Yeeeeeah…So we know it’s a little late. Blame Jesus and the lunar calendar for that. But we figured it would be a good would to kick off the new year.
So without further adu, we present you with…
SOAP’s TOP RELEASES OF 2007!
And now for the obligatory disclaimer: Instead of railing off 150 tracks like we did last year, we decided instead to focus on individual releases from similar sub-genres. This required a lot of recall and classification. Two things we’re not particularly good at. So take this list for what is is and feel free to let us know if you think we left anything out.
Makina Girgir - The Spell EP || Das Drehmoment - Das Drehmoment has slowly, but surely, become one of SOAPs favorite labels. For our money, nobody does electro-pop and wave music better. Makina Girgir is the embodiment of everything we love about Das Drehmoment. Squeaky-clean electro-pop, with a dark sense of humor. Every track on The Spell works as a single, but the cohesive tone of the EP is what makes it such a poignant a memorable release. Fit for the dance-floor or the living room, this is a truly beautiful record that is not to be missed.
Honorable Mention - Suicide Booth - Aura EP || Das Drehmoment
Glass Candy - Beat Box & Miss Broadway || Italians Do It Better - So we’re gonna cheat here and mention two releases by Glass Candy. Miss Broadway was without a doubt one of the best covers we’ve ever heard and really solidified Ida No’s position amongst modern day disco divas. Beat Box is just a solid all-around release. It’s pretty amazing how a song like Digital Versicolor, with it’s super-silly lyrics and super-simple melody, can convey such passion and sensuality. But isn’t that what Glass Candy is all about?
Nimoy - Untitled || Bunker - In 2007 we were reminded that electro can be unique, inspiring, and soulful. For us, Nimoy’s untitled Bunker release was the harbinger of this re-realization. Haunting but not dark, lush but not overwhelming, just the way we like it. Electro for electro’s sake.
Honorable Mentions - ERP - Vox Atomaton || Frustrated Funk & Duracel - Hole In Head EP || SD
Aeroplane - Aeroplane & Caramellas || Eskimo - Aeroplane has mastered the art of seduction. We’ve known this ever since we heard their self-titled track on the Lindstrom & Prins Thomas Essential Mix. What we didn’t know was that the EP would contain a B-side that was (arguably) even better then the aforementioned A. Aeroplane’s electronics just sound so, er, organic - a perfect blend between the natural and the synthesized.
Burial - Untrue || Hyperdub - We’re not going to pretend that we’re dub-step experts. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if Untrue is shunned by the dub-step community, as is the common fan-boy reaction when a piece of the underground becomes slightly popular. But the fact remains that Untrue is truly (pardon the pun) an inspirational album. We won’t waste your time trying to explain exactly why Untrue is so amazing. The appeal of the record is about as mysterious and unique as the producer himself. Give it a listen or read one of the 29032189438 other reviews floating around the blogosphere. If you’re not moved by this record your probably dead, deaf, or in denial. Brace yourself dub-step fan-boy, we’re gonna be hearing a lot more Archangel in the near future.
Honorable Mention - Boxcutter - Glyphic || Planet Mu
Newworldaquarium - The Dead Bears || NWAQ - There’s something so familiar yet so unique about Newworldaquarium’s music. Beautiful, atmospheric, slow-motion techno of the highest caliber. What separates this release from others in the same vein is its funky undertones. It seems that every track has some element that keeps it from running too deep. Top notch production.
November Növelet - Magic || Galakthorrö - We were a little late on November Növelet’s latest release, but it didn’t take us long to realize that Magic was indeed a worthy successor to 1999’s From Heaven On Earth. Dark and monotone female vocals can easily be dismissed as cliche, but Mrs. Arafna pulls it off and deserves a spot amongst the Beta Evers and Nancy Fortunes of this world. Beautifully haunting or hauntingly beautiful. You decide.
Stereo - No More || CBS Disques
