The Best of 2007: A Year In Review

[TeamAyu]

Well another year has come and gone and 2007 is about to wrap up!

So what are the best releases of 2007? I've divided it into three categories starting with:

- Best Albums of 2007
- Best Singles of 2007
- Best Compilations of 2007

For my albums and singles I decided not to have them overlap considering all of the songs from my favorite albums would dominate the singles but that's totally up to you whether you want the songs from your favorite albums as a part of your favorite singles as well.

Here we go!

Best Albums of 2007

01. MIKA - Life In Cartoon Motion



This is my absolute favorite album of the year because it is a collection of pop songs that are completely original. This is an album that is totally listenable from start to finish and will keep you pumped and wanting more by the end. MIKA has an absolutely amazing voice that is even better live than recorded, be sure to check out his live concert DVD. This album is just simple perfect in every aspect and is completely fun and energizing!

Highlights: "Big Girl You Are Beautiful" / "Lollipop" / "Happy Ending"

02. Mandy Moore - Wild Hope

It was a tough decision between this album and MIKA's because they are both perfect in so many ways. I love this album and Moore was truly able to show her musical talents and shine through on this collection of organic folk-pop tunes that inspire and move. The lyrics are also extremely heartfelt and vulnerable, allowing us to understand Moore, more as an artist than her bubble-gum pop image of the past. Definitely worth picking up.

Highlights: "Extraordinary" / "All Good Things" / "Gardenia"

03. Darren Hayes - This Delicate Thing We've Made



This masterpiece collection of 26 songs by former Savage Garden member Darren Hayes is filled with gorgeous and lush electronic pop tunes. This album would have been at the top of my list if Hayes had narrowed it down to a one disc album as opposed to a double disc but even with that the album is extremely strong. This album makes you want to dance, cry, and explode with energy with every listen and it definitely needs to be listened from start to finish. It basically opens Hayes life before the listeners ears I congratulate Hayes on the amazing collection.

Highlights: "On The Verge of Something Wonderful" / "Casey" / "How To Build A Time Machine"

04. Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of Poison Trees



On this album the lead singer Chris Carrabba finally finds a balance between his big band sound and his acoustic past. The pieces on this album from the very beginning with "Where There's Gold" showcase Carrabba's finest song writing to date as well as gorgeous melodies. Overall this is just a fine collection of acoustic tracks that are absolutely stellar.

Highlights: "Where There's Gold" / "Thick As Thieves" / "The Widow's Peak"

05. Jon McLaughlin - Indiana

Now here is an album of piano pop tunes that are all simple amazing and plain beautiful upon the first listen. McLaughlin has the voice to back up his grand piano songs and his piano skills are mindblowing. Just take a look at any of his performances or music videos, especially with the song "Industry."

Highlights: "Industry" / "Human" / "Already In"

06. Annie Lennox - Songs of Mass Destruction



Highlights: "Dark Road" / "Womankind" / "Sing"

07. Sara Barielles - Little Voice

Highlights: "City Lights" / "Love Song" / "Vegas"

08. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black



Highlights: "Rehab" / "Back to Black" / "You Know I'm No Good"

09. Vanessa Carlton - Heroes & Thieves

Highlights: "Nolita Fairytale" / "Home" / "Heroes & Thieves"

10. Britney Spears - Blackout



Highlights: "Gimme More" / "Break The Ice" / "Radar"

Best Singles of 2007:

01. Ivri Lider - Jesse
02. Hamasaki Ayumi - glitter/fated
03. Kelly Clarkson - Sober
04. Celine Dion - Taking Chances
05. Carrie Underwood - So Small
06. Alicia Keys - No One
07. Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts
08. Rihanna - Umbrella
09. Lily Allen - Smile
10. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

Best Compilations of 2007:

01. Natalie Imbruglia - Glorious: The Singles '97-'07
02. Hamasaki Ayumi - A BEST 2 -BLACK-
03. Faith Hill - The Hits
04. Goo Goo Dolls - Greatest Hits Vol. I: The Singles
05. Keith Urban - Greatest Hits

[Northerner]

I just did this for another forum, actually:

