2007 might be one of the biggest underdogs in the Greatest Year in Music contest.
It could be overshadowed by the seismic shifts of the 90s and the experimental explosion of the 10s, but landing right in the middle of the 00s is a roster of solid, career-defining records from many of our favorite indie rock artists.
Highlights from the list below include Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago, The National’s Boxer, Feist’s The Reminder, Radiohead’s In Rainbows, Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky, Kanye’s Graduation, The New Pornographer’s Challengers and Bright Eyes’ standout Cassadaga.
While the indie rock machine was steadily moving forward, Animal Collective was busy creating an experimental phenomenon with Strawberry Jam and co-founder Panda Bear’s influential solo LP Person Pitch. The latter, in particular, became a crucial cornerstone in the evolution of the DIY bedroom pop that is so prevalent today.
Here are some reasons why 2007 could be the Greatest Year in Music:
Albums
Sound of Silver – LCD Soundsystem
Meet the Smithereens! – The Smithereens
In Rainbows – Radiohead
Strawberry Jam – Animal Collective
American Doll Posse – Tori Amos
The Reminder – Feist
Time Stand Still – The Hooters
Living With the Living – Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
La Cucaracha – Ween
Emotionalism – The Avett Brothers
Graduation – Kanye West
Boxer – The National
Friend EP – Grizzly Bear
Person Pitch – Panda Bear
Aman Iman: Water is Life – Tinariwen
For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver
Diagrams – Wu-Tang Clan
Raising Sand – Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Chrome Dreams II – Neil Young
Mirrored – Battles
Ire Works – The Dillinger Escape Plan
Night Falls Over Kortedala – Jens Lekman
American Gangster – Jay-Z
Alive 2007 – Daft Punk
Somewhere in the Between – Streetlight Manifesto
Let’s Stay Friends – Les Savy Fav
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – Modest Mouse
Friend Opportunity – Deerhoof
The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol 3 – Jill Scott
The Shepherd’s Dog – Iron & Wine
Seeds – Martin Sexton
Reunion Tour – The Weakerthans
White Chalk – PJ Harvey
Magic – Bruce Springsteen
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace – Foo Fighters
Spiderman of the Rings – Dan Deacon
The Flying Club Cup – Beirut
Cease to Begin – Band of Horses
In Our Bedroom After the War – Stars
Sky Blue Sky – Wilco
The Return of the Magnificent – DJ Jazzy Jaff
Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? – Of Montreal
Wincing the Night Away – The Shins
On Letting Go – Circa Survive
Even If It Kills Me – Motion City Soundtrack
Some Loud Thunder – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Not Too Late – Norah Jones
Life in Cartoon Motion – MIKA
Baby 81 – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
New Moon – Elliot Smith
Volta – Bjork
Beyond – Dinosaur Jr.
Phantom Punch – Sondre Lerche
Because of the Times – Kings of Leon
New Magnetic Wonder – The Apples in Stereo
You, You’re a History in Rust – Do Make Say Think
Twelve – Patti Smith
All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone – Explosions in the Sky
In Advance of the Broken Arm – Marnie Stern
Yours Truly, Angry Mob – Kaiser Chiefs
Cross – Justice
Challengers – The New Pornographers
Neon Bible – Arcade Fire
Grinderman – Grinderman
Year Zero – Nine Inch Nails
Under the Blacklight – Rilo Kiley
The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter – Josh Ritter
The Fragile Army – The Polyphonic Spree
Icky Thump – The White Stripes
An End Has a Start – Editors
Time on Earth – Crowded House
Our Love to Admire – Interpol
Easy Tiger – Ryan Adams
None Shall Pass – Aesop Rock
Kala – M.I.A.
Planet of Ice – Minus the Bear
Lifeline – Ben Harper
Build a Nation – Bad Brains
Get Warmer – Bomb the Music Industry!
The Con – Tegan and Sara
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga – Spoon
Marry Me – St. Vincent
Ear Drum – Talib Kweli
Places Like This – Architecture in Helsinki
New Wave – Against Me!
Grow Up and Blow Away – Metric
Super Taranta! – Gogol Bordello
The Stage Names – Okkervil River
We Are the Night – The Chemical Brothers
Cassadaga – Bright Eyes
Andorra – Caribou
How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? – Public Enemy
The Distant Future – Flight of the Conchords
 
