The Top 31 of 2007: The Whole Bloody Affair

Well, we've finally finished this long, drawn-out countdown to the #1 Album and Song of 2007! Thanks to all of you who kept up with it, and for everyone who has visited Audio Overflow in 2007! 2008 is looking to be quite an exciting year, both for this blog and for music in general (more on that at a later date). For now, here's a quick reference guide to Audio Overflow's Top 31 of 2007! Enjoy!

Cale's Top 31 Albums

#31: Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

#30: Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

#29: Cocorosie: The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn

#28: Dan Deacon: Spiderman of the Rings

#27: Rogue Wave: Asleep at Heaven's Gate

#26: The Aliens: Astronomy for Dogs

#25: Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist

#24: Caribou: Andorra

#23: Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War

#22: Emma Pollock: Watch the Fireworks

#21: Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam

#20: Dillinger Escape Plan: Ire Works

#19: Eisley: Combinations

#18: Metric: Grow Up and Blow Away

#17: The Apples in Stereo: New Magnetic Wonder

#16: Radiohead: In Rainbows

#15: Okkervil River: The Stage Names

#14: Tegan and Sara: The Con

#13: ContraNova: Infinity In All Directions

#12: The Most Serene Republic: Population

#11: LCD Soundsytem: Sound of Silver

#10: Architecture in Helsinki: Places Like This

#9: The Shins: Wincing the Night Away

#8: Justice: †

#7: The New Pornographers: Challengers

#6: Band of Horses: Cease to Begin

#5: Bright Eyes: Cassadaga

#4: Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir

#3: St. Vincent: Marry Me

#2: Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

#1: Field Music: Tones of Town

Jill's Top 31 Albums

#31: LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver

#30: A Fine Frenzy: One Cell in the Sea

#29: Chromeo: Fancy Footwork

#28: Bjork: Volta

#27: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band: It's Not Big It's Large

#26: Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War

#25: Ani diFranco: Canon

#24: Alison Krauss: A Hundred Miles or More

#23: Common: Finding Forever

#22: Kelly Clarkson: My December

#21: DJ Jazzy Jeff: The Return of the Magnificent

#20: Pharoahe Monch: Desire

#19: Fall Out Boy: Infinity on High

#18: Jill Scott: The Real Thing - Words and Sounds Vol. 3

#17: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings: 100 Days, 100 Nights

#16: PJ Harvey: White Chalk

#15: Serj Tankian: Elect the Dead

#14: Jill Scott: Collaborations

#13: Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger

#12: Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy: Cornell 1964

#11: Edith Piaf: La Vie en Rose: La Môme

#10: Prince: Planet Earth

#9: Michael Bublé: Call Me Irresponsible

#8: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raising Sand

#7: Hairspray: Soundtrack to the Motion Picture

#6: Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains

#5: Kanye West: Graduation

#4: Tegan and Sara: The Con

#3: Jay-Z: American Gangster

#2: Sondre Lerche: Phantom Punch

#1: Rufus Wainwright: Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall

Cale's Top 31 Songs

#31: "From Brighton Beach to Santa Monica" by The Clientele

#30: "Setting Sun" by The Aliens
#29: "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" by Iron & Wine
#28: "A Girl in Port" by Okkervil River

#27: "Hop a Plane" by Tegan and Sara
#26: "Follow Through" by ContraNova

#25: "Sugar Assault Me Now" by Pop Levi

#24: "Bodysnatchers" by Radiohead

#23: "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice

#22: "Don't Make Me a Target" by Spoon

#21: "Missed the Boat" by Modest Mouse
#20: "Werewolf" by Cocorosie

#19: "The Men Who Live Upstairs" by The Most Serene Republic
#18: "Hold Music" by Architecture in Helsinki
#17: "She's a Rejector" by Of Montreal

#16: "Peacebone" by Animal Collective

#15: "The Twist" by Metric

#14: "If Silence Means That Much to You" by Emma Pollock

#13: "Taking Control" by Eisley
#12: "All My Stars Aligned" by St. VIncent

#11: "Same Old Drag" by Apples in Stereo
#10: "Lake Michigan" by Rogue Wave
#9: "North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem

#8: "A House is Not a Home" by Field Music

#7: "Phantom Limb" by The Shins
#6: "No One's Gonna Love You" by Band of Horses
#5: "1, 2, 3, 4" by Feist
#4: "In Our Bedroom After the War" by Stars
#3: "No One Can Win" by Loney, Dear
#2: "I Must Belong Somewhere" by Bright Eyes

#1: "Challengers" by The New Pornographers

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Again, thanks for reading. See you next year!

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #1

Cale's Pick

Field Music: Tones of Town

Released: February 20, 2007

I mean, honestly, who didn't expect me to pick Of Montreal for my album of the year right? I had spent more than a year raving about it being the best Of Montreal album ever, and I've gone on the record several times stating that Of Montreal is my favorite band. To have them at #2, well that must have thrown all of you off!

But at the end of the day (or year, I suppose) there was only one album this year that I would consider completely perfect, one that I wouldn't change a single thing on if I were given the opportunity. That album is Tones of Town by Field Music. (Who? Shame on you!) I was instantly captivated when I first discovered this album while taking a 45 minute drive alone on a dark night back in January. Every song from, "A House is Not a Home" to "Working to Work" is a wonderful example of not only how music should sound, but how it should be made, how it should feel, and how it should affect you. The level of musicianship on Tones of Town is absolutely phenomenal. It's pop music, with violins and cellos, pianos, guitars, pristine vocals, and hints of Queen-esque intrumental flourishes. It is smart, coy, clever, and innocent; sometimes all in the same line. Gentle harmonies of genuine lyrics sweep delicately over meticulously constructed instrumentation with little to no effort at all. It is, again, a truly perfect album. So perfect that even on my worst days I cannot bring myself to skip over a single track. So perfect that when it finally ends, it's a struggle for me to not let it begin playing all over again and again and again.

