Top 10 music picks of 2007

Last year I made a list of my favorite music of 2006. I liked making the list so I made another one for 2007. The problem was I had a hard time coming up with 10 CDs. I don't know if the music that was released in 2007 wasn't as good as previous years or if I just didn't buy as many complete CDs this year as in years past. Either way, here is the list:

1. Undiscovered - James Morrison. I downloaded this is 2006, but it wasn't released in the US until 2007 which is why it made this list. A solid first effort by the young Mr. Morrison. I don't know what they're putting in the water in the UK but they've got an extraordinarily large proportion of great soul singers.
2. Our Love to Admire - Interpol. They moved up to a major label and yet sound the same as they always do. It's a good thing because I was a little worried. this is just an all around good CD.
3. Under the Blacklight - Rilo Kiley. RK albums are pretty much all the same for me. That is to say that I generally hate 2 or 3 (15, Smoke Detector)of the songs on each CD with a burning passion but love the rest so absolutely that they CDs will consistently make the "Best Of" list. Jenny Lewis is, as usual, awesome and Blake Sennet really steps up his game (I hated the last The Elected CD). Hooray, Hooray, I'm your silver lining.
4. Twelve Stops and Home - The Feeling. I am a sucker for British pop. And music that makes me happy. The Feeling makes me inexplicably happy (just go listen to "Fill My Little World").
5. Boxer - The National. I always have a hard time describing The National to anyone. I want to call them "melancholy" or "depressing", but they are neither. I suspect the word I am looking for is subtle. This is not in your face music. It's subtle, it sneaks up on you and you'll love it.
6. Graduation - Kanye West. It's a good ass shaking CD. 'Nuff said.
7. Wincing the Night Away - The Shins. I'll admit it; I have a soft spot for The Shins. Always have, always will. And no, they still don't make sense.
8. The Con - Tegan and Sara. I was introduced to Tegan and Sara via Grey's Anatomy...and I am ashamed. They're so good I can't believe I didn't hear about them earlier. They sound better on The Con than they did on previous albums...and they have retained their "too honest" lyrics.
9. Reminder - Feist. Everybody knows "1,2,3,4", but the rest of the CD deserves a listen. It would be a shame if Feist was only branded into our memory because of an iPod commerical...she's much better than that.
10. Challengers - The New Pornograhers. I stumbled upon TNP when I learned it was a sideline project of my beloved Neko Case. These folks just write damn good songs. "We are the challengers of the unknown!" Indeed.

Honorable Mentions
Kala - M.I.A.
Volta - Bjork
Victorious - The Perishers
New Moon - Elliot Smith