Pioneering the Future of Music: Social Media Music Charts

Although we can track digital downloads, how do we account for the amount of buzz or “listens” a certain artist has in the social media arena? Meet the hottest new trend in music: social media music charts. Two services that are painting the picture in this newly charted area are The Hype Machine and We Are Hunted.

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Why Social Media Is Pioneering The Future of Music

Whether it is hearing new bands on your favorite Pandora station, browsing your artist recommendations on Last.FM, or reading your friends’ music-related Tweets and Facebook status updates, social media allows us to discover more music. Although there are dozens of social media sites dedicated to improving our music experience, few sites have focused on how social media can enhance our ability of discovering live music. Upcoming.org and GetDarker.com are two sites with unique ideas that will pave the path for future use of social media and music.


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Top 40 Albums of 2009

40. The Flaming Lips

Embryonic

Embryonic is an experimental parade of fearless and wacky sounds. It is as ambitious as it is weird. Although the album may take some time to grow on you, The Flaming Lips have definitely captured a trip worth taking.

39. Bear in Heaven

Beast Rest Forth Mouth

Bear in Heaven have crafted an excellent psychedelic and progressive pop-rock album. It sounds like a mix between Jane’s Addicition and The Beatles’ White Album. Check out the track “Lovesick Teenagers” for a treat.

38. Built to Spill

There is No Enemy

If you listen to indie rock, then Built to Spill should be a familiar name to you. It’s a timeless sound, and I can’t believe that this might be their last album.

37. Passion Pit

Manners

Passion Pit is the best thing out of Boston since Tom Brady. Who doesn’t like eighties keyboards and falsetto shouts? This is an awesome pick-up for fans of the band, The Go Team. “Little Secrets” is one of the best tracks of the year.

36. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band

Outer South

Remember the neurosis and anxiety of Bright Eyes? Well, that depressed boy is now a jolly (maybe) folk singer. This might be his new calling. I saw these guys open for Wilco, and they were fantastic.

35. NASA

The Spirit of Apollo

N.A.S.A (North America / South America) is a creative collaboration between music aficionados, Squeak E. Clean ad DJ Zegon. Imagine a more reggae and hip-hop infused Girl Talk.

34. Ben Harper and Relentless7

White Lies for Dark Times

When Ben Harper premiered his new band “Relentless7” last October, my anticipation for this album grew like crazy. This album is everything I expected.

33. Monsters of Folk

Monsters of Folk

This is the best combo since Tony Hawk’s performance in the X-Games. Conor O’berst, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward, and Mike Mogis…sound like monster combination? Why do you think they named the band Monsters of Folk.

32. The Junior Boys

Begone Dull Care

A fine mix of synth and dance beats from the Canadian electro-pop. It seems like they have pumped up the emotion, and toned down the rage. Although Begone Dull Care falls short of So This is Goodbye, it is still a solid record.

31. Yim Yames

Tribute To

Tribute To is a solo effort by Jim James (no, I didn’t make a spelling mistake above) from My Morning Jacket. The songs are all haunting covers of the quiet Beatle, George Harrison. The album can be a bit melancholy, but it is still a must-buy for My Morning Jacket fans.

30. Joker

DigiDesign / You Know What Love Is

This 2-song EP from the king of the Bristol dub step scene is crunchier than a bowl of cereal.

29. Julian Casablancas

Phrazes for the Young

Front-man of the Strokes, Julian Casablancas, mixes 80’s electro-pop with punk rock to create an album that reminds me of his bands’ glory days in 2001.

28. Grizzly Bear

Veckatimest

A dreamy symphony that will make you swoon.

27. Neko Case

Middle Cyclone

Middle Cyclone is a tornado-themed album that truly embraces the animal within an alt-county mastermind. Her voice is auditory cheesecake. It seems like everything Neko Case touches turns to gold.

26. The Hold Steady

A Positive Rage

A great live recording of an energetic band.

25. Bon Iver

Blood Bank

Their last release was one of my favorites of 2008, and this new EP won’t disappoint. I would have ranked it higher, but it only has 4 songs.

24. STS9

Ad Explorata

An album filled with mysterious electronic jams. Although I like their heavier sound a little better, this is still a solid disc.

23. Bluetech

The Divine Invasion

A unique and fluid blend of space beats and electronic lounge.

22. Andrew Bird

Noble Beasts

The master whistler is at it again! Andrew Bird has one of the best voices in music, and he proves it again on this album.

