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20. Fourth of July - Fourth of July on the Plains
This album really suprised me and grew on me. At first, I thought it was really nice, catchy, and simple. There was something really nice about its simplicity. However, the more I listened, the more I realized it isn't all that simple. The melodies song a bit like Bright Eyes, but much more joyful. The music is really catchy and the lyrics, while nothing special, are appropriate, and fun to sing along to. Overal, very fun album I would recommend to probably anyone who reads this journal.
Song to check out: Purple Hearts - http://www.hearya.com/mp3/07%20Purple%2
19. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
This guy was a Neuroscience major, but changed it to a self-made major called "American History through Narrative Folk Music. I love folk music a lot, and feel he has really captured a lot of interesting styles of folk music throughout the album, while still remaining true to himself.
Song to check out: Empty Hearts - http://dukeofstraw.com/2007best/JRHeart
18. Jens Lekman - Nights of Kortedala
This album was really hard to rank. Some days it would be in my top 10, other days it would not even make the list. I do like it a lot, but, it can be a little over the top at times. But, sometimes, the over the top element of the album makes me like it even more. Objectively, it is very very good. Subjectively, well, that depends on the day.
Song to check out: A Postcard to Nina - http://blogsr4dogs.com/music/jens_lekma
17. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I wish this album was higher on the list. This album really is incredible and extremely listenable. I cannot say enough good things about it. Buy it. Download it. GET IT.
Song to check out - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - http://www.canyouseethesunset.com/m
16. Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls
This album, man, it is real good. Girl rock with Organ and equal parts: Monotone singing and wonderful harmony. So good and different.
Song to check out - The Greater Times - http://www.zshare.net/audio/5330537e5e0
15. Nina Nastasia and Jim White - You Follow Me
Ok, so, this album is cool, listen to this, ok? Imagine, a wonderful female folk singer and lyricist writing some incredible beautiful songs with just acoustic guitar. Now, imagine mixing this with weird, interesting, complex drumming, and you get the album "You Follow Me".
Song to check out: I've Been Out Walking - http://www.box.net/shared/static/etexgf
14. Peter, Bjorn, and John - Writer's Block
Pretty sure I am cheating with this one, as it was technically released in 2006. But, it was released in the US in 2007 I think. So, oh well. Ok. Really good songwriting, interesting lyrics and music, and wonderful singing. Good.
Song to check out: Young Folks - http://neileslifestorage.com/Please_Pur
13. Feist - The Reminder
Some say it is overrated and there is nothing special about it. I disagree.
Song to check out: I Feel It All - http://www.gramotunes.com/2007/05_Feist
12. St. Vincent - Marry Me
Beautiful voice, quirky music, and interesting lyrics, all with this sense of fun and humor behind it (the album title references Arrested Development). Some of the most interested songs of the year can be found here.
Song to check out: Marry Me - http://music.allansworld.info/files/St.
11. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
At first, I thought this album was just alright. I liked other Andrew Bird albums more, and I discarded it. Then this kid Quillen kept talking about it, so, I doubled back and listened to it, and loved it. His voice is amazing! His violin playing is creative! and, don't even get me started on his whistling.
Song to check out: Plasticities - http://www.box.net/shared/static/7bhxun
Ok, so, writing this list out, I am realizing how much I really liked this year in music. And we haven't even got to the really good stuff yet. So, here we go.
My Favorite 10 of 2007.
10. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Sounds like a crazy version of the Beach Boys. Noah Lennox is amazing. I may have to say this has the strongest vocals of the year. One second, let me look really quick......ok, maybe not the best, but, definitely top 3, maybe number 1, not sure.
Song to check out: Bros - http://www.soundofmarchingfeet.com/best
9. James Blackshaw - The Cloud of Unknowing
Man oh man. I think this guy is like 26 years old. He has had no guitar lessons of any kind (I think). And, he puts out this incredible 12 string acoustic guitar instrumental album, and it feels like a symphony done with one guy and one instrument. Just great.
Song to check out: Running to the Ghost - http://www.moteldemoka.com/moka/running
8. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Pretty dark throughout. But! The album is like a train, just chugging along, getting stronger and stronger, building on itself. Really good and enjoyable.
Song to check out: Keep the Car Running - http://www.seanryanonline.com/kipsellou
7. Wu-Tang Clan - The 8 Diagrams
Man, I was NOT ready for this. I almost didn't even LISTEN to it! Of course, the rapping on here is awesome and diverse and smart and witty and just perfect. The production though! Oh my....weirdest beats I've heard. Wu-Tang is known for obscure movie samples, but, the samples on this are just plain weird. But, it all fits together perfectly. I know lots of people are upset about the way the album turned out (including members of Wu-Tang), but, I have to say, to me, it's my favorite rap album since "Illmatic" by Nas (which came out in 1994).
