2007 Billboard Critics’ Picks includes Animal-Esque Artists and Albums

As you probably know, Kitty Mowmow’s Animal Expo LOVES music about or referencing animals - in artist name, album name, song title, or lyrics - even record label name, if I’m feeling particularly inclusive. So here’s a list of the Animal-Esque music (and the guys who chose it) that made it to the 2007 Billboard Critics’ Picks.

MICHAEL D. AYERS
Billboard.com contributor
1. Panda Bear, “Person Pitch” (Paw Tracks)
Timeless.
10. Black Dice, “Load Blown” (Paw Tracks)
Warped.

JOHN BENSON
Billboard.com contributor
8. Ryan Adams, “Easy Tiger” (Lost Highway)
Channeling his inner Todd Rundgren, Adams offers his version of ’70s rock.

LARS BRANDLE
Billboard global news editor
1. Simian Mobile Disco, “Attack Decay Sustain Release” (Interscope)
Dance Is Not Dead.
8. The Pigeon Detectives, “Wait for Me” (Dance to the Radio)
Few Brit bands made a more-triumphant arrival in 2007.

SUSAN BUTLER
Billboard senior correspondent, legal & publishing
1. Seal, “System” (Warner Bros.)
Just when you think Seal couldn’t possibly release an album better than the last one, he does … again.

DIANE COETZER
Billboard contributor
10. The Cat Empire, “Two Shoes” (Universal/Virgin/Velour)
Sunny pop delivered with subversive charm.

JONATHAN COHEN
Billboard senior editor
2. Ween, “La Cucaracha” (Rounder/Cortex)
We had the best time at your party / The wife and I thank you very much.
5. Rob Crow, “Living Well” (Temporary Residence Ltd.)
Passions dying, oceans forming / Feel the sun on the way to fall.
9. Deerhunter, “Cryptograms” (Kranky)
The weeks flew by / Before I knew, I was awake.
Top tunes: “Band Of Horses; “The Garden,”

MARIEL CONCEPCION
Billboard.com associate editor
10. Robin Thicke, “The Evolution of Robin Thicke” (Interscope)

I’ll continue this list later on in the week.