Cream of the Crop 2009

2009 was an amazing great year in music. There were so many great albums that it was very difficult for me to narrow them down to just 20. Still, I had a great time looking back and listening to some of my favorite albums of this past year. Let's take a look at some of these albums starting with my top 5 and then the rest.

1. fun. - Aim & Ignite

Highly influenced by Broadway and big band, Aim & Ignite is a perfectly crafted pop album with rich infectious melodies with witty wordplay lyrics. This record is so remarkable is that it has this rare sing-along quality to it, which makes it one of the most unique and joyful listening experiences I've had in a long time. Nate Reuss & Co. have really lived up to their name. 2009 was the year of fun.

2. Chester French - Love The Future

This is a pop influenced indie rock album with a "hip hop mindset", but upon listening, you can't really tell if its that kind of an album. That is the beauty of the genre-exploring sound of Love The Future. Even Kanye West and Pharrell have already gave their stamp of approval for this album.

3. John Mayer - Battle Studies

Inspired by heartbreak, Battles Studies is a beautiful collection of songs that explain the pains and sorrows of love. John Mayer's stellar guitar playing as well as the pure emotion coming from his vocals are the album's biggest strengths.

4. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

One of the most bizzare records of 2009 also happens to the most innovative record of this year. Merriweather Post Pavillion is a highly experimental and psychedelic experience that is just as strange as their optical illusion artwork.

5. Discovery - LP

A pop influenced electronic album not inspired by electronic artists. Instead LP takes it's influences from popular R&B acts such as Mariah Carey and Usher making this one of the most surprising records of 2009.

The rest of the list...

6. Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind

7. Jonsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps

8. The Dead Weather - Horsehound

9. Passion Pit - Manners

10. Papermoons - New Tales

11. Silversun Pickups - Swoon
12. Matt & Kim - Grand
13. Soap & Skin - Lovetune For Vacuum
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
15. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
16. Tegan & Sara - Sainthood
17. Grizzly Bear - Vecktamist
18. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
19. Mos Def - The Ecstatic
20. Converge - Axe To Fall

With the new year upon us, I can't wait to see what music has in store in 2010. Like I always say, keep your ears open for new and awesome music.