December 10, 2007
There's been some early grumblings about the quality of releases in 2007... basically that there isn't too much to get excited about, no big cultural moments (Radiohead's moment was more about marketing and technology than music, unfortunately) and no overall arching trend came bouncing to life at any point during the year. I don't disagree that music didn't hit at pop culture in the way it has in some years past (for better or worse, usually worse), but I heartily disagree that the quality wasn't there - there was a lot I personally got excited about and was impressed with this year, and for the most part it didn't come from those I expected it to. Example: I never was able to get into Neon Bible, but I loved We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. So, I'm with the folks over at [PopMatters][1] who wrote that "underneath a blase pop mainstream, the segmented genre scenes turned out some impressively strong work, and the diversity of [PM's compiled lists] reflects a year where any one genre could turn out a masterpiece, and quality couldn't be measured by the size of the audience. "I think we're only going to see this type of sentiment/trend in itself continue as labels continue to fall apart (whinging and whining the whole way down about it being the fault of the listeners), and as people are more easily able to access different kinds of music online and in different formats. So, on to my list. I base my picks mostly on what I keep finding myself going back to, not so much on how much I might appreciate or want to like an artist or an album. I've also decided to leave local artists off, but do want to mention there were quite a number of these I really liked, including (but not exclusively) those from Minus Story, Approach, Archetype, the Volunteers, Namelessnumberheadman and Dri. Anyway, here goes. Judge away. Honorable Mentions: Okkervil River The Stage Names, Battles Atlas, Hallelujah the Hills Collective Psychosis Begone, New Pornographers Challengers, Iron & Wine The Shepard's Dog, Grizzly Bear Friend EP, Les Savy Fav Let's Stay Friends, Stars In Our Bedroom After the War, Feist The Reminder, M.I.A. Kala, Band of Horses Cease to Begin, Rogue Wave Asleep at Heaven's Gate, Common Finding Forever and Sigur Rós Hvarf-Heim (this one may have moved up if given more time... I just saw Heima last week and holy shit...)10. White Rabbits Fort Nightly 
It seemed like sorta disposable NYC dance rock at first, but the songs persisted in continually making their way onto my playlists and the album just kept coming back and back for all of the heavy beats and vocal layering. It was bolstered by a ridiculously fun Jackpot show at which I got elbowed in the face (busting my glasses), but didn't start caring until the music was over. 9.The Blakes The Blakes 
Toward the beginning of the year, each time I heard [KEXP][2] play the Blakes, I seemed to always opened up my browser to check and see who it was. Super dirty dudes play super fun, dancey, filthy Kink-sy Stooges-y rock music. 8. Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals 
I seem to have played this every other third album for the last few months. Another New York band, these guys came together as trained gospel singers and classical musicians to make this wild, pseduo-psychadelic freakout music that is really powerful live, but also pretty great with some headphones on. 7. Beirut The Flying Club Cup and Lon Gisland EP 
Zach Condon has (thus far) done no wrong. On this album he's expanded his band and style of songwriting to include other varieties of world pop to his already Eastern European gypsy-flavored music.6. Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank 
Johnny Marr could have made more of an impact on this album than he did, but I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked this album from the first time I heard it, starting off with the gruff opener, "March into the Sea". Lonesome Crowded West it ain't, but after the massive success of Good News for People Who Like Bad News, I can't help but be impressed. 5. Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga 
Britt Daniels continues his own impressive streak of straightforward, clean rock songwriting and scoops up local musician in the process. 4. The Shout Out Louds Our Ill Wills 
If you like Robert Smith it's nigh impossible not to love this record, for the vocals can be oddly reminiscent of the Cure singer's distinctive yowl. Considering that a bonus, these Swedes have managed to capture a ton of energy on this album, adding some airy female vocals and loads of tight drum lines. 3. Radiohead In Rainbows 
Blah blah radiohead blah blah repeat listenable blah blah blah internet downloads blah blah blah. 2. John Vanderslice Emerald City 
I'd heard of John Vanderslice before, but mostly referring to his impressive resume as a producer, rather than a songwriter. I'd learned that I'd really been missing out on a huge talent. One scathing review of this album criticized him for still talking about 9/11 as he did on his last album, but um, he's a New Yorker and well, they tend to talk about it quite a bit. I found it to be lovely, full of lush electronic and orchestral sounds I've never heard anyone else use. The album runs the tempo range as well, but still acts as a cohesive unit. "White Dove" is a great place to start. 1. Animal Collective Strawberry Jam 
I'd enjoyed Feels when it came out, but obviously it didn't register quite correctly because I am still totally blown away by what Animal Collective has done on this album. It opens with "Peacebone" and these discordant, odd electronic bleeps that end up dissolving into a rhythmic beat and the brooding to banshee vocals of Avey Tare. Only a few other working acts are as romantic, experimental, weird and important as this one is. Gush. [1]: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/series/376/ [2]: http://www.kexp.org
Comments
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OtherJoel (anonymous) says...
