My Favorite Albums of 2007

2007 was the first year in maybe a decade where I was really excited by music again. And that's kind of crazy since this is historically the worst year for album sales in years.

In the past I was hard pressed to find more than five favorites. This year I easily came up with twenty and even had a hard time limiting my choices. There's no order to this list since most of them have been in heavy rotation on my Ipod so I just decided to do them alphabetically (sorta?) by artist.

Enjoy! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Across the Universe" - Soundtrack
On paper I should have loved this movie. A musical based around Beatles music with Eddie Izzard, Bono, and a local artist that I love, Dana Fuchs, getting her big break. Well, I couldn't stand the film but I loved the music. Beautifully and creatively interpreted I couldn't stop listening.
Top 3 Tracks: Helter Skelter (Dana Fuchs), Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (Eddie Izzard), Let It Be (Carol Woods & Timothy T. Mitchum)

Arcade Fire "Neon Bible"
I was late getting into this band but I have finally seen the light. With sweeping, orchestral and hard hitting songs this album feels like an epic movie at times, spinning twisted tales and gorgeous melodies. This is one I usually listen to twice in a row.
Top 3 Tracks: Antichrist Television Blues, Keep The Car Running, Intervention
Official Site: http://arcadefire.com/flash.html

The Frames "The Cost"
The Frames have been one of my favorite bands since the early 90's and are probably currently my favorite band. I write about them all the time on this blog. This has been a great year for the band. Lead singer Glen Hansard co-starred in the hit indie film "Once" with Marketa Irglova and has earned the band some much deserved attention as a result. Many of the songs on this album also appear on the soundtrack to that film (more on that later). If the last decade and half of this band has passed you by it's not too late!
Top 3 Tracks: People Get Ready, Sad Songs, Rise
Official Site: http://www.theframes.ie/

Foxboro Hot Tubs "Stop Drop and Roll"
Haven't heard of them? Can't find them on Itunes? That's because this is actually Green Day and their latest side project. You can download this EP for free at the site below. It's a great set of 6 songs in the style of a mid-1960's garage pop band. It's free! You can't go wrong!
Top Track (there are only 6 so how can I list 3?): Mother Mary
Official Site: http://www.foxborohottubs.com/noflash.html

Jay-Z "American Gangster" - DJ Doc Rok "American Zeppelin"
After a few boring records in a row Jay-Z came back with a new album "American Gangster" themed around the Denzel Washington movie of the same name. But did you know that there's another version of this album circulating around the internet. DC-area DJ and producer DJ Doc Rok remixed the entire album track for track set to Led Zeppelin songs. For me they are companions to each other highlighting and accenting each other. There are some tracks I like better in their original, intended form and other that benefit from a Zeppelin twist.
American Gangster Top 3 Tracks: Hello Brooklyn, No Hook, I Know
Official Site: http://www.rocafella.com/
American Zeppelin Top 3 Tracks: Pray (Whole Lotta Love), Roc Boys, Say Hello

Jimmy Eat World "Chase This Light"
I don't think this band got enough notice. It debuted pretty high on the charts but anyone I talk to about this album didn't even realize it came out. They must have missed it. Is this band capable of putting out a bad record? In my opinion so far everything they do is consistent and fun to listen to.
Top 3 Tracks: Big Casino, Always Be, Electable
Official Site: http://www.chasethislight.net/

Kings of Leon "Because of the Times"
It seems so strange to me that this is the record that broke through to the mainstream and made them popular. I think the album before this ("Aha Shake Heartbreak") was outstanding and it's the album that introduced me to this phenomenal band. That said, "Because The Times" is a great album and a bit of a departure from their older stuff. It's more experimental and dissident and even a little strange. Makes me hopeful that people will give a band a chance that doesn't always produce hooky catchy stuff (which I am also a sucker for.) I had a really tough time picking only three favorite songs off this one.
Top 3 Tracks: Knocked Up, On Call, Ragoo
Official Site: http://www.kingsofleon.com/

Paul McCartney "Memory Almost Full"
Okay I know I am going to get A LOT of flack for this one. This Starbucks release was met with mixed reviews. And most people only know "Dance Tonight" from the Ipod commercial that aired a thousand times a day. But I have a soft spot for Sir Paul and I don't care if he's in the 60+ range - he is still adorable. I also happen to love this album. Full of sweet, catchy pop hooks Paul still has it. It's a bit fluffy and sentimental but that's what I like about it.
Top 3 Tracks: Dance Tonight, That Was Me, Nod Your Head
Official Site: http://www.paulmccartney.com/

Mika "Life In Cartoon Motion"
I could also refer to this as my guilty pleasure of the year. Mika writes gorgeous pop and dance songs that invoke Robbie Williams, Queen, and campy movies all at once. I dare you to listen to Mika without grinning from ear to ear. I lost count at how many times I played this after 25 times.
Top 3 Tracks: Grace Kelly, Big Girl You Are Beautiful, Love Today
Official Site: http://www.mikasounds.com/

Modest Mouse "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank"
Modest Mouse has been around for over a decade but it wasn't until their album, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News" a few years ago that the masses caught on. No one sing/growls/squeals/screams like Isaac Brock. This time around ex-Smith guitarist Johnny Marr joined the band but honestly you can't even tell. He just blended right in, which is a good thing. Their latest album proves that Modest Mouse just keeps getting better and better.
Top 3 Tracks: Dashboard, Fire It Up, Parting of the Sensory
Official Site: http://www.modestmousemusic.com/

