Here are my top ten albums of 2007:-

1. The Apples in Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder

Power-pop genius from the stable of Robert Schneider, formerly of the Elephant Six clan. If there were any other worthier releases, this might not be at the top, but sadly there are none. Chock-full of catchy tunes, in particular the brilliant "Electricity". The linking short tunes are cool and bodes for an early Christmas, even if this was released in February 2007.

2. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?

As again, not their strongest release, as most might argue Satanic Panic in the Attic and The Sunlandic Twins are way superior. In dearth of anything else better, this one ranks highly. Contains the ultra-catchy "A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger" which is mainly about head honcho Kevin Barnes' stay in Greenland. Another ex-Elephant Six collective band.

3. Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim

Double-CD release with one disc of new electric recordings ("Hvarf") of old previously written unreleased songs, which are good, although they lack the ebullient guitar crescendos of "Hoppipola" off "Takk", their last album. The second disc ("Heim") is a live performance of their famous songs, and has a cool lounge jive. Both are nice without being too overwhelming.

4. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Strong sophomore release from the Canadians. Lacks the quirkiness of the first album and sounds more mainstream, even harking back to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. But wait, you need to listen to it a few times, before the tunes jump out of the water and take one of your legs just like a Great White Shark would.

5. Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero

Probably the most danceable NIN so far. Contains all sorts of tirades against the US Government, with Bush taking most of the flack. More polished and less industrial than previous efforts but easily the most listener-friendly NIN so far. Has an interactive game contained as well although you need the Net to play.

6. Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre

Working with Sir Justin (Timberlake) and Timbaland, one would expect a cop-out from the ageing Brummies. But no, this is one minimalist robotic dish that harks back to the glory days of Kraftwerk and Gary Numan. To quote a line from the movie "Southland Tales" - "The scientists predict that the future is going to be a whole lot more .... futuristic".

7. Miles Davis - The Complete On the Corner Sessions

The unreleased tracks are studio versions of songs already played live on "Agharta" and "Dark Magus" but if you are a completist and want to own all the groovy repetitive mantra-esque Miles from 1972-75, there's no other place to get them. Or if you're like me, dig the "On the Corner" album so much and want more, get this. 6 CDs in total with over 6 hours of music.

8. Bjork - Volta

Not as good as her "Debut" or "Post" but still a fine return to form for the diva who has puffins for lunch. Disparate and dissonant, this one will give headaches to the "feng tau" crowd and myriads of Ah Bengs will say a big "WTF?".

9. The Stooges - The Weirdness

A much belated third album from the godfathers of punk. A drop in the ocean if compared to their first two seminal albums, but in an isolated perspective, one of the best garage rock albums this year. Has Mike Watt on bass, from the criminally unnoticed (here anyway) bands, Minutemen and fIREHOSE. Best track here - "Mexican Guy" - Bo Diddley beats, humour, slashing guitars, what more could you ask for?

10. Meza Virs - Vida Sacrificium Meum Est

Bit of a balancing act here. Released in Singapore in December 2006, only available here in January 2007. Fine symphonic black metal band from across the causeway. I didn't give it a high rating upon first listen but this really grows on ya.