210. HOT FUSS by The Killers

This 2004 debut album by the Las Vegas natives catapulted them to superstardom on the heels of multiple hit singles and positive critical reviews. The combination of alternative rock vibes mixed with synth heavy grooves gave the record a sound unlike anything else at the time. Couple that with lead singer Brandon Flowers showmanship and it's no surprise that they hit it big so fast (and were able to sustain that success).

There's no better place to start than with 'Mr. Brightside' - the single that literally put them on the map in the UK. The combination of the opening guitar riff with the mid-song synth break illustrates perfectly that unique sound I was talking about earlier. Move on to 'Somebody Told Me' and 'Change Your Mind.' These are a couple more uptempo tracks that will get you grooving. Finally, end with what I think is their best song, not just on this record but in their entire catalog - 'All These Things That I've Done.' This track will not only get your adrenaline pumping but will leave you with that inevitable earworm, "I got soul, but I'm not a solider," for the rest of the day.

Here's an excellent live version from the Live 8 concert in 2005