Music: Top 40 Albums of 2007 24-20

20) The White Stripes – Icky Thump
Jack and Meg return with a classic rocker that brings the songcraft.
Here’s the video for “Conquest”:


21) Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
What felt like a retreat at first opens up to reveal intricacies that deepen with each listen.
Here’s the video for “What Light”:


22) Various Artists – David Shrigley’s Worried Noodles
A sampler of great indie rock featuring artists from Franz Ferdinand to Grizzly Bear to David Byrne to Final Fantasy marrying Shrigley's clever lyrics to great songs.
Here’s a video promo for the album featuring Shrigley’s artwork and the band YACHT:


23) Future of the Left – Curses
Mclusky fans look no further. Ex Mclusky members team up with the bassist from Jarcrew. Driving anger fueled rock with snarky lyrics follows.
Here’s the video for “adeadenemyalswayssmellsgood”:


24) Blitzen Trapper – Wild Mountain Nation
The Pavement aping album cover and a few of the songs on this debut album suggested a cover band called Debris Slide trying to write originals for the first time. In reality there is more than meets the ear with pastoral folk, and freaky-deaky indie that hews its own course.
Here’s the video for “Devil’s A-Go-Go”: