Top Ten Albums Of 2007

Short bursts. Not a lot of insight. Sorry guys. I'm getting these lists out late, and I'm sure you're as tired of reading them as I am. But I just want to get them out there. For posterity. So I can look back and cringe...




1. The New Pornographers "Challengers"

They are on a roll right now. I love the laid back, easy going songwriting this time around.



2. The Apples In Stereo "New Magnetic Wonder"

They're back! And poppier than ever. Mangum and Bill Doss even make appearances! This just might be their best album. I'm suprised that this slipped under so many radars this year. Do you like pop music? Don't be a jerk.




3. The White Stripes "Icky Thump" & "Conquest EP"

Fresh from The Raconteurs, White reaffirms the Stripes live and live large. The album was a solid work but what really appealed to me were the down home (Beck's home) recordings found on the "Conquest EP".




4. Britney Spears "Blackout" & Fall Out Boy "Infinity On High"

Some hold their nose to pop. I believe you must know what is popular is you truly want to be on the pulse of all things music. Both of these albums you must immerse yourself in. They have crazy lyrics, wacko song titles, and melodies that stick in your head for days. "Blackout" also gets the honor of representing Britney musically through this mental-breakdown period.



5. Radiohead "In Rainbows"

Most Accessible album since...? OK Computer? What a nice suprise when it came out, no Hype!




6. Aqueduct "Or Give Me Death"

Amazing songwriting. I could be biased.




7. The Arcade Fire "Neon Bible"

This is a solid followup. Great songwriting. This is less anthemic than the debut, more mournful, but great nonetheless. Still an amazing live band, even in a festival setting.



8. Wilco "Sky Blue Sky"

I saw Jeff Tweedy walking around Lollapalooza alot this year, and all I wanted to shout at him was: "Hey Jeff! I don't care what Pitchfork says! Sky Blue Sky fucking rules!" Dad rock? What does that even mean?




9. Rivers Cuomo "Alone: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo"

Demos! Finally! Mastered! "Blast Off!" on CD/Mastered MP3! Solid songs, though I'm an apologist.





10. Of Montreal "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?" & The Shins "Wincing The Night Away"

Indie Mania! Of Montreal gets freakier, and better. The Shins take their songwriting to that next level, up, up, and away! I really thought this would have a longer shelf life but...?