Our Top Records of 2007!

We did it! We have made it to the end of 2007, which proved to be a way better year for music. Pretty much the only thing 2006 delivered was Ys, The Avalanche and Shut Up I Am Dreaming. This year we got a plethora of new great records, and those of us who are aren’t googly crying babies, actually had a top 10 worth mentioning without struggling to get there.

We decided instead of arguing about what was the best as a whole without all killing each other, we’ve decided to all just list our favorite records of 2007 separately. Some are the same and some aren’t and either way you get to hear an opinion on each and why it’s there and all that fun.

Indie Schmarm’s top records of 2007 (Sorry, no Panda Bear. We aren’t puppets):

Dan Tana

10. The Good Life - Help Wanted Nights

Just a solid record through and through. Tim Kasher is pretty consistent and I appreciate that. Keep up the good work Tim and the gang.

9. Feist - The Reminder

Just for my curiosity, I really want to know if the rumors are true about Kevin Drew and Feist dating. I have an US Weekly side that I need to fulfill sometimes, especially with news this great. Regardless, I love this record and I think it’s her best work yet.

8. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

Like I said, not mind blowing. Not bad. Not too unsafe. Not extremely important. Not like the dynamics of their other records. Not to be passed up without hearing a few times through. Not lacking in some good songs. Not Not worth owning. However, the more I listened to this, I found songs I LOVE and the rest are pretty good. It is my least favorite thing from them, probably ever, and James Mercer absolutely wrecks a song on it, but here we are at number 8 of the year.

7. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

There are some really good songs on Cassagada, but for some reason I didn’t find myself really wanting to listen to the record a lot like I have with his other stuff. A “dip” for me in a Bright Eyes record is still better then most records out there, but my standards are high for this guy. I guess a part of it is I’m a sap for the hopeless romantic, which he doesn’t get into as much on Cassadaga. Still, this record is good and worth owning.

6. Tegan and Sara - The Con

This was a late sneaker for me. It came up from behind and swept me off my feet. I have often closed off girl singer song writers because they usually can’t hang with the guys (sorry ladies, it’s true), but every now and then some will come along and just know how to “throw it down”. The Con is a great record and didn’t leave my CD player for a long time, and I still look forward to putting it back in for a long time to come.

5. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

This was probably my most anticipated record going into 2007. It’s consistent and just holds it down all the way through. It’s Arcade Fire, I don’t need to say more.

4. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Before I got this record, I heard by avid Ryan Adams fans that this was a let down. So I lagged in getting it, and a few weeks after it was out, I meandered to the store and picked it up. After the second listen, I thought the “avid” fans were insane and needed to clean out their ears. This is actually one of my favorite Ryan Adams’ records…I’d say my top 3 of his catalog.

3. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Kevin Barnes is one of my heroes. How does he get away with any of it? How does one get completely naked on stage, dress in slutty girl clothes, be straight and everyone love him for it? He makes fantastic records and has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. The harmonies, production, and songs in Hissing Fauna are phenomenal. It’s almost my favorite record he’s done.

2. Kevin Drew - Spirit If…

It’s Kevin fucking Drew. He invented mescaline sword and within that, help make my current number 1 record of all time Broken Social Scene’s self titled. To be honest though, this record wasn’t quite as good for me as straight up BSS, but it’s still Kevin Drew and he’s still my hero.

1. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

I don’t know where to begin. Here, read this: I love me

Top 5 shows of 2007:

5. Ben Gibbard/Dave Bazan/Johnathan Rice @ UCLA’s Royce Hall 5/17/07

4. Annuals @ Spaceland 3/5/07

3. Of Montreal @ Troubadour 2/28/07

2. Sunset Rubdown @ El Rey 10/19/07

1. Kevin Drew @ The Orpheum 10/30/07
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Dane Sundseth

10. The Good Life - Help Wanted Nights

Dear Tim Kasher, NEVER change. Let’s grab a drink sometime.

9. Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight

Man, I think I might be one of the only people I know that generally loves this record. They’re over being the indie darlings they once were and fully embrace their rock star status. I can’t remember the last time I’ve tapped my toe so god damn much it hurt.

8. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

If you’re going to rip off someone, Bruce Springsteen is a good fucking pick. Kudos.

7. Jonathan Rice – Further North

I want to hate Johnathan Rice solely for the fact that he dates Jenny Lewis, but after hearing Further North I wanted to date him too. Straight forward rock that combines Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers with Jakob Dylan’s vocals.

6. Tegan and Sara – The Con

If every man was given the opportunity to turn any one lesbian into a straight girl so they have at least a closer chance of dating said girl, I would use mine in a second on Sara Quinn. The twins from up north deliver another pop masterpiece.

5. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare

The best young band in rock. Alex Turner is a voice to be heard and he will snarl his heart out until everyone finally hears him and gets over hating his band simply because NME has a giant hard on for them. This second album justifies all that hype of the past two years…and come on it’s their second great rock record in as many years.

4. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

Conor Oberst has grown up, so no more sad mopey songs about the older girl breaking his heart. It would suck and I would miss those days a lot except that he has so much more to say and I am in love with him for evolving and penning tracks like “Everything Must Belong Somewhere”.

3. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger

At first listen, I was disappointed. After repeat listens I wanted to punch myself in the crotch for ever doubting Mr. Adams.

2. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

What? They’re fucking Wilco.

1. Okkervil River – The Stage Names

They nailed it. Absolutely a perfect album, the once mopey fellows from Austin, TX led by Will Sheff decided to make a more rocking album than their previous works and I am eternally thankful to them for that.

Top 5 LA Releases:

5. The Weather Underground – Psalms and Shanties

Best new band in LA that I’m sure everyone is about to hear a lot about. These are the songs that Kings of Leon wish they could’ve put on Because of the Times to save it’s reverb soaked carcass.

4. Earlimart – Mentor Tormenter

I underestimated you Earlimart. Thank you for this batch of songs. Arianna can marry me any day.

3. The Broken West – I Can’t Go On, I Will Go On

I Can’t Go On, I Will Go On – Simple 60/70’s California rock and it sounds sooo good. The production on the album perfectly highlights this group’s charm.

2. Frankel – Lullaby for the Passerby

Frankel is Michael Orendy and Michael Orendy needs to be heard by more people.

1. The Parson Red Heads – King Giraffe

To put it simply, if I hadn’t decided to make a separate list for LA releases, this would’ve easily been in my overall top 10.
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Torquil Crossingham

10. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

Finally someone has made a record that accurately represents the sound of a mechanical goat tenderly licking the palm of a rich man’s child…at Oktoberfest.

9. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

The guitar odyssey of the second half of “Impossible Germany,” all by itself, should earn this record a place on most 2K7 top 10’s. Add to that a few of the year’s most solid songs (”Either Way”, “On and On and On” and “Sky Blue Sky”) and you’ve got a stone-cold jam of a record. (However, it should be noted that the author of this mini-critique prefers to think of the lyrics to “Walken” and “Hate It Here” as Hopelandic.)

8. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Hats off to these guys for doing the impossible and making a successful follow-up to Funeral. The freakish amount of praise that that record had accumulated by the time they started recording Neon Bible would throw most bands into a debilitating fit of self-consciousness. But the Arcade Fire somehow did it just right, crafting a record different enough to keep things interesting and Arcade Fire-ish enough to placate “I heard them first!”-type fans who are afraid of change.

7. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

As corny and press release-esque as it sounds, the studio-hopping, state-line-crossing manner in which this album was recorded comes across to great effect. Cassadaga is eclectic it’s own subtle way; over the course of this artfully sequenced record the sound evolves, the feel mutates, in such a way that the listener is made to feel as if he’s arrived somewhere different by the end. That, and they deserve props for continuing the Bright Eyes tradition of the creepy-talk album opener.

6. Feist - The Reminder

The Reminder maximizes the strengths of Let It Die and adds some new dimensions to Feist both as a performer and a songwriter. Also, it makes me feel like a special little flower. Don’t judge me.

5. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Ryan and I had some talks this year. Man, did we have some talks….

4. Tegan & Sara - The Con

You’re either the type of person who falls head over heels for a record like this or the type who won’t give it the time of day. If you’re part of the latter group you’re probably also the type of person who enjoys bad vibes, She Wants Revenge and making fun of babies.

3. Kevin Drew - Spirit If…

“Bodhi Sappy Weekend” may be the best song of the year. I’m looking into it.

2. Radiohead - In Rainbows

The last time I saw Radiohead live they were testing a bunch of the songs that would eventually end up on In Rainbows. From their live interpretations of the songs I felt convinced that they were (finally?) going to make their R&B album. While that didn’t really end up being the case, this may be their most rhythmically satisfying record to date. Four for you, Phil Selway! You go Phil Selway!!

1. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

One of the few truly big records I’ve heard in the last couple years. I’d be tempted to call it Spencer Krug’s “masterpiece” if I didn’t get the feeling he’s developing the ability to write masterpieces in his head during five minutes spent stuck in traffic.
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loren

10. Demo Team - 15 Colors

Years in the making, this album doesn’t let down. They stopped playing shows due to the loss of their drummer, but soon they should be coming back in full force soon. Front man Jamie Green recorded the entire album in his bed room.

9. Liars - Liars

Just like The Locust (as stated below), they have a little bit of a different feel on this album. They still have this kind of mystical, black magic type of feel. I really enjoyed listening to this album drunk.

8. Electrelane - No Shouts No Calls

For four cute little Brits who have this Nico/Velvet Undergroundish sound, and this awesome light lo/fi kind of sound, they sure do put smiles on faces.

7. Justice - Cross

Such great sounds. These French hipsters know what they are doing. I want to go to their parties.

6. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Kevin Barnes is a crazy bastard. He plays full shows naked and wears make up all the time but god damn he makes some fun / good time songs.

5. The Locust - New Erections

A totally different Locust album…well at least in my eyes. Much more of a structured feel, different sounds, yet still chaotic, and it still makes me go nuts!

4. Tegan and Sara - The Con

It’s a my favorite album to play in the car right now. You get your friends together to sing along, and that long trip in traffic turns out to be where the party is at.

3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

They delivered well after Funeral with a little bit darker feeling. Not a bad song on this album.

2. Feist - The Reminder

This album is beautiful. Every song is just great…she is just great…I want to be her best friend.

1. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

If I met Spencer Krug, I don’t quite know what I would say to him. I would say something like, “You are so good at music. I wish we grew up together. You are like the new Mozart. ”

Honorable mentions (not in order, even though I put them in order):

1. The Parson Red Heads - King Giraffe
2. Vampire Weekend - Fort Nightly
3. Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
5. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
6. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
7. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
8. No Age - Weirdo Rippers
9. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
10. Ghost Kings (no record yet, but who cares, I still love these guys)
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Johnny 5

8. Various Artists - Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration

Just a great compilation, if you love Mo-Town, but have never given Stax a shot, this affordable little 2 cd epic should make your Christmas list.

7. Jay-Z - American Gangster

I’ll be the first to say Jay-Z’s return with Kingdom Come was the most disappointing thing since Dane heard that Dead Kennedy’s were going back on tour without J-E-L-L-O. (Don’t remind him of that, he still tears up) But with this little narrative, he’s back in the proverbial bling clad saddle.

6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

“Keep The Car Running?? “Ocean Of Noise”!? “Antichrist Television Blues”!!!??? I might be the only one at the indie rock block party willing to say it, but Arcade Fire absolutely outdid Funeral with this dark little Gem.

(Just then Dan Tana jumps in and ties Johnny 5 down, puts his own sock in his mouth with the words “You’re wrong about Arcade Fire absolutely outdoing Funeral” written on it, duct tapes it in, and throws him in a pile of wrong so he can think about it for a while).

5. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 diagrams

GUESS WHOSE BACK!? Although apparently there has been much in-fighting regarding the production of this cd, I think RZA’s out done himself. Tasteful and classy, the beats build around the rapping of all remaining clan members (R.I.P O.D.B) and makes the flow seem subtle and inviting. Well played Tang… well played.

4. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Speaking of indie rock block parties, I’d like to invite you to mine this year. It’s possible we’ll be playing tracks exclusively from this album, but with “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”, “Rhthm & Soul” and “The Underdog” guiding your tiny, well clad feet. I don’t think you’ll be complaining.

3. Menomena - Friend Or Foe

Barsuk really seems to come through in finding the local, and semi local talent. From the opening crashing drums of “Muscle’n Flow”, through the saxophone in “Boyscout’n”, to the tinkering piano outro of “West”, Menomena delivers their best album, and absolutely one of the best albums of the year. And how could you not love the video for “Wet And Rusting”?

2. Kanye West - Graduation

Video: Kanye West - Can’t Tell Me Nothin’ w/ Zach Galifianakis

Why this video is so good?

The End. And if that doesn’t do it for you, every song on this cd is fantastic. “Stronger” was the jam of the year.

1. Iron And Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog

I won’t even bother naming tracks on this album. From start to finish Sam Beam realizes what is, in my humble opinion, his greatest album yet, and the best album of the year. If you haven’t heard it, I expect you to fill your ears with it quickly, and for the next 4 weeks.