#11 Soulsavers – It's Not How Hard You Fall, It's The Way You Land
This very well could be higher on the list, but it did not hit my radar until two months after its October release, so I have not had as much time to process this as other albums on the list. Undoubtedly, this disc has some of Mark Lanegan's finer moments, which is not an easy task considering his career. This is also a testament to the genius of the UK production team, Rich Machin and Ian Glover, who proposed a most unlikely marriage (Lanegan and Electronica), then provided a dusty, ramshackle foundation of calculated tracks to compliment Lanegan's whiskey soul.

#10 David Shultz & The Skyline – 'Sinner's Gold'
I hold onto discs a few weeks before reviewing them just to make sure I'm not rushing to judgment, and sometimes I still rush to judgment. Twice in over two years I've admittedly gotten it wrong (the other time I was too kind), but with 'Sinner's Gold' my review was too harsh. That being said, this ranking is not an apologetic gesture. David Shultz is a great writer, and "Already There" is one of the best pop songs of '07. "Albino Crow" is part of the reason I looked at a list of artists most likely to replace Bob Dylan, and felt that David Shultz's exclusion was an oversight.

#9 low low low la la la love love love – 'Ends of June'
This album sounds like nothing else I've ever heard. It has the wholesome southern sounds of Crosby, Stills and Nash, yet the Indie influences of Pavement, Sebadoh, and Built to Spill. It is a marvel to hear, and a gift to behold. I guarantee they sound great in their practice space and studio, as well as live. The chorus of voices and layers of instruments coexist in blissful harmony throughout. "Goodnight Louisa" is that hidden gem all great albums have.

#8 Norah Jones – 'Not Too Late'
Norah Jones is not my style, but she made a great album. I'm not going to deny something worthy of attention and accolades. Sometimes artists get the attention they deserve. The lyrics are poignant, and the music ranks up there with anything I've heard in '07.

#7 The Cape May – 'Glass Mountain Roads'
This album has me with the bass line to "Spring Flight to the Land of Fire". Then The Cape May starts weaving tales that make Spencer Krug seem pretentious, and I don't even think Krug is pretentious. This album is a magnificent work of art from beginning to end. Each listen can garner a new favorite.

#6 Ponieheart/Crane Orchard – 'Touch to Love/Spread Your Lies Wholeheartedly'
I was relieved to see this was a January release. This is a double album of Paul Fugazzotto II solo (Ponieheart) and with band (Crane Orchard). The best songs get a place on both albums, and each version carries its own value. The trendsetting hipster sites really missed the boat on this release because this is more intriguing than the latest work from Bright Eyes or Broken Social Scene (especially the Ponieheart side).

#5 Illinois – 'What the Hell do I Know?'
No need to listen to this twice. One listen will easily turn into one hundred. 'What the Hell do I Know?' immediately plants its hooks in you, and before you've even realized, it's on the internal hard drive asking, "Do you mind if we play through?" By all means. As if I ever had a choice.

#4 Band of Horses – 'Cease to Begin'
Band of Horses is doing a lot well. Now they have two albums in a row all over top ten lists. They have a definite formula, but I love it no matter how many times they repeat it, and I must not be the only one. I guess marketing firms like them too. I can hardly turn a channel without hearing them sampled somewhere, which begs the question: Why do corporations drill us with pop crap when they sell products with indie sounds? Regardless, here's to Band of Horses cashing checks without choreographing a kickstep. Thank you for the love song titled "Detlef Schrempf". I'm a sucker for obscure NBA references.

#3 Eastern Conference Champions – 'Ameritown'
When I play my "Top 25 Most Played" playlist, seven songs from this disc appear. Great, great, great rock album with lyrics that more than stand on their own. Enough said.

#2 Liars – 'Liars'
This band does as they please. On their earlier releases, this may have seemed pretentious and artsy, but two great albums in a row have proven they are forging new ground rather than stealing old sound. This album, their most approachable yet, is going to have a lasting effect on the music world for years to come. It may be more important in 2017 than it was in 2007. It has that hidden gem too: "Pure Unevil".