Comments on: The Best Music of 2007 According to

The Best Music of 2007 According to

Soup — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:13:53 -0800

The best music of 2007 according to Stereogum, Pitchfork, All Music, NME, PopMatters, The A.V. Club, Rolling Stone, TIME, MTV, the Guardian, eMusic, Amazon, Spin Magazine, Q, Largehearted Boy, and more. Among the most frequently listed are Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, Feist, and The National.

By: 2or3whiskeysodas

2or3whiskeysodas — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:19:29 -0800

Please, no one comment.

By: Foci for Analysis

Foci for Analysis — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:22:44 -0800

Don't forget Metacritic's list.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:22:49 -0800

Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire!

By: i_am_a_Jedi

i_am_a_Jedi — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:23:10 -0800

Your favorite band ____

By: Falconetti

Falconetti — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:29:56 -0800

Just go to fimoculous. No need for "best of the year" posts at Metafilter when others do it so much better.

By: everichon

everichon — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:35:40 -0800

*Lists, listing lists listlessly*

By: fuq

fuq — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:37:10 -0800

I'm really only interested in the worst/most unknown albums of 2007 seven so these lists aren't really helping me.

By: cmgonzalez

cmgonzalez — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:40:49 -0800

most unknown albums of 2007 Isn't that where the Pitchfork list comes in?

By: blue_beetle

blue_beetle — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:41:10 -0800

I sure hope no one produces anything of note until the year ends IN TWO WEEKS!

By: punishinglemur

punishinglemur — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:42:29 -0800

Apparently people were in the mood for flaccid, unadventurous albums from bands who've been around for at least half a decade.

By: ninjew

ninjew — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:44:58 -0800

You know, I'd love to throw in a Radiohead-related Pitchfork joke, but... In Rainbows is just so good. It can't be denied.

By: box

box — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:45:35 -0800

Here are three albums which will appear on a best-of-the-year list I will never write: William Parker and Hamid Drake - Summer Snow Chico Mann - Manifest Tone, Vol. 1 Georgia Anne Muldrow - Pattie Blingh: Sagala

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:45:44 -0800

What does MTV have to do with music?

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:46:07 -0800

... from bands who've been around for at least half a decade. Check the bottom of your band to find its expiry date.

By: wemayfreeze

wemayfreeze — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:50:45 -0800

I was annoyed to see the Joni Mitchell album on Pitchfork's Worst Album Covers list. What, can't deal with a little goddamn sincerity? And butts? Also, best releases of '07 that won't show up on any other list: Tigercity - Pretend to Love Francis and the Lights - Striking

By: jourman2

jourman2 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:57:44 -0800

I sure hope no one produces anything of note until the year ends IN TWO WEEKS! posted by blue_beetle Yeah I've been wondering about this too. There have been some solid albums released in the past week or two that definitely deserve some recognition. Lupe Fiasco's new album that was released today, for example.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:09:13 -0800

WTF? I can't believe they chose ________ and totally left ________ off the list.

By: joseph_elmhurst

joseph_elmhurst — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:10:18 -0800

Traditionally, albums of new music (i.e., not compilations) released in the last four weeks of one year and the first four of the next are considered by the labels releasing them to either be duds or unable to compete during more active release periods (May - July, September - November). I was surprised to see that Mary J. Blige had a new album out this week, but that surprise is in part related to a lack of pre-release hype, a bad sign for Ms. Blige's sales.

By: kickerofelves

kickerofelves — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:29:59 -0800

Fimoculous collects the noteworthy lists (and does a wonderful job not only with music lists but filtering all 2007 lists), Largehearted Boy (my blog) lists all the list I find online (noteworthy and otherwise).

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:50:23 -0800

What the hell is the appeal of LCD sound system? They sound like amateur tracker music from the mid 90's.

By: hyperizer

hyperizer — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:11:42 -0800

Here's a self-link to Gridface's top ten, all electronic music.

By: birdherder

birdherder — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:11:43 -0800

WHAT THE FUCK?!? No Fergie?

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:44:56 -0800

And this year Christmas is on a Tuesday, so no album releases that week.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:52:27 -0800

There is no Spoon.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:53:33 -0800

Oh, wait, there they are.

