I hate making lists, and at the same time feel totally compelled to every time the year rears it’s festive head. The fact that we are running this as a feature this year kind of forced me to come up with something. Even though this year has been a phenomenal year for new music, especially stateside, the following ten were fairly easy to choose - to say they are the best of the year is purely a matter of opinion, but they are the records that I have cherished, and lived with for the past 12 months. You’ll more than likely agree with some of them, and others think “what the hell is he talking about?”. There may even be a couple in there you haven’t heard yet, which is why we’ve added mp3’s for your listening pleasure. Because, lets face it, discovering new music that shakes you to the core is one of lifes true pleasures - and that’s ultimately what we’re here for.
Broken Social Scene Presents…Kevin Drew – Spirit If
Is it a Broken Social Scene album? Is it a solo album? Does it really matter? No, of course not. The debate on whether this was self indulgent twoddle totally overshadowed the fact that it is a colossal record. Packed full of life affirming songs, that have pretty much been the soundtrack to the second half of this year.
mp3:> Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew: Back Out On The …
Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala
What can I say? The perfect pop album of 2007 and certainly the masterpiece that Lekman has always promised. They should employ the songs contained on this record in schools up and down the land to illustrate how to write a perfect song. In my day, my music lesson consisted of analysing “Yellow Submarine”. Fuck Ringo - I want my kids to get to the very core of “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo” - It defines pop music. The man is a legend, pure and simple.
mp3:> Jens Lekman: Sipping On The Sweet Nectar
Loney, Dear – Loney, Noir
My love affair with Emil Svanängens music continues. By far my artist of the year, the past couple of years in fact. There isn’t much I can really say about the music that I haven’t already said on this site in the past 12 months. Loney, Noir and indeed the previous three releases have been on constant rotation ever since I heard a live session on Gideon Coe’s 6music show back in the summer of 2006. And, after seeing them live every chance I could get this year it’s fair to say no other music around at the moment touches me in the same way as Loney, Dear does. There is nothing more I can really add to that.
mp3:> Loney, Dear: Carrying A Stone
Alberta Cross – The Thief & The Heartbreaker
An absolute belter of an album, even though it is painfully short. An Anglo Swedish duo that embody the spirit of The Band and the reverb drenched americana of Band of Horses. Vastly overlooked in this country, hopefully a newly signed deal with Geffen in the States will bring these guys to the fore in 2008.
mp3:> Alberta Cross: The Devil’s All You Ever Had
The Kissaway Trail - s/t
This album kept rearing its ugly head - every time I was trying to come up with a short list for the year. Sure, it is derivative of a lot of other stuff that’s out there at the moment - Arcade Fire predominantly. And it’s certainly not perfect - but when it hits the mark, it hits it good and hard. The songs have an incredible addictive quality about them which has made it an album I’ve returned to more than any other this year. Quite simply, it just makes me feel really good inside. Call it life affirming if you will, they are just really really good songs delivered with such a wide eyed sense of optimism and hope it’s hard not to fall for them.
mp3:> The Kissaway Trail: Eloquence And Elixir
The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls In America
Is there any other band on the planet that enjoy themselves more than the Hold Steady? I doubt it. The joy that they get through playing with each other (no jokes please) is carved into the very core of this record. From start to finish, Boys and Girls.. is an absolute pleasure to listen to. In an album where quick fire lyrics are at the forefront; “She was a really cool kisser and she wasn’t all that strict of a christian” also has to be hands down my favourite of the year. A very, very special band indeed.
mp3:> The Hold Steady: First Night
The Good, The Bad & The Queen - s/t
This album single handedly restored my faith in British music. I think I heard it back in January and instantly knew it would be a favourite of the year. This record simply has it all - fantastic songs, beautiful dynamics between the musicians and a dark brooding atmosphere that takes you to another place when listening to it. Damon Albarn is quite simply, a genius.
mp3:> The Good, Bad & The Queen: Kingdom Of Doom
Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
Sometimes, all you really want is fucking good songs. Delivered in a direct way with a no frills approach. That’s what Ryan Adams and The Cardinals achieve on Easy Tiger. An amalgamation of all his past work, repackaged and condensed into a perfectly formed and easy to swallow 38 minute mouthful.
mp3:> Ryan Adams: Two
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
Wilco have always had a certain knack of polarizing their fans with the release of each album. Generally because with each release they have become more and more experimental, shaking off the shackles of their country rock roots. Never ones to disappoint, they changed up the formula again, though this time it was totally unexpected. Ridding themselves of the electronic drones of A Ghost Is Born and opting for a more ‘easy listening’ approach. Although I can’t help but think the current line-up is somewhat wasted on here, the songs stand up and speak for themselves. And, as always, they are still a colossal live force to be reckoned with.
mp3:> Wilco: Hate It Here
The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
It feels like this record has been around forever. It finally saw a UK release at the beginning of the year, after coming out in the States in October ‘06. By god it was worth the wait though. Colin Meloy is at his creative peak lyrically, the band seeming more electric and experimental. “The Crane Wife suite (1,2 & 3)” is sheer perfection and the dizzying prog romp of “The Island” will leave you pissing your pants with glee (maybe not literally, but you catch my drift).
mp3:> The Decemberists: The Crane Wife 3
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Read more Class of 2007 lists and download our 2007 Playlist here.
