2008 Woodie Awards
The 20 best albums of 2007: #15-11
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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15. Brandi Carlile - The Story
The 23-year-old Brandi Carlile sings with a voice so beyond her years (yet writes with the novical view of any aimless kid in her twenties) and in such a clear and thoughtful outlook, it leaves you thinking you couldn't have said it better yourself. Carlile's sound is not easily pinned down, either. Is she pop? Is she bluegrass? Is she alt-country? I really don't care. I just like it.
-Natalie Dempster
14. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Let's talk about "McFearless", the best song on Kings of Leon's best album, Because of the Times. Somehow, this Tennessee, Southern-rock-meets-grunge-meets-alt-country-whatever outfit was able to bottle a stereotypical down-on-his-luck Western vagabond tale into one of the more hard-charging (while still radio-friendly) rock singles of the year. Enough hyphens for you? That's the kind of band KOL is. Tough to pin down into one genre or describe in one way. But a good album is a good album.
-Kevin Jeffers
13. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Connor Oberst did nothing to dispel those who claim him to be the emo generation's Dylan with Cassadaga. The proflic everyman of Bright Eyes writes words so piercing (sung with an equally piercing, quavering voice) that it's impossible not to care about the cause -- whatever cause it may be -- just a little. "When the Brakeman Comes My Way" has as good advice as any anthem released in 2007, and "Four Winds" is as socially conscious as it is knee-slapping fun. It takes a rare gift to pull that off.
-Kevin Jeffers
12. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
I've always felt that Animal Collective would be far superior if they would embrace the pop format completely instead of shrouding melody with abrasive noise. It is on this release that the group attempts to create a fully embraceable set of songs that still retain the adventurous aspect of their past endeavors. These nine songs demand being heard. It's this insistency that makes this album immediately flourish. Strawberry Jam is a must own album, one that exceeds all expectations.
-Matthew L. Reese
11. Feist - The Reminder
Funny to me that the first words to come out of Feist's gorgeous mouth on her best album, 2007's The Reminder, are "I'm sorry." She has no reason to apologize to us. It's an eclectic listen. The record ranges from, forgive me, feisty to somber, and it's all done superbly. With a voice like hers, it'd be tougher not to make songs that sound anything less than beautiful. Indeed, her gifts do not go to waste. The best songs from an album that rarely left my CD player this summer are "I Feel It All," "The Park," "My Moon, My Man" and "Brandy Alexander." F*** it, there's not a bad track on here.
-Kevin Jeffers
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #20-16
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #10-6
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #5-1
The 23-year-old Brandi Carlile sings with a voice so beyond her years (yet writes with the novical view of any aimless kid in her twenties) and in such a clear and thoughtful outlook, it leaves you thinking you couldn't have said it better yourself. Carlile's sound is not easily pinned down, either. Is she pop? Is she bluegrass? Is she alt-country? I really don't care. I just like it.
-Natalie Dempster
14. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Let's talk about "McFearless", the best song on Kings of Leon's best album, Because of the Times. Somehow, this Tennessee, Southern-rock-meets-grunge-meets-alt-country-whatever outfit was able to bottle a stereotypical down-on-his-luck Western vagabond tale into one of the more hard-charging (while still radio-friendly) rock singles of the year. Enough hyphens for you? That's the kind of band KOL is. Tough to pin down into one genre or describe in one way. But a good album is a good album.
-Kevin Jeffers
13. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
Connor Oberst did nothing to dispel those who claim him to be the emo generation's Dylan with Cassadaga. The proflic everyman of Bright Eyes writes words so piercing (sung with an equally piercing, quavering voice) that it's impossible not to care about the cause -- whatever cause it may be -- just a little. "When the Brakeman Comes My Way" has as good advice as any anthem released in 2007, and "Four Winds" is as socially conscious as it is knee-slapping fun. It takes a rare gift to pull that off.
-Kevin Jeffers
12. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
I've always felt that Animal Collective would be far superior if they would embrace the pop format completely instead of shrouding melody with abrasive noise. It is on this release that the group attempts to create a fully embraceable set of songs that still retain the adventurous aspect of their past endeavors. These nine songs demand being heard. It's this insistency that makes this album immediately flourish. Strawberry Jam is a must own album, one that exceeds all expectations.
-Matthew L. Reese
11. Feist - The Reminder
Funny to me that the first words to come out of Feist's gorgeous mouth on her best album, 2007's The Reminder, are "I'm sorry." She has no reason to apologize to us. It's an eclectic listen. The record ranges from, forgive me, feisty to somber, and it's all done superbly. With a voice like hers, it'd be tougher not to make songs that sound anything less than beautiful. Indeed, her gifts do not go to waste. The best songs from an album that rarely left my CD player this summer are "I Feel It All," "The Park," "My Moon, My Man" and "Brandy Alexander." F*** it, there's not a bad track on here.
-Kevin Jeffers
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #20-16
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #10-6
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #5-1
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Summer Hunt
posted 11/29/07 @ 10:51 AM CST
Ah, yes. Thank you. Brandi Carlile.
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