2007 was such a long time ago, but I figure I should say something about it, at least something to help me remember it. So, here’s a list of the music I listened most to last year with some commentary and selected lyrics (there were lots of good lyrics to choose from, so this took a while).
All That Remains - The Fall of Ideals
Dueling metal/medieval guitars. Insane double bass. Screaming. Singing. Lyrics that make me cry.
“I secretly crave, crave that scent again
Still feel it pressing on me now
Now with the onset, my flesh is weakening
I steel my nerves for temptations at hand again
And I hear this calling
Still you don’t seem so far at all
And I hear this calling out
No secrets, deception
For these would tear this down
I’ll note the past, spare the pain
Words match my deeds with brutal honesty
Never forget these choices were made by me
Not falling victim to the fire that burns inside of me
Though I am fearful I will not prevent this tragedy
My strength’s been tested
I wear the scars that prove
Still I believe this calling will see me through
My strength’s been tested
I wear the scars that prove
Still I believe this calling will see me through”
Blood for Blood - Serenity
I don’t like Blood for Blood’s prior albums, but this one is a hardcore masterpiece. The lyrics are deep, insightful, and positive overall. I get the feeling the band went through some serious personal growth before writing this album. The music is interesting without being particularly metally (not that there’s anything wrong with metal, mind you).
“I fucking surrender. I fucking surrender. Serenity.”
“We care.”
“Did you call my name and I didn’t hear?
Did you call my name and think I didn’t care?
Did you call our names and we didn’t hear?
Did you call our names and think we did not care?”
Killswitch Engage - Alive or Just Breathing
Every song on this album is amazing, and the lyrics are brilliant. The singing is a combination of screaming and singing. The music is metal without being wanky in any way.
“Kingdoms will rise
To power
But kingdoms fall
To dust
Fall”
“From sorrow to serenity
The truth is absolution
From sorrow to serenity
It’s on your head
This is my last serenade
I feel you as you fall away
This is my last serenade
From yourself you can’t run away
It’s your choice
Point the finger
But it’s on your head”
“Hatred is a weakness.”
Throwdown - Beyond Repair
This is Throwdown’s first record. It’s somewhat of a different style from the records that followed (all the members are different, so that makes sense). It has a post-hardcore more than metal feel. Lots of opportunities for sing-a-longs, moshing, and finger pointing. Too bad they don’t seem to play these songs live any more (except Slip).
“No one runs this life. No one. Rock!”
“If you’re gonna do it, do it for yourself. That way, when it comes back to day one, you’re your fucking self. Move!”
“To my friends: I’ll be there for you. Be there for me too.”
“Power figure. Power failure… We will force you down.”
Throwdown - Haymaker
This album has more of a tough guy feel than Beyond Repair. Tight as hell. Metal hooks that groove.
“Never back down. Never give in. Just let the fucking bastards do themselves in.”
Yeah! Tough guy rock. Go!
M.I.A. - Kala
I think this is the only record on this list that actually came out in ‘07. It’s also the only one that’s not hardcore/metal. I’ll nominate this as my favorite record of the year. It marked the beginning of a personal era, and it still rocks. Hard.
I don’t know how to describe this album. The vocalist is from Sri Lanka via London. I’m not sure if I’d say she raps or sings. The music is electronic, dancey, and multi-layered with lots of different, worldly influences. Or something like that.
“BIG on the underground
What’s the point of knocking me down?
Everybody knows
I’m already good on the ground
Most of us stay strong
Shit don’t really bound us
Then I go on my own
Making bombs with rubber bands
I have my hard down
So I need a man for romance
Streets are making em hard
So they selfish little roamers
Jumpin’ girl to girl
Make us meat like burgers
When I get fat
I’ll pop me out some leaders
A protocol to be a Rocawear model?
It didn’t really drop that way
My legs hit the hurdle
A protocol to be a rocker on a label?
It didn’t really drop that way
My beats were too evil
But I put away paper for later so I’m stable
A better something better come
So I could get cable
Ghetto pops, food drops
I store them in my stable
I cook em up, pop em down
Eat em off a table
The village got on the phone
Said the street is comin’ to town
They wanna check my papers
See what I carry around
Credentials are boring
I burnt em at the burial ground
Don’t order me about
I’m an outlaw from the badland
Put away shots for later
So I’m stable
Live in trees chew on feet
Watch Lost on cable
Bird flu gonna get you
Made it in my stable
From the crap you drop
On my crop when they pay you.”
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