50. The Go! Team
Proof of Youth
LiveLoveDie
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.
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
44. The
Neon Bible
Critics have been raving about
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.
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
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.
Trilogy
Another great album from the lords of house and dance.
36. Say Anything
In Defense of the Genre
Magic
34. Pharoahe Monch
Desire
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
31. Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Lifeline
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’
The Charter 3 Mixtape
Another hot mixtape from the king of crunk
28. Feist
The Reminder
American Gangster
Untrue
Graduation
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
Stage Names
With the help of Jim Eno of Spoon,
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
Young Modern
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
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
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
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
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.
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