The appeal of Tones of Town is only heightened by the notion that it may be the last album that Field Music ever makes. The members of the band put the project on haitus for an indefinite amount of time, which is to say they've probably called it quits. But as it stands, they will forever be remembered, by me at least, for this tremendous achievement. Tones of Town is a must-hear, a must-own, and anyone who disagrees should kindly disappear from the face of planet earth.

It is perfect, and therefore it is the only reasonable choice for my #1 album of 2007!

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #1

"Challengers" by The New Pornographers, from the album, Challengers.

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Jill's Pick

Rufus Wainwright: Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall

Released: December 4, 2007

Actually, I think the title of this album has a lot of exclamation points in it. Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy! I'm the kind of girl that likes exclamation points, but for the sake of my sanity, I'm going with the title I've given it.

I am not a Rufus Wainwright fan. I never have been. There's just been nothing impressive about him to me until recently when he decided to pay tribute to Judy Garland by recreating her famous (infamous?) Carnegie Hall concert from 1961. And really, who doesn't like Judy Garland? That concert was epic because she wasn't 100% on her game, she seemed drunk or high or both the entire time, and while some of those songs really suffered from her being off-key, she really put her heart into it. It is, without a doubt, the best Judy Garland show ever. This concert was epic because Rufus Wainwright really paid tribute to his hero: from the title, to the posters, to the way the stage was set up, to the 36 piece orchestra, to following the exact same set-list as the original concert. He even went as far as inserting his own anecdotes in the same places Judy inserted hers.

Judy wasn't 100% in 1961 and Rufus wasn't 100% in 2006, but you can tell he adores her just by the way this tribute concert sounds. I have a soft spot in my heart for old standards, so this is fantastic for me; I'm constantly passing off mixes with standards on them trying to expose people to that kind of music. Rufus Wainwright has a huge fan base and by going this direction, he's brought them back for an audience that maybe hasn't heard them yet. (Or has and never paid attention to them because of what they are.)

Even though this album only just came out, I've listened to it about 50 times. It's a nice album to bake to. (Holiday cookies anyone?) And yes, you will find me singing along.

Oh. Skip "The Man That Got Away". She couldn't do the whole long holding note thing and neither could he.

My most favorite track on the whole thing: "Who Cares? (So Long As You Care For Me)"

Songs you really, really, really should hear (really):

--"Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love"

--"Just You, Just Me"

--"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart"

--"Swanee "

--"Who Cares? (So Long As You Care For Me) "

--"Do It Again"

--"You Go To My Head"

--"If Love Were All"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #2

Cale's Pick

Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Released: January 23, 2007

Over the last decade or so, Of Montreal has released a lot of albums. Cherry Peel was the first LP that the band ever put out. It was filled with a bunch of quirky guitar pop songs, each with their own unique sound (nearly every word was accompanied by it's very own chord). From there, the band (or Kevin Barnes) spiraled into what I have lovingly called "drug-induced circus music" on their two brilliant concept albums, The Gay Parade and Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse. After that, they brought things back down closer to where they had started with Aldhils Arboretum, a decent, but flawed album. After taking two years off, Kevin Barnes started to craft Of Montreal albums almost entirely on his own. 2004's Satanic Panic in the Attic shows Kevin's first real foray into electronic pop, though guitars and real drums were still very prevalent. Then came the band's (mainstream) breakout album, The Sunlandic Twins. With that album, Of Montreal became to favorite "drive across town with your window down" CD to every pubescent girl in the world. It's electro pop was absolutely captivating, and and strange for those who had been with the band since the beginning.

Hissing Fauna, shows Of Montreal as a band who has finally come into their own, carving out a spot in indie music history in the process. It is, in my opinion, their best album; not to mention the first Of Montreal album that takes an introspective approach to music. It is a dark, dark album. Therein lies the genius of it. Despite it's darkness, it is also incredibly fun to listen to, to dance to, to sing along to, and to freak out with. Folks could deny the genius of Kevin Barnes prior to it's release, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who could say such a thing now! It is a magnificent record. One that never grows old, and one that reveals new things to enjoy every time you put it on. I downloaded the leaked copy of Hissing Fauna in September of 2006 and I've been listening to it pretty consistently ever since! The fact that this album has been around so long and yet still can make it in the Top 3 of 2007, should really tell you a lot about it.

For giving me more than I ever could have imagined (yes, it is cheesy), Of Montreal is #2.

The Top 31 Songs of 31 - #2
"I Must Belong Somewhere" by Bright Eyes, from the album, Cassadaga.

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Jill's Pick

Sondre Lerche: Phantom Punch
Released: February 6, 2007

when i listen to this album i get the urge to talk really fast but in this case type really fast and use long run on sentences devoid of capital letters, proper grammar, and punctuation that all just flow together because well this album is absolutely flouncy hyper quirky frantic fun and really when i put it on it's like i've loaded up on a whole bunch of sugar and coffee and i'm on a high that makes me as predictable as this album (read: not predictable at all) that's going to leave me sobbing like a two year old when i finally come down yes it's that much fun even the songs that you wouldn't think are that much fun are that much fun.

The best track: "John, Let Me Go"

My favorite tracks:
--"John, Let Me Go"
--"Say It All"
--"Face the Blood"
--"If Not Now, Then When"
--"She's Fantastic"
--"Airport Taxi Reception"
--"Well, Well, Well"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #3

Cale's Pick

St. Vincent: Marry Me

Released: July 10, 2007

You always remember the first time you hear a new artist. For Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, I was sitting at my computer with a freshly downloaded copy of Marry Me and I thought, "Oh great. Chick music!" And I brushed it aside. But as is often the case with albums that I brush aside, I come back to them and love them. I don't know why I decided to give St. Vincent another listen, but I am thankful that I did. Annie Clark is a truly talented musician, teetering on the brink of genius. Marry Me which is a collection of songs that she's been working on for years, is an absolutely perfect solo debut! Quirky pop songs, sweeping ballads, and inventive sing-alongs fill every last second of this album. It's the all-too-common "first album" that people spend their lives writing. Now that Annie Clark has proven herself as one of music's most notable female musicians, she has the ever-daunting task of making a second album that equals or betters her first. Most artists only dream of achieving such a daunting goal, and only a few ever achieve it. For the time being though, Marry Me will continue to keep me company for months, and probably years, to come. At the time of my review for the album, I hailed it as one of the best female debuts of the last decade. Today, I stand by that statement wholeheartedly. Marry Me is a brilliant piece of music, and one that I will have a hard time forgetting.

