Best of 2007: Rock

Rockers Return from the Dead
If rock's big headlines were made into a movie,  it'd be zombie flick; a relentless onslaught of gray-skinned ghouls return to feast on the succulent blood of the living -- or, at least, the disposable income of boomers. Genesis, Crowded House and a half-formed Zeppelin all took the stage in one form or another, even if reunion-of-the-year honors belong to The Police. Add in the Smashing Pumpkins, The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Sex Pistols, and 2007's reunion fever was nearly unremitting. Don't expect any reprieve in the coming year either, as yet another Extreme reunion leaves us at a loss for -- rim shot! -- more than words.

(Live) Earth, Wind(bags), and (Media) Fire(storm) … and (Roger) Waters
The multi-city onslaught of Live Earth did much to raise the volume on environmental issues, even if a co-billing of the best and worst rock acts, including Fall Out Boy, Duran Duran, Shakira and Metallica, made it seem like global warming had reached its ultimate endgame: hell on Earth. Presented in part by Al Gore, Live Earth's numbers were titanic -- seven continents, nine countries, 150 bands and 15 million live video streams. But so was the event's controversy, including grumbling from both right wingers and environmental watch agencies, hubbub about financial transparency, and outspoken opponents that included The Who and Bob Geldof. Dagnabit Gore, you win. We'll change all the light bulbs to the squiggly ones that cost $4 each, if someone will please give John Mayer the hook.

Phil Spector Murder Mistrial
You'd think the man who invented the "Wall of Sound," co-wrote "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," and (allegedly) pulled a gun on John Lennon would have exhausted his 15 minutes of fame. But after being glued to Phil Spector's murder trial since 2003, we were almost disappointed to see it end in the anticlimax of mistrial. Still, throw on the Wrecking Crew and raise a glass to the American justice system.

Indie Rock Becomes About as Indie as a Latte
When Modest Mouse formalized the addition of Smith's guitarist Johnny Marr, it was one of the more intriguing tidbits of 2006, but the No. 1 debut of We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, co-written by Marr, and the continued commercial sovereignty of the White Stripes continued to muddle our definitions of mainstream and indie rock. Those two acts may have pulled out of the underground station ages ago, but 2007 saw mainstream results for other would-be indie darlings. The Shins nabbed a No. 2 debut for Wincing the Night Away, Arcade Fire got a No. 2 out of Neon Bible, and Spoon snuck into the top 10 for Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Will Oldham has capped his teeth and is waiting by the phone for the call from Vanessa Minnillo.

Bruce Springsteen: 2007's Bob Dylan
Uncle Bobby took home bushels of unvaried critical adoration for last year's Modern Times, but 2007 was all Boss, delighting boomers by reuniting with his E Street Band (even the guy from "Conan"!) on Magic. "Radio Nowhere" was this year's "I was thinkin' about Alicia Keys" -- inspiring more soul cringe than that horrible day when you discovered the truth about your parent's curiously shaped "massager." For Springsteen's Magic, and the ensuing tour, the nostalgic good ole days were in no short supply. It's no Tunnel of Love, but it was still a triumph for The Boss.

Zeppelin on the Verizon
After years of speculation and untold reams of legal documentation, the wrinkled remains of  Led Zeppelin announced in October that they would finally enter the digital age. For the first time ever, the band's songs would be available for legal download. However, many a stoner uncle shook his longish hair-covered head in dismay at the details of the plan, which unrolled the iconic band's first downloadable goods as ringtones for Verizon Wireless devices.

Minutes to Midnight Owns Your Ass
Linkin Park ranked a notable third in record sales for the year with their third LP, Minutes to Midnight, which trailed the soundtrack to High School Musical 2 (thanks to Vanessa Hudgens' nekked photo scandal?) and the debut from "American Idol" bad boy Daughtry, who we'll get to later.

Van Halen Fans Cruelly Teased By Fate, Paul Schaffer
After the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gave the nod to Van Halen, the group finally answered the prayers of devoted minions by announcing the full-fledged Diamond Dave reunion tour. But the plan came apart at the seams when Eddie went into rehab, and the only ones to show up at the Hall of Fame induction were Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar (both ex-members), who plodded through "Why Can't This Be Love" with Paul Schaffer. Nearly 10 months later, the band -- with Roth -- announced a vintage lineup tour, a magnificent conclusion to a roller coaster year for the band's fans.

Daughtry Owns Your Ass Too, No Matter What Simon Says
By issuing the second best-selling album of 2007, Daughtry not only proved the insatiable, enduring market for chest-thumping alpha rock, but also the wide-reaching cultural command of "American Idol." By outselling and charting better than "Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, failed "Idol" contestant Chris Daughtry also proved that the show could be a bona fide kingmaker, even for its losers.

Wal-Mart, Starbucks: Rock's New Record Moguls
Two of the year's biggest records, The Eagles' Road Out of Eden and Paul McCartney's Memory Almost Full, made the traditional record industry's decline painfully evident by appearing in exclusive deals with Wal-Mart and Starbucks, respectively. A harbinger of things to come, both were unique in their approach and deliriously successful. We can only hope next holiday season will yield a venture between our favorite fast food joint and backup singer: McDonald's Presents: Michael McDonalds Presents.