Panda Bear, "Person Pitch"
Panda Bear, a.k.a. Noah Lennox, had a phenomenal 2007. Both albums he played a part in -- "Person Pitch" and "Strawberry Jam" (below) -- were received with almost universal praise.
"Person Pitch" is the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" for the 21st century. Perfect melodies, washed in echoes and reverb, accompany vocals that could easily be Brian Wilson. Masterful electronic sampling and looping add another dimension to the album, and these are the elements that make "Person Pitch" transcendent.
Animal Collective, "Strawberry Jam"
"Strawberry Jam" is not only one of the best releases of this decade, but arguably the most unique. Animal Collective's developed sound is completely fresh: their songs are equal parts harmonious pop and violent electronic noise, but the result is music both accessible and ingenious.
Bright Eyes, "Cassadaga"
This is the best country album of 2007, though no one has bothered to classify it as such. Shrieking fiddles, wavering church organs, and cool slide guitar mix perfectly with Conor Oberst's ever-impressive lyricism, and the production on this album may be his most solid yet.
LCD Soundsystem, "Sound of Silver"
"Sound of Silver" is fun, energetic, get-out-there-and-go-crazy dance music, while at the same time standing as everything electro/dance isn't: contemplative, serious, orchestral, creative, and even touching at times. Of course Mr. Murphy is a killer with synths, beats, and samples -- the man is a dance music virtuoso -- but his greatness is equally owed to unique and powerful usage of guitar, piano, and (gasp!) lyrics. "Sound of Silver" singlehandedly legitimizes its own genre.
5. Beirut, "Lon Gisland (EP)" & "The Flying Club Cup"
6. of Montreal, "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" & "Icons, Abstract Thee (EP)"
7. Arcade Fire, "Neon Bible"
8. Jay-Z, "American Gangster"
9. Spoon, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
10. Kanye West, "Graduation"
11. Justice, "✝"
12. Peter Bjorn And John, "Writer's Block"
13. Okkervil River, "The Stage Names"
14. Jens Lekman, "Night Falls Over Kortedala"
15. Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black"
16. Menomena, "Friend and Foe"
17. Andrew Bird, "Armchair Apochrypha"
18. Feist, "The Reminder"
19. The Shins, "Wincing the Night Away"
20. The Good Life, "Help Wanted Nights"
21. Black Lips, "Good Bad Not Evil"
22. Battles, "Mirrored"
23. Akron/Family, "Love Is Simple"
24. The Hives, "The Black and White Album"
25. Page France, "... and the Family Telephone"
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Best Albums of 2007
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6 comments:
i probably disagree with the inclusion of the hives, and the omission of (maybe) the against me! album, definitely the radiohead record, and possibly the newest releases of the national, elliott smith, iron & wine, grinderman, and blonde redhead. if i overlooked any of the above on the list, sweet.
i thought of more that should get honorable mention: rilo kiley's under the blacklight, black rebel motorcycle club's highway 81, ted leo & the pharmacists' living with the living, arctic monkeys' favorite worst nightmare, new springsteen, band of horses' cease to begin, QOTSA's era vulgaris, modest mouse's we were dead before the ship even sank, and turbonegro's record (just for fun).
Ha, "(just for fun)" -- that's my only rationale for the Hives.
And, for everyone, with this list I am in no way professing to have listened and considered every album released this past year. My opinions, even on the albums included, are always changing. For example, right now I am regretting placing "Neon Bible" so far down the list. It is a more dynamic, changing album than perhaps any but "Person Pitch," and may fit more properly in the four-way tie at the top of the list. Oh well.
Did I say "four-way tie"? No, there's an order to that.
I very much disagree with the #1 choice. Streetlight Manifesto's "Somewhere In the Between" was announced best album of the year according to http://www.strikegently.com/ though I do not recomend you go there while at school. I've listened to it and I quite agree with strikegently.
Sam -
You missed out on listing my favorite album of 2007: Memory Man by Aqualung. It was released in March. If you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it. The music on the album is truly inspiring. Matt Hales (Aqualung's real, non-stage name) is my god.
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