Top 10 Albums of 2007

After a long period of deliberation I’ve completed the grueling task of selecting this past year’s favourite albums. So without further ado, here’s my top 10 picks for 2007:

10. Eivind Aarset – Sonic Codex

Well maybe I’m overrating this one a bit. Then again, dark tasty instrumental avant-rock with jazz influences is right up my alley :P Actually scratch that first sentence, this really is awesome stuff!

“Drobak Saray”

9. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

Very good (gasp!) indie rock, I loved the orchestration and the melodies. The album loses a bit of steam about halfway through, but still it’s a great listen with some outstanding tracks.

“Keep The Car Running”

[EDIT Jan 2nd] A good night’s sleep made me reconsider this one, it’s not quite top 10 material.

8. Efterklang – Under Giant Trees

Danish Efterklang perfect their original style of classically tinged post-rock with this EP. Couple it with selected tracks from the Parades LP and you’ll get a very good output from this band.

“Himmelbergjet”

7. Neurosis – Given to the Rising

The wave of “post-metal” has been growing ever stronger these past 2-3 years – but Neurosis remain masters of the genre they’ve helped create. A mature album offering a unique listening experience and showing all the wannabes how it’s done.

“Given to the Rising”

6. Alcest – Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde

Black metal that’s dreamy instead of grim? Lush vocals instead of kvlt shrieks? Surprisingly, it works: this is an album of ethereal beauty. Purists have accused this of being a worthless gimmick – in that case, I fell for it :)

“Sur L’autre Rive Je T’attendrai”

5. Shining – Grindstone

I’ve mentioned this one before. The Norwegian King Crimson worshippers have given us one hell of a ride to enjoy. I’m still kicking myself for having missed them when they opened for Enslaved in London.

“In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be A Monster”

4. Trettioåriga Kriget – I Början och Slutet

Perfectly executed hard prog from the Swedish veterans. I love the feel and sound of this album. Can’t wait to see them on the boat! What boat? I’ll tell you later :P

“Ryattaren”

3. Reverend Bizarre – III: So Long Suckers

The Finnish doom metallers’ final LP, this is music designed to crush every mortal soul in existence. I consider this 2hour+ juggernaut of an album in the same league as Epicus Doomicus Metallicus and Master of Reality – the only reason it’s not #1 is you just can’t listen to the whole thing in one sitting, unless you’re a vile cacodemon from the depths of Hell.

I’m not uploading a song ‘cos you don’t listen to Reverend Bizarre on a fucking blog, you faggot.

2. Black Bonzo – Sound of the Apocalypse

A great leap forward from their debut, the new LP by Black Bonzo is a stunning collection of kickass progressive rock songs. The only reason this isn’t #1 is they’re still quite indebted to Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull and Queen, but the way they incorporate these influences is brilliant, and Sound of the Apocalypse is a really strong album throughout.

“Thorns Upon A Crown”

And now, what we’ve all been waiting for…

1. World’s End Girlfriend – Hurtbreak Wonderland

I’ve been saying “the only reason this isn’t #1″, but it’s clear in my mind that some Japanese dude called Katsuhiko Maeda has created the best album of 2007. Forward-thinking instrumental music as constantly vibrant, interesting and intense as this is quite rare. Of course it’s not perfect – one major gripe I have is that sometimes he overdoes the glitchy SFX thing – but it’s a very important album, at least for me.

“Ghost Of A Horse Under The Chandelier”


Here’s some other excellent albums that almost made it into the top 10:

  • Dodheimsgard – Supervillain Outcast
  • Anna Järvinen – Jag Fick Feeling
  • Wolves In The Throne Room – Two Hunters
  • Alamaailman Vasarat – Maahan
  • Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem
  • Battles – Mirrored
  • Herbie Hancock – River: The Joni Letters
  • Martin Grech – March Of The Lonely
  • Dungen – Tio Bitar
  • Radiohead – In Rainbows

Stay tuned for some final thoughts and the whole list of albums that 2007 has left me with. Oh, and Happy New Year everyone! :D