An Aggregated List of the Top 25 Albums of 2007
Posted by Eric in Favorites, Highlights, Mix, Random, The Yellow Stereo
(Image via Metshead.blogharbor.com)
Sure, us folks here at The Yellow Stereo have given you our opinions on our top albums of 2007. But here is another twist on it all. Over the past two weeks, I have set out on an endeavor to gather top ten lists throughout internet-ville. My goal: to compile the ultimate top 25 albums of the year we call 2007.
Some background on the science of how I compiled this list. I first gathered top 10 lists. In fact, I compiled 67 of them (Random number, I know). I then ranked the album TWO ways. The first way consisted of giving each rank a score (ex. album is #1 on a list, it gets 10 pts, #2 gets 9 pts. etc…). I added the scores of these albums up and ranked them. I also ranked the albums according to the number of times they appeared on top ten lists (frequency of appearance). I then averaged the ranks and came up with an ultimate rank. For the most part the difference in ranks was minimal. Sorry if it sounds complicated. It was uber tedious.
So before I get to the list, here are some numbers for you. I used 67 lists of top 10. I am not going to list the sources, because it just takes too much room (you want them ask me). They ranged from blog top 10 lists, music publications and newspapers, and radio stations. I tried to stick to the general genre as much as possible (Indie genre). Out of all these lists there were 234 albums that appeared. I was baffled. So many albums. Altogether, the top 10 list is incredibly solid, and I feel it would stay the same if more lists were added. The rest of the top 25 I feel some of them could change with the addition of more lists. But overall I am satisfied with the list and fairly confident in the methodology (I work in science). I also give you my favorite tracks for top 10 albums.
So, enjoy the list, and I hope to do this next year as well. For the rest of the year look for the following posts: The year in remixes ; The year of electro music; My favorite tracks (mix style) ; Expectations for 2008.
1. Radiohead – In Rainbows 
- This was by far the album that appeared most often, and rightfully so. Its an incredible piece of artwork, and my favorite since OK Computer. I don’t think anything will ever compare to OK Computer for me. Radiohead continues to impress, and who can complain with the “name your own price” internet antics of this major album.
2. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible 
- This album was a consensus number 2 in both rankings. Also, a great album, and while I don’t think it flows as well as “Funeral”, there are definitely some great hits. On a side note, seeing these guys in concert was awesome. I am wondering what sort of music these folks will continue to put out.
3. The National – Boxer 
- My personal favorite of the year. I liked Alligator, but this album puts it together for me. The use of the instruments blending perfectly with Matt’s powerful baritone voice, and his ability to get the emotion across literally brought chills down my back. This year has been incredible for them, as they have garnered much critical acclaim for this release.
4. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver 
- This album was the consensus number 4 album. James Murphy does a great job in bringing and drawing in outsiders to this indie-tronica genre of music. While I felt “North American Scum” was a great track and the most single friendly, my favorite track on this album is “All my Friends”. In particular I enjoy the Franz Ferdinand remix.
All My Friends (Franz Ferdinand cover)
5. M.I.A. – Kala 
- I will admit, I am still getting used to this album, and to M.I.A as a whole. This album appeared on many top ten lists, usually in the mid-range. I like it for its upbeat nature, and the unique brand of music that comes with M.I.A.. Its a kind of rough around the edges and at times I absolutely love it, but at other times it hits me the wrong way.
6. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, are you the Destoryer 
- This album along with “Boxer” is in my opinion above the rest. Of Montreal tells a story through the music, and the emotion is packed. My favorite track is “The Past is a Grotesque Animal”, and I would post it, except it is 11 minutes, and a huge file. The Guys blend synth music and instrumentals with Kevin Barnes lyrics (SEE THEM LIVE)
7. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga 
- This album was one of the most successful of the year in my opinion. Each year there a couple of bands that manage to cross into the mainstream music spectrum. Spoon was one of those bands this year. It seemed like as this album came out I was seeing pictures of these guys everywhere. I like a number of tracks, and this is very pop-friendly.
8. Panda Bear – Person Pitch 
- This album was a surprise on this list. I admit, I do not know much about this album, or have I listened this music much as a whole. I didn’t look at this, but I wonder how many folks who enjoyed this album also enjoyed Animal Collective. They are very similar, and “Person Pitch” is experimental, and somewhat futuristic.
