Allmusic’s Favorite Albums of 2007
December 21st, 2007 | 6:00 pm est |
Allmusic’s Favorite Albums of 2007:
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Amerie - Because I Love It
Antibalas - Security
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Art Brut - It’s a Bit Complicated
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Battles - Mirrored
Blonde Redhead - 23
Boris with Michio Kurihara - Rainbow
David Buchbinder - Odessa/Havana
Caribou - Andorra
Celebration - The Modern Tribe
The Clientele - God Save the Clientele
Keyshia Cole - Just Like You
Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
DJ Spooky - Creation Rebel
Donnie - The Daily News
Freeway - Free at Last
Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!
Good Shoes - Think Before You Speak
Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters
PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Richard Hawley - Lady’s Bridge
His Name Is Alive - Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute to Marion Brown
Ian Hunter - Shrunken Heads
Iron & Wine - Shepherd’s Dog
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Joan as Police Woman - Real Life
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Justice - Cross
Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Liars - Liars
Little Brother - Get Back
Nick Lowe - At My Age
M.I.A. - Kala
Thurston Moore - Trees Outside the Academy
Róisín Murphy - Overpowered
Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Rahsaan Patterson - Wines & Spirits
Pelican - City of Echoes
Peter Bjorn and John - Writer’s Block
Pink Martini - Hey Eugene!
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad
Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus!
UGK - Underground Kingz
Von Südenfed - Tromatic Reflexxions
MST - Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Ween - La Cucaracha
The White Stripes - Icky Thump
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
Allmusic’s Favorite Reissues of 2007:
The Afghan Whigs - Unbreakable: A Retrospective 1990-2006
Bobby Bare - Drunk & Crazy (Bonus Tracks)
Black Sabbath - Dio Years
The Blackbyrds - Happy Music: The Best of the Blackbyrds
Blossom Toes - We Are Ever So Clean (Bonus Tracks)
Willie Colon - OG: Original Gangster
Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True (Deluxe Edition)
Betty Davis - Betty Davis (Bonus Tracks)
Miles Davis - Complete On the Corner Sessions
Original Soundtrack - Death Proof
Dexys Midnight Runners - Projected Passion Revue
Bo Diddley - I’m a Man: The Chess Masters: 1955-58
Fairport Convention - Live at the BBC
Fire Engines - Hungry Beat
Jim Ford - Sounds of Our Time
Merle Haggard - Hag: The Studio Recordings 1968-1976
Andrew Hill - Compulsion (RVG Edition)
Bobby Hutcherson - Mosaic Select: Bobby Hutcherson
George Jones - She Thinks I Still Care: The Complete United Artists Recordings 1962-1964
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (Collector’s Edition)
Hubert Laws - Afro-Classic
Manfred Mann - Down the Road Apiece: Their EMI Recordings 1963-1966
Bennie Maupin - Jewel in the Lotus
Charles Mingus Sextet With Eric Dolphy - Cornell 1964
Moby Grape - Moby Grape (Bonus Tracks)
The Move - Move (UK Bonus Tracks)
Gram Parsons - Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1
Johnny Paycheck - Take This Job and Shove It/Armed and Crazy
Pentangle - Time Has Come
Lee Perry & The Upsetters - Ape-ology
Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn (3-CD Deluxe Edition)
The Pretenders - Learning to Crawl (Bonus Tracks)
Pylon - Gyrate Plus
RAMP - Come into Knowledge
Jimmy Reed - Live At Carnegie Hall
Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees (Bonus Tracks)
Slade - In for a Penny: Raves & Faves
Sly & the Family Stone - Collection (Box Set)
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
The Stanley Brothers - Definitive Collection 1947-1966
Ringo Starr - Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr
Johnnie Taylor - Live at the Summit Club
The Triffids - In the Pines (Bonus Tracks)
Ike & Tina Turner - Ike & Tina Turner Story 1960-1975
Dwight Twilley - Sincerely/Twilley Don’t Mind
Various Artists - Bad Boogaloo: The Nu Yorican Sounds 1966-1970
Various Artists - Bombay Connection, Vol. 1: Funk From Bollywood Action Thrillers
Various Artists - Colombia!: The Golden Years of Discos Fuentes
Various Artists - Cosimo Matassa Story
Various Artists - Fania DJ Series
Various Artists - Florida Funk: 1968-1975
Various Artists - Goodbye Nashville, Hello Camden Town: A Pub Rock Anthology
Various Artists - Greasy Truckers Party (2007 Expanded Edition)
Various Artists - Home Schooled: The ABC’s of Kid Soul
Various Artists - Love Is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970
Various Artists - People Take Warning! Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs 1913-1938
Various Artists - Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988
Various Artists - Tea & Symphony: The English Baroque Sound 1967-1974
Luther Vandross - Love, Luther
Wreckless Eric - Big Smash (2 CD)
Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth & Collected Works
Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 (CD/DVD)
Warren Zevon - Stand in the Fire (Bonus Tracks)
Any end of 2007 list that elides National’s Boxer cannot be taken seriously.
A pity that The Twilight Sad’s excellent debut album is ignored on most of the “end of” top album lists.
There hasn’t been a great record that spoke directly to me like the Kings of Leon’s Because of the Times since the Beastie Boys released Paul’s Boutique. I was really hoping to see that on more lists this year. Amy Winehouse, Iron & Wine, LCD and the Battles also.
The Cult - Born Into This
Your own site lists the Lily Allen as a 2006 record, so how is it that it qualifies for your best of 2007 list?
Lily Allen’s Alright, Still — just like Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black — was released in the UK in 2006 and the US in 2007. AMG publishes the original release date in our discographies, which explains why both albums have 2006 release dates in Lily and Amy’s discographies. Making year-end lists is not an exact science — there are a lot of different factors that come into play, including where a publication is based. AMG is based in the US which lead to our decision that Alright, Still and Back To Black can count for a 2007 year-end list, given that they were released in America in ‘07 — just like how the British magazines Mojo, Uncut and Q all put the Hold Steady’s Boys & Girls in American on their lists this year because it’s an ‘07 release in the UK. Now, there’s a good argument to be made against this line of thought — especially these days when albums are easy to hear via imports and whatever — but that was our line of thinking on the inclusion of Lily and Amy.
The National are overrated. Glad to see somebody isn’t wrapped up in their hype.
List is sadly uneven and misses the mark: The National “Boxer” is a great record (the drumming by Matt Berninger alone make this a must hear; Crowded House “Time on Earth” is an album that gains strength listen after listen; Efterflang’s ‘Parade’ is genre defying.
The reissues list misses Prefab Sprout ‘Steve McQueen’ two disc reissuse, cleaned up sound, great mastering and a second disc of all new reinterperations from Paddy. Also should give some love to the two Firetown reissues. Great lost Americana roots rock records from the precursor to Garbage.
How could you miss “Automatic for the People”? It was released in Burma this year, and should have made your list.
Ben Harper “Lifeline”
You have made decisions that are different than the decisions I would have made!!!1!!
List looks to be about perfect.
Even with the ones I don’t like, I’m well aware that they are considered the tops in their particular field.
No list can be perfect as tastes are subjective but this is about as close as you’ll come.
I haven’t seen Lucinda Williams’ West on any year-end lists so far, which surprises me. This very website labelled it as “…destined to become a classic,” and I’m inclined to agree. Much as I enjoy the other selections, West is the one album that I can imagine still resonating with me in 20 years time, and it seems to have been largely forgotten by the music intelligentsia.
Ok, how in the world did Protest The Hero “Kezia” fail to show up on any of these lists?
There were a handful of albums you guys never bothered to review that I really enjoyed this year, and I have to wonder where they would’ve ended up. I doubt Earlimart, Ash, Charlotte Hatherley, Ken Andrews, Voxtrot, Lovedrug, and the Bird and the Bee would’ve made much waves… but they might’ve, and it’s a shame nobody on your staff got around to review/listen to them, even when most of those artists’ previous works had been reviewed here…
Nix the Bird and the Bee part of that comment. Jurek gave it 3.5. My mistake.
Sad to see that genres that are rooted in metal are completely excluded from your list. I don’t see the rationale for including as diverse genres like jazz, rock, indie, soul and pop, but not metal related releases. The only ones that are rooted in metal sound as far as I can see are QOTSA and Boris.
