For second consecutive year (see 2006) I’m listing a few of my favorite new music albums. Here are my selections for 2007’s releases:

• Blackfield - “Blackfield II“: Not only one of my favorite albums of 2007, Blackfield II is perhaps one of the best CDs I have heard (quite a claim). Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and Aviv Geffen return with a consistent disc. The music is fairly straightforward, highlighting piano, guitar, string arrangements, and a few synths. My favorite track is “My Gift of Silence”. The band also released “Blackfield - NYC“, a DVD of a live show in New York which is definitely worth checking out. The live performance’s variations on the songs make them more powerful than the studio versions.
• Porcupine Tree - “Fear of a Blank Planet“: This is the second release from a Steve Wilson on this list. The album is a bit less experimental than previous Porcupine Tree releases, but it is still a solid listen. The epic song “Anesthetize” (over 17 minutes) highlights the disc.
• Dream Theater - “Systematic Chaos“: I was let down by Dream Theater’s previous outings, “Train of Thought” and “Octavarium“, but “Systematic Chaos” is a great release. The album is bookended by two parts of “In the Presence of Enemies”, an interesting epic in Dream Theater’s now familiar style.
• Glass Hammer - “Culture of Ascent“: I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. All of Glass Hammer’s previous releases have been solid and I really enjoyed “The Inconsolable Secret“, but “Culture of Ascent” introduces new elements to the group’s sound. The album is heavier than previous releases with more prominent guitars. “South Side of the Sky” is an excellent cover of the classic Yes song. “Ember without Name” kept my interest for its entire duration (over 16 minutes) with a sounds that were unexpected but contribute to the song.
• Jimmy Eat World - “Chase This Light“: This was another surprising album in a genre I usually don’t listen to. The songs are generally consistent and upbeat. “Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues” is a fantastic song that is quite different from the others on the disc.
• Jordan Rudess - “The Road Home“: Rudess is the keyboardist for Dream Theater. This solo album consists of classic prog rock songs redone in Rudess’ style. Prominent prog musicians feature in most of the tracks. The highlights are Sound Chaser and Tarkus.
• Riverside - “Rapid Eye Movement“: Riverside is a prog rock band from Poland. “Rapid Eye Movement” is their third album and is a continuation of the themes introduced in the previous releases. The sound is heavier than in previous releases. 02 Panic Room stands out from the other tracks.

Honorable mentions go to Hayehudim - “Forte” and Symphony X - “Paradise Lost“.