(*No real order here. Just the way I could remember things.)
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1. Various Artists Oxford American 2008 Southern Music 2xCD (Giveaway w/Oxford American magazine)
Okay, it’s a premium that came with a (great!) magazine. But it’s still the best comp I’ve heard in way too long.
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2. Various Artists Love is the Song We Sing 4xCD box set (Rhino)
Came out at the tail end of 2007, which qualifies, says I. Essential overview of SF psych/hippie/garage scene, 1965-’70.
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3. The Oh Sees The Master’s Bedroom is Worth Spending a Night In CD/LP (Castle-Face/Tomlab)
Ex-Coachwhips play under-the-radar gig at Bard that’s by far the best rock ’n’ roll show I’ve seen in many a moon.
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4. Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band It Comes to You in a Plain Brown Wrapper 2xLP (Sundazed Music)
Safe as Milk and Strictly Personal sessions uncut and presented as the Captain originally intended. Great package.
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5. Grinderman Grinderman CD/LP (Mute)
I know, 2007 again, sue me. Nick Cave and his Seeds put ballads on hold and rock the nasty all over again. And how.
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6. Iceberg Slim Reflections CD (Uproar Entertainment)
About-time reissue of this fabled swatch of prime ’70s polyester pimpness. Funk and prose get no sleazier.
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7. Kraftwerk Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution DVD (Chrome Dreams)
Informative doc about electro-pop founders and fellow Krautrockers like Can, Tangerine Dream, Neu!, Amon Duul, etc.
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8. The Sacred Shakers The Sacred Shakers CD (Signature Sounds)
Reigning neo-country goddess Eilen Jewell and band in winning gospel guise. Have you heard the Good News?
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9. Wooden Shjips Vol.1 CD/LP (Holy Mountain)
Tight round-up of unfindable OOP singles and EPs by fave contemporary San Francisco psychonauts. Brain-frying.
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10. Kat Larios Bathos in Aqua CD (Safety Clyde)
Shocking debut by this Romilar-voiced local weird-acoustic chanteuse. Different and great in a slo-mo folk way.
Peter Aaron
Music editor, Chronogram magazine; contributor, Roll magazine, the Chrome Cranks, etc.