Your Top Songs/Albums of 2007Music

[YSSMAN]

In the interest of making lists as many of us do at the end of the year, does anyone care to share what they believe to be their best songs or albums from 2007? It has been a very, very long year with many great new artists, sophomore albums, and other compilation sets that have set the standard ever higher for 2008.

So, how 'bout it?

Best New Artist/Album

I'd honestly have to go with Paramore with their new CD RIOT!. Beyond the fact that they've got one of the hottest front-ladies in any music genre, their songs carry a bit of meaning, and always are fun in the process. Most Americans would probably be keen to vote for Amy Winehouse, but I'm over that (although, I still love her too).

Best Import

Yours Truly, Angry Mob by The Kaiser Chiefs has to be one of my favorite albums from this year, certainly a good follow-up to its predecessor. More than one song sticks out as something kick-ass in my book, and in all honesty, pretty much every playlist and CD I've made in the past few months since buying the CD has had one track from this album. Check it out if you haven't already, I've been really disappointed by the lack of play it has been getting in the US.

Best Album That No One Has Heard Of (in the US)

I'm a Klaxons fan, I'll admit it. No play in the US guarantees that you'd look cool with your friends, as there are more than a few songs to jam on when playing this. I first heard about them at work, through an indie-rock playlist we use on our overhead. I had to search a bit for the CD, but my local Best Buy had it... Give it a look if you haven't...

Most Over-Rated Album

Yeah, I said it. For the most part, I didn't like this one at all. That being said, I wasn't much of a LP fan going in anyway... Still, there are some stand-out songs, only one of which has gotten a lot of play. Well, not on the radio at least. I didn't care much for it, but a lot of other folks did, and thats alright by me. Depends on what you like...

Yeah, I Bought It: Why Not?

Metal doesn't get enough credit these days. Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled album changes that a bit, debuting at number four on its opening week. I love this album, I really honestly do. The best thing about it? Blasting it at work on the overhead just to piss the kids off a little more...

Why Haven't I Bought This Yet?

I'm working on it. I hear its really good. You kids should check it too...

Throw it in the Trash NOW!

God I hate these things...

Best Album That No One Saw Coming

Metalocalypse is one of those shows that either really appeals to people or really drives them away. Personally speaking, I think its one of the funniest shows on television. The Dethalbum basically is all the songs from the show, plus a little bonus, in their full form. Amazingly, they don't suck, and actually are face-melting-metal all the way through.

Last-Minute Goodie

Anyone who has been around here long enough knows that I'm a fairly militant Killers fan. Sam's Town is still played nearly everywhere I go (although, The Black Parade steals its thunder), and that being said, I do feel like Sawdust is a pretty good spacer between it and their next "full album." By that I do mean that for the most part, Sawdust is compiled of tracks that didn't make it onto Hot Fuss or Sam's Town, and in fact have a few other bonuses as well. It isn't for everyone, but that wasn't the point either...

Best Album

I think out of all the CDs I bought this year, it really came down to one stand out record for me. Simply put, Paramore's RIOT! was something that seemed to come at just the right time and have just the right tone to make everything feel right again. I love the look, the sound, and the feel of the music. YOU MUST BUY THIS ALBUM IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!

...So, heres to 2008!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

There's only one I can vote on here:

Best Album No-one Saw Coming:

Alright, so the band announced In Rainbows would be coming long before it was actually released. But to make an entire album free to download one so wished? It was audacious and while there were probably a lot of people who said "Yeah, I'm a Radiohead fan," and downloaded it, there were probably a lot of people like me who thought "Alright, it's free ... so let's download it, see what it's like and take it from there." The end result was that everything from OK Computer to Hail To The Theif ended up on my playlist before the day was out. But no-one saw Radiohead's method of release coming.

 

[YSSMAN]

Rainbows is yet another CD that I probably should get, but haven't yet. I'll openly admit that I'm not a big fan of Radiohead, I don't see what all the fuss is about, but then again, they are part of the reason why The Killers even exist at all...

===

BTW: If someone puts Soulja Boy on here, you can expect a brick through your front window with an attached message of hatred. Maybe even a flaming bag of poo on your doorstep while I'm at it...

