TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Curtis Ross: My Top 10 Of 2007

ADVERTISEMENT

By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

Curtis Ross: My Top CDs of 2007

Every year I wonder if I'll find 10 albums for my best-of list. This year, like most, I did, along with nearly as many worthy runners-up and at least that many possible finalists I never even got around to listening to.

So here's my Top 10 in alphabetical order. If your favorite is missing, just assume it was my No. 11 or 12.

The Dillinger Escape Plan, "Ire Works": Adding pop craft to brute force and indomitable chops made DEP's latest frightening in its magnificence.

Ditchflowers, "Carried Away": You'd have to return to the best of Elvis Costello, Squeeze and XTC to find pop this intelligent, well-crafted and ear-caressingly fine. No truth to the rumor that Tampa area songwriters are seeking antitrust legislation against this teaming of Brian Merrill and Ed Woltil. They'd have a case, though.

Field Music, "Tones of Town": Smart if jaundiced lyrics, Steely Dan sophistication and Beach Boys sunshine — absolutely stunning.

Giddy-Up Helicopter!, "I Am Secretary": A rare combination of tunefulness and experimentalism — one of the brightest lights on Tampa's music scene.

Lifetime, "Lifetime": The best (only good?) thing Pete Wentz has ever done is give these hardcore heroes a second life. Twenty-five minutes of speed, wit and hooks.

Radiohead, "In Rainbows": The radical marketing scheme got all the press, but the music was a return to the warmer and more accessible sounds of "The Bends."

Rilo Kiley, "Under the Blacklight": A coming-out party for these indie-rockers, who have matured into stellar pop craftspeople without losing a bit of their originality and edge.

Bruce Springsteen, "Magic": Angry, impassioned, melodic and his most listenable album since "The River."

Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky": Jeff Tweedy lets the clouds part and finds out life's beauty often balances out its horror. Brave, optimistic and beautiful.

Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black": Brilliant update of '60s girl-group and '50s torch singing. Pray she lives to make another album. Or just lives.

Curtis Ross: My Top Concerts of 2007

Here are 10 occasions when I was glad I left the house this year.

Little Richard (March 7, Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City): OK, it wasn't the Little Richard of those great archival films. But he's lost nothing in the way of attitude. The architect of rock 'n' roll went past curfew in this memorable, rollicking performance. Who was gonna stop him?

Lindsey Buckingham (March 7, Tampa Theatre, Tampa): A fiery set of solo and Fleetwood Mac material, some drastically reworked, delivered at peak intensity.

The Decemberists (April 8, Hard Rock Live, Orlando): Balloon animal hats, papier-mâché whales and Brian Eno's "I'll Come Running." Oh, and all those wonderful Colin Meloy songs.

Flaming Lips (April 14, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg): Equal parts hilarious and poignant, this was classic rock re-imagined as both tongue-in-cheek spectacle and life-affirming gesture.

Oakley Hall (May 16, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, Tampa): This Brooklyn outfit sounded Southern-bred and played music that was as transcendent as its roots were deep.

Sugarland (June 2, Ford Amphitheater, Tampa): Tons more fun than headliner Kenny Chesney, this duo deserves top billing. Catch 'em at the Strawberry Festival in March and see for yourself.

Morrissey (July 12, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater): His first Tampa area performance in almost 10 years was a thrilling reminder of why, with all the ups and downs, we continue to love Morrissey.

Alice in Chains (Oct. 6, Ford Amphitheater, Tampa): All the old rising-from-the-ashes cliches apply. With new singer William DuVall, Alice in Chains returned to life with such force that headliner Velvet Revolver's set barely registered.

My Chemical Romance (Aug. 11, Ford Amphitheater, Tampa): The band's headlining slot at the Forum earlier in the year felt somewhat stiff. But playing before Linkin Park on the Projekt Revolution tour found Gerard Way and Co. vying for best band in the world, over-the-top performance category.

Jason Isbell (Aug. 18, Crowbar, Ybor City): The ex Drive-By Trucker established himself as a live act on par with his old band. Raw, hard and pure, this was a no-frills rock show built on loud guitars, solid drums and standout songwriting.

Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568 or cross@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT