6. The Virgins - The Virgins



This was an easily overlooked album this year. The Virgins’ college party-rock didn’t necessarily draw attention to itself, but it rewarded repeated listening. It was definitely the TV-soundtrack album of the year, because the music fit perfectly on shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 (or so I’m told--I haven’t seen either of those). The album’s full of bouncy sing-along songs that find the middle ground between The Strokes and The Cars. Their dancier stuff, like Teen Lovers and Murder, are the highlights, but even the mellower songs stand out.

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5. Delays - Everything‘s The Rush



Delays are one of the best bands in the world right now…and one of the most overlooked. This album suffered from raised expectations on my part after 2006’s #1 album You See Colours. It was bound to disappoint at least a little. There are so many tracks on here that should have been singles, though, starting with the excellent “bonus track” The Earth Gave Me You. Delays are the most epic band when they want to be, and much of this album showcased this in perfect form. I would have liked another Valentine or Lost In A Melody, but that’s almost too much to ask for.

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