#5. All Delighted People EP - Sufjan Stevens

With all the fuss about Sufjan Steven's release of Age of Adz I feel like All Delighted People was severally overlooked. I wish that I enjoyed Age of Adz and could put his LP as my number five spot, but I didn't really enjoy but a few songs. I think the real masterpiece from him this year is his EP. The title track infectiously lingers in your mind while I think every song is unique and unforgettable in its own way. My only issue with this album is the 17 minute long jam for single mothers "Dejohariah." It was a nice thought, but I don't think most single mothers have the time to listen to squawking guitars for 17 minutes. Besides, I prefer songs to be under 10 minutes, but that might be only me and my short attention span.

Favorite Tracks: "Heirloom", "All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)", and "Enchanting Ghost."

#6. David Gray - Foundling

This has been the year of David Gray for me. If artists of the year was picked by my play count alone, "Foundling" would come in number one by miles ahead of any other album. I love everything about this album, except the song "Forgetting." I wish I could forget that he ever wrote that. I love David Gray's voice, and how everything he sings seems to spill out of the most genuine place of his heart. His lyrics aren't as strong, and his songs are a little too slow at times. I would have liked to see him shake things up a bit more. Those are the reasons I couldn't justify putting him any closer to the top than number six. I know I've tortured my friends with the constant replaying of this album this year. I'm sorry, but also you're welcome.

Favorite Tracks: "We Could Fall in Love Again Tonight", "In God's Name", and "Davey Jones' Locker."

#7. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

If you haven't noticed I really like listening to artist with unique voices. I never gave The Tallest Man on Earth (who actually isn't that tall) much attention because I thought all the indie bloggers and magazine writers only praised his last album because of the similarities between his voice and Bob Dylan's voice. To my surprise, he's a very talented writer, and I feel like his record is approachable in the way that I feel it could have been just as easily be listening to one of my friends sing in the living room. If you can get past his voice, or strange voices appealing give his album "The Wild Hunt" a listen.

Favorite Tracks: "The Wild Hunt", and "The Drying of the Lawns."

#8. The Innocence Mission - My Room in the Trees.

My Room in the Trees is an album (in my mind) that is meant to represent winter even though it came out in the summer. The beautiful, soft, piano styling paired with the acoustic guitar creates this sound that seems completely unique the Innocence Mission. I can imagine people in winter coats walking or playing in the snow covered ground; snow falling softly on their eyelashes and happy faces. Okay, that's corny. But I'm saying the beauty of this album is meant for winter not gross, sticky, summer.

I've been a fan of the Innocence Mission for a while and always enjoy their albums but particularly enjoy this one because they seem to be experimenting with putting new instruments in their music such as the violins accompanying them on Rain (Setting Out in a Leafy Boat.) I do have a few disappointments with this album. I wish they would mix up some of their styles a little bit because sometimes many of their songs sound like previous works. Over all I think the album is great, and the piano parts are ever evolving to be more beautiful.

If you enjoy peaceful music, well-crafted lyrics, and beautiful voices give this album a try. My favorite tracks are Rain (Setting out in a Leafy Boat), North American Field Song, and Spring.

#9. Jeff Beck - Emotion & Commotion

If I was a guitar savvy person I might be able to explain to you in great detail why this album rocks. I could explain to you that Jeff Beck is the master of the chord progression, and he had excellent pedal choices, but I don't really know what I'd be talking about. I'll explain to you in the best way possible why I love this album. I enjoy the performers which Jeff Beck has chosen to sing covers such as Joss Stone in "I Put a Spell On You." Her voice blended with his guitar work is as close to perfection as you're going to get on that song. I mostly enjoy just listening to Jeff Beck play his guitar without lyrics, such as in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." This song used to be one of my favorites as a kid, and still really enjoy listening to it. It was great to hear such a new twist to and old favorite. It is both refreshingly new and conformably familiar. Over the years many have covered that song, but this is by far the best musical version I have heard.

Side Note: Have you seen the cover? There is a freaking eagle carrying a guitar! If you didn't think this album was cool before you have to admit it now!

# 10. K'naan - Troubadour

Surprised? Well you shouldn't be. Not only is this album good on it's own, it catapulted itself into the pop limelight by releasing this year's (in my opinion) best single. When "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the anthem for the 2010 World Cup it instantly became a summer anthem in my mind as well. I think K'naan will prove he is not just a one hit wonder, because his beats and lyrics on the rest of the album are just as infectious and rememberable as "Wavin' Flag."

Be sure to check out this album, and keep an eye out for his sure to be promising projects. "Fatima", "Somalia", and "15 Minutes Away" are some of my favorites from the album.

Wavin' Flag (Video)

Top Albums of 2009

I told you I`d only return at the end of the year.



I haven`t been very impressed with the music of 2009. It was so hard for me to find albums that I could consider worthy of being on any list, but these six stood tall above the rest.



6. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix.

This album is fun to listen to but would replace it in a second if I had something else to replace it with. None of the lyrics make sense but they still manage to have everyone singing along. ``Lasso`` is my prefered song. I feel like a hipster just having this on my list. Man i`m embarrassed.



5. John Mayer - Battle Studies.



I never thought I would live to see the day that John Mayer made it on any of my list, (besides most cocky human being) but here he sits. Maybe it`s the lack of talent this year, or maybe it the fact that some of these songs really impressed me, whatever the case this is my number 5 for the year.



4. GlasVegas - A Snowflake Fell (and it Felt Like a Kiss)



I found this album on December 30th (talk about last minute.) I heard the title track because of my brother Gabe and instintly fell in love with this album. I downloaded it, and conclude that this is indeed one of the best albums of this year! I adore his thick Scottish accent, and think he could be saying absolutely nothing and it sound poetic.



3. Joshua James - Build Me This


Joshua James makes a reappearance on my list for the second straight year. He`s the only artist to make it into my top three twice. When I bought his first album I didn`t expect a successful followup album, and not so soon. So, I was surprised to see his album come out in 2009. I think he`s still struggling to find his voice in music, but he`s only been writing since 2007 so I can cut him some slack. ``Daniel`` and ``Benediction`` are the best song off this album.



2. Bell X1 - Blue Lights On the Runway.

When Damien Rice left Bell X1 and was extremely successful with his first albums he must have thought he was had come out on the good side of the breakup. Bell X1 proves in this album that they don`t need their old frontman and can do just fine on their own. The album opens to the upbeat ``Ribs of a Broken Umbrella`` but slows down the pace down a bit in ``Blow Ins.`` My favorite song off of this album is ``Light Catches Your Face.``



1. Bob Dylan - Together Through Life.



When I bought this album in May I decided it was going to be number one. This album is fantastic. It has this strange, mistical sound. It has french influences, old jazz influences, and all the while still remaining uniquelly Bob Dylan. He had a co-writer from The Greatful Dead so the lyrics seemed to be a little weaker but he still struck chords in my heart and imagination with songs like ``My Wifes Hometown`` and ``Forgetful Heart.`` My favorite tune on the album is ``Beyond Here Lies Nothing.``

That`s my list. Just because 2009 is over doesn`t mean these albums won`t remain fantastic. Go out and get yourself a copy of any of these. Here`s to a good 2010!