Writing the Albums of the Year article is one of my favourite pass times. Whittling down a huge, expansive, list to just 10, however, is not. It’s been a great year for music, but looking through my list it’s sad to see a distinct lack of talent from this side of the Atlantic. The British music scene in 2007 didn’t really move anywhere. It was the year of the sophomore slump; follow-up records from Maximo Park, Bloc Party etc were all very poor and felt as though they’d run out of ideas already. Maximo Park especially as Paul Smith showed the promise of being one of the best lyricists this country had produced in some time.
So enough of the negative, here’s the positive. The ten albums, not in any particular order, that have soundtracked my life in 2007.
The National – Boxer
Simon Gurney coined a great term for this year, calling it “The Year Of Understanding Why Drums Are Important And, Indeed, Fucking Amazing or YOUWDAIAIFA” for short. And this was the album that instigated it. It’s thumping drums sent quakes through the entire year. An epic, brooding masterpiece of an album full of driving rhythms and dark lyrics all delivered in a voice that sends reverberations through to your very soul. In fact, Boxer seemed to be a window to the soul. A way of opening up and allowing the dark side of one’s persona to come alive. If there was one album that I recommended and lent to more friends this year, it was this one.
mp3:> The National: Fake Empire
Battles – Mirrored
Whatever your views on the daft genre of “math-rock” this blew open the shutters in 2007. Sounding unlike anything else the jazz influenced, sprawling rock masterpieces of Battles were an audio and visual treat. It was music that inspired not just the mind but the feet as well, proving that improvisational music need not be tuneless. The front cover is also, quite possibly, one of my favourites of the year. Seeing them perform Atlas on BBC Two to an astonished studio crowd in one of the priceless TV moments of the year.
mp3:> Battles: Tonto
The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
A debut album from a band destined for great things. Taking haunting, visceral lyrics and draping them over acres of noise-drenched soundscapes sent shivers down my spine from the very first listen. Epic music that brought to mind early Idlewild and The Arcade Fire. The themes of alienation and childhood trauma stick in the mind long after the record has finished.
mp3:> The Twilight Sad: Cold Days From The Birdhouse
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Something a little lighter after the darkness of the above albums, this proved that “dance” music could be listened to outside clubs as well. Intelligent, clever and fun; all these things make Sound of Silver pretty much perfect. I was hooked from the first beats of “Get Innocuous!” which proved that no-one does a better Bowie / Mark E Smith crossover vocal than James Murphy. Not only that though, the epic “All My Friends” showed a more heartfelt approach that hinted at something even brighter ahead.
mp3:> LCD Soundsystem: Get Innocuous
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
I may have been a little scathing about this album when I reviewed it earlier in the year but, guess what, it’s got staying power. There wasn’t an album I turned to more frequently this year than Sky Blue Sky. It suits every mood. I still think there’s something more to come from this new, improved, Wilco line-up though. In the meantime I was happy to immerse myself in this record and let it wrap round me like a warm blanket. I still skip “Walken” though.
mp3:> Wilco: Hate It Here
Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
A bit of a sleeper hit this, but it’s an album that proves that studio trickery needn’t destroy an album. This was a perfect continuation of the sound that Spoon have been developing over the past three albums - irregular rhythms, sparse arrangements and Britt Daniel’s evocative vocals. With Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga they even managed to spin in political bile and obscure imagery to create an album that not only freed your feet but freed your mind as well. It’s just a travesty that they’re so neglected in the UK.
mp3:> Spoon: Don’t Make Me A Target
The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Depending on your view on super-groups, this was either a great idea or something that should never have seen the light of day. Either way, this was the one record that seemed to sum up the feel of Britain in 2007; dark, depressing and moody. Damon Albarn is proving himself to be one of the countries greatest songwriters whilst the band he picked created a rich tapestry of music of which he could drape his words, of which “Drink all day ‘cos the country’s at war” sticks in my mind like a burning fire.
mp3:> The Good, The Bad and the Queen: Kingdom Of Doom
Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
This has hit me out of the left-field towards the end of the year and after seeing the whistling maestro perform live. An album that has more hooks than a fisherman’s Christmas Party, it’s beautifully realised through a whole array of instruments all upstaged by “that” whistle. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he seems to be happier when taking the more pop-tinged route to the end point yet isn’t afraid to subvert it, just a little. Sufjan who?
