Top 5 New Artists of 2007

Let's start wrapping up this year, shall we? As a programming note, my Top 10 Albums of the Year will be revealed next Monday on WXPN's y100 Rocks show in Philadelphia. Ain't I special? I'll post details closer to the date.

I always like to start with this category because there are so many acts to choose from and it makes me look forward to what these acts have in store. It's a challenge to narrow it down, but I think I have a solid list.

New Artist is a vague term because many of these acts have released EPs and singles in years past, but in 2007, they put out an actual LP. I left out acts like The Tings Tings, Black Kids and Vampire Weekend for the fact that they just put out self-released demos. Next year, they'll be under consideration.

Enough explanation, let's light this candle.

5. St. Vincent: Annie Clark gets the distinction as being the lone American act on the Top 5. Formally part of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens' band, Clark made an eccentric and impressionable debut with Marry Me. Filled with cheery vocals, circus-like atmospheres and a little nod towards dance beats, St. Vincent was not complacent in being the next *fill-in female solo artist*. I admired how off-guard her music can come off. Once you find it being ordinary, she'll change the structure and throw in a lush musical arrangement or just a phat beat.

4. Bat For Lashes: She was the last minute choice to take the Mercury Prize, but without a doubt, Natasha Khan made a vibrant, haunting and completely listenable album. Fur and Gold brims with modern fairy tale imagery with Khan providing the narration. "What's a Girl to Do?," with its ode to the Wall of Sound era, makes you just want to study the lyrics. While she's created a "deep" music spectrum, Khan is more of a poet than pop star. To me, her music is theatrical, without being pretentious.   

3. Justice: In 2007, the Justice duo finally got around to releasing a full length album, †. They might worship at the feet of Daft Punk, but both bands drink from the same well. It's 80s French disco, Michael Jackson 80s pop and some hardcore, head banging beats. It's dirty, noisy, sexy and funky dance rock, wrapped in a big blistering package of craziness. While Chemical Brothers faltered this year with We Are the Night, Justice supplied the soundtrack for European club goers.

• Previously: Justice at the Trocadero
• Justice "perform" on Jimmy Kimmel Live

2. Los Campesinos!: The kids are alright. They are a little hyper, but they just want to have fun and dance at the rock shows. The Los Campesinos! crew gave me faith in the U.K. music scene where every band wants to be the next Libertines. By bucking the trend and being true to themselves, they gave us a taste of what's to come with their EP, Sticking Fingers Into Sockets. When they came through these parts last August, they showed why their live act is a must-see. You felt like you were part of the band with their shout out choruses and anthems.

• Some face time with lead singer Gaerth
• Me and the I'm From Barcelona crew get into at their Mercury Lounge show

1. Kate Nash: No surprise here, huh? I thought Los Campesinos would be No. 1, until I heard Made of Bricks and it just an amazing debut -- the best debut album of the year. Kate is the girl you wished you had in your circle of friends. It's like, "Hey, guys. Kate's coming to the party. Woo hoo!" Smartly written, instantly catchy and fun album to listen to,The Nash has the brightest future ahead of her. If she wants to make an acoustic album, she can. How about an all-dance or hip-hop album? She might just do that. When idiot journalists asks, "So ... like ... you know ... what are your influences?" I can answer that for you -- all of them.

• Kate makes her U.S. debut at the Luna Lounge
• Two shows at Joe's Pub, making commenters upset

Then runner-up for the list, the almost made the cut goes to Battles, who released their debut full-length this year, Mirrored, after previously putting out EPs. The trendy label to slap on them is Math Rock -- a genre based on measured, syncopated beats. Basically, it's a bunch of dudes on keyboards, guitars and computers making brainy electronic music. Actually, I don't care how they make the music, just that its explores different layers and sequences -- all within the same song. "Atlas" was one of the songs that just won't let go from your brain.

Best of the rest:

-- The Bird & The Bee: They are one of those bands that got lost in the shuffle, since they came around in January 2007. Lead singer Inara George and mastermind Greg Kurstin made a little gem of a self-titled debut that made 60s lounge pop cool and hip again.

-- The Rumble Strips: They were set to make their U.S. debut this month, but no dice with those pesky visas. Such a shame, because these troubadours made some of bounciest rock-pop out of the U.K. this year.

-- Dappled Cities: The Australians made me scratch my head in trying to describe their sound without me insulting them. Ahhh, whatever. They make sound, tight rock music with a lot of fine harmonies

-- Good Shoes: They will hit New York in 2008, probably in March before they hit SXSW, so you'll have time to see the best Pavement tribute band ever! I've passed their CD along to a bunch of friends and haven't heard a complaint yet.

-- Lucky Soul: Retro-soul and big band for the indie rock generation.

-- Grand Ole Party: You got soul? Depends ... this trio from San Diego has it in spades. Lead singer Kristin Gundred can sure belt out those tunes

Comments

[Pat]

Chris, come on man. Three of those five artists had solid singles out last year with international releases at the very least.

[Gort]

Aside from St. Vincent, I like yr list.