The New Pornographers "Challengers"
What's not to love about this album? I could list every track as a favorite. I was not a big fan on this band beforehand and just a casual listener. But I am a true convert now. I really have NPR's All Songs Considered to thank for turning me on to this album. When I started coming up with this list, "Challengers" immediately came to mind.
Top 3 Tracks: Failsafe, Myriad Harbour, All The Old Showstoppers
Official Site: http://www.thenewpornographers.com/

"Once" Soundtrack - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
As mentioned above, Glen Hansard is the lead singer/songwriter from one of my favorite bands The Frames. He starred with his friend (now girlfriend) Marketa Irglova in my favorite movie f the year, "Once," These are the songs from that film. They overlap with The Frames' "The Cost" and Glen and Marketa's band The Swell Season's album. No more needs to be said. Buy this album, see the movie now now now!
Top 3 Tracks: Falling Slowly, When Your Mind's Made Up, Leave
Official Site: www.foxsearchlight.com/once/
The Swell Season: http://www.myspace.com/theswellseason

Radiohead "In Rainbows"
You're one of the biggest bands in the world. You've been working on your latest album for two years debuting your new material an working it out live on tour in front of audiences. It's finally ready. And what do you decide to do? Release it for download a full two months before it hits stores. Not only that but your fans can purchase for any price they want. I have to admit I love this gimmick. And I am ashamed to say I only paid one pound for it. If I paid what it was worth I couldn't afford it. It doesn't matter how this album reached the world. "In Rainbows" is easily Radiohead's greatest album since they released "OK Computer" ten years ago. It comes out in stores tomorrow.
Top 3 Tracks: Bodysnatchers, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, House of Cards
Official Site: http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/

Rilo Kiley "Under the Blacklight"
This is another band I am late getting into. But honestly I was never really sold on them until now. This is Rilo Kiley's fourth record and what I feel is their best so far. It has earned a lot of critically acclaim and rightfully so. These songs are well crafted and the production on these songs is lush. Jenny Lewis is wildly underestimated as a singer. And the styles are all over the place from country to rock, to straight-up pop. It took awhile for me to really get into this eclectic album but every listen gave me something new and grew on me more and more. I find myself listening to it on my way home from work at least once a week.
Top 3 Tracks: Silver Lining, The Moneymaker, Give A Little Love
Official Site: http://www.rilokiley.com/splash/

"Raising Sand" Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Most of the hype around Robert Plant this year has been about the Led Zeppelin reunion. But let's not forget that he teamed up with Alison Krauss to create a gorgeous blues, folk, bluegrass, gospel record "Raising Sand." At first glance it may seem an odd pairing but a minute into the record you immediately know it makes perfect sense. Their voices blend seamlessly into each other's harmonies. A perfect combination.
Top 3 Tracks: Rich Woman, Please Read The Letter, Fortune Teller
Official Site: http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php

Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
I've been listening to Spoon on and off since their first record came out in the mid 90s. The release of "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" has really launched the band into a newfound popularity. I was shocked to see them on Saturday Night Live earlier this year. But this band deserves all the success in the world. This was another album that came to mind right away when putting together my list. After countless listens it still doesn't get old.
Top 3 Tracks: You Got Yr. Cherrybomb, The Underdog, Don't You Evah
Official Site: www.spoontheband.com/

"Into The Wild" Soundtrack - Eddie Vedder
I am really surprising myself by adding this to my list but it's undeniable. I really really love this record. I didn't see the movie or read the book it was based on. I don't think Pearl Jam has made a really good record since "Versus." (Yeah that's right I said it!) But this is a fantastic album. I've never loved listening to Eddie Vedder's voice as much I do listening to these songs. A very pleasant surprise.
Top 3 Tracks: No Ceiling, Rise, Hard Sun
Official Site: http://www.jrecords.com

Kanye West "Graduation"
He is a bragger and boaster like most most hip hop stars. He whined and complained when he was featured enough on The MTV Awards and didn't win enough awards. Someone tell Kanye no one watches that trainwreck of a show anymore anyway! He runs at the mouth. His last album was boring. He easily won his battle for most first week sales with Fifty Cent (who would top my list of worst albums if I was gonna bother to make one.) This is an outstanding, phenomenal record. Just about every track is great and yet again I have a hard time picking only three favorites.
Top 3 Tracks: Champion, Good Life, The Glory
Official Site: http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/

The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
I have argued with a number of people about this choice. No I don't think it's the best record The White Stripes have made. But I DO think it's one of the best of the year. Jack White continues to impress me with both his songwriter and his guitar playing. Their sound is unmistakable. It's too bad Meg hasn't been well this year because I would have loved to see and hear this material live.
Top 3 Tracks: Conquest, Rag And Bone, Prickly Thorn But Sweetly Worn
Official Site: http://www.whitestripes.com/

Amy Winehouse "Back To Black"
Last but not least we have Amy Winehouse. Sadly by the end of this year she has become more famous for making tabloid headlines than for her music. But she's no Britney Spears. Let's not forget that Miss Amy is an extremely talented artist. Her second album brought back 60's soul and a wall-of-sound quality that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh. Let's not make jokes about her song "Rehab" and its parallels to her life. Everybody just shut it and listen to one of the best albums of the year.
Top 3 Tracks: Rehab, Me And Mr. Jones, Love Is A Losing Game
Official Site: http://www.amywinehouse.co.uk/