Best Pop of 2007

So, I wanted to get this post done before I started school and I failed. I finished my second day of school and am now forcing myself to do this post before the homework load gets to heavy. So
here it is, my list of the best Pop albums and songs of 2007. First, we'll start with the albums.

Top 10 Pop Albums

10. Amerie - Because I Love It

I don't listen to a whole lot of R&B, however I do find the genre to be quite compelling. I enjoy many of the hit singles I tend to hear throughout life and occasionally go as far as to download them. (You can stand under my umbrella, Ella, Ella, Eh, Eh) Amerie is one of the few R&B artists I make an effort to listen to. I fell in love with Why Don't We Fall In Love way back in 2002 when I heard it and again in 2005 with 1 Thing. She never fails to deliver good R&B and it really is a shame she is not as popular as other artists. She does deserve it.
Amerie - Take Control

9. Interpol - Our Love To Admire

While Interpol may not be my most favorite band, I do hold a soft spot for them. Turn on the Bright Lights was one of the first CD's I bought triggering my musical enlightment. I'm sure you all went through this as a young tween. The transition of listening to pop and whatever MTV/The Radio expose you to and started to discover new artist on your own. This along with Hot Hot Heat's Make Up The Breakdown were the first 2 rock CDs I bought. Hot Hot Heat completly sucks now, but Interpol have managed to put out the same CD 3 times and still remain a favorite. I guess I was a little disappointed with this disc, it sounds like Interpol. But then again I found myself enjoying it becuase it sounds like Interpol. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that it sounds like Interpol. Interpol has a good sound, but they need to create something new. Antics was higher up in my 2004 charts, I played that album to death. Our Love To Admire is good, but it's the same old Interpol.
Interpol - Who Do You Think

8. Editors - An End Has A Start

I frown upon the many blogs and reviews that compare Editors with Interpol, but I hear the similiarities and will precede to do the same. Editors' first album was Interpol with dance-punk aspirations. Their second disc is a bit more tame, and pop friendly, than their first. It seems as if this was the disc Interpol were hoping to make with Our Love To Admire. I enjoyed An End Has A Start and listened to it non stop for about all of June. Here is my favorite song from that album.
Editors - Escape The Nest

7. Chromatics - Night Drive

The great thing about Chromatics is the fact that I could have put them in my Electronic list and no one would have raised any objection. They are one of the numerous electro rock bands that are present on the music scene today. They have been putting out some great releases and I was not let down by their debut LP, Night Drive. It has some great tracks and is definatly one of 2007's best, as well as most underratted/underhyped.
Chromatics - I Want Your Love

6.Beirut - The Flying Cup Club

This is probably the closest I got to acoustic this year. The Flying Cup Club is a realxing yet mesmorising and unique album from Zach Condon. It's filled with plenty of two to three minute pop gems. I know you all already have it and probably have read a million reviews and best of lists singing the album's prasies so I won't go on any longer. The album speaks for itself, definatly one of the years best!
Beirut - Cliquot

5. Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia

Austrialia has a great scene forming at the moment. From the lush synth pop sounds of Cut Copy to the 80's new wave agnst of Van She. The danceable riffs from Soft Tigers and Lost Valentinos help Austrialia prove that it is one of the hippest places to be. Listening to Dystopia is only icing on the Kangaroo-Kake. The Juggs put out a great electro rock album and then embarked on a tour with Justice. I can't wait to hear some new material from these guys, but in the meantime I'll be dancing to this.
Midnight Juggernauts - 45 & Rising

4. New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom

Imagine CSS from England, oh and not as rude (according to Lovefoxxx) and you've got NYPC. This album isn't New Rave! What is New Rave anyway? I don't know. i Just can't imagine ravers dancing to this, it's far to slow. It's still a great listen, unless it's being played at a rave, so please get the album and listen to it on your iPod.
New Young Pony Club - Fan

3, M.I.A. - Kala

This album should be in the Electronic list but it's not becuase it trancends ALL genres. This is like muisc on crack and it's quite awesome. I had the pleasure of seeing her live at Vegoose in Vegas last October and it was the 2nd best show of the night (NO ONE tops Daft Punk) If you get the chance to see her, please do you won't regret it. Heres a cut from the new Kitsune Comp. It's a killer remix of the already great XR2.
MIA - XR2 (Silverlink V Kicks Like A Mule Remix)

2. Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future

2007 was the year of the Klaxons. After stirring interest with the blogs back in late 2006 they managed to blow up and have a few hit singles in 2007. They have been touring all year and now are writing a follow up to their debut LP. I think they're fun and interesting characters. Watch their older music videos they are great. Here's them covering The Night by Frank Valli.
Klaxons - The Night

1. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City

I know, you probably disagree with this. I don't care! It's my list and if I want to be a fanboy, I will! Seriously though, I do think this album is underrated and people were expecting something more along the lines of Silent Alarm and therefore rejected this. It really is a good album, and too prove that I'll give you a b-side that wasn't on the album.
Bloc Party - Cavaliers And Roundheads

Top 25 Pop Songs of 2007


1. Klaxons - Two Receivers
2. Bloc Party - I Still Remember
3. Interpol - The Heinrich Maneuver
4. Editors - Escape The Nest
5. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
6. Beirut - Cliquot
7. The Teenagers - Starlet Johansson
8. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
9, Midnight Juggernauts - Ending of an Era
10. New Young Pony Club - The Bomb
11. Kanye West - Flashing Lights
12. M.I.A. - XR2
13. Bloc Party - Flux
14. The Teenagers - Homecoming
15. !!! - Heart of Hearts
16. Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow
17. Blonde Redhead - 23
18. Lightspeed Champion - Galaxy of the Lost
19. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
20. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen - 80's Life
21. Cut Copy - So Haunted
22. Frankmusik - Made Her Smile
23. Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
24. Lily Allen - Mr. Blue Sky
25. Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm

So there you have it! Proudly In Rainbows free! Here's to 2008!!!!

Top Electronic Music of 2007

OK, so this year I've decided to split my lists into 2. I've listened to so much music this year that I would have trouble creating just one list. I'll be splitting it into 2, Electronic music and Popular Music (which includes indie rock, pop, hip-hop and r&b), lists upon which I will post the top 10 albums and top 25 songs. Today I will post my favorite Electronic music from the year and some mp3's to go along with it.

Top 10 Electronic Albums

10. Teenage Bad Girl - Cocotte

This release from one of the many French Filter House DJs who is not on Ed Banger is packed full with pulsing synths, exciting drumbeats and bad ass production. A very underrated album that should have received more press. It would have probably gained more attention had it not been for the explosion of Justice, but I'm sure in time this album will come to be regarded as a very solid release.
Teenage Bad Girl - Hands of a Stranger

9. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

I was surprised with the unanimous high placing of this album on year end lists across the net. Yes, it is a great album. James Murphy has outdone himself once again with this release, but for me the album grew boring quickly. While this phenomenon usually occurs with all music for me, my ebb for this CD has yet to recede. I have yet to come back to this CD for another round of listening. I guess, while more expansive and mature, it reminds me too much of 2005's debut CD.
LCD Soundsystem - Time To Get Away

8. Air - Pocket Symphony

Many say this album is not as great as Air's previous releases, however I find it to be quite a memorable CD. I was addicted to it throughout the summer and would often find myself listening to it on summer mornings as the sun rose and I prepared for my dreadful summer classes. The somber tone throughout the CD resonated with my discontent in having to partake in a summer session. This should have been on more Best Of lists.
Air - One Hell of a Party

7. Shinichi Osawa - The One

At the time of constructing this list I placed this album at number 7, it's been about a week since then and I'm thinking to myself how much higher this should have been. I've been listening to this album more and more and it's appeal grows on me each time. I find myself humming some of the lyrics from this album, a feat usually only achieved with pop albums. I could see this having an immensely longer listening life than the Justice CD. For now I feel 7 is a good spot for it.
Shinichi Osawa - Star Guitar

6. Daft Punk - Alive 2007

Oh my god, when I close my eyes and allow the music to immerse itself around me it feels as if I am back at the Greek show (or Vegoose, whichever) enjoying the greatest concert ever. As I listened to this album on my iPod for the first two weeks I had it a smile was always present on my face. I must have looked like a mad man, sitting on BART slightly smiling and bopping my head to big beat electronic. I didn't care! This album is great, and is a must have for anyone who attended their live shows in 2006-2007.
No Song Available

