I kind of missed the boat on this particular theme but, inspired by Northernights’ Manchester blog end-of-year round-up, I’ve decided to waste most of this Sunday afternoon by putting together my favourite albums of 2007:

1. Panda Bear - Person Pitch (Paw Tracks)
The universally acclaimed album of 2007, from what is technically just a side project of Noah Lennox from Animal Collective. It’s crammed full of reverberating fuzziness, self harmonies and more samples than should be healthy. People are comparing it to Pet Sounds - which does Person Pitch a disservice - Buy here

2. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs (Touch & Go)
Now almost ten years old, San Diego’s Pinback are only just beginning to get the attention they deserve. This album – like their others – is in essence heavy math rock… so it’s surprising how many glamorous indie kids were down the front when they played at the Roadhouse in November. If you like shouty pop songs but dislike emo, Pinback may be your missing link - Buy here

3. Herman Dune - Giant (Source)
Despite losing one-third of their membership, Swedish-French band Herman Dune have produced their most memorable album to date. I’ve often found myself whistling the lead track, I Wish I Could See You Soon, and Take Him Back to New York – probably much to the annoyance of whoever I’m sat next to on the bus - Buy here

4. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha (Fargo)
‘Professional whistler’ Andrew Bird is another artist who finally seems to be breaking through. Two gigs at Academy 3 this year have surely helped, as anyone attended no doubt ranted to ten friends about his bewildering live show. On record, the Texan is no less impressive – and Armchair Apocrypha is crammed full of witty, classic songwriting - Buy here

5. Jens Lekman - Night Falls over Kortedala (Secretly Canadian)
Lekman’s first fully realised album is rightly being played everywhere – from Manchester indie discos to H&M on a Saturday afternoon. I think his compilation Oh You’re So Silent Jens is the best long player he’s released, but there are still some gems on here: The Opposite of Hallelujah, A Postcard to Nina and Friday Night at the Drive-in Bingo, for example - Buy here

6. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming (Rough Trade)
An as-yet undiscovered classic from Spencer Krug of Montreal’s Wolf Parade. They’re touring in May - Buy here

7. Beirut - The Flying Cup (4AD)
Not quite as good as Zach Condon’s debut, Gulag Orkestar, but there are some breathtaking tracks on this French-inspired follow-up - Buy here

8. Menomena - Friend and Foe (City Slang)
Portland’s Menomena (pronounced like the Muppet Show song) take the all-singing, all-dancing spirit of the Flaming Lips and run with it - Buy here

9. Malcolm Middleton - A Brighter Beat (Full Time Hobby)
A surprisingly upbeat (hence the name) third album from Falkirk’s finest misery meister, and former guitarist in Arab Strap - Buy here

10. Akron/Family - Love is Simple (Young God)
A veritable party album from the New York folk collective. Be sure to catch them live if you ever get the chance - Buy here

And here are a bunch of honourable mentions…

• Low - Drums and Guns (Sub Pop) - Buy here
• Efterklang - Parades (The Leaf Label) - Buy here
• Bill Callahan - Woke up on a Whaleheart (Drag City) - Buy here
• The Twlight Sad - Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (Fat Cat) - Buy here
• Frightened Rabbit - Sing the Greys (Fat Cat) - Buy here
• Ulrich Schnauss - Goodbye (Independiente) - Buy here
• Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam (Domino) - Buy here
• Amiina - Kurr (Ever) - Buy here

And here’s my 2006 list, for comparison. The stalkers among you can also see what I’m currently listening to on Last.fm.