Top 10 Albums of 2007

"Hey dude, aren't you a little late on this subject!?"

So, hey, maybe I've been a little busy in South Dakota, intaking all the frigid and crass weather down into my soul so I can hope to somehow have the rigorous and rapacious standards that Simon Cowell possesses everyday when judging music...

Okay, or maybe I'm just lazy.

Anyway, this past year has been one that helped me see new horizons on the scene of pop culture. I truly got into the indie bands every garrulous hipster has been raving about since the late 90s. I started to appreciate the flair of cinematography, and my movie tastes have obviously changed considerably. And most amazing of all, I have even started to embrace some of the electronic music scene, something a lot of my friends won't even understand.

My ears tuned in to so many 'new' bands over this past year that this top 10 list was, well, like me alone in a hot tub alone with Scarlett Johansson...hard.

10). Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird
The album was fabulous, but I'm mainly placing him on this list simply because I am in awe of the man. Following the first listen, I knew I needed ALL of this guy's records. Bird's music puts me into a powerful, aesthetic trance. Hell, if I was any type of musician, this would be exactly the type of sound I would want! And even though lyrics aren't the first thing I notice in a band's music, Bird's subjects are one of the most unique in the business...He sings about dark matter, for Christ's sake!

9). Mirrored - Battles
This is a band that just makes you feel like you're on crack. As one of my buddies would say, "Man, I love it because it's so CRAZY!" and somehow that would be an understatement. To some who might not have heard this band, their ostensible genre is 'math-rock'... That would be like me describing Britney Spears as 'troubled'...One of those bands where words don't do any justice to the multi-layered sound odyssey Battles takes you on.

8). Wincing the Night Away - The Shins
First album I bought in 2007. Fabulous album top to bottom. From the trippy yet melancholy stepping pattern used in 'Sleeping Lessons' to the vitriolic lyrics sung to uplifting major chords, this band has actually moved from 'indie' to mainstream (much to the chagrin of some fans). If they keep making records like this, I could care less who they market to in the future.

7). Cease to Begin - Band of Horses
This band embodies the indie 'sound' for me. If you listen to the track 'Cigarettes, Wedding Bands" and still cannot appreciate bands like this, then I hope you are never able to have sex again...EVER! But seriously, take my insolent recommendations and you won't regret it. Great fucking band that reminds me more and more of My Morning Jacket.

6). Friend and Foe - Menomena
Not only had the coolest album design of the year, but also was one of the records that helped transition me into the current stock of bands I'm into now. It's always amazing to me listening to their sound and realizing that the bass comes from the guitar player stepping on an organ bass pedal setup at his feet.

5). Chrome Dreams II - Neil FUCKING Young
Thank god for my friend, who made me listen to this album before I came up with any sort of best-of compilation. Boy was he right! This was the first time I'd truly sat down with an entire Neil album in about 2 or 3 years. The track that stands out the most to me is 'Ordinary People', a song which I couldn't help but compare to 'Down by the River'...But hey, it's Neil fucking Young!

4). Sky Blue Sky - Wilco
I'm going to post my buddy's review, referenced above, simply because he hits the nail on the head. I enjoyed both A Ghost is Born and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but I feel this is their best album. The track 'Impossible Germany' is perhaps the best song they have ever produced.
"FINALLY! They dumped all the excess noise and focused on songs. This stands up there with some of The Band's best work. Jeff Tweedy may have finally nailed it."

3). Strawberry Jam - Animal Collective
My new most favorite band. In my opinion, they are a decade ahead of their time! This band is a mind-fuck that is hauntingly beautiful, and shrilly ambient, if any of that is possible. The music reminds me a lot of what Radiohead did back in 2000's Kid A. 'Fireworks' is the song of the year, in my opinion, and I cannot wait to see these guys live.

2). In Rainbows - Radiohead
How can they keep doing this?! Will they EVER make a bad album? If it wasn't for the originality of the next album I list, this would easily be #1. This was the first CD in a long time which was truly an unrivaled listening experience. Not only did their innovative marketing/business gimmick work, but they released the much awaited record only 10 days after announcing that it was completed. I'd list my favorite tracks, but like most Radiohead albums, I fucking love them all.

1). Person Pitch - Panda Bear
It's one 'effing guy!! He sets layered upon layered, ever changing digital loops and then sings beautifully over them. Imagine Beach Boys' vocals placed over a dj jam from Thievery Corporation. Actually, don't ever imagine that, because I'm not sure that's it accurate at all. Panda Bear is also a member of the aforementioned Animal Collective, but I didn't even know that when I bought the record. I just wish my vocabulary could express my gratification with this album........Buy this record!

And I will be posting a great deal more this year than year's past. I've got to, ya see, because it was my New Year's Resolution.......Till next time, peace