Top Ten Albums of 2007

TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2007

as reviewed by Pete Bogenschutz

Here's my annual list of top ten albums, for the year 2007. This year I decided to write a blurb about each album for my creative writing workshop and I'm glad I did; writing about the albums makes me feel more solid about my choices. Many artists which released fantastic albums were unfortunately left off the list, and some of those casualties are: LCD Soundsystem, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Modest Mouse, Panda Bear, Andrew Bird, Bright Eyes, The Shins, Deerhunter, The Besnard Lakes, Feist, Patrick Wolf, Frog Eyes, Grinderman, Dinosaur Jr., The Clientèle, Wilco, The National, Battles, Menomena, Deerhoof, White Rabbits, Dan Deacon, Blitzen Trapper, The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, Spoon, The Polyphonic Spree, Stars, Architecture in Helsinki, The New Pornographers, Caribou, Angels of Light, Liars, Animal Collective, The Most Serene Republic, Black Lips, Kevin Drew, Les Savy Fav, Devendra Banhart, Joni Mitchell, The Field, Thurston Moore, M.I.A., The Fiery Furnaces, PJ Harvey, Iron & Wine, The Go! Team, Radiohead, Beirut, Phosphorescent, and Burial... to name a select few. Onto the list!

10) Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? - of Montreal

With Satanic Panic In the Attic in 2002, of Montreal let their fans know they were not satisfied with standing still, making a dramatic change from their psychedelic pop to their current electro pop styling. With Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? of Montreal keeps the fans on their toes with yet another stylistic change, opting for a darker and more in-your-face affair. While the album as a whole takes a few spins to fully digest, the disc contains several of the bands most immediate and excellent tunes; such as “Suffer for Fashion”, “Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse”, and “Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider”. “She's a Rejector” sees of Montreal rocking out with a ferocity uncharacteristic of the band's sound, yet it works brilliantly and “Gronlandic Edit” contains the best lyric of the year (“Physics makes us all its bitches”). “The Past is a Grotesque Animal”, a twelve minute emotional ejaculation, is by far the most personal of Montreal song recorded and shows Kevin Barnes has some interpersonal demons to work out. Sure, Hissing is darker and harder to penetrate than the band's previous works; but it's their most rewarding outing to date and stands among their best albums, and besides... it's still a hell of a good time!

9) The Stage Names – Okkervil River

I have a friend who refuses to give Okkervil River a chance because he thinks they make “vampire music”. To that comment I have two questions: what the hell band have you mistaken them for?, and how can you live with yourself for passing up such incredibly humane music? One of the most brilliantly cohesive albums of the decade, The Stage Names begins with three rousing numbers (and some of the three best tunes of the year), followed by a series of wonderfully crafted ballads. Just listen to the lyrics and ask yourself how one cannot relate to this in one way or another? William Sheff's passionate vocal delivery will have you jumping out of your seat with excitement, most notably on “Our Life is Not a Movie Or Maybe”. The finale of the album, “John Allyn Smith Sails”, manages to be depressing, spellbinding, and hopeful all at the same time. As an added bonus, “Sloop John B” works its way in at the end in a way that is creative and unassuming, and it will make you think Okkervil River wrote the tune. The Stage Names will leave you both breathless and exhausted; but with a thirst and passion to get out and live life. This is music which sucks into your bloodstream and never lets go of you, and if that is what my friend is referring to as “vampire music”... Well, then I think I would have to agree.

8) Neon Bible – Arcade Fire

Let me list the reasons I love this album: 1) The band avoids recreating their phenomenal and impossible to top debut Funeral, opting for a completely new sound. 2) “Intervention” is simply the best song recorded this year. Period. 3) If you read between the lines, there is some Republican bashing going on here, although in a tasteful non-confrontational way (not that a tasteless, confrontational way would have been bad). 4) Organs, organs, organs, and more organs! The last track explodes into a symphony of... well, organs! 5) I, personally, couldn't agree more with the message Arcade Fire is portraying about people becoming too illusioned by religion. 6) The moment the tempo and vocalists change in the middle of “Black Wave” is quite a magical, brain shifting moment. 7) Arcade Fire is one of the very very few bands which actually lives up its massive hype, without coming off as pretentious. 8) Even after over forty listens, I have yet to tire of this record (something I cannot say about Funeral). 9) It would change Natalie Portman's life. 10) It may even change your life too.