I've only heard three of the albums on the top 10 list, and only own one (Radiohead). I guess I need to expand my horizons a bit.
My thoughts on the new LSF album are mixed. "Raging in the Plague Age" is probably my favorite song they've ever done, but that "Comes and Goes" song drives me batshit. But knowing those guys, that was probably the point. And for some reason, all the big-name cameo appearances seem tacky. Don't really know why I feel that way.
I too think Neon Bible was pretty unremarkable. I think after Funeral, the bar was set a bit too high. Modest Mouse never quite connected with me. My wife has the new CD, though, and I admit I liked it a bit more than most of the previous songs I've heard by them (seems they really like six-minute songs based on one riff).
December 10, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dolores2175 (April Fleming) says...
Not hearing about something is starting to mean less and less, it seems to wholly depend on what your resources are and how much hunting you do. I can't keep up with where I go despite my best efforts.
My favorite track on LSF is "What Would Wolves Do".
December 10, 2007 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ihatejohntravolta (Laura Watkins) says...
i can totally tell you are a KEXP fan-- i don't remember if it's cheryl waters but one of the DJs is a huge yeasayers fan. i'm glad KEXP introduced me to that band.
December 10, 2007 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jester (Nick Spacek) says...
The Blakes sound like the Strokes, the Shout Out Louds sound like the Cure - in ways that make the phrase "aping" seem unsatisfactory.
No mention of Justice, Panda Bear, Of Montreal, Sharon Jones, or the National? For shame... thanks for avoiding the usual Arcade Fire masturbatory ode, though. That was nice.
December 10, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Shelby (anonymous) says...
I agree with Scenebooster re: Animal Collective. WTF?
I like the Radiohead album (though there are a few complete crap songs on it), but I like the second disc (which leaked to the internet recently) a lot more, I think. There're some great new songs on that one.
I liked the Frank Black album, and think the Thurston Moore album deserves a few more spins since I listened to it once and forgot about it....but it seemed to have some good stuff in there.
December 10, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dolores2175 (April Fleming) says...
Animal Collective seems to be 2007's Joanna Newsom. We likes what we likes.
And sure, definitley a KEXP nerd. Regarding some interesting stuff by Sunset Rubdown, Thurston Moore and more there are just not enough hours in the day. Of Montreal and Sharon Jones I'm not happy to admit just go in the category of want to like.
December 11, 2007 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt (Matt Armstrong) says...
Your list is flawed, as it is not what I would have listed. Also, there is no Goblin Cock on it.
December 11, 2007 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smerdyakov (anonymous) says...
Ha... agrees with Matt and the 'booster. One exception: the Shout Out Louds is indeed the 4th best album of the year-it's hands down the best Cure album to come out since Kiss Me. Frankly I'm just happy they released something besides /another/ greatest hits live CD
December 11, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PatrickJoseph (Patrick Giroux) says...
As with April, I'm stuck on KEXP, I've gotten to make my own opinions on new music coming out. I've bought so many new artists based on hearing several different tracks from their albums over the course of a week. Listening to Vampire Weekend, the Twilight Sad, the new Pinback, Panda Bear, or even LCD Soundsystem, I haven't regretted many of my purchases (not that Vampire Weekend has an album). This year actually seems overloaded with good albums. I haven't been able to keep up.
Another good source has been the website daytrotter.com. I've gotten to listen to live recordings of Dirty Projectors and Maritime and formed a favorable opinion.
December 11, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smerdyakov (anonymous) says...
Thanks to this blog I'm finally giving Animal Collective a close listen... and am liking it quite a bit.
December 11, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OtherJoel (anonymous) says...
Maybe it's me being out of touch with new music, but it does seem like the new bands I've been checking out lately tend to remind me of cheesy 70s folk or self-indulgent atomospheric stuff. At least it seems there appear to have been fewer new-wave or Springsteen ripoffs lately. I have nothing against folk, psychedelia, new-wave, or the Boss, but I keep hoping to hear something that sounds at least somewhat original, and that hasn't happened in quite a while (exception: Battles).
Also, is distorted guitar no longer cool? I missed that memo. I listen to plenty of stuff that isn't guitar-based (Kid A is one of my favorite albums of all time), but it seems like once a certain sound becomes established, there's little room for diversity. It's as if bands decide, "OK, we're a folk/experimental band now, so you all are forbidden from listening to the Dead Kennedys." I guess that's nothing new, but it seems worse to me lately.
