The best top five albums of 2007 ever!

It seems like the world and his wife are blogging their top albums of what has been a pretty awesome year for music. So here's my twopenny worth. In no particular order:


MODEST MOUSE: WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK



If 2004's 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News' was Modest Mouse's breakthrough album, this is their pop Pièce de résistance. With ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr onboard, the Washington misfits finally found their sea legs. This seems to be a record that splits the Mouse fanbase - some people think they sold out by losing their trademark gritty, punky sound; others are too busy tapping their toes to songs such as 'Dashboard' and 'Missed the Boat' to think too much about it. It's a welcome entrance to the mainstream, whether Isaac Brock and co like it or not.

Modest Mouse: Missed The Boat


KINGS OF LEON: BECAUSE OF THE TIMES



The Followill brothers from Tennessee went in a similar direction for their third LP, a more radio friendly, polished sound, leaving behind the shambling, bluesy swagger of their early work. This record is a real grower - you can listen constantly for two weeks before suddenly realising that every single track is going round in your head. Lead singer Caleb has one of the most distinctive voices around and they are one of a dying breed - a proper good ol' fashioned rock band.

Kings of Leon: Ragoo


RADIOHEAD: IN RAINBOWS



The groundbreaking 'pay what you like' online release method got everyone talking about music again, and reminded us of the simple beauty of everyone hearing a record at the same time. The album itself is gorgeous - their best since 2000's 'Kid A', it
is a wonderfully floaty, poppy album and every song fits perfectly to bring back the concept of the album as a whole piece of art. If you downloaded the 160kbps mp3 version from the official website on October 10, try to get hold of the 320 version which was released in discbox form last week, as the quality is slightly better. The album will get a conventional record shop release on January 31.

Radiohead: Reckoner


INTERPOL: OUR LOVE TO ADMIRE



I never realised how much I like American bands until now. Interpol's third studio album is a continuation of their first two efforts, but if it ain't broke don't fix it. 'Our Love To Admire' is more immediate and less sinister than it's predecessors. In an era when so many bands are garnished with praise for branching out and experimenting, spare some props for the guys who know their limitations and do it consistently well. Underrated album of the year. Awful album cover, though.

Interpol: Rest My Chemistry


IRON AND WINE: THE SHEPHERD'S DOG



From the reaction to this album you would think Sam Beam had dug out his shellsuit and gone all Gary Numan. The reclusive folkie simply broadened his horizons on his second LP, bringing in a full band and electric guitars to back up his heartbreaking and at times eccentric love songs. Another record that rewards repeated ipod rotation, this guy is fast becoming one of the hottest tickets around at the moment.

Iron and Wine: Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Honourable mentions go to Wilco: 'Sky Blue Sky'; The National: Boxer; and Beirut: The Flying Club Cup.