So much of Illinois feels magical, however, in much the same way as a large State Fair: there is commotion and wonder as the population is continually enchanted by progress, but to unknown purpose.

As accomplished as Black Cherry was, Supernature completes the suspected evolution from the quasi-avant-garde stylings of old to intelligent, sophisticated pop music.

It’s apparent that this album was made with particular care, as most of John Vanderslice’s works are, but there are many cases where a more mature display of music appreciation is taken; previously, when met with such dogged emotional complexity, Vandersilce would rely on experimentation. Here, he stares straight on.

It will, absolutely and deservedly, reside among the best of the year, but, when given space, can ruminate indefinitely in one’s consciousness and soul.

Constantly winning and resurging, not a moment of Apologies to the Queen Mary is lost to the chaos.

Anyone intrigued by Doom should adore this album.

As well as being their most accessible, The Campfire Headphase emerges as the most solid Boards of Canada album to date.

Triumphant, bitter, despondent, but never false or insincere, The Last Romance is one of the early great listens of 2006.

Destroyer’s Rubies is every bit as marvelous as his landmark Streethawk: A Seduction.

This is proof that Campbell made the right decision in leaving Belle And Sebastian.

Archer and friends deserve praise for making an album so rooted in its locale so appealing to a wider audience due to the never-ending amount of catchy hooks and melodies on display on Stars Of CCTV.

This will most likely be the best hip-hop album of the year as well as a contender for best overall album of the year.

Drowaton is as close to an orchestral pop masterpiece as you’re going to get.

The first must-listen record of the year.

Though he may not have the experience in years, he more than makes up for it in the way he crafts his songs.

The disc is a dense, cerebral, sweated-over work of art.

A dazzling collection of songs, Putting The Days To Bed cements Roderick's reputation as one of the best songwriters working today.

Operatic in scope, ruthlessly ambitious in its range, The Paper Chase have dropped one the most unique and substantive records of the year.

This really is pretty music.

Listening to Ys is like dreaming with eyes open, a detached lucidity in which clarity inevitably follows.

With its mind-blowing dynamics and wounded memories, bandaged up in affecting, mature lyrics that dissect relationships with a therapist's perspective, the wisdom of hindsight and an artist's touch, Let's Build A Fire is almost flawless.

While they are not afraid to bang the drums and rock out, Menomena keep the majority of this album behind a beautiful mask of complimentary melodies.

Cleaned up, stripped down, and melding dance music seamlessly with post-punk, Sound Of Silver is as solid as a dance album can get.

While there has clearly been a degree of evolution... none of Eluvium's previous effects are lost with his new offering; the music still winds its way through your mind, but at the same time it moves the soul as well.

Memory Man will be one of the strongest efforts released in 2007.

Woke On A Whaleheart is a pleasure, and aside from the intro to the song "Footprints," every moment on this record is immensely listenable.

I'm prepared to defend this as hip hop's frontrunner for best album of 2007 thus far.

One of the most exciting and substantial records so far this year.