7. Cosmonauts - If You Wanna Die, Then I Wanna Die (2011)
Whether they're hanging out at local hub Burger Records, or touring North America with fellow label mates as the 'Caravan Of Stars,' Cosmonauts deserve a spot on the list even if they are a bit psych-rock. Cosmonauts released one hell of a record in 2011. These space invaders call California their home, yet admit they suck at skating and surfing and that some of them don't have jobs but fair enough, their music makes up for it. Alexander Ahmadi and Derek Cowart ping pong between groggy vocal duties throughout the album, which is full of brooding psych-punk hybrids and is done with such ease. 'Dreamboat' feeds off the paisley underground of psych-meets-garage, echoing the lyrics "She is out of control" off the walls of the asylum. 'Please Don't Make Me Blue' highlights the band's sonic and well crafted songwriting while the gritty 'Motorcycle #1' and seaside 'Emerald Green' are stand out hits on the album. 'Two Dollars and Fifty Cents' has Cowart rolling his eyes to the back of his head in a drone while singing about forgetting his wallet, as album ballad 'Caroline' impresses with a melody that flowers as each second passes. Whatever the Cosmonauts influences are, and even if they can't surf and don't work for the man, it's paying off for them.