Bands like Alcest, Wolves in the Throne Room, Deathspell Omega, Akercocke, Baroness, Pelican, Primoderial, Angelic Process, Neurosis all released stellar albums this year, that would definetely warrant for an inclusion here.
Even good releases that got good reviews on this site were excluded, like Dillinger Escape Plan, The Ocean, Machine Head and
Porcupine Tree, the last you even called “one of the most substantial prog albums to come out in years”.
Sure, maybe the records I have mentioned here simply weren’t good enough in your eyes (though also Wolves in the Throne Room, Alcest, Baroness, Pelican, Deathspell Omega and Neurosis got good AMG reviews). I still doubt that not a single record of any metal sub-genre was worthy an inclusion here based on it’s musical accomplishments.
Sadly, it seems like the whole genre and dismissed. If so, the All in All Music Guid certainly is misleading. Metal is still going strong, and that should be reflected in year end best-of’s like this.
I just don’t get it. How is the Shins “Wincing the Night Away not top 10 on every website’s list?????
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!
I love radiohead and MIA but seriously that or Magic by the Boss were album of the year!
Was Shins consudered a 2006 release then?
Wilco’s “Sky Blue Sky” is the only record I OBSESSED on this year, sadly, most of the music publications (with the exception of Rolling Stone, when are they ever right?) didn’t feel it merited much notice. That is the one CD from this year I will play start-to-finish for many years to come.
AND to Mr. Erlewhine, I bought Amy Winehouse in America in December, not on import and not to a store breaking street date (Borders). I won’t pretend that I know the street date on that CD but I did have it in December.
Solid list.
Hey Fredrik ESP…. there’s a separate list for metal, and they’re working on part two of it apparently,
Too many Go4/MoB wannabe bands on this list. Prefer the real deal. I really liked Cat Power, “The Greatest,” but that may have been last year. Also Solomon Burke’s “Nashville” and Van Morrison’s “Pay the Devil,” which, come to think of it, both also might have been 2006. Ok, ok, The Gourds’ “Noble Creatures.” “We Belong to the Staggering Evening” by Ike Reilly. Eilen Jewell’s “Letters from Sinners and Strangers.” “The Fall Box Set.” I also really liked Sandy Rogers’ “Green Moon,” but that one was released over a decade ago. I didn’t think “Icky Thump” was all that good, same with “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga,” but since they’re on all these critics’ end of year lists I will give them another chance. Thurston Moore’s CD was surprisingly good, definitely SY-ish but a strong mood of his own.
Another vote for ‘kezia’ from ‘protest the hero’, that albums is simply the best of the year for me.
http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3pftxqudld0e
A solid list overall. I would make two changes. Remove Wu-Tang and Little Brother. Add Devin Tha Dude and Pharoahe Monch. I’m also really happy The National was omitted. There is too much hype around that album for no reason.
every time i look at any year end list here, people are blathering on about the fact that the National have been excluded. hate it break it to y’all, but there’s a world outside of children’s indie pop.
Leaving off Iron & Wine is a shame. Also, I think Goon Moon, Soulsavers and The Aliens merit a place on the list.
thank you for your inclusion of PJ Harvey’s “White Chalk”- one of the most haunting and insular albums to come out this decade.
I understand the rationale for including Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, but by the same logic, Róisín Murphy should not be included, as her Overpowered has not been released domestically to this point. However, this bring up an interesting point: what if it never does get a stateside release? Or what if it gets one in, say, 2010? Would it be considered for that year’s “best-of” list? That would be sort of ridiculous, no?
Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse are jokes everywhere else but America and neither are very talented. 8 Diagrams is horrible. Even the rest of the Wu stepped up and said RZA dropped the ball. You had some credibility with Aesop but then that all went away when you added Jay-Z. Seriously, 8 Diagrams and American Gangster are better than El-P’s None Shall Pass??? come on!!! Joan As A Police Woman was released like 2 years ago in the rest of the world. You could have at least picked Bat For Lashes if you’re going to pick an album that was released in America in 2007. Not that Joan is bad, album is great, but still a little dated. i love the site in general, but sorry this list is just really disappointing. Too many safe choices and pseudo-obscure stuff to try to show credibility.
A bit disappointed not to find “Year Zero” on here (since it did garner a four and a half star rating) but otherwise a noble effort.
Okkervil River, The Twilight Sad, Les Savy Fav, The National and Gravenhurst are missing on the list.
Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon are major disappointments of the year, IMHO.
Great opinions and selection.
Just a few additions.
BEIRUT - The flying Club Cup: Zach Condon (21 year old talented American) with his intreging Balkan, mediterrian and a dozen more styles (V.B.).
WILCO - Sky Ble Sky. listen!
BLONDE REDHEAD - 23 superb sounds, developped since 1993 in NY and at taste now.
I love the allMusic guide, but I really get mad at yall when these lists come around. There are so many amazing albums that came out during the year that arent getting recognized. It seems like when you make these lists, you aren’t actually picking from all the year’s albus, you’re just picking the obvious ones.
What about
The Receiving End of Sirens - The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
(that got 4.5 stars!)
My American Heart - Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather
(that got 4.5 stars!)
The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel
(that got 4.5 stars!)
Relient K - Five Score and Seven Years Ago
(that got 4.5 stars!)
Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
(that originally got 4 stars!)
I didn’t even like the new 4.5 star albums by Emery and Mae, but I’d prefer to see those on this list than some others you have.
There are also a lot of potentially great albums you guys haven’t even rated yet by Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Chiodos, The Secret Handshake, Thousand Foot Krutch, Oh Sleeper, just to name a few.
Please consider what I’ve said. Thank you.
Decent list - I couldn’t care less about half of what was released this year, but it’s nice to see M.I.A. and Arcade Fire up there, and deservedly so. Too bad Type O Negative “Dead Again” didn’t make the cut. Also, Akala, “Freedom Lasso”, if you can find it, should be considered as one of the greats of 2007.
Missing!!
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
The National - Boxer
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
cassadaga has grown on me. it reminds me of how i felt during ‘being there’ era wilco. their live show has improved as well; warranting more notice. not too hard to believe its not mentioned on amg since they wrongfully panned early efforts, ‘wide awake it’s morning’, and rightfully panned ‘digital ash’.
okkervil river has replaced bright eyes as being most whiny; i prefer their previous effort.
boxer is a casual grower.
my tops are dinosaur jr / white stripes / bright eyes / thurston moore’s (surprisingly dynamic; acoustic textures like a mature beck w/one track hitting a malkumus vibe).
honorable mention: first time in a while i felt son volt outdid wilco
arcade fire has made some good echo and the bunnymen records, love the passion but still feels forced
oop - massey hall is also incredible;
elliott smith’s new moon shouldn’t get overlooked as well as
BAND OF HORSES - latest line-up has strengthened its live show and ben’s more confident than ever…add BoH to my tops list w/dino; stripes; bright eyes and thurston!
sleeper - robert pollard’s ‘coast to coast carpet of love’ - hard to believe he’s not UNDER-appreciated.
spoon and modest mouse have their moments; but the later is a bit too long and frantic w/o matching their past best efforts
earlimart - if that lost 3 or 4 weaker droners it’d be fairly special. that was sort of my disappointment from the year considering the 3 downloads pitchfork had available were sooo good about 7 months before it came out.
was ted leo ‘living with the living’ this year? he’s never bad - but that ska song is a major skipper, much like pollard he’s become now under-appreciated and taken for granted…
weirdest album of the year: MENOMENA ‘Friend and Foe’ - i never reach for it; but throw that puppy in shuffle mode with some others to break up the spazziness, and you’ll find yourself thinking there are some standouts. not that they sound like ‘the national’ but they’ll be on everyone’s year end list 2 years from now for an album that’s not as special as this one - i just hope they don’t loan their quirkiness out to some car commercials and tarnish the underground vibe (sorry, BoH)
Speaking of commercials - THANK YOU AMG FOR NOT PUTTING FEIST on your list. UGH. really, COUNTING NUMBERS, and ‘oh-ey-oh’! then to have an indie we-are-the-world ensemble pour it on when being performed on late night tv. ENOUGH! is it me or would that rudimentary 1-2-3-4 ditty be more excusable if pulled off as a folksy solo number with leslie fiest gently stepping through it alone with and acoustic.
