It’s a new year and while people go around making resolutions, I stay put and write more blog posts. I didn’t watch too many movies this year and I didn’t play too many new video games either. So, the only best of list this year will be the one for music. And notice how I retitled it “My favorite music from 2007.” It saves me from those who’ll inevitably say that I didn’t listen to some album they found outstanding - this is my blog and this is the best of the new music I tried out last year. However, I’m open for suggestions on new music!

Near misses

To shake things up a bit, I’m not going to give you my top 5 immediately. Here are some albums that I listened to a lot over the past year but lost out to the eventual top 5:

Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater

Good album with typical DT pyrotechnics but falls short in the lyrics department. After Train of Thought, I feel that DT’s lyrics have been getting worse and they need to do something about this for the next album! I’d love to hear the kind of poetry they put out in the early 90s with Images and Words.

Send Away The Tigers by Manic Street Preachers

MSP hit their peak with Holy Bible but have never been the same ever since. They’ve altered their style and this has produced mixed results over the years. Send Away The Tigers is one of their strongest efforts in years. The title track is an anthem that touches the lofty heights of If You Tolerate This and other MSP anthems from previous albums.

The Boy With No Name by Travis

This is one album that was going to be in the top 5 until I heard a couple of the albums that eventually did make it to the top 5. My biggest concern with this album is the slump in the second half. The first 6-7 songs are well done and offer variety but the last few are typical Travis with nothing new to offer. Selfish Jean is a must-try!

My Top Five for 2007

As usual, here are my top 5 albums in descending order:

5. Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails

Number 5 for this year is Year Zero by NIN. I’ve been somewhat into NIN for the last couple of years but I didn’t go beyond Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral. After all the publicity and rave reviews that the new album received, I decided to give it a try. I liked what I heard. While the album stutters a bit in the second half, the first half is outstanding. It’s not the first time that a band has used a dystopian future as the lyrical background for an album, but the subject fits Trent Reznor extremely well. His voice as well as his style of music complement the dark subject matter of the lyrics and the result is a strong effort by NIN.

Genre: Industrial
Track Pick: The Beginning of The End
Album Recommendations: The Downward Spiral, Pretty Hate Machine

4. It’s a Bit Complicated by Art Brut

My initial reaction to the second effort by English band Art Brut was less than enthusiastic. After producing songs like Formed a Band, Good Weekend, Emily Kane, My Little Brother, etc. on their debut album, the new album was underwhelming. But I stuck with it and after a few listens, I started loving it. I still think Bang Bang Rock & Roll was a better album, but this one is not bad at all. The production is cleaner but the music is just as whacky. Art Brut are here to have fun and that’s all there is to their music. Eddie Argos’ lyrics and delivery are hilarious!

Genre: Indie(?) Rock
Track Pick: Direct Hit
Album Recommendations: Bang Bang Rock & Roll

3. Snakes & Arrows by Rush

In the 1970s and the 1980s, Rush released a series of albums that are right up there with some of the best music ever made. Masterpieces such as Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves, 2112, etc. have ensured a loyal following for this Canadian trio. Neil Peart has been one of the best drummers around for decades; Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists around; and Alex Lifeson is simply superb with his guitar. However, even the best bands stumble. Rush had a string of average releases in the 90s and many had counted the band out. But with Snakes & Arrows, Rush have shown that they are here to stay. Still one of the most popular live acts around, Rush have delivered an album that fans will love. Sure, it’s no Moving Pictures, but this is still a solid effort from the aging band. The album kicks off with the fantastic Far Cry and produces several more gems before it’s over. Other highlights include THREE excellent instrumentals!

Genre: Progressive/Hard/Art Rock
Track Pick: Far Cry
Album Recommendations: Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves, Signals, 2112

2. In Rainbows by Radiohead

Radiohead surprised everyone by going digital for the release of their latest studio album. The pay-what-you-want model proved to be immensely successful and bodes well for the future. But even if they had gone the traditional route to begin with, the album would’ve been just as good. I’m a fan of OK Computer and while this album has a very different sound, it’s still great stuff. It can be minimalistic at times but sitting through the entire album is a satisfying experience. One thing in particular about this album stands out for me: the production. I’m a sucker for good production and unlike past records, In Rainbows has a very clean production. Even at 160kbps (downloads from Radiohead’s website), the MP3 files sound terrific. I feel like there’s something for everyone here as Radiohead touch upon several genres during the course of the album.

Genre: Experimental/Brit Rock
Track Pick: Bodysnatchers
Album Recommendations: OK Computer, The Bends, Kid A

1. Fear of a Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree

As in 2006, I have a clear winner for 2007’s best album. Porcupine Tree are not a very popular band but the music they make is outstanding. Steven Wilson’s layered production is of the highest quality and while the album is relatively short in length, it is brimming with excellent music. I did a review for the album when it came out and my love for the album has only grown since. Anesthetize is quite simply brilliant. If you haven’t heard this album yet, you need to do so immediately.

Genre: Progressive/Experimental Rock
Track Pick: Anesthetize
Album Recommendations: In Absentia, Deadwing, Stupid Dream

Other Good Music:

Lets Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav
I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being The Master by Electric Six
Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Nil Recurring EP by Porcupine Tree

Disappointments:

Minutes to Midnight by Linkin Park

Weak effort.  I appreciate their need to change, but this change was not good enough.
Era Vulgaris by Queens of The Stone Age

QoTSA have lost me after the release of Lullabies to Paralyze.  Maybe I haven’t given them enough time, but I’m not into the last two albums put out by QoTSA.
A Weekend in the City by Bloc Party

No idea what happened here.  Their first album was pretty good but their second effort disappointed me.

Music that everyone talked about in 2007 but I am yet to try:

M.I.A. - Kala
Justice - Cross
Feist - The Reminder