Rock ’n’ Roll Poll

Last week, we at the Scene ranked highlights from the year in local rock, so this week, just as we did last year, we asked for the impressions of a few locals—musicians, bloggers and promoters with their fingers on the pulse—on 2007, a year that saw a local rock festival really take root, house party shows multiply and increasing national recognition for Nashville artists. Turns out Next Big Nashville was kind of a big deal, Character and Slack were sorely missed and Kyle Andrews should keep an eye peeled for a really tall, skinny dude.

Who reigned supreme in 2007?

How I Became the Bomb. Some touring in Europe, a few festival appearances, a BBC session and some very well-attended shows right here in Nashville equals a very good year, and they didn’t even release anything. —JANET TIMMONS, OUTTHEOTHER.COM

The Mighty Morphin’ Jason Moon Wilkins. There’s a hole in my liver that resembles the Next Big Nashville logo and will never, ever grow back. —SEAN MALONEY, GRAND PALACE

I’ve gotta go with Jason Moon Wilkins and Ethan Opelt. I think those boys are onto something with Next Big Nashville. —JOE BAINE COLVERT, STORIES THAT LIVE & LAKE FEVER PRODUCTIONS

Paramore. American Bang second. —ETHAN OPELT, MOVEMENT

Al Gore. —CORTNEY TIDWELL

The Marj and Dawn kids definitely brought it harder than any of my other friends who play in this town. They have a real sense of community. As well as being virtuosos and fucking geniuses, they lack the narcissistic, contrived hardcore mentality. Solid dudes actually breathing new life into local hardcore. —NATHAN VASQUEZ, BE YOUR OWN PET & DELUXIN’

Dave Cloud is still king. —BAD FRIEND

Whoever it was, it was unwarranted I’m sure. —JARED MICAH

The dingo. —JOHN BRUTON, MERCY LOUNGE

Are there any artists you feel didn’t receive enough praise this past year?

Ricky Young & The Slow Films, Space Capone, Disappointed by Candy, The Lonely Hearts, Paper Route, Brooke Waggoner, AutoVaughn, Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig, Kyle Andrews and probably another 20 or so. —ETHAN OPELT, MOVEMENT NASHVILLE

Kurt Wagner and David Berman. Both are among the finest songwriters of our generation, period, and they are right here in Nashville. —CORTNEY TIDWELL

Ultramagnetic MC’s. —BAD FRIEND

Glossary. The record [The Better Angels of Our Nature] is fantastic, and I wish more people were checking it out. —JANET TIMMONS, OUTTHEOTHER.COM

Porter Hall, TN. —JOE BAINE COLVERT, STORIES THAT LIVE & LAKE FEVER PRODUCTIONS

Eureka Gold. Charming kids with killer songs that are criminally under-appreciated. They’ve got a keen sense for hooks that really puts them heads and tails above most folks around here. —SEAN MALONEY, GRAND PALACE

Cherry Blossoms! Anyone who hasn’t seen Nashville’s best band ever to exist needs to right fucking now! Peggy has the most beautiful voice of any songstress. Chris Davis (drummer) gave my life direction when I first met him at the Lightning Bolt show he booked. Much to my chagrin, he’s ceased major activity as far as booking. It’s an all-consuming job, and he was a hard worker for many years, setting up some of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen that, for the most part, Nashville seemed to miss out on big time. —NATHAN VASQUEZ, BE YOUR OWN PET & DELUXIN’

Dead Hippies, Baby Teeth Thieves, Evil Bebos, Bad Friend, Bumblebeast. Do Cherry Blossoms still play? God bless ’em. —JARED MICAH

What was your favorite local record of the year?

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker’s Kaboom! —JOHN BRUTON, MERCY LOUNGE

Dead Hippies, Home Home Branches. I like that JEFF tape and that Deluxin’ record too. —JARED MICAH

Lots to pick from. Top three are Jared Micah and Hats for willingness to do something different, and SJ & The Props because “Tragedy” is probably the best song of the year. Glossary for going out on a limb and trying to reshape the way things work. —MICHAEL EADES, WEOWNTHISTOWN.NET & YEWKNEE.COM

Charlie Louvin’s self-titled LP. —CORTNEY TIDWELL

Magick Plants, Sketch or Deluxin’, Black and White Album. Never be able to decide between the two. —BAD FRIEND

Again, I’d have to say Cherry Blossoms’ relatively new LP. Ever since the early ’90s, John Allingham and Peggy Snow have taken a strong anti-capitalist stride in their ethics. So many of their songs and music put that heavy flush in my cheeks, like what listening to The Band or something does to me. Or that moment in Bill and Ted where he says “This one’s for peace!” and strikes the chord. —NATHAN VASQUEZ, BE YOUR OWN PET & DELUXIN’

ks Rhoads, Dead Language. —ETHAN OPELT, MOVEMENT NASHVILLE

Glossary’s The Better Angels of Our Nature. This crew is at the top of their game. Joey’s songs just keep getting better, while the rest of the band just keeps getting tighter. I swear I could watch BJ Barnes play his bass for hours on end. Have you noticed what an amazing guitar player Joey is? Damn! Especially for a frontman! —JOE BAINE COLVERT, STORIES THAT LIVE & LAKE FEVER PRODUCTIONS