As I just mentionned in the title, it is very late, but I felt it was really necessary. And it is because I did make a 2007 top 10 in a forum a while ago, and I already find it completely wrong, innacurate and empty. There are so many things I'd put differently, and I feel almost bad making only a top 10 and leaving 20 other amazing albums behind.
So here I am, in February (already!), making my (relatively) huge, revised and completed list of the albums that moved me in 2007 and also a few ones I haven't heard but really need to get soon. And I will do my best to explain and justify every single album featuring in here.
Last thing : my weekly charts of the last two-three months really don't represent my listening habits, as I listen to music on my iPod hours everyday at school, going to school and going back home from school. So some artists high on my charts could be lower on the list than some who aren't even there.
So! There are my 30 favorite albums of 2007.
1. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Just as I put it in my first list. After writing my thoughts on the album, I realised it was faaaaaar too long, so I copied-pasted my little personal review on another journal that you can find
here!
Key Tracks : Song For Clay (Disappear Here), Uniform, Hunting For Witches, Kreuzberg, Where Is Home?
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
I don't know what hasn't been said about this album that I could add. A definite grower (I didn't think it was THAT great at first listen), all the songs have something special and unique to them. It arrived an unconventional way, but, marrying great guitar work from their first three albums with the experimentation of the last three, it proves to be their most conventional in a decade. And in all of that they find a way to show a very intimate, sensual side of them with songs like Nude, All I Need and House Of Cards. Like Q magazine said it so well : whatever the price you paid, once again, Radiohead have proven themselves priceless.
Key tracks : Jigsaw Falling Into Place, 15 Step, All I Need, Bodysnatchers, Nude
3. Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times
I have no clue how I forgot that album in my original list. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING prepared us for that album. Merely a less exciting version of The Strokes and every other garage-rock revival band with their two first efforts, their year of touring with the likes of Pearl Jam, U2 and Mr. Dylan clearly had an influence on their sound, which is unrecognisable, in the best way. With only one really weak track, being Charmer (it really is a big pile of crap though), it proved to be the biggest surprise of the year.
Key Tracks : McFearless, Knocked Up, On Call, Fans
4. Arctic Monkeys - Favorite Worst Nightmare
After all the hype of their debut, Whatever People Say I Am..., Arctic Monkeys had a lot of pressure to deliver another solid album, and boy, they did. Everything that was good about their previous record is still on Favorite Worst Nightmare, while all the little defaults have been fixed, the songs being more textured, richer and completely unpredictable. It's more of the same, but only slightly better.
Key tracks : D Is For Dangerous, Brianstorm, Old Yellow Bricks, Fluorescent Adolescent
5.
Editors - An End Has A Start
I remember the first time I heard that album : I felt just like I've heard the same song ten times in a row. And I still understand why I did, but after a couple months of leaving it accumulating the dust, I picked it up again, and honestly, who cares if the songs sound similar to each other when they're all just so fucking good ? So this is a fantastic album, although Editors have made the little mistake Interpol also made : they fabricated their own unique sound, which is good in theory, but used so much that I can't imagine them try anything else that's new and different anymore, than their trademark sound. But only time will tell, I guess. Maybe they'll cause a surprise.
6. Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
Alright, so this might be the record with the most mixed reviews this year. Yes, they created their hype themselves, and yes, they started the new-rave trend that wasn't exactly necessary, but what about the music ? It's one of the most fun, danceable and original albums you can get right now. Catchy tunes from start to finish. And you can't say Golden Skans isn't a modern classic.
Key Tracks : Two Receivers, Golden Skans, Gravity's Rainbow
7. M.I.A. - Kala
Probably the most diverse, eclectic and multiethnic record I've ever put my hands on. Electronic beats, African percussions, traditional Indian instruments, children yelling in a language you'll probably never decipher, gunshots, cash mashines, The Clash and New Order sampled, turkeys clucking... What can you possibly want more ?
Key Tracks : Bird Flu, Paper Planes, Boyz
8. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
After making a quick, unexpected turn into folk and alt-country music (which delivered their best album in my humble opinion), B.R.M.C. came back to their roots of guitars, leather, bikes and more guitars. But this time they managed to work a lot harder and longer on their tracks AND still keep a bit of their loud, unpolished rock'n'roll sound. Not much to complain about, is there ?
Key Tracks : Weapon Of Choice, Berlin, Need Some Air
9. Interpol - Our Love To Admire
I have to say I have this bitter-taste writing this, because Our Love To Admire isn't really that good as an album. It managed to break my top 10 on the strength of only a few outstanding tracks that just manage to make me get over the other 4-5 boring songs. And if it wasn't for Pioneer To The Falls, the album would probably fail to make the top 20. It goes without saying that it's the stand-out moment of the record.
Key Tracks : Pioneer To The Falls, Pace Is The Trick, No I In Threesome
10. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
This is another reason I wanted to do that list again, the album being released in the last week of 2007 and having personally bought it in early 2008, there wasn't much time to really listen to it and put it - or not - in my list. But there it is now, and Lupe Fiasco just released a hip-hop classic. The quality, the imagery, the delivery of the lyrics, the rich melodies, everything that is right about hip-hop/rap music is on The Cool, and everything that is wrong about it is attacked. Amazing beats, great guest vocals (Matthew Santos, what a voice), killer album.
