It is that time of the year. Every December lazy music writers/critics can count on putting out their very own “best of” list. That’s right just throw it out there and let people come and rip you apart because you forgot the old rock dinosaur’s new album or the newest pitchfork darlings “it” band. I won’t lie i love reading over them and seeing what folks are drooling over.
One of the first ones that has caught my attention is Paste Magazine’s year end 2007 List Be sure to check out their editors individual list as well. This list obviously caters to their readers which tend to be a bit “folky” or “indie”.
I actually like most of the albums in their top ten (well the half of them i have heard at least). Not sure if i would rank them like that though. Here is their top ten:
1. The National – Boxer
2. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
3. Bruce Springsteen – Magic
4. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
5. Feist – The Reminder
6. M.I.A. – Kala
7. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
8. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
9. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
10. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
full list
In a similar vein Harp Magazine dropped their list recently. Similar indie/folky style but different results.
Again I have about 50% of these but i don’t think many of these would make a top ten for me. For instance I love neil young but his new album is far from good and even farther from the best of the year.
The first list i saw came out months ago from Stylus. Quite an odd list. Here is their top ten:
01. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
02. Miranda Lambert – Crazy ExGirlfriend
03. Panda Bear Person Pitch
04. Lil Wayne – Da Drought 3
05. The National – The Boxer
06. Kanye West – Graduation
07. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
08. M.I.A. – Kala
09. The Field – From Here We Go Sublime
10. Radiohead – In Rainbows
Now if those list don’t get your testosterone flowing take a peak at Decibel’s year end list (in stores now) Here is the top ten according to the metal mega magazine:
10 – A Life Once Lost – iron gag
09 – High on Fire – death is this communion
08 – Portal – outre
07 – Witchcraft – the alchemist
06 – Neurosis – given to the rising
05 – Baroness – the red album
04 – Jesu – conqueror
03 – The Dillinger Escape Plan – ire works
02 – Watain – sworn to the dark
01 – Pig Destroyer – phantom limb
I actually only own 2 albums on this one so i can’t say much. The Baroness album is worth the hype though (think mastodon meets isis) & the High on Fire album comes with all the fury one could expect from the metal masters. I do want to check out the new Pig Destroyer. It is on my Christmas list for Santa to bring to me.
Anyone else seen any other good list? Any surprises on these? What albums did you love that have been “looked over” this year so far by the critics. Most importantly curious minds want to know what albums melvin has been listening to this year?
