Simon's Top 10 Albums of the Year

[mmmender]

You can find an online article where Simon Raymonde offers his list of top ten albums of the year here:

http://thelineofbestfit.com/2007/12/...e-bella-union/

Here's a copy of the article as well:

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Bella Union label boss Simon Raymonde has become a bit of a guardian angel for The Line of Best Fit, championing our cause and generally defending his artists against our reviews. So, when he mentioned he was keen to write a piece on his favourite albums of 2007, we had to take him up on it…

Bowerbirds - Hymns for a Dark Horse
I am hoping to sign this to Bella Union, so you will see why I am so keen on it. Surprisingly beautiful sound from a band from North Carolina but this is not just pretty delicate acoustica - they have brilliant songs. Imagine an appalachian Fionn Regan crossed with best bits of Vetiver.
mp3:> Bowerbirds: In Our Talons


Grizzly Bear - Friend EP
Certainly the musicality and adventure on Yellow House took my breath away at times and whilst this EP has enough tracks on it for it to be considered an album, the guest appearances make it an intriguing record.
mp3:> Grizzly Bear: He Hit Me

Broken Social Scene Presents…Kevin Drew - Spirit If
I was about to dismiss this as a self-indulgence till I listened to it. Arguably my favourite album of the year, it has a wonderful soulfulness to it that is so lacking in much of what is hyped by the printed media.
mp3:> Broken Social Scene Presents…Kevin Drew: Back Out On The ….

Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
This would be in most people’s lists I would guess, but for good reason. Its not often you find genuine originality at work and while Panda Bear’s ‘Person Pitch’ is a record I listen to consistently more, I believe Strawberry Jam will truly stand the test of time…
mp3:> Animal Collective: For Reverand Green

Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss
Probably not on most people’s list, this album has some achingly gorgeous moments and though it is flawed, it signals the arrival of a major talent for the future. A beautiful set of tunes for all seasons.
mp3:> Yndi Halda: We Flood Empty Lakes

Von Südenfed - Tromatic Refflexions
Quite simply THE surprise package. I used to be a Mark E Smith fan and even when I have had periods when I have stopped following all the Fall new releases, there is always a soft spot in my heart for this marvellous maverick. Teaming up with the equally brilliant Mouse On Mars has to be the collaboration of the year.
mp3:> Von Südenfed - Fledermaus Can’t Get It

St Vincent - Marry Me
Should have signed her when I had the chance….nuff said.
mp3:> St Vincent: Now, Now

Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
I heard the song ‘2080′ after someone had told me it sounded like Midlake’s “Roscoe” (it doesn’t) but I soon fell in love with its wily charms. There are disparate influences at work, helping to create something that manages to be ultra modern and yet plausibly retro.
mp3:> Yeasayer: Sunrise

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer
Tried desperately hard to sign this album to Bella Union and didnt give up till it became a complete dead end. It does that rare thing of making you smile and making your heart swell at the same time. Live they are a trip. One of my favourite bands of the last 10 years.
mp3:> Of Montreal: Suffer For Fashion

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
I got so fed up with saying “I love this, who is this again?” every time it was on in the office, I finally gave in to its beauty and bought it myself. It has classic melodies and proves that Sub Pop is still a pretty good label…
mp3:> Band of Horses: Is There A Ghost

[harold]

and i thought simon didn't do reviews anymore...