21. Spoon

Live At Stubbs, Austin, Texas

Spoon is a band that has blown up over the past few years. From chart-topping albums to singles in blockbuster films, these guys are making serious moves. This 3-disc live album catches their performance at Stubbs in Austin, Texas.

20. Various Artists

GetDarker Presents: This Is Dubstep

A compilation a cutting edge dubstep artists. If you love heavy bass, this one will blow out your subwoofer.

19. M Ward

Hold Time

The master of indie-folk has released one of his best albums. It even has 2 great tracks with Zooey Deschanel.

18. Fuck Buttons

Tarot Sport

Tarot Sport is a wild electronic-rock experience. The deep layers of electronic distortion, digital fuzz, and droning echo are combined with an experimental goth-metal style. This is ingenuity at its best.

17. Animal Collective

Merriweather Post Pavilion

The 9^th album from Animal Collective is a rich treasure and a landmark victory. The live recording reminds me of Radiohead’s Kid A era. There’s a reason critics are raving about this band.

16. Green Day

21^st Century Breakdown

Forty years from now, many of today’s popular bands will be forgotten. Green Day will not be forgotten. Think about the last 20 years…I can’t think of another band that better represents the genre of rock. Everyone on the planet knows this band! The latest record is another smashing hit. From the 5-minute rock anthem “21^st Century Breakdown” to the heart-felt “21 Guns”, this album has everything a good rock album should have.

15. Modest Mouse

No One’s First, and You’re Next EP

This 8-song EP is a compilation of singles Modest Mouse has released over the past year. Every track is a hit, including my favorite “King Rat”.

14. Wilco

Wilco (The Album)

Wilco always releases great albums. Rolling Stone recently claimed that Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was one of the top 10 albums of the decade. Their experimental 2004 release even won a Grammy! Their latest release takes them back to their roots. Lead singer Jeff Tweedy said that sometimes keeping it simple is hardest thing to do. Well, that’s exactly what they did here. This album is plain-old fun!

13. Fever Ray

Fever Ray

A stellar and dark electronic side project from a member of the band The Knife.

12. Dinosaur Jr.

Farm

Farm has the best guitar solos of the year. Check out the track “I Don’t Wanna Go There” for some serious shredding on the guitar. I have absolutely no idea how these guys play this track live.

11. Shpongle

Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland

“Let the wild rumpus begin!” This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.

10. Real Estate

Real Estate

Music can sound like the changing of the seasons, and this indie-rock record is evidence.

09. Pearl Jam

Backspacer

Living proof that grunge isn’t dead. Eddie Vetter is alive and well, and he still knows how to make a wonderful album.

08. Pretty Lights

Passing By Behind Your Eyes

Hard-hitting electronic party music fused with soul samples. The wompy dubstep bass hits will make you want to dance your socks off.

07. Neon Indian

Physic Chasms

A lo-fi electronic gem that resembles work by The Field. Super catchy and super fun.

06. Eliot Lipp

Peace Love Weed 3D

Glitchy electronic from one of the best DJ’s around. Check out the track “Beamrider”.

05. Phoenix

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

You wouldn’t know from listening to this album that the band is from France. They sing in perfect English. It is amazing that a foreign band can capture a fun and retro American sound so well.

04. Joker

Do It / Psychedelic Runway

A 2-song electronic EP that is 100% sinister.

03. The XX

XX

Not many bands are able to create such a masterpiece on their debut album. This one is for fans of Mazzy Star and Portishead.

02. Nirvana

Live at Reading

Recorded within a month of Kurt Cobain’s death, this live album captures the band at its peak. The energy that emanates from Nirvana is unmatched, and it makes you wonder what this band could have done today.

01 The Dirty Projectors

Bitte Orca

A pop-rock album that is as glorious as it is strange. It is amazing how a band can deliver complex music in such a simple manner. Bravo for creativity.

Top 100 Songs of 2009

100. Thom Yorke - FeelingPulledApartByHorses
099. Dances With White Girls & Fonda - Girlsbug
098. Air – Be A Bee
097. Discovery - Orange Shirt
096. Wye Oak - For Prayer
095. Prefuse 73 - Natures Uplifting Revenge
094. Ben Harper And Relentless7 - Why Must You Always Dress In Black
093. Vitalic - Your Disco Song
092. Phoenix - Lasso
091. Monsters Of Folk - His Master's Voice

