Top Seven in 2007

On paper, 2007 was a dream year for fans of most any musical genre.

Fans of indie-rock saw new releases from some of the bands that helped shape the now heavily saturated genre. Efforts from The Shins, Modest Mouse, and The Arcade Fire all hit the shelves in 2007 and were subsequently greeted with heavy fan fare. Millions of Radiohead fans were delighted by the news that the bands latest album “In Rainbows” would be given away Online for any price they saw fit, only to feel slightly duped by the marketing gimmick when the band announced it would release the album in higher bit rate quality with additional songs in retail stores on compact disc. This after many had paid for an inferior copy. The world of hip-hop received new albums from heavyweights Kanye West and 50 Cent and were treated to the war of words and sales that followed. And yes, even contemporary country enthusiasts received a new offering from chart topper Kenny Chesney.

While there was certainly no shortage of big name releases in 2007, most, unfortunately, fell relatively flat when compared to their earlier works that had garnered them their mainstream relevance. The top releases of 2007 were generally produced from artists that hovered just beneath the mainstream radar and the intense magnification that accompanies it, and from artists who were unafraid to breath new life into the modern musical landscape:

1. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

After substantial buzz was generated by his Balkan-folk inspired 2006 debut "Gulag Orkestar" and subsequent follow up E.P. "Lon Gisland," Beirut front man Zach Condon retreated to France with his trumpet and trusty ukulele. The result of his pilgrimage was the undeniable masterpiece of 2007, “The Flying Club Cup”. Drifting away from the heavy folk qualities that made his debut so unique, "The Flying Club Cup" instead wraps its listeners in traditional French flavors with its lavish instrumentation and gorgeously layered vocal melodies. Condon displays his strongest songwriting skills to date with such standouts as “Cliquot” and “Le Banlieu,” while the minimalist vocal and ukulele paring on “The Penalty” illustrates that Condon's musicianship extends far beyond the generally complex ensembles that accompany the majority of his works.

2. Okkervil River - The Stage Names

“The Stage Names” is the latest, and most accessible album from this sextet from Texas. Blending the elements of country and folk that dominated their debut release “Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See” with the more rock influenced hooks and mellower compositions that were littered throughout their last album “Black Sheep Boy,” “The Stage Names” successfully strikes a chord with most any listener. Upbeat numbers such as "Unless it's Kicks" and "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe” transition into slower more harmoniously melodic songs such as “A Girl In Port” and “Savannah Smiles” without a hitch, leaving a finished product that inspires listeners to get up and move, while tugging at their heartstrings. Will Sheff's lyrics are as sharp as ever on the album, as his unique ability to craft songs with such profound literary qualities continues to impress with each album.

3. Battles - Mirrored

The first full length from Battles draws on the complexities of their earlier EPs while incorporating vastly catchier hooks and melodies. Seamlessly combining elements of rock and techno/electronica the four-piece ensemble of instrumentalists have etched out a sound that is both organic and mechanical, a sound that puts them light years ahead of their contemporaries. “Mirrored” is an album that demands numerous listens to appreciate the subtle nuances throughout, but such a demand is one that any music fan should be more than happy to oblige to.

4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala

“Night Falls Over Kortedala” is by far the most complete and well rounded offering from the Swedish songwriter to date. With Lekman's wholesome baritone vocals, infectiously catchy hooks, heavy usage of looping and classic samples, and lyrics that often teeter between heart wrenching and bubbly, "Night Falls Over Kortedala" is an album that is as unclassifiable as it is unforgettable. Highlights “It Was a Strange Time in My Life” and “Opposite of Hallelujah” demonstrate Lekman's ability to incorporate more classical instrumental samples to accompany his velvety vocal melodies and biting lyricism, while “Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo” offers a upbeat, and purposefully sloppy take on a 1950's sock hop jam with it's roaring saxophone solos and puff pastry lyrics. This range of delivery forces listeners to stay their toes, all while fighting the urge to be tapping them.

5. Kanye West – Graduation

Kanye's latest album shows growth and a willingness to be daring, something that hip-hop has lacked for years and what separates his release from the likes of rehashed gangster garbage such as 50 Cent's latest “Curtis.” Instead of beating a dead horse, Kanye delivers fresh ideas with a tact unmatched by the majority of his peers. With excellent cameo appearances by the likes of the always entertaining Lil' Wayne on “Barry Bonds” and Daft Punk on the insatiably catchy, yet tragically overkilled “Stronger,” Kanye demonstrates his willingness to enlist the services of a vast array of talent to put out unique material in a genre congested with the same old, same old.

6. Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha

Andrew Bird's latest album shows a shift into more electric elements while maintaining his educational prowess in his lyrics. Known best perhaps for his remarkable whistling melodies and equally skillful violin playing, Bird incorporates both while not entirely abandoning the acoustic charms of his wonderful 2005 release “The Mysterious Production of Eggs.” Standouts “Plasticities” and “Scythian Empires” both show Bird's love affair with historical context in their respective lyrics, while opener “Fiery Crash” serves as an excellent introduction for the more rock-laden release.

7. Jason Anderson - “Tonight”

Nothing can match the energy and passion that resonates at a live performance by Jason Anderson, but he does his best to emulate the experience on “Tonight.” The album is just plain fun to experience, and proves to be a large departure from his previous more subdued works. With over the top saxophone parts, gang vocals, heavy use of keyboards, and lyrics that are alive with their carefree nature, Anderson appeals to the inner child, a force that is impossible to contain only a few tracks into the album. The album's title track is an anthem for thrill seekers and free spirits alike, while “July 4th, 2004” is as in touch with summer sentiments as any released this year. “Tonight” is a must have album for anyone who likes to clap along and say “yeah!”