Top 10

10. M.I.A.
Kala
I think the fact that I like the story behind this album so much endeared me to it even further, but I was still listening to Arular when this came out, so I was waiting for it. Kala isn't as immediately accessible, but that's because it's so much more ambitious. The haters didn't think she had it in her, but MIA managed to make a collection of club bangers that offer something new with each listen.

9. JOSH RITTER
The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
I've been non-committal in the past on Ritter, so I'm surprised I liked this one as much as I did. But here you go -- clever lyrics, bouncing instrumentals, a sense of theatre. Ritter won me over, despite my skeptical past. Here's hoping that he keeps it up.

8. LOVE KILLS
Carry Me Home
I found out about Love Kills by accident -- we saw a set at NXNE that we didn't really enjoy, and then this one, which was awesome. I'e been enjoying their EP ever since, marvelling at the guitar fuzz and the fact that they really can sing that closely in unison. If shoegaze is going to get anywhere in this city, it'll be because of these guys.

7. BASIA BULAT
Oh My Darling
The production on Bulat's debut album isn't stellar, but nicely captures the off-the-cuff feel of it all. The fact that you can hear the emotion and urgency in the recordings gives the album's songs some weight, though most of the manage to do that all on their own, just the same. Bulat is a Canadian singer to watch.

6. BLACK KIDS
Wizard of Ahhs
This one really came out of nowhere for me. I'm not even sure how I heard about it in the first place. What I am sure about is that this cheaply-produced EP provides some of the catchiest hooks of the year. If you are a fan of fun, you should do yourself a favour and listen to this.

5. FEIST
The Reminder
I feel like this is a cliched pick, and I am kind of annoyed by her personally because she sells her songs all over the place and then tries to be snobby about it -- just own it, Feist! You gotta eat! But this is still a good CD, a lot more consistent than the first.

4. MODEST MOUSE
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
I know it's not cool to like these guys anymore; oh well. This is one album I might have figured for the top of my list this year (the other obvious pick was New Pornographers; it barely cracked my top 25). Initially I didn't like it that much, but the more I listened to it, the more I did. Lead single "Dashboard" lost its shine pretty quickly, but there's a lot of solid stuff on here.

3. FOX JAWS
Goodbye Doris
We saw a lot of shows this year -- a LOT -- and we saw some pretty good lives ones. Neil Young comes to mind. The Rheostatics' final bow was also impressive. But Fox Jaws' live show -- I've seen them twice -- stands out in my mind among the many. All the best elements -- most notably, the female lead singer's awesome voice -- are also on display on this album.

2. THE NATIONAL
Boxer
This is a good album for sitting at home when it's raining, lying on the floor while you're listening to music. And getting drunk. Also, maybe, brooding a little, and mouthing along with the lyrics very dramatically with your eyes closed. Not that I do that a lot. I'm just saying.

1. SPOON
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
If you had asked me in January 2007 what I thought my favourite album of the year would shake out to be, I would not have even thought of this one. I'd heard a few Spoon songs before; I liked them. Then I heard "Don't You Evar" and really liked it. Then I got this album, and as of December 2007, it's the one I've listened to the most this year. Spoon found some secret recipe -- Things Terri Likes In Her Music -- and cooked it up, and it turned out beautifully. Bon appetit.