THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2007 
As expected, my favorite albums were all by female artists. The boys weren't doing much for me this year, although I will give a shout out to Editors, because I love the lead singer's voice. So here are my picks for 2007 in no particular order.
1. The Reminder - Feist: You can thank iPod for making her a household name after using the brilliant pop confection "1234" for its commercials. The album is full of gems, including "My Moon, My Man" and "Sea Lion Woman."
2. Overpowered - Roisin Murphy: Not a dud on this entire album of electro-pop. The dark, propulsive title track, the funk of "You Know Me Better," and the synth-drenched "Primitive" are big highlights.
3. Volta - Bjork: A return to dancey, frenetic form for the Icelandic diva. The tribal beat of "Earth Intruders," the brooding electronica of "I See Who You Are" and the aching duet "The Dull Flame of Desire" with Antony and the Johnsons are prime cuts.
4. Out of the Woods - Tracey Thorn: The unmistakable voice of Everything but the Girl returned with a long-awaited solo album. The moody electronica sound suits her so well and the album was full of dance songs ("It's All True," "Grand Canyon") and ballads ("By Piccadilly Station I Sat Down and Wept"). Brilliant stuff.
5. Shine - Joni Mitchell: The much ballyhooed return of Joni received mixed reviews, but I loved it. From the jazz instrumental opening of "One Week Last Summer" and the political acid of "Strong and Wrong" to the re-imagined "Big Yellow Taxi" and the epic "If," this is a strong album of songs by a legend.
6. White Chalk - PJ Harvey: Perhaps the most surprising album of the year was Polly Jean's White Chalk, full of dirges, piano music and an air of melancholy so thick you could cut it with a knife. Singing in a higher register and accompanying herself on most of the instruments, this was about as far away as you could get from the sneering, guitar driven rock of Uh-huh Her. Some fans hate it, but it's now one of my favorite PJ albums along with Is This Desire, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea and Dance Hall at Louse Point.
As expected, my favorite albums were all by female artists. The boys weren't doing much for me this year, although I will give a shout out to Editors, because I love the lead singer's voice. So here are my picks for 2007 in no particular order.
1. The Reminder - Feist: You can thank iPod for making her a household name after using the brilliant pop confection "1234" for its commercials. The album is full of gems, including "My Moon, My Man" and "Sea Lion Woman."
2. Overpowered - Roisin Murphy: Not a dud on this entire album of electro-pop. The dark, propulsive title track, the funk of "You Know Me Better," and the synth-drenched "Primitive" are big highlights.
3. Volta - Bjork: A return to dancey, frenetic form for the Icelandic diva. The tribal beat of "Earth Intruders," the brooding electronica of "I See Who You Are" and the aching duet "The Dull Flame of Desire" with Antony and the Johnsons are prime cuts.4. Out of the Woods - Tracey Thorn: The unmistakable voice of Everything but the Girl returned with a long-awaited solo album. The moody electronica sound suits her so well and the album was full of dance songs ("It's All True," "Grand Canyon") and ballads ("By Piccadilly Station I Sat Down and Wept"). Brilliant stuff.
5. Shine - Joni Mitchell: The much ballyhooed return of Joni received mixed reviews, but I loved it. From the jazz instrumental opening of "One Week Last Summer" and the political acid of "Strong and Wrong" to the re-imagined "Big Yellow Taxi" and the epic "If," this is a strong album of songs by a legend.
6. White Chalk - PJ Harvey: Perhaps the most surprising album of the year was Polly Jean's White Chalk, full of dirges, piano music and an air of melancholy so thick you could cut it with a knife. Singing in a higher register and accompanying herself on most of the instruments, this was about as far away as you could get from the sneering, guitar driven rock of Uh-huh Her. Some fans hate it, but it's now one of my favorite PJ albums along with Is This Desire, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea and Dance Hall at Louse Point.
Comments
bjork, yes
vrzhu.typepad.com
some really fantastic music this year ... not sure i'll be able to make a really really short list.
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Sorry I didn't get to meet you in London earlier this year. Things have been so hectic these past couple of months.
Anyway I am sure you will be back again before too long :).
Have you heard Leona Lewis' album yet?