Hey look, I can be trendy and have a tops thread: The Unfan's top 100 albums of 2007
 

This thread took so long to getting around to because it was impossible to order, and because there were a lot of albums that needed repeat listens. However, I think I'm fairly happy with the order.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3...onymousjd0.jpg
100: Tomahawk - Anonymous

This album shows Tomahawk going in a slightly different direction as they pick up some tribal elements which are especially notable in the drums.

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/1...t20fullwb1.jpg
99. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

Not surprising that former Beatles member Paul McCartney still manages a lot of pop gusto. This is probably his best solo album in years. Both crushingly honest sounding and filled with catchy hooks it manages to be an emotional joy ride as he sings something a bit more deep than silly love songs this time around.

100 albums for one year? Blimey!

I figured its a good way to counter everyone who says "Man, this is a bad year for music." since no year is really bad for music. Also, I think I'm going to do it for every year from here on out. 08 should be easier than 07.

I just don't listen to enough recent music, i figure i'm only 18 and there's a lot of stuff i haven't heard before my time i need to catch up on!

I'm excited for the rest of this. I've seen a lot of shoddy lists for 07 so far. I'm crossing my fingers.

As long as there is no mention of MIA in here, I'm just fine with it. =P

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/9...choly20bd5.jpg

98. Holy Fuck - LP

Really raw sounding garagey noise rock. The instrumentation on this album is both wild yet well constructed. With a mass of electronic bleeps and bloops atop an assault by multiple drummers this band manages to find a way to sound strangely musical in the same way that washing machines do. Yet even with being that noise oriented the keyboard melodies manage to make it palatable to people who might otherwise not get it.

This is an awesome quote. I look forward to this thread helping prove your noble and inspiring thesis.

Top 10 for me, one of the best electro albums in recent years (that i've heard).

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6...tlss500us2.jpg
97.Sigur Rós - Hvarf/Heim

New old songs from Sigur Rós. Double disc for double the greatness.

On the Hvarf disc we get to hear some eclectic and mellow indie of some sort. I'm not sure how to properly describe exactly what this is, but its good music for lounging around to. The exception being Hafsól which is a very tense song that builds very slowly, the music equivalent to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Then it bursts out of nowhere with a flurry of strings to give this jarring effect. Holy shit.

On Heim we get a live acoustic album filled with material you should already be familiar with. This album is very well performed with the stand out performance being Starálfur as it is both my favorite Sigur Rós song and transfers surprisingly well to acoustic. The whole performance is really powerful and a must for any Sigur Rós fan.

I've never heard of this until I read this post.

*is currently listening to the album*

Should of been higher.

Gonna give that one a listen too.

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/2065/838856ja0.jpg

96. They Might Be Giants - The Else

Well...sorta. This album was originally released in 07, re-released in 07 with a slightly different track listing, then released again in 07 as a double disc with the demos for the album, and finally released again in 08 as an import only (for us Americans) with a bonus disc of extra material. While the best version of this album is probably the one released in 08 all the songs from 07 are good with maybe the exception of Take Out The Trash which sounds like a bad Smash Mouth ripoff. Still, this being a long awaited album for me and I wasn't too let down actually. In fact, I'd say this is the best TMBG since Factory Showroom.

Very cool interesting and overlooked band. I enjoy the old stuff, have not heard this, I will order it tonight.

That's a great album!

meh, didnt quite like this album.
although, the album cover is great.

TMBG always have good album covers, even on their children's albums:

http://jensshop.com/images/no.bmp

Why do all of those kids have black eyes?

TBH, I have no idea. It's supposed to be a children's album. Maybe TMBG are endorsing corporal discipline?

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3...4ae43aavs2.jpg
95. Edge Of Dawn - Enjoy The Fall

Seabound frontman Frank Spinath making 80s-esque synth pop. Like a more girly sounding Junior Boys this album makes me almost want to turn gay. The heart meltingly gushy sounds that this album puts out are the music equivalent of a romantic drama but it feels as if you're sucked into every role. Its a bit cheesy and slightly cliched but its the kind of cliched cheese that you would find digestible in an 80s flashback sandwich with Frank Spinath as the meat and you as the buns. Mmmm...

Also, Frank Spinath so you know it has to be good.

Hey Unfan, how large is your music library? I mean, if you can do a list of the top 100 albums of one year, then god only knows how much music you actually have.

It's not too hard to have that much music, it IS hard to listen to it all. I've been working for about three years straight and I still haven't breached 1,000 albums that I really enjoy.

It is a mystery.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4...00aa240jq6.jpg
94. My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - The Filthiest Show In Town

Dirty rock fused with catchy industrial beats. Too tired to bother making the album sound stupidly good, so check it out for yourself.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4...glss500bj7.jpg
93.yelworC - Eclosion

yelworC has sort of a dark ambient meets EBM meets movie score style thats fairly unique and rather complex in parts. Lots of layering and crisp keyboards mixed with random noise makes for an eerie listen. Somehow this album manages to be dancey yet complex and even somewhat moving at times. While a bit hard to swallow and probably requires repeat listening to fully get I would recommend this to anyone who even remotely likes anything musical.