090. Wilco - Sonny Feeling
089. JJ - Ecstacy
088. Mason Jennings - Ain’t No Friend Of Mine
087. Pretty Lights - Someday Is Everyday
086. Metric - Satellite Mind
085. Them Crooked Vultures - No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
084. Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve
083. Lil' Flip - Got Goodie
082. Junior Boys - Bits and Pieces
081. Shpongle - Walking Backwards Through The Cosmic Mirror

080. Yim Yames - Behind That Locked Door
079. M. Ward - To Save Me (Featuring Jason Lytle)
078. Jay-Z - D.O.A. [Death of Auto-Tune]
077. NASA - Whachadoin? (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
076. Green Day – 21 Guns
075. Fukkk Offf - Rave Is King [Le Castle Vania Remix]
074. Them Crooked Vultures - New Fang
073. John Mayer – Who Says
072. Drake - Best I Ever Had
071. Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

070. Real Estate – Pool Swimmers
069. Air – Eat My Beat
068. Mos Def – Quiet Dog
067. Shit Robot - Simple Things (Work It Out) (Main Mix)
066. Cass McCombs - Dreams-Come-True-Girl (feat. Karen Black)
065. Modest Mouse - I've Got It All (Most)
064. Dinosaur Jr. - Said The People
063. Pearl Jam - Just Breathe
062. Arctic Monkeys - Potion Approaching
061. Pretty Lights - If I Could Feel Again

060. Dave Matthews Band - Lying In the Hands of God
059. Vampire Weekend - Horchata
058. Thom Yorke - Hearing Damage
057. Devendra Banhart - Can't Help But Smiling
056. Crookers - Business Man [DZ Remix Feat. Wiley & Thomas Jules]
055. Junior Boys - Hazel
054. Hot Pink Delorean - Molester Francais (Original Mix)
053. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - Nikorette
052. Neon Indian - (If I Knew, I'd Tell You)
051. LCD Soundsystem - Bye Bye Bayou

050. Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
049. Chase & Status - Saxon
048. Modest Mouse - The Whale Song
047. Incubus - A Certain Shade Of Green [Acoustic Version]
046. Phoenix - Lisztomania
045. Major Lazer - Keep It Goin' Louder
044. Shpongle - Ineffable Mysteries
043. Ben Harper And Relentless7 - Faithfully Remain
042. M. Ward - Never Had Nobody Like You (Featuring Zooey Deschanel)
041. The XX - Islands

040. Bonobo - The Keeper (Redeyes Remix)
039. Pearl Jam – Got Some
038. Wilco - Bull Black Nova
037. Jay-Z - Run This Town [Jay-Z + Rihanna + Kanye West]
036. Lykke Li - Possibility
035. The Dirty Projectors - Useful Chamber
034. Andrew Bird - Anonanimal
033. Spoon – Got Nuffin’
032. STS9 - Beyond Right Now (Ronald Jenkees Remix)
031. Joker - Digidesign

030. Yim Yames - Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
029. Shpongle - Electroplasm
028. Passion Pit - Little Secrets
027. Moby - Pale Horses
026. Jay-Z – Empire State of Mind
025. Basement Jaxx - Raindrops
024. Real Estate - Beach Comber
023. Fever Ray - Triangle Walks
022. Air - Night Hunter
021. Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer

020. Green Day - Peacemaker
019. Animal Collective - My Girls
018. The XX - VCR
017. Pearl Jam – The Fixer
016. Pretty Lights - Let Em Know It's Time To Go
015. Bon Iver – Blood Bank
014. Joker - Psychedelic Runway
013. Bluetech - Honey in the Heart
012. Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls
011. Eliot Lipp – Beamrider

010. Real Estate - Fake Blues
009. The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa (featuring Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend)
008. Pretty Lights - Keep Em Bouncin
007. Dinosaur Jr. - I Don't Wanna Go There
006. Kid Cudi – Day N Nite
005. Joker – Do It
004. Phoenix - 1901
003. Modest Mouse – King Rat
002. The Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
001. The Lonely Island – I’m On A Boat

Albums I Bought That Were Released This Year

I’m currently working on my top albums and songs of the year. It is a rather lengthy process, but I should have it all done by Christmas. The first phase: writing out all the albums I bought this year (that were also released this year). If you thought an album totally rocked and I didn’t include it in “my top albums of the year”, it might have been because I never listened to it. Obviously, I only selected albums that I listened to and owned. Here’s my list to chose from this year:

