What gives people? 8500 page views in the last 3 days and 2 comments on my best of 2007 list? I thought we were friends. I thought we were getting to know one another. OK. I see how you are. ;)
Anyhow, here is the top ten. My favorite records of the year. Some that grew into favorites and a few that instantly blew me away. Even a few that (even after less than a year) have sentimental value. I'm not sure if you care, but you can check out the rest of the list here; (11-20), (21-30), (31-40), (41-50), and (51-60).
PS: If you are reading this you should leave a comment.
10. The Eternals - Heavy International (Aesthetics)
MP3 | Astra 3B
Mixing dub, funk, electronica, art-noise, and experimental rock this record is a ponderous and eclectic album that can be difficult but ultimately rewarding. It is futuristic indie reggae with rubbery danceable basslines, unconventional vocal textures, and is intentionally confrontational. Read the full post here.
09. Against Me! - New Wave (Sire)
MP3 | Thrash Unreal
Fuck all the naysayers that are longing for the sparse, raw, and ragged bedroom folk punk of their early days. Sure, I love that stuff too, but the songs on New Wave are just impossible to resist. Plus (thanks to Butch Vig) the record sounds amazing. Catchy and anthemic; political without being preachy. Read the full post here.
08. Lifetime - Lifetime (Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance)
MP3 | All Night Long
After a 10 year hiatus, this is Lifetime's triumphant return. Sure, much of my love for this album might just be fueled by my own nostalgia, but the music is still fast and furious and snotty and romantic. It is familiar but the band has aged (just as we all have) and I think it shows. Even so, I'm selfishly loving every minute of this. Read the full post here.
07. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch Records)
MP3 | Impossible Germany
Even though my initial reaction to this record was a negative one I've come to the conclusion that Sky Blue Sky might be the biggest leap forward that Wilco has made yet. It is an subtly adventurous album that eschews much of the sound that made them the band we all love. A bold statement that proves Jeff Tweedy can do no wrong. Read the full post here.
06. Maritime - Heresy And The Hotel Choir (Flameshovel)
MP3 | Guns Of Navarone
The latest from Davey Von Promise Ring and company finds them playing triumphant indie pop with more aplomb than they ever have. Tighter than ever, the band churns out bright, jangly, and energetic guitar rock that harks back a little to the early eighties even. Read the full post here.
05. The National - Boxer (Beggars Banquet)
MP3 | Fake Empire
This one is a grower whose immediacy and power is understated and something that might not be readily apparent on just a cursory listen. Melodically dense and populated by a litany of piano, strings, and horns that are incorporated with such restraint that it makes the instrumentation seem lonely and almost sparse. It punches you in the gut and then offers a hand to help you up. Even more bizarre since I didn't like Alligator when it was released and still don't. Read the full post here
04. Minus The Bear - Planet Of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
MP3 | Knights
This brilliant follow up to Menos El Oso is full of frenetic mathy prog-rock that is perfect for driving home in the wee hours of the morning just before daybreak. Meticulously crafted, the album relies more on moody atmospherics and propulsive grooves rather than brute force. Read the full post here.
03. A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide (Nitro)
MP3 | 5 To 9
Anthemic, fast-as-fuck, melodic, pissed off, complex, thought-provoking, and virtually flawless (dare I say) razor-sharp pop punk that is un-fucking-believable. One of the most impassioned and well-executed punk records I've heard in some time where every riff and every searing solo is absolutely necessary. Read the full post here.
02. Okkervil River - The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar)
MP3 | Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe
Frontman Will Sheff is a masterful lyricist with an almost conversational narrative style that makes listening to his songs like reading intimate and soul-baring diary entries with an accompaniment of pop-rock hooks and subtle alt-country instrumentation. Read the full post here.
01. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour (Epitaph)
MP3 | Tournament Of Hearts
An urgent but reflective mix of punk, folk, and country wrapped around captivating stories told with highly literate and poetic lyrics that sounds like the golden sun peeking out from behind a darkly clouded sky (if only for a moment). A fucking phenomenal album made even more amazing when hearing my two year old daughter sing along. Read the full post here.
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21 Comments ↓
You have lost all credibility to me. You include both heavy and electronic music in your lists, but you ignore the two best (by far) in each genre: Death is This Communion by High on Fire and Alive 2007 by Daft Punk (the best live album ever, just edging out the Last Waltz).