For using an Arrested Development reference as the title of her album, St. Vincent is the proud recipient of my #3 spot.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #3

"No One Can Win" by Loney, Dear, from the album, Loney, Noir.

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Jill's Pick

Jay-Z: American Gangster

Released: November 6, 2007

I've heard it called a "hip-hop concept album", where Jay-Z can exist as character inside another world. But is it really a concept album? When I looked it up, concept album means "an album whose recording are unified by some theme, whether lyrical or instrumental or narrative or compositional." Aren't all of his previous albums concept albums?

I say forget the "hip-hop concept album" question and focus on the fact that it's really, in my opinion, almost as good as "The Blueprint".

It is this mix of Rap, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Retro-Soul, and Soul Funk with genius lyrics, and about the 4th listen I started to wonder when Jay-Z started channelling Biggie. "Hustle hard in any hustle you pick" ("No Hook") is my new motto.

The best track: "Pray"

My favorite tracks:

--"Pray"

--"No Hook"

--"Roc Boys (The Winner Is)" (I wish there were more beats like this.)

--"American Dreamin' "

--"Say Hello "

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #4

Cale's Pick

Loney, Dear: Loney, Noir

Released: February 6, 2007

If there was ever an album that caught me entirely by surprise this year, it was Loney, Noir. Yet another one of those crazy Swedes who assault us with brilliant music, Emil Svanängen, or "Loney, Dear," has created an album that is endlessly endearing. I have no recollection of how I first came to hear about Loney, Dear, or what drove me to download his debut album here in the states. But I did, and I was immediately blown away by what I heard. Emil's voice is peculiar. At times it can sound confident, yet frail. His lyrics lead you to believe that the overriding characteristic is frailty. The album is unquestionably honest as well, filled with his self-doubt, feelings of insecurity, and declarations of love. You get the feeling that you're reading his diary, or that he's telling you his secrets through his music. How could you not fall in love with that? Quite simply, I couldn't help but do so. I still slip in this album every now and then when I'm driving to work at 5:30am or on a long road trip and I realize that it has not worn on me at all. If anything, it's gotten better. It has been passed over by a lot of folks this year, and for that I'd like to plead with you to give Loney, Noir a shot. It is one of the most beautiful albums to release in 2007, and one I'll continue to listen to and enjoy for years.

For being Swedish, yet really really cool, Loney, Dear makes it to #4 on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #4

"In Our Bedroom After the War" by Stars, from the album, In Our Bedroom After the War.

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Jill's Pick

Tegan and Sara: The Con

Released: July 24, 2007

Up until now, I'd only liked parts of Tegan and Sara albums. In fact, "I Know, I Know, I Know" is in my top 10 list of my favorite songs of all times. Don't even get me started on the simple brilliance that is "My Number". But this is the first time I've listened to one of their albums and just liked it more and more the further into I got. They remind me of how Ani diFranco albums are, all so different from album to album, unafraid to try something...new. I spend so much time with this album in my ears I find something new to admire with every listen.

I'm just going to leave it with this: "Soil, Soil" makes me so happy I can't express it. It's me. I love when lyrics do that.

The best track: "Soil, Soil"

My favorite tracks:

--"The Con"

--"Soil, Soil"

--"Burn Your Life Down"

--"Back in Your Head"

--"Nineteen"

--"Like O, Like H"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #5

Cale's Pick

Bright Eyes: Cassadaga

Released: April 10, 2007

My list has seen a lot of changes since I began compiling it months ago. #1s shifted constantly, an album that was once in the Top 10 didn't even make the list, and other crazy things went down too. Through all that, pretty much the only constant was Cassadaga, an album that started at #5 and stayed at #5. Conor Oberst's unique style of making music is so familiar to me now, that it's hard to be surprised by anything he does. I either like it or I don't, and that feeling is pretty concrete at the beginning so it rarely changes. Fortunately for Bright Eyes, I loved Cassadaga. It is, in my opinion, the best Bright Eyes album to date. Conor spends less time wallowing in sorrow, and more time dwelling on personal antecdotes or commenting on the state of the world (without using names...I hate when people use names). The songs are sometimes catchy (really?), sometimes touching, always poignant and relevant. As it is with pretty much Conor Oberst has ever been a part of, many people will be turned off by his admittedly horrendous voice (he does sing, "Well I could've been a famous singer if I had someone else's voice" afterall). But if you can suck it up and just take it for what it is, you'll walk away entirely satisfied. Hopefully.

For outdoing himself, Conor Oberst (and whoever else is in Bright Eyes) make it to #5.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #5
"1, 2, 3, 4" by Feist, from the album, The Reminder.

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Jill's Pick

Kanye West: Graduation

Released: September 11, 2007

I personally think that Mr. West is some kind of musical genius. (There's that word again and someday we'll talk about that.) I do. I can't help it. The beats are tight (to borrow a phrase from, oh, I don't know, NWA) and the lyrics tend to run on the smirking smart side. I always look to his lyrics for the cleverness, the subtle jabs, the oh-so-poetic groupings of words that either make me chuckle (like "...since OJ had Isotoners...") or snort out a "Oh, that's so true."

