Your Top 10 Albums of 2007
This is a list of my favorite albums of 2007. (not the best albums, but my personal favorite)
10 - An End Has a Start - Editors
Do you like Snow Patrol, Coldplay, and Interpol? If so, you will like Editors. They deliver exactly what they did in their 2005 debut The Back Room; Joy Division meets Echo & The Bunnymen. Put on your black boots and burn down the disco.
This album isn't actually very good, but I love it. It is my guilty pleasure of the year (Much like The Bravery had me with their self-titled debut in 2005.)
Album highlights - "An End Has a Start", "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors"
9 - Fables From a Mayfly - Fair to Midland
Yes, they are friends from high school, but this album has the full-on production of a major label group, and they benefit greatly from it. Almost everything on the album has a radio-friendly sheen and is accessible without being silly or grating. Objectivity? Who needs it!?
Album highlights - "The Wife, The Kids, and the White Picket Fence", "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes"
8 - Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem
Less catchy than their eponymous debut, but more solid overall as a cohesive album. Still just as danceable, which is half the reason you even listen to it. LCD Soundsystem is a tribute band, really, to Bowie and Talking Heads and that cool sense of New York and London hip glimmer. It works best as a whole, not pulled apart into songs. It takes a little time, but it is very good.
Album highlights - "North American Scum", "Sound of Silver"
7 - Bluefinger - Black Francis
This album is a whole lot of fun. It kicks off with the rocker "Captain Pasty", which is just a beautiful label for the return of post-punk rocker Black Francis after so many years of Frank Black's Nashville records (which are good, have no doubt). Lots and lots of fun.
Album highlights - "Threshold Apprehension", "Lolita"
6 - Challengers - The New Pornographers
Neko Case still has one of the most beautiful voices in music, so if the music to back her is even decent the album will be excellent. I am not a fan of AC Newman on his own, but when he teams up with Case they can make some wonderful stuff.
This album is not the up-tempo pop they are well-known for, but almost feels like a Neko Case solo record, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Album highlights - "Challengers", "All the Old Showstoppers"
5 - The Shepherd's Dog - Iron & Wine
By far the most enjoyable and up-tempo Iron & Wine record ever. Now, that is not saying a lot, because the previous albums were quite down-tempo, but the increase in volume and complexity plays very very well. This one might actually deserve to be Top 3. If Nashville had any soul left at all those who call themselves country artists would lock themselves in a room with Sam Beam's records and play them on an endless loop until they realized how they sully their own heritage. Folk is the root of Southern music.
Album highlights - "Lovesong of the Buzzard", "Boy With a Coin"
4 - Fancy Footwork - Chromeo
Their debut, She's in Control, was my favorite album of 2005, and the boys do not disappoint at all. You want to get up and move around; dance if no one is around and discreetly bob your head in the grocery store (or walking down the hall at school). And as lame as this might sound, as improbable as it might be, this collection of 1980s dance hall pastiche has actually matured. Bizarre, but true.
Album highlights - "Fancy Footwork", "Momma's Boy"
3 - Our Love to Admire - Interpol
Interpol had a lot to live up given the absolute brilliance of their first two records, and for the most part they succeed. When they are on their game they are among the best rock bands out there, making some truly beautiful and engaging music. The production and timing are absolutely fantastic on this album. The humor is still there, right under the surface of cool kid glam rock "I love myself more than anything in this world" artifice, and that is what separates themselves from the pack of Joy Division/New Order hybrids out today. (Listen to "No 'I' In Threesome" and feel the 4 minute build into the 3 second punchline right at the end of the song? well done!)
Album highlights - "No 'I' In Threesome", "The Heinreich Manuever"
I am putting extra space here because the final two albums are in a class of their own. All is pointless comedy compared to these works of pure musical genius.
2 - In Rainbows - Radiohead
Their best work since Kid A (album of the decade). Light and sparse, but also bold, because it doesn't hide behind noise and weird synth (I'm looking at you, Amnesiac). Every sound has a purpose. Thom Yorke's angelic voice is as haunting and moving as ever. Pure brilliance.
