Top 50 Albums of 2007: Part 1 (of 3)
Posted by Brian Berry on 01.02.2008
Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse, Ryan Adams, and Lily Allen are just a few of the stars who made my Top 50 Albums of 2007 list. Part 1 sums up #50-31!
This is the 1st of 3 installments for my picks of the Top 50 Albums of 2007. I started with several hundred albums released in the United States during the year, widdling them down until there were only 50.
What remains are those albums that I found to be the freshest, most interesting of 2007, and those that will stand the test of time. If nothing else, I hope that you find at least one album to add to your collection.
Enjoy...
#50 Turbonegro-Retox: Not much has changed for Norway's "deathrock" sons. More of their signature Alice Cooper meets The Ramones hard rock, with enough sadomasochism, anal sex, and bestiality jokes to ignite the sickest senses of humor. With song titles like "Stoke the Shaft", "Everybody Loves a Chubby Dude", and "You Must Bleed/All Night Long", how can you go wrong? Much better than their last album, Party Animals (2005). Silly fun with impressive guitar solos.
#49 Amy Winehouse-Back To Black: With all this ballyhoo of Winehouse's dysfunctional relationship, court battles, and drug/alcohol consumption, it's easy to forget that she delivered one of the better British R&B albums of the past decade. Her classic, jazzy vocals might appeal to fans of Billie Holliday or Sarah Vaughn. What might not appeal to fans of the classics is Winehouse's tendency to sing with a sailor's tongue, dishing out words like "fuckery" without batting a lash. Upbeat as it often is, Winehouse's breakthough record is dark in content, highlighted by the singles "You Know I'm No Good", "Rehab", and the title track.
#48 Against Me!-New Wave : Their strongest album since Reinventing Axl Rose (2002). Despite a couple weak tracks, Against Me!'s upgraded production, improved lyricism, and reliance on calculated, political anthemic rockers make this one of the best punk albums of the year. For fans of The Clash, Billy Bragg, and folk-punk. Big leaguers are starting to take notice of these Floridians too; they just landed a spot opening for Foo Fighters on an arena tour.
#47 CocoRosie-Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn: Quirky little concept album from two sisters whose vocals aren't far off Bjork's, only with a strong hip-hop influence. Electronic-folk wouldn't be a bad name for this very unique duo who blow cult faves Tegan & Sara out of the water.
#46 Band of Horses-Cease To Begin: More of the same from one of the fastest rising bands in indie rock. You've heard their songs on countless commercials and now they've delivered another solid album of folk-inspired, plugged in rock. Fans of My Morning Jacket, Neil Young, and Iron and Wine will dig this album, which serves more as an extension of their debut (Everything All the Times) than a band heading a new direction. Highlighted by the single "Is There A Ghost?" and "Detlef Schrempf".
#45 Ted Leo/Pharmacists-Living With the Living: Don't be fooled by the sugary ‘70s inspired power-pop. Ted Leo is pissed at the current state of the nation and he demands change! Never before has Leo rocked so hard as on "Bomb Repeat Bomb", but he balances this with sweet'n endearing songs like "Who Do You Love?" and "Coleen". Just as good as his other work, with some of Leo's strongest tunes to date.
#44 The Rosebuds-Night of the Furies: Dark synth-pop with catchy, but too creepy for Top 40, lyrics and melodies. The duo enlisted the Shout Out Louds for backing vocals on this set, and they compliment the boy/girl lead vocals well. The Rosebuds are similar to the criminally underrated L.A. band Frausdots (check out Couture Couture Couture, one of the best 2004 albums) and will likely appeal to most fans of Depeche Mode.
#43 El-P-I'll Sleep When You're Dead : It goes without saying that Definitive Jux Records founder El-P is in the top tier of hip-hop producers in the world. On his latest record El-P improves his angered flow (although much of what he spits makes little sense) and enlists a host of unusual guests, including Trent Reznor, Cat Power, and Mars Volta. If I could improve on this record, the only move I'd make would be stripping the vocals to better showcase El-P's sick beats, samples, and prog-inspired craftmanship.
#42 Lily Allen-Alright, Still: Every song on Lily Allen's debut is catchy enough to be released as a single, and yet she hasn't achieved the American success found by fellow Brit and tabloid starlet Amy Winehouse. Upon first listen you'll notice the sweet voiced Allen singing over pop-reggae beats, but this young woman isn't all sugar and spice. Like Winehouse, she isn't too shy to drop expletives in her songs and stress the pain of failed relationships and the sometimes harsh realities of urban life. Unlike Winehouse though, Allen usually has her tongue firmly planted in cheek with a sense of wit and self-awareness rarely seen in pop music. Highlights include the international hit singles "Smile", (my personal favorite) "LDN", and the infectious ode to her stoner brother, "Alfie".
