When I review a new release, I also give the album a score based on the quality of each individual track and the cohesiveness of the album as a whole. To be eligible for this list, the album needs to be released in the U.S. between December 1, 2006 and November 30, 2007. The following albums have scored highest this year so far. I update these Standings every time an album or albums break into my Top 20.
Update: This week Nine Inch Nails enters the Top 20 with Year Zero and The Noisettes makes the list with What’s the Time Mr. Wolf?. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Vietnam and Rob Crow’s Living Well fall of the list.
1. Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
2. Bright Eyes Cassadaga (Saddle Creek)
3. Macromantics Moments in Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
4. Youth Group Casino Twilight Dogs (Anti-)
5. The Bird and the Bee The Bird and the Bee (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
6. Tim Fite Over the Counter Culture (Anti-)
7. The Beauty Shop Crisis Helpline (Believe Music)
8. El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead (Definitive Jux)
9. The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)
10. Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum)
11. Elvis Perkins Ash Wednesday (XL)
12. Arcade Fire Neon Bible (Merge)
13. Nine Inch Nails Year Zero (Nothing/Interscope)
14. Maria Taylor Lynn Teeter Flower (Saddle Creek)
15. The Noisettes What’s the Time Mr. Wolf? (Universal Motown)
16. Kings of Leon Because of the Times (RCA)
17. CocoRosie The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (Touch and Go)
18. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Living With the Living (Touch and Go)
19. Ligion External Affairs (Maple Jam/Bellum)
20. Peter Bjorn and John Writer’s Block (Almost Gold)
Do you feel that this list is a self-conscious effort? How do you find that the cumulative (as opposed to retrospective) approach to your list effects the final outcome? How do you avoid depreciating the legitimacy of your list over time? Thanks.
I think lists that are slapped together at the end of a period of time (usally a year) are naturally skewed. Albums that have been around for months will often rank higher, because of extended familiarity, while brand new albums haven’t had the chance to grow on listmakers. So year-end lists are inherently flawed and altered because of this.
When I score/rank an album on this list, it means I’ve listened to it 4-10 times and that’s the score it received at that time. This way all albums are on an even playing field.
I think the cumulative approach keeps all albums on a more even playing field and is more legitimate than a retrospective list.
Thanks for the reply.
A few that you may have indeed listened to and ‘passed’ on, but for the sake of keeping happy ears working:
VietNam - VietNam
Person Pitch - Panda Bear
Phonograph - Phonograph
Everybody - The Sea and Cake
Vietnam’s been on the list every week until now. Good album for sure.
I have lots of respect for what Panda Bear’s doing, but I didn’t quite get into that one.
I haven’t gotten to the Sea and Cake yet…it’s not officially out ’til 5/8, I believe…but they always make some intrgiguing and pretty music.
And I’ve recently heard some rumblings about Phonograph. I need to check that one out. Thanks for your recommendation on that one.