Even with slumping sales, 2007 was still a great year for new music, much of which never would have met my ears, were it not for the Internet. Here are seven for '07, detailing my of my picks of this year's album peaks and pits.
No. 1
Ryan Adams
"Easy Tiger"
The always restless and brash Adams hunkered down with backing band the Cardinals to record a dark, concise, roots/country album.
No. 2
Arcade Fire
"Neon Bible"
The weird, creepy and beautiful "Neon Bible" sounds both ancient and futuristic in its style and arrangement.
No. 3
Bruce Springsteen
"Magic"
Off the political soapbox and into the sound booth, Springsteen is back fighting for change the way we all like it: fronting the E Street Band instead of invoking folk-activist Pete Seeger.
No. 4
Justice
"Cross"
Electronic French dance music is likable. Who knew? Fun and easy to love, this album's blend of rock 'n' roll elements into something anyone can like.
No. 5
M.I.A.
"Kala"
So much fun and so weird, "Kala" is a generally lighthearted and vibrant, grimy electro-dance-hall album delivered in a frantic, lo-fidelity genre mash.
Critically huge, but personally hated:
Spoon
"Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
Spoon is usually listenable, sometimes likable, but never manages to excite me. Britt Daniel can sing, but the album slowed my synapses.
Radiohead
"In Rainbows"
Yes, Radiohead pushes boundaries and doesn't seem to have compromised, but "In Rainbows" seems more contrived and planned than the spontaneous bursts of noise it contains would have you believe. "Joe Wertz
