The Comprehensive List of the Best Music of 2007 (Albums and Singles)
Lists are mind numbing, yet wildly fun, exercises that anyone who writes deems essential. What you will find below are thirty-five albums and a slew if individual singles that knocked me to the ground. These are albums that spoke to me deeply and profoundly in ways that I’m not sure the written word could ever give justice. I probably listened to at least two-hundred albums all the way through and what is below is the ten best. Agree? Disagree? Email me your list: thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com.
#1: Will Hoge-Draw The Curtains
Will Hoge’s Draw The Curtains is a collection of ten stunningly crafted songs that are as multifaceted as the relationships he sings about. This album stirs your soul and yields a genuine truth so rarely found in today's music with each song essential to the underlying theme. Hoge has shaped an emotionally severe and intuitive masterpiece that is not just timeless but the best album of 2007. This is an album deeply embedded in reactionary tales that permeate into you more and more with every listen.YouTube Video Link. ("Washing Of the Water)
#2: The Arcade Fire-Neon Bible Exultant pained crescendos highlight this tour de force album from the indie Canadian band Arcade Fire. You may have heard a lot about them and the truth is that they are in deed as good as you hear they are. The track “Intervention” is maybe the most exquisite track I’ve heard in the last few years and listening to this group morph into entirely different bands from track to track is nothing short of superfluous. This is a band who you should keep a close eye on as I believe this is just the beginning for them. "Intervention" Video Clip & "Intervention" Live on SNL
#3: The White Stripes-Icky Thump
"Conquest" (Official Video) & "Icky Thump" Video
#4: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss-Raising Sand
Amidst all of the hype regarding Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant released his finest album since leaving Led Zeppelin with bluegrass beauty Alison Krauss. One listen to this album and each of the songs will be embedded in your soul. The lush production and penetrating quiet numbers aim for timelessness. Producer T Bone Burnett assembled a group of first-rate musicians who brought a warm vintage sound to these poignant songs. This is the only album on this list I can play for anyone between the ages of ten and eighty. The album’s final track, “Your Long Journey” cemented the sweet spirituality of these songs and recordings. As momentous as a Led Zeppelin reunion would be, there is a part of me that wants to see these two bring the same magic found on this record to the concert stage. "Gone,Gone,Gone(Done Moved On)" Video
Ryan Adams may be the most maddening, yet brilliant, artist of the last decade. He’s intoxicatingly talented, but at times it blinds his editing skills. Despite Easy Tiger not being amongst his best albums, it’s easily his strongest and most focused effort since ‘Demolition’, which ironically was culled from a number of unreleased albums. Pitchfork heralded these songs as “second tier” and even though the live performances I heard prior to the album being released felt second tier, the final output s anything but. The production quality of this disc is transcendent, as is the EP released later in the year, Follow The Lights. On Easy Tiger, Adams culled thirteen tracks and somehow, elevated their stature with momentous performances and glowing sonic textures. Easy Tiger may not be Adam’s best album, but it’s a staggering testament to what he can accomplish when he’s clear headed and focused. "Two" from David Letterman #6 Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová- Once Soundtrack
#7 Paul McCartney-Memory Almost Full
Right from the opening mandolin kick, the whiff of nostalgia is so potent you can get drunk on it as McCartney delivers on what is arguably one of his three best post-Beatles recordings (Band On The Run and Flaming Pie are the others). Every time McCartney releases an album, there are those who claim it’s his best in decades. This time, it rings true. The cooing “Ever Present Past”, the quixotic “See Your Sunshine”, the boisterous “Nod Your Head” and the melancholic “End of the End” are some of the most revealing and poetic of his entire career. Every time I listen to this album, I am overcome with jubilation and smile. I can offer no greater compliment. "Dance Tonight" Video Clip & "Ever Present Past" Video
#8 New Pornographers-Challengers
Power pop indie band from Canada triumphs with an intrinsic layered vocals and storming musicianship on their fourth full length album, Challengers. I loved Twin Cinema from a few years back and even though it took me a while to delve deep into Challengers, I found myself returning to it and being continually charmed by the festive atmosphere these musicians bring to each track. Right from the dialed opening of “My Rights Versus Yours” to the deft production of “Myriad Harbour” to the provoking "All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth" and throw in meticulous sequencing of these twelve songs and it’s intoxicatingly addicting. The luscious title track is potently enticing with Neko Case’s opulent vocals and while it’s hard to put in words the feelings their music evokes, what I do know is that this is a band the more I return to, the more I fall for them. "Challengers" Music Video 
