Here's Matt's top 10 Albums of 2007:
1. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
(“Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig” “Sipping On The Sweet Nectar” “The Opposite Of Hallelujah”)
Lekman delivers on the promise of his finest material from his early EP’s and gives us this absolute gem – an album that somehow perfectly walks that fine line between genuine sentiment and over-the-top saccharinity.
2. The National - Boxer
(“Apartment Story” “Fake Empire” “Slow Show”)
Even more of a grower than their last album, 2005’s stunning “Alligator,” “Boxer” is just as good if not better than that near-masterpiece. The lyrics remain oblique and tragic as always, and the music, especially the percussion, creates a sense of drama that perfectly complement the stories being told.
Even more of a grower than their last album, 2005’s stunning “Alligator,” “Boxer” is just as good if not better than that near-masterpiece. The lyrics remain oblique and tragic as always, and the music, especially the percussion, creates a sense of drama that perfectly complement the stories being told.
3. Feist - The Reminder
(“1234” “Brandy Alexander” “I Feel It All”)
No matter how overplayed that ipod commercial is, “1234” is still one of the best singles of the year, and this album is still one of the absolute best albums of the year.
No matter how overplayed that ipod commercial is, “1234” is still one of the best singles of the year, and this album is still one of the absolute best albums of the year.
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
(“Bodysnatchers” “All I Need” “Reckoner”)
I’m sure you’ve all heard this album already, so I’ll just say it’s better than their last two albums, but not as good as their three before that. So, it’s really good, but not the 100 percent triumph that “OK Computer” is.
I’m sure you’ve all heard this album already, so I’ll just say it’s better than their last two albums, but not as good as their three before that. So, it’s really good, but not the 100 percent triumph that “OK Computer” is.
5. Mr. Hudson & The Library - A Tale Of Two Cities
(“Upon The Heath/A Tale Of Two Cities” “Cover Girl” “Picture Of You”)
Hudson said the sound he was aiming for on this record was “David Bowie produced by Dr. Dre,” and while that he may not have reached something quite so sublime, him and his band mates came pretty darn close.
Hudson said the sound he was aiming for on this record was “David Bowie produced by Dr. Dre,” and while that he may not have reached something quite so sublime, him and his band mates came pretty darn close.
6. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
(“Hip Hop Saved My Life” “Little Weapon” “Paris, Tokyo”)
For some reason, everyone knows Lupe Fiasco from one of his most lackluster moments, the near hookless “Kick, Push.” The album that song appeared on, “Food & Liquor,” was also overrated and Fiasco ended up being kind of a disappointment, especially considering he was heralded as the next great rapper by people like Kanye West and Jay-Z. With this album, Lupe follows through on the hype. Minus a couple worthless skits, the album is chock-full of brilliant production, beats and lyrics.
For some reason, everyone knows Lupe Fiasco from one of his most lackluster moments, the near hookless “Kick, Push.” The album that song appeared on, “Food & Liquor,” was also overrated and Fiasco ended up being kind of a disappointment, especially considering he was heralded as the next great rapper by people like Kanye West and Jay-Z. With this album, Lupe follows through on the hype. Minus a couple worthless skits, the album is chock-full of brilliant production, beats and lyrics.
7. Jay-Z - American Gangster
(“The Party Life” “Hello Brooklyn 2.0” “Roc Boys”)
Jay-Z follows up his dismal first post-retirement album with this absolute gem, an album better than “The Black Album” and nearly as good as “The Blueprint.”
Jay-Z follows up his dismal first post-retirement album with this absolute gem, an album better than “The Black Album” and nearly as good as “The Blueprint.”
8. Shugo Tokumaru - Exit
(“Green Rain” “La La Radio” “Hidamari”)
If people can get over the fact that they can’t understand what Sigur Ros are saying in their songs, I see no reason why Shugo Tokumaru can’t have a similar following. The guy writes such unique pop songs (think The Shins, but Japanese and way better) that it just seems criminal he doesn’t have a bigger following.
If people can get over the fact that they can’t understand what Sigur Ros are saying in their songs, I see no reason why Shugo Tokumaru can’t have a similar following. The guy writes such unique pop songs (think The Shins, but Japanese and way better) that it just seems criminal he doesn’t have a bigger following.
9. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
(“The Well And The Lighthouse” “Ocean Of Noise” “Keep The Car Running”)
Everyone’s favorite Canadian indie band exceeded expectations with this follow-up to the still-in-constant-rotation-on-my-ipod “Funeral.” A very different album than its predecessor, but in many ways, just as good and sometimes better.
Everyone’s favorite Canadian indie band exceeded expectations with this follow-up to the still-in-constant-rotation-on-my-ipod “Funeral.” A very different album than its predecessor, but in many ways, just as good and sometimes better.
10. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
(“Someone Great” “North American Scum” “All My Friends”)
More of the same from James Murphy, which definitely isn’t a bad thing. In fact, Murphy still sounds as original and fresh as he did when he first started dropping solo material nearly four years ago. On this album, he’s really come into his own as a songwriter, and a few of these songs, especially “Someone Great,” are among the best he’s ever made.
More of the same from James Murphy, which definitely isn’t a bad thing. In fact, Murphy still sounds as original and fresh as he did when he first started dropping solo material nearly four years ago. On this album, he’s really come into his own as a songwriter, and a few of these songs, especially “Someone Great,” are among the best he’s ever made.
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