I love top 10 lists...

I especially love end of the year top 10 lists. So I just wanted to throw out my 10 favorite records of 2007.

The criteria is pretty simple, it had to of had a street date in 2007 (US release). It was tough, there were plenty of records that released in 2006 and didn't get "uncovered" until 2007, but sorry, those will just have to be edited in to last years list.

I'll also try to add some colorful commentary on why these records stuck out to me. I would encourage you to give them a spin, and if you like them, then there, I just helped you decide how to spend those iTunes gift cards that you'll find in your stockings this year! Enjoy.

In no particular order:

Travis – The Boy with No Name: On Travis' last record "12 Memories" they got a little to Anti-War/Bush, and it interfered with the music. Unless your name is Bono, I really don't care about your politics. Just sing. The Boy with No Name is a return back to the sweet melodious early days of Travis

Robbers on High Street – Grand Animals: Somewhat Beatlesque... if the Beatles would have grown up around SoHo, and been indie pop darlings...

Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight: I love this band. Jenny Lewis' voice is just "butta", it's so smooth and comfortable. The slight Alt-Country undertones make this record so easy to listen to.

Radiohead – In Rainbows: I thought that since there was no label whatsoever and only 10 days of lead time before this was released, that it was going to be just weird for weird's sake. Radiohead delivers again, an experimental rock record that makes you HAVE to listen to it several times to get it. Thom Yorke's voice is as haunting as it is addictive. Plus, I paid exactly what I wanted to for it.

Griffin House - Flying Upside Down: This is perfect driving and thinking music. Griffin is as modern troubadour as you can get.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly – The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager: I've heard nothing like this before. It's singer-songwriter/folk/acoustic sounding, but with electronica stylings. I don't know, call it Folktronica... This is a fantastic record.

Fionn Regan – The End of History - If it's a cold, rainy, late autumn afternoon... you NEED to be listening to this. Reminds me of Nick Drake...without the VW commercial.

Fiction Plane – Left Side of the Brain: What if Sting had a son, and what if that son decided to form the Police today? What would it sound like...? Oh wait...

Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home: Front man for hardcore band Thrice does an alt-country/folk-rock record? Really...? yes really.

Albert Hammond Jr. – Yours to Keep: This is the guitarist for The Strokes. Imagine all of the sweet pop guitar melodies from The Strokes without the "I'm a rock star" attitude.