shake the sheets: the 2k7 so far...

It's June, which means that we're at the halfway point of the year. It seems like a good time, if any, to compile one of those awesome lists that no one will give two shits about next week.

Best Pop Album
Tegan & Sara, "The Con" (Vapor/Warner Bros)
Guided by Death Cab guitarist Chris Walla, "The Con" finds the duo's brand of pop taking a turn for the darkside, Redman-stylee.

Rookie of the (Mid) Year
Dawhud
Brilliant lyrics, dope production. Dawhud's self-released album, "Basement Sessions," might be the best hip-hop album that you haven't heard yet. This dude has already blown up, it's just up to the rest of the world to catch up.

Best Hip-Hop Album
KRS-One & Marley Marl, "Hip-Hop Lives" (Koch)
It could be argued that these two heavyweights collaborated simply for the purpose of making a buck from nostalgic cats like me. It would've been easy for Kris and Marl to make a slap-dashed effort and a terrible, underwhelming release. But they didn't. They made one of the best hip-hop records in the last three years. In these days when dudes like T.I., MIMS, and Polow da Don are the go-to-guys for popular hip-hop, it's kind of nice to know that the older generation looms around the corner, ready to take these less-talented newbies down a peg or two.

Already Overhyped Artist
Lily Allen/Amy Winehouse
Aren't they the same person?

I Can't Believe They Fell Off
Little Brother/Justus League
I still have pretty high hopes for Phonte and Big Pooh, but that crew mixtape they put out. Mediocre when compared to the genius of "The Minstrel Show." Hopefully they'll get their shit together soon.

Worst Hip-Hop Album (So Far)
There are so many, I can't really pick one. Lil Wayne? He probably has some album/mixtape out there that I can tear apart.


Worst Pop-Rock Album (So Far)
Fall Out Boy (aka Fallzouutboi69), "Infinity on High" (Island Def Jam)
If I have to hear another goddamn commercial with a song from this stupid, terrible album, I'm going to go to Wal-Mart and start kicking soccer balls everywhere in protest.