I started with a list of 45 favorites. Over the course of December I tried to give each one another listen to decide a) where it would land on the list and b) whether or not it would make the cut. I ended up with a list of 24 and, not much to my surprise, many are female-fronted or British bands. I am surprised more alt.country didn’t make my list (I guess Wilco is the token alt.country band) and a complete lack of hard rock is unheard of (oh, how I wanted to love the new Down CD but it just didn’t happen).

From the first 30 seconds of listening to Great Northern’s ‘Trading Twilight for Daylight’, I knew it was going to be my top pick. But along came The Dollyrots a few months later and nearly stole the top spot. Actually, in my mind, they tied for my favorite of the year, I’m sure I listened to both of them an equal amount of times. The rest of the top 10 is pretty interchangeable but I figured I had to put them in some sort of order.

So, here’s my list of Favorite CDs of 2007:

1. Great Northern – Trading Twilight for Daylight (Eenie Meenie Records)
Watch/Listen/MySpace/Buy
Part of the Silverlake scene (Sea Wolf, Earlimart, Silversun Pickups), Great Northern provides the soundtrack to a lazy/hazy Friday afternoon. Though Rachel Stolte is the lead singer, her vocal interplay with guitarist Solon Bixler adds depth to the songs.


2. The Dollyrots – Because I’m Awesome (Blackheart Records)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
Signed to Joan Jett’s label (Blackheart Records), The Dollyrots embody a punk rock spirit and, to a degree, a punk rock sound though the band’s single “Because I’m Awesome” (as featured in a Kohl’s commercial) is gaining steam on pop radio stations such as WNCI in Columbus, Ohio. Based on comments left on The Dollyrots MySpace page, the trio is appealing to a wide age range including pre-teen girls whose iPod Shuffles are loaded with songs by Kelly Clarkson, Hannah Montana, and Avril Lavigne.

3. The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (Fat Cat)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
From the thick Scottish accented vocals to the wall of guitar sounds, The Twilight Sad sound like Snow Patrol if Snow Patrol had started just a few years ago and was influenced by Mogwai, Aereogramme, My Bloody Valentine, and Dinosaur Jr. The band’s SXSW performance in a tent outside of Emo’s left my ears ringing for days … and I liked it!


4. Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer – Schematics (Le Pamplemousse)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
As long as Zolof keeps putting out records, there will be a place for them on my year-end list. The synth-driven pop-punk with an edge is infectious and I can’t get enough of Rachel Minton’s spunky vocals. This band could sell a ton of records if they catch the right break.


5. The Frames – The Cost (Anti)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
The Once soundtrack made a lot of year-end lists, as well it should and it would have made mine had Glen Hansard’s band, The Frames, not put out a record of their own this year. Fully fleshed-out versions of Once’s best tracks (“Falling Slowly” and “When Your Mind is Made Up”) appear on The Frames’ tenth studio album and are just as passionate and emotional as the stripped-down soundtrack versions. My hope is that everybody who loved the music in Once will explore The Frames’ back catalog.
6. Via Audio – Say Something (SideCho)
Watch/Listen/MySpace/Buy
Early fans of the New York/Boston band included Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) and Jim Eno (Spoon), associations which paid off for Via Audio in 2007. Jessica Martin’s pretty vocals undoubtedly broke a million blogger boy hearts this year while the boys in the band (Danny Molad, Tom Deis, David Lizmi) laid down some smart and sophisticated pop ala DCFC, The Postal Service, etc. Martin’s solo side project, The Stenographer’s Alibi, is also worth checking out.

7. Idlewild – Make Another World (Sanctuary)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
I once said that if I could only listen to the recorded (past, past, and future) output of one band for the rest of my life, I would choose Idlewild to be that band. Despite some ups and downs (continuous critical praise but poor concert attendance and CD sales in the US), Idlewild soldiers on and delivers yet another consistent release. In a recent blog entry, frontman Roddy Woomble shot done rumors of the band’s demise saying the band will get to work on a new CD.

8. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
I consider myself a casual Wilco fan. I own all of their CD (including the live one) but I don’t listen to them as often as I should. Something about Sky Blue Sky, however, struck me from the moment I heard it and of all Wilco’s catalog, this one has definitely gotten the most play on my iPod. Wilco seems to be inching closer and closer to becoming the Eagles of our generation (though Tweedy still definitely is the ringleader), this became apparent to me as I saw the band live for the first time since the Summerteeth tour in 2007. And while it maybe doesn’t have commercial radio appeal, “Impossible Germany” is, without a doubt, the song I listened to the most in 2007.

9. St. Vincent – Marry Me (Beggars Banquet)
Watch/MySpace/Buy
My first encounter with Annie Clark came while watching her play guitar with The Polyphonic Spree at SXSW this year. When I got home and Googled “cute Polyphonic Spree guitar player”, I discovered St.Vincent (Clark’s nom de plume) and was instantly mesmerized by the songs on her MySpace page (“Paris is Burning”, “Marry Me”, “Your Lips are Red”). If I could buy stock in musicians, I’d dump a load of money on St.Vincent stock as this is just a start to what I’m sure will be a very promising career.


10. Tigers Can Bite You – Tigers Can Bite You (Tune Core)
MySpace/Buy
Dave Woody started Fiver around the same time Death Cab for Cutie and Granddaddy were getting off the ground. While those bands saw some success over time, Fiver missed out. Woody is back with a like-minded band, Tigers Can Bite You, and fans of DCFC and Granddaddy should pay heed and give TCBY’s spacey pop sound a listen. This was my favorite random discovery of the year (thanks to Alex of Sea Wolf for introducing me to their music).

Other CDs that got lots of play on the iPod this year include:

Adam Franklin – Bolts of Melody
Bracken – We Know About the Need
Editors – An End Has a Start
Film School – Hideout
Jill Cunniff – City Beach
Minmae – 835
Radical Face – Ghost
Sea Wolf – Leaves in the River
Sebastian Bach – Angel Down
Silver Needle – Halo
Soulsavers – It’s Not How Hard You Fall, It’s the Way You Land
The Comas – Spells
The Donnas – Bitchin’
Wolf and Cub – Vessels

10. The Lodger, Grown-Ups (Slumberland)
Sounding (to these ears) somewheres between the Delgados and Housemartins, the debut from this Leeds, England group is an arresting bout of vitriolic pop.


9. CocoRosie, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (Touch & Go)
While I dug the Casady sisters’ debut, their sophomore album lost me. Less nefariously obtuse then, their third album is an enchanting mix of worldly rhythms, hip-hop chants and siren singing.


8. Calla, Strength in Numbers (Beggars Banquet)
One of my perennial favorites, Calla parted their oceansize electric guitars with acoustic reveries and Tex-Mex accents for their fifth record. The result is no less consuming.


7. Githead, Art Pop (Swim)
The “other” band of Wire’s Colin Newman, Githead bears much resemblance to Newman’s main preoccupation: glassy guitar riffs, angular rhythms and a mix of pop and avant garde ideas. The band’s second full-length strikes the perfect balance of these qualities.


6. Times New Viking, Present the Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze)
Locals Times New Viking’s last release with the rejuvenated Siltbreeze label before their out-soon debut with Matador, the Paisley Reich shows the band continuing its expert dismantling of pop archetypes.


5. The Maps, We Can Create (Mute)
The debut full-length from the Maps (a.k.a. James Chapman), is a lovingly textured mix of shoegazed electronica. Awash in warm tones, the record is much more affecting than the sum of its effects.


4. Von Südenfed, Tromatic Reflexxions (Domino)
This curious collaboration between the Fall’s Mark E. Smith and electro experts Mouse on Mars, turned out to be one of the best of both’s output. Mutated pulses and jarring beats clash with Smith’s distinct mutterings, making for a truly unique and ingenious record.


3. M.I.A. Kala (Interscope)
With her second record, M.I.A. proved that her multicultural tract on debut Arular was no flavor of the month. She returned with an album enriched with sundry influences manifested in cohesively infectious songs.


2. Shout Out Louds, Our Ill Wills (Merge)
Sweden’s Shout Out Louds increased the pop quotient for their second album, creating a contrasting blend of bittersweets and melodies.


1. The Horrors, Strange House (Stolen Transmission)
I once had a friend tell me that “there are two kinds of people in the world: freaks and weirdos.” So with its liner notes transcription of “Psychotic Sounds for Freaks and Weirdos,” could these British upstarts’ debut unite the two? I don’t know, and it certainly doesn’t matter. The band’s blend of Iggy-ed caterwauling and Birthday Party?recalling rumble is top-notch, while their sense of humor (“Sheena Is a Parasite”) helps lighten the batcave aesthetic. I’m always suspicious of the authenticity of any band (especially one that’s British) with this much put-on, but when it’s this good, best just to suspend any disbelief.

1. Atonement Ian McEwan’s challenging British World War II romantic novel becomes an equally challenging film, thanks to director Joe Wright. The film boasts one of the most haunting single scenes of the year (the British retreat at Dunkirk), and the rest of it ain’t too shabby either

2. Before the Devil Knows Your Dead Phillip Seymour Hoffman had another hell of a year, turning in excellent performances in The Savages and Charlie Wilson’s War, but the best film to contain his presence was this neo-noir crime film by Sidney Lumet, in which Hoffman and brother Ethan Hawke’s jewel heist becomes the stuff of Greek tragedy.

3. Day Night Day Night A mysterious young woman prepares to engage in a suicide bomb attack in the streets of New York City, and we watch her and her handlers’ careful, methodical, practically ritualistic preparation for the act. Director Julia Loktev removes any and all clues as to the why of the attack, leaving us with no context, only the inherent drama that comes from finding oneself immersed in a ticking time bomb of a movie. Star Luisa Williams gives a commanding, if highly unsettling, performance as the bomber, getting very few lines, but every single frame of this powerful movie.

4. Eastern Promises As in A History of Violence, director David Cronenberg’s fascination with the human body lends itself to the depiction of more mundane, real-world horrors as much as it once did to the more fantastic horrors of his early career. And they’re even more visceral and horrifying. This crime drama set at the intersection between the Russian mafia and the civilians in London drips portentous dread. When it’s not soaking the celluloid with spurts of blood, anyway.