Air – Love 2
Andrew Bird – Noble Beasts
Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind EP
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Arctic Monkeys – Cornerstone
Arctic Monkeys – Humbug
Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Bear in Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth
Ben Harper & Relentless7 – White Lies for Dark Times
Biblio – Ovals & Emeralds
Big Gigantic – Fire It Up
Big Gigantic – Wide Awake
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Eating Us
Bluetech – The Divine Invasion
Blur – Midlife: A Beginner's Guide To Blur
Bon Iver – Blood Bank
Bone Thugs N Harmony - Bone Thugs: Thieveland Soldierz
Bonobo – The Keepers
Brand New – Daisy
Built to Spill – There Is No Enemy
Cass McCombs – Catacombs
Chromeo – I Can’t Tell You Why (DJ Kicks)
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South
Crystal Method – Divided By Night
Dan Deacon – Bromst
Dave Mathews Band - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Deadmau5 – For Lack of A Better Name
The Decemberists – Hazards of Love
Devendra Banhart – What Will We Be
Dinosaur Jr. – Farm
The Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Discovery – LP
Drake – Best I Ever Had (Single)
E-603 – Torn Up
Eliot Lipp – Peace Love Weed 3D
Eskmo – Hypercolor EP
The Features – Some Kind of Salvation
Fever Ray – Fever Ray
The Field – Yesterday and Today
Fischerspooner - Kitsuné Remixes : The Best Revenge/Danse en France
The Flaming Lips – Embryonic (Deluxe DMD)
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic Digital EP
Fleet Foxes - Mykonos b/w False Knight On The Road
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
Fukkk Offf – Love Me Hate Kiss Me Kill Me
Fukkk Offf – Rave Is King Remixes
Fukkk Offf – Rave Is King Remixes Part 2
Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
Grizzley Bear – Veckatimest
The Hold Steady – A Positive Rage
Hot Pink Delorean – I Am What A Porno Should Be Part 2
Incubus - Monuments And Melodies
Infected Mushroom - Smashing The Opponent Remixes
Jacques Renault – DFA Radio Mixes (Summer 2009)
Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
JJ – The Best Ones
JJ – N* 2
John Mayer – Battle Studies
Joker – Digidesign / You Know What Love Is
Joker – Do It / Psychedelic Runway
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
The Junior Boys – Begone Dull Care
Kid Cudi – Day N Nite (Single)
Kings of Leon – Pistol Of Fire (Single)
Krayzie Bone - Thug Line Chronicles Vol. 1
LCD Soundsystem – Bye Bye Bayou (Single)
LCD Soundsystem – 45:33 The Remixes
Lil' Flip - How the King Was Crowned Vol. 1
Lil’ Wayne – Hot Revolver (Single)
Lil’ Wayne – No Ceilings Mixtape
M. Ward – Hold Time
Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do
Mason Jennings – Blood of Man
Method Man & Redman – Blackout! 2
Metric – Fantasies
Moby – Pale Horse EP
Moby – Wait For Me
Modest Mouse - No One's First, And You're Next EP
Modest Mouse – Perpetual Motion Machine (Single)
Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin (Single)
Monsters of Folk – Monsters of Folk
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
MSTRKRFT – Fist of God
NASA – The Spirit of Apollo
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Nick Swardson – Seriously, Who Farted?
Nirvana – Bleach (Deluxe)
Nirvana – Live at Reading
Passion Pit – Manners
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
Phish – Joy
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Remixes Collection)
Prefuse 73 - Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian
Pretty Lights – Passing By Behind Your Eyes
Radiohead – Harry Patch (In Memory Of) (Single)
Radiohead – These Are My Twisted Words (Single)
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2
Real Estate – Real Estate
RJD2 – A Beautiful Mine (Single)
Rye Rye – Bang (Single)
Shit Robot – Work It Out
Shit Robot – DFA Radio Mixes (Spring 2009)
Shpongle - Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland
Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Simian Mobile Disco – Temporary Pleasure
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Sound Tribe Sector Nine – Ad Explorata
Sound Tribe Sector Nine - Peaceblaster : The New Orleans Make It Right Remixes
Spoon – Got Nuffin’ EP
Spoon – Live at Stubbs, Austin, Texas
Super Fury Animals – Dark Days / Light Years
Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
Third Eye Blind – Ursa Major
Thom Yorke – FeelingPulledApartByHorses
TV On the Radio – Read Silence EP
Various Artists - Kompakt Label Family - August 2009 Sampler
Various Artists – GetDarker Presents: This Is Dubstep
Various Artists – Perfecto Vegas
Various Artists – Southern Fried Records: Dubstep Remixes
Various Artists – Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack
The Very Best – Warm Heart of Africa
Vitalic - Disco Terminateur EP
Vitalic - Flashmob
The Widdler – Alias EP
Wilco – Jolly Banker (Single)
Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
Wye Oak – The Knot
The XX – XX
Yacht – Don’t Pull Out
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
Yim Yames – Tribute To
Zion I – The Alpha (Box Set)
2020 Soundsystem – Sliding Away Johnny D Mixes

Best Albums of 2007

50. The Go! Team
Proof of Youth

The static fusion of The Go! Team is back! The wacky lo-fi rockers again remind us of how even a short yet densely packed album can be a hit. It is hard to pick a favorite track on this album because they all are so amazing.