There's a lot to be said about Kanye West. To me, it's like he gets what Hip-Hop and Rap was and what it should be. If you don't like him, this album won't do a thing for you. If you do, you should be able to appreciate, as I do, the ways he forges ahead even further into his ego, his talent, and his production standards. That genius thing puts so much space between himself and other rappers that maybe he is as awesome as he says to be.

My favorite thing about this album is his use of Labi Siffre, a 1970's Folk/Jazz performer on the track "I Wonder". I like that rappers like Kanye West and Nas aren't afraid to push the limits of their genre by bringing in a little Jazz or Folk or Gospel, all things you wouldn't expect to hear on a Rap album.

The best track: "I Wonder"

My favorite tracks:

--"I Wonder"

--"Stronger"

--"Good Life"

--"Can't Tell Me Nothing"

--"Flashing Lights" (which really I think is my favorite song on the entire album)

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #6

Cale's Pick

Band of Horses: Cease to Begin

Released: October 9, 2007

It could, and has, been said that Band of Horses is a band that should not exist. The argument most often goes a little somthing like this: "They sound exactly like My Morning Jacket, The Shins, etc." It's a valid argument. They do sound a lot like My Morning Jacket. The question I have is, what's so wrong with sounding like other great bands, especially when you have the talent and content to distance yourself from them? You see, even though Band of Horses may not sound like the most original band out there, Ben Bridwell's lyrics put most other bands to shame, his voice blows away My Morning Jacket, and the actual talent that the rest of the band has on their respective instruments should silence anyone who says they're just ganking on other bands' styles. It's one thing to have Nickleback come out, suck up a storm, and then have every other band try to mimic that for a decade, it's another to just coincidentally have a similar sound and yet hold your own entirely. I'm defending this band, and this album, for a reason. That reason is because Cease to Begin is absolutely gorgeous, and 100% enjoyable for almost anyone. It is a masterpiece of indie and southern rock, and will be getting regular plays from me well into 2008 and probably beyond.

They're #6 for a reason people. It's because they're amazing!

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #6
"No One's Gonna Love You" by Band of Horses, from the album, Cease to Begin.

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Jill's Pick

Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains

Released: December 18, 2007

It took me a really long time to like (let alone appreciate) Mary J. Blige. I dismissed her casually without much thought. Then someone gave me a copy of "The Breakthrough" and said I should give her another chance and I did. I'm glad I finally paid attention because really, the woman is the Queen of Hip/Hop Soul. Not all of her stuff is great, but what there is that is fantastic is mind blowing.

What I like about Mary J. Blige is she's had a rough life but she's made the best of it. And from that rough life, she knows exactly who she was, who she is, and who she will be. I admire that.

There's not much to say about this album. There are stand out tracks. There are songs that have a Disco feel to them. There are songs to make you happy, songs to make you sad, slow jams for long make out sessions. Everyone from NeYo to Ludacris to Tricky appears on this album, but you never forget it's Mary J. Blige that you're listening to.

My favorite track: the Michael Jackson sounding "Just Fine"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Just Fine"

--"Work That"

--"Hurt Again"

--"Til' The Morning"

--"Fade Away"

--"Talk to Me"

--"Hello It's Me"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #7

Cale's Pick

The New Pornographers: Challengers

Released: August 21, 2007

My initial review of Challengers was a bit harsh in places. As it turns out, the more I listened to the album, the more its greatness dawned on me. It is, in my opinion, just as strong, or better than, Twin Cinema. The band spends a lot of time keeping the tempo up on their previous album. Just when you want it to calm down for a track or two, it kicks you in the groin, tells you to "man the hell up" and continues in its power-pop ways. And it is a great album! But Challengers is different, and perhaps that's why it just seemed a bit off to me at first. The big difference is that Challengers isn't afraid to take a breath every now and then. In fact, much of the album is spent on songs that don't pack the punch of Sing Me Spanish Techno" or "All of the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth." In the end, I can't be disappointed in such a thing. The band is showing me a side of themselves that they've shyed away from in the past. So while "The Spirit of Giving" or "Unguided" is unbelievably jarring the first time you hear it, it's ultimately a better song than you would have anticipated because it's something new from a band that has relied heavily on the exact opposite sound for years. Challengers is challenging. But once you give it an honest shot, it's hard to walk away disappointed.

For giving more than I expected, The New Pornographers land in the #7 spot on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #8

"Phantom Limb" by The Shins, from the album, Wincing the Night Away.

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Jill's Pick

Hairspray: Soundtrack to the Motion Picture

Released: July 10, 2007

Quite simply: there is no way for me to avoid the happiness I seem to feel from listening to the soundtrack for (the latest version of) the movie Hairspray.

My favorite track: "(You're) Timeless To Me" (John Travolta and Christopher Walken)

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"(You're) Timeless To Me"

--"I Can Hear the Bells"

--"(The Legend Of) Miss Baltimore Crabs"

--"I Know Where I've Been" (Queen Latifah)

--"Without Love" (Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelly And Amanda Bynes)

--"You Can't Stop the Beat" (Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelly, John Travolta And Queen Latifah)

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #8

Cale's Pick

Justice: †
Released: July 11, 2007

Some friends and I went and saw The New Pornographers and Spoon a while back (link). Afterwards, I was tired as all hell and I needed something to keep me awake on the 40 minute drive to the Whataburger at which we would reconvene. I chose Justice set to "really loud." It worked. Anyways, they beat me there by a few seconds, to where they were already walking up to the entrance while I was pulling in. Looking at the bewildered look on their faces, I could tell immediately that my one-man Justice dance party had now spread to the parking lot of my local Whataburger. And they couldn't figure it out. Here I was, coming back from seeing two indie rock powerhouses...and I'm listening to dance music? What? It's true. You see, I have no rational explanation to what I like and what I don't like, especially when it comes to electronic music, but I'll try here to explain why Justice is the dance album everyone should own.