5. The Host Director Bong Joon-ho gives the finger to the conventional Jaws/Alien movie monster wisdom, showing off his monster as soon as possible. It helps that the mutant river beast, a sort of giant tadpole with a prehensile tail, is so fully realized. And that The Host is just as much a dysfunctional family melo-dramedy and chest-thumping political allegory as it is a monster movie.

6. Into the Wild Director Sean Penn follows writer John Krakauer’s book following Chris McCandless’ adventure to find ultimate truth in the wild, and ultimately settling for his own doom. It’s a huge, and thoroughly American epic tragedy, not just because McCandless brings about his own end, but because we see him offered chance after chance to form new family’s to replace the broken one he rejected, only to turn them all away. While all of the films on this list are pretty great, this is the only one that struck me as an instant classic while I was watching it.

7. Michael Clayton The legal thriller and corporate intrigue nature of the plot is the stuff of John Grisham novels and David E. Kelley TV dramas, which only highlights what a perfectly made and acted film this actually is. On a list of the most boring film titles of 2007, this would be on the top of the heap; they might as well have just called it Untitled George Clooney Lawyer Movie.

8. No Country For Old Men The stylistic quirks and darkly humorous tones of the Coen Brothers are more than perfectly suited for the sparse, stark world of author Cormac McCarthy, and the former’s adaptation of the latter’s novel makes for cinematic alchemy. A lovely-looking, scary-ass modern Western of ideas with a chip on its shoulder, No Country For Old Men deserves every single accolade it’s racked up this year.

9. Once If this list were only one movie long, this probably would have been it. A unique musical that is devoid of any and all artificiality that is inherent in the much-maligned genre (and/or the usual clever riffs on it) by making its protagonists both musicians. Irish street singer Glen Hansard and Czech immigrant/part-time pianist Markéta Irglová go from rather innocent flirting with one another to a collaborative project. But is there anything for them beyond that project? As romantic as it is realistic, Once was easily one of the most extraordinary films to make it to the big screen in ’07.

10. Sunshine The Danny Boyle/Alex Garland/Cillian Murphy team do for science fiction what they’d previously done for zombie movies with 28 Days Later. A beautiful looking, psychologically intense movie full of memorable set pieces good enough to overcome the narrative tangle of it’s overlong ending.

This year’s top ten was an awfully challenging one to put together, not because it was hard thinking of enough great films to fill up the list, but because it was hard to decide which ones to cut from it. I suppose that’s as good an indication that this was a pretty good year for film as any.

Also of note?

Well, it was another great year for documentaries, with refreshingly clear-headed Iraq doc No End In Sight, strange hybrid Strange Culture and hilarious competition docs King of Kong and Air Guitar Nation leading the pack.

It was also a great year for Westerns, with both 3:10 To Yuma and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford bringing the horse opera back.

The best action movie of the year was probably the live-action Bugs Bunny-as-sexy-English-marksman shoot ‘em up Shoot ‘Em Up, although there is something to be said for the big dumb fun of Live Free or Die Hard (Even the title is big dumb fun!) and the completely insane 300.

In the romantic comedy department, you’ve got the odd little gem of Waitress, one of the few films that seems to belong to the genre while refusing the formula.

For zombie movies, the not-terribly-scary but full of fun and heart Fido beats out 28 Weeks Later, Resident Evil: Extinction and even Planet Terror in my mind.

For horror in general, The Host is the only movie that’s seen release this year that actually seemed to be trying. And for superhero movies, it was a pretty weak year; Spider-Man 3 wins by default, but that’s hardly an honor considering the state of the competition.

For great soundtracks, it’s pretty hard to beat the sad songs of Once, the Dylan cover-a-palooza of I’m Not There, the ultra-precious Juno, and Wes Anderson’s typically well-chosen soundtrack for Darjeeling Limited.

And the most fun film experience of the year? Definitely seeing the double feature Grindhouse in a crowded, raucous theater.

Rap music is great because it hypnotizes you and convinces you that caring about anything but making money is a sign of mental illness. And I thank rap music for this, normally. But El-P’s album reminded me the reality is that we are still paying “30 Percent a Year to Fund the World’s End”. And the everday conversation with many of youse may be worse than the government’s intentions. El touches on that as well.

Video:El-P performing TPC and Smithereens at Little Brothers in Columbus

2. MIA, Kala (XL/Interscope)

M.I.A.’s record is kinda like a futuristic Robin Hood if Robin Hood was a female that made music that people will dance to in Third World Countries 50 Years from now after the American dollar becomes more worthless than a Congolese franc. I also want to be the first to point out that MIA is not physically attractive. I’d hump a terrorists daughter on GP, but she still is pretty average looking.

LINK:Value of Dollar Dropping

3. Times New Viking Presents The Paisley Reich (Stiltbreeze)

I have a friend that paints graffiti a lot and works a really shitty job. He is really nice and only listens to Lil Wayne and Nirvana because they sing romantically about despair, love,drugs, and death. Lil Wayne is a lot funnier than Nirvana as is TNV. My 2008 resolution is to get him into TNV.