Amg’s favorites are nearly same with my list http://www.themodernmusic.com/2007/12/top-50-records-of-2007.html
You have a really great list. But, you forgot some of the names, John Vanderslice, Fiery Furnaces, Enon, The National, Low…
Once again they have overlooked my favourite band, Nine Inch Nails!!! I don’t understand why Year Zero isn’t on here espically after they gave it 4-and-a-half-stars!!! I demand justice.
way to leave off thrice and say anything.
glad Numero got some love…that Home Schooled album is probably my favorite release on the label so far.
ah yes, FIERY FURNACES - more gtr back on widow
electrelane ???
the veils ??
frank zappa ??
Not a bad list. Although Young Modern by Silverchair deserves some mention just because it’s amazing that in 2007 not only can you talk about Silverchair still being a band but they’re actually making some damn fine music.
Here’s my top five:
5. The Rosebuds - Night of the Furies
4. The Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
3. The Thrills - Teenager
2. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
1. The National - Boxer
Felix Da Housecat - Virgo Blaktro & the Movie Disco
Felix has a way of mixing familiarity and exploration that’s like traveling through space with all the comforts of home.
Brother Ali’s The Undisputed Truth is a glaring omission. But at least Little Brother gets some love.
Were there any five star albums this year?
only some 4.5’s?
It would have been interesting to see the reviews for these albums in ten years when they are considered 5 star classics.
However the list is good still a few i havent heard yet but MIA, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys and Jens Leckman were all fantastic.
Yet as to was the shins release “Wincing The Night Away”, a real grower.
And also appreciating your review on “Shooters Nation” By Babyshambles, good record but no “Down In Albion”….
Thanks Allmusic crew!
I hate these kind of lists, but I look at them to find music I may have missed over the year. I have to agree with a previous poster that the omission of Springsteen’s Magic is silly. The list is kind of silly. A lot of those albums were pretty good, but few of them will be listened to next year. At least by me anyhow.
I’m very surprised not to see Graduation on your list. It’s the best rap album this year behind Underground Kingz and American Gangster. I agree with most your picks though.
Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems bizarre that not only did Daft Punk’s “Alive 2007″ not make the list, but nobody’s complained about the fact yet. Otherwise, I’d say a pretty solid collection!
I am very pleased to see Caribou on the list. I havn’t seen it anywhere else, but it is my top album of the year.
Top 5:
Art Brut
Band of Horses
The National
Arcade Fire
Fiery Furnaces
… pretty much the most experimental stuff, but still: waaaay better than that pop-smith bullshit that wreaks havoc on our radiowaves.
long live creative minds.
1.
List is SORELY missing, first and foremost, Burial’s new album (probably my #1 this year). Other oversights include Daft Punk’s Alive 2007, El-P’s new disc, and !!!.
What about Tullycraft-Every Scene Needs A Center?
Very nice, diverse list–just like the site in general. A couple of under the radars from the Steel City (Pittsburgh!)The great Power-Pop/Garage influenced record by the Breakup Society “Nobody Likes a Winner” on Get Hip Records and the charming New Wavey/Power Poppy record by the Blacktie Revue “Code Fun” which was released on Gearhead Records.
What about the new ones from Dean and Britta, Rickie Lee Jones, The Avett Brothers?
I’d have added…
- THE NATIONAL : “Boxer”
- DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN : “Ire Works”
- ANDREW BIRD : “Armchair Apocrypha”
- EL-P : “I’ll sleep when you’re dead”
But allmusic’s list is great
No “The Cool” and No “Big Doe Rehab”. Wow just because they came out in December don’t make them irrelevant, I’m not trying to hate on the critic that reviewed “The Cool”, but when a artist makes a concept album and it’s nothing like the original ninjas want to hate on it because it ain’t the same, that’s what makes a album special. Allmusic get some real hip hop reviewers, So basically what ya’ll trying to say is that Hip Hop hasn’t had a Classic CD this Century yet, which is a lie.
I will probably draw some fire on this one but the Saosin album which I believe came out in 2007 needs to be included somewhere.
Buena lista pero con ausencias sorprendentes. Donde estan The Shins con “wincing…? Quizás están en la lista del 2006? Disco maravilloso y lleno de emoción . De lo mejor.
funny. i am a music reviewer myself and there is not one album of my top ten in your list. am i a weirdo then for having selected beirut, editors, twilight sad, dopplereffekt, robert plant & allison krauss a.o.?
leaving Of Montreal’s Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer? off the list is surprising… bordering on retarded.
Lists will never please everyone. There is an almost infinite well of recorded music. I like lists like these because they can point out albums I’ve never heard of before. I just sample the things that intrigue, then, every now and then, get turned on to a great new album.
I was just going to admonish all of the whiners, then I realized that the pouters and complainers regarding this list are just adding to it, and that is cool for me. So, keep whining! Right on.
After reading this list, I have come to the conclusion that Stephen Thomas Erlewine has no idea what he is talking about.
The Apples in stereo “New MAgnetic Wonder”!!! Pop music for ELO lovers.
my 2007 10
Animal Collective-Strawberry Jam
Radiohead-In Rainbows
Hanson-The Walk
M.I.A.-Kala
Velvet Revolver-Libertad
Battles-Mirrored
PJ Harvey-White Chalk
Rihanna-Good Girl Gone Bad
Underworld-Oblivion With Bells
Tori Amos-American Doll Posse
Justice-Justice
whoops that was 11…minus PJ Harvey then
:)
Where is The New Pornographers’ “Challengers”?
And Kate Nash’s “Made Of Bricks”?
And “The Historical Conquests Of” Josh Ritter?
Rufus Wainwright’s “Release The Stars”?
…
I love reading lists of the best or the worst in music at the end of the year, and I always think that because of the different taste of people we’ll never agree… So people don’t you get mad, as soon as you work for AMG you’ll be able to put your bands… :)
But c’mon! Rihana… that’s nasty! Anyway… I accept it… Peace!
Happy Holidays! Interesting reading over these lists. Reminds me that I have a few more releases to listen to before making my final list of the year. Here’s a few I enjoyed that weren’t on anyones list that I saw-
Phil Keaggy - Jammed!
Rush - Snakes & Arrows
Bryan Ferry - Dylanesque
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Robert Plant & Allison Krauss - Raising Sand
Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
Ted Nugent - Love Grenade
Surprise: No Apples In Stereo. And since you included the Winehouse and Allen CD’s which were released last year overseas but released here in the U.S. this year, why not include The Cat Empire’s ‘Two Shoes,’ which I think was released down under last year but debuted in the States this year? Oh well, the list is made! Everyone has different tastes. Pretty good list either way. And thanks for including The Clientele. They’re great, as was that album.
Of Montreal didn’t cut it for you guys? I’m shocked. That album was the pants-poopingest thing I heard all year. Otherwise, ’tis a fair list given the pile you gotta sift through to make one of these things…and BTW, Donnie- great album!
A few I would add to the list.
The Besnard Lakes
Feist
The Field
Klaxons
The National
What about Cinematics “A strange education”? The best for me this year
Your reissues list looks great, except that Vee-Jay: The Definitive Collection is missing.
Where is El-P’s ‘I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead’?
Feist-The Reminder
Wilco-Sky Blue Sky
Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger
JJ Grey and Mofro-Country Ghetto
Bright Eyes-Cassadaga
For all those wondering why Bruce Springsteen’s “Magic” isn’t on the list, go read the review, AMG only gave it three stars (I couldn’t disagree more, just stating why it’s not on the list). That’s the album of the year, IMO.
And thank goodness there’s finally a website or publication that did not include Arcade Fire in the best of 2007. Not a bad album, and it very well may be one of the best albums of the year, but top 3 (I’m talking to you, Spin and Rolling Stone)? When Spin and RS originally reviewed that album, neither gave it more than 3 1/2 stars, yet now it’s one of the top 3 of the year? I don’t understand that. I guess I shouldn’t expect much from RS, it originally gave Nirvana’s Nevermind 3 stars.
Well, I have to jump sides from the majority of readers/critics here who have responded so far and say ‘Well Done AMG!’
