Big Fence, No Cattle

Tully Rohrer

December 5^th, 2007

There are hundreds of old fences around Iron Springs Mesa, almost none of which have any purpose anymore. But they look cool, especially at sunset.

Continuing the countdown of best music of the year…

Top Songs of the Year

20. Handsome Furs - Sing! Captain
19. Beirut - Elephant Gun

18. Spoon - Don’t Make Me a Target
As one of the most successful independent rock bands of the decade, Spoon didn’t stray far from its basic formula with this year’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. “Don’t Make Me a Target” makes great use of Spoon’s strengths, with punchy power chords allowing Britt Daniels to wax poetic before the band explodes into rock out mode with their characteristic piano and heavy guitar. Just about perfect, this one.

Decide for yourself: Spoon - Don’t Make Me A Target (From the Ga Ga Ga Ga LP)

17. Kevin Drew - Lucky Ones
In classic Broken Social Scene style, Kevin Drew created another well-composed, upbeat track that you can come back to again and again. The highlight comes at the 2:47 mark when Drew and his BSS friends sing “I know we’re going to be the lucky ones” with silky chords and chiming harmonies.

Decide for yourself: Kevin Drew - Lucky Ones (From the Spirit If… LP)

Top Albums of the Year

20. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
19. Elliott Smith - New Moon

18. Blonde Redhead - 23
This album would be featured on this list if the album contained only the title track… it’s that good. But the rest of 23 is beautiful as well, with throwbacks to 90s shoegaze and impressive production. No, it doesn’t sound too much like other Blonde Redhead albums, but is that a bad thing? The band has refined its sound and made arguably it’s strongest album yet.

Decide for yourself: Blonde Redhead - Spring and By Summer Fall

17. Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Like 23, Wild Mountain Nation could be included based on the strength of the title track. But there are gems all throughout Wild Mountain Nation, and the amazing thing is that the songs encompass a variety of genres. For example, opener “Devil’s A Go-Go” is post-punk goodness, title track “Wild Mountain Nation” is impeccable alt-country, and “Sci-Fi Kid” is catchy indie pop. Blitzen Trapper has crafted an amazingly diverse album that will be hard to top when LP#2 comes around.