By: goatdog

goatdog — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:12:46 -0800

1. Get off my lawn 2. You stupid kids 3. With your loud, 4. Obnoxious 5. So-called 6. Music.

By: Weebot

Weebot — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:23:07 -0800

birdherder: Well, here is a list that Fergie tops. For better or worse—mostly worse—it's probably the only list here that matters. Idolator has been keeping tabs on the year-end lists for the last few weeks. They'll also have their anti-pazz and jop poll out soon too.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:30:53 -0800

Really? Radiohead's MySpace? Dude. Just link to their goddam impenetrable website. Or maybe one of the bigger fan site. It's a fine post, particularly now that someone's linked Idolator's rundowns, but really? A MySpace? For them? If anyone showing up on these lists gets a MySpace link, it's Burial as that's all he's got.

By: gyc

gyc — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:52:33 -0800

Your favorite band ____ is delicious???

By: carsonb

carsonb — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:57:31 -0800

And this year Christmas is on a Tuesday, so no album releases that week. This is untrue. There are a handful of releases on Friday, and another handful on Sunday, blessedbeoursavior. Also, because I just CANNOT resist, everyone forgot Yesterday's Universe.

By: BitterOldPunk

BitterOldPunk — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:22:51 -0800

Is this the thread where I can rant about how completely fucking boring that Spoon record is? No? OK, then.

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:33:54 -0800

What's an album?

By: jacobian

jacobian — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:41:39 -0800

Lupe Fiasco's new album that was released today, for example. And is, four hours/listenings later, by far my favorite album this year. I can't get over how good it is.

By: paul_smatatoes

paul_smatatoes — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:58:32 -0800

for stereogum, we let everyone vote, and used a sort of borda count to let people weight their choices, instead of limiting people to a single album. just based on looking at a couple breakdowns from how different albums performed over each voting slot, it looked like the weirder stuff (Battles, of Montreal, Panda Bear) dropped off pretty quickly (high in the 1st slot, much lower in the 2nd and 3rd). seemingly, the bigger the marketing budget, the likelier stuff was to rise the lower the slot got, as enough people wracked their brains to think of other albums that had come out during the year, boosting those albums in the final tally. if anyone has an interesting idea for handling the voting next year, shoot me a message or leave it in the comments.

By: zerobyproxy

zerobyproxy — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:25:46 -0800

Why must I cry? My sarcasm meter is broken.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:29:34 -0800

My top 25 albums of 2007 My top 30 favorite songs of 2007 in case anyone cares. :)

By: photoslob

photoslob — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:57:18 -0800

What is it about Battles that I'm just not getting? Cause I'm trying really hard.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:58:58 -0800

Nothing. It doesn't do anything for me either.

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:05:42 -0800

Really? Radiohead's MySpace? *waves to sparkletone* It's not official. Neither is their Facebook group. I mean, why would they bother?

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:08:16 -0800

And because I'm tired and kind of slow, I know that's not what you meant. So yeah, agreed, just link to Dead Air Space and be done with it. And twiddle your thumbs for the next webcast which apparently will happen before Christmas...

By: dobbs

dobbs — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:17:25 -0800

The National album is definitely my most listened to this year.

By: renraw

renraw — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:34:14 -0800

I really, really like the National. It's true.

By: iamck

iamck — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:47:16 -0800

My favorite album for 2007 was Townes Van Zandt's Live at the Old Quarter because that's what I listened to this year.

By: wemayfreeze

wemayfreeze — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:15:58 -0800

Is it because it is so good, iamck? Is that why?

By: wemayfreeze

wemayfreeze — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:16:54 -0800

Or maybe because the restroom, pay phones, pool table, foosball, and cigarette machine are upstairs?

By: Senor Cardgage

Senor Cardgage — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:13:53 -0800

What is it about Battles that I'm just not getting? Cause I'm trying really hard. You're not missing anything dude. Just like that Onion headline from a year back: "Experimental" Band "Theoretically" Good

By: Jon Mitchell

Jon Mitchell — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:29:14 -0800

It helps if you see them live. Seriously, they are awesome. People who are raving about them aren't just posing or doing it to annoy, you know - Mirrored was a fantastic album.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:45:37 -0800

*waves to sparkletone* HALLO. It's not official. Neither is their Facebook group. I mean, why would they bother? That occurred to me, but then I decided not to trust my memory. Silly me.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:47:37 -0800

It helps if you see them live. Seriously, they are awesome. I don't think people realize how little studio-only trickery was involved in the recording of that album. The album leaves me cold mostly, but Atlas is moderately effective at getting hipsters to dance. However, watching the band pull all that shit off in person, even if the music doesn't do much for you is something to see. I got to see them as a double-headliner with Caribou. Now that was a show.

