My Favorite Albums of 2007: A Post by Lord Bison (Part II)
So, yesterday I posted the first half of my “dissertation” on my favorite records of the year. Now I give you the rest:
6. Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends (Frenchkiss)
If they could package and sell the insanity and exuberance of a Les Savy Fav live show, the returns would surely be fast and great. Tim Harrington is a one-man wrecking crew, simultaneously entertaining and bamboozling any available on-looker into the sensation of a sweat-and-scream-induced hangover (read my own personal account here). For now, the recordings will have to suffice, and oh, do they ever. These Brooklyn art-punks have always been trendsetters, more willing to rebuff their own machinations than to embrace them; but here they seem—and sound—more comfortable in their shoes than ever before. The most intriguing aspect of the cheekily titled Let’s Stay Friends is the variety of chances these artists take throughout the record: Harrington’s poetic reflection over Syd Barret’s dub-inspired bass line in “Brace Yourself”; the surprisingly pleasant placement of horns during the chorus of “The Lowest Bitter”; the pop-inspired melodies of “Patty Lee” and “What Would Wolves Do?”; and the sentimental acoustics of “Comes & Goes”. The record is not without vintage Les Savy Fav, thankfully, as “The Equestrian” puts Seth Jabour’s brash guitar proudly on display, “The Year Before the Year 2000” would be right at home on 3/5, and Jabour’s swirling guitar combined with the thumping drum march of Harrison Haynes places “Slugs in the Shrubs” squarely in another category. I haven’t even mentioned “Raging in the Plague Age,” a decadent punk-disco jam fit for a king. These guys would know, after all.
Popularity: 19%