Key Tracks : Hello/Goodbye (Uncool), Superstar and Streets On Fire (both feat. Santos), Dumb It Down
11. The Veils - Nux Vomica
Wow, honestly I don't know what to say here. This album is just so varied that I don't think I can even describe how they sound accurately. Passionate, intense and energic, Nux Vomica raises the bar of all indie rock bands (if they can even be labeled one) in terms of songwriting. Splendid effort by one of the best new bands out there.
12. The Good, The Bad & The Queen - The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Damon Albarn has - yet again - proven how indispensable he is for british music. The eclectic line-up of Blur/Gorillaz, The Clash and The Verve ex-members completed by afrobeat drummer Tony Allen was exactly what Albarn needed to create this moody, dub-infused soundtrack to his city (London, for those who don't already know, tsss)
13. Tegan & Sara - The Con
Another really nice surprise, I never thought it would be this good. I didn't know the single when I bought it, and after listening to it a couple times I still didn't have an idea what they were, because they're just all great. That doesn't happen often, when usually you can spot the singles miles away.
14. Kelly Jones - Only The Names Have Been Changed
Really solid album from Stereophonics frontman. Made with only guitars, pianos and strings, it has this deep sound that's often lacking in his band, with a big, atmospheric soundscape. And obviously, there's his voice. I don't think there is a singer in the world right now with a voice as powerful as Kelly Jones'.
15. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Is there anything positive I can possibly add that hasn't already been said about this record ? I don't think so. That said, it is a truly magnificent album from our hometown heroes in Montreal.
16. Common - Finding Forever
Another hip-hop album makes my list this year, with good reason too. Serious but optimistic, soulful and aggressive at times, Finding Forever finds a perfect balance. And I am sure that the song The People is going to be regarded as a classic in 10 years.
17. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
The Shins offered us with Wincing The Night everything we could've expected and way more. Beautiful, (relatively) simple yet very effective, this is their best work yet.
18. The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns
Surprisingly, only the second british "post-Libertines" band on my list after Arctic Monkeys (if they even count anymore, they're in their own league), but they made the cut with an album far better than their competition. The singer, Tom Clarke, sounds like Paul Weller imitating Johnny Rotten's singing style, and backed by the straightforward, catchy rock'n'roll tunes, The Enemy stand-out from their peers and establish themselves as a band to watch out for.
19. Digitalism - Idealism
Best electronic/dance record I've heard in a very long time. Well structured, creative, catchy, this should be the soundtrack of every good party.
20. Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars
Wainwright clearly said in interviews that this one was made to sell a lot a get him popular at last. Can't say I agree that Release The Stars is going to get him played everywhere on the radio, though I can confirm that it's fantastic. He really pushed the orchestral side of his music and that works for the best. And obviously, there's his voice. Rufus Wainwright could sing on the next Lloyd Banks record and he'd still manage to make it really good.
21. Stereophonics - Pull The Pin
I hate to use that expression because it sounds so lame, but this album just rocks. I can't say much more apart that it's a great rock album. Not up to the standards of their previous work, but still very enjoyable. Business as usual for Mr. Kelly Jones.
22. Working for a Nuclear Free City - Businessmen And Ghosts
Talking of business (that wasn't planned at all!), the next album is Businessmen and Ghosts, which could've been a lot higher if it was a little shorter. 29 tracks, some of them are 6-7 minutes with lyrics being four words repeated all over the songs... The instrumentation, the complexity of the songs, the songwriting, the innovation in sound, everything is fantastic, but a more conventional structure and a shorter album wouldn't have hurt anyone.
23. Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers
Another clever, solid album by the unweary Manic Street Preachers. A bit of a disappointement at first listen, it grows more and more to become one of, if not their best albums in the last 10 years. Terrible cover though.
24. The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
The third and last band of the british indie-garage bandwagon in the list, The Cribs released this year their best album by far. Well crafted melodies, great lyrics, a must-have this year for fans of the genre.
25. Explosions in the Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
As always, Explosions In The Sky showcase all their amazing talent and creativity in All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone, but unfortunately, their songs start to sound almost all the same from album to album.
26. Patrick Watson - Close To Paradise
Another hometown hero, Patrick Watson is one of the most underrated bands (yes, it is a band, named after their singer) right now. Extremely rich, Beatle-esque songs and an amazing voice.
27. Jamie T - Panic Prevention
A very upbeat and fun collection of songs from one of the UK most promising new talents. Yes, it sounds a lot like The Streets. No, I don't care. Not when it's that good.
28. Ian Brown - The World Is Yours
King Monkey may be starting to show sings that his peak (I'm talking solo career, or else that would be too unfair) was reached quite a long time ago, but that doesn't change the fact he can still make relevant, clever music.
29. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
Fantastic album, really nice French - chansonnier theme, and beautiful songs, all of it with highly unusual instruments considering the genre he's associated with. But the accordions do get a little annoying over time.
30. Kate Nash - Made Of Bricks
Lovely, lovely record from the singer that has been unfairly described as merely another Lily Allen. Hilarious, witty, ironic and yet very true lyrics.
And finally here are a couple albums I know I should get really soon because I'd love them, but obviously can't include them in my list. I won't do it again when I'll have listened to the albums, though. That is enough as it is.
Against Me! - New Wave
Bat for Lashes - Fur And Gold
The National - Boxer
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
And that was all. My fingers hurt.
The Strokes
