Sam's Top 10 Albums of 2007

Warning. In the interest of full disclosure, this blog is written solely to fill my weird desire to write a year-end "best of" list. I hope you get something from this.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a huge music nerd. I know very little about politics. If we are debating nationalized health care, you’ll end up making me look like Miss South Carolina trying to explain why "U.S. Americans" can’t read maps. But I can tell you why the Rolling Stones are better than the Beatles, why Paul Simon’s "Graceland" is THE must have "Trapped Alone On a Deserted Island and You Can Only Have One Album" album, or how listening to Kid Rock and Nickleback will limit your career opportunities to just two jobs (roofer or professional douche bag).

For most, Christmas comes once a year. For me, it comes every Tuesday. Nothing makes me happier than buying new music and discovering something amazing. These are the ten albums I bought this year that changed me. I encourage all of you to give them a listen (I’ll even burn you a copy if you want…I won’t tell if you don’t).

10. Feist- The Reminder
She’s pretty and so is her voice. Listen to "My Moon, My Man" and "I Feel It All".

9. Pela- Anytown Graffiti
They hail from Brooklyn and sound like the Killer’s during their "Sam’s Town" phase, only WAY better. Trust me. Listen to "Lost to the Lonesome" and "The Trouble With River Cities".

8. Radiohead- In Rainbows
It’s Radiohead. Not as weird as their newer fare, but a little closer to the masterpiece that was "OK Computer". Listen to "Faust Arp" and "Nude".

7. Modest Mouse- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
A great album with no radio hits (remember "Float On"). Is that a bad thing? I think not. Listen to "Missed the Boat" and "People As Places As People".

6. LCD Soundsystem- Sound Of Silver
James Murphy may be the coolest guy on the planet. We can discuss that later. If you are having a party, put this on repeat. Listen to "All My Friends" and "North American Scum" (possibly the best song of the year).

5. The National- Boxer
I was hooked from the beginning. Amazing! Listen to "Start a War" and "Fake Empire".

4. Ryan Adams- Easy Tiger
My wife thinks I should marry Ryan Adams. Listen to "Oh My God, Whatever, Etc." and "These Girls".

3. Spoon- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
"You got no fear of the underdog, that’s why you will not survive." This album does it all, without overdoing it. Whatever it is. Listen to "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" and "Don’t You Evah".

2. Band Of Horses- Cease To Begin
Their first album was amazing. This one blows it away. Listen to "Is There a Ghost" and "Cigarettes, Wedding Bands".

1. Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
Lead singer Win Butler graduated with honors from the Bruce Springsteen Academy of Songwriting. Listen to "Intervention" and "The Well and the Lighthouse".

- Sam Varela