Cartoon Music For Superheroes: January 2008

This has been a great year for music. The music world was introduced to several new bands, after they released their first album, but we also got to see some bands releasing their much anticipated second albums. There were also bands that have been admired for years who also released their much awaited albums. I also didn't notice this until just recently, but my music taste changed dramatically and I got into many new bands this year; some were new and some had been there for a while, I just never got introduced to them. So here are my favorite 30 albums of 2007. I originally had 25, but I got into some really good albums last minute that I just had to include. Since 2007 was a amazing year for music, I probably didn't get to hear all the good stuff that came out this year. So if you also have a favorite album that you really liked from 2007, let me know so I could hear it too =-). At the end, you'll find a link to download all the songs together. Enjoy!

1) Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Yours To Keep"
He has proved that although we all love The Strokes, Julian Casablancas is not the only talented one in the band. Albert's first solo release is not like music by The Strokes, but it does have its similarities. The album as a whole is great; all the songs fit so well together, even the two covers at the end of the album ("Postal Blowfish" and "Well Alright"). Albert Hammond, Jr. is just one of my favorite people ever and I love him so much. I just really wish that people will get to listen to his music and realize just how amazing he is. He really isn't getting the credit he deserves for "Yours To Keep." I love his music so much, that I decided to name this blog after the first song on this album. Recently, Albert posted a blog on his myspace saying that he just finished recording his second album and it is currently being mixed, so hopefully, we'll be hearing some more new music from Mr. Hammond in 2008.

Albert Hammond, Jr. - In Transit mp3

2) Radiohead - "In Rainbows"
By now, I'm sure everyone knows about how Radiohead shocked the recording business by leaving their record label, EMI, and deciding to release it independently online. Well, aside from all that hype, Radiohead actually did a great job on the album. It is one of the best works, and it definitely deserves to be recognized. All ten songs flow so well together, that it was a surprise to realize that the entire album had played and finished. When it was released, I wrote a post with my favorite songs off the album. Click Here to check it out.

Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place mp3

3) Arctic Monkeys - "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
This is one of those bands that I constantly beat myself up for not getting into sooner. They are one of the best bands out there right now, and many people don't give them as much credit as they deserve. It's hard to believe that they are only in their early twenties, but they have definitely earned and deserve the respect from anyone who calls themself a fan of rock music. "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is their second release. Both of their albums are great, but at the same time, they each have their own sound.

Arctic Monkeys - Brainstorm mp3

4) Beirut - "The Flying Club Cup"
Just like the Arctic Monkeys, I also cannot believe that I was not introduced to Beirut before the release of this album. Within the first three songs (the first is just 20 seconds long), I was completely convinced that he was one of my favorite musicians. It's not unusual to get into a band quickly, but after hearing "The Flying Club Cup," I quickly became both attracted and drawn to Beirut's amazing talent for making great music in a way that I had never been drawn to music before. It is definitely one of 2007's best albums.

Beirut - Nantes mp3

5) Sea Wolf - "Leaves In The River"
This is Sea Wolf's debut album, and many have been talking about it since it was released on Sepetember 25, 2007. After the first listen, it's hard to deny that it is a great album. It has some of this year's best songs. Sea Wolf is a band, but in the sense that Bright Eyes. Alex Church is the singer/songwriter, and he does an excellent job on this debut album. The band's EP, "Get To The River Before It Runs Too Low" was also released in 2007, and has some more great Sea Wolf songs on it that are not included on "Leaves In The River." I also wrote a post featuring some of the songs off this album. Click Here to check it out.

Sea Wolf - You're A Wolf mp3

6) The National - "The Boxer"
Singer Matt Berninger's voice, along with great songs make for a really great release by The National. "The Boxer" is one of 2007's most enjoyable albums. Although The National have been around for a while, I was barely introduced to them this year, so this was the first album i heard by them. I remember instantly falling in love with Berninger's deep voice. Before hearing The National, anyone might think that a singer with a voice like that might make it harder to listen to their music, but on the contrary, his voice is comforting in it's own way.

The National - Fake Empire mp3

7) The Shins - "Wincing The Night Away"
I remember counting down the days for this album's release and after buying it, I was happy to listen to the great, new songs The Shins had to offer. The Shins have been around for quite a while, and everyone knows that they are very talented. Fans, who had been waiting since 2003's release of "Chutes Too Narrow," were not disappointed with this release.

The Shins - Phantom Limb mp3

8) The White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
"Icky Thump" is the sixth release by The White Stripes, but it is also very different from their five other releases. I feel like I'm repeating myself, but The White Stripes are amazing, and this is another really great album. The songs that stand out the most off this album are probably Icky Thump, Conquest (which was previously recorded by Patti Page) and Rag & Bone. Click Here to see the post featuring my favorite songs off this album.