Many of those albums are decent, respectable choices and reading the reviews for some of them was nearly as entertaining as the listening to the albums themselves. Sure, a lot of them have appeared on other critics’ polls going around at the moment. In Rainbows, Shepherd’s Dog, Neon Bible and Your Worst Favourite Nightmare to name but a few. Perhaps that’s because they’ve deserved their mention anyway.
What better’s so many of those other critics’ lists though is that you can always be counted on to cover a wider variety of genres without making many disastrous choices. It keeps things from getting too repetitive or boring. I’m quite surprised to see albums like ‘City of Echoes’ in there (it is there if you check ‘Fredrik ESP’)
The only small addition I would have made is the wonderful observation on modern youth that is ‘Fear of a Blank Planet’ by Porcupine Tree. Highly-praised by your writers too and has already topped lists in magazines like ‘Classic Rock’. But then I didn’t expect that to make it here.
Cheers for your views yet again on what has been a pretty good year! Hopefully next year will be even better! Come on ‘The Bedlam in Goliath’…
I’ll buy the Amy Winehouse inclusion because it was released so late in the year. Alright, Still was released in July of ‘06 in the UK. Granted, it’s been nominated for a 2007 Grammy, but that still seems absurd to me.
I think it’s a pretty good list, as well. The only thing -I- think is missing is Tegan and Sara’s “The Con,” (and okay, Kate Nash’s effort), which got outrageously heavy rotation on our station.
For what it’s worth, I host a women in music program, here’s my top ten women in music list:
10. Northern State - Can I Keep This Pen?
9. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
8. New Pornographers - Challengers
7. Daisy May - Mother Moon
6. Mary Bue - A Boat with No Oars
5. Erin McKeown - Sing You Sinners
4. Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad
3. Kate Nash - Made of Bricks
2. Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
1. Tegan and Sara - The Con
Then again, they simply ignored the electronic releases almost entirely, like Apparat’s “Walls” or “Rushup Edge” by The Tuss, or one of the best album of 2007 in my opinion: Björk’s “Volta”. What a shame…
Good list but in my humble opinion you’ve left out a number of indispensible CDs, in particular: (1)The Aliens (best UK album of the year–heck, maybe the best CD period); (2)The Sadies (amazingly good (as usual) from this Canadian folk\country outfit);(3) Besnard Lakes (even better than the one from that other Canadian band with a weird name);(4) The Effigies (80s punk powerhouse reemerges with an astonishing comeback CD);(5)Rogue Wave(way, way underrated and unfairly maligned);(6)The Apples In Stereo (ear candy for psychedelic popsters);(7)Fields (shoegazer revivalists with talent, charisma and enthusiasm); (8)Great Northern (kind of like Fields, but from LA);(9)Great Lake Swimmers (beautiful melodies; slow but engaging);(10) St. Vincent
(still under the radar; impress your friends by turning them on to this terrific talent).
Personally, I find this list a little ridiculous. With no “Magic” on the list, I have a hard time associating credibility with Allmusic’s “reviewers.”
I’m so pleased to see Roisin’s ‘Overpowered’ included. It’s the best pop album of the year by far.
x
Forget the National. I’m just thankful that over-hyped talentless hacks like Bright Eyes and Ryan Adams missed the list as well!!!
Alright, The National crafted an exceptional album this year - but I don’t think it’s monumental enough to warrant inclusion into every single year-end-best-of list.
I think AllMusic, as usual, has compiled a solid list of worthy titles. It’s really all relative anyway.
I may think The Cribs and Les Savy Fav both deserve spots - but that doesn’t mean anyone else does.
Don’t even bother making a list next year AMG. because everyone will just tear it apart. No list will ever have all the albums that Johnny or Jenny thinks should be there – we all have different opinions and like various styles and genres of music. Let’s just admit that 2007 was a good year for music and keep listening…
cheers
but one clear miss that no one has seemed to mention yet: Burial - Untrue
I really love AMG’s lists (and the accompanying responses) because they give me avenues of discovery. I appreciate the reminder of albums I intended to delve into more deeply and a head’s up on the ones I missed altogether. So what if AMG didn’t include my favorite CD of the year (Avett Bros. - Emotionalism). Does that make the music any less pleasurable for me? No, of course not. Furthermore, it prompts readers to petition for their favorite music thus leading to an even broader selection for discovery. My thanks to everyone.
Ok, my two cence:
5- Wilco “sky Blue sky”
4- The National “Boxer”
3- Ryan adams - “Easy Tiger”
2- Bruce Springsteen “Magic”
and my choice for years best
1- Band of Horses “Cease to Begin”!!
I meant cents.
To Andy:
Ok you may not like them and but you lose all credibility when you call Ryan Adams and Conor Oberst “talentless”. That’s just stupid talk.
How did you miss Costello Music bu the Fratelli’s????
Well firstly I would like to question the interpretation of this list… It is the AMG peoples’ FAVOURITE albums, not the BEST. There is a difference. I think that Blackwater Park is my favourite Opeth record, but I accept Ghost Reveries is in fact the BEST Opeth record.
BUT of course, as ever, it’s tragic to see a heap of mediocrity piled to the top of the walls. When will the real music (not pop, rap, conventional rock, dance or indie, basically) be recognised? Are we ever going to escape the spiral of mediocrity crippling mainstream music?
How on earth anyone dare commend Amy Winehouse after this years events, yet neglect to praise genuinely ARTFUL acts such as the Dillinger Escape Plan is beyond me! (Disclaimer - unless I misread!) Someone with a passion for innovative music, go listen to “Ire works”.
BUT, let it be said, I am commenting here on the assumption it is a breakdown of the best albums, when the actual title “Favourites” suggests otherwise (as mentioned).
Does this mean the guys at AMG simply listen to bland music? One would hope not!
Cal
I’m not sure there is a distinction here between FAVORITE and BEST. In fact, I would think it presumptuous of any critic to call something the BEST of the year. And how could they do it and not [in some way] consider it their FAVORITE?
Re Amy Winehouse: I consider her CD one of my favorites of the year despite her personal issues. Frankly her issues are merely a distraction that the media loves to report. Her CD is a good one.
where is burial’s untrue? seriously. and daft punk’s alive 2007? i am heartbroken.
Other great 2007 releases CRIMINALLY not mentioned above:
1. Shining “Grindstone”
2. Efterklang “Parades”
3. Future Kings of England “The Fate of Old Mother Orvis”
4. Of Montreal “Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer”
5. Burial “Untrue” (ESSENTIAL)
6. Grizzly Bear “Friend EP”
7. Nyles Lannon “Pressure”
8. Stars of the Lid “And Their Refinement of the Decline” (ESSENTIAL)
9. Animal Collective “Strawberry Jam”
10. Yeasayer “All Hour Symbols”
11. The Field “From Here We Go Sublime”
12. Menomena “Friend and Foe”
National’s “Boxer” is way overrated beyond a couple of its songs. It’s not bad, but it’s plain and immitates many older bands and does not live up to some of National’s earlier, raw works. Overall, indie rock is becoming much more mainstream, more boring, bland, and overhyped. Just like what happened to alternative. But the above (omitted) releases are at least somewhat along the original “alternative/indie” vein of interesting music.
Glad to see Arctic Monkeys on your list. Favourite Worst Nightmare is a very good album, probably my favorite of this quite deceiving year.
I love end of year lists. Yes. they’re essentially meaningless. Yes, they’re a source of frustration, but they certainly stoke the argument. For my penny worth, I would’ve liked to see the releases by Gravenhurst, Jim White and Malcolm Middleton in there somewhere. For folk fans, Rough Trade’s album of the year Alela Diane’s ‘The Pirate’s Gospel’ is well worth getting. Also, the Rough Trade 100 best albums of 2007 is worth checking out.
Neglected to add Little Wings’ ‘Sof Pow’r’.
I love the year-end lists as well. They make a good starting point for finding music that may have eluded me during the year.
But, too often (and I believe this is especially true for Allmusic’s list) they are self-aggrandizing lists attempting to show the reviewer’s alt/indie cred.
Too American focused. Can you have a little more euro sound?
Great work, music junkies appreciate both the end-of-the-year lists and the debate they arise.
happy 2008 ya´ll
The exclusion of Josh Ritter’s ‘Historical Conquests..’ makes me die a little. Thanks AMG.
Why no love on the massive Townes Van Zant reissues of most all his albums?
