Seattle’s Top Ten Singles - 2007
So I’m sitting here watching “Kissmas“on VH1 and despite the Holiday inspiration that has been laid before me on the flat screen, this list was really hard to do. I went with “singles” because I believe singles are the gateway drug that will lead you to your new favorite band. Besides, the local music scene in Seattle this year was so hot is was hard to keep on top of. Trust me, I know. Anyways, sometimes I hear from a reader who tells me how much they love a band they got turned onto from my blog. And I love to hear that, but this year, I want you to put your money where your mouth is and actually support them, too. Go to Sonic Boom, Easy Street or your favorite local vinyl dealer and buy the music you say you love so much. Even better, get out to see a live show and then pick up the band’s merch at the club. So often, bands are self-distributing their music and other swag themselves. That means sometimes just being at that live show is the only way to get your hands on it and make sure they get to play their next gig. Show the local you love ‘em. Cherrybomb does her part. Now…onto that list I alluded to in the title of this post…:
The Purrs - “She’s Got Chemicals”
Because I used to be a teenage drug taker too. Okay, strike the words “used“, “to“, “be” and “a” from that last sentence and replace ‘em with the words “am“. And no, I’m not changing anything else because I’m really Peter Pan as far as you know. And The Purrs rule. This song has moved into the secret crawlspace of my brain that is generally reserved for Motorhead. The voice of Lemmy inside my head told me he didn’t mind.
Cave Singers - “Seeds of Night”
Peter Quirk’s superb vocals are unexpected because Peter is a guys name. Said voice will haunt you like the ghost named Stevie that rolls around in Lindsey Buckingham’s head. Guitarist, Derek Fudesco (Pretty Girls Make Graves and the late, great boom-swagger-boom of the Murder City Devils) has yet again used his magical guitar powers for good. Make that great.
Blue Scholars - “North by Northwest”
This song is an anthem for the evolution of hip-hop over the last few years here in Seattle and the NW. Blue Scholars know more about that than almost anyone else in the geography we call home. Did you catch them during “The Program” at Neumo’s this week? You had like, five chances, yo…
The Cops - “Them Cats”
I love it when Michael Jaworski says “Them cat’s/They must be smoking crack/Them cat’s/They like to shoot that smack“. Maybe that crazy cat lady isn’t really crazy at all. Maybe she’s just permanently hopped up because all 27 of her cats are junkies. And, even as I write these words from my very own rolling meth-lab, another excellent song from “Free Electricity“, “Light it Off” is the KEXP Song of the Day (12/21). Which means you can download it for free here. On January 16th The Cops play the High Dive with Sunday Night Blackout and Juhu Beach.
The DT’s - “Freedom”
This single will blow your face off. DT’s vocalist Diana Young-Blanchard, in addition to her Janice-like vocal prowess, also looks so good in fishnets you will totally forgive her for that blowing-your-face-off misunderstanding. I know I would. The DT’s are one of the best things to ever come out of Bellingham (WA). And a lot of good things are coming from Bellingham these days.
The Saturday Knights - “45”
I don’t remember how many times I talked about The Saturday Knights on this blog this last year. But it had to be at least 45 times.
The Blakes - “Two Times”
I still find myself wondering when I listen to Garnet Kiem screaming “When I proposed to you/You just laughed“, what kind of girl says no to Garnet Kiem? I don’t even think the most manly man would say no to Garnet. I know I wouldn’t say no. Did you hear that Garnet? Anyways, this single, while not representative of The Blakes self-titled 2007 release, is a total jawbreaker. Now shake for me girl. And for god’s sake, the next time Garnet asks you, let him be your back door man…
North Twin - “Fallin’ Apart”
It was Cherrybomb’s theme song this year, after all…
The Valley - “Come Down”
Feedback RULES. All I want for Christmas is more feedback. Thanks.
Kinski - “Down Below it’s Chaos”
Because this whole record deserves a place in your heavy rotation shelf.
