Listmania!
Better Late than Never: 2007 Albums for Freaks Like Me
By an Amazon.com customer
Neon BibleNeon Bible by Arcade Fire
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.37
Who knew Bruce Springsteen was an indie rock icon? The best reason not to invade Canada.
New Maps of HellNew Maps of Hell by Bad Religion
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.90
Elder statesmen of secular humanist hardcore, still getting the job done.
VoltaVolta by Björk
Buy new: $19.98 / Used from: $1.60
Around the world, and points unknown, with Iceland's best crackpot genius chanteusse.
Load BlownLoad Blown by Black Dice
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $6.99
More tasty experimental goodness from this Brooklyn band.
2323 by Blonde Redhead
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.12
No longer a Sonic Youth tribute band, and all the better for it. Dream pop worth dreaming about.
Spiderman of the RingsSpiderman of the Rings by Dan Deacon
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $4.21
A modern electropop savant who makes gleefully weird singalong glitchfests. You'd be forgiven for finding it annoying, but one can't deny the sheer imagination on display.
Cuckoo CrowCuckoo Crow by Degenerate Art Ensemble
Buy used from: $99.99
A performance art troupe more than a band, but their latest album is well worth listening to--and looking for--on its own. Guaranteed to be the weirdest thing you've heard all day, unless you listen to nothing but Jandek and Nurse With Wound.
BeyondBeyond by Dinosaur Jr.
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.97
Sounds gloriously--and somewhat disturbingly--like one of their 80's albums on SST.
I'll Sleep When You're DeadI'll Sleep When You're Dead by El-P
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $3.17
Thinking person's hip-hop? I dunno, but the production is so cutting edge here, I'll bet Timbaland will be biting it in a few years.
Grass Geysers...Carbon CloudsGrass Geysers...Carbon Clouds by Enon
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $3.31
Nerd rock at its apex.
GrindermanGrinderman by Grinderman (featuring Nick Cave)
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.37
A.K.A. that band with Nick Cave. Inspirational song title: "No Pussy Blues."
White ChalkWhite Chalk by PJ Harvey
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.98
Spare, haunting ballads, like a Charlotte Bronte novel in audio. One of PJ's oddest, and best.
Our Love to AdmireOur Love to Admire by Interpol
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $2.75
Some people still think they rip off Joy Division. These people have obviously never heard of The Chameleons. Nevertheless, these guys get it right.
LiarsLiars by Liars
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $4.82
Best freak rock disc of the year. Addictive, at least if you're like me, which is to say Me.
KalaKala
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.55
This is what "world music" should sound like.
Trees Outside the AcademyTrees Outside the Academy by Thurston Moore
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $2.14
Thurston goes acoustic? And it's still amazing? Yes!
Catharsis In CrisisCatharsis In Crisis by Old Time Relijun
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $2.75
Keeping the faith in Captain Beefheart.
MapmakerMapmaker by Parts & Labor
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $1.84
Anthemic noise rock from Brooklyn, no assembly required.
A Place to Bury StrangersA Place to Bury Strangers by A Place to Bury Strangers
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $22.72
More Brooklyn noisemakers, setting the stage for the return of My Bloody Valentine. Dudes make their own custom effects pedals! Whoa!
In RainbowsIn Rainbows by Radiohead
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $4.98
Destroy all record companies.
Through the PanamaThrough the Panama by Sightings
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $2.99
For those about to noise rock, I salute you.
Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition) by Sonic Youth
Buy new: $29.98 / Used from: $14.00
Easily the best reissue of the year.
In Advance of the Broken ArmIn Advance of the Broken Arm by Marnie Stern
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $3.74
A true female guitar hero, and better than most men. She shoots she shreds!
Part Two. The Endless NotPart Two. The Endless Not by Throbbing Gristle
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $7.46
Best reunion of the year. As weird as ever.
The PatronThe Patron by To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $9.99
Female fronted experimental ethereal noise. The most beautiful thing to shred your eardrums in ages.
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons EverythingGod Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens
Buy used from: $7.79
The audiobook version of Hitchens' lacerating attack on all things faith-based. Read by the man himself in his bourbon soaked British drawl, which makes it entertaining as well as enlightening.