Quite possibly the most difficult Top 50 list I’ve had to compile in Fuzzy Thoughts’ history, just about every album in the top 10 are damn near perfect and it was almost impossible for me to pick a #1 album. I have to stress this because people tend to read too much into these lists and I don’t want people to think that I’m discrediting certain bands for not having them higher. That argument’s going to be made anyway, granted, but I do want people to know that I genuinely loved everything up there it’s just that you have to make a choice. All that being said, this was a great year for music– arguably the best since 2003– with lots of artists new and old putting up very solid efforts. So without further ado, here’s the Fuzzy Faves Top 50 Albums list of 2007, Part One:
50. K-OS
Atlantis- Hymns for Disco
This multifaceted Canadian import put up a hell of an album that was probably too eclectic for its own good. Anchored by singles such as "Sunday Morning," there were a lot of bright spots on this album. Probably somewhat overlooked, K-OS’ latest entry gets its due here at the #50 spot. (video: Music video for the song "Electrik Heat- The Seekwill")
49. The Go! Team
Proof of Youth
Sticking to the same formula more or less will hurt you, and so it goes with The Go! Team. Definitely a fine album, it just comes off a little shallow after their killer debut, Thunder, Lightning, Strike! (video: Music video for the song "The Wrath of Marcie")
48. Shout Out Louds
Our Ill Wills
Superb orchestration and production helped this album a lot. As a whole, it’s a bit flabby, but on the strength of songs such as "Impossible" and "Tonight I Have to Leave It," Shout Out Louds not only expanded their sound, but they also matured a great deal in the songwriting department. (video: Music video for the song "Impossible")
47. The Hives
The Black and White Album
The curse of simply trying to do too much, The Black and White Album went in too many directions too quickly. That being said, there are a still a lot of fun moments to be had here, despite the uneveness that generally comes when a band deals with so many producers for a single album. (video: Music video for the song "Tick Tick Boom!")
46. Junior Senior
Hey Hey My My Yo Yo
Like The Go! Team, Hey Hey My My Yo Yo only suffers in that it is like a clone of their debut effort, and you know what they say about clones. Even if it’s not as good, there are lots of clever and fun moments that fans will surely enjoy, especially the single "Can I Get Get Get." (video: Music video for the song "Can I Get Get Get")
45. !!!
Myth Takes
!!!’s latest effort was much more immediate than their debut and had an instant likeability to it. Despite Myth Takes being their most accessible album, !!! still maintains a sound that’s very much their own. Very solid album. (video: Music video for the song "Must be the Moon")
44. Lily Allen
Alright, Still…
Incredibly talented, Lily Allen’s Alright, Still… also benefitted quite a bit from Mark Ronson’s slick productions which went hand in hand with her bubble gum approach. On songs like "LDN" and "Smile" she’s particularly infectious. Some people may never take her seriously, but she’s definitely deserves the attention she gets. (video: Music video for the song "LDN")
43. Rufus Wainwright
Release the Stars
Sonically, this is the biggest sound Rufus Wainwright has ever attained, and he almost pulls off a masterpiece here. There are moments that click but as a whole, he never quite gets the album going on all cylinders. Also, while the majority of songs have their own charm, they don’t come as easily as they did on his previous efforts. (video: Music video for the song "Rules and Regulations")
42. Talib Kweli
Ear Drum
Kweli’s was in top form once again lyrically, but damn was this album long. Between that and the constant delays in the release of the album, Ear Drum seemed pretty much doomed from the start, but Kweli always brings his A game, so at least there’s that. (video: features the song "Country Cousins" feat. UGK & Raheem Devaughn)
41. Beirut
The Flying Club Cup
The immensely talented multi-instrumentalist Beirut (real name Zach Condon) pretty much tweaks what he has already accomplished, and is probably an album or two away from his big-time masterpiece. Very unique stylistically, Beirut is one of the best kept secrets right now. (video: features Beirut and his backing band performing outside a café in Paris)
40. The New Pornographers
Challengers
Maybe we were all just expecting too much, but as much as I wanted to love this album, I couldn’t. Obviously, in making the top 40, it’s still very good, but it just doesn’t have that oomph that their previous releases did. (video: live performance of "My Rights Versus Yours" on David Letterman)
39. Klaxons
Myths of the Near Future
Unfortunately suffered from NME overexposure syndrome, the Klaxons definitely are a good band, but after the high expectations set, you can’t help but be disappointed. That being said, Myths of the Near Future is quite an intriguing debut album. Hopefully these guys won’t fade out as quickly as they came. (video: live in-studio performance of "Golden Skans")
38. Pinback
Autumn of the Seraphs
One of the most underrated bands around, Pinback’s Autumn of the Seraphs finds the band at their most confident. Additionally, their songs are much tighter than before. Zach Smith and Rob Crow have crafted yet another fine album. (video: features the song "Good to Sea")
37. Patrick Wolf
The Magic Position