By: Grangousier

Grangousier — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:16:52 -0800

What the hell is the appeal of LCD sound system? They sound like amateur tracker music from the mid 90's.

By: FelliniBlank

FelliniBlank — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:29:54 -0800

I don't much attend to annual best-of lists, except to get some ideas for records to try that I've overlooked, but what's so gratifying about this year is that rare delight of seeing a band one has long rooted for and loved with all the fierce protectiveness of a mother grizzly finally get its due. Go Nats! Go Boxer!

By: drezdn

drezdn — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:15:24 -0800

The thing that frustrates me about Spoon is that their (IMO) better albums get little attention, while their latest albums have become critical knobslobfests. Maybe I'm just getting old but seriously Spoon: Their older stuff was better.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:47:11 -0800

Spoon has always bored the hell out of me. Most overlooked record of the year, imo: Nordic Nomadic. Absolutely lovely.

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:50:27 -0800

Thirding the fact that Battles pulls all of that off live. It's like the best of Miles Davis' On the Corner and Mahavishnu Orchestra's Inner Mounting Flame mixed with voices from Newcleus. Or did I just ruin it again? Meh, I like it.

By: willie11

willie11 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:42:31 -0800

Listen to the whole Lupe Fiasco album online at his website. Watch out for the auto-start.

By: Zampa

Zampa — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:00:06 -0800

My Top 10 albums skew a bit different... IMHO, The Arcade Fire can disappear tomorrow and make the world a better place. Is it just cool to like awful music these days? Maybe so. And yes, once you've seen BATTLES live, you'll understand the hype.

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:33:10 -0800

Zampa, to be fair, Jandek has been... I guess popular is the right word, in some circles for a long, long time.

By: vbfg

vbfg — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:44:50 -0800

This takes all ten positions on my top ten list

By: vbfg

vbfg — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:45:35 -0800

...but then I'm a ridiculous fanboy.

By: juiceCake

juiceCake — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:51:24 -0800

What does MTV have to do with music? Or Rolling Stone Magazine?

By: juiceCake

juiceCake — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:54:45 -0800

I'm really only interested in the worst/most unknown albums of 2007 seven so these lists aren't really helping me. Well for the worst of 2007, have a look at Rolling Stone's list.

By: bluishorange

bluishorange — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:10:12 -0800

I liked this comment on the A.V. Club list: "How dare you undermine my personal evalutions and opinions of what albums belong on this list and what order they should go into? The only reason I read this feature is because I hoped your judgements on the best music of the year would nicely coincide with my judgements, thereby making me feel less ashamed, self-conscious, and embarrass by my own taste in things. My existance will be validated!" Sic.

By: artifarce

artifarce — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:36:54 -0800

When I was 15 or so, I told a friend that I had probably heard of all the bands there were. Rightly she set me straight, but by adding some of these bands to my last.fm tags for later perusal, I'll be THIS MUCH closer to that accomplishment.

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:06:29 -0800

It's like the best of Miles Davis' On the Corner and Mahavishnu Orchestra's Inner Mounting Flame mixed with voices from Newcleus. Huh. Well, I love the Inner Mounting Flame, so maybe I'll give them another listen. But I can't think of another song in my recent memory that went so quickly from "Wow!" to "Meh" than Atlas, so...

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:28:00 -0800

Y'know, I thought about doing this post, only doing it right, mostly by pulling from the ILX thread that covers places like Decibel and Afropop. But now I guess I'd rather bitch.

By: lekvar

lekvar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:38:03 -0800

What the hell? Last year I was familiar with every site's top ten albums/bands/singles/whatnot. This year I have no freaking idea who any of these bands are outside of the rare single. I don't want to be old and clueless anymore!

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:52:56 -0800

jokeefe: That's because it's a recording that is 8 minutes long (7 and change or something), not a live experience. I think that some of the other stuff on that album is way more Mahavishnu than "Atlas". You can also try their early EPs (which, actually, might be a better choice as an intro).

By: Tiresias

Tiresias — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:01:46 -0800

I know the main point of a music thread here is for people to ask what it is they're not getting about music, but can I just say that I am actually amazed at how much I like that National album. It actually shocks me. I never thought I'd ever love an album again as much as I loved my albums in high school. I never thought I'd love an album so much it makes me want to be a better person. But here we are.