SEEN's Top 10 Albums of 2007
Without further ado here's our first ever top 10 list. It wasn't easy coming to a consensus between the 5 contributors over here but in the end we think a quality, representative list came through. Also none of the bands on our top 10 list have animal names (name another blog's without one!). Send your hatemail to whogivesafuck@seen.com, otherwise leave a comment below (jk...not about the comments though). Stay tuned for our top 10 music videos of the year that we're unveiling throughout the week, starting tomorrow.
1. Radiohead – In Rainbows (Radiohead)
This album is a lot like an impressionist painting; listening through speakers allows you to step back and appreciate the songs for how they sound and feel overall. But when you listen to this album through headphones, you can hear all of the subtleties
and intricacies that makes this our clear choice for the best album of 2007. We haven't been this excited to hear a new record since high school..chills from the opening
until the end. Despite the hype of their self-release experiment and their reputation as the best band of the past 25 years, they still managed to exceed expectations with a simply breathtaking album.
2. Kanye West – Graduation (Roc-A-Fella)
One great song after another. One of those albums you can put on in the car and just ride to. It features one of the best T-Pain songs out yet and the perfectly flipped sample of Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" sealed the deal for us. Curtis who?
3. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver (DFA)
Very few artists can work between multiple genres as well as James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem. This album is absolutely enormous; with hints of indie-rock, electronica, pop, and straight-up dance music, it's the most fun we’ve had jamming to a record all year.
4. Lily Allen - Alright, Still (Capitol)
Ok admittedly this album had been played a quite a bit before 2007 rolled around but it did officially come out in the US in '07. A really fun record that even our parents went out and bought. If it could be hip to hipsters and their parents, that definitely says something.
5. Justice - † (Ed Banger/Vice)
This album defined dance music for the year. Mutant 80s guitar riffs, dirty electro, mental hi hats, and an unexpected pop single called D.A.N.C.E. Their legendary (and frequent) live DJ sets don't hurt. Daft Punk spawned its evil offspring.
6. Gabriel & Dresden – Toolroom Knights, Vol. 2 (Toolroom)
Who said house is dead? G&D pursue their last album with a vengeance. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better these guys take you on a wonderful ride through a double disc set of house excellence. Artful, pure and perfect...bass never sounded so good.
7. Trentemøller - Trentemøller Chronicles (Poker Flat)
Trentemøller is a genius. Profound, eerie and epic, this album will haunt you forever. Møeller has crafted an album that levels the playing field for all forms of music. This is a genre defining record.
8. Budos Band – II (Daptone)
This records sounds like that rare vinyl piece that DJs and producers spend their lives searching for, only it's brand new and available on CD and iTunes. The Daptone crew has a magic touch for making beautiful funk records that sound like they come straight from the 60's.
9. Peter Von Poehl – Going Where The Tea Trees Are (Herzog)
All right so he looks a little like Sean Mullins, but the Swedish singer-songwriter (not Jose Gonzalez) blindsided us with a 21st century folk gem. Probably best known for opening for French darlings Phoenix, and later Air, this year, his music recalls Simon & Garfunkel and Tom Vek with subtle horn arrangements...beautiful and satisfying from start to finish.
10. Sia – Lady Croissant (Astralwerks)
Apart from one studio track, this is a live album from Sia that gives her voice room to breathe. The familiar songs are on here from Sia (and Zero 7). Just the thing for the dark, cold, melancholy days of winter and heartbreak.
Honorable mentions:
11. Laura Veirs – Saltbreakers (Nonesuch)
12. Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release (Wichita)
13. The Dodos – Beware Of The Maniacs (The Dodos)
That Dodos album is amazing.
That Dodos album is amazing.
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