Video:Some Guy in Canada named “DipsetMuthafucka” Dancing to TNV’s Little Amps.

4. Wu-Tang Clan, The Eight Diagrams

Most of all the other Hip Hoppers were out here trying and failing at trying to figure out the formula to sell records, ring tones, and themselves. Wu remembered that they are the sole controllers of their universe, and it is their duty as poor righteous teachers to civilize the uncivilized in the Wilderness of North America. So they made a Wu-Tang album that sounded like a good Wu-Tang album. Can a devil fool a Muslim?

Hypem:Wu-Tang Clan-Campfire

5. Lil Wayne, The Drought

Lil Wayne boasted in Fader that he does nothing all day but take xtc, and receive oral sex while constantly recording. The result of drug use, work ethic, and an inability to keep his music from being uploaded meant we got to experience exactly what was going on in Wayne’s brain at all times.

HYPEM:Lil Wayne-Dipset

6. Cam’ron, Public Enemy Number 1

You know that game where you say: what if I was alone in the bathroom with a douchebag CEO of a Major Corperations?Would I take his head and slam into a urinal? Well Cam got in earshot of both Jay-z and 50 Cent and made fun of how they dress and said that only DIY rap bosses are cool. Cam got himself blackballed. So what did he do? He record two discs worth of good music and gave it away for free on the internets and out of his friends automobile. Punk.

MP3:Cam’ron-The Cycle is Sick

7. Lupe Fiasco, The Cool (1&15th/Atlantic)

Lupe’s album is pretty great despite of not having heard Midnight Marauders. The so-called Islamic jihadist has the ability to jump around from double-time Twistaesque joints to artsy defiant manifestos to poignant tacks that humanize crappy myspace rappers who front on how many clicks they get on their page cause he knows they aren’t the enemy. They are just trying live. Lupe takes a route that rejects what he probably views as American Colonialist activity without demonizing the lumpen proletariat. So while backpackers argued about how their culture is being disrespected, Lupe made a really moody, conceptual album that revealed him as a talented story teller.

Video:Lupe explaining Paris,Tokyo for a Radio Station.

8. Justice, +(Ed Banger/Vice)

I hate techno and ravers. So this album must be really good.

Video:Justice Live on Jimmy Kimmel

9. Black Lips, Good Bad Not Evil (Vice)

True True. Worst record. Still real good. Anyone who sees the correlation of sipping on lean, hitting up the Magic City boob hut and garage rock n roll makes more sense to me then trying to reinvent the Munsters over and over again. Betty Page has a fat ass but thats where it stops.

Video:Black Lips Performing Bad Kids

10. R.Kelly, Double Up (Jive)

The difference between Micheal Jackson and R.Kelly is that R. Kelly is a creep that likes 14 year-old black girls, and Micheal Jackson is a creep that like 6 year old white boys. Who do you think has a more relevant taste in music?

Video-R.Kelly:Real Talk

11.Kayne West, Graduation (Roc-a-Fella)

Kanye’s worst album but still pretty great. This made him to the most important man in music right now.

Video:Kanye West addresses Gay Rumors

12. Little Brother, Get Back (ABB Records)

Jay-z abandoned grown-folks music in order to sell heroin while missing the point of American Gangster because his publicist told him white bloggers in all-over print shirts and fitted hats would think he is cool if he rapped about selling drugs again. Little Brother showed you can make music for grown people if you are funny and and still like making music. It’s true you can go to the club, and not get laid or kill people. Ooh Ooh real school Hip Hoppers please stop defending Jay-z and 50 like it was Betty Shabazz’s last wish as an extra feature on Style Wars and support a group that got dropped from a major for actually being about something. I mean these guys said, hey we don’t like how black people are portrayed in the media. Got dropped. Kept it moving independently.

Video:Producer Khrysis on the Making of Little Brothers “After the Party”

13. Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane didn’t make any albums of the year. However my favorite song this year was “Pillz” cause it was about being fucked up and having some annoying broad disrupt your happy stupor. This song isn’t even from 07, but I spent the time I shoulda been listening to Panda Bear, Wilco,Battles,Radiohead, and Animal Collective bumping Gucci Mane.

Video:Karoake Video for Pillz

14. Walter Rocktight, School of Rocktight

Columbus Hip Hop is at the lowest point since, iono, Da Mad Clown couldn’t stop selling yayo in 1993. Fronting is at a whole new high, and most people aren’t really labbing or creating their own identities. They think myspace and mixtapes are enough. Fuck branding, btw. At Least Rocktight put this cd out so we get to hear Jakki,Copywrite,Illogic, Spitball over topnotch bangers made by a much slept on producer. If you like Dre,Timbaland and Primo then you will prolly should check for Rocktight. Obviously I just listed the greatest beatmakers in hip hop history, but hyperbole is warranted when you think attention is deserved. Especially when hip hop in Columbus is pretty terrible.

Preview the Album on CD Baby(Please say the baby)

15. Budos Band, II (Daptone)

I am pretty anti-funk and soul but this shit is textured and variegated enough to keep me interested.

