Amy Winehouse, Common, M.I.A. among the top 10 albums of 2007

With the hundreds of albums released this year, finding ten that rose to the top was surprisingly difficult -- few were special enough to merit repeat listens, let alone remain in your brain long after the CD stops playing.

Here are the rare records with a permanent place on our playlists in 2007:

1. "Back to Black," Amy Winehouse

The tragedy of 2007 is that Amy Winehouse is now simply known as the "Rehab" chick with the drug habit, not as the gifted singer-songwriter who created the most compelling album of the year. Winehouse's raspy, soulful voice is dazzling enough on its own; add the retro-soul licks and the alternately hilarious, heartbreaking lyrics, and it's an album that you just cannot shut off.

2. "The Bird and the Bee," The Bird and the Bee

Imagine the Carpenters on acid. That's the best way to describe the surreal pop debut of The Bird and the Bee, comprised of the duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin. George's vocals are dreamy and angelic, but the lyrics are anything but -- one of the album's best tracks is "(Expletive) Boyfriend."

3. "Finding Forever," Common

Maybe Common is just too darn clever and crafty for his own good. Once again, he put out an excellent rap disc that didn't get the attention it deserved, but perhaps only a select group can appreciate the intellect, wit and charm he dispenses with each rhyme: This ain't for the "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)" crowd. Though rap certainly needs some Common Sense these days more than ever.

Also on the list: 4. The "Once" soundtrack; 5. "Graduation," Kanye West; 6. "Double Up," R. Kelly; 7. "As I Am," Alicia Keys; 8. "Alright, Still," Lily Allen; 9. "Good Girl Gone Bad," Rihanna; 10. "Kala," M.I.A.