Top 10 Albums of 2007

I recently posted the worst albums of 2007, here are the best ones.



10. Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
Mini-Review: It's almost impossible to expect Arcade Fire to top the brilliant "Funeral", but they come close in their sophomore effort. This is a brilliant piece of work that establishes Arcade Fire as one of the elite alternative rock bands still making music
Highlights: Keep the Car Running, No Cars Go, Black Mirror


9. Elliott Smith-New Moon
Mini-Review: Even after his death (like 2pac) Elliott Smith still manages to release very compelling material. This album is like listening to Elliott's diary. It gives you more of a glimpse on the man behind the music more than any of his albums even if it isn't his best work.
Highlights: New Disaster, Looking Over My Shoulder, All Cleaned Out


8. Burial-Untrue
Mini-Review: This is the kind of album you either love or hate. Obviously since it made my top 10 list, it is one that I love. This isn't an album made to pump you up, you need to listen to this piece of work in the right setting whether it be 3AM after you're stoned, in your car during a rainy late night drive, or during a cold winter day. The more you listen to this work, the more you love it.
Highlights: Near Dark, Etched Headplate, Ghost Hardware


7. Jay-Z-American Gangster
Mini-Review: A very important album release in Jay-Z's catalog. After an extremely subpar "Kingdom Come", Jay-z bounces back and then some with this album that is also the soudtrack for a movie with the same name. This will remind you of his glory days and that in itself is a triumph.
Highlights: Hello Brooklyn 2.0, I Know, Ignorant Shit


6. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss-Raising Sand
Mini-Review: This is one of the best collaborations in recent memory. You would ever expect the pair to compliment each other so well, but they do. This seems to be more influenced more on Alison Krauss's bluegrass roots then Robert Plant's rock 'n roll roots which could disappoint Zeppelin fans, but don't let that stop you from listening to an extremely beautiful album.
Highlights: Polly Come Home, Please Read the Letter, Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us


5. Kanye West-Graduation
Mini-Review: Kanye is one of the best MC's in rap today and he continues to prove this in his latest release, Graduation. In a battle with rival 50 Cent's "Curtis" it wasn't even close to being a contest with Kanye releasing such better material. This isn't as immediately catchy or as good as "Late Registration" and "College Dropout", but it is still the best rap album released this year.
Highlights: Flashing Lights, Stronger, I Wonder


4. Spoon-Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Mini-Review: This album is such an enjoyable listen from start to finish. In fact, it is the best Spoon release to date. Everything about this release is fun, catchy, heartfelt, and just fantastic. Even if you haven't heard any of Spoon's previous releases, pick up this album if you're a fan of indie rock, or any music in general.
Highlights: You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, Don't Make Me a Target, Eddie's Ragga


3. Silverchair-Young Modern
Mini-Review: Silverchair, in my opinion, released the best album of the 21st century with "Diorama". It combined rock 'n roll, indie appeal, and a full orchestra with pop songwriting into a brilliant masterpiece. "Young Modern", the follow up, faced a lot of challenges competing with such a brilliant record and it falls short, but it doesn't mean that this album isn't brilliant. Fans of "The Dissociatives" (Daniel John's and Paul Mac's side project) who were eagerly awaiting a sequel to their debut album, will find this suitable. Paul has rubbed off on Daniel in a good way and it shows through the entire album. Silverchair is always exceeding expectations and makes me curious to see where they will go with album number 6.
Highlights: Straight Lines, Waiting All Day, All Across the World


2. White Stripes-Icky Thump
Mini-Review: If you don't find this album appealing, you don't like to have fun. This can't top the brilliance of "Elephant", but it demolishes the their last release "Get Behind Me Satan". Jack White is an amazing guitarist and his skills shine throughout this release. White Stripes are the type of band you hope will never break up.
Highlights: Icky Thump, You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You're Told), 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues


1. Radiohead-In Rainbows
Mini-Review: Radiohead return to guitar rock with their 7th release and it pays off rewardingly. This is their best album since "OK Computer" which is saying a lot since "Kid A" and "Hail to the Thief" were brilliant albums ("Amnesiac" was good as well). The more you listen to this album, the more you'll love it. It is so insanely good that it makes you wonder how Radiohead can be put into the same league as other musicians.
Highlights: 15 Step, Nude, Faust Arp