Best albums of 2007
So, the music I thought I was going to love in 2007 didn't really turn out to be what I loved. Massive Attack didn't even get around to releasing their much anticipated album (boo!). Also on the list of 'Wish they released it this year's is Madonna, Portishead, Prodigy, Sigur Ros, Dido, Black Eyed Peas, and Gnarls Barkley. Come on, you're killing me here. Don't toy with me like that.
First the bad news. Smashing Pumpkin's 'Zeitgeist' totall underwhelmed me (plus when they came to town they played the Roy Wilkins just like when I was in high school!). As did Timbaland's album that was so forgettable I forgot its name. Love Timbaland, but not so much his album this year. White Stripes' 'Icky Thump' wins my award for Best Album Title of 2007 but the cd and I just did't get it on. And sorry Charlotte Martin, you're a perennial fave but your 'covers' album this year totally sunk my ship and not in the good way. I'm sorry I missed you at the Varsity a few months ago because I love you and I caught a cold the day of the show!!! (but not that sorry, since now I've heard the album).
On to my picks for Best Albums of 2007. In no particular order...
M.I.A. - Kala
It's the kind of album that sticks and grows on ya. Fantastic, danceable beats perfect for working, or playing, to. M.I.A. also tops my list for best concerts I saw all year. Hot DAMN the girl knows how to put on a show. I've never quite seen First Ave like that before.
Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur
YUMMY YUMMY! This might actually be my favorite album of the year. I've been big fans of these guys for a couple years but didn't actually know anything about them. Got tix to see 'em at the Fine Line a few months ago and when they came out on stage I was genuinely shocked! They're young (well, my age)! And hip! And stylish! And they fucking ROCK! Their sound is old school to me, very chill and jazzy. I listen to 'Man With a Movie Camera' a LOT when I work. These guys made me swoon. (Also, did you guys know they sometimes have dinner shows at Fine Line? Yeah, me either. Take my advice and miss their food. I'll let you thank me later for that tip.)
Bon Iver - For Emma
Hey where did this guy come from? Oh yeah that's right, nowhere! Now this guy really did rock my boat but in a very good way. Guy. Guitar. Shack in N. Wisconsin. Recorded some really fucking kickass music. == Internet phenom. He's back in town to perform in January. Be there or you'll regret it. (What are the odds you think he'd let me take some photographs when he's in town?)
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Spankin' good, although sometimes I don't feel smart enough to be listening to their music. I know there's a lot going on here, and percussionally I'm impressed with what they've done, but is anyone actually getting all this? Love that it was cheap 'n all as well, since they just announced they *are* releasing a pay version with extra never-before-heard-tracks. I mean really, who's gonna be upset with them after we got it all for *cough* free?
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Anyone not enjoy the trainwreck of this album this year? I liked it much better when I didn't know who she was and didn't see her f*ck it up so many times on live TV. Still a fave of the year tho.
Feist - The Reminder
Anybody not dig 1 2 3 4? It's actually the song 'The Water' that hooked me, and 'Honey Honey' that haunts me. This is the kind of album I'll still be listening to 10 years from now. Plus she seems like the kind of person it would be fun to have a drink with. I can get down with that.
Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
Tori's back this year and she's got a few things to get off her chest. Her live show was pretty politically charged (as was M.I.A.'s but in a very different way) and I think I liked it. Not as Tori as her last few albums, this one was more about the message and her many dopplegangers. But still a solid album. Still on my short list.
Bjork - Volta
I haven't listened to a Bjork album this much since Homogenic. She's back in a happy place and I can dig it.
Cloud Cult - The Meaning of 8
This album actually gets my vote for Best Local Album of 2007. Seeing them live convinced me - I'm officially a Cloud Cult fan now. They played a few songs from their upcoming album a few weeks ago and boy! oh boy! am I excited for it. Really loved what I heard them working on.
Britney Spears - Blackout
I dare you not to dance to this one. DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! Totally saw this trainwreck a mile away and then, well, it ended up being good. Britney I take back all the bad things I said your album would be. There's nothing serious about it, just good ol' fashioned, harmless, table-dancing fun.
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
I kept meaning to buy this album and then found someone must have given it to me this year since I randomly found it in a folder on my computer last week. Random! I've been playing it non-stop since then though. Love love love, and now regret I missed 'em live (again at the Roy Wilkins ... couldn't they have gotten at least the Pantages?)
Joss Stone - Introducing Joss Stone
And my honorable mention for favorite album of the year goes to Joss Stone. Don't know why everyone overlooked the fact she was one of the biggest albums out of England this year, just behind Amy Winehouse. Oh yeah, that's right. Because it wasn't that good. I never get sick of her album though. It's been in my car's CD player since March so that's gotta count for something.
I've pretty much been oogling other peoples' lists all week as well, especially all the albums I've heard are fantastic and definitely want to check out. On my list of 'Won't miss's...
Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Matt makes me listen to at least 5 songs from them a week. And for this I thank him, but also apologize because I STILL haven't purchased the album yet. Sorry Matt, I'll get there. Promise!
Jose Gonazalez - In Our Nature
Here's another guy I want to photograph. Whenever I'm pulling press photos for his concerts in town he's the only guy besides Bon Iver that's got a whole lotta nuthin'. I know his music's gonna make me cry, I think that's why I'm holding out. The night I buy this album will probably be the night I watch 'The Notebook' again.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55
I have no idea what her sound is like but I keep hearing the word 'haunting.' Good enough for me.
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
I'm blanking on why everyone says this is so good, but I know I've read it over and over and over again. Why is this album great again?
Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth
Seriously, I can't go even a week without still hearing how amazing Brother Ali is. Maybe I'm procrastinating on purpose? I'unno, I'll get there on this one too.
One last thing, best 2007 album accessory goes to Pacific Design for this hot little iPod carrying case number. For this case my iPod Ella is very thankful.
Comments
Alot of these albums I have not listened to but Amy Winehouse's album is stellar, unlike her and Blake's news coverage. I actually just bought Frank her very first album and it's pretty good as well. And for her to be a Grammy nominee that's pretty damn good, now if she just stay away from Rehab.
Feist I was teetering on buying because I love the 1,2,3,4 song. I may have to listen to a few more tracks on iTunes to see if I like.
I'm still trying to resist the Britney urge...I thought of giving in, but I love dance music.
Joss Stone's album is delicious something about her voice is just amazing and for her to be so young she's a permanent diva in the making.
You had me at M.I.A. and made me love again at Celestial Orchestra and Bon Iver. Then you lost me at Cloud Cult. Just can't get into them at all. Ever give The Debut a listen?
As for Britney, I have to give grudging props. Not my type of stuff at all, but even NPR was forced to offer up respect to profoundly danceable tracks. My only issue is that the album is good in spite of her, not because of. Her producers are what made that disc good -- not her.
I caught Arcade Fire at Roy Wilkins. Pretty much the best show I've ever seen. And considering the venue, that's really saying something. The same show at a good venue and they'd have been bringing people out on stretchers because of all the heart attacks.
I think I'm pretty much retiring from the concert scene. Everything since just lets me down.
Now that I'm not going to concerts anymore, I'm going to use my time doing best-of lists. I'm a Johnny-come-lately. Maybe I'll do a best-of-the-best-of list of everything that I'm a Johnny-come-lately with. Number 7? Slippers!
Yay for Feist, Cinematic Orchestra & Charlotte Gainsbourg. All on my top pics for this year!