9. Feist – The Reminder 
- This album was amazing, and Feist’s voice continues to impress with it being kind of a raspy mesmorizing voice. I will admit I got sick of seeing the I-Pod commercial, but the music for some reason never got old. The album as a whole is incredibly solid, and I found myself listening to it all the way through. I also like the remix-ability of Feist’s tracks.
10. Okkervil River – The Stage Names 
- This was another album I was not able to get ample exposure to listen. I have a feeling I would enjoy this album, and what I have heard I enjoy greatly. The track I have enjoyed is a good brand of Indie-pop. It is very appealing, and for a first track really seems to get you ready for the rest of the album. I hope to listen to this one more.
Our Life is not a Movie or Maybe
SO that wraps up the Top 10… Now Enjoy the rest of the top 25+1.
11. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
12. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
13 (tie). Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
13 (tie). Jens Lekman – Night Falls over Kortedala
13 (tie). Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
16. Bruce Springsteen – Magic
17. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup
18. Iron and Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
19. Battles – Atlas
20. Burial – Untrue
21. (tie) Kanye West – Graduation
21. (tie) The Shins – Wincing the Night Away
23. Amy Winehouse – Back in Black
24. Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight
25. Menomena – Friend or Foe
26. Justice – Cross
This completes the list. I made it plus one because Justice was barely outside the top 25. After that it drops off a bit. Hope you enjoy this list, as I feel it is a good reflection of the year in music. If you feel there may be a better methodology then let me know, I love the feedback. It took a lot of time to search and compile all the lists, and I would like to thank the blog Largeheated Boy because if they did not compile their master list, I don’t think could have been done, due to lack of response via emails. Thanks also to those who responded.
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Your top ten has a lot of the same ones as mine. You must have impeccable taste.
and one book…www.Foryoubruce.com
LCD Soundsystem with “Sound of Silver” album to be first!
ok list,but Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, The Good The Bad And The Queen and Daft Punk (despite it “only” being a live album) all made near-perfect albums this year too. Ide rate them over most of your list (with the exceptions of Burial Radiohead and Justice perhaps).
To everyone posting on this- it’s not Eric’s personal list. This is the internet aggregate of a bunch of lists! He just went through the long, admirable process of putting this together… and I have to say, my hat’s off to you, Eric. That said, I’m not too surprised by any of these, except maybe I would have thought Arcade Fire was near 5 or 6, just from the various lists I had seen… Great work!
Hey Folks… as it says in the post … this is NOT my personal top 25. This is a compilation of 67 top 10 lists. There are definitely some albums that I feel should not be on this list.
altogether there were 234 albums on the list
Please read the entire post and not skim just the list
Interesting! You should post your personal favorites as well. I wish Justice was a little higher, but I think that with every list I see. That’s interesting that Hissing Fauna was so high because most of the lists I have seen didn’t even include the album, which by the way was amazing.
hi! first of all, i shared your article in my fotolog because i thought that it was close to be perfect. but i think that you forgot some great albums like lust lust lust from the raveonettes, baby 81 de BRMC and a few more. anyway, i really liked your top 25 [plus justice]! enjoy your holidays! have a great time! i love this page!
H A P P Y
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Y E A R
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http://www.myspace.com/caroline_no
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if you have my space’s page add me! bye bye!
Anyone looking for Eric’s personal list (along with the rest of ours) should check here:
http://theyellowstereo.com/?p=1856
Admirable job putting this together – that must’ve taken forever. It also kinda makes me realize that as opposed to last year – this year I seem to be thinking along the same lines as everyone else as 8 of those top 10 are in my top 10.
this is a very interesting read. I appreciate the effort and feel a little shocked that 9 of the top 10 were in my top 10… or does that make me well rounded?
however, no animal collective? that’s a surprise!
That’s a great effort – I’ve browsed a good few Top 10 lists year but never thought to try and look at it quantatively – great effort and an interesting outcome. I think the number of albums you picked up highlights the huge breadth and quality we’ve been given in 2007, even restricted to just the indie genre.
i agree – you have the best top 10 list I’ve seen for this year.
i must say, if these are the top ten from a collective of lists across the web, etc., then music listeners/purchasers as a whole are becoming more avid and intellectual. thank god, maybe the trend will keep beyond the spring.