02.
Cold War Kids
Robbers And Cowards

Every year, there is at least one utterly classic album. This year there were two. Cold War Kids’ debut is an astounding mix of soul, blues, rock and indie, demonstrating technical prowess, originality and a nose for a hook from what are essentially a bunch of kids. It’s worrying when your musical idols become younger than you. Live, they were amazing, but it is the unique nature of the record that is really important. The lyrical genius and chorus-stomp of ‘We Used to Vacation’, the haunting piano of ‘Hospital Beds’ and the beautiful simplicity of ‘Robbers’ (it’s just two chords and nothing else, for Christ sake) are merely some examples of the general brilliance on offer. An album that always makes me think and feel, every single time I play it. This was the first eligible album I bought in 2007: a January purchase that lasted all year. Were it not for the masterpiece that is my no.1, it would easily have been album of the year.