Every publication always has that one writer who believes his musical opinions are better than everyone else's. At the end of every year, this writer compiles a list of the albums that were released over the course of the year that are, in whatever way, more noteworthy than the rest.
Well, it's the end of 2007, so here are 10 albums, in no particular order that deserve some recognition.
Modest Mouse 'We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank'
After a little more than a decade of releases, Modest Mouse is still going strong. Though many fans have "abandoned ship" because of their evolution, "We Were Dead …" tones down the production and actually recorded an eight-minute-plus song reminiscent of songs of their early days. Also, the addition of Johnny Marr of The Smiths fame helped make this album one of the, if not the, best pop album of the year.
El-P 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead'
In 2005, El-P helped shape independent hip-hop with his debut "Fantastic Damage." The production was unique and the overall style was something absent in hip-hop to that point. Now, five years later, "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" is a gigantic leap forward from his first offering. Each track is meticulously produced with well-thought-out elements that weave in and out and combine to push the boundary of what hip-hop, and music in general, can be.
Kanye West 'Graduation'
After the dust settled from the chart battle between Kanye West and a certain currency-named rapper, West was easily victorious. Comparing "Graduation" to "Curtis" is somewhat of an insult to West because he is in another league altogether. "Graduation" is a good example of what mainstream music should be brought back to: musically sound as well as lyrically intelligent. Hopefully more artists take this move and bring some integrity back to the radio.
will.i.am 'Songs about Girls'
Thought the name might make this album seem like another empty pile of crap, will.i.am's solo debut reminds listeners that he can make music without Fergie, and isn't all about "Humps" and whatever Fergie is spelling out these days. Much in the same vein as West, will.i.am has restated his place in legitimately good hip-hop.
Busdriver 'Roadkill Overcoat'
Hailing from Los Angeles comes Busdriver - Possibly one of the weirdest and most unique of all hip-hop music. His major label debut, "RoadkillOvercoat," is just as weird as his previous works, but with better production. The heavy beats mixed with Busdriver cadence-whipping vocals create something truly memorable.
Between the Buried and Me 'Colors'
Metal music has now become a purely imitation today. Every band sounds similar to the next and no one has a true identity, save for a few. BTBAM is one of these bands, and, with its fourth LP, it proves it once again. How many metal bands combine beautiful guitar work, southern bar fight and Mr. Bungle on the same album? "Colors" even has tracks that change back and forth between those styles within moments.
Minus the Bear 'Planet of Ice'
Everybody's favorite band no one has heard about. Though paradoxical that may seem it's true. Every fan of this band believes they are the only one, and that Minus the Bear is their secret. This may have been easy to assume with its previous releases, but "Planet of Ice" is simply too good to keep a secret for long. Using loops, a multitude of effects, quick robot-like drums and laid-back vocals, Minus the Bear has managed its own individuality in the monotonous world of "indie" music.
Mark Ronson 'Version'
A big mistake with cover albums is that artists sometimes forget to put their unique touch on the songs and end up making covers that are pointless. Mark Ronson, DJ/producer from across the pond released an album earlier this year that showed how covers should be made. By choosing tracks by the likes of Kings of Leon, Britney Spears, Radiohead and The Jam, he took out everything but the lyrics and built covers from the ground up giving new life to the originals.
Battles 'Mirrored'
Possibly the most difficult to pigeonhole of the year, Battles experiments with electronic, indie and metal in a very palatable way. Each song varies from the last, and it's hard to find a weak link in the track listing. Bands such as Battles are a breathe of fresh air in our world of radio playing the same 13 songs over and over again that fit into these well-defined boxes.
Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black'
Don't let her drug problems and alcoholism overshadow her talent. Amy Winehouse is bringing back the Nancy Sinatra era of music, showing that girls can sing without getting cheesy and ridiculous. One of this albums' greatest qualities, is that her songs are extremely poppy and happy, but the lyrics are usually dark and she even threw in a few expletives. Hopefully she can focus on music, so that we can still hear a refreshing voice in music.
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