Top 10 Cds of the Year for me

To follow up my Top 10 favorite songs of 2007 comes the favorite CDs of 2007. Before going on, I just want to mention one other song came close to making the Top 10 list and that was Rihanna's "Umbrella" ela ela hey hey. It was one of those songs that seemed stupid the first time I heard it but 20 listens later thought it was pure genius. Anywho, on with the countdown:

Number 10: Dream Theater Systematic Chaos

Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands as they are one of the few current groups that make old school prog metal. They wear their influences on their sleeve and are the better for it. On Chaos, DT tried for a dark angry album and succeeded. It's kind of overdone, there's dark and there's morosely over the top which is where Chaos ended up. Still, even with the overstated aggressiveness DT still shines with winning songs and blazing solos.

Number 9: The Donnas Bitchin'

Who'd have thought the 80's hair metal album of the year came from a band that was probably in diapers when Bret Michaels and Jani Lane were in their hey day. The Donnas ditched the punk element and revelled in hammer on guitar solos and overdubbed background vocals a mile wide. Alright Vixen! I mean, Donnas!

Number 8: John Fogerty Revival

Although I like Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty, I would never classify myself as the biggest fan of swamp rock. There's nothing wrong with it, I just usually gravitate towards cleaner sounding songs. Having said that, only a fool wouldn't recognize the greatness packed in John Fogerty's Revival. Fogerty sounds reborn returning to the classic CCR sound that law suits kept him away from for decades. And you gotta love that "Gunslinger" song.

Number 7: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings 100 Days, 100 Nights

Old fashioned soul made a comeback this year and Sharon Jones was there to capitalize. She's not a household name, but she made a record worthy of reckoning with Stax/Motown Soul that's authentic and retro without being campy or gimmicky. Impressive.

Number 6: Radiohead In Rainbows

The CD made more headlines for how it was sold than what the music actually was. Rainbows finds Radiohead making their most accessable album in years with guitars, song structure and a bit of warmth. Kid A this is not.

Number 5: Rush Snakes & Arrows

The legendary Canadian prog trio returned with one of their most focused albums both musically and lyrically. Rush takes its shots at a segregated society living below it's ideals while the band is as tight and muscular as ever.

Number 4: White Stripes Icky Thump

The Stripes made a surprising return to guitar rock and laid emphasis on 70's hard rock on their recent release. An absolutely thunderous album. Love that bull fighting song "Conquest".

Number 3: Bruce Springsteen Magic

The Boss brought in the E Street Band for a disc that's both a look back and a step ahead. Springsteen revels in comforting memories of the past while taking shots at the current state of American life.

Number 2: Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

A sleeper disc, I originally thought this was just OK until I played it a few times. The songs sneak up on you and soon I found my head bopping to "Don't You Evah" or tense over "The Ghost in You Lingers".

Number 1: Arcade Fire Neon Bible

Arcade Fire made a fan out of me with their dense, almost orchestral sound and lyrics of spiritual discontentment. A near classic album that holds together in individual songs or as a whole.

Well, that's it for the music. Next up will be by Top 5 favorite TV shows.