flash's Favorite 10 Albums of 2007
1.
Radiohead
A beautifully balanced mix of the melodic and melancholic, electronic and acoustic. After 5 months (has it been that long?), IR continues to surprise and captivate with both its imagination and deceptive simplicity. From Pablo Honey to Hail to the Thief, elements of each album are felt here but they're more focused, more polished, and, somehow, even more beautiful. No other band can do that.
2.
Spoon
I hopped aboard the Spoon train after the masterful yet wholly underrated Girls Can Tell. It was simple, stripped down rock and I was hooked. Since then, Spoon has continued to evolve and Ga-5 is the album you knew was coming. In some ways, it doesn't have the same feel of KTM or GF but it more than exceeded my expectations, delivering superbly crafted songs without a note out of place.
Overall Rank: 4
3.
Iron & Wine
Warm and brilliant from top to bottom, TSD is Iron & Wine's best album to date. The lyrics are arresting (“And the fallen house across the way, it’ll keep everything: the baby’s breath, our bravery wasted and our shame”) and the musicianship reveals new layers on each listen. This is a stunning album... it's a shame some Sam Beam fans are giving him shit for continuing to innovate and explore.
Overall Rank: 10
Also appears on
4.
Of Montreal
Catchy, catchy, catchy and raw emotion to boot. But while you're aware of the emotional rollercoaster Barnes is riding, it's still fun as hell to listen to. It's the rare lyricist that can write "chemicals, don't flatten my mind, chemicals, don't mess me up this time, know you bait me way more than you should, and it's just like you to hurt me when I'm feeling good" and still have you rocking out.
Overall Rank: 9
Also appears on
5.
Okkervil River
Packs a massive punch in just 9 songs and 42 minutes. Though there aren't many tracks that stand out on their own, the sum The Stage Names' parts are outstanding.
Overall Rank: 14
Also appears on
6.
Andrew Bird
I loved this immediately upon pushing play. Andrew Bird couples a gift for wordplay with technical prowess. Highlights include: Fiery Crash, Dark Matter and Scythian Empires.
Overall Rank: 20
Also appears on
7.
Band of Horses
Outstanding. Though CTB often feels like a continuation from Everything All the Time instead of an attempt to grow past it, that is, no way, a bad thing. That aside, a huge huzzah to a band that has managed to honor a couple of randoms like Gil Meche and Detlef Schrempf. Maybe a title tribute to Mack Strong will be on the next album.
Overall Rank: 7
8.
Caribou
Hypnotic, exciting and a breath of fresh air. It rocks from beginning to end. Fantastic pop album.
Overall Rank: 40
Also appears on
9.
Wilco
I listened to a decent amount of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt but never got into Wilco until I met Vin. Maybe it was for the best. I wasn't feeling it over the first couple of spins but over time, Sky Blue Sky has become completely disarming and something with which I can truly identify - "Please Be Patient with Me" in particular.
Overall Rank: 3
10.
The Long Blondes
I randomly happened across this album in a music store and figured why not. It took me about an hour to realize that The Long Blondes are blistering glam punk at its current best. Smart lyrics + pulsating drums + wailing guitars + Kate Jackson = ridiculously entertaining. If nothing else, this album is just a helluva lot of fun to listen to.
Overall Rank: 204
This album only appears on this list
Last updated by flash on Mar 10, 2008 05:14 PM
sign in or sign up to post a new comment
This site should be called "Radiohead+yournineotherfavoritealbums.com"! Thom and the boys dominate this place! lol I really liked the new album, particularly Reckoner, but for whatever reason, I didn't come back to it subliminally like some others I grabbed last year. That Okkervil album just hit me the right way for some reason. I have to admit that I haven't heard most of the remainder of your list. Guess I need to hit up the Bay and start listening.
Yeah, after 4 days, It's not even close. I'm gonna keep Couples on the rotation for another week or so because I'm holding out hope.
The thing is, it's not a bad album but after all the promise of involving Erol Alkan and talking up this expanded/evolved sound, the effort is really, really disappointing. "Couples" SHOULD work but it rings hollow. Kate seems like she's holding back, a lot of the spunk has gone and what felt effortlessly rebellious on Someone to Drive you Home just feels, I don't know, like they're trying to hard. There are enough random flashes of brilliance that I keep telling myself that I must be missing something but that's probably wishful thinking.
The thing is, it's not a bad album but after all the promise of involving Erol Alkan and talking up this expanded/evolved sound, the effort is really, really disappointing. "Couples" SHOULD work but it rings hollow. Kate seems like she's holding back, a lot of the spunk has gone and what felt effortlessly rebellious on Someone to Drive you Home just feels, I don't know, like they're trying to hard. There are enough random flashes of brilliance that I keep telling myself that I must be missing something but that's probably wishful thinking.
the new Long Blondes is not nearly as good as their 1st album. i'll give it a bit more time, but i'm not feeling it.
Yep - it'll be out tomorrow (Monday).
didn't realize they had a new album coming out, but i will certainly grab it.
Oh yeah, without question. They're coming to Chicago in late May, so I hope I can see em.. it's gotta be a helluva show. Are you picking up Couples in a few days?
ah, the Long Blondes, didn't know anyone besides me listened to them. that album is terrific and the vocals are insane.
More From flash
Link To This List
Subscribe
Comments
There are currently (7) comments about this list.
Join the discussion.
Submitting...
Error submitting. Please try again.