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Favourite Pop & Rock Album
1. Radiohead
In Rainbows (ATO/MapleMusic)
“Not only is the album mind-bendingly good, its release method has (and will continue to) revolutionise much of what we think of as the music industry. Both of these factors make it the album of the year.” James Kearns, Toronto ON
“Another solid album from Radiohead. They also prove that people are willing to pay for quality music, even though they can obtain it free legally.” Simon Budziszyn, London ON
“Even if we forget for a second the luxury of cutting out the middleman, this is the most beautiful, experimental pop record of the year.” Richard Crevier, Sainte-Therese QC
“Do they make records that aren't best of that year?” Steve Dunk, Whitby ON
“I am not going to delve into a discussion here about their socioeconomic experiment (though I think that it is important if you want to comment on the future of pop music as a whole), I just want to put my vote in for them because this album is remarkable regardless of its social context. This is a beautiful and fluid collection of songs, and although In Rainbows is filled with their typical electronic flourish, there is something so warm, and symphonic, and organic about the whole album. It's that warmth that keeps me listening over and over again.” Jenanne Ferguson, Edmonton AB
“Not only for its quality, but because it will change the distribution of music as we know it.” Greg Handley, Toronto ON
“Less dense and murky than their previous release, the band seem to be having a lot of fun being in a band.” Dave Breakenridge, Calgary AB
“Awesome comeback after the disappointing Hail to the Thief.” Michelle Poon, Edmonton AB
2. Arcade Fire
Neon Bible (Merge)
“I feel like a lot of people cast this album aside simply because of its hype. Almost as though — because of how good everyone knew this album would be — the hipsters who discovered them in the first place felt the need to disown their baby in order to maintain their place at the top of the underground hierarchy. I say to all those people: fuck off and get over yourselves, this album is an amazing follow up that easily matches Funeral on all levels, and if you don't think so... well I respect your opinion, because I'm not a hipster-bitch like you.” Trystan Carter, Vancouver BC
“Condensing body and spirit; dance, cry, above all, feel better than you were feeling before.” Thao Tran, Ottawa ON
“It’s a fantasy that’s beautiful and depressing.” Crystal Girard, Victoria BC
“Powerful, declarative music. The best of the year.” Tanner Cormier, Sudbury ON
“Stunningly brilliant.” Tracy Lalonde, Kingston ON
“Took 2007 by storm. Extremely innovative and deeper/broader than its predecessor, Neon Bible showed that the Montreal group achieved all they set out to do and more.” Benjamin Mott, Summerland BC
3. Battles
Mirrored (Warp)
“This is the most original music I've heard in some time. Shining and shimmering gems wrapped in the sound of a thousand pedal effects.” Sean & Andrea Warkentine, Winnipeg MB
“Crazy jangly, mathy, catchy, fuckin’ goodness.” Christopher Shapka, Edmonton AB
“Their live show is phenomenal. Stanier is an incredibly talented drummer!” Sébastien Côté, Montreal QC
“A no-brainer here. This album brought back Don Caballero-esque post-rock with a force.” Chris Perlman, Guelph ON
“Rock? Electronic? Experimental? When it comes right down to it, Mirrored does its utmost to avoid genre pigeonholing and does so deftly. This is one of those records that’s showing up on all sorts of people’s lists. No one knows where to put it except at the top.” Michael Elves, Winnipeg MB
4. Feist
The Reminder (Arts & Crafts)
“Leslie Feist and The Reminder is the ultimate Egg of Columbus. Only now that it has finally arrived, are we able to understand what has been missing from our lives up until this point. And it's not just about the iPod commercial and the depth of ‘1234.’ It's about ‘My Moon My Man.’” Dan Steinbok, Toronto ON
“I cannot stress enough how she's making Canadians proud. When she first started, she was just an artist among many others, and now she's this unique singer, with this amazing ability for creating wonderful lyrics, emotions and riffs.” Gen Legault, Longueuil QC
“Best album of 2007. Romantic and fierce.” Lennie Moffatt, Calgary AB
“It was a great year for Feist. She is finally receiving the acclamation she deserves. Her album was a decadent mix of indie pop with a clean-cut edge to carry her over into mainstream.” Meghan Flynn, Calgary AB
5. Spoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge)
“After a disappointing turn on Gimme Fiction, Spoon return to form with some instant gratification on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.” Tristan Homer, Toronto ON
“One of everybody's favourite discs of the year, and with reason. And an easy enough title to remember.” Rachel Kuzmich, Montreal QC
“An awesome album and a great surprise to hear the results of the band working with Jon Brion.” Jason McKnight, Scarborough ON
“Sounds more sincere than their previous albums.” Sean Yamana, Toronto ON
“Great little album filled with absolutely amazing songs.” Bryan Richards, Guelph ON
“Solid album the whole way through.” Jon Cranny, Vancouver BC
“One of the best records of the year with the worst title by far. Tight songs with great hooks.” Iain Mcoustra, Toronto ON
6. Tegan & Sara
The Con (MapleMusic)
“Perfect follow-up to their last (So Jealous). Light, cute and Canadian to boot. Loved it.” Annika Forde, Vancouver BC
“The Con is a perfect follow-up to the previous record So Jealous. It shows great musicianship and growth as songwriters.” Boris Cho, Toronto ON
“Has rarely left my stereo since it was released. Pop perfection.” Kendra Fiddler, St. Albert AB
“Hands down, the best album of 2007. Simply genius hooks, lyrics and melodies. I think I’ve listened to it about 467 times since its July release.” Chris Labelle, North Vancouver BC
“The Con absolutely blew me away. To be the best album in the same year that the Weakerthans, Modest Mouse, Ryan Adams, Radiohead and the White Stripes came out is really saying something.” James Vanoostveen, Mt. Brydges ON
7. Attack In Black
Marriage (Dine Alone)
“Hot Water Music and the Weakerthans had a kid together?” Bradley Feil, St. Albert AB
