AZLTRON Top 40 Albums of 2007 Part 1 40-30

I apologize for the complete lack of posts for the entire month of December thus far, but papers must be done and finals must be studied for. Anyway, I've painstakingly put together a list of my top 40 albums of 2007. I have to say, 2007 has been a pretty spectacular year for music. I've heard so much stuff that's blown me away and really come out of left field. So without further ado, let's kick off this shindig.

40. SonVolt - The Search

I originally reviewed this album on a whim, it was probably due to the industrial nature of the cover. Upon first listen, I thought the vocals were somewhat reminiscent of R.E.M. and for all of their prestige and clout, I still find them to be a bit silly as a band. It took a few listens, but Jay Farrar's vocals eventually got to me and I realized that his lyrics weren't silly at all but earnest and honest. This is the album that launched me into appreciation of the genre of alternative country.

Highlight: The Search

39. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond

Like Son Volt, Dinosaur Jr's comeback album introduced me again to a new world of music: The pre-nirvana landscape of alternative music that included such greats as Sonic Youth and the Pixies. I have to say, that Beyond has one of craziest opening songs I have ever heard, "Almost Ready" makes this album nearly love at first listen. J Masci's voice gives the album a weary but content feeling and his guitar work is mind blowing. I don't think I've ever listened to a more successful comeback album. The joy of making music comes through on the first note and resonates until the feedback fades.

Highlight: Almost Ready

38. Feist - The Reminder

Again, an album that opened me up to a larger body of work. I had to review the single for "My Moon My Man", and I thought that song was curiously dancy, which is my weakness, and that prompted me to check out the rest of the album. I also checked out her previous album that I had overlooked and fell in love with a few of the singles, in particular "One Evening". In my opinion there is no one superior to Leslie Feist in terms of pure heart and vocal quality right now. The unique instrumentation only enhances her enchanting melodies and her lyricism is simply sublime.

Highlight: I Feel it All

37. Young Galaxy - Young Galaxy

Listening to Young Galaxy's debut album is like sitting in the room with an amateur piano player who accidentally hits all the right notes. What I mean is that the songs are structured so the experience is intimate and the reverb makes each note resonate far after it passes. This is the kind of music that should be on teen drama television shows because the music is rich with a hopefulness and a realization of endless possibilities.

Highlight: Outside the City

36. Blonde Redhead - 23

Blonde Redhead created an album that is simultaneously immediately accessible and painfully heartbreaking. The use of electronics and spare vocals to create a more pop atmosphere makes the songs commercially viable ala The Postal Service but it still retains its raw emotion. Which, surprisingly isn't always sad, there are a few beautiful uplifting songs here as well. Again, this is the kind of music they should be playing on television dramas, not faceless sensitive guitar dude ballads.

Highlight: Silently

35. Radiohead - In Rainbows

First off, I have to say that outside of "Creep", I have not been a Radiohead fan. Despite encountering many fanatics who've told me that since I like electronic things that I would fall in love with Radiohead, Thom Yorke's warbling vocals and the meandering melodies have never done it for me. Although on this new album, there is a change, the production is masterful, there is new life in the music and the lyrics are still warbly but now have audible hooks. Most importantly there is a distinct warmth in this record that makes Radiohead accessible like never before.

Highlight: Bodysnatchers

34. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

This is the album that initiated me into official Wilco fandom, before this album I had only heard A Ghost is Born, and frankly that album was a little too experimental for me, but I did enjoy "Hummingbird". This album is absolutely beautiful and while it doesn't sport full on pop moments like Summerteeth or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it is chock full of real feeling and beautiful instrumentation.

Highlights: Hate it here

33. Peter Bjorn & John

I said that Peter Bjorn & John would be on my year end list and here they are. The beautiful production of this folk pop album is undeniable. Before hearing this album I didn't think that a retro styled folk songs could be built off of a hip hop beat but I was wrong. The song "Amsterdam" explodes with just such a beat and the best whistling this side of Andrew Bird. The threesome also makes excellent use of bongos and steel drums.

Highlights: Young Folks

32. The Cinematics - A Strange Education

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for well done British post-punk music. The music may seem familiar, but the dramaticism and the way the songs soar makes them stand apart from the rest of the post-punk dance bands. Take for instance the groups excellent cover of Beck's "Sunday Sun", they take a sentimental acoustic ballad and transform it into a bombastic rock anthem while retaining all of the feeling of the original. So what if the Cinematics sound like Editors, their album is for the most part superior.

Highlight: Sunday Sun

31. The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever

As much as I love well made British post-punk I equally love well made British garage rock. Nearly every song is a perfect pub freak out. The wry cynical lyrics about relationships simply make each more sing-a-long-able. While we're on the topic of anthems, how about the premier single "Men's Needs"? Probably the best straight up rock single of the year. Although my favorite is the bouncy ironic number "I'm a Realist" because the lyrics hit a little too close to home and towards the end of the song there is a simulated pub sing along. Long story short, if you're looking for a cerebral thrashing rock album, look no farther.

Highlight: Men's Needs

30. The New Pornographers - Challengers

I have a lot of memories connected to the New Pornographers, and I played them a lot on my first radio show, so needless to say I have a great deal of nostalgia for the band. In contrast to their previous releases the band has dropped their dense compositions in favor of heartfelt linear ballad after heartfelt linear ballad. Through their extensive experience as a band and as solo artists (Largely), the New Pornographers know exactly where to hit you (The Heart), and they hit hard.

Highlight: Adventures in Solitude