It was two years ago now that this blog launched, with Charlie and I counting down our favorite records of 2005. Last year, we went our separate ways on "best of" lists, but have once again joined forces. 2007 was an interesting year for music - so-called "indie rock" went mainstream (topping the Billboard charts and taking over Saturday Night Live), the masses got used to the avant garde sounds of LCD Soundsystem, and even Dan Deacon, while a media "feud" between Kanye and 50 stole the headlines. Choosing a top ten after all that seems rather difficult, however each of these albums made their impact on either mass culture or indie culture. In some cases, both. Regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, they are all important albums ...
10. Favourite Worst Nightmare, Arctic Monkeys 9. S/T, The Good, the Bad and the Queen 8. Icky Thump, The White Stripes 7. The Stage Names, Okkervil River 6. Graduation, Kanye West 5. In Rainbows, Radiohead 4. Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer, Of Montreal 3. Writer's Block, Peter Bjorn and John 2. Sound of Silver, LCD Soundsystem 1. Kala, MIA
I'm already realizing songs I forgot in my top 40...
"Indian Summer," Benjamin Gibbard You can find this on the soundtrack to Kurt Cobain: About A Son. Much better than most of Death Cab's recent output.
"Dashboard," Modest Mouse I just re-discovered this song, and I totally love it.
"No I In Threesome," Interpol I probably should have included this instead of "Rest My Chemistry."
"Catch You," Sophie Ellis Bextor She is a total badass.
"Apologize," Timbaland featuring OneRepublic Blame its exclusion on this shitty video. Great song, though.
"Clumsy," Fergie The only good Fergie single I've heard thus far. Cute video, too.
"Are You Sensation," Tigercity I go back and forth on this one. Sometimes I find its semi-ironic yacht disco vibe totally charming. Sometimes it is just too cool for my school.
That song with the whistling got all the attention, radio play, ad space and television appearances - but those who felt compelled to actually buy the album would find a number of brilliant tracks. "Let's Call It Off" is the peak of those, and a bit more exemplary of the band's sound than "Young Folks." Musically, it's understated, giving it a bit of a dinner party vibe, and the harmonies on "let's call the whole thing off" are next too impossible to top. And, to think, someone wanted to protest their SXSW performance.
4. "You Don't Know What Love Is" - The White Stripes
Whereas "Icky Thump" was all about fucking with structure and creating a radio single that was most certainly not a radio single, "You Don't Know What Love Is" was all about getting back-to-basics. This is what the White Stripes do best - Jack White kicking solos from outerspace, and dropping rap-worthy sassy, while Meg White hits the drums with utter confidence. Lyrically, the track borders on feminist, with Jack telling his female friend to have a little more confidence in herself and not let her man just boss her around. It's a rally cry for men frustrated with seeing women accept their mistreatment - but maybe it's a tad condescending as well. Regardless, I like it.
3. "Good Life" - Kanye West
"Good Life" is pure positivity. It's a song that is supposed to make you feel good about yourself. It is not a particularly deep or complex song - either lyrically or musically - but it never purports to be so. Whereas the similar "Touch the Sky" was about righting your wrongs and struggling to achieve your dreams, "Good Life" is all about seeing your dreams realize. In fact, struggle and tension are absent for the three minutes or so that this song plays. It's about the joy of popping "champagne on a plane." But then you realize that "Good Life" is not about the spoils of wealth or the luxuries of first class - it is about celebrating, regardless of "whether you broke or rich." The "Good Life" lies not in how much money you have, but how you feel about yourself. If you don't have all that you want, just "close your eyes and imagine."
2. "All My Friends" - LCD Soundsystem
The brilliance of "All My Friends" lies in its ability to do so much for so little. I am not even talking about the minimalism of the music, though it is pretty amazing that the entire song (chorus included) can make it through simply that driving piano with zero variations. No, the brilliance lies in the lyrics and how they are delivered by James Murphy. At times he waivers into the not-so-literal ("we set controls for the heart of the sun") which only makes the song that much easier to relate to. What's perplexing (but ultimately fascinating) is the point of view of our storyteller. He could be 20, 35, even 65 - enjoying one magical night out and reflecting back on his entire life. Regardless, the emotions are the same and Murphy comes across as a songwriter with infinite wisdom. "All My Friends" manages to be just the perfect level of sentimental, and who wouldn't shed a tear when they hear, "I wouldn't trade one stupid decision/ for another five years of life." For it is our decisions that make us who we are and get us to where they are, and for that they cannot be stupid.
