Best of 2007 - Bonne Année!

I haven't posted in such a long time because of various commitments, some more pleasant than others. The job search is going well, it seems, but it is time-consuming so I thought I'd do a quick (or not so quick) Best of 2007 list.


ART

Anselm Kiefer - Heaven and Earth. Massive, brooding, and now I want to visit his estate/compound in France.

Hiroshi Sugimoto. So nice I went twice.

Graphic Modernism from the Baltic to the Balkans, 1910-1935. An unexpected pleasure from a recent visit to the New York Public Library. Modernism reigns supreme in this tiny yet delicious exhibit.

MUSIC

My music comes achronologically so these are not necessarily releases from 2007.

Max Richter - Memoryhouse. Maria, The Poet (1913) I found incredibly compelling.

Lonely China Day - Sorrow. Fascinating post-rock glittering with Chinese folk influences from what will soon be again The Middle Kingdom if the Han can beat the demographic clock.

Sawako - Hum. The process is that of a precocious child, limpid field recordings mixed with softly chanted vocals.

Lily Allen - Alright, Still. Allen's song Knock 'em Out reworking of the New Orleans' classic Big Chief is either genius or heresy, but this album is such an exuberant slice of summery pop that I don't care.

The Red Stick Ramblers - The Red Stick Ramblers. Cajun fiddle tunes, Western swing, and traditional jazz? Grand Tasso gives me shivers.

The Associates - Sulk. Startling production. A lusher New Wave/New Romanticism reimagining of Bowie's Low.

BOOKS

Shane K. Bernard - The Cajuns: Americanization of a People. Very informative about the cultural damage done to Cajuns, particularly as a result of World War II.

William Gibson- Spook Country. Bill never disappoints. Ever.

Simon Reynolds - Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984. I am behind the times as usual. Educational, eye-opening, and essential if only to figure out who's getting ripped off at the moment by the flavor de jour over at pitchforkmedia.com.

MOVIES

Control. Ian Curtis biopic that revived my interest in Joy Division. A careful and extensive reevaluation of their corpus made me realize that Martin Hannett was so perfect for them that it had to be Fate.

Yojimbo. Again, I'm late to the party as usual.

The Color of the Pomegranates (Sayat Nova). Visually stunning.

LIVE MUSIC

M. Ward with Victoria Williams at Bimbo's 365 Club, San Francisco, February 7th, 2007. I can't say that I exactly enjoyed Victoria's set, but I was intrigued. M. Ward was amazing, even without a supporting band. I can't believe I hadn't seen him before since I've been into him ever since I heard Carolina long, long ago.

Jordi Savall - First Congregational Church, Berkeley, May 4th, 2007. Many thanks to Dex who had an extra ticket. Savall performed Suite d'un goût étranger by Marin Marais, which was such a treat. It was wonderful to see and hear Savall in his flowing black caftan.