Albums of 2009

10 - The Killers - Live From The Royal Albert Hall

Favorite Tracks: "Spaceman", "Human", "Bling", "When You Were Young"

Other than a lame Joy Division cover, this is their definitive greatest hits performed live.

9 - Mastadon - Crack The Skye

Favorite Tracks: "The Czar", "Ghost Of Karelia", "Oblivion"

In one epic track "The Czar" Mastodon have mastered the past, present & future of metal. Sick.

8 - The Sounds - Crossing The Rubicon

Favorite Tracks: "Dorchester Hotel", "No One Sleeps When I’m Awake", "Goodnight Freddy"

Watch as a gimmick evolves into a real band.

7 - The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You

Favorite Tracks: "January Wedding", "Perfect Space", "Ten Thousand Words"

Rick Rubin may get the credit but this band is the real deal. Three steps away from their roots did them good.

6 - Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Favorite Tracks: "People Gotta A Lot Of Nerve", "I’m An Animal", "Don’t Forget Me"

"People Gotta A Lot Of Nerve" is a perfect song. One of america’s great unsung heroes does it again.

5 - Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid

Favorite Tracks: "Heartbroken, In Disrepair", "When The Night Comes", "Trouble Weighs A Ton"

No Surprises here: an incredibly solid solo effort by the the Black Keys’ frontman.

4 - Passion Pit - Manners

Favorite Tracks: "Little Secrets", "Moth’s Wings", "Sleepyhead"

For all the "Chunk of Change" lovers who turned into haters: WAKE THE F*** UP!

3 - Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

Favorite Tracks: "My Girls", "Summertime Clothes", "Lion In A Coma"

5 years ago i hated Animal Collective. This fact illustrates the beauty & joy of music.

2 - Andrew Bird/Noble Beast

Favorite Tracks: "Anonanimal", "Effigy", "Masterswarm"

A close second for Mr. Bird. A really tough decision this year.

1 - Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young

Favorite Tracks: "Glass", "11th Dimension", "Out Of The Blue"

It’s amazing how great the Strokes solo efforts have been.

Singles of 2009

5 - The Big Pink - "Dominoes"

I am not this much of a loverman.

4 - Riceboy Sleeps - "Happiness"

9-1/2 minutes of bliss.

3 - Beirut - "No Dice"

My ringback tone most of the year.

2 - Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"

One of the great summer singles of one of the great summers of indie rock.

1 - Bon Iver - "Brackett, W9"

The strongest single track on an great comp. Justin Vernon continues his roll.

Best concert of 2009

Neko Case/Crooked Fingers

Fifteen feet away in a venue that Neko could have destroyed without a mic or amp. Incredible.

Biggest musical dissapointment 2009

Yeah Yeah Yeahs/It’s Blitz!

I may regret this statement later.

Too many supergroups. Not enough super albums.

Arcade Fire? Sufjan? Feist? Where are you hiding?