2007

"If the UNRELATED SEGMENTS are on the Nuggets compilation, I would say they are the best group," Mathias Lilja of THE MAHARAJAS told us back in 2004. "In fact, most of my personal gods from the sixties only made two or three songs worth listening to." Lucky for us, this prolific garage band takes a more holistic approach to their craft. 2007's "In Pure Spite" reveals the numerous talents of this four-piece garage pop machine have grown to mind-boggling proportions. "Alaska Beach" shuffles along with a fabulous guitar solo and haunting nods to VELVET UNDERGROUND despondency. "Not a New Sensation" vaults from the speakers, glimmering with captivating choruses and the greatest riff THE SMALL FACES never wrote. There's no shortage of their trademark lyrical wit, Lilja crooning and purring curious phrases like "I've had my share of dirty love. From every possible angle, with a latex glove!" between the handclaps. While previous MAHARAJAS releases demonstrated the band's ability to outshine their contemporaries, the front-to-back quality of "In Pure Spite" actually tops many celebrated releases from the 1960s.

Picks of the litter, 2007: