Coming in a number five...
Boxer by The National.
This album debuted May 22nd, with much anticipation. Critics deemed The National, the modern age Interpol. However, I find that The National has a much more intricately layered sound. Personally I hear a bit of Nick Cave, a la The Boatman's Call, influence. Favorites off of this album include "Start a War," "Racing Like a Pro," and "Ada."
Coming in at number four...Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem.
Released March 20th, LCD Soundsystem revolutionized Electronic music. This album brought more smooth, sophisticated beats to the scene, unlike previous hits like "Daft Punk is Playing at My House," off of their self-titled album in 2005. Unfortunately Sound of Silver lost to The Chemical Brothers' We Are the Night, for best Electronic/Dance album in the 2008 grammy Awards. In my opinion, We Are the Night only won because of name recognition of The Chemical Brothers, because Sound of Silver is much more interestingly crafted and fresh.
Coming in at number three...In Rainbows by Radiohead
In Rainbows was released as a digital album via the Internet on October 10th, and the actual album was later released January 1st 2008. The online digital version was available on Radiohead's website, where the consumer was allowed to choose how much she wanted to pay, if anything. This concept shook the music industry, and I praise Radiohead for doing it. Listening wise, Radiohead never disappoints and most certainly did not on this album. In Rainbows found a pleasant balance between tantalizing techno beats and soft and beautiful melodies and lyrics. I'm a complete sucker for any kind of string orchestration used in alternative music, so I am not at all surprised to say that "Faust Arp" is one of my favorites off of the album, along with "Videotape," with it's sorrowful piano pounding.
Coming in at number two...Mirrored by Battles
Released on May 14th, Battles' first full length album pushed the boundaries of experimental rock. Most of their tracks consist of bass drum, dueling guitars and a kickass synth, to produce a very rock-heavy sound. But what makes them unique is their ability to make a catchy song with completely jibberish lyrics. There have been many attempts to decode what their songs are saying, because it's pretty clear that they are using actual words, it's just that they vocals have been altered with to make this very strange sound, and also make the lyrics completely incomprehensible. But there are many theories to each song.
And coming in as my absolute favorite album of 2007...Random Spirit Lover by Sunset Rubdown.
I don't even know where to start with this album, it's that good. Spencer Krug is a genius and you should seriously consider listening to it. Sunset Rubdown has a sound of its own, with synthesizers, keyboards, glockenspiels, and some other instruments that I am pretty sure don't even have names, they convey a magical sound. Spencer Krug plays the keyboard like no one else I have ever heard and his lyrics are soulful, and poetic, but not in a traditional sense. He uses lots of ancient mythology mixed with complex metaphors. It is nearly impossible to pick favorite tracks off of this album because I love them all in so many different ways, but I guess they would be "Trumpet, Trumpet, Toot, Toot" and "The Mending of the Gown." Now both of these tracks are brilliant, but not necessarily the best ones on the album. Songs like "Magic vs Midas" and "Winged Wicked Things" are much more intricately crafted, but do not highlight Krug's unique voice, which is one of my favorite parts of this band, as nicely as the others do. Either way, listen to it!
