The best albums of 2007, per nate, can be found below. I always have the hardest time picking the order, but I'm confident in the group as a whole. If you think James Blunt should be on this list, go soak your head. If you have any other opinon, leave a comment!
Albums
- Stars "In Our Bedroom After the War"
I was consistently impressed with this album from start to finish. It's well-made canadian indie-pop.
The Night Starts Here, Midnight Coward - Rosie Thomas "These Friends of Mine"
In a year without a Sufjan album, one has to follow his producing credits. "Friends" is one.
Rosie's amazing (singing) voice compliments the sparse instrumentation and homemade-style recording in a beautiful and short 30-minute sequence of lullabyes. As an added bonus, Mr. Stevens lends his vocals to a few of the tracks.
Much Farther to Go, Kite Song - The New Amsterdams "At the Foot of My Rival"
Really good west-coast rock that caught me by surprise. I spent many an afternoon working while playing this one through.
Fountain of Youth, Wait - Tegan and Sara "The Con"
More praise for Canada. This record has so much angst, yet is unbelievably catchy at the same time. Of course, much of this can be attributed to the production by Death Cab's Chris Walla... can't wait for their new album next May.
The Con, Call it Off - Will Stratton "What The Night Said"
His first full-length album sounds nothing like a first album should. The songs are varied and mature, and the instrumentation diverse. A second should be released early next year, and I'd expect it to make some waves.
Sunol, I'd Hate To Leave You - Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová "The Swell Season"/"Once: Music from the Motion Picture"/The Frames "The Cost"
So I suppose I could have selected one of three albums for this spot. It started in January with "The Swell Season", a low-key collaboration between Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Glen Hansard then took the highlights of that record back to his band, The Frames, and released them on "The Cost". Then, Hansard was asked to do the soundtrack for "Once", and then after some casting changes ended up starring with Marketa Irglova.
Falling Slowly, When Your Mind's Made Up (both on all 3 records) - Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
So Spoon again doesn't disappoint here, this time around featuring horns on a few tracks. Suprisingly, the signature minimalist feel is still there; Spoon defines and remains king of their own style.
The Underdog, The Ghost of You Lingers - Jens Lekman "Night Falls Over Kortedala"
Pop that's not afraid to be different, much like Beirut's debut last year. Swed Jens' Lekman has some hilarious sardonic and blunt lyrics, like, "I'm leaving you because I don't love you."
Kanske Ar Jag Kar i Dig, A Postcard to Nina - Rilo Kiley "Under The Blacklight"
The major-label debut didn't sit well with hardcore Rilo Kiley fans, but I thought it was decent enough. Of course, you could give me a recording of Jenny Lewis singing "MMMBop" and I'd still rank it in my top 10.
Breakin' Up, Silver Lining - Feist "The Reminder"
Well-respected Leslie Feist further solidifed her position as the "Norah Jones of indie rock" with this catchy record. "1234" became hugely popular after being used in an iPod ad, but there are many more worthy tracks on this album, too.
I Feel it All, The Limit to Your Love - Josh Ritter "The Historical Conquests Of..."
I saw Josh Ritter do a small acoustic show earlier this year, and he mentioned his label (V2) had closed its doors the week before and he wasn't sure what was next. Thankfully, he didn't take long to put this out. "Conquests" is much more exciting than last year's "The Animal Years", mostly due to the addition of some unruly, energetic piano-playing. It's a welcome change.
Rumors, The Last Temptation of Adam - Iron & Wine "The Shepherd's dog"
Meet a reinvented Sam Beam. After the quiet "Our Endless Numbered Days" in 2004, he went all-out country folk-rock with the "Woman King EP", which I wasn't too big on. His Calexico project sounded like, well, Calexico. "Shepherd's dog" manages to incorporate a larger, rock sound without losing all the sweetness of his earlier material. It's not just a good compromise: it's a beautiful new direction.Wolves (Song Of The Shepherd's Dog), Boy With A Coin - Bloc Party "A Weekend In the City"
Pretty much everybody's favorite British alt-rock group gave us a release worthy of their crown. Even better is the re-release version with the new single "Flux".
I Still Remember, Sunday - Peter, Bjorn & John "Writer's Block"
After a very popular 2006 release in Europe, there was a lot of momentum by the time this arrived in the U.S. in January. "Young Folks" was a huge hit come summer to the point of being overplayed, a la Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" last year, but it's a great song, so I can't complain.
