Hello Brooklyn, Its the Songs of the Year

I suck this week - Being on holiday is just too much fun...

Heres my favorite songs from 2007 in no particular order. I elaborated on my choices for some, but for the rest I recommend listening to the amazingness if you haven't already had the opportunity. I've provided download links for most, but for some their format is unsupportable (i.e. AAC Protected). I try not to buy from the evil itunes and instead support my local music store - Easy Street! - but sometimes my patriotic sense of laziness leads me to choose convenience over anything else. As for these songs, they truly defined my year - one I'm keen to appreciate, but also to say goodbye to. Hallelujah 2008!

1. Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
Timelessly gorgeous. These are the words I want to hear at my wedding. Having Ben B dressed in a tux and crooning them to me on the day wouldn't suck either.
Read the album review
Download the mp3

2. Radiohead - Videotape
The most tragically beautiful song of the year. If I wasn't making a conscious effort not to repeat myself I would have included other In Rainbows favorites on this list, however "Videotape" is hands down the standout track on this album.
Download the mp3

3. The Virgins - One Week of Danger
No other band has me more excited over a 5 song EP; I cannot wait until these New York-based hotties make me swoon over their first full-length release. This song reminds me that rock can be sexy, not slutty - somehow these fellas make taking my clothes off the most intriguing proposition I've had all year.
Download the mp3

4. Animal Collective - Peacebone
This song gets the award for most obessively coveted recording. I think I put this sucker on repeat for about an hour and a half while finishing a paper in the computer lab, never getting tired of its crazy reverbirating electronica or ridiculous lyrics. Truly original and addictive.
Read the album review
Download the mp3

5. Jay-Z (ft. Lil Wayne) - Hello Brooklyn

I can't say anything more about this amazing album than I already have - People will start to think I'm trying to get with Beyonce's man. And we all know what happens when B's pissed - you get kicked out a band and start working at KFC.
Download the mp3

6. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
I love this chick - shes got balls for sure. She has the courage to speak up about a lot of issues most rappers are too scared to pursue. Screw everyone who thought this video sucked; she chose not to sacrifice American tour dates (only taking one day off) to shoot the thing. Obviously she cares about her music, and her fans.
Download the mp3

7. Bright Eyes - Four Winds
Download the mp3

8. Afrikan Boy - One Day I Went to Lidl
Another aritist without enough material out there to appreciate. He only has two songs that I know of, unless you include his collaborations with artists like M.I.A. This is the best dance song about shoplifting I've ever heard.
Download the mp3

9. Bloc Party - Flux
Proof a re-release can actually IMPROVE an album (cough... Justin Timberlake).
Download the mp3

10. Jamie T - If You Got the Money
Download the mp3

11. Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Download the mp3

12. !!! - Heart of Hearts
Download the mp3

13. The Blakes - Don't Bother Me
The best thing to come out of the Seattle area since.... well theres a lot of amazing artisits to come out of the Sea-town. F bias, thats the truth.
Download the mp3

14. Gabriel Teodros - No Label (Esma Remix)
Download the mp3

15. Feist - 1234
Need I say anything? I'm almost annoyed with this song its so good...
Download this mp3

16. The Bravery - Believe
Such an amazing track from a band that keeps impressing me.
Download the mp3

17. Yea Big and Kid Static - Duck Mother F*ckers
It may be short, but this song has more quality stylings then most recordings twice its length. Reminds me of Tim Fite!
Read the commentary
Download the mp3

18. Lily Allen - Knock 'em Out
Download the mp3

19. Snow Patrol - I Am an Astronaut
The best children's song for adults ever.
Download the mp3

20. Digitalism - Idealistic
If Justice is the new Daft Punk, then Digitalism is the new Justice.
Download the mp3

21. Seabear - I Sing I Swim
Download the mp3

22. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
One of a slew of standout tracks from my number one album of the year!
Download the mp3

23. Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running
Download the mp3

24. Wu Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps
Read the Album Review
Download the mp3

25. The Go! Team - Grip Like a Vice
Download the mp3

26. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
Download the mp3

27. Queens of the Stone Age - Make it Wit Chu
Download the mp3

28. Wilco - Impossible Germany
Download the mp3

29. The Cribs - Girls Like Mystery
Download the mp3

30. The Apples in Stereo - Energy
Download the mp3

31. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
Download the mp3

32. Kanye West - Stronger

33. Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Download the mp3

34. Placebo ft. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (2007 Digital Remaster)
Download the mp3

35. Daft Punk - Around the World/Harder Better Faster Stronger (Alive 2007)
Download the mp3

36. Tokyo Police Club - Be Good
Download the mp3

37. Beirut - Nantes
Download the mp3

38. Peter Bjorn & John - Let's Call it Off
Download the mp3

39. The Secret Handshake - Summer of '98
Download the mp3

40. Coconut Records - West Coast
Download the mp3

41. Blue Scholars - Fire for the People
Download the mp3

42. Via Audio - Presents
Download the mp3

43. Air - Photograph
Download the mp3

44. Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click
Download the mp3

45. The National - Start a War
Download the mp3

46. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent
Download the mp3

47. The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbor
Download the mp3

48. Maximo Park - A Fortnight's Time
Download the mp3

49. Maritime - The Guns of Navarone
Download the mp3

50. Battles - Lyendecker
One of the greates suprise albums of the year. Experimental rock at its best.
Download the mp3

51. The White Stripes - Rag and Bone
Hilarious and genius. Only Jack White...
Download the mp3

52. Mavis Staples - Down in Mississippi
Download the mp3

53. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Download the mp3

54. Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica
Download the mp3

55. The Shins - Australia
Download the mp3

56. Tim Fite - Camoflage
Download the mp3
Download Tim's CD free from his website

57. Dropkick Murphys - The State of Massachusetts
Download the mp3

58. Shout Out Louds -Normandie
Download the mp3

59. The Weakerthans - Night Windows
Download the mp3

60. Of Montreal - Gronlandic Edit
Love Love Love.
Download the mp3

61. Rocky Votolato - Before You Were Born
Download the mp3

62. Pinback - How We Breathe
Download the mp3

63. Regina Spektor - Real Love
A bright spot on this complilation album - one that I think suffered from poor artist selection and production. I know Instant Karma was for charity (and I bought it), but I think they could have done a lot more justice to John Lennon's legacy. For instance, maybe not having Avril Lavigne sing the erethreal "Imagine." This rendition of "Real Love" however, is entirely too beautiful. It hurts.

64. Iron and Wine - Innocent Bones
Download the mp3

65. The Frames - Falling Slowly
See the movie Once - It's amazing. The soundtrack is stunning.

66. Common - Break My Heart
Download the mp3

67. Pharoahe Monch - Body Baby
Download the mp3

68. The Perishers - Come Out of the Shade
Download the mp3

69. Little Dragon - Constant Surprises
Download the mp3

70. Lupe Fiasco - Dumb it Down

71. Architecture in Helsinki - Heart it Races
Download the mp3

72. Travis - Closer
Download the mp3

73. Rihanna - Umbrella
Download the Marie Digby Cover
Download the Scott Simons Cover

74. Talib Kweli - Hostile Gospel Pt. 1 (Deliver Us)

75. Ryan Shaw - We Got Love
Download the mp3

76. Tegan and Sara - Back in Your Head
Download the mp3

Audiogasms 2007: The Countdown Part Tre (The Top 11)

Procrastination is a disease okay - check it out in the DSM...

11. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (And Get Nice Bonus Disc)
Release Date:












Why You Care: There are not that many things I love about Texas. Even the Real World Austin was on my shit list. But I do love me some Britt Daniel - especially since he decided the Northwest was the bomb-dot-com place to live, moving to Portland in 2006. Like Kill the Moonlight and Gimmie Fiction before it, Spoon's 2007 release was received with open arms by fans and critics alike. Every track on this record is excellent, and thoroughly enjoyable. One of my favorite records to listen to in a social atmosphere because I know I won't have to mess with my stereo dials; I can rock this one all the way through. Still trying to figure out whether ga ga ga ga ga is a reference to a chord progression or some simplistic joke the guys cooked up for us. Either way I love this album - a genuine delight.

Spoon - The Underdog

Spoon - Don't Make Me a Target

10. Mavis Staples - We'll Never Turn Back
Release Date:













Why You Care: Sometimes I wish I grew up in the most amazing decade for music - the 1960s. My mom's first concert back then was The Beatles, my dad's was at the Hollywood Bowl - The Beach Boys, The Lovin' Spoonful and a man he though would certainly fail in the music industry, Neil Diamond. Constrastingly my first concert was Pearl Jam at Bumbershoot. A great experience to be sure, but Eddie Vedder isn't the same as John Lennon. "Daughter" can't touch "Can't Buy Me Love" or "No Reply" live. The Staple Singers were one group that makes me want to rev up the time machine again; their soulful r&b music took gospel music mainstream. The family group's lyrics touched upon the tribulations of African-Americans in this tumultuous era, and more significantly, offered an optimistic outlook for social change, and for unity. When Mavis Staples decided to rerecord several of these classics on We'll Never Turn Back, the result couldn't have been more powerful or well-timed. Although the Civil Rights Movement is past, there are still several inequalities faced by minorities in our society; prejudice is very much alive and prevalent. The material is timeless; transcending eras in both content and beauty.

Mavis Staples - We Shall Not Be Moved

9. Battles - Mirrored
Release Date:













Why You Care: There is nothing out there quite like Battles - essentially instrumental, experimental rock at its best. I recently picked up an LP of Mirrored in the interest of hearing great tracks like "Leyendecker" and "Atlas" on vinyl; I remain in awe of Mirrored's ability to confuse and captivate at the same time. Although most critics may not have included this record in their top ten, I had to considered the amount of fascination I felt with this release. Each time I flip on "Race: In" I fall into some auditory trance, reemerging some time later to the finals beats of "Race: Out." A truly unique masterpiece.

Battles - Atlas

Battles - Tonto

8. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
Release Date:













The Shins - Sleeping Lessons

7. The National - Boxer
Release Date:













The National - Start a War

6. Via Audio - Presents
Release Date:













Via Audio - Harder on Me

5. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Release Date:













Why You Care: Probably one of my most consistently played albums this year - mainly because I am obsessed with anything Ben Bridwell does or touches. He has this insane ability to strip away everything extraneous, entrancing the listener completely, making you feel as if each song is written for or about you alone. Ben has untraditionally poignant vocals that tug at your heartstring; his lyrics poetically cloud your thoughts. Another album I had to pick up on vinyl as well as cd, because its simply too beautiful to miss in any format. I love records that make me feel uncomfortable as well as euphoric - in tune with world as well as apart from it, and Cease to Begin is nothing short of miraculous in this respect.

Band of Horses - The General Specific

Band of Horses - Marry Song

4. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Release Date: September 11 (Domino Recording Co.)













Why You Care: What can I say about this record that hasn't already been said? Its unlike anything you've ever heard or will hear - even from the band itself. It is the most accessible of AC's efforts, and yet refuses to capitulate any of the artistic integrity/creativity that has made their fans clamour for more. "Peacebone" was hands down the greatest experimental track of the year - I couldn't stop replaying it. Despite incredible internet leaks of this album, the band remained relatively unphased. They simply wanted their fans to enjoy the album by listening to it all the way through, from start to finish as intended. Talk about artistic dedication. You can tell AC makes music for the people, not for the monetary rewards. Music is not a job opportunity to them - its a way of life.

