Ten For Tuesday: Top Albums of 2007 (the first ten) January 8, 2008
Posted by Matt in music, top ten.Tags: Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Avett Brothers, Bright Eyes, Kings of Leon, music, Of Montreal, Okkervil River, Sinead O'Connor, The National, top ten, Wilco
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As many of you know, I listen to a lot of music and ever since I received my Ipod a year ago, that has amount has increased more than ever before. Through my use of emusic (it’s a great deal! Let me know if you are interested) and the input of online friends, I’ve been able to expand my collection into realms I never even thought of before. That being said, I came up with a top 20 albums of 2007 and this is the first ten of those. Enjoy.
20. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
The second half of this Of Montreal opus tends to drag a bit, but, with the best song title of the year (and a great song) in “Heimsdalgate Like a Promethean Curse,” Kevin Barnes earned his way onto the list.
Download: “Heimsdalgate…”
19. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
A good, not great, release from one of the best young bands around today. Though it may not be as strong an album as their last two, it is still certainly worth checking out.
Download: “Black Thumbnail”
18. Sinead O’Connor – Theology
I’ve never really been a fan of O’Connor, but this two CD collection of Christian songs is absolutely beautiful. Both CDs contain the same songs, the first one is a stark, acoustic collection and the second is with a band backing her up. The simple emotion of O’Connor and her acoustic guitar is truly something that should be heard.
Download: Psalm 33
17. Bright Eyes – Cassadega
Sure, Conor Oberst is a head case, but the 27 year old is a heck of a songwriter. This album shows the band really coming into its own as one of the best young groups working today.
Download: Four Winds
16. Okkervil River – The Stage Names
At first, I almost dismissed this album as overly-emotional garbage, but then I started listening, really listening and now this Austin-based band is turning into one of my favorites. It just keeps growing on me.
Download: Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
15. Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
With songs entitled Imitosis (“what’s mistaken for closeness / is just a case of mitosis”) and Scythian Empires (according to Wikipedia, the Scyths were a nation of horse-riding nomadic pastoralists), this singer-songwriter shows a brilliant penchant for the obscure.
Download: Imitosis
14. The National – Boxer
Anchored by Matt Berninger’s deep, even baritone, The National’s latest album is one of the most intriguing ones of 2007. Their songs bring about lonely images of city streets, feeling detached and alone despite the multitude of people around you.
Download: Mistaken For Strangers
13. The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism
The Avett Brothers are one of those bands that defy categorization, but their incorporation of a banjo into songs that range across a wide variety of genres are a pure delight. My girls love the song “Die, Die, Die,” which I should probably find disturbing, but…at least they have good taste.
Download: Paranoia in B Flat Major (rocking out on a banjo!)
12. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
The Arcade Fire really set themselves apart from the pack with the debut album, Funeral – a trend that has continued with their latest release. They have become what amounts to indie rock royalty, and for good reason.
Download: (Antichrist Television Blues)
11. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
Jeff Tweedy’s post-Uncle Tupelo venture has been pushing the boundaries ever since their mid-90’s inception and, while this may not be a landmark album like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it is still a pure joy to listen to. It was one of my most anticipated albums of the year and it definitely fulfilled expectations.
Download: Impossible Germany
The top ten will come either later today or tomorrow…
