Checking it Twice

Dolorean's You Can't Win does for 2007.

In this post-holiday come down haze, here goes my tardy, but still pre-ball drop, first round list of top 2007 releases- first round because I always forget a few, get fickle and change my mind. This year, with a somewhat disappointing showing from the nationals (Neon Bible, enough said.), locals shined bright.

Arthur & Yu In Camera
Cave Singers Invitation Songs
Throw Me the Statue Moonbeams (that will technically be released in 2008 on Secretly Canadian)
Night Canopy Of Honey and Country
Lavender Diamond Imagine Our Love
Of Montreal Hissing Fauna are You the Destroyer
Lightning Dust Lightning Dust
Handsome Furs Plague Park
Grizzly Bear Friend EP (it's long enough to count.)

These are all in no particular order, save for my number one standout of the year: Portland-based Dolorean's You Can't Win which has been a solidly satiating Northwest effort- no matter the season, date or time- with Al James soothing croon and subtle layered harmonies sliding seamlessly over a cloud cover of gentle strums and delicate piano.