Hey there! You may not remember me, but I used to write some articles. Then I got a new job and got super busy and even though I tried and tried I couldn’t seem to finish anything for this awesome site. But then finally I did! And here it is, all the better because since we’re two and a half months into the new year, you’ve probably completely forgotten about last year’s music. So if you have, check out these albums and songs, because they were my favorites from 2007, and you might like them too!
10. Wintersleep – Welcome to the Night Sky
Great Canadian rock band whose songs feature fuzzy guitar mixing with solid drumming and interesting-sounding lead vocals to create both heavy rock arrangements and catchy pop sing-alongs. Despite the presence of one instrumental track that severely interrupts the flow of the album this record is solid from start to finish.
9. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
After a couple of albums worth of experimentation they’re back to doing what they do best. Jeff Tweedy maximizes his gift for harmony and pop-rock arrangements and delivers surprisingly straightforward and direct lyrics that create a very strong emotional connection. Tweedy and guitarist Nels Cline’s dueling guitar fuzz freak outs on “Hate it Here” are a highlight. Those looking for further experimentation and musical expansion may have written this record off because of its simplicity, but they’re missing out on a great album.
8. Joe Henry - Civilians
Joe writes old-fashioned folk/blues songs, kind of like Tom Waits, but with a voice most people could actually enjoy over the length of a full album. His songs are mostly downers, with the odd one showing some reluctant hope. Relationships, God and the devil, turmoil and war; all classic themes and he addresses them wonderfully. Very moving.
7. Okkervil River – The Stage Names
The Stage Names reinforces the fact that Will Scheff is one hell of a songwriter. The album is only nine songs long, but each is a masterful example of his trademark desolation and depression, and as always he wears his emotions on his vocal chords, as his piercing howl shreds right through your soul. On this record the band seems to be trying to rock the misery out of the songs and their rock is far more forceful and dynamic than it has ever been. The Stage Names is every bit as powerful as it is sad, creating some of the most affecting songs of the year.
6. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Possibly the next band to achieve the title ‘Best Band in the World,’ Arcade Fire followed up one of the great indie rock records ever (2005’s Funeral) with another fierce effort. Neon Bible contains themes, instrumentation and sounds far bigger than anything most bands could conceive of, let alone put to tape.
5. Iron & Wine – The Shepherds Dog
Iron & Wine’s discography is one that has shown growth with each new record, and on The Shepherds Dog their sound has finally fully blossomed. Sam Beam’s acoustic guitar and hushed singing has been layered with all sorts of instrumentation, a lot of which is inspired by world music. It works wonderfully. And for the record, I love the vocal effects on “Carousel;” they’re hauntingly beautiful.
4. Feist - the Reminder
Sometimes the ridiculous overexposure musicians get is deserved. In the case of Leslie Feist, it isn’t half as ridiculous as it should be. The Reminder is a pop revelation that shifts in and out of styles effortlessly and keeps you on your toes. Several songs were recorded as live takes and it makes the songs sound organic and natural, like they’re piped through the musicians straight from a higher power.
3. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
2007 saw Of Montreal going in a new direction thematically and lyrically as Kevin Barnes focused his songwriting on autobiographical tales of heartbreak, isolation, desolation and despair as his relationship and mental stability broke down. Fortunately they retained their sunny, synth-y dance-pop musicianship which creates an odd yet appealing combination of positive and negative elements. The 12-minute centerpiece “The Past is a Grotesque Animal,” with its driving, repetitive disco beat and intense lyrics is a definite highlight, and the rest of the tracks are more than catchy enough to keep you coming back.
2. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
The addition of Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr seemed to reinvigorate Modest Mouse, as they released their best album in years in 2007. It comes in long at fourteen tracks and close to an hour run time but it never gets boring and none of the songs are throwaways. It captures the essence of the band, that ability to play loud or soft, angry or melancholy or just plain beautiful music. It has danceable rock songs a la 2004’s “Float On”, long-form burners like they used to make, and a psycho freak out now and then just to keep you on your toes.
1. the National - Boxer
Flat out the best record of the year, by a long shot. Every second is filled with crisp, clean instrumentation and gorgeous baritone vocals that drive deep into your soul and you can’t help but connect to the sad, paranoid loneliness and isolation that pours out of the speakers. The fact that all of these dark themes ultimately combine in a record that restores your faith in music and makes you press repeat again and again is really the best argument for how brilliant it really is.
Songs
“Killing the Blues” – Robert Plant & Allison Krauss: Killer bluegrass from out of left field.
“The Sons of Cain” – Ted Leo: Another great frenetic rock song from a brilliant sweaty bastard
“A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger” – Of Montreal: So much fun, musically, so depressing lyrically. It’s crazy!
“I Feel It All” – Feist: My favourite off the new album, it’s dance-able without being too poppy or sounding too insincere
“Innocent Bones” – Iron & Wine: I love it when Sam swears. Then goes “oooooooooo” in a falsetto
“Dead Letter & the Infinite Yes” – Wintersleep: Such a fucking good song! Best song about disassociation and depression that didn’t make you want to kill yourself ever! Does that make sense? Just listen to it.
“Turn On Me” – The Shins: The amped-up instrumentation and cleaner production made this record a top ten contender, and this is the highlight track.
“Slow Show” – The National: Mid-tempo burner about building up an experience until the pressure caves in your head. Not exactly.
“Spitting Venom” – Modest Mouse: Old school MM, nine minutes long and it’s slow, fast, angry and sad.
“Unless It’s Kicks” – Okkervil River: Great rock song about how much awesomer life is with rock songs
“Hate It Here” – Wilco: Song about how much it sucks when they leave, lots of great soloing.
“Adventures In Solitude” – New Pornographers: Most beautiful song they’ve done.
“I Am John – Loney, Dear: A little bit twee, but a lot of fun too. It’s got a xylophone!
“(Antichrist Television Blues)” – Arcade Fire: I love songs without a chorus, and sound like Bruce Springsteen only cooler.
“the Underdog” – Spoon: Great song from a band really hitting its stride this year.
“the Heinrich Maneuver” – Interpol: A kick-ass evolution of their sound; it’s as though they’re channeling Queen.
It’s all good, find it!
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