Tim: News Editor

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  The Antlers — In the Attic of the Universe

  Here's the short story of The Antlers. 21-year-old Pete Silberman has been making music for years, and recently moved to New York City and set up a studio that no doubt makes up the majority of his cramped apartment. But what came out of that was the lengthy eight-song EP In the Attic of the Universe. Silberman began mailing out the CD to whoever would listen, and initially sold it from his apartment for $5, complete with a handwritten envelope. The disc alternates between unbelievably rich songs (one guy did this?) and can't-miss instrumental interludes, which all blend together to form the ultimate rainy-day CD. Is he the next Sufjan Stevens? The next Spencer Krug? F**k no, he's Pete Silberman! Endless potential here in this gem.

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  Animal Collective — Strawberry Jam

  Blah blah, this was the year of Animal Collective, blah blah, Panda Bear, blah blah, whatever. The fact is the psych-folk-electronic group outdid their last stellar effort--2005's Feels--and didn't even seem to break a sweat. Sure, drummer/synth player Panda Bear's solo record yielded the year's best single (the 12-minute "Bros"), but Strawberry Jam is the year's best record front-to-back...provided that you like your tunes weird. Very weird.

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  Page France — ...and the Family Telephone

  Many a bad mood has been cured by this album from Maryland-based five-piece Page France, which showcases the group's transition to bona fide pop masters. Frontman Mike Neu has cemented the twang in his voice first heard in 2005's Hello, Dear Wind, and the results are fantastic and quirky. Neu's lyrics regress to childlike fantasy--perfect for a sunny day of stoning out in the park.

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  Rock Plaza Central — Are We Not Horses?

  (Cheating a bit here because the album was self-released in 2006, but got an official US release in 2007.) Concept albums can walk with stunningly perfect posture or fall flat on their faces. Canadian troupe Rock Plaza Central's Are We Not Horses? walks the runway with ease, both in its story and musical composition. The story: Robot horses are forced into a war with angels; one mechanical horse finds love. The music: twangy guitars plus stirring violins plus aching horns. My must-have album of the year.

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  Menomena — Friend and Foe

  The third full-length from Portland, Oregon-based trio Menomena trips through fragmented rhythms, sudden melodies, and giant heart-wrenching swells to create an album that is so in-your-face you can practically feel the breeze. The sound has the playfulness of youngsters on a Playskool set, yet Menomena come off as more than competent artists. There's definitely something sinister going on here, and Friend and Foe gleefully pulls the listener to the dark side. Evil genius at its best. Bonus: The video for "Evil Bee" is the best of the year. Double bonus: Smoosh likes them, too.