Earlier this week I posted the top 207 songs of 2007. You may have seen it. As promised, here is my album wrap up. 40 of the years best, which was pretty hard to narrow down. Top 10 with lengthy detail, remaining 11 - 40 with brief notes.

There is a list I’ve kept of the other 40 albums (in no order though) which I’ve kept and might share with you randomly at some point because there’s a LOT of brilliance I’ve left off this Top 40. It’s been a killer year for music hasn’t it?

01 :: GIRLS ALOUD - TANGLED UP
Not exactly the biggest surprise now, is it? Not much has changed when it comes to my favourite album of the year since I last reviewed it back in November. I still think it is their best album to date. I still think Girls Aloud are the most important pop group since Blondie (which I doubt I’ve mentioned before.) I still think people would probably have my head for making such a claim. But 2007 has truly been the year where I’ve finally found myself comfortable with not apologising for my musical tastes and - after years of battle - beginning to feel like I finally do not need to defend my passions. And feeling passion for Tangled Up is certainly not something anyone should have to apologise for.

Recently an ‘alternative’ person who just doesn’t “get it” questioned how anyone, “let alone someone as intelligent as you” (exact quote - will haunt me for life) could find any merit in pop music and - even more horrifying to him - be moved or feel something for it. I attempted to even explain my passion for Girls Aloud but he just started talking about Trent Reznor. It was a some sort of awakening - that exact moment, one which my friend Emma was witness to. When I listen to Tangled Up, I sometimes recall that not-so-long-ago moment in time and think how unfortunate it is that this person will never know what they’re missing out on. They will never understand the joy I get out of listening to this record because they cannot even fathom anyone wanting to listen to it. But really, how can you go past it? Call The Shots is a delicious summer-inspired pop song whose bassline conjures up images of sunsets and cocktails. Girl Overboard and Close To Love (GAGGINIG to be a single) are homosexual to the extreme, with the latter roping in the power of disco to deliver its message. This albums true moment of brilliance comes in the form of Can’t Speak French, a mid-tempo love song that marries elements of Wham!’s Careless Whisper together with twisted, distorted sound effects. Unbelievable. Black Jacks throws the girls into a cheeky-Motown infused affair, with the shouty sensibilities of former UK pop double act Shampoo. Then when the chorus kicks in, it all turns into Take That’s cover of Could It Be Magic. And that is amazing, no apologies.

If you are going to tell me that I’m shallow, stupid, or unintelligent simply because you cannot fathom that music doesn’t have to be all grey skies and murderdolls in order for you to emote valid feeling, to quote my beloved Aloud, “shut your mouth because your shit might show.”

02 :: ARCTIC MONKEYS - FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE
I fell in love with Alex Turner’s lyrical genius only this year. In fact, I’d sort of been quite nonplussed by the Arctic’s first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (I couldn’t understand the hype at all,) and only gave Nightmare a chance on the strength of first single Brianstorm. And by ‘chance,’ I mean that I heard Brianstorm for the first time on a Saturday morning, went to the record store on the day Nightmare just happened to be hitting shelves, and bought it on the merit of one single. I haven’t taken a risk like that in years, let alone one that paid off immediately. Good times. This record tapped into a part of my musical brain I’m happy has evolved. If you’re keen on reading my full review from April, clicky clicky.

03 :: SUGABABES - CHANGE
I cannot believe I never actually reviewed this album officially for the old website! Don’t get me wrong, I talked about its brilliance a shitload, but no full review on the interweb with my name underneath it. I’ve written three different reviews for the CD for various publication’s, but somehow failed to give it a proper write up on the blog. Silly really, because I love so much about it. Xenomania production’s Never Gonna Dance Again and My Love Is Pink are - as you would expect - fine examples of the sort of high-class pop these girls are famous for. But it’s moments like Denial, (their best song to date) which has revolutionary submarine (!) noises through the beginning and end, Open The Door, which is this albums Ace Reject, and Surprise (Goodbye,) a cute slice of heavenly bitch-please sass, which really cement these girls even further into the history books as one of the greatest pop acts of all time. Get the Kleenex ready for ballads such as Change, Back When, and Mended By You, which live up to the girls’ legendary run of genuinely great, powerful ballads. This, their fifth studio album, is - along with the current Sugababe roster - their most impressive to date.