Animal Collective - Fireworks

Animal Collective - Number 1

3. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Release Date:













Why You Care: New, self-released, Radiohead. Need I say more? The genius that is Thom Yorke, I would carry you around in my pocket if I could, just to break out those incredible vocals at parties and soirees. As I expressed earlier this year in my In Rainbows review, this album is by far the band's most beautiful release. That is to say it is the calmest, most melodic effort made on behalf of Radiohead, whose trademark sound usually revolves around haunting instrumentation and eerie, almost incomprehensible lyrics. Thats not to say In Rainbows isn't filled with these signatures, but there are a few delightfully unexpected differences in this recording. If you need proof listen to Weird Fishes/Arpeggi - one of Thom's most genuine love songs in, well.... ever. Also, KEXP listener's number one album of the year. (If you need even more convincing).

Radiohead - All I Need

Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

2. M.I.A. - Kala
Release Date:












Why You Care:

Lyrics like this --->

Men are like pearls / They look good with my curls / I string em to get the best necklace in the world
In the state of the world / All women wanna lay / But it's man's world so keep him at bay
You can f*ck a man, mack a man / Tell 'em that you're gay
Tell him real love ain't on BET
Sex is so cheap, I get it at KFC
When its meaningless, why they do R&B?

Beats like this ---->

M.I.A. - Big Branch

M.I.A. - Bird Flu

Most politically/socially charged dance album [a very difficult combination to execute] this year. The reigning queen of world hip-hop. More albums need to be made like this.

1. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Release Date:

Audiogasms 2007: The Album Countdown Part Due (31-12)

No Monday Mixtape. And no fancy intro this time. Just the continuation of the countdown in its purified form.

Note - Missing information and/or links will be added with the top eleven post.

32. Interpol - Our Love to Admire
Release Date: July 10 (Capitol)












31. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Release Date: April 24 (Domino/Warner Bros)












30. !!! - Myth Takes
Release Date: March 5 (Warp)












29. Kanye West - Graduation
Release Date: September 11 (Roc-a-Fella)












28. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
Release Date: September 11 (Touch and Go)












27. Art Brut - It's a Bit Complicated
Release Date: June 19 (Downtown)












26. Low - Drums and Guns
Release Date: March 20 (Sub Pop)













25. Jay-Z - American Gangster
Release Date:












24. Iron and Wine - Shepherd's Dog
Release Date: September 25 (Sub Pop)













23. Gabriel Teodros - Lovework
Release Date: February 27 (MASSline)












Why You Care: Gabriel came to Bumbershoot this year, and even though school prevented me from going, word was he rocked it. I only just discovered him this year, and what a great album to introduce his musical efforts. Although hes been around for years as a producer and collaborator, solo stuff is limited. His beats are infectious, and his rhymes perfectly compliment his commentary. Rapid fire, and yet relaxed. Passively agressively in your face; smooth enough to creep into your conscious before you have a chance to notice.

Gabriel Teodros - No Label (Esma Remix)

22. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Release Date: March 20 (Paw)












Why You Care: Because Animal Collective might make a further appearance on this countdown, and Noah Lennox is an integral contributer to the group's high placement. Panda Bear combines all the greatness of sixties boy-band, take-home-to-your-mama groove (Smile Brian Wilson, you'd be proud) with a healthy dose of the electronic manipulation Lennox knows best. If I continue describing, I won't do the effort justice. It's beyond literal explanation. Just listen.

21. The Apples in Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder
Release Date: February 6 (Yep Roc)












20. Tim Fite - Over the Counterculture
Release Date: (Self-Released, available free on his website)









19. Blonde Redhead - 23
Release Date: April 10 (4AD)













18. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block
Release Date: February 20 (V2/Almost Gold)












Why You Care: (Whistling) Need I not speak more?

Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks

17. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Release Date: March 20 (Sony BMG)












16. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Release Date: January 23 (Polyvinyl)













15. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
Release Date: September 4 (Ba Da Bing!)












14. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
Release Date: September 18 (Frenchkiss)













13. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
Release Date: June 6 (Third Man/Warner Bros)












12. The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs. Whatever
Release Date: May 21 (Warner Bros)

Audiogasms 2007: The Album Countdown Part Uno (55-32)

So the 2007 countdown has finally been solidified. And only what, 2 days late? That sounds about right. Pop quiz: What is the only personal item Lydia essentially needed to bring home from school for the holidays, and in a stroke of usual brilliance, forgot? I'll give you a hint: Girls use it to check Facebook four times a day and guys use it to look at porn (Watch the opening of Superbad if you want to dispute the latter claim). That's right, my laptop! Needless to say hysterics ensued.

This is the most hysterical picture I could find.

23 hours into this 'Code Red' crisis and I assumed the fetal position. I was suffering from uncontrollable music withdrawal spasms and intermittently proceeded to repeat random Disney lyrics. Apparently my music addiction diagnosis is extremely rare; There are less than two documented cases in history. When sanity finally crept back in, I realized I already had the solution to my problem: A little program called EphPod that makes music lovers swoon. I'm ecstatic that the sacrifice of my first born child was not necessary, although I was nearing such a level of desperation.

See, it was touch and go there for awhile - I thought I might end up on some street corner jonesing for a Clash fix, and being too strung out to properly beg for change to purchase a used copy of London Calling. A sad possibility indeed. But the music Gods prevailed and here I am rocking out to Rudie Can't Fail, with only a few worry lines to show for the whole debacle.

Down to the important business. "I know what you're trying to say, you're trying to say its time for business, its business time." My top musical selections for this year, also known as Audiogasms 2007, follow. I've painfully narrowed down the Top Albums list to 55 - so sue me. And the supplemental Top Songs list settled in somewhere around 75. This is less than Rolling Stone and Pitchfork believe it or not. In the next three days till Christmas I'm going to give you an awkwardly-portioned daily serving of my album countdown - 23, 21, then 11 records respectively. Also in the three days preceding New Years, I'm going to be posting my Top Songs list - 25, 25, 25 daily, so you'll have some good tunes to make and break your resolutions to. For variety's sake I will try not to post songs from the Top Song list in the album countdown - there are several favorite tunes from these albums which I'll obviously be posting later.

Disclaimer: Both lists are entirely that of my own creation. Albums were chosen based on pure entertainment value, that is, how much fun and/or playtime I was able to get out of each one. Critical acclaim was surely an influence, but not a deal breaker. Thus if you have an objection, suck on it. I have no professional obligation, or more importantly, liability. So pending some further sign of the apocalypse, spin away list of mine...

55. Bishop Allen - The Broken String
Release Date: July 24 (Dead Oceans)












Why You Care: Not as great as they're breakout hit Charm School, but still filled with sugary pop anthems, enough to brigten anyone's day. Click, Click, Click, Click has over 40 plays on my itunes.

Bishop Allen - Like Castanets

54. Maritime - Heresy and the Hotel Choir
Release Date: October 17 (Flameshovel Records)












Why You Care: Maritime is the best thing to come out of Milwaukee since German beer and sausages. Their previous 2006 release, We, the Vehicles had critics spinning, and their indie/rock/pop blend is back in full force on this newest record.

Maritime - For Science Fiction

53. Blue Scholars - Bayani
Release Date: June 12 (Blue Scholars, LLC)












Why You Care: DJ Sabzi and MC Geologic get me every time with their quick-witted rhymes and politically or socially relevant lyrics. There is no time wasted on the enumeration of property, wealth, or hoes, just clever lyricism at its best.

Blue Scholars - Still Got Love

52. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
Release Date: September 25 (Imperial Recordings)












Why You Care: If you're finally ready to move past listening to "Heartbeats" - the song that's been all over the flippin place, then In Our Nature is an excellent place to start. Of course you should pick up a copy of Veneer for good measure, but the Swedish indie one-man show brings his uniquely heartfelt guitar playing, poetic musings on love and loss, and his so-good-its-almost-creepy croon to both releases.