Where most dance music is just idiotically repetitive, Justice is revolutionary in it's evolutionary practices. I'll explain. My sisters are not bright. They listen to bad (BAD) techno music because, "Like, you can, like, dance to it!!!1!one" So they show me a song by Fedde Le Grand called "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit," and like most terrible techno songs, the title is repeated throughout the track ("Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hand up for Detroit!"....all the while I'm thinking, "But Detroit sucks ass!"). But you can dance to it so it's good right? Wrong! Any idiot can stumble upon danceable track after a few hours in the studio, and it doesn't exactly take a genius to find a random audio sample and loop it over and over again. It's dumb. It's dumb music. Music for dumb people.

But Justice is smart, and as I said, revolutionary in their evolutionary practices. Where your run of the mill techno track will repeat itself until it reaches a decent playtime, a Justice song is constantly evolving, constantly surprising. Where techno tracks all sound the same, Justice is jarring in their use of distinct, harsh samples. It literally sounds like nothing else you've ever heard before, which is extremely revolutionary in the genre of electronic music. And for that, I can't help but be amazed over and over again that I actully listen to dance music. Or that I actually like it. And it's French...go figure!

For giving me more one-man dance parties than any one man should have, Justice climbs to the #8 spot.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #8

"A House is Not a Home" by Field Music, from the album, Tones of Town.

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Jill's Pick

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raising Sand

Released: October 23, 2007

On one hand: to borrow a popular Internet phrase in regards to Led Zeppelin: do not want. Led Zeppelin and Rush and Radiohead are such inflated, overrated bands that I turn a deaf ear to them if subjected to them. I know that's wrong, at least, that's what I've been told, because well they're supposedly "classics" and "trend setters" and "genius." (insert eye rolling here)

On the other hand: there's Alison Krauss. She's already been on my list. She's awesome. (See my review of her if you need a refresher on my opinion.) I enjoy her to no end.

What happens when you put Robert Plant and Alison Krauss together on the same album? You get the oddest, most bizarre pairing ever. You also get one of the most surprising albums ever made. A lot of people don't like it and I realized that those people are Zeppelin fans, who were expecting something more vintage Zeppelin sounding apparently. Oddly enough, Alison Krauss fans LOVE this album and I can see why: it's a combination of Roots and Bluegrass music crafted by two people who truly love what they are doing.

This album, when I listen to it, makes me feel like I'm listening to something "adult" which isn't a bad thing. For once, I can finally say Robert Plant has done something I actually really enjoy. This album's ethereal qualities are one I am so very glad I did not miss. It's perfect for those late, lonely nights in my life.

My favorite track: "Rich Woman" tied with "Let Your Lesson Be Your Loss"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Rich Woman"

--"Gone Gone Gone"

--"Fortune Teller"

--"Stick With Me Baby"

--"Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #9

Cale's Pick

The Shins: Wincing the Night Away

Released: January 23, 2007

My expectations were unreasonably high for this album. It had been about 4 years since The Shins had last released a full-length album, and it didn't help that Chutes Too Narrow happens to be one of my favorite albums of all time. Where that album exists in it's very own blissful little world, away from mainstream success or attention, Wincing has The Shins playing nice with the general public. Where Chutes was flawless, Wincing shows a few missteps. But that's not to detract from how relentlessly pleasing it really is. The simple truth is that I've been listening to this album for a little over a year, and the songs that I loved then are just as good now. The songs that I didn't really care for are better. It's an unbelievably solid album, even for The Shins. And with it, the band did the unthinkable. They achieved the mainstream success that they deserved without abandoning their long time fans or deserting their signature sound. They should write a book titled "How to Go Mainstream Without Sacrificing the Music." And Jenny Lewis should buy a copy...and bludgeon herself with it.

For giving me more people who I can discuss The Shins with, they make it to #9 on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #9

"North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem, from the album, Sound of Silver.

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Jill's Pick

Michael Bublé: Call Me Irresponsible

Released: May 1, 2007

You know, Michael Buble is really one of those guys I look at and feel pretty confident in my assessment of: super nice but in a heartbeat would woo away your girlfriend or your mother for a one time fling just because he could. (That assessment, of course, was absolutely cleaned up and made lady-like since I'm not the only one reading this.) He's got that Metro sexual snappy dresser thing going on crossed with a voice that makes him sound like Sinatra has come back from the dead. He makes old standards accessible and does things with songs like Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" that make you scratch your head and wonder which elevator you suddenly stepped into.

It's my slow dance around the kitchen album. If I had the occasion to slow dance around my kitchen, that is.

My favorite track: "World On a String"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Best Is Yet To Come"

--"Lost"

--"Call Me Irresponsible"

--"World On a String"

--"That's Life"

--"L-O-V-E"

p.s. there's also his cover of "Me and Mrs Jones" on there that I haven't made my mind up about yet. "Me and Mrs Jones" has got to be one of the sexiest, dirtiest without meaning to be, passionate love songs ever. A remake of it is a nice touch but I just don't know if it works or not.

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #10

Cale's Pick

Architecture in Helsinki: Places Like This
Released: August 21, 2007

It can be argued that Places Like This, the latest album from Australia's Architecture in Helsinki is a musically less-impressive album than their previous. I probably wouldn't argue with you too much on that one. One could also say it's less inventive. Maybe. But to say that it's worse...well that's just asking for a beat down. Because as I much as I love some twee here and there, AiH's first two albums were tedious to listen to. The rarely ever conveyed the fun that should come along with the twee genre. On Places Like This, the band evolves their sound entirely. It sounds more like a B-52s revival than anything else. Missed notes are par for the coarse. An upbeat, never ending assault on your smiling muscles, the album is an absolute blast to listen to! It is the most fun album of 2007. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't heard it or prefers to spend quality one on one time with razor blades and hair dye. That's just science...

For reminding me that music can be fun and entertaining, AiH dances their way into the top ten!

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #10
"Lake Michigan" by Rogue Wave, from the album, Asleep at Heaven's Gate.

