2007 was a great year for music. New albums from Radiohead, Interpol, The National, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, and Spoon all rocked hard. My discovery of The Acorn, Kings of Leon, The Everybodyfields, and Menomena, coupled with an impressive debut from Deer Tick, made the year that much more amazing.

So when it came time to assemble my annual Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, I just couldn’t chop it down to size. As a result I’ve decided to expand the list to 15 songs. Plus I’ve already blogged about 9 of the 15 songs on the list, so the 5 extra slots allow me to post some new mp3’s.

Continuing to break with tradition, I’ve decided to categorize the 15 songs into 5 separate categories based on their mood and style. Enjoy!

Songs I listen to when I am happy (aka pop songs):

[mp3] The Shins :: Australia
[mp3] Okkervil River :: Unless It’s Kicks
[mp3] Modest Mouse :: Missed the Boat

Songs I listen to when I am sad (aka bawlers):

[mp3] Andrew Bird :: Cataracts
[mp3] The National :: Slow Show
[mp3] The Acorn :: Glory

Songs I listen to when I party (aka rockers):

[mp3] Interpol :: Rest My Chemistry
[mp3] Spoon :: Eddie’s Ragga
[mp3] Kings of Leon :: McFearless

Songs I listen to when I drive (aka rollers):

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Aeroplane
[mp3] Deer Tick :: Dirty Dishes
[mp3] Magnolia Electric Co :: Nashville Moon

Songs I listen to whenever (aka great songs):

[mp3] Kings of Leon :: On Call
[mp3] Radiohead :: Reckoner
[mp3] Menomena :: Rotten Hell

Get ‘em while they’re hot! Check the comments for additional lists…

With the year officially over, it’s time to reflect upon the awesomeness that was 2007. Unlike last year, 2007 had an excess of truly great music.

Unfortunately, this year’s “Best of” coverage won’t be as extensive as last year’s. Mainly because I’m lazy, but also because I got a much later start writing this year. I’m also going to try a new format for my Top 10 Albums of 2007 list. Below is a thumbnail image, which you can click on to enlarge.

Given my obsessive-compulsive engineering background, I decided to make a table summarizing the Top 10 Albums of 2007. There are no mp3’s associated with this post because there is a lot of overlap with my Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, which will be released shortly.

Not to leave you high and dry, I’ve uploaded a special treat to hold you over. Check the comments!

I’m afraid my “Southern Twang” Regional Mix failed to convey just how obsessed I am with The Acorn. Despite hailing from Canada, the band made the mix because their music transports me to a simpler time. You know, the whole thing about sitting on the front porch watching the sunset.

I stumbled upon The Acorn thanks to cokemachineglow’s often spectacular “No Big Hair” review section, which spotlights lesser known bands and serves up several mp3’s for consumption (this is also how I found out about Deer Tick).

Working backwards through The Acorn’s catalog has actually benefited me; over the course of two albums (The Pink Ghosts and Glory Hope Mountain) and two EPs (Blankets! and Tin Fist), the band grew exponentially. The songs posted below sample each recording (except Blankets!), with emphasis on their recent pinnacle Glory Hope Mountain.

The band’s music has an organic quality that makes it immediately engaging. The intros to “Glory” and “Heirlooms” alone inspire a sense of warmth and comfort. And then there are the actual songs, which feature gorgeous acoustics, innovative (almost tribal) percussion, and Rolf Klausener’s mesmerizing vocals.

Expect to hear about this band again at the end of the year.

[mp3] The Acorn :: Blue Light
[mp3] The Acorn :: Heirlooms
[mp3] The Acorn :: Glory
[mp3] The Acorn :: Oh Napoleon

Before starting, I must confess: I don’t know much about the south beyond the typical negative stereotypes (which I will not enumerate here). But for a region plagued by such a controversial and turbulent history, the south sure inspires gorgeous music.

And while only some of the artists featured in this mix call the south their home, all the songs conjure up images of sitting on the front porch at twilight watching the sunset and fireflies, which I imagine they do quite often in the south. I know I would.

This mix was largely inspired by my obsession with country-tinged indie music. Far from the typical Toby Keith garbage you hear on the radio, the songs below borrow the best parts of country music to create something that tugs at your heartstrings.

Some call it alt-country, some call it folk, I just call it good music (with a twang).

[mp3] My Morning Jacket :: Where to Begin
[mp3] Palace Music :: New Partner
[mp3] The Black Keys :: The Lengths
[mp3] Iron & Wine :: Resurrection Fern
[mp3] Ryan Adams :: Oh My Sweet Carolina
[mp3] The Acorn :: Glory
[mp3] The National Lights :: O, Ohio
[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Good to Be Home

Once again, I recommend listening to the songs in the above order. Check the comments for a link to a zip file containing all 8 songs.