49. Perpetual Groove
LiveLoveDie


The Georgian-based band P-Groove hits another homer.

48. Infected Mushroom
Vicious Delicious

From the opening drug anthem “Becoming Insane” to the light-house techno beats of “Before”, it is obvious that Vicious Delicious is a very different sound from the psychedelic trance lords. The departure from their past is characterized by two favorable changes and one unfavorable change. The major drawback comes on the second track: There is rap. What the hell? It sounds like a piss-poor version of Kottonmouth Kings, but fortunately this is the only track like this (Thank God). The first improvement is their transition to a more Spanish sound. Similar to bands like Shpongle, they have put Spanish guitar in the mix. Additionally, you might pick up on a few Spanish lyrics. Second, the beats are lighter than their past work. I often compared their other albums to Crystal Method because they had industrial drum pounding and riveting break-beat infused sounds. Vicious Delicious is more progressive and pop oriented. This change has sparked the most controversy among fans. I like the pop sound, but it grows old after a dozen listens. Simply put, Infected Mushroom has produced an album that will make or break their fan base.

47. The Stars
In Our Bedroom After the War

A slow and serene raft ride down a stream. A great pick-up for fans of the Postal Service.

46. Interpol
Our Love to Admire

An artistic explosion of love in the form of pop-rock, admire it.

45. M.I.A.
Kala

Kala is the sound of Third World Democracy.

44. The Arcade Fire
Neon Bible

Critics have been raving about Montreal’s Arcade Fire, making Neon Bible one of the most anticipated albums of 2007. After the successful Funeral, the band returns with another smashing hit.

43. The Shins
Wincing the Night Away

Ever since the release of the Garden State Soundtrack, it seems like The Shins have received a lot of attention. It’s quite obvious what a lot of publicity can do for a band, but in order to stay popular they must produce great music. Wincing the Night Away is another stellar release from the lords of indie rock. It’s not any better than their previous releases, but its still a great listen.

42. Arctic Monkeys
Favourite Worst Nightmare

When I first heard the Arctic Monkeys last year, I thought that they were getting too big too fast. Their debut release sold more copies in its first week than any other British band. I could understand such a huge leap for a band, but this was their first release! It has only been a year since their debut release, so I wasn’t expecting anything too outstanding on their sophomore album. Consequently, Favourate Worst Nightmare is a short album with little change. This one is not a sophomore slump by any means, but it is not quite as catchy as the debut release. They may have lost some of that youthful charm, but the Monkeys are still an aggressive and powerful force.

41. Fall Out Boy
Infinity on High

After releasing a disappointing major label debut, their sophomore major label release is clearly an improvement. The songs on this album don’t sound like any of their past songs. They have switched over their lyrically infused style to a more aggressive New Found Glory approach. This sound is clearly apparent on the single-screaming, drum pounding opening track “Thriller”, which features Jay-Z. Even the current single “This Ain’t a Scene…” represents a perpetual departure from their past style by using a more synthesized mechanical beat (check out Kanye West’s remix of this song for a wonderful surprise). But not every song on this album is as aggressive as I have mentioned. Songs like “Golden” and “Life After a Party” feature a slower Fall Out Boy, something we’ve only seen on their acoustic songs. My biggest problem with this album is that there are a lot of filler tracks in the middle portion of the disc. Additionally, the lyrics need to mature from the tainted teen heartbreaks to something new. Overall, Infinity on High is a valiant effort, but it still doesn’t compare to Take This to Your Grave. I’m waiting for an album of this caliber, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the next release.

40. Ozomatli
Don’t Mess With the Dragon

Don’t Mess with the Dragon is a fluid and funky Latino party fused with ska, hip-hop, and rock. There are no tears on this album, only joyous “windows-down” summer fun. The Los Angeles crew knows how to get your feet stomping and hands clapping. Ozomatli wants you to let the good times roll.

39. Panda Bear
Panda Pitch

It’s like drifting on an air balloon around the world.