Song to check out: Wolves feat. George Clinton - http://h1.ripway.com/zachroxx2/07wolves
6. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autums and Fifteen Winters
Ok, so, the name of the band isn't that great. But, this is great music. First of all, the guy has a beautiful voice and a Scottish accent. Second of all, the music is like organized chaos. The guitars just set this atmosphere, and sometimes everything seems to be going out of control, and they pull it back in control. It's great. Amy loves them.
Song to check out: Cold Days from the Birdhouse - http://redirect.iodalliance.com/downloa
5. Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
I wasn't sure how I would feel about the change from lo-fi. But, I must say, it is an incredible progression. The songs still feel like Iron and Wine, which I love, but, the music has turned from really appropriate acoustic guitar to a really appropriate, interesting, and beautifully full sound.
Song to check out: Innocent Bones - http://www.subpop.com/assets/audio/3
4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
I haven't really liked Animal Collective much. But, I really like this album. It is the weirdest stuff I think I've heard. But, it comes together really well. And Panda Bear is also in this band, so, even better.
Song to check out: For Reverend Green - http://www.box.net/shared/static/45ra42
3. Bowerbirds - Hymn for a Dark Horse
Two guys and a girl went to a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains and recorded an entire album pretty much about nature. Very nice acoustic guitars, occasional violin, accordion, and a big bass drum together with peaceful vocals and outstanding harmonizing choruses. Best folk album I've heard in a really long time. John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats calls them his "new favorite band in forever". Very good stuff.
Song to check out: My Oldest Memory - http://www.internestcollective.com/mysp
2. The National - Boxer
This album blows me away. I love how the singer has this Leonard Cohen quality about him, and how the music is so understated. I love how he writes lyrics and evokes imagery. I just love everything about this album.
My favorite song of the year: Slow Show - http://www.vaguespace.net/blog/files/th
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Quite possibly my favorite Radiohead album ever. So so so so enjoyable. I have never listened to Radiohead album that truly made me feel like the world is a beautiful place and happy to be alive. This album does that for me more than any other album. Perfect.
Song to check out: Reckoner - http://filexoom.com/files/90932/06%20Ra
Sorry it is so long. Hopefully you enjoyed reading my long ranting. It is kind of sad that the year is over. But, I was thinking about how much fun it will be to start fresh again for 2008.
Brian
December 20 2007, 21:36:09 UTC 4 years ago
Did you not like the Jay Z album? I heard an Electrolane song and it was great.
I will check out none of these songs, as I expect to see some of them on a mix in the not so distant future.
December 20 2007, 21:38:04 UTC 4 years ago
December 20 2007, 22:06:46 UTC 4 years ago
December 21 2007, 14:51:40 UTC 4 years ago
Here are some thoughts/responses/opinions:
(1) I think the over-the-top moments on "Night Falls Over Kortedala" are beautiful in the sense that Rufus Wainwright's songs are. Ya know what I mean? Lekman isn't THAT over-the-top, but in somewhat of a similar way on some of the songs. They are totally sincere moments too, which is nice. I don't know that this makes sense.
(2) I kind of view "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" in a different light. Sure, it is very listenible. I definitely cannot say it's incredible though. To me, it is a string of like, six or seven mediocre to pretty good soongs, and three or four really good to really great songs. Which is interesting to me, because even though I feel, that there isn't really anything that stands out about a lot of the songs, there is just something about the way it sounds and the flow of the songs, that just overwhelms and makes it a totally great album.
(3) As much as I hate how trendy it got, "Writer's Block" IS pretty awesome. And you are correct, it was released in the US this year.
(4) I think I am falling for the Feist album. I don't want to, but I can't help it anymore.
(5) A song from "Marry Me" that the other night totally caught me off guard: track nine (I think), "Land Mines." There is some Radiohead-esque chord progression going on in certain parts of the song. It is totally beautiful.
(6) That Wu-Tang song is totally awesome, let me tell you.
Thanks for posting this, Brian!
December 21 2007, 19:54:20 UTC 4 years ago
A big part I think in what makes the songs good is the PRODUCTION HOLY SHIT. Everything, absolutely everything sounds great. No, amazing. And being a drummer myself, shit, those drums sound amazing, especially the snare drum, and even, as much as I hate them, the toms. And all the added percussion (mainly shakers), damn baby, makes me want to shake (pun intended) a groove. Jim Eno, you are a real dude.