Kanye West's latest album, 'Graduation,' isn't his best, but this year it ranks near the top of the heap.
Honorable mentions
¢ "Because of You," Ne-Yo
¢ "American Gangster," Jay-Z
¢ "Sound of Silver," LCD Soundsystem
¢ "In My Element," Robert Glasper
¢ "Blackout," Britney Spears
2007: The Year in Review
With the hundreds of albums released this year, finding 10 that rose to the top was surprisingly difficult - few were special enough to merit repeat listens, let alone remain in your brain long after the CD stops playing.
Here are the rare records that deserve a permanent place on your playlists in 2007:
1. "Back to Black," Amy Winehouse: The tragedy of 2007 is that Amy Winehouse is now simply known as the "Rehab" chick with the drug habit, not as the gifted singer-songwriter who created the most compelling album of the year. Winehouse's raspy, soulful voice is dazzling enough on its own; add the retro-soul licks and the alternately hilarious, heartbreaking lyrics, and it's an album that you just cannot shut off. While "Rehab" was a clever, gimmicky hit, it can't begin to reflect how amazing "Back to Black" truly is.
2. The Bird and the Bee, "The Bird and the Bee": Imagine the Carpenters on an acid. That's the best way to describe the surreal pop debut of The Bird and the Bee, composed of the duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin. George's vocals are dreamy and angelic, but the lyrics are anything but - one of the album's best tracks is "(Expletive) Boyfriend."
3. "Finding Forever," Common: Maybe Common is just too darn clever and crafty for his own good. Once again, he put out an excellent rap disc that didn't get the attention it deserved, but perhaps only a select group can appreciate the intellect, wit and charm he dispenses with each rhyme: This ain't for the "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)" crowd. Though rap certainly needs some Common Sense these days more than ever.
4. The "Once" soundtrack: "Once," starring Marketa Irglova and the lead singer of the Frames, Glen Hansard, was the perfect romantic movie that flew under mainstream radar. The same could be said about its wonderful soundtrack. Irglova's sweet voice is the perfect accompaniment to Hansard's raspy vocals - they don't need much else, and the simple production of just a piano here or guitar there makes the music even more intimate than the touching lyrics convey.
5. "Graduation," Kanye West: Truth be told, "Graduation" is actually West's weakest album - but when you consider the first two, "The College Dropout" and "Late Registration," were nothing short of brilliant, it's OK that this one rates as just very, very good. West's use of techno beats give some tracks a more experimental sounding vibe, but it's his always clever rhymes that make you listen again and again.
6. "Double Up," R. Kelly: Given the nonsense that permeates one-third of this disc, "Double Up" shouldn't even be on this list. But how can it not be when the rest of the songs are so crazy and so good? When you can make a prison visit a must-listen-to groove ("Best Friend"), you are truly creating the stuff of genius. Plus, he gets extra credit for that whole "Trapped in the Closet" saga.
7. "As I Am," Alicia Keys: Though it's not a perfect album, it contains perhaps three of the most perfect songs you can find in pop today - "Wreckless Love," "Lesson Learned" and the slow-jam piece of ecstasy otherwise known as "Kiss Me Like You'll Never Kiss Me Again." And thankfully, unlike her past albums, most of the other songs on "As I Am" are strong enough to make you want to listen to the CD in its entirety, instead of cherry-picking the best tracks.
8. "Alright, Still," Lily Allen: Lily Allen doesn't have the greatest voice, and is not much of a stage presence, as her live performances this year bore out. But you'd never guess that by listening to her charming debut, buoyed infectious ska-pop beats and wry lyrics. Like Winehouse's "Back to Black," producer Mark Ronson's handiwork elevates this CD.
9. "Good Girl Gone Bad," Rihanna: Rihanna's hard-driving sophomore CD blended pop-rock, electronica and a dash of R&B for slick and sexy club music. It also separated her from the wanna-be Beyonce pack. Though much of the credit for this disc's allure goes to the producers who came up with the catchy beats, Rihanna delivers a powerful punch despite her somewhat thin voice - its her emotive vocals that helped to make "Umbrella" one of the most requested songs of the year, and what makes the ballad "I Hate That I Love You" so passionate.
10. "Kala," M.I.A.: The British born, Sri-Lankan raised rapper got even more eclectic - if that's even possible - with "Kala," a mish-mash of Indian beats, African rhythms, electronic synths and fierce rapping. It's not as hypnotic as her debut CD, "Arular," but it's just as fiery.
Comments
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lounger (anonymous) says…
Check out myspace.com and Look for;
White flight
Space Station Lounge
1,000,000,000 light years
The Juggler
September 29th
The first half of these cool bands are local and the last two are European. Underground has gone into space and space is the place!!
hujiko (anonymous) says…
I'd have to say my favorite album of the year is Saul Williams "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust"
Yeah it's a spoof title, and yes it is hiphop, but it's smart and piercing.
http://niggytardust.com/ if you're interested, it's free for download there too.
thare (anonymous) says…
The National - Boxer, most amazing album of the year.
achtung (anonymous) says…
sky blue sky- wilco duh!
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Hmmm...Amy Crackhouse and R. Pedophile Kelly made the list. Really sad.
Gareth (anonymous) says…
Typical Journalism-Student-Intern Crap from LJWorld -- doesn't even have the slightest bit of research.
Winehouse's album was released in October 2006, geniuses.
LittleMissFlea (anonymous) says…
Gareth, the article came from the AP, not the LJW.
black_butterfly (anonymous) says…
OMG stop whining just because your favorite artist is not on the list. If you READ it says "chart toppers" (topping the charts). My favorite artists are not on there either but that's because I listen to JAZZ and that is not mainstream music. ..... putting down rap music will get you nowhere. Rap is not my choice of music either but it does take talent to write rhymes and put them to beats. I don't condone the cursing and vulgar language, but you can find that in a lot of genres of music, not just rap. LJW is allowed to "waste space" reporting who is topping the charts just like they are allowed to "waste space" allowing any and everyone to post their opinions (regardless of how narrow minded or ridiculous they seem to be) on ljworld.com. Don't you know that nobody cares what we like? It is what the teenagers like that matters. They are the ones that go to the concerts and buy the CD's. LOL
lounger (anonymous) says…
Again-create your own reality and check out not only myspace.com but surf the web for awile and you will find much more interesting music than what the corporate music world has to offer...
black_butterfly (anonymous) says…
I know that teenagers don't rule the world, but the music industry knows who buys the most music. Trust me I have to put on headphones when my son listens to his music but then again when I was that age I am sure the adults didn't "appreciate" what I liked either.
I have heard vulgar language and cursing in rock, heavy metal, some country, some blues, etc. Don't act like you don't know what I am talking about. I don't really care for the twang of country music but I don't say that it isn't music just because I don't like it. A lot of country artists are very talented. I am an avid jazz lover and it NEVER gets the recognition it deserves. That's just the way of the music industry.
I agree that the top 10 list is ridiculous, but it is based on concert and CD sales and mainstream popularity, not real music. Unfortunately there hasn't been any "real" music for a very long time. I hate when they call the group a "band" and not one person is playing any type of musical instrument. smh.
Fishman (anonymous) says…
There is "real" music, but you have to look for it to say the least. Try out the Subdudes at http://www.subdudes.com to listen to some of the best music put out this decade. There are plenty of free downloads so you have nothing to lose by checking them out!
Happy New Year!