 

[ExigeEvan]

A Weekend in The City by Bloc party.

Not as quick to the point as Silent Alarm was but still manages to scream Bloc Party though and through, The Prayer, Uniform and I still remember being personal favourites.

Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace by Foo Fighters

Yeah I'm was a huge fan previous, but this picked up the ball after In Your Honor dropped it, in my opinion at least. Some stunning tracks on it, sure to be classics.

Send Away The Tigers by Manic Street Preachers.

A few really great tracks on it thats how these old timers can still rock.

 

[Lee]

Against Me! - New Wave

A brilliant album, I hadn't heard any of their songs before this album so I wasn't quite sure what I was in for, but after I heard Thrash Unreal on a music channel, I had to get the album. Some tracks have a real grit to them, such as Piss and Vinegar and White People For Peace whilst there is some brilliant melodic tracks such as Ocean and a duet with Tegan Quin.


Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead

I had fears that Serj's solo debut would crash. Being a System fan however I had to buy the album and I was reassured Serj is still on of the most talented vocalists in modern rock. Empty Walls is a brilliant song to being with but later on in the album, all sorts of instruments are used. Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition is another highlight.


Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light

I've been a Jimmy fan for a while now and whilst Futures had a very dark, grim tone to it, CTL turns it completely 180 and is pretty much full of happy pop-rock. Needless to say this is one of the lighter albums on my iPod but at the same time when I listen to it, I can't help but smile. Big Casino is an anthem and Feeling Lucky gets the feet tapping, the songwriting is superb as always. Just as good as Clarity, if not better.

 

[Smallhorses]

Best Instrumental / Atmospheric Album 2007

All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone - Explosions In The Sky

A stunning follow up to their monumental The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place album, full of nice melodies, crashing crescendos and drum rolls.
I've never been a fan of American Football, and movies about American Football are almost as dull as the game itself, except that they don't keep stopping for a rest every 10 seconds , but these guys did the soundtrack to Friday Night Lights which merits further investigation, if only for the music!

Best Alternative Album 2007 (US)

I have a tie here:

The Else - They Might Be Giants

20-some years on from their original album and still going strong! Got the chance to see these guys live on stage in San Francisco this year, some 17 years after I saw them at my first live gig in Sheffield, UK. Still upbeat and irreverent, they're still writing songs about things and stuff that no other band would dream of! This album features excellent songs such as "The Mesopotamians", "I'm Impressed" and "Bee Of The Bird Of The Moth" - a song about the Hummingbird Moth, a Moth that behaves like a Bird (The hummingbird) which thinks it's a Bee (hummingbirds drink flower nectar!) - hence the song title!

The Sun And The Moon - The Bravery

Another good follow up album with as much catchiness as their original album.
Instantly recognisable sound thats part new-post-punk era, but coupled with a healthy dose of Morrissey/The Smiths influence, some of The Cure thrown in for good measure, and wrapped in a kind of 80's New Romantic skin!

Best New Artist / Best Import Album 2007

Costello Music - The Fratellis

It's incredibly rare to play an album for a first time and instantly like every song on it. Usually it requires a few plays to get into a new band.
Not this one. Every tune rocks! Buy it! Say no more!
"Chelsea Dagger" appeared in all sorts of things from an iPod commercial to the soundtrack to Hot Fuzz.
Probably my overall favourite new album of 2007.
Oh, and it has hot chicks in lingerie on the cover. What more could you want?

Best Electronica Album 2007

We Are The Night - The Chemical Brothers

Another good effort for The Chemics. While it lacks the impact of well known vocalists such as Beth Orton, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans and Bernard Sumner of New Order that have featured on their previous albums, it's still a collection of thumping tracks that have their charms. From the downright kooky "The Salmon Dance" to sounds that hark back to their older material like "We Are The Night", there's the sort of Michael Jackson-esque "Do It Again" and their usual mellow ending with "The Pills Won't Help You Now".

