A lot of env-econ readers ask me*, what sort of music should I be listening to? In a way of an answer here are my top 10 albums of 2007.
My method is to review the top 50 albums as rated by No Depression critics and readers, determine which albums I purchased, listened to and liked. I list these albums in the order of their appearance on the critic's/reader's lists (comments in parentheses):
- Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (I'm addicted to painkillers in honor of Tweedy)
- Patty Griffin - Children Running Through (Patty makes me cry)
- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Magic (I'm trying to get my kids to say "that's the boss" when they hear his rasp)
- Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade (a NYC computer album, but still, it's Steve Earle)
- Sarah Borges & the Broke Singles - Diamonds in the Dark ("I want to live my life in stereo" gives me heartache)
- Son Volt - The Search (I can't seem to figure out how to browse the website without hearing the album, not always a bad thing, but what if I'm listening to 10,000 Maniacs - MTV Unplugged [don't ask] on the stereo**? ... without muting my compter)
- Scott Miller - Reconstruction (didn't make the ND list, but this live album will get you from Boone to Wilkesboro in about 5 minutes)
Honorable Mention: Possum Jenkins, Giant Bear, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, High School Musical 2 Soundtrack
Not to brag, he says braggingly, but I had a big music year -- saw Wilco (Charlotte), Patty (Asheville), Son Volt (Asheville) and Scott Miller (Asheville [solo, opening for Patty], Asheville and Johnson City).
*No env-econ readers ever ask me this, but any off-topic post that begins with these 8 words is suddenly on-topic. Also, can you ever listen to Fleetwood Mac's Tusk without picturing Tim Haab in the USC Marching Band?
**Do we still call CD players "stereos"?
