1.  Bon Iver — For Emma, Forever Ago

Without any question, my favorite album of the year, and then some.  A deeply thought-provoking sonic and lyrical tour de force and one of the best late night, dead of winter albums of all time.  I don’t remember another album where my understanding of the entire message was completely turned upside down by the last lyric of the last song.  Incredible.  All strikes, no misses.  And the circumstances surrounding this album’s creation only add to its awe-inspiring effect.  Extra points for creating a new PIIYF genre: Gin-Hole music.  So, get yourself a shovel, get yourself some gin, and enjoy.

 

2.  Plants and Animals — Parc Avenue

One of the most ambitious releases of the year, Parc Avenue contains some of the boldest and smartest arrangements around.  Equally unique and listenable and with little or no regard for traditional song structure, Parc Avenue is a masterpiece that will be a tough act to follow for anyone.

 

3.  Fleet Foxes — Fleet Foxes

A tough call here, as I could have easily swapped this in at number two.  A truly unique sound, similarly clever in arrangement as Parc Avenue, and a purely enjoyable listen.  I gave the nod to Plants and Animals as the Foxes’ sound here is just a little more uniform, but this could have very well come in at #2.  Put this Baroque pop gem in your Baroque pop gem hole.

 

4.  Blitzen Trapper — Furr

A late entry into the race for me, this may be one of the most difficult albums I have heard in a while to classify.  Pop, classic rock, folk, alt. country?  It’s all of those and none of them at the same time.  Yet, somehow it all hangs together though in a glorious mélange of awesome.  A tremendously creative effort that offers a little something for everyone.  If “Gold for Bread” can’t get you going in the morning, nothing can.

 

5.  The Gaslight Anthem — The 59 Sound

Steering wheel drummers of the world unite!  Again, a tough call, as The Gaslight Anthem and Blitzen Trapper duked it out for the #4 spot.  As noted by everyone, it is Springsteen-esque, but rather if the E Street Band had all had mohawks and set things on stage on fire.  In the end, it lost out to Blitzen Trapper only due to its adherence to a little more uniform of a sound.  The formula works though, and track after track will have you cranking up the volume.

 

6.  Ray Lamontagne — Gossip in the Grain

Ok, yes, it’s not Trouble.  But then again, what is?  Nonetheless, Ray Lamontagne just keeps throwing great music at us.  Perhaps a more Trouble-like collection of songs than his sophomore album, Gossip in the Grain continues to present songs as worn as old time standards, but which are in stunning reality new creations of the Maine born, husky-voiced hobo look alike.  I will never bother to preview another Lamontagne album again, I’ll just buy them.

 

7.  Jamie Lidell — Jim

Jamie Lidell proves again that he’s got soul like I’ve got sarcasm.  A tighter, largely more Motown-esque collection of songs than his first (and incredible) album Multiply, I defy you to keep your feet still while listening to Jim.  With tracks like “Little Bit of Feel Good,” this album has to be one of the best times you’ll have all year.

 

8.  The Black Keys — Attack and Release

2008 marked my introduction to this two-piece, white-bread blues group, having heard both Attack and Release and Rubber Factory for the first time this year.  Both are excellent, but once again, Danger Mouse shows that no matter how good you are, he can make you better.  Old school, crunchy guitar-driven blues meets sophisticated, inventive production.  Brilliant results abound, demonstrated patently by tracks like “Psychotic Girl.”  

 

9.  The Helio Sequence — Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Yet another two-man band, and amazingly so.  The Helio Sequence puts out an impressive amount and array of sound for just being two people.  Perhaps the most pop-hook replete album on my top ten list this year, Keep Your Eyes Ahead contains a number of completely infectious melodies and riffs that pleasantly stick in your head all day long.

 

10.  The Kills — Midnight Boom

One final pair to round out the list, The Kills have produced an electronic chirping, squeaking, gurgling collection of songs that immediately get your attention.  Midnight Boom may be the coolest album I have heard all year, and possibly the most creative of the three dynamic duos on this list.  Complete with wry lyrics like “I want you to be crazy cause you’re boring baby when you’re straight,” this album will make you smirk…and turn up the volume.

 

Honorable Mention:

Sigur Ros, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

Raveonettes – Lust, Lust, Lust

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight

Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping

Thurston Moore – Trees Outside the Academy (No, just kidding.  This album is still garbage.  I just didn’t want to miss an opportunity to pile on.)