^^^^

Sound's intriguing. I may have to check that out.

Early Recap

100. Tomahawk - Anonymous
99. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
98. Holy Fuck - LP
97. Sigur Rós - Hvarf/Heim
96. They Might Be Giants - The Else
95. Edge Of Dawn - Enjoy The Fall
94. My Like With The Thrill Kill Kult - The Filthiest Show In Town
93. yelworC - Eclosion

100 albums from a single year is a lot (profound I know), I've heard two of these so far.

I have only heard part of the album but I really have enjoyed it. After yours and everyone elses praise imma have to get my hands on the full album.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5...hlss400gi9.jpg

92. October File - Holy Armour From The Jaws Of God

This album was initially higher on my list, and probably really should be. October File sound like NWOBHM meets fuzzy punk rock, but not in a thrashy way. Closer to hardcore with the melodic sense and heaviness of early metal pioneers. If ever Minor Threat carried the bastard son of Motorhead and the child were delivered by High On Fire this is the beautiful child. This album delivers catchy and bold riffs backed by some rather creative drum patterns which make for an interesting backing to Hollyer's gruff yet melodic vocals. Listen or die.

Woud you mind upping the bolded ones at some point?
100. Tomahawk - Anonymous
99. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
98. Holy **** - LP
97. Sigur Rós - Hvarf/Heim
96. They Might Be Giants - The Else
95. Edge Of Dawn - Enjoy The Fall
94. My Like With The Thrill Kill Kult - The Filthiest Show In Town
93. yelworC - Eclosiont

So, I've ignored this a bit. Going to do 2 to try and catch up to speed.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2...0lss500bh0.jpg
91. Sgt. Sunshine - Black Hole

Sgt. Sunshine play throwback psychedelic rock with hints of kraut all over it. Sometimes spacey, sometimes bluesy, always well written. Every song on this album is like a trip back into my nonexistent past where I was a rebellious stoner youth. If you're a fan of kraut, stoner, or psychedelic rock than there is certainly something in this album for you.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/4...rlss500ym8.jpg
90. Grendel - Harsh Generation
EBM with a unique hint of trance and the occasional harsh industrial beat. Dancey with enough variation that the redundant beats don't grow old over the course of the album. The trance elements are used lightly so they don't immediately jump out but rather allows the EBM elements to break down and build up around it which allows for smooth tempo changes, while the industrial thuds are more so overlaid to make certain songs sound more aggressive and harsh. I don't think the average MB user would enjoy it, but try it anyway.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1...00aa240na4.jpg

89. Down - Over The Under

This album is probably the best Down album to date. Less heavy and slightly more bluesy and soulful. The album is all around less aggressive and ends up having a classic rock feel to it as opposed to the southern tinged heavy metal sound you'd expect from Down.

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/2...00aa240np3.jpg
88. The Number 12 Looks Like You - Mongrel

More straight forward and less spazzy, this album still manages to be fairly shocking at times. The juxtaposition of grind, metalcore, and flamenco make for another unique listen from The Number 12 Looks Like You.

Note: Ignore critics.

I appreciate you Unfan.

You're so sweet. <3

The Grendel and Yelworc albums sound right up my street.

87 actually gets two releases, counting them in one spot because I didn't want to waste space in my top 100.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6...00aa240fi6.jpg
87. Trouble - Simple Mind Condition
Traditional doom metal legends Trouble release another masterpiece that swings full force with heavy riffs that don't let up. This album is a little less bluesy than their other releases with a bit more of a psychedelic touch to it. Lots of slow chugging riffs and melodic leads. If you're looking for something modern with an old school feel this will deliver.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8...00aa240ca3.jpg
Also 87. Trouble - Live In Stockholm

Not really an album. I just figured this DVD should be mentioned. It does a good job of covering their material. A few new songs but mainly older stuff. It also comes with an interview, a nice look back at their albums, and lots of other content. If you're a Trouble fan its well worth owning.

Unfortunately its also the last release with Wagner.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/2...00aa240kn6.jpg
86.Therion - Gothic Kabbalah
This double disc release shows Therion changing yet again. A bit less aggressive and symphonic than what Therion fans are probably used to. In fact I'd almost hesitate to even call it a metal album of any sort. However, I'd honestly consider this one of their finer moments and definitely the easiest point of entry for new listeners.

More accessible than typical Therion in some ways, but still not quite really accessible. The whole album is very polished and smooth sounding from beginning to end with lots of variance in style and structure. From the rather pop-esque Der Mitternachtslöwe to the melodic power metal inspired Chain Of Minerva to the over the top epic closer Adulruna Rediviva this album manages to be one of the most surprisingly diverse albums of 07.

Good call on 87 & 86!
The therion album sounds more power metallish than most of their other releases, but not all that cheesy.
And for an album with 15 tracks, there are no fillers at all!(or atleast i didn't notice any)