If you had told me that this would have made my Top Ten list, I probably would not have believed you. Let’s see here, a soundtrack to a movie directed by Sean Penn based on a book of a young man who leaves all material things behind to brave it alone in the wilderness? Even though I love Vedder and Penn, on paper, this is potentially the most pretentious combination of talent in 2007. To my great pleasure, both the soundtrack album and possibly the movie will be on my respective Top Ten Lists. Vedder managed to not just convey the journey of the film’s main character but his own internal one as well. Songs like “Hard Sun”, “End of the Road” and “Rise” are so profoundly personal, you feel as if you’re overhearing a conversation or reading a personal diary. This album should not have been this solid, but it is. It’s truthful, revealing and a revelatory exposition for Vedder and the listener. "Hard Sun" Music Video #10 Mavis Staples- We'll Never Turn Back
The swampy soul delta blues drenches the songs in this defiant collection. It’s hard to believe this album is as defiant and fierce from a woman, who is nearing seventy. This may be the greatest record of Mavis Staples career, and this includes her time with the Staples Sisters. I’ve been knocked to the ground when hearing tracks like “My City of Ruins” by Bruce Springsteen and “Washing of the Water” by Will Hoge, but an entire album of twelve civil rights tracks provides an emotionally luminous, searing and storming ride. The fist thumping thunderous beat of “99 and a ½” is performed with larger than life vocal dynamics and conviction as is the entire album. This album will entrench itself within you and grow on you with each and every listen and proves that music can be more than just entertainment but provides you with not just historical perspective, but console for the lost soul seeking guidance and most importantly, hope for a better future."Eyes On The Prize" & "99 & 1/2" Video Clips
11. Patti Griffin-Children Running Through
One of the five preeminent and languid songwriters alive; when paired with the gorgeous voice, Griffin can erect hidden feelings. Many of the Dixie Chicks biggest hits have been penned by Griffin but here the minimalist vocal approach works to her advantage as the songs are never fierce, but plow over you like a titanic wave of emotions. ‘Children Running Through’ isn’t her best album, but it’s perfectly poised and is still influencing others seeking their own voice. Kelly Clarkson performed “Up To The Mountain” with Jeff Beck last spring on the American Idol charity event proving that her lyrics are written to be sung with full-throated passion while maintaining it’s effectiveness without becoming too sentimental. One of these days, people will discover one of the greatest songwriters of the last fifty-years.
12. Tegan & Sara-The Con
Twin sisters who find a way to gel provocative melodies and beats that won’t leave your head. ‘The Con’ is their most mature, modest and melodic album to date delivered with the perfect blend of understated sorrow, optimism and truthfulness.
13. The Shins- Wincing The Night Away
There’s something intensely nostalgic about the harmonies and layered choruses that makes me smile the same way people do when they hear classic Beach Boys songs. “Phantom Limb” makes you yearn for a summer day where the wind blows through your hair as the sun gleams down on you. Little music can evoke such impassioned and comforting feelings, but the Shins seem to do this effortlessly time and time again.
14. Jesse Malin-Glitter In The Gutter
While not quite at the level of Malin’s two previous efforts, it features a number of buoyant frat-rockers with distortion echoing guitars cranked to 11. The overall songwriting isn’t as sharp or biting as his first two, but he more than makes up for it with thundering personal anthems which make you feel like you are ready to take on the world.
15. Fall Out Boy-Infinity On High
This album is to Fall Out Boy what ‘New Jersey’ was to Bon Jovi. It’s a more mature and defining album, but lacking the monster singles of their previous effort and that’s not to say that you should write this off. This is a stronger overall album full of edgy singles with angelic pop hooks (“Thriller”, “Hum Hallelujah” and “I’m Like A Lawyer…(Me and You”). The emo genre doesn’t get the respect it deserves but the Chicago emo masters prove there is more than meets the eye with a collection of resilient tunes that are near perfection.
16. Kid Rock-Rock N’ Roll Jesus
Kid Rock has gone spiritual, but don’t let that dissuade you as this album is more about resurrection and redemption than carnal excess. But that doesn’t mean that Rock can’t slam and sweat you up into a sex induced beer guzzling frenzy, as demonstrated on “So Hott” and “Low Life”, but in the end, the intellectual and spiritual revelations of songs like “Amen” define this album.
