Crustache's Top 50 Albums of 2007, Part II

Alright, fuck pictures. That takes too long. I'll save that for the top 10. Here's part two:

30. Lust Lust Lust - The Raveonettes
Apparently its not cool to like the Raveonettes anymore. I didn't get that memo. I thought this was a solid step forward, but really what do I know? I haven't seen this on any other lists, but perhaps that's because it came out so late in the year. This album sounds great when played really loud.
Best Song: "Dead Sound"

29. Return of the Mac - Prodigy of Mobb Deep
After the last Mobb Deep release I thought to myself, "Well, it was a good run." And it really had been, but I manned up and came to terms with Mobb Deep actually being really quite horrible. Then a few months after Blood Money flopped, the video for "Mac 10 Handle" started to float around the internet and to my shock it was very reminiscent of an HNIC-era Prodigy. I don't think any comeback this year has made me happier. Too bad P is off to the slammer.
Best Song: "The Rotten Apple"

28. You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying - Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs
Of course I prefer the up-beat stuff better, but any album Holly sings on is better than 99% of anything else. I'm always impressed with Holly, but it was the Brokeoffs that I dig the most on this album. Especially on "Jesus Don't Love Me." I'd buy an entire album of that even if Holly wasn't singing back-up on it. Hopefully I'll get that opportunity in the future.
Best Song: "Jesus Don't Love Me"

27. Underground Kingz - UGK
"Int'l Playa's Anthem" couldn't be any better. It reminds me of "Big Pimpin'," in the way that the public has shined the light on Andre' and Big Boi's verses now like they did Jay's verses back then. Little do people realize Bun B and Pimp C (RIP) drop some of their best verses on both of those songs. Its just unfortunate that the buzz of making an MTV Jam of the Week with Jay-Z got killed by Pimp C going to jail and now the buzz of "Playa's Anthem" is gonna fade away because of Pimp C's death. If Stankonia is the southern rap White Album then this is the southern rap Wowee Zowee. This is just one of those sprawling albums that even after an hour and half of playing, you still wish it wouldn't end. RIP.
Best Song: "Int'l Playa's Anthem (I Choose You)"

26. Wild Mountain Nation - Blitzen Trapper
Do you like Neil Young? Do you like Pavement? If yes and yes then you might like Blitzen Trapper. I read an interview with one of the guys and he said his two favorite albums were Wowee Zowee and a Neil Young one I can't remember, so they are obviously aren't shy about the influences. "Wild Mountain Nation," kicks in wonderfully, just the way great Young and Crazy Horse songs often use to. The album seems to go all over the place, which is something I really dig nowadays. That might be what puts others back about it, but this is just a great, happy record. Its definitely one of my favorite of this past summer. If something can be labeled good beer drinking music from this past year, perhaps this is it.
Best Song: "Wild Mountain Nation"

25. We All Belong - Dr. Dog
I just couldn't get into to them for the longest time. Being a Beatle-wannabe isn't always the best way to get my love. I gave this album a shot just based on a Pitchfork review that annoyed me on multiple levels. They gave this album like a 4 point something. I listened to and thought it was damn good and couldn't understand the criticism. I slowly started to listen to it again and again and before I knew it I was at their show at the Rock and Roll Hotel thinking it was great. The Beatles influence is still there, but with this album I feel like they finally gave it their own twist and are finally worthy of some solid respect.
Best Song: "My Old Ways"

24. A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place to Bury Strangers
I guess they're the "hyped" band of the moment, so I won't waste time saying things that have already been said. I missed them when they came to DC which is a bummer, because for as much as I like this album I hear they are way better live, being of course, because they are "The Loudest Band in New York." How one achieves such a title like that I do not know. Perhaps Sam Cutler introduces them every night.
Best Song: "Ocean"

23. Random Lover Spirit - Sunset Rubdown
This is the second Sunset Rubdown album I've liked more than the Wolf Parade album. This albums ranking suffers for being out for such a long while. When I first heard it was in my top 10 for a good month. But alas, one can only stand so much Spencer Krug. I also think this may very well be the best produced album of the year. When I first heard "Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life," I was a little blown out of my seat. After 50 listens it's not as devastating, but still very, very cool.
Best Song: "The Taming of the hands that Came Back to Life"

22. Shepard's Dog - Iron & Wine
Sam Beam is the man. I'm pretty set in the fact that if Sam Beam releases an album, I will buy it. He's never released anything bad and doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. I'd probably have this one higher had I had not heard it every day at work for about 2 months.
Best Song: "The Devil Never Sleeps"

21. Between You & Me - Fabienne Delsol
Ahh, a French wannabe-Holly Golightly. What could be wrong with that? Nothing. Nothing at all. I put this album on when I wake up in the morning a lot. Not only because it's rockin', but also because I like to think it inspires me to meet some as cute as Fabienne at some point in the up coming day.
Best Song: "Vilaines Filles Mauvais Garcons"

...next up:
-Crustache's Top 50 Albums of 2007 Pts. III and IV
-Ten Old Albums That I've Listened to More Than Anything New in 2007
-Kase Munny interview