#41 Pinback-Autumn of the Seraphs: Rob Crow and Zach Smith have never sounded tighter than on their fourth full-length album. Their sound remains dark, introverted, extremely melodic and heartfelt, indie-pop so fans should be pleased with Autumn. Crow's bass lines and Smith's guitar work, continue to improve (these guys are extremely talented musicians), while the drums are cranked up a couple notches for a co-starring role. The album opener "From Nothing To Nowhere" is one of my Top 5 songs of the year.
#40 Busdriver-Roadkillovercoat: Busdriver is a "thinking outside the box" MC who gives one hope that hip-hop can remain creative and intelligent. On his sixth album, the rapper with one of the largest vernaculars around, Busdriver delivers thought provoking social commentaries over beats that range from blues, indie-pop, prog, electro, and old-school hip-hop and funk. Make no mistakes: this is rap for nerds, and the many folks who delighted in last year's Gnarls Barkley album, so it probably won't appeal to fans of hardcore rap. Bonus points for touring with Deerhoof while rocking "Cosby sweaters" earlier this year. Extra bonus points for releasing this album on a punk label.
#39 The Polyphonic Spree-The Fragile Army: The twenty-plus member, chamber-pop tribe of church robe donning secular misfits, led by former Tripping Daisy frontman Tim DeLaughter, delivered their best sounding album with The Fragile Army. On previous records, their bubblegum, Brian Wilson-esque melodies and arrangements were often too muddy to differentiate between the rhythm section, choir, and horns. DeLaughter makes room for the musicians and vocalists to shine this time around, finally delivering a work worthy of 5.1 surround stereo and with a slightly darker tone.
#38 The New Pornographers-Challengers: The power-pop, Canadian supergroup who owned my #1 album of 2005 (Twin Cinema) seemed to be treading water on their fourth release. Fortunately for them, AC Newman and Dan Bejar continue to write good songs making this a better pop album than most, but not nearly as good as their previous three.
#37 Dungen-Tio Bitar: If you dig Blue Cheer, early T. Rex, or Devendra Banhart, odds are you've already heard of this Swedish psych-folk band whose 3rd non-English album continues to garner the respect from fans of the "freak folk" and psych crowds. This album is only a bit less engaging than 2005's Ta Det Lugnt (my #24 album of 2005) but will still appeal to neo-hippies, guitar geeks, and those who wish Syd Barrett had made one more record with Pink Floyd.
#36 Mando Diao-Ode To Ochrasy: When The Libertines disbanded a few years back, the world lost a band whose two-part harmonies and dirty, garage inspired rock ‘n roll was untouchable this side of a Nuggets box set. Sweden's Mando Diao are the next best thing, making this a great party record for the skinny-tie set.
#35 Dinosaur Jr.-Beyond: Dig deep in your closet for your finest pressed flannel because J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph delivered their first album worth listening to since 1993's Where You Been. This is classic grunge-noisy, distorted, sweet, and melodic-for the nostalgic and probably their best album besides You're Living All Over Me (1987). Catch ‘em live if you can: notoriously known as the loudest band on Earth.
#34 Sunset Rubdown-Random Spirit Lover: Spencer Krug's (Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes) bedroom project continued to expand this year with this much more dense third album. Fans of glossy production should look elsewhere because this is lo-fi at it's finest, while giving nods to high production ‘70s art-rock, most notably Low and Ashes To Ashes-era Bowie. At times both nerve racking and brilliantly pretty, this is an album that needs to be digested over time to discover it's many subtle nuances.
#33 Bruce Springsteen-Magic: Magic ranks with Springsteen's best work, and after a 30-plus year career it's amazing he and the E Street Band can put together an album so (pardon the pun) magical as this. Not the first album I'd recommend from The Boss (that honor goes to Nebraska, The River, or Born To Run) but definitely worthy of repeated listens. One of only two artists on my list who was releasing albums in the ‘80s. Can you find the other?
#32 Deerhoof-Friend Opportunity : Deerhoof retain the fractured, jazzy musicianship mixed with silly Japanglish, but this is their most straightforward record yet. Hints of Stereolab surface where they weren't on previous albums. Deerhoof owned my #11 spot in 2005 (The Runners Four), and this one just falls short of their last album. Highlights include "+81" and "Cast Off Crown"…the organ adds a nice touch.
