A.L. Harper's Top Ten Albums of 2007
Published December 23, 2007
Colbie Caillat – Coco
I think in many ways you must be female to understand and truly enjoy Colbie Caillat’s simple melodies and lyrics, written, as they are, from a female perspective. So where some may find her music saccharine, childish and flaccid, I see engaging pureness, teasing silliness and the appealing nature of simplicity. To me Coco is a triumph of delicate beauty and captivating honesty, over pretentious political metaphor or cryptically expressed romanticism — which some will mistake for artistic merit. Caillat has managed to capture the essences of being female and in love. Caillat knows — when some do not — that when a woman of any age is under the influence of that first blush of love she is a mischievous little girl, a giggly, flirty teenager and grown lustful woman all at the same time.
Jem – Finally Woken
This stunning debut album, released in 2004, was met with warm critical response but cool sales, possibly due to under-promotion, or to its genre-defying sound. Jem mixes rock, trip-hop, electronica, hip-hop and R&B successfully to create an album that is beautifully atmospheric from beginning to end. With a name like Jem and her beautiful innocent looks you might be forgiven for thinking this 33 y.o. Welsh songstress is nothing more than the newest pop-sensation wannabe but you couldn’t be further from the truth. Jem has a real music pedigree, and has worked as a DJ agent, record producer (for Madonna to name but one – but when it’s Madonna do you need to name more?), songwriter and now as a solo artist. Jem’s catchy, hypnotic tracks are a mixture of everything good about all music, lyrics that are catchy and fun but more than cotton-candy fluff, beats and rhythms that scream "get up and dance", electronica with rock flourishes that shouldn’t work but somehow do. This album is a gem all the way through.
Bat For Lashes – Fur And Gold
This enigmatic "band" is really the work of English singer-songwriter, visual artist and multi-instrumentalist Natasha Kahn, but don’t let the "visual artist" part put you off. Fur And Gold (released in September 2006) isn’t nearly as inaccessible and over-the-top arty as that would imply. Kahn’s music is part Björk and Kate Bush and part new wave pop. The richly textured sounds run from electronic flurries, to piano tinkling falling like rain, atmospheric elegance washing over you; perfectly crafted, highly stylised, catchy hooks and unforgettable melodies. Kahn’s beautiful vocals are a big part of that style, they have an almost-whispered quality, even when she is belting it out. She has constructed a sound that feels like it was designed to float along with that ethereal voice. Sometimes feeling almost diaphanous, every track on Fur And Gold is perfectly balanced, never overpowering her vocals always adding just the right touches. This is an album that walks that tight rope between cutting edge and accessibility.
I'm a writer and music journalist originally from Salt Lake City, but now living in Scotland. I was a Punk/Goth in the '80s and these artistic influences have stayed with me; although a love of Chopin, chamber music, and Spanish guitar would seem to belie this. I am one of many assistant music editors at Blogcritics.org, staff writer for a gay men's magazine based in Edinburgh, and a freelance writer.
![Light in Motion [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VYfHPZ06L._SY90_.jpg "Light in Motion [Explicit]")
- A.L. Harper's Top Ten Albums of 2007
- Published: December 23, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Rock, Music: R&B, Music: Pop, Music: New Wave, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Funk, Music: Folk, Music: Electronica, Music: Blues, Music: Ambient, Music: Adult Alternative, Music: Acoustic, Review
- Writer: A.L. Harper
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Comments
I like this list a lot just because it is so different from everyone else's (including my own). There are a lot of titles here that I'll make a point to check out where I might not have done so otherwise.
On a closing note Andrea, I hope 2008 is a much better year for you, and I bet that it will be.
-Glen
Thanks very much, both of you, for your support. Things are certainly much brighter for me now.
I'll be sure to check out Lonely China Day. Thanks for the tip Chris.
oh, i like this...sending recommendations to ms. harper.
here's one from my list. no...two (since i can't make up my mind):
1. Erin McKeown's "Sing You Sinners"
or
2. John Doe's "A Year In The Wilderness"
and honestly, i do hope that 2008 brings better things.
Thank you Mr. Saleski I will check those out right now, if you promise to check out a couple of mine.
i promise!
(currently listening to A Fine Frenzy on the myspace thingie...)
And what are your feelings? Doesn't she have an amazing voice....
yeah, sort of reminds me of Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays)
Yeah, I can see that. But overall what do you think?
what i think is that i've got to get her cd...because while i liked "Come On Come Out", i love "Hope For The Hopeless".
wow, love that voice.
I agree. EVERYONE should have One Cell in the Sea. Now listen to Jem and Bat For Lashes.
Ms. Harper:
I responded to your comments in my essay "The Top Ten Douche bags" of 2007 rather harshly. Well, first, your comments were harsh towards me. Then, two wrongs don't make a right do they?
Now, I read this essay and understand what you have gone through this year and why you reacted so negatively to my article, especially because I joked about Dennis Miller taking his own life.
Ms. Harper, I invite you to read this article I wrote about suicide some months back. It may put a smile on your face or at least make you think.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I have to say that your list is very unique. But Joss Stone - I could never get into her. Very soulful voice, but sort of boring. Oh well, each to their own.
I think you have the most intriguing list of any of the ones I've seen on BC (including ones I've participated on). I've loved Joss Stone since her debut and was fortunate to have seen her open for the Rolling Stones in '05. I also really enjoy Colbie Caillat's album.
And I just purchased A Fine Frenzy's album based on your recommendation.
I'm currently looking into your other selections as well. So, thanks for broadening my musical curiosities!
- Donald
You are so welcome Donald. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I hope you enjoy One Cell in the Sea as much as I have.
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Sorry to hear about your troubles this year. I hope things are looking up for you.
That said, I have not heard any of the albums on your list. Although, I do have a recommendation from my list, Lonely China Day's Sorrow. I think you would dig it. I was surprised when I did.