2008 Woodie Awards
Top Music of 2007 - Lawrentian critics weigh in
Alex Schaaf
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
J.B. Sivanich:
1. Caribou, Andorra
A beautifully-constructed album of electronica, indie, psychedelia blended into irresistible energetic pop. Each song is impeccable, but is better as a whole. The most amazing thing is that this was made by one man, Dan Snaith, not to mention how effortless he makes it all sound. Get it.
2. Radiohead, In Rainbows
So maybe the lyrics lacked depth, the tempos were missing youth and there were too many songs with arpeggiated guitar intros making it a clear step down from their last four albums. But by the end, it's apparent why Radiohead is the biggest/best band in the world, and you realize why you've been obsessed with them for the past five years of your life.
3. Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam
If there was a list of the quote unquote "most important" albums of 2007 this would be no. 1 (though it could easily switch around with Caribou and Radiohead on this "Best of" list). Animal Collective is creating some of the most beautiful, experimental and dense music out there right now. Pushing the envelope hasn't sounded this good since Kid A.
4. Liars, Liars
Dropping the concept-album trend of their past two albums, Liars instead decide to focus on the individual song. While the consistency is something to be missed, it works wonderfully: songs like "Protection" and "Sailing to Byzantium" are timeless. Liars is a great band that deserves recognition.
5. Interpol, Our Love to Admire
Many charlatans, like James Eric Prichard, listened to this album and dismissed this as too similar to their past two albums. But the songs were fuller, more detailed and more complex than their past two albums, which have also been incredible. Our Love to Admire is the work of an experienced band who are pushing their sound to the extremes.
6. The Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
This album could be put in the Most Disappointing column, since its main purpose seemed to be to remind listeners how great their debut, Funeral, really was. Neon Bible was the work of a cozy chamber pop band who once wrote about rendezvous' in a snowy neighborhood but then decided to be rock stars on par with Springsteen and Bono. They pull it off on some songs, but the disparity between the songs (the title suggest a religious-concept album but this theme is not present on of the songs) gives this album major flaws. However the strong moments are strong enough to land this song at no. 6.
1. Caribou, Andorra
A beautifully-constructed album of electronica, indie, psychedelia blended into irresistible energetic pop. Each song is impeccable, but is better as a whole. The most amazing thing is that this was made by one man, Dan Snaith, not to mention how effortless he makes it all sound. Get it.
2. Radiohead, In Rainbows
So maybe the lyrics lacked depth, the tempos were missing youth and there were too many songs with arpeggiated guitar intros making it a clear step down from their last four albums. But by the end, it's apparent why Radiohead is the biggest/best band in the world, and you realize why you've been obsessed with them for the past five years of your life.
3. Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam
If there was a list of the quote unquote "most important" albums of 2007 this would be no. 1 (though it could easily switch around with Caribou and Radiohead on this "Best of" list). Animal Collective is creating some of the most beautiful, experimental and dense music out there right now. Pushing the envelope hasn't sounded this good since Kid A.
4. Liars, Liars
Dropping the concept-album trend of their past two albums, Liars instead decide to focus on the individual song. While the consistency is something to be missed, it works wonderfully: songs like "Protection" and "Sailing to Byzantium" are timeless. Liars is a great band that deserves recognition.
5. Interpol, Our Love to Admire
Many charlatans, like James Eric Prichard, listened to this album and dismissed this as too similar to their past two albums. But the songs were fuller, more detailed and more complex than their past two albums, which have also been incredible. Our Love to Admire is the work of an experienced band who are pushing their sound to the extremes.
6. The Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
This album could be put in the Most Disappointing column, since its main purpose seemed to be to remind listeners how great their debut, Funeral, really was. Neon Bible was the work of a cozy chamber pop band who once wrote about rendezvous' in a snowy neighborhood but then decided to be rock stars on par with Springsteen and Bono. They pull it off on some songs, but the disparity between the songs (the title suggest a religious-concept album but this theme is not present on of the songs) gives this album major flaws. However the strong moments are strong enough to land this song at no. 6.
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