Seems very odd that Nine Inch Nails “Year Zero” wasn’t included after Jurek’s bubbling, almost giddy review. Is he backing out?
You can’t really go on and on about an album like that and not include it in your year-end list. How are we supposed to believe you when you do it the next time?
How about:
Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia
…it could do with a review, too! awesome “electro-pop synth rock” in your own words…
and glad to see Liars on the list.
Ian Hunter is still alive!! bugger must check that album out!
Chris Potter Underground - Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard
I am largely disappointed that AMG fails to recognize this as a major contribution in 2007. Here is a group of musicians making some of the most important leaps forward in instrumental jazz. Do not be turned away by the fact that it is a live set; the songs are seamless, performed with unbelievable energy, and captured beautifully on the recording. I would also disagree with omitting the Wynton Marsalis “From the Plantation to the Penitentiary” album, but seeing as though it actually received a review (which the Potter album did not despite being released months ago), and a good one at that, I figure that people have an avenue available to discover it and receive positive feedback about it. I write this only to say that jazz is still alive and continues pushing the boundaries of accessible and relevant music.
On the other hand, I am pleased to see the recognition of the Antibalas “Security” album.
You’d better list the best albums of 2007 in different genres.
http://blog.allmusic.com/category/2007-in-review/
Interpol
Angels and Airwaves
this is why i’m hot
Hello there, for all it’s worth, here are my 2007 faves:
1. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire (the winner)
2. In Rainbows - Radiohead (in a class of their own)
3. Magic - Bruce Springsteen (He who knows will never forget)
4. Era Vulgaris - Queens of the Stone Age (great power)
5. Liars - Liars (innovative)
6. Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem (idem)
7. Weekend in the City - Bloc Party
8. AIR - Pocket Simphony
9. Chrome Dreams II - Neil Young
10. Caribou - Andorra
that’s my arguable choice for anyone to comment! Happy 2008!
I love that you included Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”. It is an absolute masterpiece. And the inclusion of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” (an amazing CD) was inspired, however, I cannot believe Rihanna made the list. Her album was terrible. Granted, “Umbrella” was decent, but come on. How could you guys miss Jill Scott’s “The Real Thing”? It was a well-crafted CD with lush R&B music (also rated four stars on your website). You also left out Musiq Soulchild’s “Luvanmusiq”, a great CD (one of his best - also rated four stars on your website).
Of course not everyone is going to be satisfied with any “Best of” list, so I will now end my reply. Peace and many blessings. Happy New Year everyone! Be safe.
P.S. - Be sure to have a designated driver or call a cab after you party this evening.
arch enemy rise of the tyrant
the national the boxer
alcest souvenirs d’autre monde
queens of the stone age era vulgaris
baroness red album
michael ian black i am a wonderful man
hoots & hellmouth hoots and hellmouth
shadows fall the threads of life
rush snakes and arrows
leng t’che marsmus
Can anyone tell me how can t be that a lot of 4 star albuns are in this list and a 4.5 star album like West from Lucinda Williams (superb as almost all the others of her)isn´t. Andthis is just an example because there are others like this one missing (Joe Henry’s Civilians, wich is in a top 10 list is missing here!!!)
The Costello (re) reissue seems a curious choice as does the expensive George Jones 1962-1964 set that has yet to be reviewed by AMG.
Personally I would add Oceansize album “Frames” to this list. For me it is one of the greatest albums of the year 2007.
aseop is good but overrated seriously..
but more so are the white stripes,
i mean musically they are equivillant to a 10 yr olds first band
and lyrically they mess up words and people think so highly of that, really dont just praise something that merely suggests but not shows,
that;s my honest take
have a gd year
Hellooo, where’s Burial?
Good list, except for the exclusion of Burial’s “Untrue” (which was criticized before), and how could you not put Bloc Party on the list? It’s not easy on first listen, but it’s full of good songs hat will last after 2007.
The Knife. Silent Shout. (??????)
I loved that Get Back Little Brother made the list.
Saw the national live last year and they are WAAAAY better live. Really one of those bands better live. The fact that not only Donnie but Rahshann Patterson made your listing empress the $hit out of me.
(Expression of dismay)! You guys forgot to include (Band #1), and you obviously forgot that (Band #2)’s (Album #1) is the best (Genre #1) record since 1994! Man!! Too bad your opinions and tastes don’t exactly match my own. Perhaps I’ll write a pathetic comment… one which which I bash the All Music Guide while simultaneously contributing to its total page views and blog participation! Sure, that makes total sense. VIVA LA RESISTANCE!
How could you not choose Rushes Snakes & Arrows off your list of favorite albums list? That album is the best Release of 2007!
Favourite Reissue of 2007: The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live at Monterey.
–
Niemand
Between the actual list and the comments by everyone else, I’d have to say this is the longest music year-end discussion in which no one mentions Kanye West. Good job.
1. PJ Harvey: White Shalk
2. Braken: We Know About the Need
3. Paul McCcartney: Memory Almost Full
4. Radiohead: In Rainbow
5. Stars of the Lid: And Their Refinement of the Decline
6. Lou Reed: Hudson River Wind Meditations
7. Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
8. Earthless: Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky
9. Marylin Manson: Eat Me, Drink Me
10. Pelican: City of Echoes
I’m surprised that a lot of people are so negative about ”the massively overhyped cd” by The National, I think it’s a very nice record! Though I don’t like ANY Bruce Springsteen album, I think Magic is one that should have been included here, I reckon.
Off course everybody thinks that ‘their’ cd should have been included, so here are mine: where are the amazing Band of Bees, Tegan and Sara, Cold War Kids, Silversun Pickups, The Enemy, LCD Soundsystem and The Methadones?!??
Great job on the lists - I love checking these out just to see what I’ve missed through out the year. So much good music! I’ll be checking out some of the stuff that everyone has listed. Here’s my top 15:
1) M.I.A, Kala
2) Boats! Intercontinental Champion
3) Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
4) Bright Eyes, Cassadaga
5) Common, Finding Forever
6) Peter Katz and The Curious, More Nights
7) Bruce Springsteen, Magic
8) Feist, The Reminder
9) Sun Parlour Players, Hymns for the Happy
10) Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
11) Norah Jones, Not Too Late
12) Cuff The Duke, Sidelines of the City
13) Apostle of Hustle, National Anthem of Nowhere
14) The Ex-Girlfriends, Breakin’ Up Ain’t Hard To Do!!!
15) Rilo Kiley, Under the Blacklight
Forgot 2007 the (new) gems… Fiction Plane, Air Traffic, Matthew Good, Wilco?
Where are Procuoine Tree (the best band you never heard) and their latest album “Fear The Blank Planet”.
I would have added Porcupine Tree’s ‘Fear of a Blank Planet’ to this list also. It simply amazes me that this band continues to fly under the radar in the USA. They’re easily one of the more talented/creative bands of this generation of music. In my opinion of course.
Well done though, AMG. You picked some good albums there, although I still feel 2007 was one of the weaker years for music in recent history.
Thanks for the list, and also for the excellent debate it has spawned. Plenty of great and greatly diverse music from 2007; much of it will be in my personal playlist rotation for years to come.
I’m especially excited because there’s so much of it I haven’t yet heard at all, or heard so few times that it will still strike me as fresh when I do finally get around to spinning it.
Keep those passionate and bombastic comments coming, fellow readers. You’re helping me determine what I’ll be listening to tomorrow, and next week, and the week after that. Seriously.
-Aard in Ann Arbor
No Brother ali - The Undisputed Truth?! what a shame…
Have we forgotten what it means to be a good, solid album? Are we just looking for a collection of good songs with no apparent order or arch to the album? There are really only a handful of bands that can pull this off if your honest with your listen. This year, from the albums I’ve been able to hear: Caribou, Radiohead, MIA (surprisingly well put together), PJ Harvey, St. Vincent, Iron and Wine, and Pink Martini assembled some very strong ALBUMS. I loved the 3/4 of the Band of Horses album but it loses steam toward the end. And The National have a few very strong songs, but the same-sounding-song problem catches up after about the 8th track.
It wasn’t released in the US until November, so I guess I can see why word didn’t spread much, but Pedro’s “You, Me, and Everyone” reeeeally needs to be on more lists. I happened to come across it on one single other list and was blown away
I’m sorry but I’m happy AMG isn’t really following the Pitchfork hype machine. Good for you guys.
