Kanye West - Graduation: Common's Be and Kanye West's Late Registration came out in the same year and I couldn't really pick one over the other. Finding Forever and Kanye's Graduation both came out in 2007 but this time, I have to give Kanye the edge. Although this album isn't actually the best of his career, it is an album where Kanye is at the top of his game. Graduation addresses and "corrects" his perceived shortcomings from previous albums with a surprising precision. He expands well beyond soul samples, streamlines the proceedings by cutting skits, and keeps the track list to a minimum. He takes chances and continues to open up his sound to other producers. He showed real growth on this album as an artist and producer and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The White Stripes - Icky Thump: No album in 2007 elicited a stronger response from me as a listener than The White Stripes' Icky Thump. Upon first listen, I loved this album. I listened to it almost nonstop from the moment I got it and several tracks took a spot as my favorite song from the album. Although I had a strong positive reaction from the album, I couldn't bring myself to review it. I'm not exactly the biggest rock person, so quite frankly, I was a bit scared of sounding like an idiot in my review. Regardless, I loved damn near everything about this album from the sound of Jack White's guitar to the insanely catchy rhythms and wonderful songwriting. I usually shy away from picking a single "best" of anything. However, if I picked a "best" album, this would be it.
Lifesavas - Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack: I had never heard of Lifesavas before I listened to Gutterfly. After I listened to it, I wondered why I hadn't. Inspired by blaxploitation films, this is an album that manages to have some social conscience and some fun at the same time. This is an album with one of the more heartfelt hip-hop songs of 2007 ("Long Letter") as well as great collaborations with Camp Lo, Fishbone, and George Clinton. I think it's probably one of the most underrated albums of 2007.
Article comments
1 - Michael J. West
Somebody recently described Kenna as "Stevie Wonder meets Radiohead." How's that for a starter?
2 - El Bicho
Sterfish, from your previous posts, I am certain you would have done just fine reviewing a rock album. Go for it.
3 - Josh Hathaway
I'm with El Bicho. I thought the same thing when I edited this. You'd do great and I'd love to read your thoughts. IT was a great record. You have me curious about a few of these others, records outside what I'd normally listen to.
4 - Mark Saleski
i'm gonna chime in here with a "mee too!" too.
and maybe if you try hard enough, you can get josh to buy a hip hop cd.
oh yeah!