17. Bruce Springsteen-Magic
Springsteen is a master storyteller whose intense subtle angry couplets bridge a near perfect gap between the personal and political. ‘Magic’ isn’t a perfect album and includes a few clunkers, but the bigger picture overcomes the momentum-sapping lows of the album (notably “Livin’ In The Future” and “Your Own Worse Enemy”). While I feel the album is a tad forced in the direction of nostalgia, why argue when the overall end result is momentously beautiful (specifically on “You’ll Be Coming Down” and “Long Walk Home”).
18. Farkus-Farkus EP
Indie Chicago band released this stupendous self-titled four-song EP in 2007 which aims for timeliness with choruses that descend from the heavens, specifically the fierce “Wash”. The intensity of the music matches the belting delivery and triumphant melodies of “Angeline”. The determination and unrelenting power of these songs sizzle and blastoff into your memory bank where they remain far after your initial listening experience.
19. Gore Gore Girls-Get The Gore
The Gore Gore Girls are the type of band a Quentin Tarantino character would be listening to right before a frenzied bullet-flying action sequence. Unrelenting aggressive female garage rock perfection that is as seducing as it is swatting.
20. Mary Weiss with the Reigning Sound-Dangerous Game
Never heard of her? Well, you know her voice from the 60’s girl group the Shangri-Las. She hasn’t made a recording in over four decades. Listening to this album is like encountering a whiff of winking nostalgia that radiates from an old jukebox. The effortless album and blissful lack of self-consciousness embodied on this recording would make a sane Phil Spector proud. Here she is releasing her debut solo record in her late 50’s and making an indelible imprint on not just those fans from four decades back but an entire new generation who will hopefully embrace the wonderfully modern and edgier sonics with a sound that is confidently steeped in the past.
21. Miranda Lambert-Crazy Ex Girlfriend
A friend passed me some MP3’s of this album and I initially thought it was another throw away album from a pretty face, but the albums proved to be an intrinsic, elegant and elliptical exercise that commands your attention. There is an edginess to the music here commanding one to listen to this young but mightily talented young lady widening the latitude of her career with an album that will surprise everyone who hears it.
22. The Donna’s-Bitchin’
Imagine if Judas Priest and KISS had a bastard child with a dash of hormonal belligerence throw in for good measure? The end result would be what you hear on the title track of the Donna’s seventh album. Full of huge hooks and chunky guitar riffs, the Donna’s never fail to deliver, they are one of the most consistent bands on the planet. They’ll probably never deliver a triumphant knock-out, but will always deliver album after album with mostly killer and little filler.
23. Matt Nathanson-Some Mad Hope
Nathanson has a charm and wit for painting pictures which radiate extreme emotions with visceral lyrics, which is projected magnificently on “Car Crash” and “Wedding Dress”. These vivid pictures turned me from cynic to believer.
24. Wilco-Sky Blue Sky
The band all other indie bands try to embody. I chastised one person who told me they didn’t appreciate this album until listening to it thirteen times, but as I am now delving into it for the umpteenth time, I am finding the simplistic pert tempos and textures transporting me, which is shocking, because as much as I admire Wilco, it’s been years since I have heard that original joyous energy their initial albums had. However, it appears primary band leader Jeff Tweedy has embraced what he’s best at, writing whimsical songs. His blissful lack of self-consciousness shines through on “Either Way”, “Impossible Germany” and “Please Be Patient With Me”. Chuck Klosterman put it best when he called them, “The American Radiohead”.
25. The Detroit Cobras-Tied & True
Detroit’s greatest cover band, scratch that one of the world’s best cover bands! Their fourth retro-garage rock album does not contain a single original song, but as with their other three releases, they delve deep into their record collections to evoke feelings of a smoky bar with a great jukebox full of rare 45’s you’ve never heard before, but once you hear them, you feel as if they have been part of your DNA since birth.
26. Lamb of God-Sacrament
The metal album of the year. The unrelenting and commanding performances cement their reputation as the masters of modern-day metal. Raspy angered vocals are conveyed with assertive and tenacious roars. After experiencing this band in concert at the ’07 Ozzfest, I could feel the exasperation and rage pour upon me like biblical rain as I witnessed thousands of disaffected youths thrash in pits. The unfurling “Pathetic”, the reactionary “Walk With Me In Hell” and the bolting “Blacken The Cursed Sun” are just the tip of an album hell bent on in-your-face urgency.
