Only a few more weeks till this year and decade will be coming to an end. So we felt it was time to get our “Best of” lists going. Most blogs and Magazines have already posted theirs and that gave us even more reason to wait. The year wasn’t quite over and who knows what other musical gems could arrive. Enjoy our “Best of ’09: Staff Approved” series!

To get us started off on the good foot is IRR’s favorite critical thinker and resident “Douche,” Barry Moore. All kidding aside, give us your thoughts and on what you think of our choices! Enjoy!

Barry Moore’s Top 10 albums of the year. and why.

1. Pomegranates “Everybody, Come Outside!”

This is easily the most interesting album to listen to and also the catchiest of the entire year. If it were the 70′s again, I would say that the band Pomegranates would be Supertramp. They don’t sound much like them. But socially I feel like they have a similar vibe. They are absolutely fun. And sometimes that’s what music is supposed to be. Fun. And enjoyable, without having to think too much about it or explain it in some analytical terms like how “the polyrhythms of the guitars and drums make up for a very engaging listen”. It’s just damn good. Give it a try.
http://www.myspace.com/pomegranatesart

Pomegranates – Everybody, Come Outside!

Pomegranates – Corriander

2. Julie Doiron “I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day”

This gentle album has the tendency to rear out and roar like a lion at times. But never in all it’s varying forms of aural dominance does it ever lose grace. It is compelling but still allows room to be a companion to daily activity. The kind of album to listen to cuddling with a friend, driving in a car, and perhaps while cooking dinner. I think that’s what particularly sets this album apart. Is that it’s good enough to listen to straight through without anything else needed to captivate your attention, but it isn’t too aggressive to interrupt conversation. It’s like a great pet. Like a cat. Named Baby. Or Julie Doiron.
http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron

3. Deer Tick “Born on Flag Day”
Deer Tick’s second album is obviously developed in a new direction due to the collaborative effort of the band all writing and playing together. It plays more like a rock band’s album than a singer-songwriter’s solo project. One can expect to be delighted by the overall energy of the album and it’s presentation. Although it is straightforward, simple, and even anachronistic, it is outright enjoyable. It’s fucking rock and roll man. What else are you gonna listen to? Emo? Grow up.
http://www.deertickmusic.com/

4. Lightning Dust “Infinite Light”
There’s something about this album that is outright enchanting. The way Amber Webber’s voice quavers plaintively over the gothic accompaniment is absolutely delightful. It’s transportability as an physical album is somewhat metaphoric for it’s musical ability to take you to another place entirely. And if Stevie Nicks was considered a witch during her career then I think Amber Webber is either her child or her counterpart. Maybe we should worship her appropriately, I do, and it’s great.
http://www.lightningdust.com/

5. Will Sartain “For Love”
This album doesn’t have too many “single-worthy” tracks, there aren’t any “hits”. The structure of each song is actually quite tedious on its own, alone. But put together I think that as an album, this is the album most worthy of being called the best construction of one united piece of art. And apparently, it was written for love, and I don’t believe it could be written for anything else. Because Will Sartain put out this album for free, and the absolute sincerity and sharing of one’s soul is enough to endorse hugging a stranger. And I do. But I wouldn’t if I hadn’t heard this album. This album gets my vote for being the most life-changing.
http://www.myspace.com/willsartain

6. Vetiver “Tight Knit”
There are a lot of bands that I think all sound similar right now. I won’t name any names or point ay fingers, but in terms of all the catchy folk music acts going around the musical circuit I think Vetiver is my favorite. That’s about all I got to say. You know what I’m talking about.
http://www.vetiverse.com/

7. An Horse “Rearrange Beds”
An Horse is made of Kate Cooper and Damon Cox and they are two people writing songs. Kate Cooper sings kind of funny sometimes when she enunciates words but no one can deny the fact that she and Damon write really amazing songs. If there is a complaint I could have I would say that all the songs sound the same. But that didn’t really stop the Strokes very much and I don’t think it stops An Horse either. When you write one good song over and over again you can’t really go wrong much. Can you? Plus they kind of rock. (For reference, see the Deer Tick review)
http://www.anhorse.com/

8. BOAT “Setting the Paces”
BOAT is a band that writes really catchy rock songs and then seems to have a lot of fun when they play them. This might be deterring to some people and to be honest on my first listen of the album I thought it was semi-marginal but it’s definitely grown on me throughout the year. It’s pretty simple, straightforward rocking out from some seemingly weird guys, and all of that combined is consequently pretty awesome
http://www.myspace.com/boatmusic

9. The Awful Truth “Object Permanence”
This album came from the recommendation from a friend, there was no publicist and no one shoving music down my throat telling me it’s awesome. That definitely helps anyone when they are introduced to new music, I think. Plus it’s really refreshing to come across a record that seems like someone’s first efforts to make an album. It doesn’t feel contrived or planned out, just honest. It’s not really that accessible in terms of vocal delivery and I tend to like hearing someone more unqualified for American Idol trying their hand at song writing. It makes me feel like it’s sincere and real, not some performance. And that’s what I love about this album. How sincere it feels. (For reference, see the Will Sartain review)
http://www.myspace.com/theawfultruthmusic

10. Cursive “Mama, I’m Swollen”
I think this is the best album Cursive has put out since the Ugly Organ and is on the same level as the Ugly Organ. For those of you who never liked Cursive don’t bother. For those of you that did, and are too hip to like bands you liked six years ago then I think you’re lame for being so pretentious. For those of you that loved the Ugly Organ and continue to listen to music simply because you like it, I think it’s safe to say you will like this album. So enjoy.
http://www.cursivearmy.com/

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Show 4

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Holy Hell, King Khan is where it’s at. \’a0One of the best shows of ’08, and fronting the best album of\’a0

’08 King Khan and the Shrines “The Supreme Genius Of”. \’a0At this show in San Diego, all of the\’a0

Tijuana Punkers showed up and acted as though it was a Sex Pistols show; yelling, pushing,\’a0

punching and even spitting at the band. \’a0Khans response was spinning guitar back midsong and

putting a fist in the guys mouth, spinning the guitar back and proceeding unabated.

My recommendation, do not miss this show, and also don’t spit at the band. – VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

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Show 3

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Show 2

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Show 1

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Jay Reatard
Kings of Convenience
Frontiers
Rocky Votolato
The Appleseed Cast
Cursive
The Cribs (now with Johnny Marr!)
Maria Taylor
Fleet Foxes
Pomegranates
Antony And The Johnsons
Black Lips
Franz Ferdinand
Art Brut (produced by Frank Black!)
M. Ward (sans the girl from Elf)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jeremy Enigk
Kristofer Astrom
Grizzly Bear
Matt Pond PA
The Decemberists
Neko Case
Baby Teeth
Blikk Fang (MGMT + Of Montreal)
Animal Collective
Andrew Bird
Stars
Built to Spill
Beirut
Doves
Morrisey
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\’a0In no particular order:

Fredrik \’93Na Na Ni\’94
Matt Pond PA \’93The Freeep\’94
The Postmarks \’93By the Numbers\’94
Lukestar \’93Lake Toba\’94
School of Seven Bells\’94 Alpinisms
The Silent Years \’93The Globe\’94
Trenches \’93The Tide Will Swallow Us All\’94
Laura Marling \’93Alas, I cannot Swim\’94
The New Year \’93S/T\’94
The Week That Was \’93S/T\’94
Teitur \’93The Singer\’94
Leona Naess \’93Thirteens\’94
The Little Ones \’93Morning Tide\’94
Tobias Froberg \’93Master Turn Heads\’94
Damien Jurado \’93 Caught In the Trees\’94
CSS \’93Donkey\’94
This is Ivy League \’93S/T\’94
Able Baker Fox \’93Voices\’94
Fleet Foxes \’93S/T\’94
Sunny Day Sets Fire \’93Summer Palace\’94
Pomegranates \’93Everything is Alive\’94
The Acorn \’93Glory Hope Mountain\’94
Shout Wellington Air Force \’93Carry Yourself\’94
Tokyo Police Club \’93Elephant Shell\’94
Polar Bear Club \’93Sometimes Things Just Disappear\’94
This Will Destroy You \’93S/T\’94
The Diggs \’93Ctrl-Alt-Del\’94
Born Ruffians \’93Red, Yellow, and Blue\’94
The Dodos \’93Visiter\’94
The Helio Sequence \’93Keep Your Eyes Ahead\’94
Mates of State \’93Re-Arrange Us\’94
Evangelicals \’93The Evening Descends\’94
Sun Kil Moon \’93April\’94
Nomo \’93Ghost Rock\’94
Sigur Ros \’93Me\’f0 su\’f0 \’ed eyrum vi\’f0 spilum endalaust\’94
God is an Astronaut \’93S/T\’94