mp3:> Andrew Bird: Fiery Crash
A Studio – Yearbook 1
Runner-up in the front cover stakes, this Swedish act have taken all the best bits from the last two decades of British music and thrust it back into the light. It’s a record awash with guitars, pop tinged refrains and a sound that can best be described as “big”. With all the great left-field pop records being release this year (Sunset Rubdown, Caribou, Panda Bear) this has been terribly overlooked, probably due to it’s import status. But if you want ideas and tunes, look no further.
mp3:> A Studio: No Comply
Deerhunter – Cryptograms
Another of the indie-pop gems of the year, this shoe-gaze, drone-inspired masterpiece may have been overshadowed by some of Bradford Cox’s recent activity, but the title track’s bristling guitars, drums and bass just rushes through your veins like a jolt of adrenaline. A brutal, schizoid masterpiece that seems to find the perfect middle ground between experimental and mainstream.
mp3:> Deerhunter: Cryptograms
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Read more Class of 2007 lists and download our 2007 Playlist here.
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December 11th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Assuming 2007 UK releases, and compilations/retrospectives are eligible :-
10. Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted
OK, it’s not going to change the world, but sometimes you just need a bit of froth, and it’s coming up to Christmas party season. They are a breeze live too.
9. Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
Nice to hear Steve happy for once after all he’s been through. Almost for that reason alone it warmed the cockles of my heart. Dancing to Steve Earle - who would have thought it?
8. Ed Harcourt - Until Tomorrow Then
Not sure I could take each past individual album fully on board, but this ‘best of’ just grew and grew in my estimation as time went on.
7. Maria McKee - Late December
Long time fan and she never fails to deliver the goods. A more rounded album than usual. Perhaps fewer risks taken than with some of her artistic journeys, but still, those melodies … that voice …
6. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Less challenging and with fewer absolute highs than I’ve come to expect from Mr. Tweedy and co., but at the same time generally more consistent. The archetypal grower, and gets turbo-charged when performed live.
5. St. Vincent - Marry Me
An aural treat. Perky and entertaining - sounds fresh with every listen. May be a one-off, but who cares when it’s that good.
4. Emmylou Harris - Songbird
About an albums worth of unreleased material in this collection, and can’t get Snowin’ On Raton out of my head. Hey, it’s Emmylou - end of argument.
3. Devotchka - How It Ends
Magnificent of itself, but also gets extra points for memories of the single best live show I’ve seen this year. So under-rated it’s untrue.
2. The National - Boxer
It was love at first listen to Start A War. And at least the rest of the indie pundits might leave me alone now.
1. Augie March - Moo, You Bloody Choir
And out of nowhere they came. All I need: melody, artistry, variety, and balls. See you there whenever they get to the UK.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Really good solid year for me, and there’s still a bunch of stuff I ain’t listened to yet neither, like Jens Lekman, Menomena, Alcest, Jamie T, Akron/Family, Animal Collective, J Tillman, Spoon, Colleen. Oh god.
10 - Taken By Trees - Open Field
I didn’t enjoy this the first couple of times I heard it, but I gave it a month and came back to it, wham! I love it, minimal production from Bjorn of PB&J, beautiful songs and that particular accent of Victoria Bergsman.
9 - The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
What Hughes said.
8 - 31 Knots - The Days And Nights Of Everything Anywhere
A riot of an album, wildly inventive rock. frothing at the mouth to an indie rock Mardi Gras. As good as their last album, Talk Like Blood.
7 - Parts & Labor - Mapmaker
Anthemic punching the sky melodies and awful distorted noise. One of those really solid and exciting indie rock albums I tend to find every year, like The Velvet Teen’s Cum Laude from last year.
6 - Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
One of my favourite bands, this album lives up to it’s predecessors which is what I want from them really. Love the new elements of piano and noise, and I’m glad to see the martial drumming back again (which isn’t to say I missed it on The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, but still).
5 - Aereogramme - My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go
Goodbye Aereogramme. It truly feels like they explored everything they could on their 3 albums and 2 EPs, and this one was a beautiful way to finish. Also, another album with excellent drumming.
