Favorite Albums of 2007

It took a few more days than expected, but i’ve finally finished working on our year-end albums list for 2007. It was a great year for music, as I feel like i’ve listened to more albums than I have in my entire life. Well, i’m exaggerating of course, but i’ve certainly went through more albums than in previous years. I’m actually really satisfied with how my list ultimately turned out, as it’s pretty much on par with where my musical tastes have gone this entire year – which has been primarily indie pop. Some may frown at the lack of many of the major albums that were released this year (i.e. The National, Spoon, Arcade Fire), which are all great albums in their own right, but just didn’t make too much of an impact for me in the long run.

Like last year, i’ve once again gathered album lists from a majority of the contributors that have been a part of this blog throughout the year. Most of whom, you may or may not recognize. I’m not sure what else is in store, but it’s possible that a song list could be up later this week or next. Anyways, enjoy the lists and feel free to comment with your opinions or even your own lists if you wish. Hope you enjoy!

20.
Do Make Say Think
You, You’re a History in Rust
If there is one detail I always maintain when critiquing albums, it is consistency. One of the few post-rock bands I even bother listening to anymore, DMST never make music that is overly epic unlike their many counterparts. Their latest has a little bit of everything from ambient pieces, to guitar-driven crescendos.

“In Mind” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

19.
OFFICE
A Night at the Ritz
Because this album culls tracks from previous efforts, is one reason I didn’t rank this album higher. Though, if you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you would know that OFFICE have been one of my favorite bands of the past year and a half. For the unfamiliar, this is one hell of a polished pop record; with some of the catchiest singles that will grace your ears this year.

“The Ritz” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

18.
New Buffalo
Somewhere, Anywhere
Though Sally Seltmann may now be known more for penning Feist’s “1234,” let’s not forget about her stunning sophomore effort that was also released this year. A very relaxing and intimate record with some fantastic piano work, which all plays nicely to Seltman’s captivating vocals.

“Cheer Me Up Thank You” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

17.
Andrew Bird
Armchair Apocrypha
Back when this was released in March, I was convinced that this was going to be a contender for album of the year. Funny what eight or nine months will do. Not that i’m saying it’s a disappointment by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s just a record that didn’t have any legs to carry it to where we are now. With this release, I felt that Andrew Bird’s usual bag of musical tools (whistling, violin, etc.) had a more cohesive, polished feel this time around. This is more evident in songs like “Dark Matter” and “Plasticities” – the latter I consider one of his finest.

“Heretics” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

16.
The Besnard Lakes
The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse
“Disaster” and “For Agent 13″ easily provided, without question, the best one-two opener of the entire year. And for that, it deserves to at least be mentioned on any list this year. The rest of the album didn’t really hold up as well for me, but those two tracks make up for any of it’s shortgivings.

“And You Lied To Me” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

15.
The Bees
Octopus
I think they’re now called Band of Bees, but I don’t really care to acknowledge it. This record definitely stands as the odd choice out of this bunch, but it’s eclectic mix of sounds and abundance of great songs, makes this an easy choice on my list. As expected, a lot of songs have been mentioned on many “best of” lists already. Rightfully so, as the first half of this album is fucking fantastic.

“Left Foot Stepdown” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

14.
St. Vincent
Marry Me
As i’ve noticed from music blogging, the hype an artist can get from the community can either be a blessing or a curse. You can be loved one day and hated as soon as you turn your back. Thankfully, Annie Clark aka St. Vincent, has fulfilled the hype and released one of the stronger solo debuts this year.

“Now. Now.” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

13.
The Sea and Cake
Everybody
I don’t think this album is getting nearly enough love this year. Though it could be said that it lacks a stand-out track (“Up on Crutches,” hi), I think that works to it’s advantage, as each song provides a laid-back and consistent listening experience from beginning to end. A perfect summer album.

“Up on Crutches” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

12.
PJ Harvey
White Chalk
The fact that this album makes my top 20, surprises the hell out of me. I mean, I love Polly Jean – always have, but my high expectations for this album felt somewhat dashed after initially listening to it. It felt too dark and I wasn’t able to gravitate towards any of it’s songs because of that. Though, like all albums of this nature, you really have to give it time for it to shine. After listening to it a handful of times over the past few months, I realized that this is an album that i’ve always wanted her create. Gone are the trademark howling vocals, the furious guitar playing and angst now replaced by delicately arranged strings and piano. Well, those trademarks still appear sparingly, but it really allows her vocals to shine.

