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The Worst Albums of 2007 (That Will End Up On "Best of" Lists)

Warning: you may not like what you see

This year should be called "The year of boring albums". There was a wide array of great music that was released in 2007, but some of the big names in music were total disappointments. Of course many of my fellow writers will disagree with me, but that's nothing new. Expectations are different for everyone so this list may not be for everybody. Let the hate mail commence!

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky - I'm not saying it's a bad album. What I am saying is there are at least fifty albums from 2007 that are better than Wilco's latest release. Sky Blue Sky finds Wilco treading familiar territory that comes across as a more boring Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is Wilco stripped of all fun. You want something great, go listen to Summerteeth.

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away - Similar to Wilco, the problem (if you want to call it a problem) with Wincing the Night Away is that it is not exceptional. It is entertaining and fun. It has a couple very good tracks. It does not belong on a best of 2007 list. Also, the cover art is absolutely atrocious.

Radiohead - In Rainbows - Call me an old fogey, but I don't think Radiohead has crafted a great album since O.K. Computer. This isn't even about comparisons to old Radiohead albums. In Rainbows isn't very good compared to most of the good music released this year. I have one word to describe this album: Unmemorable. In Rainbows is music for accountants who think they are hip.

Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block - This album came out in 2006. Why are people putting it on their best of 2007 lists? It's a very good album but it doesn't have the ability to defy space and time. I just don't get it. I am positive I first listened to this album in the fall into winter of 2006. Maybe my memory is deceiving me.

Liars - Liars - I may be in the minority, but I have a hard time listening to this one. I am fully willing to believe the possibility that this is an issue with the listener (me) and not the music, but I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the music. My lazy ass is not willing to work this hard to enjoy something that's so seemingly un-enjoyable.

Posted by Greg Herald on Dec 20, 2007 @ 12:00 am