The Blakes are an obvious exception to the no/low-guitar trend. I just listened to some of their songs for the first time. I don't hear too much of the Strokes' "sound" there, Jester, though obviously both bands drew from the same well. And like most bands of this type, the Blakes sound good at first, but I doubt they'll reward repeat listening (show of hands: how many people bought Veni Vedi Vicious in 2001? Be honest. I rest my case).
While they're not exactly the cool band of the moment, I have to admit I kind of enjoyed the new Queens of the Stone Age album. They're usually a bit heavy for me (I intentionally avoided them for several years, actually), but maybe I like them more now because of all the precious folk-indie stuff and/or psychedelia albums floating around. I need some big dumb rawk to offset the purty songs.
Shelby/April -- re: Thurston Moore -- have you seen this? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...
Wow. That ended up being a lot longer than I had planned...
December 11, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
unklemonkey (anonymous) says...
I completely agree with you on Modest Mouse and Spoon, but Animal Collective at #1? Strawberry Jam is an okay album at best. Here are my top ten albums, in no fixed order:
Wilco--Sky Blue Sky
The Shins--Wincing the Night Away
Modest Mouse--We Were Dead...
Arcade Fire--Neon Bible
Bloc Party--A Weekend in the City
Iron and Wine--The Shepherd's Dog
Band of Horses--Cease to Begin
Ben Lee--Ripe
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals--Lifeline
Spoon--Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Honorable Mentions: Feist--The Reminder, The Good, the Bad, and the Queen (s/t), Bright Eyes--Cassadaga, Battles--Mirrored, Maps--We Can Create, Sara Bareilles--Little Voice, and Great Northern--Trading Twilight for Daylight + The Sleepy Eepee.
December 11, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
monkeywrench (Tim vonHolten) says...
i would toss in:
ha ha tonka: buckle in the bible belt
deadstring brothers: silver mountain
oakley hall: i'll follow you
the clutters: don't believe a word
dr. dog: we all belong
holly golightly and the brokeoffs: you can't buy a gun when you're crying.
the icicles: arrivals and departures
the redwalls: the redwalls
the rosebuds: night of the furies
the shins: wincing the night away
December 11, 2007 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_A (Bryan Anderson) says...
I would add:
Ryan Adams : Easy Tiger / Follow the Lights (EP)
King Khan and the Shrines: What Is!?
Art Brut ; It's a Bit Complicated
Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
Air: Pocket Symphony
The Redwalls: S/T
But my working in a record store days are long over, so I don't know what the kids are listening to these days.
December 11, 2007 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johngiles33 (anonymous) says...
I agree most with mr. uncklemonkey. Though I do think that The New Pornos could break the top ten. A few maybes could be... The Sea and Cake, Rogue Wave, Of Montreal.
December 12, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kidmystic (anonymous) says...
what, no kanye?
December 12, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Andini (anonymous) says...
THE TOP TEN RELEASES OF 2007:
1. SPOON: GA GA GA GA GA
2. THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE: NO NEED TO BE DOWNHEARTED
3. THE BROKEN WEST: I CAN'T GO ON, I'LL GO ON
4. DAN WILSON: FREE LIFE
5. 1990s: COOKIES
6. SON VOLT: THE SEARCH
7. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM: SOUND OF SILVER
8. TRAVIS: THE BOY WITH NO NAME
9. KING KAHN & THE SHRINES: WHAT IF?
10. SMALL SINS: MOOD SWINGS
Bonus: CARBON/SILICON: THE LAST POST
December 12, 2007 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Andini (anonymous) says...
oops...sorry 'bout the caps.
December 12, 2007 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dolores2175 (April Fleming) says...
I like Kanye West a lot, but this album wasn't nearly as interesting to me as the previous two. And Amy Winehouse is so overexposed (not to mention a sloppy wreck of a junkie) I'm pretty much over her. Definitley wanting to check out Great Northern, The Redwalls and Ha Ha Tonka though.
December 12, 2007 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bob_brown (anonymous) says...
I'm shocked no one mentioned Blackout. It was enough to tide me over until Repo! The Genetic Opera! opens, which reportedly features Paris Hilton in a musical capacity. Between Repo! and Rambo IV, 2008 promises to be the best year ever.
