It’s that time again, the month when the music press reveal which albums have been keeping their boats afloating in 2007.

We present to you, part 1 of the Room Thirteen Album Review of the Year. Given that it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll have heard all the records we’ve listed, if a description catches the eye, click the title to read more.

Alter bridge - ‘Blackbird’
“’Blackbird’ has allowed them to break free and become purely Alter Bridge. This album is a much heavier offering but still holds on to the melodic choruses and crunchy riffs of ‘One day Remains’. Existing fans of Alter Bridge will be delighted with this album, for potential new fans, if you want to buy and try out a band you've never listened to before, then look no further than this, I swear you will not be disappointed. My favourite album of the year!” Paul Chesworth

Arcade Fire - ‘Neon Bible’
“The special allure of Arcade Fire's second album comes from the same intoxicating blend of diverse instrumentation and mellifluous vocals, always aspiring to something greater and never falling short of sublime. 'Neon Bible' offers rousing anthems and introspective refrains aplenty.” Jo Vallance

Arctic Monkeys - ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’
“If the Monkeys offered up ‘Whatever People Say I Am…’ part 2, they would have been torn apart, but any change in direction was never going to be met with 100% praise and although ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ drops its pace a bit at times and there’s a world-weary edge to some of the tracks that wasn’t present on the debut, it’s a pretty good indicator of where the band's head was at and is probably the best album they were ever likely to make at the time.” Andy Reilly

Tim Armstrong - ‘A Poet’s Life’
“An album packed with catchy tunes that are pretty timeless, that draws on influences from many genres. The anger and balls to the wall tough attitude is absent here, as Tim gives us an album that you can chill out and have fun to, and although the beats aren't as aggressive there are still some tough messages in the lyrics. This isn't a punk album by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not a pop or reggae album either.” Jim Ody

Asteroid - ‘Asteroid’
“While it's true that if you're searching for lyrical sophistication and iambic intensity, Asteroid probably isn't your best bet (for example "Do we know where sunshine goes/When the sun no longer shines"...ahem), that's not really the point. Asteroid exists for one reason and one reason alone: to rock and this album doesn't disappoint. Quite simply, 'Asteroid' is an album of incredible musicianship, great song writing and a vibe so infectious that the government will probably try to criminalise it.” Stuart Anderson

Biffy Clyro - ‘Puzzle’
“This album is proof that a good band can become a great band and that the British music scene is home to some great acts. The band have gone places they have never gone before on this album, showing what accomplished musicians they are.” Tara Couper

Coheed and Cambria - ‘No World for Tomorrow’
“The album isn't as quirky and disjointed as earlier works, it's definitely more casual listener friendly, but then the older stuff isn't exactly experimental jazz. It is as complicated as you want it to be, listen casually and it'll quite happily entertain while passing you by, but if you want to get all muso about it, it will get your musical neurons firing. You can't say that about many bands. This is one of those albums that you'll be telling people to buy if they show any rock tendencies at all.” Terry Broadhurst

Cooper Temple Clause - ‘Make This Your Own’
“This is an album which sees the Cooper Temple Clause in a more varied mood than ever. During recording they approached the song writing with a much more stripped down attitude and this has succeeded in making this a record more focused on its melodies. That said it also features some of their heavier songs to date meaning that 'Make This Your Own' is the most interesting LP of their career.” Simon Webb

The Crimea - ‘Secrets Of The Witching Hour’
“If The Crimea never make it any bigger, I don't think themselves, or I, for that matter will care, just as long as they give us a couple more albums like these, and the charismatic Davey MacManus remains exactly the same, as they tour around the country playing to all of the people that appreciate real music. Okay, I admit it, I'm a fan.” Jim Ody

Dillinger Escape Plan - ‘Ire Works’
“'Ire Works', like its predecessor 'Miss Machine' is heavy, awkward, jagged, huge in scope and yet very listenable, tuneful and very well put together. Dillinger aren’t known for being lads you’d like to take home to meet your parents; incidents like the crap in a bag at the Reading Festival have cemented their reputation as a band with an attitude to match their music, however this can sometimes overshadow their musicianship so forget the stories and just listen!” Emma Gould