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light

I've been a Jimmy fan for a while now and whilst Futures had a very dark, grim tone to it, CTL turns it completely 180 and is pretty much full of happy pop-rock. Needless to say this is one of the lighter albums on my iPod but at the same time when I listen to it, I can't help but smile. Big Casino is an anthem and Feeling Lucky gets the feet tapping, the songwriting is superb as always. Just as good as Clarity, if not better.

After a quick listen through the tracks, it doesn't seem like a complete 180.

Anyway since I haven't been keeping up on music in 2007, this is pretty much the only album I can recommend from this year.

 

[Only_in_f1]

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

I look hard to follow 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' but the Arctic Monkeys seemed to have done well with the follow up 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'. The mix of 'feel good' riffs mixed with the downbeat lyrics of frontman Alex Turner in songs such as 'Old Yellow Bricks','Fluorescent Adolescent' & 'Brianstorm' have made them a hit.

 

[Year.Zero]

2007

* Polaris Music Prize nomination – The Reminder
* CBC Radio 3 Bucky Award nomination: Song Most Likely to be a Future Classic - "1234"

2008

* Grammy Award nomination: Best Female Pop Vocal
* Grammy Award nomination: Best New Artist
* Grammy Award nomination: Best Pop Vocal Album – The Reminder
* Grammy Award nomination: Best Short Form Music Video – "1234"

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Another one for the list:
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

Some of my friends at college have been trying to rope me into QotSA for a while now, and I have to say that it's been a bit of a battle. Their previous albums all have their moments, but some of the songs are simply too dark or the sound is too distorted for me to enjoy. Not so with Era Vulgaris; there's maybe one song on it that I don't like. It's very much inspired by frontman Josh Homme's dairly drive through Los Angeles, and you really get the feeling that you're in the middle of a dirty, seething and fast-moving city when listeningto it. And I have no idea how he can swtich between his normal vocals and a falsetto so quickly and so frequently on Misfit Love.

Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace by Foo Fighters

Yeah I'm was a huge fan previous, but this picked up the ball after In Your Honor dropped it, in my opinion at least. Some stunning tracks on it, sure to be classics.

I have to say that as much as I love the Foos, I find that their albums are generally hit-and-miss affair. ESP&G had some great songs on it - The Pretender, Let It Die, Erase/Replace, Long Road to Ruin and Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running) - but the rest of the album just seemed like filler, as if it were there simply to make up the rest of the album. The same thing happened on In Your Honour; There Is Nothing Left To Lose was the last time they released an album that I wanted to listen to all the way through.

 

[McLaren]

Totally agree on Dethklok's album. All the songs are awesome, and are funny as hell, esp. The Ducan Hills Coffee Jingle.

 

[Solid Fro]

Last-Minute Goodie

Anyone who has been around here long enough knows that I'm a fairly militant Killers fan. Sam's Town is still played nearly everywhere I go (although, The Black Parade steals its thunder), and that being said, I do feel like Sawdust is a pretty good spacer between it and their next "full album." By that I do mean that for the most part, Sawdust is compiled of tracks that didn't make it onto Hot Fuss or Sam's Town, and in fact have a few other bonuses as well. It isn't for everyone, but that wasn't the point either...

👍

I do appreciate the re-mastering of Under The Gun and the Thin White Duke mix of Mr. Brightside that are on the album. Mr. Brightside really hits home for me.

 

[YSSMAN]

Best New Artist / Best Import Album 2007

Costello Music - The Fratellis

It's incredibly rare to play an album for a first time and instantly like every song on it. Usually it requires a few plays to get into a new band.
Not this one. Every tune rocks! Buy it! Say no more!
"Chelsea Dagger" appeared in all sorts of things from an iPod commercial to the soundtrack to Hot Fuzz.
Probably my overall favourite new album of 2007.
Oh, and it has hot chicks in lingerie on the cover. What more could you want?

I always forget about that one! These guys are absolutely wonderful! I love the music video too, rather sexy with the three lingerie chicks dancing about... Certainly a good find!

This is another one I'm adding to my "why haven't I bought this?" list. I've known about Fiest for quite some time now, actually nearly two years. Rarely could I ever find her stuff at the local stores, but we did play some of her older music at my job, which was awesome. Mushaboom is probably one of my most-favorite songs, ever.

