and dance, do it. ah, the holidays in a polish household.

siberian ://: belgian beer and catholic girls

again....holidays in a polish household.....haha. another great song - very accessible.

bombay bicycle club ://: how are you?

have these gents been signed?? i don't know! but the EPs that are currently scorching my iTunes are amazing. a band to watch in 08.

make model ://: glasgow's no. 1 (demo)

scotlands newest darling - look for real stuff from them soon as this is just a demo - but what a demo it is.

the sugar report ://: dear friends & enemies

more super poppy, rocky stuff. easy to listen to. definite interpol/editors influence.

why? ://: the hollows

so i totally slept on this guy - apparently been around for a bit - why? is a hip hop artist that reminds me very much of canada's buck 65. have a listen. one of my fav tracks this month.

friendly fires ://: on board

another band with a set of EP's out right now - and a new single that I would have featured but couldn't get it in a high enough bit rate called Paris. If anyone has that or the full legnth - I would very much like to hear it.

plugs ://: that number

these guys are tied in with the friendly fires - i believe they are under the same management. great great catchy track . a great remix is floating out there as well.

sonny j ://: i'm so heavy

a really funny track. this guy answered band ads and recorded it. pretty clever.

datA ://: aerius light (breakbot's rework)

rework, remix, whatever - it's good.

lifesavas ://: legend of the gutterfly

ohhh, legend.

bullion ://: long promised

hard not to keep putting these bullion tracks out there. this just bangs. plain and simple.

little dragon ://: wink

ld is starting to get more and more love, almost soul, a little r&b, a little croon, this album offers a great array of music. one not to be missed.

lupe fiasco ://: superstar

i can't say why i love this track - lupe has just been talking to me lately. matthew santos is also featured who is on lupe's label. good voice.

lack of afro ://: touch my soul

feel good track of the mix. if you don't smile when you hear this - what the fuck is wrong with you.

oren lavie ://: her morning elegance

one of the most lovely songs of the year.

these united states ://: burn this bridge

something that is frumpy about this song - but i dig it.

copeland ://: no one really wins (acoustic)

i went almost all year without emo.....and now i went and did it.


December Playlist Here

November Playlist (Limited Edition)

November Mix Made Available Only Upon Request.

LE November 07

Bloc Party ://: The Prayer (La Mode's Sunday School Remix)

An interesting take on one of my favorite Bloc Party tracks.

La Mode ://: Salami

From the people who brought you the above remix.

LCD Soundsystem ://: Get Innocuous (Soulwax Remix)

One of the remixes of the year.

David E Sugar ://: Chelsea Girls

So excited about Sugar! Could be one of my favorites so far this year. Very promising single out.

Yoav ://: Adore Adore

MIA ://: Boyz (The Twelves Remix)

Interesting remix crew - have been liking the stuff they have been up too. Check them out!

Augustas Pablo ://: East of the River (Nile Remix)

Sportique ://: The Kids Are Solid Gold

Feel good hit of the month.

Mando Diao ://: The Wildfire (We're Having Fun)

Another feel good track, it's a feel good month!

Mojib ://: Answering Machine at Night

Another really interesting artist that I have been into as of late. Taking elements from other artists and creating a collage of sorts - definitely an interesting listen especially if you are into the people he is taking those parts from.

The Fiery Furnaces ://: Duplexes of the Dead

Finally they have shed the indier than thou crown and are making some interesting music. Happy to finally put them on a mix.

MC Scott ://: Free (Remix)

Lovely.

Jay-Z ://: No Hook

Have you read about this? The work he did in coming out of retirement (again) for American Gangster is pretty amazing. Read up people. Jigga is on his shit.

Lupe Fiasco ://: Kick Push (ESTAW Remix)

Love ESTAW. Just love it.
Patrick Watson ://: Daydreamer Sondre Lerche ://: Untitled

Spank Rock ://: Sweet Talk (Remix)

A remix, mash of sorts - lots of energy on this track - one of my favs.

Buillion ://: God Only Knows

I can't get enough of this dude. Just amazing.