Top Ten Albums of 2007

Rolling Stone? Pitchfork? Spin? Sure, these publications rake in millions of dollars due to their well established knowledge of the music industry, but what do they really know? I have a blog, which is free to operate, and earns me a meager income of absolutely nothing. However, it does afford me the opportunity to publish my thoughts with alongside those of the big boys (thank you net neutrality). Thus, I present unto you, my version of the top ten albums of 2007.

10) Elvis Perkins – Ash Wednesday – February 20

The debut album from this bicoastal folk-rocker did not take the world by storm (a common trend for this list). However, it did stamp the college scene for a good portion of early ’07. Maybe it’s because Ash Wednesday sounds like a cross between late John Lennon and Neutral Milk Hotel’s On the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Maybe it’s because Perkins’ voice grasps the sorrow that clutches at the insides of anyone in earshot. This album is the honest soundtrack to one of the most tragic events in a person’s lifetime: the death of a parent. With the first half of this album written prior to the passing of his mother and the second half coming after, this record takes a sudden turn in mood. This shift feels skillful and real, avoiding any awkward compilation. For those who have already absorbed and enjoyed this album, Perkins has rerecorded the lead single, “All the Night Without Love” with his band, Elvis Perkins in Deerland, and producer Chris Shaw (of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, and Public Enemy fame), and the new version is available on iTunes.

Favorite Tracks: “All the Night Without Love” and “May Day!”

9) Sage Francis – Human the Death Dance – May 8

The pride of Providence, Rhode Island returns to the underground scene with his third studio album. Though produced by twelve different producers (including Ant of Atmosphere, rapper Buck 65, multi-instrumentalist Mark Isham, and Odd Nosdam of anticon.), this record is incredible tight. Francis’ poetic flow in as present as ever, with allusions and complex metaphors abound. While there are a couple misses on this album (the interlude “Broccoli Break” being the worst), they never seem to infect the other tracks. While critics still to slap him with the term ‘emo,’ Francis marches forward, corporate flag in hand, and continues to produce honest, heavy, honest music.

Favorite Tracks: “Good Fashion” and “Going Back to Rehab”

8) Panda Bear – Person Pitch – March 20

I’ll be honest, I got this album after reading about in on a music blog (Colour Me Impressed, check the “Procrastination Relievers” section for a link), listened through it, and didn’t touch it again for months. Then, in research for a top ten I have to put together for the campus newspaper, I saw it topping many a list. That sparked a re-listening, which subsequently sparked a renewed interest. This definitely wins the award for the most experimental record on the list. Panda Bear, a founding member of Animal Collective, and known to his family as Noah Lennox, has now released three solo albums under his stage moniker. This is, by far, the most accessible of his releases, which is saying something. The album starts off with a clapping backed, echo ridden track that suddenly drops into a digital drone, which then takes listeners into the foggy, unsettling mood that carries through the remainder of the album’s seven songs. While this is far from an easy listen, it is worth every second.

Favorite Tracks: “Comfy in Nautica” and “Good Girl/Carrots”

7) Bright Eyes – Cassadaga – April 10

Though one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2007, this record seemed to drop from the public spectrum quickly. This should come as no surprise. Though Bright Eyes has maintained constant alternative attention (even debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 with this release), Conor Oberst and company have never been able to step into mainstream light. Cassadaga is, like every release before it, nothing like its predecessors. The first album since the dual release of Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning was thought to be a reunion of the electronic and acoustic elements of Bright Eyes’ music. Those expecting that were handed quite the surprise with the first single, “Four Winds,” which widely represented the new record’s sound: alt-country western. Packed with fiddles, organs, and enough vocal contributors to make the Polyphonic Spree look understaffed, Cassadaga, more country western than alt-country, helped restore college radio’s faith in roots music. But don’t fret, there is no doubt that this is still Bright Eyes. Though the overall feel is very western, there are constant, subtle electronic undertones that allow this record to breathe as a unique piece.

Favorite Tracks: “Four Winds” and “Middleman”

6) Dan Wilson – Free Life – October 16

How Dan Wilson found the time to record a solo album while also producing Mike Doughty’s 2005 release Haughty Melodic and his upcoming release Golden Delicious is beyond me. Oh wait, he’s been working on it since before 2005? Oh, so that’s how he found the time. Anyways, completely worth the wait. Former Semisonic frontman, Wilson had disappeared from the public eye outside of Minneapolis when his band went on hiatus in 2001. Though he did release two live discs prior to this, one at the Cedar Cultural Center and one at Bryant Lake Bowl, his debut solo album far surpasses any other piano rock record since Ben Folds’ Songs for Silverman. Any fan of Folds, or Semisonic for that matter, should pick this up immediately.

Favorite Tracks: “Free Life” and “Cry”

5) Against Me! – New Wave – July 10

I know, it isn’t like Against Me!’s old stuff. I don’t care. I picked up New Wave after being told to by, essentially, everyone whose musical taste I trust. They earned my trust. This is far from the grit and grime that overwhelmed their classic, Reinventing Axl Rose. As Ausie singer/songwriter Ben Lee said on his blog when he decided to cover the entire album, “it’s unmistakably a pop masterpiece.” It’s still edgy, it’s still angry, and it’s still as wordy as everything else Tom Gabel has written. The song structures hint, and the story telling lyrics point towards, what Gabel calls a more optimistic view of the world. “Sell-out!” criers can scream all they want, but Gabel will still sound better doing it himself.

