Scott Freeman

The 20 Best Albums of 2007, Part One

Here is my list for 2005.

Here is 2006 Part One and Part Two.

This was not an easy list to put together. There were a number of great albums that just did not make my final cut. By my estimation I have downloaded (legally) over 40 albums so far that have been released this year. In this top 20 you should find a healthy mix of rock, pop, country, folk, alternative and blues.
Two notes: all albums were released in 2007 and they consist of new material. No greatest hits or collections were eligible for the list.

20. Susan Werner–The Gospel Truth
Although Werner describes herself as “evangelical agnostic” there is a great amount of faith that is contained in this album that wrestles with what it means to be a believer in our post-modern context. There is a great deal of frustration with fundamentalist thinking in her lyrics and her critique can be biting and caustic. It’s the best of faith mixed with doubt, of a longing to believe in a world where belief is sometimes hard to come by.
Download This: I Will Have My Portion and Our Father (The New, Revised Edition)

19. Bon Jovi–Lost Highway
Where most of the 80s hair bands have fallen into performing at county fairs and proms this band continues to find ways to be relevant and fresh. The way they have done that is to embrace the Country connection in their sound. On this album they continue the journey to Nashville that they began a couple of years back (although it could be claimed that JBJ began that back in the late 80s with ‘Blaze of Glory) with Sugarland. I’ve always considered to be Bon Jovi to be ‘pop candy’ it goes down easy and tastes pretty good.
Download This: (You Want to) Make a Memory
Here he is with LeeAnn Rimes on “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore”

18. The Twilight Sad–Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters
Scotland is churning out some tremendous alternative rock these days with the likes of Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura. If this debut from this Glasgow quartet is any indication then they will be stalwarts on the scene for a long while to come. Using a Scottish brogue mixed with liberal uses of wall of sound instrumentation and feedback this is a rocking disk.
Download this: Cold Days From the Birdhouse

17. Bright Eyes–Cassadaga
Yeah, Conor Oberst is cocky and smug. But he makes a great album. Cassadaga opts for the cryptic and obscure over the heavy-handed political ruminations of some of their previous outings. And that makes for a more enjoyable, diverse collection of tunes. Oberst is one of the best young craftsmen out there.
Download This: Make a Plan To Love Me

16. Mary Chapin Carpenter–The Calling
Carpenter’s last two albums are a reassuring indication that she has left behind the push to be a Nashville product. As a result she is doing what she is best at: probing, insightful and meaningful lyrics. She has an uncanny ability to weave topics as weighty as faith, politics and longing into melancholy epics. From her Katrina response (”Houston”) to her take on The Dixie Chicks (”On With the Song”) Carpenter once again puts forth a disc that bears repeat listening.
Download This: The Calling
This is “Here I Am” as featured on Crossing Jordan.

15. Brandi Carlile–The Story
Man, this girl has some pipes. When she kicks into her harder-edge tone it will almost knock you over. When I first hear the title track to The Story, I went and bought everything she has released. She is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite vocalists.
Download This: Turpentine

14. New Pornographers–Challengers
Anything that has the presence of Neko Case automatically warrants a spot in the top 20. These guys continually amaze me with their artistry and their new album is no exception. (Note: their name is a reaction to Jimmy Swaggert who once called rock and roll ‘the new pornography’) More of a compilation of artists than a band they continually churn out rock and roll greatness.
Download This: Challengers

13. Nick Light–The World Forgetting By The World Forgot
I discovered this guy not too long ago on eMusic and was blown away by this outing. He is in the same vein of Bright Eyes including an uncanny resemblance to the voice of Conor Oberst. Without the smugness, however. We are going to be hearing more from this guy.
Download This: Behind the Smiles

12. Sinead O’Connor–Theology
This two-disc set is a revelation and further evidence of the gathering storm of an alternative to CCM. Broken into two different sessions, The Dublin recordings are stark and introspective. The London recordings are largely the same tunes with a full band backing. The difference is between prayer and celebration. Meditation and praise. And her voice beautifully centers the entire project.
Download This: Something Beautiful
Here is “Dark Am I, Yet Lovely”

11. Jeff Black–Honey and Salt
I am a huge Jeff Black fan. This LP would probably be much higher on my list but it just dropped last week. He is an incredible song-writer who tends to operate under the radar. He incorporates a blues-tinged voice with some stirring and introspective lyrics. Just check out the lyrics on the recommended tune.
Download This: One Last Day to Live.

Thoughts on these albums?
Tomorrow I will return with my top 10. Any guesses what made the final cut?
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Now playing: The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Calling
via FoxyTunes