5. Boys Noize - Oi Oi Oi

A friend of mine who is not into much electronic music, with the exception of the Punks and Justice, described this as a boring album with Justice sounding synth that never stops. If only he knew how wrong he is! This album is far from boring, and while the sounds may be similar to Justice, it in some ways is a lot superior. The only failing aspect of this album is it's incredible length. I can never make it through in just one listen. Still a solid release, I definitely look forward to hearing more Boys Noize in the future. (His remixes are insane!!!!)
Boys Noize - The Battery

4. Digitialism - Idealism

Who knew Germans could be so catchy? When I listen to other German electronic music, which is quite good, I find it slow, relaxed and atmospheric. This is in your face poppy electronic music, in the vein of Daft Punk and Junior Jack. This album is best when listened to in full and unlike Oi Oi Oi, I was able to do so on a number of occasions. Pogo is pure pop bliss, Idealism is pop indifference and one of my favorite tracks Home Zone pays homage to the art of throwing and promoting a house party.
Digitialism - Zdarlight

3. Justice - †

Justice first gained widespread attention with their remix of Simian's never be alone. A superb remix by any definition, but to ever imagine the developments that have occurred throughout their careers since then would have been unfathomable. Justice have done what every other electronic act since Daft Punk have failed to do. They have become mainstream, they were able to break America, they were able to put Paris back on the map. While † may not be the greatest album in terms of innovation and musical genius, the hype and acclaim that surrounds it warrants it a top spot on this list. Just look at many of the reviews prior to this, Justice is used as a reference point musically more than once, for proof. They have become icons in the Electronic music scene, there is not one act who wouldn't want to follow in their footsteps. 2007 was the year Justice was brought upon the world!
Justice - DVNO

2. Burial - Untrue

This is an album that I discovered late in the year and fell in love with. I had not heard Burial's self titled debut prior to this ( I since have and it is great too) and found this to be a gem. I listen to this while falling asleep, it mystifies the silence of the night and allows for a peaceful sleeping experience. There's not much more I can say about this that hasn't already been said. The voices are beautiful, the crackling is enchanting the mystic surrounding the music is truly wonderful.
Burial - In McDonalds

1. Simian Mobile Disco - Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

Fuck Mezzanine, I wanted to see these guys when they came here but I am not 21, yet. Their live show looks interesting, and it would surely add to the greatest of their music. I began listening to this album around the same time as † and I do truly feel that this album is a lot better. I've listened to † more, but can honestly say I would rather be stranded on an island with this instead. This album did not place as high as I would have imagined on other Year End lists, which is understandable. Justice was the token Electronic act this year, however I expect these guy's sophomore release to become as mainstream as justice. Listen to Hustler and tell me that couldn't take the place of Smack My Bitch Up in American popular culture!
Simian Mobile Disco - Love

So how much do you disagree with my top 10? Whatever, at least mine is different from the other lists I've read. It's truly how I feel too. I wasn't feeling LCD as much as everyone else and I really liked SMD! Okay, now onto the top 25 Electronic singles. Sorry NO descriptions for these.

1.Simian Mobile Disco - Tits & Acid
2.Feist - My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)
3. Modeselektor - Silikon (Siriusmo Remix)
4. Justice - DVNO
5. TEPR - Minuit Jacuzzi (datA Remix)
6. Boys Noize - &Down
7. Daft Punk - Face to Face/Short Circuit
8. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
9. Boys Noize - The Battery
10. Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet (BONDOWSKI Remix)
11. Digitalism - Pogo
12. Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
13. Efdemin - Knocking At The Grand
14. LCD Soundsystem - Get Innocuous
15. Hercules & Love Affair - Blind
16. Sebastian - Walkman Re-edit
17. Does It Offend You, Yeah? - We Are Rockstars
18. Bag Raiders - Fun Punch
19. Danger - 11h30
20. New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (MSTRKRFT Remix)
21. Bot'Ox - Babylon By Car
22. Dead Disco - You're Out (Frank Musik Remix)
23. TEPR - Coke & Crème
24. Metromony - Radio Ladio
25. Chromatics - I Want Your Love