40. The Flaming Lips
Embryonic
Embryonic is an experimental parade of fearless and wacky sounds. It is as ambitious as it is weird. Although the album may take some time to grow on you, The Flaming Lips have definitely captured a trip worth taking.
39. Bear in Heaven
Beast Rest Forth Mouth
Bear in Heaven have crafted an excellent psychedelic and progressive pop-rock album. It sounds like a mix between Jane’s Addicition and The Beatles’ White Album. Check out the track “Lovesick Teenagers” for a treat.
38. Built to Spill
There is No Enemy
If you listen to indie rock, then Built to Spill should be a familiar name to you. It’s a timeless sound, and I can’t believe that this might be their last album.
37. Passion Pit
Manners
Passion Pit is the best thing out of Boston since Tom Brady. Who doesn’t like eighties keyboards and falsetto shouts? This is an awesome pick-up for fans of the band, The Go Team. “Little Secrets” is one of the best tracks of the year.
36. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
Outer South
Remember the neurosis and anxiety of Bright Eyes? Well, that depressed boy is now a jolly (maybe) folk singer. This might be his new calling. I saw these guys open for Wilco, and they were fantastic.
35. NASA
The Spirit of Apollo
N.A.S.A (North America / South America) is a creative collaboration between music aficionados, Squeak E. Clean ad DJ Zegon. Imagine a more reggae and hip-hop infused Girl Talk.
34. Ben Harper and Relentless7
White Lies for Dark Times
When Ben Harper premiered his new band “Relentless7” last October, my anticipation for this album grew like crazy. This album is everything I expected.
33. Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
This is the best combo since Tony Hawk’s performance in the X-Games. Conor O’berst, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward, and Mike Mogis…sound like monster combination? Why do you think they named the band Monsters of Folk.
32. The Junior Boys
Begone Dull Care
A fine mix of synth and dance beats from the Canadian electro-pop. It seems like they have pumped up the emotion, and toned down the rage. Although Begone Dull Care falls short of So This is Goodbye, it is still a solid record.
31. Yim Yames
Tribute To
Tribute To is a solo effort by Jim James (no, I didn’t make a spelling mistake above) from My Morning Jacket. The songs are all haunting covers of the quiet Beatle, George Harrison. The album can be a bit melancholy, but it is still a must-buy for My Morning Jacket fans.
30. Joker
DigiDesign / You Know What Love Is
This 2-song EP from the king of the Bristol dub step scene is crunchier than a bowl of cereal.
29. Julian Casablancas
Phrazes for the Young
Front-man of the Strokes, Julian Casablancas, mixes 80’s electro-pop with punk rock to create an album that reminds me of his bands’ glory days in 2001.
28. Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
A dreamy symphony that will make you swoon.
27. Neko Case
Middle Cyclone
Middle Cyclone is a tornado-themed album that truly embraces the animal within an alt-county mastermind. Her voice is auditory cheesecake. It seems like everything Neko Case touches turns to gold.
26. The Hold Steady
A Positive Rage
A great live recording of an energetic band.
25. Bon Iver
Blood Bank
Their last release was one of my favorites of 2008, and this new EP won’t disappoint. I would have ranked it higher, but it only has 4 songs.
24. STS9
Ad Explorata
An album filled with mysterious electronic jams. Although I like their heavier sound a little better, this is still a solid disc.
23. Bluetech
The Divine Invasion
A unique and fluid blend of space beats and electronic lounge.
22. Andrew Bird
Noble Beasts
The master whistler is at it again! Andrew Bird has one of the best voices in music, and he proves it again on this album.
21. Spoon
Live At Stubbs, Austin, Texas
Spoon is a band that has blown up over the past few years. From chart-topping albums to singles in blockbuster films, these guys are making serious moves. This 3-disc live album catches their performance at Stubbs in Austin, Texas.
20. Various Artists
GetDarker Presents: This Is Dubstep
A compilation a cutting edge dubstep artists. If you love heavy bass, this one will blow out your subwoofer.
19. M Ward
Hold Time
The master of indie-folk has released one of his best albums. It even has 2 great tracks with Zooey Deschanel.
18. Fuck Buttons
Tarot Sport
Tarot Sport is a wild electronic-rock experience. The deep layers of electronic distortion, digital fuzz, and droning echo are combined with an experimental goth-metal style. This is ingenuity at its best.
17. Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion
The 9th album from Animal Collective is a rich treasure and a landmark victory. The live recording reminds me of Radiohead’s Kid A era. There’s a reason critics are raving about this band.
16. Green Day
21st Century Breakdown
Forty years from now, many of today’s popular bands will be forgotten. Green Day will not be forgotten. Think about the last 20 years…I can’t think of another band that better represents the genre of rock. Everyone on the planet knows this band! The latest record is another smashing hit. From the 5-minute rock anthem “21st Century Breakdown” to the heart-felt “21 Guns”, this album has everything a good rock album should have.
15. Modest Mouse
No One’s First, and You’re Next EP
This 8-song EP is a compilation of singles Modest Mouse has released over the past year. Every track is a hit, including my favorite “King Rat”.
14. Wilco
Wilco (The Album)
Wilco always releases great albums. Rolling Stone recently claimed that Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was one of the top 10 albums of the decade. Their experimental 2004 release even won a Grammy! Their latest release takes them back to their roots. Lead singer Jeff Tweedy said that sometimes keeping it simple is hardest thing to do. Well, that’s exactly what they did here. This album is plain-old fun!
13. Fever Ray
Fever Ray
A stellar and dark electronic side project from a member of the band The Knife.
12. Dinosaur Jr.
Farm
Farm has the best guitar solos of the year. Check out the track “I Don’t Wanna Go There” for some serious shredding on the guitar. I have absolutely no idea how these guys play this track live.
11. Shpongle
Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland
“Let the wild rumpus begin!” This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.
10. Real Estate
Real Estate
Music can sound like the changing of the seasons, and this indie-rock record is evidence.
09. Pearl Jam
Backspacer
Living proof that grunge isn’t dead. Eddie Vetter is alive and well, and he still knows how to make a wonderful album.
08. Pretty Lights
Passing By Behind Your Eyes
Hard-hitting electronic party music fused with soul samples. The wompy dubstep bass hits will make you want to dance your socks off.
07. Neon Indian
Physic Chasms
A lo-fi electronic gem that resembles work by The Field. Super catchy and super fun.
06. Eliot Lipp
Peace Love Weed 3D
Glitchy electronic from one of the best DJ’s around. Check out the track “Beamrider”.
05. Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
You wouldn’t know from listening to this album that the band is from France. They sing in perfect English. It is amazing that a foreign band can capture a fun and retro American sound so well.
04. Joker
Do It / Psychedelic Runway
A 2-song electronic EP that is 100% sinister.
03. The XX
XX
Not many bands are able to create such a masterpiece on their debut album. This one is for fans of Mazzy Star and Portishead.
02. Nirvana
Live at Reading
Recorded within a month of Kurt Cobain’s death, this live album captures the band at its peak. The energy that emanates from Nirvana is unmatched, and it makes you wonder what this band could have done today.
01 The Dirty Projectors
Bitte Orca
A pop-rock album that is as glorious as it is strange. It is amazing how a band can deliver complex music in such a simple manner. Bravo for creativity.
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