1. "Paper Planes" - M.I.A.
I listen to M.I.A.'s Kala a lot, but almost always I skip straight to "Paper Planes" for a couple spins. This song haunted me for days after I first heard it, not to mention that everyone whom I've asked "Do you like M.I.A.?" has responded with "I love 'Paper Planes.'" This song sticks with you and it's hard to understand the reason why. Is it the Clash sample? Probably not - seeing as how she just took an intro. Maybe that Wrex-N-Effect chorus? I think that would be more likely, the way she takes a 90's booty anthem and turns it into something about violence and riches in the third world. I will write more about what the album means to me at a later point, but I feel as though "Paper Planes" ties the whole intellectual journey of Kala together. Two year's ago on this blog, we called M.I.A. a leader, and "Paper Planes" brilliantly outlines her platform.
10. "I'm a Flirt (Remix)" - R. Kelly featuring T-Pain
It's called the "remix" but few know where to actual find the original. In fact, R originally produced it for Bow Wow, but you can imagine him having a hard time leaving it with a rapper who most still cal "Lil.'" Thankfully, he rescued for his own R&B odyssey, Double Up, and brought two of the biggest stars of the moment (T.I. and T-Pain) along for the ride. The guest spots don't hurt, but they're just a supplement to the amazing piano beat. R's certainly got courage to drop a line like, "a dog on the prowl when I'm walking through the mall," given his always-impending sex-with-a-minor trial - but he doesn't care. He keeps pulling nuggets of genius out and we keep eating it up.
9. "Herculean" - The Good, the Bad and the Queen
With Gorillaz retired, and Blur still prepping that reunion (???), what keeps Damon Albarn busy. His latest innovative project was a supergroup of sorts with the bassist from the Clash; a guitarist whose played with the Verve, Blur and Gorillaz; one of the most highly regarded and underappreciated drummers ever, and a producer who continues to surprise with his every move. If you were simply expecting Blur meets the Clash or the fun-yet-uninspired sound we've become accustomed to from supergroups, then you're in for a disappointment. Results were minimalist, but effective - single "Herculean" is positively stunning.
8. "The Dull Flame of Desire" - Bjork Few voices can even come close to matching the emotion and intensity of Bjork's - which probably makes her a difficult singer to duet with. Thom Yorke pulled it off with "I've Seen it All" and with Volta's "Dull Flame of Desire," Antony of Antony and the Johnsons proved up to the challenge. Antony sings as though he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders - he sounds as though he could break down at any moment, but can move mountains when he opens his mouth. Bjork sings as though she is fighting her way out of her own head. Together they create a song that is gorgeous and heartbreaking - six minutes of intense bliss.
7. "Do It" - Nelly Furtado
I really did not think anything Furtado did could ever top "Say It Right" ... and then she comes back with this bit of 80's goodness. I've been hooked on this song since the moment I heard it. I especially think it was a bold choice to release it as a single - since this is the beat in question when Timbaland was accused of theft. Regardless of who crafted the beat, it is sheer bubblegum - and I mean that in a good way.
6. "Can't Believe a Single Word" - VHS or Beta
I find that there's not a whole lotta love out there for VHS or Beta. Pitchfork's Nate Patrin writes, "It was a mistake for VHS or Beta to subjugate their dance beat into a perfunctory structure for the guitars to smash against; the riffs sound like they're there for their own sake, biding their time and waiting for a moment of catchiness that never really arrives." I will have to respectfully disagree. VHS or Beta's odd mix of dance floor rhythms and seventies power rock may not make the world's best albums, but it sure does make for some amazing singles that beyond making you want to dance, they make you want to live.
I first heard this track in a movie theater and I wasn't even sure that I liked it. Upon a second listen, though, I completely recognized its brilliance. Rather than simply phone it in with the same luscious pop harmonies the duo dropped last time around, they supplement those with a more epic electric guitar. This song is at times indie pop and at times almost metal. Regardless, it's still a brilliant chorus.