38. Various Artists
Jonny Greenwood is the Controller

This is not a Radiohead compilation! Yes, the songs were selected by Jonny Greenwood, but that is its only relation to Radiohead. It is actually a delightful dub reggae compilation that will polish off your transition into the summer. Some of the artists thrown into the mix include Derrick Harriott, Linval Thompson, The Heptones, and Junior Byles. The album is a pleasant change; a type of music you probably don’t listen to a lot. If you’re looking for some old school Rasta action, here’s a great place to kick it off.

37. ATB
Trilogy

Another great album from the lords of house and dance.

36. Say Anything
In Defense of the Genre

Packed with a dozen guest artists, Say Anything’s sophomore album clinches the power role in a dying genre. Max Bemis and his lunatic antics convey his struggle to overcome his bi-polar mind.

35. Bruce Springsteen
Magic

The boss is back with his E Street Band.

34. Pharoahe Monch
Desire

It has been eight years since his last release, but Desire proves that Pharoahe Monch is still alive on the mic.

33. Moe.
The Conch

If you haven’t heard about Moe than there’s probably a perfect explanation for it: You don’t smoke (tobacco). But seriously, you should have heard of them by now. Maybe you have heard of them, but haven’t listened to them yet. You might have been turned off to them by some heady dude at party saying, “Yo…check this out! I just saw them in concert. Moe f-ing rules!” Maybe something like that. Regardless, this album is the perfect opportunity to check out a great jam band. It is a solid summer cruising album well worth the listen.

32. Fujiya & Miyagi
Transparent Things

In the spirit of Spoon and Four Tet, a hybrid has evolved: Fujiya & Miyagi. The beats have the groovy Four Tet feel to them, but still contain instrumental fluidity. The vocals are like a subtle whisper that fades in and out of the background. “Collarbone” is the funkiest hand-clap jam of the year.

31. Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Lifeline

Back with his band, Ben Harper has never sounded better.

30. Elliot Smith
New Moon

The second album of Elliot Smith’s unreleased music was taken from his work in the ‘90’s. Even after his suicide his legacy remains.

29. Lil’ Wayne
The Charter 3 Mixtape

Another hot mixtape from the king of crunk

28. Feist
The Reminder

The Reminder is a casual and multifaceted gem, featuring the hit single “1234”.

27. Jay-Z
American Gangster

It’s Jay-Z, come on.

26.Burial
Untrue

The London based dubstep band returns with a complex, stark, blurred, and breathtaking album. It is addictive and faultless electronic music deeply layered with a booming cosmic satellite sound. You will spiral into the abyss and return a happy person.

25. Kanye West
Graduation

Hate him or love him, this album is remarkable. You know all the singles, you know all the hooks, and you know everyone is talking about Kanye. At times the album sounds like a Jay-Z disc, more focused on the lyrics than the beat. But after out-selling 50-Cent in a staged rap battle, it is evident that Kanye, like Jay-Z, has what it takes to be number one (did he realize that he was a champion?).

24. Notorious B.I.G.
Greatest Hits

Rap has taken a downturn over the last few years. Very few remarkable albums have been released and it feels like the genre is dying. This absolutely amazing compilation of the finest songs from one of the greatest rappers of all time brings that rap vibe back. Every track is a hit, so there’s really no way to dislike this disc.

23. Linkin Park
Minutes to Midnight

This album has topped charts this year for a reason: It rocks. They have left behind most of their rap-rock roots and replaced them with bone-chilling rage-rock and progressive alternative pop. This change is most evident on tracks like “Given Up” (drawing comparisons to Deftones) and “Hands Held High”. The album is also well developed thematically. The title makes reference to a global clock that is ticking away: If we don’t make changes now we are going to destroy ourselves.

22. Andrew Bird
Armchair Apocrypha

On his tenth studio album, Bird returns with his power-packed arsenal of fine-tuned instruments and cleaver lyrics. The emotion pours out of his instruments like rain drops falling from the sky. The spell-binding piano chords, mourning violins, quirky snare drums, and aqueous guitars combine to form a majestic Sujfan Stevens-ish phenomenon. Although Armchair Aprocrpha is a powerful record, it is not quite as breakthrough as The Mysterious Production of Eggs. The booming optimism that made The Mysterious Production of Eggs such a success is more subtle on this album. His floral arrangement of lyrics is critical and melancholy; a style that takes several listens to get accustomed to. My only other complaint is the lack of abundance of his signature whistles. Those whistles were no damn catchy.

