Sometimes I think it takes me waaay too long to come up with my Top 20 albums of a given year. There are a lot of internal debates and arguments that really have no right answer. Really, you reach a point where all the albums are good but how to rank them gets to be quite the challenge. This year was chock full of good music (not matter what the naysayers might groan). I counted something like 175+ albums worth mentioning in 2007, and that is only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that was released in the year. However, I did whittle it down to 20... well, 22 if you count my 2 EP exception (EP's don't count as real albums).

If you're interested in some sub-lists, like my albums "with apologizes" (albums I didn't hear but should have) or "best imports" or "most disappointing" (hint, the band who made it rhymes with Milo Biley), check it out here.

So, here we go:

#21 The EP's - Two EP's made me happy this year, and really, they would be in the top 20, but it seems unfair to me to include EP's versus albums. They're both UK pop, and they're both brilliant in their own cute way.

Los Campesinos! Sticking Fingers Into Sockets (Thanks to igLiz for this band!)

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OK, well, nobody likes to reflect and rank more than I do (I'm a scientist, I love to quantify), so here goes. I've got my favorite songs of 2007 - no, not best or most innovative, but rather the songs I liked ... lots and lots and lots. There is a little overlap from my forthcoming Best Albums, but also some curveballs. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention:

• "Girls and Boys in Love" by the Rumble Strips
• "Sons of Cain" by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
• "Jack the Ripper" by the Horrors (special note: If the Horrors had a brain and released the original fast demo version of this song on their debut Strange House, it would have been an easy top 10.)
• "Ragoo" by Kings of Leon
• "Heart It Races" by Architecture in Helsinki
• "Geld Essen" by K.I.Z.

#10. "The Prayer" by Bloc Party from Weekend in the City - This song is one of the most interesting songs Bloc Party has recorded. Too bad the rest of the album (short of "Hunting for Witches") just wasn't as cool.

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at Neumo's

Throughout the show Wolf slowly shed his layers, adding accessories like a golden foil lion's mane and long, large-beaded necklaces. And glitter. So much glitter. On his face, legs, arms, hair, even around his belly button?!

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check out Chona Kasinger's fantastic photo from the Patrick Wolf show at Neumo's last night...

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Patrick Wolf is playing at Neumo's in Seattle this Saturday, 10/13. Want to win a free pair of tickets? We're happy to oblige. Simply email us by midnight on October 11th to be entered to win!

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Whoa, a Patrick Wolf live covers medley, featuring a cover of Nina Simone's "Black in the Color" that blends seamlessly into Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black."

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This is the kind of week of late night TV I can get behind. Bright Eyes will be performing TWICE!

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Pure pop music that isn’t soulless and corporate, but rather a musician just knowing how write a song that catches your attention and doesn’t let go.

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at

Another week of live show madness from Betsy Boston, featuring Antiques, Bang Camaro, Me and Joan Collins, Amy Winehouse, The Octave Museum, Bon Savants, and more!

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