Top albums of 2007 (so far)

I thought I'd try something a little different today. I've historically waited until December to post my top ten records of the year, but I've decided to go ahead and share some of the albums that have already caught my attention in 2007 and then we'll see where (and if) they stack up at the end of the year. As always, I'd love to hear any feedback from anyone else who might be enjoying these albums (hint, hint, hint, hint) as well as if anyone has any recommendations for new music I should be looking into based on what I'm listening to.

The Red Button: She's About to Cross My Mind - This is like the second coming of the Beatles. It literally sounds as if it could've been a lost Beatles album, recorded in between "Help" and "Rubber Soul."

Locksley: Don't Make Me Wait - These guys also remind me of the Beatles, although a bit harder-rocking. They have some pretty decent tunes, and it's worthy of a couple of listens.

Bryan Scary: The Shredding Tears - I've really been digging this record. It's pretty, ornate and fairly deep. It definitely takes several listens to start getting into as there's a lot going on, but I've found it to be very rewarding if you give it a chance. I'd liken it to late-era Beatles, as the music's considerably involved, but the melodies are still there.

Drake Bell: It's Only Time – This is an insane sugar rush of power-pop goodness, and no, I don't care that he's the star of "Drake & Josh," a Nickelodeon kid's show. That show's theme song, "Found a Way," is fucking awesome, and there's a great acoustic version of it on this album. There are also seemingly a million minor chords in every song, and the vocals and background harmonies would make Second Saturday blush. Hell, there are even traces of Jellyfish in here. This is the kind of record that seems to have been made specifically to please my ears.

Everybody Else (self titled) - This is a spectacularly upbeat and awesome rock album. It's buoyantly catchy - initially I had trouble pinpointing this band's kindred spirits, but with a little help from my good pal Skip, I realized it sounds like it could've been the next OK Go album.

The Fizzies: Contest Popularity - This one's interesting - I liked it upon the first go-through, then found myself slightly unimpressed on the second go-through (I don't know if that's ever happened to me before). However, upon repeated listens, I've come to really enjoy it. It's a catchy little rock album, and reminds me of White Light Motorcade and maybe a little Marvelous3.

Tripsitter: California Son - This apparently came out in 2005, but I don't care. Toss in beautiful vocal harmonies, minor chords, pretty arrangements and a Beach Boys/Beatles fetish and you'll get a reasonable idea of what Tripsitter is all about. This is an awesome album, and a perfect record for a drive to the beach. This album literally feels like summer.

Sondre Lerche: Phantom Punch - I just started listening to this album during the past week, and I'm already impressed. I've been having a little trouble defining the sound - it's not power-pop, but the songs are excellently arranged and all contain numerous hooks and catchy choruses. It almost sounds like a more upbeat Ben Kweller if you took away his piano and replaced it with guitars.