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Jill's Pick

Prince: Planet Earth
Released: July 24, 2007

I kind of never know what to expect from a Prince album. Nothing in his catalog is as good as "Sign O' the Times" was and sometimes everything else sounds exactly the same, but I do have a long standing appreciation for his musical genius. He's a master at Funk and Soul, he appreciates Jazz and Classical, and he knows how to blend them all together in the perfect way.

There's that awful song "Guitar" that was in one commercial or another. It's a cross between the 70's and 80's style Prince, which makes it like a variety show: there's slow jams, love songs, vintage Prince Funk/Soul jams, Piano ballads.

What I learned listening to this album, which I listen to when I'm cleaning (yes, I assign albums to different tasks and reserve them solely for those.) is that Prince doesn't belong anywhere categorically in music: he's just a genius with diverse talent.

In retrospect, this probably should have been more in the 20's of my list. (Oh well.)

My favorite track: "Chelsea Rodgers" (which is so fantastically Prince)

Songs you should give a listen to:
--"Somewhere Here On Earth"
--"The One U Wanna C"
--"Future Baby Mama"
--"All the Midnights in the World"
--"Mr. Goodnight" ("People call me Prince but you can call me Mr. Goodnight..." so cheesy but so good.)
--"Chelsea Rodgers"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #12

Cale's Pick

The Most Serene Republic: Population

Released: October 15, 2007

As it was in 2005, one of the year's best albums belongs to The Most Serene Republic and, just like in 2005, it will largely go unnoticed. I can't figure out why. Perhaps Arts and Crafts really isn't pushing them as much as they should be. That could be true, as every time a new Broken Social Scene or Stars album comes out you can't walk 10 feet without hearing about it. Rogue Wave faced the same problem with SubPop. They put out two great albums that nobody heard, and so they dropped the label, moved to Jack Johnson's, and are now on Microsoft Zune commercials. Sometimes a little droppage of the label can go a long way for a band, and I think The Most Serene Republic should consider it. As much as I love Arts and Crafts, they are doing a disservice, not only to the band, but to people everywhere by not promoting this great album. Population is an very unique listen, but at the same time, you can pick out bits and pieces that sound familiar and comforting. Granted, it's all under layers and layers of guitars, drums, and vocals....but it's there. It's exciting and refreshing to hear a band stray from the norm. To be able to say that your album literally sounds like nothing that has come before it is a huge accomplishment, and The Most Serene Republic can now say that. Now if only they could say that they sold more than one copy (to me)...

For giving me a reason to dislike the Arts and Crafts label, The Most Serene Republic is given this #12 spot on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #12

"All My Stars Aligned" by St. VIncent, from the album, Marry Me.

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Jill's Pick

Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy: Cornell 1964

Released: July 17, 2007

It's chock full of history, this album. Recorded in March of 1964, before the Mingus Sextet went on their European tour, at Cornell University. (And 3 short months before Eric Dolphy died.) (Eric Dolphy, if you are wondering, was an Alto Sax player and an important Bass Clarinet player. He was also well known for his Flute solos.) This particular show is actually a recent discovery; apparently no one but the band and students knew the show was going to happen let alone be recorded. What makes this so special is that these particular songs were not ever preserved in regular studio recordings

Mingus was such a prolific and amazing band leader, managing to combine Blues, Bop, Swing, Piano, Bebop, Ragtime, Classical, and Jazz into one dizzying 130 minute long show. That's right. 130 minutes. There are several notable length of tracks here: 29 minutes, 15 minutes, 17 minutes, 31 minutes. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to witness the Mingus Sextet play one song for 31 minutes, but I do wish I had that experience. There are solos and solos within solos. There's witty banter and the occasional "Name That Tune" game. There are the lyrics: "Two, four, six, eight they brainwash and teach hate" in the song "Fables of Faubus." There's also an interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady", because Mingus always paid tribute to Ellington.

My favorite track: "Fables of Faubus", written by Mingus in direct protest against Arkansas governor Orval E. Faubus. Faubus, as I'm sure you might remember, was the man responsible for sending the National Guard to prevent the integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. It was actually recorded for a 1959 album, but the label said it was too controversial and it was chucked. (Literally.) It was rerecorded in 1960 for another album but was censored by the label. The version at the Cornell concert is played the way Mingus intended it to be played. (Thus making it a version not preserved in a regular studio recording.)

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"ATFW You" (which means: Art Tatumisms and Fats Wallerisms) (Google it.)

--"Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, the Blue Silk"

--"Take the A Train"

--"Jitterbug Waltz"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #13

Cale's Pick

ContraNova: Infinity In All Directions

Released: May 2007 (?)

Preview/Purchase it HERE

In case you haven't been paying attention these last months, let me give you a quick recap about who ContraNova is, why I love them, and why you should too; because this very well may be the last time I ever write about this great album.

I'm always skeptical when an artist or label sends me an album to review. First off, it doesn't happen too often, as Audio Overflow is still a pretty small blog (though we're growing). Secondly, when I do get promotional copies of CDs, the almost always sound awful. The lone exception to this rule is ContraNova, out of Elgin, TX. Sean Craypo, who is essentially the only permanent member of the group, sent me an email several months back asking me if I could review his album, and I conceded. I received my copy in the mail just a few days later and put it into my stereo to listen. I listened to the first two songs. They weren't so bad. The lyrics were good, I thought, so I pulled out the CD insert to read along. It was then that I realized that Infinity In All Directions is a concept album. The official description reads, "This album tells the story of a man’s quest to build a time machine, his seeming success and the experiences that follow, and his eventual entrapment in the past that leads to an uncertain future." That's about as good as a description as any.

