You smell that? That’s Christmas in the air my friends. Smells good, eh (for my Canadian friends)? It also means that the end of 2007 is drawing nigh. With that in mind, I would like to step away from reality TV indulgence and political pontification to offer my music reviews for 2007.

Given that my musical taste is limited to mostly country, alt-country and it’s derivatives, these reviews will probably will probably, in-turn, have limited interest.

Son Volt – The Search

Rating: 1 Peanut Butter and ‘Nanner Sandwich (out of 4)

After Jay Farrar and the Son Volt gang layed a tremendous turd in 2005 with Okemah and the Melody of Riot, I had high hopes for this new release. It was rumored that Jay was going back to what made him one of the greatest songwriters of our time. Unfortunately it was just a rumor as we were delivered another dose of falsetto-Farrar coupled with poorly-structured political angst.

Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

Rating: 1.5 Peanut Butter and ‘Nanner Sandwiches

If you believe that Jeff Tweedy doesn’t miss Jay Bennet, then I am sure that you also probably believe that Algore richly deserved his Nobel Peace Prize for perpetrating a hoax on the simple-minded Earth-worship crowd. While Sky Blue Sky is a little more listenable than the previous cure for insomnia A Ghost is Born, it’s still lacking the musical depth and originality that we saw on the first three classic Wilco releases. Even though I would rather listen to it than say.. I don’t know.. go to the dentist, it definitely does not receive steady play in my personal rotation.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Easy Tiger

Rating: 3 Peanut Butter and ‘Nanner Sandwiches

I have always said that an average Ryan Adams record is still better than 98.2% of anything else on the shelves today, and I am sticking with that statement. Granted, Easy Tiger isn’t the strongest release in his vast catalog but it does, however, further my theory that Ryan took a trip to the Crossroads years ago and offered the Devil a great deal on his soul. Yes, there are a few fillers on this CD but the quality tunes quickly overshadow any musical missteps.

Dig it.

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