“The Piano” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

11.
The Twilight Sad
Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
Listening to The Twilight Sad is like going back in time to where the emotions of adolescence reigned supreme. Feelings of love, heartbreak and dreams of a more promising youth. It suits the tracks well as they begin slow and end on an epic note with soaring guitars similar to that of the more modern post-rock heavyweights. A splendid debut that picks up where their great self-titled EP left off.

“And She Would Darken the Memory” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

10.
The Clientele
God Save the Clientele
In my opinion, this is The Clientele’s best album in years, quite possibly ever. The album doesn’t do anything particularly different, but what it does do well is provide some vintage dream pop. As usual, Alasdair MacLean’s breathy vocals shine on every track.

“Bookshop Casanova” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

9.
Laura Veirs
Saltbreakers
I can’t say that I was familiar at all with Laura Veirs before listening to Saltbreakers. After listening to this album many times over the past year, at the least – it makes me want to go back and listen to her past releases.

“Don’t Lose Yourself” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

8.
Feist
The Reminder
iPod commercial aside, one cannot deny how supremely talented Leslie Feist is. Her latest effort lives up to all of the promise of Let it Die, while even surpassing it many ways. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why she’s not a huge pop star at this very moment. It doesn’t make any sense!

“My Moon My Man” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

7.
Georgie James
Places
This is definitely my surprise album of 2007, as I can’t believe how great it is from beginning to end. It’s pure guitar-pop bliss and it’s a shame that I haven’t seen it make many lists this year. It’s almost like people are treating it as a crime that they managed to create such a great pop record. If there’s one thing I could say to describe it, it’s an album that The New Pornographers would be proud of.

“Need Your Needs” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

6.
Club 8
The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming
A gorgeous album from beginning to end and just deserves to be mentioned in the highest regard. With a variety of songs on display here that range from heartwarming ballads to upbeat indiepop, there’s just a little bit of everything. It’s an amazing piece of work once you realize that this comes from only two individuals. I read on a review somewhere that described it as “aloe vera for the soul” which just makes me smile, as it’s a great description.

“Whatever You Want” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

5.
Pants Yell!
Alison Staton
Considering this was released earlier this month, it almost didn’t make my list at all. Though with listening to this album exclusively for the past couple of weeks, it has managed to completely skyrocket up my list. Each track is a work in the perfection of a indiepop, and you know you’re listening to something special from the very first moments of listening to this album. Given more time, this would probably rank even higher. You really can’t find anything better to spend ten bucks on right now, to be honest.

“Tried to be Good” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

4.
Lucky Soul
The Great Unwanted
This lovely six-piece straight out of London are here to steal your hearts and command your attention with their superb debut record. I can’t help but have this smile across my face every time as every song is just pure pop perfection as far as i’m concerned. There is not a single weak track on this gem, and everytime I happen to play it i’m almost hoping it never ends. I first heard it back in April and surprisingly, the album still manages to still sound fresh here in December.

“The Great Unwanted” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

3.
Jens Lekman
Night Falls Over Kortedala
I think it was seeing Jens perform a lot of these tracks live that really made me appreciate how truly wonderful this album is. Watching him perform each song with only a guitar made me take notice to every single detail of the studio versions. Also, I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to Oh You’re So Silent Jens (it cherry-picked tracks from previous EPs), which a lot of people are using as a crutch to say Night Falls Over Kortedala isn’t as good. It’s a fantastic record and only a person like Jens can pull this off without looking foolish.

“The Opposite of Hallelujah” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

2.
Of Montreal
Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Kevin Barnes and co. have yet to release a bad record in my eyes and continue the streak of great albums with this latest release. Though I wasn’t initially in love with this entire album at first, it was enjoying one or two tracks in the beginning – which then lead to almost having a new favorite track for every month leading up to now. it’s amazing how consistent Of Montreal have been with their releases, while still managing to always surprise me with trying something new and exciting.

“Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse” :: MP3

________________________________________________________________

1.
Radiohead
In Rainbows
It’s hard to factor out all of the hoopla that went on with how Radiohead handled this release, but for myself, it was just nice to be genuinely excited about a new record. From the moment I heard Jonny Greenwood’s guitar during “15 Step,” I felt oddly comforted by the fact that the band went back to a more subdued rock sound. What really blew my mind is hearing the exquisite string arrangements that begin on “Faust Arp” and continue through “Reckoner”/”House of Cards” for probably the best three-song arc on the entire record. It’s such a unique approach to Radiohead’s sound, but now that i’ve heard it, I couldn’t have it any other way. There really isn’t much else to say, but the fact that it feels damn good knowing that this is a fucking great Radiohead album.