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Some are Lakes \’96 Land of Talk

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Oh, Canada. Home of hockey, maple syrup and really, really, rocking female vocalists. Vocalist Elizabeth Powell carries this album places nobody ever expected.\’a0 While Land of Talk lead singer is not quite as vocally talented as Canadian singers Alanis Morissette and Leslie Feist, with a bit of practice, the young singer will be running circles around these aging vocalists. The band’s sophomore album, “Some are Lakes” grabs you from the very first track, with the pounding drums of “Yuppy Flu” and doesn’t drop you till the closing, half-French, ballad, “Troubled”. Reminiscent of Cat Power’s “You Are Free”, Rilo Kiley’s “Execution of All Things”, and a little bit of Aimee Mann, Land of Talk has developed a unique sound despite a variety of widely popular influences.

\’a0

Oracular Spectacular \’96 MGMT

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 The duo experiments with psychedelic hooks and lyrics that pound more energy into one verse than most bands can fit into an entire song. MGMT is simply delicious, making this album impossible to turn off until the very last chord stops reverberating.

\’a0

Feed the Animals \’96 Girl Talk

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Pittsburgh DJ Greg Gillis showed that he was able to make a series of samples sound like an altogether original art form. His intricate layering allowed songs to take on all new forms, exposing emotions never visible in the original form. This album is both fun and functional, artistic and downright amazing.

\’a0

Pershing \’96 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 This album is technically simple but perfect in it’s simplicity. These songs cement themselves into your brain, a perfect combination of catchy pop lyrics and great hooks. While not exactly the most memorable collection, it’s a prime example of what an indie rock record should look like.

\’a0

The Bake Sale \’96 The Cool Kids

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Reminiscent of 1980′s rap, this duos beats are complex without smacking you in the face. It’s quite easy to miss the perfectly timed drum machine but when you pay careful attention, it becomes evident that the Cool Kids understand the formula to construct catchy yet laid back beats, giving them plenty of time to spit genuinely individual lyrics. Their lyrics deviate from most modern day rap and focus on how “hip” they are as opposed to how tough they are. Never has 80′s revival been so good.

\’a0

Something for Everyone \’96 E-603

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 E-603′s mash ups have more variety and flow together better than those of Greg Gillis. With samples from Wolf Parade, The Strokes and the Postal Service, this album was like a big Easter egg hunt. The first time I heard it, I was sitting in the back of a friends car, freaking out as the mix got more and more intricate. It seemed to combine absolutely every song I enjoy into one big, danceable track. Sweet deal.

\’a0

In Rainbows \’96 Radiohead \’96 Dec 27, 2007 is close enough!

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Full of up tempo guitar solos, uniquely Radiohead sound effects and acoustic ballads that exhibit all of Thom Yorke’s vocal capabilities, this album might be my second favorite of all time.

\’a0

At Mount Zoomer \’96 Wolf Parade

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Mostly unintelligible and chock full of catchy, danceable rhythms, this album is the poster child for downright musical chaos. Thrilling breakdowns and frenetic guitar parts will make any listener take time to listen.

\’a0

Tha Carter 3 \’96 Lil Wayne

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 A collection of grade-A beats intermixed with a variety of moods, prove that this album is chock full of imagination. The “best rapper alive” proves that there is indeed, no way that you can “get on his level”.

\’a0

Dear Science \’96 TV on the Radio

\’a0

\’b7\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0\’a0 Honestly, this album is too good for words. Every explanation I could dish out would not suffice. I consider this album the beginning of a musical revolution.

