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It seems as if 2007 has been a year for some really solid records from my favorites across the spectrum. Consistent; unwavering, you could say. Radiohead, Streetlight Manifesto, and A Wilhelm Scream have entirely different sounds as well as varying status in the music world, and the thing they kept in common this year was the release of some of their coolest stuff to date (//In Rainbows, Somewhere in the Between,// and //Career Suicide//, respectively). They just weren't afraid to be them (not that they really were in the past), but they kept pushing the genre just a bit, and you can never say no to that. Radiohead was more organic than ever in their alternative glory, Streetlight even tighter and catchier in ska/punk, and A Wilhelm Scream fearlessly agressive on the heavier side of the spectrum.

I love Patent Pending. By far the best live show in a pop-punk genre that is generally pretty unbearable these days, and some great guys. I ripped my pants from getting a little out of hand when I saw them at the Starland Summer Campout in August; it was totally worth it. Saw them two days straight a couple of weeks ago, in Nyack and then at Starland again. Never disappointed. They'd given me some shirts for really cheap as well as an unwrapped Steven Segal DVD from the floor of their tour van the first night, so once I found out their guitarist and main songwriter Joe used to be a pretty serious hockey player, I brought in one of my old jerseys to give him at the next show. Loved it. I was talking to lead singer Michael and his girlfriend for a while that night as well, and he was great, told me if there was room on the summer tour I could some. And the band's just great on top of it all. They've been playing live off the same songs for years and it doesn't get old. They're actually starting recording for a new full length around now, and I'm ecstatic to say the least.

I wish my band was still together.

I wonder if I'll ever see Catch 22 live again. I'd heard about some conflicts within the band regarding plans for the future, and overall, it definitely hasn't been very positive. Theyr're not drawing the crowds anymore; once they retired 12341234 and dropped all but a couple Keasbey classics from the live set, some in attendance (I'm assuming it's not just me) are leaving disappointed. It's not like I don't enjoy some of their new stuff...//Permanent Revolution// is really a quality record, and a little out of the box in its chronicles of the life and times of Leon Trotsky. I enjoy it. But it's just not that classic ska they once played, that showed up from time to time in recordings between then and now. Now this is one of the most talented groups in music today, that's not in question. It just seems like there's something missing. The reason that their shows kind of even out with Streetlight for me at this point is the simple fact that less people show up. There's more room to dance. I could barely breath at Streetlight. They shit out classics.

I wish we could have a nice show at the Community Center for once. It was the home base of BOATC's most loyal following, but man I always hated that place. Our opening support was either a group of 16 year olds from Jersey that just screamed the whole time, or some of our friends fucking around. Not like we didn't pack the place for one friday every month or so. I just want to get some real talent down there, doesn't need to be anybody popular or super cool or anything. Just a real reason to come now that I'm not actually playing there. An actual show that I wouldn't categorize as a crappy Community Center teenage hangout thing. The most exciting parts of the one I went to this year were the smoking breaks in between sets. At least it's only like three dollars.