What are your favorite albums of 2007 (so far)?

[no name no slogan]

Just to prove what crappy taste in music I have, here's my picks for the best of 2007 so far, in no particular order:

John Doe, A Year In The Wilderness
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
Charlie Louvin, Charlie Louvin
Dinosaur Jr, Beyond
The Stooges, The Weirdness
Elliott Smith, New Moon

What about yours? Post 'em here.

[AllegroRondo]

1. Rush - Snakes and Arrows

like most Rush albums, you have to hear it a couple of times before it sinks in. But some of those songs really rock. Cant wait for the summer concert tour!

[Dr. Strange]

3. Yeah, baby!

At first, my favorite song was "Spindrift" but now I'm really leaning towards "Malignant Narcissism." If they play that in concert, I hope they beef it up to at least five minutes--it's way too short now!

[AllegroRondo]

5. That is one rocking instrumental

and I'm betting they will play it live. The've tended to play more instrumentals on tour lately to give Geddy's voice a break.

[johnnie]

2. Ian Hunter

Shrunken Heads

Haven't bought much more than that.

[no name no slogan]

4. I saw that one on YepRoc's website

John Doe is on the same label-- I may have to check out Ian's disc. I'm a fan of Mott, so it should be pretty cool.

[johnnie]

6. He's one of my favorite writers

He turned 68 this year, but he still rocks. I saw him in concert a few weeks ago here and it was a blast.

[swag]

7. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity

Here's a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rrnTDDhVnw

[Bryan]

9. That's great!

I'd never heard of Deerhoof. Thanks!

[Bryan]

8. I've been overindulging my Britpop sweet tooth

Kaiser Chiefs, Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Klaxons, Myths of the Near Future
Jarvis Cocker, Jarvis
The Good, the Bad, and the Queen
Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
Grinderman

Any standout hip-hop albums so far this year?

[ghostsofgiants]

11. El-P's "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" and Sage Francis' "Human The Death Dance"

Are two of my fvaourite hip-hop albums. Plus Pharaohe Monch has an album coming out which is expected to be great.

[ghostsofgiants]

10. "Neon Bible" is definitely high on my list.

Arctic Monkeys' "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
El-P's "I'll Sleep When You're Dead"
Explosions In The Sky's "Al Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone"
Bloc Party's "A Weekend In The City"

A few others, but those are probably the top 5.

[swag]

12. Great list, I'm sure. Not that I know by hearing, but by your reputation.

I finally saw Charlie Louvin last winter or fall or something. Brilliant show.

[mvd]

13. Here are mine

I'll make it a little over 20, because I haven't made the cut to 20 again yet. I'm sure I'll be buying quite a few upcoming CDs, too.

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
The Pierces - 13 Tales Of Love And Revenge
Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked Ladies Are Men
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
Brandi Carlile - The Story
Kate Voegele - Don't Look Away
Alexa Wilkinson - Lullabye Appetite
The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
Mandy Moore - Wild Hope
The Dollyrots - Because I'm Awesome
Sloan - Never Hear The End Of It
Kelly Clarkson - My December
Chantal Kreviazuk - Ghost Stories
Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
Tiffany - Just Me
The Fratellis - Costello Music
Fountains Of Wayne - Traffic & Weather
The Nightwatchman - One Man Revolution
Dean & Britta - Back Numbers
Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Calling
White Stripes - Icky Thump
High Strung - Get The Guests
Shannon Moore - Evaporate
Lavender Diamond - Imagine Our Love

Honorable mentions include:

The Comas - Spells
The Postmarks - self-titled
Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers
Adrienne Pierce - Faultline
Jesse Malin - Glitter In The Gutter
The Affair - Yes Yes To You
Lynn Carey Saylor - You Like It Clean
John Mellencamp - Freedom's Road
Kristin Hersh - Learn To Sing Like A Star
Bloc Party - Weekend in the City
Abra Moore - On The Way (there are many great songs, but I miss some of those good hooks she wrote before)
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High
Maria Taylor - Lynn Teeter Flower
Oohlas - Best Stop Pop
Travis - The Boy With No Name
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing

Paramore's Riot is very good and better than their solid debut, but will place them after just one listen.