2007 was a year that seems to be looked upon with a sad face as far as the future is concerned. The years breakout hit “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” was featured on what many critics call the worst album of the year. And T-Pain, a man known for his computer-tweaked voice has been on top of the charts all year long. And who can forget the comeback of the year with Britney Spears? Well…while the year may be remembered for a whole load of its own musical feces, there were a fair share of noteworthy albums (contrary to some friends of mine, I think the Arcade Fire was lackluster). And with that I present to you my top 10 albums of 2007.
Before I begin the countdown , I’ll give a few brief honorable mentions…
Talib Kweli- Ear Drum- While Talib seems to have found beats that match his impressive rhyming skills, the album runs about 7 tracks too long and although it has its gems, it falls on its face during its second half.
Kaiser Chiefs- Yours Truly, Angry Mob- This is a solid listenable album from the Kaiser Chiefs, it just doesn’t ring that bell in my book. Maybe after a few more listens it would have knocked its way onto my list, but it’s too late for that now isn’t it?
Amy Winehouse- Back to Black- This album played really well for the first couple of plays and then it just kind of got tired. Maybe after a nice break from Amy, and maybe if she took a nice break from causing all sorts of trouble, this album will re-assert itself into my head. But until that day, Amy can’t make the cut.
Okay, now onto the main course…
10. Tomahawk-Anonymous
Tomahawk frontman Mike Patton has been associated with weird and bizarre music since his first band Mr. Bungle caught the eye of the public in the late 80’s. However, Tomahawk’s Anonymous seems to get about as weird as possible as far as a modern metal album is concerned. While Patton has done some music so strange, some consider it un-listenable (Fantomas for example) this album somehow keeps the listener keen in a very unusual way. The entire album is based on Native American culture, and many of Patton’s lyrics are derived from Native tales. While the words are oftentimes incomprehensible, the music in the background is very moody, ranging from pow-wow happy tunes, to grim tracks that feel like they belong in a horror movie. The album is not meant for everyone, but if you’re one of those people that truly understand the art that made Anonymous, you can appreciate it.
Standout Tracks- Mescal Rite 1, Red Fox, Antelope Ceremony
9. Beastie Boys- The Mix Up
Beastie Boys have been known to push the bar. They went from macho clowns to genre jumping innovators, and gained massive popularity along the way. However with their previous work To The Five Boroughs, critics said the Beastie’s were simply falling into a mold, not really doing anything particularly innovative. The Mix-Up is in the same vein, while Boroughs allowed the Boys to make a straight up hip-hop record, Mix-Up gives them the chance to jam out like they do on Ill Communication and Check Your Head. Although the album can be a bit tiring, it has a few funky gems that make it a good listen, and a must-have for all of those who enjoy throwing relaxed social events.
Standout Tracks- B For My Name, The Rat Cage, The Cousin of Death
8. K-Os- Atlantis: Hymns For Disco
For those unfamiliar with K-Os (pronounced like the word “chaos”) he is a musician hailing from Canada who started out strictly as an emcee and moved more and more from his debut Exit to his most recent effort Atlantis: Hymns for Disco. K-Os jumps from genre to genre with ease on this album and he shows his level of talent as a vocalist both by rapping tracks, making statements about the current hip-hop game, his life and shouting out his influces, and also by singing some straight up rock songs very well. This is worth a listen for anyone, as there is something for everybody on it.
Standout Tracks- Fly Paper, Sunday Morning, Valhalla
7. Queens of the Stone Age- Era Vulgaris
Ever since the huge release of Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf, the band seems to have fallen from their graces as one of the most creative and original rock bands that make it through to the MTV airwaves. With the departure of bassist Nick Oliveri, as well as guest drummer Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame, Queens has gone from being awesome and unique to the lead singer/guitarist Josh Homme show. While on Songs and earlier efforts, the band split up frontman duty and each member seemingly had their part in the creative aspect of the band, we only see the musical power of Homme. With the negatives out of the way allow me to say that Era Vulgaris packs same punch as QOTSA’s last album Lullabies to Paralyze, and although it’s not particularly innovative it still rocks hard. With the addition of some grungy keyboards, Homme seems to have added another dimension to his muddy rock sound that makes it feel extremely familiar, yet new. Overall the album is worth a listen, but it will come off as a bit stale to hardcore fans of QOTSA.
