ZOOM IN: a close look at ten 2007 albums

...that changed the way I think.

While I listened to a lot of music this year, I've decided to select ten albums that I feel I really got into and grew attached to. I listened to these albums probably more than is healthy this year, and so I have decided to make a post with a blurb about each, and a sample song for your listening pleasure.

Please enjoy.

1. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

I absolutely adored this album. The moment I heard it from the leaked version my brother slipped to me, I was in love. The energy, the sheer punch it posseses, is really original and different. Each song is erupting with creativity, and each song is extremely different from the next. Not only that, the songs flow into each other beautifully and perfectly without a bit of effort. Pitchfork didn't put this on the best albums of 2007 list, and I think this was a huge mistake on their part.

Track download: For The Pier (And Dead Shimmering)

This track is one of the gems of the album in my opinion. Shifting between a delicate melody and booming explosions of percussion instruments is a beautiful story. I can't get enough.

2. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

The first time I heard this, I thought it stank. I was shocked and taken aback by Condon's sudden change from gypsy ethnic to french bistro. I didn't give the album a second chance. Luckily though, shuffle brought me to the tracks "Nantes" and "Guyamas Sonora", and I had to give it another listen. While the middle of the album lags a little and the strong songs are definitley at the beginning and end, overall it's beautiful, and sounds just as elegant as Condon's previous work. It's delicate yet complicated; beautiful but filled with remorse and edges. Lovely work, Mr. Condon. Sorry I doubted you.

Track download: Nantes

I suppose this is the popular choice as "single" from the album, but I really can't help it. It is beautiful, haunting, and has definitley seized me.

3. The National - Boxer

When I saw the Paste had voted this the best album of the year, I was so happy. Ecstatic that The National's second full length had been recognized, and also that other people could appreciate it's genius. I have been hooked on The National for three months now, and this album is by far their best work yet. Some songs have a melancholic, forlorn feeling, while others burst with a thrashing of different feelings and sentiments. Also, the lead singer Matt Berninger couldn't have a more original sounding voice. I have never heard it before in todays music, and this just makes their sound all the more recognizable and fun to listen to. The fact that they can do so much with one album astounds me.

Track download: Squalor Victoria

Although it is the shortest track on the album, this song captured me from the moment it began. It's beautiful, intriguing, and yet so simple. It only uses a piano, vocals, drums, and some strings. Gorgeous work.

4. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

I have more than 15 plays on each song on this album. Not only is it catchy as fuck (pardon my french), the lyrics are witty, the blend of instruments and electronics is (as always) perfectly melded into one golden sound. of Montreal keep proving to me that they can outperform and outdo themselves. I adore this album in all it's pop electro indie goodness. Just can't get enough, and keep on dancing along...

Track download: Faberge Falls For Shuggie

I chose this track because I feel it's the one we hear the least about from the album. It's a fabulous song, suave and cool but also screechy and insane. How can you do that in one song? Also, it's a perfect example of how of Montreal utilizes their electronic sound to it's full extent.

5. Caribou - Andorra

Caribou's newest release is one of his best in my opinion. Each song is haunting and has a sort eerie charm to it. I picture driving down a highway with the rain beating on the windshield; or running through a forest with beams of light coming through the trees; or sitting in the window of an old castle ruin...you get the picture. "Andorra" evokes whatever is most mysterious and exploration-worthy to you. It takes you there, I swear.

Track download: Sundialing

As I said before about the car...no but seriously, this song is that scene. It's that moment. It's beautiful and it's structure melody leave nothing to be desired.

6. The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Thank you, Jack and Meg. Thank you for redeeming yourselves after the horror that was "Get Behind Me Satan". I was scared for The White Stripes, but then I heard "Icky Thump" and sighed in relief. A lot of this album sounds like good ol' thumping, banging White Stripes. A lot of is new ventures. A lot of picks it up where the band had previously left off. The amazing part of the album is the ability they have to bring all these different points in their music life together and make them a really great album. Cheers, to both of you. Please tour again.

Track download: Little Cream Soda

This song jumped off the album for me at first listen. It's hard, it's rough, it's in your face and I love it. It reminds me of the Stripes as they were way back when. Awesome stuff.

7. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

It's hard to put this album into words. Even now I struggle to type something in to fill the space. This album is subdued and quiet, and yet there's a loud quality to it that comes across in the complexity of the music and sounds you hear. The compositions of the songs are perfect; they are full and like breaths of fresh air. Each one is new and different as you go from song to song on the album. A beautiful album, structured with finesse and delicacy and yet filled with raw emotion.

Track download: House By The Sea

This is my favorite song on the album. The beginning catches you immediately and the melody follows you throughout the song and stays in your head even when it's long over. I also love the eclectic range of instruments used.

8. Bat For Lashes - Fur & Gold

Okay, I'll admit it: I discovered Bat For Lashes in Teen Vogue. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the genius of their little band any less. "Fur & Gold" is beautiful and haunting. It's absolutely gorgeous, in fact. It's magical and mythical: each song tells a story like a fairy tale and the overall theme of the album is like a story book. It's extremely eerie at parts but that only adds to the perfect mystery. This is also an album that, when you listen to it all the way through, in order, sounds absolutely gripping; like one long song you never want to let go of.

Track download: Horse And I

This song opens the album, and although it wasn't the first song I heard, it is now the one that catches my attention the most. It is incredible and powerful in a quiet way. The beginning notes are especially amazing. Gorgeous. Really. I can't use any other word.

9. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

While many fans felt a deep dissapointment in The Arcade Fire's newest release, I was thoroughly pleased, and I'm not afraid to say it. I loved their outward turn from inside suffering to worldly suffering. While the lyrics still leave something to be desired (what else is new? deal with it) the music is even more grand and overcoming. I think their blend of instruments and intricate melodies are something to be marveled at, and on this album, I think The Arcade Fire have discovered to what limits they can achieve their own unique sound.

Track download: The Well and The Lighthouse

A great track that tells an interesting story by means of a plethora of different instruments and sounds. Need I say more?

10. Battles - Mirrored

Some may call this math rock, but I like to call it calculated chaos. It's amazing how Battles can make everything sound so sharp and precise and on the dot, and yet also create a sound that evokes total and complete madness. I love this album and it's original unique sound. I think Battles has really gotten onto something here; they are different, and people love that. This album demonstrated just how much they are capable of producing. Wonderfully crafted, original sounding, fun to stomp around to...what more do you want?

Track download: Leyendecker

Sounding almost like a hip hop track you may hear on the radio, Battles creates a catchy beat and interesting melody to which you can easily nod your head, tap your foot...oh just get into it already man.