At last I get to sit down and share my top ten lists from the year that was 2007. I have to say that much in the same way that I believe we are in a “golden age” of sorts for television, I also believe that we are in an incredible time for music. I always chuckle at the people that insist that music from a given time period was sooo much better than the music today. Maybe it was the stage of life that that person was in or maybe they were more open to new or “different” kinds of music at the time but who knows. I do know that I loved a lot of music that came out and discovered a lot of new music this year so on with my list:


1. Wilco- Sky Blue Sky.
Wilco is one of those bands that I really tried to like but it wasn’t until this album that I actually did. I discovered this album when I drove from DC to Portland and after giving it a thorough listen all the way through I started at the beginning and went through it again as I crossed the great stated of Iowa. It reminds me of late Beatles and you are sure to recognize almost every song since almost every one was used in a commercial this year.


2. Travis- The Boy with No Name
Before there was Keane and Coldplay there was Travis. I love every song on this album and have gone back to listen almost as much as I did Sky Blue Sky. I’m surprised to not see this album pop up on more best of 2007 lists but it’s without a doubt on mine.


3. Josh Ritter- The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.
From the very first song I had a feeling this album would be a shift in style and for the most part it was but every bit as good as “The Animal Years” which is an all time fav of mine. Each song is slightly different than the one before with influences ranging from Johnny Cash to Springsteen to Nick Drake. Plus how could you go wrong with the son of two Neuroscientist Professors from Idaho?


4. LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver
The first time I heard “New York I Love You But Your Bringing Me Down” or “North American Scum” I had a feeling this would be a best of 2007 type album but as I have listened to the whole album I have come to appreciate almost every song. Check out “All My Friends” for the best 4 second piano loop in a 7 minute song you’ve ever heard.


5. Iron and Wine –The Shepard’s Dog
Everybody’s review I’ve heard says they don’t like his departure from his more breathy Nick Drake’y sound but I do. This album is so amazing I just cant put it into words.


6. Okkervil River- The Stage Names
I actually discovered this album because of others best of lists and I now am a huge fan.


7. The National- Boxer
Ditto from the description above only this took a little longer to grow on me. But now listening to it is honestly addictive.


8. Rilo Kiley- Under the Blacklight
WARNING: There are some serious stinkers on this one but about half are amazing as in “More Adventurous” amazing so it makes the list. PS Don’t bother seeing them in concert, I did this year and wasn’t impressed and was only mildly entertained.


9. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss- Raising Sand
Who knew! But from first listen this album lulled me into submission and now its in regular rotation.


10. The Avett Brothers- Emotionalism
Give the song “Die Die Die” a spin and you won’t question my selection here.

Stay tuned for my fav movies of 2007 which is coming.

Labels: Music best of 2007 Wilco Travis Josh Ritter Okkervill River The National