But the beautiful, genius thing about Infinity In All Directions isn't the sci-fi nature of the story, but the personal struggle that the hero must overcome. In traveling to the past without any way of immediately returning to the future, he completely disconnects himself from his true love. The album follows the hero as he tries to repeat his life exactly how he had in the past in order to once again end up with his love, and it chronicles the hardships he endures as a result. The songs on Infinity In All Directions are all introspective and surprisingly personal, considering Craypo writes as a disconnected omnipotent (or does he?), and the insight we gain into the hero's now-troubled existence is priceless.

But perhaps the greatest attribute that ContraNova flaunts is Craypo's flawless lyricism. Every moment of the album is flooded with perfect verses, and a single line will stick with you, haunt you, long after it is spoken. They are humbly written though, nothing as outlandish or whimsical as Ben Gibbard thankfully. A simple line like, "I have been told God hears all my prayers. God must be lonely to listen to me," not only speaks volumes about the hero's own loneliness, but can also be related to anyone listening to the song.

If I sound like I'm babbling, or writing review #2 of Infinity In All Directions, I apologize. Like I said, this is the last time that I intend to write about this great album. I wanted to make sure that it went out with a bang. Hopefully you'll take my advice and pick up a copy. You could go to ContraNova's myspace page and sample a few songs, but this is an album that really needs to be listened to in its entirety to be appreciated. It is one of the best albums of 2007, and you are cheating yourself if you let this one go by unnoticed.

For surprising me over and over again, ContraNova time-travels to the #13 spot on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #13

"Taking Control" by Eisley, from the album, Combinations.

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Jill's Pick

Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger

Released: June 26, 2007

It's really hard for me to truly appreciate any new Ryan Adams song for one reason: "Magnolia Mountain." It is one of my favorite songs and I am guilty of hitting repeat once it's over so I can hear it again. It is a song that is always (I mean always) floating around inside my head and that makes it this near impossible standard for Ryan Adams to meet.

I don't think the man will ever create another song as glorious as that one, but he does try. And this time, with Easy Tiger, he tried it the sober way. (You know, for some people, sober just doesn't work.)

It's like a classic Country album. Like I've busted out some old Willie Nelson and fired it up for my listening pleasure. It's a mix of Pop and Bluegrass and Country. It's poetic. It's another one of those short albums. It takes a while to get used to and once I did get into it, I realized it's all of his albums and styles meshed together into one.

Songs about love, pain, self-loathing, fear, onesided relationships, want. "Magnolia Mountain" they aren't, but they aren't that bad.

My favorite track: "These Girls"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Oh My God, Whatever, Etc."

--"Off Broadway"

--"Pearls On a String"

--"These Girls"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #14

Cale's Pick

Tegan and Sara: The Con

Released: July 24, 2007

Being the exquisite portrait of masculinity that I am, Tegan and Sara are not what you'd expect to hear on my iPod. But they're there. And they play a lot. At work, I plug in my iPod to the PA system so that no matter where I go in the building, my music is always with me (one of the benefits of working in a gym, I suppose). But not all my music is appropriate for work, and it just so happens that Tegan and Sara is. So everytime the sisters come on, I always get the weirdest looks from people who know that the music playing is my own. The sort of, "You listen to this?" look. Yeah, I listen to this. And I'm proud of it. Not to sound sexist, though I'm sure many will interpret it as such, but I can't really think of too many great female songwriters. Maybe one or two dozen at best, whereas I could list off great male songwriters for hours. The Quin sisters are great songwriters, even if they rarely deviate from the standard "relationship" theme. Even then, it's usually a different take than most others would offer up. And then when they decide to deviate, well...you're just in for a treat. Because Tegan and Sara may be mediocre, if not interesting, vocalists and musicians. But when it comes to songwriting skills, you'd be hard pressed to find many who are as earnest and talented as Tegan and Sara Quin. Word.

For reassuring me of my masculinity (in some medieval, roundabout way), Tegan and Sara girl-rock their way to the #14 spot.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #14

"If Silence Means That Much to You" by Emma Pollock, from the album, Watch the Fireworks.

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Jill's Pick

Jill Scott: Collaborations

Released: January 30, 2007

I told you a few reviews back that I really like Jill Scott. She is fantastic alone, but when she lends her voice to someone else's track, there's some magic there that can't be passed up.

I figured it out, what I couldn't describe about why I like Jill Scott in my last review: I like being in her world when she sings. There's something magical about it. There's something soothing and there's this overall idea that she conveys that everything is going to be okay and sometimes I need a reminder of that.

"Kingdom Come" is a nice Gospel inspired bit. There's a nice mix of Jazz and Rap. It's the track "Daydreamin'" though that just...wow. Lupe Fiasco comes up with this track that just...every time I hear it, I feel like I'm in a Rap version of Tim Burton's Willy Wonka. (You know, the one with Johnny Depp.) It's one of the few songs I actually see in my head, for as odd as it sounds. I just see over-saturated color and huge flowers and I really probably should keep that to myself so that one doesn't think I'm on some kind drug. It's just a track that is made a million times better with Jill Scott's voice in and out of it.

The only thing missing is a version of "You Got Me" by the Roots. It would have had to have been a live track and there are a few out there. Jill Scott wrote the hook for that song but they chose Erykah Badu to sing it on the album version. They do it in two different entirely different ways, but Jill Scott adds something more...personal...to it. It's too bad it was left off because it's really one of her finest endeavors. (After "Daydreamin'" which is just GOLD)

My favorite track: (of course) "Daydreamin'"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Daydreamin'" (Lupe Fiasco)

--"Said Enough" (Isley Brothers)

--"One Time" (Eric Roberson)

--"Kingdom Come" (Kirk Franklin)

--"Love Rain (Coffee Shop Mix) (Mos Def)

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Summary only...

