In 2007, indie bands like Arcade Fire and Rilo Kiley hit the Billboard charts with unforeseen spunk, and Kanye West and 50 Cent engaged in an anti-climactic rap battle. Rihanna became nauseatingly famous for singing about umbrellas and Amy Winehouse wouldn't shut up about rehab. To top it all off, the Spice Girls spiced up our world with their reunion tour. Last year was an unforgettable year in music, and there is no better way to commemorate it than with a Top 10 filled with an admittedly dubious mix of the most memorable train wrecks, masterpieces and underappreciated gems of 2007.
10. Eisley - "Combinations"
Eisley was the ultimate diamond in the sometimes very rough, musical ruff of 2007. Since the release of their 2005 debut "Room Noises," the Texan-born band - all five of its members stemming from the DuPree family tree - have patented making eerie melodies, sung by gangly, vintage doll-like girls, sound ultra-chic and effortlessly cool. It is precisely the Dupree sisters' delicate vocals that make Eisley's guitar-driven indie-pop both effervescent with sound and beautiful in composition. Eisley is the band equivalent to a Catholic schoolgirl - innocent, but filled with dirty secrets.
9. Britney Spears - "Blackout"
After the year that Britney
Spears had, it is unclear whether the word "blackout" should be used as a noun or a verb to explain how the general population assumes she spent much of her year. That is, when she wasn't shaving her head, forgetting her underwear or attacking SUVs with umbrellas. Miraculously, Brit found time to hop into the studio and record a surprisingly coherent album, filled with up-tempo, techno-club worthy jams and synth-mutilated vocals. She can no longer sing, dance, or as far as anyone can tell, see straight anymore, but in "Blackout," fans will see a glimpse of the Britney this world once knew and loved. She's Britney, bitch, and maybe, one day, she'll stay sober enough to make a real comeback.
8. Patrick Park - "Everyone's in Everyone"
With a title more fitting for a porno-flick than a folk album, Patrick Park's "Everyone's in Everyone" was the album every coffee-and-cigarette addicted bohemian living in Los Angeles got excited about. Park is the pretty-boy version of a folk artist with the gravelly voice of a fallen angel and the lyrics of someone who rivals Bright Eye's Conor Oberst for male singer most in need of psychotherapy. Park is likely to sink his listeners into a depression-induced coma, but he always makes sure to provide airy, acoustic guitar-plucked melodies to accompany the doom.
7. Gallows - "Orchestra of Wolves"
In a year where Nickelback and Rihanna ruled, Gallows was a giant burst of in-your-face, hardcore-punk air. Covered in tattoos and equipped with nothing but their instruments and devilishly sexy growls, these five U.K.-punks spent last year putting on the most exciting and at times, brutal live shows around. Their U.S.-debut "Orchestra of Wolves," is gaining mass critical acclaim, probably because it audibly pulverizes every punk album that dared to come out in 2007, and the year before that, and the year before that … well, you get the point. And let's just state the obvious - British accents are serious panty-droppers. There is no other way to say it: Gallows is bloody awesome.
6. Mayday Parade - "A Lesson in Romantics"
This band isn't familiar yet - but it will be. Mayday Parade's debut, filled with unabashed emo-ballads and uncharacteristically poignant lyrics made frat boys cry and punk chicks swoon. "Miserable At Best," with the lyrics, "I could live without you/But without you I'd be miserable at best," had bitter couples back to spooning in no time. After spending the summer on Warped Tour and rocking out with Paramore, Mayday Parade is on the road to success. Watch out, Fall Out Boy, there are five new emo-rockers ready to take over your scene.
5. Animal Collective - "Strawberry Jam"
The music created by this New York experimental band is radically different from that of any other artist of 2007, and that isn't saying much, considering "Strawberry Jam" is also radically different from any other Animal Collective album, as well. This time around, the Collective focused more heavily on electronics, making delicious pop songs about dinosaurs ("Peacebone") and wanting to get stoned and walk around in the rain ("Chores"). Some haters may consider this band juvenile, but admirers deem it brilliant. Plain and simple: "Strawberry Jam" is a super good pop album.
4. Iron and Wine - "The Shepherd's Dog"
Indie-folkies, rejoice! After three years since his last LP, Sam Beam aka Iron and Wine released his best album to date. "The Shepherd's Dog" showers listeners with a wall of acoustic sound, mixing instruments and musical genres to create sounds that are both haunting and truly one-of-a-kind. Beam uses everything from an acoustic bass and an off-key piano ("Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car") to Congo drums and a sitar ("White Tooth Man"), making each track come alive with eclectic charm. If the only reason Iron and Wine's name is ringing a bell is because of its cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights," then it is time to seriously educate yourself on all things Beam.
3. Tegan and Sara - "The Con"
Although this duo made more headlines for being Canadian, lesbians and sisters than for being kick-butt indie-rockers, that far from discredits their talent. Filled with unjaded rock songs about failed romance, insecurity and nostalgia for things too good or painful to forget, "The Con" is Tegan and Sara's strongest album. Esoteric in lyrical content yet dynamic in sound and pop hooks, it is accessible for commercial audiences to embrace. Tegan and Sara told their listeners, "I just want back in your head" and with lines like that, they are.
2. Paramore - "Riot!"
Dude, you have a Hayley Williams poster on your wall? Don't be ashamed. Paramore took the music world by storm with their infectious brand of ultra-pop punk. Although "Riot!" undeniably rocks, it is obvious that the band's success is ultimately due to their feisty, fire-dyed front-woman. The first single, "Misery Business," got major Top 40-radio airplay and its follow-up, "crushcrushcrush" is earning similar praise. If you don't already, 2008 will be your year to have a major crush crush crush on Paramore.
1. Radiohead - "In Rainbows"
It seems almost uncanny that 2007's best album was downloaded by thousands of fans for less than a pack of Trident gum. Radiohead, the purveyors of all things anti-corporate, freaked out the music world by making their latest LP obtainable exclusively from a website. This act was just so totally rock 'n' roll, until the band decided to make some real money - "In Rainbows" is now available on iTunes for the full 10 bucks. But the album's opener alone makes it worth the extra cash. Thom Yorke turns out stunners like "15 Step," set to elegantly dance with the beat of your heart and the debilitatingly seductive "Nude," with the casual genius of a true rock icon. "In Rainbows" is no "Ok Computer" - it's better.