#31 Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger: Ryan Adams has proven to be one of the most prolific songwriters in popular music, rivaled only by ex-Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard in terms of recent musical output. His 9th album (???) Easy Tiger is a high quality folk-rock album, moving further away from his popular rock work that nearly made him a household name with Rock ‘N Roll. These songs benefit from their brevity, each around 3-4 minutes, which play out like classics of country radio, without unnecessary filler or pretentiousness.
#50 Turbonegro-Retox: Not much has changed for Norway's "deathrock" sons. More of their signature Alice Cooper meets The Ramones hard rock, with enough sadomasochism, anal sex, and bestiality jokes to ignite the sickest senses of humor. With song titles like "Stoke the Shaft", "Everybody Loves a Chubby Dude", and "You Must Bleed/All Night Long", how can you go wrong? Much better than their last album, Party Animals (2005). Silly fun with impressive guitar solos.
#49 Amy Winehouse-Back To Black: With all this ballyhoo of Winehouse's dysfunctional relationship, court battles, and drug/alcohol consumption, it's easy to forget that she delivered one of the better British R&B albums of the past decade. Her classic, jazzy vocals might appeal to fans of Billie Holliday or Sarah Vaughn. What might not appeal to fans of the classics is Winehouse's tendency to sing with a sailor's tongue, dishing out words like "fuckery" without batting a lash. Upbeat as it often is, Winehouse's breakthough record is dark in content, highlighted by the singles "You Know I'm No Good", "Rehab", and the title track.
#48 Against Me!-New Wave : Their strongest album since Reinventing Axl Rose (2002). Despite a couple weak tracks, Against Me!'s upgraded production, improved lyricism, and reliance on calculated, political anthemic rockers make this one of the best punk albums of the year. For fans of The Clash, Billy Bragg, and folk-punk. Big leaguers are starting to take notice of these Floridians too; they just landed a spot opening for Foo Fighters on an arena tour.
#47 CocoRosie-Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn: Quirky little concept album from two sisters whose vocals aren't far off Bjork's, only with a strong hip-hop influence. Electronic-folk wouldn't be a bad name for this very unique duo who blow cult faves Tegan & Sara out of the water.
#46 Band of Horses-Cease To Begin: More of the same from one of the fastest rising bands in indie rock. You've heard their songs on countless commercials and now they've delivered another solid album of folk-inspired, plugged in rock. Fans of My Morning Jacket, Neil Young, and Iron and Wine will dig this album, which serves more as an extension of their debut (Everything All the Times) than a band heading a new direction. Highlighted by the single "Is There A Ghost?" and "Detlef Schrempf".
#45 Ted Leo/Pharmacists-Living With the Living: Don't be fooled by the sugary ‘70s inspired power-pop. Ted Leo is pissed at the current state of the nation and he demands change! Never before has Leo rocked so hard as on "Bomb Repeat Bomb", but he balances this with sweet'n endearing songs like "Who Do You Love?" and "Coleen". Just as good as his other work, with some of Leo's strongest tunes to date.
#44 The Rosebuds-Night of the Furies: Dark synth-pop with catchy, but too creepy for Top 40, lyrics and melodies. The duo enlisted the Shout Out Louds for backing vocals on this set, and they compliment the boy/girl lead vocals well. The Rosebuds are similar to the criminally underrated L.A. band Frausdots (check out Couture Couture Couture, one of the best 2004 albums) and will likely appeal to most fans of Depeche Mode.
#43 El-P-I'll Sleep When You're Dead : It goes without saying that Definitive Jux Records founder El-P is in the top tier of hip-hop producers in the world. On his latest record El-P improves his angered flow (although much of what he spits makes little sense) and enlists a host of unusual guests, including Trent Reznor, Cat Power, and Mars Volta. If I could improve on this record, the only move I'd make would be stripping the vocals to better showcase El-P's sick beats, samples, and prog-inspired craftmanship. 
#42 Lily Allen-Alright, Still: Every song on Lily Allen's debut is catchy enough to be released as a single, and yet she hasn't achieved the American success found by fellow Brit and tabloid starlet Amy Winehouse. Upon first listen you'll notice the sweet voiced Allen singing over pop-reggae beats, but this young woman isn't all sugar and spice. Like Winehouse, she isn't too shy to drop expletives in her songs and stress the pain of failed relationships and the sometimes harsh realities of urban life. Unlike Winehouse though, Allen usually has her tongue firmly planted in cheek with a sense of wit and self-awareness rarely seen in pop music. Highlights include the international hit singles "Smile", (my personal favorite) "LDN", and the infectious ode to her stoner brother, "Alfie". 