1. BAT FOR LASHES - Fur and Gold
2. COCOROSIE - The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn
3. KOSHEEN - Damage
4. ADULT. - Why Bother?
5. PATRICK WOLF - The Magic Position
6. NINE INCH NAILS - Year Zero
7. MUM - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy
8. THE FIERY FURNACES - Widow City
9. IMANI COPPOLA - The Black & White Album
10. BURIAL - Untrue
11. EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN - Alles Wieder Offen
12. PRAM - The Moving Frontier
13. PJ HARVEY - White Chalk
14. BJORK - Volta
15. TRACEY THORN - Out of the Woods
16. ROISIN MURPHY - Overpowered
17. ALICIA KEYS - As I Am
18. CLIENT - Heartland
19. VALGEIR SIGURDSSON - Ekvilibrium
20. SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO - Attack Decay Sustain Release

[Klonoa]

BEST ALBUMS

01.
Artist: The Pipettes
Album: We Are The Pipettes (US Version)
Release: 10.02.2007
Genre: Indie Pop

Best Tracks: We Are The Pipettes, Because It's Not Love (But It's Still a Feeling), I Love You


02.
Artist: Samantha James
Album: Rise
Release: 09.25.2007
Genre: Electronica/House

Best Tracks: I Found You feat. Celso Fonseca, Deep Surprise, Right Now


03.
Artist: Joss Stone
Album: Introducing Joss Stone
Release: 03.20.2007
Genre: R&B/Soul

Best Tracks: Headturner, Bad Habit, What Were We Thinking


04.
Artist: Katharine McPhee
Album: Katharine McPhee
Release: 01.30.2007
Genre: Pop/R&B

Best Tracks: Over It, Open Toes, Everywhere I Go


05.
Artist: DJ Colette
Album: Push
Release: 08.21.2007
Genre: Electronica/House/Dance

Best Tracks: About Us, If, Funny feat. Black Spade


06.
Artist: Norah Jones
Album: Not Too Late
Release: 01.30.2007
Genre: Blues/Folk

Best Tracks: The Sun Doesn't Like You, Thinking About You, Not Too Late

[hightea_xx]

one of the best albums this year has to be Feist's The Reminder. It's absolutely amazing, and I am proud to be Canadian because of this album. There is something magical about her voice and her music, and I was instantly drawn to this album, more so than her first. If you haven't picked it up, I highly suggest you do if you like mellow, relaxing music.

highlights: So Sorry; My moon, my man (the PV is simply stunning); 1234; Brandy Alexander; How My Heart Behaves



Following in a Canadian theme, the other album this year was actually made many years ago. Metric's Grow Up and Blow Away is actually an album that was never released until this year, although it precedes their other two well known albums (Live it Out and Old World Underground Where Are You Now?). If you are looking for another soft rock experience, this one is absolutely amazing.

highlights: Grow Up and Blow Away; Soft Rock Star (both mixes); The Twist; On the Sly

[paper_doll]

^ Very nice choices! I loved the Metric album.

[TeamAyu]

Yeah Feist is definitely a great choice, "The Reminder" is an absolutely stunning collection of music. The music clip for "1,2,3,4" is one of the most creative pieces of film work I have seen in quite a while. I love it when she is "walking" up the stairs of people. haha

[catur]

best ALBUM :
- SUGABABES change
- ALL SAINTS studio 1
- BJORK volta
best SONGS:
- RIHANNA umbrella
- ALICIA K no one
- RUBBEN S if only 4 1 night
- BJORK earth intrudr & innosence
- SUGABABES about u now & change
etc waaa... wa... n all ayumi's songs

[Rebirthia]

the revelation of 2007, the BEST ALBUM, has been, IMO, This delicate thing we've made, by Darren Hayes, commented above. it's a masterpiece, indeed.

[Halla]

the 2007 albums I've most enjoyed, not in any order

western albums:

Overpowered by Róisín Murphy
a brilliant mix of house, electro & pop.

Good Girl Gone Bad by Rihanna
the RnB/pop album of the year. every track is just pure hit material.

X by Kylie Minogue
Kylie is back again

Blackout by Britney Spears
she's a mess, but the production on her album is excellent. very catchy & modern.

Asian albums:

GUILTY by Ayu
A BEST II white/black by Ayu
no explanations needed

Alive by Sa Ding Ding
interesting album by the eccentric chinese singer/song-writer

COSMICOLOR by m-flo
the best of japanese RnB

BESTYO by Hitoto Yo
technically released late 2006, but most of it's chart-life is on 2007. my j-pop discovery of 2007, and now one of my favorite japanese singers.

peace by hitomi
great collection by a truly awesome artist