Top 5 Records of 2007

These are my Top 5 Records of 2007. The criteria isn't so much that the record came out in 2007 (though some did) but that I was first introduced to them in 2007. All of these records affected me in one way or another and I find myself coming back to them continually throughout the year. They are not listed in any particular order.


1. Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire

I saw Sean Lennon on MySpace and visited his sight as an, "Oh God, let's see what this is all about" sarcastic reaction. Much to my incredible surprise I was blown away by the youngest Lennon. His voice is a bit thin and nasal but the songs, melodies, production and orchestration are amazing.

Highlights: "Dead Meat", "Tomorrow"


2. Silverchair - Young Modern

To those of you who know me this should come as no surprise. Silverchair is undoubtedly one of my favorite bands of all time and I've taken a lot of shit for that. But Daniel Johns is a true rock star in an era when rockstars are few and far between. He has a killer voice and continues to grow musically. Add to that the orchestrations of Van Dyke Parks (the Beach Boys) and the addition of Paul Mac (the Dissociatives) and you have the Aussies' most ambitious record to date.

Highlights: "Those Thieving Birds", "Waiting All Day", "If You Keep Losing Sleep"


3. Ambulance LTD - Ambulance LTD

I was introduced to this band via a car commercial. After learning who they were from one of my friends (that means you Mary) I went to my favorite used CD store (CD Trader in Tarzana) and promptly made the purchase. That was in the summer and the disc hasn't left my car CD player since. Every song on this disc is great in it's own right. Few bands understand the use of space in a song and let songs breathe and take on a life of their own the way that Ambulance LTD does. It's a great CD to put on while you're driving, cleaning, dinking around....whatever. It has great individual tracks, but I recommend listening to it in it's entirety.

Highlights: "Primitive (The Way I Treat You)", "Anecdote"


4. Sigur Rós - ( )

I was listening to this CD last night and it is what prompted me to make up this list. Sigur Rós is an Icelandic band that can be best described as Ambient. No band explores musical ideas to the extent that these guys do and each one of their songs kind of takes on a life of it's own. Nevermind the fact that you have no idea what he's singing about, because it doesn't matter. All of the emotion and meaning comes through the music and it's delivery.

Highlights - "Track 3"


5. Radiohead - In Rainbows

Again, no surprise. One of my favorite bands of all time, I was extremely excited when I downloaded In Rainbows. Like listening to any Radiohead album for the first time, I didn't know quite what to expect. The record stays true to their development and doesn't sound like any other Radiohead album, but sounds influenced by all of them. Jonny Greenwood's orchestration rises to the top on this latest collection and the song writing hasn't slowed down either. In Rainbows features arguably the most beautiful song that the quintet has ever released ("Nude") and arguably the phattest beat that they've ever written ("All I Need"). Besides, how can you argue with a song that starts out with the lyrics "Wakey wakey, rise and shine..."? That's right, you can't.

Highlights - "Nude", "All I Need", "Faust Arp"