AWmusic

I actually hated doing this list…not that it was subpar but I think I would’ve felt better doing a review today. Just no writing quality in putting out this list though it’s great for traffic bait.

25. She’s a Rejector by Of Montreal (link)
24. Patty Lee by Les Savy Fav (link)
23. Open Doors by Josh Ritter (link)
22. White Dove by John Vanderslice (link)
21. Handsome Furs Hate This City by The Handsome Furs
20. Weekend Without Makeup by The Long Blondes (link)
19. Meat Market by Everybody Else (link)
18. 1234 by Feist
17. Wolf and Crane by Siberian (link)
16. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
15. Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys
14. Apartment Story by The National (link)
13. Red Rabbits by The Shins
12. Impossible by The Shout Out Louds
11. Right Moves by Josh Ritter (link)
10. Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Days by Sunset Rubdown (link)
9. (Antichrist) Television Blues by The Arcade Fire (link)
8. Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider by Of Montreal (link)
7. Unless It Kicks by Okkervil River (link)
6. Back in Your Head by Tegan & Sara
5. The Mending of the Gown by Sunset Rubdown
4. Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
3. Once and Never Again by The Long Blondes (link)
2. Mistaken For Strangers by The National
1. Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe by Okkervil River (link)

I am not going with the generic Christmas songs but I think going with happier type songs. I do have a favorite Christmas song (by The Raveonettes). Anyway I found this list hard to do…who knows maybe it’s the selection I have on this blog or just that most songs are depressing or angry and have nothing to do with being cheerfully happy? Enough ranting.

1. Feist – It’s Cool To Love Your Family
2. Jens Lekman – Your Arms Around Me
3. The Beatles – Come Together
4. The Elected – Would You Come With Me?
5. Of Montreal – On the Drive Home
6. Josh Ritter – Real Long Distance
7. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go
8. The New Pornographers – Sing Me Spanish Techno
9. Lily Allen – Everything’s Just Wonderful
10. The Postal Service – Sleeping In

Click->>> For Top Albums of ‘07: #10-1<-----------

#20 Feist – The Reminder
Original Rating: 5/5
This album was on rotation for about two weeks then I just totally forgot about it. I personally didn’t like “The Reminder” as much as her previous effort “Let It Die”. Feist has seen some mainstream success with that iPod commercial but I still love her.
I Feel It All by Feist

#19 BSS Presents Kevin Drew – Spirit If…
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Was this effort a little bit like Broken Social Scene and didn’t really distinguish Kevin Drew as a solo artist? Sure but who cares?! Still a great album and if it’s being compared to BSS you know it’s good. This album usually doesn’t come to mind when thinking of the top albums of 2007 but after going back to it…I have to agree with myself…lol
Gang Bang Suicide by Kevin Drew

#18. Justice – Cross (too lazy to find the cross image)
Original Score: 4.75 out of 5
This album just makes me want to dance. Annoying at times but overall something different than what I would normally listen to. I almost didn’t even bother to try to check out Justice but I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Let There Be Light by Justice

#17 Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release
Original Score: Forgot (Should be 4.75 out of 5)
Simian Mobile Disco are basically tied in my book when it comes to the score. The tie-breaker may be that I like SMD a little more as it suits what I look in a electronic bands. To think this liking to SMD started with that Hustler video with girls making out. This album makes me want to dance or go on drugs. Either way I feel like I’d be having a good time putting on this record.
Sleep Deprivation by Simian Mobile Disco

#16 Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Original Score: 4.5 out of 5
To be perfectly honest I barely gave this album ANY time before and after reviewing it. One thing for sure though, it didn’t need any effort to begin liking. It probably doesn’t get any higher on this list for being rather simple and I’d agree that artistically it probably doesn’t have the same quality as those ahead of it. To me anyway this album has one of the better first halves of an album then any other album of 2007. The second half was decent but it’s hard to match up to Don’t Make Me A Target, You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb and Rhthm and Soul.
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb by Spoon

#15 The National – Boxer
Original Score: 4 out of 5
It felt like forever when I originally tried to listen to “Boxer” and had such a tough time and I finally reviewed it after struggling with it for a few months. “Boxer” is definitely a grower and you will have to give a LOT of time I would say before it creeps up on you and reels you in. If you asked me when I did the review the only two songs I liked were “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Start A War” you can probably add most of the album now. If it was the perfect album it wouldn’t be called a “grower” and it takes my 15 spot.
Apartment Story by The National

#14 Josh Ritter – Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Original Rating: 4.25 out of 5
This album was easy to like from the beginning. I seem to have an affinity for folk songs that I never knew I had and despite I find this album rather “simplistic” compared to the other albums on here, it’s overall just great music and something that had more playing time then The National and Spoon and thus the higher ranking.
To The Dogs or Whoever by Josh Ritter

#13 Arctic Monkeys -Favourite Worst Nightmare
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This is another one that I barely recall giving a lot of effort in listening and critiquing (you could probably tell with the sub-par review). I go back to this album once in awhile but I find myself intrigued more by their previous effort “Whatever People Say I am…”. Very solid everywhere and produced one of my favorite songs of the year “Fluorescent Adolescent”.
Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys

#12 Moonbabies – Moonbabies At the Ballroom
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
I remember listening to this album for a good month straight earlier this year. I sure do love “dream pop”. The Moonbabies probably won’t be on many other lists this year but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out their album. I just haven’t seen a ton of exposure but from top to bottom this album had me singing along. I actually haven’t seen one entirely bad review for this album…but who knows why? If you have similar tastes as I do then you will like this album.
Take Me To The Ballroom by The Moonbabies
Cocobelle by The Moonbabies

#11 The Shins – Wincing The Night Away
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Shins were already one of my favorite bands before they released Wincing The Night Away. I was a fan of indie rock but I didn’t pursue it like I do now. I’m scared to read my review in March because it is so long ago and I arguably was not the same blogger as I am now. Anyway is this album as good as their previous works? No but this album is solid top to bottom and I’m not complaining. This album I believe really appeases already Shins fans without going “too” mainstream and they have become a very popular band now. I’m having trouble picking a song right now that would be called my favorite…too many to choose from. I feel kind of “iffy” putting this just outside my top 10 (it was originally but Okkervil River booted them out).
Turn On Me by The Shins
Red Rabbits by The Shins

Look Out for #10-#1 either tomorrow or Thursday

When first putting on this album, it was very easy to listen to with a typically soft style. There isn’t anything over the top with the instruments just simple singing and not really anything too-catchy. I always take into account ease of the first listen and then see how it grows on me.

Two songs I dug instantly “Right Moves” and “Open Doors”. Both are romantic type songs. Otherwise for the rest of the album, it’s pretty solid. Nothing else I particular LOVED but it’s at least easy on the ears and decent for an album. I’m giving it a 4.25 out of 5.

Right Moves by Josh Ritter (download)

Open Doors by Josh Ritter (download)