Staff
Boy does time fly, we just can’t believe it how this year went by so fast, well ZME Music‘s been around for only 6 months, but that’s not important. Actually this year was so busy, that we hardly could face the large amounts of new releases every week, especially in the summer time and believe us we don’t complain. Due to this, 2007, was the year in which new music was making it’s comeback; we’ve never listened to so much new (quality) music in a year, but what’s more amazing is the diversity of new and old acts, coming round with new music to enchant our ears. Despite all this, the year of 2007, will probably remain in history as a year of reunions; so many past classic acts have reformed, blown away the dust off of their instruments and kept on rocking. Bands like [tag]The Police[/tag], [tag]Van Halen[/tag], [tag]Eagles[/tag], [tag]Sex Pistols[/tag], [tag]Led Zeppelin[/tag] and many other, all have settled their past differences and hit the road together, while others actually made new albums, proving that good music resembles the finest wine.
Yes, it’s been a good year and there’s no better way to summarize it, then by compiling a list. We’re not the biggest fans of lists, as we don’t believe in the term of ‘best of,’ it’s really relative, what’s trash to someone, is gold to someone else. The following list is what we believe to be the most representative, known to us, albums from 2007.
#50-41
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Album: My December
Gender: Pop Rock
Label: RCA Recods
Release date: June 26, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Her third album is exactly what should happen when a pop artists feels the need for creative freedom. Her sincerity and commitment is obvious and the majority of songs speak about pain, anger, and self-doubt. She is not that soft lady but goes for a more powerful way of expressing herself leaning towards rock music; this in fact is Kelly Clarkson, the artist and she reminds of Alanis Morissette. A very pleasant surprise.
Artist: Panda Bear
Album: Person Pitch
Gender: Indie/Experimental
Label: Paw Tracks
Release date: March 20, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Person Pitch, by famous [tag]Animal Collective[/tag] psychedelic musician Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear, is one of the most solid and beautiful studio efforts of the year. It’s a album that makes you feel all worm and fuzzy inside upon listening, a sentiment best experienced with your eyes closed, striking just the right balance between melody, song, and experimentation.
Artist: Porcupine Tree
Album: Fear of a Blank Planet
Gender: Progressive Rock
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release date: April 16, 2007
Buy: Amazon
You may have not heard of them yet they have been around for about 20 years and even after that they have the remarkable ability to make music with substance which fascinates listeners. No excesses, no unneeded dramas, just pure feeling as it should be. Those who have not listened to them should do so as they are probably going to be awed by this Psychedelic/Progressive rock/metal band.
Artist: Caribou
Album: Andorra
Gender: Electronica
Label: Merge
Release date: August 21, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Caribou’s latest effort isn’t a perfect effect but it’s by far one of the most sonically challenging and exciting efforts I’ve heard this year all around. Its melodies mesmerize, its sounds and textures enchant, and above all, seamlessly combines all of the best aspects of the Caribou canon into a concise and cohesive pop masterpiece.
Artist: José González
Album: In Our Nature
Gender: Indie/Folk
Label: Mute
Release date: September 25, 2007
Buy: Amazon
After he conquered his fans with his signature acoustic playing, back in 2003 with the debut Veener, Jose was ready to return with his sophomore release. Although In Our Nature revolved around the same acoustic recordings, from a lyrical point of view it dwelled a bit further, criticizing our human nature, that ultimately leads to our destruction. Whether Jose’s manage to face his demons is unknown, but what he’s certainly managed to build one of the best folk records of the year, a tribute to the late Nick Drake.
Artist: Battles
Album: Mirrored
Gender: Experimental/Progressive Rock
Label: Warp
Release date: May 22, 2007
Buy: Amazon
With “Mirrored”, Battles has successfully managed to surpase anything they’ve release before with their past EPs. It never gives into the sonic pretension of past tracks like “Fantasy”, the band has clearly stretched the lasting power of their music by adding more poppish refrains and vocals, and finally and most importantly, every member of Battles is inventive and original. Some listeners may find the album samey or too similar but one aspect of Mirrored that can’t be disputed is that it is a unique album with little to no similar peers. Pop of the future is what Battles is and let’s just say I can’t wait for shiny jumpsuits if this is the kind of thing that’ll be playing inside of them. And I just gotta say this is more dope then The Knife covering Animal Collective
Artist: Scorpions
Album: Humanity: Hour I
Gender: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Label: BMG Records
Release date: August 25, 2007
Buy: Amazon
This was supposed to be a bad album; it was supposed to be the kind of music rock titans make towards the end of their carreer. It was supposed to be filled with sappy violins and heavy ballads and radio friendly tunes. But it sounds very good. It could stand up to their more known work any day and it is very impressive that they were able to make old school music which somehow sounds very fresh and even a bit dark sometimes.
Artist: The National
Album: Boxer
Gender: Indie Rock
Label: Beggars Banquet
Release date: May 22, 2007
Buy: Amazon
2005 was the year The National released Alligator, in a pretty quiet, hush-hush manner, typical to the band’s secretive ways, but managed to get a whole lot of critical love, that in the end build some attention around the band. This year seems a great year for The National and their latest release Boxer, a 12-song journey that thoroughly exemplifies everything that a modern rock band should be capable of, the right catalyst that should propel the to stardom.
Artist: Crowded House
Album: Time on Earth
Gender: Pop/Rock
Label: Capitol
Release date: July 10, 2007
Buy: Amazon
They reunited this year to make these brilliant tracks sounding as good as ever. Neil’s gift for writing totally original tunes is obvious and his voice sounds a bit better sometimes even than in his youth. Filled with hooks. This is just a triumph. Probably the worst thing is that Paul Hester never lived to play on it. We shall remember you mate!
Artist: Les Savy Fav
Album: Let’s Stay Friends
Gender: Indie Rock/Art Rock
Label: Frenchkiss Records
Release date: September 18, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Let’s stay friends is the first album of new songs in six years from indie-rock madcaps Les Savy Fav, yet it sounds like a band that’s just hitting a peak. As its title cleverly suggests, the LP rewards long-term interest; it’s not Les Savy Fav’s most immediate record, nor is it their best, but the fact that they’ve managed to pin point and fix their past issues and become good at the things they didn’t, in the past, makes this a complete record. It’s a welcome return, to say the least.
