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If there’s one record that everyone and no one should own as the new year comes to an end it’s The Brag and Cuss.

Check out Sean Rayford’s other top picks…

Rocky Votolato: The Brag & Cuss Album of the Year

The Brag & Cuss strolls in on Americana life on the back of a coal car as cigarette smoke floats by in the foggy air somewhere between Memphis and San Francisco. It’s a time capsule of the good ole U.S. of A in a fantasy year without killing sprees in mall commercialism, the war on terror and nuclear proliferation. And no one cares about Iran.

It’s what current presidential candidates wish was their soundtrack to a victory in ‘08. Hell, Ron Paul would find himself in the White House if he had a TV advertisement backed by “Postcard From Kentucky” or “Before You Were Born.”

Featuring the ghostly voice of the brother of the Blood Brother, Rocky Votolato croons like no other dancing around the banjo, acoustic guitar and harmonica, ushering in a hopeful sunrise in the indie rock world of Barsuk Records. Ben Gibbard, who?

If there’s one record that everyone and no one should own as the new year comes to an end it’s The Brag and Cuss. If this record doesn’t click for you feel free to set your dial to the FM and get your dance moves to “Soulja Boy” down.

Gaslight Anthem: Sink or Swim

I don’t personally listen to this stellar record of fist raising sing-a-long anthems on my own much because I haven’t been able to get away from the infatuation that bartenders at the New Brookland Tavern have for this band. This New Brunswick (yeah imagine a scene changing band from that town) destroys Against Me!s New Wave record (which has been topping the Best Of lists of 2007) with a chainsaw and sledgehammer.

In fact Gaslight Anthem has brought out the coolest weapons of all time to slay other punk rock records from the year, including the flame thrower, the medieval bludgeoning mace and the ever favorite current day taser. Don’t tase me bro!

Look Mexico: This is Animal Music

Somewhere sandwiched between The Appleseed Cast and Minus the Bear with a hint of pop sensibility this Tallahassee four piece will secure the longings of such previous bands’ fans with the sincere vocal duties of Matt Agrella soothing your hard day’s nights. The band stopped through Columbia to play in front of an impressive 15 plus person extravaganza this fall not only forgetting to play on the stage but also ignoring the preconceived notions that bands play while standing up.

The Terrible Twos: Have You Ever Seen an Owl…

Before a night of disco bowling Matt Pryor once spoke to me about the insane songwriting abilities of fellow Get Up Kids bandmate James Dewees (Reggie and the Full Effect). Well, Matt you’ve just pulled your indie race car right up alongside of Common Denominator and Fluxuation. The Terrible Twos, a children’s project by the Get Up Kids lead vocalist, Pryor turns frowns upside down like Kiddie City (or as my father once put it, Tittie City).

Right along the likes of later Kids’ records and the New Amsterdams The Terrible Twos inspires twenty-somethings and two year-olds alike with songs like “Lady Bug,” “Math Stomp” “We Can All Get Along With Dinosaurs” and “oneplusoneistwo.”

This is no Four Minute Mile but we’re all a lot older now and might need to go back.

Hail Social: Modern Love & Death

Bass lines, bass lines and more bass lines derived from the fingers of the smallest Asian looking dude in a band on the East Coast. This is one serious “All Night” fantasy journey of intergalactic limo rides sprinkled with Tanqueray and tonics.

If you thought their self titled effort was killer be prepared to be slain.

In addition, here’s two records from bands that could shit into a bucket and still top the best records of ‘07 lists

Minus the Bear: Planet of Ice

Against Me!: New Wave

And finally my favorite local record of the old year: Due East: Due East