Top 10 Records of 2007

It's the end of our first year, and how else could we possibly end other than by doing exactly what everybody else is doing. Hopefully our top 10 records will be pretty different than the other bajillion top 10 lists though. For example, I could not give less of a shit about In Rainbows. I mean it's good and they are geniuses and they let you pay what you wanted to because you were going to pay nothing....but c'mon...it was only good.

Now that I have incited some attacks on my character (if anyone actually reads this), let me put this in context. I'm going to list my 10 favorite records. Not the 10 best records, or the 10 most influential records. Just the 10 records that I listened to and loved the most. And I'm not even going to try to put them in order, I'm just going to throw them out there.

Emotionalism by the Avett Brothers (myspace). I get into the twang a little more every year, and after spending six weeks in the car with this as the soundtrack I couldn't even tell if it was that great of a record or if I was just that connected to it. Then I saw them live, and yes it is that awesome. The upbeat stuff is better than the sappy but get this record dammit.

Technical Know-How by Beth in Battle Mode (myspace). 10 songs of straight up, jump up and down, do shots and sing-along rock and roll. To be honest, I don't know how these guys make a stale genre seem so fresh. Please buy this record so these guys can get from Toronto to Arizona and I can see them live.

None Shall Pass by Aesop Rock (myspace). The dude abides. He can't stop making great records. He doesn't give up on the things that define him but with a little help (or a lot) from Blockhead this is his funkiest album yet. Plus he wears a pig hat....and that's funny.

Person Pitch by Panda Bear (myspace). If the animal spirits of the Beach Boys each had a baby with a different electronic music gadget you might come close to the beauty and weirdness that is Panda Bear. Of course his band the Animal Collective is pretty wicked awesome too but his solo record is a little less erratic than Strawberry Jam.

Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird (myspace). This is more confirmation of something you already knew. Seriously, if I'm the one telling you how good this records is, then congratulations on being unfrozen and surviving the ice age.

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon (myspace). How can you still be this good after like 14 records or something. This record is every bit Spoon but a little more than that too. All you "I like their old stuff" types better take notice that it's possible to stay relevant. Also, for a weird experience type Ga 5 times.

Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof (myspace). How do you stay this good and unique after 9 records? No idea. This record goes from super-cute to ridiculo-funk and back again....Love it.
Cease to Begin by Band of Horses. Like the first record this one keeps Ben Bridwell's vocals loud and clear as the common thread for all kinds of songs from mellow saddies to bouncy sing-alongs down to a few rockers.

Fort Nightly by White Rabbits (myspace). I'm running out of ways to say AWESOME! and the ones I had weren't that great anyway. It's a Slam-Bang Action Thriller and there's a weird throwback feel that I can't place.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem (myspace). You've heard it. You love it too. Cross-over hit of 2007 and all that.