I really can’t believe you did not include “Because of the Times” from Kings of Leon. Is it maybe because they changed their sound, and changes aren’t good acording to you? Or maybe they’ve gone commercial? What’s wrong guys, this album was spectacular, not to mention their live performances, check the performance in Benicassim and you’ll see why they really deserved at least an honorable mention.
Did anyone listen to:
1. The Good, the Bad, & Queen
2. Dr. Dog - We All Belong
?
I’d like to see this cut to a list of 10-20 albums. Not a ranking, but more of a “these stand out” from the rest
Battles is my vote for the best of 07…
“The Good, the Bad, & the Queen” by The Good, the Bad, & the Queen
Damon Albarn (from Blur and Gorillaz) project, produced by Danger Mouse, with Tony Allen (Fela Kuti’s Drummer), Simon Tong (Guitarist for the Verve), and Paul Simonon (Bassist for the Clash, of smashing his bass on the cover of London Calling fame).
Sure would’ve been nice to see these listed by genre. I’m one of the lesser-informed crowd who simply doesn’t recognize all the artist’s names.
Any way you look at it this list should include The National’s Boxer. Given your review of the album I was suprised not see it make the year’s best list.
Surprised, but delighted, to see Thurston Moore’s quietly issued “Trees Outside the Academy” among your favorites. Not to stir the pot further, but The National’s “Boxer” was, along with listed albums from the Clientele, Iron & Wine, and Spoon, among MY favorites of last year. Not sure how anyone could claim that YOUR list should include anything that wasn’t among your favorites, though.
I gots da maths skillz, yo!
http://art_music.home.pipeline.com/download.html
Reasonably thorough list and a fine year for new music in general, but hard to fathom how ‘Challengers’ by The New Pornographers wasn’t included. For me it was far and away the best new release of the year. I’ve been a New Porn fan from the start, but they’ve reached new heights with Challengers, which is saying a lot. Doubters should go back and give it another listen, and you’d be doing yourself a service to see them live as well… Spectacular!
Is it just me or was I right in recalling that on its initial release, AMG rated Panda Bear’s “Person Pitch” 3/5? Then bumped it up to 4/5 later in the year?
Good list. I thought The National “Boxer” deserved to be on that list. Mine would be:
10 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
9 Iron & Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog
8 Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
7 Gravenhurst - The Western Lands
6 Blonde Redhead - 23
5 The National - Boxer
4 Figurines - When the Deer Wore Blue
3 Maccabees - Colour It In
2 Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
1 Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss ‘Raising Sand’, Low ‘Drums and Guns’, Future of the Left ‘Curses’, Bright Eyes ‘Cassadaga’, and Menomena ‘Friend and Foe’ all deserve a mention as well :)
What about Rilo Kiley’s excellent ‘Under the Blacklight’!! And I also agree with some earlier comments about the Shin’s ‘Wincing the Night Away’ - its downright unacceptable that these two records have been omitted. Mind you, delighted to see Spoon’s Ga, Ga, Ga, Ga in there . . . top class.
i’m not seeing no age or dirty projectors. will assume this is a typographical error.
If anyone can’t find some new or veteran artists to enjoy these days then they just aren’t looking hard enough. I’m currently teaching in Shekou, China and regularly use AM to get some ideas on what new artists I might want to check out. I’ve been able to turn many expats and locals on to many of the cds released by artists on AM’s Best of 2007 but they have also been impressed by what I’ve exposed them to by Lucinda Williams, James Morrison, and Nerina Pallot. . Happy New Year/Xin Nian Kuaile
I think Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 should definitely be on that list. First tour/live album since Alive 1997. C’mon!
3 of the reissues made it to my collection:
Neil Young: Massey Hall
Gram Parsons (Flying Burrito Bros.): Archives Vol. 1
Ringo Staff: Photograph
All 3 are great blasts from the past. Neil’s is fantastic and Gram’s is close behind. And Ringo is always fun to listen to.
It’s a list all right. The only record worth repeating from 2007 so far is the Burial album. The National take boring to new heights, The Shins are terrible, Kings of Leon worse.
The Radiohead record and Yeasayer may stand up, but a critical ear would give them, like good wine a bit more time before coronation.
The best records are: Burial: Untrue & Kalabrese: Rompelcircus
BURIAL: UNTRUE
KALABRESE: ROMPELCIRCUS
The Bees - Octopus (aka: a band of bees)
and where is tracey thorn? :-(
The live Neil Young records really aren’t reissues. It is the first time they have been released. The Kalabrese is very underrated.
BEIRUT!!!
Why no love for They Might Be Giants’ The Else?
I’ve found scant mention of this album anywhere, yet it’s one of the strongest efforts from a band with 25 years of great albums. WTF, M?
-Olaf
ween is on your list.
great list
i agree with the 80%. The rest are albums i dont know.
I love this site.
L.
This is a response to Mr. Erlewine:
If albums on this list are only albums that were released in America in 2007, how does “In Rainbows” by Radiohead make the cut? I totally agree that it belongs on a best-of list, it’s a phenomenal album. However, the official release date for “In Rainbows” in North America was January 1st, 2008. Is the album included due to its availability online prior to said date?
Bloc Party - Weekend in the City
Soulsavers - It’s Not How Far You Fall…
The Good, Bad & the Queen
Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55
Air - Pocket Symphony
What about Porcupine Tree´s “Fear of a Blank Planet”? It´s one of the best rock albums of the year, and one that captures a mature work in compisition, ejecution, arrangement and style.
What a great list, but there is so much missing:
The Good, Bad & the Queen
The National
Kings Of Leon
Danger Mouse
Wilco
Ryan Adams
And so many Australian artist that never seem to get a mention.
As expected, a solid list from AMG. Apart from the ones nearly everyone has noted (Wilco, Springsteen, Okkervil River and The National) I was intrigued by the absence of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s The Calling, as the album received a 4.5 star rating on AMG. My year-end Top 10:
1. Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
2. M.I.A.- Kala
3. Okkervil River- The Stage Names
4. The White Stripes- Icky Thump
5. The National- Boxer
6. Radiohead- In Rainbows
7. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band- Magic
8. Amy Winehouse- Back to Black
9. Arctic Monkeys- Favourite Worst Nightmare
10. Gogol Bordello- Super Taranta!
But I loved many other albums on your list, such as Miranda Lambert, Jay-Z and LCD Soundsystem. Your inclusion of Rihanna is bizarre to the say the least though.
You’re missing Burial, maybe the great revelation in music for some time now.
where’s Hurt - Vol. II? that album was amazing
Where is BURIAL Untrue?
John Zorn, Six Litanies for Hegiogobolus, difficult and brilliant. Your review was spot on. How did it miss the list?
Los Lobos, Town and Country, more great music by America’s best underrated band
…
The Gourds - Noble Creatures
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Jon Dee Graham - Swept Away
The National - Boxer.
egregiously left out,
But some good ones acknowledged, too–gracias to AMG.
From many of the comments, there is certainly no accounting for taste. Arctic Monkeys - excellent 1st album. 1st 5 songs of (this one) “Favourite ….” sound same as 1st album. Tracks 6-9 better. The National - mostly mediocre. Gagaga is cr-a-a-ap. Radiohead worth listing - need to hear it again. Amy Winehouse - patchy and uneven.
If you REALLY want to hear an excellent album >>>>>>>>>>> listen to SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM.
Note the lack of bluegrass and other acoustic music. Never trust a list that is suppose to cover all of music where whole styles are left off.
Not a bad list, Love that Richard Hawley album.
About 5 or 6 years ago, I started calling my year end list “the best music I heard this year” because there’s just no way I can keep up w/ all the various genres, subgenres, independent labels, etc. It gets worse every year. Of the additions to the AMG list suggested by all the posters, I probably haven’t even heard over 75%.
