2007: number 10

White Rabbits
Fort Nightly
Aside from a couple tracks on myspace I hadn't heard much from this Brooklyn-based band before accompanying a couple of friends to see them open for British rock group The Cribs. Since that night, however, after seeing them put the arguably terrible headlining band to shame, I haven't stopped listening to their highly impressive debut album. Combining poppy hooks, honky-tonk piano and thunderous percussion (two drummers - w00t!) with rather dark, often melancholy lyrics, White Rabbits crafted a near perfect indie rock record, one which is only put to shame by their energetic, shamelessly fun live show. And maybe a little by the fact the bassist shaves his entire body and carries around a knapsack with Catcher in the Rye in it. True story.