Yes, I’ve waited until the last ‘Song of the week’ of the year to put in a song from the best album released in 2007 (no arguments!)

1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Whenever Radiohead cough, the internet gets pneumonia. This was certainly apparent when they announced their seventh studio album. The added twist was that it would be for sale on the internet in mp3 form and the price was ‘whatever you want to pay’. Of course, some people took advantage of this to pay the minimum allowable but many people (including myself) do actually want a physical disk with artwork (coming next year, which probably means In Rainbows will be the best album of 2007 and 2008). Musically the album sits somewhere between OK Computer and Kid A (no massive air-guitar tracks but not really any weird electronica). Much better than Hail to the Thief anyhow.

2. Elliott Smith - New Moon
24 unreleased Elliott Smith songs. Let me say it again - 24 unreleased Elliott Smith songs. All heartfelt guitar ballads too - not the overworked stuff you found on From a Basement on a Hill. Most of the songs come from the period spanning his first two albums. Part proceeds go to charity, too.

3. Air - Pocket Symphony
I ‘discovered’ Air this year thanks to this album. They do some awesomely chilled music without resulting to drum machines.Left Bank and Once Upon a Time are absolute must-listens.

4. Katalyst - What’s Happening
RJD2 and DJ Shadow last releases have been pretty lacklustre, leaving Katalyst as my favourite turntablist . An awesome funky album.

5. José González - In Our Nature
Otherwise known as ‘the guy from the coloured balls ad’ put out his second album this year. I do worry though that it seems like the stand out tracks from both of his albums seem to be covers.

6. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I’ve been following Spoon for quite some time. Their popularity has been simmering for some time but with their sixth album they seem to have finally received some mainstream recognition for their whole album, not just a few songs here and there.

7. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Post-country, folk, rock, whatever you want to call them, Wilco are awesome. Perhaps not quite up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but still a great album.

8. The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain
I knew nothing about this band until a couple of weeks ago. Their sound is best described as indie folk, think some nice guitars and other assorted sounds. Can’t wait for their next album.

9. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
The Shins are up to album number three now. Australia is the stand out track (and not just because it’s named after an awesome country). Always a band that will put a smile on your face no matter what the track is.

10. Jay-Z - American Gangster
I’m a sucker for some awesome horns in hip hop and Jay-Z’s tenth (!) album delivers, especially with Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)….

No Christmas songs! argh!

This is pretty much as mainstream as hip hop gets without being lame. There’s a story through the song, you can tell what he’s saying and he wears glasses(!)

What more do you need.

Video Killed the Radio Star by The Wrong Trousers on Harp, Double Bass and Mandolin(!)

Isn’t the internet brilliant but scary at the same time?
http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/

This guy can square five-digit numbers. Amazing.

Is the window on the left or on the right?