Music lovers and critics alike have often contended that the most praiseworthy trait any artist can possess is a willingness to try something new. Perhaps this is true because such intrepidity also carries along with it the risk of alienating the performer in question from the better portion of their existing fan base. The axiom certainly applies to the members of KISS, who traded in their characteristic hard rock inclinations for pseudo-progressive rock on 1981’s Music from the Elder and post-grunge for 1997’s Carnival of Souls, and were rewarded with the only two non-RIAA certified studio albums of their 35-year career.

Here at inReview (and previously at cMusicWeb) we have been expressing our own blend of the typical annual "Best of" albums for several years. To fit our motto, "A Different Approach to Music," the best albums have transformed to most spun rather than the best new records. The choices expand to any music in any genre from any time. After all, do our staff and readers only listen only to new releases? I hope not!

Submitted by Dan Ficker - inReview.net webmaster

1. Mute Math Mute Math
There's no doubt - much like 2006, Mute Math's full-length album was my most spun of 2007. Actually, most of 2006's list was also tops of 2007. But, hey, I can't feature the exact same list every year, so we're just gonna skip The Elms and Mat Kearney. These are all great, but there's no doubt that Mute Math is still #1 in my book.

Submitted by Annie Reuter - inReview.net staff

1. John Mayer Continuum

This is one of those albums that I never get tired of. It’s been a constant companion since its release in September of 2006, whether it’s on my hour-long commute to internships in NYC or just lounging at home, there’s not one song from this album I dislike. Continuum has a mix of it all – pop, blues, soul and even some folk music among the usual collection of Mayer’s slower ballads and intricate guitar playing. From his first single, “Waiting on the World to Change” to the folk sounds of “The Heart of Life,” his album has a little bit of everything. One of the better songs includes his rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Bold As Love.”

Submitted by Jonathan Stephens of eleventyseven (Current album: Galactic Conquest, Flicker Records)

1. Third Eye Blind Self-titled Debut

This album was amazing for so many reasons. First off...the song writing is incredible. He's a lyrical genius. It's one of the few records out there where the music and lyrics go hand in hand. Neither one outshines the other. 3eb was one of the first rock bands to embrace pop and create a smooth compromise that addicted tons of fans from both genres. It's definitely one of those albums where you don't skip a single song.

Submitted by The Runaway aka Jon Corbin (Current Album: A Brief Word - Prophetic Poetic Productions)

1. Relic It's All Relative

A self-produced hip-hop record from my man Relic in Brampton, Ontario. This one has been several years in the making and has been creating quite a buzz online. So few hip-hop records can offer dope beats and rhymes the whole way through. Here, both are outstanding.

Submitted by Jonny Upson of Parker Theory (current Album: Leaving California - Rescue Records); also band photographer

1. Paramore RIOT!

Undoubtedly my pick for Album Of The Year. If you've heard "MiseryBusiness" and think it's the greatest song ever, you're probably wrong. The rest of the album will surprise you. Finally, a female who can take charge of a stage full of dudes, and control the crowd at the same time. If you're a fan of Anberlin, then do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some real music and buy this album. Full of hit songs, catchy melodies, and topped off with polished production, RIOT! was my #1 Most Spun album of 2007.

Submitted by Mark Graalman of Sanctus Real (Current album: We Need Each Other - Sparrow Records)

1. Foo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

This is the latest Foo record and in my opinion their best one since The Colour And Shape. The Foo Fighters have been one of my favorite bands for the last ten years just because they're one of the last truly cool rock bands to still get played on the radio and have videos on Mtv and such. That just doesn't seem to happen anymore for rock bands unless they sound like Creed or Nickelback, who are basically very poor attempts to rip off one of the last true rock bands still going but no longer getting any radio; Pearl Jam.