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Top 15 Albums of 2007
by Fake Train
In no order of importance, here's a self-absorbed list of the top fifteen albums that me, myself, and I listened to the most in 2007. Some familiar bands and some newbie’s. The following are albums I spun constantly, enjoyed immensely, and highly recommend.
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1. Hot Cross - Risk Revival (Equal Vision)
When I was first getting into more raw and unrefined underground rawkage back in high school, I was immediately drawn to outfits like You & I and Saetia. I wish I could go back and listen to those bands and sounds for the first time again, because it was one hell of a sensation. Greg Drudy (drums, formerly of Saetia and Interpol), Matt Smith (bass, formerly of Off Minor), Casey Boland (guitar, formerly of You & I) and Billy Werner (vocals, formerly of Saetia) have evolved with their newest venture Hot Cross. This Philly based band’s latest full-length emits a vibrant fiery discharge that’s hard to turn away from.
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2. Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 (Reprise)
My favorite live album of all time is Young’s Live Rust (which is perfectly complemented by the equally amazing Rust Never Sleeps DVD). I listen to it all day at work while trapped in front of two computer monitors. I listen to it religiously when I go to bed at night. I listen to it all the damn time and my ears are still not burned out from the performance. Live at Massey Hall 1971 might not be as electrifying, but if I ever lost my copy of Live Rust, Massey Hall is next in line to replace it.
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3. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond (Fat Possum)
Few reunited bands successfully recapture that magic that made them special in the first place, and without doubt Dinosaur Jr accomplishes that here. Beyond is up there with the three original greats, Dinosaur, You’re Living All Over Me, and Bug. Is it the best release? Not sure if I’d say that…but if I listen to Beyond a few more times, it would be hard not to nominate it as the best of the best.
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4. Track a Tiger - We Moved Like Ghosts (Deep Elm)
I believe calming music like We Moved Like Ghosts is healthier and more effective than most prescribed medication. I truly believe that. Track a Tiger spellbinds with comforting mellow gold sounds on their sophomore release...a release that will undoubtedly be stuck on nonstop rotations in your stereo.
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5. Darkest Hour - Deliver Us (Victory)
Just when you thought they couldn’t possibly progress any more, bam, Darkest Hour pushes the metal envelope and creates a heavy hitting release that’s hands down the best metal release of 2007. Live to trash! Trash to live!
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6. Battles - Mirrored (Warp)
I had the great opportunity of seeing this amazing machine of a band perform in support of Mirrored. Sure Mirrored can get pretty bizarre sounding with alien-like voices, looping electronics, and endless hypnotic rhythms that will put the strongest mind in a trance. You have Ian Williams on guitar and John Steiner on the skins. Enough said.
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7. Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
Ok, so it’s nothing they haven’t crafted before, but Planet of Ice is one fine release. I don’t mind the same tried and tested formula because it’s a method that works. As a long time Minus the Bear fan, I’ve consumed countless hours getting lost in the frosty sounds this band has produced. Planet of Ice may just be my favorite Minus the Bear album to date, yeah, it’s that damn good.
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8. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs (Touch & Go)
Damn are these guys smooth. Autumn of the Seraphs is just as good as Blue Screen Life and Summer In Abaddon. Melodic pop bliss balanced with not so blissful lyrics never sounded so comforting.
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9. Björk - Volta (Atlantic)
My Icelandic princess is back. Volta is progressive yet it contains some comforting sounds you’ve heard before from Björk. Volta is heavy on horns, and the beats are a hell of a lot more aggressive than her last release Medúlla. It’s a solid release that didn’t disappoint this huge fan.
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10. Ambitions - Stranger (Bridge Nine)
Melodic hardcore is a dime a dozen nowadays, but few outfits really step it up a level. Nothing gets me moving more than melodic hardcore done right and Ambitions’ Stranger contains that extra dynamic spark that separates it from the rest.
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11. Lifetime - Lifetime (Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance)
These melodic punk veterans still have it. I was lucky enough to see Lifetime play in Philadelphia right before this new album hit the streets. How does Lifetime hold up next to Jersey’s Best Dancers and Hello Bastards? Just as good.
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12. New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom (Modular Interscope)
Surprised to see this on the list? You can’t deny NYPC creates some infectious pop beats. Normally I’m the last person to give this sound a chance, but my old ears are warming up to indie/electronic/dance pop. Plus singer Tahita Bulmer oozes this titillating sexuality that intrigues the hell out of me.
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13. José González - In Our Nature (Mute)
Just a man and his acoustic guitar. José doesn’t progress much from his last release Veneer, but In Our Nature is still one comforting album jammed with sweet smooth melodies.
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14. Melt-Banana - Bambi’s Dilemma (A-Zap)
The most unique and original punk band on the planet, Melt-Banana returns with their signature hyper-kinetic sound, but this time they get a little poppy. Wha-wha-what?! Trust me, as a long time Melt-Banana fan Bambi’s Dilemma gave my old battered ears a real aural beating. Definitely their most accessible release, but it’s pretty damn potent.
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15. Radiohead - In Rainbows (Ato)
I wouldn’t say I’m a big Radiohead fan. Up until In Rainbows my favorite release of the band was still the commercial mega-hit The Bends. If I was forced to take just one Radiohead release with me to that imaginary desert island it would now be In Rainbows. Their approach is simple and low-key on their seventh full-length resulting in one intimate breath-taking affair.
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Other releases of 2007 to check out:
Jeremy Enigk - The Missing Link (567)
It was a toss up between Enigk’s The Missing Link and Eddie Vedder’s Into the Wild, and even though I’m a huge Pearl Jam fan and I highly enjoyed Into the Wild, I have to be honest and say I spun The Missing Link more. The album is only an EP of newer material given that it contains songs from Enigk’s last release World Waits. The four new songs are simply beautiful, but you already knew that. “Canons” makes another appearance and it still gives me goose bumps with every listen.
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Look Mexico - This Is Animal Music (Lujo)
Their past release radiated Mock Orange and American Football influences, however Look Mexico’s progression will please fans…especially ears that love a little adventurous liveliness (sometimes getting lost is a wonderful thing). This Is Animal Music contains forty-one minutes of enlightening music. Coy indie-rock that will hook your ears in on the first spin, This Is Animal Music is an album to definitely check out.
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Thurston Moore - Trees Outside the Academy (Ecstatic Peace)
So it doesn’t contain any odes to Yoko, or wall-to-wall guitar fuzz, but I have to say I enjoy Trees Outside a lot more than Thurston’s first solo release Psychic Hearts. Mostly acoustic with some violin, Trees Outside’s subdued nature will take some Sonic Youth fans by surprise...in a good way.
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You Say Party! We Say Die! - Lose All Time (Paper Bag)
Party! Die! Party! Die!
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Lily Allen - Alright, Still (Capitol)
No, this isn’t a joke. I’m completely honest in the albums I highly enjoy and as much as I would like to keep this one a secret, I have to admit Alright, Still was hit with constant spins. Don’t worry, I inject my ears with heavy doses of Assück after my dance with Allen’s pillowy pop. I know, I know, my ears have gone soft.
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Crime In Stereo - Is Dead (Bridge Nine)
Yes! Hardcore-punk that’s not the typical garden variety your ears have come accustomed to hearing. Crime In Stereo plays a melodic sound that’s deeply rooted in hardcore, but it’s not as hard-edged as you would think. A little reverberation, a little wah-wah pedal action, and tons of intense energy that’s backed by heart-felt singing and not senseless yelling, Is Dead’s sound is anything but bland.
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