Best Albums of 2007, So Far

I've been meaning to do this post for about a month now, so here it goes while it's on my mind.

A lot of good albums have already came out this year and these are my top picks, in no particular order:

St. Vincent - Marry Me: I found St. Vincent through a blog, and though I don't remember what blog, I remember the author saying something to the effect of, "In three months everyone will be talking about St. Vincent." Or "listening to," I'm not sure. That statement, combined with the fact that she's part of The Polyphonic Spree and has opened for Sufjan Stevens, got me to listen and I'm very glad I did. It's cute where it needs to be, soulful where it needs to be, and has just the right amount of quirky, while still being some serious indie rock. And while the "everyone" thing hasn't quite happened, she is getting some high praise across the internet.

The Dark Romantics - Some Midnight Kissin': When I was thinking about going to Cornerstone FL I wanted to check out some of the bands that were going to be there that I wasn't already a fan of, The Dark Romantics was one of them. I downloaded this album and the music quickly became one of my biggest motivators in going to Cornerstone. I bought the album there, and a t-shirt, and a button.

My Brightest Diamond - Tear It Down: I don't usually care much for remix albums, but it's My Brightest Diamond! Here, each song from Bring Me The Workhorse is in the hand of a different remixer, and most of them do a great job. This is nothing like the "mixed-up" songs you get on a lot of remix albums, it has awesome beats that make you turn up the volume and roll down the windows. My favorite track is "Freak Out (Gold Chains Panique mix)" which you can imagine being played in a club (not that I would care to actually hear it in a club, because I don't care to go to a club). The only disappointment is that the album kind of mellows out through the second half.

Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home: Dustin Kensrue is the lead singer of Thrice, this is nothing like Thrice. It's acoustic, it's folky, it's bluesy, one thing in common with Thrice is that he sings from his heart. I haven't listened to much Thrice, but I feel safe in saying, from what I've read in articles on him, the lyrics of Please Come Home are more spiritual and personal.

Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster - II: More great hard rock with a southern twist from Maylene. These guys were probably my favorite performance at Cornerstone, they know how to rock. Something else to keep an hear out for is lead singer, Dallas Taylor's instrumental project with long-time friend Patrick Copeland, Everett.

The White Stripes - Icky Thump: (You can tell I'm getting tired of sitting here as the entries are getting shorter, but this is the last so it's all good) What can you say about The White Stripes? You either love them or hate them, or maybe you just don't get them. I love them, and Icky Thump has potential of being my favorite album from them so far.


A few more albums worth checking out from the first half of this year:
Air - Pocket Symphony
Haste The Day - Pressure The Hinges
Björk - Volta
Life In Your Way - Waking Giants

This is, of course, not it, there are still some albums I haven't had the chance to give a good listen yet. Among that list is The Innocence Mission, Rocky Votolato, The Polyphonic Spree, Lovedrug, Ben & Vesper, Kids In The Way, Page France, and a tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer.

Check out my list as it grows on Lists of Bests.