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Best Albums of 2008

A. Flops:
Angriest Fans: Kings of Leon—Only By the Night
Death by Overhype: The Black Kids—Party Traumatic
Hardly worth the illegal download: The Brian Jonestown Massacre—My Bloody Underground
Yes, they\’92re still making albums, but\’85: Bloc Party—Intimacy
Bipolar: Raconteurs—Consolers of the Lonely
WTF/decent: My Morning Jackets—Evil Urges

B. Tops, (AKA, 20-1):
#20 is hot Bud Light Lime commercial with finless surfboards: Santogold—s/t
#19 is tuff: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds—Dig Lazarus Dig
#18 is dancing days are here again: Cut Copy—In Ghost Colours
#17 is a real garage band: Thee Oh Sees—The Master\’92s Bedroom is Worth Spending a Night In
#16 could have been better, but still\’85: TV on the Radio—Dear Science
#15 is the best Strokes side project of 2008: Little Joy—s/t
#14 needs no intro: MGMT—Oracular Spectacular
#13 makes the music they want: The Walkmen—You & Me
#12 shouldn\’92t be making albums this good anymore: The Dirtbombs—We Have You Surrounded
#11 is the first loser for not making the top 10: Islands—Arm\’92s Way
#10 is two separate EPs by two different artists: Wolf Parade—At Mount Zoomer
#9 could\’92ve done it without Danger Mouse: The Black Keys—Attack & Release
#8 would\’92ve been ranked 6th without \’93A-Punk\’94: Vampire Weekend—s/t
#7 is fun, even when it\’92s trying to be abrasive: Man Man—Rabbit Habits
#6 will be better appreciated in the future: Black Mountain—In The Future
#5 says \’93British wrestling is the way forward!\’94: Let\’92s Wrestle–In Loving Memory Of\’85
#4 is when indie rockers do Brit pop: Pete & The Pirates—Little Death
#3 is best American songwriter: The Hold Steady—Stay Positive
#2 is best American songwriter: Okkervil River—The Stand-Ins
#1 deserves it: Dr. Dog—Fate
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Let\’92s Wrestle \’93I Won\’92t Lie to You\’94 Acoustic
It\’92s two kids performing an acoustic version of one of the best songs of 2008. It happens to be their song. It\’92s a simple song. It\’92s a simpler video (on the bed, at a house party, walking down the streets). It\’92s worth your time. These British kids have the proverbial it that will be taking them places in 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l2Ci28LdVw&feature=related

Built to Spill covers \’93Paper Planes\’94
A.K.A. Doug Martsch doing M.I.A. Brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-G18A-U80&feature=related

Santogold \’93L.E.S. Artistes\’94
What a woman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCeZzW54a2o

The Muslims (The Soft Pack) \’93Extinction\’94
Eddie Argos endorses The Soft Pack, the band formerly known as The Muslims. We here at indierockreviews.com also considered changing our name this year. We pussed out. To make up for it we\’92re posting this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMF5A2oMDeE

Hold Steady on Letterman
This was pretty funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWlWCgSUgzg

MGMT \’93Time To Pretend\’94
MGMT supposedly makes psychedelic pop music. In reality they don\’92t. They make pop music (albeit really good pop music), and they made a psychedelic video (albeit a really good psychedelic video) to go along with one of their songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE&feature=related

Trampboarding Bonus
I found this whilst trying to find the last video. I\’92m very pleased with my discovery. The seasons change, the tricks get progressively more difficult, the editing ain\’92t half bad, and the kid also wrote and recorded the song (so it does have something to do with music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ERs7R_Ex0g]]>

60 Best Songs of 2008
These songs aren\’92t the best of 2008, they\’92re just my favorite (of what I\’92ve heard). It\’92s assembled more like a playlist than anything else. Actually, there were a few songs I wanted to add but they weren\’92t on my comp so they\’92re not here. Sorry Rhianna. Suffice it to say, I was pretty pleased with these songs in 2008.

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60. The Dirtbombs + La fin du monde
This song works perfect as the last song on We Have You Surrounded and It\’92s gonna work perfect as the ender of this playlist. Also note that the Mick Collins and his Dirtbombs still put on the best live show.

59. Pete & The Pirates + Bright Lights
A mindless dance song. Theses Brits reminds us why we loved Silent Alarm in the first place\’85 and why we have no time for the last two albums.

