Best and Worst of 2007

Sorry for the delay -- I know you've been on the edge of your collective seats.

I must admit that I don't consider myself an expert in the review of any medium, and thus the following lists are just expressions of my amateur opinion based on personal reactions to these albums. ("Best and Worst" just sounds so much better than "Favorite and Least Favorite.")

Note that I also list these in reverse order (compared to other places), for suspense.

Best Albums of 2007

5. Kanye West - Graduation:
I had only heard the singles from this when I got it, and I really wanted to like it, since I had reinforced my love for The College Dropout (listening to it repeatedly while delivering pizzas) over the summer.
After the first full listen through, I was kind of disappointed that there weren't any really huge numbers like "Jesus Walks" or "Gold Digger," but I gave it some time, and it grew on me. Certainly not your typical 2007 rap offering.


4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
It took me about two weeks to cleanse myself of all the Internet hype surrounding this release before I listened to it. A once-through was again not as satisfying as I thought it would be, but after some time, I've decided that I enjoy it more than Hail to the Thief and that it will probably grow on me more.


3. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Solid album from a solid group. I've been streaming it since about a month before it came out, but I still bought it anyway. Avoid the "bonus" disc that came with the first copies like the plague.


2. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Another strong album from another strong (albeit less consistent and less predictable) band. There was little indication that the album would turn out this way, and I was hoping that the song "We Can Make It Better" would be on there somewhere, since it was played live and was even in a commercial.
Speaking of Wilco live, Kicking Television kicks ass, but even moreso, Wilco themselves kick the most ass live. A profoundly spiritual sensation, Wilco performing at the Moon in Tallahassee was one of my favorite concerts. Ever.
And for some reason, I have to keep holding the torch high for this album. I'm not sure what it is -- most likely the laid back style following the experimental nature of A Ghost Is Born -- but many people's hobby in 2007 was slagging Wilco for Sky Blue Sky. Whatever -- more for me to enjoy myself.


1. The National - Boxer
There was really no indication that Boxer would grow to become my favorite album of the year... except that The National had brought one of my favorite performances from a previously unknown band to CDU before, and that their previous album, Alligator, had slowly wedged its way into my constant listening rotation.
So following another wonderful concert from The National, I bought Boxer and popped it in the stereo. I didn't have much of a response to it, but after a while I realized I was listening to it every day. And I liked it. And I continue to do so, hence its place at the top of my list.

I feel like a pretty lame listener to only have five albums to write about for 2007, so I will now mention the not exactly worst, but ...

Most Disappointing Albums of 2007

5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
4. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
3. Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight
2. Interpol - Our Love to Admire
1. Ted Leo - Living With the Living

They all suck. Just kidding. These were just disappointing because I had really loved all of these bands' previous efforts, and my dollars and senses were dashed by how little I liked these new releases. I'm not sure - maybe these will turn up on a "Change of Heart" list in the future, but for now...