Video:Budos Band at Ravari Room

13. New Pornographers, Challengers

Your favorite Canadian supergroup came forward with another strong entry to their catalog this year. They’re not doing anything super unique, but cozy songs jampacked with warm instrumentation and endless hooks are bound to work, right? Not to mention that the soaring waltz of “Go Places” is one of my songs of the year. I still like 2005′s Twin Cinema more, but that took into this year to grow on me, so I’ll give this some time too.
Video: Challengers

12. Electrelane, No Shouts No Calls

The toast of Brighton, England has apparently called it quits, but not before they dropped this addictive bomb on the masses. I mean, I might not have had a summer without it. Verity Susman’s sincerely yearning vocals on songs like the twinkling “To The East” and the heartfelt “Cut And Run” hit me right where I live. Emma Gaze’s almost robotic drum patterns are also a hallmark of this album. Is an American reunion tour out of the question? Probably.
Video: To The East

11. Black Kids, Wizard of Ahhhs EP

In a move that is in line with the internet-powered evolution of music distribution, this Jacksonville quintet gave the world their first four “official” songs for free. The EP is a concise 15 minutes of New New Wave anthems brimming with smart-alec vulnerability. So, go to their website and check it out.

10. Antibalas, Security

Brooklyn’s afrobeat juggernaut hooked up with producer John McEntire (Tortoise) this year to concoct a rugged polyrhythmic maelstrom. Their horn line is as fierce as ever, but McEntire’s vision helped focus the songs into compact (well, sorta) statements. Antibalas has mastered the art of making instrumental protest songs, as evidenced by the damage evoked by “Broken Metal,” and vocalist Amayo has something to say when he gets behind the mic. For more insights, read my interview with tenor saxophonist Stuart Bogie here.
Stream: Various Songs


9. Thes One, Lifestyle Marketing

One half of the LA-based hip-hop duo People Under The Stairs went solo this year. This album is a collection of Thes’ remixes of commercial jingles composed by instrumentalist Herb Pilhofer in the 1980s. This juxtaposition of quirky ad lines laid over hip-hop beats works surprisingly well, and the bonus disc of Pilhofer’s original compositions is a nice bonus.
Video: Grain Belt Beer


8. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, 100 Days, 100 Nights

The Daptone army continues to march on. Though their contributions to Amy Winehouse tracks brought the Dap-Kings mainstream attention in 2007, they still had time to work fruitfully with the star of their own team, Miss Sharon Jones. Their third album reflects the influence of the ’70s Stax soul records, as Sharon packs some sultry grit into her tales of love and determination. As usual, the Dap-Kings excel at both the ballads and the uptempo numbers, with loads of instrumental touches to keep your attention.
Video: 100 Days, 100 Nights


7. A Band Of Bees, Octopus

These British boys (known as “The Bees” across the pond) released another slab of eclectic jams in 2007. Though their refusal to stick with any one genre or influence can be distracting at times, they continue to improve at composing cohesive albums. The Bees use a wide variety of instruments and textures to create unique anthems like the groove-heavy confidence of “Listening Man” and the dubbed-out dance number “Left Foot Stepdown.”
Stream: Various Songs


6. Aesop Rock, None Shall Pass

After releasing Labor Days in 2001, Ian Bavitz’s subsequent output lost me. However, when I started hearing tracks from this year’s None Shall Pass, I got drawn back in and haven’t regretted the occurrence. Though the MC is still on the abstract side, his rhymes are less bracing and more focused at this point, resulting in oodles of quotables and songs that are more meaningful and enjoyable. Aesop’s nimble riding of the deliberate ping-pong locomotion of the lead single/title track was another sonic highlight of the year for me.
Video: None Shall Pass


5. Ghostface Killah, Big Doe Rehab

Despite a lack of commercial sales, Ghostface continues his career as the most consistent solo artist to emerge from the Wu-Tang Clan with this release. His vocals are still as heartfelt and ridiculous as ever, and his Wu familia sound more lively on their multiple cameos than they do on 8 Diagrams. The beats are well-chosen and soulful and Ghost proves once again that he doesn’t need instrumentals, he’ll rap right over vocals.
Video: Yolanda’s House


4. The Budos Band, The Budos Band II

Though Miss Jones did fine this year, I was even more impressed by Daptone’s resident Afro-funk enthusiasts. Though their first self-titled disc was sturdy, the follow-up was more eclectic and alive. The wall of horns is still thunderous and the percussion is hot and heavy, but the boys manage to create distinct cinematic backdrops from song to song while never losing their focus.
Video: Ride Or Die (Live at the Ravari Room!)


