Feature

Best Albums of 2007: Staff Picks

11:39 a.m. · January 8, 2008 · by Staff

Bradford Allison
10. Sean Price: Jesus Price Superstar [Duck Down]
09. Ratatat: Remixes Vol. II [Self-Released]
08. Thurston Moore: Trees Outside the Academy [Ecstatic Peace]
07. Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger [Lost Highway]
06. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
05. Prodigy: Return of the Mac [Koch]
04. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
03. T.I.: T.I. vs. T.I.P. [Grand Hustle]
02. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible [Merge]
01. Deerhunter: Cryptograms [Kranky]

Amos Barshad
10. Jens Lekman: Night Falls over Kortedala [Secretly Canadian]
09. Liars: Liars [Mute]
08. Hallelujah the Hills: Hallelujah the Hills [Collective Psychosis Begone?] [Misra]
07. Konono No.1: Live at Couleur Café [Crammed Disc]
06. Ghostface Killah: Big Doe Rehab [Def Jam]
05. The Maccabees: Colour It In [Polydor]
04. Devin the Dude: Waiting To Inhale [Rap-A-Lot]
03. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam [Domino]
02. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
01. Wu-Tang Clan: 8 Diagrams [Loud]

Karl Birmelin
10. Beirut: The Flying Club Cup [Ba Da Bing!]
09. Kevin Drew: Spirit If... [Arts & Crafts]
08. !!!: Myth Takes [Warp]
07. Sunset Rubdown: Random Spirit Lover [Jagjaguwar]
06. The Field: From Here We Go Sublime [Kompakt]
05. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala [Secretly Canadian]
04. Dragons of Zynth: Coronation Thieves [Gigantic Music]
03. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
02. The National: Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
01. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]

John Bohannon
10. Nina Nastasia and Jim White: You Follow Me [Fat Cat]
09. Cinematic Orchestra: Ma Fleur [Ninja Tune]
08. Bruce Springsteen: Magic [Capitol]
07. Kanye West: Graduation [Roc-A-Fella]
06. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black [Republic]
05. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
04. Robert Wyatt: Comicopera [Domino]
03. Dalek: Abandoned Language [Ipecac]
02. Fennesz: Cendre [Touch]   
01. Boris featuring Michio Kurihara: Rainbow [Drag City]  

Mike Burr
10. Various Artists: I’m Not There soundtrack
09. Black Kids: Wizard of Ahhs
08. Radiohead: In Rainbows
07. Christopher Denny: Age Old Hunger
06. Kanye West: Graduation
05. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (Dec 19 of 2006)
04. The Izzys: The Violent Bear It Away
03. Steve Earle: Washington Square Serenade
02. Jason Isbell: Sirens of the Ditch
01. Wilco: Sky Blue Sky

Gwendolyn Elliott
10. Tracy Thorn: Out of the Woods [Astralwerks]
09. Blonde Redhead: 23 [4AD]
08. My Brightest Diamond: Tear It Down [Asthmatic Kitty]
07. Tom Brosseau: Cavalier [Fat Cat]
06. Cass McCombs: Dropping the Writ [Domino]
05. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
04. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
03. The Shins: Wincing the Night Away [Sub Pop]
02. The Cave Singers: Invitation Songs [Matador]
01. Bill Callahan: Woke on a Whaleheart [Drag City]

Lee Fullington
10. Little Wings: Soft Pow’r [Marriage]
09. El-P: I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead [Def Jux]
08. No Age: Weirdo Rippers [Fat Cat]
07. Grinderman: Grinderman [Anti-]
06. Low: Drums and Guns [Sub Pop]
05. The Warlocks: Heavy Deavy Skull Lover [Tee Pee]
04. Devendra Banhart: Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon [XL]
03. PJ Harvey: White Chalk [Island]
02. Cass McCombs: Dropping the Writ [Domino USA]
01. Deerhunter: Cryptograms [Kranky]

Matthew Gasteier
10. Fennesz and Sakamoto: Cendre [Touch]
09. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black [Island]
08. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
07. Burial: Untrue [Hyperdub]
06. Amerie: Because I Love It [Columbia]
05. The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible [Merge]
04. Justice: Cross [Ed Banger]
03. Pole: Steingarten [~scape]
02. Pharoahe Monch: Desire [Universal Motown]
01. M.I.A.: Kala [Interscope]

Jeremy Goldmeier
10. Beirut: The Flying Club Cup [Ba Da Bing]
09. The National: Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
08. Blonde Redhead: 23 [4AD]
07. Caribou: Andorra [Merge]
06. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
05. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala [Secretly Canadian]
04. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible [Merge]
03. Iron & Wine: The Shepherd's Dog [Sub Pop]
02. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
01. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Merge]