04 :: PATRICK WOLF - THE MAGIC POSITION
The journey Patrick wanted to take the listeners of this album on wasn’t lost on me. The first time I listened to The Magic Position, I sat in my room, sipping a glass of cheap and sweet red wine, and allowed my mind to go on the rollercoaster of imagination that is the Patrique Position. The joy, the sadness, the pain, the worms, the explosions, the legendary guest vocalist; I consumed it all. It’s a record that opened my mind, tugged at my heart and filled me with the kind of emotion I had not summoned since whenever I watched Beaches last. It’s a record I’ll probably regret not placing higher on this list in a years time. Truly breathtaking tracks such as Overture, the incredibly joyous and chaotic The Magic Position, Bluebells, the classical Magpie, the wondrous glam-pop of Get Lost, the rush-of-Bjork-to-the-head found within The Stars, and the albums/Patrick’s finest moment Augustine, are all a fine testament to the belief that Wolf is not only a musical visionary, but an absolute genius to boot.

05 :: SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR - TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
I battled with this up until the very last hour. Did Sophie deserve Number #5, or did Kylie? It was literally a battle between the electro-pop divas and, in the end, Sophie’s gorgeous rhombus face sealed the deal. Whilst Kylie’s X is by all means fantastic, I cannot enjoy it in its original retail format. Whereas with Trip The Light Fantastic, I am titillated by the whole package - from the order of the songs, to the number of songs, to where they’re placed. I’m still shocked that Cameron Adams, Herald Sun’s pop music guru, gave this 3 stars and insinuated it was a bit generic, saying that it all sounded like Kylie Minogue offcuts. Whaaaaaaa?! The thing I’ve found with a lot of Australian media of late is that their blind passion for Kylie seems to block out the fact that, 20 years on, she still has to fight to include a song she loves and - incidentally - they don’t, onto her latest album. No biggie, but it’d be nice if these professionals opened their eyes and noticed. Soph may not be full of life-affirmingly fresh ideas, but to push this album into a label of Kylie Minogue cut-off’s is not only ridiculous, but is also an extravagantly misguided judgment. But then again, a lot of the Kylie cut-off’s have been quite brilliant right? So maybe I should just take that all back… I reviewed this back in May over on the old site if you’re interested in taking an in-depth glance into my feelings for the album.

06 :: KYLIE MINOGUE - X
I guess the previous paragraph may have actually sounded a little anti-Kylie. But the truth is I’m just sick of the Australian media not being very objective when it comes to her work. And her work I love, and have loved for years. Kylie has always played an integral part of my musical tastes. And X is one of her best albums. There is a definitive, non-retail, made-by-Adem tracklisting for X I think you should try on the old iTunes. You open the album with 2 Hearts, follow it with Speakerphone, then slip in Kylie’s Roxy Music cover of Love Is The Drug. Follow all that with In My Arms, The One, Wow, and Stars for the records four biggest tracks, throw in Magnetic Electric, Like A Drug and Rippin’ Up The Disco for a Friday-friendly rave section. Then take it down with the Janet-loving All I See, No More Rain, the gorgeous ballad version of White Diamond and stunning Cosmic. Admit that Sensitized really isn’t as bad as it was when the album first surfaced and place that right before Version 2 of Fall For You (because Version 1 is shit.) Follow that with Lose Control, Excuse My French, When The Cat’s Away, and I Don’t Know What It Is. Actual album tracks (9 of the aforementioned tracks are either b-sides, unreleased sessions or iTunes X bonus tracks not featured on the retail edition of the album) Heart Beat Rock and Spew-di-ty can be discarded without a second thought, banished from ever receiving iTunes play by being placed right into your computers trash can. Review here.