“Reckoner” :: MP3

Clicky below the cut to see everyone else’s lists.

Pablo’s favorites of 2007:

While this year hasn’t produced a new Kid A or Illinoise, it has produce truckloads of great new music. I honestly felt like I couldn’t keep up with it the weekly onslaught of albums worth listening to. And now, and the end of the year, I found ordering them into a numbered list a daunting task, so I’ve chickened out in a way. What I’ve done is placed my year-end favorites in three tiers, organized alphabetically, with the first tier being the albums I absolutely found essential, the second tier being the albums I’ve found to be almost as amazing, and third tier being the rest of the albums I’ve loved, just not as much. Everything on this list is highly recommended though, so if you’re not familiar with something on here, give it a listen.

Third Tier

Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha
Band of Horses Cease to Begin
Bloc Party A Weekend in the City
Burial Archangel
Lifesavas Gutterfly
Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
New Pornographers Challengers
Pale Young Gentlemen Pale Young Gentlemen
Panda Bear Person Pitch
Rogue Wave Asleep at Heaven’s Gate
The Shins Wincing the Night Away
Sunset Rubdown Random Spirit Lover
Super Furry Animals Hey Venus!
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Living With the Living
White Rabbits Fort Nightly

Second Tier

Aesop Rock None Shall Pass
Arcade Fire Neon Bible
Beirut The Flying Club Cup
Café Tacuba Sino
Feist The Reminder
Jens Lekman Night Falls Over Kortadela
José González In Our Nature
Josh Ritter The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Justice †
Kanye West Graduation
Okkervil River The Stage Names
St. Vincent Marry Me
The Twilight Sad Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals

Top Tier

Iron & Wine
The Shepherd’s Dog
This album really shows Sam Beam moving into new territory and making the transition from really good musician to essential listening. While there aren’t any tracks like “Naked as We Came,” the album is just packed full of rich sounds and great turns of phrase, and makes for the best listening experience Iron & Wine have produced yet.

LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver
I’ve been flirting with electronica for years, I just haven’t ever really jumped in. This album, along with Justice’s, decided to change that. As the soundtrack to countless afternoon runs, LCD Soundsystem snuck into my brain and made me suddenly pay attention to more electronic music, from Daft Punk to Hot Chip. The insane amount of fun I had watching LCD Soundsystem open for Arcade Fire didn’t hurt either.

Menomena
Friend or Foe
This is just fun, adventurous music, minimalist at times, yet full of sounds and ideas. This is music that doesn’t sound like much at first listen but opens itself up to the listener a little more each time you return to it. Of all the discs I got this year, this one also wins the artwork department, with a cover you can change depending on how the CD is placed in the case.

Radiohead
In Rainbows
What more can be said about this album? I can say it easily won this year for most number of times I’ve listened to an album. I can also say that it’s Radiohead… and in my case, that’s really enough said.

Spoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Spoon, once again, brings the rock. Pure, straightforward rock n’ roll that, while it doesn’t explore new ground, seems to be the perfect synthesis of everything from the Rolling Stones and Beatles to today. As long as they keep making 40-minute bursts of music like this, I’ll keep listening.

________________________________________________________________

Eric’s favorites of 2007:

25. Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
24. The Field From Here We Go Sublime
23. Kanye West Graduation
22. The New Pornographers Challengers
21. Sunset Rubdown Random Spirit Lover
20. Chromeo Fancy Footwork
19. Tegan and Sara The Con
18. Justice †
17. The 1990s Cookies
16. Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
15. Lonely Dear Lonely Noir
14. Chromatics Night Drive
13. !!! (Chk Chk Chk) Myth Takes
12. Peter, Bjorn and John Writer’s Block
11. Beirut The Flying Club Cup
10. MIA Kala
9. The Go! Team Proof of Youth
8. Jens Lekman A Night over Kortedala
7. Feist The Reminder
6. Blonde Redhead 23
5. Arcade Fire Neon Bible
4. LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver
3. Radiohead In Rainbows
2. Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
1. The National Boxer

________________________________________________________________

Andy’s favorites of 2007:

Last year was the a year where the albums had a smooth gradient from top to finish. I felt like this year there was a fine separation of the men from the boys, so to speak. I couldn’t rank the albums either because of this separation. If I had to choose my favorite album of the year it would be hands down Radiohead’s – In Rainbows just for the fresh experience with the way they released it. You can’t tell me picking a price, listening to it all the way through at 3 a.m., and not knowing a single person’s reaction to it before you get to hear it first is one of the best album promotions ever. Here’s my top 15 in no order.