21. Okkervil River
Stage Names

With the help of Jim Eno of Spoon, Okkervil River’s fourth studio album is emotionally powerful and packed with catchy riffs. Harmony, wonderful lyrics, pure emotion, and intelligent instrumentation: It is all here. Often a raucous of noise will turn into your next road-trip anthem. If you loved the last album, then you’ll love this gem too.

20. Wyclef Jean
The Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant

The sixth album from the ex-Fugees musician features guests such as Mary J. Blige, Chamillionaire, Shakira, and System of a Down. His imaginative lyrics are compelling, and the music is equally catchy. “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)” is one of the best tracks of the year.

19. John Mayer
The Village Session

In an acoustic six-song EP, Mayer marvelously captures some of the best tracks from his critically acclaimed album Continuum. The acoustic renditions find a completely different side of each track and allow you to fall in love with old tracks as if they were brand new. Any fan of Mayer must have this EP.

18. Silverchair
Young Modern

The long awaited follow-up to Diorama is absolutely amazing. These talented Australians have once again made their mark with beautiful melodies, raging guitar riffs, and an orchestral boom. After making a massive departure from their early grudge days, Young Modern captures Silverchair in their most diverse, star-driven, and masterful musical stage. If you want a song to get stuck in your head for weeks, check out “Straight Lines”. This album is bound to win countless awards.

17. Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

With such a pessimistic title, you would think that the album would be a downer, but it is not. You know what the band sounds like, and you know they rock. It is great improvement from their last album, but still not as amazing as The Moon and Antarctica.

16. Daft Punk
Alive 2007

Recorded at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Berc in June of this year, Alive 2007 captures a world renowned electronic band pumping its beats out to a packed audience. Much like the rest of their live concerts, they chop and mix many of their tunes together to create a dynamic show.

15. Various Artists
After Dark – Italians Do It Better

The Italian clubbers bring their tunes to America on this 14-track compilation. It’s not the kind of hard-house music you’d expect from a techno rave, its slow Euro disco-electronic. For fans of Mylo and The Thievery Corporation.

14. Younger Brother
The Last Days of Gravity

Simon Posford is the best psychedelic electronic artist around. After releasing his side project album Shpongle in 2005, he has returned to his other project Younger Brother. Any one who is a fan of Sound Tribe Sector Nine should own this album.

13. Bone Thugs N Harmony
Strength & Loyalty

While the strength of Bizzie Bone is missing, the loyalty of Bone Thugs to their rap-roots is still here. This album is packed with more stellar singles than any of their past music, both rap songs and slow R&B jams. The opener will literally put bump in your trunk, and “I Tried” will be on your next break-up mix. Even the Fleetwood Mac samples of “Wind Blow” will rock your socks.

12. Various Artists
I’m Not There (Music from the Motion Picture)

A fine compilation of Bob Dylan songs performed by some of the best indie musicians around. Some artists include Jime James of My Morning Jacket, Calexico, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Iron and Wine, Cat Power, Sufjan Stevens, and the Hold Steady. Even if you aren’t a huge Dylan fan, these renditions will make you fall in love with one of the greatest musicians of all time.

11. Digitalism
Idealism

Digitalism went under the radar for most, but that doesn’t mean their latest album sucks. In fact it is quite the opposite from sucking, it rocks. Perhaps because the band is German they didn’t get the press they deserved. Idealism is often electronic music you can jam to, yet at other times its neo-disco house techno you sing with. This killer combination puts the music in a genre I can only describe as dance-pop at its finest. There are more memorable riffs on this album than you can ever imagine. It is Daft Punk before they decided they were human after all.

10. Booka Shade
Movements

Its time to rock out to the new Booka Shade album. The duo has switched from their pop synth style to an electronic club act which is simply phenomenal. Although this album was released last year, I didn’t discover it until early January. If I had known about this gem earlier, it would have definitely made my list for top albums of the year. Simply put, the dance beats on Movements will rock your face off.

09. Menomena
Friend and Foe

Describing Friend and Foe is like trying to explain how a steam engine works to a 4-year old. Just look at the album art: It sounds like that picture looks. It is just an oddly experimental, yet fascinating style to discuss. The best I can do is say that it is rock-like. If you like Minus the Bear, Cursive, or Gatsby’s American Dream, check out this album. Every track is amazing, no joke.