07 :: DELTA GOODREM - DELTA
I often wondered if our Delta would ever be able to top the raw intensity of her brilliant second album Mistaken Identity. And whilst it seems a myriad of people seem to disagree with me (except for the Australian record buying public, actually,) this record is not only her best work, but is also a promising and beautiful sign of what’s to come. HATERZ PLZ, the cover is amazing, I love how International Vogue it is. And if you haven’t seen her glittering Xanadu-cum-Blond Ambition Tour performance of Believe Again at this years AFI’s, you can do so here. Oh, while you’re at it, you can read my full review of this very album on the old site here.

08 :: MUSCLES - GUNS BABES LEMONADE
Unpretentious dance music for the masses. That’s what Shepparton boy Muscles is all about. The incredibly reserved Muscles (real name Chris) produced, wrote and played everything on this remarkable debut which dealt with Ice Cream, the history of Acid music, lemonade, hammocks, and people wanting to have his babies. All in a deliriously fun manner. I wrote about this album quite enthusiastically on the old site earlier this year and still feel exactly the same way about it so many months later. I also have a really dorky crush on Muscles; he’s just so gorgeous/adorable and deceivingly sexy. I would be quite happy to partake in the prologue of having his babies someday. I would also like to get to know Muscles’ love musc… (sniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!)

09 :: MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS - DYSTOPIA
I am so proud of my country musically this year. In my top 20 albums of this year, 9 of them are by Australian artists. Melbourne boys Midnight Juggernauts round off the last of the Aussies found within the top 10. This album is dynamite, a celebratory exercise in what electronic music of the future will sound like, several years before its time. Old favourites like Tombstone, Shadows, Into The Galaxy, and the standout track Road To Recovery, are all proof that Australia can belt out the electro just as well - if not better - than the French. And our Juggernauts have something those French duo’s don’t; an exceptionally talented lead vocalist whose voice gives the material a classy, unique blend of electricity. Not surprisingly, you can find my review of this over on - yep - the old site.

10 :: JUSTICE - “CROSS”
A truly twisted epic and almost biblical experience. But I wasn’t expecting anything less from an album with a big giant fuck-off crucifix adorning its cover. I’ve always felt that Justice’s debut album was what Air’s Virgin Suicides Soundtrack would have sounded like were it a rave-friendly electro affair. Pay particular attention to Stress, which is the most fucked up and wonderful thing you could imagine hearing and, if listened to loudly enough, will give you your very first enjoyable headache.

11 :: ANGIE HART - GROUNDED BIRD
DOWNLOAD / Asleep, My Thief, Care.
IN A WORD / Angelic.

12 :: SILVERCHAIR - YOUNG MODERN
DOWNLOAD / Waiting All Day, If You Keep Losing Sleep.
IN A WORD / Pop.

13 :: ROGUE TRADERS - BETTER IN THE DARK :: [ REVIEW ]
DOWNLOAD / What You’re On, Throw Your Arms Around Me.
IN A WORD / Evolved.

14 :: SIOBHAN DONAGHY - GHOSTS
DOWNLOAD / Medevac, Coming Up For Air, Ghosts.
IN A WORD / Witchy.

15 :: ROISIN MURPHY - OVERPOWERED
DOWNLOAD / Let Me Know, You Know Me Better, Tell Everybody.
IN A WORD / Fierce.

16 :: YOUNG DIVAS - NEW ATTITUDE :: [ REVIEW ]
DOWNLOAD / Got To Be Real, Tell It To My Heart.
IN A WORD / Gaygaygaygaygaygay.

17 :: BRITNEY SPEARS - BLACKOUT :: [ REVIEW ]
DOWNLOAD / Toy Soldier, Demi Moore, Heaven On Earth.
IN A WORD / Floozy.