Jose Gonzalez - Teardrop (Massive Attack Cover)

51. Kevin Drew - Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew Spirit If...
Release Date: July 24 (Arts & Crafts)











Why You Care: If you love Broken Social Scene you know how much K Drew rocks. His vocals are even more powerfully haunting on this record. Bring a sweater and be prepared for chills.

Kevin Drew - Backed Out on the...

50. The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Release Date: September 11 (Sub Pop Records)












Why You Care: Theres not much i can say about this album other than its got musical grip like a vice. It grabs on and doesn't let go for 11 straight tracks (14 if you buy it from itunes) of pop-punk goodness. From first listen i was hooked on the sugary beats and feel good attitude of this record. If you're allergic to good times (this condition is both real and annoying) stay clear of Proof of Youth. Warning: It really will make you feel more youthful; after once through i was back in my braces-wearing, mixtape-making, giggling about boys stage. Granted, the latter two are still true.

The Go! Team - Doing it Right

49. Tegan & Sara - The Con
Release Date: July 23 (Sire Records)












Why You Care: Tegan and Sara's almost whiny vocals can turn the casual listener off faster than a man who thinks a slap on the ass is a turn-on. But for those of you who are willing to make a larger commitment to this record, you'll realize this young duo has captured something special on this record. From the heartwarming plea of "Back in Your Head" to the burning honesty of "Nineteen," the record plays like a story of young adult angst, trial, and tribulation. Older and wiser than the two women heard on The Con, Tegan and Sara's latest is an accurate testament to the musical evolution and growth of two of indie music's most promising female stars.

Tegan and Sara - Nineteen

48. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Release Date: April 10 (Saddle Creek)












Why You Care: I don't really have to answer this for BE, do I?

Bright Eyes - Four Winds

47. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Release Date: March 6 (Merge Records)











Why You Care: Fans of Funeral have something to look forward to with this cd. Although I considered this release a bit of a letdown after the brilliance of their previous recording, several listenings proved this band does in fact, deserve the hype. Heralded as one of the best live acts ever (I've already admitted i would beat up a senior citizen for tickets), seasoned fans will rejoice in the new record and newbies/AF virgins will develop enough curiosity in Arcade's unique instrumentation and creative lyrics to peruse their catalog for more audio delights.

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go

46. The Hives - The Black and White Album
Release Date: November 13 (US) (Interscope)












Why You Care: Vidi Vidi Delicious is one phrase I've been known to associate with this band, a play off one of their album titles. The Hives have never ceased to impress me with their "fuck the man attitude" - the man being record execs and the fuck you referring to their refusal to relinquish creative freedom or image control to a corporation whose main interest is in maximizing profit. The Hives have never cared about going "mainstream"; they trust in the dedication of their audience, and are committed to making the kind of music they believe needs to be made. With The Black and White Album the group neither sells out nor refuses to experiment with new, more accessible sounds. If you like to rock out, or if you purely want to show support for one of the very few bands still interested in musical integrity, buy this album.

The Hives - Tick Tick Boom

45. 1990s - Cookies
Release Date: July 31 (Rough Trade Records Ltd.)












Why You Care: The Kinks meets The Strokes. They mate and have a smartass baby who likes to play the cowbell. Badass.

The 1990s - Switch

44. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse
Release Date: February 20 (Jagiaguwar)












Why You Care: Cause you're bored with most other music and you need something completely original and unique. Because you are tired of understanding your music completely and of not feeling a little violated after pumping the speakers full of your usual hits.

The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13

43. Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
Release Date: September 11 (Merge Records)












Why You Care: If "Normandie" isn't enough reason to buy this record go have your ears checked, on me. And by me I mean your insurance provider.