December 12, 2007 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kidmystic (anonymous) says...
i felt the exact same way about graduation at first, but i came back to it on the suggestion of a friend a few months after i had purchased it, and was very glad i did. kanye doesn't do anything (musically) w/out perfecting it, and it took me awhile to get what he was doing on this album.
the key lyric to unlocking it is:
"50 said go ahead and switch the style up
and if they hate then let them hate and watch the money pill up"
kanye has injected his tunes with so much important commentary over the last 5 years that he should be considered public enemy with dance beats. but still, the street cred goes to 50. it's like the kid who thinks they're enlightened b/c they buy an Eazy album, while KRS-One sits on the rack. on graduation, kanye is pissed about it and almost every song contains an element of 1) great beats/production, 2) why aren't you kids listening to what i've been trying to say?; and 3) fuck it, i'm just going to make money. the entire album is a concept. not to mention the bonus with john mayer is freaking amazing. he's done it in between the lines on this album, and done it without all those 30 seconds intros that hip-hop albums have to shove down your throat, to boot. also samples steely dan and elton john.
why have i been listening to so much hip-hop? because like most of the posts have provided, rock in 2007 was a huge let down. Arcade Fire, The Shins, MM, Wilco, Radiohead, and Animal Collective make a lot of these list, and those artist didn't even produce their best albums, let alone great albums. Spoon did produce their best album, so did LCD Soundsystem, that's why they have to be up there.
4 that didn't get mentioned
4. Magic: The Boss, nough said.
3. Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter: Only really works if you got into Amnimal Years (which if you haven't, please treat yourself) and you can compare his mood swing. Temptation of Adam is the song of the year.
2. Icky Thump. Pure Punk/Blues. Have you seen Jack White live? Maybe he's lost his hipster appeal, I don't know, but I believe in 50 years, this is one of the few artist we'll still be talking about.
1. Jens Lekma's Night Falls Over Kortedala
December 12, 2007 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kidmystic (anonymous) says...
OH CRAP, how could I forget? hand down, best album of 2007 no question, Mavis Staples 'We'll Never Turn Back"
December 12, 2007 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
djnotadj (jerett fulton) says...
BATTLES : MIRRORED!!!
December 13, 2007 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
who_mikejones1978 (anonymous) says...
gotta nix amy winehouse too. I like that she's doing something different, but her endless public drug battles kinda turned me off to her. She doesn't wanna go to rehab, but I say "go, go, go."
December 13, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_A (Bryan Anderson) says...
If I had to stop liking musicians that made asses of themselves on a regular basis, then I'd have to stop liking a crap-ton of interesting music.
Amy Winehouse may be in the running to be the new Pete Doherty, but it doesn't mean her record isn't really good (or that the Libertines or Babyshambles aren't any good for that matter).
December 14, 2007 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proclubitras (anonymous) says...
what an awful, awful year for music
December 14, 2007 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kidmystic (anonymous) says...
that's ok, i say the same thing when the kids try to tell me that JT is the new michael jackson...no fucking way. you don't know how many times i've had to say, "the strokes?, i liked it better the first time when it was the velvet underground." there's nothing worse than when a kid with no historical basis tries to tell you how awesome the new stuff is. but seriously, kanye is for real. for starters, go to the first album and just listen to We Don't Care and All Falls Down. worth the $2 if you itunes. i am NOT a huge hip-hop fan but i think College Dropout is the most important album of the last 10 years. part of that statement is b/c he's that good. part of that is b/c there are no rock bands making important albums. the beatles and the stones of today are in the rap world; as much as i wish it wasn't that way. wilco? radiohead? maybe, but there isn't an overwhelming argument.
there really isn't an argument to be made until you've taken in the albums. i can understand that if you're not really into him he's just another obnoxious guy from MTV. but i remember when that first album came out, before Jesus Walks was a single, and before he was too popular to be cool: i had the conversation with countless (rock)music snobs in bars all over lawrence (no, not brothers or the hawk), all asking, "have you heard this kanye guy? he's fucking amazing!" i even remember when i heard him on KJ. of course stardom, as we all know, tends to taint the hip image for some reason.
December 14, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kidmystic (anonymous) says...
ps-but generally, "proclubitras" is right. what an AWFUL year for music.
December 14, 2007 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
md_pinks (anonymous) says...
Nothing confuses me more than "top album(s) of the year" list. Music is an art form! One man's "Mona Lisa" is another's Banksy graffiti tag (or, *gasp* equally amazing!). I haven't heard anything worth paying money or time for this year for sure, so I'm going with proclubitras on this one as well.
IF there is to be a list however, "Graduation" could not grace it due to a key factor in it's "concept"
And I quote
"fuck it, i'm just going to make money."
I pray Mista Chuck and KRS will be coming around Lawrence again so I know hip hop music(culture) still lives!
December 14, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olpunk66 (anonymous) says...
Jens Lekman, Devendra Banhart, Au Revoir Simone, The Long Blondes, Magik Markers, Deerhoof, Sunset Rubdown, Len price 3 need to be mentioned. KEXP and KCRW are dumbing down the so-called alternative genre. Snooze-fest.
December 26, 2007 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )