You favourite albums of 2007 so far

[trackaghost]

Well six months of 2007 have gone and there's already been some amazing music released so far this year. Any faves or disappointments?

Here's my faves so far:

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

Soulsavers - It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land


This album took me aback when I first heard it: gospel, soul, rock and dance music, all sung with incredible passion by Mark Lanegan at his smoky-voiced, world-weary best. I think his version of Spiritual challenges Johnny Cash's as the best interpretation of that song

The White Stripes - Icky Thump


I have to admit I had gone off the Stripes a little, I didn't think Elephant was the masterpiece everyone claimed it was, and Get Behind Me Satan was cute but didn't compel repeated listens. Icky Thump though is a surprise, it's fun and diverse (bagpipes, flamenco guitars and trumpets!) and loud! I love Jack and Meg turning all Steptoe And Son in Rag And Bone - hilarious and damn catchy too!

The New Pornographers - Challengers


This isn't out yet, but if you pre-order you get to hear a stream of the album. 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.

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

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Like Love Lust & The Open Halls Of The Soul


When 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.

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

Also awesome:
Son Volt - The Search
Feist - The Reminder
Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
Brandi Carlisle - The Story
Charlotte Hatherley - Deep Blue Sea
Dr Dog - We All Belong
Patti Smith - Twelve
The National - Boxer
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Disappointments:
Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Lucinda Williams - West