Top 5 Albums Of 2007

It’s my obligation to bring you my Top 5 Albums of the year. And I wouldn’t let my Hops fans down. Here they are:

The Top 5 Albums of 2007

1) Neon Bible by Arcade Fire - I think a lot of people dismiss them because they're suddenly trendy but those people are being foolish. This album gets better every time I hear it. I played it on “All You Need Is Hops” more than any other album this year. I don’t think it can be overstated how difficult it must have been to put out and album this brilliant on the heels of Funeral. Amazing stuff that will last a very very long time.

2) Boxer by The National – The National are simply brilliant. If Neon Bible wasn't so damn good this would be an easy #1 pick. But unfortunately they come up short for the 2^nd time in 3 years. That said this was a great year for the band and this album is completely deserving of all the press they received. It brings out such a range of emotions by relating to everyday life and the daydreams that fill in the cracks of your day.

3) Cassadaga by Bright Eyes – Definitely his best work yet. "First a mother bathes a child, then the other way around, the scales always find a way to level out" might be the line of the year. The more I take time to soak these songs in the more they are impossible to ignore.

4) In Rainbows by Radiohead - Difficult for them to exceed the massive expectations I always have of them. This album appeared simpler on the surface but there is way more there than I first heard. If you own it listen to it more and you’ll get more out of it. In some ways the method of distribution for In Rainbows is detracting from the quality of music they actually released. Over time I expect that to change and people to realize how much good stuff is on the record.

5) Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs - The top four albums were easy picks for me but the #5 slot was much tougher. However, I keep coming back to this album. It’s so easy to listen to yet it is more complex than it seems. Every few weeks I put it back on and I have a tough time taking it off. Why don’t more people talk about her? She deserves better.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails, Our Love To Admire by Interpol, Shepherd's Dog by Iron & Wine, Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams, Sky Blue Sky by Wilco, One Man Revolution by The Nightwatchman, Cease To Begin by Band of Horses, From A Late Night High Rise by Matthew Ryan and Emerald City by John Vanderslice

You can hear selections from the Top 5 Albums in the next Hopscast.