A continuation of our top 100 albums of 2007 year end list.

80.  Ash Wednesday by Elvis Perkins

Elvis Perkins is the son of the late actor Anthony Perkins, best known for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. His father died of AIDS in 1992 and his mother died when the plane she was on was flown into the north tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Ash Wednesday focuses grief into a beautifully chilling and melancholy album. 

79.  Friend And Foe by Menomena
Friend or Foe was nominated for a Grammy award this year. Not for the pristine and offbeat music contained on the album, but for the CD packaging, which includes decoder rings and hidden messags. It's a shame that the Academy doesn't seem to be capable of doing what they should be doing a whole lot more of. Listening.

78.  None Shall Pass by Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock wins the award for jamming the most words possible into a single track. But the undeniable lyrical skill is not the only trick None Shall Pass has under its hat. The record's crack production and sophistication also plays an important role in making this one of the best hip-hop releases of the year.

77.  Beyond by Dinosaur Jr.
Beyond is my second pick for greatest comeback album of the year after Levon Helm's Dirt Farmer. It does sound like the Dinosaur Jr. of 1988, and that is certainly not a bad thing if your familiar with the band. The fuzzed-up beauty is available in large quantities on this record. Enough to put a huge smile on my face everytime I hear it.

76. (MySpace) Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof
On it's face, Friend Opportunity sounds like noise, or maybe the Mars Volta jamming with Yoko Ono. But on closer inspection it becomes clear that the band not only knows what it's doing, but is stretching the limits of what music can be. This one requires a full three listens before its brilliance sinks in, but when it does, you'll nod your head, open your eyes wide, and whisper, "ah... I get it".

75.  Liars by Liars
Liars self titled full-length is a rock album that, as usual, takes the group in a yet another direction. They keep some of their experimental leanings, but have no fear of an electric guitar here. This is not easy listening, and as such takes some work to soak in, but you will be rewarded well if you give it the time it deserves.

74.  Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
I really wanted to ignore Amy Winehouse when I started selecting my best of 2007 albums. I don't want to like, or support a violent, druggy loser. Especially a Grammy winning one. But this is about the music, and there is no denying that Back To Black is a stunning record and Amy's nasal, soulful voice is one in a million.

73.  We Can Create by Maps
At first, the ethereal drone that permeates the record caught me off guard, but when the static disappears at key points, the dynamic punch can be felt like flesh on flesh. A sensual, free and expansive world opens up and provides pleasure for the duration of the albums 11 tracks. The record is more about crafting texture than songcraft. It has just enough pop to keep the musically close-minded interested, but the real accomplishment of We Can Create is the galvanic fabric upon which the compositions are built.

72.  Emotionalism by The Avett Brothers
I saw The Avett Brothers at Merlefest in North Carolina two years back and they blew me away, so I was eagerly awaiting Emotionalism. It is an excellent lesson in simplicity and songcraft. The band is hooked into the world of Americana music, but they go further and appeal wider. Good songs, great harmonies and sincerity will always win me over.

71.  Dwight Sings Buck by Dwight Yoakam 
I know a lot of music fans who simply shun country music like a disease. Yea, I know, it's sad. When I run into anti-country types there are a few go-to artists I try to use to crack defenses, and open minds. Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yoakam can usually do the trick. And Dwight's reworking of the music of the great Buck Owens on Dwight Sings Buck is a major new weapon in my ongoing battle against country bigots.

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