27. Collective Soul-Afterwards
I burned out on this band as quickly as everyone else and saw them largely as a singles band back in 1994 when I heard “Shine” about 80 gazillion times. But from out of nowhere comes this Target only album that doesn’t just redefine them as a band but it shocks and enlightens everyone with eleven jubilant songs with rampant guitars, potent beats and hooks and melodies so momentous they could seduce the biggest cynic. “New Vibration”, “Hollywood” and “Persuasion of You” are among the bands best songs and they’re more than catchy compositions yielding nostalgia, they’re relevant and riveting.
28. Keith Betti- Nowhere To Be Now
This is Betti’s second release behind the superb ‘Prelude’ EP (released under the name of KB) from a few years back and while this release lacks the sonic production dynamics of the first, it still showcases a mighty songwriting talent whose musical discourse widens with each release. Highly influenced by Jeff Lynne the album resonates and commands to be heard multiple times. I wouldn’t be surprised if Keith was approached one day about having artists cover his songs as they project intense inner examination that are dazzling and direct.
29. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals-This Is Somewhere
Multi-talented Grace Potter evokes Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac through the golden harmonies which are more than just copies of those who came before her, but juicy salvos for the 21st century while simultaneously rocking out and swaying sexily on her guitar in a short skirt. Is there anything better? If you haven’t heard about her, check her out because she’ll soon be everywhere.
30. The Pipettes- We Are the Pipettes
Independent pop rock at its best with a trio of females who write original songs hell-bent on absorbing the aura of 1960’s Phil Spector female groups. Inherent irony defines the record as they channel the sweet 60’s sounds with more biting titles and lyrics (“Sex”, “One Night Stand”, “Dirty Mind”) while other tracks showcase spunk and sass like the exuberant “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”.
31. The Foo Fighters-Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Every Foo Fighters album resonates stronger with each listen. I was under whelmed with the initial listen as some of the songs feel unhinged, but at its best, the band soars on “The Pretender”, “Let It Die”, “Long Road To Ruin” and “Home” all of which are nothing short of alt-pop perfection.
32. Puppini Sisters-Betcha Bottom Dollar
The warm vintage sound of 1940’s “Close Harmony” vocal styling’s and wouldn’t be out of place on a jukebox from half a century ago. It’s not just refreshing and nostalgic, but timeless and endearing as well.
33. The Fratellis - Costello Music
Here’s a band whose template is aggressive rock with a dash of punk/garage melded with gorgeous and seducing pop-wise melodies thrown in for good measure. Best known for an iTunes commercial, but that’s not even the best song on the album…not by a long shot.
34. The Broken West- I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
I first heard them on NPR’s World Café Podcast and I’m not sure why, but I immediately was hooked by the catchy melodies and the triumphant drum beat opening of “On The Bubble”, you are immediately bombarded with rich melodies that significantly brighten my day every time I listen to this album. If the Beach Boys were to debut on the music scene in 2007, I suspect they would sound a lot like The Broken West. Special props to the blog “I Am Fuel, You Are Friends”, who had this on her Top-Ten list, because somewhere between last March and December, I had mistakenly forgotten about the album and what a mistake that was. I have a lot of catching up to do with these songs.
35. Levon Helm-Dirt Farmer
This was a last minute addition as I’ve had this album for months but never listened to it. A friend strongly suggested that I do so and what I found was a warm vintage feeling among the twelve songs that remind us of the full-throated passion of Helm’s vocals. The listening experience was unexpected as I imagined that Helm’s best years were behind him. Fortunately, he proves there’s more to share with the workmanlike performances that while rootsy and traditional are equally picturesque and earnest.
How does one qualify for single of the year? It’s got to be catchy and it has to be in constant rotation in my iPod for weeks on end. Some of these songs I’d rather not like, but their catchiness proves to be alluring for me to ignore, especially for the walk into work in the morning and working out or driving with the top down as you scream the chorus at the top of your lungs.
“Lay Your Head Down”-Keren Ann
Unstated production, hand clapping, a few simplistic chords and a tiny drum beat in the back ground which is accentuated by a descending voice from the heavens that is an invigorating spare ballad. The pictures she paints claws at your inner senses with soft sentimentality that is perfectly balanced without becoming insipid.
“I’ll Remember” -Bloc Party
An avalanche of pop sonics which are superbly unsubtle as they roar with alternative rock goodness with a supreme pop sensibility. The album is a tad disjointed but when it works it’s audaciously majestic. There’s gut wrenching orgasmic vulnerability in the vocal which a golden harmony that feels like an edgy spiritual pop epiphany.