14. "Unless It's Kicks" - Okkervil River
Remember what I said about the few groups keeping indie rock interesting. Well, I was referring to the National, but I frankly may even be bored with them if not for Okkervil River. I 100% have my brother to thank for turning me on to this band, but I still cannot remember how to spell this band's name. Will Sheff has one of those voices that dangerously sounds like it might run off key, but he always manages to pull it back in, keeping a high level of earnest emotion intact.
13. "C.O.L.O.U.R.S." - Fonzworth Bentley featuring Pimp C and Lil Wayne How long must I wait for the release of Fonzworth Bentley's debut album? For the time being, I must live with brilliant tracks leaked on Kanye West mixtapes. Last year, it was "Laid Back," and frankly I did not think anything could top that. Then along comes "C.O.L.O.U.R.S." with its slick, dinner party beat and infectious chours of "C-O-L-O-U-R-S/ what's the spell/ CoolOutrageousLoversOfUniquelyRawStyle." Bentley raps like no one else - you will hear elements of Kanye and Andre 3000. But you'll also hear a PBS narrator - or maybe Tim Gunn. Lil Wayne drops by on the third verse to kill it once again - "When you're not good/ then your arrogance is funny/ and when you're really rich/ then asparagus is yummy."
12. "Black Magic" - Jarvis Cocker
A pure British rock anthem - Cocker barrows generously from "Crimson and Clover" but puts his own inspiring twist on the whole thing. It's hard to not feel like you can take on the world after listening to this several times in a row - which is what I've been doing since the album dropped back in April.
11. "Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider" - Of Montreal
"Bunny" was the first track I heard from Kevin Barnes latest Of Montreal opus, and I fell completely head over heels in love with it. It embodies all the qualities that make Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer one of the year's best record - from its schizophrenic leaps from intro to verse to chorus, to the sylish way it appropriates Bowie, the Beatles, and underground sixties music. Top that off with it self-aware too-cool-for-school lyrics and you have the hip kids all confused. Pure genuis.
I've seen the LCD Soundsystem original atop a few best of the year lists, and I do like that version. However, when you hear it coming through the pipes of Alex Kapranos, you have to wonder if James Murphy didn't have them in mind all along. We've been fortunate that the quartet of Franz Ferdinand have been rather prolific in their short career - Murphy, as well, thankfully - and this LCD b-side gave us something more to water our taste buds before a new album.
19. "We Takin' Over" - DJ Khaled featuring T.I., Akon, Rick Ross, Birdman and Lil Wayne
I like this song for two reasons in particular. One, DJ Khaled is utterly fascinating. He's not a DJ in the traditional sense of one who scratches records. In fact, he only produced two songs on his album. What does he do, then? Well, he yells, alot - mostly "We dah bes.'" Of course, what makes this song stand out amongst the many guest spots is the verse from Lil Wayne - "I am a beast/ Feed me rappers or feed me beats." Wayne charges a lot for a guest verse - but when you hear shit like this, you understand why.
18. "Umbrella" - Rhianna
Rhianna just gets better with each successive single - and with "Umbrella," she straight up hits the mark. The Jay-Z verse at the intro is not up to standards, but thankfully, it is over before it starts and Rhianna gets to take over the track. A dark beat that isn't what you'd expect for a declared "summer anthem," "Umbrella" shows that the boundaries of R&B are continuing to be pushed.
17. "Woody Woodpecker" - Dan Deacon
The opening track on Dan Deacon's Pitchfork dreamboat (aka Spiderman of the Rings) should be annoying as shit. It's a three minute dance song build around a continuous sample of the cartoon character's obnoxious chirp. Couple that with a creepy old man laugh and you get a song that is somehow catchy, despite the odds. Just a couple years ago, something like this would be considered avant garde - however, as ears become accustomed to weirder sounds, Deacon is reaching a level of success that borders on mainstream.
16. "(Antichrist Television Blues)" - Arcade Fire
The best part about this song is that its original title was "Joe Simpson." The Arcade Fire manage to write a song about a pop culture figure without being tongue-in-cheek, cynical, or, thank god, preachy. Plus, you're talking about some of this year's most poignant lyrics - "Want to hold a mirror up to the world/So that they can see themselves inside my little girl."
