RTP07 Top 10: KP
Putting this list together made me want to immediately go back and start listening to each of these albums on repeat again. Each one, especially those near the top, soundtracked a huge portion of my waking hours in 2007, and I never really got sick of them.
With all further ado sprinkled among the list, here it is:
10 Handsome Furs – Plague Park
This album came out of somewhat relative obscurity to make it onto my list. I’m a huge fan of Wolf Parade’s work, but for some reason I didn’t expect this side project to blow me away as much as it did. Dan Boekner’s voice and the beautifully simple musical arrangements are what make this album stand out. Key track: “Sing! Captain”
9 The National - Boxer
With Alligator being one of my favorite albums of 2005, I had very high expectations for Boxer, and it delivered. There’s something about their chord progressions that gets me every time. Key track: “Mistaken for Strangers”
8 Beirut – The Flying Club Cup
Beirut will always stand out in my collection given its sheer uniqueness in style, but this album truly has something special to it. I could put it on and be taken away to a different world. Key track: “A Sunday Smile”
7 Radiohead – In Rainbows
The hype surrounding this album and its presentation were almost too much to bear, but I never once put on track one without listening to the entire album straight through. It’s a perfect musical journey. Key track: “Videotape”
6 Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis
Jarvis can do no wrong in my book. He’s one of the most refreshing lyricists I’ve ever heard. This album contains some amazing arrangements, which he admittedly happened upon by accident, but the result is completely fulfilling. Jarvis makes me happier to be alive. Key track: “Black Magic”
5 St. Vincent – Marry Me
Speaking of happy to be alive, St. Vincent is another one of those albums that takes me to a better place every time. Annie Clark comes off as so sweet an innocent at first, but then she’ll fucking rock out on the guitar, and I can’t imagine a better thing in the world. Key track: “The Apocalypse Song”
4 Menomena – Friend and Foe
I have complete and utter respect for these guys’ songwriting ability. It’s both intelligently crafted and absolutely rocking at the same time. Each track on this album has at least several nuances that astound me. Beautifully written, beautifully produced. Key track: “Rotten Hell”
3 Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Having set the bar extremely high with 2004’s Funeral, Arcade Fire completely knocked it out of the park with this album. Honestly, it took me a few listens to get used to the new styles, as I sort of hoped for some type of Funeral twin. But this album gathered steam like none other this year. I don’t even need to comment on the band’s songwriting skill, as they’re unequivocally one of the best in music today. Key track: “Ocean of Noise”
2 Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block
Although this album technically came onto the scene in 2006, I’m including it on my list because of the 2007 US release date, and because of the fact that even after having it for several months in 2006, I probably listened to it more than any other album in my collection this past year (save maybe one album). Even after all the rockommercial over-exposure, this band’s sound never became tired to me. It could make me both rock out and cry about my ex at the same time. But … you know, I’m just kidding about the crying part. Seriously. … It was one time. Key track: “Up Against the Wall”
1 LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
All hyperbole aside, this album changed my life. Above and beyond being one of the most masterfully crafted albums I’ve ever heard, it changed the way I listened to and appreciated music, and it got me interested in entirely new genres. It was also by far the most fun album of 2007. James Murphy is a production god in my book, and lyrically he’s one of the most diverse I’ve encountered. Look no further than the juxtaposition of “North American Scum” and “Someone Great.” When I’m older, this album will define a time in my life, and I’m psyched about that fact. Key track: “All My Friends”
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[…] over to my other blog, RockTransferProtocol, to check out my Top 10 Albums of 2007. There are also the Top 10 lists of my fellow RTPers. And then come talk to me about the music […]
nice addition of Jarvis. Underrated album