I could spit on a stranger.

Teh year’s almost to an end and instead of making wishlists for Christmas (which, I know for a fact won’t come true anyway), I’ve decided to share to you guys what kept my iPod flaring all throughout teh year. Yes! Yes! It’s this year’s best LPs and EPs according to me.

Anyway, let’s get it on! Oh yes, I uploaded a song from each album that I mention which could be located on my Multiply (friends only, sorry!). Again, let’s get it on!

15 Best LPs this 2007
(in no particular order)

1. Straylight Run – The Needles The Space

Right after being pissed with Taking Back Sunday, John Nolan along with Shaun Cooper (also of TBS) and the ever-so-hot-sibling Michelle Nolan, decided that he wanted to do music that’s so far away from the likings of TBS. Thus, Straylight Run was born. Their first self-titled album was awesome, and as for The Needles The Space, we’ll… let’s just say that they’re far from what you’d call a Sophomore slump.

The Nolans do know how to make music. They both sing (be it a duet, or a solo effort) from the heart which really pulled me deeper into their sound. Another thing that I loved from this album is the fact that they never strayed far from their debut album in terms melodies and sensibilities, but they still managed to make this album refreshing and a joy to listen to.

Recommended tracks: Michelle Nolan’s heartfelt This Is The End, Waiting on the Weekend, and check out their cover of Joanna Newsom’s Peach, Plum, Pear.

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2. Interpol – Our Love To Admire

ZOMG! It’s teh Post-punk revival. Honestly speaking, this is the first Interpol album that I’ve evar listened to. And much like the deer being eaten in the cover, I also devoured this album. Listening to Interpol is like a really really sad pity party. It’s the lyrics that really made this album awesome for me. Not to mention Paul Banks’ vocals which makes you want to reach out a hanky towards him and wipe his invisible tears. There, there Paul.

Recommended Tracks: No I In Threesome, Wrecking Ball, The Heinrich Maneuver

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3. Minus The Bear – Planet Of Ice

I’d say this upfront, Planet of Ice is not my favorite MTB album. That would be Highly Refined Pirates. It’s also not my second-favorite because that spot is reserved for Menos El Oso. Yes, Planet Of Ice is my third-favoritest album of Minus The Bear. But that doesn’t mean that this album sucked. Planet of Ice still managed to bring the intricate time signatures, the whole electronica feel, and the awesome guitar taps. Not so much on the crazy titles (who in the right mind other than MTB would put “Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!” as a song title?), but that signature Minus The Bear-esque feel is all over the album. Best word to describe Planet of Ice: Cool.

Recommended Tracks: Knights, Burying Luck, Double Vision Quest

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4. Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start! – Worst Band Name Ever

After 2003’s and nothing is #1 Up Up Down Down started releasing four free EPs on the internet (yes, it’s free! check out Upupdowndown.org), and this year after 4 years since their last LP, they released a new one with a fitting title to boost: Worst Band Name Ever.

Its still the same old Up Up, except for the fact that they became a bit smoother this time. Smoother being less calculated structures and signatures. It’s a bit mainstream, I’ll admit it, but again the way these guys write their lyrics are still intact. The songs are catchy and easy to listen mainly because of their shortness (the entire album clocks in at about 22 mins). It’s short, but it is definitely sweet.

Recommended Tracks: Gas Station Hair, I’ll Thank You Later, Boise

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5. Spring Awakening – Original Broadway Cast Recording

You know it’s bound to make the list since I’ve been raving about this Duncan Sheik-Steven Sater musical. Based on the controversial 1891 German play of Frank Wedekind of the same name, it won 8 Tony Awards and 4 Drama Desk Awards, not to mention that it is super critically acclaimed. Much is owed to the wonderful cast that created the roles. And this is one angry rock musical. Just imagine, the repression of one’s sexuality! It covers teen sex, rape, suicide, love, masturbation, and school. Whew.

Recommended Tracks: The Bitch Of Living, My Junk, Totally Fucked

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6. Feist – The Reminder

Leslie Feist is not only hot. She’s superhot. Besides going solo as Feist, she’s also a member of the awesome group of indie musicians Broken Social Scene. After 2004’s Let It Die, Feist returned with The Reminder that’s filled with her notable soothing vocals and somewhat jazzy melodies. Besides the extremely happy song 1234, which gained attention because of its appearance in the iPod nano commercial, Feist offered a new batch of songs like Brandy Alexander, and my personal favorite, How My Heart Behaves. The Reminder is a reminder that Leslie Feist is not only hot. She’s superhot. Oh yeah, she’s an awesome musician too.

