People always do this "top 50 albums" of 2007 thing and there's a part of me that says "how can somebody listen to that much music and actually rate the records? Well, if you like music like I do, you always have time for more than 50 records each year, that's not the issue.

Do you really get THAT much face time with each record to truly analyze it enough to put it in order 1-50? Some people would say sure, but I have my doubts. For many I think it's a badge of honor as to what "indie" or "rare" records you listened to that your less-trendy friends didn't notice. I certainly gave more than 50 records enough "face time" to know them well...but those records spoke to me a lot, and they weren't always new releases...so why restrict yourself is my question. The whole thing gets suspect because it's restricted to 2007 releases, as if this makes you on the cutting edge of music or whatever. There is so much music out there from each decade each year...I think these people act like because they've heard of this artist or this group or own one record that that is an excuse to put them in the collector's museum and brag about new releases you are familiar with. But if they pretend to know all the music from the past, they probably pretend to know it now.

My list isn't about that. It's the best 50 records I experienced this year for the first time. I keep up on new releases just as much as the next nerd, I suppose, but my list is more honest to the records that really did something for me this year...records I first experienced old releases or new. Ok Here we go...The 50 releases I think are the best from 2007... Number One being the best.

1-10
• Les Paul with Mary Ford – Best of the Capitol Masters
• M.I.A. – Kala
• Fela Kuti – Gentleman
• LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
• The Meters – Funkify Your Life Anthology
• La Monte Young – The Well Tuned Piano
• Madlib – Beat Konducta Vol 1-2 Movie Scenes  [
• Fats Waller - Aint Misbehavin’
• Panda Bear – Person Pitch
• T. Rex – T. Rex
  
  
  11-20
• Field Music – Field Music
• Wizzard – Main Street
• The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968
• Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth Anthology
• Meredith Monk – Mercy
• Neil Young – Live at Massey Hall
• 10cc – The Original Soundtrack
• Dr. John – Gris Gris
• The Brunettes – Structures and Cosmetics
• Radiohead – In Rainbows
  
  
  21-30
• Beth Gibbons and Rusin Man – Out of Season
• Fela Kuti – Confusion
• Arvo Part – Da Pacem
• Popol Vuh – Hosianna Mantra
• Traveling Wilburys – Complete Reissue
• The Tough Alliance – A New Chance
• Mark Knopfler – The Ragpicker’s Dream
• Lakeside – Fantastic Voyage
• Marissa Nadler – Ballads of Living and Dying
• Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala
  
  
  31-40
• Justice - +
• Sloan – Never Hear the End of It
• The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter
• Sunn O))) and Boris – Altar
• John Cale - Honi Suit
• Billie Holiday – The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve
• Ohio Players – Fire
• Public Image Ltd – Flowers of Romance
• Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
• José Gonzales – Veneer
  
  
  41-50
• Morton Subotnik – Ghost Electronics II
• Jan Garbarek – Afric Pepperbird
• Chet Atkins and Les Paul – Chester and Lester
• Eric Dolphy – The Complete Prestige Recordings
• Naked City – Naked City
• Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen
• David Ackles – Subway to the Country
• Sigur Ros – Hvarf-Heim
• Cut Chemist – The Audience’s Listening
• Merzbow – Merzbox