It is officially 2007, and if anyone releases a new album this month, I will probably not purchase it due to Christmas sucking all of my money out of my wallet.

So far, though, I'd say it's been a pretty good year. Almost all of my favorite bands puts out a new album that was fairly decent. The only thing that could have made me happier would've been for Sleater-Kinney to end their hiatus and make the next great album we know they are capable of.

In the second year of Sleater-Kinney's absense, these 2007 favorites helped me get through…

Just so everyone knows:

I saw Schoolyard Heroes open for The Birthday Massacre on Saturday night……

And they were definitely the craziest band ever to grace a stage.

That is definitely a good thing…..

So go see them.

I saw mewithoutYou in Denver for the second time on Sunday night and it was an amazing show. I definitely recommend seeing them if you ever happen to have the chance.

I was very excited to hear Silencer and My Exit, Unfair …. but slightly disappointed to not hear Gentlemen. But hey, there's always next time…. and there will definitely be a next time.

B-sides are one of my favorite things about music. There is almost nothing more exciting than buying a single and discovering the amazing b-side on it. For me it feels like I'm in on some wonderful secret. Here's some of my favorite b-sides and what makes each one so amazing…..

Garbo
Venus doesn't glitter when she stands next to you.
This track can be found on the b-side of the "Stand Back" single. It can also be found on the Enchanted box set. It is simply Stevie at her finest…. a simple, emotional, and overall beautiful song. Worth tracking down.…

The hardest part is things already said
Getting better, worse, I can not tell
Why do good things never wanna stay?
Some things you lose, some things you give away.

-Sleater-Kinney, "Good Things"

I've decided tonight I'm staying alive just kicking and screaming
Blood boiling and streaming
There are things far too dark to comprehend
Sleep on it one more night, my sad old friend.

The worst is over.

-Cursive, "Staying Alive"

"I'm always wondering where you are
I'm always wondering where you are
Darling, shouldn't I be the one wondering?
After all, I'm the one who is gone."

-Eisley, "Memories"

The very first time I saw your face
I thought of a song
And quickly changed the tune
The very first time I touched your skin
I thought of a story
And rushed to reach the end
Too soon

- The Cure, "Primary"

People will tell you where they've gone
They'll tell you where to go
But 'till you get there yourself, you never really know
Where some have found their paradise
Others just come to harm
Amelia, it was just a false alarm.

- Joni Mitchell, "Amelia"