Life > January 31, 2008

By Wake Radio | Contributing writers

Though it is difficult to come to a consensus as to what music deserves to be the most noteworthy of the year, we at WAKEradio have attempted once again to bring you a list of some of the albums that represent the cream of the crop from what turned out to be quite a prolific year of music.

While the following albums definitely stood out among many of the radio staff, we do not pretend that this list is all-inclusive and equally representative of all musical genres, but it is a solid list of albums from artists both new and old that in many ways surpasses last years’ list.

10. Menomena – Friend and Foe

In some ways, Menomena’s Friend and Foe doesn’t really do anything new by mixing keyboards and horns with the staples of many rock bands. What makes the album stand out, however, is the packaging of these sounds. By combining of a wide array of instruments, Menomena crafts a sound that is both refreshing and highly entertaining. From the energetic opener, “Muscle’n Flo,” to the almost haunting “West,” the album delivers as delicately layered and unique sound as the album artwork itself. Friend and Foe brings a breath of fresh air to standard rock music. – Andrew Greer

9. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Yeah, the title is kind of ridiculous, but never fear, there isn’t a thing wrong with this album. Britt Daniel and co. probably have more aesthetic sensibility than any other indie band on the planet – and I dare you to prove otherwise. Bold claim? Probably, but Spoon is just that kind of band. This sixth album from the Texas group is the indie appropriation of sounds like Motown and reggae presented with Spoon’s characteristically economical style. As always, the craftsmanship is flawless, but never hollow, because Daniel’s minimalism and emotional restraint conveys so much more than overwrought Conor Oberst-style dramatics ever could. – Caryn Kesler

8. Radiohead – In Rainbows

The long awaited seventh album from Thom Yorke and crew, In Rainbows set a major precedent for the music industry by self-releasing their album independently of record stores under the premise of “pay what you will” over the internet, a decision that may have caused the music to be overshadowed by the innovative marketing hype. In Rainbows offers a prismatic spectrum of songs, each satisfying and unique. Stand-out tracks include the piano-led “Videotape” which seems to epitomize the album’s theme as it muses on technology and mortality. Also impressive is “Jigsaw Falling into Place” which offers a vintage sound thanks to Yorke’s pained crooning which crescendos into a characteristic freak-out. In Rainbows is gentler and more human than past albums but still upholds Radiohead’s creepy melancholic trademark we know and love. – Liz Haight

7. Caribou – Andorra

Andorra is Caribou’s (aka Dan Snaith’s) most recent and most concerted attempt to write structured tunes after the fuzzy glitch electronica of his previous album, The Milk of Human Kindness. With Andorra, Snaith wraps those same experimental electronica beats that populated Human Kindness around pop pyschodelia so sunny it would make Brian Wilson smile. For the first time, Snaith puts his vocals in the mix, filling them out with just the right amount of reverb and whimsy. Even if it is supposedly a foray into conventional songwriting, Andorra is still a decidedly unique polyrhythmic 60s romp, drenched in classic pop sensibilities and soaring melodies. – Caryn Kesler

6. Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Jam is the eighth full-length album from experimental folk explorers Animal Collective. It may feature more prominent vocals and fewer of the wild screeches and howls for which the band is known than previous releases, but their endless array of noises, ranging from chainsaws to birdcalls, are more richly arranged than ever. Though expressed through whimsical lyrics and hallucinogenic soundscapes, Strawberry Jam’s thematic focus is on growing older and maturing. With its chaos carefully refined, the group continues to push the borders of pop music while also bringing its creative wilderness to an expanded audience. – Colin Gibbons

5. Panda Bear – Person Pitch

Person Pitch, the second major solo album from Animal Collective member Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), provides one of the year’s most original and imaginative efforts. The album’s seven songs are built around meticulously layered samples which range from ‘60s pop jangles to bottle rockets and industrial noise. These sounds are molded and looped to create a loose and warm atmosphere for Lennox’s honey-clear harmonies. Due to the lush array of sounds drawn from our everyday environment,and the strength of Lennox’s remarkable voice, Person Pitch sounds immediately intimate and familiar, yet grows more refreshing and deep with each listen. – Colin Gibbons

4. Feist – The Reminder

With the recent cold front, it seems like ages ago when we were exuberantly listening to the new Feist album in the car with the windows down. From Bonnaroo to NPR to Starbucks, Leslie Feist was seemingly ubiquitous last year. Leslie Feist’s sophomore solo album, The Reminder, displays a wide range of sounds and tempos, from the almost sickeningly upbeat “1,2,3,4” to the more soulful and earnest “Brandy Alexander” or the beautifully understated track “The Water.” The Reminder may have a more produced and Starbucks-friendly sound overall, but many of the tracks were allegedly first takes, which is a testimony to Feist’s raw talent. – Rachel Kowal

3. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

Neon Bible presents listeners with an invitation to a darker world. Loaded with tension, it challenges the motives and practices of various institutions like the family, church and military. Potent lyrics sung by Win Butler, with a voice recalling young Bruce Springsteen, communicate the angst felt by those who question a blind, senseless majority. It crackles with energy throughout the album’s best songs: “Black Mirror,” “Intervention” and “Antichrist Television Blues.” Montreal-based Arcade Fire’s sophomore album shows the band’s willingness to experiment with new sounds and a greater sense of monumentality than 2004’s Funeral.–-Megs Browne

2. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Following the early release of their eighth album, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, 2007 proved to be a big year for Of Montreal. In addition to the album release and extensive touring and promoting, the band was featured in a number of commercials including ones for Outback Steakhouse, T-Mobile and the Nasdaq. Though the band got a significant amount of exposure in 2007, their sound is by no means mainstream. As much as their colorful album cover indicates, Of Montreal’s latest release offers an audible kaleidoscope of sounds. From the catchy and highly accessible chorus of “Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider” to the sprawling and epic “The Past is a Grotesque Animal” which clocks in at just under 12 minutes, the album is a treasure for both former The O.C. watchers and music elitists alike. – Rachel Kowal

1. The National – Boxer

Boxer’s subtle refrains and expansive musical terrain make it the most rewarding album of the year. Never heavy-handed, the nuanced piano (Sufjan Stevens contributes) and layered guitars match Matt Berninger’s literate musings of lost friendships, failing relationships and his own melancholic tendencies. With Boxer, the National gets everything right, crafting dark, anthemic songs as personal as they are poignant. What remains to be seen is how the Brooklyn group so skeptical of commercial success will be affected by the success Boxer has afforded them. Standouts include “Fake Empire,” “Gospel” and “Start a War.” – David Wescott