08. The Field
From Here We Go Sublime

In electronic music, there's a delicate balance between serenity and repetition. Because too much of either element can result in disaster, the true challenge in electronic is discovering the perfect balance. From Here We Go Sublime is that balance. It's an album filled with ambient techno loops and cosmic drums that continuously fade in and out of the audible range. Often you cannot tell where you are on the album because it has hypnotized you and sent you off on a creative tangent. This album will also cause a polar divide among listeners: Some will hate this album; others will fall in love with it. Those who don't like From Here We Go Sublime probably think that the album is too repetitious, but those who love it will tell you that it is a profound evolution of modern minimalist techno.

07. Spoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Spoon is one of my favorite bands. Every time I listen to them I feel like I’m in a James Bond spy mission. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is slightly more experimental (see “The Ghost of You”) than expected, but still focused and lively. The consistency of this talented Austin band has been remarkable. Although this album is less of a hit than Gimme Fiction, you will still go “Ga Ga” over it.

06. Bright Eyes
Cassadaga

Cassadaga is an album about searching for a safe haven. Connor finds himself in a dismal world and his only hope of avoiding neurosis, anxiety, and hate is finding this serene land called Cassadaga. As Connor searches everywhere for Cassadaga, he learns that self-discovery has led him to the right place. Cassadaga was with him the entire time, but he just needed to look inward. In addition to the theme of the album, the tracks are also spectacular. The music jumps between upbeat country/folk and slow-paced ballads, but what really stands out is Connor’s voice (It has never sounded better).

05. Battles
Mirrored

If C3PO and R2D2 crafted an album, it would sound a lot like this one. Battles uses highly processed vocals, wacky live samples, and mathematical beats to create a warped equilibrium of confusion and bliss. I honestly have never heard anything like this.

04. LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver

The DFA disco-infiltrator kicked off the year with an extraordinary album. From start to finish, Sound of Silver is a witty, humorous, passionate, emotional, and experimental dance tour de force. While his past album demonstrated that he was a leader in the electronic world, James Murphy pushes the limits even further with his heart-felt melodies and well-constructed lyrics. This lyrical expansion is evident on tracks like “All My Friends” and “New York I Love You but Your Bringing Me Down”. The album isn’t the sound of silver; it’s the sound of gold.

03. Kings of Leon
Because of the Times

Because of the Times will give you faith in Alternative Rock. It is an approachable, complex, stylistically diverse, and compelling album. Every track on this atmospheric masterpiece will get your feet tapping. It is just amazing to see how an experimental work can turn into royalty at its finest. An absolute “must have” for 2007. Favorite tracks include “Fans”, “On Call”, and “Knocked Up”.

02. Wilco
Sky Blue Sky

In 2002, Wilco sold over 500,000 copies of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Although the sales alone set it apart from their previous efforts, it was also a legendary rock album for the content of the music. Wilco made their mark with wailing guitars, odd-reverb effects, and beautiful lyrics and melodies. Two years later, Wilco shocked the world with A Ghost Is Born. Yes it did win a Grammy, but it was heavily criticized for its departure from the traditional style. The album is a difficult listen, but a special kind of listener will deeply enjoy it. It was an introspective album about self-development and a lot of people did not want that, but I loved it. I honestly think that A Ghost Is Born will be one of the most influential rock albums in the past decade, but people won’t realize its power for a while. The distortions on this album turn into the guitar riffs; something I have never heard before. Now it’s 2007, and what should you expect from Wilco? After struggling to find themselves over the past five years, they have done a complete 360 and returned to their roots. But its not just alternative country, its alternative country with 13 years of Wilco experience. All of the remarkable aspects of their past work have been brewed into a solid mix of jazzy euphoria. Take for example the track “Impossible Germany”: It is a better rendition of Jesus Etc. I know that may be hard to comprehend, but yes, it is better. Unlike the introspective lyrics of A Ghost Is Born, this album focuses on the beauty of love. Many times the lyrics are simple, but they work perfectly. Jeff Tweedy said he wanted to make this album simpler, and he did. But I think it’s a little more than simple; it’s simply amazing. Sky Blue Sky illustrates Wilco at their finest.

01. Radiohead
In Rainbows

On October 10, Radiohead revolutionized the music industry with a new way of selling an album. Screw the record label and the record shop; they self-released it online at their website. At what price? You choose. The website lets you type in whatever price you want to pay for the album. Although they were still able to average 11 bucks an album, what’s even more striking than the selling technique is the actual music. Some expectations already existed for this ingenious band, but perhaps not this great. They’ve returned to the days of Ok Computer and assembled the best and most straight-forward collection of their work. Free from any outside pressure, Radiohead have created a masterpiece.