Quadb's Completely Arrogant and Pretentious Top 20 CD's of 2007

It was a much bigger challenge to choose a top 25 this year as opposed to last year due to the simple fact that 2007 was a really good year for music. Once again, as I look at other lists I'm discouraged by the fact that there is an awful lot of music that I had never gotten around to listening to. However, based on the fact that everyone else is doing it and I desperately want to look cool, here is my year end top 25:

1. Stage Names - Okkervil River (Review)

For me this was a pretty obvious choice. A great punch in the face of an opener, the three set of "Savannah Smiles," "Plus Ones" and "A Girl In Port" being possibly the greatest sequencing of the year and the anthemic album closer make this an absolute shoe-in, as far as I'm concerned. People say this is not as good as Black Sheep Boy but I highly disagree. This is a completely different release that is incomparable.

Life Is Not A Movie Of Maybe

2. Goodbye Doris - Fox Jaws


Best local album of the year and probably my most played. Completely infectious and deliciously hooky.

Karmonica
Quarantine Girl

3. Boxer - The National

This was originally going to be my pick for overrated CD of the year but, what can I say, I was wrong. The most critically acclaimed pick of the year and rightfully so.

Fake Empire

4. Neptune City - Nicole Atkins

I've only recently gotten acquainted with this one so putting it at number 4 might be kind of risky but her voice is like a sweet shot of high quality whiskey.

Party's Over

5. Icky Thump - White Stripes (Review)

Just when I thought I was over them, they come back and release the greatest album of their career. Simply put, this rocks!

Conquest

6. Marry Me - St. Vincent
A perfect mix of the bizarre and the beautiful.

Now Now

7. Oh My Darling - Basia Bulat


She's just so gosh-darned adorable and her music is incredibly prolific.

Snakes and Ladders

8. The Reminder - Feist (Review)


Admittedly I'm a little Feist-ed out but a great album is still a great album, even if I don't really ever have to hear it again.

9. Jetplanes of Abraham - Jetplanes of Abraham (Review)

This is the most overlooked pick on my list but I truly have a feeling that we'll be hearing a lot about these guys in the year or two to come.

Tunnels/Terminals

10. Once: Music From The Motion Picture - Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová

Just an incredibly moving and sincere collection of songs.

11. I Can't Go On, I'll Go On - The Broken West (Review)

12. 5:55 - Charlotte Gainsbourgh (Review)


13. Everything I've Forgotten To Forget - Amos The Transparent (Review)

Another underrated classic.

14. Loney, Noir - Loney, Dear

"I Am John" is easily my favorite song of the year.

15. In Our Bedroom After The War - Stars (Review)

Originally I gave this kind of a mediocre review but it's grown on me.

16. Back Numbers - Dean and Britta (Review)


17. Sunset Notes - Michio Kurihara (Review)


18. Chrome Dreams II - Neil Young

His most scattered release in a long long time. but also his most enjoyable.

19. Beyond - Dinosaur Jr. (Review)

Classic lineup. Classic sound.

20. The Search - Son Volt (Review)Further proof that Mr. Farrar can do no wrong.

And because this was such a good year for music, rounding out the top 40 are:

21. The Sweetheart Deal - Katy Mae
22. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon
23. In Rainbows - Radiohead
24. Night Falls Over Kortedala - Jens Lekman
25. Friend Opportunity - Deerhoof
26. Spirit If... - Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew
27. Easy Tiger - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
28. I'm Ok, You're OK - Jason Falkner
29. Ash Wenesday - Elvis Perkins
30. Saltbreakers - Laura Veirs
31. Friend And Foe - Menomena
32. Lady's Bridge - Richard Hawley
33. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco
34. 101 Tambourines - The Dilettantes
35. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
36. Robbers And Cowards - Cold War Kids
37. New Magnetic Wonder- Apples In Stereo
38. Are The Dark Horse - The Besnard Lakes
39. You, You're A History In Rust - Do Make Say Think
40. National Anthem Of Nowhere - Apostle Of Hustle