How can they still make music this good? How can one bad turn out so many genre-defining/changing masterpieces? It is simply unfair.
Album highlights - "Bodysnatchers", "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
1 - Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire
Everyone and their dog is moaning that this album is not as good as their debut, Funeral, but those people (and their dogs) are insane. No, it is not Funeral, and I am glad of it. This is an extremely powerful album lyrically and it carries a beautiful theme of loss and hopelessness and searching from beginning to end. Absolutely beautiful. You feel this album as much as you hear it. A perfect masterpiece. Wow.
Album highlights - The whole thing from beginning to end, treat it like one long song. Simply amazing.
10 - An End Has a Start - Editors
Do you like Snow Patrol, Coldplay, and Interpol? If so, you will like Editors. They deliver exactly what they did in their 2005 debut The Back Room; Joy Division meets Echo & The Bunnymen. Put on your black boots and burn down the disco.
This album isn't actually very good, but I love it. It is my guilty pleasure of the year (Much like The Bravery had me with their self-titled debut in 2005.)
Album highlights - "An End Has a Start", "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors"
9 - Fables From a Mayfly - Fair to Midland
Yes, they are friends from high school, but this album has the full-on production of a major label group, and they benefit greatly from it. Almost everything on the album has a radio-friendly sheen and is accessible without being silly or grating. Objectivity? Who needs it!?
Album highlights - "The Wife, The Kids, and the White Picket Fence", "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes"
8 - Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem
Less catchy than their eponymous debut, but more solid overall as a cohesive album. Still just as danceable, which is half the reason you even listen to it. LCD Soundsystem is a tribute band, really, to Bowie and Talking Heads and that cool sense of New York and London hip glimmer. It works best as a whole, not pulled apart into songs. It takes a little time, but it is very good.
Album highlights - "North American Scum", "Sound of Silver"
7 - Bluefinger - Black Francis
This album is a whole lot of fun. It kicks off with the rocker "Captain Pasty", which is just a beautiful label for the return of post-punk rocker Black Francis after so many years of Frank Black's Nashville records (which are good, have no doubt). Lots and lots of fun.
Album highlights - "Threshold Apprehension", "Lolita"
6 - Challengers - The New Pornographers
Neko Case still has one of the most beautiful voices in music, so if the music to back her is even decent the album will be excellent. I am not a fan of AC Newman on his own, but when he teams up with Case they can make some wonderful stuff.
This album is not the up-tempo pop they are well-known for, but almost feels like a Neko Case solo record, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Album highlights - "Challengers", "All the Old Showstoppers"
5 - The Shepherd's Dog - Iron & Wine
By far the most enjoyable and up-tempo Iron & Wine record ever. Now, that is not saying a lot, because the previous albums were quite down-tempo, but the increase in volume and complexity plays very very well. This one might actually deserve to be Top 3. If Nashville had any soul left at all those who call themselves country artists would lock themselves in a room with Sam Beam's records and play them on an endless loop until they realized how they sully their own heritage. Folk is the root of Southern music.
Album highlights - "Lovesong of the Buzzard", "Boy With a Coin"
4 - Fancy Footwork - Chromeo
Their debut, She's in Control, was my favorite album of 2005, and the boys do not disappoint at all. You want to get up and move around; dance if no one is around and discreetly bob your head in the grocery store (or walking down the hall at school). And as lame as this might sound, as improbable as it might be, this collection of 1980s dance hall pastiche has actually matured. Bizarre, but true.
Album highlights - "Fancy Footwork", "Momma's Boy"
3 - Our Love to Admire - Interpol
Interpol had a lot to live up given the absolute brilliance of their first two records, and for the most part they succeed. When they are on their game they are among the best rock bands out there, making some truly beautiful and engaging music. The production and timing are absolutely fantastic on this album. The humor is still there, right under the surface of cool kid glam rock "I love myself more than anything in this world" artifice, and that is what separates themselves from the pack of Joy Division/New Order hybrids out today. (Listen to "No 'I' In Threesome" and feel the 4 minute build into the 3 second punchline right at the end of the song? well done!)
