2 Days in Paris + The Stage Names

I’m short on time these days so I’ll be quick.

First things first: I’m calling it now. The Stage Names is going to be at the very top of my top 20 of ’07 list. Yes, I realize that’s a pretty bold statement to be making only halfway through the year, but I have nothing but good things to say about the album. In fact, every time I listen to it, I end up telling about 20 people how good it is and asking if they’ve listened to it.

On the first few listens, Black Sheep Boy was still in the back of my mind, and my initial comparison was that The Stage Names didn’t even compare to its predecessor. Like most albums I’m initially crabby about, however, it has grown on me and outshined everything else I’ve heard this year. Admittedly, there is not a new Stephin Merritt album this year and everything I heard in the first 6 months was beyond mediocre.

Also, I finally saw 2 Days in Paris, which was the funniest movie I’ve seen in 5-6 years at least. The casting of real parents + real ex-boyfriend made it so raw, and Delpy did a great job of avoiding typecasting herself in the Before Sunrise/Before Sunset roles she’s most known for. Amazing.