5. Trouble In Dreams (2008)

The brilliant Trouble In Dreams is in some ways the orphan child of the Destroyer catalog, perched someplace between the overt rock tendencies of Streethawk and the more contemplative gestures that were to follow. Opener “Blue Flower/Blue Flames,” with its winsome reference to “fresh hells to attend to,” is perhaps the most engaging opening track in a long line of brilliant Destroyer entrees. Meanwhile the explicit rock moves of the follow up track “Dark Leaves Form A Thread” lights the way toward a new, Feelies-style jangle rock approach. Overall, this is a transitional record, but also a great one. Album closer “Libby’s First Sunrise” is Destroyer’s “Day In The Life” — a gorgeous and disturbing account of a compelling character who has divided his time between wandering around and fucking around. “The light holds a terrible secret,” Bejar repeats — and who could doubt him.