3. Sean Price, Jesus Price Supastar

Formerly known as Ruck (from Heltah Skeltah), Sean Price kicked out some hardcore humorous raps on his sophomore solo album. The thing that distinguishes Price from his fellow gun-toting NYC rhyme slingers is his sharp, self-deprecating wit. Plenty of gun and drug raps, but he never forgets the mistakes he has made and makes light of them. The beats provided by producers like 9th Wonder and Khrysis give Price and his guests a heavily soulful backdrop to spit over. Hardcore rap can still be fun!
Video: Mess You Made


2. Patton Oswalt, Werewolves and Lollipops

Yes, this is a comedy album, but it has to be my favorite album ever released on Sub Pop, so I think it counts. Though it’s a silly affair, Oswalt provides relevant commentary on the ridiculous structure of the world around us without sounding forced. His views on KFC, George Lucas, and the similarities between Bush and Cheney and the Dukes of Hazzard are hilarious, keeping the album on repeat.
Video: KFC Famous Bowls


1. Dolby Fuckers, Dolby Fuckers

Yes, I was involved in the recording of one song on this album. However, I feel strongly about the worth of Lee Keeler’s mind-bending lo-fi sonic pop experiments. This is the record I listened to most in 2007 without getting tired of the tunes, and “Bucky Kentucky” is pure echo-y gold. Read my original review (and disclaimer) here and download the album for free here.
Video: Vitamin Flintheart

10. Thurston Moore, Trees Outside The Academy

Sometimes I want it to be Sonic Youth, sometimes I just want the guitar mayhem to just keep flying. But all and all, it’s Thurston doin’ his thing, which is fine by me.

9. Band of Horses, Cease To Begin

I was so ready to hate this record. I was so sure it would fall flat compared to how much I enjoyed last years debut. Well, it’s not my number one, but it’s generally more of the same from the band, and definitely makes the list.

8. Megan Palmer, Take You Away

Mr. Duffy would probably want me to insert some disclaimer about his business ties to this record, but make no mistake about it- this one makes the list on merit alone. These songs are fabulously crafted- smart lyrics, funny and biting, soft and beautiful.

7. The Dreadful Yawns, Rest

I guess this kind of continues in the Ohio nu-folk vein. Hard to call it exactly country, but organs and steel guitar tend that way despite some more poppy elements. Nice quiet melodies and thoughtful lyrics. Maybe Iron and Wine meets Yo La Tengo (in Cleveland).

6. Jose Gonzalez, In Our Nature

I’m startin’ to feel a bit broken recordish with another spacey folk pick, but here it is. It’s pretty and weird, and I find it goes well with coffee.

5. The New Pornographers, Challengers

After those last couple of picks, you thought I was gonna put Andrew Bird in here, right? Nah, dude got bumped this year. But New Pornographers continue to make my perennial favorites list. They can do almost no wrong, as is appropriate for a super group. Might not touch Mass Romantic for pure in your face pop bliss, but this is still great. Maybe a bit more subdued, possibly grown up.

4. Lewis and Clarke, Blasts of Holy Birth

All right, back to that slow, quiet wimpy stuff. It’s no rocker, but man is it nice. Almost classical instrumentation, complete with strings and such, it’s full of contemplative and hypnotic folky swells. Man, that album title makes me think of blasts of afterbirth though. Yeech.

3. The Mendoza Line, 30 Year Low

Man, nothin’ quite like a good rockin’ breakup song. Or an entire album full of them that chronicles the band members divorce from each other. I don’t know how exactly they pulled that off, but holy hell, the results are good.

2. Broken Social Scene presents: Kevin Drew, Spirit If

Perhaps actually more a solo work by Mr. Drew, this one is a little more melodious and less cacophonous than a full-blown BSS record. There’s definitely the messy sonic crash, and a contribution by J.Mascis, so you know this isn’t all fluff. But in general, a bit easier to eat your dinner while you listen compared to earlier Broken Social material.

1. The National, Boxer

Well, what can I say. Clearly I love it, or it wouldn’t be in the ace spot. A lot of other folks have described it better, but there’s a manly coolness about it, like Tom Waits can pull off, with a sweetness to dull the edge. Sooo good.

When this soundtrack came out, I was working in the music department of a large bookstore. I’m a huge Frames fan, but this CD sat on a display for weeks before I noticed that Glen Hansard was on the cover! But I finally noticed and listened to the snippets available and fell in love. I was incredibly moved by the film, especially how beautifully the first track “Falling Slowly” is weaved into the film.


6. Flight of the Conchords, The Distant Future
No one can tell me “Business Time” isn’t one of the top ten best songs ever.


7. The Shins, Wincing the Night Away

The Shins may have screwed themselves out of the top spot on a lot of Albums Of The Year lists just because they released this album so dang early in the year. Everyone was crazy about it at the end of last year and all through January, but then interest waned as Arcade Fire and Bloc Party released their albums. But “Wincing the Night Away” is still a really, really good album. From the first jangly notes of “Australia” you’re drawn right in. Maybe this band can still change your life. I swear.


8. The White Stripes, Icky Thump

The White Stripes prove they still got it, releasing a downright funky album. There’s not much to write about this band that hasn’t already been said, except that the title track and the cover of “Conquest” are brilliant.


9. Patton Oswalt, Werewolves and Lollipops

Another comedy gem released this year. On the tail of his starring role as the voice of Remy in the Disney/Pixar film “Ratatouille” (ha, “tail”. Get it?), Oswalt releases a hysterically filthy album, full of wonderful one-liners – “Sprinkle some French fries on that cupcake!”, “I would like a failure pile in a sadness bowl”. His logic behind why people deserve only twenty birthday parties is amazing.