Radiohead In Rainbows
Jens Lekman Night Falls Over Kortedala
Arcade Fire Neon Bible
Caribou Andorra
LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver
Animal Collective Strawberry Jam
Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
Panda Bear Person Pitch
Feist The Reminder
The Field From Here We Go Sublime
Arthur & Yu In Camera
Low Drums and Guns
Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (CD-r) *not technically released but it still counts*
Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals

*Two releases that should be on this list but aren’t because they aren’t LPs would be:

Deerhunter Flourescent Grey EP
Grizzly Bear Friend EP

________________________________________________________________

Val’s favorites of 2007:

25: Get Him Eat Him – Arms Down: Their debut, Geography Cones sounded
like indie pop that forgot to take its Ritalin, but Arms Down takes
the Providence quintet’s penchant for complex construction and
streamlines it. It initially sounds like straightforward and even
throw-away pop, but their unorthodox timing, excellent musicianship
and little twists and turns, topped off with Matt LeMay’s sweet,
seductive vocals make this an album that reaps rewards upon repeated
listens.

24: Band of Horses – Cease to Begin: The first three tracks are solid
gold and although there’s really no equivalent of “Funeral” on this
disc (although “Is There a Ghost?” comes close), Ben Bridwell & co.
kinda had me believing that maybe the Carolinas aren’t so bad.

23: The Go! Team – Proof of Youth: Before my computer promptly erased
this CD from my Itunes (fucking computer) I turned on this CD on and
came to the realization that what music needs is not more
cowbell…but more Ninja!

22: Ted Leo and The Pharmacists – Living With the Living: Okay,
there’s no excuse for “Bomb.Repeat.Bomb” and 15 tracks is definitely
too long but Ted Leo remains the torch-bearer for punk at its root
ideal while expanding his style. I actually like “The Unwanted
Things.” Sue me.

21: Carol Bui – Everyone Wore White: My apologies to Ms. Feist, Ms.
Winehouse and Ms. Clark but Carol Bui was the most important female
addition to my radar this year. The sometimes angsty/sometimes
vulnerable songwriting is gripping, her reverb-drenched voice is
haunting and she knows how to really bring the rock. Hell, she is
from DC.

20: Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha: I mean – let’s be honest here -
his release of the year was still, “Dr. Stringz” (which he played
live…oh yes) but the only fault to Armchair Apocrypha is that it
isn’t better than either …Mysterious Production of Eggs or The
Swimming Hour.

19: The New Pornographers – Challengers: The past two New
Pornographers albums made my top ten (hell…top five) with ease and
while this one sounds a little too loose and doesn’t make good use of
Neko Case’s powerful voice AT ALL, they still have the hook-filled pop
we’ve grown to love from the band. And big surprise here, Dan Bejar
destroys (pun intended.)

18: The Black Lips – Good, Bad, Not Evil: My introduction to The Black
Lips was a live show at an Atlanta dive where I got completely
drenched in everyone else’s beer. I didn’t think this sort of dirty
flower punk aesthetic would translate too well onto a studio album but
they pulled it off. Not to mention – the bassline for O! Katrina is
so sexy. SO SEXY. What a sexy bassline.

17: Gogol Bordello – Super Taranta!: Why has no list I have seen had
this album? I’m confused. It takes the energy of their live shows
(which rank among my top ten for this year) and actually bring them to
CD the way that only a few songs (like “Immigrant Punk” and “Start
Wearing Purple”) had previously done. Do yourself a favor and listen
to this next time you’re in the mood for a WILD PARTY!

16: Blonde Redhead – 23: I’d kinda said “I’ll check this out” and then
didn’t check it out until my roommate blasted this album through our
house one day in April. I was sold from the title track but the
entire disc is harrowingly gorgeous. Thanks, Colin.

15: Menomena - Friend and Foe: These guys can do it all. They can do
whimsical (“Wet and Rusting”), they can do poignant (“Air Aid”), and
they can do pissed off the way that only a bass sax really can. And
that’s just the first four tracks.

14: Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala: As a general rule, I
don’t do twee or anything remotely related to twee. So although the
Swedish sampler/singer/songwriter can be kinda syrupy sometimes, I’ll
make an exception for him because “Shirin” is beautifully
heartbreaking, “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo” is one hell of a
toe-tapper and “Postcard for Nina” cracked me up for hours after I
first heard it.

