After throwing them at the wall, these are the albums that stuck

Top 10 lists are intimidating. What if I miss something good? What if I don't agree with the critics? There's no way I could have heard every single disc last year. How can I be an authority?

Whether it was rock, pop or rap, it all sucked in ’07

10) Reel Big Fish

If it makes Reel Big Fish happy to cling to the dream of a third-wave ska revolution, then more power to them. Still, making ska for the sake of keeping the genre alive doesn't produce the best results. Even though their songs are still upbeat as ever, I can't help but think there were some tears shed behind the scenes for a genre that once was.

Rock or Die!

Bogeymen of nightmares past compel you to rock this Sunday, Jan. 6, with Calling Kevorkian, Anonymous Victims, Scarless, Into the Ocean and Brokencyde. All-ages at the Launchpad ($5/$7), doors open at 7 p.m. (LM)

Pop music for artsy fuckers, inspired by robbery

After an ugly breakup and several robberies, Khaled Tabarra had a wealth of song-writing material.