10. Alison Krauss, A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection

Alison Krauss is probably the most recognizable personality in modern bluegrass, and this album is a great compendium of her work, reaching back to her early career with Union Station and going through the soundtracks she has helped to shape – “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Cold Mountain”. She even does a mean version of “Baby Mine” from ‘Dumbo’, a heartbreakingly beautiful song. Just do me a favor and don’t listen to the last two tracks in which she duets with John Waite. They’re sketchy at best.

The best of the Brits.
Video: “Books From Boxes”

14. No Age – Weirdo Rippers (Fat Cat)

I recently re-discovered this album in the band’s intended format — split into 5 equally intriguing vinyl chunks. Psych-infused metaphysical skate punk. My review in June.
Live: “Everybody’s Down”


13. Besnard Lakes – …Are the Dark Horse (Jagjaguwar)

Fits, fuzzes, and floats between Fleetwood Mac and Floyd. This Canadian husband and wife like staying up late carving endless canyons of heavy guitar sagas that echo from a bygone era — namely 70′s rock radio. Recommended on vinyl only.
Video: “For Agent 13″


12. Bonde do Role – With Lasers (Domino)

Sure half the entertainment is the zany, hyper live show but With Lasers is also a major evolution musically. Not just party jams mocking baile funk — now they’ve learned how to inject their separate personalities into smart electronic bangers. Anyone with a passing understanding of Portuguese and Afrika Bambaattaa should be changed by this.

Video: “Solta o Frango”


11. Marmoset – Florist Fired (Jagjaguwar)

Lazy Sunday Rainy Record. Naptown cult-hermits return like zombie Beatles.

MP3: “Missing Man”


10. Psychedelic Horseshit – Magic Flowers Droned (Siltbreeze)

Should be required listening by now. My review in October.

Live: Chaos last weekend in NYC


9. Gui Boratto – Chromophobia (Kompakt)

The title suggests that this Brazilian composer has a fear of color — within these cold and calculated structures that may be true — but Boratto reveals human error, a human hand that allows cracks through which vibrancy flows. Of all the brilliant minimalist releases this year, Chromophobia sounds the most organic, a prism through which all forms of melody are welcome even when traditionally shunned.

Video: “Shebangs”


8. Liars – Liars (Mute)

Fitting that a band that was becoming too art-rock for their own good (i.e. letting Berlin get the best of them) would surprise the world by removing art from the equation. Still this record is as dark and engaging as the band’s most puzzling work, just twice as catchy and twice as heavy.

Video: “Plaster Casts of Everything”


7. Skeletons and the King of All Cities – Lucas (Ghostly International)

Perhaps I need to take a few months off to research Sun Ra? Here’s my review from April.

Video: “What They Said”


6. Radiohead – In Rainbows (ATO)

In Rainbows came late one night, for free (but that’s beside the point) and without warning. I’m pretty sure that the band knew they had a monster on their hands or else it all wouldn’t have happened this way, it ebbs and flows with the finest releases of this year.

Live: “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”


5. Times New Viking – Present the Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze)

I pledge allegiance. Jump aboard the Shitpop Revolution before it’s too late.

Live: “Thing With a Hook”


4. Justice – † (Ed Banger)
Hard to find a party starter as solid as Justice (but we’ll get to that). The only reason this doesn’t eclipse Mr. James Murphy’s LCD is experience. While the debut by the Ed Banger Illuminati is exhilarating and above all else a fun trip, it lacks in songwriting. As a ephemeral piece of 2007 though nothing will top it.

Video: “Dance”


3. LCD Soundsytem – Sound of Silver (DFA/EMI)

Here James Murphy has concentrated all forms of electronica, dance, disco and standard rock, into one overwhelming force. Try and not move, shake your head, or mouth his easy to comprehend/understand lyrics. In LCD land every night is a party at the center of Manhattan, whether you want it or not.

Video: “All My Friends”


2. M.I.A. – Kala (XL/Interscope)

This one’s kinda like Psychedelic Horseshit in that there’s not much more that I can say. I’ve tried many times to describe what I feel whilst listening to Kala but nothing comes close. A colleague of mine called it “omni-pop” and that’s really the closest conclusion I can come to.

Video:: “Bird Flu”


1. Panda Bear – Person Pitch (Paw Tracks)

Glorious existential bliss. Person Pitch could be looped for days and I would never tire of Noah’s endless harmonizing, endless waves of melody, and endless summer inside the machine. The hallmark of a timeless album. A new wave hippie that has persevered.

Video: “Comfy in Nautica”

Bonus: You can find an unabridged version of my top ten here.

3. Blues Control, Puff (Woodsist)
True postmodern psychedelia. Guitar, keys, some pedals and a Walkman are all this duo need to create a 21st Century Atlantis. It’s like the bong is taking hits from you.

4. Justice – † (Vice/Ed Banger)
The Ed Banger hype finally culminates stateside with this French duo’s debut. House grooves, hi-jacked funk, disco strings, a Devo video sample…this is a rare dance record that will stand the test of time.