Album highlights - "No 'I' In Threesome", "The Heinreich Manuever"
I am putting extra space here because the final two albums are in a class of their own. All is pointless comedy compared to these works of pure musical genius.
2 - In Rainbows - Radiohead
Their best work since Kid A (album of the decade). Light and sparse, but also bold, because it doesn't hide behind noise and weird synth (I'm looking at you, Amnesiac). Every sound has a purpose. Thom Yorke's angelic voice is as haunting and moving as ever. Pure brilliance.
How can they still make music this good? How can one bad turn out so many genre-defining/changing masterpieces? It is simply unfair.
Album highlights - "Bodysnatchers", "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
1 - Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire
Everyone and their dog is moaning that this album is not as good as their debut, Funeral, but those people (and their dogs) are insane. No, it is not Funeral, and I am glad of it. This is an extremely powerful album lyrically and it carries a beautiful theme of loss and hopelessness and searching from beginning to end. Absolutely beautiful. You feel this album as much as you hear it. A perfect masterpiece. Wow.
Album highlights - The whole thing from beginning to end, treat it like one long song. Simply amazing.
Comments
Kala- M.I.A.
Is Is EP- YYYs
Icky Thump- White Stripes
Robyn- Robyn
Robyn is a 2005 album, but she re-released it this year with 3 new songs, including the best song of the year: "With Every Heartbeat". Listen to the Live Lounge version, too.
I am curious to hear In Rainbows, even though I think Radiohead is 90% hype. I'll fork over $7 or thereabouts if it's any good, but so far I simply haven't heard it anywhere.
It's been a tough year since I don't like lyric-driven hipster music. I liken it to the generic, American microbrew ale which seems to have a near uniform, overworked flavor no matter which town it's from and how they claim to have made it.
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga - Not a perfect record and really the guy is a bit of a wanker, but it at least sounds like a record they enjoyed making and is a real studio kind of record which I like.
Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta - If you listen to Radiohead and subsequently have never been laid than this is music that is not for you. This is music about living life. It is about f*cking and swearing and eating and drinking and dancing.
The Fratellis - Costello Music - An awesome record to put on when you are drinking with your friend and want to have a sing along. Classic and fresh at the same time.
1990's - Cookies - Great stomping, glammy, druggy rock. Sure some of it has been done a million times, but somehow great rock bands make it all seem fresh. Plus this record is like the soundtrack for my drugged out glam rocking well spent youth.
Peter, Bjorn and John - (I can't remember the title, probably a symptom of my youth) In some ways my favorite record of the year. It's got a genuine pop single which goes a long way in my book. There's also not a bad song on it and the sounds and production are awesome.
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas - A little bit whiny and lame like all American bands seem to be, but I am a sucker for the guitars and the intensity. I think they must have listened to a lot of the same late 80's early 90's guitar bands that I did.
LCD Soundsytem - Sound of Silver - I actually haven't listened to this record that much, but it had two songs that I was obsessed with so I'll give it some props. Also in an interview James Murphy derided Williamsburgh, where he lives, by calling it a lame college town which is something I would say.
I am holding out hope that two bands will join the list by the end of the year. Babyshambles - Shotters Nation and The Hives new record.
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The growling is actually what he used to do all the time back when they first formed in 1998. The lead singer has a crippling social phobia and actually singing was something that horrified him, so he screamed and growled. There isn't any growling in the songs I point out as album highlights. The growling goes over really well live, though, and the crowd loves it, so
As far as his voice being a digital effect, no. I suspect there is some pitch matching done in ProTools for some of the high notes, but everything else is just what he does.
Of Montreal ... Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
The Kinks ... The Ultimate Collection
Led Zeppelin ... Mothership
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77 ... Love Music
Loretta Lynn ... Van Lear Rose
Moonbabies ... Moonbabies At The Ballroom
The Bird And The Bee (album has same name)
The Eccentric Opera ... Hymne
Buzzcocks ... Flat-Pack Philosophy
The Donnas ... Spend The Night
The Flaming Lips ... The Soft Bulletin
Gustav Holst ... The Planets
Ladytron ... Witching Hour
Remy Shand ... The Way I Feel
Sixpence None The Richer ... The Best of
The Soundtrack of Our Lives ... Origin Vol. 1
Tahiti 80 ... Wallpaper For The Soul
Wilson Neves ... Wilson Neves E Seu Conjunto
[I]Of Montreal ... Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
I forgot about that one!
