Best and Worst of 2007

As 2007 comes to an end, it's time to look back on the year on the good and the bad of music. Songs, albums, shows, videos…everything! This was a good year for music – lots of great songs, albums, and tours were on display in 2007. Some of the songs and albums will last for generations. Some of them sucked so bad, I forgot about them already until I took a look back to write this. Besides taking a look back at '07, we'll take a sneak peak into 2008 too. So, what are we waiting for – let's do this!

2007 SONG OF THE YEAR (must have been released as a single in 2007)

"Everything's Magic" – Angels & Airwaves

Things that make a song standout are its lyrics, music, and that proverbial "it" that makes it different. From the very first time I heard "Everything's Magic", I knew it was going to be my "Song of the Year" and other tunes would have to try really hard to beat it. A couple came close – but "Everything's Magic" held its ground.

Runner Ups (in alphabetical order by artist):

"Godspeed" – Anberlin

"How Far We've Come" – Matchbox Twenty

"Island" – The Starting Line

2007 ALBUM OF THE YEAR – ESTABLISHED ARTIST

Angels & Devils – Fuel

If I could give out an "Album of the Decade" or an "One of the Best Albums of All-Time", Angels & Devils would get that award. The rest of the albums that came out in 2007, as great as they may be, are at a disadvantage of sorts…just because if they were released in any other year, they would probably win "Album of the Year". If you haven't picked up Angels & Devils yet, you need to do that ASAP. Go do it right now!

Runner Ups (in alphabetical order by artist):

Cities – Anberlin

I-Empire – Angels & Airwaves

Afterwords – Collective Soul

2007 ALBUM OF THE YEAR – NEW ARTIST

Dressed Up As Life – Sick Puppies

This album could have with all the albums put out by the veterans this year it is that good. This Australia/Los Angeles trio has an amazing career ahead of them. Past the "Free Hugs" video to their single "All the Same", the debut album by the Sick Puppies is stacked with amazing track after amazing track. And have you ever seen these guys perform? Wow – they will totally rock you!

2007 WORST ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Young Modern – Silverchair

Minus the single "Straight Lines", this might be the worst album put out by any band of all-time. If someone is trying to give away this album to you, slap them! Because they are trying to insult you. Next time someone has a bonfire, after the wood is becoming scarce, round up all the copies of this album and toss them in the fire.

Runner Up:

Libertad – Velvet Revolver

I called it in 2006. I said "Velvet Revolver's next album is going to be the biggest sophomore slump of all-time." But holy crap, I wasn't expecting it to sound this bad! Umm, where is Scott Weiland? Where is Slash? Because they definitely aren't on this album! Seriously, this is a pathetic album. The boys should be ashamed of themselves.

2007 BEST UNRELEASED SONG OF THE YEAR (unreleased track on an album released in 2007)

"Leave the Memories Alone" – Fuel

You want to hear the next big song that should be #1 on the Billboard charts once it is released? Track #5 on Fuel's Angels & Devils might be the best song I've heard in years. Years folks – years!

Runner Ups (in alphabetical order by artist):

"A Whisper & A Clamor" – Anberlin

"Disarray" – Lifehouse

"Broken Sunday" – Saliva

"Fighting" – Yellowcard

2007 VIDEO OF THE YEAR

"The Unwinding Cable Car" – Anberlin

Runner Ups (in alphabetical order by artist):

"What I've Done" – Linkin Park

"If Everyone Cared" – Nickelback

2007 BEST CONCERT/SHOW/PERFORMANCE BY ARTIST

Papa Roach

Plain and simple, is there anyone more entertaining to watch than Jacoby Shaddix?

2007 WORST CONCERT/SHOW/PERFORMANCE BY ARTIST

Crossfade

Plain and simple, I'd rather give myself an enema than sit throw this sh*t. You couldn't pay me enough to go see them.

MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUM OF 2008

Trapt

Trapt's sophomore album Someone In Control is one of my favorite albums that I own. I listen to it all the time. Listening to the new songs they put out on their live album this year, "Stay Alive" and "Everything to Lose", and the song "Curiosity Kills" they have been performing live, this next album is going to be amazing. Believe it or not, I think it has a chance to top Someone In Control and get "2008 Album of the Year".

LEAST ANTICIPATED ALBUM OF 2008

Metallica

I better be careful of what I say because I don't want Lars to sue me or try beating me up. As one of my best friends would say "Metallica is at the level of Zeppelin now. They can put out sh*t – like they have been for a while – and people will still buy it." It's like damn Kool-Aid, I tell you! Why don't they just hang it up? Oh yeah – because all of their diehard fans will buy the album, complain about how much they still hate it, but then will pay $90 to go see Metallica on their "We Need to Pad Our Retirements" tour.

BY: The Asif