Top 30 Albums of 2007

This is what happens when the Internet interferes with a simple idea like a top ten list – it becomes a top 30. I feel that albums 1–10 were the most impressive, affecting releases of 2007. Each subsequent group of ten is still important, but less so.

30. Caribou – Andorra : Dan Snaith is a hound who’s always on the right scent — he’s just not as close to the goal here as with 2003’s Up In Flames.
29. Panda Bear – Person Pitch : This one might be so high up on the list just to balance for the insane amount of hype surrounding the album this year. Let’s just say it’s a matter of personal choice, and for me, it didn’t really click.
28. Daft Punk – Alive 2007 : This one would be way lower on the list, except for a few setbacks. First, it’s not as exciting without the insane visuals. Second, the sound quality is not stellar, especially when compared with classics like Discovery. Third, it brings back bad memories of all the creeps and weirdos in the crowd at their Lolla 2007 set.
27. The Postmarks – self-titled : A girl named Tim sings like the breeze blowing through palm trees in their hometown Miami. If you dug Camera Obscura or The Essex Green in 2006, or any Belle & Sebastian, then you will probably agree that this is a successful pop album.
26. Sondre Lerche – Phantom Punch : Norwegian singer-songwriter is consistently interesting, but he would be in a higher sphere if he played all the instruments himself, instead of just singing and rhythm guitar.
25. Bowerbirds – Hymns for the Dark Horse : Backwoods music from North Carolina makes me feel all fuzzy inside. I remember reading that Joanna Newsom is what we’ll be listening to when our power runs out. Even though that makes no sense, Bowerbirds should be on the roster too.
24. Saturday Looks Good To Me – Fill Up The Room : It didn’t bother me that band leader Fred Thomas moved from Michigan to Portland, so much as it bothered me that Betty Marie Barnes is almost absent on this release. Where did she go? Oh well.
23. Coconut Records – Nighttiming : Jason Schwartzman (of I Heart Huckabees and The Darjeeling Limited) left Phantom Planet a few years ago, but still managed to release his own project this year. And guess what? It’s addictive indie pop! Listen and be happy.
22. Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam : Perhaps the most lauded album by critics and hipsters this year, I can’t deny their inventive abilities. However, when it comes to listening occasions, this album has very few. It’s the sonic equivalent of a dozen psychopaths directing an electronic rock orchestra. I guess it works if you’re alone and have absolutely nothing else to concentrate on.
21. The Besnard Lakes – Are The Dark Horse : This group might win the “Band to Watch” award in 2007. They came really close to hitting the mark, and far surpass it on some songs — but it still seems that their potential hasn’t been reached. We’ll see when the next release comes.

20. The Tough Alliance – A New Chance : This Swedish shipment was shadowed by Jens Lekman (see below), but it is still undeniably fun. It mixes synth pop and island music for a healthy mix of class and cheese. “Looking for Gold” is pure white-boy reggae, so feel da riddim.
19. Kevin Drew (BSS presents) – Spirit If : Potentially overrated for having the name Broken Social Scene in the title, this is actually a solo album from the band’s lead singer. He brought in a ton of guests to help him out, and while he goes for the gold, the album almost reveals his shortcomings more than his strengths. That’s probably because he’s strongest when working with his Toronto brethren. Either way, this is still a keeper.
18. Apostle of Hustle – The National Anthem Of Nowhere : The underdog of the Broken Social Scene off-shoots, Andrew Whiteman (BSS’s lead guitarist) is on the ball with his second side project release. It has the free spirit of his original band, with a shot of sunshine and plenty of stylistic twists.
17. Digitalism – Idealism : This 15-song romp from Germany’s Digitalism ranks among the best dance music of the year, occasionally crossing into indie rock territory in a good way (hear “I Want I Want”). But the best track might be “Apollo-gize.” Don’t question it — just listen.
16. Papercuts – Can’t Go Back : Despite donning one of the worst names in the history of recorded music, Californian Jason Quever provides ever-pleasant listening material. Much of this is pure lawn chair music, which works perfectly for cheering yourself up on a gloomy January day in Michigan! Also, Bob Dylan fans won’t be let down (just listen to “Take The 227th Exit”).
15. Mobius Band – Heaven : These guys were stars of 89 FM the IMPACT circa 2003 (aka when I was an undergrad). “Hallie” managed to achieve bonafide music blog stardom, but they stand alone for bringing an experimental mindset to indie pop.
14. Miracle Fortress – Five Roses : The solo project of Montreal’s Graham Van Pelt borrows lots from the Flaming Lips and the Beach Boys, and somehow flew way below most people’s radar. It’s like Panda Bear, but less schizophrenic and more emotionally sincere.
13. The Rosebuds – Night of the Furies : At first one might pass this over as another borrower of 80s textures, but this North Carolina duo deserves more credit than that. This album is heavy on drum machines and lush textures, and it’s extremely difficult to put down.
12. Feist – The Reminder : The Reminder is to large, bustling back-yard BBQ, as 2004’s Let It Die was to twilight walk with your lover through the lightning bug pasture, then star-gazing at the beach. Translation: this effort is much more commercially viable, but definitely still memorable. However, it doesn’t cut to the core like Let It Die.
11. The Field – From Here We Go Sublime : The next trophy in Sweden’s ever-growing roster of incredible music is techno producer Alex Willner. His strength here is to breathe life into what should be categorically lifeless. Plus, it’s a real treat when he reveals his primary samples, such as the oldie-but-goodie “I Only Have Eyes For You” popping out of the title track.

10. Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release : SMD sort of went head-to-head with French house group Justice. But while Justice got much more attention, SMD are more consistently amazing than. They use analog machinery for a rougher sound, and pump out intensely uplifting music without letting their heads get too big.

9. Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala : We may look back on this one as a guilty pleasure, since Jens constructs his tunes from a multitude of samples that he didn’t create. Nevertheless, one can’t help but tap their feet to his soulful singing over generally hoppy tunes.

8. Field Music – Tones Of Town : Definitely the most overlooked album of the year, this one grows on you with each listen. The songs seem flighty at first, but the near-constant harmonized vocals over clean-cut Britpop is simply brilliant. Forget Spoon. Give these guys a listen, then repeat ten times.

7. The Most Serene Republic – Population : Some will cite listener’s fatigue due to this relentless music, but the album’s dozens of layers practically beg to be peeled apart by those who are willing. Perhaps it’s a love-it-or-hate-it scenario. The songs sound very alike to the lazy listener, but that’s because this was a rather experimental endeavor. The band clearly tried to stuff as much as possible onto this long-player. In time, this could even prove to be a revolutionary work, or it could completely fade from existence. At least it’s the most exciting Canadian indie rock release of 2007.

6. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? : Did this album really come out in 2007? Yes it did! Way back in January! Kevin Barnes’ introspective nightmare is also a twisted, hallucinogenic romp that worked just fine. The songs also held up on stage, as the group toured endlessly throughout the year. However, some might wonder how much steam Barnes’ has left, both in the studio and on stage.

5. St. Vincent – Marry Me : While Feist became Queen iPod in 2007, others stepped in to her place as most-loved indie siren. First and foremost to fill that hole was Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent. She’s paid her dues in Sufjan Stephen’s band of Illinoisemakers, and now she’s making chamber pop on her own. She’s even more breathtaking when she sings alone while playing electric guitar. Find a nice example here.

4. Iron and Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog : Sam Beam had an important choice to make: either continue with the recording-in-the-closet style, or branch out. It seems like his recent pairing with Calexico led to a natural expansion of his sound, without abandoning the intimate splendor that attracted his entire fan base.

3. The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters : An album that breaks your heart and mends it at the same time. This is the closest thing to classic shoegaze to appear in 2007, interpreted through a sparkly new lens, reflecting all the insanity occurring in our world by the day. Another record that’s a bit repetitive, but the songs are strengthened by their similarities. Plus, the intense Scottish accent adds a magical touch.

2. James Blackshaw – The Cloud Of Unknowing : I’m well aware that this is possibly the most obscure release of 2007. I’m also aware that it’s one of the most spiritual moving pieces of music I’ve ever heard. This must be the music that plays upon ascension to heaven. Get it on vinyl ASAP!

1. Radiohead – In Rainbows : Radiohead caught everybody by surprise last fall by releasing this on their web site a few days after a brief blog announcement. The fact that anyone around the world could download the album for free was one undeniable perk, but the music is worth much more than £0.00. This is a surprising amalgam of every style the band has attempted throughout their now extensive career. In Rainbows secures their position as one of the best bands of all time, for dominating not just one, but two decades with intelligent, innovative, captivating music.

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