5. Pink Reason – Cleaning the Mirror (Siltbreeze)
Primal screams from Kevin DuBroux, the Midwest’s finest post-hardcore singer/songwriter (don’t call him that to his face). Rumors that he might end the PR book have me bummed.
Stream: Pink Reason


6. Los Llamarada, The Exploding Now (S-S)
Never-wave jams outta Monterrey, Mexico. This one climbed up my list as ’07 rolled along, its scuzzy vibes finally able to penetrate my dense skull.

7. Times New Viking – The Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze)
I would probably put this in my top two or three if a) it were a tad longer, b) the drummer wasn’t my brother and c) they didn’t have the album of the year ’08 coming out in a little more than a month. Still, a huge piece in the TNV puzzle and the most bang out of fifteen minutes ever.


8. Burial, Untrue (Hyperdub)
As big a breakthrough for dubstep you’ll see in the US, Burial takes a dated artform (minimal breaks) and somehow makes it vital again.


9. Shocking Pinks, Shocking Pinks (Astralwerks/DFA)
Not quite your older brother’s Kiwi Pop. DFA compiles the best from Nick Harte’s two Flying Nun albums to make this domestic long-player. Love the live feel of these recordings.
MP3: Second Hand Girl


10. Der TPK, Harmful Emotions (Siltbreeze)
Read my full review of this here.

11. Sword Heaven, Entrance (Load)
Read my donewaiting.com review of Entrance here.

12. R. Kelly – Double Up (Jive)
I wish Kels would serialize “Real Talk” like he did “Trapped in the Closet”. And isn’t it time he got his own reality show?
MP3: Real Talk

13. The Field, From Here We Go Sublime (Kompakt)
A human pulse for adderall-fueled robots. Warmth + repetition = ecstasy.
MP3: Everyday


14. Sonic Chicken 4, Sonic Chicken 4 (In the Red)
SC4 are a French group that play spirited garage in the VU/Kinks vein. Fun stuff, I’m really kicking myself for missing not one but two shows in Columbus this Fall.
Link: Sonic Chicken 4 live on Cherry Blossom Clinic


15. Group Doueh, Guitar Music From the Western Sahara (Sublime Frequencies)Sublime Frequencies’ first foray into new, album-length releases, Guitar Music showcases Doueh’s virtuosic string talents. This is their first official release outside of Morocco and deserves a much wider edition than its 1000 copy, vinyl-only run.
Link: About Dakhla, Morocco

In reverse alphabetical order, no ranking.

The White Stripes, Icky Thump

This is only one of two albums from 2007 that I bought both the vinyl and CD version. ’nuff said, haters!
Video:: Conquest

Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
Look, I own the Jeff Tweedy poetry book. I’m in deep with this band, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. “Sky Blue Sky” is another collection of solid songs from one of America’s most important bands.
MP3: Impossible Germany


Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Living with the Living
It was good to see Ted expanding his bag of tricks, making an album that sounded both new and familiar at the same time. One of the few American musicians who actually thinks about politics these days, and sings about them. Last of the independents.
MP3: Colleen

Once Soundtrack

Oh Glen Hansard, please forgive me. I didn’t care much for the last album by your band, The Frames, and that made me sad. But then you go and do this movie and do this soundtrack (which contained some songs I had previously written off), and I fall in love. Along with Marketa Irglova, the music on this soundtrack is beautiful and heartbreaking. I can’t wait for the film to come out on DVD so I can share it with friends and play it to death. (Finding a vinyl copy at Shake It Records with Shiv was a nice bonus, WORD).
MP3: Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglov

The New Pornographers, Challengers

I’ve not been the world’s biggest fan of The New Pornographers. I’ve liked some albums, and others I’ve let fall out of my life completely after a few listens. “Challengers” is my favorite album from the band so far. There is just something epic about the songs on this that I really can’t get enough of… I know some diehard fans didn’t really like this one, but maybe give it another chance dudes.
Video: Challengers

M.I.A., Kala

MIA makes exciting, danceable political music. It makes me want to go to mysterious jungles and start shooting machine guns, I can’t explain it. There’s lots of layers to this music, and every time I listen to the album I hear something new. And I love the vinyl packaging.
MP3: Jimmy (DJ Eli Remix)

Bloc Party, A Weekend in the City

Yo I think everyone sort of hated this album but I actually like it as much as their debut, “Silent Alarm.” Rich and textured in both music and lyrics. Still as fresh as when I picked it up in February.
Video: The Prayer

Arcade Fire, Neon Bible

Okay that flash video they put out like a month ago was lame, let’s not kid ourselves. But this band is still living up to the hype, and that’s not an easy thing to do these days.
Stream: No Cars Go

AA Bondy, American Hearts

When I played this at one Donewaiting.com Happy Hour, this old rambler came up to me and asked if I was playing Willie Nelson. Now, Bondy might not have the experience of Nelson, but he certainly knows how to strip it down to the essentials and make a really great record. In this case, less is more.
MP3: Vice Rag
MP3: There’s A Reason