Is it still 2008? The presidential contenders have been at it so long, I was sure we were almost into 2009 by now.

Ah, but I see that double-ought-eight's umbilical is still attached. That means it's not too late to make my picks for favorite music of 2007!

Weird year, 2007. You could buy music online ... or pay nothing at all and nobody cares! Lots of good songs made the radio (satellite and Internet radio, of course), Roanoke's local clubs brought great music downtown and several big shows rolled through our mountain valleys.

So, here's a look back at the best of '07:

Best albums

1. "Emotionalism," the Avett Brothers.

Ragged and beautiful, this CD mixed Beatlesesque pop songwriting with rootsy instrumentation to wonderful effect. Rock 'n' roll with banjo.

2. "Raising Sand," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

This is as much producer T Bone Burnett's album as it is the oddly paired vocalists, but repeated listens unveil a multitude of delights. Spare, yet complex, "Raising Sand" is as good as anything these artists have done. Didn't Plant play in some other band once?

3. "Neon Bible," the Arcade Fire.

Yes, they look like Polyphonic Spree's Amish cousins, but the Fire's update on 1980s-era Brit-rock makes you forget that you ever missed Echo & the Bunnymen.

4. "Magic," Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

It's not trendy, there aren't any funky loopy computer woo-woos on it and it didn't spawn any viral videos. God bless the Boss.

5. "Sky Blue Sky," Wilco.

Some fans were surprised by this back-to-basics record from Jeff Tweedy and buds. Have they only been a fan since "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot?"

Best songs

1. "Young Folks," Peter Bjorn and John.

It came out late last year, but so what? I'm a fool for catchy whistling.

2. "Rebellion," the Arcade Fire.

I really like "No Cars Go" from "Neon Bible," but it's an old song, too, and I can't get away with two non-2007 songs as the best 2007 songs now can I?

3. "Four Winds," Bright Eyes.

This song sounds like it was written 20 years ago. Which means it's either terribly unoriginal or timeless. I say timeless.

4. "Icky Thump," White Stripes.

Somebody still plays the guitar! Really plays, I tell you! Go Jack!

5. "Paper Planes," M.I.A.

For the most part, M.I.A.'s style and raps get on my nerves. But when you've got a Clash riff to sample, it's hard to mess that up.

Best concerts

1. A Concert for Virginia Tech, Lane Stadium, Sept. 6.

It feels trite and obvious to say this, but with apologies to Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Nas and Phil Vassar, I wish to God this concert had never happened.

2. Avett Brothers, Jefferson Center, Sept. 13.

Seth and Scott got all emotionalized in Roanoke.

3. John Mayer, Roanoke Civic Center, Feb. 7.

This was back during his Jessica Simpson phase. He's moved on, but he's still cool.

4. Sara Evans and Josh Turner, Salem Civic Center, April 12.

No more drama, no celebrity scandals, just down-home singing.

5. Rodney Crowell, Jefferson Center, Feb. 2.

Stories, songs and flat-out terrific playing in a fabulous music hall.