As we’re now firmly in the second half of the year, I wanted to take moment to reflect on the six musical months gone by… These are the recordings released in the first half of 2007 that have made the most impression on me:

Alasdair Roberts : “The Amber Gatherers” (Drag City)

Boris with Michio Kurihara : “Rainbow” (Pedal)

Bracken : “We Know About The Need” (Anticon)

Earth : “Hibernaculum” (Southern Lord)

Efterklang : “Under Giant Trees” (Leaf)

Epic45 : “May Your Heart Be The Map” (Make Mine Music)

Grinderman : “Grinderman” (Mute)

Jakob : “Solace” (Midium)

Jesu : “Conqueror” (HydraHead)

Josh T Pearson : “Live @ The Adelphi, Hull, 13-04-2007″ (tour CDR)

Low : “Drums And Guns” (Sub Pop)

Matt Elliott : “Failing Songs” (Ici d’Ailleurs)

Nina Nastasia & Jim White : “You Follow Me” (FatCat)

Shellac : “Excellent Italian Greyhound” (Touch And Go)

Stars Of The Lid : “And Their Refinement Of The Decline” (Kranky)