 

[Spock]

I really don't have anyway to organize these four albums, but they beat the hell out of most the stuff i hear on the radio any day.

Starting off.

Dead Again - Type O Negative

As a fan of dark/goth metal I must say I was quite impressed when I first heard this album. It included some of the nicest riff's / bass melodies that I've heard in a long time from any band, ever.

Cannibal - Static-X

Beats the hell out of their last two albums. Hard and metal, fast. I love it.

Tohuvabohu - KMFDM

At first when i heard the album i was not impressed, at all. It took a while of listening to the album to really get a feel for it, but now listening to old KMFDM just doesnt sound right. Spit Or Swallow Is by far my most favorite track, Nice clean beats that sit well in my cars system, and decent lyrics to boot in all the tracks.

Human, The Death Dance - Sage Francis

Whats that? A white rapper who sounds ****ing amazing? yeah. Now with being mostly a metal head, when i first heard Francis on Punk-O-Rama 8 (Makeshift Patriot) I thought, ehs a pretty cool guy, raps about current events and doesnt afraid of anything. With his latest release though, instead of being all about drum and bass beats like alot of shoddy rapers (read: every one else, aside from Atmosphere/Slug) he has some really deep lyrics, but ontop of a nice sound that makes him rap i like listening to.

 

[exigeracer]

Best Import:

Bedouin Soundclash - Street Gospels

Taking what they learned from their earlier breakthrough album, Bedouin put out the much-anticipated and refined follow-up album Street Gospels. High energy, fun beats and the right display of inspiration turn this album into one of the highlights of my music year. These guys pretty much created their genre, which is something quite amazing considering the barren Canadian music scene and their far-eastern Ontario roots. Proof that people can still make good new music. Not many people outside of the country know these guys, but it's worth checking out.

and

The Go! Team - Proof of Youth

I could try to write up a description of this one, but it would be repeating the above. Just replace Canadian with British. Awesome stuff. You would be cheating yourself not checking these kids out.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead

I had fears that Serj's solo debut would crash. Being a System fan however I had to buy the album and I was reassured Serj is still on of the most talented vocalists in modern rock. Empty Walls is a brilliant song to being with but later on in the album, all sorts of instruments are used. Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition is another highlight.

I'm sorry but Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition is possbily the worse song I have ever heard live. Now I'm not saying I've been to a hell of alot of concerts but from a fairly well known artist this was just disappointing.

Another one for the list:
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

Some of my friends at college have been trying to rope me into QotSA for a while now, and I have to say that it's been a bit of a battle. Their previous albums all have their moments, but some of the songs are simply too dark or the sound is too distorted for me to enjoy. Not so with Era Vulgaris; there's maybe one song on it that I don't like. It's very much inspired by frontman Josh Homme's dairly drive through Los Angeles, and you really get the feeling that you're in the middle of a dirty, seething and fast-moving city when listeningto it. And I have no idea how he can swtich between his normal vocals and a falsetto so quickly and so frequently on Misfit Love.

That's an album I have heard so much good about, but just haven't been able to get into myself.

I have to say that as much as I love the Foos, I find that their albums are generally hit-and-miss affair. ESP&G had some great songs on it - The Pretender, Let It Die, Erase/Replace, Long Road to Ruin and Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running) - but the rest of the album just seemed like filler, as if it were there simply to make up the rest of the album. The same thing happened on In Your Honour; There Is Nothing Left To Lose was the last time they released an album that I wanted to listen to all the way through.

An entirely fair comment. Some songs do certainly seem out of place but I still feel they work on the whole. Though IMO One By One was a strong album aswell.

 

[F1GTR]

Biffy Clyro - Puzzle

Some fast, straightforward and sometimes classically inspired rock from Scottish band Biffy Clyro. Not as experimental or heavy as their previous stuff, but it's much more accessible.

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

After the slow burning Get Behind Me Satan, The Whites Stripes have returned to their original sound - dirty sounding guitars ans heavy drumming. Although there are a few influences from previous albums like Elephant. There are also bagpipes.