7) 23 – Blonde Redhead

There is a high probability that during the opening (and title) track of 23 the listener will shout “My Bloody Valentine!”, and with good reason. Not because Blonde Redhead is intentionally ripping off the legendary shoegazing band, but due to the fact that the track oozes with a delicious epic quality of multiple layers. For a moment you might actually think this album will be as good as Loveless, until you come to the reality that NOTHING will ever be as good as Loveless. But the fact that Blonde Redhead actually makes one think that, even if for only a second, is a high compliment. “The Dress” drips with remorse, with Kazu Makino stating “the tears you see on my face, yes you have something to do with” then topping it off with “love you less.” It's simple, but highly effective; so much that you actually feel as if you are to blame for the song's dark stature. The following track, “SW” swirls and climaxes in dizzying fashion that will have you hitting repeat for hours. While purists may complain at Blonde Redhead's new found slick production (and it's not a stretch to imagine “Spring and by Summer Fall” being played on modern rock radio stations... and given more proper pop vocals, “Silently” would certainly be a top 10 hit), there's no reason to cry “sell out”; this music is challenging with a replay-ability factor out the ass! By far the most addicting album you will hear this year.

6) Marry Me – St. Vincent

Annie Clark, member of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Steven's backing band, makes her solo debut under the moniker St. Vincent. But what I want to know is: Annie, where the hell you been all my life?! To sum up in just a few words; holy shit, what a debut! Quirky yet heartfelt energy drips from every note in this unique disc and it contains everything a great album should; unforgettable vocals, odd instrumentation, witty lyrics, humor, emotion, and even blasphemy. “Jesus Saves, I Spend” could be the best song title ever made in the world (the song itself isn't too shabby either). “Now, Now” kicks off the album in grand fashion, Annie declaring “I'm not your mother's favorite dog” followed by the song climaxing with squalling guitars, underlaid by what sounds like a school girl chorus. Brilliant! The beautiful “Apocalypse Song” is the closest thing on the disc to traditional pop, while the title track sounds like it came straight from a loungy Broadway musical. Congratulations Annie, you've managed to make this reviewer a die hard fan from just one album. In a better world this is the type of high quality music that should be playing on top 40 stations and ipods all over America. In fact, just talking about this album makes me want to place it higher on this list. Oh the temptation; fight it, FIGHT IT!

5) Ears Will Pop and Eyes Will Blink – Bodies of Water

No doubt winner of the 'Most Underrated Album of the Year' award by a crashing landslide; and if you ever wondered what Arcade Fire and Polyphonic Spree would sound like if they procreated, look no further. This is the epic debut by the twelve (!?) piece, apparently made up of members from a variety of religious backgrounds. And the subject of religion seems to take on a primary role in the theme of the album, although not in an overbearing/annoying way. “Our Friends Appear Like the Dawn” gives the Christian point of view, nicely contrasted by the Atheist point of viewpoint “I Turned My Face”, and wrapping things up nicely with “We Are Coexisters”. Possibly the most gorgeous song of the year appears on this disc, the moving “I Heard it Sound”, with its touching lyrics and unforgettable melody. The entire album flows effortlessly between the multiple vocalists, random manic choral arrangements, and constantly shifting tempo changes. In fact, the album is reminiscent of a mixture between Funeral and more grounded Blueberry Boat (the polarizing 2004 release by The Fiery Furnaces). It leaves one to question how such powerful music can be so untouched and un-listened to? The proper name of this disc should be Heads Will Turn and Jaws Will Drop, and if you give it a few spins, I believe you will concur.

4) You Follow Me – Nina Nastasia & Jim White

Nina's music has always been a thing of uncharted beauty; darkly original and oddly unique, yet hard to dislike. Don't even get me started on her voice, which is so intriguing I could write endless prose of endless poetry about. In You Follow Me, however, Nina really drops a bomb on her fans; pairing her delicate music over the relentless and crashing drumming of Jim White. On paper this is an absolute disaster, but listening to it you can't help to be blown away. This is some powerful stuff, and Nina's best album in her already impressive catalog. Not only that, but the track “Late Night” manages to be one of the most emotional songs recorded this decade; in fact, it's just a shade from being overbearing, yet falls just below the boundary thus making it one of the best tracks of the year. Let's not even get into the lyrics of this album (such as “The Day I Would Bury You”), or the magnificent subtleties (her singing/whispering on the stunning opener “I've Been Out Walking”), or White's drumming (most notably on “Our Discussion”) which adds to the monumental emotion and theatrics of the album. On top of all that, let's not forget that the cover art is arguable the best of the year. Subtly addicting, this album will play out as the soundtrack to your inner thoughts and emotions, and you too will hope that the Nastasia / White collaboration will be a long term one.

