7. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas: True, this album came out in 2006, but it didn't pick up (pardon the pun) steam until 2007, when "Lazy Eye" and "Well Thought Out Twinkles" ascended to become hit singles for the band. When I first started listening to this CD near the end of 2006, it was the only album I listened to for weeks. "Three Seed," "Rusted Wheel" and the aforementioned singles are just some of what makes this record in ingenious mix of probable influences ranging from the shoegaze and dream-pop of Ride, Smashing Pumpkins, and My Bloody Valentine and the alternative stylings of The Pixies.

Having met the band in March of 2007 a day after opening for Snow Patrol in Boston, I found out from singer Brian Aubert that The Clash was an influence on him as well. You may not sense that listening to Carnavas, but you will find plenty of great songs on it nonetheless.

Seven albums I also dug, but not quite as much as the above list:

1. Carrie Akre - Last The Evening: This veteran Seattle singer and musician has peaked at the right time.
2. Bruce Springsteen - Magic: Another year, another solid batch of songs from The Boss. What else more is there to say?
3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Sure I liked it, but the album was a bit over-hyped, I think. Having said that, Win and Regine Butler's new friendship with Springsteen is just beyond cool. And their performance together of "Keep The Car Running" last October in Ottawa was simply amazing. Watch it here.
4. Prong - Power Of The Damager: Another underrated and influential artist, this one from the power metal world.
5. Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times: These Southern boys have gotten better by leaps and bounds since they first started in 2000. This, their third album, is their best and most ambitious album to date.
6. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light: Sometimes old-school emo, more often radio-friendly power pop, this influential group has made their best record since 2001.
7. Sevendust - Alpha. Another highly influential alternative metal act that got back to what they did best: recording brutally heavy, pummeling metal the way they used to on earlier records going back to the late '90s and early 2000s. It's not all memorable metal, but good enough for my tastes.