19th
The Colonel’s Top 10 Albums of 2007
1. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga: Spoon is like the ‘Old Faithful’ of rock n’ roll. Every time they put out a record, it’s going to be great! Despite having the worst album title of the year, Britt Daniel and crew have collected a set of songs that are explosive in their minimalism.
2. The National - Boxer: Cincinnati’s The National offer a dark and brooding record that at first listen may turn off many listeners. However, those that dare to come back for more will be rewarded with the harsh beauty of these songs.
The National – “Mistaken For Strangers”
3. Radiohead - In Rainbows: Anytime Radiohead releases an album, it’s a major event. Add in the fact that the band decided to release In Rainbows originally on-line and with the “choose your own price” marketing scheme, and you have the biggest album release in internet history. All that aside, this record is the bands best since OK Computer.
4. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black: With the exception of maybe Brittney Spears, no artist had a more turbulent year than Amy Winehouse. She went from the jazzy R&B savior to a haggard crack head and suicidal maniac, all in the same week. But that is also what made her a RockStar! However, there is no denying the girl’s talents; she has the voice of an angle, the mouth of a sailor, and a liver of steel.
5. The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism: The Avett Brothers are the champions of new wave bluegrass and their claim to that honor is only emphasized with Emotionalism. These guys are a great band that will influence hundreds of crappy imitators in bars around the country.
Avett Brothers – “Paranoia In B Flat Major”
6. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Having to follow up a undeniable masterpiece (2004’s Funeral) had to be extremely intimidating. If it were me, I would have just disbanded and taken on a Neutral Milk Hotel like legend status….but I’m lazy and thankfully for us all, The Arcade Fire is not. This album is beautiful, dark, and spiritually poetic.
7. Robert Pollard - Coast to Coast Carpet of Love/Standard Gargoyle Decisions: A year without a Robert Pollard album is like a year without February, March, and May. Thankfully, Mr. Pollard is so prolific he releases at least five or six albums a month! In October he released two albums in one day. One hailed as a pop album and the second a rock record…but both sounding like a monster pile of awesome!
Robert Pollard – “Current Desperation (Angles Speak of Nothing)”
8. Panda Bear - Person Pitch: Ever wish you could hear the Beach Boys sing all their songs from the bottom of the Grand Canyon with the reverb turned up to eleven? Now you can. Put on the headphones, turn off the lights, crank up the Panda Bear and let life be majestic for a while.
Panda Bear – “Comfy In Nautica”
9. The White Stripes - Icky Thump: It seems like the White Stripes are on my list every year. I bet other bands are starting to hate them.
10. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver: This album has an identity crisis; am I a rock album or a dance album? Who cares…it’s just flat out good. If Ihadn’t gotten to this album so late in the year, it might of even gotten higher on the list!
