Best albums of 2007

After all my fawning over The National, I was excited to see the band on the cover of Paste’s December issue. (The magazine voted Boxer as the best album of 2007.) But, I have to admit, I was selfishly a little disappointed because, well, I felt like I couldn’t pick Boxer as my album of the year anymore. Gotta be original, right? So I whittled down my list, reordered it, then reordered it some more, and grudgingly put Okkervil River as No. 1 (though I do love The Stage Names). Then I realized how completely stupid that was. What’s the point of being original if it’s not true? So Boxer is back on top. After listening to my top five picks again, it truly is my favorite album of 2007.

So here’s my top 25 with a quick comment about each, along with my five biggest disappointments and five overhyped (or overblogged, or overrated--you get it) albums of the year.

Top 25 Albums of 2007
1. The National - Boxer
Matt Berninger has the best baritone in rock, and he’s just as good at singing about white-collar malaise as he is about love, and often in the same song.
2. Okkervil River - The Stage Names
A close second. “Love to a Monster” is one of the best breakup songs I’ve ever heard, with lyrics that shiver uncomfortably with honesty. Sample lyric: “I hope you get angry and hurt and have the hardest of landings. And I hope your new man thinks of me when he sees what a number I did on you.”
3. Radiohead - In Rainbows
I was utterly shocked by this album. I really didn’t expect to like it, but it’s the best Radiohead album since Ok Computer in my book.
4. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
I think I’m one of the few people who thinks Ryan Adams isn’t prolific enough.
5. Southeast Engine - A Wheel Within a Wheel
Lots of Ezekiel references, other biblical imagery and lines out of the Norton Anthology, with a singer who conjures the voice of Jeff Tweedy and the phrasing of Ben Kweller. What’s not to like?
6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Not a sophomore slump.
7. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
If Spoon releases an album every year, it will almost always end up in the top 10. The band constantly reinvents itself, yet rarely missteps.
8. Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
One of the most underrated bands on the planet. Chewy poetic center inside a poppy candy shell.
9. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
It’s hard to find a better songwriter than Josh Ritter, and it was nice to hear him expand sonically on this album.
10. Feist - The Reminder
Feist hops between genres seamlessly, simultaneously appealing to hipsters and their moms.
11. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
Ethereal violin pop? By any label, “Imitosis” is one of my favorite tracks of the year.
12. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog
Sam Beam did the impossible. He branched out in a way that pleased listeners who wanted some change, yet stayed familiar enough to make his loyal fan base happy (for the most part).
13. White Stripes - Icky Thump
Jack White gets more enigmatic with each release. It’s also a great album when you want to hear dirty guitars that can blow a speaker.
14. Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
I’m surprised this album hasn’t appeared on more lists. It’s a little uneven, but the bright spots are really bright. If you haven’t already, at least check out the title track, “Country Caravan” and “Big Star.”
15. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
The blogger backlash was inevitable after “Float On.” But I’d listen to a Johnny Marr Modest Mouse song over a Smiths song any day (see Iconic bands I don’t like). Give the album another try if you wrote it off.
16. The Everybodyfields - Nothing is Okay
A male-female duo with unique but complementary voices makes a depressing country album that for some reason isn’t a downer. Great fiddle, too.
17. Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River
“You’re a Wolf” is one of the best songs of the year, and the other tracks are solid, too, especially “Black Dirt.” Alex Church writes dark, folky stuff and adds strings to create Romanian overtones.
18. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
I was disappointed in this album, but even a disappointing Wilco album is better than most releases. That’s how good Wilco is.
19. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Lots of atmosphere, lots of reverb, catchy tunes, a little twang. My Morning Jacket meets the Shins.
20. Akron/Family - Love is Simple
Watching these guys perform really made this album open up for me. “Don’t Be Afraid, You’re Already Dead” is gorgeous, and despite that title, the album is unironically uplifting.
21. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
Backlash for this one was predictable, as well. It was disappointing, but like Wilco, it’s hard for the Shins to mess things up too much.
22. Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House
Another underrated songwriter who consistently puts out excellent albums that wallow in subtlety.
23. Ian Ball - Who Goes There
Ian Ball was always my favorite singer in Gomez, so this album plays like a Best of Gomez to me.
24. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
World music, chant singing and indie rock. After more listens, it’s possible this one could climb higher in the list.
25. Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
I guess “freak folk” and “eclectic” are redundant, but I’m amazed how Banhart managed to make an album that mingles ’60s folk, the Doors and a song about a briss that has him evoking a Jamaican Perry Como.

Top 5 Disappointments
1. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
2. Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City
3. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
4. Ben Lee - Ripe
5. Youth Group - Casino Twilight Dogs

Top 5 Overhyped
1. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
2. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
3. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
4. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
5. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer’s Block