The Battle of 2007

So there's this little discussion sparked by a comment somebody very smart made on Big Red Robot about the best albums so far of 2007. I'm reposting the comment I made here, not like it's going to broaden the audience any (my unique readers outside of the BRR audience numbers in the low single digits) but I like the argument posted and it's a follow up to an earlier post, so I'm claiming it for my own. For those of you who already read it, there are some small enhancements, so READ ON...

Let me unleash a little TRUTH on ya:

Before I get to my list, it was interesting as I wrote it discoverings a few undercurrent battles going on:

The battle of Sweden: PBJ, Jens, Shout Out Louds
The battle of the alt country wunderkinds: Wilco, Son Volt, Ryan Adams
The battle of the Bruce's: Arcade Fire, Killers, Bruce Springsteen

And now for the list.
The top 5 albums (so far) of 2007:
1. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha - too rich and textured to ignore. Sounds like it was recorded in a huge dark cathedral. Every intstrument, every tone, every voice is perfectly placed. And Bird gets extra points for being the only person on this list that literally (mostly) came out of nowhere for this.
2. The New Pornographers: Challengers - Obviously comparing this to Revolver (which is what caused this whole discussion in the first place) is hyperbole meant to incite discussion (or riots, or both...). When I say Revolver I mean this band is at it's peak but has also begun going down a road it can't return from. The voices (musically and lyrically) have never been so strong individually yet depended on one another so much for balance. And Neko as always is a revelation. I'm open to a re-ordering of the list come December, but as of now these guys are very close to the top.
3. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible - was recorded in a huge dark cathedral - and it's the best Bruce Springsteen album since Born to Run.
4. Josh Ritter: Historical Conquests - Carrying the torch for all the singer-songwriters (Bright Eyes, Iron & Wine, even Ryan Adams)
5. Spoon: Gagagagaga - Barely holding on to this spot, really. This album should have been an EP. Then it would have been #4.

Very close honorable mentions
Stage Names (a little mopey and whiney after a while -- are these guys really Rusted Root?), Our Ill Wills (the Cure and Jam references come through shamelessly, but also shamelessly listenable and definitely wins for best of Sweden), The Search (wins my battle of the Alt Country wunderkinds - Son Volt, Wilco, and Ryan Adams), Boxer (I just keep discovering more great tracks from this album as I'm listening to 2007 music on shuffle), Icky Thump (not a weak track on there), Cassadega (Bright Eyes finally converted me), Magic (yes, THAT Magic...but mostly because it makes me think of Neon Bible and Born to Run)

Needless to say, the music of 2007 wouldn't be nearly as awesome as it has been so far without any of the above albums. Looks like I have to look up at least a couple more that made your lists but I haven't even heard yet - Time to go grabem all and throw them on the Sansa. Viva la Rhapsody! Viva la Musica!