I think it turned out to be a pretty good year. Not too many “great” albums, but a whole bunch of “really good” and “if you like the band/genre this is great” type albums. I thought it was an especially good year for “dinosaurs” of the type AMG and most posters here ignore, so I’m posting my complete list w/ the thought that maybe someone out there will be motivated to check out at least Magic (absurdly left off, AMG!) if not Dion (still probably the coolest person on the planet, as he’s been for going on FIFTY years now). Patti Scialfa learned that even being married to Bruce Springsteen and being a member of the E St Band has its downside, as her very fine album was ignored by pretty much everyone from alt/indie to classic rock to women oriented, all displaying one political agenda or another rather than a fair ear. Jason Isbell’s “Dress Blues” was the one song that nobody heard that everyone should listen to.
This is my list of the 2007 albums I heard & liked enough to keep listening to, at least occasionally, divided approximately into A/A-/B+/B ratings:
Bettye LaVette & Drive By Truckers – Scene of the Crime
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Tabu Lee Rochereau – The Voice of Lightness: Congo Classics
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Magic
Prince – Planet Earth
John Fogerty – Revival
Fountains of Wayne – Traffic and Weather
Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Mavis Staples – We’ll Never Turn Back
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Lucinda Williams - West
Patti Scialfa – Play It As It Lays
Levon Helm – Dirt Farmer
Kanye West – Graduation
Andy Palacio & The Garafina Collective – Watina
Jason Isbel – Sirens of the Ditch
Dion – Son of Skip James
The New Pornographers – Challengers
Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare
The Shins – Wincing the Night Away
The White Stripes – Icky Thump
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Live at the Fillmore East
1990’s – Cookies
Donnie – The Daily News
The National – Boxer
The Magic Numbers – Those the Brokes
Art Brut – It’s a Bit Complicated
Joss Stone – Introducing
Grace Potter And The Nocturnals put out their third record, “This Is Somewhere” in 2007. I don’t know if it belongs on any “best of” lists, but it deserves a mention.
The album doesn’t really represent their live sound, which is bluesy and jammin’, although they really aren’t a jam band.
The songs are on the pop side, but very well done, and there is no arguing that Grace Potter is one of the really talented blues rock singers out there today. As soon as she settles on a recognizable style (she’s good at everything; one of those deals), the public at large should eventually take notice.
Where are the Blues albums!?
I was wondering the same thing myself (where are the blues albums?). Speaking personally, the blues albums that are probably among the best of the year (other than Bettye Lavette) are still on my “must get to” list. I don’t know if it’s the same for others or if the blues is undergoing one of its periodic contractions, only to be rediscovered yet again in a couple of years. In any case, I’ll plug Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Koko Taylor and Omar Dykes/Jimmy Vaughan as probably among the best blues albums of the year based on what i’ve read & heard.
How can you include the soundtrack for “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” and not the soundtrack for “Once” which is all ORIGINAL material and not simply spoofs of what’s been done before - not to mention that it’s a scintillating collaborative effort between Glen Hansard of The Frames (love them!) and Marketa Irglova? How?! Just because the movie was released independently and oh so long ago last May doesn’t mean it’s worth less mention than a blockbuster movie that came out last month. Just saying…
Porcupine Tree’s Fear of a Blank Planet is conspicuously missing, but for those who want lighter and more accessible Steven Wilson can always go to Blackfield. Blackfield II came out this year - where’s that mention on people’s top albums of 2007 list? It’s on mine, anyway…
This is a pretty good list, and I was glad to see Ringo Starr’s “Photograph” on the list of reissues. However, I was surprised that I didn’t see Paul McCartney’s “Memory Almost Full.” This is his finest record in years. It should have at least received an honorable mention!
No Elliott Smith?
Unfortunate…
Thank you to Stephen Thomas Erlewine for the explanation regarding Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. I was frustrated by many publications for including “Alright, Still” on their lists. When I noticed the US release date, it made sense. Thanks for the clarification!
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Art Brut - It’s a Bit Complicated
The Bird and The Bee - The Bird and The Bee
The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
Dwight Yoakam - Dwight Sings Buck
Electric Soft Parade - No Need to be Downhearted
Field Music - Tones of Town
Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather
The Fratellis - Costello Music
The Good, The Bad & The Queen - The Good, The Bas & The Queen
Nick Lowe - At My Age
Peter, Bjorn & John - Writer’s Block
Porter Wagoner - Wagonmaster
The Procession - Music Magnifique
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
Smithereens - Meet The Smithereens
Southern Culture on the Skids - Countrypolitan Favorites
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
White Stripes - Icky Thump
Young Knives - Voices of Animals and Men
Though I am afraid two years hence, some will retroactively label Icky Thump a disappointment while praising the next White Stripes release (AMG, this is not aimed at you).
Reissues
Arthur Alexander - Lonely Just Like Me: The Final Chapter
Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees
Dwight Twilley - Sincerely/Twilley Don’t Mind
The Move - The Move
It also was nice to have some of the Moby Grape and Warren Zevon catalog re-issued. The various artist collections listed among AMG’s favorite reissues are all nice to see as well.
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Hey everyone.
Q. Why is “my favorite album” not in this Top 10?
A. Because you do not listen to enough new music.
It always kills me that Silverchair’s “Young Modern” isn’t on these end of the years lists, just because they used to be an unoriginal grunge band. Young Modern is easily my favourite album of the year (maybe ever), and I LOOved ‘In Rainbows’.
Moe.-The Conch
Silverchair’s “Young Modern”?? Really?? “Straight Lines” is possibly the worst song ever written. The whole album is like that too. It’s just a bunch of mindless 8th note strumming that doesn’t go anywhere. The intonation on the vocals is the worst I’ve heard in a long while. They try to portray an image that they aren’t
Hello,
i like your collection - even if i dont know every artist.
my best wishes
I can understand how you could dislike “straight Lines” even though i think it is a decent song. But to say the rest of the album sounds like it would be ridiculous. And as so far as the vocal intonation, that is the purposeful style on the album. does Bowie suck too?
Why is that Kanye West’s album not on your top 2007’s list???? Im talking about Graduation…
rihanna and lily allen make the list but elliott smith doesn’t. are you kidding? i cant really respect this list anymore
Kanye West? Come on, give me a break
The list seems about right to me, between my favorites are in rainbows, era vulgaris and favorite worts nightmare. Some of them I dont know them. I dont agree on rihanna but I guess its good pop album, and I haven’t got my mind made up on amy whinehouse and lilly allen yet
Anyone who doesn’t understand the significance of The National’s “Boxer” isn’t listening. Very rarely do things come together like they have on that album. I am certain that twenty years from now it will become an en vogue piece of music history. Go back, take a closer listen. Enjoy.
RAGAN: the more I listen to new music, the less I like some artists of these lists (and I’m sure I’m not the only one). So… you are wrong. There is no “ultimate music knowledge” that comes to you only if you listen to “enough” music.
All in all this list is good.
I find there is a bit too much focus on Indie Rock albums.
Also it is very surprising that an album like Digitalism - Idealism, is neither on the list nor has it been mentioned by anyone to be missing. Surely it is a more interesting album than let’s say LCD Soundsystem’s Sound of Silver.
DIGITALISM!
What is everyone complaining about? Just as an individual’s taste in music is personal, this list is clearly subjective and is not some “written in stone” time-enduring, ultimately accepted list! If you disagree with some of the selections or lack of selections, go make your own list. This list is only some people’s opinions, not the entire masses!
I can’t believe Laurie Anderson’s “Big Science” and Modern Lovers’ “Modern Lovers” didn’t make it on the best reissues list.
Year Zero isn’t on here? Forget you guys.
6 words
les savy fav- let’s stay friends
animal collective - strawberry jam
ridiculous this site can leave that off any kind of year end list.
good list but where is King Of Leon - Because Of The Times. It’s just amazing. Best of 2007 to me
Misssing Richard Thompson’s Sweet Warrior, John Vanderslice’s Emerald City and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ masterpiece Raising Sand. And where is the world music of Bassekou Kouaté and Andy Palacio?
PS I’m enjoying AMG a lot, so thanks for all good background info on the musical world,
Chenque
http://chenque65.blogspot.com/
Hello Mates! This is Adam and Orr from Israel!
your list is great but we would like to add…
Neil’s Young Chromo Dreams II
Hi! this is us again… it’s been 5 minutes and sill no reply.
that’s tough. we would also like to add the new Yasmin Levy ad the new release of Hanson’s “Middle of Nowhere”
cheers from Israel!
