10 Albums, 10 Awards for Best of 2007

BEST DRINKING ALBUM
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black


We’ve all been there. This is the perfect soundtrack for the kind of night where you are wandering around looking for a drink to drown your sorrows with our alcoholic boyfriend Jack Daniel. Fuck rehab!


BEST WHISTLING ALBUM
Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block


It seems like everyone and their mother was whistling the catchy “Young Folks.” Me included. And of course, the rest of the album is also fun and lovely. I remember when I was walking around Amsterdam, the PBJ song of the same city name was stuck in my head. Brilliant pop music.


MOST HEARTBREAKING ALBUM
Elvis Perkins – Ash Wednesday


I remember when I first heard an Elvis Perkins song, I started to tear because it just broke my heart. I still don’t think I’m full recovered from the emotional trauma this album has caused me. "Moon Woman II," "Without Love," and "Ash Wednesday" are tender and so fragile.


BEST STONER ALBUM
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse


The beautiful, lush walls of sound and the amazing harmonies that resound from this album are simply gorgeous. My new favorite Canadian musicians. Seriously, check this shit out!


BEST ALBUM TO RING YOUR EARS
A Place To Bury Strangers – A Place To Bury Strangers


We all know A Place To Bury Strangers are self-proclaimed the “loudest band in New York.” I can testify that this is true. Oliver is a genius, and I’m so happy his music is finally out in the open. It’s an audio assault that will make you like the way it hurts. My favorite track is “To Fix the Gash In Your Head” because it makes me dizzy with delight.


BEST ALBUM WITH A FORMER SMITHS MEMBER
Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank


OK, with the addition of Johnny Marr on guitar, Modest Mouse transformed into Sexy Mouse, according to me. I saw their show at United Palace and got turned on during the show. That’s never happened at a Modest Mouse show ever before. Super hot in my book. Isaac and Johnny = magic. “Dashboard” was inescapable this year!


BEST BEER-DRENCHED ALBUM
Cheeseburger – Cheeseburger


Sleazy, dirty, naughty, silly, fun and drunken. These are all words that describe the Cheeseburger experience. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourselves. Your inner badness will come out and surprise you, I guarantee. Anthemic songs like “Do You Remember?” and “Tiger” get me all riled up like I wanna start a fucking bar fight. Meow.


BEST ALBUM TO KICK IT TO
Fujiya & Miyagi – Transparent Things


This album is an essential. You know when you’re just sitting around your apartment, hanging with your friends and you want to put on some cool music? This is the album you should be reaching for. Their stream-of-consciousness songs will inspire good times in your living room. A couple of my faves were the title track and “Collarbone.”


SPLASHIEST COMEBACK ALBUM
Gabby Glaser – Gimme Splash


Gabby Glaser made a name for herself in the popular 90s group, Luscious Jackson, and she continues to make a name for herself as front woman for her new project, Gabby Glaser and The Great Ones. The songs still have the funk of Luscious with a new garage rock edge. “Spirit of Long Island” and “Naturally High” were a couple of my favorite summer tracks!


SNARKIEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lily Allen – Alright, Still


Revenge is a bitch, and this year it comes through the lovely vocals and tongue-in-cheek, snarky lyrics of Lily Allen. I had my doubts about her in the beginning, but at first listen of this album I was hooked and singing along to “Smile” and “Everything’s Just Wonderful.” Any time you are mad at someone, put on this album and flip the bird a few times like they do in Flight of the Conchords. You’ll feel so much better, trust me.