Standout Tracks- Turnin’ on the Screw, 3’s and 7’s, Make it Wit Chu
6. The Hives- The Black and White Album
Coming out of the huge “The” phase of the early 00’s, The Hives have set themselves apart from their counterparts in The Vines, The Strokes and The White Stripes. These Sweedish boys have struck gold yet again with The Black and White Album which packs the same punch as their breakout album Veni Vidi Vicious but has crisp, smooth mixing, rather than grimy, twangy, almost garage sounding mixing. While “real” music fans may scold The Hives and similar bands for writing simple songs and riffs, no one can argue with the energy in all aspects of the band, from the quick guitar to the punchy drums to the over the top vocals, this album came out of left field and entertained me to no end.
Standout Tracks- Tick Tick Boom, Well All Right!, T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.
5. Wu-Tang Clan- 8 Diagrams
The Wu-Tang Clan has been a dominant force in hip-hop since their debut in 1992 with Enter the Wu-Tang, and since then they have garnered a huge following from all colors, classes and ages. And after their highly successful stint on Rock the Bells over the summer, fans eagerly anticipated their next album, and lets just say 8 Diagrams delivers the necessary jolt mainstream hip-hop needs. While their may have been a rift between members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon against the guru beatmaker RZA, all the negative hype from Ghostface and Raekwon only make the album sound that much better the first time you play it. While it may not be as groundbreaking as Enter the Wu-Tang, this album brings a new, darker dimension to the Clan. With collaborations from George Clinton, Erykah Badu, John Frusciante, Dhani Harrison, Dexter Wiggle and others, the Wu re-assert themselves as the kings of hip-hop and command the respect they deserve through their verses and beats.
Standout Tracks- Unpredictable, Rushing Elephants, Starter
4. M.I.A.-Kala
My first taste of M.I.A. came from MTV’s constant play of her live performances between their quality programs like Next and The Ex-Effect. I must say I was hooked from the beginning as she sounded like a more chiseled Lady Sovereign. However, upon my purchase of Kala, I realized there was much more to M.I.A. than some grime rip-off. The beats are all entertaining and keep your head moving, and the lyrics range dabble in humor. While this album can be overbearing (especially with bass boost headphones) it never seems tired or overdone. I’m not a fan of electronica music, but for some strange reason M.I.A. hits the nail on the head. Give this one a listen if you’re up for some fun.
Standout Tracks-Bird Flu, $20, Paper Planes
3. Aesop Rock- None Shall Pass
Upon purchasing Aesop Rock’s None Shall Pass after hearing the single “Coffee” on MTVU, I was overwhelmed by the quality and originality of the music I was hearing. Aesop Rock has been infamous for combining high quality raps with sub-par beats, but on None Shall Pass the beats are on the same level as his rhymes. This album is particularly interesting because half of it plays like a rock album in the vein of some Rage Against the Machine while the other half plays like some hip-hop you’ve never heard before. Aesop Rock’s lyrics are supremely entertaining and his flow is complex and original, going places most mainstream and even some underground rappers wouldn’t dare. Now I don’t mean to say that Aesop Rock transcends his genre, but even the great hip-hop albums released this year don’t have the diversity presented in None Shall Pass.
Standout Tracks-None Shall Pass, Citronella, Coffee
2. Kanye West- Graduation
After shutting up 50 Cent after Graduation trampled over Curtis, Kanye West just sat back and let the listeners enjoy the downright awesome CD he put out this year. From the front to the back, this album is highly enjoyable and there is not one track that’s worth skipping. Although Kanye is no Talib Kweli by any means, his production makes up for his lack of tip top rhyming skills. And for once this year, every single released on the album is good, “Stronger” is probably the best track on the CD. Although sometimes he preaches to be something he’s not, claiming to be a genius at one point on the album, there is no denying the fact that Kanye West’s Graduation is easily the best and most fun hip-hop album of the year. For all those people that push for quality hip-hop on the radio, Kanye should be your savior.
Standout Tracks- Champion, Stronger, Barry Bonds
1.The Good, The Bad and The Queen-The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Damon Albarn is a name associated with quality. Blur is one of the defining bands of the 90’s, even if “Song 2” is their only major US hit. And Gorillaz did a good amount of turning heads by incorporating rappers like MF Doom and Del tha Funkee Homosapien into their rock/rap tracks. However with The Good, The Bad and The Queen, Albarn chills out, and makes arguably his best album yet. By calling in ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Afro-beat drummer Tony Allen, TGTB&TQ effectively hooks in rock fans and keeps them in, all without the aid of distortion. Much of the albums success can be contributed to the production of Grey Album star and Gnarls Barkley member Danger Mouse, who treats the album as if it were hip-hop, making Simonon’s thumb plucked bass notes bounce through your subwoofer like it was a Pharrell beat. The album plays extremely well from front to back and although some may find it dull, this album hits the spot whenever it is needed.
Standout Tracks- History Song, Herculean, Kingdom of Doom
