TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2007

Because these sorts of things are imperative and lead to wonderful music sharing(!):

(WARNING: THE ORDER OF THIS LIST IS ARBITRARY)

Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala

Dear Jens, thank you thank you for stopping in Philadelphia on your tour. If I hadn't seen that you were playing a show on a Friday, and if I weren't the typical stressed out Mawrtyr who desperately needs a break on a Friday night, I still would not have picked up your music. And that would be criminal. Jens's newest CD is pure joy. His voice, those horns, great little love songs about slicing off a fingertip while slicing an avocado...perfection.

You must hear this song: A Postcard to Nina

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

I will admit that I was slightly disappointed when I first began hearing the songs of TMP. What?! A jovial Patrick who traded in the troubadour look for that of a disco ball?! But I was just being difficult and after the initial shock was gone, I quickly became attached to the poppy goodness of this album. Listening to it leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. It is indeed magical. Drop the CD case and it will bleed pixie dust.

You must hear this song: The Stars

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

Yes, I like violin players. And Andrew Bird is yet another excellent violinist. Oh, and he is an incredible whistler, well deserving of his animal name. Armchair has a much different feel than previous Bird releases. It seems more thoughtful than Mysterious Production and flowing and well...goodness, I'm still sad that I missed seeing him in New York. The song Imitosis kept me sane during many months of biology lectures.

You must hear this song: Heretics

Once - Music from the Motion Picture

I first saw this film back in June and I was able to catch it again at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in September. To say that I am attached to this movie is an understatement. To say that it is one of my all time favorite love stories is also an understatement. And to say that the music, by the wonderful stars of the film Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, is superb is the biggest understatement of all. If nothing else watch the two of them performing the song "Falling Slowly" somewhere on the interweb, though I highly suggest watching the film in its entirety.

You must hear this song: Falling Slowly

Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band - Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band EP

I realize that an EP is not exactly an album but this one must be included. First because Joanna Newsom is simply supernaturally wonderful. Fairy? I think so. But more importantly, the arrangements of these songs are divine. This version of "Cosmia" is twice the length of the original on Ys and is breathtakingly gorgeous. PS: Ys is pronounced E's. Get the play on words now? Good.

You must hear this song: Cosmia

Elliott Smith - New Moon

When I read that a second posthumous Elliott Smith cd was to be released, I had a slight moment. There is no other way to describe it: such joy and sorrow simultaneously. All the songs on this 2 disc set have been wandering around the internet for years, though in poorly recorded versions. The lovely Kill Rock Stars collected the best of the unreleased songs and remastered them. This is essential for any Smith fan.

You must here this song: Pretty Mary K [Other Version]

Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

Yum. Something delicious for taste buds and ear buds! I really don't know what to say besides that. I love this album, I just can't manage to describe Animal Collective. So much energy, crazy lyrics, experimental noise. Put the CD on, close your eyes and just dance. If I if I if I if I if I if I if I if I if I...dance enough can I absorb this magical energy?

You must hear this song: Chores

Malajube - Trompe-L'oeil

Congratulations Malajube! I can't think of many bands that are so fantastic that people completely ignore the fact that they don't understand the language. And when I say people I mean Anglophones (we are terribly spoiled for having the monopoly on the language of the music industry). You may not be able to understand the lyrics, but you're sure to realize just how great these frantic rock songs and elegant ballads are. This fact may not be that important but it must be pointed out that the keyboardist has the best sneakers of 2007.

You must hear this song: La Monogamie

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Here's something neat: Of Montreal's newest release can be described perfectly using their own song names from earlier albums. This album is...Lysergic Bliss, a Happy Yellow Bumblebee, a Fun-Loving Nun, One of a Very Few of a Kind, etc. Basically, this is psychedelic wonderful with great lyrics. Kevin Barnes will hypnotize you with his glitter and get you to join the March of the Gay Parade...hooray!

You must hear this song: Faberge Falls for Shuggie

Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

This album is the much anticipated follow-up to last year's Gulag Orkestar. What's not to love about Zach Condon of Beirut? He dropped out of college to wander around Europe, playing in gypsy bands...perfect! He has brought that gypsy spirit to Brooklyn and created these unique fusions of sounds. It gets even better! Owen Pallett, of Final Fantasy fame, arranged the strings for this album, and he sings on "Cliquot."

You must hear this song: Cliquot