Best Records of 2007, IMHO
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1. Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
The former violinist and multi-instrumentalist (and perhaps the world’s finest whistler – it’s scary) for the Squirrel Nut Zippers continues to find his voice as a solo artist. I loved the Mysterious Production of Eggs so much I couldn’t imagine this holding a candle. It does.
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2. The National – Boxer
This one snuck up on me. And now my iPod is telling me that I listened to this more than anything else this past year. What can I say? It’s kinda hypnotic and it soothes me.
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3. Peter, Bjorn & John – Writer’s Block
A collection of impossibly catchy pop tunes.
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4. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
Another Wilco album that I didn’t like on first listen. Another one that just kept getting better and better.
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5. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer
The album’s two best tracks: "Heimdalsgate Like A Promeathean Curse" and "A Sentence Of Sorts In Kongsvinger" should win an award for most obnoxiously obtuse hipster song titles. But I’ll forgive them for this great pop record, and for the fantastically tacky teal leather boots singer Kevin Barnes was wearing as part of his drag motif at Pitchfork.
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6. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
I somehow missed Aha Shake Heartbreak and this whole phenomena. This record has a lot of really good ole southern rock: “Knocked Up,” “Charmer,” “Black Thumbnail,” “Ragoo,” and “Fans” among others.
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7. Panda Bear – Person Pitch
Noah Lennox of Animal Collective channels Brian Wilson. Beautiful harmonies in an off-kilter, psychedelic wrapper.
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8. Dinosaur Jr. – Beyond
I was blown away by what a return-to-form this was for the reunited Dinosaur Jr. Wow.
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9. Radiohead – In Rainbows
Easily my favorite album of theirs since “OK Computer.”
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10. Eddie Vedder – “Into the Wild” Soundtrack
To complete 2007’s nineties revival, I enjoyed Eddie taking up the acoustic guitar on these anthemic folk songs.
Best Shows:
White Stripes at Madison Square Garden
Van Halen at Madison Square Garden
Andrew Bird at Beacon Theatre
Built to Spill / Cat Power at McCarren Park Pool
Modest Mouse at McCarren Park Pool
Ted Leo / Thermals at McCarren Park Pool
The National at South Street Seaport
Of Montreal, New Pornographers at Pitchfork Festival