Best Albums of 2009 part 1

It's that time of year again. The time where you look at all the great music released in the past 365 days and narrow it down to the best 10 (or 12 or 25 or 100). It was no easy task this year since 2009 was quite the year for music. So here's the first batch of those that made #5-10 on the list.

10. JAY BRANNAN - IN LIVING COVER
Brannan's "In Living Cover" is an amazing covers album featuring songs by many different artists including Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco and the Verve Pipe among others. His cover of the Cranberries' "Zombie" still sends shivers down my spine.

9. THE GUGGENHEIM GROTTO - HAPPY THE MAN
Irish folk-pop artists The Guggenheim Grotto created an album that runs the gamut of emotion. "Fee Da Da Dee" gets me tapping my feet while "Oh Nikita" relaxes my mood. Try not to be in a good mood after listening to this album. I dare you.


8. PHOENIX - WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX
Phoenix's latest release is a catchy almost chaotic collection of tunes which I haven't been able to get out of my head. The songs are danceable and interesting and I knew there was something about this record that made me keep listening.

7. LIVING THINGS - HABEAS CORPUS
Hard rockers Living Things brought a dark, melodic record to my ears this year and it was something I wasn't expecting. It kicks off with the fast-paced "Brass Knuckles" and doesn't slow down with "Oxygen" and "Let It Rain," which keep my ears glued to the speakers until it's over.

6. PLUSHGUN - PINS & PANZERS

I fell in love with synth-pop group Plushgun last year and was eagerly anticipating their full length. Needless to say, it didn't disappoint. The songs on "Pins & Panzers" are electroacoustic synth 80s-like pop-rock at its best. Plushgun's songs are danceable. happy synth pop mixed with hard rock. I had this on repeat since 2008.