Ah, 2007 is upon us. 2006 was a great year for music, so let's take a look (and a listen) back to my favorite ten. Feel free to add yours to the comments!

10. Clogs: Lantern
Undeterred by the walls that define genres, Padma Newsome and Bryce Dessner paint surreal dreamscapes in their finest effort to date. This album is filled with emotion, imagination, and spontaneity, and never wears out its welcome.
• 5/4 (sound clip)

9. Destroyer: Destroyer's Rubies
Dan Bejar's words are finally given a musical accompaniment that matches their wit and intelligence. There's something for everyone here, even those who find Bejar's voice a bit irritating.
• European Oils (sound clip)

8. Emily Haines: Knives Don't Have Your Back
This album is a massive departure from Emily Haines' work with Metric and Broken Social Scene. Gone are the rock guitars, the prominent beats, and all of the noise. What's left is essentially just Emily and her piano-- which, as it turns out, is all we really need. (read full review)
• Doctor Blind (sound clip)

7. Beck: The Information
With The Information, Beck once again delivers a quality record and demonstrates he is one of the most consistent artists of my generation.
• Elevator Music (sound clip)

6. Tapes 'N Tapes: The Loon
I haven't heard an indie rock album this pure, simple and satisfying since Pavement ruled supreme.
• Cowbell (sound clip)

5. The Hold Steady: Boys And Girls In America
Boys And Girls In America is an ambitious effort that is as fun to listen to as adolescence itself. It's filled with catchy hooks, rich arrangements, and well-told stories.
• Stuck Between Stations (sound clip)

4. Subtle: For Hero: For Fool
Subtle has made a record that takes everything I hate about rap music and throws it all away. The result is a dense and imaginative collection of songs that defy genres and stereotypes. Impressive.
• Nomanisisland (sound clip)

3. Grizzly Bear: Yellow House
Yellow House is a masterpiece that improves on it's lo-fi predecessor Horn Of Plenty in every facet. Grizzly Bear has hit their stride. (read full review)
• On A Neck, On A Spit (sound clip)

2. Beirut: Gulag Orkestar
Gulag Orkestar is a focused and inspired collection of songs written and performed by an incredibly talented artist with a level of maturity beyond his years. (read full review)
• Postcards From Italy (sound clip)

1. Joanna Newsom: Ys
Number one on the list for this year is an album that breathes new life into folk music-- and it comes to us from a small girl and a big harp. Her words need no voice, her voice needs no accompaniment, her accompaniment needs no melodies, and her melodies need no words. But they all have each other, and the result is something special. (read full review)
• Cosmia (sound clip)