I have to agree with Dak Rim about “Time on Earth” by Crowded House. It’s an outstanding album of refreshing clarity and purity in a world beset with over-produced drivel. That’s a band that came back with a very strong, classic yet experimental album…which is not something that can be said about most “come backs”.
I still wish NIN’s Year Zero was on here. It got a way better review than Boris-whatever-you-call-it, and didn’t have such a gay title. Otherwise, not a bad list, now that I’ve had time to think about it.
down - over the under
Just some repetition of what others have mentioned, and its the middle of Feb. so this might be coming too late.
‘Boxer’ is great to hear from a drumming stand point, but overall I can understand its exclusion.
‘Cassadaga’ is Bright Eyes worst; pieces of songs are strong but many songs feel boring or incomplete.
While Ryan is still in high rotation for me I feel ‘Easy Tiger’ was not one of his best efforts and applaud him for taking a break from himself.
‘Time on Earth’ took a bit of time but I soon found myself becoming attached to many of the songs and singing along. However I’d rather listen to ‘Temple of Low Men.’
Kings Of Leon ‘Because of The Times’ is tight but it’s about time you went and listened to The Wildbirds ‘Golden Daze.’
I’m glad Ian Hunter is “one of the boys” included on the list, although I haven’t yet listened to that whole album.
I do agree a mention of ‘Sky Blue Sky’ is warranted.
I agree Jay-Z knows what he’s doing.
Finally, I’m glad Nine Inch Nails is not on the list, give it up.
Lets keep the debate going until next years list.
Mary Weiss - Dangerous Game
My favorite album of 2007 and a great comback from the former Shangri-La
The National are NOT overrated!
I think “Boxer” is an all right album, but “Alligator” is one of the 21st century’s finest!
Listen to it and you’ll see why The National are hyped, but not overhyped.
WHERE IS DEERHUNTER?
I would normally not respond to a thing like this so late in the game but I thought I would mention a couple of great albums that I have’nt seen any talk about in their retorts.
1)The High LLamas - Can Cladders (Easily their strongest record in years, and quite possibly their best ever)
2)Andre Ethier - On Blue Fog (Super talented Toronto singer songwriter’s 3rd and most realized record.)
Good Additions would have been Dan Deacon’s Spiderman of the Rings
and Cocorosie’s The Adventures of Ghost and Stillborn. Both Albums like nothing else on this list…good list though
LCD Soundsystem?
Oh come on, no metal? Hard/Rock & Heavy Metal is having a revival in the last couple of years and has been producing some brilliant albums. How come so many best of lists leave them out?
These kinds of inclusive lists tend to slight jazz releases; but off the top of my head, two that should have been considered as appealing to the adventurous fan of any genre are:
Poetica, by the Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen; and
Block Ice and Propane, by the cellist Erik Friedlander.
I also really liked Because of the Times by Kings of Leon. I can understand why it’s not included, maybe their next album will be critically aclaimed.
Missed these in my humble opinion…
Wilco / Sky Blue Sky ****
Silverchair / Young Modern ****1/2
Mark Olson / The Salvation Blues ****1/2
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals / Lifeline ***1/2
Mika / Life in Cartoon Motion ***1/2
…and these might have made it…they made my top 10.
Elliot Smith
Eddie Vedder
The Shins
Great List…All music is my definitive guide to purchasing music. My list includes:
Radiohead- In rainbows
PJ Harvey- White Chalk
Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
MIA- Kala
Feist- The Reminder
Amy Winehouse- Back to Black
Blonde Redhead- 23
White Stripes- Icky Thump
Rufus Wainwright- Release the Stars
Bat for Lashes- Fur & Gold
Roisin Murphy- Overpowered (Defintely album of the year!!!)
nice list. i couldnt agree more. just a little more respect for all those oldies plz
Have to add my support for the Super Furry Animals’ Hey Venus! - not only my album of the year, but the best album they’ve released, a real return to form after the self indulgent Love Kraft.
Scribble Mural Comic Journal by A Sunny Day in Glasgow was the best album of the year. Lucky Soul’s The Great Unwanted was pretty amazing as well
I was whole heartedly disapointed by Panda Bear.
I’m sad to see that Omar Rodriguez-Lopez didn’t make the cut with Se Dice Bisonte, No Buffalo. Maybe he’ll make it this year with Bedlam In Goliath or Calibration.
Bruce Springsteen–Magic
Mark Knopfler–Kill For Crimson
Monster Magnet–4-Way Diablo
kudos on Queens of the Stone Age and Ween.
this list is absolutely inane for excluding the national, kevin drew, and kanye west, and yet somehow managing to include the disgrace that is that arctic monkeys record. i guess there really is a reason i hardly read this website anymore always trust pitchfork instead.
How could you have not selected Colors by Between The Buried And Me? Easily the best metal album of 2007, and definitely belongs on that list.
Takeovers - Bad Football
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Another person who cant believe that The National - Boxer didnt make the list. But hey opnions are like ar$eholes right?
For me it was the most impressive album in a couple of years let alone 2007.
plus
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Cocorosie - The Adventures Of Ghosthorse And Stillborn
UNKLE - War Stories
Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Klaxons - Gravity’s Rainbow
Decent list. Panda Bear sucked though, and Sunset Rubdown put out the best record of 2007 and it seems NO list makers on ANY site seemed to notice it
Has anyone at All Music Guide listened to a metal album in the past year? Because I’ve heard about 10 albums that would blow any of this out of the water. Hangman’s Hymn by Sigh is a modern masterpiece… Revolver gave it a 5, said it redefined epic, and didn’t include it in the top 20 albums of the year. Is there no justice?
afternoon!!! Today
completely changed system and all links which were in bookmarks were lost. Including the link on
blog.allmusic.com ! 8 hours searched for a site on the Internet also has just now found through http://google.com/
X-rum, I can not find your number ICQ write to me please!!!
Burial - Untrue is missing. much better than the overrated Battles disc.
Angels of Light “We Are Him”?!?!
Misses “Fear of a Blank Planet” from Porcupine Tree (which, by the way, was given 4,5 stars, more than some of the other albums picked)
Hey!…I found your site via Yahoo! when i was searching for ml campbell, and this post regarding nnial 2007 - salvatore iaconesi - del.icio.us poetry really sounds very interesting to me.. Thanks.
AMY WINEHOUSE THE BEST!!!!
Porcupine Tree should be in there along with Blackfield - II, Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, Fair to Midland - Fables from a Mayfly, Riverside - Rapid Eye Movement, Silverstien - Arrivals and Departures, Ted Leo - Living with the Living, Brandi Carlile - The Story.
One of the best album collections in the web! But one album seems to be missing here: Michael Jackson - Thriller !! =)
Yeah, that’s great! And ya know what? I’ve even bought two of the listed albums after reading them at this list - this is a really great list!! Go on like that - and keep your quality high
Really enjoyed this list and the debate that’s ensued!!
How’s the list for 2008 shaping up? I have a contender for you anyway. Dieter Schöön’s album Lablaza. It’s being given a release this year outside of Sweden which is where Dieter is from. I am totally overwhelmed by it and thought you might enjoy it too.
Here’s the link to his myspace:
www.myspace.com/dieterschoon
Let me know what you think!!
All the best, Carl
Ben Harper “Lifeline”
Wow, hughe list!
These both i have alway:
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Radiohead - In Rainbows
an now i ordered “Freeway - Free at Last after”.
Thank you again for the inspiration!
super, zachitalsya azh
I think your list of best album 2007 very well!
Some of these albums were my favorites too.
I think Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight is really missing in this list!
My picks:
1. Sola Scriptura - Neal Morse
2. The Sum of No Evil - The Flower Kings
3. Fear of a Blank Planet - Porcupine Tree (this one I would have expected to be on the list)
4. Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater
5. Colors - Between the Buried and Me (this band got a lot better with this album)
The best album 2007 was Alicia Keys with As I am. That is the album is was really missing is this long list and comment list.
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible, that is for sure. One of the best albums for a long time :)
Apart from that - too much oldie-stuff!
just my 2 cents
only one: Bruce Springsteen–Magic
amy winehouse - back to black
No one has mentioned Pit Er Pat’s Pyramids and I wonder why . .
Drive my car and listen this: Original Soundtrack - Death Proof
Kanzler vs. Weinstein, best Music ever.
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R.i.P Michael Jackson!
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