The National are one of the only bands right now keeping indie rock interesting. I really did like Boxer, but I probably played "Mistaken For Strangers" a good ten times more than any other song on it. Glad some folks can still craft a good chorus.
29. "I'm on Fire" - Bats For Lashes Bats For Lashes put their own spin on the Bruce Springsteen classic, slowing it down several notches. The results are striking - much like the brilliant "Thunder Road" cover from Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Tortoise.
28. "Fisher King" - Greg Ashley I've had the good pleasure of knowing Greg Ashley these past couple years, in addition to seeing him live and at work in the studio. A highly-prolific artist, his sound continues to evolve, and with "Fisher King," he has his catchiest song yet.
Yes, we also miss OutKast, and Idlewild did not exactly fix our craving. Thankfully, we have Andre and Big Boi bookending a stunning beat. For UGK, the Southern rappers who'd influenced many of today's stars, it was their biggest hit. Sadly, Pimp-C passed earlier this month.
26. "Pro Nails" - Kid Sister featuring Kanye West
The first time I heard this, I thought it was some underground classic from the eighties, until Kanye West brought it back into modern times. Kid Sister spits fire and the A-Trak beat is truly one of a kind.
25. "Rest My Chemistry" - Interpol
Our Love To Admire was my least favorite Interpol effort to date. Thankfully a few tracks, namely "Chemistry," had just what I was looking for - more of the same.
24. "Hood Boy" - Fantasia featuring Big Boi
This actually dropped in late 2006, but was sadly, sadly overlooked. Dig the Big Boi verse at the end - he absolutely kills it.
23. "D.A.N.C.E." - Justice
Yeah, this should probably be higher. Yes, it's awesome. I just didn't listen to it enough. Sorry.
22. "Revival" - Soulsavers featuring Mark Lanegan
You probably already know that I go positively apeshit over anything with Lanegan's voice attached. I just heard this a few days ago - but I was compelled instantly.
21. "Upgrade You" - Lil Wayne When Weezy freestyles over a beat, he murders it, destroys it, burns it down and builds it back up anew. All you can do if you're the original artist or producer is take it as a compliment. It's hard to tell where Wayne pulls his rhymes from, but we can just be thankful he's got lots of them.
Highly infectious, "Crank That" embodies much of what hip and R&B production wall about in 2007 - minimal instruments and finger snaps.
39. "Identity Theft" - Nellie McKay After last year's long-delayed double-album, McKay returned in 2007 with one significantly shorter. Most of it sounded like the soundtrack to an avant garde musical, with "Identity Theft" leading the charge.
38. "Don't Make Me a Target" - Spoon
I can't say that Spoon's sound changes all that much from album to album. That being said, what they do continues to tighten and become more refined with every subsequent release.
37. "Temptation" - Dizzee Rascal Rascal borrows the chorus from an Arctic Monkey's b-side on this cautionary tale about fame. And you thought all rock rap was bad.
36. "Teddy Picker" - Arctic Monkeys
Is there a better rally cry than "Who'd want to be men of the people/ when there's people like you"?
35. "Split Needles" - The Shins After their Garden State hype two year ago, the Shins found themselves atop the Billboard charts in 2007. Most lists are including single "Phantom Limb," but I much prefer the darker "Split Needles," even though it musically bites a bit from Margot and the Nuclear So and So's.
34. "Wasted Little DJ's" - The View
While the hype surrounding them didn't quite make its way over the ocean, "Wasted Little DJ's" is still a catchy little number. It's tongue-in-cheek lyrics are quite quaint as well.
33. "Foundations" - Kate Nash
Everytime I hear this song on WOXY, it is either proceeded or preceded by a Lily Allen, too. Comparisons between the two are commonplace, though maybe Nash's sassiness is a tad less overt. Regardless, Nash strings phrases together quite remarkably.
32. "The Kids From Orange County" - Moving Units I was relieved to have some new Moving Units material in 2007. Now that their buzz has cooled, I'm not sure the band quite has that same spark as when I saw them three years ago. Nonetheless, the new record has some choice jams, including this dance floor favorite.
31. "Lip Gloss" - Lil Mama
More minimalist hip hop. The beat is so simple, it's crazy. But what makes this song so striking is Lil Mama's delivery - so compelling, her "what you know 'bout me" is all the chorus this one needs.
