{Over the coming weeks, our staff writers here at TIG will be posting their best of 2007 lists. We welcome you to read, comment... and most of all, VOTE for your own favorites in our Best of 2007 Readers Poll.}

2007 has been a frustrating year for me. I've so wanted to latch on to some awesome band or album and feel just kinda 'eh' about everything. I have higher hopes for 2008.

But in the spirit of the season, I offer you my list of bands/songs that gave me hope this year (in no particular order):

• Team Waterpolo "Letting Go"
• Office "Oh My"
• Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip "The Beat That My Heart Skipped"
• CSS "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above"
• Justice "D.A.N.C.E."
• Modest Mouse "Dashboard"
• Klaxons "Magick"
• Shiny Toy Guns "You Are the One"
• Mark Ronson "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before"