THE BEST OF 2007

Songs:
Arcade Fire - "Intervention": The first time I heard this song was when they performed it on SNL, and at the end of the song, singer Win Butler pulled the strings off of and then smashed his guitar and I was on my knees in front of the TV like the little girl in Poltergeist.
Pearl Jam - "Love Reign O'er Me": In this cover of a Who song, Eddie Vedder manages to take Roger Daltry's vocals and somehow make them more powerful. Not easy.
Serj Tankian - "Empty Walls": Kickass song and even better video. Check it out.
Smashing Pumpkins - "Tarantula": After a long hiatus, the Pumpkins returned and managed to play I think 17 sold-out shows in Philadelphia.
The White Stripes - "You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As Your Told)": The second single from Icky Thump and one of the more happy-sounding songs from Jack and Meg.
Lily Allen - "Smile": I was gonna go with "Nan, You're a Window Shopper" just for the title, but I changed my mind. My plans to marry Ms. Allen are on hold as she's currently courting one of the Chemical Brothers.
Modest Mouse - "Dashboard": I don't really have a comment on this one other than "great song."
The Bird and The Bee - "Again & Again": I just found this song recently through watching one of their videos for a different song directed by Eric Wareheim. Yes it's as weird as you think.
Kanye West - "Good Life": Kanye hit it again this year, and yes he should've won that Nobel Prize.
Gogol Bordello - "Supertheory of Supereverything": Well, maybe I'd say it better with.....

Album of the Year:

Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!: Imagine the guys in Dropkick Murphys got a bunch of Ukranian gypsys pregnant. Their children would be Gogol Bordello. This album kicks some serious ass.

Honorable mention: Kanye West - Graduation, Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Movie of the Year:

The Simpsons Movie: I honestly don't know how I could've thought that any other movie would be my choice. I've waited my whole life for this movie, and it was worth it.

Honorable Mention: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Grindhouse, Superbad, The Brothers Solomon

Book of the Year:

Stephen Colbert - I Am America (And So Can You!): I'm gonna be honest. I haven't read this yet. But I know it's the best.

Andy Coppola lives in Philadelphia. He is an acknowledged muffin connoisseur and a lover of fine hot chocolates.