Top 2007 Albums

What an amazing year for music. Big artists dropped albums this year, from rap heavy-hitters Jay-Z and Kanye West, to country crooners Carrie Underwood and Bad Paisley. Several new artists made waves like Timbaland and Daughtry, with big albums and singles that played over and over again on the radio. I've made a list of my great albums for 2007. While this list doesn't cover all genres and it may not list your favorites, you might find an album to check out if you haven't already.

1. Exile on Mainstream, Matchbox Twenty

Thank God, Matchbox is back. After their supposed break up following the 2002 album More Than You Think You Are, I was heartbroken and spent 5 years pining for their return. Alas, they returned in October 2007 with a two disk release, featuring 6 new cuts and 11 of their greatest hits. Their current single is "How Far We've Come" but check out "I Can't Let You Go" with the lyrics "If love were a whisper/What would I give you to speak". Ah, welcome back Matchbox Twenty, you have been missed.

2. Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles

Another return for a long loved rock band, the Eagles released their first album since 1979's The Long Run. They chose to release this album in North America exclusively through Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and their website, forgoing other traditional retailers. Their double album quickly outdid Britney Spears' CD Blackout, released the same week. The single "How Long" played on their commercials, but download "You Are Not Alone" or any of the 20 tracks. This is great, classic Eagles, and possibly their last studio album according to various sources and interviews.

3. It Won't Be Soon Before Long, Maroon 5

Maroon 5 hasn't released a new studio album since their debut super hit Songs About Jane in 2002. The album doesn't stray far from the success of their debut, following the same cues in sing along singles but does take a sexier approach to it's lyrics. Pay attention to the lyrics in "Kiwi", it doesn't take a wild imagination to figure out what's going on.

4. Back to Black, Amy Winehouse