Presenting The Curiouser Music Review’s Top 12 of 2007

I didn’t work it out this way on purpose, I swear: a dozen months of radio silence from The Curiouser Music Review, followed by a dozen reviews of the year’s top albums. No, it is not some cryptic inside joke or dodecagonal riddle—just the result of a year packed with unexpected distractions, procrastination, busyness and big life-change stuff.

Nevertheless, it is time once more to gather together, dim the lights, pour a few drinks and dust off the venerable turntable, er, CD player (scratch that, hard drive). And this year, it was well worth the wait, as 2007 was overflowing with musical riches. Ear candy poured like so much sticky treacle as some perennial favorites unwrapped their long-awaited follow-up albums. Not to be outdone, an equally impressive number of unknowns served up some unexpected treats of their own. Bottom line: music fans were treated this year to a beautiful mouthful of cavities, minus the excruciating pain and spit cup.

So, what were the best 12 albums of 2007? So glad you asked. As with last year, you’re invited to count down with me over the next several days to the year’s top album. Be sure to check the CMR daily for the latest updates, and don’t forget to leave a comment with your thoughts, huzzahs and/or insults. After all, there was such a great haul this year, I was bound to leave something out.