And just because it seems to be in vogue to do so, here are my 2 Lists for 2007 -
Top 10 Albums of the Year:
#10: Josh Groban - NOEL
Although solely a Christmas album and best appreciated during the festive season, NOEL is a pretty accessible album as Josh Groban's operatic vocals might come off a little too much for the casual listener in his earlier record.
#9: KT Tunstall - DRASTIC FANTASTIC
With just a guitar and vocals, KT Tunstall has wowed audiences with her upbeat style, and this sophomore record moves away slightly from her indie roots of EYE TO THE TELESCOPE, but strangely enough, it's a good thing as she is now far more accessible.
#8: will.i.am - SONGS ABOUT GIRLS
There is no questioning the musicality of this mega-producer's music, and this album goes above the usual bass-heavy sound of other hip/hop-dance records. The choice of repetitiveness and interlinked tracks is excellent, and its lead single, while catchy and slightly campy, belies more mood-ambient tracks in the rest of the album.
#7: Carrie Underwood - CARNIVAL RIDE
At least one of the albums in this list has to be Country Music, and of all those i've listened to this year, Carrie's is the best. Although i commented on first listen that it wasn't as great as SOME HEARTS and that it came out at a time when some of my other fave artistes released albums, its stunning sales must be worth something. The whole banjo-by-the-fire vibe kinda grows on you.
#6: Paramore - RIOT!
Released in July, RIOT! is everything those other pseudo rocker chicks did not succeed at - good lyrics and excellent rockish vocals. Track 3 is by far the best single on the album, and the Bonus Tracks edition comes with a good number of live performances.
#5: Angels & Airwaves - I-EMPIRE
WE DON'T NEED TO WHISPER had a successful formula of futuristic synth/star power, and A&A realized that what's not broken shouldn't be fixed, giving us I-EMPIRE, a worthy follow-up to their debut album. More meaning and existential-thought-provoking content puts it on this list.
#4: Britney Spears - BLACKOUT
I stand by what i said earlier: BLACKOUT is the best album BS has ever recorded. There are no cringe-worthy tracks, and some songs are just too catchy, reminding listeners of what made her the original. The later tracks in the album are excellent dance tracks, while the closer, Why Should I Be Sad, is a reflection of her previous years.
#3: Vanessa Carlton - HEROES & THEIVES
Pretty darn amazing for a third album, and this comes after her first two were superb. A wider range of styles but the same heartfelt lyrics make this a hinging-on-indie gem.
#2: Mika - LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION
You honestly cannot help but love this album for all its idiosyncratic stylings. Bordering on hippie-cool, LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION has a dream-like quality that is made so much more fantastical by the sky-high vocals and the almost-too-abstract stuff about love. Besides that, its musicality is unquestionably amazing. It is so weird it makes you happy.
#1: Blake Lewis - Audio.Day.Dream
A.D.D may sound to some like it was recorded in the 80s, but it sounds entirely contemporary, not least because of Blake's own musical roots. With a slight edge that few albums possess, this record reflects all aspects of his style, and it is endearing to listen to. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Top 10 Singles of the Year:
#10: Santana Featuring Chad Kroeger - INTO THE NIGHT (Ultimate Santana)
#9: Jimmy Eat World - BIG CASINO (Chase This Light)
#8: Nelly Furtado - DO IT (Loose)
#7: Leona Lewis - BLEEDING LOVE (Spirit)
#6: Jordin Sparks - TATTOO (Jordin Sparks)
#5: Quietdrive - TIME AFTER TIME (When All That's Left Is You)
#4: Natalie Imbruglia - GORIOUS (Glorious: Singles From 1997-2007)
#3: Maroon 5 - WON'T GO HOME WITHOUT YOU (It Won't Be Soon Before Long)
#2: Kanye West - STRONGER (Graduation)
#1: John Mayer - SAY (The Bucket List: Music From The Motion Picture)