The White Stripes - Icky Thump mp3

9) Shout Out Louds - "Our Ill Wills"
Although Shout Out Louds first album was released 2005, but I was not lucky enough to run across it until early 2007. I was excited to learn that they were going to release their follow up to "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff," after realizing just how great they were. With the release of this album, the Swedish band got some recognition that they deserved. Here is my post featuring some of my favorite songs from Shout Out Louds.

Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It mp3

10) Babyshambles - "Shotter's Nation"
Regardless of what is being said about Pete Doherty on the news, he is a brilliant musician who deserves to be credited for his work. The release of "Shotter's Nation" was when I became introduced to the Babyshambles, and I remember loving it after its first listen. Definitely one of my most listened to albums this year. Click Here to see my post with some songs off of "Shotter's Nation."

Babyshambles - Delivery mp3

11) The Hives - "The Black and White Album"
The Hives have always pleased their fans by making good music, but their latest release is without a doubt their best album so far. In an interview, singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist said that they recorded this album in different studios, around the world and used several different producers. Here is what he said: "We wanted to kind of break with tradition a bit, so the record's kind of half and half. Half of the stuff you would recognize as a Hives song, but only a bit better than the last record. The other half is a huge departure for us; it's a record that's kind of a greatest-hits record — by a band that didn't exist." Although some people don't like how The Hives seem [at times] full of themselves, I think it is fine, since they are great. If they weren't, that would be a different story.

The Hives - Tick Tick Boom mp3

12) Kaiser Chiefs - "Yours Truly, Angry Mob"
When the Kaiser Chiefs' second album was released in stores, I didn't rush out to buy it the day it came out. After hearing it for the first time a couple weeks after it was released, I remember pausing after the first four songs in amazement and realizing just how wrong I was about them. Their first album was pretty good, but like many bands' debut albums, it didn't hold up as a whole album. It had many good songs, but the album as a whole just didn't work. But with their second album (as is the case with many other bands), it sounded a lot better; all the songs had a place in the album. I've noticed that people either absolutely love or hate singer Ricky Wilson's voice. I think he is very unique for having that deep voice; it's an unusual combination, especially with the type of music that the Kaiser Chiefs play. Click Here to see a post with some songs off of "Yours Truly, Angry Mob."

Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby mp3

13) I’m From Barcelona – "Let Me Introduce My Friends"
This is a great 29 piece band from Sweden that I recently got into. It all began with lead singer (and songwriter) Emanuel Lundgren. After writing a few songs, he invited many of his friends to go to his apartment to record them. That was when I'm From Barcelona became a band with 29 members. Their music is fun, happy, pop songs by one of my favorite Swedish bands.

I'm From Barcelona - We're From Barcelona mp3

14) Spoon – "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
The Texas band has been around since 1994, yet their sixth album is the one that seems to be getting everyones attention. I wish I had heard their music earlier on, but I guess better late then never, right? I really love Britt Daniel's voice. His voice, along with the band's great sound and songs all contribute to making "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" is one of this years best albums.

Spoon - The Underdog mp3

15) Andrew Bird – "Armchair Apocrypha"

Andrew Bird - Heretics mp3

16) Of Montreal - "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?"

Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse mp3

17) Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible"

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go mp3

18) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank"

Modest Mouse - Dashboard mp3

19) Paul McCartney - "Memory Almost Full"

Paul McCartney - Dance Tonight mp3

20) Across The Universe Soundtrack [Deluxe Edition]
The regular edition has just 16 of the songs, and they leave put many of the best and most important songs. The one that you could by from Best Buy has 31 songs out of the 35 songs used in the movie. And they are all in order the way they are performed in the movie. Whenever I hear that album, I get the same feeling I did when I watched the movie. I usually don't like adaptations of Beatles songs, but I absolutely love this soundtrack. They change the songs to make them sound original, but not too much to the point where they aren't recognizable. Click Here to see a post where I put up my favorite songs from the soundtrack.

Dana Fuchs & Jim Sturgess - All You Need Is Love mp3

21) Klaxons - "Myths of the Near Future"

Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone mp3

22) Jens Lekman - "Night Falls Over Kortedala"

Jens Lekman - The Opposite Of Hallelujah mp3

23) The Apples In Stereo - "New Magnetic Wonder"
Click Here to see a post of my favorite songs from "New Magnetic Wonder."

The Apples In Stereo - Energy mp3