Eli Halpern

10. Pinback: Autumn of the Seraphs [Touch & Go]
 09.Baroness: Red Album [Relapse]
 08. Blitzen Trapper: Wild Mountain Nation [Lidkercow Ltd]
 07. Get Him Eat Him: Arms Down [Absolutely Kosher]
 06. Art Brut: It's a Bit Complicated [Downtown]
 05. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Merge]
 04. Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna [Polyvinyl]
 03. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
 02. Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity [Kill Rock Stars]
 01.Okkervil River: Stage Names [Jagjaguwar]

Jeff Klingman 

10. PJ Harvey - White Chalk [Island]
09. Glass Candy - B/E/A/T/B/O/X [Italians Do it Better]
08. Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls [Too Pure / Beggars]
07. Radiohead - In Rainbows [self-released]
06. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover [Jagjaguwar]
05. Deerhunter - Cryptograms/Fluorescent Grey (cop out I know, but they did release both together on double vinyl) [Kranky]
04. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam [Domino]
03. M.I.A. - Kala [XL]
02. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver [DFA / Capitol]
01. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, are You the Destroyer? [Polyvinyl]

Mike Krolak
10. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
09. Aesop Rock: None Shall Pass [Definitive Jux]
08. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala [Secretly Canadian]
07. Sean Price: Jesus Price Supastar [Duck Down]
06. Little Brother: Getback [ABB]
05. Pharoahe Monch: Desire [SRC]
04. Okkervil River: The Stage Names [Jagjaguwar]
03. Burial: Untrue [Hyperdub]
02. The National: Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
01. El-P: I'll Sleep When You're Dead [Definitive Jux]

Matt Liebowitz
10. Kings of Leon: Because of the Times [RCA]
09. Keren Ann: Keren Ann [EMI]
08. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
07. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
06. Low: Drums and Guns [Sub Pop]
05. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
04. David Vandervelde: The Moonstation House Band [Secretely Canadian]
03. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Merge]
02. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam [Domino]
01. Aaron Ross: Shapeshifter [Grass Roots]

Norman Mayers
10. Chrisette Michele: I Am [Def Jam]
09. Blue Six: Aquarian Angel [Naked]
08. Jill Scott: The Real Thing Words & Sounds Vol. 3 [Hidden Beach]
07. 4Hero: Play With the Changes [Milan]
06. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black [Republic]
05. The Politik: The Politik [Milan]
04. Ledisi: Lost & Found [Verve]
03. Angie Stone: The Art of Love & War [Stax]
02. Eric Roberson: Left [Dome]
01. M.I.A.: Kala [XL/Interscope]

John Motley
10. Dan Deacon: Spiderman of the Rings [Carpark]
09. Deerhoof: Friendship Opportunity [Kill Rock Stars]
08. Arthur & Yu: In Camera [Hardly Art]
07. Papercuts: Can’t Go Back [Gnomonsong]
06. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala [Secretly Canadian]
05. Caribou: Andorra [Merge]
04. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-released]
03. Deerhunter: Cryptograms [Kranky]
02. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
01. The Brunettes: Structure & Cosmetics [Sub Pop]

Sean Nelson
10. The Austerity Program: Black Madonna [Hydrahead]
09. Kanye West: Graduation [Roc-A-Fella]
08. Arp: In Light [Smalltown Supersound]
07. Okkervil River: The Stage Names [Jagjaguwar]
06. Pharoahe Monch: Desire [5RC]
05. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raising Sand [Rounder]
04. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam [Domino]
03. The Field: From Here We Go Sublime [Kompakt]
02. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
01. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]

Dan Nishimoto
10. Dragons of Zynth: Coronation Thieves [Gigantic]
09. Donnie: The Daily News [SoulThought]
08. Budos Band: Budos Band II [Daptone]
07. Jay-Z: American Gangster [Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam]
06. Pharoahe Monche: Desire [SRC/Universal]
05. Cafe Tacuba: SiNo [Universal Latino]
04. Björk: Volta [Atlantic/WEA]
03. M.I.A.: Kala [XL/Interscope]
02. Robert Wyatt: Comicopera [Domino]
01. Kanye West: Graduation [Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam]

Steve Pollock
10. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
09. Les Savy Fav: Let's Stay Friends [French Kiss]
08. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]
07. Stars: In Our Bedroom After the War [Arts & Crafts]
06. Klaxons: Myths of the Near Future [Polydor]
05. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Merge]
04. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
03. Kaiser Chiefs: Yours Truly, Angry Mob [B-Unique]
02. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible [Merge]
01. M.I.A.: Kala [XL]