58. Dr. Dog + My Friend
Dr. Dog sound like too many of their predecessors on \’93My Friend\’94. Soon enough you\’92ll stop making these comparisons and say, \’93It sounds like\’85 Dr. Dog.\’94

57. M83 + Graveyard Girl
Atmospheric

56. Born Ruffians + Badonkadonkey
Here is the Born Ruffians at their youthfully exuberant best. The song title is silly, the drums are simple but driving, the riff is repetitive, and Lalonde\’92s vocals are purposely exaggerated to great effect. It is indeed Luke Lalonde\’92s playful vocals that serves as the defining element in the trio\’92s unique sound. It\’92s not an all to forgettable or unfamiliar vocal hook that Lalonde\’92s throwing out either\’97try not singing along to \’93well I believe in heaven but when I see you I don\’92t.\’94

55. The Mae Shi + Run To Your Grave
I\’92m not sure if this song will have much longevity, but it sure is fun for now.

54. The Dutchess and The Duke + Strangers
\’93I realize that just cause you lose don\’92t mean that I have won.\’94

53. Tapes n\’92 Tapes + Conquest
Where Walk It Off fell flat \’93Conquest\’94 proved these guys still have loads of talent. Although, I\’92m not quite sure if this isn\’92t a Wolf Parade track\’85

52. The Last Shadow Puppets + The Age of The Understatment
Best spy song of the year. Sorry Jack and Alicia.

51. Islands + I Feel Evil Creeping In
Dumbest opening line of the year: \’93In the back of my mind I want to do mean things, I want to be unkind.\’94 But if Arm\’92s Way\’92s darkness were to be taken seriously then it\’92d very hard indeed to take Thorburn and Islands as anything but dumb. But, since we never believed he was a unicorn we can forgive him for the album\’92s faux-malevolence.

50. Black Mountain + Wucan
This just has to be heard to be fully appreciated.

49. The Soft Pack + Beside Myself
This song reminds me of summer: mainly the surf riff and the standardized testing reference. So refreshing.

48. TV on the Radio + DLZ
The TV on the Radio we know and love: passionate, serious, melodic, smooth. No awkwardly paced rapping about sweatshirts, no RHCP intros, and no stupid song titles. This is Dear Science\’92s best moment.

47. Albert Hammond, Jr. + GfC
Further proof that The Strokes are good

46. Santogold + You\’92ll Find A Way
Here Santi White does something between Siouxsie Sioux and Sleater Kinney. But throughout Santogold she proved she had (many) more tricks up her sleeve and introduced her self as the singular female voice in 2008.

45. Delta Spirit + People C\’92mon
San Diego\’92s well-rounded soul searchers churned out an impressive debut. \’93People C\’92mon\’94 is Delta Spirit at their best. Vasquez\’92s vocals emote as the pounding of piano and drums progress into the communal chorus and then the even more inclusive group handclap. It\’92s really quite an achievement of a pop song.

44. Pete & The Pirates + A Song For Today
Pretty.

43. The Dutchess & the Duke + Reservoir Park
The boy-girl duo\’92s ominous first single doesn\’92t sound as wimpy as the band suggests.

42. M83 + Kim & Jessie
Somewhere, somehow, someday in 2008 Kim actually met Jessie. They\’92re currently reading Pitchfork.

41. Fleet Foxes + White Winter Hymnal
Missing song from Oh Brother Where Art Thou OST.

40. Harlem + South of France
\’93I hate every book I ever read. Take back the words I never said.\’94

39. Jay Reatard + See/Saw
Warning: Will make you yearn for Misfits.

38. The Black Keys + Psychotic Girl
This is what happens when you bring danger Danger Mouse on board. It\’92s different, but brilliant.

37. The Dirtbombs + Ever Lovin\’92 Man
Mick Collins doesn\’92t want to be a hero, he just wants to do the best he can. It\’92s really a love song but it seems almost semi-autobiographical considering Collins\’92 (and his various bands\’92) storied run under the spotlight. Collins (the heroic savior of rock n\’92 roll) and The Dirtbombs doing the best they can, even in 2008, is better than most.

36. Let\’92s Wrestle + Pica Syndrome
Let\’92s Wrestle is a trio of UK teenagers full of good advice. \’93And haven\’92t you ever wondered what rust may taste like? Well I know, and it\’92s alright. Why don\’92t you try it? The doctors don\’92t matter, cause I know you\’92ll be find.\’94 No matter that lead singer, Wesley Patrick Gonzalez, wasn\’92t even born in 1971, you still believe he did something bad that year.

35. Richard Swift + Lady Luck
Swift\’92s Ground Trouble Jaw EP delved into plenty of genres. If \’93Lady Luck\’94 were released where released in 1968 it would currently be playing on your local FM oldies station.

