2007 saw music moving in a digital direction at an even faster pace. Face it, we now live in the iPod era, and what makes the music business money are downloads and ringtones. Fortunately, there were still a nice group of artists that rose above the business politics, and release great, cohesive albums. Here's my favorites of the year...
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Top 20 Albums of 2007:
1. Kanye West – "Graduation" - By the slimmest of margins, this is the best album released this year. "Graduation" shows Kanye totally grown up in his music making, even shedding the unfunny skits that interrupted his previous brilliant works. The fat has been trimmed, what's left here is all substance. What really put him at the top is the fact that he not only is the main performing, he had to make all the beats... and they all show him at his best. Looking forward to his album in '08.
Highlights - "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Stronger," "Good Life" and "Champion"
2. Jay-Z – "American Gangster" - After the disgusting taste left in my mouth by "Kingdom Come," Jay-Z returns to his drug-slangin' roots with an album "inspired" by the motion picture of the same name. Let's be honest though, this is just an excuse to make street records, while still sitting on mansions in real life. So what though? The result is another fine album by Jay-Z, who shows that he is still light-years ahead of the young clowns that claim to be the best hip-hop has to offer. The question - can Jay-Z make an album like this again without the guise of a concept album for a movie? Here's to hoping so...
Highlights - "Blue Magic," "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)" and "Ignorant Shit"
3. Lily Allen – "Alright, Still" - So how can an album be on last year's list, AND this year's list? If you release your album domestically this year and show over time, that you might have the best pop album released in the last ten years. Allen even goes as far to top the UK version of her album by including a sort-of cover of 50 Cents "Window Shopper," but changes the content matter, turning the song from boastful, to hilarious. It even shows how ridiculous the original truly is.
Highlights - "Smile," "Everything's Just Wonderful" and "Nan, You're a Window Shopper"
4. Ghostface Killah – "The Big Doe Rehab" - Ghostface done did it again, his 6th proper studio album is yet another "Wu-Banger." There isn't much to say except if you like his previous albums, this will be right up your alley. I do have to point out that the Wu-Tang members guest appearance's are top-notch. Some of them even come harder than on the new Wu-Tang album that dropped a week later. (See #13)
Highlights - "Killa Lipstick," "Paisley Darts" and "Supa GFK"
5. The Hives – "Black and White Album" - These aren't your same old Hives... yet they are. The Hives 3rd album here in America find them experimenting with new sounds, both vocal and musical, yet still showcases their balls-to-the-wall style. I found the album to be pretty refreshing, and it really held my attention for the full 15 tracks. Definitely something to continue to grow on.
Highlights - "Tick Tick Boom," "Try it Again" and "Well All Right!"
6. Dizzee Rascal – "Maths + English" - UK "rapper" Dizzee Rascal has released some progressive albums in his short recording career, but has finally brought us a gem with his third album. Unfortunately, it will probably never see out shores... so I strongly encourage you to check out "Maths + English" through import or digital medium. Dizzee Rascal brings out tales of life on the street, and what type of life you can have off of them.
Highlights - "World Outside," "Where's da Gs?" and "Sirens"
7. Jimmy Eat World – "Chase This Light" - After the somewhat disappointing "Futures," Jimmy Eat World return with "Chase This Light," an album of one rocker after another. It seems they really went back to basics and decided to just rock out as much as possible, which pays off. While not as solid an album as "Bleed American," it definitely has no weak links.
Highlights - "Big Casino," "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues" and "Always Be"
8. Common – "Finding Forever" - On both "Be" and "Finding Forever," Common owes Kanye West a great debt for being album to finally bring Common the commercial praise he has rightfully deserved for so long. The production here is very good, and although Common's lyrics have gotten a little softer over the last few albums, he can still spit like crazy when he wants to. (see "The Game") I'd rather have an album with solid production and lyrics, then tip the see-saw to one side.
Highlights - "The Game," "The People" and "I Want You"
9. M.I.A. – "Kala" - What can one say about the sophomore album from Sri-Lankan descendant M.I.A.? It's definitely courageous, and experiments with all types of world sound from just about anywhere. And then there are those vocals; rap? singing? both? That's for you to decide. If you are looking for something different, and don't mind experimental music, this is the disc for you. (Oh there is a Timbaland track!)
Highlights - "Bird Flu," "$20" and "Jimmy"
10. Queens of the Stone Age – "Era Vulgaris" - QOTSA posses what might be the most pure and raw sound in rock today, and their new album is no different. It sounds much less polished than there last album, "Lullabies to Paralyze," but the is exactly what you want from Josh Homme and company. If you haven't seen the band live, run to a venue to check it out. If you don't have the album, do the same to your nearest store.
