Smudge’s Favorite Albums of 2007

The 13 albums I loved the most this year. Because 10 just isn't enough.

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by Smudge the Zombie | Dec 30 2007

Now that 2007 has come to an end, it’s time for me to look back and give some recognition to all of the fantastic new music that came out this year. Please note that these are in no order other than alphabetical. As far as I’m concerned, everything on this list is flawless, and therefore equal in awesomeness.

1. Bad Religion – New Maps of Hell. I found out about this thing months in advance, and counted the days until its release. Good thing it didn’t disappoint me, right? It’s energetic and aggressive enough to give me what I was hoping for, and catchy enough that it’s hard not to sing (or shout) along.
2. The Birthday Massacre – Walking With Strangers. I blew these guys off for a long time as yet another generic electro-goth band, but their transparent love for new wave and 80s pop has won me over. This album in particular reminds me of Wedding Album-era Duran Duran, but not in a derivative way.
3. Blaqk Audio – CexCells. This is one of the most original and enjoyable synthpop albums I’ve ever heard. You can definitely hear their influences (Depeche Mode, The Smiths, possibly VNV Nation and older Apoptygma Berzerk), but it doesn’t actually sound like anything else.
4. The Brides – Sofa City Sweetheart. This album is so awesome it’s actually kind of hard to talk about. I think they’ve created their own genre here, kind of a vaguely spooky (and exhaustingly upbeat) mix of punk, rockabilly, and something else (Swing? Cabaret?) that makes it sound really nostalgic for something I can’t quite put my finger on.
5. Calabrese – The Traveling Vampire Show. The next time you’re wishing that Danzig would get back with the Misfits and re-record their old albums in a better studio, just listen to this. It will satisfy your craving.
6. Grinderman. I keep hearing people compare this album to old Birthday Party stuff. They’re not too far off; this is the rawest and dirtiest Nick Cave has been in at least a decade.
7. Information Society – Synthesizer. Despite the fact that Kurt Harland only appears on one track, this is actually a pretty kick ass album. It’s nothing like InSoc’s last album, Don’t Be Afraid; it’s more comparable to Peace & Love Inc, both in sound and in quality.
8. Johnette Napolitano – Scarred. Musically, this is pretty similar to a lot of Concrete Blonde, especially the last couple of albums. Lyrically, it’s so personal and emotional that listening to it feels a little uncomfortable and invasive, like trying to finish reading someone’s diary before you get caught.
9. Puscifer – V Is For Vagina. Yeah, I know - everyone hates this album. Bite me. Not everything needs to be serious, and frankly the kind of music a guy like Maynard Keenan makes when he’s being a little more playful with it is, well, a lot like the first Mr. Bungle album, actually. Eccentric and occasionally juvenile, but really, really well done.
10. The Secret Meeting – Ultrashiver. It’s a collaboration between Collide and Dean Garcia of Curve. Very relaxing, but still musically interesting. And completely gorgeous.
11. She Wants Revenge – This Is Forever. I have to admit, I was pretty underwhelmed by the first album these guys put out. But on This Is Forever, their sound seems stronger and better developed, and the Joy Division (and Bauhaus) influence comes across as more of an homage than a rip-off. It’s worth hearing even if you thought their debut was weak.
12. Siouxsie – Mantaray. Apparently Siouxsie Sioux does not need anyone else’s help to write amazing music. The sound is most comparable to the Creatures album, Boomerang, only more defiant – which means it’s pretty much dictionary-definition Siouxsie.
13. Spectra Paris – Dead Models Society. Very sexy for an electronic band, partially because of Elena Alice Fossi’s alluring vocal style and thick Italian accent. Features a breathtaking cover of Mad World – but the original tracks are even better.

And if that wasn’t enough, here’s some other stuff I highly recommend: Ade Fenton vs Gary Numan – Artificial Perfect; The Cruxshadows – Dreamcypher; Dave Gahan – Hourglass; Nightwish - Dark Passion Play; Scarlet’s Remains – Palest Grey. If you missed any of these, they’re all worth trying out.

Tags: music, smudge, bad religion, blaqk audio, secret meeting, brides, grinderman, information society, birthday massacre, 2007

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