Young Folks, Let's Call it Off (Single Mix) - Beirut "The Flying Club Cup"
So I ended up falling more in love with last year's "Gulak Orkestar" after reviewing it and commenting only on its "novelty appeal". Flying Club Cup is a bit less exciting, but Zak Condon definitely wins points for doing something different. If you're not ready or willing to be entirely sold on Beirut's pseudo-19th-century stylings, the "Lon Gisland EP", released early this year, would be a great place to start.
Nantes, Forks and Knives (La Fête) - Arcade Fire "Neon Bible"
This album was highly anticipated by critics, and for a good reason. 2004's "Funeral" was an awesome debut. The sequel lives up to most of the hype, but it never really became a favorite for me.
Ocean of Noise, Keep the Car Running - Au Revoir Simone "The Bird of Music"
This female trio made some small waves while touring with Peter Bjorn & John last spring. Overall, not that strong of an album, but there are some real gems here, too.
Sad Song, Dark Halls - Modest Mouse "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank"
I don't have too much to say here. It's a decent and increasingly mainstream (no complaints) Modest Mouse record.
Missed the Boat, Parting of the Sensory - Mika "Life in Cartoon Motion"
British super-pop that is often spot-on Freddie Mercury, even to the point of exuberantly praising "big girls".
Grace Kelly, Love Today - Patrick Park "Everyone's In Everyone"
Some of the best acoustic folk-rock I've heard in a while, but not quite as good as his first album, "Loneliness Knows My Name".
Everyone's In Everyone, Stay With Me Tomorrow - Ben Lee "Ripe"
Very catchy Pop-Rock, as expected from this Aussie. The duet "Birds and Bees" with Mandy Moore is killer.
Birds and Bees, Love Me Like The World Is Ending - The New Pornographers "Challengers"
Not that impressed, but still has that NP charm. A lot of reviews praised this record for its "complex layers". That's just a nice way of saying most of these songs are lethargic. Can't argue with Neko Case's voice though, ever.
Myriad Harbour, Go Places - Ryan Adams "Easy Tiger"
Ryan Adams settled down and made an average record. But, an average Ryan Adams record is still a great record.
Oh My God, Whatever, Etc., Pearls on a String - Young Love "Too Young to Fight It"
I've heard him described as "a mix between Justin Timberlake and Bloc Party". Good beats, lotta production, but still a little edgy.
Closer to You, Take it or Leave it - The Apples in Stereo "New Magnetic Wonder"
Toned-down experimental rock that can even be catchy at times.
Sunndal Song, Same Old Drag
And More
- M.I.A. "Kala"
So Hip-Hop's not really my bag, but I can really get into this record for some reason. That reason is probably because it's awesome.
Boyz, Come Around (feat. Timbaland) - Damien Rice "Live at Fingerprints: Warts and All" & "Live at the Union Chapel"
With the Lisa Hannigan collaborative years officially ended, and having seen Damien perform twice without her, these live releases have kept me happy. - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds "Live at Radio City"
11 years after their first live release "Live at Luther College" was recorded, it's nice to have great-quality acoustic versions of Dave Matthews Band songs recorded since then. - Flight of the Conchords "The Distant Future - EP"
Who can argue these guys? They made fresh humor on an acoustic guitar in a world where most acoustic guitar humor couldn't be more stale. Looking forward to Season 2 and a full-length record. - Elliott Smith "New Moon"
Some pretty low-fi tracks were dug up for this postumous release. Most aren't stand-out, but Whatever (Folk Song In C) and Seen How Things Are Hard are pretty good. - Jars of Clay "Christmas Songs"
It's worth celebrating Jars of Clay's switch to indie label Nettwerk, and no better way to do so then a slightly-quirky christmas album. However, at some points they probably should be reminded that they're not Sufjan. - "Across The Universe (Music From the Motion Picture)"
Who doesn't love Beatles' covers? This soundtrack, coming from a musical-movie, is more cohesive than the "I am Sam" soundtrack. I could do without Bono, but that's a universal concept not just limited to this album.
Five months is special: it is the last anniversary I will have. At the sixth, it will be over.