The Top 31 of 2007 - #15

Cale's Pick

Okkervil River: The Stage Names

Released: August 7, 2007

For Okkervil River, The Stage Names was nothing special. Coming two years after their brilliant and definitive album, Black Sheep Boy, this one kind of was exactly what you wanted it to be, and everything you expected it to be. The band didn't set out to drastically change their sound or their approach to making music. They just did what they always do: impress. Will Sheff's vocals are drenched with emotion and earnesty. His lyrics are so vivid, so real, that you can close your eyes and get a crystal clear picture of what he's singing about. Then of course the instrumentation is just as impressive as it's always been. Okkervil River is folksy, to be sure, and the album does a great job of balancing out their soft, somber moments with their more rockin' moments. As a result, it feels more cohesive than it probably should. Like I said, it's not that huge of an achievement for Okkervil River. But any other band striving to reach these heights of artistry will have a long, tough battle ahead of them; and few will actually get there. The Stage Names is nothing special for Okkervil River, but Okkervil River, themselves, are extremely special.

For being special in these especially un-special times of unspectacular speciality, Okkervil River winds their way into the #15 spot.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #15

"The Twist" by Metric, from the album, Grow Up and Blow Away.

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Jill's Pick

Serj Tankian: Elect the Dead

Released: October 23, 2007

Here's what I know: I'm not the biggest fan of Metal/Hard Rock/whatever we're calling it these days. After a few minutes it all sounds the same to me and it's just whining guitars with a screaming voice thrown over the top of them. If I listen to it for too long, I start to feel edgy and angry because that's the effect Metal/Hard Rock/whatever we're calling it these days has on me, but on occasion you will find me listening to it and even more so, enjoying it. There are a few really great System of a Down songs, ones I keep on my iPod for warm up music or for when I'm feeling particularly angry and want to fuel that anger. (If you didn't know, Serj Tankian is the frontman for SOAD and he's gone solo.)

Here's what else I know: Serj Tankian has the most distinctive and unusual male voice I've ever heard. I don't care what anyone says, the man has an awesome voice that can go from quiet to screaming to bellowing in the span of 3 seconds. In fact, every time I hear him being particularly screechy, I say the same thing: I wish he'd quit that because he's wasting that voice on it. He's also a genius writer and while I prefer not to listen to other people's politics in music (I know, I know, hard to avoid) he's one of the few people where I don't mind hearing it. His world views are insightful and he's somehow managed to capture some kind of voice of his generation.

Doom and gloom is never a bad thing to have on hand. In small doses.

Bonus points for the use of Opera singer Ani Maldjian on his album.

The best track on the album: "Unthinking Majority"

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"Unthinking Majority"

--"Saving Us"

--"Baby"

--"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"

--"Elect the Dead"

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The Top 31 of 2007 - #16

Cale's Pick

Radiohead: In Rainbows

Released: October 10, 2007

I forgot to set my alarm. That's the excuse I'll use, here. You see I was really planning on waking up at midnight, just in time to make it to the station. But it wasn't until 8am that I finally woke up. I hurriedly put on my clothes, foregoing the typical shower in an attempt to make up for lost time. I was 8 hours late! No time to eat or talk to anyone, I got into my 1994 Ford F-150 and rushed to the train station. Traffic was hell. Everything was stalled, I wasn't moving at all. I decided to take a shortcut, and made it to the station in about 15 minutes. By that time, though, the train had left without me. I had missed the hype train.

You see, maybe it's the experience of staying up late and downloading a greatly anticipated album the first moment it's available. I was there for Kid A, Napster was friendly. But when In Rainbows released over the series of tubes a few months back, I decided that I'd wait until morning to check out the album. By the time I headed to inrainbows.com, the site was flooded with traffic. I ended up downloading it from BitTorrent and not paying a dime for it. I missed out on the experience of downloading In Rainbows that so many of you got to enjoy. Maybe that's why I haven't ranted and raved about it. I gave it a 7 out of 10 because it is a good album, there's not a bad song on it really. But it's Radiohead. And amongst all the talk of how Radiohead was revolutionizing the way consumers will receive music in the future, everybody forgot to notice that Radiohead wasn't coming anywhere close to revolutionizing their own sound as they have done so many times in the past.

Kid A remains my favorite Radiohead album to date because it is challenging, and at the time, completely unexpected from the band that was supposed to singlehandedly save rock music. Hail to the Thief had the band falling back on their old tricks, but adding in enough cool things here and there to keep things interesting. The same can be said for In Rainbows. Despite it's utter greatness on every song, there's simply not enough here to get excited about. It sounds a lot like O.K. Computer, which is good, but it doesn't differentiate itself enough from it. In doing so, it's just a bit disappointing coming from Radiohead. But it is a good album. And you should listen to it. And I will buy it in January, because I really prefer CDs over than MP3s any day.

For finally giving us some new material to listen to and freak out over, Radiohead makes it to #16 on my list.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #16

"Peacebone" by Animal Collective, from the album, Strawberry Jam.

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Jill's Pick

PJ Harvey: White Chalk

Released: October 2, 2007

I know I sound like a broken record (no pun intended) by using this to describe different artists, but, PJ Harvey is like Bjork...sometimes you never know what you'll get. Really, though, in PJ Harvey's case, it's not exactly a good thing. It's nice, but it's not always good. It's nice to hear her in a different form, but it's not good because well, this album comes off like a Tori Amos tribute album.

It's exactly like a Tori Amos tribute album.

(What is it with the 30 minute range albums anymore? I'm starting to think that people are more concerned with getting an album done in the quickest way possible rather than really working on the things they're putting on to said albums.)

I never thought I'd use the word haunting to describe PJ Harvey, but that's what she is on this album. "Broken Harp" is so, so sad sometimes you get stuck there. There's a very Old West feeling and (hey!) there's no wailing.

Here's what makes this album worthy of being on my list: White Chalk is like she's preparing to die and the lyrics and music are the kinds of things you'd say in a letter to a loved one. I can relate to that.

The best track: "The Mountain" (which should be admired for it's cinematic qualities.

Songs you should give a listen to:

--"The Devil"

--"When Under Ether"

--"Broken Harp"

--"The Piano"

--"The Mountain"

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Summary only...