2007 in records
2007 has truly been one prolific year. So many good albums came out, and as a result, I was forced to limit this year’s favorite album list to only 2007 releases (I usually include albums that I’ve heard for the first time regardless of year of initial release).
Anyway, the list…
10. The Shepherd’s Dog by Iron and Wine - Here’s something to put on for a nightcap with wine or tea, while enjoying a good book or just lying down on the bed. Sam Beam’s version of folk rock is a great way to relax, with menthol waves perfect to invigorate a tired soul.
9. A Weekend in the City by Bloc Party - Not a huge departure in style from Silent Alarm, but this album is nowhere near it’s predecessor. However, Bloc Party’s tightness is still quite obvious, and as a result, this album still manages to deliver. However, if the next single ‘Flux‘ were to indicate, this could perhaps be their last great album.
8. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon - 10 years from now, if I were to characterize the music of this year, Ga x 5 would probably be my gauge. And I don’t really know why. Maybe because it’s got the right mix of indie, lo-fi and 60s vibe that I will probably come to associate with this period in my life. Maybe.
7. The Reminder by Feist - Good thing listening to Feist is not illegal, for I am addicted to this Canadian vixen. This album may be a little less loungy than Let it Die, yet Feist’s voice still reigns supreme amidst the catchier pop hooks. Damn you, Kevin Drew.
6. In Rainbows by Radiohead - I paid £0.00 and got quoted on stereogum. Not too shabby, isn’t it? Anyway, for me, In Rainbows is Radiohead’s best album since OK Computer. Not too unconventional like Amnesiac and Kid A, just the right punch and trippiness to take you on the apex of being high.
5. Neon Bible by Arcade Fire - With all the media hype surrounding it’s release, this was easily my most anticipated album of the year. It was no Funeral, but definitely a great collection of awe-inspiring songs with grandiose and orchestraic movements guaranteed to keep you waiting for their next record.
4. Wincing the Night Away by the Shins - The Shins have released quite a few albums, all amazing, yet this one happens to be my favorite. Combining the etherealness of Simon & Garfunkel, the whimsy of Weezer, and the sensibilities of Brian Wilson, this album works wonders in channeling a laid back atmosphere that is a joy to listen to anytime of day.
3. Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird is a virtuoso, a madman who incorporates violins, mandolins, whistling and loops on top of the usual guitar sounds to come up with well-textured songs. If that’s not enough, Andrew Bird is an amazing lyricist as well, and as this album proves, he incorporates many thinking man’s questions as if they were trivial. Great stuff.
2. Memory Almost Full by Paul McCartney - Sure, Paul McCartney is my favorite member of my favorite band of all time, so this album placing this high screams of biasness. And I don’t deny it. But then again, I was actually surprised with a really solid effort from Sir Paul, with what I felt (although many would probably disagree with me) a better record than his last, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. This album proves once again that Paul is indeed a master of silly love songs.
1. Night Falls Over Kortedala by Jens Lekman - There’s a reason why Night Falls Over Kortedala is my favorite album of the year, and it’s because Jens Lekman made me listen to lyrics again. This album is full of comical scenarios (pretending to be the boyfriend of a lesbian friend, cutting oneself with a knife after someone hugged him from behind) that feels like watching a great comedy unfold. And not only do the words stand out, but the melodies are filled with the equivalent amount of quirkiness as well. I loved Jens Lekman in Oh You’re So Silent Jens with his heartfelt singing, and with this album, it’s just impossible not to love him even more.
Before I end, need to also mention some other awesome albums which almost made it to my top 10. They are:
- New Magnetic Wonder by Apples in Stereo
- Cease to Begin by Band of Horses
- In Our Nature by Jose Gonzalez
- Boxer by the National
- Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? by Of Montreal
- Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
- Unheralded Romance by Scissors for Lefty
So there you have it. Happy Holidays everyone! See you guys next year.
I haven’t thought of my own list of ten yet, but off the top of my head I would think of putting Amy Winehouse, The Go! Team, Suzanne Vegam, Okkervil River, and Rilo Kiley on mine.
I probably gave Okkervil River and Rilo Kiley about two listens before I plainly forgot about them. Need to give these albums another spin to see what I might’ve missed.
The National! Woo!
PS. Would you happen to have the other Jens Lekman albums? And you think you could, er, share them during our annual poker invitational? hehe.
Cheering for an honorable mention. Ayus!
I find that I’m liking Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers more than Boxer. Still don’t have Alligator though.
On Jens, I only have two albums, yung Night Falls Over Kortedala and Oh Your So Silent Jens. I don’t have his first album, When I Said I Wanted to be your Dog. Of course, I can share them during the annual poker invitational, along with other stuff you might be interested in.
Annual. Haha.. At least, it’s regular.
[...] back from HK yesterday, and I must say, it was quite a trip. Sales were abound, but apart from Jens Lekman’s Night Falls Over Kortedala CD and a handstrap for my camera, didn’t really purchase anything [...]
4 months into 2008, and I’m feeling the need to correct this list.
Boxer by the National jumps to number one. Jens drops to second. LCD Soundsystem’s Sound of Silver comes out of nowhere to grab number three. The rest of the pack stumble accordingly.