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Aside from the 'name your price' way of distribution, In Rainbows is the output of a band that truly has found their style; hypnotic drums and airy, ethereal sounds combined with cryptic lyrics from Thom Yorke.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

More dance influenced than their debut, this album seems to have more of a mature lean to it. Lyrics aren't as witty or sharp as their first, but it's still a memorable album with catchy tunes.

Daft Punk - Alive 2007

Daft Punk's second live album combines the funky sounds from Homework, the sing-song, light-heartedness of Discovery and the robotic beats from Human After All in a live performance. They've managed to transform songs that I've heard a million times over into some fresh arrangements and sounds.

Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains The Same

A remastered re-release of one of Led Zep's concerts; one which the band members themselves admit was a poor performance. Nevertheless they still sound awesome and the remaster gives the album a much better sound over the poor quality of the original.

It's been a pretty good year for music. 👍

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Best Import

Yours Truly, Angry Mob by The Kaiser Chiefs has to be one of my favorite albums from this year, certainly a good follow-up to its predecessor. More than one song sticks out as something kick-ass in my book, and in all honesty, pretty much every playlist and CD I've made in the past few months since buying the CD has had one track from this album. Check it out if you haven't already, I've been really disappointed by the lack of play it has been getting in the US.

Such a great album, I havn't listened to it enough though as I just seem to keep adding more albums to iTunes and each time I do I forget about some great stuff.

For me the best album would have to go to Reel Big Fish's Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free.

A great ska punk album. Features some awesome new songs and some re-recordings. My highlights of the album would be Party Down, Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat, Cannibal and a cover of Phil Collins' Another Day In Paradise.

Party Down


Another fantastic album to be released this year would be Bad Religion's New Maps of Hell.

After 27 years, Bad Religion are still going strong, this being their 14th album.

New Maps of Hell

 

[Lee]

I'm sorry but Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition is possbily the worse song I have ever heard live. Now I'm not saying I've been to a hell of alot of concerts but from a fairly well known artist this was just disappointing.

Haha fair enough, I thought it was pretty good on the album. Haven't heard it live mind you.

 

[a6m5]

Best Single Nominees:

Gallows - Black Heart Queen
Colbie Calliat - Bubbly
Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
Brandi Carlile - The Story
The Bravery - Time Won't Let Me Go

And the award goes to.....

Colbie Calliat - Bubbly

Best Album Nominees:
Interpol - Out Love To Admire
The Killers - Sawdust
KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

Killers wins by landslide.

The Killers - Sawdust

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Velvet Revolver - Libertad
It's been a long time since I've heard a hard rock band that plays hard rock for the sake of hard rock, which is precisely why you should be listening to this Stone Temple Pilots/Guns 'N Roses/Wasted Youth supergroup.

 

[Casio]

While In Rainbows holds my best album of the year vote by a gigantic mile. I think a mention should be given to...

And as much as I usually hate rap, I listened to this at a mates and it was actually pretty good.

Finally.

 

[ceiling_fan]

Best upcoming metal band:

Melo-death with really good riffs and guitar work. They just dropped their singer, whom I considered a weak link in the band.

Best album after repeated listening

This album was very difficult for me to get into, but once I did I saw it's true genius. It's "Japanese Avant-garde post black metal" according to wiki.

Best live show

I saw these guys in July and they put on an incredible show. It's also a very good album.

Best album that is totally bonkers:

T3h Shred Boiz- WTF

This Kansas duo puts out some absolutely absurd intsrumental metal, but it's actually a good listen. The album is free and can be downloaded here, 66MB.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Human, The Death Dance - Sage Francis

Whats that? A white rapper who sounds ****ing amazing? yeah. Now with being mostly a metal head, when i first heard Francis on Punk-O-Rama 8 (Makeshift Patriot) I thought, ehs a pretty cool guy, raps about current events and doesnt afraid of anything. With his latest release though, instead of being all about drum and bass beats like alot of shoddy rapers (read: every one else, aside from Atmosphere/Slug) he has some really deep lyrics, but ontop of a nice sound that makes him rap i like listening to.

if you think this is good check out his first two: personal journals and a healthy distrust. human is a huge letdown compared to those two.