3) Random Spirit Lover – Sunset Rubdown

One of my favorite memories in my music listening career is the first time I heard Sonic Youth's “Teenage Riot”; the joyous taps of the drums during the opening tempo change to be precise. Supreme euphoria, and it's been a while since I've had a musical orgasm that comes close to that experience; yet the opening moments of Sunset Rubdown's sophomore effort gives me the closest feeling to that I've had in a while. In fact, the entire first song (“The Mending of the Gown”) is simply a stunning moment in music; vibrant pianos, whimsical guitars, and Spencer Krug's brooding yet bouncy voice creating a collage unforgettable imagery. One might initially think the remainder of the album pales in comparison to the opening track, however repeated listenings renders that hypothesis wrong. The album is so dense and filled with such haunting and lovely melodies that they only gradually reveal themselves. Eventually you will be led into a magically strange world; one that is reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands (certainly evident in “Courtesan Has Sung”). After you give it a chance you will wonder how Krug manages to keep Sunset Rubdown as his side project, along with the excellent acts of Wolf Parade and Frog Eyes. Even further, you will wonder why he calls Sunset Rubdown a 'side project' in the first place (especially since Random Spirit Lover is the best offering from the aforementioned bands), as it is a top notch undertaking worthy of every praise thrown its way. Recommended for anyone who appreciates Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, or music that will blow you away!

2) Night Falls Over Kortedala – Jens Lekman

Oh Jens, how could you not show up on this list? Any album which includes a song about accidentally cutting your finger off while slicing an avocado (and managing to make it lovingly effective) just HAS to show up on a top ten list. Or what about the magical do-whop of the closing song about play bingo at a drive-in, in a seemingly futuristic 1950's? Then there's “Postcard to Nina”, a song so sweet and catchy you find yourself singing along with it even on first listen, and even on the hundredth listen when it still hasn't lost it's appeal. Even better are “Sipping on the Sweet Nectar” and “Opposite of Hallelujah”, two songs so good they can't even be described well enough by the English language. This is pop music that should make all other pop artists want to give up and put their instruments away, as they realize they will never be as good as Lekman (which is probably the reason why no other pop albums made it on this list, since they are all overshadowed by this masterpiece). This music is so uplifting and life affirming, yet whimsical and weird enough to keep it from crossing over to the sappy side. It's music that rocks my world; and for people who think Peter, Bjorn & John are the end-all-be-all of Swedish pop music, just wait till Jens has you burning all your PB&J albums (no offense PB&J). Oh the strings, oh the back beats, oh the witty lyrics, oh the sweet sweet sound of Lekman's delicate voice! Please excuse me, I must go now and listen to Night Falls Over Kortedala!

1) Drums and Guns – Low

Through the opening moments of dissonance and unease, when Alan Sparhawk casually states that all soldiers, babies, poets, liars, and pretty people are “all going to die”; you know this isn't going to be your typical Low album. Low has traded in their sweetly quiet and beautiful music, for a set list which is remarkably dark, striking, and brooding with unspeakable intensity. You also know it is not going to be a typical anti-war / anti-violence album for that matter; avoiding all pretense and cliché which typically comes from music of that subject matter. Instead of preaching against violence, much of the album is told from the point of view of the killers, drug dealers, nazis, murderers, and war mongers themselves. The end result may render unsettling and heavy for some, but those who commit to this disc will be compensated with artistry of the highest form.

Where do you even begin to dissect such an album packed full of memorable and effecting moments? If one does not develop a thick layer of goosebumps from the ominous hand claps in “Breaker”, then a pulse should certainly be taken. What about the way Sparhawk and Mimi Parkers voices collide with each other through out the album? While their vocal chemistry is apparent in every Low album, it has never reached the climactic power as on this disc. “Murderer”, is perhaps the best display of this and arguably the strongest track of the album; a multi-layered song which begs to be listened to with good headphones. The track appears to be narrated by a brainwashed nazi during the Holocaust, with it's haunting lyric “if you need a murderer... someone to do your dirty work”. Then there's “Dragonfly”, a song pertaining to drug use and it's role in random shootings. Low even manages to pack in a couple whimsical moments in this somber album; the groovy “Hatchet” sees the band pleaing for peace with the chorus “let's bury the hatchet, like the Beatles and the Stones.” By the time the glorious noise of the finale, “Violent Past”, settles in the listener is left with sense of hopeful-hopelessness; the sense that we all desire to band together in hopes of seeing an end to mindless violence, yet the realization that things will inevitably only escalate. It's a bold, sad, ironically beautiful, and necessary statement.

If you want to hear something more accessible, upbeat, diverse, adventurous, beautiful, or uplifting; there's plenty of releases from 2007 you could choose from. However, you will be hard pressed to find something as striking and relevant to our current society as this album. That alone forces this disc to bear the 'essential listening' label, more so than anything released this decade thus far. Low have made the album of their career. Simply put, best in show.