Best Of 2007

Well, it's December and virtually every music blog, online mag and print publication has revealed a "Best Of 2007" list. My Google Reader is packed with these lists - from the underdog bloggers like Pop Tarts Suck Toasted to the big guns at Pitchfork. I felt compelled to get in on the action, so here is my Top 5 Albums of 2007 list:

5. Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab
Ghostface aka Toney Starks is always breathing life into hip-hop with his releases. Full of grim, hard and gritty tales versed over funky and sometimes playful beats, Ghostface has connected the rival schools of the rap world with the best rap album of 2007.

4. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
The much-anticipated reunion of Lou, J and Murph finally transpired earlier this year. 'Beyond' stood up to the hype and then some, solidifying their role as the true kingpins of loud.

3. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Production values alone make this a favorite 2007 release. But have you ever heard a catchier indie-rock album? This is a brilliant studio work with some truly amazing pop songs.

2. Battles - Mirrored
Repeated spins of this album open up remarkable layers of truly unique and inspired music - impossible to categorize but easy to get lost in. Formed by members of math rock heroes Maps And Atlases and Don Caballero, Battles presents instrumental rock in a progressive and, dare I say, funky, new light.

1. Dr. Dog - We All Belong
The best rock record of 2007. Some people that I gave this to dismissed it for being too derivative, for sounding too much like The Band, The Beatles, Beach Boys. Well, it does sound like all three of those bands, but is that a bad thing? And isn't that hard to avoid? This is a genuine record; full of emotion, drunken guitar hooks and incredible vocal harmonies.

2007 was a remarkably great year for new music. Honorable mention goes to Modest Mouse, The Shins, Arcade Fire, Elvis Perkins, Most Serene Republic, Sharon Jones, Feist, Marnie Stern, Radiohead, Levon Helm, Springsteen, Okkervil River, Animal Collective?!?! Wow...What made your list this year?