The obligatory (belated) top 10

As part of my music blogger contract, I must submit a top 10 album list for the previous year. I have tried to fight it (and am really fighting making any reference to specific performance) but the time has come. Let's get on with it.

10. The Budos Band - The Budos Band II
9. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

Leading it off are a couple of standout releases from the mighty, mighty Daptone Records. The Budos Band is more on the gritty, globalized funk tip, while Ms. Sharon brings the deep, deep soul (as previously mentioned on Starry Eyes). Now, my only question is what is Daptone going to do to top this in '08? (I really hope the answer is a Menahan Street Band full-length).

8. Wu-Tang Clan - The 8 Diagrams
7. Radiohead - In Rainbows

Next are a pair of albums from old standbys, one a model of consistency, the other less so. The Wu-Tang record came on real strong (considering it was only released in December) as it served as a perfectly grimy soundtrack to winter. I have little to add to the critical mass of internet hype regarding In Rainbows (bka as the album that changed everything ever, though not really) but it is a solid, surprisingly personal & accessible Radiohead record. Good enough for me.

6. Oh No - Dr. No's Oxperiment
5. South Rakkas Crew - Mix Up

Crazily funky instrumental hip-hop built from Turkish, Greek, Italian and Lebanese psych records? Crazily funky electro-dancehall from outer space? Yes and yes.

4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala

This record, for me, struck the same indie-pop with just a touch of groove sweet spot that Belle & Sebastian's last record did. Fantastic songs, interesting production touches, and an embrace of pop & its possibilities all add up to a compulsively listenable record.

3. M.I.A. - Kala

After Arular and its hype and ensuing backlash tore the internet asunder, Kala sounds to me like potential being fully realized. It's a throbbing, beguiling record that's happy to set up its own parallel sonic universe and let the listener make his/her own way through the world as seen by M.I.A. Brilliant.

1. (tie) LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

For a long time, this record held the top spot alone, as it was everything I could have hoped for in an LCD Soundsystem record and more. It's a startlingly brilliant synthesis of sharp, personal songwriting and impeccable dance music production; but I also feel a need to also champion this next record along with Sound of Silver...

1. (tie) Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

Here's where I break ever so slightly from the critical consensus; I cannot for the life of me understand why this record hasn't gotten more attention as the absolute gem of a pop record it actually is. Everyone I play this record for unabashedly loves it, and rightfully so. Maybe it hasn't gotten as much recognition because it's heavily indebted to 80's pop & r & b, but as much as it sounds of that time, it also sounds perfectly of the moment. Buy this record. You will love it.

So there you have it. Lamely, it ends with a tie, but I would have an impossible time picking between those two records for the one record I couldn't live without in 2007. Thanks for reading and indulging my musings. Thankfully, this only has to happen once a year.