13: Deerhunter – Cryptograms: With all of Bradford Cox’s histrionics
this year it can be easy to forget why they started generating hype in
the first place. The second half of the album is particularly
stunning in its reverbalicious glory. If Liars hadn’t released an
album this year themselves – I’d name Deerhunter their heir apparent.

12: The White Stripes – Icky Thump: I tend to forget how much I really
like this album because I haven’t listened to it all that much in
comparison to some of the others on this list. But the break did them
good since these tracks blow Get Behind Me Satan’s best out of the
water and remind me why I listened to them so much in 2002 and 2003 in
the first place.

11: Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends: At the moment Inches is one of
my top 5 albums of the freakin’ decade (yes, I realize that’s
cheating) so of course I was excited to see a new album from these
guys. They’re still noisy without being aggressive, still pushing the
envelope and still putting out some of my favorite tracks of the year.

10: The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters: Forget
Battles, Justice and The Field! THIS is my best new artist of 2007!
These Scots meander along the more melodic side of shoegaze with a
beautiful assault on my eardrums that I’ll endure with pleasure. I
foresee great things for these guys.

9. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup: I may be alone in this opinion, but I
think I actually like this one better than Gulag Orkestar. The songs
are still intricately orchestrated and have the old-timey feel of a
sepia photograph but the pop hooks aren’t buried as far and Zach
Condon’s voice just sounds better here. “Cliquot” and “Nantes,” for
the win.

8: Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga: It should be a law of the journalistic
canon that Thou Shalt Not Give Spoon a Bad Album Review. Because
pretty much anything they put out is guaranteed to have instant
classics (“Don’t You Evah,” “The Underdog,” “Rhthm & Soul”) new
directions (“Eddie’s Ragga”, “The Ghost of You Lingers”) and staying
power. Therefore, the question of how good this album is in comparison
to the rest of their collection is irrelevant because I was too busy
playing the album out all summer to really give a damn.

7: M.I.A. – Kala: WIth her “evil” tribal beats and star power
(power!), she is the undisputed diva of the indie world. And honestly
if anyone else would’ve spent the chorus of their song using more
sound effects than words or spouted that they had more tunes than the
KGB – it wouldn’t have worked. Damn she’s good.

6: The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible: No…it’s not Funeral. It wasn’t
ever going to be Funeral. But while there are a few tracks like
“Windowsill” and “Ocean of Noise” that I could’ve done without, it’s
still rock solid. “Black Waves/Bad Vibrations” still makes me hit
repeat ad nauseum.

5: Okkervil River – The Stage Names: I always liked their angsty
songs…more in the vein of “Black” but this album has the complete
package. It starts with three back to back heavy-hitters, slows down,
hitting its stride with the excellent “Girl in Port” and with their
final ode to both John Berryman and Brian Wilson…Will Sheff & co.
masterfully take us back home.

4: The National – Boxer: I spent the vast majority of the first
months’ freakout over this album going…”I don’t get it.” I’m not
sure when it started to make sense to me. Maybe it was Matt
Berninger’s convulsive energy during their live version of “Squalor
Victoria” or perhaps seeing the elegant simplicity of “Start a War” in
context of a take away show. But it crept up on me somehow, simmered
with latent energy and beauty and didn’t leave.

3: LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver: James Murphy has his fingers on
the pulse of hipster-cool sounds. He name dropped these bands on
“Losing My Edge” but this time, he pays his homage
sonically…recalling everyone from CAN to Pavement. However, he’s at
his most powerful with “All My Friends” “Watch the Tapes” and “Someone
Great” when he shows off his lyrical prowess as well as his infectious
beats. I think he’s gotten into the heads and hearts of this sardonic
generation of 20 and 30-somethings better than anyone else this year.

2: Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?: I never much
cared for Of Montreal before this album. Satanic Panic in the Attic
was too twee for my tastes and so I pretty much ignored The Sunlandic
Twins. I have to say, I like Kevin Barnes angsty. The biting lyrics
and psychedelic melodrama are so infectious and his kiss-offs so
quotable that how could I not love it?

1: Radiohead – In Rainbows: With all of the buzz they created in a
very short time span with a price that was up to you (no, really) it
wouldn’t have worked if the album wasn’t up to par. There is no bad
song on this album and well over half of the ten tracks are downright
stellar. “Reckoner” could melt me in place.

Additional posts you may be interested in:

Favorite Songs of 2007

An Aggregated List of the Top 25 Albums of 2007

In Rainbows | Our First Thoughts…

Best Songs of Mid-2007

Our Favorite Albums of 2006

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 at 4:00 am and is filed under Highlights, The Yellow Stereo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.