Insanely good.
Much darker than the Sunlandic Twins.
I haven't really thought about a 'Top 10' list this year as few things really blew me away, but I'd also give props to Silversun Pickups' Carnavas as my most anticipated album, !!!'s Myth Takes as the album that compresses the most fun per square inch, and El-P's I'll Sleep When You're Dead gets my vote for best album of the year.
I also enjoyed Carnavas, but it is ineligible for my list because it was released in 2006.
Wow, I had no idea. It didn't hit my radar until March when IMF started playing the video.
The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
Sick Puppies - Dressed Up As Life
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Jay-Z - American Gangster
6 - Challengers - The New Pornographers
1 - Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire
Everyone and their dog is moaning that this album is not as good as their debut, Funeral, but those people (and their dogs) are insane. No, it is not Funeral, and I am glad of it. This is an extremely powerful album lyrically and it carries a beautiful theme of loss and hopelessness and searching from beginning to end. Absolutely beautiful. You feel this album as much as you hear it. A perfect masterpiece. Wow.
Album highlights - The whole thing from beginning to end, treat it like one long song. Simply amazing.
Some good Canadian content there. I haven't really "gotten" The New Pornographers, which is too bad, because they're a Vancouver band.
As you say: everyone says that Neon Bible is not as good as Funeral; and it's not. One thing that I will give it is that the 1-2 punch of "(Antichrist Television Blues)" and "Windowsill" is excellent: Funeral does not have that.
I must add one Canadian band to your radar. Whether you end up liking them or not, any music lover should give these guys a chance: The Most Serene Republic. They have just released a new album, Population, but this is not the one that I would suggest you start with: have a half-dozen-or-so listens to their "EP" (it's 33 minutes long, so it barely classifies as an EP) Phages. It is some of the most beautiful, complex music I've heard. As an indication of this, only two of the eight songs are what you would consider simple 4/4 timing. TMSR have talent in droves. In just a few short months (I first heard Phages in August) TMSR have become my favourite band, ahead of even Wolf Parade. Population is also very good, but Phages is magical. After four months I still listen to it almost daily.
1 - Burial - Untrue
It's right up there with Boards of Canada's Music Has the Right to Children and DJ Shadow's Entroducing for electronic albums best listened to in the dark with headphones on and the volume turned way up.
2 - Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Spoon never disappoints. They just keep releasing the best rock albums every few years.
3 - Marnie Stern - In Advance of the Broken Arm
She's going to have to fill the void left when Sleater Kinney called it quits. Some truly ludicrous guitar playing on this album.
4 - Julie Doiron - Woke Myself Up
I heard of her when she was nominated for the Polaris Prize (Canada's equivalant of Britain's Mercury Prize). She sounds a bit like early Cat Power but with a touch more Rock and Roll.
5 - Feist - The Reminder
I'm sure a lot of people are sick of her because of those iPod ads but this is really a fucking great album. There isn't a bad song on it and she has one of the best voices in music today.
6 - Radiohead - In Rainbows
This is the first Radiohead album that I truly loved.
7 - The National - Boxer
This album took me a long ass time to get into. I kept skipping songs when they come on shuffle but I finally sat down and listened to the whole thing a few weeks ago and it's been on non-stop since.
8 - Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If...
This is the spiritual successor to You Forgot It In People. If you liked that album it's hard not to like this one.
9 - LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Catchy as hell.
10- Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
I didn't like it as much as Funeral but that probably wasn't even possible. Still a great album. If their third album is on par with their first two then they'll enter legendary status. After watching The Strokes and Interpol bomb out on their third albums I'm hoping there's at least a few indie bands that have some longevity in them.
I just got the New Pornogrpahers album a few days ago so I can't really put it in the top 10 but all their other albums are some of my all time favourties.
1. Sara Bareilles - Little Voice
2. Kate Voegele - Don't Look Away
3. Alicia Keys - As I Am