Deerhunter — Cryptograms

If Atlanta (also home to The Black Lips) is the new Texas (the new U.S. home of indie rock), then Deerhunter are its At The Drive-in. It just feels like something this good can't possibly last. Given that guitarist Colin Mee quit and then rejoined the band in the fall, it probably won't. The quintet had two significant releases in 2007 — this and the Flourescent Grey EP, the songs of which somehow managed to outdistance those on the brilliant Cryptograms. The full-length combines subtle ambience with pop that explodes from your speakers. The title track begins with frontman Bradford Cox's startling, pedal-drenched vocals and then drifts into one of the best guitar assaults of the year. The record kicks into high gear in the second half with the one-two punch of "Spring Hall Convert" and "Strange Lights," which resonate so powerfully it's hard to believe they're positioned right beside each other. Deerhunter might not have been the year's most popular indie rock act, but they were its best.