Aaron Axelsen has been a major force in promoting local independent music with San Francisco's indie-dance party, Popscene and his Sunday night radio show on Live 105. (You can listen from 7-10pm. Check out what he plays, here.) We wanted to feature his top ten albums of the year to find out what he thinks rocked 2007. Here's the list:

Aaron Axelsen, Live 105 Music Director's, Top 10 Albums of 2007

1. Great Northern - Trading Twilight for Daylight (Eenie Meenie Records)
2. Maps - We Can Create (Mute)
3. Radiohead - In Rainbows (ATO)
4. Blonde Redhead - 23 (4ad)
5. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge)
6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (Merge)
7. M.I.A. - Kala (Interscope)
8. Editors - An End Has a Start (Epic)
9. Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River (Dangerbird)
10. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver (Dfa/Capitol)

Take the jump to read about Great Northern's most recent SF concert...

A couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of checking out one of L.A.'s best bands, Great Northern. As Aaron Axelsen's #1 album of 2007, we thought it might be befitting to review their show in tandem. We too, have to agree, that Trading Twilight with Daylight is one of 2007's best albums. Back in May we were first introduced to the lush orchestrated pop songs that Great Northern has created and knew it would be some of the best music of 2007.

Their performance at The Independent, earlier this month, had its flaws but we ignored them because their songs are so solid. We were completely captivated the entire time. The flaws seemed to be with the sound engineer - for whatever reason, they could not get the correct mix (there was even feedback throughout the night). Since the mix was not correct, Rachel Stolte's vocals were a bit pitchy. (We hate to use Randy Jackson's most obnoxious catch-phrase, but she wasn't just flat, she was sharp as well. So alas... pitchy.) Now we fault the sound engineer because clearly Stolte could sing in tune, it just seemed to go in and out - something that could have been fixed with a better mix. With all these sound problems their attitudes seemed to be a bit apathetic for our taste but again, we still were enamored with them because we are in love with the CD.

Though, they might have not converted any new fans from this performance they kept us as a fan. We'll excuse the sound mistakes and the eff-you attitude because their record is just that good. We'll definitely give them another chance.

Highlights of the show: "Low is a Height" and "City of Sleep."

Photo taken by the author