1. The Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock
A concept album topping a year end list, has it ever been done? When any of the songs could be served up as singles, it’s doable. When any song could act as the perfect component to a mix tape to a potential loved one, it’s in the cards. When it’s heavily influenced by the woman you love, it makes it all the more special. From future classics like “Nothing More to Say” and the shower-singable “Penny For Your Thoughts”, Plaskett’s Emergency delivers more than you could ever ask for. But the heart of the record belongs to “The Instrumental”, a track that is anything but (featuring Joel’s wife - and cover art contributor - Becky).
2. Small Sins - Mood Swings
When a band is one man, you have to wonder if it’s just a studio project. But hearing Thomas D’arcy’s tunes live makes the songs from the record even stronger. Mood Swings thematically revolves around revolvers (even the cover art features a pistol) and violence towards friends, loved ones and no one in particular. Musically, it has some of the most infectious pop melodies and synth/bass lines you’ll hear all year. But the one line that resonates is from “On The Line”, a cry that echoes throughout the rest of the disc (and perhaps is aimed at less talented Can-rock bands with more press coverage) “and you know I’d shoot you, if I only had a gun”.
3. Matthew Good - Hospital Music
What does it sound like when your ex-model wife leaves you and you find out you’ve been incorrectly medicated, awake in a hospital and find yourself covering Daniel Johnston? Sounds like a masterpiece. Lyrically broad and at times painfully honest, Good delivers an experimental rock record that is equal parts experimental (using ambient street noises) and classic (simple acoustic songs). But it’s the rollercoaster sampling “99% of Us is Failure” that stands out as the finest track in this epic collection.
4. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
The most romantic and wonderful record of the year, it was also answered the “will they live up to the hype of a certain soundtrack?” question. Be it the porno-funky “Sea Legs” or the prettiest song of the year, closer “A Comet Appears”, the Shins deliver a timeless rock record that is the soundtrack to your night.
5. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
For the first time since the 1980s, the original line up appears together on disc. The sloppiest pop songs in the world are delivered here and it makes me wonder if there’s a noise rock revival going on here. J Mascis puts the differences aside long enough to let Barlow hum a few numbers, and what we have here is a reunion record that does not disappoint. Point in fact, it fucking rocks.
6. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Brit Daniel is the man. He has been kicking ass with Spoon for well over a decade and without compromising (only evolving) he has finally found some mainstream success. From opener “Don’t Make Me a Target” to the John Brion produced single “The Underdog”, this record is pop pop perfection, in the form of biting, cynical rock & roll.
7. Buck 65 - The Situation
Every song on this record could be a single. This is also his most focused and consistent disc to date. Back to his hip hop roots, Rich Terfry finds himself spitting less about baseball and la femme, and more about cameras and cops. With a little help from Edmonton’s Cadence Weapon he gets by, but he doesn’t need it. The man once known as Jesus Murphy is a one-man party with a lot of show-biz up his sleeve.
8. Lou Barlow - Mirror the Eye (EP)
A lo-fi tidbit from the mind of Uncle Lou, who sometimes goes under the name Sentridoh when recording solo. But lo-fi is where he likes it, and we have no arguments here. A little darker than his EMOH record, Barlow sounds like he’s breaking up with friends after reuniting with all his old ones these past few years. Now all we need is a new Sebadoh record… please?
9. Black Francis - Bluefinger
Frank Black returns to the Pixies moniker with pleasant results. The most fun he’s had on a record in years, Black ditches the Dylan-esque sound he’s been working towards for the last five years to deliver the closest thing to a Pixies record we’re likely to hear. “You Can’t Break a Heart & Have It” is the catchiest fucking song of the year. (See also, Black released his obligatory two other records this year, Christmass & a ten year retrospective called 93-03).
10. C’mon - Bottled Lightning of an All Time High
The loudest Canadian rock band alive deliver their third full length. It’s full of crunchy riffs, heavy bass lines and manic yelps from Ian Blurton & co. Only listen to on headphones if you are already half deaf.
11. Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
Winnipeg’s most famous punk 30-somethings give us a collection of melancholy heartbreakers worthy of a four year wait. With lines like “I wonder if the landlord fixed the crack that I stared at instead of staring back at you” and their first ever sequel song (“Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure”) you can only smile, nod, hold that loved one close and enjoy.
12. Octoberman - Run from Safety
A surprisingly brilliant sophomore album, filled with quirky lyrics and mellow hooks. This band needs to stay together for my own sanity.
13. Two Hours Traffic - Little Jabs
Easily the record of the summer, this one has love songs, portraits of PEI’s nightlife and a mantra for all young Canadian bands, hoping that they “just won’t quit”.
14. Consumer Goods - Happy Bidet
The sophomore record from Winnipeg’s favourite political sons is catchier and more empowering than anything else you will hear this year. Frontman Tyler Shipley’s upbeat lyrics and poppy riffs while have your head nodding (and thinking).
15. Elliott Smith - New Moon
A posthumous collection of unreleased material from the only Oscar Nominee on this list, we find lo-fi demos and rarities from a time before he was a “name”. Some argue that it should have been a solid one disc effort, but for the completist these two discs are a reminder of the old days and just how timeless Smith’s music is.
16. Tegan & Sara - The Con
Watching these sisters grow from Hawksley Workman’s pet project into legitimate indie rock darlings is pretty damn delightful. The tone is darker and poppier in an un-contradicting way, while giving us two of the best pop singles of the year, the title track and “Back In Your Head”.
17. Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
Surprisingly clean and acoustic, the eternally youthful Moore gives one of the most refreshing and vibrant albums of the year. Lyrically, Moore makes clichés sound new and isn’t embarrassed to show us a bit of his past (on the spoken word closer).
18. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Despite all the internet hype, this is a really great record. Nigel Godrich always delivers no matter who he works with, and the band have taken all the sounds they’ve worked with from the early nineties to present day, meshed them together and made a relevant record that gets better play after play.
19. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
Spencer Krug’s other (other?) solo project finds him making beautifully layered pop songs that are best experienced through headphones (or live at a watering hole that is soon to be torn down).
20. Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild
Ed departs (briefly) from Pearl Jam to make his inevitable punk rock record … with banjos. Short, sweet and to the point, the record is a brilliant companion piece to pal Sean Penn’s masterpiece.
21. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
The only flaw in this record is that it doesn’t sound fuzzy enough, jammy enough or angry enough. Part of their charm has always been that they haven’t seemed to care if they sounded clean and tight, but this time around they do. Maybe Jeff Tweedy is growing up? Either way, it’s still a damn fine piece of Americana.
22. White Stripes - Icky Thump
Chocked full of singles and red & white goodness, the duo give a fleshed out take on love, life and slowly turning into someone else.
23. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is (EP)
Stripped down like Fever to Tell, Nick Zinner rips through these old tracks like they play them live: raw, dirty and fucking hard. Karen O also makes a few nice contributions.
24. The Cribs - Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever
Produced by Alex Kapranos, this disc finds the brotherly power trio rocking harder than we ever thought they could, but in a good way (not a cock-rock way).
25. Bright Eyes - Four Winds (EP)
Yes, the full length album (Casadaga) was good, but what was left behind was even better (or maybe Conner’s warble is just better in small doses).
26. Boats - Intercontinental Champion
Sounding like Superchunk having sex with Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. on Ritalin, Winnipeg’s Boats unveil their debut album. It’s perfect for a drive through the prairies … a fast drive.
27. Various - Secret Sessions (Rheostatics Tribute)
With Can-Rock heavy hitters the Weakerthans and Barenaked Ladies covering old Rheostatics tunes, along with reformed comrades The Inbreds & the Local Rabbits, this digital only love letter to a band that called it quits in March is more than worth the download.
28. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Yes – I know that this record is much higher on many other lists. But this isn’t other lists, it’s my list. As good as it is; it doesn’t sound as full and passionate as their debut. But it’s still better than a most records this year, so it fits on the list. That, and you can’t not like the new version of “No Cars Go”.
29. Tigerrr Beat - Kill! (EP)
Six songs of lo-fi perfection from this bass, keys and drums trio. Wearing their influences on their sleeves (think Spencer Krug in University), the band rock through wickedly sardonic, bass heavy, three minute ditties. Also, not fitting into the bar rock scene in their hometown of Winnipeg is a strong selling point if you ask me.
30. Wintersleep - Welcome to the Night Sky
This is a jam band best experienced live, but on disc they will melt your faces as well. Beautifully witty lyrics, grinding guitars and charming as hell, it’s a wonder these guys aren’t famous … yet.
31. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
James Murphy gives me hope, because he’s kind of fat, his voice cracks and he’s a music snob. Also – he puts on the best dance rock show I’ve ever been to. The record is a nice take-home companion to that. Also – “Watch The Tapes” is the best rocker you didn’t shake your ass to … yet.
32. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
Disco country? That’s what I think when I listen to this record. But then I keep thinking of Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennet, their “will they/wont they” romance bursting at the seems of this band they call Rilo Kiley, and I think to myself … this is exactly the record I would make if I were an indie band of childhood sweethearts/childhood actors who just got signed to Warner.
33. Handsome Furs - Plague Park
I like Dan Boeckner, his voice grinds like sandpaper and is one of the most angst filled and self deprecating in all of relevant music. I also like side projects. Would this have been better as a really tight EP? Would these songs have worked in Wolf Parade? Yes and no, but this is still a great record.
34. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
A follow up a year after a great debut is something to admire, and this countrified mood rocker is a great sophomore album from a revitalised band. Ben Bridwell’s vocals can grow a little obnoxious at times, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s got the second best dark pop record of the year.
35. The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Samples are fewer and guests are greater on this sophomore outing, but what doesn’t change is that this collection from the UK kids sound peppier than my high school pep squad ever did.
36. Cone Five - Ants in the Sugar
What sounds more like a mix tape from seven separate bands is still a really great rock record. Blending acoustic ditties (“Hurry Home”) with oddball rockers (“Sugar in the Ants”) the band that broke up before putting out their final record have a winner on their hands … too bad we’ll never hear these tunes live again.
37. Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
A more full and diverse sounding record from Sweden’s favourite quintet, produced by Bjorn Yttling of PB&J fame. Though the opener sounds a little U2ish, and the lyrics are still painfully sincere, we won’t hold that against them (they are just young folks, after all).
38. Spiral Beach - Ball
Speaking of young folks, Toronto’s Spiral Beach consist of four kids who are barely able to drink across the border, yet own the stage like they’ve toured for years. Their sound is You Say Party! We Say Die! meets Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem, but in a good way. Co-vocalist/keyboardist Maddy Wilde’s sugary sweet/angsty yelps are the main reason to listen, but their full and diverse sound invite you to invest in repeat listening sessions (or high energy dance parties).
39. Parkas - Put Your Head in the Lion’s Mouth
A straight ahead mod rock record, Toronto’s Parkas deliver all the literary references you need, while causing your head to bop in time. A perfect companion to a cold night when your heat hasn’t turned on yet and your teeth are chattering to the beat (a feeling only us Canadians and Minnesotans know too well).
40. The Rentals - Last Little Life (EP)
Matt Sharp comes out of hiding to deliver four tracks of sugary goodness. One can only hope that a full length will soon follow. “The Last Romantic Day” is a whispery sweet love song that aches to have people fall in love to it.
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Curty B gives his lowdown on all things 2007, Adam's compulsive list of fours, and our fearless leader's special five.
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