18 :: SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM - SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM
DOWNLOAD / I Love It, Goodbye, U.F.O.
IN A WORD / Spacey.

19 :: RIHANNA - GOOD GIRL GONE BAD
DOWNLOAD / Question Existing, Breaking Dishes.
IN A WORD / Brilliant.

20 :: YELLE - POP UP
DOWNLOAD / A Cause Des Garcons, Ce Jeu, Joie.
IN A WORD / International.

21 :: BLAKE LEWIS - AUDIO DAY DREAM
DOWNLOAD / 1,000 Miles, End Of The World, Surrender.
IN A WORD / A-fucking-mazing.

22 :: TORI AMOS - AMERICAN DOLL POSSE :: [ REVIEW ]
DOWNLOAD / Bouncing Off Clouds, Fat Slut, Big Wheel.
IN A WORD / Cohesive.

23 :: KLAXONS - MYTHS OF THE NEAR FUTURE
DOWNLOAD / Isle Of Her, Not Over Yet, Golden Skans.
IN A WORD / NuRave.

24 :: HILARY DUFF - DIGNITY
DOWNLOAD / Dignity, Danger, Play With Fire.
IN A WORD / Rachelstevens.

25 :: THE VERONICAS - HOOK ME UP
DOWNLOAD / Untouched, Someone Wake Me Up.
IN A WORD / Electronic.

26 :: TRACEY THORN - OUT OF THE WOODS
DOWNLOAD / Grand Candyon, Here It Comes Again.
IN A WORD / Arresting.

27 :: BOYS NOIZE - OI OI OI
DOWNLOAD / The Batter, & Down, Let’s Buy Happiness.
IN A WORD / Glitchy.

28 :: TIMBALAND - PRESENTS SHOCK VALUE
DOWNLOAD / Apologise, Give It To Me.
IN A WORD / IhatedthisoriginallybutnowIloveit.

29 :: OPERATOR PLEASE - YES YES VINDICTIVE
DOWNLOAD / Leave It Alone, 6/8, 2 For My Seconds.
IN A WORD / Vibrant.

30 :: BUMBLEBEEZ - PRINCE UMBERTO & THE SISTER OF ILL
DOWNLOAD / Crazy Tongue, Freak Your Loneliness.
IN A WORD / Freshasfuck.

31 :: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT - RELEASE THE STARS
DOWNLOAD / Between My Legs, Tiergarten.
IN A WORD / Classic.

32 :: SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO - ATTACK DECAY SUSTAIN RELEASE
DOWNLOAD / Wooden, Hustler.
IN A WORD / Techno.

33 :: HAIRSPRAY - SOUNDTRACK TO THE MOTION PICTURE
DOWNLOAD / Miss Baltimore Crabs, Good Morning Baltimore.
IN A WORD / Fun.

34 :: TEENAGE BAD GIRL - COCOTTE
DOWNLOAD / Cocotte, Fuckin’ Frog.
IN A WORD / Corking.

35 :: VHS OR BETA - BRING ON THE COMETS
DOWNLOAD / Burn It All Down, She Says.
IN A WORD / Fuckin’aye.

36 :: THE ROYAL WE - THE ROYAL WE
DOWNLOAD / All The Rage, I Hate Rock & Roll.
IN A WORD / Indiepop.

37 :: GOSSIP - STANDING IN THE WAY OF CONTROL
DOWNLOAD / Jealous Girls, Standing In The Way Of Control.
IN A WORD / NuWaveIndie.

38 :: MARGARET BERGER - PRETTY SCARY SILVER FAIRY
DOWNLOAD / Samantha, Robot Song.
IN A WORD / Glittery.

39 :: THE LONG BLONDES - SOMEONE TO DRIVE YOU HOME
DOWNLOAD / Giddy Stratospheres, Madame Ray.
IN A WORD / Indiepopagain.

40 :: NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB - FANTASTIC PLAYROOM
DOWNLOAD / Ice Cream, Fan.
IN A WORD / Summer.