“Guitar” & “The One U Wanna C”-Prince
Upon hearing these two songs from Prince’s ‘Planet Earth’ I thought the bad ass purple pop passion was back. Unfortunately, ‘Planet Earth’ is a mixed affair at best, but these two songs sizzle like bacon in a diner. These two are arguably some of the catchiest tunes the You Tube hating artist has written in fifteen years. Why there wasn’t a full scale American tour or an extensive promotional campaign for these singles is beyond me. He missed the boat on these singles.
“The First Time”-Lifehouse
Lifehouse makes mediocre albums, but damn, can they have a penchant for irresistible singles. Their future ‘Greatest Hits’ will be killer. There’s a romantic sincerity to their lyrics and when paired with vulnerable lyrics, bright production and bravado the end result is a song you won’t be able to keep out of your head for weeks (ex. “Spin”, “Take Me Away”, “You and Me”, “Hanging By A Moment”). It isn’t Shakespeare or Miles Davis but the bigger than life chorus’ is invigorating and full of ecstasy and I can’t ask for anything else from a great pop song.
“Stolen”-Dashboard Confessional
The ultimate cult band has their first bona fide smash, which ironically was sped up and re-recorded from the version that initially was found on their 2006 album release. This is a song I wish I had back in high school and college for mix tapes as the delivery of the song nags away at the shield we put up to not confront our emotions. The complexity of the song is undervalued with understated reserved performances before the band eventually soars into a howling echo of instruments providing a remedy for the broken hearted ending in a surreal crashing emotive jam.
“Lost Highway” & “(You Want To) Make A Memory”-Bon Jovi
“Lost Highway”, a buoyant and anthemic barn burner with a narrative drive that would even make Stephen King smirk, is everything a Bon Jovi song should be. The performance is liberating and the lyrics are full of open-road romanticism. Its derivativeness is so charming that it may be the most perfect song I have heard this year. “Memory” on the other hand is the most daring single the band has released in over a decade. The haunting minimalist lyrics and music isn’t just seductive but completely convincing as the band made themselves sound like another band entirely while maintaining their distinctive sound, something far harder than anyone gives them credit for.
“Big Casino”-Jimmy Eat World
Thrusting guitars with a hyperactive chorus that isn’t edgy so much as it’s endearing and jolting. Be careful listening to this while on the freeway.
“Girlfriend”-Avril Lavigne
Flame me all you want, you know the song, you know you like it and you know you crank it when no one is listening.
”Broken Radio”/”Sister Christian Where Are You Now?”-Jesse Malin
Malin secured the vocal talents of Bruce Springsteen for “Broken Radio” and he even got him to appear in the music video. But this isn’t why this particular song is on this list, not by a long shot. The flipside of the single includes a roaring nostalgic pedal pumping tune meant to be cranked as you wander the streets of your hometown on a hot summer night. ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ grew on me over time, but I can’t figure out for the life of me how “Sister Christian…” didn’t make the final cut as I would dare to say it’s the best track he’s written and recorded since “Wendy” back on his debut.
“The Story”-Brandi Carlile
An achingly potent song performed divinely accentuated by stupendous production from T Bone Burnett and I am not going to let ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ ruin it for me.
“The Black Parade”-My Chemical Romance
Imagine Queen with Goth make-up. “The Black Parade” is equally epic as the best Queen numbers among a staccato frenzy of driving drums, chunky power chords and a chorus that chases you down like a hemi-powered drone on a Jersey highway.
“Colourful”-Rocco DeLuca
People constantly talk about how videos are pointless, but I still find them to have a swaggering charm from time to time. Then there are times where I can't take my eyes off the screen. Rocco Deluca’s debut came out earlier this year and I wasn't crazy about it, but must admit I stopped everything I was doing when the video came on VH-1. I found myself transfixed by the sexual aura of the song and like most pop songs...the more you hear it, the more you like it. What can I say, it's a sexual video that manipulates the audience and listener. I'm guilty as charged, but then again it did force me to go back to the album which I do appreciate more than I thought I would.
“Young Folks”-Peter, Bjorn & John
The whistling anthem of the millennium in which I dare you to listen to it and not try and whistle and have a big stupid grin on your face. Seriously, I dare you.
“Hey There Delilah”- Plain White T’s
Another song I wish I had back in high school and college, it’s a poetically perfect teen love song that is simplistic and immensely nostalgic with visceral lyrics that could make a cynic smile. It isn’t revelatory, but its beauty is in its simplicity.