Highlights - "3's & 7's," "Make it Wit'chu" and "Into the Hollow"
11. The White Stripes – "Icky Thump" - An album much closer to the amazing "Elephant" than the country-tinged "Get Behind Me Satan," The White Stripes really return to form here. Let's face it, the title track is easily the best song they have release since "Seven Nation Army," and the guitar riff might be the best Jack White has ever laid down. Welcome back Jack and Meg.
Highlights - "Icky Thump," "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)" and "Conquest"
12. Mark Ronson – "Version" - An album of cleverly crafted cover songs, Mark Ronson shows why is such a brilliant producer. Whether it be the Phantom Planet remake of Radiohead's "Just, or the major reworking of Britney Spears "Toxic," featuring a rap by the late ODB!, "Version" is a change-up of style that's just what the musical doctor ordered. Throw in a Lily Allen fronted cover of the Kaiser Chief's "Oh My God" and you have quite a collection.
Highlights - "Stop Me," "Toxic" and "Valerie"
13. Wu-Tang Clan – "8 Diagrams" - Major controversy came to light just before the release of the first Wu-Tang album in seven years. Crew members weren't happy with beats, people said they weren't getting their due pay - everything seemed to be a mess. Listening to the album, I can't really see why Raekwon or Ghostface were complaining, RZA is still dropping some very advanced beats. The only problem I would have at times is the lack of hunger in the MCs voices... besides Method Man, who seems to destroy every verse he touches. It's no "36 Chambers," "Wu-Tang Forver," or even "The W," but it's still pretty damn good.
Highlights - "Campfire," "Take it Back," "Wolves" and "Rushing Elephants"
14. El-P – "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" - Let's get something out of the way right off the bat, El-P's new album only works when you listen to it all the way through, as single songs most of them just do not hold up as well. That said, this is a very dense album that takes numerous plays to truly begin to grasp musically. Ambitious and rewarding.
Highlights - "Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)," "Flyentology" and "Smithereens (Stop Cryin')"
15. Maroon 5 – "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" - I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much at all from the follow-up to "Song About Jane," it was almost seven years for the second album to come out from Maroon 5. What they prove is how talented they are, and how lead singer Adam Levine and use his voice as another instrument in the band. Oh, and the band can rock pretty hard when they want to... for a pop-rock band.
Highlights - "Makes Me Wonder," "Little of Your Time" and "Can't Stop"
16. UGK – "Underground Kingz" - We can keep this one pretty short... UGK has been around forever, even if you hadn't heard them until Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'." That said, they hadn't garnered much commercial attention until now, thanks to the Outkast assisted "Intl' Player's Anthem," which is the song of the year. Unfortunately, success was short-lived, at least for the group, as one-half of UGK, Pimp-C, died shortly after the album was released in his hotel room. A shame, because UGK delivers not one, but two discs of banger after banger. R.I.P.
Highlights - "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)," "Trill Niggas Don't Die" and "Candy"
17. Fall Out Boy – "Infinity on High" - In a world that still buys albums, Fall Out Boy would be pushing close to six million copies of "Infinity on High" right now. They have catchy choruses, and one hell of a song writer in Patrick Stump. As long as he is the anchor of the band, they will be around for some time, even if their fanbase outgrows them... they have the ability to make people adapt to THEM.
Highlights - "Thiller," "'The Take Over, The Breaks Over'" and "Fame/Infamy"
18. Brother Ali – "The Undisputed Truth" - Some music for the hip-hop backpacker, Brother Ali serves up some conscious underground rap. It's mellow and smooth for the most part, with introspective and thought provoking lyrics. A definite refresher.
Highlights - "Whatcha Got," "Here" and "Take Me Home"
19. Rjd2 – "The Third Hand" - Producer Rjd2 returns with an album full of the kind of beats he has been known for over his career, but this time he has no vocal samples to be heard. Instead, he sings his won vocals on the record and while most fans have blasted the attempt at singing, I find it a perfect compliment to his production. He tried something different, and it succeeded for me.
Highlights - "Beyond the Beyond," "You Never Had it so Good" and "Have Mercy"
20. Swizz Beatz – "One Man Band Man" - I'll be honest, this album will win no awards for originality or lyrical prowess, I just found the final product to be entertaining. The samples are very solid, including some Coldplay. Swizz Beatz produces all the beats here and for the most part holds the microphone through most songs, which has mixed results. But, if you want an album to get your party hopping, you could much worse than this.
Highlights - "It's Me Bitches (Remix)," "Money in the Bank" and "Part of the Plan"
Well, that's about it, I decided I didn't really have a good enough list to sort out the best singles and disappointing albums from the year, but you can hear some of that on tonight's show. Feel free to share some opinions... Here's to a great sounding 2008.
Labels: 2007, Best Albums
