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2007 Year in Review V: The Albums (part 2)
And we continue with albums 80-61 of my favorite 100 from 2007...

80. Dungen - Tio Bitar (Kemado)
These psych reviving Swedes drop their second U.S. album, picking up where the excellent Ta Det Lungt left off and further expanding their sound.
Recommended tracks: "Familj", "Mon Amour"

79. Sloan - Never Hear the End of It (Yep Roc)
Canada's greatest power-pop exports keep on evading their long, long overdue American success on this sprawling, 30-track burst of energy.
Recommended tracks: "Everybody Wants You", "Ana Lucia"

78. Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (Temporary Residence)
These Texans prove with this album that post-rock is not yet dead, cranking out six more climaxing epics.
Recommended tracks: "The Birth and Death of the Day", "It's Natural To Be Afraid"

77. Jay-Z - American Gangster (Roc-A-Fella)
Jigga bounces back strongly from the misfire of his first post "retirement" album with this loose concept album inspired by the Denzel Washington film. But it doesn't matter what sparked him, I'm just glad to have Hov back.
Recommended tracks: "Roc Boys (And the Winner is...)", "Hello Brooklyn 2.0"

76. Om - Pilgrimage (Southern Lord)
A bit more subdued effort from these ex Sleep boys, but all the more beautiful for it.
Recommended tracks: "Pilgrimage", "Bhimas' Theme"

75. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog (Sub Pop)
Sam Beam continues his winning ways on his latest release, I'm really digging the full band sound he has been chasing as of late.
Recommended tracks: "Resurrection Fern", "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"

74. Robert Pollard - Standard Gargoyle Decisions (Merge)
This is the (slightly) more experimental of Pollard's two 2007 releases under his own name, chock-full of his signature hooks and classic rock nods.
Recommended tracks: "Hero Blows the Revolution", "Spider Eyes"

73. The Hidden Hand - The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote (Southern Lord)
Swampy, stompy, Southern-gothic doom metal from the legendary Wino and his latest band.
Recommended tracks: "Spiritually Bereft", "Dark Horizons"

72. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone)
Miss Jones' voice alone makes this worth hearing, but its the swing and oomph of her backing band that makes it fun.
Recommended tracks: "100 Days, 100 Nights", "Let Them Knock"

71. Handsome Furs - Plague Park (Sub Pop)
Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) pairs with Alexei Perry for nine tracks of sparse and wiry indie rock.
Recommended tracks: "Snakes on the Ladder", "Sing! Captain"

70. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger (Lost Highway)
Ryan must have found himself a trustworthy editor, as this is one his most tight and concise albums yet - much more consistent than his recent patchy outings even if the highs aren't quite as high.
Recommended tracks: "Halloweenhead", "Two Hearts"

69. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals (We Are Free)
Difficult to classify experimental indie rock that roams from sugary pop to atmospheric noodling to propulsive drumming, fans of recent Animal Collective should enjoy this.
Recommended tracks: "2080", "Wait for the Summer"

68. The Ponys - Turn the Lights Out (Matador)
Chicago's Ponys rediscover the fire that made their debut so unforgettable, plowing through twelve tracks of garage rock goodness that sometimes recalls Sonic Youth.
Recommended tracks: "1209 Seminary", "Poser Psychotic"

67. Bonde do Role - With Lasers (Domino)
Breakout Brazilian stars crank out one of the most fun albums of 2007, combining Brazilian rhythms, hip-hop, and even pop metal into something truly original.
Recommended tracks: "Office Boy", "Solta O Frango"

66. Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation (Lidkercow)
If a peyote-doused Pavement left out to dry in the Western sun sounds good to you, you'll love this album.
Recommended tracks: "Devil's a Go-Go", "Murder Babe"

65. Robert Pollard - Coast To Coast Carpet of Love (Merge)
More pop-oriented and accessible than Standard Gargoyle Decisions, this is Pollard's best album since disbanding the Guided by Voices brand.
Recommended tracks: "Miles Under the Skin", "Our Gaze"

64. !!! - Myth Takes (Warp)
This album was quite a surprise for me, these indie funkers proved that there's a lot of gas left in the band. A shame about Out Hud though.
Recommended tracks: "Must Be the Moon", "Heart of Hearts"

63. Powerhouse Sound - Oslo/Chicago: Breaks (Atavistic)
Some fantastic jazz sessions from an excellent band that features the always intriguing Ken Vandermark, well worth a spin.
Recommended tracks: "Acid Scratch (for Lee Perry)", "New Dirt/King to Crown Pt. 2"

62. Machine Head - The Blackening (Roadrunner)
I had pretty much written these guys off once they turned into nu-metal also-rans, but this album proves they are not a band to be forgotten. Very brutal stuff here.
Recommended tracks: "Clenching the Fists of Dissent", "Wolves"

61. Ghost - In Stormy Nights (Drag City)
I was a newcomer to these Japanese experimental rockers with the last album, but this one places me squarely in the fan camp - very impressive.
Recommended tracks: "Hemicyclic Anthelion", "Gareki No Toshi"