Dream Theater - ‘Systematic Chaos’
“Dream Theater has delivered a gem of a recording. The album is varied, interesting, technically brilliant and overall, full of great ideas and catchy songs, a little like 'Images and Words' in that respect. However 'Systematic Chaos' finishes on one of their strongest songs to date. 'In The Presence of Enemies Part II' is sheer excellence encapsulating everything the album is about. The cover may look like Spaghetti Junction being overrun by giant ants but it's a treasure trove of ideas and will no doubt increase their fan base perhaps even winning over some of the prog nay sayers of this world, honestly, they don't know what they're missing, and worthy of my first ever maximum score.” Pete Worral

Editors - ‘An End Has A Start’
“In the beginning there was a young band with a big buzz and the sound of a rejuvenated Joy Division, by 'An End Has A Start' the group have truly grown to masters in their own right. While, 'The Back Room' waned slightly between several big tunes, 'An End Has A Start' is filled from start to end with racing rhythms and incisive lyrics that punch you in the guts.” Jo Vallance

Evile - ‘Enter The Grave’
“If you're like me and hunger for heads down thrash metal with guitar players that shred like their lives depended on it, play riff after riff after riff after riff of quality metal yet all the time keep that sense of melody and ability to keep a song catchy, then you need this album in your life. I can't praise 'Enter the Grave' enough and I feel it could be an essential release in spearheading not only their career but for all the other new thrash bands emerging around Britain.” Pete Worral

Floors and Walls - 'What Can We Do Today?'
“Although a more urban, hip hop style album, rock and Indie fans would most definitely be forgiven for adding this CD to their collection.” Mel Lewis

Ghost Of A Thousand - ‘This Is Where The Fight Begins’
“A British band who can play with more aggression and attitude than most at their age have got to be given a certain amount of respect, especially if they deliver such an exciting album as 'This Is Where The Fight Begins' - a whole 10 tracks of urgent hardcore rock and roll fuelled passion. If you like the Bronx or the Gallows you will like Ghost Of A Thousand. I think that must be about everyone then.” Emma Dalby

The Hedrons - ‘One More Won’t Kill Us’
“One of the problems with The Hedrons is that they don't sit comfortably into any particular genre: not heavy enough for metal fans but too loud and upbeat for pure indie. The quality in depth of the songwriting however should help to overcome this problem as there are no weak links. Bassist Chi had to leave the band due to ongoing health problems just before this was released but she should take heart in the fact that her legacy is secured through a damn fine album.” Andy Latham

Kings of Leon - 'Because of the Times’
“Mixing Springsteen's American soul and the stadium-ready smooth production of U2, Kings of Leon appear to be moving into new and fascinating territory with a mature and compelling third album. As Dylan said, "The times are a-changing" and in Kings of Leon's case, this is no bad thing.” Jo Vallance

Klaxons - ‘Myths of the Near Future’
“For a band that had the backlash waiting for them from before the album was even out, Klaxons did not do a bad job in turning out a very good album. The real trick is what they come back with but for the moment; revel in the organized chaos that is ‘Myths of The Near Future’.” Andy Reilly

Le Loup - ‘The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly’ “In terms of the impact that an album can have, this is the first to offer something new, refreshing and exciting since The Go! Team's ‘Thunder Lightning Strike’. If there is any justice in the world then this will be huge, something that is raised at dinner parties for years to come when making lists of the top albums of the noughties. If you have ever had an imagination and love your music, then this is absolutely essential!” Chris Daykin

Les Savy Fav - ‘Lets Stay Friends’
“Awesomely exuberant and self-reflectively inventive, Les Savy Fav are back with a new collection of inspiring indie tunes. It's been almost 6 years since they recorded a full album of new material and it was worth the wait.” Jo Vallance

Machine Head - ‘The Blackening’
"’The Blackening’ is epic stuff from start to finish, never letting up the aggression and pace. A complex metal album with aggressive but technically sound riffs, impressive pace and excellent production. Recommended.” Emma Gould

Click here for part 2, which picks up with Jesse Malin and runs through to Z, ending on Zico Chain.