#41 Pinback-Autumn of the Seraphs: Rob Crow and Zach Smith have never sounded tighter than on their fourth full-length album. Their sound remains dark, introverted, extremely melodic and heartfelt, indie-pop so fans should be pleased with Autumn. Crow's bass lines and Smith's guitar work, continue to improve (these guys are extremely talented musicians), while the drums are cranked up a couple notches for a co-starring role. The album opener "From Nothing To Nowhere" is one of my Top 5 songs of the year. 
#40 Busdriver-Roadkillovercoat: Busdriver is a "thinking outside the box" MC who gives one hope that hip-hop can remain creative and intelligent. On his sixth album, the rapper with one of the largest vernaculars around, Busdriver delivers thought provoking social commentaries over beats that range from blues, indie-pop, prog, electro, and old-school hip-hop and funk. Make no mistakes: this is rap for nerds, and the many folks who delighted in last year's Gnarls Barkley album, so it probably won't appeal to fans of hardcore rap. Bonus points for touring with Deerhoof while rocking "Cosby sweaters" earlier this year. Extra bonus points for releasing this album on a punk label.
#39 The Polyphonic Spree-The Fragile Army: The twenty-plus member, chamber-pop tribe of church robe donning secular misfits, led by former Tripping Daisy frontman Tim DeLaughter, delivered their best sounding album with The Fragile Army. On previous records, their bubblegum, Brian Wilson-esque melodies and arrangements were often too muddy to differentiate between the rhythm section, choir, and horns. DeLaughter makes room for the musicians and vocalists to shine this time around, finally delivering a work worthy of 5.1 surround stereo and with a slightly darker tone. 
#38 The New Pornographers-Challengers: The power-pop, Canadian supergroup who owned my #1 album of 2005 (Twin Cinema) seemed to be treading water on their fourth release. Fortunately for them, AC Newman and Dan Bejar continue to write good songs making this a better pop album than most, but not nearly as good as their previous three.
#37 Dungen-Tio Bitar: If you dig Blue Cheer, early T. Rex, or Devendra Banhart, odds are you've already heard of this Swedish psych-folk band whose 3rd non-English album continues to garner the respect from fans of the "freak folk" and psych crowds. This album is only a bit less engaging than 2005's Ta Det Lugnt (my #24 album of 2005) but will still appeal to neo-hippies, guitar geeks, and those who wish Syd Barrett had made one more record with Pink Floyd.
#36 Mando Diao-Ode To Ochrasy: When The Libertines disbanded a few years back, the world lost a band whose two-part harmonies and dirty, garage inspired rock ‘n roll was untouchable this side of a Nuggets box set. Sweden's Mando Diao are the next best thing, making this a great party record for the skinny-tie set. 
#35 Dinosaur Jr.-Beyond: Dig deep in your closet for your finest pressed flannel because J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph delivered their first album worth listening to since 1993's Where You Been. This is classic grunge-noisy, distorted, sweet, and melodic-for the nostalgic and probably their best album besides You're Living All Over Me (1987). Catch ‘em live if you can: notoriously known as the loudest band on Earth.
#34 Sunset Rubdown-Random Spirit Lover: Spencer Krug's (Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes) bedroom project continued to expand this year with this much more dense third album. Fans of glossy production should look elsewhere because this is lo-fi at it's finest, while giving nods to high production ‘70s art-rock, most notably Low and Ashes To Ashes-era Bowie. At times both nerve racking and brilliantly pretty, this is an album that needs to be digested over time to discover it's many subtle nuances. 
#33 Bruce Springsteen-Magic: Magic ranks with Springsteen's best work, and after a 30-plus year career it's amazing he and the E Street Band can put together an album so (pardon the pun) magical as this. Not the first album I'd recommend from The Boss (that honor goes to Nebraska, The River, or Born To Run) but definitely worthy of repeated listens. One of only two artists on my list who was releasing albums in the ‘80s. Can you find the other?
#32 Deerhoof-Friend Opportunity : Deerhoof retain the fractured, jazzy musicianship mixed with silly Japanglish, but this is their most straightforward record yet. Hints of Stereolab surface where they weren't on previous albums. Deerhoof owned my #11 spot in 2005 (The Runners Four), and this one just falls short of their last album. Highlights include "+81" and "Cast Off Crown"…the organ adds a nice touch.
#31 Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger: Ryan Adams has proven to be one of the most prolific songwriters in popular music, rivaled only by ex-Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard in terms of recent musical output. His 9th album (???) Easy Tiger is a high quality folk-rock album, moving further away from his popular rock work that nearly made him a household name with Rock ‘N Roll. These songs benefit from their brevity, each around 3-4 minutes, which play out like classics of country radio, without unnecessary filler or pretentiousness.
