The Essential Albums of 2007 (part one)

THE DIFFICULT SECOND ALBUM - Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
With the shadow of 2005's critically acclaimed debut looming large, the growing anticipation of this release was matched only by its potential for disappointment. Thankfully, this was not to be. Darker and not as immediately accessible as its predecessor, repeated plays revealed Neon Bible to be a magnificent record. Bigger, grander and brimming with ideas, it transformed Arcade Fire into an arena band without compromising their vision or diluting any of their heart or soul.

THE FRENCH ALBUM - The Flying Club Cup by Beirut
Relocating to France, Beirut's Zach Condon soaked up the romanticism of his surroundings and poured it into these twelve delightful tracks. Snippets of dialogue, waltzing accordions and polka rhythms mixed seamlessly with the East European folk that made the debut album such a joy. But where the songs on Gulag Orkestar occasionally blurred into one, each song here has stands out on it's own identity. Gently moving to it's own melancholic beat, The Flying Club Cup is a beautifully evocative snapshot of the past brought to life in the modern age.

THE ALIENATED YOUTH ALBUM - A Weekend In The City by Bloc Party
First released back in February, A Weekend In The City was the first essential album of the year. Another great second album, this saw Bloc Party taking giant strides in both sound and subject matter. Tackling the war on terror, paranoia, disillusionment and alienation, this was the sound of a band taking on the modern age on their own terms. Stretching themselves beyond the post punk tag they'd been stuck with, Bloc Party mixed post punk with elements of dance and electronica to exhilarating effect. But while they started on a high, Bloc Party's year finished on a low with 'Flux', a sure contender for worst single of the year

THE GROWN UP ALBUM - Cassadaga by Bright Eyes
2007 was the year that Bright Eyes truly came of age and produced Cassadaga. A more polished, restrained and mature affair than previous records, yet never as dull as that might suggest. Mixing country with soul with gospel with folk, Conor balances them all in harmony, creating a fully rounded work. True, it may be overlong in length but in terms of quality, it stands just short of his best.

THE POSTHUMOUS ALBUM - New Moon by Elliott Smith
A two cd collection of offcuts, demos and rare tracks, New Moon is a wonderful testament to a great talent. Taken mainly from the early period of his career, most of the 24 tracks see Elliott hushed and alone with his acoustic. While many of the tracks may only be sketches of what he wanted them to be, New Moon still manages to be Elliott Smith at his best. Simple, elegant and heartbreaking.

THE EXPERIMENTAL ROCK ALBUM - Ditherer by Fog
On the surface, Fog's fourth album appears to be a straightforward three piece rock album. Guitars? Check. Drums? Check. Bass? Check. All present and correct. But Fog take these traditional elements skew them to delightful effect. Structures are messed with. Songs rarely finishing where they start. Styles are experimented with a complete disregard for the listener’s expectations. Wrong footing you each time. But rather than being off putting or annoying, it’s intriguing as sounds and styles meld together. Noise rock mixes with spaced out prog which mixes with alt rock. Not only one of the years essential albums but also one of the most interesting.

Arcade Fire - neon bible (live on the culture show)

Beirut - the penalty

Bloc Party - I still remember (live acoustic version)

Bright Eyes - I must belong somewhere (live acoustic session version)

Elliott Smith - whatever (folk song in c)

Fog - the last I knew of you

mp3 / music / albums of 2007 / arcade fire / beirut / bloc party / bright eyes / elliott smith / fog