Best Albums of 2007

"Drums and Guns" by Low

Same amazing Low, this time with more
dissonance, more violence, and an antiquated
drum machine. Best band ever.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Murderer, Breaker


"Spiderman of the Rings" by Dan Deacon

Dan Deacon might be the best thing that has happened to me this year. Watch this...you will understand.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

The Crystal Cat, Big Milk


"†" by Justice

Another amazing French electronic duo, this shit
is dance enlightenment. I god-damn'd defy you
to sit still while listening to this album.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Phantom, Phantom pt. II, Dvno


"Person Pitch" by Panda Bear

2007. The year indie music revisited organic, 60's pop music. Person Pitch is like "Pet Sounds" odd-ball cousin from the future. I actually think this album is about as perfect as anything has come this year.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Comfy in Nautica, Ponytail


"Kala" by M.I.A.

Sri Lankan, genre-bending, glitch-hopping, Pixie Referencing, Clash sampling, fire-eye'd radical. M.I.A. just does it for me.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Boyz, World Town


"Wierdo Rippers" by No Age

Lo-fi and simple. but with substance.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

My Life's Alright Without You, Everybody's Down


"23" by Blonde Redhead

I was sold the second I heard Kazu's voice hovering over the clockwork drumbeat of "23", the video for Top Ranking with Miranda July was just icing on the cake.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Top Ranking, Silently, Spring and By Summer Fall


"Friend Opportunity" by Deerhoof

Choo Choo Choo Choo Beep Beep! Best lyric of the year? Lovable quirk-pop album with art by David Shrigley for the ultimate win!
Listen

Standout Tracks:

+81, Believe E.S.P.


"Parades" by Efterklang

Epic, sweeping choral arrangements over strings...immense in scale, beautifully depicted in the album art. Denmark's finest.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Mirador, Caravan


"Yours To Keep" by Albert Hammond Jr

This album is a sucker-maker. Infectiously poppy first solo effort from the Strokes lead guitar player (and the real talent as far as I'm concerned.)
Listen

Standout Tracks:

In Transit, Bright Young Thing, Scared



Honorable Mentions
I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real by Y.A.C.H.T.
Kurr by Amiina
Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs
Wild Mountain Nations by Blitzen Trapper

Obligatory "Same as Everyone Else" Best of 2007
Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Volta by Bjork
In Rainbows by Radiohead
Icky Thump by The White Stripes