He might be a bit out there, but you can’t deny the dude’s got talent. His somewhat kitschy The Magic Position shows a great deal of maturity as he continues to push the envolope of his music. A bit messy, Wolf’s music continues to impress nonetheless. (video: Music video for the song "Accident and Emergency")
36. Kanye West
Graduation
Even as something of a Kanye aplogist, it’s hard to label this album as something other than disappointing. The idea of incorporating electronic styles into his music was a superb one, it’s just that the execution wasn’t always there. Also, in some cases, the lack of depth in the production made not only Kanye’s lyrical flaws more apparent, but it also leaves one feeling a little cold (see "Drunk and Hot Girls" and "I Wonder"). So how could an album with those flaws rank this high? Well, the bright spots on the album almost outshine the mediocre moments, as many of Kanye’s best songs reside on this album. (video: features the song "Flashing Lights")
35. Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger
Ryan Adams continues to churn out solid albums with Easy Tiger being no exception. The Cardinals seem to elevate Adams’ sound, rounding out his country-rock sound superbly. While it would’ve been nice to see a rocker in addition to "Halloweenhead" to offset the slow stuff, Adams still impresses here. (video: Live in-studio performance of the song "Everybody Knows")
34. Brother Ali
The Undisputed Truth
The Undisputed Truth affirms what many already knew about Brother Ali– he’s one of the most consistantly striking artists in hip-hop, and is always sending a positive message. Songs like "Take Me Home" and "Uncle Sam Goddamn" in particular, are highlights. If you’re tired of the commercial stuff that’s out there, give this one a spin. (video: Live performance of the song "Take Me Home" from Conan O’Brien)
33. Interpol
Our Love to Admire
It’s surprising in some ways how slow Interpol has been to evolve, but there are definite signs of it here, three albums in as they add a bevy of horns and strings into the mix. While the single, " The Heinrich Manuever" is virtually indistinguishable from three other songs by them, it’s songs like the opener "Pioneer to the Falls," "Rest My Chemistry" and "Wrecking Ball" that show their gentle evolution. This is the kind of release that will please established Interpol fans as well as garner interest from others. (video: features the song "Pioneer to the Falls")
32. Tegan and Sara
The Con
This album still surprises the hell out of me. Such a well-done record from twins who appeared that they’d be counting on royalties from "Walking With a Ghost" for the rest of their lives, The Con shines. There’s little to no filler, and the songwriting is much improved as well. Any other year this album probably would’ve been ranked much higher. (video: Music video for the song "Back In Your Head")
31. The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The supergroup of Damon Albarn, Tony Allen, Paul Simonon, and Simon Tong proved to be quite successful, especially overseas. Produced by Danger Mouse, The Good, The Bad & The Queen is a bleak reflection of urban life in London. Anchored by the single "Herculean," this is a stunning effort. (video: live performance of the song "Herculean" from the Henry Rollins show)
30. Blu & Exile
Below the Heavens
Just about every year there’s a hip-hop artist that, seemingly out of nowhere, drops an absolute bombshell of an album. This year, it’s Below the Heavens, an absolutely beautiful debut that makes you wonder what these guys could do next. Blu is a terrific lyricist, while Exile’s productions are more than savvy enough to handle Blu’s dynamic approach. (video: Music video for the song "So(ul) Amazing")
29. Pharoahe Monch
Desire
After what felt like an eternity, Pharoahe Monch not only came back, but brought an album with him that serves as a reminder as why he was so revered to begin with. Already an accomplished lyricist, it was nice to see that Monch brought on the added punch of superb productions to push Desire into the forefront as one of the hip-hop albums of the year. (video: Music video for the song "Push")
28. The Shins
Wincing the Night Away
The Shins were definitely on cruise control on this one, truly playing to their strengths with each and every track. The result is a beautiful, shimmering album that definitely grows on you over time. It could’ve used a bit more variety, but it’s highly recommended nonetheless. (video: Music video for the song "Australia")
27. Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
With the way some folks talk about Queens of the Stone Age now, you’d think they stopped making records after Songs for the Deaf. Yes, that was one hell of an album, but both Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris are also very accomplished releases. Era Vulgaris in particular sees some of the edgiest moments to come from QotSA in a very long time, while slow burners like "Make it wit Chu" also are very worthwhile. (video: Music video for the song "Make it wit Chu")
26. Bruce Springsteen
Magic
The Boss was back with a vengeance on Magic, releasing a very tight 12-song set that is only hampered by the shoddy productions that compresses everything to mush. The lead single and opener "Radio Nowhere" sets the pace, with each following song offering up a wonderful blend of charm, nostalgia, politics, and flare for the dramatic. A very solid album, indeed. (video: Music video for the song "Long Walk Home)
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