“I had the release date of this record marked on my calendar for months. Unfortunately, my local record shop didn't get it the day it came out, so I had to wait until a friend of mine picked me up a copy in the U.S. Needless to say, it blew my mind and I listened to it non-stop for weeks.” Blake Enemark, Victoria BC
“Despite roots in the local Ontario hardcore scene, they've blossomed into something far more substantial. The four-piece seem to be following the path laid by the Weakerthans and Constantines — a path where the Band and Neil Young sit in the same pantheon as the Clash and Fugazi. Marriage is wise well beyond its years, with anthems like ‘Young Leaves’ and ‘Northern Towns’ destined to become classic Canadian road songs.” Adam White, Niagara Falls ON
“Great album, full of hooks and jams. Plus they are really intense and fun to see live.” Matthew Seaborn, Toronto ON
“So glad I found these guys. Amazing album, even better live.” Mike Bandy, Victoria BC
8. The White Stripes
Icky Thump (Warner)
“The White Stripes consistently come out with amazing albums, and this one was no different.” Phaedra Harder, Vancouver BC
“Get Behind Me Satan felt like an attempted departure. This feels like they've gone back to their ‘sound’ but not. It's great because it sounds like them but it doesn't sound like any previous album.” Riley Haas, Hamilton ON
“It was really a surprise that the Stripes found a way to make something new again. Check out ‘Icky Thump’ or ‘Slowly Turning Into You’ — it’s just coming from another planet!” Alex Pelchat, Sainte-Thérèse QC
“One heck of a speaker-blowing, grit rock album. Jack White steps away from the piano and re-discovers his inner guitar god.” Dave Bone, Morden MB
9. The National
Boxer (Beggars Banquet)
“Dark indie rock that borrows liberally and tastefully from Nick Cave, while taking its cues from the album's namesake by adding some bobbing and weaving.” Chris Morin, Saskatoon SK
“The album I played most this year and for good reason — the National set a tone — a rather morose and depressive yet lyrically relatable tone — that sets a comfortably dark mood for morning, noon, or night.” Paul Gagnon
10. Wintersleep
Welcome to the Night Sky (Labwork)
“On their third album, all the pieces came together for something truly remarkable. A steady dose of touring has increased the intensity of the band. This album has all of the trademark Wintersleep grooves with a little dash of added sugar. Who doesn't like a bit of sugar?” David Love, Kingston ON
“An album you can listen to front to back. A classic.” Angie Docking, Halifax NS
“Sounds magical every time I listen to it. Each listen reveals new layers that weren't there the first time.” Philip Harrington, St. John’s NF
“Best Canadian rock album since the last good Rush album.” Jack Hume, Vancouver BC
“I love the new album… An instant classic.” Sara Nickerson, Elmsdale NS
“So many great albums came out of this genre this year, it was hard to choose. But Wintersleep put on a spectacular live show, and their album is like nothing else out there.” Lauren E, Ottawa ON
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Favourite Avant-Garde Album
 1. Do Make Say Think
You, You’re a History in Rust(Constellation)
“Another fine outing by DMST.” Christoffer Nelson, Winnipeg MB
“Yet another amazing album from one of the best post-rock bands.” Angus Dickin, Saskatoon SK
“These guys blow my mind —...Read More
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Favourite Punk Album
 1. Against Me!
New Wave (Sire)
“I've been a fan of these guys for awhile, but this album blew my mind.” Jillian Harding, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC
“It's probably the only actual punk album released this year on a major label; a real emo killer!!” Dave Bone, Morden ...Read More
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Favourite Metal Album
 1. Dillinger Escape Plan
Ire Works (Relapse)
“A masterpiece.” Joshua Moss, Toronto ON
“Complex and modern, this album takes DEP further down the path of experimental metal. They managed to stay a bit accessible while doing stuff other bands dream of playing. Highly ...Read More
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Favourite Country, Blues and Folk Album
 1. The Sadies
New Seasons (Outside)
“Twangy goodness with a great live show to match.” Denise MacDonald
“Ridiculously tight and they seem to have found the right producer. The album still gets better with every listen.” Iain Mcoustra, Toronto ON
“D...Read More
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Favourite Electronic Album
 1. Justice
† (Ed Banger/Vice)
“Wow, it makes me want to shake my butt all night long” Dali Shaw, Kelowna BC
“You guys were right with this one.” Trystan Carter, Vancouver BC
“Justice infuse years of Parisian electro tradition into one concise, danc...Read More
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Favourite Hip-hop Album
 1. Kanye West
Graduation (Roc-A-Fella)
“Possibly the only West album so far where his ego has helped more that it has hindered. Lack of guest spots and skits makes the album feel a lot more cohesive. How about the songs? Tasteful samples, great rhymes, and — for the most part — insig...Read More
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Favourite Soul, Funk, World Album
 1. M.I.A.
Kala (XL)
“I love that she’s not afraid to combine different styles of music and deliver political messages without sounding preachy. I can't wait to listen to her next album.” Tosin Matti, Toronto ON
“She kills it with this one, even better than the first...Read More
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Though recently implying that he's tapped out musically, Sufjan Stevens has never created something as pointedly ambitious as The BQE. Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a 2007 performance, as a take-home release The BQE consists of an uncompromising essay ostensibly all about the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a visually stunning film, a stirring orchestral soundtrack, a stereoscopic View-Master reel, and, in limited edition, a 40-page comic book about characters known as the Hooper Heroes....
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