Following on yesterday’s post about books, I started thinking about the best pop music for the year. Since getting iTunes, I’ve been able to do this quasi-scientifically, by putting together playlists of the top-rated songs for the year, which provides an easy guide to what I liked best. My first impression, thinking back, was that this was kind of a weak year, and the four- and five-star playlists for the year confirm it.
I initially had only ten songs on the five-star playlist, and while reconsideration of the four-star list managed to bump that up to 18, that’s still the lowest by far of the years I’ve done this. The 212 songs on the four-star list is almost a factor of two down from either 2005 or 2006.
Now, it may just be that I’ve bought less new music this year than in the past (it’s possible– I’ve been busy, and on the road a lot). Or it may be that I’m overlooking some brilliant records that I really should’ve bought. At the moment, though, the “Best Music of 2007” list is looking pretty weak.
(Update: See also this Jon Sobel post (via Making Light). I think he slightly overstates the breadth of pop knowledge in the past, but it’s an interesting read all the same.)
So what am I missing that would change my mind about the current state of music? I’ll put the artists from the five-star playlist below the fold, and if you spot any obvious omissions, leave me a comment, and I’ll check it out while there’s still time.
- Amy Winehouse
- Arcade Fire
- Buffalo Tom
- The Cat Empire
- Delta Spirit
- The Holmes Brothers
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Li’l Cap’n Travis
- Modest Mouse
- The Nightwatchman
- Pela
- Richard Thompson
- Ryan Adams
- The Shins
- Spoon
- The View
- Wilco
Who released new stuff this year that really ought to be considered for five-star status?