Christmas came and went and now it's time to continue this thing with albums #25 to #21...
Why I chose Zeitgeist
Billy Corgan and friend(s) returned this year with a new album as Smashing Pumpkins, and well, the name "Smashing Pumpkins" is what sold it. It's not a bad album, either. Back when "Tarantula" was released, it got me excited for this album in a big way, and it remains one of my favorite singles of 2007. There's a lot of other greatness on this album too, like the powerhouse that is "Doomsday Clock." The largest blunder on Corgan's part was assuming that people actually wanted to take 10 minutes to listen to them open their concerts with the drawn-out, epic but too "look at us we're being epic" track, "United States." It was especially ridiculous at Live Earth, for which their entire set was only 20-25 minutes in the first place. Beyond that, the rest of
Zeitgeist is good, and my top 40 albums of 2007 would be incomplete without it.
Highlights from Zeitgeist
"Tarantula"
If it's a white hot soul they want, then a black heart they'll get
"Doomsday Clock"
These lonely days, when will they ever stop, this ticking in my heart, is everyone afraid?
"Come On, Let's Go"
Its all the same, they cannot wait, their love spells hate
Why I chose Kala
Back in 2005, when M.I.A. released
Arular, it seemed pretty nuts. That was nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. In terms of straight-up insanity,
Kala blows it out of the water. You'll listen to this album and either think it's an incoherent mess or a work of genius. Either way, M.I.A. is doing what no one else will. Just look at the damn album cover; if anything sums up how insane this piece of work is, that'll do it. When I listen to this album, I feel transported to some other time and place like my mind is completely gone. That's pretty cool. I love the "Blue Monday" music and Pixies references in "20 Dollar." The unparalled emotion in "Jimmy" is a nice touch. And of course, who can deny the greatness of the close-out track, "Paper Planes."
Highlights from Kala
"Paper Planes"
All I wanna do is [BANG BANG BANG BANG] and [KA-CHING!] and take your money
"20 Dollar"
Your head'll collapse when there's nothing in it, and you'll ask yourself, where is my mind?
"Jimmy"
You tell me that you're busy, I know that you hear me, start acting like you want me
Why I chose In Rainbows
Everybody knows the deal already so I don't need to explain it in-depth. Radiohead subverted the system by letting you order this album directly from them, without the help of a label, and you could pay whatever you wanted for it. The model was a very interesting experiment, and it wouldn't work for every band, but I think it worked in this case. Anything to make some progress against the old ways is a step in the right direction. As for the album itself, it's another solid release from Radiohead, and we get treated to some "real" instruments this time. A winner all around.
Highlights from In Rainbows
"Bodysnatchers"
Make a sound, move back home, a pale imitation with the edges sawn off
"House of Cards"
Forget about your house of cards, and I'll do mine; fall off the table, and get swept under
"All I Need"
You are all I need, I'm in the middle of your picture, lying in the reeds
Why I chose Cease to Begin
Before this year, I never really took the time to explore music by Band of Horses. The excellent "Is There A Ghost" changed all of that. Turns out the rest of the album is excellent as well. It walks the line between subdued and rocking the H out the house. It's a balance that can't be achieved successfully by many bands, but Band of Horses does it well. And what the hell kind of name is that, Band of Horses? I love it.
Highlights from Cease to Begin
"Is There A Ghost"
I could sleep... when I lived alone, is there a ghost in my house?
"Ode To LRC"
I see everyone before me, yeah, there was birthday sex and sleep
"Cigarettes, Wedding Bands"
Failure, he said, times two breeds contempt
Why I chose Not Too Late
Some people hated on this album. Eff 'em all. Norah Jones returned this year with another fully amazing record. "Thinking About You" got things started off late last year with an incredible video and sweet sound, and when the rest of the album followed, it just got better. "The Sun Doesn't Like You" and "Broken" are some of my favorite tracks to listen to over and over, and the metaphor-packed "My Dear Country" is a surprisingly great commentary on the current state of affairs. I love Norah and I hope she's around for many years to come.
Highlights from Not Too Late
"Thinking About You"
My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch, and I was thinking about you
"The Sun Doesn't Like You"
And time won't pass you by... and I won't tell you lies
"Broken"
He's got a broken voice and a twisted smile, guess he's been that way for quite awhile
"My Dear Country"
Three days later 'twas clear to all that nothing is as scary as election day
Finally, we're half-way there! Next up, the top 20 will be opened up with #20 to #16.
I don't think Zeitgeist is THAT good, but "Tarantula", "Doomsday Clock" and "Bleeding the Orchid" are. Kala...um, duh? And In Rainbows would have made my albums list had I actually waited a little longer to compile the list. 
