Originally written by Mike Diver · 6 June 2007
Six months into 2007 (almost...) and there’s already a not-so-proverbial shit-tonne of albums in contention for the coveted Album of the Year ‘gong’ at DiS – again, the winner will be selected by you, the readers, from a shortlist compiled by us. Yup.
Seems like as good a time as any, then, to weed out any that might’ve been acclaimed at the time but, in hindsight, maybe ain’t so stunning as we initially thought. And we need you guys to help us out. Listed below are a number of records that received hearty slaps on the back from the DiS critics, but are they still worth a damn? Are Field Music’s Tones Of Town and Jamie T’s Panic Prevention really ten-outta-ten albums? Shouldn’t Deerhunter’s Cryptograms have received a maximum score? (Few records have been on rotation as often, at my place at least). Was Bloc Party’s A Weekend In The City any good in the first place, really?
Here’s a selection of what we’ve enjoyed – a lot – since December turned into January and a whole new year. Do please tell us about your favourite albums of the year so far – after all, ultimately it’s you that decides our album of the year come the end of 2007…
Mathew Sawyer and the Ghosts Blue Birds Blood Catbird Recordings, released January - review
The Shins Wincing The Night Away Sub Pop/Trangressive, released January - review
Clipse Hell Hath No Fury Zomba, released January - review
Wires On Fire Wires On Fire Buddyhead, released January - review
Jamie T Panic Prevention Virgin, released January - review
Deerhunter Cryptograms Kranky, released January - review
of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer Polyvinyl, released January - review
Field Music Tones Of Town Memphis Industries, released January - review
Klaxons Myths Of The Near Future Polydor, released January - review
Aereogramme My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go Chemikal Underground, released January - review
Bloc Party A Weekend In The City Wichita, released February - review
A Sunny Day In Glasgow Scribble Mural Comic Journal Notenuf, released February - review
Do Make Say Think You, You’re A History In Rust Constellation, released February - review
Eluvium Copia Temporary Residence, released February - review
The Besnard Lakes …Are The Dark Horse Jagjaguwar, released February - review
Herman Dune Giant Source, released February - review
Arcade Fire Neon Bible Sonovox, released March - review
LCD Soundsystem Sound Of Silver DFA, released March - review
Panda Bear Person Pitch Paw Tracks, released March - review
Machine Head The Blackening Roadrunner, released March - review
Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha Fargo, released March - review
Grinderman Grinderman Mute, released March - review
Deerhoof Friend Opportunity ATP, released March - review
El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead Definitive Jux, released March - review
Cornelius Sensuous Korova, released March - review
Low Drums And Guns Sub Pop, released April - review
CocoRosie The Adventures Of Ghosthorse And Stillborn Touch And Go, released April - review
Blonde Redhead 23 4AD, released April - review
Electrelane No Shouts, No Calls Too Pure, released April - review
Feist The Reminder Polydor, released April - review
Björk Volta One Little Indian, released May - review
Napoleon IIIrd In Debt To Brainlove, released May - review
Shady Bard From The Ground Up Static Caravan, released May - review
The Cribs Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever Wichita, released May - review
The National Boxer Beggars Banquet, released May - review
Battles Mirrored Warp, released May - review
Simian Mobile Disco Attack Decay Sustain Release Wichita, released June - review
I reckon you can add the new albums from Justice, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Icarus Line to that list – all release their respective LPs next week. Then, later this month, there are new records from Souvaris, No Age, Annuals and, of course, The White Stripes. We’ve been playing Icky Thump this morning. It’s a bit icky, alright.
DiScuss: What are your favourite albums of the year so far?