I have to be honest; 2007 is one of the best years for music in ages. I remember 2005, when I had to struggle to make a list of eight albums. It was at that moment that I realized there was a lot of music out there that I needed to actively seek, and seek I did. Maybe even a little too hard, seeing as this is the first year I simply could not limit myself to 20 albums, and had to expand my list to 25.
Notes:
01. I think you now understand why it is that I mock the top 40 and top 50 lists in major magazines.
02. Ha! Ha! to anyone who ever said I only like "one or two bands."
With that, shall we begin?
01. Say Anything – In Defense of the Genre
Good God. This is a band that I actually mistook for another band, and didn't think I liked them. Talk about feeling dumb, when they hands-down, released the best album of the year. Add to that the fact that it is a 27-song concept album about mental illness and love, and let's just say I am shocked at how much I love this album.
As of today, I have listened to this album 88 times, according to my iPod. You might not think that means much, but it came out in October. Yes, it is that good. There is not a bad song on the album.
02. Schoolyard Heroes – Abominations
As was the case last year, Schoolyard Heroes hold the distinct honor of being the only female-fronted band to make the list. Seeing as I generally hate female vocalists, this is a testament to Ryann Donnelly's vocal talents. And the album's lyrics? They play out like a fabulously gory horror movie. This is one of the best bands around, and like #1 on this list? Not a bad song on the album.
03. Bayside – The Walking Wounded
The opening track on this album, "The Walking Wounded," is one of the most beautiful songs to be released this year. And the rest of the album plays ot similarly, while Anthony Raneri's vocals show a unique capability to transport you to another world, almost...
For a band that has been through hell and back to come out with such a strong album that has sad moments that are always underpinned by a vague hope is an amazing feat. This band absolutely deserves the #3 spot for this beautiful, escapist album.
04. Silverstein – Arrivals and Departures
Silverstein has always been a good band, but on this album, they finally took it to a new level. Shane started writing from the heart in a way he never has before, and that makes the music resonate on a level that previous offerings didn't. The band managed to break through to the next level, while not losing any of the spirit and sound that made them great in the first place. Not many bands are able to pull that off, but they make it appear as if it was effortless. I love this album; it has been one of the few albums that is a "comfort album" for me in 2007.
05. Drop Dead, Gorgeous – Worse Than A Fairy Tale
Holy crap. This album opens with Danny half screaming, half moaning "nothing to say, fading away..." and never lets up until the last seconds. Another concept album, it tells the story of someone killing his way through a town and, I suppose, losing his mind, as well. The band is powerful, psychotic, and yet... there's still melody in these songs, odd as that seems. It's a bit different from their earlier offerings... at first. And then you realize this was the natural place for the band to go on the album and how entirely perfect it is, it comes together to be a damned near perfect album. [Note: seeing this band live may well blow your mind. Naturally, I recommend you do so at your earliest convenience.]
06. Every Time I Die – The Big Dirty
With every album this band releases, they get a little better. More refined, yet more insane. This album is perfectly named; the band is often called "emo-metal," whatever that is, but all I hear is dirty. This is rock & roll, and all I am referring to is the sound. The thing about Every Time I Die is you're dealing with people who really know what they're doing with their instruments and they will abuse them relentlessly, until sounds come out of them that sound nothing like what anyone else is doing. And while this makes them sound oh-so-serious, they're not. Just watch one of their videos and you'll see they're probably having a better time than most of the bands out there, just doing their thing.
07. Aiden – Conviction
Aiden said they changed their sound a bit for this album, and they weren't kidding. It certainly isn't Nightmare Anatomy part 2, and Rain In Hell didn't really prepare anyone for where they were going on their new album. Don't think that makes this any less of a great album; wiL's songwriting remains strong, and even more personal and passionate, like someone showing you his scars as well as sharing the stories behind them. This really is a gorgeous album that lets you into someone else's world, and lets you know one thing: no matter how bad things are at that moment? There's someone else out there who knows exactly how you're feeling. And that's comforting, no matter how far away they are.
08. From Autumn To Ashes – Holding a Wolf By The Ears
Usually, when a band changes singers, it's not the best thing in the world. People miss the way the old songs sounded, people want to know why they had to change so much. This is not even close to the case with From Autumn to Ashes. The second I put this album on, I said, "holy... crap. Francis Mark should always have been the singer of this band." His vocals, and his lyrical delivery, managed to take a band I liked to the next level, turning them into a band I love. Who knew? Some people may really be attached to this band's older stuff, but I think this is their best album by far.
09. Chiodos – Bone Palace Ballet
First off, I just have to say that this album, hands down, has the prettiest cover for the year. I love the art so much. And I guess you can sometimes judge an album by its cover, as what is contained within the CD case is just as good. The album runs though diverse styles and just when you think you know where they're going, they switch gears on you. It's not an easy listening, pop it in and relax sort of CD, but it's a carefully crafted collection of songs that alternately rages and almost soothes.
10. Tiger Army - Music From Regions Beyond
11. Blaqk Audio – Cexcells
For ages, AFI fans heard murmurs of this Blaqk Audio, one of the most secretive projects in the history of music. And then, out of nowhere, there was music on the band's MySpace, and a couple of months later, an album. Go figure. Davey and Jade did something nice here. What does it sound like? AFI [lyrically and vocally] with EBM/synthpop beats. It makes me want to put on my club clothes and dance. I am a recovering goth, after all.
12. Dance Gavin Dance – Downtown Battle Mountain
Dueling vocals, clever lyrics, and general insanity. There's nothing to complain about here; great album from a great band who also manages to pull this off live. Of course, they now have a new singer, so who knows what the future holds for these guys?
13. Coheed and Cambria - No World For Tomorrow
You really can't go wrong with Coheed and Cambria. For the album that is meant to end the storyline of Coheed and Cambria, it's surprisingly upbeat. It's also catchier and more accessible than any of their offerings to date. It's a really great album that would probably be higher on the list if it didn't come out the same day as the Say Anything album, which simply overshadowed it in my mind.
14. Metro Station - Metro Station
Last year, I was big on The Bravery. Metro Station is this year's The Bravery. Deep down, I know I won't care about them in a year, and next year, when I look at this list, I'll wonder why they ranked so high. Knowing this is disposable pop, I can't help but love their music, despite it reminding me of the bastard child of Alphaville and The Postal Service. This album makes me happy and makes me dance. Sometimes, that's all you need.
15. Heavens - Patent Pending
Matt Skiba goes goth, and gets away with it. I love The Cure and Joy Division, whose influences are quite apparent on this side project. I love Matt Skiba's vocals and words. As such, I love Heavens. It's just that simple.
16. Arsonists Get All The Girls - The Game of Life
This band is brutal. They're one of the bands I immediately turn to for help when the irritating woman who lives above me, who is also clearly part Frankenstein, starts stomping around and pissing me off. It sends a message, and that message is, "someone is really pissed off at you right now, and the only way she can express it is to play Arsonists Get All The Girls" as loudly as possible." The band also happens to kick a ton of ass, and this band, walking the lines between metal, screamo, and even experimental music rocks the planet to its core. Rest in peace, Pat. You'll be missed.
17. Idlewild - Make A New World
Idlewild is a band I have liked for quite some time. In the summer of 2003, I traveled around a few states to see as many of their shows as possible, because it was something to do. I didn't like their last album; for a band that started off as pop-punk and slowly turned into a folk band, I thought I was done with them. And then they released the rightful successor to 2003's In Remote Part and I remembered why it is that I loved them so much in 2003.
18. We The Kings - We The Kings
See: #14, Metro Station. Same deal.
19. LoveHateHero - White Lies
Great album. Their first offering was good and showed potential, but I kind of listened to it a few times and forgot about this band. That happens sometimes, you know? White Lies, though, is hard to ignore. The album is well constructed, and as much as I hate to use this cliche, it's as if the band has grown by leaps and bounds since Just Breathe. In fact, I like this album enough to dig around in my stacks of CDs and re-visit the first, just to see if I missed out on something brilliant.
20. Ash - Twilight of the Innocents
Ash has been around forever, and while each album has a different sound, this album really takes the band to a new place. After 10 years as a 4-piece, the band returned to their roots as a three-piece and created an album full of perfect Britpop songs. At this point, the band is almost nostalgic for me, because I've been into them for so long, but I will always be captivated by Tim Wheeler's way with words and his voice... oh, his voice. They grow them well in Ireland.
21. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
In one of the earlier articles I wrote for Shoutmouth, when the site launched, I reported the band was in the studio and they claimed this album would "molest you." While I am pleased to be able to say the CD has in no way done anything inappropriate with me, I will say this: the CD is a blistering onslaught of confusing, experimental... hardcore... metal... It definitely rocks, but I'm still not entirely sure what to make of it. If it helps at all, it is one of two CDs on this list my boyfriend approves of [the other being Every Time I Die.]
22. Scars of Tomorrow - The Failure in Drowning
Hands down, my favorite pure metal album of the year.
23. The Brides - Sofa City Sweetheart
This NYC band is so much fun! With multiple singers [including a female singer whose vocals I adore] and just the right balance of guitars and keyboards, this is a band that you may not know about, but you should. Trust me on this; they're going to be huge sooner than later.
24. Thursday - Kill The House Lights
I debated whether or not I should include this. After all, it's mostly live and demo tracks, with a couple of new songs. But then I realized: I love the live and demo tracks, the new single, "Ladies and Gentlemen, My Brother The Failure" is an awesome song, and this album gives me hope that this band will finally get the recognition they deserve after being ignored by their major labels. Plus, it comes with a DVD, and that DVD is one of the best bonus DVDs I have ever seen. There's so much footage on it, it's insane. So while this isn't a 100% brand-new album, that's okay. This still deserves a spot here.
25. Fall Out Boy - Infinity on High
Okay, this album managed to slip in. I don't love it anywhere near as much as the band's earlier albums. People pick on Evening Out With Your Girlfriend, but I'd rather listen to that album than this one. I don't hate it, I just don't like when it goes all R&B on me and I start thinking, "what the hell am I listening to?" That said, songs like "The Take Over, The Break's Over" are excellent. This album may have only made it on because of my ridiculous thing for Pete Wentz, to be honest.
Honorable Mention:
HIM - Venus Doom; Evergreen Terrace - Wolfbiker; Emanuel - Black Earth Tiger; Circa Survive - On Letting Go.
Honorable Mention 2:
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade.
Yes, it was #1 in 2006. But see,I never stopped listening to it. I still listen to it at least 4-5 times a week. And seeing as how it might be my all-time favorite album? I have to give it credit in 2007, as well.
Super-Awesome Single Mention:
Cobra Starship - "Guilty Pleasure. It's too bad the rest of the album hurts my head. But what a great single. I miss Midtown.
I'm... Underwhelmed Mention:
Interpol - Our Love To Admire; The White Stripes - Icky Thump; Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of Poison Trees; Atreyu - Lead Sails Paper Anchor [seriously, what is that?]; The Hives - The Black and White Album.
Well, there you go. I reserve the right to change this list any time between now and 11:59pm on 12/31/07, but I probably won't.