Brian Reid
10. Kanye West: Graduation [Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam]
09. The Field: From Here We Go Sublime [Kompakt]
08. The National: Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
07. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam [Domino]
06. Ricardo Villalobos: Fabric 36 [Fabric]
05. Thomas Fehlmann: Honigpumpe [Kompakt]
04. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
03. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
02. M.I.A.: Kala [XL/Interscope]
01. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA]

Etan Rosenbloom
10. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
09. Chris Letcher: Frieze [Sheer Sound/2 Feet Music]
08. Baroness: The Red Album [Relapse]
07. The Teeth: You're My Lover Now [Park the Van]
06. Bat for Lashes: Fur and Gold [Echo/She Bear]
05. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: In Glorious Times [The End]
04. Wolves in the Throne Room: Two Hunters [Southern Lord]
03. Grayceon: Grayceon [Vendlus]
02. Battles: Mirrored [Warp]
01. Jesca Hoop: Kismet [3 Entertainment/Red Ink/Columbia]

Chris Sahl
10. White Stripes: Icky Thump [Warner Brothers]
09. Amiina: Kurr [Ever]
08. Ween: La Cucharaca [La Cucaracha]
07. Dan Deacon: Spiderman of the Rings [Carpark]
06. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
05. Nine Inch Nails: Year Zero [Interscope]
04. Caribou: Andorra [Merge]
03. Liars: Liars [Mute]
02. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [DFA/Capitol]
01. Battles: Mirrored [Warp]

Bruce Scott
10. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: 100 Days, 100 Nights [Daptone]
09. Caribou: Andorra [Merge]
08. Feist: The Reminder [Cherry Tree]
07. Iron and Wine: The Shepherd's Dog [Sub Pop]
06. Antibalas: Security [Anti-]
05. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
04. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible [Merge]
03. Battles: Mirrored [Warp]
02. PJ Harvey: White Chalk [Island]
01. Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? [Polyvinyl]

Adam Webb-Orenstein
10. Jana Hunter: There's No Home [Gnomesong]
09. Blitzen Trapper: Wild Mountain Nation [Lidkercow Ltd.]
08. Melt Banana: Bambi's Dilemma [A-Zap]
07. Pissed Jeans: Hope for Men [Sub Pop]
06. Black Moth Super Rainbow: Dandelion Gum [Graveface]
05. Pop Levi: Return to Form Black Magick Party [Counter]
04. Islaja: Ulual Yyy [Fonal]
03. Ghost: In Stormy Nights [Drag City]
02. Panda Bear: Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
01. Stars of the Lid: And Their Refinement of the Decline [Kranky]

Travis Woods
10. Amiina: Kurr [Ever]
09. Stars of the Lid: And Their Refinement of the Decline [Kranky]
08. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Is Is EP [Interscope]
07. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
06. The Airborne Toxic Event: The Airborne Toxic Event [Self-Released]
05. The National: Boxer [Beggar’s Banquet]
04. PJ Harvey: White Chalk [Island]
03. Queens of the Stone Age: Era Vulgaris [Interscope]
02. Nick Drake: Family Tree [Tsunami LG/Fontana]
01. Soulsavers (with Mark Lanegan): It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s How You Land [V2]

John Zeiss
10. Nina Nastasia and Jim White: You Follow Me [Fat Cat]
09. Panda Bear/Animal Collective: Person Pitch/Strawberry Jam [Paw Tracks/Domino]
08. The Weakerthans: Reunion Tour [Anti-/Epitaph]
07. Ferraby Lionheart: Catch the Brass Ring [Nettwerk]
06. The National: Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
05. Okkervil River: The Stage Names [Jagjaguwar]
04. Low: Drums and Guns [Sub Pop]
03. Radiohead: In Rainbows [Self-Released]
02. Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone [Temporary Residence]
01. Electrelane: No Shouts, No Calls [Too Pure/Beggars]

Jen Zipf
10. M.I.A: Kala [Interscope]
09. V/A: The Brit Box [Rhino/WEA]
08. Justice: [CROSS SYMBOL] [Downtown/Ed Banger]
07. Soulwax: Most of the Remixes [Parlophone*]
06. Midnight Juggernauts: Dystopia [Siberia/Inertia*]
05. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver [Capitol]
04. Interpol: Our Love to Admire [Capitol]
03. Simian Mobile Disco: Attack Destroy Sustain Release [Interscope]
02. Klaxons: Myths of the Near Future [Geffen]
01. Digitalism: Idealism [Astralwerks]

*: Import

Prefix's top ten albums of 2007

Prefix's top albums of 2007 - Picks 50 to 11