Lifetime in the top 10?!?!?!?!?! It's great that they're back, but this one doesn't do it so much. Sky Blue Sky certainly leaps forward into music I don't care for.
You nailed Minus the Bear and Wilhelm Scream and a couple more along the way, but to shut out the two best albums of the year from your top 50 is inexcusable. I suppose I should just listen to that Burial shit or Beirut or Panda Bear or Battles or whatever. Thanks for nothing, blogger-brother.
I was trying to come up with even just a couple of favorite albums for the year yesterday, and I couldn't. I have a ton of favorite songs of the year, sometimes even a couple off of a single album, but every album I've heard this year has had seriously underwhelming bits.
Either the album is dead to me, or I've become too picky. Thanks a lot, iTunes!
Great top 10...i forgot about a few of these records including Lifetime.
Hey, you've got good taste. Check out my blog sometime.
:-)
Ah jeez, I haven't even listened to that Weakerthans album yet. I will now! So much good music this year and not enough time. Looking over your list, I'd say you have successfully returned to your punk roots, because I don't know a whole lot of these bands. But the list is great for being so eclectic and obviously reflective of personal taste, not hype or blog buzz. Hope you and your family enjoy a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I just looked at my library this year, and I have amassed a total of 15 albums released in 2007. Wow I need to listen to more music. Great writeup though, keep em coming.
Running across your blog has brought me back into punk a bit, too. I am glad to see that Against Me! and Okkervil River both made the top 10. Also a bit surprised about the Weakerthans being #1, but can't knock it since I listen to it at work pretty often. I have to say that I haven't yet understood the hype about the National and at this point have given up trying. Anyway, keep up the good work next year.
The Wilco record had the same delayed effect on me - I think it's the best record they've made, and that's saying a lot since I've been listening to them for 11 years.
And kudos to having Minus the Bear in the top ten, too. That was a great buried treasure in '07.
I'm also not as hyped about the National, but I think that record is good - probably in my top 20, but not top ten.
My brother is a little bitch.
As for The National's Boxer. I really disliked their previous album, Alligator, but Boxer is just different. And so great. Hard to put a finger on it. Listen to it at night with the lights off and a few drinks in ya. :)
thanks for all the recommendations over the past year, i've thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts and opinions. and the mixes make me smile :) and hear hear for maritime and minus the bear! have a great Christmas :)
Finally. Okkervil River and The Weakerthans getting the credit they deserve this year. Nice list and great blog. Thanks.
finally a top 10 i agree with a lot!
(long time lurker, first time poster)
i just started my own blog, but i'm a newb at this sort of thing so it's going slow. i put a link up to your site cause i like reading it a lot. thanks!
where was girl in a coma & tiger army's new albums, other wise not a bad festive 50.
Hey, here from Hype Machine, and I love the mix you've got here. It's nice to see a top 10 that differs from every other top 10 I've looked at lately.
Still haven't got into the Wilco (strange considering YHF is in my top 5 ever.) And is it wrong to prefer the Ben Lee Against Me cover album to the original?
Great blog. You have turned me on to more bands than I can mention. I need all the guidance I can get as a thirty-something, wannabe hipster, father of two living in South Dakota.
I also think SBS is a great WIlco album, but the greatness kind of creeps up on you. I really appreciated The Stage Names and Will Sheff after seeing OR live this year.
I already thought that this was an unbelievable year for music, and, thanks to your end of year list, I have many more albums to check out.
South Dakota Dad - Thanks for the kind words. SBS is truly a great record.
Thanks.
Guns of Navarone. Nice. Had no idea about that one.
This is a respectable list, and a refreshing change from popular media's year-end lists (Pitchfork, Austin Chronicle, Blender, Filter, etc.). I was surprised by the degree of homogeneity across these lists -- most mentioned the same releases, such as Radiohead, M.I.A., Arcade Fire, Panda Bear, and Spoon. Your list is more varied and thoughtful, but I would add releases by As Tall As Lions (released late 2006), The Most Serene Republic, and the British bands Tellison and Bombay Bicycle Club.
Thanks Steve. I heard the ATAL album and its good but not a favorite of mine. I'll certainly check out the rest that you mention.
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