Easy On The Ears -- The Definitive List of The Best Music from 2007 (If I Do Say So Myself)
I feel like a sell-out or copycat, or fill in whatever adjective that describes someone devoid of originality; and sprinkle a pound of tardiness with it. But here it is, my list of albums released this year that I found enjoyable (repeatedly listened to), albums I found meh, and albums that simply made me cry.
Best of the Best
Radiohead -- In Rainbows
I know you're always supposed to put Radiohead on the top of the list, because of their innovation, talent, experimentalism, infusion of multiple genres, and blah blah. In Rainbows is an amazingly solid, thoroughly complex album that with repeated listens has gotten better. I believe it's their best release since OK Computer. The best of the year.
Arcade Fire -- Neon Bible
I'll be honest, when I first listened to this album, I was disappointed. I thought the departure in style was lackluster and easy -- but first impressions aren't always the best. I listened again. And again. And found that the album was growing on me. Neon Bible is raw and angry, but mixed with insight and poignancy.
Spoon -- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I'm a relative Spoon newcomer. I've heard the reviews and the raves and accolades, but a little part of me just refused to even give them a chance (in all honesty, I had them confused with a horrid mid-90's band Sponge; I don't know how, but that's the way my mind works). The first song I heard on this album was "The Underdog", and from there on out I listened to this album over and over. 
Wilco -- Blue Sky Blue
Knowing they will never be able to capture another "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", Jeff Tweedy and the boys have gone back to their influences, their roots and have delivered a album that feels aged and mature, familiar and warm. Songs like "Either Way" and "Please Be Patient With Me" are classics.
Motion City Soundtrack -- Even If It Kills Me
So shut up about it. Does liking this album make a teenage girl? Sure, and I don't care. Its easy, addictive, bounce up-and-down pop music that you can't help but sing along too. It will never be an album that changes the way music is heard or played or make any all-time greatest albums ever made list, but every now and then you need music that just feels good -- sometimes that is even more worthwhile than something that's "acclaimed".
Kings Of Leon -- Because of the Times
Whenever I hear the raspy vocals of Caleb Followill, I'm immediately thrown back to our golden flecked lazyboy of our old living room from the mid 1970's; me holding a album sleeve, plugged into the giant stereo receiver with pancake sized headphone, as the record spun. Soulful, rich, brash and glamorous, "Because of the Times" is a great album.
Elliott Smith -- New Moon
"New Moon" is a collection of unreleased and alternate versions of years of Elliott Smith music. To me, "New Moon" is better than "From a Basement On the Hill"
Beirut -- The Flying Cup Club
Imagine yourself sitting on a haybail in the cooling evening of a summer day. The sun casts the earth in a yellow hue as the grasshoppers chirp and wind ways the grass. There, behind a bigtop tent, surrounded by the clowns and the freaks; the clamoring animals and rattling cages, the weary performers the take swigs at their whiskey and light up their cigarettes. The crowds begin to leave. There under the tent the circus band begins to play -- lifting the spirits and filling the air with a march toward the trains and another day in another town. This is what it's like listening to Beirut.
Iron & Wine -- The Shepherd's Dog
Sam Beam steps out of his bedroom with his acoustic in hand and finds that the world is full of other sounds for him to rummage and explore; with complete aplomb, while retaining his heart-wrenching lyrical prowess and elegant compositions..
- Miracle Fortress -- Five Roses Mix the beach boys with Interpol and you get a very interesting yet viable combination of robust sound and delicate harmonies.
- The Shins -- Wincing The Night Away A good album, but nothing I was able to sink my teeth into.
- Feist -- The Reminder
- Travis -- The Boy with No Name
- Editors -- The End Has a Start Its a good album, and more cohesive than their debut; with some stellar tracks ("Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors" and "The Weight of The World")
- The Rentals -- The Last Little Life EP It's nice to see The Rentals back after 6 years, with a new lineup; an endearing and solid EP (of 4 songs); I'm anticipating a solid full release soon.
- Rogue Wave -- Asleep At Heaven's Gate Its nothing ground-breaking, but there are a number of solid (solid) track -- "Lake Michigan", "Chicago X 12" -- and is a highly enjoyable album.
- The New Pornographers --Challengers I've given up hope that they'll be able to surpass the brilliance of "Electric Version", after the blah-ness of "Twin Cinema", "Challengers" is much improved, but still nothing that seems to propel the band in an ever improving or evolving direction.
- Of Montreal --Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? : I know, its SACRILEGE to not adore this album and think its the best thing ever made, and I tried and tried and tried to find its essence, but always ended up turning it off.
- The Avett Brothers --Emotionalism: I have friends who even KNOW the band and love everything they touch -- and without trying to offend them or their tastes -- I've given the band/album a good solid chance, but again, I just say "Meh, I don't see it".
- Bloc Party -- A Weekend in the City
- The White Stripes -- Icky Thump: one word is right, Icky.
- Interpol -- Our Love To Admire
- Modest Mouse -- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
- Ryan Adams -- Easy Tiger
- Les Savy Fav -- Let's Stay Friends
- Nine Inch Nails -- Year Zero
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There's the girl that left me bitter, want to pay some other girl to just walk up to her and hit her, but I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't...
come on?
by luke
∞ Sunday, January 13th, 2008
i know you love them; but good lyrics doesn't mean I'll enjoy the rest of the "package"; I've given them a shot but its just meh to me.
by Paul
∞ Sunday, January 13th, 2008
I fell in love with Mika in 2007. Bit cheesy, fun and some very beautiful stuff too (check out Happy Ending)
so different from the other stuff out there right now - i was getting a bit tired of all the angst...
by christine Gill
∞ Tuesday, January 15th, 2008