One of of my resolutions last January was to "return to my roots" and focus a little more on the punk music that sustained my teenage years. I think I did a pretty good job accomplishing that goal. So you don't like punk music? Tough. Yeah, I like my fair share of indie rock and other such fare, but the Burial record did nothing for me. Neither did the Panda Bear album or Neon Bible. Deal with it.


30. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (Sony)
MP3 | Missed The Boat
How cool is it that Issac Brock and Johnny Marr are in the same band? Read the full post here.


29. Radiohead - In Rainbows (Self Released)
MP3 | Bodysnatchers
Just when was thinking to myself that Radiohead had begun to become less relevant in today's world of flash-in-the-pan indie darlings and blog overhype they went and did this and made me eat my words. Bastards.


28. Chuck Ragan - Feast Or Famine (Side One Dummy)
MP3 | For Broken Ears
The proper solo debut from Chuck of Hot Water Music is full of gut-wrenching Americana that does not disappoint. Armed with only his acoustic guitar, a harmonica, banjo, fiddle, and a few other rootsy overdubs for cover, you can hear Chuck's passion in every heartfelt breath. Read the full post here.


27. Paramore - Riot! (Fueled By Ramen)
MP3 | That's What You Get
Despite their impressive live set at the Warped Tour this past summer I didn't expect Riot! to be this good. It contains some of the catchiest pop songs I've heard in awhile where the focus is on Hayley Williams' soaring vocals, but it brings some big hardcore-style breakdowns and speedy pop-punk to the table. Read the full post here.


26. Tegan And Sara - The Con (Sire)
MP3 | The Con
On first listen I despised the layered whining vocals but I couldn't stop playing the album. The songs are great, it is infectious without being catchy, but even now I'm not entirely sure if I actually like them or if its the audio equivalent of a messy car accident that you can't peel your eyes away from. Maybe a little of both, or maybe I'm just fooling myself. Read the full post here.


25. Bomb The Music Industry! - Get Warmer (Asian Man)
MP3 | Bike Test 1 2 3
This might be the most "fun" album released in 2007. It is overflowing with punk, ska, folk, folk-punk, ska-punk, soul and everything in between where zany synths mingle with traditional ska type horn stabs and gruff, shouted, punk rock vocals dance around a dirt-poor three ring circus. Read the full post here.


24. St. Vincent - Marry Me (Beggars Banquet)
MP3 | Now Now
A timeless record with inventive and darkly quirky arrangements that draw upon influences ranging from jazz standards, space rock, classical, Eastern music, and the skronk of the avant garde. A playful combination of muted brass, strings, samples, programming, piano, etc... or maybe it is just Annie Clark's enchanting voice. Read the full post here.


23. The Jai-Alai Savant - Flight Of The Bass Delegate (Gold Standard Labs)
MP3 | Scarlett Johansson, Why Don't You Love Me?
Danceable meandering dub and reggae-influenced proto post-punk jams that are eclectic, adventurous, and refuse to adhere to conventions. Challenging and scorching music that with catchy hooks and moments that rock with the same angular skronk that Fugazi made famous. Read the full post here.


22. !!! - Myth Takes (Warp)
MP3 | A New Name
Myth Takes is overflowing with slinky dance-punk that has mysteriously writhed its way up from the subterranean depths. Guitars whirr and horns stab while the drums pump out dance floor banging beats like a candy factory gone awry. It is organic, glitchy, bouncy, and conjures images of darkly sweaty bodies that are moving hyper-motion. Read the full post here.


21. Latterman - We Are Still Alive (Deep Elm/No Idea)
MP3 | Water Manes At The Block's End
Catchy but gritty pop-punk anthems that I can imagine bunches of sweaty kids crammed into a VFW singing/screaming along to. Its rough but melodic and would sit nicely in your collection alongside records from Dillinger Four, Hot Water Music, The Lawrence Arms, etc... Read the full post here.


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