The Best Albums of 2007: Amy Winehouse, Bruce Springsteen and Maroon 5

Of course, this is all a matter of opinion. For me, there were three albums that really stood out this year and deserved praise. Starting with:

1: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

A complete classic and one of the only albums from 2007 that you're still going to remember 10 years from now. Hopefully this won't be her swan-song and she'll be given the chance to get her act together (rehab not-withstanding) to record more in the future. With this album she has managed to pour her troubled soul into songs with a subtle grace that belies her physical appearance and self-destructive visage. The album plays out like a love letter to the torch songs of old and with a myriad of musical influences too from the subdued Shirley Bassey like vocals to the Ennio Morricone/James Bond-like Phil Spector wall of thick sound, heavy with strings and echo. Kudos to the absolutely pitch-perfect production here with every note tweaked to its emotional max and not a time-frame wasted. From the fabulous recreation of those old 50's/60's style female harmony back-up singers to the lusher than lush sound of strings and piano's accompanying Amy's smoothly jazzy and soulful voice, there isn't a wasted track on the album. No filler from 1-11. Listening to the album will give you a nostalgic buzz for a long-gone era no matter how old you are and regardless of the fact that you were probably weren't even born when the sounds to which this album pays homage to were around. But no matter, it manages to connect on an emotional level and this is in great part due to the clever lyricism of Amy's writing. Deceptively simple her words convey more power and emotion than any other female artist today whilst avoiding the emotional insecurity and schoolgirl angst of artists like 'Kelly Clarkson' or 'April Lavine'. Check out 'Love is a losing game' to hear a love-lorn song that if you have a soul will bring tears to your eyes. 'Back to Black' is so heavy with harmony, so thick with Spectorish walls of sound that it could have easity blown through the speakers 40 years ago. There's a maturity and relevance to her music that connects almost immediately and beyond a shadow of a doubt this should be regarded as one of very few classic albums since the 2000.

2. Bruce Springsteen - Magic

The comeback album of 2007. Well, not that Bruce Springsteen ever really suffered in the popularity stakes but it's been a while since he's been able to attract the attention of a wider audience than just the die-hard springsteenian masses. Not since 'Born to Run over 20 years ago has he connected en-mass with such commercially savvy songs as 'Radio Nowhere' with it's incessant beat and the matured throaty roar of Springsteen singing out the chorus 'I just wanna hear some rhythm' with the infectious enthusiasm of a matured artist who finds himself once again at the top of his game. There's the beautifully orchestrated slow-build burn of 'Girls in their Summer Clothes' which showcases what is possibly his best vocal performance on this album and shows off what a rich and powerful instrument his voice can sometimes be and how his music is defined as much by his voice as that recognizable Springsteen sound. His lyrics on this album are rock & roll clichés to be sure but it's great to see him back to form and really kicking at rock n' rolls door.

3: Maroon 5 - It won't be soon before long

O.K. not the catchiest title in the world but don't be fooled by either the title or the dodgy MTV like cover. This album showcases a band who are really reaching the top of their game. With deft musicianship and assured clever writing this is the most pop-savy rock record of the year. Lyrics depicting love lost, love found and love yearned after. Despite 'Wake Up Call's homicidal them the album is more upbeat than it's predecessor 'Songs About Jane' and is real classic of the pop/rock genre. A Split Enz 'True Colors' for the new millennium if you will. Clear sharp vocals powerfully delivered by 'Adam Levine' establishing the bands unique sound. The drumming is up-front and drives most of the tracks. 'Wake up call' is a hilarious take on love-lorn retribution and doubtless many thousands of fans have happily hummed the tune, nodding heads approvingly to the sounds of a cheated on lovers homicidal rage. There's the unbelievably catchy 'Little of your time' which positively bounces out of the speakers and then there is 'Better that we break' that ends the record on a softer note. The whole affair shows such an assuredness of touch and intuitive pop-sensibility that it can only mean this group will go onto more success.