The Grammys still suck.

It’s a shame. These awards are still based on nothing but sales and mindless idiots listening to the radio. If only this award ceremony handed out achievements based on talent. Honestly, did you think Fergie’s album was talented? Or that the Foo Fighters’ latest generic album was anything near decent? Do you honestly think that Carrie Underwood or Plain White T’s deserve song of the year?

Every year the Grammys seem to make me want to repeatedly punch the TV. It’s all about sales. I rarely see a Grammy nomination that’s worth anything. This year’s “Best New Artist” group is what really made me laugh, as Feist was nominated. I’ve never really seen Feist or Broken Social Scene as anything great or worthwhile. Yet, this so called “new” artist is nominated. And here’s why: the iPod commercial. Remember that commercial back in September or so advertising the iPod nano? Guess who’s song and video was in there. If it weren’t for that commercial, she wouldn’t be on the nomination list. And this, alone, without any data-based proof, shows that Grammys are based solely on sales and popularity.

Technically, I could make an album, ten tracks or so, with me saying “shit” over and over. Each track, in theory, would consist of the same content. If this album happened to become one of the best selling of the year, it could win a Grammy. Yes, me saying “shit” over and over could technically win a Grammy. It’s just a tad bit pathetic.

Now I’ll move on to the decent music of 2007, the albums and artists that deserve credit. It’s pretty tough to sum up the top ten best albums in a year, but I’ll try.

10. Sigur R?ɬ?s - Hvarf-Heim
Sigur R?ɬ?s never disappoints, and their compilation of unreleased and acoustic tracks shows how far they’ve come since they formed thirteen years ago. Although not completely new material, the unreleased tracks provide enough listening material to last until their (hopefully) next album. Released on the same day as Heima, Hvarf-Heim, in a sense, provides an alternative side to the tour, and somehow seems to compliment the film.

9. iLiKETRAiNS - Elegies To Lessons Learnt
The first studio album from the post-rock band, Elegies To Lessons Learnt is a giant timeline, each track being about an event in history. Each song manages to break down and show the core of the track, exhibiting the pure minimalism of the album. iLiKETRAiNS manages to create a quiet yet loud album at the same time, switching between the two moods frequently during songs. An excellent debut album, Elegies To Lessons Learnt displays the best material yet from the post-rock group.

8. Daft Punk - Alive 2007
So it may not be new material, and it may not be a studio recorded album. But Daft Punk’s latest release, their first live album in ten years, is still top ten worthy. The French duo managed to transform some of their best songs into even better songs, improving on (in my opinion) dull tracks such as “Television Rules the Nation” and “Prime Time of Your Life”. Each song is a cliffhanger, laying down lyrics at first, and adding in the music measures later. Alive 2007 is a great live album, and a great release from the infamous French electronic duo.

7. Los Campesinos! - Sticking Fingers Into Sockets
I can’t stop (randomly) singing the songs on Los Campesinos’! second EP. The EP is so unbelievably catchy, and truly exhibits a happy and bright feeling. The cover of Pavement’s “Frontwards” stands out from the rest of the tracks, as the band managed to turn a slow paced, and somewhat depressing song into a lively, jump up and down and dance, happy track. “You! Me! Dancing!” also stands out, starting with a slow, quiet, guitar, and making it’s way up to a booming bass drum. These guys are getting more and more popular everyday, and I wouldn’t doubt that they’re going to be pretty big, pretty soon.

6. The Pigeon Detectives - Wait for Me
On first listening to Wait for Me, it sounds like another generic band out of the UK. And yes, The Pigeon Detectives may just be another generic UK band. However, their effort is what boosts them in this list. It’s quite apparent that The Pigeon Detectives worked their asses off to get their debut album out. From the numerous singles pre-album-release, to the revisions of songs months after the album, The Pigeon Detectives display good effort and a true wanting to make and improve music. Aside from the effort factor, Wait for Me is a catchy, unforgettable album.

5. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Unlike his previous album, Young Prayer, which was recorded after his father’s death, Person Pitch is a happier, good feel album. Influenced by Lennox’s marriage, his move to Portugal, and his first born child, Person Pitch gives off good and happy vibes, ones that reflect the change in Lennox’s life. Person Pitch, comprised mostly of samples, has a Beach Boys feel and exhibits a happy, bright tone. With seven lengthy yet vivid tracks, Person Pitch easily makes the top ten albums of 2007.

4. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters possesses qualities which really make the album shine. Most of the tracks start off very quiet and calm, and then, almost out of nowhere, turn into loud, forceful songs. The lyrics are what separate this album from the rest. They provide enough detail for me to paint a picture in my head, and tell an actual story, a continuous story that lasts throughout the entire album. Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters is most like a musical,sans shitty lyrics and music. Catchy, calming, and awakening, Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters is a brilliant debut album from The Twilight Sad.

3. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
It took many, and I mean many listens of this album to get to it’s current state of appreciation. Strawberry Jam isn’t your average album, and definitely has it’s own sound and vibe. A single listen won’t do Strawberry Jam justice, but after a couple of days the album really starts to shine. Yes, it’s strange. Yes, it’s weird. And yes, it’s unbelievably catchy and pop-ish in some strange way.

2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Forget that they sold it DRM-free, forget that they let you pay whatever you want, and it’s still one of this year’s best albums. Despite all the hype, In Rainbows, in my opinion, goes down as one of Radiohead’s best albums yet (Kid A being at the top). In Rainbows still stands out as one of their more lively albums, and didn’t feel stretched out. The work Yorke and co. put into this is definitely something that can be heard when listening, and the revitalization of old and new live tracks gave In Rainbows a different feel than their past albums. From the fast paced “Bodysnatchers” to the serene “Nude”, In Rainbows exhibits an accurate summary of Radiohead’s career.

1. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
It’s been six months, and I still cannot stop listening to this album. Spoon truly pulled it together while creating this record, cutting down the length of their songs while retaining their catchiness and brilliance. I have come to love each and every track on the album. From the Radiohead-esque “The Ghost of You Lingers” to the 60’s pop beat-based “Your Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”, Spoon’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is their most thought out and consistent album. Every track on this album has a different feel and mood, and yet, collectively, the tracks are so consistent. That’s a pretty tough feat to pull off without sounding generic and repetitive. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga not only goes down as one of my favorite albums from 2007, but as one of my favorite albums from the past couple of years.