4 - PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Blown away by this release. I’ve seen people call it mystical, gothic and fantastical, but to me it’s just an incredibly sad album, especially the mini theme of abortion in the middle. Pushing the vocal pitch up and not using guitars was a brilliant idea that serves the songs well.
3 - Nina Nastasia And Jim White - You Follow Me
I’m just going to quote my “TLOBF Loves:” post: “I think it’s a stunning album, Jim White is an unbelievably good drummer, his contributions are equal to that of Nastasia’s, despite only playing drums… Nastasia is so focused and delicate in both lyrics and guitar, narrators hark back to the old times in dusty sepia and a Depression weighs down on the world around the relationships and situations she explores.”
2 - Miracle Fortress - Five Roses
Out of nowhere comes Graham Van Pelt. Love love love love this album, some of the catchiest songs of the year and a brilliant organic cut and paste production. There are little whirls and snags all the way through the album that are just aural bliss. Also, I think this is a really good pairing with Panda Bear’s Person Pitch, they’re both using Brian Wilson influences in different ways.
1 - The National - Boxer
One of those albums that goes straight onto the hypothetical “Favourite Albums Ever” list. I don’t really think I can say anything that would add to what has been said already, so I’ll leave it at that.
December 11th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Ooh, can I play?
I can’t put mine in order - it was hard enough deciding on the ten. So, in no particular order:
Cats On Fire – The Province Complains
Brilliant scandinavian brit-jangle, like Morrisey without the O.T.T. nationalism…
Miracle Fortress – Five Roses
A happy melody-laden little gem of an album - the sound of summer, despite it being autumn when I had it on heavy rotation on the iPod
Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck
Holy mindfuck! Album of the year, for me. Insanely danceable, energetic, witty.
Various - Do the Pop! (Australian Garage-Rock Sound 1976-87)
Double CD of indispensible Aussie 3 minute gems by Hoodoo Gurus, The Saints, The Stems et al.
Broken Family Band - Hello Love
This band once again fail to produce an album that I can’t love. Misanthropy has never sounded so sweet!
KSA – The Extraordinary Rendition of the Khe Sanh Approach
RIP the Khe Sanh Approach - East Anglia’s best and most indelible live experience. This 4 track EP goes some way to illustrating what was amazing about them.
Battles – Mirrored
Like jazz, but not wanky! Guaranteed to make me smile this year.
The Royal We – The Royal We
Wait! Don’t split up! I’ve just discovered you!
Various – Truck 10
Another great compilation from the Oxford label and festival crew, this went some way to consoling me for the cancellation of July’s Truck 10. Standout tracks from Goldrush, Idlewild, Piney Gir and more.
The Wave Pictures – The Wave Pictures
Where have this band been up until now, and why did no-one introduce them to me sooner? Lyrically spot-on, from describing a debauched small-town night out; spending Christmas with your in-laws; haunted coffee machines and more. Listen, and smirk in recognition of YOUR LIFE!
December 11th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Here are my top 10 of the year:
10 Menomena - Friend And Foe
Really original album, these guys are great live too.
09 Jamie T - Panic Prevention
I’ve been listening to this one pretty much non stop since early in the year.
08 Babyshambles - Shotter’s Nation
I think a lot of people think I’m crazy, but I am completely in love with this record. Good job, Pete.
07 LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
Wow, so incredible. And I’m not normally a fan of the whole electronica/dance thing…
06 Kevin Drew - Spirit If…
Same thing everyone else said…
05 New Pornographers - Challengers
Far exceeded my expectations. Contrary to most NP fans, I like this one even better than Twin Cinema.
04 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
I was lucky enough to get this one while it was still being self-released. It’ll be coming out on Jagjaguwar next year, and it’s beautiful enough to land on planty of 2008 lists too.
03 Okkervil River - The Stage Names
These guys just keep getting better and better. Just when you think Will Sheff can’t top himself lyrically, he goes and surprises you.
02 Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
This is another that was beyond what I could have ever expected. Mysterious Production Of Eggs was near perfect, and I never thought Andrew would do better. I was wrong.
01 The National - Boxer
This one and Andrew Bird were battling out all year for the top spot on my list. Apartment Story, by far the song of the year, swung it The National’s way. I also got to see them in concert a couple months ago, which was amazing.