Lead singer Karen O pours beer on herself with the sloppy expertise of a Girl Gone Wild, which, frankly, is kind of a turn-off. But she can sing. "Modern Romance" is as wistful as anything by The Cure, while the ferocious "Black Tongue" would have been a radio hit if not for the growling curses in the chorus. If O ever drops the six-pack and thinks up something to say, this band will be dangerous.
Best Tracks: "Black Tongue," "Maps"
Epic times call for epic art, and nothing moved us more than The Return of the King. Other things we loved: Louis Vuitton, William Boyd and BBC's The Office And to the Atlanta group OutKast, we say "Stank you very much!"