Favorite Albums of 2007

I love music, and i listen to a lot of it, however i don't listen to enough of it to make a "BEST of..." list, with any real authority. So instead i will present to you a list of my top 10 favorite albums of 2007. The You may also like portion is not really to compare and contrast, but rather to suggest a few bands you might like as well. Feel free to agree, contest, replace, and/or edit with your input.

Honorable Mentions:
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Raising Sand (MOST HONORABLE MENTION)
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga
Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild (soundtrack)
Iron & Wine - The Shephards Dog
Kanye West - Graduation
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
Teddy Thompson -Up Front & Down Low
The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
Beirut - The Flying Cup
Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart


10. Radiohead - InRainbows: As I have already posted, this album could change music history with it's "you pick the price" release. But this album also has some great music. You may also like: Interpol, Low, Magic Numbers, Of Montreal, and the Weakerthans

9. The National - The Boxer: The song "Slow Show" ends with the line "You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you You know I dreamed about you, I missed you, for twenty-nine years" I think if were John Cusack in the movie "Say Anything," and i had to choose one song from 2007 to play while holding a stereo above my head and standing out side the window of my high-school crush...it would be "slow show." By the way, the rest of the album is great too. You may also like: Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, and Fiona Apple

8. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter: Clean crisp songwritting, His songs are simple and beautiful. If singer-songwritters are your thing, you will love Josh Ritter.
"Rumors," "Edge of the World," and "Real Long Distance" are among my favorite tracks. You may also like: Paul Simon, Gillian Welch, Griffin House, and Josh Rouse

7.Minus Story - My Ion Truss:
This has been my go to album since i bought it. Anytime i cant think of what to listen to, i put this on and i am satisfied everytime. The album has a great mix of energy and emotion. Favorite tracks include "Aaron" "Battle of Our Lives," and "Mamma Mamma" You may also like: The Mountain Goats, Aimee Mann, The Decemberists, and Broken Social Scene

6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Although Canada has a long list of embarasingly bad artists such as; Alanis Morisette, Shania Twain, Crash Test Dummies, Celiene Dion, and the list goes on. Canada however, also has a few fantasic bands like; Neil Young, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, and Arcade Fire can also be added to the list. "Neon Bible," A great follow up to 2004's "Funeral." Tracks like "Keep the Car Running," "Intervension," and "No Cars Go," charge through the album as the Arcade Fire delivers another refreshing album. You may also like: See other good Canadian artists.

5. Band of Annuals - Let Me Live: Local Band from SLC, but this selection is not just about supporting local music. This album is solid all the way through. This is Alt-Country at it's best, simple melodies that ring, perfect harmonies, and a powerful pedal steel that just sounds lonely. Of all the albums on the top 10 i think i am most confident recomending this album to anyone with any music taste, it is hard to dislike such classic songwritting. You may also like: Ryan Adams (and Whiskytown), Neil Young, Atherton, Steve Earl

4. Joe Henry - Civilians: After a good round of tennis my brother Paul recomended Joe Henry to me. Technically speaking he was nausiated that i had yet to hear Joe Henry, and now after listening to "Civilians" i understand his dissappointment. You may also like: Band of Horses, Teddy Thompson, and Damien Jurado

3. Fiest - The Reminder: Despiste her song "1234" being drastically overplayed on iPod commercials, the radio etc, i still can't get enough of it, and that pretty much says it all. Further, "My Moon My Man" could get my vote for song of the year. You may also like: Beth Orton, Stars, HEM, and Damien Rice

2. Fionn Regan - The End of History: If i still used a CD player this album would be stuck in it. You may also like: Elliot Smith, Devotchka, Elvis Perkins, Iron & Wine, and Laura Gibson

1. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky: You have likely heard songs from this album on VW commercials, which is fitting. This album is great fo a car ride.I recently started collecting records which has gotten me into enjoy albums as a whole. Every couple of years a movie comes out that redeems my faith in movies for example A Beautiful Life. Similarly this album redeems my faith in albums. The Advent of CD's, and iPods has killed albums. Just ask yourself when was the last time you listened to a whole album from start to finish, or even bought a whole album? This album is comple album. I have listened to this album on my iPod, and on record, but never on shuffle. Buy the album, and enjoy.