The Best Albums of 2007: #81 to #90
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.
Continue to #91 through #100
Return to #71 through #80