Recommended tracks: How My Heart Behaves, 1234, The Limit of Your Love

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7. Mouse Fire – Wooden Teeth

Mouse Fire’s debut album Wooden Teeth is awesome. Somehow, they sound a tad bit like Minus The Bear, yet they released a relatively better album than Planet Of Ice. Truth be told, it’s a crazy album. At first, it’s wild and chaotic (like Feel Good Dog), then it totally shifts to something tranquil and peaceful (The Unknown), only to be dance-y all over again (Started A Fire). You’re probably thinking that this album’s a bit psychotic, but I tell you, it’s not. It’s coherent and expertly recorded. It’s as if they perfectly placed each riff and sample in position. Awesomeness.

Recommended Tracks: Culvaria, Comes Around Goes Around, Friendship

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8. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – Once OST

Once is an amazing little film thanks to the wonderful music that Glen Hansard (34 years old) and Marketa Irglova (19 years old) made for it. Why did I put up their ages? They’re a perfect example of a May-December love that bloomed because of music. Pedobear approved.

Once wouldn’t even be a decent film if it weren’t for the highly-emotional tracks from both Marketa and Glen. It’s the honesty that was engraved in the songs that made it oh-so-emotional. From Mr. Hansard’s subtle lyrics about a love ruined by mistrust in Lies (The little cracks they escalated/Before we knew it was too late/For making circles and telling lies) to Marketa’s painful nostalgia of a past love in The Hill (Where are you now, angel now/Don’t you see me crying/And I know that you can’t do it all/But you can’t say your not trying), the ONCE OST is chock-full of acoustic guitar-driven songs of love, hate, and moving on.

It’s emo without the black eyeliners and one-sided hair that we all hate so much.

Recommended Tracks: ALL. Really, it’s my definite album of teh year!

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9. Explosions In The Sky – All Of The Sudden, I Miss Everyone

If you’re not familiar with Explosions in the Sky, you’ll probably think: “What are they doing? Where are the lyrics?!” It’s the first thing that got into me when I first heard of them.

All Of The Sudden, I Miss Everyone boasts 6 tracks (and 6 bonus remixed tracks) that’s perfect for making you think and miss everyone. Haha, really. It’s also number one on my “Sleep now” playlist. The heavy drumming remains so soft and quiet even though it’s somewhat fueled with emotion, the melodies are consistent and different for every track. Their ambient music is so cinematic too. It makes you feel like you’re living inside a film and Explosions in the Sky is your soundtrack.

Recommended Tracks: Welcome, Ghosts, So Long, Lonesome, and teh epic 13-minute long It’s Natural To Be Afraid.

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10. Dashboard Confessional – The Shade of Poison Trees & The Wire Tapes Vol. 1

Thank god, Chris Carrabba went back to his old ways. Admit it, Dusk and Summer was somewhat of a dud (except for Stolen). Although it’s not the same as his old materials (circa The Swiss Army Romance), the fact that Chris is back with his acoustic guitar made me all excited.

The Shade of Poison Trees is a bit more mature, lyrically. But the old DC that I knew so well returned and remained intact as if Dusk and Summer never happened. It’s a bit more upbeat too with the likes of I Light My Own Fires Now and Thick As Thieves. The songs are short too, only one song reached the 3-minute time mark, making TSOPT easier to grasp and hold on to.

As an added bonus, Dashboard Confessional released The Wire Tapes Vol. 1, an album full of covers, during their 2007 tour. It’s an interesting cover album because of the wide range of artists that they decided to cover. From Weezer’s El Scorcho to Regina Spektor’s Better, The Wire Tapes managed to be even more interesting than The Shade of Poison Trees. Nevertheless, they’re two extremely likable releases from one of my favorite bands evar.

Recommended Tracks: The Shade of Poison Trees, El Scorcho, Where There’s Gold, Valens

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11. Moving Mountains – Pneuma

Pneuma is greek for Breath and is the title of Moving Mountains’ debut self-released album. The title fits the album accordingly since all of the songs are like a breath of fresh air.

Here’s an album that could greatly fit into different music sensibilities. They sound like Explosions In The Sky but with vocals. They somehow have tracks that feels like Brand New (a good take for those emo-rock aficionados), but done differently with their own specific style. The album takes an estranged love and adds in various references that are both earthly and natural. Sample: on the acoustic anthem, Sol Solis (read: The Sun) they sing: “You’re like the sun/and I am earth/together we’re one.” It’s a down-to-earth-album that somehow bridges different spectrums of music in making a coherent album that’s full of whispered sonnets and heavy guitars.