Shout Out Louds - Hard Rain

42. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Release Date: October 23 (Rounder Records)












Why You Care: Two greats get together to make even greater music. 'Nough said.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Rich Woman

41. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Release Date: July 17 (EMI)












Why You Care: Sans her recent ramblings about once being a "fatty," Lily A has been a pretty kick ass female musician and role model. I haven't seen her va-jay-jay all over the tabloids, nor have I had trouble finding her music buried underneath heaps of overproduction and vocal manipulation. Though I did disagree with several of her single choices, as I believe there are much better stand alone tracks on the album. You better thank Satan everyday for creating MySpace, Lily.

Lily Allen - Friday Night

40. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Release Date: March 20 (Definitive Jux)












Why You Care: Kanye, Jay, and Common are all great MCs, but El-P is an enigmatic genius. It takes a very talented rapper to pull off duets with NIN, the Mars Volta, and Cat Power - partnerships which have utilized both artist to their full potential, neither neglecting nor overpowering the strengths of either collaborator. El-P is like Public Enemy mixed with Aesop Rock, all the social conscience of the former, with the powerfully effective delivery of both.

El-P - Flyentology

39. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Release Date: March 30 (RCA)












Why You Care: Who knew Jesus freaks could rock so hard? Dusty Springfield never told us about these sons of a preacher. Man. Well, minister to be exact. With their third release, bandmates and brothers Jared, Caleb, and Nate are still going strong. Past the threat of sophmoric slump, Kings of Leon continues to produce that kind of unapologetic seventies rock our parents probably got high to.

Kings of Leon - Knocked Up

38. Justice - Cross
Release Date: July 10 (Ed Bangers Music)












Why You Care: Because sometimes you just want to dance. "Fuck guys tonight! I just want to dance. I just want to express myself through the art of dance!" Seriously, Justice is the embodiment of this Dane Cook quote, with a little electronic spice added for good measure. You couldn't escape from D.A.N.C.E. this year if you tried. Frankly if you did try, I'm not sure we can be friends. "Do the D-A-N-C-E!"

Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

37. The New Pornographers - Challengers
Release Date: August 21 (Matador Records)












Why You Care: Because Neko Case is the shit, and its been too long since she's put something new out or you've seen her live. Because A.C. Newman is also the shit and its been WAY too long since his last solo effort. Because Zumpano is a crazy awesome listen and, well, you know where I'm going with this...

The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbor

36. Menomena - Friend and Foe
Release Date: January 23 (Muuuhahaha)












Why You Care: Because simplistic rock and homemade production are not dead. Because I can still call it rock even with melodic piano in the background and appealing indie lyrics filling my room. Menomena has got this insanely ecclectic sound - a unique blend of daring experimentation and thought-provoking expression. An amazing, serendipitous surprise.

Menomena - Wet and Rusting

35. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Release Date: May 15 (Nonesuch)












Why You Care: Wilco never disappoints, and this record is no exception to the rule. If you like good music then you'll like this record, guaranteed.

Wilco - Impossible Germany

33. Arthur & Yu - In Camera
Release Date: June 19 (Hardly Art)












Why You Care: If you're a huge fan of Seattle's nonprofit radio station KEXP like me, than you've probably heard Arthur and Yu get some airtime. The duo seemed to pop out of the woodwork this year with their debut release, blindsiding critics and fans alike. The unique combination of twangy vocals and simple instrumentation (best usage of a tambourine in ages!) make for one of the greatest indie efforts my ears have had the pleasure of hearing in quite awhile.

Arthur & Yu - 1000 Words

32. Feist - The Reminder
Release Date: May 1 (Polydor)












Why You Care: Unless you're living under a rock or hiding with Gunatanomo Bay reports, you've seen Feist in the loveable, colorful ipod commercials, dancing to her song 1 2 3 4. Although it is definitely not her best effort to date (Let it Die is much better) this album was still entertaining enough to spend severly weeks on my most played list, due in large part to "My Moon My Man".

Feist - 1 2 3 4 (Live in Wein, Germany)

Till Tomorrow,
Peace, Love, and Records,
LTK