Sunday, January 6, 2008

2007: Top 20 albums, part one


It was a pretty good year for music, probably better than 2006, not as good as 1997 though. Stay tuned for tomorrow's reveal of the top ten.

20. Interpol--Our Love to Admire
Solidly good with a couple of excellent tracks.

19. The White Stripes--Icky Thump
An almost unprecedented run of excellence continues, best rock lyric that could double as a question for the candidates, "why don't you kick yourself out, you're an immigrant too?"

18. Andrew Bird--Armchair Apocrypha
A stunning record that reveals that jazz and pop can actually mix. Would likely be higher on my list if I hadn't only got a hold of it three weeks ago.

17. Okkervil River--The Stage Names
Literate and moving. Lyrically impressive.

16. John Davis--Arigato!
No, THANK YOU...John Davis for out rocking foo fighters at their own game. One last request, new Superdrag album next year?

15. Bruce Springsteen--Magic
Springsteen is the boss of me. "Long Way Home" is a song that will still be around 400 years from now.

14. Ryan Adams--Easy Tiger
Very solid, very consistent. Still, as much as I enjoyed this record, I still kind of have a soft spot for crazy Adams, here's hoping we get another Love is Hell/Rock N' Roll in 08.

13. Wyclef Jean--Carnival Vol. 2: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Clef is back with his best record since the first one. Almost makes someone want to forgive him for Woodstock 99.

12. Maritime--Heresy and the Hotel Choir
Third time's the charm for Maritime, this is a fine indie rock record with several outstanding singles. "Guns of Navarone" is pure fuzz joy.

11. Athlete--Beyond the Neighborhood
Like the first two Athlete records, the front side is a lot better than the second half. Also, like those two records, the first four songs alone almost landed it in the top ten. "Tokyo" is blissful post-grunge funk invasion rock.

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