It’s worth noting that this list is based solely upon my own opinion. It’s also worth noting that my opinion is always correct.
I must say, it was tough to narrow this down. I probably could have expanded this to top 15′s, but that would defeat the purpose. Criteria for choosing the top 10 includes: Multiple standout tracks, overall quality, repeatability.
Top 10 albums
10. “…In Shallow Seas We Sail” – Emery
9. “Swoon” – Silversun Pickups
8. “Divided by Night” – The Crystal Method
7. “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King” – Dave Matthews Band
6. “The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion” – Dredg
5. “Act III: Life and Death” – The Dear Hunter
4. “Fantasies” – Metric
3. “Octahedron” – The Mars Volta
2. “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” – Phoenix
1. “Old Crows/Young Cardinals” – Alexisonfire
Honorable Mentions:
“The Resistance” – Muse
“Horehound” – The Dead Weather
“Killswitch Engage” – Killswitch Engage
“Brand New Eyes” – Paramore
“First Temple” – Closure in Moscow
Top 10 songs
10. “Help, I’m Alive” – Metric
9. “Substitution” – Silversun Pickups
8. “Kissing Cousins” – Closure in Moscow
7. “Oscar Wilde” – Company of Thieves
6. “The Reeling” – Passion Pit
5. “Buildings and Mountains” – The Republic Tigers
4. “Fireflies” – Owl City
3. “1901″ – Phoenix
2. “Born and Raised” – Alexisonfire
1. “Teflon” – The Mars Volta
Honorable Mentions:
“In Cauda Venenum” – The Dear Hunter
“The Butcher’s Mouth” – Emery
“Alligator Pie” – Dave Matthews Band
“Jizz in My Pants” – The Lonely Island
“Polar Bear” – Puscifer
I really wish Brand New’s album “Daisy” was good enough to make the cut (it has several stand-outs, but it was not as strong as their previous releases). Same goes for Mute Math and Manchester Orchestra; “Electrify” and “Shake It Out” were both extremely close to making the top 10 ’09 songs.
Anticipated for 2010 (some may be speculation, but I’ll throw them out there anyway):
Eminem’s “Relapse: Refill,” Massive Attack’s “Heligoland,” new Gorillaz and Justice, as well as an EP from Alexisonfire in the spring.
Overall, solid year (thanks, 2009!). Keep up the good work, musicians, and I will continue to live vicariously through you.