34. Sons & Daughters + Gilt Complex
These Scots have (for better or worse) come along way since Love The Cup. In 2003 they were a Johnny Cash obsessed anti-folk band. In 2008 they sound more like Lust For Life.\’a0 Needless to say they sound just as good powering through an electrical riff as they did picking away at an acoustic jam.

33. Blood on The Wall + The Ditch
Sticking to the plan to great effect.

32. Islands + Creeper
Nick Thoburn said he wanted to create the perfect pop song. He\’92s getting closer.

31. Harlem + Witchgreens
Harlem will be around in 2009. Get used to it. \’93Cause I\’92m into shit that you don\’92t even knoooooowhoaaaaaaa.\’94

30. She & Him + Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
Cute

29. Dr. Dog + The Beach
This is the best trip I\’92ve ever been on.

28. Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs + I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya
Holly Golightly and Lawyer Dave can do covers like no other, especially when it\’92s a playful blues duet about beating your spouse.

27. Man Man + Rabbit Habbits
Oppenheimer and the decision to drop the bomb is a little more complicated than this song would suggest. But that\’92s a whole \’91nother story.

26. Glam Chops + Countdown To Christmas
This is Eddie Argos singing a Christmas song. It\’92s really just here to get you into the spirit. Nevermind that it\’92s quite catchy.

25. The Walkmen + In The New Year
Expertly timed July debut.

24. Wolf Parade + California Dreamer
\’93California Dreamer\’94 seems to be a Sunset Rubdown song. But Boeckner\’92s influence keeps the song more accessible where Krug may have been inclined to go out for a ten-minute stroll.

23. DeVotchka + Along the Way
Your band doesn\’92t make music this good.

22. Man Man + Top Drawer
Immature

21. Vampire Weekend + Oxford Comma
Do you know anyone who cares about oxford commas?

20. MGMT + Time To Pretend
I\’92ve been pretending for years.

19. Okkervil River + Calling And Not Calling My Ex
\’93Go turn their heads, go knock them dead, go break their hearts.\’94

18. Let\’92s W
restle + Music Is My Girlfriend
The dumber Let\’92s wrestle try to be, the smarter we realize they really are. \’93Sometimes I think that I am trying too hard. But why would I be trying too hard? I have never tried too hard. I don\’92t even need to try.\’94

17. The Hold Steady + One For The Cutters
Breaking Away

16. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds + Lie Down Here (And Be My Girl)
Badass

15. Let\’92s Wrestle + Let\’92s Wrestle
These rowdy teens realize that Hulk Hogan holds wrestling as the way forward. And they challenge you, \’93Let\’92s wrestle! Let\’92s fucking Wrestle!\’94

14. The Soft Pack + Extinction
The best example of the best San Diego has to offer. The Muslims are now extinct but coming on strong in 2009 with more two and a half minute long gems.

13. Pete & the Pirates + She Doesn\’92t Belong To Me
Disarming vocals.

12. The Black Keys + Strange Times
The Black Keys.

11. Wolf Parade + Language City
The one moment on At Mount Zoomer where you might be convinced that Krug and Boeckner are working together.

10. Pete & The Pirates + Knots
The wigs, the glasses, the catchphrase\’85 brilliant.

9. Dr. Dog + The Rabbit, the Bat, and the Reindeer
Dr. Dog makes pop music.

8. Okkervil River + Singer Songwriter
This isn\’92t Okkervil River at their best. There\’92s really not much to this song: simple drums, three chords, and a spoiled hipster with great taste. But the singer songwriter of \’93Singer Songwriter,\’94 Will Sheff, is best in class once again. He\’92s bitter, emotional, clever, and damning: \’93You come from wealth, yeah you got wealth, what a bitch they didn\’92t give you much else.\’94 Lines like that are written to be sung along to, even if you\’92re lying when you sing along.
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7. Let\’92s Wrestle + I\’92m In Fighting Mode
Of all of Let\’92s Wrestle\’92s songs this sounds the least like them. It\’92s slower, dark, foreboding, and seemingly dead serious. In reality, it\’92s still Let\’92s Wrestle. Cocky. Confident. Confrontational. \’93You think you\’92ve seen the last of me. This aint the last of me. I\’92m gonna see it to the end. And you think you\’92ve seen the best of me. This aint the best of me. You\’92ll see that in good time.\’94 We can only hope that\’92s a promise, for 2009\’92s sake.

