My Favorite Albums of 2007
It’s that time of year again, when everyone and their mother is reflecting on a year nearly slipped into history. Everyone loves ‘Best of…’ lists, and I admit, I’m no different. Since I have a blog, and you’re reading it, I will now impart to you the albums that I loved listening to over the course of this year, the ones that truly resonated and will forever remind me of the my life and times of 2007.
Number One:
Person Pitch - Panda Bear - Can you ask for a happier, cooler, trippier set of songs? I don’t think so. This guy is brilliant. Not only did he make a masterwork in Person Pitch, but he also made a pretty killer album with Animal Collective and put on one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. Here, see for yourself:
Number Two:
In Rainbows - Radiohead - Bound to be on 99% of critics list, I realize, but how could I not? My god, it’s a masterpiece. Truly. This album is as good, if not better than all the previous efforts by these geniuses, and the fact that they released it on their own, shaking up the music industry just makes me love them all the more. This is one of those albums that you turn way up and close your eyes and sink into it wholesale.
Number Three:
This Fool Can Die Now - Scout Niblett - My wife and I have been rocking out to her album ever since Audrey opened for her at Johnny Brenda’s. Seriously good stuff. Incredible it hasn’t blipped up on the proverbial radar. We have this album in constant rotation. I’m amazed that it hasn’t gotten more attention. Her duets with Will Oldham are incredible and her song writing is poetic.
Number Four:
Neon Bible - Arcade Fire - This is the album of Summer ‘07. While Audrey and I sweltered and sweated in our warehouse loft during the blazing days of June and July, we’d pump this album up and rock out while making breakfast or cleaning the house. Not a bad song in the bunch. For real.
Number Five:
Beware of the Maniacs - The Dodos (aka Dodo Bird) - These guys played a warehouse show this year that totally blew me away. I recorded a few songs, but my mic battery died and I lost all audio! One of the biggest bummers of the year, to be sure. I bought their album, and was not disappointed. These fellas just got signed to the great indie label French Kiss Records this month, so I hope they really take off!
December 13th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Hey thanks for sharing. I always like to know what others are listening to because I usually end up discovering something that I otherwise may not have. I’ve got three of these albums and am presently downloading Panda Bear and Scout Niblett.
Cheers!
P.S. - Enjoy your upcoming travels.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:59 am
ah, isn’t it strange that i too have listened to these albums a lot this year? hmm….
December 13th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
gojeffrey: Sure thing, I hope you dig ‘em!
Audrey: yes you have! Hehe.
December 13th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Wow. I’m so out of touch with things. I’ve never heard any of those.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Will have to check out Panda Bear. That description sounds exactly what I’m looking for right now. Check out the new The Octopus Project album called “Hello Avalanche”. Another good fun one that came out this year.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Man, you know what I like about the web (and about knowing you)? It expands my world. I’m too old to hear new music, so I’m glad when I get suggestions about what to listen to. Putting these on my purchase list. Thanks for the ideas.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Thanks, y’all. I’m glad I could share the love!
December 19th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Thanks for the list Mark. I have Radiohead and Animal Collective on my Best of 2007 list too. I’m interested to see what you think of my list. It’s going to be a pretty long list as I couldn’t narrow it down much more. So far I’ve got a top 10, but I’ve got 15 more to add. Check it out at http://eclectic-grooves.blogspot.com and let me know what you think.
Take care, Kevin