I'll play since no one else has so far.
Here's my top 10 albums of 2007:
1. Mark Olson – The Salvation Blues
Easily my fave this year. Beautiful, honest and heartbreaking. It's arguably the best thing that Olson has ever done, certainly since he left The Jayhawks and his voice has never sounded so vulnerable or lovely
2. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
There's a lot of hatin' on this album, but, while it's not as instant as Summerteeth or progressive as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, or experimental as A Ghost Is Born, given a chance it has a lot to love, especially Impossible Germany and Side With The Seeds. I <3 Jeff Tweedy. I still get a kick out of hearing him sing about housework on Hate It Here
3. Dr. Dog – We All Belong
Very retro-sounding, Beach Boys-influenced swirling pop psychedelia. I love it because it sounds like a lost classic full of great pop tunes.
4. The New Pornographers – Challengers
On first listen it lacks the power pop punch of Twin Cinema but IMO it's their best effort yet. It's pretty hard to go wrong with the AC Newman/Dan Bejar/Neko Case triple threat though.
5. Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Like Love Lust & The Open Halls Of The Soul
When first I saw Jesse Sykes and her band live earlier this year I couldn't understand why this woman isn't better known. She looks like a cross between Emmylou Harris and Ali MacGraw, has a smoky, unique and awesomely sinister voice, and her songs are gorgeous, atmospheric country noir with a real Neil Young sensibility. I just love her.
6. Elvis Perkins – Ash Wednesday
The son of Anthony Perkins, Elvis is just an incredible singer-songwriter with songs that creep up on you and break your heart.
7. The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
They're very under the radar but this Alabama band have made one of the best, most anthemic Americana album of the year.
8. Dinosaur Jr – Beyond
Why can't all comeback albums be like this? Beyond, I think, sounds like it could have been released back in the band's prime. They are still incredible live too, I didn't realise it but I really missed J Mascis' ear-bleeding guitar solos
9. Radiohead – In Rainbows
The best thing they're done since Kid A. Awesome.
10. Battles - Mirrored
Just brilliantly weird, perfectly played post-rock.
And my top 10 gigs:
1. Wilco, Vicar St, Dublin (Nov 14)
2. Daniel Johnston, Union Chapel, London (July 12)
3. Joanna Newsom, Royal Albert Hall, London (Sept 28)
4. The Hold Steady, Hoxton Bar & Grill, London (Feb 15)
5. The New Pornographers, 93 Feet East, London (June 20)
6. Sonic Youth performing Daydream Nation, Roundhouse, London (August 31)
7. Marah, Islingston Academy, London (Nov 28)
8. Wilco, Shepherd's Bush Empire, London (May 21)
9. Prince, O2, London (August 28)
10. Soulsavers with Mark Lanegan, Bush Hall (July 17)
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