6. Black Mountain + Angels
Beautiful, drony, druggy, rock music perfected.

5. The Black Kids + I\’92m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
Death by Overhype. Apparently critics only like The Black Kids when they\’92re illegally downloaded. That\’92s racist. If it weren\’92t for that EP (Wizard of Ahhs), the Black Kids and Party Traumatic would still be one of (y)our favorite bands. This song is undeniably fun.

4. The Hold Steady + Joke About Jamaica
Craig Finn is as reflective ever as he reminisces on \’93Joke About Jamaica\’94 about a magical time when, \’93girls didn\’92t seem so difficult. Boys didn\’92t seem typical.\’94 It\’92s one of those lines that even Will Sheff wishes he had written of.

3. Man Man + Whalebones
\’93Whalebones\’94 is a slow seven-minute waltz of a song. It\’92s heartfelt. It\’92s pretty. It\’92s dead serious. It\’92s intelligent. It\’92s gimmick free. It\’92s apologetic. It\’92s the last song on Rabbit Habits, and it sounds nothing like Man Man. It couldn\’92t be a better love song.

2. Let\’92s Wrestle + I Won\’92t Lie To You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5HnZP5v6s&feature=related

1. MGMT + Kids
Last year\’92s best song was about Bad Kids, this year it\’92s just about Kids.

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Light, dreamy and at times whimsical, there is perhaps no better trio of adjectives that describe the Champaign, Ill. trio’s second proper release. While many of the heartfelt ballads are far from thought-provoking, something can be said for an album that puts the music– and the enjoyment of the listener– first.

9. The Faint, “Fasciinatiion”
It’s no “Danse Macabre,” but few records have the potential for being that outstanding a dance album. Although a few tracks hinder it from appearing any higher on the list, The Faint’s fifth studio album still brings the electronic grooves necessary to get down.

8. Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, “Awesome Record, Great Songs! Volume 1″
Making music that is pleasing to the ears is easy. But to make music that both sounds good and is genuinely hilarious is something accomplished by the elite few. In the case of Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric, their 49-track gem is fueled by quirky pop hits and guest appearances from big time indie playboys The Shins and Built to Spill.

7. Tokyo Police Club, “Elephant Shell”
Clocking in at under 30 minutes, the debut LP from the Canadian four-piece will burn a hole through your record player, but not your pocket. Well worth the wait, the 11 songs are catchy enough to warrant more than one play.

6. Ratatat, “LP3″
Groovy and intricate, Ratatat’s third, aptly titled LP turns any brisk walk around campus into the ultimate intrinsical experience. Fast-hitting and full of energy, Mike Stroud and Evan Mast prove it doesn’t take a full band to produce a full band sound.

5. Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s, “Animal!”
Releasing one album a year is difficult enough, but Richard Edwards’ and company put their work rate to the test and produced two: The studio-preferred “Not Animal,” and the band’s vision for a great album, “Animal!” While both records pack the same amount of punch, it is the latter that registers just a bit higher.

4. The Dodos, “Visiter”
A hazy delicacy for those looking to turn their minds off and drift into the land of unconscious thought, “Visiter” is a celestial masterpiece. Tunes like “Ashley” and “The Season” brave new worlds of ambitious, folk-driven indie rock.

3. Joan of Arc, “Boo Human”
It was a long year for Tim Kinsella. First, he churned out the new Make Believe record, which he followed up with a mini tour. Then, he crafted the latest Joan of Arc opus the first in a pair of releases for the year (the other being a single). More personal and damning than its predecessors, “Boo Human” marks a cold, exciting transition for the band.

2. Why?, “Alopecia”
Yoni Wolf has done the unthinkable and crafted this year’s semblance of perfection with “Alopecia,” the group’s third full-length. With memorable beats and mesmerising rhymes, there is no question as to how thorough and replayable this record really is.

1. Cloud Cult, “Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)”
I receive a lot of records in the mail and through the grapevine here, and Cloud Cult’s eighth LP was one of them. Admittedly, the songs didn’t mesh for me at first, but after repeated listens, this is one of the snappier, (environmentally) sound albums I’ve ever listened to, certainly on par with the act’s last classic, “The Meaning of 8.” Each of the 13 tracks plays like a miniature indie rock opera, defining both an aura and an era for the band, and its listeners.]]>