Music Blogs

Today we continue with the second installment of our top 100 albums of 2007 year end list.

90.  Graduation by Kanye West
I really wanted to see Kanye fall flat on his face with Graduation. His tantrums and egotism rub me the wrong way, but there is no denying that Kanye is one of the best hip-hop producers currently breathing oxygen. Graduation not only proves this fact, but steps it up a notch by toning down the gloss and removing the worthless skits. His lyrical shortcomings are what keep it from scoring higher on my list.

89.  Global Drum Project by Mickey Hart/Zakir Hussain
While drums certainly drive the Global Drum Project, spoken word, chanting and a melodic punctuation around the edges make for an undeniably stunning adventure. The record charms with undeniably well-crafted traditional elements, but Hart takes it over the top with a melding of styles that feature electronic sweeps of color. The album is layered and complex, but ends up sounding effortless and engulfing, with a standout feature being the way pitched percussive instruments provide melody where their should be none.

88.  Las Meridanzas by Alex Dupree & The Trapdoor Band
Mid to slow tempo acoustic guitars, violins and banjos paint images of an antique log cabin deep in the Blue Ridge mountains, but at other times you find yourself in a small smoky bar, filled will cardigan sweater wearing art students. Either way is fine with me, but it's Alex Dupree's well executed (but not too polished) musical ideas that carry Las Meridanzas to somewhere near the top of the heap.

87. Memory Almost Full by Paul McCartney
Contrary to the mixed reviews floating around, Paul has his groove back in a big way. The focused, diverse and well thought-out arrangements meld wonderfully with McCartney's legendary songwriting prowess, not to mention his voice, which is one of the most well-known in the history of popular music. Memory Almost Full oozes with an ease and confidence that only a true master can produce.

86.  Change! by The Black Swans
Singer/songwriter Jerry DeCicca has a unique baritone voice, that although limited, fits perfectly within the confines of the music his band creates. It's a brooding, consistent effort that finds Noel Sayre's violin providing compelling counterpoint to the traditional, albeit low-key, rock instrumentation. The musical ideas, spirit and craftsmanship not only completely cover the limitations of the band, but do so in a way that is reminiscent of Bob Dylan or Neil Young.

85.  Conqueror by jesu
Golden picker Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and Napalm Death fame currently leads the drone doom band jesu (no capitalization). His newest effort continues to appeal to dream pop and metal fans alike. It's an ethereal and dynamic work devoid of cliché trappings. If you dig music that floats you like a handful of peyote buttons, I recommend you spend some time with this one.

84.  Night of the Furies by The Rosebuds
One of my favorite bands from the great state of North Carolina continues a winning streak with another fine effort. They keep their passion and their ear for a hook, but also add a bit more darkness to the mix. This adds yet another layer of complexity to the music as does a heavier use of electronic instruments.

83. Cassadaga by Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes is growing up, but he is retaining his gift for melody and the innate moodiness that made us take notice from the beginning. Cassadaga is more sophisticated than I expected, and at times even epic. What at first was pleasant surprise has morphed into admiration, and so I find myself returning to this one regularly.

82. The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse by The Besnard Lakes
The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse is my favorite kind of album. It instantly grabbed my attention with it's Beach Boys leanings and pop sensibility, but it's complexity and grandeur are something that you can savor as layers reveal themselves with each listen. This one is absolutely worth more than the price of admission.

81. The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard by Rickie Lee Jones
Pitchfork gave this new album by Rickie Lee Jones a 3 out of 10 rating, which alone is enough to put it on my top 100 list. I admit that I've been a fan for quite some time, so I may be biased. But The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard is a back-to-basics work of art that lets the hypnotizing voice of Rickie Lee Jones shine to the point where you'll be paralyzed by joy. She holds nothing back and if you've ever been a fan this record is critical.

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