Michael Rand is the digital sports editor at the Star Tribune, and contributor to The Current's Morning Show Monday segment 'The Sporting Life.'

Here is my list of 7, though it's mostly based on songs not albums because I really only buy songs these days. I'm so bad.

Black Keys - Turn Blue
Mostly because of the song Fever, which as my friend Steve Neuman would say is a jam and three-quarters. It's nearly two full jams in in just one jam. That's a lot of jam.

Foster the People - Supermodel
"Best Friend" is one of the best songs of the year, and I don't care who knows it.

The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Because obviously.

Big Data - "Dangerous"
I know it's just a single, but it's probably my favorite song of the year.

New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers
Everything they touch turns to something nice for the ears. Title track on this album is one of my favorites.

Beck - Morning Phase
Simply because I love Beck and one time about 12 years ago someone thought we looked alike.

Broken Bells - After the Disco
The song "Control" helps me return from too high or too low to a nice, centered place.

LEAST FAVORITE: U2 - SONGS OF INNOCENCE
Because of the stupid iTunes intrusion and because I've always thought U2 was overrated.