Favorite Tracks: “The Ocean” and “New Wave”

4) Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth – April 10

The Twin Cities hip-hop scene knew it would have a good year the instant Brother Ali announced he had a record to release. The Undisputed Truth is, without question, the most candid, lingering, sincere rap record I have ever heard. I’ve heard people claim this record as the very definition of underground hip-hop: soulful, truthful, and with a flow that could make the Nile look like a pond. You cannot, regardless of mood, listen to this record with out at least bobbing your head. It’s impossible. Atmosphere’s Ant produced the entire album, interlacing reggae, soul, and just a little bit of funk into the mix to match Ali’s voice perfectly. Subject matter ranges from Ali’s divorce to his son to racism to the government, churning up his share of controversy with the heavy lyrical content of the second single, “Uncle Sam Goddamn.” Buy it, play it, dance to it, absorb it, and let it flow through you.

Favorite Tracks: “Truth Is” and “Ear to Ear”

3) Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass – August 28

Welcome back, Mr. Rock. Four years since his last full album, Aesop Rock comes back with an album that crushes anything else he’s ever touched. “Keep Off the Lawn,” the album’s opener is the reintroduction fans have been waiting for. Producer extraordinaire Blockhead returns, crafting half the album including, winner of best beat of the year award, the title track. Aesop’s voice is, as always, hypnotizing, and the higher production value only adds to that entrancement. What really gives this album the push over Brother Ali is the final track. “Coffee” features John Darnielle of the folk project The Mountain Goats, a collaboration no one saw coming. As outstanding as the song is, the hidden track “Pigs” is equally impressive. Backed by a kazoo, Aesop Rock wraps up his best work in a style that only works for him.

Favorite Tracks: “None Shall Pass” and “Coffee”

2) Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog – September 25

Sam Beam outdoes himself every time he steps into a studio. This record, however, takes a leap of immeasurable height from anything in his previous catalog. Iron & Wine’s third full release sounds nothing like the last, but a clever listener could see this coming from their last EP, 2005’s Woman King. The heavy reliance on unique percussive elements and dense instrumentation returns hear, with Beam’s effortless, floating vocals resting on top. His guitar playing has improved dramatically, this album being laden with alternative tunings and picking patterns. The motif of dogs only serves to further unite this already beautiful stream. There isn’t a miss anywhere near this record. From the opening of the welcoming “Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car,” to the soul emptying closer, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth,” Beam breathes with nature’s lungs.

Favorite Tracks: “Boy with a Coin” and “Wolves (Song of the Shepherd’s Dog)”

1) Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

The diligent reader will notice that there is no release date listed for this record. That’s because it was self released by Mr. Justin Vernon himself, aka Bon Iver. Vernon began shipping copies of his solo debut sometime after spring of 2007 to anyone who sent in five dollars. Coming in a stamped cardboard sleeve that resembled a postcard, For Emma, Forever Ago is the most lingering album I have ever heard. The soundtrack to fog and trees, this record oozes loneliness from every chord. Vernon’s wrenching croon and falsetto are the essence of heart and soul. It sounds like someone mashed Iron & Wine with TV on the Radio, then let it grow into its own mighty tree. Using a slow mixture of strumming and picking patterns, accompanied by a layering of his own vocals and the occasional subtle bits of percussion, Vernon has crafted something absolutely breathtaking. This is the album that can restore faith in music, but more importantly, it can restore faith in the ability to persevere through one’s art. For Emma is sitting outside alone after dark, feeling the moisture of the air press against your skin and watching as the light dissipates. It is abandonment of the most beautiful kind, the kind you know you can grow from. For those interested, Bon Iver was signed to Jagjaguwar Records and will be re-releasing For Emma, Forever Ago on February 19^th, 2008. There’s a remarkable chance it’ll make your list.

Favorite Tracks: “Skinny Love,” “Re: Stacks,” and “Blindsided.”

Runners Up:

Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

The opening to this record is gorgeous and saddening at the same time. Jeff Tweedy and company released their simplest album to date, but Elvis Perkins was just a little more cohesive. I still say that I liked these guys best on the Mermaid Avenue albums.

Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight

Though it has its moments, too many misses keep this record off the list. Jenny Lewis and friends are still incredibly talented musicians, I just don’t understand a couple of these songs.

Atmosphere - Sad Clown Bad Summer/Fall/Winter #8/9/10
They're good, but they're EPs. Check 'em out. New one comes out in Spring '08 as well.

Biggest Disappointment:

Say Anything – In Defense of the Genre

My close, personal friends will tell you how I feel about double disc releases. Don’t release them! They’re called b-sides. Cut them, release one solid disc like 98% of albums ever. Max Bemis clogged this record with guest appearances (of practically everyone in the genre of pop-punk) and this album never got to breathe.

Looking Forward To:

New Doomtree Releases

These five Twin Cities rappers are the best collective I’ve ever heard. Their full crew album should hit shelves in the spring, followed by an avalanche of solo efforts.

Mike Doughty – Golden Delicious

This guy’s incredible. End.

New Mountain Goats Record

It’ll be great. Fingers crossed.

Atmosphere - When Life Gives Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

It's gonna be sooo good.