Recommended Tracks: 8105, Sol Solis, and Cover The Roots, Lower The Stems

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12. Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vols. 1 & 2: Fire and Water

It’s a given fact that Dustin Kensrue and Teppei Teranishi are my two big man-crushes. Not only are they “I-want-to-look-like-him” handsome, they’re also two very very talented dudes. After Dustin made his solo effort (the also good, Please Come Home), Thrice went back on track to record a concept album. Four Volumes, four elements, and four different musical styles. This my friends, is The Alchemy Index.

So far, only two CDs out of four has been released (with the other two coming early next year), Fire and Water. Fire, is heavy and is just like Thrice’s past releases–powerful. Water, on the other hand, is smooth and free flowing mainly because of their use of digital effects and samples. The Alchemy Index is an awesome project that doesn’t disappoint. It managed to extend Thrice’s musical powers (yes, they have powers) and broader their range. I seriously cannot wait what they have in store for me with Earth and Air.

Recommended Tracks: Backdraft, Firebreather, Digital Sea, Open Water

13. Band Of Horses – Cease To Begin

Cease To Begin opens with the lyrically-repetitive song, Is There a Ghost? Sure, the entire song only goes, “I could sleep/When I lived alone/Is there a ghost in my house?” but to me, it said so much about being lonely and isolated. Much of the songs from Cease To Begin deals with the same topics of loneliness, home, love and the usual indie rock ramblings.

After Mat Brooke’s departure, I thought Band Of Horses is going downward, but thanks to Ben Bridwell’s persistence, Cease To Begin came out and shunned notions of a sophomore slump. Much like their debut Everything All The Time, this new album sounded so natural and subtle with lyrics that are truthful and spot on.

Recommended Tracks: Is There A Ghost?, No One’s Gonna Love You, Window Blues

14. Rivers Cuomo – Alone: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo

I was anticipating for this album, and thank god it arrived just in time to make my year complete. Alone chronicles the Weezer frontman’s hidden B-sides and demo recordings that are being released only now. 5 songs in the album are from the mythical Songs From The Black Hole, a space rock opera that Weezer planned to release as a follow up to The Blue Album. There’s also a much slower (and emo-er) demo of Buddy Holly and a cover of (ZOMG) Ice Cube’s The Bomb. Also included is a voice recording of a teenage Rivers wanting an axe guitar to look like KISS.

Alone shows just how creative and innovative Rivers is in making his songs. It’s like a wonderful collage of what Rivers was and how he ended up being the fashionable geek that we all love. It’s also a blatant proof of how Rivers could make various anthemic, humorous, and truthful songs that is guaranteed to hook you.

Recommended Tracks: Superfriend, I Was Made For You, Wanda (You’re my only love)

15. Radiohead – In Rainbows

Last, but definitely not fucking least is the brilliant seventh album of Radiohead aptly titled: In Rainbows. Honestly, I am truly out of words on how to describe the awesomeness of In Rainbows. Not only did Radiohead stick it to teh Man by making people pay however much they want in order to acquire the album, but they also managed to create an album that somehow experiments with something new and at the same time retaining the same factors that made them awesome.

In Rainbows is definitely a masterful collection of the different phases of Radiohead all rolled into one little gift.

Recommended Tracks: Videotape, Nude, 15 Step

There you go, the 15 best albums that was released this year according to me. It was an amazing year for indie music and a not-so-great year for OPM. Really, I wasn’t interested in any of the local releases this year. It wasn’t really as powerful as the past years for OPM. Or maybe I just shifted my perspective in music. Anyway, the thing is, if OPM continues to thrive with artists like 6CycleMind… OPM is going nowhere.

The biggest disappointment for me this year, really is Paramore’s RIOT. Riot is a perfect example of the sophomore slump. All We Know Is Falling was an awesome debut, and I didn’t think Paramore retained much of the sensibilities from their first album.

SO YEAHHH, do you somewhat agree to my list? What’s your favorite album of teh year? Ewan ko sayo, basta ako I’ve listed mine down. Anyway, If you’d like to sample my taste in music from my list this year, you could go ahead and click HERE to direct you on my Multiply playlist. Friends only, sorry.

ANYWAY, there you go. One part of my list is DOWN. Expect moar in the coming days. Again, download the tracks HERE!