2008 Woodie Awards
The 20 best albums of 2007: #5-1
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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5. Liars - Liars
A flash! and Liars starts off on a fierce riff and the drums (once dead) pound as if their lives depend on it. The opening track to Liars' self-titled fourth album reminds one of being either in a muscle car evading past ghosts or as a low-ranking member of a motorcycle gang. Either fantasy requires me to wear leather. The preposterousness of this outfit bothers me more than the frantic vibe that "Plaster Casts of Everything" provides. As with the very first track, Liars is completely more accessible than their previous two albums. All tracks retain Liars' past experimentation, but there is fun to be had now.
-Matthew L. Reese
4. Rilo Kiley - Under the Black Light
Few things hit the spot like this album. The wide variety of styles makes is a great listen, starting with the light and lofty rhythm of "Silver Lining." The godess that is Jenny Lewis quickly transforms her voice from angelic to devilish and sultry, a feat which few could rival. This is especially evident in "Moneymaker." Kiley's influences are evident throughout. "Close Call" and "Dreamworld" have similarities to some of the heavily Stevie Nicks-influenced Fleetwood Mac days. "Breakin' Up" is reminiscent of Blondie. Then there is "Smoke Detector," a nod to the old beach bum movies of Frankie Avalon.
-Matt McRae
3.Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
The sixth studio album from Wilco shows a band starting to play music fitting of their age. Rather than continuing their trend of experimental rock, Wilco opts instead to do a breezy album that owes more to 1970's soft-rock than anything else. Not necessarily their best album, Sky Blue Sky nonetheless contains some really great songs helped by an overall improved musicianship. The introduction of guitar virtuoso Nels Cline certainly lends to that. If anything can be said that sums up the album it would be that this album could be the best driving record of the last few years
-Matthew L. Reese
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Who are we, Earthlings that is, to dare doubt Radiohead? Who are we to question whether this will be the Radiohead album that finally sucks. After the brouhaha surrounding the unique and abrupt release of the seventh studio album from the world's greatest rock band, we know now what we've really always known. Just more than ever now. It's Radiohead's world, and we should just all be thankful to live in it. "Reckoner," "Videotape," "Weird Fish Appregi" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" are all on par with any Radiohead song. These words are all pointless wasting of time that we could all be listening, err, reveling, in this album. It is brillant.
-Kevin Jeffers
1. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Hissing Fauna is a true masterpiece of electronic psych-pop and glam rock. Since its release, it has been an absolute favorite of the staff at 92J and has been on constant rotation. The album overflows with upbeat melodies, colorful lyrics and outlandish concepts that transcend the common idea of what a concept album should be. With long-winded song titles and at oftentimes complex themes, this album may seem like a handful, but it is definitely worth giving a hard listen to.
-Corey Martin
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #20-16
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #15-11
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #10-6
A flash! and Liars starts off on a fierce riff and the drums (once dead) pound as if their lives depend on it. The opening track to Liars' self-titled fourth album reminds one of being either in a muscle car evading past ghosts or as a low-ranking member of a motorcycle gang. Either fantasy requires me to wear leather. The preposterousness of this outfit bothers me more than the frantic vibe that "Plaster Casts of Everything" provides. As with the very first track, Liars is completely more accessible than their previous two albums. All tracks retain Liars' past experimentation, but there is fun to be had now.
-Matthew L. Reese
4. Rilo Kiley - Under the Black Light
Few things hit the spot like this album. The wide variety of styles makes is a great listen, starting with the light and lofty rhythm of "Silver Lining." The godess that is Jenny Lewis quickly transforms her voice from angelic to devilish and sultry, a feat which few could rival. This is especially evident in "Moneymaker." Kiley's influences are evident throughout. "Close Call" and "Dreamworld" have similarities to some of the heavily Stevie Nicks-influenced Fleetwood Mac days. "Breakin' Up" is reminiscent of Blondie. Then there is "Smoke Detector," a nod to the old beach bum movies of Frankie Avalon.
-Matt McRae
3.Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
The sixth studio album from Wilco shows a band starting to play music fitting of their age. Rather than continuing their trend of experimental rock, Wilco opts instead to do a breezy album that owes more to 1970's soft-rock than anything else. Not necessarily their best album, Sky Blue Sky nonetheless contains some really great songs helped by an overall improved musicianship. The introduction of guitar virtuoso Nels Cline certainly lends to that. If anything can be said that sums up the album it would be that this album could be the best driving record of the last few years
-Matthew L. Reese
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Who are we, Earthlings that is, to dare doubt Radiohead? Who are we to question whether this will be the Radiohead album that finally sucks. After the brouhaha surrounding the unique and abrupt release of the seventh studio album from the world's greatest rock band, we know now what we've really always known. Just more than ever now. It's Radiohead's world, and we should just all be thankful to live in it. "Reckoner," "Videotape," "Weird Fish Appregi" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" are all on par with any Radiohead song. These words are all pointless wasting of time that we could all be listening, err, reveling, in this album. It is brillant.
-Kevin Jeffers
1. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Hissing Fauna is a true masterpiece of electronic psych-pop and glam rock. Since its release, it has been an absolute favorite of the staff at 92J and has been on constant rotation. The album overflows with upbeat melodies, colorful lyrics and outlandish concepts that transcend the common idea of what a concept album should be. With long-winded song titles and at oftentimes complex themes, this album may seem like a handful, but it is definitely worth giving a hard listen to.
-Corey Martin
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #20-16
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #15-11
-- The 20 best albums of 2007: #10-6
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