{"id":1977,"date":"2007-11-18T08:42:37","date_gmt":"2007-11-18T08:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scienceblogs.com\/principles\/2007\/11\/18\/years-best-music-candidates\/"},"modified":"2007-11-18T08:42:37","modified_gmt":"2007-11-18T08:42:37","slug":"years-best-music-candidates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/chadorzel.com\/principles\/2007\/11\/18\/years-best-music-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Year’s Best Music: Candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Update:<\/strong> See also this Jon Sobel post<\/a> (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.)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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