Top Albums of 2007

Honestly this year was a weird year in that not a lot of albums really caught my eye from this year. A lot of albums came out but not a lot of albums from this calendar year blew me away like MuteMath or Muse or My Chemical Romance did in years past. So instead of albums that came out this year (as I did last year) I'll talk about the top albums that I DISCOVERED this year.

1. Frou Frou - Details
I have talked about Imogen Heap for a long time. Ms. Heap is odd in the fact that she was a somewhat successful solo artist, then formed a band (Frou Frou) then went solo again. I first heard Imogen's voice on the Shrek 2 soundtrack (hey, I bought it for the Counting Crows song) as Frou Frou performed "Holding Out for a Hero" and I fell in love. I didn't know who they were. Then I discovered Imogen Heap and figured out it was the same singer and then bought this album. I was a little worried because I bought it without listening to the whole album...but needless to say, I was not disappointed. This ended up being my favorite record of what I discovered this year. Imogen Heaps' distinctive alto and Guy Sigsworth distinctive electro-pop production as well as killer songwriting and amazingly earnest lyrics make this album a keeper. Even if you don't like electro-pop, you will like this album. Every song is beautifully written and perfectly produced. Buy this one today.

2. Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Great songs. Great hooks. Great playing. Great sounding record. See my review from earlier this year.

3. Derek Webb - The Ringing Bell
Derek was what made Caedmon's Call great, I always thought. His earnest, open, broken-hearted songwriting always seemed to hit me just right. Then he got married and left the band and felt called to being the reincarnation of Keith Green, calling the church out for its crap...constantly. Honestly, it got kind of old. I wanted to hear him sing love songs and deep lyrics again. Plus, from a musical standpoint, he got more and more "out there" and for me it wasn't good "out there". I had kind of written him off. Then, a good friend of mine Mike Snyder told me to check it out, so I bought the record and could not stop listening to it. It's Beatle-esque and pop and roots and folky and experimental all rolled up in one. Easily my favorite record from the Christian music industry from this year. Great, great album. Go listen, then buy.

4. Blake Lewis - Audio Day Dream
A year ago, when I came home from Hollywood, I told my wife that only one guy really stood out as major competition...sure there were other great singers, but to me Blake was the best guy this year. And, of course, my prediction turned out correctly...Blake was the #1 guy this season and went on to make an album he wanted to make. There are mis-steps on the album, I think, but overall this is one of the best Idol albums, if not the best yet (stiff competition with Daughtry's debut). If the label picks the right singles, the album should have life and I predict the album will do incredibly well in Europe. I am just cheering for my friend to do well. Songs like "Know My Name", "1000 Miles" and "How Many Words" show his songwriting ability and ear for catchy hooks, while the prom song of the century "End of the World" just makes the BoyzIIMen fan deep in me come out and sing along.

5. Fall Out Boy - Infinity on High
I enjoyed 3 songs on FOB's first album. The rest of the album just was not my cup of tea. Right as my American Idol experience was starting to ramp up - I'd made the top 40 but didn't know about the top 24 yet - I heard "This Ain't a Scene" on the radio while driving in an Idol-driven car. And I flipped. I thought it was one of the coolest songs I'd heard in a while. So, immediately when the album came out in February, I bought the album and it was one of those albums that I listened to almost non-stop. I have great memories of Blake and I sitting in our hotel room on La Cienega listening to this album, talking about wanting to just make it to tour. So, not only is it great music, but there's some good memories along with it. Anyway, every song on this album is a step up from the last album. The album sounds great and Patrick Stump's vocals are fantastic.

6. Brandi Carlile - The Story
One of the most distinctive female voices in the music business ever, in my opinion. She sings and screams and squeels her way to making you feel every heartbreak and every joy she has ever felt. The Story should be included in lists of best-written songs ever as musically and emotionally, Brandi's voice takes you on a journey that you believe and feel through to your heart.

7. Kevin Max - The Blood
Take away my duet with my musical hero and this album is still one of the best of 2007. Kevin dug deep and made a great roots record that had some of the coolest duets in years. This is a great album. Go buy it today. I don't make a cent off it, so I'm not telling you to buy to make me rich. I'm telling you to buy it because it's a great freaking album.

8 Graham Colton Band - Here Right Now
I have been a GCB fan for a while. I discovered them when they were an indie band and have kept up with them since. I was somewhat disappointed with the band's label debut, though I did enjoy it a lot. So, when I heard that Graham was working with John Fields (Switchfoot) on this record, I had high hopes. I wasn't disappointed. This album is a little more pop to his first 2 album's alt-country-rock, but the pop/rock works. Graham's a good songwriter and the production is for the most part spot on.

9. Steven Curtis Chapman - This Moment
Steven seemed to have lost his mojo for a while there. Really, Declaration was the last album of his that hit me. The last two just didn't do anything for me...just seemed like a rehash of what he's always done. However, "This Moment" seems to have Steven back to doing what he does best, only sounding somewhat fresher. Sure, it's nothing new, especially for Steven, but the album's songwriting is great and feels fresh for the first time in a long time.

10. Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks
I wish that the album had shown off her voice more because I've been there hearing her SANG. This album, though, is a warm up for what I think will be a very long and fruitful career. Songs like "No Air" and "Tattoo" will give the album life on the sales charts while songs like "Permanent Monday" and "Freeze" show maturity beyond her 17 years (now 18 years).

Honorable Mention: Mercy Me - All That Is Within Me
Best album since their debut. "God With Us" will be up for song of the year.

EDIT: And one album that I literally just discovered...Elevator Musik from Victory Fellowship in New Orleans. The best worship album I've ever heard. It features Paul Meany from MuteMath leading worship...it's amazing. Go to victoryfellowship.net and find the shop...they have it for sale.