Sleeping in the Aviary grows up a bit, delivering genre-defying, lo-fi goodness with Expensive Vomit In A Cheap Hotel.

more...

I have so many favorites for 2007 that narrowing the lists was tricky. Plus I'm preggo as a house and have NO memory at this point, so I'm sure I've inadvertently omitted some really great releases and songs. Forgive me and my wacked out hormones.

But that said, here are some Top of 2007 lists from me, to you. Feel free to leave comments both nasty and supportive. I likely deserve both for some of my erratic tastes.

The official results of the TIG Best NW Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll are coming VERY soon... stay tuned! In the meantime, some of my personal picks for a wonderful year in music past:

Favorite Releases of 2007:

1. Amy Winehouse Back to Black
2. Okkervil River The Stage Names
3. Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center
4. Beirut The Flying Cup Club
5. The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
6. Shake Some Action Shake Some Action
7. Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours
   
8. John Vanderslice Emerald City
9. The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
10. The Fratellis Costello Music

Favorite Northwest Releases of 2007:

more...

I made a 'Best of '07' compilation for coworkers and thought I'd share my picks with you, in no particular order. Hope you've got a little time to spare!

All downloads have been posted with permission from the bands themselves. Thanks bands!

 

1. Nicole Atkins and the Sea: "The Way It Is"

I think this is my favorite song of the year. Here's the clip from Letterman.

 

 

2. Peter Bjorn and John: "Young Folks"

I'm such a sucker for whistling. And isn't this the most visually satisfying video ever.

more...

Madison, Wisconsin's Sleeping In the Aviary released a stellar album earlier this year that was a hit here on TIG {review}, and now singer/guitarist Elliott Kozel is releasing a collection of solo work under the moniker She Is So Beautiful/She Is So Blonde.

He has made two lovely songs available for download on his MySpace, so go download them and support him, and his talented Madison music community cohorts (like A Paper Cup Band and Pale Young Gentlemen).

Viva la Wisconsin!

One of our collective sleeper-favorite-records-of-the year has to be Oh This Old Thing by Madison, Wisconsin’s Sleeping in the Aviary...

more...

AstroPOP! for May 2007 features astrologically-inclined record reviews from Sleeping in the Aviary, Grand Archives, Ether Aura, Your Favorite Book, The Icicles, Team Gina, Elk City, The Ballet, Los Campesinos!, Winterpills, Dolour, and The Rosebuds. Read, listen, and be prepared for the month ahead!

at

The Boston live show goodness, featuring reviews of performances by Township, Tiny Whales, Electric Laser People, Casper and the Cookies, Nicole Aktins and the Sea, Sleeping in the Aviary, and much more!

more...

This Madison, WI band's debut is flat out exciting — like riding the Gravitron at the carnival (minus the subsequent urge to vomit).

more...